As part of Fairfield’s contribution towards a greener future for our children, we have decided to build and maintain Mountain Spring Cottage as eco-friendly as possible. This includes all three important ecotourism aspects, namely that of lodge design/structure, the upliftment of the local community as well as the conservation of the natural environment. This is in accordance with the International Ecotourism Society, which defines ecotourism as “travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people” (Ecotourism Society 1998). A fourth dimension that was also considered is the man/nature connection and how this could be advanced.
1. STRUCTURAL
In the planning phase of constructing Mountain Spring Eco Cottage, we carefully considered the kind of natural building material available (of sustainable quality), that would last for at least 40 years in all seasons in the Ceres Valley.
We considered and researched sandbag building, but was advised by eco-architect Malcolm Worby that cob building with clay would be better suited for our area and is also readily available on the farm. During this research period we had a terribly wet winter in Ceres and realized that the streams of water cascading down the mountain, certainly warrented the use of the strongest possible material, if it is to be sustainable in the long run.
This meant that in the end we decided to use brick and cement for the building process, but that we would make up for this by: using sand and stone from our farm, rocks from the mountain for decorative effects as far as possible, source local bamboo from our area for ceilings, opt for solar panels to heat the water and recycle junk from the barn for décor. This had to be balanced to still make our guests feel comfortable and safe, and thus we combined the previous with brand new elements where necessary.
1.2 Décor
For some of our guests it may be interesting to know how we created our décor.
The kitchen table used to be an old wooden surface that was used for the annual barbeque for our farm workers. We combined the wooden surface with two old A-frames, varnished these, and suddenly had a very useful and old-worldly kitchen table! The tin pictures on the walls were bought on the Garden Route and then hammered onto an old distressed wooden door we found in the farm’s store room. The whole door was then sawed into squares so that it seemed to frame each picture. The picture in the single bed room was bought for R30 at an antique shop in Stellenbosch, and the red and yellow material for the curtains comes from a street market in Lamu, Kenya. The old green scale on the refrigirator also comes from the farm’s storeroom and only revealed it’s green colour once the layers of grease were washed away! The old tin buckets in the niches were bought for R10 a piece from “Baie Bargains”, the second hand/antique store in the main road of Ceres (as was the side tables, wall stand and old kitchen chairs). The trophy on the kitchen table comes from a store room in the manager’s house, and was an early agricultural prize in the region. The “table” next to the outside braai is an old apple bin that were used during the harvest season to transport apples and pears from the orchard to the factory.
All of these were part of our effort re-use what we can. For the rest of the cottage, however, we opted to provide our guests with brand new quality wares. This includes the beds, 300 thread count linen, towels, cutlery, kitchen ware and appliances, TV and air conditioner.
1.2 Energy
We are most proud of our solar powered hot water geyser. The solar panels can be seen on the roof of the porch, and provide hot water for both the cottage and the outside Mountain Bath. In 2007 the solar technology was not advanced enough for us to use solar for overall electricity purposes (while still having the peace of mind that our guests would definitely have light to read by) and thus we opted against that possibility. Instead we decided to use energy saving bulbs in all light fittings (which uses only 8% of the electricity of a normal light bulb!). We made one exception though - after the first summer, we decided that the only luxury item we will add, is that of an air conditioner. This was due to the exceptionally hot summers we have in Ceres, as well as the fact that the indigenous trees that were planted around the cottage, would take at least 10 years to make a difference to the cottage’s temperature.
2. COMMUNITY
We at Fairfield also believe in the story of a very successful farmer, who was appointed as Farmer of the Year for many consecutive years. It later appeared that he supplied all his neighbours his very best seed to plant for the next season, and they did so every year. On being questioned about this behavior, especially in a competition driven society like our own, he replied that if his neighbors didn’t have good wheat, the bad seed will blow over to his fields and also bring down the quality of his good harvests!
With this in mind we decided to use a percentage of the yearly profit of Fairfield Mountain Cottages, to create the Women of Fairfield Fund. This fund is aimed at the women who both live and work on the farm, who can then decide how to best use the fund to the benefit of their little community. The only requirement is that all projects done with this fund will be a joint venture – if for example they decide to paint their houses, the fund will provide the material and the families will provide the labour.
The fund is managed by the owner, Lizanne Malherbe, and she also meets with the women working on the farm every second week (except during the harvest season). During these short get-togethers at the orchards before the day starts, they pray together and discuss projects like the annual gardening competition.
3. CONSERVATION
One of our biggest challenges in conserving the mountainous area where the cottages are built, is the recurrent growth of alien tree species like wattle, bluegum and pine trees. Every few years we cut down all of those we can reach. In an attempt not to cut down all large trees, we decided to leave the really big ones at first, even the exotic ones. New, indigenous species are planted as a continual project, and once these are big enough to make a difference, we will cut down the large exotic species.
In 2008 we introduced an owl house at each of the cottages, both to invite and establish owls to our area, as well as for guests to delight in their hooting.
Since 2007 we also opted to plant only indigenous species where our gardens needed upgrading, or where new cottages were built.
4. MAN-NATURE CONNECTION
We realize that one of the reasons people visit Fairfield Mountain Cottages, is to “get out of the city”. But what does one hope to find “out of the city”? Is it some peace and quiet? Is it the sound of the birds in the mornings, and the colours of the sunset mountains? Is it the lack of concrete buildings and sidewalks? Is it the sense, when waking up, that the day will be long and relaxed, and that the only thing you really háve to do, is glide through it? Or maybe the lack of traffic inspires your adventurous soul, and fills you with a need to go rummaging into the mountains to find yourself surrounded by wilderness…
Whatever the case may be (and it may be all of the above), most people comment that being “out in nature” helps them remember that we are part of something bigger, and somehow this makes life’s hazards seem trivial. And seeing those problems in perspective, may be one of the best reasons to visit Fairfield!
For this reason we’ve built the outside Mountain Bath at Mountain Spring Eco Cottage. It is situated close enough to the cottage so that our guests will feel safe, but far enough so that it might feel as if you are soaking all alone in a hot tub in the wilderness… The layout was done in such a way as to maximize the best view of the mountains, create the sense of being alone and surrounded by nature, and using the natural rock as an enclosure.
Mountain Spring Cottage was also designed so that the porch will face towards the towering mountains and not necessarily towards the man-made orchards. This should inspire many fire lit evenings looking out over the pink mountains, or early morning gazes at the golden touch of the first rays on the rocky slopes around the cottage.
In 2008 we created walking and hiking routes among the orhards and into the mountain. These give our guests the opportunity to maximize their sense of connection with nature and of “being out there”.
In all of these areas, it is our aim to give you a wonderful experience at Fairfield Mountain Cottages. If you have any comments or suggestions on the structure, the décor, the energy use, the community orientation or the conservation efforts, we would love to hear from you.
Welcome to Fairfield and to Mountain Spring Eco Cottage.
We hope you’ll have a wonderful stay!
Lizanne