Today it was decided that we would breakfast at one of our favourite places for getting a change of air – the Makaranga garden in Kloof. At 33 km away from home (30 minutes-odd) it is just far away and up enough to be in a different climate zone. The gardens are named for the towering wild poplars which line the river of this 30 acre property, which features a waterfall at one end as well as strings of ponds incorporating an impressive Japanese garden.
We first knew the wonderful spot when it was a haven for Camellias, owned by a world expert on them (I think his name was Leslie Riddell), who threw a temper tantrum if you called them ‘cam-mee-lias’, pointing out that a double L means the ‘mell’ should rhyme with ‘tell’. Anyway. The Lodge is now part of the Protea Hotel group, but fortunately the wonderful botanical gardens have been kept up to scratch. There is also a magnificent collection of Zimbabwe stone statues dotted at various spots and featuring many sculptors.
We didn’t quite leave on time – so the breakfast became a lunch after the kids had enjoyed a swim, and then we went for a stroll in the beautiful gardens before the mist belt produced some typical mist and rain (which we left behind as soon as we came back down the little escarpment at Field’s Hill}.
The food was good and reasonably priced, the kids had fun, and we enjoyed the amazing selections of plants that can be viewed there. Sadly, we had just missed the Azaleas out in all their glory. Next year!
The view from the Lodge over a pond …
…with this Egyptian goose
Pre-lunch swim
Our kid and grandkids in mid-stroll
The Japanese gardens
Closer detail of across the island
One of the descriptive signs
The largest of his carvings
Some more on the other side
R and J do some rock-climbing
(I tried a Gallery Slideshow here, but abandoned it. It didn’t work for these.)
Colonialist's Blog 
Lovely. Your grandchildren looked – from afar – to have the time of their lives at Giverny.
Oh. It wasn’t?
Not the same bridge?
(Puzzled emoticon)
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They did, but don’t put any Monet on Giverny!
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Oh. I won’t. Just ran out of Monet.
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it all looks so peaceful! leslie riddel, what a great name!
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Indeed!
Of course, I particularly applaud the first one …
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brilliant place for day trip, makes me think of Kew or Wisley
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It does remind one a bit of wandering in one of the great gardens of England.
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Love the pics… very nice place. Looks peaceful and calming. 🙂
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The only un-calming thing about it is when the kids try to fall off rocks!
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Nothing like keeping you on your toes! 😀
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Wow! Thank you, what a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing it with us
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It is certainly a magical place, and at certain times of the year it is a blaze of colour.
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Looks like a gorgeous place to go to whether breakfast or lunch.
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Or even just to walk – but then there is an entry fee.
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what a beautiful space to spend time together. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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There is something for all of us, indeed. The kids have fun, and we plant lovers can enjoy the wonderful selection. The air and the vistas do one good, too.
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Thanks for the tip C, I’m definitely noting this one down for when next we’re in that area!
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A lot smaller than your usual stamping-grounds! 🙂
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This is really a magical spot – so many different areas. Nothing is more wonderful than sculptures outside in nature. Japanese Garden to ponder and rock climbing. Something for everyone ( and what a cool Egyptian goose – never seen one before) Thanks for letting us wander along
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The geese are fond of school swimming galas – as shown here:
or here:
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Cool. Thanks for the links
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Now I didn’t know that about camelias, I mean camellias. Evocative pics, I can see why it’s a popular place to visit.
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I doubt whether the masses are likely to be converted on that pronunciation.. It is like trying to get people to use the hard ‘C’ for Latin-based botanical names. Hopeless.
The place is popular, yes, but it doesn’t get hordes. That would tend to spoil it a bit.
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What a lovely way to spend the day. I’m glad you didn’t do the diaporama: the pictures always go by to quickly. These were all well worth studying.
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It was!
That was what I found when I played it back – one would have had to stop the show to read that notice, for example.
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Looks like a wonderful place to spend some time. I never knew such a place existed in Kloof.
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There is something new to see on every visit. Strange how often one remains unaware of pleasant spots within easy reach.
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