I woke up early this morning, stepped out onto the balcony into the fresh spring air. I can smell the highveld jasmine all around. It makes me sneeze. Colorful birds are splashing in the birdbaths, and flower blossoms fill the trees. The colors will pop out soon, ready to celebrate the warmth. Day by day, the heat will build up, the clouds will get bigger, and the humidity will rise. Then the first thunderstorms will follow bringing bright blue clear moon skies. There will be rainstorms soon, followed by moonlight. It all happens in a day at Mr. C in Hartebeespoortdam.
I am staying at Mr. C for three nights, the current special is, book for two nights and receive an extra night with your booking. It is level two of lockdown, the activities in the area have opened. After a day trip out, when you arrive back at Mr. C, the bar will be open, ready to serve your choice of drink. Today we are heading out to the famous African market. Take the scenic road passing the Dam and the Yacht club, onto the iconic Harties arch on the Hartebeespoort Dam wall. The Chameleon market is a short drive from Mr. C. The market offers arts, crafts, and a vast array of African curios. If you are willing to take some drumming lessons, the drum maker will be happy to get your feet tapping and share a rhythm lesson. There are many places along the road to stop for a refreshment.
If fine dining is what you are looking for, reserve a table at the restaurant Mosaic or Silver Orange Bistro. For a more relaxed lunch option back in Harties, drop into Caravella for fresh seafood, or visit Squires on the Dam steakhouse. All these restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
After a lazy afternoon of shopping and exploring, I am excited to head back to Mr. C for a drink at the bar and a splash in the heated pool. The sun is setting, and the sky turns to a soft orange as the Magaliesberg silhouettes in the setting sun. I float in the pool, looking up into the sky.
The colors are fading into the evening. The firewood is crackling, and I can hear the bush noises echoing in the mountains. The fire is almost ready to flame grill the meat we are having for dinner. I open a bottle of cold chardonnay, I have missed being able to buy all my favorite wines during the lockdown. After dinner, the pinball machines light up, we try our hand at pinball and darts rocking the night away with golden oldies playing, and a few dance steps flowing. The drinks flow, Chris Norman's husky voice leads the dancing rhythm and fill the night with laughter. The golden oldies play nostalgic memories. The jukebox switches over to a few current tunes, mixing Jack Parrow and rock n' roll beats.
Tomorrow we will wake up late and enjoy breakfast by the pool, pop a bottle of bubbly, and soak up the weekend sun. Weekends away offer quiet time to get lost in a storybook and fall asleep on a daybed in the shade. A day of no driving, no activities, just nature, the pool, a lot of relaxation, and the hospitality of Mr. C staff when it is time for a refill.