One benefit of the terrible fires over the winter, is that the Eastern Free State is now wonderfully green, combine that with the sandstone colours and it is rather spectacular. (Add a few puffy white clouds and clear blue skies and you have a photographer’s dream!) Recent guests visiting the area for the first time were amazed at how beautiful it is!

We have A Duckling…long may she last! As you probably know our ducks are not the best parents. The geese on the other hand are thriving as usual. We have three new pigs… unfortunately Pork chop and his lady are so large ne’er the twain shall meet, so no piglets forthcoming. Dandy has been having riding lessons (yes even horses have to learn!) and will soon be confident enough to take the next generation of Wyndford cowboys and girls up and down the drive.

We are still working on the additional bicycle route up the top of what used to be the Mast. George and I have recently joined the cycling conclave, right at the bottom of the pile (there could be a pun in there)…. I now understand why cycle pants are padded. I must say I prefer down hills and slight bends and do not do sharp corners! It is the only sport we can manage together and I tend to giggle all the way, presumably that will stop once the nerves are overcome!

After watching on in panic recently, while Shane enthusiastically removed a Puff Adder who had wondered in, we decided that for all of our peace of mind, it would be great for him to go on a training course. Up to Johannesburg he went, and spent the day learning about identifying, treatment and handling venomous snakes. He came back with great respect for the snake and a more cautious and educated approach. For those of you who have walked with him, yes, he does still look under all the rocks…

Information overload, could be one way to describe my month of traveling! Learning by osmosis... seeing how various establishments operate, present food, host people, make beds, market themselves...and more. My head is brimming with ideas and as well as points to be aware of. Watching people was another interesting observation, to see how people are living today and what a 'holiday' means, and then hopefully we can provide a better service. Of course there are also the simple lessons like 'do not try to apply permanent lip colour on a London tube or while driving on some South African roads...'

Talking of roads, after doing nearly 3300 kms round South Africa we can report that there are road works with holding periods all over. They are still busy with the Villiers Frankfort section from Joburg as well as the section through Golden Gate over Oliviershoek Pass road past Sterkfontein Dam. Delays also from Rouxville to Ladybrand in the Free State.

It is hard to believe that we are nearly at December. The time of year to chill out with family and friends and regroup. If you have not planned anything yet, there is still some availability – take a few days out to give Moms a ‘cooking free’ holiday, kids a ‘free range’ holiday and dads a …well there is the bicycle route, a great book from the library, lots of good food…..

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing many of you shortly
Stay well, best regards from
The Wyndford Team
PS Since writing, we have become the proud owners of 10 strapping new quackers, who make our old ducks look like featherweights!

Travels....

Information overload, could be one way to describe my month of travelling! Learning by osmosis..seeing how various establishments operate, present food, host people, make beds, market themselves...and more. My head is brimming with ideas and as well as points to be aware of. Watching people was another interesting observation, to see how people are living today and what a 'holiday' means, and then hopefully we can provide a better service. Of course there are also the simple lessons like ' do not try to apply permanent lip colour on a London tube or a South African road...' Signing off until next time!

little late on the blogging front lately...

We have two large family groups just arrived. It is such a delight to see little cousins from other ends of the world getting to know one another and having fun. Wyndford has always been a great place for family. There is also something about a horse that is special, long before we see Maluti or Dusty come into view down the driveway we can hear the busy chatter of little voices, when even the quietest of children seem to be empowered and enthralled by the gentle sway of what would seem to them to be a very large animal. We have seen many cowboys in the making.

The Red Chested Cuckoo (or Piet-my-vrou) has been heard and seen and we are pleased to announce that we have had 8mm rain last night. Good to start slow as the walking trails are very dusty and would be washed away if we had too much in one go. We have worked on the bicycle trail and made it easier (?) to ride – not quite a double highway but apparently a good ride, difficult and technical but not extreme, according to guests.

If you are coming down to us from Joburg areas, the Villiers route is under (proper!) construction and not just sand filling the holes. There are three holding points between Villiers and Frankfort which could take you up to 30 minutes to travel. If however you are fortunate with your timing, as I was last week, you can slip through with no delays at all. This route is fine during the day but would maybe recommend the Warden Bethlehem route if you are traveling at night.

Good news to report on the water front! After four tries and 120 metres, we struck water and now have a borehole, which George reported this morning filled the tanks in one hour, We walked through the trees at the tanks and had our first sips of crystal clear wonderful Wyndford water, straight out the pipe!

Family news.. we have 10 little yellow goslings (and counting!) Angelique, Celvin and Cassidy are back from leave and Shane and Patricia are planning a special time in Durban for her birthday celebrations in November. Lindy is on her way to England to visit Josh and Kirsty and hopefully to be there when Kirsty gets her pilots license. Minei is off to Bloemfontein to pursue a career with the Foshini Group, where we wish her well but note that the staff table will be a little less raucous from now on…

It seems like the year is running away and it is nearly Christmas…Don’t leave it too late to plan for the revitalizing break after a year well done.

Travelling to Wyndford

Just a quick update....
Travelling from Joburg the Villiers /Frankfort / Reitz road is at present being fixed (at long last). There are three stages where there are holding and waiting sections which will add about half and hour onto your trip. Other than that the route seems to be OK. Warden is still an option if you prefer. Travel safe!

It has taken a little while of living in the Eastern Free State to not struggle with the brownness and dust but rather to come to appreciate the many shades of gold and orange that adorn the fields at the moment. Farmers are busy harvesting, and we see combine harvesters (‘gander ganders’ according to my kids from the time they were tiny….) loping up and down the fields and then spitting out tons of pale yellow pips. Well, we had our first ride on a ‘gander gander’ this week with Minei as she harvested mielies on her father’s farm, what a great experience! The buck along with their partners in crime, Albert and Victoria, the peacocks are eating all the spring seedlings and bulbs. Already some of the fruit trees are budding - far too early as we haven’t begun pruning yet! Even Charlotte, the tortoise has been popping in and out of hibernation…

We already have three new calves, all Quella’s babies, very beautiful and chocolate brown in colour, duly named Cadbury, Mousse and Brownie! Shane carried Mousse up to the top paddock on her second day and discovered that she is quite a weight and although very small still packs a kick! He also graduated to a slightly larger new camera case after he was unceremoniously relocated by little Moo (who should I suppose now be called medium Moo)! (The camera survived – not sure about Shane’s ego)

We have at last managed to find the leak in the duck pond, which means they now no longer have to stand in line for a chance at ‘the’ puddle… but can actually swim once more albeit with floating ice bergs the last few mornings. The weather has been beautiful, very cold in the mornings and warm in the middle of the day, still no sign of snow, but the ski slopes have a good run going with their snow machines. (Remember to bring your passports if you are thinking of going through to Lesotho - temporary passports are not allowed)

I would not claim in any way to be a gardener but we are very excited about our discovery in the veggie garden…We have managed to keep our coriander, parsley, lettuce and a few other things going amid the severe frosts by nesting them in the hay we feed the horses. This has obviously kept them warm and protected and wonderful to still be picking fresh things from the garden. It does however come with other problems, like last week when the horses escaped and we found them munching away in the veggie patch……nothing like a midnight roundup to warm one up and ensure you sleep well at night!

We also said a warm Wyndford welcome to baby Cassidy who arrived on World Cup Final day, having slid under the radar a full two weeks earlier than expected. A tiny little dot at just under 3kg with a light dusting of brown hair who already upsets all Angelique’s precise planning and is the apple of Dad’s eye! Life has forever changed in the Woolmore residence….

Football is still a hot topic here although the World Cup has come and gone we now boast a Wyndford Team…I spent an hour and a half waiting for kick off yesterday (definitely on African time….) or maybe things were just delayed due to the opposition being the team from Home Affairs!!

It is nearly time to close the bowling green for its annual makeover - (Ponty gets pedicures and the bowling green gets a makeover…I’m definitely missing a trick here) and before we know it, it will be Spring.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Until then, stay well and warm,
Best regards
the Wyndford Team

Someone left the fridge door open this morning...Temperatures have taken a dive but as yet still no snow to be seen on the Maluti Mountains. In one household at Wyndford, temperatures were of no consequence as other more important events were occuring. Celvin and Angeliques baby girl arrived on Sunday at lunch time. Mother, Baby (and Dad) are all doing well.

Remember this coming weekend 16 - 18 July 2010 special....all adults receive a 30% discount (yes that means everyone from 13 to 130!) so as is said, Just do it!!

We look forward to hearing from you soon
Stay well and warm
from the Wyndford Team

Still no snow that we can see ... but beautiful days. Just one more week of the World Cup and holidays, we trust all our guests have had a great time at Wyndford. Fun was had down at Ibis Gorge as the tractor took everyone down to go agate hunting in the river and a group are just back from abseiling. Remember our post world cup special running for the weekend of the 16th - 18th July 2010 where all adults get a 30% discount. Come and join us for some great walks, or just a little peace and r&r!

Until then, stay well and Warm!