What's happening at Januariesfontein

Tony's "Alaskan Mill" . This is the second log being cut into planks; this time a newly felled bluegum. (at Bergrivier, Western Cape, South Africa)

The Story of Januariesfontein - part 1 TOP PHOTO: When we first came to Januariesfontein many years ago, this is what our water source looked like. At some time in the past a concrete wall to protect it from rockfalls had been built and a small concrete dam (broken by this stage as seen here) allowed the water to pool and be fed into a pipe and thereafter to the house. We have long wanted to improve this, as the inlet was forever getting silted up, or otherwise blocked by exploratory frogs, crabs or snakes. Now, in March 2018, David, helped by Ben, has completely re-furbished “January’s Fountain” - the spring from which the farm takes its name. PS: Who was January? Or is it named because it even flows strongly in the driest month of the year, January? 

Story of Januariesfontein Part 2 First, the area in front was cleared and a concrete floor cast. (see picture in part 1 of this story). Then David set up shuttering to define two large basins, linked by pipes. Water will fill into the first basin, which is deep enough to allow silt to settle before it flows to the front basin. No sooner had the new system been completed, but the first frog paid a visit. Ultimately a cover will protect it all from wildlife!

Much excitement occurred when a digger arrived and widened the track to the bottom camp. It’s now much wider and easier for all vehicles to drive down. The next bunch of workawayers will start development of the bottom camp, known as “The Hollow”

A whole year ago, workawayers Julia and Ryck were here. Ryck’s mechanical engineering skills were brought into play, and finally the motorised version of our honey spinner came to life!  This year, Jessica and Tony harvested the honey and put the spinner to the test....success! The spinner works  wonderfully and in no time we had many bottles of dark, golden, fragrant and sticky honey. 

Enid & Tony decided pizza with a glass of wine was well deserved to us all after a few busy weeks. The pizza was as delicious as it looked!

Simon and Jessica using Januariesfontein’s highway 

The paved surrounds and the water outlet,

And at the end of each visit, sadly, we have to say goodbye to new friends.

I went for quite a long walk to see what the rain had brought, and the cats followed me the whole way. A few spots made them pause momentarily,,,,

Rain water seeps through the soil, but when it reaches the clay level, slides over it and emerges wherever it can...

We’ve had really good rains the past week, and more to come in August, I’m sure! The dam is full, for the first time in years (as the weak spot in the wall was fixed during the past dry season).  Water is flowing over the spillway, and running down the roads. Those volunteers and friend who have been with us during the dry summer months would be amazed at the transformation in the landscape. Everything is so green!   Fluffy and Houdini enjoyed a little walk with me, but were also puzzled as to were all this water has come from.  I’m also posting a few short videos here; the bubbling stream, the water seeping out over the clay layer, and Houdini jumping the stream..

In February, March and April we had lovely long visits from Sophie and Tudal (France) and Nico, Ryk and Julia (Germany). All helped get a number of projects done - a box for catching snakes (as yet untested but beautifully made), enlarging the firepit for outdoor cooking, extension of the porch roof to provide more shelter from rain, and re-organisation, plumbing and tiling in the kitchen. We were even inspired to tidy out and sort the store-room. I don’t know how long the lovely clear surfaces you see in the picture will remain so!