Augustine Ave B&B, Ladysmith. KZN

We left the Midlands Meander and its quirky shops
and headed up the N3 to Ladysmith.
Time to pay our friends Nicky and Christo Krugel,
owners of the wonderful Augustine Ave B&B a visit

We arrived late in the afternoon
and they had arranged that we would have dinner at this restaurant.

Fish was on the menu…
but not from this tank.
This aquarium separates the bar  from the dining room,
allowing each area to function independently of each other.

The setting is unpretentious,
but the food is superb.
This is the second time that we have enjoyed a meal here

And what a meal it was.
The menu is extensive and runs to several pages in length.
I stopped when I saw “Lamb Shank”.
If you are stopping off in Ladysmith,
then do yourself a favour and have a meal here.
Highly recommended.

Back to Nicky and Christo’s B&B…
Set in a quiet cul-de-sac, this is the ideal place to spend a night.
Ladysmith has such a lot of history to share.
It is a pity that those who use the N3 do not take the time
to stop and investigate.

There is a lot of love here…
and it seems as if most of their guests become friends.

Even on a chilly autumn morning the pool looked inviting.
Not inviting enough to take the plunge.

The old double garage has been turned into
a “pub” where both the guests and the owners can relax
and enjoy a “beverage” or two.

Who remembers these?
Revolving ashtrays from the ’60’s.

There is accommodation available at the main house,
or in the garden.
This cottage is one of the latter.

The house cat spent the night with us.

Rose Cottage…
Set well away from the house,
it is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway.

All the rooms have a self-catering option.
There is something romantic about a “mozzie” net

Bubbly, flowers and cake.
Could you ask for anything more?

The cottage even has its own braai (barbecue) area.

For the rest of the guests there is a communal Boma,
complete with a fire pit and a braai

You HAVE to respect the ingenuity of the plumber
that installed this pipework.

The breakfast area is in the main house.
For information and rates, contact Nicky
on 0825700413

From Ladysmith we were going to visit the first of the Battlefields.
Spionkop.
Regarded as one of the most futile battles ever fought.
I have been asked to speak at this conference in Cape Town
Very excited as it is a first for me.