Dedicated to Alfie 2006 - 2010

Dedicated to Alfie 2006 - 2010
Dedicated to Alfie 2006 - 2010. Our Alfie was attacked and killed by poaching dogs from the farm across the road on 28 November 2010

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Oh So Cold

We had minus eight deg C this morning. So my little truck (known locally as a Bakkie) was frozen and the guinee fowls were tiptoeing in the fields. Such is life in the mountains, glove and coat weather.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fire Season

We are back into fire season.  Today we had a howling wind and two runaway fires in the district.  One was on a farm on the Drakensberg Gardens road.  Firebreaks were burned there yesterday and some logs were left smouldering.  The wind restarted the fire and it ran.  It has, after a couple of hours and a lot of help, been put under control.

On this side of the district one of our neighbouring farms had a fire in the mielie field.  Fortunately it did not run and was sorted out very quickly by responding farmers.

So, it's "here we go again" fire season.  Hopefully today is not the prelude to the terribly destructive fires we had last year.

Keep warm everyone.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Sunset And Signpost

Something special about the winter in our part of the world are the spectacular sunsets.  Well now, we just have to share one with you.  And, oh yes, our new "temporary" gate sign is also here for you to see.  The Jersey cows are ready for the winter and their coats are darkening.  They're putting on their winter jerseys as it were.  The marshmallows in the background are in fact bales of millet wrapped in plastic sheeting.  They are ready as feed for the cows during the long cold winter.  The green grass in the pic has now turned brown from the heavy frosts we have had.

Enjoy the pics!








Saturday, June 4, 2011

What a Load of Bull

Last evening a bull from our neighbour's farm went walk-about and wound up in our garden.  So we had this old fella roaming around most of the night.  I suspect he may have broken the gate hook but I doubt it.  A bull normally stops at gates (we hope).  During the night he knocked over the birdbath, loudly.  The sound reverberated around the valley.  Sometime this morning he was fetched and taken home.  He has left us a few gooey trophies from his visit so navigating the garden at night will not be without its hazards.  Prairy Oysters they are called.

Maybe it is time to put up a sign notifying the public, "The farmer allows hikers to cross his land for free, but the bull charges".

Speaking of signs, I made a little sign for our front gate.  "Rob & Liz Stayt" printed on a4 paper and cut to size to fit the board, glued on and then varnished over.  So far the frost and rain have not worn it out!