A River Runs Through It

This is 'The Bend' on the most southerly spur of the Drakensberg. I spent the night here in a very romantic room - with fireplace, four poster bed and a big bath. The place has a sort've medieval yet modern feel to it, which fits in very well with the mountainous setting, and tumbling brook outside.

A river runs through the farm, 4kms of the Mooi River, and it's full of trout. It's a Nature Estate, and Matt, the owner's son, told me a lot of animals have returned since they have stopped spraying the lands. I saw two snakes while I was there, birds were nesting in the thatched eaves, and Ha de das were wandering next to the road, almost as tame as chickens. I kept my eyes open for startled trout, but it was more than likely already too late in the morning to be still jumping for insects. There are also some great dirt tracks heading through wildish forest, affording lovely views of Giant's Castle and the surrounding foothills and farmlands.


The hospitality here is topnotch, and the food is excellent. I had a steak falafel and a salad. Both were perfect. The olives in the minty salad are the best I have ever tasted, anywhere. I left 'The Bend' wishing I could have shared the experience with someone special.