From Africa, with love

Thirty five years ago my wife, Jenny, and I decided to leave the crazy, hectic world of advertising in Johannesburg. We bought a small derelict farm in Nottingham Road, where we were lucky enough to both do the things we love. Jenny set about creating a lovely home for us, grew veggies and bred chickens, turkeys and sheep. I proceeded to pursue my all absorbing hobby of sculpting. We both had fun and worked hard, our two children watching with shock, amusement and horror in equal measures.

Veranda is a welcome addition to Amber amenities

The opening of the extended sports veranda at Amber Valley was well attended by residents including members of the bowling, tennis and croquet clubs. Thanks go to the energetic in-house facilitation team whose hard work enabled the costs of the veranda to be paid from donations to the Amber Valley Body Corporate. Chair of the tennis club, Barrie Barnes, recorded thanks to Gail Slaughter for drawing the plans, the committee members of the sports clubs for their input into the design and Alan Bailey and Len Cox for their oversight of the construction work.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . .

Photographers living in the Amber estates often are captivated by interesting subjects. Sydney Baillon of Amber Valley speculated about the reaction of the homeowners when they discovered the damage to their garden done by a family of warthogs. Paul Bartho of Amber Ridge confronted a “monster” in the grass.  Priscilla Young’s daughter, Clare Young, took the picture of a leguaan testing the water at the island in Heron Dam.

Floating facilities for feathered friends

The Greater Ambers are blessed with extensive wetlands and 17 dams covering approximately 71,000m . Besides the natural, environmental and ecological value of these systems and the obvious aesthetics and tranquillity associated with these dams, they also provide recreational opportunities to the residents of the Ambers, which include activities such as photography, fishing, birdwatching and model boat sailing.