Farm Life and Country Living
Herman and Margie live on a farm in South Africa–this is their blog on country living, eating honest food from the land, farming with guests and creative expression.
We moved here in June 2004 from Cape Town, it was our holiday house set on 3 hectares of ground along a wide meandering river on the south coast—a year later we bought the neighbour’s farm–now called Rustfontein.
Rustfontein is 630 hectares of fynbos, wildlife, views, open spaces and quiet.
On the farm we have (so far)
2 adults (us)
2 children (age 13 and almost 10 )
2 dogs (Bella the Beautiful-a Rhodesian Ridgeback- and Sunny the “very badly behaved,chicken thief, Jack Russel”)
2 budgies
3 cats (Pumpkin and Zazoo–both ex-Tomcats, orange in colour and great rat catchers and a little throw-away cat called Vaaitjie, blackish with a pure white undercoat, the sweetest thing.)
15 hens, 4 roosters
1 Macou duck (Muscovey)
40 odd sheep (“dorpers” bred for meat not wool)
50 odd cattle (Bonsmaras)
2 horses (Shadow and Llwyd- pronounced Louie)
When I look at this list all that seems short is a pig and maybe a goat? And some easy to pluck ducks apparently the Macou are hell to pluck—and I keep on coming across some delicious duck receipes.
We have finalised the renovations on the old farmhouse on Rustfontein, as well as the shepherd hut which is on the “backlands” –what we locals call the part of the farm that runs into the hills away from the river–the fynbos and wide open spaces part. We rent out the main house for holiday makers and the hut as an adventure sleep-out for those who like get up close with nature.
We like to feed ourselves as much as possible from what we can grow and produce ourselves (all organically of course) so we have a little farm kitchen were we cut, chop, cook, bottle and label all under the name Rustfontein-Guest Farm. This produce is also for sale to our guests. Honey, greenfig preserve, marmalade, jam.
Life is busy here in paradise–but it is a lifestyle we choose , to be honest and true to the land and our surroundings and to bring our children up in touch with nature, well grounded and to know we are supported by Mother Nature. To have the skills to venture out into the world with a true knowledge of how things really work.
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Farm Life and Country Living
Herman and Margie live on a farm in South Africa–this is their blog on country living, eating honest food from the land, farming with guests and creative expression.
We moved here in June 2004 from Cape Town, it was our holiday house set on 3 hectares of ground along a wide meandering river on the south coast—a year later we bought the neighbour’s farm–now called Rustfontein.
Rustfontein is 630 hectares of fynbos, wildlife, views, open spaces and quiet.
On the farm we have (so far)
2 adults (us)
2 children (age 13 and almost 10 )
2 dogs (Bella the Beautiful-a Rhodesian Ridgeback- and Sunny the “very badly behaved,chicken thief, Jack Russel”)
2 budgies
3 cats (Pumpkin and Zazoo–both ex-Tomcats, orange in colour and great rat catchers and a little throw-away cat called Vaaitjie, blackish with a pure white undercoat, the sweetest thing.)
15 hens, 4 roosters
1 Macou duck (Muscovey)
40 odd sheep (“dorpers” bred for meat not wool)
50 odd cattle (Bonsmaras)
2 horses (Shadow and Llwyd- pronounced Louie)
When I look at this list all that seems short is a pig and maybe a goat? And some easy to pluck ducks apparently the Macou are hell to pluck—and I keep on coming across some delicious duck receipes.
We have finalised the renovations on the old farmhouse on Rustfontein, as well as the shepherd hut which is on the “backlands” –what we locals call the part of the farm that runs into the hills away from the river–the fynbos and wide open spaces part. We rent out the main house for holiday makers and the hut as an adventure sleep-out for those who like get up close with nature.
We like to feed ourselves as much as possible from what we can grow and produce ourselves (all organically of course) so we have a little farm kitchen were we cut, chop, cook, bottle and label all under the name Rustfontein-Guest Farm. This produce is also for sale to our guests. Honey, greenfig preserve, marmalade, jam.
Life is busy here in paradise–but it is a lifestyle we choose , to be honest and true to the land and our surroundings and to bring our children up in touch with nature, well grounded and to know we are supported by Mother Nature. To have the skills to venture out into the world with a true knowledge of how things really work.
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rusfontein on Farm Life and Country Liv… anita on Farm Life and Country Liv… Ravenscains on Renovator’s Dream
hi there
I see this blog was started (posted in 2004) and would like to know what you have been doing since then.
my partner and i have just decided to do the same.
We have a little rustic cottage on the Little Brak river and we are moving home in June 2012 and changing our lives completely.
Your site is what i was looking for for the inspiration i need to actually cut my umbilical cord with the city.
Hi anita
what an exciting journey you are going on–you will never look back !!
the only problem I have is that I don’t have time to blog anymore
our wine has been a major success — i have started a country kitchen that is
open over season and on saturdays–organic/permaculture veggies all
going strong — hard work but never stressful.The farmhouse is well booked over holidays.
One doesn’t make money to travel or for good schooling but we
seem to cover the costs of the farm and are able to live out our
dreams (we do have secured finances elsewhere that does help especially
now with the kids been teenagers)
A little rustic cottage on the Little Brak sounds so amazing-and Woolies
is just in Mosselbay–lucky you (you might think you won’t want it know but 8 years on
I love Woolies, once a month-feel like I have gone to New York!!! LOL!!!)
It will most proberly be a bit stressful up until June and feel like a hard
thing to do but a week into your new home you will be thinking “that was the easiest
thing I have ever done” So excited for you, you going to experience the honeymoon
phase — where everything is magic–ENJOY!!!
I would love to hear how it all goes. and don’t hesitate to ask me anything if you need.
GOOD LUCK Margie