SANParks StormsRiver 50 years old

One year exactly has passed!

I've been slow to non existent on the blog this whole year and in fact haven't posted since Aug 11 last year 2013
Now its time to gear up and let you know what's happening at The Armagh Country Lodge Spa
and Rafters Restaurant.  A lot has happened really. 

We are in full swing with Vuyo,  returning as our General Manager in February.  Since he arrived there has been a new bright atmosphere in the Guest House;  a positive energy which has resulted in a truly wonderful Low Season.  Overseas people still came throughout more of the Eastern Cape week-enders are still coming to us on the Special packages that we offer;  it has been really good.
We have also been busy with many small cosmetic improvements.  The addition of a cold store which has been a dream for some time has now become a reality! and this is really such a pleasure
from a storage aspect.

We have seen Spa Therapists come and go as their Contracts are short and "variety is the spice" after all!  Presently we have really good Therapists -  two through this Low Season has really meant that our "Couples Treatments@  have been a triumph!  

To be continued with some photos tomorrow Tues 19 August 2014

Hospitality Teamwork!

Our Staff are offered educationals by the adventure companies in our area; they are able to advise our guests about the incredible adventures in the glorious Tsitsikamma! 

We're on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/armaghcountrylodge
Follow all our activity on Facebook

Bitou Studio Cottage: Paradise awaits!

...this is a weekend for that yummy warm Jacuzzi;  call us now for those extra special offers for which we are famous! 

Happy Birthday to The Armagh!

The Armagh Country Lodge & Spa is 19 years old today.. We cleared the land, built the Guest House, and  planted the Buffalo lawn strand by strand, and set saplings into deep well nourished holes -  150 trees at least, which have grown very big with thick trunks!! In excess of 15,000 guests' have gone through our doors and slept in our beds! 
We are proud of what we have achieved, and of our Staff who make it all happen, with their happy smiles and hard work;  BUT most of all to the Guests from all over the world who have given us their support. 
Thank you to those who keep coming back.
Rest assured there's always a huge welcome at The Armagh !!

Tommy the Tortoise made an appearance!

Suddenly Tommy, the tortoise,  was here - after the rain !  He just showed up right by the entrance to the Spa.
Check his picture on FB  www.facebook.com/armaghcountrylodge
Great support for both Rafters & the Spa over this long week-end.  Thank you all.  We are most appreciative.
Continue coming into us for the yummy-licious food and fires and the soothing tranquillity of the Spa.

Happy Cyclists

They are already starting to return after their first day on the Storms River Traverse  looking for a hot shower and a cold beer!  The weather is going to be kinder tomorrow for them!

Meanwhile our Chefs are busy cooking for tonight's Guests at Rafters. The enticing aromas of
lamb shanks slowly cooking in the the oven and those succulent smoky ribs is very tempting!

Look forward to your company later at  Rafters  042 2811512 www.thearmagh.com

Breaking News: Our new website being launched shortly!

Festive Greetings and New Year Wishes

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!!

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

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!

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

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

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 !

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

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!

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!!

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

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.