A new chapter began in the lives of our middle daughter and son-in-law when they moved from their small holding in Kokstad to a farm in Plettenberg Bay just before the Easter Weekend.   Leaving was a huge wrench as they’d had a very happy 20 years there.  But things change and there comes a time when opportunity demands you move on.  Allan has a new business venture, Lauren starts a new teaching job at Plett Primary, Simon will complete his Grade seven there and Shan starts at Glenwood House in George next term.

For us it means that visiting each other becomes a whole lot easier.   A two day road trip has now been reduced to five hours!

So with caravan in tow (we plan to go to Addo afterwards) we departed from Struisbaai at 8:30,  popped in to an appointment in Bredasdorp at 9, had breakfast and hit the road at 10:15.  We made two half-hour stops en route and arrived at Jubilee Farm at 3:30!   The added bonus is that we take in the beautiful Garden Route to get there.  It was such a stress free trip.

Of course we kept in touch as we travelled and Simon was at the farm gate to greet us when we arrived.    He ran ahead toward the house where the rest of the family were waiting.  And wow – what a difference.  Their home in Kokstad was lovely but very much smaller with its  three bedrooms, one bathroom, small lounge/dining room and a very tiny kitchen.  There was an outside office/flat and laundry and the garden was stunning but now they have five enormous bedrooms, three bathrooms – two of them en suite, a huge kitchen, walk-in pantry, scullery and laundry.  The living area is open plan and has panoramic view across the valley and the huge double garage has a door leading into the house.

Right in front of the house is a small dam where Simon fishes regularly.  There are also several other big dams on the farm one of which is just a short walk away.   All of them are stocked with bass and blue gill.

Lauren doesn’t know herself in her new kitchen.   And I had a wonderful time making the salads and dessert for their 20th anniversary dinner.  Earlier in the day we’d all gone into town to shop.  Lauren got prawns from Robberg Fine Foods, cooked them in garlic butter and served them on a bed of Basmati rice.   Delicious.