Kammanassie Winter

 As mentioned in the SARIE (August edition) magazine article about our lifestyle, we have so far experienced 3 seasons here in the Kammanassie - from December's breathstealing heat (summer), to the fantasy autumn colors amongst the orchards, and now the freezing temperatures of winter. As with each season, it arrived on its own time and had us wearing 7 layers of clothing, pretending to be dragons in the kitchen (that should tell you something about the temperatures...), and yelling excitedly at brief glimpses of snow on the mountains, between the drifts of clouds.

Because winter is rain season in the Cape, we've had some long, wet days too, during which the mountains are invisible behind clouds and mist. The water is good for the soil and plant life though, so we didn't complain. Rain is always welcome on this farm.

Our oak tree kept a few yellow leaves despite vicious winds.

 

Crystal leaves.

One early morning on our way to George, we passed 2 horses in a camp - the frost was so thick, it looked like snow! 

Interesting to observe was the pruning of the orchards; apricot-, plum- and peach-trees were all pruned on the farm, and every day groups of chatting workers could be heard amongst the trees, their pruning scissors clicking away. An orchard's lower branches are pruned first, and then they go through it again with ladders, pruning the high branches.

Bare and pruned.

 The ladders are light and easy to carry, as they are constantly being lifted up and carried to the next tree.

 All twigs that do not have enough buds on are pruned, as well as any dead branches. 

Workers judge which twigs stay and which go by eye. 

They get really good at balancing... 

Thanks for reading! 

The Rain Has Come!

The past week it has been cold and wet here on the farm, and the Kammanassie River overflowed several drifts, blocking the shortest route we have to George. The rain is welcomed after a long dry summer, but it is causing some interesting experiences.

The second day of continuous rain brought up a problem we hadn't anticipated - the two smallest poor piglets' pigsty had drainage problems, and was filling up with freezing water. Luckily my dad came to the rescue and hauled them over into a third separate pigsty next to the other pigs' cage.

Much-needed rain.

Flooded pigsty.

 Catching the pig.

In you go piglet!

My parents and brothers then left with our car to find some new straw for the pigs, and got stuck in the mud (literally). After attempts to pack rocks and give the wheels some leverage, my mom went to find help and oom Jan pulled them out with his 'bakkie' (I had a good laugh). 

Stuck in the mud. 

Packing rocks. 

Ponies looking drab - they've grown their thick winter coats, but looked miserable nonetheless. I would too, in their position after 3 days of continuous rain. 

When the rain finally stopped, we went to check out all the drifts.

Oh bother...we can't get through this drift for a while.