The road from the R62 to The Retreat at Groenfontein snakes through red stone hills – a beautiful, windy mountain pass. We arrived in a howling wind, and were greeted by Marie and Grant as we held onto our hats! Grant was hoping for snow – that got Gia and I super-excited!
Marie handed us a postcard, which was from our cousins who had been there the week before – they had sketched the best walking routes for us.
Marie showed us to our cottage and very soon hot chocolate, rooibos tea and cookies arrived magically at our door. Mom and I jumped into bed and played games – it was freezing and about to rain – but Gia and dad had other ideas! They headed out to the rock pools up the valley before the rain came and arrived back full of wildness and stories of adventure.
Before dinner, we met Penny – she lives in Prince Albert and has been to Groenfontein over 50 times to relax and unwind after project work!!
We played scrabble and had some drinks, and then joined all the other guests around a huge table for dinner. The children all sat together and had macaroni cheese – yum! Then while the adults had mutton casserole followed by crème caramel dessert, we watched Shrek. The communal table is a tradition at Groenfontein and is a great way for guests to share stories. Marie and Grant specialise in delicious, home-cooked dinners – I noticed dad went back for thirds!
Early the next morning, we enjoyed a hearty farm breakfast out on the stoep. The birds were all feeding and the rain was gently falling. We headed out, on our cousins recommendation, on the yellow lizard trail and across onto the blue lizard.
We started at the dam, which reflected the mountain perfectly and headed right up around the mountain, looking down through the light rain and mist at Groenfontein in the valley. There are so many walks, and the paths are really well marked.
It was raining harder by the time we came down, so we just relaxed at the main house and played games. After lunch, dad had cabin fever, so he headed off to run the Klipsringer trail – he looked like he had a lot of fun out there!
Before dinner, we went bird-watching along the river. There were so many birds, all making sounds and flying around in the trees and bushes. As we breathed in the evening air, I felt so grateful to have been able to visit Groenfontein. And I also realised how hungry I was!
Dinner was wholesome and delicious – this time the adults had snoek pate followed by gammon, with roast potatoes, grilled vegetables and a healthy salad. There were now 6 children, and we had spaghetti and a tomato-based sauce – it was so much fun hanging out and meeting new friends.
We awoke to a beautiful sunny day. Breakfast was much warmer on the stoep, and there were so many more birds this morning, all going crazy for the food Marie put out.
After breakfast, we set out on the Klipspringer trail in the sunlight. The surrounding Swartberg mountains are so beautiful and it’s so quiet once you walk higher up above the valley. Gia and I found some awesome flat rocks near the top. The cool thing about Groenfontein is it is pet-friendly – next time we will bring our Jack Russel cross, Rumi!
Gia loved the wildness of the wind and the rain, the view of the surrounding mountains and the beautiful mountain walks.
I loved the mountain trails, the delicious food and the warm clay fireplace in our cottage. I also loved having breakfast on the stoep while the birds sang.
We recommend bringing good shoes for walking in, a sun-hat and your costume for spring and summer time. And of course your pets!
Dad’s note:
The Retreat at Groenfontein is breathtakingly beautiful. The surrounding Swartberg mountains, multiple walking trails, abundant birdlife, the dam and river and the stillness are all complimented by the sense of care that Marie and Grant bring to their “retreat”. The traditional home-cooked meals and the connection created with other guests by the communal eating style left us as a family feeling so blessed to have experienced this haven in the Klein Karoo. This is a truly special place for relaxing and unwinding, Karoo-style.