I just had to say more about Dullstroom. Have you booked yet? Let me give you more reasons to do so!
We stayed in the elegant Critchley Hackle hotel. It overlooks dream inspiring trout filled lakes with a truly relaxed, rustic atmosphere. Spoil yourself - book one of the tower rooms! Double bed large enough even for me with a fireplace in the bedroom. You even get a private patio although admittedly in winter the fireplace is THE place to be. Dullstroom isn't the coldest town in South Africa for nothing you know.
Tried my hand at a spot of the old fly fishing, both at Critchley hackle and at Elandskloof, about 15 km out of town on the way to Machadodorp. It normally doesn't take very long before you find yourself immersed in an epic battle with a rainbow. Ahh, the sound of a screaming reel, the splash as it jumps, how much more fun could you possibly ask for.
The hotel itself serves delicious meals. Mouthwatering to the point where you might just start looking really foolish. Do try it. No, not the mouth water part, the food! Or put on your warmest jacket and brave the cold for the world's best pancakes! Yes, Harry's Pancakes draws crowds from near and far. It is just so mouthwateringly good. Do you prefer it flat, sweet or filled with something savoury? You'll get it here! When in Dullstroom, you need to spoil yourself at least once. Or twice. Or a lot of times!
Feeling adventurous? Take a 7km drive out of Dullstroom on the Kruisfontein road to Valleispruit. Here you can test your clay pigeon and trap shooting skills or play modern day Robin Hood with a bow. Great fun! Even better if one can actually hit something of course! Well, there's always good wine afterwards. After a couple, the misses become hits, the hits become bullseye's and suddenly you are the BEST shot ever, with only your level of intoxication between you and an olympic gold medal.
Spend some time talking to the locals. Meet them in the Dullstroom Inn. An interesting lot indeed! Enjoy a hearty meal and a draught beer or some fine wine in front of a roaring fireplace. What a nice way to spend an evening.
If you are interested in architecture, you will find many delights in Dullstroom. An interesting mix of 19th and 20th century designs to keep you busy.
It also offers a host of different shops for the browsers amongst us. From linenware, gifts and bathroom items, to REAL mampoer if you're brave enough, to trout pies and hand painted glassware and beautiful art pieces.
And the best part of it all is that it is only a 2 hour drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg. Ideal for a weekend breakaway or even just a day trip to enjoy Dullstroom's delights. Try it and get hooked.
Till next time, keep travelling!
