Hog Hollow Puppy Rescue… Never give up..

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Hogblogger

Here are a couple of things I cannot resist in life : kissing the silky skin on a little baby’s neck, being mesmerised by the full butter-moon rising over the Tsitsikamma Mountains…. and smelling the puppyness on a little puppy’s breath…

Our son Matt was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic two days before his 10th birthday.  Needless to say, our lives changed from that day - and, once we learnt what we had to, it was for the better as we all now enjoy a much healthier lifestyle..  However, on the day Matt was released from hospital, his dietician had a tiny Yorkshire Terrier puppy in her rooms who absolutely captivated his attention.  He used his desire for such a little puppy as motivation to learn how to monitor his blood sugar, count his carbs and give the correct amount of insulin.  All of this involved a lot of needles – which is not easy for a 10-year-old to come to terms with.  Matt persevered and as his reward, we bought him a tiny 400g Yorkshire Terrier puppy.  Happiness!!

Matt and his little motivator Ziggy

Shadow our very clever German Shepherd

Now, four years down the line, we have a male and female, Ziggy and Sparkle.  They fell pregnant and the pups were due on Tuesday, 2nd August 2011..  Sparkle is the very best of Moms and, on the day, decided to burrow underneath our deck in front of the house to find a spot, unaccessable to our extremely curious German Shepherd, Shadow…

After searching for her for two hours, Shadow showed me where she was – totally inaccessable – unless we removed the decking and also burrowed under the house.  Which, it goes without saying, is exactly what we did.

Proud puppy rescuers Elvis and Corneliyas.

A high-tech operation followed where Andy devised special long-handled tools which Elvis, one of our hosts at Hog Hollow, and Corneliyas, our stable manager, deftly put to good use to gently extract Mom and new born pups.

 

Entrance to Sparkle's Entrance under the house...

Of the four pups born, only two were breathing, one was out of its amniotic sac but cold and lifeless whilst the other was still in the sac, also lifeless and cold.   Sparkle was totally exhausted from the birthing effort and the cold and muddy birthing chamber she had selected.  Elvis and I quickly rubbed Sparkle and her first two pups with fluffy towels and then laid them on little bed with a warm hot water bottle before turning our attention to the other ‘lifeless’ pups.  I cleaned the first pup’s little mouth and nostrils and started massaging it down the length of its back with a towel, gently rubbing up and down until it took its first breath.  Elvis continued massaging the little pup in this manner whilst I took up the fourth little pup still ensconsed in her amniotic sac..

An exhausted, cold, muddy mum and pups - all alive!!!

 

 

 

I must admit I thought this was a bit of a futile exercise but just couldn’t give up on this little girl – she was tiny – at least half the size of her siblings and totally dainty…  Smaller than my Blackberry!!!!  After opening the sac, I also cleaned her little mouth and tiny nose and held her upside down to drain any fluid that might block her airways, before massaging her with the towel.  After approximately ten minutes she suddenly took a huge breath – I couldn’t believe it and Elvis, Corneliyas and I all burst out laughing – joy and relief!!!

Tiny pup taking her first breath after being rubbed for 15 minutes....

Sparkle took over from there and is now the proud Mom of four plump little pups.    Just goes to show, its never over until….  the last pup starts breathing!!!!!

Adorable Mum and Pups Today

 

Matt & Puppies @ four weeks...

 

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Hog Hollow Book Club: Jo’s thoughts on …

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Hogblogger

Half Broke Horses

Jeannette Walls

Published by: Pocket Books – 2010

UK ISBN: 978-1-84739-831-4

Half Broke Horses is the “prequel” to Jeannette Walls’ autobiography The Glass Castle. This book recounts the life of her indomitable grandmother Lily Casey Smith.

Lily was born in the middle of nowhere in that vast state of Texas in 1901 and the story plots her tumultous life & loves, loses & determination to survive and succeed at whatever she put her mind to. She was a woman of grit who personifies the pioneer woman.

I suppose this could be called a biographical novel, or a non-fiction novel (in the Capote vein), and details one extraordinary event after another. Lily lived life at full tilt, even getting dentures remained an adventure for her – and other diners!

It’s quick to read with very short chapters each one rivalling the next with derring-do. However I found myself disengaged from Lily and her life. I could appreciate the setting and realities of what her era demanded, how she reacted to what life presented her, but the characters (can you classify real people as characters?) for me were one-dimensional and their communication phatic and the plot (not) built no tension.  It’s that book that your spinster aunt or uncle would write: for family archives and/or interest only.

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Hog Hollow Sea Cottage Now Available!!!!!!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Hogblogger

What a location!

Hog Hollow Sea Cottage Located adjacent to Coastal Nature Reserve

Hog Hollow’s Sea Cottage overlooks a coastal nature reserve in picturesque St Francis Bay,known for its quaint fishing village atmosphere, superb surfing and pristine indigenous fauna, flora and endless beaches… 

 

 

 

 

Main Bedroom En Suite with Uninterrupted Views All Round!!

Three bedrooms and bathrooms in the double storey main house and a separate fullcontained flatlet, combined, accommodates up to eight people.  Sea Cottage has magnificent 360° views of the surrounding coves and the lighthouse across the bay whilst the indigenous garden includes a comfy lapa braai area ..

Open Plan Kitchen-Dining-Lounge

Golden sunlight bathes the light and airy, open plan kitchen-dining-lounge with its comfy couches during the day and provides a perfect entertainment area, flowing out onto the covered patio.

At night, a cosy fireplace, good selection of books, music system, cds, flatscreen television with DsTV and a great selection of dvds makes you want to stay right there..

Fully Equipped Open Plan Kitchen

The kitchen is fully equipped with quality implements, sharp knives and a superb selection of cookery books to stimulate any self caterer’s creativity…   A comprehensive guide book lists suppliers of fresh ingredients, restaurants, pubs and activities nearby.

Basic ingredients such as tea and coffee, sugar, spices and cleaning materials are supplied.

Comfy Lounge with fireplace.

Walking and biking on the Wild Side...

Attractions include coastal and deep sea fishing, surfing, snorkelling, walks along the pristine beaches and various nature reserves nearby, biking trails, horse riding and kite boarding.  Little children love exploring the rock pools for hours on end.

Children love playing in the rock pools..

Fishing in the river mouth.

Port St Francis

Sea Cottage is within easy walking distance of Port St Francis, a working harbour for the local Calamari Industry, where you will also find a nice selection of restaurants.

 RATES :

The cottage per night, including daily cleaning service.

R2000-00 per night – excluding peak season during Dec and Jan.

R2500-00 per night   - 20 December 2011 to 5 January 2012

 TO BOOK :

Contact Jo during office hours on : +27 (0)44 534-8879 or email : info@hog-hollow.com

Contact Debbie after hours on : +27 (0)827713745 or email : debs@hog-hollow.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trying out a bit of Science Fiction

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Hogblogger

The Rise of the Iron Moon

By: Stephen Hunt

Published by: Harper Collins Publishers – 2009

ISBN: 978 0 00 723223

Purity Drake, is a product of the Royal Breeding House, but who, orphan though she supposedly is, is destined to save the world.  The Kingdom of the Jackals is being threatened by an EVIL force – the murderous Army of Shadows is sweeping across worlds with vicious, and terrifying speed – annihilating all in its path.  With a motley crew of various strange and wondrous people & creatures serendipitously met, Purity inches closer to her destiny.  Will she be in time …

I am not sure why I thought I would enjoy this book – Science Fiction isn’t my genre of choice, but I do think it’s a good idea to try and read outside the ‘comfort zone’.  Sometimes it’s a winner, however, this book flings from one exhausting adventure to another, each outstripping the former in new fangled gadgets, ideas, plots, evil, intrigue, magic, blue characters, thinking machines, creatures souless, weird & wonderless, landscapes, land-shapes, moon-spheres, celestial reckonings …. I was totally exhausted by the time I finished it.  The author was so thrilled with his imagination he felt it necessary to give us splendid examples every paragraph.

And just so you know, the Goodies win in the end, but it’s not without Great Personal Loss & Sacrifice.

If you like Science Fiction,  I am sure you’ll like this book.

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A Soft Boiled Egg (or 2)

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Hogblogger

by Jo Melton Butler this time

I can already see your eyebrows twitching and a slight sneer to the top right lip – but it’s an art – boiling an egg. In China they have 1000 year eggs down to a fine art – this is the three minute variety!

My eggs are being boiled at sea level, so it’ll boil quicker  than those higher up in elevation – do add that into your calculations.

TIP: I keep my eggs in the refrigerator which is why I put the eggs into the pot when the water is still cold – otherwise the egg shell cracks when ladled into the boiling water, and no,  vinegar does NOT help!

I am also making soft boiled eggs – whites nicely done, yellow nice and runny.

Put on some blissful music, invite your partner for breakfast (my husband was so taken aback I’d found the kitchen, he watched the entire production speechless!)

Ingredients:

  • 2 Extra Large Eggs – free range of course  – more if you are feeling hungry
  • Water
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Sliced bread – for toasting – however many you want
  • Butter – for spreading on the toast
  • Seville Marmalade (for me) or Fig Jam (for husband) for the extra toast

Utensils:

  • Clock (for timing eggs)
  • Pot (for boiling eggs)
  • Ladle (for lifting boiled eggs from pot)
  • Toaster (for toasting bread)
  • Knife (for spreading butter & cutting toast into soldiers & cutting the top off the eggs)
  • plates (self explanatory)
  • teaspoons (alternative for opening eggs and also self explanatory)
  • egg cups (self explanatory)

Recipe:

  • Set the table first with plates/teaspoons/knives/salt & pepper (white or black), butter, condiments.
  • Boil the kettle and warm the tea cups (I know it should be a teapot, I just don’t have one yet).
  • Put the sliced bread into toaster.
  • Put the pot with water on the stove – just enough to cover the eggs.
  • Put the eggs in the water while it’s still cold and bring the water to the boil.
  • As the water starts to boil TIME FOR 3 MINS exactly (remember longer if you are way above sea level).
  • Now, the stressful bit is timing it so that:
    • the toast pops up just before the eggs boil;
    • Husband’s toast is toasted first so it can cool before buttering;
    • Mine is still hot so the butter melts when buttering;
    • toast is cut into soldiers; and
    • placed artistically on plate;
    • the kettle’s boiled again;
    • hot water in the warmed cups with the milk-to-taste & sugar (I happen to be sweet enough) & stirred;
    • teabags out and hot beverage on the table.  Whew!
    • At this juncture it’s good not to notice slight smirk of husband!
  • 3 minutes is up – take ladle and spoon eggs onto clean dry tea-towel and put into egg cups.
David is not often speechless

Crack the egg, sprinkle with a little salt & pepper and dip in the toasted butter soldier – YUM!

It’s a lovely way to start a Sunday morning – the sun shining in the kitchen window, a perfectly boiled egg (or 2), someone lovely to chat to, Sunday papers to read and the day stretching out ahead of you.
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Local Is Lekker Spring 2011 Special Rate :

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Hogblogger

From R650 per person sharing a room per night, on a bed and breakfast basis..  Children from R150 per child per night!!!  Valid from 1 September – 30 September 2011.

This is a limited Special Offer for locals only, subject to room allocation and availability.  Terms and Conditions apply.  Contact Jo on info@hog-hollow.com or call +27 (0)44 5348879.

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The Hog Hollow Good Food Club – by Debbie Fermor

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Hogblogger

GREEN JUICE :

Properties of Green Juice :

  • Alkalizes your body
  • Rehydrates.
  • Eliminates impurities.
  • Wonderful way to start the day..

 

 

Equipment :

Oscar Juicer, Wooden Cutting Board, Sharp Paring Knife, Sharp Cutting Knife

Basic Ingredients : (try and grow these yourself or select organic, locally grown, fresh produce, wash in vinegar water before use)

1 x Grapefruit (peeled but leaving white flesh)

1 x Apple (core, peel and seeds incl)

1/2 Cucumber

4 x Stalks of Celery

1/2 Lemon

10 x Spinach Leaves

2cm piece of Ginger

500ml Rain or filtered water

Optional Extras :

Parsley, Beetroot, Carrots, Fresh Chillies, Coriander, Avocado

Method :

Cut all ingredients into pieces that would fit into Oscar Juicer funnel.  Juice.  Add 1/2 tsp of Vit C 1000mg powder to preserve, mix in water and seal in flask.  Lasts up to 48 hours but best consumed immediately.

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THE HOG HOLLOW BOOK CLUB by Jo Melton Butler

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Hogblogger

Jo and John Keats review….

 

King of the Badgers
by Philip Hensher
Published: Fourth Estate – 2011
ISBN 978-0-00-730133-1

This book is a look at contemporary life over a six month period in the small picturesque town of Hanmouth which perches on the banks of the River Hain where it flows into the Bristol Channel.
We enter the lives of these residents when a little girl of 8 from the housing estate close by – vanishes. It is a commentary on the lives and class distinctions, pecadillos, insecurities, psychoses, paranoia, sexual gratifications and hidden underbelly of modern society.
The lives of the haves and their debt and deceit and social mores (or lack thereof), the lives of the not-so haves and their debt and deceit and social mores (or lack thereof) comes under the spotlight while the police investigations take place under the facile glare of the media who are looking for angles and scoops rather than facts. Overarching all this – the insidious power of the state as the CCTV cameras watch, seemingly impassively, over the streets and homes of Hanmouth.

For the most part I found Stanley, the dog, the most reassuring aspect of this book..

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Fair Trade In Tourism SA Accolade to Hog Hollow..

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Hogblogger

At the 2011 International Tourism Indaba in Durban, Fair Trade congratulated Hog Hollow Country Lodge for its long-term commitment to Fair Trade principles!!

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) announced the winners of its first annual Fair Trade Excellence Awards in recognition of outstanding performance by its members in particular aspects of its certification programme. The awards are based on outcomes of site assessments that have been completed during the past five years…

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Going Green at Hog Hollow

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Hogblogger

At Hog Hollow, all our garden waste is turned into fertile compost..

Meet Corneliyas, our stable manager and biodynamic farming hero!!! Corneliyas hails from Kwazulu Natal on South Africa’s East Coast and speaks five languages including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho and Xhosa!! He has 17 years equine experience and loves nature, animals and gardening..

Corneliyas joined Hog Hollow on the 1st of March 2011 and has taken on the task of upgrading our biodynamic farming system..

Composting :

All garden waste is shredded and layered with horse and cow manure and wooden shavings from the stables and chicken coop to form fertile compost for our veggie, herb and indigenous gardens..

Corneliyas - biodynamic hero at Hog Hollow

 

 

Guests are treated to farm fresh eggs from our very own Koekoek Chickens. Our Koekoeks play a huge role in Hog Hollow’s Bio-Dynammic set up as they lay beautiful fresh eggs daily but also provide vital manure for our compost and roam the horse paddocks eliminating fly eggs and larvae..

Koekoek chickens were classified as indigenous to South Africa in 1976 – they were first introduced to the Cape by Dutch Governor of the Cape, Jan Van Riebeek in 1652.The Koekoek chicken has been popular for a long time. What is not generally known is that the term Koekoek describes the colour pattern rather than the breed. The Koekoek colouring is recognised as a variety and is present in as many as nine different breeds.

The Koekoek feather colouring is sex-linked which makes it very useful in breeding programmes. If a black or red cock is crossed with a Koekoek hen, the sexes of the offspring can be separated when the chicks are only a day old. Sexes can be identified as the females are completely black whilst the males have a white spot on the head. The Potchefstroom Koekoek was bred locally from crosses between the black Australorp and the White Leghorn.

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