Annual update

Strange how I started off quite well and then data access just became a nightmare.
A warning to the romantic notion of wannabe farmers - you will become frustrated, anarchist in character
and slightly crazy if you are alone. Conversations with animals are quite normal, hugging then and kissing them is not strange, in fact it is quite comforting. Reminds me of the clan of the cave bear.

So much has happened since I began. Got very busy & it has not stopped. Qualifications needed for farming.
Depending on roads - In the eastern Cape a necessary skill is mechanics, vetinary science, pasture & soil science, pharmaceuticals, herbology, animal nutrition, Production systems, building,,, well the list seems to continue so if you havethe above skill set then I will continue the list if you want further advise.

What have i learnt - Bring in foreign reliable labour. Preferably from a country that has suffered under their newly independent same culture management for twenty years.No locals as they are all alchoholics and receiving government grants which results in mandatory shorter weeks after grant payouts and paydays.
Locals are vindictive and jealous of anybody having anything more than them. This has to be the most backward and uninspired group of people on the face of the planet.

The Bush War

It seems that the only effective way to make space is with a bulldozer. So this last week the constant noise of a heavy duty machine has been pushing bush to make way for Macadamia trees and grazing lands. Sometimes what seems to be a smallish piece of land ends up been

a large piece of downhill. The ideal was get rid of the wattle. Now I wonder if the wattle might not have been a sign that here is where I should place the border. Anyhow done is done & the bulldozer must keep moving. At least now we can get to the dam.

Nutbush city's first children

The first progeny have been born. On the 9th of July Kelth was born in honour of Chris & Clare's visit. Chris helped to dose the cows for worms while I injected & Clare wrote the numbers. It was a team effort & so the first born is a blend of Kelso & Smith. The second born, also a male calf was born yesterday the 26th of July.
His name is Jada after Dave & Janine since they also came to visit & I don't wish to
forget this.The fist goat, a female has also been born but not named mainly because that might be an insult to friends, so maybe I'll name it after family or emigre's. HEHEHE. Anyhow the past few weeks have been tough & bad news so the births are a relief in at least I have done something right. Looking forward to some more new life & hopefully some visits to. The first picture is of the newly born Jada with Kelth standing close by jealously watching Jada drinking. He ran back to Mommy (pic2) so Mommy could lick him clean. Maternal instinct is amazing. The mothers actually hide their babies in the bush for the first few days.

Snow wonder it's cold

This is the Amatola mountain range. Beyond those mountains is the Hogsback. The Hogsback is the Magaliesburg for the East London folk.When they want mountains and nature this is where they escape to. For potential Berry farmers, B&B owners & eco-tourism this is the place the tourists flock to when they are not game viewing, hunting or gambling. Just ask Cobus & Alet - I am sure that they could post a nice pic or two. This was the view from the farm on Tuesday the 22nd of May - recorded 2 degrees C. Felt a whole lot colder. The goats had to be bribed with mielies into the Kraal - the Geese Toytoyed for more mielies & the dogs decided they were sleeping inside. From Autocracy to democracy in a few degrees. Maybe South African might be less apathetic under similar conditions. Afterall the Northern Hemisphere countries with cold weather seem to have much better government administration & incredible social services. Hail to the New ICE AGE.