Feb 14th – Valentine’s Day

A pretty relaxing Valentine’s Day, did not really feel like Valentine’s Day at all which was nice! I slept in, and then Jan’s dad and Mareli showed me how the workers pick the apples. Jan’s dad talked about the science behind how you know when it is time to harvest. The farm grows various types of apples, pears, and onions, and exports about 70% of their produce internationally.

After seeing a bit of how the farm works, we drove to where Jan would finish cycling that day. The venue was super fun with lots of food and drinks and even fruit to take for free. We spent a good part of the afternoon there enjoying the music and watching the bikers come in.

 

When we got home, Mareli was pretty tired and needed a nap (she is pregnant with twins!) so I took their two big dogs (a great dane and a bull terrier) on a walk through the orchards. Jan and Mareli showed me a bit more of their place. They have a stream on their property with a gorgeous waterfall, I could spend a whole day there. They also have a dam for their farm. Apparently, most farms do as they need to get their own water because the government does not in most areas.

Jan told me about the whole process of growing onions which was really interesting, we drove past where they were being dried in piles before having their stems chopped off.

That night, Jan braaied fish, so tasty. Then Mareli and I watched a movie.