Graaff-Reinet B&B offers a dose of country therapy

[caption id="attachment_35890" align="alignright" width="405"] RELAX AND REFRESH: A soothing fountain is just one of the delights at De Erf Manor B&B[/caption]

A FEW years ago, Lianne and Fabian Cairns were living in the fast lane in Johannesburg but a historical piece of land in Graaff-Reinet caught their eye and they have now made the quaint Karoo town their home.

Owners of De Erf Manor House B&B, the couple live on a smallholding just 5km outside Graaff-Reinet with their child and more animals than one can count.

Upon arrival, my mother-in-law and I were shown to our room for the weekend: a stunning space with antique farm-style furniture and the finest bed linen.

A fabulous fresh fruit bowl was waiting for us and a complimentary bottle of sherry to keep us warm on those cold Karoo nights.

After we unpacked, we decided to explore the town. Our first stop was a visit to the popular Reinet House Museum. It made headlines in 1980 when it was damaged by a fire.

It was a real blast from the past, discovering how people lived in the 1800s and appreciating our heritage. Just R20 gets you in and it was well worth the visit.

One can spend hours browsing through the rooms and garden but with lots still to do, we didn't get to spend as much time there as we would have liked.

A memorable stop was Polka, a gorgeous coffee shop with delicious cakes and handmade chocolate on offer. The chocolate, although pricey, was delicious and their homemade ciabatta bread fresh.

After perusing some antique shops, we headed back to the guesthouse for a braai with our hosts.

Karoo meat is the best and the setting of a cosy fire below the mountain with breathtaking views of the farm is a must.

Tummies full, we headed to our room for a good night's sleep.

The next morning, we were up early to tackle the Valley of Desolation. But before we hit the trails, we filled up on the two-course breakfast at the B&B. The fruit platter was beautifully presented and the cooked breakfast was superb.

About five minutes drive from the town, is the Camdeboo National Park where the Valley of Desolation is situated.

On our drive to the top, we saw lots of birdlife and buck.

At the valley, we parked our car and took a hike to explore the area.

It is so peaceful and beautiful and it drives home just how lucky we are to live in such a stunning country.

The park has some beautiful views of the town giving a breathtaking glance at the quaint peacefulness that is Graaff-Reinet.

After a great outdoorsy morning, we went back to the town to do some more exploring.

We went to visit the Mad Hatter's coffee shop which has a great stoep to drink coffee and watch the world go by, slowly.

The Graaff-Reinet community is tight-knit and people are friendly to out-of-towners.

A resident recommended that we get fish/calamari and chips from a local cafe for supper.

It was as cheap as chips and delicious.

The next morning we were up early to get back to Port Elizabeth, a little heavy-hearted at having to leave.

Graaff-Reinet is a slow-paced town and it is wonderful to just relax and take a moment to really enjoy life. We will definitely be back for more of the good life. - Catherine Richards