Birds, bees and blissful days in the tranquil Vredefort Dome

The Shallow Pig, a family cottage nestling in the Vredefort Dome, offers the perfect place to unwind, says Riaan Hattingh. And if you want a diversion, the nearby town of Parys offers good food and fun activities.

- Riaan Hattingh

Shallow Pig Cottage is on a 27ha farm near Parys in the Free State, approximately 120km south-west of Johannesburg.

The owners, Jean and Pippa Gauché, bought the property, a portion of Koedoesfontein farm, in 2010 while working as engineers in Sasolburg. Both are also qualified field guides, and wanted to live close to nature.

The farm was overgrazed when they arrived, so they set about rehabilitating the veld and removing invasive species. They also introduced a few cows to crop the grass and so reduce the risk of fire.

Over time, in a bid to become more self-sustaining, they improved the water system and installed solar geysers.

They also attended a beekeeping course, and steadily added hives to the farm. These are placed on stands to protect them against honey badgers.

The couple are ably assisted by Clifton Chimwaye, their general farmworker and the person mainly responsible for the maintenance of the hives and chicken coop. Under the tutelage of the Gauchés, he has gained a number of useful skills over the years, and today is able to weld, solder, carry out plumbing repairs, plaster, paint, and run electric cables. He is also an adept salesman, and barters produce from the farm, such as honey and eggs, for other food from the neighbouring farmers.