Durban - A picture may equal a thousand words but in the case of Midlands Saddle and Trout near Hidcote, the pictures don’t tell the full story.
I had heard about the holiday retreat from a friend who has timeshare there and who often waxed lyrical about idyllic family holidays spent there and how beautiful it all is. I had also heard about the resort’s environmental sustainability programmes.
Midlands Saddle and Trout sits atop a high hill just past Mooi River. At the entrance there is a sign that reads: “Welcome, you can relax now.”
That message was reinforced by effervescent manager Prudence Xaba’s “Welcome home”. You won’t find friendlier, more readily helpful staff anywhere, I reckon.
The resort’s main building is surrounded by stables and paddocks and large, well-spaced units that all have lovely views.
Ours had gorgeous views over the Hidcote farmlands below and toward Giant’s Castle.
Each unit has a fireplace, with plentiful firewood supplied. The couches are super-comfy, there’s a flat-screen TV with DStv, and a not-so-mini hi-fi.
The kitchen is well-equipped and includes a washing machine so families don’t have to pack to the brim. There are dining room tables, the beds are super-comfortable and there are spa baths and showers.
The units are well-designed, spacious and airy, with plenty of windows and skylights. Our unit had an interleading door, which is great for larger groups.
So, what to do once settled in? Well, there is something for everyone. Mums and dads can kick back and relax while the children charge off. There is a playground with swings, tractor and jungle gym, a swimming pool, a games room with fussball, air hockey, pool, computer game stations and an oven in which budding Masterchefs can hone their skills. If you’ve forgotten something there’s a shop with supplies. Plus there’s an intimate restaurant.
The pampering option is recommended. A visit to the Cellu-Beauty Spa set me up for a great weekend. Zama Ndlela’s aroma-therapy massage left me beaming and relaxed yet invigorated.
Guests receive an entertainment guide listing what activities and facilities are available, plus a diary of planned activities for littl’uns, teens and adults.
Options include tractor rides, fishing in the dam, canoeing, golf on a 9-hole par-3 course, putt-putt, bowls, tennis, volleyball, a bit of gym or pony and horse riding. There’s an animal farm and a worm farm with around 60 000 wrigglers.
The worm farm is but one aspect of the resort’s waste management operations. The worm wee is their only fertiliser and you can even buy it in the shop. They have Jojo tanks for rainwater harvesting. These are used to collect water for the veggie garden that supplies the restaurant and for laundry and general maintenance.
The chalets have separate bins for dry and wet waste. Black wattle eradication means plenty of firewood for the chalets and the Game Of Thrones-scale bonfire every Saturday.
We braaied though it was cold, as the view from our chalet’s braai spot was too gorgeous to miss.
Midlands Saddle and Trout is proudly managed by First Resorts. Call 033 263 2758 and visit www.midlandssaddle.co.za - Sunday Tribune