To celebrate our love, breath and life, we went on a pre-valentine weekend. The treat was filled with laughter, walking, meeting phenomenal human beings, eating delicious strawberries and of course, breathing.
On Friday afternoon we headed to Modimolle to the Leeuwenhof Country Lodge & Garden Spa. The easy route took approximately two and a half hours from Johannesburg. On arrival, the friendly staff welcomed us. Samuel showed us around the establishment after we were filled out the necessary Covid-19 forms and recorded our temperatures. A spa treatment had been pre-booked and the time slots were noted, with the dinner times, set as they anticipated load-shedding. We drove from the reception to our little private haven. Our private cottage included a mini lounge, built in a gas fireplace, bedroom and en-suite bathroom. The lounge led out onto a small patio with jacuzzi which looked out onto the magnificent nature reserve, that surrounded the main building. We were rather upset to learn that although the Jacuzzi jets worked, the heat pump operated by a specific maintenance person, this person was not on the property. It would have been a perfect setting for the cold weather but too cold to uses a plunge pool.
Our activities:
Our first morning, we awoke to the natural bird sounds and drizzles of rain. The comfortable king-size bed provided us with the most peaceful sleep and night. We put on our lodge gowns and had our coffee on our patio. We then showered and walked to the main house for breakfast and plan the day. Kgomotso shared our itinerary the night before. We knew we had time to kill before our 15h00 spa treatment, so we booked strawberry picking. The slot was for 11h00 and included three empty punnets for our hand-picked strawberries which cost R100 per person.
The strawberry picking takes place at Sampada AGRI, an adjacent property to Leeeuwenhof. One of the workers took us through the strawberry tunnels and explained the different varieties of strawberries.
We arrived back at the lodge and decided to take a little walk around the property as the game drive and hiking were not available. After which we retreated to the lodge patio and enjoyed a light lunch. We chose the chicken mayonnaise tramezinni, which comes with farm style chips. The meal is big enough for two people to share. Samuel also makes a mean gin and tonic with the necessary trimmings.
Our spa treatment
We arrived 5 minutes before our scheduled time. We were disappointed when the spa person abruptly told us to leave and that our treatment would take place the following day. We looked at the schedule, and our names crossed out. She told us that they needed to accompany other clients. The information communicated in a cold and aloof way. We were also confused as the lodge staff reminded us on two occasions about our treatment at that time and that we should arrive 5 minutes early. This treatment and the jacuzzi were the only setbacks for the weekend.
Instead of holding onto that negative energy, we honoured an invite from another group of guests. The guests were playing 30 -seconds on the lawn. We joined their two groups, and the afternoon spent sipping G&T’s, playing games, laughing and creating social distance memories.
One of the other items on our agenda included a night picnic. As the weather forecast rain, the staff requested if they could set it up in our room. A picnic blanket spread out on our lounge floor. The maintenance staff ignited the fireplace. The delicious spread included an assortment of white and red meats, salads and delicious desserts. Of the course, our choice of Spier wine was the perfect pairing partner to the food. The maintenance staff tried to put on the heat pump, but the person who could assist was not around. We made the best of the crackling fire, delectables and our breath.
The next morning, we woke up, had our breakfast and checked out. We opted not to go for the newly assigned spa treatment as it would have rushed us before our check out time.
What we ate:
Our arrival dinner was a set menu. The starters were soup dishes, and the main course was lamb, with mint sauce and vegetables. The meat was delicious and tender, and the veggies perfectly crispy and succulent. For dessert, I had the strawberry delight. Loadshedding set in halfway through dinner, but the staff were so efficient and soon turned the large eating hall into the perfect romantic setting. Kudos to the chef for managing to present hot plates of food during the distress time. After dinner, we opted for a candlelit nightcap on our little porch.
Breakfast included a buffet of scrambled eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, beef sausages and bacon, along with freshly baked scone, waffles, lots of strawberries and fresh fruit and yoghurt.
Our stay.
The cottages are spacious and clean. The king-size bed is perfect and provided the right amount of rest. We loved the extra touch with the hearts, at turn down every night.
Kgomotso and Samuel deserve a special mention. We have noticed and understand that many resorts have had to cut down on staff, which means extra work for the people on the ground. This team, including the kitchen and maintenance, worked like a well-oiled machine and very pleasant.
The quiet, offline time was what our souls and bodies needed.
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