December on Rich Ranch

Another Amazing Sunset

It is nearing the end of the year and no more clients for the rest of the year. We have done the BIG clean and every curtain has been washed, every tile has been scrubbed, every nook and cranny is spotless.

It is a lovely and peaceful feeling to know there is some R & R awaiting us. You will never guess what I am going to do for the next month. I’ll tell you because you will never guess. Absolutely nothing. It is time to put our feet up, get the books out – there is loads of readying to be done, do the odd crossword puzzle, take in the occasional movies and go out for a few good meals.

The two of us will spend Christmas on the farm as all the kids are away. How peaceful is that. We will be thinking of all of you that are doing the big dinners with all the dishes that go with it and oh, don’t forget all the calories that go with it as well. But jokes aside we will miss our children.

As always there strange happenings going on on the farm.

Molly and Her Kittens

This year we have really had loads of rats inside the house. Apparently we were not the only ones and our neighbour has had the same problem. We have used rat traps, but the rats soon get wise to them and so we resort to poison because we have to get rid of them. They will damage your electric wires in the ceilings and they won’t stay out of the mielie meel. But these little rascals soon get wise to the poison too and run a circle round the bowl of poison pellets. This means that we had to resort to another means and someone told us that if you soak the poison pellets in red wine the rats cannot withstand the sweet taste and smell. Ok, so this we did but there still seemed to be loads of them and off I went to get us a couple of cats. Both Richard and I are not cat lovers but then you have to decide – do you want rats or cats?

The cats are ever so cute and after a bit of hissing from the cats and barking from Molly they all made peace. Now as you know nothing is ever normal on the farm. It didn’t take long and Molly had an identity crisis. She is now in limbo – not sure if she is dog or cat. She is mothering the cats and has become so protective of the cats that she is round them every minute of the day. Oh what a monster we have created!!

Thousands of Flying Ants

 The rains have been very good and have so far not washed us away. Just a good downpour every second evening and the lands with the beans are looking excellent.

Just after one of our downpours the other evening we saw a sight not yet seen on the farm since we were here. I am not sure how well you can see it on the photo but as soon as the rain had cleared there were literally thousands, and I do mean thousands, of flying ants coming out of the lawn. An amazing sight to see.

Bull Back After His Holiday

There are plenty new calves in the herd and plenty mommies to still to have their babies. The bulls are back from their holiday next door and we expect them to earn their keep and get down to business. He is stunning don’t you think.

Oh So Cute Blesbuck Babies

It is time for the Blesbuck to also have their babies and as always I am absolutely amazed at nature. These tiny ones that are up and running as fast as their mommies in a day or two. They have to or they will not survive.  Again I can only say thank you for living in such an amazing place