The Dams in the Clearing

The two dams in the forest clearing have provided us with so much to see and do over the past few years.

Initially, when we got to the farm, both dams were overgrown with bulrushes, a haven for the common moorhen.

Finally the reeds were ‘forcefully’ removed to be, once again, replaced by open water. Sadly the moorhen had to move to another dam where we can't watch her any more.

The open water didn’t last too long as the lilies, which were once planted by a previous owner, began to take over. Meanwhile the bulrushes started to creep in again but with regular maintenance they have been kept out of the dams.

Pic of lilies

The lilies are very pretty but they are invasive and from time to time someone comes to harvest them. We noticed a very thick grass growing in the deeper dam, which made swimming very difficult and made the decision to place grass-carp into both dams to keep the grass down as well as the lilies.

Pic of grass-carp

Now we are able to swim ‘lengths’ (our own Olympic size swimming pool) and throughout the year we, as well as our guests, use the boats to paddle around the vlei, playfully or looking for fish, relaxing.

Pics of guests paddling around and onlookers

Even the ‘roaming’ troops of baboons have been seen taking a bath in the vlei next to our home.

Pic of swimming baboon