The Baths - Citrusdal

Nestled in a quaint ravine and hardly touched in over 10 years, the baths just outside of Citrusdal are to a stressed family what a back rub is to Balloo from the Jungle Book.

Only a short 2 hour drive from Cape Town these healing warm baths are just what the doctor ordered to relieve that post recession tension ;-) You can either camp or make use of the fully kitted chalets there. We booked into a chalet and were very pleasantly surprised. They are comfortable with everything a family of 4 needs, bedding included. The only thing that’s a must on a get away like this is PLENTY of towels.
In my opinion there were not enough hooks or places to hang wet towels but that really is my only negative comment.

We arrived at just after 20:00 on Friday night passing the still occupied steaming main bath in the form of a walled swimming pool. Grabbed a quick bite for supper and then at the kids insistence headed on down to the warm pools.

It was amazing! Resting your chin just above water level watching the steam rise into the night air, somehow carrying your troubles with it, immediately creates a sense of well being. The kids just love the fact that they can play and jump and were tired out quite well by the time we headed on back to the chalet and bed.

For more information head on over to their website: http://www.thebaths.co.za/

Rosies

I have just been blown away!
It is very seldom that I have a meal that utterly thrills my senses.
Hidden away in a public rose garden, wedged between Fransis Bard and Pretorious streets on Eastwood street is the quaintest little "tea garden" I've ever had the priviledge of experiencing.
The phrase "Damn! That was good." was heard a number of times :-)
All I can say is... Go and try it. U won't regret it. And if u have kids, there's a great playground there too.
To make a booking call them on 082 641 2054
U can find them on www.facebook.com/Rosiesinthepark

Sorry, The burger was just tooo delicious to let it sit on the plate while I took pictures ;-)

Wagendrift Lodge - Lainsburg

Sitting here on the stoep of "nguni" cabin surrounded by some really impressive rock formations, overlooking the well trimmed garden enhanced by a well made rockery and listening to the nearby water feature, I now realise that this is an ideal location to get away from it all.

With No cellphone reception and plenty to keep the kids busy, including interacting with the local goat herd, this is the perfect stop over on your way down to the Cape or to just "hak uit" (let loose).

Offering a world class 4x4 route through the Anysberg Mountain range on the farm, as well as Mountain Bike and Hiking trails this place definitely left us wanting to come back for more.

We were only privileged enough for a night's stay over, and that was more than enough to rest our travel weary bodies and refresh our souls.

With a lodge, garden cottages and campsites (all self catering) this farm sure has a lot to offer.
The garden cottages were neatly kept and I could see that they have paid attention to detail.

Crits:

• If you're intending to stay a couple of days, think about taking your own wood, as they do supply but it's a little on the expensive side in my opinion (R30 a bag)
• If you're squeamish of animal trophies hanging from the walls then maybe go camping

Location:


All-in-all a very pleasant stay.

For More info and to see what they have to say about themselves visit their website:
http://www.wagendriftlodge.co.za/index.php

Mc Velly's Kitchen - Soshenguve

Hidden in block AA of Soshonguve is an amazing little "kitchen" called Mc Velly's Kitchen.
For anyone wanting to try out the best Kota in town, and by town I mean Tshwane, according to the locals then you need to head on to this very local, very lekker joint.
When there order yourself on of the many Kotas on sale or if you prefer something a little more traditional, there are dagwoods available too.

For those of you who do not know what a Kota is, it's basically a quarter loaf of bread filled with a variety of available fillings then covered in a generous layer of "slap chips".
To find out more call Velly on 079 114 4370
It'll be worth the trip :-)

Huckleberry's - Magnolia Dell Pretoria

You ever have those moments when you head on back to a place you used to visit as a kid, and when u get there you cannot remember how it was because everything's changed?

Well I had a similar experience tonight when we visited Huckleberry's in Magnolia Dell in Pretoria. I couldn't remember it because now it was soooo much better than I remember it.
We were pleasantly surprised by, not only the extremely friendly staff and cozy atmosphere (with fireplace to boot), but also the high quality of food that came at amazingly affordable prices. (I would use the word cheap,  but I don't want to reduce the experience). In fact my words to Heidi, my partner, were, "... I think I prefer this place to Moyo".
That said, I suppose it is unfair to compare the two :-)

Malin, our friend from Sweden, said her schwarma reminded her of the best one she'd ever had in Istanbul.

So if you enjoy a good, value for money out, romantically or with the family (there's plenty of lawn for the kids to go exercise out all that energy they seem to carry about with them), then Huckelberry's is the place to go!

You can contact them here:

Tel no: 012 346 4588
Mobile no: 083 268 6862
Email: info@huckleberrys.co.za
Website: www.huckleberrys.co.za

The Wild Fig Tree - Sabie

16 years!

That's how long The Wild Fig Tree has been around....
And for anyone in the industry, that says a LOT!

Specializing in "wild" cuisine, they serve the likes of Crocodile curry, which, according to Mikko, a friend from Finland, "was done very well", Springbok poitjie, Warthog carpaccio, ostrich fillet as well as the usual dishes for the not so adventurous :-)

There's also a little shop to brows around as well as an internet cafe for those wanting to catch up on their correspondence.

A very pleasant outing all around.

(Oh! And for those with little ones... we were even given a baby high chair)

You can contact them here:

Address: Corner of Main Road and Louis Trichardt Street, Sabie, Mpumalanga.
Telephone: +27 (0)13 764-2239

The Pilgrims Pantry (The house of Mama van Wyk) - Pilgrims Rest

Established in 1873 with the discovery of gold in the then known Peachtree river (now Pilgrims spruit) Pilgrims Rest has been a prime destination for all those interested in all things historical.

Buried in this rich town's downtown area is a quaint little coffee shop known as The Pilgrims Pantry.
Run by "mama van Wyk" it's the perfect stopover to fill that little gap in your tummy, and of course as most PR shops its filled with all sorts of interesting goodies to take home with you.

I haven't been to Pilgrims Rest for some time now, and the last time i was there i was extremely disappointed. The vendors on the street had taken to selling "traffic light trash" (all you need is a drive through Johannesburg to know what I mean). But it would appear that someone has decided to take thisnhistorical little town seriously and it would appear that they are on the road to restoring its former charm and street appeal.

For more info on this little town head on over to: http://www.pilgrimsrest.org.za/

Pilgrim's Rest
013 768 1060
Mpumalanga
http://goo.gl/maps/EcSyE