More Nostalgia

We spent the weekend at Leopard Trail. It's a farm just outside Bonnievale, near Robertson. A little more than 2 hours outside of Cape Town. We stayed in a 6 bedroom house and it was HUGE! After getting lost and confused, I eventually drew a map to get my head around what was going on. The house was built in the 1930's around the same time as my home, so there were many similarities with regards to the old feel of the house. The difference being that THIS house, had the furniture too! The kitchen , which is generally the heart of the home, was the most nostalgic for us. The old style kitchen table and chairs - fake wood look with metal structure. We competed in whose granny had that set in their house! The classic wooden display cabinet with sliding glass - very cottage style. And of course all wood has been painted! But this picture/photo of vegetables was the draw card for us - we stood staring at it as if it was a Rembrandt ! It looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen it. But not just seen it - knew it, grew up with it. It was part of my history. Undecided whether it was my granny's place or auntie or a local corner shop, after further discussion, it seems EVERYONE had a relative with that picture up in their house! So it might just be that.
So we are at this farm, and they have farm animals and fruit trees. Fruit being one of their main produce, as well as milk. So on arrival we received a jug of FRESH cow milk! We were all a bit hesitant at first. The idea seemed as odd as drinking milk from a cat! Eventually I gave in and decided to take a gulp (with my nose closed and trying not to focus on the cream layer on top or fat content) - what a moment! It was like a taste bud flash back ! THIS is what milk tastes like ! I know this taste! My fat free version is but cream/white water in comparison. I indulged the first day int his gift of Allah, surely something so tasty could not be harmful. But after a mug full the next morning, guilt and fake heart pains made me "versak". I look forward to the days when I can indulge in the rivers of milk and honey.
We did our trip to town and found the dairy factory shop so got our stock of cheeeeeeeese, milk (fat free) and ice cream. A quick detour to a farmers market then back to the farm in time to see the cows being milked. The kids LOVED it! I think the best part was seeing calves. They are gorgeous! DS was fascinated by everything; tongues, licking, cows, milk. And he smelled like it too!
We haven't been 4x4ing a while, so we had to squeeze it in for old times sake. The route was basic. A few slopes here and there, but nothing a Toyota can't handle. Had the path been wet or the river full, it might have been more interesting. But all in all I think we have out grown "because we can" and are more at "to get where we need to go". To me doing rough routes is simply the way to explore what we need to.
3 dams on the farm, made for a fun afternoon for the kids. There were boats, canoes and mud - so I think it catered for all ages ;-)

So what's my review? I'd make this a permanent holiday house !
The size was perfect for all of us and there was plenty to entertain the kids.
The campsite didn't look too bad. The shower works with a donkey, and I've never been a fan of that. But the shade, dams and lapa could make it a great spot if not crowded.

(I wanted to post a few pics but I changed my operating system and having issues with uploading. Sorry)