The little Town of Barrydale lies nestled at the foot of the beautiful Langeberge in the heart of the Tradouw Valley, close to where the Northern exit of the Tradouw Pass winds through the Mountains to meet Route 62, the longest Wine Route in the World! Barrydale is one of those beautiful little Villages that beckon one to linger and has something too offer everyone! It lies on the Border between the Cape Overberg and the succulent Klein Karoo, which starts just North of the Town. It is no surprise to learn that Barrydale’s History began; when Farmers moved into the Valley to search for Fertile Land, with water. The Climate here is perfect for growing Fruit Trees: Apples; Pears; Oranges; Apricots; Figs; Peaches and Grape Orchards, lie scattered across the Valley. Any time of year, in this Valley is beautiful: Summer is ripe with fruit; Autumn heralds in the Protea Season; Winter is a tapestry of colour, as the surrounding Klein Karoo, renowned for its: Aloes; Milkbush; Concertina Plant and Succulents, which have broken into flower! The little Village is also easily accessible. One can approach Barrydale from the Garden Route along the Tradouw Pass, from Montagu or from Oudtshoorn across the relentless plateau of the Klein Karoo - each of them beautiful and scenic. The Town’s cellars are set in their very own Region of Origin, the Tradouw Valley - the smallest in the Country - that produces incredible Brandies and Wines! Visit the Farm known as the Manger, in nearby Lemoenshoek to walk the Labyrinth and the Peace Pagoda; walk through Barrydale’s Heritage Garden; restore body and soul at the Warmwaterberg Hot Springs or hike in the surrounding Hills.

The Skurweberg Pass lies on the rim of the Drakensberg Escarpment - a steep, tarred and modern route over the Skurweberg Mountains, on the R 541 between Badplaas and Machadodorp. The aptly-named Skurweberg (“Rough Mountain”) Pass winds its way down the upper Drakensberg Escarpment between Machadodorp and Badplaas in Mpumalanga. The pass is much-loved by motorcyclists due to the curvy nature of the road, but it does have one or two corners which can be dangerous at high speed. It is relatively steep with an average gradient of 1:17 and descends a total of 448 metres, but the tarred road surface is good and free of potholes. Keep an eye out for monkeys and baboons, as well as domestic livestock. The pass can be driven in any vehicle and in all weather conditions! Meaning 'rough mountain' in Afrikaans, the Skurweberg Mountains are a series of ancient Sandstone Outcrops; the remains of the seabed from the time of the bygone Super-Continent of Gondwana, at least 180 million Years old! The Skurweberg is particularly beautiful – visitors travel the Pass not merely to get between Machadodorp and Badplaas, but to drink in the Views. In the Mountains is the Wathaba Wilderness Area, an area rich with Waterfalls, Streams, Pools and overgrown Kloofs. Filled with mosses, lichens, ferns and about 90 different Indigenous Trees. The Pass starts in the South, just North of Badplaas, heading through a wide Kloof created by the flow of the Komati River. The initial Ascent is rigorous, gaining Altitude fast, as the road hugs the Mountain! On one of these sharp bends is the start of the Num-Num Trail, the core of which lies in the Skurweberg Mountains - five days of incredibly scenic Hiking, with a Slack packing option! A little farther on, and the gravel Road to the start of the Wathaba Hiking trail heads up the Eastern edge of the Kloof. From here the Pass straightens a bit, continuing to climb at a rapid rate! At the Summit is the 'Uitkomst Farm'.

Mariannhill lies in a densely green, intense Landscape swept by Forests and sheltered, leafy Neighborhoods outside Durban, on the outskirts of Pinetown. The Monastery was founded by Trappist Monks in 1882, as a Catholic Mission and now boasts an impressive display of Architecture and Design. Beautiful Frescoes adorn the Cathedral ceiling and light streams through stained glass windows. In addition to this, the Monastery is well known for its Organic Produce including: milk, cheese and yoghurt. You can stop at the Monastery and enjoy a delicious lunch in their Tea Garden. The menu ranges from light snacks to heartier fare - sit in the shaded Garden and relax to the Monks chanting in the background. Despite being close to the Industrial parts of Westmead, the Monastery may as well lie Centuries, in the past. Enter its grounds and you are immediately transported out of the fast-paced World and constant nagging Elements of Modern Society. A trip to the Gardens, Tea and Vegetable Gardens and Monastery, is a boost for the soul. The old Buildings, slowed pace and peaceful surrounds are without fail a balm to the soul, and one does not need to be here with Religious intent to benefit! Experience has produced, a choir of incredibly talented young Musicians was enough to establish the Mariannhill Monastery, as a cherished memory! Mariannhill Monastery was Founded in 1882, by Trappist Monks who created an impressive collection of Architecture, Craftsmanship and Design. (Trappist Monks, are a contemplative Roman Catholic Religious Order; following the rule of St. Benedict, and a branch of the Cistercians). They speak only when necessary and idle talk is strongly discouraged – even meals are usually taken in contemplative silence whilst they listen to a reading. The silence is not a restriction however, but rather a wish to give space to what matters. There are thought to be around 170 Trappist Monasteries in the World. Which is Home to 2500 Trappist Monks and 1800 Trappist Nuns! The Cathedral is a play of light, as rays of sun pierce stained glass windows and bounce from the ceilings filled with Frescoes. The interior invites a moment of two of silent contemplation, whatever your Spiritual Beliefs are! Set in the midst of this embellished simplicity, is a Garden; where tables are artfully set in the shade of giant Umkhulu Trees. Every now and again there is the distant sound of; Gregorian Chants which are practically inaudible which suggest peace, rather than an intrusion! It also helps to sets the tone of the garden and inspires those who visit here. It’s a perfect little piece of Heaven, in which one just happens to also get a good meal! A range of enticing home-made food includes muffins, vegetarian meals or rye open sandwiches. Vegetables and salad comes from the Vegetable Garden,supplies fresh organic salad leaves and herbs not only to the tea garden at the monastery, but also to restaurants in and around Durban. the rye bread is baked by the Nuns, at the Jabulani Self-Help Scheme, who also produce plain brown bread for sale to the local community, and the milk and yogurt is from the monastery’s own, two Dairy's. The cheese is produced on the opposite side of the Valley from the milk, by the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Both are produced Organically and cows grace effortlessly on rather steep Hills. There are also a series of Workshops here where crafts, including candles, are produced. The monastery has an interesting History. By all accounts Prior Franz Pfanner, who then became Abbot, and who led the order was incredibly strict and the vow of silence was held by all! But, as inevitably occurs when extremism is involved, an uprising led to his being suspended and a new order began, that went on to establish Missions Stations around the Country and the World. It was also very active in the fight against Apartheid, particularly with regards to the Group Areas Act. But it is the silence and the essential tranquility, that seems to be innate in every form and almost engulfs the surroundings! "This makes Mariannhill Monastery so incredible!" There are tours available; that includes lunch and many of the Buildings, the beautiful private Gardens, the Cathedral, Vestments, Church, and the Museum. A Blog written about Mariannhill: "I’m looking at the incredible interior of the church of the Monastery of Mariannhill and realizing why, despite its being Years since last I was here, it had such a profound effect on me as a 16-year-old. During my third year of High School, I sang with a Choir that recorded Franz Schubert’s Mass no 2, in G whilst standing, within this sanctuary! It was one of the most intense experiences of my life. The sound we managed to evoke in this place of God was not only incredible, it was impressive and, as young people only beginning to form opinions and views on the World. I felt I had touched something within and without that I would endeavor to recreate again and again in my life."