COME AND EXPLORE OUR FAMILY RUN GUEST HOUSE IN THE EXQUISITE SCHOEMANSKLOOF VALLEY IN MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA.

AN EASY 3 HOUR DRIVE FROM JOHANNESBURG WILL FIND YOU IN OUR HIDDEN PARADISE, WITH MORISH CUISINE, HOMELY ATMOSPHERE AND VIEWS THAT GO ON FOREVER....

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Birding at Old Joe’s Kaia with APPRECIATE


Appreciate has been working at Old Joe’s Kaia since 2008. We noticed his intense interest and love for nature and encouraged him to start ‘birding’. He attended a bird guiding course with BirdLife SA and since then there has been no turning back. Appreciate has guided numerous guests through our beautiful valley in Schoemanskloof. His soft nature and pleasant disposition are well received by all and his knowledge about birding has grown from strength to strength. In 2012 he bought himself an iPod with part of his birding income. With all the bird calls at hand he is now even more inspired to expand his knowledge.
Last week Appreciate was invited by BirdLife SA to Nylsvley where he completed an advance bird guiding workshop. He returned home full of enthusiasm and excitement about everything he had learned once again. He also added 5 ‘lifers’ to his already extensive personal check list.
We thank BirdLife SA for the tremendous work they do and for the important role they have played in Appreciate’s life as one of our employees!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

OLD JOE is a RHINO!

We love seeing the Old Joe statue painted by cartoonist, Wouter de Witt (aka Ghost). Wouter's latest artwork is promoting the plight of The Rhino, and very aptly so. 

The latest figure on 14 April 2013 states that 227 rhinos have been killed thus far in 2013. At this rate the figure will certainly exceed the 2012 figure of 668 for the year - a truly sad state of affairs!


Equally as sad is the fact that vandals could not leave Old Joe's horns alone either. "What has become of the human race?" is a valid cliche!

Please see Wouter's Facebook page

Monday, March 25, 2013

WATER LILY WALK


We take our staff’s development seriously, so when we notice someone’s tendency towards a particular area we encourage further training.
Royce has been working for us for a couple of years as a keen gardener and has also been responsible for the upkeep of our labyrinth. His attention to detail and fine motor skills caught my eye and we encouraged him to pursue mosaic work as a sideline. He completed one week’s intensive training at a hobby workshop and since then he has buried himself heart and soul into his new-found interest.
The Water Lily Walk is Royce’s first big project with 16 stepping stones around the far side of one of the ponds. It is also the start to yet another ‘refurbishment’ programme at Old Joe’s Kaia – the clearing of the ponds and landscaping of the surrounding gardens. The latter is all scheduled for this coming winter when the water level would be lower. Watch this space!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

BRAAI SIDES


We were recently asked by the Lowveld Get It! magazine to present 4 scrumptious side dishes for a South African braai. The specifications were simple and suited us down to the ground - no potato salad, garlic bread or pap en sous!
This is what we came up with:


  • Crustless Zucchini Quiche
  • Old Joe's Kaia's own Chakalaka - with a coal-baked potato
  • Crocodile Bread with Mushroom and Cheese filling
  • Crystal Salad Spring Rolls
Email us if you would like to try any of these recipes - IT'S FREE!
(our email address is on our website)



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

ODE TO KENWOOD

The time has come…. my faithful Kenwood mixer gave a cough and, while still willingly turning, indicated that its time is here to retire.

It is with nostalgia that I replace it with a monster of a machine – The Kenwood Major Titanium. I bought my small white machine in 1981. It can tell many a story of happy baking days, raising both my boys with their favourite biscuits, birthday cakes and small treats that all came from this reliable workhorse. It baked close to 2,000 Christmas cakes, a couple of wedding cakes and mixed and kneaded at least two of Old Joe’s Kaia’s famous breads every day for the past seven years.
Before it gives its last breath I will proudly and with honour put it on my shelf with other objects of sentiment and service. BRAVO my little Kenwood!


Here Amelia and myself show gratitude for both machines and the start of a new era in the kitchen - we can't wait to start baking!


Thursday, February 14, 2013

SPIDER LILY


This flower has not been this spectacular for a long time! According to some experts this plant is becoming more and more rare and is considered an 'old-fashioned' plant and therefore not regularly seen anymore. We are blessed to have this beautiful specimen next to the footpath in the forest on the way to the labyrinth.