Hi there friends and neighbours. What a glorious day!! We now have a community blog and I've been co-erced into making the first entry. The idea, I think, is for the community of Ruiterbos to share information, stories, what have you, without making a heap of individual phone calls. So I thought I would share may my "afternoon that felt like a holiday" with you.

By noon today any body that was not under a tree, didn’t have a tree to be under. In some cases even a tree was not enough. Feeling like a broiled shrimp I abandoned my hammock under the Mulberry tree and set off to Christine’s, enticed by visions of cool breezes (always to be had at the top of the hill), a long shady stoep and a cool blue pool. When I got there Shado and I were greeted by Seta and Hamlet (the Great Danes) and escorted to the kitchen where Christine immediately offered me curry paella. It being lunch time and all – how could I resist; Christine’s cooking is legendary. Then a mug of moer coffee while sitting on the long cool porch. When the paella and coffee had settled a bit Christine and I wallowed in the decidedly cold water of the pool while we watched Greystoke, the Percheron stallion, against the unbroken backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains.

When my blood temperature had dropped somewhat I lounged on bay window seats which are so wide and comfy that sitting is not an option, sprawling half reclined being a way more comfortable position. At 3 o’clock, with pig feeding and evening chores looming, I took my leave, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated; almost as though I’d had a little holiday.

Large horses, large dogs, large window seats but most of all, large hearted. Those are the folks at Outeniqua Moon.