Travelling & Holidays at Dullstroom

Highland Rose Cover In Fog This Morning

This morning we woke up to dense fog. We could not see across the road it was so thick. Another scrumptious breakfast with fruit cocktail and mushroom and cheese omelette for breakfast brought our stay at the Highland Rose to a close.

The Warmth of Highland Rose

What an absolutely divine time we have had. Our accommodation was of the best - Thank you Jo-Ann. Our meals were out of this world - especially Mrs. Simpsons and our quad trail was top notch. 

We will remember these few days for a long time.

Now its back to work. As the schools start rolling in.

We really are blessed

Traveling & Holidays at Dullstroom

Are We On The Right Track?

A fab fab day.

With the smell of the filter coffee luring us, we started off with a breakfast on the porch in the sun. Fruit Cocktail followed by trout, bacon, eggs, mushrooms. All done Dullstroom style. You cannot come to Dullstroom and not have trout. 

Passed Through Some Beautiful Farms

What A view

Then it was off to Elandskloof for some trout fishing. Yesterday we called the lady to find out if we could fish and quad so she knew we were coming. Now I always blog truthfully and now I have to put a bit of a damper on this blog, but it did not spoil our day. This lady was not too talkative when we arrive and rang her bell (maybe she was real busy) and when we asked her about the quad route she drew us a map. At one look out point she said we must stop and check out the view. Now I am going to quote her "Stop and look out onto the valley where the Boers killed many English - unfortunately not enough" Can you believe there are people out there that still harbor hatred like that. I feel quite sorry for her. 

Any way our day was magic. The scenery was beautiful. The road was real bad at times but my new tyres performed well. We went through some amazing trout farms and lodges.

Elandskloof Trout Dam

Not Worried About Us At All

The dams at Elandskloof don't have much trout in but but the fishing was OK.

Now the highlight of the day was eating out at Mrs. Simpsons Restaurant. Yep you guessed it - named after Wallis Simpson. Quaint decor done up with clothing from her era. It's run by two brothers, one at the front of house and one the chef. Slow cooked rosemary lamb shank and confit of duck with blue berry jus. Are you drooling yet - wait for it. This meal was finished off with red velvet cake. Scrumptious meal.

Traveling & Holidays Back at Dullstroom

Loaded and Fueling Up

We enjoyed ourselves so much in May that when a Groupon Voucher for the Highland Rose came up I did not hesitate to purchase one. 

We were at the Highland Rose Spa the last time and it looked real tranquil and cozy.

Highland Rose Chalet

We were off as soon as all the cattle had been seen to and the quads loaded - and by the way the weather is magic.

Dullstroom here we come. 

When you visit Dullstroom it is said you have to do Harrie's Pancakes - so we decided to do lunch there. The last time we had pancakes across the road from Harrie's and we should have gone back there. They were much better than Harrie's. 

We checked out the local brewery and had a beer and then relaxed in the gardens at the Highland Rose. Our Chalet is just gorgeous with a loft bedroom with an enormous king size bed and a fireplace to cuddle up in front of.

Beer Tasting at Anvil Brewery

We supped at the Dullstroom Inn where the first "Finder's Keepers" million rand was won in 1989. We sat right next to the fireplace where the money was hidden.

Rich oxtail stew with homemade chips to dunk in the gravy and rump steak with scrumptious veggies was the order of the day.

all in all a very good day with loads planned for tomorrow.

Traveling and Holidays - Dullstroom

Chalets on the Reserve

It is good for the soul to break away, so we decided that since it has been about 15 years since we last visited Dullstroom in Mpumalanga, it was time to return for some trout fishing.

It is only a two hour drive from the farm and the weather when we left was still sunny and warm.

Fly-Fishing

Everything about Dullstroom is "Yuppie" and different and I love that you don't see big MacDonald and Wimpy signs. The town is very quiet but we must remember that it is midweek. A disturbing sight is the number of For Sale Signs in front of incredibly lovely homes. Everyone must be feeling the effect of the downward turn of the economy.

We had two nights on the Game reserve with an enormous trout dam on our doorstep. Our chalet is self catering and very comfy. It was not for lack of trying. Richard was out until late and then early next morning with the mist coming off the water. fly fishing, but not even a single bump. We think the municipal dams are not as stocked as the private farms. We now have a reason to return to Dullstroom - it is beautiful out that way.

Enjoyed Savory Pancakes in the Sun

We had a package deal which included a body massage which was heavenly and the little restaurants with savory pancake dishes caused us to forget about good eating habits and just enjoy. 

The weather changed while we were there and this morning on our departure the wind was icy. Apparently a cold front is going to hit us, so out with the beanies and scarves winter is finally here.

We are on our way home - had a fabulous time - de-stressed and ready to tackle the schools again.

Traveling and Holidays - The Cape

Graaff Reinet Methodist Church

In my last post I failed to mention something. It must have been about 1977 when we visited Mosselbay during a caravan holiday. It was the only caravan holiday I have ever had and will be the only one I ever have.  I remember the wind howling through the night and first we removed the front of the tent as we thought we were being blown away. After a short period we had to remove the outer tent altogether as we were afraid the whole caravan was going to be swept away and when morning eventually arrived we checked for damage and saw we had been swept off the stabilizer blocks that secure the caravan. That was all I remembered about Mosselbay, so when we went out searching for a pizza on our stay over night there we happened to pass a caravan park. I do not know if it was the same park but sure enough the wind was howling and everyone was huddled over a tiny fire. Are they crazy to caravan there. We had a good laugh at these memories.

The Famous NG Kerk Graaff Reinet

What we must always remember is that there are loads of really good people out there. After our stay in Mossselbay, in the lousy B&B, we landed up in Graaff Reinet where we call the number outside the B&B and the lady had no problem in telling us where to find her keys (in a safe on her porch - she even gave me the safe combination). She told us to enjoy our stay and when I have time can transfer the money for the stay in her account which she would let me have the next day. How do you like that for trust. Thank you Lynne Minnaar for restoring my faith in fellow mankind. We had a wonderful stay. May you be blessed.
We attended the service at the Methodist Church this morning and took in a few of the sites in the city. The most grand NG Kerk with loads of history attached.
We decided to set off for home as there is not really anything between Graaff Reinet.
Traveling back we went through Middelburg, Colesburg and Bloemfontein and throughout our entire trip we have not been through a single toll. About 40 km after Bloemfontein we hit the first. How come Gauteng is inundated with them. Are we being ripped off?
It's been a super experience. Very tiring but we need to get back for some very important business.
We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy this beautiful country of ours.

Traveling and Holidays - The Cape

A Dark Day In Mosselbay

So we thought Swellendam was going to be the overnight but decided against it and pushed onto Mosselbay. We battles a bit to get accommodation as there was some tennis tournament but eventually landed up at Eldrew B&B. Now of all the B&B's we have stayed at we found the worst so far on this trip. It was the most expensive so far as well.

Robinson Pass

The rain set in last night and with it came the wind and we were on the top floor. Something was banging on the roof, this morning the lightning hit something and there was no power, the bathroom was juck, we did not have a good night sleep. We decided not to complain as the owner has to contend with serving breakfast with no power but if you saw our breakfast (and this after she told us that there was a BIG breakfast waiting for us) I rest my case. We have been staying in some real classy B&B's so this one was a bummer.

Oudshoorn

We hit the road towards Oudshoorn - our weather is not good. In Outshoorn we went to the Highgate Ostrich Show farm but they have had the bird flu and do not have any birds at the moment. At Safari Ostrich Farm it is so commercialized that half the tour is a video clip and most of the tourist were all bundled up in their rain macs and with umbrellas. Here you get ripped off by paying over R500 for a kilo of biltong. This is beef biltong you can't even get ostrich biltong here.
We spent some time up in the mountains near the Cango Caves and had lunch there. The Cango Caves are so busy that it is just loads of tour buses and long queues.

Tonight we are in Graaf Reinett - this is my kind of town. I love the old and the quaint. This town is just picture perfect to me. Even as far as the accommodation sign go, they are all same printing and nothing garish so nothing looks out of place. The streets are spotless and it is so safe the kids walk the streets at night to go and have a milkshake at the Spur.

This Beautiful Karoo

We will stay her tomorrow and visit the sights.

A King Size Bed For Tonight

Traveling and Holidays - The Cape

Beautiful in Beaufort Wes

Wednesday morning saw us setting off on the road again. We are normally up at 5 or 5:30 most mornings so we decided that even if it was a long trip down to the Cape we would take each day as it comes so we only started our journey at 8:30.

Laingsburg (Floods of 1981)

This Karoo is so vast and beautiful you just have to spend time lapping up the sheer magnificence of it. From Britstown it was on through Victoria West, Three Sisters (where we joined up on the N1) Beaufort West, Laingsburg, Touwes Rivier and then Worster. Before we got to Paarl which was our stop for the night we went through Du Toit's Kloof. We opted to not go through the tunnel but used the scenic route round the mountain where you could then see the Paarl Valley unfold before you. Absolutely magic. 

Paarl Valley

Our B & B in Paarl was old Cape Dutch Style call the Klein Vredenburg with the old slave bell and all the works, and our dinner was at the famous Noops. Well known for their fine dining. We were fortunate to get a table as you normally wouldn't get a table without a reservation. It was Beef Carpaccio with a cranberry sauce for me and for Richard a Pork Belly with a squash puree to die for.

Muizenburg

Thursday took us into Cape Town itself which I had not Visited since my Warren was 6 years old. That make it 31 years ago. I did not recognize anything except Table Mountain. We checked out the V & A Waterfront and decided to make our way to Muizenburg and Simonstown. What can I say. I am in love with the Cape. The food, the people, the scenery. 

Mmmmm - Mussels

The are so many wine estates that you don't know where to start so we selected the ones we knew. Meerlist is most interesting where they had such good record kept and displayed of their history. This farm has belonged to the Myburgh family since 1756 (I should find out if they are family of mine). Alto was not as interesting but more commercialized.

We popped into Stellenbosch but it was way too busy for us with all the varsity students so we looked for a B & B in Somerset West. I am getting really good at this techno stuff. It just takes a google and a Tom Tom and I'll find you accommodation for the night. 

Spent the night at "The Wanderer" B & B - cozy with a beautiful breakfast this morning. Bang goes the diet.

We had to go to Hermanus - never been there before. It's very European feeling makes it very unique. The wind was real bad but we had to lunch right on the beach front and enjoy a bowl of mussels.

Think we will overnight in Swellendam. 

It's the Cape - Traveling and Holidays

So we decided and it's the Cape that won. 

Via Kimberley We Will Go

It’s been ten months since our last break away, so here we are on the road down to the Cape. I personally have not been to Cape Town since 1982 which means I am in for a serious surprise. Can you imagine how it has changed over the last 30 years? I can’t wait – but our plan is to take a leisurely drive down and stop at all the interesting spots along the way.

We left Boksburg at 9:30, filled up the tank and were on our way. Going through some of the towns like Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp after so many years is quite a shocker. I didn’t recognise anything along the way.

12 Of These

Overnight In Britstown

Eish - This Job Is Too Hard

The roads were good until we passed Wolmeranstad where they are working on the road. Now Wolmeranstad is a town you do not want to stop at and even desperately though needing the loo we opted for the next town. Just a few kilometres outside the town the road works started. They stop the one lane while the oncoming traffic passes through and we sat for 15 minutes. We were not brave enough to do a bush loo with so many cars in the queue, so once again pressed on. Fifty kilometres and two more road stops of 20 minutes later we arrived at Bloemhof and I dashed to the loo at the petrol station only to find it locked. The attendant told me to get the key at the office. I charged off only to be told I need to pay R1. Only in South Africa, but after dashing off to get my R1 and then the key, the loo was lovely and clean.

After another 9 “Stop & Go” stops we decided to call it a day in Britstown. Everything happens on the main road (N12) with only one more street running parallel on each side of the main road. Lovely and clean with the locals being very helpful.

The Karoo is barren and dry but with such a quiet beauty. I think you must be tough to farm on these vast plains. Their rivers are dry and it is just kilometre after kilometre of flat land where the sheep look for grazing.

Thinking of Traveling and Holidays Again

It's seven months since my last post and now after a very busy period on the farm with our business, I think it is time to start thinking about another trip.
There are a few ideas floating aroundd. 
Richard is waiting to see if he is selected to be a judge at the Clay Target Shooting World Cup in London. If that happens we want to do a barging trip in Scotland or Wales.
In the mean time we will look at doing a trip in South Africa early in 2012. 
Thinking caps on but I would love to go anywhere in the Cape as soon as all the children are back at school and everything is not as crowded.


  

Traveling and Holidays on the Way Home

It’s been a fabulous week just following our noses and landing up wherever our fancy took us.

I think we were very fortunate with the weather because as we looked out on the ocean this morning the clouds were rolling in and you could feel a chill in the air.

We had to go into Durban itself to collect the ammo that Richard ordered. We usually by pass Durban as it’s always so crowded and we were pleasantly surprised. The streets are exceptionally clean and as we were going into the city center we thought we might be caught up in traffic, but no such thing. Smooth sailing. Well done Durbs – you are looking good.

The roads are pretty quiet but there are still some idiots that will go speeding and causing the accidents. A pretty bad accident held us up for about half an hour outside Pinetown. Our highways are super to use and there shouldn’t be any accidents.

Just before the Tugela Plaza we stopped for coffee and the temperature had dropped by 6 deg from when we left Durban and we must have traveled in the rain for about half an hour.  The wind was also howling and we had to get our jackets out again. We will be getting the woollies out in Gauteng tonight.

My car charger is working perfectly and I can now post and do my mail in the car. Pretty cool.

OK so the break is over and should you want to know about our next escapade, you will just have to check in every now and then to see what we are up to.

In the meantime you can follow us on www.richranchthefarm.blogspot.com

See you there

Traveling and Holidays / Doing Nothing

Sunrise on the Beach

It has been two days of rest and relaxation, of freeing the mind and soul, long walks on the beaches and tumbles in the surf. It has been sheer bliss not to think or do anything.

Today watching the children play in the surf I came to the conclusion that you cannot stand on the edge of the sea with your toes in the water and not feel joy. There is an energy that fills you and revitalizes you. Just as the children giggle with glee, so you are filled with a feeling of well being.

Our Future Life Savers

Last year when we were on the beach here in Toti there was a swimmer that was in trouble and we had to go in search of the life guards to go and help. They were relaxing in their offices quite oblivious of what was happening in the sea. After launching their boat for the rescue they in turn capsized their boat and had to be helped, so this year when we saw three life savers actually sitting watching the surf we were quite chuffed. That was until they took their boat out. They battled to start the boat and when it did eventually take the driver had the throttle fully opened and the boat shot off with him sitting wide eyed in it and the other two life savers left behind. In the process a swimmer nearly churned up by the propellers.

Beautiful Beaches and Lazy Walks

When you swim on the beaches here be careful – be VERY careful. But then there is hope because we still have our surfing clubs with some youngsters interested in life saving and they are out there on weekends doing their thing.

One thing we must admit is that we have the most beautiful beaches. Even though last night there were beach parties and fires lit on the beaches, this morning the cleaners were out restoring our beaches back to what they should look like. Shame on the revellers – look after our environment. In Europe where they do not even have such grand beaches, you have to pay to get onto the beaches and we do not want to get to that in South Africa.  

Only in South Africa

We haven’t moved out of Amamzimtoti . That would have been too much effort and also defeated the object of this trip. We have just enjoyed our walks, our books and good restaurants.

Thought I would just share some photos with you. 

Enjoy them as much as we have enjoyed these two days here.

Traveling and Holidays / Amazimtoti

"Site of President Mandela's Capture"

Blogger had a crisis and I had to reload all Information again.

We had a bit of a sleep in this morning – just because we can. Now a sleep in for us is 8am so this was a treat.

We first had to get hold of something that we would remember Howick from and it had to be linen and eventually found one of those fancy tea towels. What I am going to do with it, I will let you know later.

We also went past the site where President Nelson Mandela was captured on 5th August 1962. I wonder how many people new that this happened on the road to Dargle in the heart of the Midlands Meander.

Set our Tom-tom and had a short journey of 125 km to Amamzimtoti. Last year when we were down here at the coast we stayed at the “Happy Days Holiday Apartments” They overlook the sea and you have a beautiful view. They are centrally situated and have easy access to all the restraints, shopping areas and the beach.

For the next few days we will just be looking for exquisite restaurants and getting into our books. This is what we came here to do.

We weren't too hungry tonight and just went for a bite at the Mugg and Bean. They have new fluffy "Pies". A filling layered with Puff Pastry - go and try them they are quite different and really enormous. Share them with someone you love.
Too tired to tell you more tonight

Updating Traveling and Holidays

12-05-2011

Traveling and Holidays / Midlands Meander

A wonderful, exciting, glorious day.

"Karkloof Canopy Tours"

We started off looking for a map of the Midlands Meander and eventually bought one from the War Museum in Howick. And then off to Karkloof.

We were under the impression that Karkloof was the name of the Canopy Tour Company but it is a Reserve with waterfalls and the second largest indigenous forest in South Africa.  Off we set for our 10 am reservation. At this time of the year everything is very quiet here and we were the only two people on the 10 am tour. Got helmeted and harnessed up and off on the 4X4 up the mountain to the first platform of the Canopy Tour which is 1800 meters above sea level. 8 rides later and 35 m above the tree tops, we zipped and sped through the forest. Amazing and exhilarating. A fabulous experience.

The Midlands Meander now is another story. Our choices of places to visit were the wrought iron, potter and glass works. Well a bit of miss information on the dealers part. It should have read the scrap yard because there was only a load of old rusted junk available at an unbelievable cost. Broken, old used pottery and a glass works that we could not find. Are there really people out there that buy this stuff and if you are not open or do not exist any more, get off the map. There were a few antique dealers though that were worth it and at Old Balgowan Winery we bought some good sherry and cheeses.

"The Scrapyard"

Now something really worthwhile is found at the most southern part of the Meander. It is the Zulu Quilt Crafters. It is a Rotary project and the local women make these quilts. Amazing quilts. Right up my alley with this quilting bee that has bitten. I can’t wait to get started on my first project.

All in all the scenery made for for anything else that went down this afternoon. We still had loads of fun.

Tonight we went to the “Corner Post Pub and Diner” and I think Gordon Ramsay would have approved of the menu. I ordered “ Dargle Duck Breast with Beetroot, Watercress and Salsa Verde” and Richard the ”Crisp Belly of Pork with Carrot Puree” – so does that sound delicious? Half way through our meal we changed plates and could not decide which was best. Good service and linen napkins. That’s how you enjoy a good meal.

Tomorrow we will be leaving but we have only good memories of Howick and the Midlands Meander.

11-05-2011
The Start Of our Holiday  

Our Beautiful Country

We have been waiting for this break for quite some time and as usual we were running around getting the last minute chores done. I have had a bee in my bonnet the last few days making inquiries about quilting and so I spent too much time with that yesterday and all of a sudden I realized the day was gone.

After supper I was absolutely exhausted and there was no way I had the energy or the inclination to pack. Richard still watched some TV but I could not even register.

So this morning of course it was a rush to pack but it was all done and off we went – not before I went in search of a car charger for my computer.

We decided about a month ago that we wanted to go down to the Natal coast but since we have never been to the Midlands Meander we thought we would do a few days there on the way down.

"68 on Main"

We ambled along the N3 highway just enjoying the drive and commented on how we always want to holiday abroad when our own country has the most glorious scenery. Just have a look at it.

We love the kind of holiday where you just follow your nose, so off we went.

Now we have a Tom-tom and the idea is not to get lost. Not that we ever really do, but just in case. You see when your children are married and you now start enjoying life on your own, your kids think that you age quickly and need assistance – hence the Tom-tom, courtesy of our son.

"Nutmeg Guest House"

We set our navigator to take the Curry’s Post turn off, which is the start of the Meander and 50 meters off the highway we entered the forested roads which can only be described as enchanting. We could have stayed on the highway but do yourself a favour and explore these little side roads, they are beautiful.

Dinner was at “68 on Main”.  A house built in 1869 by the carpenter of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and converted a few years back into a restaurant. Does anyone know why Queen Victoria’s carpenter was here in the first place and why did he build a house? Is this true or is it a myth?

Tonight we will over night at the Nutmeg Guest House in Howick.  Pretty cool don’t you think.