Armagh Country Lodge Blog

Festive Greetings and New Year Wishes

2010-12-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

Johan and Marion & all our loyal Staff at The Armagh Country Lodge Spa & Rafters Restaurant wish you all a very happy Christmas and a wonderful healthy and peaceful New Year.

It has been a really interesting and challenging year. Our Country became a united proud nation during the Soccer World Cup held in June/July and from that moment onward, we, at The Armagh, have been happily busy with Guests and advance bookings.

We have had several changes in personnel in our Spa but in the restaurant we have remained constant with both Veronica and Marie very firmly in place. The Guest Lodge itself found Teshi again but she left us at the beginning of December to have a baby.

We miss her very much but again we were very fortunate that the Student serving his 6 month apprenticeship has proved to be a winner; Vuyo is unfazed by anything and has integrated so well that our Guests think he has been here for a very long time - not just a mere 3 weeks.

Sarah, whom many knew and loved at the Spa, left us end of September to follow a career path in the Kwazulu Natal Midlands at a Health Spa (Hydro).Sadly after only one week in the job she sustained really serious injuries in a car accident. She is slowly recovering and our thoughts are with her and her family as Christmas approaches.

Thank you all for all your support, for your return visits, and for your lovely motivating comments. It is not all sunshine and roses and we live and learn a lot; we are deeply hurt sometimes by what we consider to be harsh criticism but we progress and grow because of it.

We look forward to a very exciting New Year; we feel that overall, as the world economics improve, so the much needed tourists will return to our beaufiul country.
Remember by visiting us over here in Africa many are helped into employment, and they, in turn, have the resources to educate their children.

See you again in 2011!! and travel safely!

Bitou Art Studio: Our first Art Course!!

2010-08-03T03:36:00.000-07:00

Comments like :- "Professionally facilitated" "Absolutely fantastic"

"Outstanding methodology" "Time galloped by" "Professional fun!"

emanated from the very first Basic Watercolour Art Course, which has just ended at the Bitou Art Studio (tucked away in the middle of natural fynbos and forest) in the unique Village of Storms River. Johan was in his element sharing his knowledge and experience with the extremely enthusiastic participants. They, I must add, are already well on the way, setting up their own creative corners/studios and rushing off to augment their art supplies.

We have organised another course for the end of September (27-30 September 2010) N.B. Classes are kept very small to ensure personal attention, so demand may decree that we hold another in the middle of September... BUT watch this space and we will keep you all informed. Refresher workshops in a motivational and inspirational mode are also being planned to keep that right brain exercised!

Lunches and teas are supplied and accommodation may be booked at the The Armagh (dependant on availability) or in any of the other Guest Houses/Hotel in the area.

"The goal of life is rapture.... Art is the transforming experience." Joseph Campbell

www.thearmagh.com

Today is Netherlands Day! 06 July 2010

2010-07-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Here they are!...loyal fans of Guess WHERE?? A delightful couple who stayed with us for days, went away, came back, went away again.. all in the support of Holland! They are seen here (with our Spa Therapist, Tania) setting out for the BIG game in Port Elizabeth last Friday which they won.

Meanwhile Johan and Marion went off to Cape Town to join the hordes pouring into the Stadium and the Waterfront for the huge game - Germany against Argentina. See pics at the top and left of this page! What an absolutely amazing unforgettable experience! 400,000 fans came into Cape Town Saturday 02 July 2010 and we were there !! - truly a wonderful unifying and unique moment in our history. We are sad that it is drawing to a close; the Soccer World Cup surely has touched us all in the most positive of ways....long may this unity of spirit continue
.....Viva!

Welcome to the Netherlands!

2010-06-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Armagh !!.. The Dutch on their way to their next game in Cape Town 24th ( two days) in Cape Town against the mighty Cameroon. Netherlands are top in their category.

We look forward to seeing them on television.

Safe journey to them - and thanks for stopping with us for coffee.

Dinner @ Rafters Armagh Country Lodge & Spa

2010-06-18T06:28:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the World! We sure are seeing the World and they're all so very welcome! This is the entrance to the Rafters where Dinner is served every evening and even in the daytime we have had so many passing World Cup Guests. What a pleasure to hear their stories and to know they are happy; happy and surprised by our lovely country. Talking to them we know they will be back some day and next time for a holiday! One Serbian gentleman said he thought no-one smiled in this country. How wrong he has been proved. He said friendliness is everywhere; from his arrival at Johannesburg Airport onwards!! It is marvellous to hear these things.. We are also getting so much praise for our beautiful stadium throughout...or should it be stadia or stadiae? Anyhow, we lap it all up proud that we are in the middle, albeit in the heart of the country! We almost feel we also had a hand in the buildings. Again Welcome to the World! we are waiting with the best coffee and delicious traditional South African cuisine. Safe travelling & may your team win! how diplomatic is that!!

World Cup News June 2010

2010-06-16T05:40:00.001-07:00

Armagh Country Lodge Spa & Rafters; we are very pleased that the World Cup Tournament is going so well in our Country.

It is amazing how many lovely people we have had passing by Storms River Tsitsikamma and dropping in for breakfast, lunch coffee or accommodation.

Our very first Guests were Mexicans and we have had English, Scottish, Australians, Germans IRISH OF COURSE!! Brazilians, Swedish and Norwegians, all in the space of a very few days since Kick-off last week on Friday. They also have their Vuyezalas and are entering into the spirit of things.

This photo depicts a family from Madagascar about to set out for the game yesterday in Port Elizabeth. They really live in London but father is a Doctor who works all over the world and we were privileged to have them with us for three days. Safe travels to all our visitors !

Viva ! BAFANA BAFANA Viva !

2010-06-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

YES! the big moment! has arrived... the excitement even in this tiny Village is palpable.

Ashley, from Storms River Adventures, has got all the flags flying at the entrance to the Village ; Johan has been practising on the VUYUZELA! Jan from the local Hotel was spotted at the Tourism Meeting yesterday wearing his Bafana Bafana regalia, and tomorrow I hope to find some Makarapas for our Staff - if they aren't all sold out!!
Maybe I can upload that pic of Jan tomorrow.

We are so immensely proud that we have got to this point in an amazing journey in our beautiful country.

Negative press overseas: it makes us spitting mad - all we want is a vibrant tournament, success for Bafana Bafana, the unity of our people and loads of visitors to our country. A huge upsurge in tourism can be the result - that will help our country to move forward as more people are employed, housed and educated.

Viva !! Bafana Bafana Viva !!

Apologies for long delay in posting new info

2010-04-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

At last my conscience has struck and I have a quiet moment to write a little bit on this very neglected blog. Wow! the weather is absolutely perfect today in Storms River Village with that little hint of chill which heralds Autumn, and reminds us winter is not too far away.

This shows the school playground on the right hand side with Head Teacher and children and the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range in the back-ground.

The other photo shows my sister, Iris, helping two learners with a school project on our fynbos mind you that was a challenge for a person from Ireland! but she had great fun...

The third photo in the middle is just a tiny sample of the elephants we saw recently at Addo

Since November we have been very busy with first of all Christmas and now Easter. In between we have had my sister to visit from Ireland and life has gone by in a tremendous rush as always.

We had an opportunity to visit our local Primary school the other day (photo above) and were privileged to have a demonstration of Irish dancing; one of the volunteers is Irish and has taught the children an Irish jig or two!! We really had big tears in our eyes thinking of the ould days and also praising this lovely girl, Neasa, for coming to South Africa to offer much needed help at our school. Hope I have spelled her Irish name correctly! I am adding a picture of the learners out in the playground with their Head Teacher, Mr Machaka, - such a dedicated man - when one sees such conscientiousness one wants to help in every way.

The last picture I am going to display is the wonderful show of elephants we were privileged to enjoy at Addo Elephant Park recently - also as part of Iris's visit. At one stage there were 80 elephants at one watering hole (they are not all featured in this one picture!); they are huge and beautiful animals - and how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful country with such amazing experiences just up the road.

Look at our website http://www.thearmagh.com/ for the new Elvis Logo and remember that the Elvis Festival is just around the corner on the last week-end of this month ( April 2010) and going into the first few days of May.

Next Blog I shall feature some of our Art as we are getting into the painting again and need to share with you what we have been doing. Oh! and of course we are getting closer to the Soccer World Cup June /July!!

A Blogger's Tale of woe OR typo errors manifested!

2009-11-26T05:25:00.000-08:00

My first striking of the keys resulted in an unfinished article regarding "time flying" the Latin version! I was busy with Guests and suddenly the new entry flew into cyberspace before I could check it. I have returned to try and save face!

I was saying that I had the most wonderful trip to France and Ireland with really glorious weather in both countries; such incredible days travelling in the beautiful Garden of Ireland in County Wicklow - Breathtaking scenery every where and the old Church of Ireland churches and monastic buildings just positively stunning. Of course we spent time in County Armagh, visiting the family, and now I am back with batteries re-charged and soft memories of a wonderful holiday.

Here in the Village, our roads are still being transformed, our Guest House is busy, and at home we have a new puppy called Biffo (above). Adorable, but reminiscent of the babies years ago, when everything had to be suspended from the ceiling !

And lastly - Elvis fans ATTENTION! I remarked that there was, perhaps, an Elvis festival in the pipeline for next year -well! today Johan got confirmation of this exciting event at the Tsitsikamma Tourism Association Meeting; it will definitely take place in our Storms River Village, and surrounding Tsitsikamma area, and be hosted and coordinated by Jan du Rand of the Protea Village Inn, and his wife, Ann. So if you're lonesome tonight it's time to get out those blue suede shoes and join us for the time of your life at our Heartbreak Hotel (not) on the Garden Route. Your blue eyes will be crying in the rain if you miss out as we'll be all shook up making new bridges over troubled waters where we can be the greatest of great pretenders gaining back that loving feelin' OH! PLEASE STOP MARION! ENOUGH ALREADY!! apologies to all you genuine fans out there already booking those airline tickets. When must you arrive ?? April 29 30 31 and May 01 2010. Viva Las Vegas!

WOW! - Tempus fugit!!

2009-11-26T04:21:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that it has been such an absolute lifetime since I have updated my Armagh Blog.

Since that Spring day when we were all tripping lightly aroun the Maypole (or the African equivalent) life has just been a hamster ride but with better scenery!

On the left, case in point, I have featured my son, Stephen - you remember that he built the Armagh back in 1994 - with his wife Charlotte in teh beaufiul narrow streets of Annecy.

We were out for lunch in Annecy where they now live. They bought the Hotel Chappet, Bout du Lac some years ago. This Inn-keeping sure does run in the blood! My sister and I stayed on the shores of Lake Annecy and visited the precious grandchildren Hubert, Rufus and Ferdi who have become quite fluent in French.

Meanwhile, Johan was busy keeping the wheels of the Guest House running smoothly in my absence. I think he was quite relieved when I returned after gadding around Ireland also.

Spring Day! Sept 01 2009

2009-09-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

Suddenly they emerged!!.. after much frantic work behind the scenes our two Spa Therapists Elzette and Tanya were ready to greet the Spring. As I write this they are setting out on a marketing mission around the Guest Houses, Hotel, Adventure Centre, Supermarket and Backpackers in our Village.

With very special discounts and prizes to be won there is definitely an air of excitement. One would expect to see a pink rabbit or, at the very least, a baby lamb cavorting (or should one say gambolling?) on the lawns. Wafting over the Armagh, from the car-park to the guest rooms, the fragrance of jasmine heralds the arrival of spring. Johan is so excited he is having a hair-cut today!

Our organic vegetable grower, David, is swinging by later on his bicycle to deliver our fresh broccoli and cauliflower, Estelle is holding a party to celebrate the full moon, International Year of Astronomy and the lining up for the first time in 14 years of Saturn's rings, and to cap it all 400 years since the discovery of the telescope.

If that were not enough, our roads in the Storms River Village are being upgraded with beautiful paving blocks. AND lastly there are whispers of an Elvis Festival to be hosted by our local Inn keeper Jan (of the immaculate Cadillacs) in April next year.

Isn't it just great to be alive!

May your Spring also be bright and happy and full of iridescent colours.

ARMAGH/15th Birthday today!!

2009-08-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

We are celebrating our 15th Birthday today! We cannot believe how the years have flown by and how our business has grown from 2 rooms initially, when Johan and I did absolutely everything, to the 6 room and 2 Cottage portfolio of today!

Rafters has been a huge success serving as we do traditional South African cuisine such as boboties and bredies (all we could cook initially) and evolving into such exotics as crocodile, warthog carpaccio, venison and of course the extremely healthy low fat ostrich meat. Seafood evenings will also be a twice monthly feature in the new Season commencing mid September.

We are also featuring our lovely Spa Therapists, Elzette and Tanya (See picture at the very top) Now that we have two young ladies permanently in place, we can offer the very popular Couples Massages which are particulary wonderful for the Honeymooners - increasing numbers of which we are getting. Where do they stay? - in our Candlewood or Oak Cottages, of course, which are as romantic as can be.

Lastly, lest Johan be forgotten!!, one of his winter projects (among several) was to revitalise the ponds in front of the Guest House and restore the koi, who were sadly eaten one late supper evening by a Cape Clawless Otter! Imagine! It is not easy in Africa!! So below is the result and what a feat!

Reminiscing over the past 15 years OH! how much we have learned, we have laughed and cried, we have been hurt and misunderstood, we have been praised and we have continued to work.

I think the most important aspect is to know one never arrives; one strives always to improve, to be better, to think laterally, to continue to dream, and to build literally on those dreams.

One of the most beautiful affirming aspects is how many of our initial Guests, way back in the days when there was no lawn and no trees and not even a ceiling in those first two rooms, have just returned and returned to us. That is why it is so rewarding and still a pleasure to come to work to greet our many loyal Staff for another day in paradise!!

We want to see you here again soon!

Wow! Time flies! & Low Season News

2009-07-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Phumla is happy! she is going on leave soon meaning she will see her little boy who is living with her mother on the Wild Coast. Low Season in South Africa means May June July we are very quiet in the Guest House; fortunately we have had quite good business in Rafters Restaurant and the Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa. But it is a good time of year when we have a chance to do things that are impossible when all our rooms are full of Guests so painting, walls etc - not canvases! spring-cleaning , fixing etc takes precedence. Our loyal Staff go on holiday.

Johan and myself are busy tackling projects, such as a new edition -long overdue- of our very successful Armagh in Africa Tsitsikamma Recipe Book. The new one will be bigger with more pictures and a wee bit of a travelogue. The design and initial set up is Johan's responsibility, and I rush in with the additional recipes we have introduced since our first book was released way back in 1998. What a success it has been! - with some of the proceeds going to our local school feeding schemes, we feel really happy that our Guests by purchasing are so interested in supporting these endeavours.

My main task, and what a pleasurable exercise it's proving to be! is scrapbooking the Guest House since we built in 1994. Now I know a trip down memory lane is guaranteed to reduce stress levels mightily!! One pores over shoe-boxes full of pictures. I begin to think that the more bling one throws at this craft the better it is! Never thought I would take to it but already I have plans to tear apart the family albums and force them to undergo a reincarnation also! If only there were more hours in the day.

On the sport front we have just witnessed a very successful British and Irish Lions' Tour and indeed we did benefit here from the tour with some lovely lads from the ould country coming for Breakfast and others coming to stay. What fun they were!

I really am going to try to write more often in this blog as there is so much to say and I know many out there are reading and catching up with our news in South Africa. So I promise I'll be back soon!!

Guided Hikes & Art News

2009-05-28T02:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Gatineau Products have arrived!!

2009-03-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

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.

Tracey,Our Manager,&Bernadine at New Spa Reception

2009-03-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

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.

Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa @Armagh Country Lodge

2009-03-16T02:59:00.000-07:00

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....!!

Return of the Prodigal Daughter!

2009-01-04T00:28:00.000-08:00

Natasha, featured above, came back to visit The Armagh yesterday; we luckily had availability for one night in the Candlewood Cottage when she telephoned - so there they stayed. Natasha first came to us as an Intern from the George Campus of the Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth. When she completed her studies she returned to us as Assistant Manager.

We were so pleased to see her, and there was much giggling in the kitchen when our Staff saw her again, and, of course, she had to have the grand tour to check all the changes we have made since she left in 2007.

She is now working for an airline company and cannot be persuaded to return - what a pity! She was very much loved by all our Staff, and the Guests were totally charmed by her gentle ways.

Here she is having Breakfast with her friend Hassan.

Beautiful People at THE ARMAGH Jan 2009

2009-01-03T01:14:00.000-08:00

I just could not resist taking a picture of these really lovely, beautifully mannered children who stayed with us for a few days at The Armagh They fell in love with our dog Thandi (who has taken the place of our very famous Irish Terrier,Maggie May) and insisted on taking her for a walk in our Fynbos reserve, in front of our Guest House, every morning.

Here they are featured at our Reception door with a very exhausted Thandi.

Floor and Jules - and your parents- we wish you a happy journey through our lovely land and a safe return to Holland. I must add that Jules even suggested his father buy an aircraft so that they can fly over every week-end in order to walk with Thandi!

We were very privileged that Liane from Johannesburg chose The Armagh both to stay in and to celebrate her marriage to Keith. What a happy occasion it was - here she is with her daughter just prior to the ceremony held on our lawns - Thandi again posing nonchalantly in the frame.

We know they will have a lot of happiness and many good laughs in their future!

HAPPY HEALTHY & PEACEFUL 2009

2008-12-31T22:53:00.000-08:00

Sitting here in the quiet of the early morning, on the first day of a brand new Year, I am reminded of my days at boarding school some years ago! ! Autograph Books were the popular thing - I guess the precursor to Face Book; someone wrote in mine and I quote -

The future lies before you like a sheet of driven snow Be careful how you tread on it as EVERY step will show.

I never forgot that!

......and this is how I feel facing a brand new exciting Year full of fresh opportunities and exciting possibilities. Of course there is an economic down turn, there are hideous things happening in the world, but if we just start off by having time for our neighbours, or that smile at a stranger in the street or supermarket, then we can generate a happy and positive vibe and see it grow.

Anyhow enough of the homily ! We wish all our past Guests, recent Guests and future Guests, our way too much spread out family in France, Australia,(and Rorie & Isabel in Tasmania) Ireland, Switzerland (you know who you are!) happiness and health above all.

South Africa is on the cusp of a real shift politically this new Year with elections in the first half and the recent birth of the new party COPE! it is still the most diverse and really great value for money country to visit with food and wines of superb quality. - each Tourist to our beautiful land will enable us to employ more people, and they, in turn, can grow their childrens' futures by the resultant education and upliftment. You are all so welcome so make this your year to visit us. But not all at once as Johan says!

We have had the busiest time over the festive season with some really quite wonderful and appreciative Guests, we even had a Wedding on our premises out on the lawns. Our Staff have been tireless and in the middle of January, when it gets a little quieter, we will be taking time out to have mini-breaks. - but not all at once as Johan reiterates!

I hopefully shall have more time to blog as I have neglected this space horribly - the question " Is anyone out there actually reading it??"

Think Love; Work hard; and the rest will surely follow! Happy lives to you all!

Johan having a very hard day @ THE ARMAGH

2008-12-09T03:09:00.000-08:00

Johan is supposed to be hanging the new curtains in the Rafters Restaurant but along came Jonathan from Bramon Wines, between here and Plett, and no second invitation needed!... and what beautiful wines! Of course I had a wee taste also! not bad before 11 am! The Methode Cap Classique is absolutely stunning as is their Sauvignon Blanc AND many others so our day is not all about living in paradise smiling at Guests...the even better news is that he has ordered some cases - so do look out for them when you come to Dinner at Rafters at The Armagh as they will be on our Specials board! By the way anyone can come to Dinner here it is not just residents...AND we have a really special Christmas Lunch planned - Christmas Lunch without all the frills But also particularly catering for the budget conscious Let us know by email if you are interested in Booking. We have a particularly good Menu. It was a real hit last year and this year we have thought out some new dishes for your pleasure.

Happy day!

Mini-Holidays & the NEW Candlewood Cottage

2008-12-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

We went away up the Wild Coast for a tiny holiday - 9 hours drive - BUT what a wonderful time we had...I am putting some photos on this Blog so you may see what an absolutley beautiful place it is; peace and tranquility like a byegone era and emphatically ' far from the madding crowd'

Before we left we had virtually completed the Candlewood and I am now posting a few interior shots...Bookings are rolling in and we expect our first occupants later this week when the final tweaks have been tweaked by us and the Builders.

- we are looking forward to a very busy Holiday season.

Time flies!

2008-11-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

Wow! Tuesday already and not a word from me this week! I was waiting to be able to report real progress on the Candlewood Cottage. But YES! there is really! - we received the Xtra length king size bed with its glamorous head board this afternoon with all the lovely bedding. The builders are still finishing off tiling and cupboards and the P G Glass man still must return to fit glass panels in the shower and by the free-standing bath - that is scheduled for tomorrow. So gradually we are getting there and tomorrow we will be in a position to load some pictures as the sun has promised to shine for a photo shoot.

Johan has just come in and reported that despite the soft rain falling on his head he has managed to make real progress with the path ( gravel and brick) leading down to the Cottage.

So we are all having a very productive day!

Lourika has been busy uploading new pics onto our website today so these will appear within 24 hours. Don't forget to keep your eyes in that direction also.

Watch tomorrow for the promised photos!

Fresh supplies of wine from the Montagu/Robertson/BonnievaleEstates

2008-11-15T01:28:00.000-08:00

Today we have sunshine! Can you even begin to imagine how amazed and excited we are?!! I am afraid that the whole Coast has taken a battering this past 4 - 5 days. Such a huge volume of rain brings problems;- the water table rises, the Bathrooms are affected as the mud mingles with the normally pristine bore-hole water, the gutters cannot cope, and the rooms become wet at their entrances and inside on the carpets. The Guests naturally are frustrated and cross as they came ostensibly to ' sunny South Africa ' - so you can imagine the collective sigh of relief as life returns to normal.

Johan braved all that bad weather yesterday in order to visit our wine estates, driving there and back all in the one day - approx. 1000 kms - just to put that wine back on the wine list. So here is a picture of Gordon, the Gardener and multitasker extraordinaire helping to bring those precious wine boxes from the bakkie.

The stairs leading up to the new Cottage I shall feature in my next posting. Meanwhile we are all out in the sunshine !!

Candlewood Cottage Update!!

2008-11-13T02:48:00.000-08:00

I promised some word on the Candlewood - no photos - as it is a wee bit wet here in the Tsitsikamma. How else do you expect it to be such a lush green area!?

The electrification work is complete and the carpentry work is well on its way, shelving is being installed in the dressing room, cupboards in the mini-kitchen, and by the fireplace, mirrors and glass panels are being fitted in the bathroom, and the stairs for the outside access to the patio have arrived...very very exciting!! Hopefully tomorrow we shall have the sun again and the photo of the new stairs can then be featured.

And when you ask will this Cottage be ready for occupation? We are now thinking that it will be the middle of next week so keep your eye on developments here!

We are so fortunate here to have such lovely builders; 2 local guys Willie and Stoof and their team who are really dedicated efficient and professional.

More tomorrow as we are very busy here in the Guest House and the Rafters Restaurant with full houses every night..in both! How thankful we are as we can hire and keep hiring the locals and ensure that their children have a better future.

Damage Control Birthday Cake!

2008-11-12T01:38:00.000-08:00

I just could not resist sharing this with you all out there.

My son Stephen, wife Charlotte, and the 3 grand-children; Hubert Rufus and Ferdi were visiting from France for a very short school holiday. Stephen celebrated his Birthday while with us in the Tsitskamma, and here Johan is trying to prevent two over eager boys from stealing Stephen's moment at the Candle Blowing ceremony.....!

Natalie opening her present!

2008-11-10T05:15:00.000-08:00

I was not sure how to show 2 pictures so I am doing a separate posting so that we can have the 2nd picture!

We wish Natalie well in her new position at the Spa!

Natalie,our Manager, moves across to Spa

2008-11-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Sunday 09 Nov 2008 we had a little farewell for Natalie who has decided that the Spa needs her more that we do at the Armagh! Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa has indeed been very busy and so Robyn will have Natalie to assist with the Bookings and the admin as well as learning some of the Beauty Treatments herself.

Our new Manager, Kathryn, arrived today and she is being trained by Johan and is already slotting is very nicely indeed but more of that later!

I am posting the pictures of our Staff at the farewell party and Natalie about to open her present.

Tomorrow I shall give you all an update on the progress of the Candlewood Cottage!

2008-11-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

Wow! it has been a busy time for us so no postings on our site!

Things are moving on with the new Cottage and I shall have more photos later in the week so you may share the progress with us; we do think we shall be open for Business around 15 November 2008! The Builders have popped in over the week-end to varnish all the freshly sanded wooden floors and soon the cupboards and fireplace will be fitted to it is now getting very exciting. The Big King size extra length bed has arrived at The Bedroom Shop in Plettenberg Bay and has duly gone off to Bay Decor where the upholstering will take place.

I am attaching a wonderful photo showing how much we are surrounded by fynbos and forest in our stunning area. Our swimming Pool is just set in the middle! This photo was taken from our Africa Loft by Dawie van Wyk who has just completed a Virtual Tour of our Guest House. This will shortly be flighted on our website and will give you all a better idea of how things really are at The Armagh....

Piano has been exchanged for a Bath Essenhout Room

2008-10-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture promised to all of those Guests who stayed in the Essenhout Room over the years where the piano occupied pride of place - a lovely story of Piano Rescue - it has been placed in the Rafters Restaurant, and now we have the most romantic set up in the middle of the Essenhout Room - we look forward to you, our Guests, past and future, enjoying this recent upgrade and innovative bathing arrangement!

Touching Base Again

2008-10-23T04:14:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that the blog has been a bit neglected (to say the very least!) so today I am featuring the Builders caught on camera last night as they left the Candlewood Cottage site!

I know that you are going to say that it is dangerous them sitting on the back of the Bakkie but it is just a sort distance - a matter of one Km to their homes; this is how we do it on the rural areas of South Africa!

The Cottage has had a bit if a set-back as one of the Builders, Stoof, has become ill so delays can now be expected. We have become very philosophical about this, feeling that it will work out and we shall still set the deadline for 15 November 2008.

In the actual Guest House, Armagh, we have had busy days and nights with the Guests booking both into the rooms and the Restaurant so we are happy and busy and the weather is absolutely gorgeous which keeps everyone in a very good mood!

The Waterfall Trail, at the start of the Otter Trail, is now open again - it had been affected by recent severe seas two weeks ago but thankfully is now back in action; it is a stupendous walk all along the coast just getting a wee bit difficult as one actually approaches the Waterfall itself; so strong shoes and caution is recommended.

The other news is that we have had a film crew for the past two days; the purpose to show-case our Guest hosue and lovely natural gardens, Pool, and Spa in a new Virtual Tour on our website -so watch this space - we hope that this will be flighted within about 10 days so then you can actually revel in the space that we have and no surprises await.

Johnson, our Night Porter cum Handyman, is presently painting the stoeps on the right wing of the Guest House, so I cannot gain access to show what we have done in the Essenhout Room where a free standing bath has been installed - will update on that new look tomorrow!

Opening of Armagh Country Lodge Storms river Tsitsikamma South Africa

2008-10-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

There I was so amazed at becoming a Blogger I wrote the wrong date for the opening of the Armagh - The Armagh opened for business in August 1994 so we have been going strong now for 14 years...sorry about that mistake.

Candlewood Cottage @ Armagh Storms river South Africa

2008-10-02T01:07:00.000-07:00

This is our first ever Armagh Blog and it is very exciting - we are very busy and happy at the Armagh, and as the days and years progress we look forward to letting you share with us our highs and lows. Lets hope there won't be too many of the latter! Thousands of Guests have stayed at The Armagh since we opened our doors in August 2004 and change and development has always been in the air as the tourism demand has increased in our lovely area in the Tsitsikamma, Garden Route.

Our latest acquisition is the Candle wood Cottage set in the heart of the fynbos with mountain views peace and quiet, this is on the same site as the new Tsitsikamma Mountain Spa - on cannot see the spa so dense is the indigenous grwoth surrounding it.

The Cottage will be open,Builders permitting! on around November 05 2008 so every few days we shall be uploading pictures of the progress and then very soon we shall be taking your Bookings