![Stay in a stone cottage next to a river and surrounded by mountains](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1705048036/articles/zJ-iU-D0-1705054113674/STAY-IN-A-STONE-COTTAGE-NEXT-TO-A-RIVER-AND-SURROUNDED-BY-MOUNTAINS.jpg)
We can suggest the perfect spot for a break if you are in search of peace and quiet. Then add a river running in front of the accommodation and forested mountains and hills all around, and you have found heaven.
Marius and Joeline Louw purchased the farm Laaiplaats, 6km from Ruiterbos in the Western Cape, in 1991. The 34ha farm consists of mainly mountains and forests. The Louws initially farmed cattle, then sheep, and later chickens. In each case they experienced major setbacks and then tried their hands at the next available option: build a cottage on the bank of the Leeukloof River and rent it out to visitors in need of a break.
BUILDING THE COTTAGE
After their last setback in farming, a former neighbour and friend invited Marius back into the corporate job market as a project manager in the building industry. Over the following six years, the Louw couple built the cottage during their free time over weekends.
During the week Marius worked in Sedgefield, and Joeline managed the shop and fuel station at Ruiterbos they owned at that time. Rocks for the cottage were sourced on the farm, and the wood used for frames, doors and bathroom accessories (towel rails, toilet paper holder, and so on) came from fallen yellowwood trees that were washed up on the banks of the Leeukloof River. This river runs into the Moordkuil River, which in turn mouths into the Indian Ocean at Kleinbrak.
Littlestone Cottage received its first guest in November 2009. This self-catering accommodation is fully equipped for six people. The main bedroom has a double bed and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The second bedroom has two single beds and a bunk bed for two.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/jXEPZlTV21718283896674/WESTERN-CAPE-PET-OWNERS-URGED-TO-VACCINATE-DOGS-AND-CATS-AGAINST-RABIES.jpg)
Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is urging people to vaccinate their animals against rabies after a confirmed case in Cape Town.
![Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/wnjTOJhA91718283775116/CONCERNS-ARISE-OVER-POTENTIAL-IRISH-POTATO-SHORTAGE.jpg)
Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage
Consumers may soon experience a shortage of Irish potatoes, leading to potentially higher prices.
![Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/5S1UtME2l1718283651614/INDUSTRY-PLAYERS-DEBATE-CALL-TO-EXTEND-TARIFF-REBATES-FOR-IMPORTED-CHICKEN.jpg)
Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken
The debate over extending tariff rebates on chicken imported into South Africa continues as industry players argue over market dynamics and food affordability.
![Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KDMSL30cG1718283548896/WILDLIFE-INCOME-DIVES-AS-MINISTER-STAYS-MUM-ON-HUNTING-QUOTAS.jpg)
Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas
The South African wildlife industry faces an uncertain future in light of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's delay in publishing this year's annual hunting quota.
![Four apps to improve productivity and more](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KctY9iNFD1718283108297/FOUR-APPS-TO-IMPROVE-PRODUCTIVITY-AND-MORE.jpg)
Four apps to improve productivity and more
There are a range of apps available on the South African market to help farmers improve efficiency and production. We explore four of them here.
![Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/z8K_yQE161718282735879/FUN-GAMES-AND-ANCIENT-RITES-ON-BOARD-THE-GREATEST-OCEAN-LINER-STILL-IN-SERVICE.jpg)
Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service
With King Neptune’s permission, pollywog Brian Berkman crossed the equator on board the Queen Mary 2 and is now a proud shellback. He gives the lowdown on the variety of pursuits avaliable on this luxurious ship.
![Choosing the right nitrogen type](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/8DJIKAdFp1718282592417/CHOOSING-THE-RIGHT-NITROGEN-TYPE.jpg)
Choosing the right nitrogen type
Various nitrogenous fertilisers are available. Your choice will depend on environmental considerations, cost, availability, and so on, writes Bill Kerr.
![Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/zoKf4T1Bm1718282314991/HYDROGEN-A-VEHICLE-EMISSIONS-REDUCTION-ALTERNATIVE.jpg)
Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?
The current narrative around vehicle electrification typically covers battery cost, raw materials, weight, driving range, or charging infrastructure – all battery electric vehicle issues. There is rarely any discussion around the use of hydrogen as an alternative means of achieving vehicle emission targets. Why this apparent lack of interest?
![Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/1iXZt3RV51718281800328/COTTON-INDUSTRY-COMES-TOGETHER-TO-FORGE-A-NEW-FUTURE.jpg)
Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future
A strategic cotton summit held recently in Limpopo was an important step towards creating unity in the industry and a common goal throughout the entire cotton value chain.
![Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KxZDKmUbj1718281629541/UNDERSTANDING-THE-BASICS-OF-CHICKEN-ABATTOIRS-AND-RELATED-LEGISLATION.jpg)
Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation
South Africa has strict laws that regulate the slaughtering of animals in commercial abattoirs. In this article, Farmer's Weekly looks at how a chicken abattoir works, what facilities are needed and what the laws are that govern the establishment and operation of such abattoirs.