SPP year end workshop

The staff of  SURPUS PEOPLE PROJECT (SPP) spent a number of days at Fynbos for a year end workshop. SPP supports and builds grassroots organisations and movements of small scale farmers, farm dwellers and women in the Western and Northern Cape. They work through a process of political education, social mobilisation, institutional and agricultural development and research.

If you would like to find out more about SPP visit them at www.spp.org.za

Volunteers

We have had the good fortune to have recently had 4 excellent new volunteers. Kalani, who does environmental studies and describes herself as a Hawaiian American, helped cook and serve at functions, varnished furniture and crept into our hearts. Sam a talented young chef from the UK, helped Johan with the endless meals and delighted us all with his cheerful easy going presence. He and Kalani hit it off from the word go, and had lots of fun together.  Erik and Ingrid from Sweden, both also involved in environmental studies, spent a short time on the farm - specifically cleaning out the new Cellar for use this coming harvest. They were a pleasure to have with us.

From the farmyard: A happy tale

This is a happy tale about the special friendship between Mr Ching the Chinese goose and Molly the Peking duck. 12 years ago Mr Ching, alongside his spouse, Mrs Ching, came to us from a friend following an attack by their family dog. Shortly after the Mrs Ching inexplicably died, and for months Mr Ching hung out alone subdued and miserable. He wouldn’t look twice at the a non Chinese goose we presented to him, and we couldn’t find another of his kind. But one fine day help came along in the form of Molly the duck, who arrived on the back seat of our friend Lee’s car, having to relocate after her owners moved home. Within hours the two were inseparable. Mr Ching was goose-stepping again with Molly waddling fast on her short little legs to keep up. And they have been together ever since, honk-quacking together, walk-waddling together and eating and drinking together. We are not sure how they deal with being different. All we know is that despite insistent heckling from the chickens, they have thrown farmyard gossip to the wind, and remained firmly together for close to a decade. Here are some photos of the happy couple.

An active year-end event for LMS.

LMS, a small Cape Town based company, had an energetic year-end event at Fynbos mid December. They began their day with a walk up the mountain followed by a wine tasting. Thereafter they dashed about with egg and spoon, ran relay races, played Boulez and table tennis, and finally settled to a festive lunch. After this, despite plans to play volley ball, full tummies and wine took over and they relaxed until home time. They commented

Thank you very much was a fantastic day on Friday!!! Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was so relaxed and beautiful – thank you for making it great for us.

TOLL year end function

TOLL Global Forwarding, a logistics company based in Cape Town, spent a fun filled day at Fynbos eating and drinking, playing spirited games of volley ball, and receiving awards. We enjoyed their friendly happy energy, and have seldom encountered a company with such varied and integrated employees. They are obviously are doing something right!  To find out more about them visit www.tollglobalforwarding.com

Their comment on the day: We had a blast Thank you for hosting us.

Our new dog

In late November, 6 year old Pihi came to us from his heart sore owners Mike and Sue, who are returning to New Zealand. We are told `Pihi’ is a Maori word for a crunchy vegetable, but we have ended up calling him Sweet pea because he is such a sweet, playful and obedient boy. He has made friends with the cats, the donkeys and Sammy, and seems to be settling happily into his new home.

CONSERVATION: QUIVER RAINCOATS AND SOME SAD FARM HISTORY

People visiting the farm have been perplexed to see back plastic surrounding our quiver trees. These together with metre deep plastic walls underground, are measures we hope will ensure their survival. Quivers (koekeboome) are desert plants found in the Northern Cape and Namibia, and here on the farm they are in danger of rotting from within as a result of irrigation of our lawns. We hope our ‘boer-maak-n-plan” response is in time
The history of the quivers is interesting and sad. The previous farm owners lost a son in Angola and the family brought the 3 quivers back to commemorate him. We have taken the liberty of widening the commemoration to all those who have died in South Africa in pursuit of that needless war.

MAMELANI PROJECTS RETREAT

The staff of MAMELANI PROJECTS, a CT based  NGO working with women, children and youth, spent some days at the farm for a year-end retreat.  We were told that the word MAMELANI means "Listen up" since members of the organisation have to listen to the needs of the people they work with. We were very aware of the often complex and difficult nature of the their work, and were very happy to have them here. They in turn seemed to leave with a spring back in their step. They commented:

We are so grateful for the 3 days we had at Fynbos Estate . The peaceful space was perfect for us to reflect on our busy year. We were able to work in the cosy lounge, in the shade of the trees and go for long walks in the mountains. The space has helped us to reconnect with ourselves and with each other and this would not have been without the care and warmth of Diana and Johan. Thank you both for making us feel so at home.

If you would like find out more about MAMELANI PROJECTS visit  www.mamelani.org.za. We also know that funding is a real problem for non-profit organisations, so if you have any ideas on that score, please contact them.

JA NEE!! ANOTHER SCULPTURE FROM EUGENE BROCK

Remember the Rhino sculpture we posted a few weeks back. This one sent by Eugene to is very different.  He calls it Ja Nee! And he writes This sculpture is based on a piece from one of Laurence v/d Posts books. He (v/d Post) writes about two oomies sitting on the stoep drinking koffie and smoking their pipes, looking out at the vlaktes, saying nothing for about 20 minutes. Then one says(still looking out at the vlaktes), " Ja-Nee" The tone in which it is uttered - full of meaning because it is based on the utter acceptance of the fact that at heart,life and the nature of truth which gives life its direction,are inexorably paradoxical - man is an embodied paradox, a bundle of contradictions " quote L v/d Post.

Make Wine the traditional way - Another fantastic Fynbos event

    Do something completely different and make wine hands-on the old

    traditional way. Combine delicious food, wine tasting and lots of fun

    on an idyllic farm & mountain nature reserve,  an hour from Cape Town.

    Great for groups of friends, family and for teambuilding.

      Overnight Winemaking getaway:  R700 per person

*One night comfy farm accommodation * Delicious country dinner

* Hearty farm breakfast * Teas with homemade eats * Wine tasting

* Winemaking experience & discussion.* Leisure time to chill &swim & walk.

Stay another night for R500 inclusive of accommodation, dinner and brunch

(If you book for a Saturday, this makes a great weekend getaway.)

One day Winemaking  R450 per person

Visit us for a day and enjoy an abridged version of the winemaking experience

Includes lunch, wine tasting and wine making.

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When:   Weekdays and Weekends from late February to early March

Who:     Groups of 6-12  adults with at least 4 working members

                ( Children welcome 3-11 half price)

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THE PARTY THAT LIVES ON

Today we received some great pics taken of the farm by friends of  Steve at his party weekend back in September.  Here are a few of them. Thanks for sending