Travelling on a Friday afternoon with two excitable pugs, we arrived on a Friday night at Klondyke Cherry Farm just outside Ceres and settled in for our three nights of country living in the Duck Pond Cottage. There was unfortunately no snow on the surrounding mountains.
Duck Pond Cottage is perfect for us and the pugs. An old renovated labourer’s cottage with an indoor fire for the cold evenings, and cute kitchen which make everything cozy. The electric blanket and oil heater was a welcome sight what with the cold nip in the air.
Our pugs claimed the farm and surrounding land as their own and ensured that everyone knew they had arrived. At first the sights and smells were overwhelming for the pugs, but they soon settled in and took advantage of the open space to run and play. They actually did more of a trot than a run if I am completely honest.
The weekend highlight, when the pugs gatecrashed a birthday party at the one neighbouring cottages. My husband had to rescue the pugs and apologise to the mother who was holding a cake out of reach.
We went for long meandering walks around the farm, around the dams and up the koppies. The orchard trees were bare and dormant. It just smelt cleaner and sweeter somehow.
A trip into the town of Ceres was necessary for supplies and more importantly beanies and gloves. The cold air was not something we were used to and were woefully unprepared. Although it was cold at home, this was a different cold.
We averaged 9 hours of sleep per night, the country air doing its magic with the lack of TV and wifi. A well rested break from the responsibilities of home. A chance to recharge and laugh.
