diannetippingwoods

Written for and published in AbouTime Magazine

Think about peaches. Fresh peaches filled with the juice of summer, dried peaches, delicious reminders of seasons past. Peach preserves, spiced and sticky. Fiery peach mampoer and warming brandies, peach scented beauty products, peach blossom, canned peaches and fresh farm cream, long days and lots of sunshine…There is something about the peach that epitomises country living, in all its simple abundance. The farmer is alchemist, spinning earth and water and sunshine into orbs of delicious gold.

10 years ago, a small festival sprung up in celebration of the peach, in an area of Mpumalanga renowned for the plumpness of it produce and the abundance of its late summer harvests. Tonteldoos, home to the festival, is an historical hamlet overlooking the rough end of the Steenkamp mountains. The festival is being held on Witvlei, the farm of retired civil engineer turner farmer, Alex Talevi. While relatively new to the farming business, Talevi’s farm has some grand old neighbors like the O’Grady’s and the Struwigs, who have been on the land for six generations. It is this mix of the old and the new, larger farms and smaller holdings, that makes this valley the vibrant home to a large enough array of characters, produce and products to build a festival on peaches and dreams. All the charm of country living is bottled, baked, boiled, braised and crafted into a delightful cornucopia on offer to the public in all its abundance. Festival goers can anticipate feasting on the golden splendor of peach products, pickles and preserves. They can look forward to enjoying the tender delights of eisbein, slow cooked venison and crisp and fragrant home baking. Other highlights on offer at the festival will include delicacies like lavender shortbread and liqueur and sweetly scented chocolate from Maison de Lavande, the famous ‘Tonteldoos Vuurwater’ from Kristalwater, and cheeses from Pendle Hill Dairy. “It’s all about inspiration, and appreciation for this beautiful place”, says Bets Labuschagne, one of the festival organisers, “we’re inviting new people into our community to get a literal ‘taste’ of what it’s all about.” Labuschagne believes that broadening the scope of the festival means that while peaches still have a central role to play in this extravaganza, there is also room for so much more, “from fly fishing to horse riding, to the colourful fruit rolls from Koringhuis and Tannie Malie Botha’s preserved peaches, to the beautiful linens from Froggy Pond Farm…” she enthuses. The local residents who will be sharing their wares with the public are friendly, enthusiastic, and as varied and authentic as their produce. Ursula Vermaark, who has been involved in many a Tonteldoos festival, invites me to tea over the phone, “do pop in any time” she says, after spontaneously sharing her recipe for peach cobbler with me. “How do I like my peaches”, muses Peter Duck, chairperson of the Tonteldoos Conservancy, “I enjoy my peaches best out of a bottle” he jokes, adding “be sure to contact Johnny Kunneke about his Vuurwater.” Gerda Whitehorn from Dullstroom Accommodation is most helpful, “just contact me with anything you need” she offers. “We’re a community that mix hard work with simple pleasures”, explains Labuschagne, “and we’re privileged to be able to do this.” The community promotes the sustainable use of their natural resources, and the Tonteldoos Conservancy, chaired by Peter Duck, ensures that Tonteldoos valley remains the fertile and creative haven it is by monitoring how the land is used, and liaising with provincial authorities and other local conservancies. He believes the festival puts Tonteldoos on the map and promotes its local produce. This is vital to the long term sustainability of the area’s farms. There will be about 25 stalls selling their wares at the festival, and up to a thousand visitors are expected. Luckily, the surrounding area has a number of lodges and accommodation options available, “although”, says Whitehorn “it’s imperative that people book fast.” Aside from the produce on offer, there will be displays from Dullstroom Birds of Prey and the South African Police (SAP) dogs from Pretoria. South African Breweries (SAB) will also be hosting a beer tent at the festival and there will be a raffle, beauty competitions for kiddies, teens and young adults, horse riding, donkey cart rides, a mini zoo, waterslides and jumping castles on offer. The lyrics from Peaches, that song by the Presidents of the USA spring to mind: “Movin to the country gonna eat a lot of peaches…If I had my way I’d eat peaches every day, Sun soakin bulges in the shade…” If you can’t pack up and move to the country, the Tonteldoos Country Festival of peaches and dreams, splendid, sweet, savory and sticky, seems like a good compromise, where the alchemist farmers spin earth and water and sunshine in orbs of delicious gold, and anyone can share in some good country living, the Tonteldoos way. For more information on the festival contact Bets Laubschagne on 013 254 0207 and Gerda Whitehorn at Dullstroom Accommodation on 079 5157799 or at info@dullstroom.co.za