I am Mrs Farida Mohammod and i have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that i have just two days to live. I am from (Qahahil) Qatar but based in Africa Burkina Faso since eight years ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation. Now that i am about to end the race like this, without any family members and no child. I have $3 Million US DOLLARS in Africa Development Bank (ADB) Burkina Faso which i instructed the bank to give to St Andrews Missionary Home in Burkina Faso. But my mind is not at rest because i am writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.
I also have $4.5 Million US Dollars at Ecobank here in Burkina Faso and i instructed the bank to transfer the money to you as soon as you apply to the bank, because my illness is increasing seriously, my eyes are feed with tears, the doctor said that i will give up anytime from now, so i don't know if i will see tomorrow.
As i am ending this race without any family or child, i want you to assure me that you will take 50% of the money and give 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to rest in peace. You are to contact the Ecobank through this email address (ecobank.bfaso@financier.com) immediately you receive this message may Allah/God be with you and may his protection rest on you.
As a former Southern African Tour Guide of quite a number of years and manager of a guestfarm in Stanford... I am in a position to assist you with accommodation in the greater Overberg Area. This is the I.B.A. Important Birding Area...
So, wherever you want to stay and whatever you want to do, I can and will be of assistance to you. My fee is entirely negotiable, depends on your requirements and may, in fact, be free... i.e. paid by the establishment and activity operator... you may want to go shark-cage diving, or whale viewing by boat... take a trip on the African Queen or simply have a picnic at Klein River Cheese Factory.
Let me be your personal guide, I will make your stay in the Overberg and South Africa memorable beyond words... Email info@stanfordbirding.co.za or call 082 943 4327
I am now in a position to offer you a selection of farm accommodation in the greater Stanford area. After years of marketing accommodation in the Overberg region, my name and cellphone number, together with a few websites, not limited to this blog, are frequent results pages in Google for Stanford Accommodation and activities.
I would like to offer you, our valued customer, to contact just me, with all your holiday requirements. I shall place you in the most suitable accommodation and shall be on hand to suggest and book, where necesary, any or all of your planned activities.
As a former Southern African Tour Guide as well as captain of the South African Women's White Water Rafting Team in 1995, I am well equipped to host your visit to our area and will gladly be on hand to offer my expertise.
Please contact me on 082 943 4327 or leave a message for me at my offices in Queen Victoria Street, for the Fijn Bush Telegraph. Alternatively you may contact me directly at ads@stanfordlocals.co.za or philippa@vectortech.co.za
Yes, I have faith and God invented humour. Oak Grove Farm has been a 4 year labour of love and as they say in the classics, all good things must come to an end...
Seeing and meeting people who come here to look at the farm to take over our job makes me realise what a damn fine job we have done. We are being wise, thank you to all my owl friends!
From a building site and a farm overrun with alien vegetation to a successful 3 star self-catering business and a stunning farm.
We have learned much, had a fabulous time living on this side of paradise, near Nirvana and welcome the change that these times are bringing.
I look forward to our future with optimism and gratitude.
Philippa Castle xxkx
p.s. with thanks to Shane and Lisa Lopion for all their superb gardening, fishing and friendship...
Yesterday Bruce and I hosted the first wedding at Oak Grove Farm and it was fabulous. The ceremony, to join together Sandra and Ian, was held under the Oak Grove, at noon, adjacent to the newly renovated Flower House. The weather was clement and the guests were in awe of the stunning setting of the farm. Bruce had rigged up an amp and speakers, so all could eaily hear the minister's words and Sandra and Ian's vows to one another.
Bruce and I, together with André van der Merwe's help, prepared a lamb & beef potjie as well as a chicken curry, which we served the 38 guests, seated in a beautifully decorated Flower House. Sirene and Venecia were on hand to serve the starters, main course and dessert and their help was invaluable.
Other than a couple of bottles of champagne there was no alcohol at the wedding and it was lovely. It's really good to see that people can enjoy themselves without any ot the usual crutches. The groom's brother, Hilton, ended up entertaining us with his awesome repertoire of songs and his fabulous guitar playing till "the cobwebs filled our heads" and everyone retired to their houses on the farm around 10pm.
Keep an eye on the blog for the photos which we have been promised as part of the "good deal" Bruce arranged for Sandra and Ian.
The entries into the 2009 Stanford Birding Photographic Competition are of such a high standard it is very tricky for me to judge. Please please please help me...
It's easy, simply follow the link, sign up for Picasa Web Albums (IT IS SAFE AND FREE), browse the photos and click the "like" button. Feel free to leave a comment too as this will be useful to me. The judging will be finalised by tomorrow morning (Thursday, 1st October) and the best will be on display at Stanford Arms Lounge.
Philippa Elaine Castle has invited you to join Stanford Birding on iPeace
Hi there, this is a new group I have started on a very important networking website. Please join iPeace and support the Stanford Birding Group. Thanks, Philippa.me
Birds, birders, birding, avi-toursim, habitat conservation. The entire Stanford, Overberg / Overstrand region in the Western Cape is now classified I…
Just an hour or so out of Cape Town, stretching along one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives and up into the fertile valleys of the Elgin orchards, lies the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve…South Africa’s first UNESCO designated biosphere reserve.
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was signed into being 10 years ago. Its claim to fame is not only its breathtaking landscapes and seascapes, with towering fold mountains tumbling into the ocean. No, it has a less obvious uniqueness…the greatest number of plant species for its size anywhere on earth!
A Celebration of Fynbos and the KBR! For the last 4 years KOBIO, (the Kogelberg Biosphere Association) has staged a festival in Kleinmond to celebrate this special place. Each year the Fynbos Festival has grown…and now it’s become a 4 day celebration, each with its own theme!
Saturday 13 December has a ‘Fynbos & Food’ focus. There will be guided fynbos walks and talks, fynbos plant sales, plenty of delicious sea-food, wine-tasting of local wines, dried fruits and nuts plus food specials and live entertainment.
Sunday 14 has an ‘Ecoscape’ focus; walks to see SA’s only wild horses, mountain bikes for hire in the core of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, sand-boarding on SA’s highest sand-dunes in Betty’s Bay, horse rides through the fynbos and other outdoor adventures.
Monday 15 December is the ‘Kids Carnival’ with slippy slides, jumping castles, face painting and more.
On Tuesday 16 December, it is ‘Market Mania’ - the local animal welfare will hold its traditional ‘rarities and collectibles’ stall and every trader will have bargains to browse…
And on each and every day, Kleinmond’s Harbour Road will be buzzing with crafts, stalls, indigenous plant sales, fynbos-friendly Christmas tree sales, live entertainment and the “Green and Holistic Living” expo.
Although the Harbour Road Waterfront (a year-round tourist favorite) remains the core of the Festival, other KBR villages will also be participating on the fringes. There will be guided walks at the Stony Point Penguin breeding colony, Betty’s Bay, attend a talk at the beautiful Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay…or do a tour of the Green Mountain wine route and overnight at the coast ready to hit the “Green and Holistic Living Expo” at Harbour Road and the book fair and flower photography lecture at Mthimkhulu Eco-Village, Kleinmond. For beach lovers, PringleBay’s ‘Windgat Festival’ kicks off on 16 December.
So for anyone with a love of nature, good food, books, bargains or adventure…this is the Festival for you! Keep in touch with the programme details on http://www.ecoscape.co.za or call the friendly Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau (028) 271 5657…they also provide a free accommodation booking service.
As usual the Fynbos Ecotourism Forum workshop of the 16th October was a great sucess and all present found it very informative and enjoyable. Steve and Linda Castle of the Stanford Valley Guest Farm hosted the workshop and the beautiful, rustic setting of the venue was in perfect harmony with the theme of the day, “Our feathered Friends”. Wilfred Chivell van Dyer Island Cruises was die eerste spreker en het gesels oor die Brilpikkewyne (Spheniscus demersus) van Dyereiland, waarvoor hy ‘n groot passie het. Die seevoëllewe op die eiland en omliggende kus word veral, soos oral, bedreig deur die onnadenkende optrede van mense en die bewaring daarvan is uiters noodsaaklik. Dyer Island Cruises is nie net ’n lid van die Forum nie, maar as gevolg van Wilfred se passie is die Dyer Island Conservation Trust gestig. Omdat daar vroeër jare ghwano op die eiland geraap was, is die natuurlike habitat van die pikkewyne vernietig, sodat ontmoontlik is om daar te broei. Neste is ontwerp wat op die eiland, asook ander broeiplekke aan die Kaapse kus, geplaas word waarin die pikkewyne kan skuil. Besighede en die algemene publiek kan van die neste aankoop en sodoende help om die bedreigde Brilpikkewyn se voortbestaan te verseker. Besoek gerus die trust se webtuiste, www.dict.org.za om meer van hulle werk te wete te kom. Wilfred se belangrikste boodskap was dat die mens moet ophou mors met God se skepping. If you visit the Western Cape Birding website (www.westerncapebirding.co.za), you will only find information on the Flamingo Birding Route on the West Coast and the Overberg Birding Route. Dr Anton Odendal, Bird Life Overberg and other role players have launched the Overberg Birding Route during the Stanford Birding Fair in 2004 and they are still working very hard at developing the route. He gave a very interesting talk on the necessity to develop birding routes in the Western Cape and why ecotourism as such would benefit from it. According to Anton, bird watchers are the largest group of ecotourists internationally and they often visit areas outside peak seasons, most likely in the deep rural areas. They spend money where others do not and therefore the local people, as well as the greater region, will benefit greatly through various opportunities, such as guides, accommodation, crafts, etc. For instance Limpopo Birding Route contributes R40 million and Zululand Birding Route R15 million to their respective regional economies on an annual basis. Birding tourism has a much lower impact on the environment as other outdoor activities. In the Overberg we have a diverse bird population and that is why it is essential to develop and market this route. Unfortunately we were not able to enjoy the slide show of birds photographed by Mr Nico Myburgh, as he was in hospital. We hope that he will fully recover soon. ‘n Heerlike middagete is voorafgegaan deur ‘n wynproe wat deur die volgende kelders geborg is: Lomond, Raka en Appelsdrift. Birkenhead Brewery het gesorg vir diegene wat bier verkies en Kleinrivier se kaas het dié proe-sessie afgerond. Ons opregte dank vir die bydrae tot ‘n suksesvolle werkswinkel. Recently on a British Airways flight from London, while paging through the onflight magazine, a photograph caught my attention, because the place look familiar. It was wonderful to read about Farm 215 as one of the places which Angelina Villa-Clarke recommended in her article Navigator. Congratulations, Maarten and co. We are proud of you. Bruce and Philippa Castle of Oak Grove Farm has joined the Forum and we welcome them and hope they will benefit from our organization. For more information on the Forum, contact Aletta Groenewald, tel 028 388 0551, or Mariaan Burger, tel 028 388 0384 Mariaan Burger.
My aim with post is to begin to make a photo collection showing the changes that have been made on the farm since Bruce and I moved here Xmas 2005. Our first guests stayed with us just before Easter 2006 and so almost 3 years down the line, we wish to share with you this magical journey of transformation. 13 000+ photos later, I am sure I can come up with some interesting combinations, collages and stories.
We will be feeding the living and the dead (the brain dead, however, can go hungry) at Restaurant Paprika on Friday, 31st October 2008. Our MENU FROM THE MORGUE, is to DIE OF ! So get your reservations in early. Tel. No. (028) 341 0662. Those of you who normally look scary (you know who you are!), come as yourself, the rest, please dress up. Be at the restaurant at 7:00 for our delicious, delightful PUTRID PUNCH. R 105pp
MENU
Starter Franken Fingers with Crisp Bat Wings (smoked salmon mousse with melba toast) or Alien Face stuffed with Chunky Chuck Up (avocado with fruit salsa)
Mains Hermanus Human Heart (chicken breast in a capsicum cream sauce) served with Liposuction Lard, Maggotty Leiwater Slime and Monster Tonsils (mashed potato, spinach, sauteed with pine nuts and sultanas and cauliflower) or Gansbaai Roadkill (black bean stir fried beef on Chinese noodles)
Hi there friends of Oak Grove Farm, yup, this is me! This is surely the only place to stop on the way to Stanford... (well, almost!) to pick up all those delicious country delicacies.
And of course we Stanfordians like to make friends on our travels. I knew this picture would be needed one day and therefore grabbed the moment on my Samsung mobile. I must be psychic or something?? A few weeks later this car was written off - ostensibly by the suspension collapsing - caused by the unkempt main road, in Hermanus, near the golf-course. Ouch! But thanks for the cool pic, Mr Pierre Martheze, racing stud farm owner.
We would like to welcome you all to the next Baardskeerdersbos Art Route which will be on Saturday and Sunday 27th & 28th September, 10.00 - 5.00.
There is a new map available which I have attached for your convenience.
Following on from the last art route in May, we have organised exciting and healthy food which will be available at two of the exhibiting artists, as well as tea, coffee, wine and other beverages at most of the artists studios/homes.
To see more about the food or in general about the art route, you can go to our web site www.freewebs.com/artroute
If you have any questions feel free to contact me via email or my cell number below.
Kind regards and we look forward to seeing you again!
The birds are flocking and getting ready for the 5th Annual Glendower Bird Fair, taking place from Friday 3 October to Sunday 5 October 2008.
Should you be in a position to share this information with others, we shall be most grateful.
Another way of showing you support the birds is to consider placing an advert for Oak Grove Farm blog on http://www.stanfordbirding.co.za/ or simply logging on to http://www.facebook.com/ and loading the Stanford Bird application – a unique way of telling your friends about the fair what prizes they can win!
Stanford is preening itself for the Annual Bird Fair; this is again sponsored by Glendower Whisky and Overstrand Destination Marketing Organisation. Now in its 5th year, the focus is more bird related with additional festivities arranged by Stanford Tourism.
Avitourism, being the fastest growing outdoor activity worldwide, is also happening in South Africa. Birding Routes, Important Birding Areas and Birding Weekends are the order of the day and are occurring everywhere.
Outstanding speakers will enrich and educate us with their knowledge and expertise. Two special outings are also planned. Guided bird watching walks through Stanford are offered to those who do not wish to drive. There will be a guided Heritage Walk on Sunday, viewing some interesting buildings earmarked during Stanford’s 150th celebrations.
So, come to Stanford for a weekend and enjoy our natural beauty, our restaurants and cafés and our walks and talks. Some of the highlights are listed below and most are FREE of charge.
SPEAKERS
Peter Ryan – conservation biologist will talk on sea birds
Peter Chadwick – world renowned outdoor and nature photographer presents a talk on CapeVultures and the Birds of De Hoop Nature Reserve
Marijke Honig – plant ecologist, landscaper and regular contributor to African Birds & Birding magazine will tell us how to garden for birds. Her talk will be followed by a visit to a local garden.
Phil Hockey – overseer of the monumental production of the 7th edition of Roberts – Birds of Southern Africa, will present a talk entitled “Avian sex: honesty or deception”. He will be our guest speaker during the Saturday evening informal function.
OUTINGS AND EVENTS
Glendower Whisky Tasting Friday night – snacks provided. Dave de Beer will do a short presentation on the officially recognised status of the Overberg as an Important Birding Area. (IBA)
Blue cranes - Bronwyn Botha of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) will inform us on the Western Cape Crane Conservation Project. The route covers farming areas between Hermanus and Caledon. She will highlight the need for cooperation between private land owners and nature conservators. Blue Cranes are common in and around the Overberg but the size of their national population is still low and unstable.
Flower Valley Farm - Phil Hockey will guide a walk on Flower Valley. A Trust was formed to conserve highly endangered lowland fynbos. Flower pickers are taught sustainable harvesting.
Live show - Eagle Encounters with live raptors.
BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
All keen photographers please enter your photographs of birds taken anywhere in South Africa. Your photograph of a bird could win you any one of these wonderful prizes:
·First Prize: Shark cage diving experience with Marine Dynamics
Just a bit Stanford history is that Bruce designed the website www.birkenhead.co.za and both of us did a lot of marketing for them. Times change and so do people… all is forgiven J
We had a few Stanford people in over the weekend, and the impression seems to be that we have closed our kitchen. We did close during August for renovations and repairs (and to accommodate leave for staff).
So this is just an info email to let you know that our Kitchen has reopened along the lines of a Pub Menu operation, under new kitchen management. We have redecorated our Pub and want to welcome Stanford and the Overstrand to come back and try our food and Beverages (Beers, Wine and Water). The newly decorated Pub is very warm and friendly, and it was good to see a few locals coming back to kuier over the weekend.
Unfortunately we will not be catering for functions.
From:Stuart Findlay [mailto:stuart@finessetextiles.com] Sent: 29 August 2008 02:41 PM To: Oak Grove Farm Subject: signs
Hooray,,
They are up!! Mind you, I am not sure I can see where this one is. Are the others up at the end of our drive?
Glad you are still taking pics of the farm. It looks quite different without leaves on the Oaks!
As much as I would like to retain the ruin, and the two dams, I am afraid it will not be possible.I look forward to refurbishing Bottlebrush and upgrading Lavender, when we have some cash!
Keep up the good work and am pleased to see you love the place as much as before. Let us make it viable!
I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Two and a half years have gone by whilst dealing with all the red tape involved in processing municipal signage applications.
When the sun came out I was on a mission to photograph our smart new Oak Grove road signs, which are the envy of all in the local tourism business.
As I drove up the road towards Elim, Papiesvlei and Salmonsdam Nature Reserve, I had an almost bird's eye view looking up towards Oak Grove Farm, neatly nestled in the valley beneath the towering peak of the Akkedisberg.
All that can be seen of the houses on the farm from this road are the manager's house, namely, Honeysuckle Cottage (Yes, I know Anne Robinson thinks the name is cliché!) on the top left, adjacent to the shed. Rooibos House's NE facing verandah is shown on the bottom right, near the small Blue Gum Forest. As these photos are taken in late August, the majority of the Oak Trees are without many leaves.
Receiving 3 telephone calls about accommodation whilst I was out walking didn't deter my photo mission as thoughts of Stuart Findlay saying "take a photo from up above the farm" kept me away from my office and PC. Aah, it's such a tough life in Africa, but someone's got to do it!
The farm is looking beautiful. "Bruce and his Girls" (11 women & 5 men many days) put in a lot of effort to help make Oak Grove Farm the talk of the town. These beautiful pink Protea Repens are amongst the first Proteas to bloom after the
This picture is taken from halfway up the front of the farm looking over our Pine Forest to Stanford.
The Black Headed Heron perched beautifully on one of the old dead trees at the trout springwater dam and calmly stood there while 3 dogs, myself and a cat walked past. It was a good reminder for me to keep my camera at the ready. His sillouette in the mid-morning sunshine is just too exquisite for words and a definite candidate for my new Stanford Bird application on http://www.facebook.com/. With elegance and grace the Stanford Birds are doing their thing for the 5th Stanford Glendower Bird Fair, taking place from Friday 3 October to Sunday 5 October 2008. These two white-faced ducks were literally only metres away from the Heron. From this angle above the dam, it makes a lovely picture of Fynobs Cottage, Protea & Water Lily Studios and Lavender Cottage.
In this next photo we could have an acceptable entry into the Stanford Birding Photographic Competition with this close up of the White-Faced Duck. Unfortunately I am the organiser of the competition and have been the one to source the prizes. Take a look:
Your photograph of a bird could win you any one of these wonderful prizes. First Prize: Shark cage diving experience with Marine Dynamics Second Prize: Flight of Giants with African Wings Third Prize: self-catering accommodation at Oak Grove Farm Forth Prize: a meal at Stanford Gallery Fith Prize: a year’s subscription to Africa Birds & Birding . Then the White-Faced duck couldn't handle all the attention... :)
The NE-facing view of all the accommodation units on the farm.
Here is Rooibos House in the foreground with Fynbos Cottage on the left, adjoining the double storey unit, of Water Lily Studio. The front door of Protea Studio can just be seen poking it's head out in the middle, set back as it is, on the balcony above the swimming pool deck. Lavender Cottage, with it's pet-friendly self-catering home and enclosed garden is the first house you see when you come up the entrance driveway to Oak Grove Farm.
A closer look at Rooibos House with the new sheltered terrace deck above the private, heated swimming pool. Lavender Cottage is of course the prime stand-alone home-from-home with all the privacy and views one could wish for.
This close-up of the front entrance to Protea Studio, shows the lovely sheltered pool deck, communal to the top houses. The fig trees are yet to get their leaves, but it won't be long now. Fynbos Cottage, the old main house on the farm, is looking spritely in it's refurbished state and has many happy a guest gazing out of those big lounge windows.
Now this is a part of the farm that is going to look beautiful when fully restored and renovated. Lets hope that somehow the lovely house at the back can also one day be restored and brought in under the Oak Grove Farm banner. It really feels part of the farm, especially with those springs and stunning fresh water dams. This really is one of the most sheltered parts of the farm and it was for good reason that over 100 years ago these homes and outbuildings were positioned where they are!
The four horses in their paddocks, also enjoying the warm winter sunshine. The next picture shows the shed on th left, the reservoir in the centre and Honeysuckle Cottage under the Oak Trees. (See there are some leaves aready!)
And, lastly, here is Sarie enjoying the beautiful evening sunset with her nearly 3 year old colt (I'd say stallion) blissfully content with his new home...
I live in a beautiful home on the edge of the Langeberg Mountains, overlooking the town of Swellendam, with my husband and numerous pets. We live in the bird watching mecca of the Overberg region, home to SA's national bird, the endangered Blue Crane. I am known as "Lady Stanford" and "The Bird Lady". It is my wish to obtain a study grant and study the correllation between birds and religious man and myths. I run our Internet Marketing company with Bruce doing mostly www.stanfordbirding.co.za and www.4848mobile.co.za. I love the outdoors and need loads of space, gravel roads and trees to walk my dogs. I have been doing Reiki and Bach Flower Therapy since about June '97 to both animals and people.
All that can be seen of the houses on the farm from this road are the manager's house, namely, Honeysuckle Cottage (Yes, I know Anne Robinson thinks the name is cliché!) on the top left, adjacent to the shed. Rooibos House's NE facing verandah is shown on the bottom right, near the small Blue Gum Forest. As these photos are taken in late August, the majority of the Oak Trees are without many leaves.
Here is Rooibos House in the foreground with Fynbos Cottage on the left, adjoining the double storey unit, of Water Lily Studio. The front door of Protea Studio can just be seen poking it's head out in the middle, set back as it is, on the balcony above the swimming pool deck. Lavender Cottage, with it's pet-friendly self-catering home and enclosed garden is the first house you see when you come up the entrance driveway to Oak Grove Farm.
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