A Brief History of Mischa Estate

Part 1 - Houmoed

Originally called “Houmoed”, the 50 hectare farm just outside the picturesque little town of Wellington, was bought by "Kelpie" Barns shortly after his return from active service in North Africa and Italy. Unable to settle down to a nine-to-five routine in the city, Kelpie and his wife, ballet dancer Yvonne Blake, decided to go farming! The wrench from sophisticated urban life to hectic rural chores on a run-down farm was character-building to say the least. Kelpie was a prize-winning amateur photographer and champion ballroom dancer, while Yvonne's ballet career was set to take off after pre-war seasons in London and Paris with a company of emigré Russian dancers, the Ballet Russe.

"Kelpie" and Yvonne

The early years demanded a very steep learning curve, a component of which involved Kelpie in watching very carefully what his neighbouring farmers were doing from season to season! A mixed farming operation involving a couple of cows, a semi-domesticated goat prone to chasing the three young children through the house, fruit trees of all kinds and some neglected vineyards, was slowly streamlined to concentrate on export apricots and plums, new vine cultivars, and guavas. Yvonne's reputation as a dancer had followed her into the country and she was badgered into starting what was to grow into a very successful ballet practice in Wellington and Paarl – the income from which played no small part in contributing to the farm's ultimate viability.

next page >