A blueberry among sabras: Goats with the wind

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Goats with the wind

On the way down to the farm,

which is visible on the left-hand side

The last post about Ein Camonim, was clearly merely the beginning on my quest for the Israeli cheese. Yesterday we went on a road-trip with the kids, up in the Galilee. The initial purpose was to visit a friend in Yodfat, but we never got a hold of him, so we continued up to Hararit, where another friend lives, but although we knew that she would not be at home, we climbed up to the entrance just to enjoy the magnificent view from there. On the way down we all of a sudden exited the road, and I was asked to open and close a few gates as we slowly rolled down on a dusty dirt road. After passing a few hills, we descended into a valley and Yoram explained that we had arrived to the goat farm "Goats with the wind".

A handsome buck

It felt much like being thrown back a century in time. As far as I could tell, there is no electricity, although they have running water. The farm is run by a couple from Hararit, and it includes production of goat dairy products, like yoghurt, labaneh and a variety of cheeses. There is also a small restaurant. However, and this is very typical Yoram, he had not checked the possibilities to get access to the restaurant and the products, and it turned out that you need to call in advance for them to prepare for your visit. So, I had to settle with strolling around in this small kingdom of free artistic expression. People can come and volunteer at the farm and therefore many different persons have put their mark on the surroundings. Doors and gates were decorated with detailed colourful paintings, and rocks in different sizes had been used to create the houses, walls, stairs and natural "furniture" and it is obvious that things have been built with patience and love.

A smoker built from collected stones

So, as you understand, I did not get my hands (mouth) on their cheeses this time and it felt a bit like being locked outside of a candy store, but on the other hand I think I will enjoy also this place more without the kids. Both of them were completely indifferent to the experience and Ziv was even grumpy over not being home with the computer or TV. I suggested to Yoram that he would benefit from spending a weeks time at the farm, with no access to any stupefying devices. Maybe that would bring back some inspiration to use his own fantasy and creativity for once. Or maybe not. Before I get any kids of my own, TV and computer will have to step down a number of steps on the priority ladder in our home. If it was my own decision, the TV was gone long ago. I did not even have one when I lived in Sweden. But those things is a whole different story. I hope to be back at the goat farm soon, and then to eat, drink and buy cheese.