OUR FARM – History of the Name
The 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.
