Umtwa’z Beach Cottage
Elysium (between Ifafa and Umtwalume)
South Coast, KZN
The cottage is situated on the South Coast 50 minutes by car from Durban, and overlooks a wild and empty beach. It is a comfortable ‘informal’ cottage ideal for family holidays. Here are a few things you should know about Umtwa’z:
How to get there
Take N2 south from Durban. Go past Scottburgh, Park Rynie and Sezela tur
noffs … take next turnoff, exit 84 to Ifafa/Elysium. Turn first right to Elysium, continue for approx 2 kms (parallel to shoreline), pass Bert Thorpe Lane and take next driveway to left (its small and nondescript). There’s a number 12 painted on a stone next to the driveway. If you reach the railway line you’ve gone too far. If you’re approaching from the Port Shepstone side, travelling north along the N2, exit 84 (Ifafa/Elysium turnoff) will come after Hibberdene, after Mtwalume …. Accommodation & Facilities
MAIN HOUSE
There are 4 bedrooms in the main house, ideal for four couples. There are another six beds in the lounge, ideal for kids. Ablutions: two toilets and a bath inside and a magnificent outside shower with hot water. Kitchen: Cantankerous old electric stove, two fridges, and just enough cutlery and crockery. Additional accommodation in outside rooms:
Three bedrooms with beds. This is pretty spartan accommodation ideal for teenage kids/young adults or for those not too fussed with décor. It is clean and secure and has a nice veranda. There is a separate toilet/basin – access from outside. Braai area: cooking grid is kept in the wooden shed in the garden. Bedding: There is enough clean bedding for the beds in the main house and outside rooms. Bring extra blankets in winter as it can get a bit chilly. Games: There is a pool table with balls and cues. Sorry, no TV. Keys: All cottage keys are kept inside kitchen cupboard (1st cupboard on left as you enter the kitchen – head-height). Included are the keys for the double door to front veranda, outside rooms, outside toilet and shed. WATER & GEYSER
The electricity should be on already. Water: if the water is off, you need to turn on the mains tap – it is situated right next to the entrance to the property as you turn in off the tar road – it’s on the left as you enter the property. The geyser switch is on the electricity board on the wall as you enter the cottage – right hand side, head high. The geyser switch is the one on extreme right as you face the board. It needs to be eased up gently but firmly until it stays ‘UP’. It sounds complicated but it isn’t – it’s easy. If there’s a problem, call Chelechele or Chris or Di. CARETAKER
Chelechele is our caretaker. His cell is 074 270 7860. He will open up the cottage when you arrive by arrangement, and will come and help if there’s a problem with anything. He can organise for the maid, Kenny, to come in the mornings to do a clean-up (house and kitchen) by arrangement. Her day rate is R110 (8am to 1pm). You will need to pay for her services (into the Umtwaz cottage bank account) over and above the cottage rental – we will then pay her for the days worked at month end. Please notify us of the number of days she worked. SECURITY
There have been a few petty thefts from the house and outside rooms. Please keep valuables out of site, and lock the doors and windows when you go to the beach. The house does have an alarm. Get the code from one of the members. Open up procedure: unlock front door, punch in code and alarm is de-activated. Lock-out procedure: Lock all windows and doors. Turn all lights off. Close all doors. Punch in security code. Exit front door (next to the kitchen) and pull closed with yale locked. ACTIVITIES
It is 2 minutes walk to the beach (down a path in front of the house, over the railway line …)
There is a few swimming spots in front of the cottage, though it can get a bit rough at high tide, and there are NO SHARK NETS. The closest tidal pool is at Umtwalume, 15 minutes walk south along the beach. Surfing … a fun mid-break wave appears in front of the cottage in windless conditions. great walks along the beach or up the Umtwalume River. Nature: the cottage is situated in natural bush. There are duiker, mongeese and lots of monkeys. The duiker can frequently be seen browsing in the garden in the early mornings and late evenings. We are eco-friendly, so please no dogs to chase away the buck. Weeding: we are encouraging indigenous plants and discouraging aliens. The main offenders are lantana, triffid and bugweed. If you feel you need to contribute to the environment, a bit of weeding would be appreciated!! Fireworks: Please NO FIREWORKS … it freaks out the neighbours and upsets the wildlife!! FEEDBACK
Please send us feedback on your stay at the cottage. This well assist us in providing hassle-free accommodation for your enjoyment. STANDARD COTTAGE RATES
R700 per night minimum charge. This covers up to 6 people. For any additional people, add R75 per person per night. (Kids under 16 free)
BOOKINGS
Please email your booking requests to [email protected] or [email protected] and we will confirm. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. PAYMENT
All payments to be made by EFT. Our banking details:-
Acc name: Umtwaz Cottage South Coast
Bank: FNB
Branch code: 220526
Acc no: 62059285661
(Please send confirmation of your payment to [email protected])
BREAKAGES
If you break anything, such as crockery or the pool cues, please make an arrangement to replace them. ENQUIRIES/BOOKINGS
Chris Chapman
Tel: 031-7655108
Cell: 082 899 3086
[email protected]
or
Di Smyly
0829254045
email: [email protected]
Join us on facebook “umtwas cottage” and check calendar for availability.
