Soak up the charm of a working farm

DEBASHINE THANGEVELO

SEVERAL months after the first wave of the coronavirus hit South Africa, I was invited to go on a road trip and enjoy a stayover in the Drakensberg.

After being cooped up at home, coupled with being bulldozed by intense emotions of stress, fear and uncertainty, it was a no-brainer to say yes.

After all, I get to do two of my favourite things: soak up the sights in a Ford EcoSport Ambiente Auto, which trumps doing so in my sedan and feeling every pothole to those nasty bumps on them gravel inner roads, and I get to enjoy some downtime and bask in serenity at a hidden gem called Dalmore Guest Farm, which is a family-run business by Pippa and her husband.

Honestly, I was aching to escape with my loved one.

Aside from being ecofriendly and fuel-efficient, our ride was spacious and comfy. The Bluetooth capability allowed us to enjoy our favourite tunes and I was also able to charge my phone in the cable port provided. We arrived at our destination, which is a working farm by the way, with no signs of travel fatigue.

In the near distance, some animals were grazing on the field oblivious to our gaze. And closer to the accommodation, several furry friends were playfully darting across the lawn.

Best of all, the sounds of nature and little ones frolicking about, were most relaxing.

The accommodation here include fully furnished luxury cottages, catering to small and large groups, rondavels, as well as rooms accommodating 2 or more people.

Our cottage had a lovely balcony spot offering panoramic views of the valley and hillsides.

Inside, there was a fully kittedout kitchen, perfect for those who prefer self-catering. Had I known, I would have preferred to have a nice night dining in, too. But our meals were already catered for.

A king-size bed was at the heart of the spacious bedroom. There were also a few shelves available for those who like to unpack.

The bathroom is fitted with a gas-heated shower and a door that opens out into nature.

Overall, it has a rustic feel with modern-day comforts, which is part of the charm of living on a farm.

This is the place you go to if you want to switch off from reality. With the wifi signal weak, it also gives you the opportunity to digitally detox and reconnect with loved ones.

There is a communal bar area and there is complete trust with the guests. Everyone is allowed to walk in and pour themself a drink or more as long as they indicate so in the book provided in the bar to keep track of their tab.

Meals are served in a quaint dining room. Since there is only one cook, the meals are prepped in bulk and in advance and there is a set menu for each sitting.

That said, self-catering is the way to go if this arrangement isn’t to your liking.

THE interior of the cottage we stayed at. | Facebook

Lunch was at The Valley Bakery in Winterton. It’s a charming country-style spot, which is popular with locals and visitors alike, as they serve delicious food, including pies and pastries galore.

Of course, you don’t have to stay on the farm the whole time. Venturing out for a bit is a great idea. There are plenty of activities in the area.

We had a spa treatment booked at the Drakensberg Sun Spa. After all, downtime should be all about relaxation and much-needed pampering.

ONE of the cottages at Dalmore Guest Farm. | Images Debashine Thangevelo

Dalmore Guest Farm also offers afternoon hikes and sundowners, weather permitting, of course.

With the kids on school holidays as SA is hit by the third wave of the coronavirus, a detour here to give everyone a break might not be a bad idea.

It’s safe for the kids and they will love being on a working farm.

Also, it offers time to bond and de-stress.

THE farm is a paradise for kids. The play area is the perfect adventure spot.

As I mentioned already, this getaway was a win-win situation. Aside from enjoying the new wheels for the weekend, it was great to soak up the sights, explore the culture in the Berg as well as stumble across a spot that I do want to visit again...but with my friends and/or family next time.

Debashine Thangevelo was hosted by Ford

OUR ride for the weekend, a Ford EcoSport Ambiente Auto.