The reception area of this recommended lodge came into view at the end of an extremely well-signposted road.
Through a couple of gates, which required codes to gain access, and then past a line of sprinklers that made their presence felt as I had left my car window open!
But the cooling spray was more invigorating than annoying.
The neutral colours of the reception area that also doubles as the curio shop, which sold everything from clothes to honey.
Back in the distant past these stores were usually signposted in Afrikaans and English and the signage would read “Winkel/Shop“.
To this day I still refer to them as such, utilizing both words. I usually do it silently in my head as random strangers standing close by would not understand the context.
I stepped into this area which quite literally took my breath away.
I had seen video footage of the lodge before my visit, but that did not do the splendour of this space any justice at all.
High-volume ceilings, crisp white walls and furniture that would not be out of place in an island lodge.
I am always fascinated by the physical construction of thatch ceilings, and in this instance I spent the longest time looking up and trying to figure out the engineering that went into the construction of this roof.
The outside deck that faces the slowly flowing Elands River.
Although it looks static, the river is constantly flowing as the mini waterfall near my room proved.
I had come to try to improve my birding skills.
These are a couple of Scrub Robins (aka Bush Chats) that were just one of the many birds that flitted annoyingly in front of my lens.
I say annoyingly as I have discovered, and this trip it was confirmed, that I do not have the patience to photograph our winged species.
While others might get ecstatic about the fact that guests can see x number of species on the property, I would rather concentrate on those that I know I can capture well.
Rather than having a tail feather in a corner of a frame. I know my limitations, but I would not be true to myself if I just gave up. Hence this image has been included, as both birds were static and easily identifiable.
FYI: Robins have about 2,900 feathers.
Only the male robin sings the “true robin song,” and he sings it to declare his nesting territory.
Unfortunately, the river is for looking at and not for swimming in.
But why would you want to share a river that is filled with a variety of fish when you can lie IN this sparkling pool and watch the river flow past?
Eventually, I made it to my accommodation which was at the far end of the property.
Guests can drive their vehicles to the front door so unpacking and packing the car is not an issue.
A seating area that looks out onto a deck and then towards the river.
A comfortable bed, with crisp linen and great pillows, were exactly what was required for me to be able to relax and enjoy my stay.
It was the first time that I had discovered towels folded with almost military precision on the bed.
I found out the “MOLOGA” is the s’Pedi name for the Monkey Thorn tree, which abounds on this property.
I have to admit that I never even opened the cupboard nor did I use the table as a desk as I sat outside on the deck when I needed to catch up on my laptop.
The bathroom was interesting.
It had two basins separated by a bathtub. As well as an indoor shower, toilet and bidet.
The latter two were enclosed by a corrugated iron surround that had a wooden top on it so as not to leave sharp edges exposed.
Exposed copper piping and brass taps completed the decor.
The bath tap had red beads to denote which of the taps dispensed the hot water.
The outdoor shower can be found at the back of the accommodation, away from prying eyes or passing guests.
This, to me, is the epitome of being in the bush.
The view from my deck.
Is it any wonder that much of my time at the lodge was sitting and looking in awe and gratitude at what almost looks like a scene from an English forest?
This Jacana spent a LOT of time striding back and forth through the water that spilled over the low water bridge near my room.
Did you know?
Also known as the Lily-trotter, the Jacana is a colourful water bird with long legs and incredibly long toes and claws.
The super-long toes spread the bird’s weight over a large area.
This allows them to walk across floating vegetation, especially lily pads and thus appear to be walking on the water itself.
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