Sliding glass doors provide a spectacular view of the dam and Mostertshoek mountains.
The first homestead of the Dicey family was established in the Hex River Valley in 1892. The family-owned business, Rora, acquired Palmietvlei Farm near Wolseley in 2016, and today grows blueberries in pots and under nets on 30ha of the farm's available 55ha.
While running a solid agricultural business, Palmietvlei's owners have recently taken advantage of the increased interest in rural tourism and the ecofriendly trend of repurposing used shipping containers as accommodation.
The farm offers three accommodation units: the FamTin, in repurposed containers accommodating four guests; the Riverstone House, the original stone farmhouse with four bedrooms sleeping nine people; and the CouplesPod container accommodation for two people, built in 2020, where Farmer's Weekly was billeted.
If ever there were an example of what great design can achieve with repurposed containers, this must be it. The structural make-up was the work of Innovative Modular Concepts of Grabouw, while the interiors were designed by owner Claire Dicey.
THIS IS WHAT GREAT DESIGN CAN ACHIEVE WITH REPURPOSED CONTAINERS
A vast covered veranda with a window seat, hanging-basket chair, large refectory-style timber table and a built-in braai are all perched on the edge of a lawn at one of three dams on the farm.
Guests are allowed to swim in all the farm dams, as well as catch and release fish: tilapia in the CouplesPod dam and trout in the others.
Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
