Guided Hikes & Art News

This is Danny, our Guided Trail person, who is looking forward to walking with you in the near future. He is seen lurking under a Podocarpus Henkelii common name Henkel's Yellow-wood.

This one is in our garden at The Armagh. Incidentally we have planted in excess of 200 indigenous trees on our two adjoining properties (2 acres in total) which contain the Armagh Guest House, Candlewood and Oak Cottages and the Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa....this over a period of 15 years since we built the Guest House.

Our latest venture, which will shortly appear on our Main website, www.thearmagh.com is related to ART. We are re-starting the Art Courses run in the past by the late and great Tim Robson. This is the ideal opportunity for you to join a 4 -day course being held in August this year. The venue is our Bitou Studio set in the middle of our own home property, surrounded by forest and tweeting birds. Learn the Very basics of Watercolour. This is for rank beginners and the frequently asked questions will, we promise, be answered. Combine this with yummy food at Rafters, cosy beds at The Armagh, and the odd walk,( see Danny above) thrown in. (With apologies to Danny - I didn't mean that he will be thrown anywhere) - but you get the drift!!

Apply now for this course, and, please note, numbers are extremely limited. Email us on armagh@mweb.co.za and we shall be delighted to send you the Itinerary. Johan always says he initially got into Watercolour painting because he can easily wash the Brushes!! Need we say more?

Autumn Glory @ The Armagh!

We don't have too much evidence of Autumn here in the Tsitsikamma but some years ago we planted an ornamental vine and its leaves turn the most exquisite colours at this time of year. I have just taken this picture looking across from the Fynbos Terrace @ Rafters to the Spa Reception. It really is the most wonderful day!.... as it gets cooler it is so right for the long hikes that one would like to do but prove rather uncomfortable in high summer! This is a very short story today as it has been a day of local visitors and lots of chats - refreshing to see our neighbours in tourism who now have a wee bit more time to get out and deliver Brochures and shoot the breeze a little.

A long absence but here I am!

Candlewood Cottage from the deck with natural gardens in the foreground and the Tsitsikamma Mountain range in the background. This Cottage has been such a success that it has hardly been empty for one night since its inception in mid December. Ideal for that corporate stress releasing break or the Honeymoon hideaway; the addition of the jacuzzi around September and the Spa treatments already just around the corner makes it a unique spot. Custom made Packages on application.

Now what have we been doing? We have been amazingly busy for the time of year but next week is showing the May month syndrome ..our quietest month in this area. it gives us a chance to draw breath and get some plants potted, admin backlogs dealt with and even, dare to dream, a little holiday for us!! It is definitely the time for our Staff to have a really well-earned break.

Since I last wrote Earth Hour came and was celebrated through-out our little Village; Guests in Rafters Restaurant thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere with candlelight adding flavour to the food and ambiance.

Lovely appreciative Guests have stayed with us, the weather has been, and still is, absolutely perfect - it is virtually winter here in the Tsitsikamma but winters here are very mild - just a wee bit chilly at night. We have cosy snuggle up beds and log fires in the Restaurant. We are hoping that the British coming to support the Lions Tour (see website http://www.thearmagh.com/ for fixtures) will feel welcome to come and visit us - make your trip worth while and extend it a wee bit so you can get some sight-seeing and adventures packed in...incredible Packages and reduced rates in the months of May, June, and July make it even greater value for money in our country.

At the very top of our post you will see two lovely honey-mooners who just left this morning after spending 5 days in the Oak Cottage with various activities laid on to keep them out of mischief. We wish Marie and Keith much happiness and health to enjoy their newly found love.