Coming Soon - Melkkamer: A Pictorial History

Just prior to the COVID-19 lockdown I completed the hardcover edition of my book Melkkamer: A Pictorial History for the De Hoop Collection. Copies of these will be placed in some of the accommodation at De Hoop Nature Reserve. While we wait for De Hoop to fully reopen for guests I thought it would be nice to make available digital copies of the pages from my book. My plan is to post four pages every Monday for the next 11 weeks. Feel free to download the pages, comment and subscribe. Read on for a bit about Melkkamer.

Melkkamer was once a 7472 hectare farm situated on the western shore of Grootvlei, just opposite the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cape, South Africa. In its heyday it was referred to as a ‘fine sporting estate’ with buildings that were ‘substantial and a credit to any part of South Africa’. Those buildings were built by an ancestor of mine, John Henry ‘Biddy’ Anderson. Over the years as farming activities declined the farm became a wonderful place for us to enjoy the most marvellous holidays. It fell into decline after expropriation by the South African government in 1985 but today it is part of the De Hoop Nature Reserve and, thanks to the work of De Hoop Collection, offers beautifully appointed accommodation in a most stunning setting. 

I hope that my book captures just some of the essence of Melkkamer and the incredible people who made the place so special. Below is a preview image of the cover spread. You can access the book pages by clicking on it.