I grew up swimming and tubing on the rivers of our farm “Mooimeisiesfontein” in the Waterberg and riding horseback through the bush. It is our special family getaway from Jozi. It is pretty isolated where there is no cell signal or electricity…. a simplicity which we have grown to love over the years.
For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a big celebration on the farm. Since our wedding in 2000 was clearly not an option due to the logistical challenges and number of guests we wanted, my 40th Birthday provided the perfect opportunity. We managed to borrow 2 extra cottages from other shareholders and we singlehandedly hosted 22 people. This meant we had to tow in all catering and additional chairs and tables from JHB. The only rule for the weekend was “absolutely no children allowed” …. so we all could completely unwind and pretend we were 21 again.
Hen and I travelled up the day before everyone was due to arrive to set everything up. Special thanks to my amazing hubby Hen who had to listen to me for about 6 months planning this…As he is the chef in the house he did most of the catering and quietly worked behind the scenes making it one of the most Epic weekends ever for me.
Here are a collection of images taken by me, Hen, Wends (you beaut – Pinkies helped your cause) and Fee and the random iPhone.
Towing the Food, Booze and additional furniture from JOZI – a complete breeze without kids!
We had a day to get everything ready for our mates, 22 people into three very very basic cottages
The view from the climb up to the water tanks in order the get cell signal and phone for last minute.com orders like lemons for GNTs
The set up at “Ballyclare,” my parents cottage where all the action was due to take place. The makeshift bar and the view we never tire of
Kim and Gav our special friends from Durbs..the first guests to arrive via the Kalahari from their overland trip.
-
Bonnivale wine made by Henry’s uncle and lamb shank potpie on the go…!
-
My special friends..Kimbos straight from the Kalahari, preggie Fee and Bronnie jetted in from Cape Town!
Everyone chilling with drinks around the campfire….Its high risk fire season….note my paranoia with three buckets all ready and waiting….
My special girl peeps
Battery operated fairy lights (China Town)….. Ballyclare has never seen such a thing!
A round of shooters to kick the evening off
Gav and Harvis has been towing a generator for music from Jozi and arrived late … we had already sent a search and rescue party to make a call from the top of the hill….Not to fear their car came bulletin out of the bush, bopping to their Jute and the jol took off to another level…
Pia….Tsunami…..what kids?
Charlo and Harps
Chilling by the river saturday morning the best therapy ever
The Greens in Fine Form
Harvis and Murrels making the Pinkies with their secret recipe
Me kitted out!
After much deliberation we decided to have the lunch table at the house with the beautiful view of the cliff in front of our house.
Decor was simple with paper napkins and silver paper plates and utilising the rustic cutlery of the cottage which kept within the theme of “Bundu Bash”
The whole gang with liberal use of a tripod and self timer
The girls
Me and the guys
Bronnles and Jem – and those Taches
The BFFs
Fido and Nats
Me and Hen
Kim and Gav
Pia and Harvis
Murrels and Dakes
Spoof and Fee
The Wilkins’ Landie being put to good use
Hen’s beautiful speech
Fee the gorgeous preggie fairy saying my speech
My turn forgot paper for speech so paper plates had to do
My special friend Dakes
Pia and her Bundu Bash cake creation specially for me
Hen and Nats hard at work, hand whipping the cream for the pud behind the scenes
The Pinky King – nuff said
Jem creating cheese sarmies to fill the midnight munchie gap
Chilling on sunday Morning
- What an amazing unforgettable weekend with special mates that I will never ever forget- we pulled it off .