Friends and Explorations

We've had a lovely time recently as we had visitors - old friends from Potchefstroom stayed with us on the farm for a few days, and we showed them the Garden Route, with relaxed days on the farm in between.

The day after they arrived, we went to Victoria Bay - me and my friend got fried while swimming and were bonded by mutual redness the remainder of their stay. It was a proper hot beach day though, ice cream included. On the way back via Montagu Pass, we stopped for a relieving cold swim in the spring dam and a group photo. 

The Outeniqua Mountains. 

Cool off. 

A background doesn't get better. 

We showed them the little town of Uniondale, and visited people living on a very isolated farm near Haarlem. We also drove Prince Alfred Pass in the mist, and through the stunning Knysna Forest (we did this once before). 

Uniondale's church. 

Prince Alfred Pass in the mist.

Excellent marketing through curiosity. 

Pit stop. 

Symmetry.

We stopped at the 'Dal van Varings' (Valley of Ferns) and two big yellowwood trees. Cool, wet, misty and mysterious, the Peterse loved the forest.

Ferns. 

Plenty of Socializing

During the past 2 months, we've had some people come and visit us for a day or two, as well as my mom's birthday on March 21st.  So even though we stay on a farm, we are blessed by people visiting us. We have the privilege of having a separate flat where people can stay, and this has proven to be very handy.

'Tannie' Johanneke has been following my mom's website for a while and contacted my mom to hear if she and her 4 children could come and meet us one day. They've been on an amazing journey with similarities to ours, and their visit meant a lot to us.  We have now made new friends all over the  country.

Our other new friends from nearby at the Goukamma Nature Reserve also came for a visit and helped a lot with the ponies ('tannie' Louise and her eldest daughter are great horse lovers). We had fun swimming and folding origami.

Handling Arend.

Getting Valk into a small enclosed area was a mission the first few times... 

Trying join up. 

Enjoying the late evening sun.  

We also had another friend from Oudtshoorn stay over one night - 'tannie' Nanie enjoyed being so close to nature with us.

Lunch under the tree.

On my mom's birthday, people from the valley and some friends from George all came together for a braai, and despite the weather starting out cold and rainy, it cleared up later the afternoon so we could sit outside.  We laughed, star gazed, took a walk, and everyone went home stuffed and happy. The day was good, the food even better and the company the best!

Our very own photoshoot.

Thank you for reading! 

Ponies and Grandmother Arrive!

The past two weeks has been wonderful, because our grandmother Elna is visiting!! February 15th we drove to George, and celebrated Valentines Day (one day late) by eating lunch at Panarottis – it was actually very funny as we barely spoke a word to each other, everyone absorbed in their technology while we had good internet connection... We fetched 'ouma' afterwards at George Airport – it was exciting watching her plane land and another take off.

The day before we fetched her, we (spring)cleaned the house - even Nassie helped washing windows!

George's tiny airport.

Safely back home with ouma (last seen 5 months ago). 

At her arrival, she delivered warm clothes (that we left behind in Potch), and something that caused lots of laughs and teasing for my dad: kefir. It’s a kind of yogurt-making plant (more like sour milk though). At one stage my dad got obsessed with it (he still is) for its health benefits and energy-giving properties etc. When we started travelling he had to leave it behind, but now he wants to start it up again! He had dried some but that didn’t work, so he needed new plants which he ordered from friends in Potchefstroom. The keifer was laboriously packed and repacked till it passed the requirements for flight transport, and my dad was overjoyed when it reached us last Sunday. Keifer is now fully revived and working.

I was required to take a picture.

We’ve been visiting the neighbour farmers and friends with her, went on walks, showed off animals, swam in the dam, washed dishes, cooked and played games together, and are thoroughly enjoying her stay with us!

Walks on farm roads.

Watering the vegetable garden. 

Board games. 

Sunday morning before 'church'. 

Tea on the Kammanassie mountains - the cattle was very curious.