04/08/2018
What a truly special experience granted us on Wednesday! We [David, Simon and Sandi] are still on cloud 9 after the visit.
We arrived at the amazing eyrie that is Ratel Farm just after 11am, a bit later than expected, due to heavy mist and a slow little old car. But once there, in the cold and misty fields, the welcome from farm managers Jaap and Stofelina kept us emotionally warm. They were both so dear and inviting that we were captured from the get-go. What lovely people they are.
Jaap patiently and kindly answered all the questions bubbling out of us and proudly demonstrated his skills and love for what he does. We felt beyond blessed and so grateful learn, see and smell the magic happening – before our eyes. I would have loved to buy the oil he distilled, on the spot – just to hold on to that specific memory.
The mist actually made it all the more mysterious [no pun intended], as we tramped among the crops, freezing our toes off in our non-weatherproof takkies! With the dogs having a ball, and our fingers tapping away at the cameras [capturing some delightful, happy field and distilling snaps], it left us not wanting to make our way home. But grandkids had to be fetched from school so we had to say fond farewells with big hugs and head home, still in the mist, just after 2pm. We’re definitely planning to book the guest cottage/s with our family in the near future, as they will ALL love the rugged and aromatic beauty of the land. We left some sudsy pieces of our fynbos inspired creations, with Jaap and Stofelina, for themselves and also for the workers – with deep gratitude for their kindness and friendliness.
Thanks again Andrew Brown– it was a wonderful time-out-of-time day.
(Dr Sandi Nye, August 2018)
