May news...

Well, it is hard to describe how beautiful the Eastern Free State has been lately. Pictures just don’t seem to do it justice, but clear blue skies and wonderful bright yellows and oranges splashed liberally around the countryside definitely give the ‘Wow’ factor! We have also had some soaking rains, fairly unusual for us at this time of year, but very welcome.

Cosy under floor heating and log fires keep everyone warm as the temperatures drop and winter steps into view.  Enjoy a brisk hike, cycle or horse ride to appreciate the scenery and get the blood circulating!  The puppies are enjoying their walks, and have persuaded me to do the bench walk there and back…. As one way round they get to the end, tails wagging with more written all over their faces!  Keeping up is hard to do!  One forgets how small they were and how much they have grown…. They now have to duck to get under benches that previously they sailed under – with slight concussion resulting when they forget about the extra inch on their legs!

Our special for May was so well received we have decided to repeat it for June!  ... from 3 - 13 June 35% off for everyone! (Min 2 nights) and yes, it does still include all meals and morning and afternoon teas! Also, remember during the June/ July / August school holidays the 20% discount for 4 nights applies as does the Senior Discount so round up the whole family! Book now to avoid disappointment..

Great excitement as we take delivery of another rescued tortoise. She is much smaller than Charlotte or Perry and will live next to Claridges for now, so that we can feed her up and keep her under a red light during the winter.

Our new tree house, near Belsteen manor (the old apricot tree died but we were reluctant to cut her down) is coming on well.  Just ready for the thatching, Adirondack chairs and another room with a view will be ready to enjoy that good book…. Or just a quiet snooze!

Thanks to all those who entered the monthly draw… this month’s winner is James Marallich.  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season. 

Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za and we will keep you up to date on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm with all the news.

Warm Greetings from the Wyndford Team

June Specials....

From 3 - 13 June  35% off

for everyone! (Min 2 nights)

and yes, it does still include all meals

and morning and afternoon teas!

Remember during the school holidays the 

20% for 4 nights applies

as does the Senior Discount!

Our April news....

As summer fades into Autumn, we have the most wonderful crisp clear days here in the Eastern Free State. Chilly mornings turn into toasty days with jerseys required for the evenings.

Living with puppies is a fun and demanding occupation! They have got the ‘No’ word very quickly, maybe because it is the one we use the most…. And we are working on them avoiding nose butting toddlers in their enthusiasm to greet someone closer to their own size.  For those of you who know our trails, they have successfully done the bench walk three times, so will be following in Dozer’s paw prints before too long. As you can see they have grown in the last month and we watch with much hilarity as they get used to their longer legs… the back ones overtaking the front ones on occasions with gymnastic consequences!

Charlotte and Perry, our tortoises, have been scarce lately and no doubt preparing for hibernation (although rudely awakened by the puppies on occasions as they don’t quite understand the concept).

 We will be losing an old friend in the next few weeks as, due to the drought, our very large (2.6m around the base, 22m high) pine tree at the dining room has died, and we are having it taken down professionally while hoping that everything nearby remains intact!

Our May Madness Special is still on the go… 35% discount over the weekend of the 13 -15^th May 2016… and yes, we will still feed you!  All three meals and morning and afternoon teas… if you can’t make it tell someone who could (or maybe a belated Mother’s day celebration gift…)!

Talking of feeding… Jennipher has taken over the kitchen from Celvin who has moved outside to do walks, maintenance and generally look after you. (I can well recommend the new Courgette, Orange and Chocolate cake recently baked by Joy, recipe shared on our blog on the website!)

Thanks to all those who entered the monthly draw… this month’s winner is Colleen Gray.  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.  

Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za and we will keep you up to date on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm with all the news.

Happy hugs from the Wyndford Team

Scrumptious Orange, Zucchini and Chocolate Loaf... give it a try!

Orange, Chocolate and Zucchini Loaf

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tsp finely grated orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 ½ cup loosely packed, coarsely grated zucchini

½ cup milk or dark chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat the oven the 350 F.  Grease a 9 – 5 inch pan and line the pan with parchment paper so that it comes up the sides.

Whisk the oil, eggs, sugar, zest and vanilla together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Stir in the zucchini to coat it with the flour and add this to the wet mixture, stirring until blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips and scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the load for 50 to 60 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.  Cool the cake completely in the pan until turning out to slice.

The loaf will keep, well wrapped, for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

May Madness.....

Specials - May Madness .....................

Weekend of 13 - 15 May 2016

35% off for everyone!

and yes, it does still include all meals

and morning and afternoon teas!

Are we mad.... maybe - but you might also be if you don't call us soon....

March news...

Walking past Belsteen Manor this afternoon, one picks your way through the many bicycles of all shapes, sizes and colours lying on the lawns. Then this afternoon, delighted shrieks as the bike brigade roar up and down the driveway with echoes of ‘there’s Charlotte’ as they zoom past the tortoise slowly ambling across the grass.

Our new additions to the Wyndford family generate oooh’s and aaah’s of their own!  Molly and Sprocket, two brown border collie pups joined us two weeks ago and have rapidly wiggled and squirmed their way into the hearts of guests and staff alike.  Dozer is a little put out but getting better and Dodge, our Husky, has a new lease on life as the big brother.

All those keen birders out there will be interested to know that the large eagle mentioned in the last letter was not a snake eagle but the special European Honey Buzzard!  One, bird we would like to see and hear from is the Piet-my-vrou, especially as he announces the arrival of rain.  We have had some, but would like a little more, although it is still too late for our big old fir tree by the dining room which has died. We are watching the Willow by the pool anxiously as it has also taken strain, but did manage to shade us gently during the braai at the lunchtime. Jumping Castles, swimming and Ice cream cones with friends might change a little with the onset of the early Autumn chill, but then again there are log fires to look forward to!

As our last special was enjoyed, we have decided to spoil you again!!! Families (kids and all) will get a 50% - yes really – discount between the 11^th and 15^th April 2016.  Book now to avoid disappointment…

To all those who entered the monthly draw… there can only be one winner …and this month it goes to Elna Wijnbeek.  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season. 

Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za and we will keep you up to date on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm with all the news.

Happy hugs from the Wyndford Team

Walking past Belsteen Manor this afternoon, one picks your way through the many bicycles of all shapes, sizes and colours lying on the lawns. Then this afternoon, delighted shrieks as the bike brigade roar up and down the driveway with echoes of ‘there’s Charlotte’ as they zoom past the tortoise slowly ambling across the grass.

Our new additions to the Wyndford family generate oooh’s and aaah’s of their own!  Molly and Sprocket, two brown border collie pups joined us two weeks ago and have rapidly wiggled and squirmed their way into the hearts of guests and staff alike.  Dozer is a little put out but getting better and Dodge, our Husky, has a new lease on life as the big brother.

All those keen birders out there will be interested to know that the large eagle mentioned in the last letter was not a snake eagle but the special European Honey Buzzard!  One, bird we would like to see and hear from is the Piet-my-vrou, especially as he announces the arrival of rain.  We have had some, but would like a little more, although it is still too late for our big old fir tree by the dining room which has died. We are watching the Willow by the pool anxiously as it has also taken strain, but did manage to shade us gently during the braai at the lunchtime. Jumping Castles, swimming and Ice cream cones with friends might change a little with the onset of the early Autumn chill, but then again there are log fires to look forward to!

As our last special was enjoyed, we have decided to spoil you again!!! Families (kids and all) will get a 50% - yes really – discount between the 11^th and 15^th April 2016.  Book now to avoid disappointment…

To all those who entered the monthly draw… there can only be one winner …and this month it goes to Elna Wijnbeek.  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season. 

Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za and we will keep you up to date on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm with all the news.

Happy hugs from the Wyndford Team

Correction...

... our bird sighting was not a snake eagle but the very special Migrating European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus).. at least that relieves the worry of having snakes in the garden!! Thanks to Michael and Sanet for the identification