Some years back, while visiting a guest farm located on the Lesotho /South African border, I read a journal written in 1900 by an 18 years old girl. She was the child of the farming family that lived on and operated that farm all those years ago.
She had kept a diary documenting the events and her thoughts during the Anglo Boer War which was raging around her. In fact it was on a nearby riverflat where the Boers finally surrendered to the British forces. The author and her siblings rode
on horseback to watch the proceedings from a nearby ridge. We all know that history is written by the victors. What you read is not necessarily exactly the way it happened. Here was a precious document, which in my mind aught to be in a museum, not recalling
past events, but recording in real time a moment in history. Just the events, chronicled on a day by day bases, as seen through the eyes of a young woman.
My reason for creating this website was to document my experiences as they affected
our family. I wanted to make a record for my children and grandchildren of an adventure taken by their grandparents. I wanted them to learn from it that life is what you make of it. Dreams are not only for the young. This was a dream to create a central hub
for our growing family. Over the years I have added one page per year. This is my third transcript this year. Much is happening, not the least being our decision to sell Dunblane and "take it easy"
When I began on Dunblane I had no idea of where
this would go. I just knew it was something we had never done before. It involved risk. It promised reward. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. Most people retire from their "40 year 9 to 5", downsize and "take it easy" To most people,
what we were doing just made no sense.
I'm leaving Dunblane in a better condition than I found it. The process makes me feel fulfilled. My journey into Holistic Management and soil regeneration has made real for me what John Liu said in 2012
Ecosystem Function is vastly more valuable than the production and consumption of goods and services”. John Liu 2012
Life on Dunblane has been really enjoyable. Not only for me but for our family. As a business
it has also been profitable. The drought was the test. It taught me that what I'm doing is indeed sustainable.
I am grateful to my wife Elizabeth who patiently allowed me to indulge my passion. I am grateful to those who over the years guided
and mentored me.
What a reward. It has truly been a privilege!