Braemar AIR B & B. Howick, KZN

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A hand-knitted blanket and a cushion covered in a material with a design well-know in South Africa.

 

 

 

The owner, Nikki, has rewilded her garden at Braemar.

The plants, flowers and grass are left to look after themselves, but paths have been created for guests to explore this unique urban setting.

Can anyone do this? Yes, they can, if you follow these guidelines…

1] Let your grass grow.

2] Accept decay. It happens and you don’t have to rake up EVERY leaf. Or use a leaf blower for that matter!

3] Give up chemicals, are they REALLY necessary?

4] See ‘weeds’ from a different perspective. Weeds are just flowers that you don’t understand!

and

5] Choose your plants with wildlife in mind. The birds and the bees take on a whole new meaning when you plant with them in mind. Hours of entertainment and enjoyment rather than being focussed on a TV.

With an open mind, seeing that this was the first rewilded garden I had visited, I wandered around the property before heading into the house.

And what did I find on my journey of discovery?

 

 

 

Magnolia.

Magnolias are believed to be the earliest known flowering plants, with their fossils dating back over 100 million years.

Magnolia trees existed before bees, hence they rely on beetles for pollination.

Instead of nectar, which the beetles cannot use as a food source, the flowers produce large quantities of pollen which is palatable for the beetles.

 

 

 

Camellia.

In addition to the skin benefits that the flower offers, tea seed extracted from the Camellia Sinensis plant is a popular remedy for high blood pressure.

The flower represents a spirit of depth, self-reflection and inner strength – qualities that are highly esteemed in Japanese culture.

They also symbolize love, loyalty and humility – perfect to express gratitude towards family and friends.

 

 

 

 

Primula.

I have it on very good authority that it tastes awful.

However…

The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like asthma, infection, diabetes, ulcers and UTI disorders.

A rich source of secondary metabolites including saponins and flavonoids, Primula constituents have antimicrobial, antiproliferative, cardioactive and antidiabetic properties.

 

 

 

Nasturtium.

You might have tried these in a salad, but are you aware that…

Recent research shows that nasturtium plants have numerous healing properties due to containing antioxidants, vitamins, trace elements and bioactive compounds that can help support the immune, respiratory and digestive systems.

They contain vitamin C which might help fight bacteria, fungi, viruses, and tumours.

Nasturtium flowers come in many colours ranging from bright oranges, yellows and reds to pastel creams and peaches, which add a splash of colour to any urban garden.

They can be used to attract bees to pollinate your fruit trees and provide nectar for beneficial insects such as ladybirds, hoverflies and parasitic wasps.

 

 

 

And THIS is an Aardvark! And Nikki brought it back from a visit to The Owl House.

The majority of the art at The Owl House was created, not by Helen Martins, but by local labourers, predominantly Koos Malgas, who helped her construct her Camel Yard which she filled with its many sculptures of bottle-skirted hostesses, mermaids, camels and pilgrims, all journeying to a mystical east.

Helen Martins lived in Nieu Bethesda from 1945 to 1976 and works that still survive to this day were created to alleviate her despair and brighten the dullness of her daily life.

 

 

 

A moment of reflection.

For me, the use of colour and strategically placed chairs added a unique sense of lightness to the uncluttered nature of this property.

 

 

 

The house is filled with colour and this corner is where the owner can often be found, adding to the basket of knitted squares.

If guests feel like knitting a square or two, they are encouraged to do so.

Or sit here and read a book as there is no TV to distract you.

 

 

 

A face that anyone would fall in love with.

Meet Bean, the resident Canis Africanus and a calm soul who welcomes every guest without being too intrusive.

She has spots all over the garden and inside the house where she knows the sun shines and can usually be found in one of those

 

 

 

This ceramic piece seems to have had a touch too much botox.

 

 

 

This was our accommodation.

I need to nail my colours to the mast at this particular juncture.

a] This was the first time in almost 20 years as a travel writer that I had stayed in an Air B&B.

b] Unlike many similar properties where the owner does not stay in the house, yet in this case the owner was in the room opposite us.

c] Was it awkward? Not at all! Our time here was both interesting, enjoyable and education that to the time that we spent with Nikki. My wife most certainly developed a new respect for weeds and I got to eat plants foraged from the garden.

But I digress…

Our room was a haven of peace and quiet with a comfy bed, a mound of blankets and hot water bottles to keep the nighttime cold at bay.

 

 

 

The bathroom had both a bath and a shower and plenty of hot water.

A toilet and basin completed the decor and all in shades of white and grey.

 

 

 

This design painted on the tiles above the bath caught my attention.

The subtle colours blend in rather than stand out.

 

 

 

The old-style chest of drawers beneath the coffee/tea station was of interest to me.

Especially the fact that it had what appeared to be an airing cupboard at the bottom. I assume that was for shoes?

 

 

 

Not a white towel in sight. And I was grateful for that.

I understand the reason for white towels in the hospitality industry, but you DO NOT want to be leaving traces of make-up or perhaps something more permanent and embarrassing on a towel when you leave.

These colourful towels added to the ambience of the room we were staying in.

 

 

 

Because Braemar gives a sheet… We should all be doing whatever we can to promote using environmentally friendly products. Have a look at their website. https://www.gudco.co.za/

Were you aware that this product is…

hand-wrapped in eco-friendly paper to promote hygiene

packed in recycled paper boxes to replace plastic

sold in bulk to minimise our carbon footprint

BPA free. Contains no chlorine, acids, inks, dyes or strange scents

100% biodegradable – sewer & septic tank safe

Every Güdsheet purchase helps provide toilets & toilet paper to those in need.

 

 

 

Howlin’ at the moon?

A possibility as we were staying here during a full moon.

In case you were wondering, although I found transport (the broom) I did not find any witches on the premises.

Braemar comes highly recommended and a stay here will certainly help you relax your body, mind and spirit.

This review by Anthonie (May 2024) sums up what it is like to spend time at Braemar:

This space is filled with so many smile-inducing snappy touches. I would never have considered staying in a “shared” space but it turned out to be one of my best stays in the Midlands, ever. I slept like a log in the spacious en-suite master room and my teenage boy raved about his twin sleeper room next to mine. The complimentary rusks were out of this world and be sure to indulge your imagination with “Carnival of the Animals” before you leave! Grand comfort, premium sleep, deep rejuvenation, splendid calm. Nikki is the easiest host to feel right at home around. This was not money spent, it was money invested in self and soul! Happiness“!

5 minutes from the centre of Howick and with a plethora of great hikes/walks in the surrounding suburbs, this was most definitely not the last time we would be paying Nikki and Bean a visit.

 

 

 

Click on the logo above to find out more about the property and what it offers.

 

 

 

 

Travel is the proud winner of this prestigious award from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife. The award is in the category Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa.

 

 

 

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“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”

Edgar Bergen

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