March News

The comic book version of peak traffic at Wyndford!  Sheep were definitely made to follow and not to lead, they are decidedly wayward out in front and end up under the trees or visiting Outlook!

Our effective weedeater (aka Charlotte the tortoise) is munching merrily and stocking up for her annual hibernation.  She shuffled into our lounge last week, much to Phini’s, horror who then proceeded to redirect her with great difficulty, possibly looking for a good warm place to park for three months!

George and I have just done a road trip round South Africa, through the flat plains of the Northern Cape, down the West coast with its undulating mountains, to the majesty of the Stellenbosch peaks and we have to say, it is always good to be home at Wyndford.  The spectacular sweep of the driveway with the impressive rocks on either side reaffirms that the Eastern Free State is an often undiscovered gem in our country.  If you haven’t visited, now is particularly beautiful with the changing of the seasons painting the landscape with wonderful Autumnal colours. 

Along with the reds, oranges and yellows of the leaves the roads are lined with the annual display of cosmos. Fantastic for photography, especially with the brilliant blue of the sky and the build up of clouds.

So, it is maybe time to pack up the jumping castle at the pool and swop it for log fires and winter tramps in the crisp mountain air.  We have a special in May where you can join us for bowls and steam trains - or just one or the other.  Call the girls in the office on 058-223 0274 for more information. School holidays are also booking up so don’t leave it too late!

The latest news from the kitchen is that we are now serving our own homemade yoghurt!  With the added boost of milk from Princess and Clover (when she isn’t stroppy and kicking over the bucket!) we have had some lessons, one or two batches that the pigs enjoyed…. And are now producing a delicious vanilla yoghurt for breakfast!  We have been able to serve home grown marrows, carrots, beetroot, beans, tomatoes and wonderful Rhubarb from the veggie garden and it makes going into the winter months a little harder.  The ground here becomes so hard even the moles give up after bumping their heads in the frozen soil (I wonder where they go ….).

We do know however, where Jaco is going.  London’s calling! He will be heading out at the end of April to explore the world.  Anyone know anyone who would like to fill his big boots?  Please get in touch with us if you think you would be a suitable ‘fit’ and have the Wyndford heart! We would also be open to a young couple…

Our monthly draw winner is Debbie Richter!   Congratulations we look forward to being able to welcome you to Wyndford shortly.

Remember, call now to catch the Cosmos! And you can keep up to date with us on www.facebook.com/wyndfordhholidayfarm

Greetings from the Wyndford Team

Today at Wyndford...

We tasted our first attempt at making yoghurt, and it was yummy! Also pruned the Magnolia tree (I hope it forgives me and grows again...) without dislodging mummy bird on her nest. 

That branch will have to wait to be pruned until we have Junior take off!

February news

The sky is such a bright blue, it almost hurts your eyes… temperatures so hot even the birds don’t have energy to sing they sit and fan themselves instead, so has been our February thus far! 

The wheels fell off… twice, (another story) but we managed to safely relocate Princess and Clover, our two new milk ladies into the paddock!  They arrived from a nearby farm to much bellowing and right royal mooing and duly gave Joseph a hard time in the milking shed -  just add Milo for instant chocolate milkshake!

We have a fun bowls week planned from 11 - 16 May which also includes a morning trip on the Steam Train and a visit to the Train Museum at Sandstone Estates - which although planned for seniors – anyone is welcome to join us!  Call Angelique or Jenny in the office to find out more information on 058-2230274.  If you can’t make this date check out the activities page on the website for other  alternatives – www.wyndford.co.za

Jaco rues the day he taught people to play golf so well that guests are now beating him at this card game of an evening. He might just  have to change the rule that says the loser makes hot chocolate for the winners afterwards as he has been kept busy of late.

Mary and Little Lamb who arrived at Christmas time, have spent the last few weeks in our garden as the grass is wonderfully green…however, Little Lamb’s preference for roses instead of grass, means that as of this morning – and along with Rambo - a new addition who will have to grow into his name (and occupation)…. have moved across the drive into the paddock with Ponty, our stallion.  It was either that or Lamb stew….

We’re often asked which is the best season to come to Wyndford - every season has it’s own beauty and special treats!  These are a few of the first pumpkins and mushrooms from the forest.

Our monthly draw winners for February are Brian & Judy Stone! We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford in the near future.  March and April school holidays are filling up so don’t wait too long to call… and remember to keep up to date on www.facebook.com/wyndfordhholidayfarm

We leave you with a picture (and a smile) taken by Kirsty and George on the road to Fouriesburg… traveling African style!

Wish for all ‘Wyndford’ Kids….

As you start your school, or varsity year we would give you the ZIP CLIP STEP lesson from us here at Wyndford.

May you always approached anything new with the same courage as you did on the Zip line.. Scary as you sit on the high platform not knowing what it is going to be like!  Letting go, then flying free and…actually enjoying it after all, knowing that George is there to catch you at the other end, and your folks cheering you all the way.

Sometimes new things are scary! When you are short enough to fit under the belly of Maluti or Dusty, it is hard to get up into the saddle.  Then, with a little help from Joseph you are up and clipping off down the road. So taking the first ride is the hardest and one day you will come and ride alone and free.

Then there is the Chin of the Tortoise… how big that mountain seems, when along with Jaco and Dozy you look up!  Remember, the way to get to the top of any mountain is by taking one step at a time.  Don’t worry about how far or high it is, one foot in front of the other is the way to go.  Then you will reach the top and all the things you though were too big actually seem quite small.

Remember… Zip Clip Step!  Have a wonderful year…

Welcome to Wyndford 2014

The thing about having such wonderful guests, is that when they leave it feels like saying goodbye to family! We have enjoyed our season with everyone over Christmas and New Year.  Despite the sometimes unpredictable weather, we have managed one tubing session down the Caledon, a couple of trips for sundowners at the river crossing, and many walks (well not me personally…) of varying lengths, durations and speed!

We did suggest to Roland that he would need a larger fishing rod to catch a cow….

The horse team spent most mornings clipping up the drive to the accompanying chatter of small people and clicking cameras – a great way to exercise the parents!  The new jumping castle was a hit with the kids, and in combination with Jaco, kept little (and not so little) people occupied – and cool – in the pool.

Christmas day saw Father Christmas, escorted by Buster and an Elf (of sorts), arrive after tea and a wonderful ‘Mrs Callister’ Christmas Cake! We then migrated to the pool area for a Christmas buffet in glorious weather.  Old Year’s Eve saw all Knights and Ladies, would be Robin Hood’s and Maid Marion’s arrive, suitably clad… oh and the odd (did I say odd..) Friar Tuck or two.  We had fun (bows and arrows drawn, sack races, apple bobbing to name a few) as well as some clan wars!  After feasting on roasted pig and honey glazed prime rib we packed up the old year and welcomed the first morning in with a leisurely picnic breakfast in the Summerhouse.

The Wyndford Team as you have never seen them before….

There were those who chose to hibernate with a (hopefully) good book, snooze under the willow tree or enjoy a sociable game of bowls, and then more energetic who cycled round the mountain and then some!  One is reminded of the song sung by Denzl and Hensie of Rooibaardt fame - the Bare Necessities… the simple things in life. A little girl dances uninhibitedly across the lawn as we enjoy music in the garden as the sun sets. 

As the sun sets on this season, we look forward in anticipation of welcoming you once again to Wyndford during 2014.

https://www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm

 

I think that we should send out newsletters more often….last time we had rain, as I write this it is raining – with very dry and hot conditions in between and absolutely no sign of replenishing showers! Maybe not much fun for holiday makers but an excellent excuse to don wellie boots and splosh in mud puddles.  The peonies have been in full bloom this week and enjoyed by all who passed them on the path. Talking of flowers, remember our Walking with Wildflowers weekend at the end of this month.  Slide in a calming weekend away before the bustle of yearend frenzy. Give the girls in the office a call now 058-2230274.

Someone who does enjoy the mud is the pigs.  Scooting around in the paddock, trying to look innocent when they have mud boots on all fours, rewriting the story books….Pig in Boots!   One also wonders about the piglet, trying to get a drink from mom in the mud puddle….does it taste like chocolate milk? Or why with our new batch of 14 piggies, we consider all the pink ones to be girls….?! We are also pleased to say we have a new calf (not a pink one..) and it’s a girl called…Shakes!

For those of you not getting updates on Facebook, we have to admit that we are never going to get Macadamia nuts from our tree, even though it is flourishing… that is because it’s actually a Pecan tree!  Ah well… pecans are good.  It now has a protective wire around it as Charlotte (our tortoise) decided that its green leaves were good for a snack. Charlotte was obviously a little miffed – she escaped and was found heading down the drive for the main gate.

We are looking forward to hosting our 2^nd Fun Bowls week at the end of this month and hope that we have a little more rain so that the running is good and smooth.  A calming thought for all small people, is that Father Christmas knows exactly where our chimney is, having been stuck going back up on a previous year, after eating all the good Wyndford cookies. We have let him know which children will be staying with us over this special time so no worries. (Big children could also try their luck…)

We still have some accommodation available early December and remember until the 12^th the 20% discount applies for a four night or longer stay.

Thanks to all those who enter our monthly draw. November’s winner is Mike Sheridan

Looking forward to being able to welcome you to the Eastern Free States’ beauty in the Summertime!

Warm regards from us all, your Wyndford Team.

Remember to like us on our facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarmor alternatively on or website at www.wyndford.co.za to get more news and pictures!

Remember to make your reservation for Wild Flowers...

29th November to 1st December 2013....call now to ensure you do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity to "Walk with Wild Flowers" at Wyndford. Amble through the mountains with experts who will explain and answer questions about all the beautiful flowers we sometimes overlook... 058 223 0274 or email reception@wyndford.co.za