At its heart, Kurland is all about connection. Connection with nature, family, and friends.
It’s a special place where the sisters all enjoy a slower version of life, and where the ordinary domestic rituals of coffee, cooking, gardening and creating are calming and fulfilling. It’s their ‘home away from home’.
The family connection
Peter and Di Behr currently live at the Villa on the farm, as do Alex and her husband. Peter is the grandson of the first owner of Kurland who acquired the farm in 1941 after arriving in South Africa from Russia. Nicky and Glenda both live in Johannesburg.
There’s no one better to describe the magic that is Kurland than our very own four ‘Kurland sisters’. We sat down with Di, Nicky, Alex and Glenda, as they finished each other’s sentences and chatted to us about family, food, making memories, and keeping connection alive…
What makes Kurland unique is…
The setting. Every time I drive into the farm, it takes my breath away.
Kurland has a soul. You have to come to Kurland to realise how amazing it is. It’s different to anywhere else.
The property itself, steeped in nature, history, heritage and ritual. This is something everyone wishes to be a part of, and to have a piece of. It’s an incredible place, and every season offers a different feel.
The varied landscapes, all in one place. There’s a dam, mountains, forest, polo fields and a farmyard, complete with clucking chickens and grazing sheep.
Through the generations, Kurland has come to represent…
Special celebrations and occasions. These have always been made special by our mother and kept alive by us sisters and now passed on to our children.
Traditions. I remember all of Mom’s lovely traditions – like making pasta from scratch and hanging it up in the kitchen; having a fondue round the dinner table, using all of her old things in the kitchen, and preparing Christmas Eve dinners. As a mother to us girls, she always wanted our home to be a happy place with friends coming and going. That’s just the way it was. And she was a wonderful homemaker – she knew about silver, antiques, cooking – you name it. And what she didn’t know, she learned.
Gardens and roses. First there were small gardens and roses, and then the rose gardens grew as our families changed homes. The rose gardens were properly designed and thought out and looked after with love and care. We grew up always having freshly picked roses in bowls and vases around the house. Di duplicated the rose garden here at Kurland and later planted the David Austen rose garden at the back of the estate. *Read more about Kurland’s history with roses here
Treasuring every moment. As sisters, we’ve learned over the years to care for each other, help each other without calculation, andtreasure every moment we have together. As we get older, we are also lucky to have the privilege and joy of watching each other’s children grow up.
Our favourite spots at Kurland are…
Picnics near the dam. For us, the best thing is unfussy tables with unfussy food. A jug of flowers, lots to eat, remembering our mother and grandmother, and chatting away. We’ll often pack a basket with quiche, cheese, and roast meat; plus one bowl of pudding; and a trinkle of Pimms. Just real life, not pretentious life – chilling and catching up. (Glenda)
Lying on the veranda. I love being on the sofa with a book, looking at the beautiful view, feeling the peace, and listening to the sounds of the birds. I love watching the sunset on the veranda.
The end of the jetty, the homeliness of Katarinas, the veggie garden, and the Homestead’s big kitchen fire. Is that too many? I could go on and on!
When we’re here together, we understand that quality time spent with family and loved ones is everything…
Family has always been important to us; we were brought up that way. Our home was a happy place where family moments were treasured and shared. There was never any discussion or consideration about not getting along with one another – we just did. Our Mom and Dad wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a strong connection we have as sisters; we count it as a blessing and hope to pass it on to our children – 12 in total between us.
Come and experience Kurland for yourself…
With every season, and occasion, comes a reason to celebrate and uphold tradition. Whether it’s Easter weekend, Father’s Day, or the merry Christmas season, the sisters and their families will be celebrating together, eating what the kitchen garden and local producers have to offer, and ruminating on the beautiful landscapes surrounding them.
It’s an experience that they encourage everyone to indulge in, proof of which lies in the many returning guests that have become Di and Peter’s firm friends.
As Alex says, Kurland is “the kind of place you never want to leave”.