There is something special about watching your firstborn at the ripe old age of six finally venturing into the great unknown by himself.
That's precisely what Luke did when he refused to enter the rowing boat on the beautiful Lake Madingofani in the Underberg with his younger brother Tim and Dad - and opted instead to head out in his own two-man canoe.
Normally very cautious, the sight of his older friend already in her own canoe soon had him paddling like a champ - although he was very careful to make sure that I was not too far away. But the only one who managed to overturn a canoe later on in the holiday was myself, as I adroitly (so I thought) stepped off the bank and into the canoe on one of the many small islands on the lake - and managed to roll the vessel onto its side with me tumbling into the lake. Well, the kids enjoyed the spectacle!
We had come to look at the new sectional title houses being built at Castleburn resort, where we stayed. The Glen is a sectional title scheme forming part of the popular Castleburn resort. The scheme is set to comprise 22 sectional title units.
The Glen, at this stage, only consists of four chalets overlooking Lake Madingofani but plots are for sale. It even has its own small chipping golf course, two tennis courts and swimming pools.
The resort is stunningly beautiful and surrounded on all sides by the Drakensberg mountains.
In the morning, the area was covered in thick mist that gave the dawn a mysterious quality. As the sun rose, the mist would evaporate and each range would slowly come into focus.
As the 20-hectare Lake Madingofani came into view, the kids would clamour to go for an early morning canoe. Although we didn't have time to try it, a look at the fishing book in the cottage showed that there is no shortage of fun to be had with rainbow, brown and triploid trout on offer. Numerous jetties dot the lake. The Lake Tavern restaurant will prepare your catch of the day or you could braai it yourself. Our chalet had a Weber and an outdoor braai and wood can be ordered from reception each morning.
The accommodation is superb. Built from natural materials including local sandstone, the cottages with their thatched roofs echo the peaks of the Drakensberg and blend in perfectly with their surroundings.
Each cottage includes a comfortable lounge with a cosy fireplace (ideal for romantic winter nights), a spacious dining room, bathroom and fully equipped kitchen.
Some units are equipped with a spa for an extra special treat.
Cottages have either two or three bedrooms.
The three children enjoyed the swimming pool, mini golf, outdoor chess, climbing frame and tennis courts, among other facilities.
Castleburn appeals to all ages as we saw retired couples taking leisurely walks while younger people headed out on hikes and on their mountain bikes.
My companion and I, on the other hand, enjoyed long lunches on the club patio while keeping a sharp eye on our children in the pool.
There are two walkways through the 170ha property or one could pack a picnic and head for the nearby hills. Being adjacent to the Parks Board's Natal Garden Coastal Reserve makes Castleburn an ideal base for those who wish to tackle one of the extended walks.
Our eldest child opted for a leisurely horse ride around the resort but Khotso Horse Trails in Castleburn offers one-hour rides for the inexperienced and two-hour rides for the adventurous.
Bird lovers will enjoy the area with more than 80 species having been recorded. If you are lucky you could spot the rare lamagaai (bearded vulture) or the ground woodpecker.
We took the easy option and sat on our patio with binoculars and got the children to spot for us.
There are a number of activities available, including spa treatments, scenic flips in microlights and even quad bike trips into Lesotho.
Cottages are now being sold at The Glen, which comprises 22 three-bedroom, two bathroom units but owners can request an extra bathroom. Prices are around R1,85-million.
The resort is about two hours from Durban, eight hours from Joburg and 30 minutes from Underberg town.
- Contact details: Tel 011-208-8300, Fax them on 011-234-1622, or email [email protected]; website www.magicbreakaways.co.za
- Les Tilley was a guest of Magic-Breakaways Leisure Developments which is part of Legacy Hotels & Resorts.