Indulgence

I decided on the full-house hot brekkie option, not that I managed to finish it.

Once done, we explored the area for a bit before heading back for our scheduled massage later in the afternoon. There are plenty of sightseeing pit stops as well as lunch and pub spots on the drive through the Cradle of Humankind.

On the way back to the Valley Lodge & Spa, we stumbled across the Corriloch Country Store. Another tucked-away gem in the area.

After browsing through all the antique gems in the store, we decided to enjoy some tea and scones. Nothing fancy, mind you. But the outdoor area, which lent itself beautifully for a quirky

Mad Hatter’s tea party, was too picturesque not to enjoy.

The going rates for the meals we had on the day were ridiculously cheap.

And so we headed back to enjoy our massages. Mind you, it is one of the drawcards of this place.

When you see all the facilities at the spa, which includes a pool, sauna and steam room, amid a plethora of pamper and beauty treatments, you understand what the fuss is about. It is pure indulgence to recharge those batteries.

That said, the Valley Lodge & Spa is also an ideal venue for team-building sessions, with eight conference rooms available.

Did I mention there is a chapel on the property too? Located under the tall trees on the banks of the Magalies River, it doesn’t get more romantic than that.

The food was a hit-and-miss affair. Let me explain. On Friday night, the chef was clearly not having a great day. The soup was too salty.

My mains – a sun-dried-tomatoand-butter-stuffed sesame-crusted chicken dish – came with cold mash and very little of the blue cheese mushroom sauce. My friend’s butternut and mushroom risotto was overpowered by the thyme and butternut.

Saturday night was a win in every way. Everything from the salads to the different curries, stews and roasts – not forgetting the buffet of sweet treats – were delicious. So much so, that second helpings were necessary. I loved the chilli as well.

At breakfast on Sunday morning, I bumped into the general manager, Graham

Mooney, who pointed out that they pride themselves on tailoring experiences for their guests, including their regulars.

This includes arranging hot-air balloon rides, small-game viewing on the nature reserve and more.

For the adventurous types, there are walking trails. You can also go fly fishing, grab a rowing boat and go for a ride, or simply work out at the gym or on the tennis and volleyball courts.

The Valley Lodge & Spa is the perfect sho’t left for a family, friends or couples getaway.

● For more information call

014 577 1301/5 or log on to: www. valleylodge.co.za

They currently have weekend packages available for Father’s Day as well as lunch options to spoil him.