Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Gatineau Products have arrived!!


Here we are telling you all about the Spa again! We shall change the subject shortly! However, we just had to say a big Thanks to Oupa for the lettering on the Reception of the Mountain Spa, featuring in the latest pictures with Tracey and Bernadine.


Oupa has painstakingly and perfectly, as is his wont, crafted the individual letters. Oupa is Johan's father, and Ouma and he have lived in the Village of Storms river for approx 25 years.


Since the day we arrived Dec 1993 they have supported us in every way. Ouma makes all the preserves; the wonderful Grape Jam and the yummy Marmalade which appear every morning at Breakfast, the preserved Guavas, Pears, Green Beans, Beetroot and delicious Carrots, all in awesome syrups and sauces, served in Rafters in the evening.


AND the tables and chairs in the restaurant are also made by Oupa - supporting role played by Johan! Guess what? Ouma and Oupa are now 86 years old. So a very big thanks to them for all they have done to help and support us in the 15 years since we arrived and built The Armagh.


And now to the Gatineau, which arrived yesterday; Bernadine is already booked up with facials and pampering treatments. Soon Ouma will be making her way to the Spa when she hears the news - she has become rather partial to beauty treatments, particularly the facials!


We shall still have to work a wee bit more on encouraging Oupa!


I have just taken a photo of Bernadine with her trolley full of these lovely products.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Tracey,Our Manager,&Bernadine at New Spa Reception




Well that was a job and a half getting these two to pose at the new Spa Reception.




The laughs we had meant that we had to go back for re-takes several times!! From yesterday already Bernadine has been kept really busy with the Spa set up, and some lovely treatments - we have also been busy with our Gatineau order so we can quickly start the facials early next week. More essential oils for the treatments will be arriving tomorrow.




The weather is perfect; we have had big numbers for lunch on the Fynbos Terrace - Tracey has been busy with those and with booking new Guests into our rooms. An air of real happiness pervades the Armagh. In a few days we shall also feature the Night Staff.... they must also have their fun posing for the cameras.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa @Armagh Country Lodge


We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bernadine to the Armagh Country Lodge Team; she is our new Therapist at the Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa. Just returned from working on a cruise liner - visiting exotic locations - she is eager to get started! She comes with a wealth of experience, and a gently caring and holistic attitude; her clients can be assured of a healing and empathetic touch. Fortuitously we are re-launching the Spa, with some lovely new Treatments and even better and more personalised service than ever before, on the 17th March 2009 - couldn't be a better day than St Patrick's Day at The Armagh!


We welcome old and new visitors to the Spa, set in the middle of the fynbos, as you can see by the picture of Bernadine!

Incidentally it is a long time since I have written on this blog; we have been hectic with such a wonderfully busy period, both at the Guest House and Rafters Restaurant which has been bursting at the seams; and with our new Menus and special new dishes such as an exotic Nile Crocodile (secret recipe) proving a really great HIT!. Other new things include an updated website http://www.thearmagh.com/ a new website http://www.candlewoodcottage.com/ for our highly successful new Cottage, a new Assistant Manager, Tracey, photo will follow next blog, family visits from both Johannesburg, France and Switzerland...seems like it is already a Year of change - for the better - always at The Armagh....!!