The Water
Our water comes from a deep borehole on the farm, although it is slightly discoloured it is perfectly safe to drink. All the storage tanks are drained and flushed and waterlines are purged on a regular basis. We have been drinking the water for 10 years and apart from being exceedingly good looking and highly intelligent, we have not experienced any other side effects!
The Electricity
All the electricity on the farm is solar-generated, with Eskom backup. So no load-shedding! However, we do ask that you use power sparingly; for example, no high-current items such as heaters, electric kettles etc!!
Smoking
Our cottages are non-smoking so if you enjoy a puff please do it outside and dispose of stompies responsibly and remember what the aunty said, ‘’do not share that zol’’!
Dogs
We are pet friendly so if you want to bring your pooch please keep in mind that we have free roaming chickens and geese, this can be a big temptation for most dogs!! If they chase the horses or alpacas they could get a nasty kick and in the case of the chickens or geese, the last thing anyone would want for a relaxing weekend is to have dead birds all over the place.
Firewood
A limited amount of fire wood is provided at each cottage. This wood is intended for the fire places in winter and for the fire pits in summer, it is blue gum that is not suitable for braais as it does not produce good coals. Additional wood can be purchased at R35 per bag.
Farm Animals
Most of the farm animals are free to roam the area although some are kept in their paddocks because the blighters eat the flowers! Feel free to visit our 4 legged friends but don’t go into enclosures or feed the animals and that includes the farm dogs. If you wish, you can join the staff feeding the farm animals and that excludes the farm dogs, daily feed times are around 7.30am and 3.30 pm. We have the following 4 legged friends.
Alpacas
There are 9 alpacas last count; 2 are Suri and the rest Huacaya, the Suri are the dark brown ones with dreadlocks. Alpacas are smaller than lamas and are bred purely for their wool whereas lamas are bred as work animals. In recent times neutered males are being used as herd guards on sheep farms. They protect the sheep and new born lambs in particular, from predators. When threatened their main defence is a vicious kick that can break the back of a wolf or jackal and they can also spit or rather spray foul smelling saliva that they bring from their stomach. There is no known antidote; the smell lingers for a long time.
Miniature Goats
These little goats love to climb, hence the jungle-gym in their paddock. They also take great delight in head butting each other, one can watch their antics for hours! They are mostly confined to their paddock cause it’s them what eats the flowers!
Horse and Donkey
You are welcome to pet the horse (Jacosta) & donkey (Floof) up close wherever they are around the farm, so long as your comfortable doing so. Guests may give treats such as apples & carrots if they would like to, both animals are friendly and used to regular contact.
2 Little Pigs
Possibly the largest miniature pigs in the world and contrary to popular belief they are very clean, although the bit about their appetite is true. You’ll find them at the Hoggyday Inn, from time to time they are confined to barracks ‘cause they also eat flowers and any other plant or tree that costs a lot and is difficult to grow.
A Multitude of Chicken and Geese
The roosters are the farm’s alarm clock that can’t tell the time especially around 3 am. The hens provide breakfast and adult entertainment for the roosters. The geese were brought to protect the chickens from the rooikat, there were about 20 chickens and 3 geese back then. The protection thing works! The chickens sleep at the Hen’s Hilton just across from the Hoggyday Inn.