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robertson river restaurant farm accommodation 2
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OUR FARM – History of the Name

nerinaThe Nerina blooms from mid-February to end March (sometimes into April). The Nerina flower is a very big part of our culture and tradition. When there is a birth, death, or wedding in the family during the blooming of the Nerinas we as a family hike up the mountain to pick Nerinas. When Ouma Pietnel and Oupa Johannes got married, he hiked up the mountain to pick Nerinas for Ouma’s wedding bouquet. You’ll read more about Ouma…

When it was time to name the farm, they decided that it couldn’t be anything but NERINA.

Nerina is a 6th generation working farm.

 

History of our Buildings

The Nerina Manor House was built in the great depression and renovated during 1943, in the middle of the 2nd World War. There was nothing luxurious about the building material as our motto is, use what you have. With seven children things were not always easy, but there was always laughter. Ouma Pietnel (born Pietronella) ensured that Nerina’s door was always open to the orphaned, the widowed and the outcasts. Ouma Pietnel was the glue that kept everyone together and she always had more to give. What she could not give in shelter she would give in food or friendship. If the walls could talk she would tell us about the death, the pain & sorrow, but she would also tell us about the births, the love & celebrations that went on within her walls.

The Manor House was converted into a Guest House during 2004, but once again became the family home during 2020. Ouma would be proud to see that her great grandchildren now live within the walls of her home.

Manie Self-Catering Unit
B&B Rooms – started off as a garage and workshop, renovated in 2009 into guest rooms

Ou Stal
Nerina is a 6th generation working farm. We are not sophisticated, but we love our farm. Our animals are free, so are our children. Our motto is, make use of what you have.

The Ou Stal was the original building on the farm and had a dual purpose throughout the years.

The main sitting room (with the Welcome Dover Wood Stove) was built from river rocks & clay. The roof was constructed from reeds and it still has the original clay ceiling. It was initially used as a horse stable and then converted into an automated dairy during the 70’s. The sliding door is still the original dairy door as is the ramp for the cows. It was converted into a public dining room during 2001.

The main family bedroom or better known to us as, Die Ou Kelder Originally home to my grandfather’s narrow wheel John Deere tractor and it had an old wooden double barn door. It dualled as a brandy distillery, but was converted into a feed shed during the 70’s and then into a bedroom during 2017. The light fixtures were originally thermo reading hatches at the KWV distillery.

The smaller bedroom & bathrooms were originally a barn that was converted into a reception area and office with ladies and gents’ bathrooms.

The walk-through bedroom was originally a storage room for empty oil containers. During 2001 it was converted from a storage room into a bachelors flat. The chandelier originally made the side wheel of an old lucerne cutter and my grandfather’s first milk bucket became a lamp fixture.

Front porch was originally where we milked the cows by hand. I wanted to keep the memory which is why I planted flower brush in the truffe.
Swimming pool (not the original idea). The walls were built on the original cattle kraal wall. After a week of filling it with sand and compacting it in order to lay a foundation, we grew tired and decided to rather leave a hole for a pool. It turned out for the best though.

All the furniture in this building has a history, some old some not so old. Some people like the old some don’t. We do. This building was renovated with care, passion, initiative and love for heritage.

Dormitory
This building originated during 1993 and served the purpose of a packaging facility. During 1995 we stopped producing tomatoes and it was changed into a workshop. After eight years of facilitating rowing camps, the amount of rowers increased to such an extent that we decided to convert it into a dormitory during 2017.

Private Summer Bush Camp
Private Summer Bush Camp: – while guests were enjoying a trip on the Kolgans River Restaurant we were asked, “may we camp next to the river?” The idea for the Bush Camp was born and built during 2004.

Dining Room
The foundation of the dining room is the original kraal wall of the dairy. During 2012 the initial purpose was to use it as a restaurant when the river is in flood during winter months. Now however, it serves as a small wedding venue, conference facility and dining room.

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Kolgans River Barge Restaurant

Kolgans is the Afrikaans name for Egyptian Goose due to the spot (“kol”) or target on its chest.

We started the Kolgans Restaurant during 2001 for a subsequent income to that of our farming. This was going to be a challenge as we knew that we wanted something out of the ordinary and unique, but we did not have the resources to build her. We therefore reverted to…use what you have.

Some of the wood was from an oak tree that was felled during 1995; Her roof is scaffolding that was used in the renovation of the Robertson East community Church; She was built by us and for three months her home was in front of the garage. She had her maiden voyage on the 30th of November 2001.

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Burcon Trail Rides

I started riding at the age of two when my dad used to put me on Venus' back (Percheron) while he was ploughing in the vineyard. I remember looking into his eyes and knowing horses would be a big part of my life. Horses are my life, my love and my passion and I would like to share that passion with you. I have over four decades riding experience, 20 years training children horsemanship, five years training children with disabilities, over 20 years trail rides and over 30 years training horses. Most of the horses were the outcasts, the misunderstood... the challenging and I am privileged to have the opportunity to rehabilitate them. My horses are free range and I do not believe in using bits.

Allow me to introduce them to you:
Monty: Male American Saddler born 1997; of all the horses he was the most abused. Monty changed from a fragile little thing to a very proud, active & playful horse.
Tequila: Male Boer / Thoroughbred cross; loves kids and has a very playful nature. Although he is a very slow boat, he is perfect for beginners and intermediate riders. He is a chestnut, but should have been a blond.
Whiskey: Female Dun Anglo Arab Boerperd cross; also very kid friendly and perfect for intermediate to advanced riders. She came to the farm for a six month training-stay... and never left.
Thamshaka: Male (God’s Gift) Arab / Saddler cross; born on the farm from a rescue named Dousha on 31 Aug 1999. The love of my life.
Thaki: Male (Free Spirit) Saddler cross; born on the farm 14 Jan 2001. My daughter's horse and a very keen rider.
Amber: Female (better known as Dowwe Dolla) Thoroughbred, born 8 Oct 2001; she was given to me, because it was believed that her back is too hollow and therefore would not be able to be ridden. (Retired since 2016).
Gemma: Female Anglo Thoroughbred Cross; born 1st of Sep 2018 from Amber & Aurora.
Noah: Male Anglo Thoroughbred Cross; born 16 Sep 2019 from Amber & Aurora.
Leda: Thoroughbred Broodmare that could not get pregnant. V8 with a gentle heart
Bayanda: Thoroughbred; born 2005. He was given to me, because he is too small and was “too wild” to train (actually just very inelegant). Takes well to children and just wants attention all day.
Jana: Female Arab...too small too scary...now a cuddle bunny.
Aurora: Anglo Arab; born from Jessica on the 2nd of Sep 2013 (Aurora means new beginnings). He was one of a set of twins and is a handsome fellow with his mom's spirit and energy.

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 Nerina’s Flip Side