The Lavender House B&B

There are those moments in life that become memories we cherish. The times we look back on and wish we could relive. Of course, that is not actually possible nor would it be a good or healthy thing to do. However, these memories always manage to make us smile even when times are hard. When I decided to write my first recommendation, this little B&B seemed like the right recommendation to give. Not only because I have never forgotten the time I spent there, but also because they genuinely deserve it. 

The Setting

Let me set the scene. At the time I had been working very hard for months. I worked at night which after a while started to take its toll. The Easter holidays were approaching and I wanted to get out of the city for a few days. I decided to go visit my friend in Durban. The day before I was meant to drive down from Johannesburg, she didn’t seem too keen for me to come. As I cannot imagine anything worse than being somewhere I am not welcome, I changed my plan. 

The Suggestions

I was at work when all this happened and I told a client that I didn’t know where I should spend my holiday. He had just returned from a place called White River, he told me about the area and how it was the complete opposite of Johannesburg. It was decided, I would drive to White River. After all, I was free to do what I wanted when I wanted. So why not try something new. 

The Journey

At the time I didn’t have a smartphone, I am not sure anyone did. So it was an old-school journey. I got in my car and drove north, past Pretoria. About an hour out the scenery changed completely. The road started to wind around the hills which were covered in lush deep green vegetation. A small railway line hugged the slope allowing the train to squeeze between the mountain and the road. I was mesmerised by the beauty and yet I was starting to feel worse and worse. It turned out that the moment I had allowed myself to relax, my immune system powered down, and I was starting to get a rather nasty cold. Great, I had a few days off and I was getting sick. 

The Lavender House 

My Sanctuary

I arrived at the Lavender House B&B. It was a beautiful house on a quiet street in this tranquil little village. I can no longer remember where I found it or how I booked it. I also cannot remember how much I paid for my stay, yet again proving what my friend Jenny had said to me back in Australia. (A long start about a very special person which I will be posting soon) But I do remember this:

My Arrival

I was greeted as though I was an old friend. Feeling very tired and with a cold which was getting progressively worse, I just needed to rest. On seeing that I was not well, the lady of the house Maxine, brought me some tea and a hot water bottle to warm my bed. The room was like a fairytale. The kind of house the forest fairy created inside an old tree trunk. A luxurious large bed, covered in pristine white linens. Accents of lilac creating a direct link to its name the Lavender House. The decor looked as though it had been hand-selected by woodland creatures and combined to create the perfect cosy retreat. 

Breakfast

The following morning having had a great nights sleep in my bed which made me feel like I was sleeping on a cosy warm cloud, I was treated to a fantastic breakfast. Set in the small picturesque Garden, I enjoyed a very special treat. Now those who know me, know how important any form of baking is to me. I am very fussy when it comes to well-baked scones. Let me tell you these scones not only lived up to my high standards but exceeded them. Freshly baked warm scones, crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Combined with jam and cream, it was the perfect breakfast. The sleep and the fantastic breakfast had worked their magic. While my cold was not gone, it had diminished into nothing more than a slight annoyance. 

Exploration

I was provided with a map of the area and some recommendations, and I set out to explore this new part of my home country which I had never been to before. During this long weekend, I fell in love with this place, it was like walking back in time and seeing things from a completely different angle. I was surrounded by the most magnificent views and vegetation discovered villages that acted like time machines, transporting me back to the days when people set off to find their fortune looking for gold. My journey also led me to find the best pancakes the world has to offer. Every evening I was happy to return to my fairy room, where I could snuggle up and review the wonders I had been lucky enough to experience. 

The true meaning of service

Sadly reality was calling and it was time for me to go home. I packed my car and drove home, savouring every moment and sad when the vegetation changed and I returned to the try highvelt. When I arrived home, I realised that I had left my book behind. It wasn’t valuable but it was quite important to me. By the time I contacted Maxine at the B&B to ask about the book, she had already found it and arranged to have it posted to me. I received it a few days later. Customer service should always be a part of a paid service, however, the true test comes when there is no more profit to be made. Even though doing so did not benefit her, she made sure my book returned to me, and she had even included a very sweet note. 

The Lavender House B&B is one of my most cherished memories, and while it is a long time ago, the pictures which can be found online show that not much has changed and why would it? When people take such good care of their business and their clients, it shows a level of pride in what they do that will not allow them to offer anything less than perfection.