Hartford House - suite 15

We try to spend a few days, just before visiting my folks at the end of December somewhere different in the Natal Midlands. It doesn’t always work out that we’re able to go on a grand break but last year we were very fortunate.

After two days in Durban, we headed off to Hartford House in Mooi River, a 5 star property situated on pristine grounds and attached to the renowned Summerhill Stud farm.

colonial Hartford House

For the next two days we read, lay by the natural pool of our beautiful suite (no 15, Siyabonga, which is Zulu for ‘thank you’), took half-hearted walks, though the trials are perfect for walkers, and were fed large amounts of thoughtfully prepared food by talented dynamite, Chef Jackie Cameron.

The lake across from our suite was alive with birdlife during the day, and at night, when we dined outside, a treat set up by the staff with candles and lamps, it danced in velvety ribbons, reflecting a waning full moon. I shan’t forget that night in a hurry.

The Natal Midlands produce we tucked into, from the creamiest Greek yoghurt I’ve enjoyed outside Greece, to handpicked forest mushrooms and sweet, succulent Natal lamb were stars in their own right. Jackie has a special, nurturing relationship with the small producers in the area.

These are a few images from our stay:

picnic by the pool

candlelit dinner by the lake

fountain hartford house

 

bathroom suite 15 hartford house

bedroom suite 15 hartford house

view outdoors suite 15 hartford house

Siyabonga hartford house, living room suite 15 hartford house

midlands cheese and meats hartford house

midlands cheese and meats

omlette hartford house

breakfast smoothie hartford house

breakfast smoothie

Breakfast – that’s Greek style yoghurt btw, not clotted cream

 

breakfast 1 hartford house

outside suite 15 hartford house

dinner 1 hartford house - lamb

succulent Natal midlands lamb

dinner 2 hartford house

dinner 3 hartford house

chef jackie cameron

This stay was self funded and all opinions and interpretations remain my own