Makuti Lodge

11/02/2017

Thank you to all my wonderful guests, most of whom have become friends. It has been a 20 year ride filled with fun and laughter. Wine tastings on the party patio, impromptu get togethers at the pool and for the diehards, a few bottles shared in the cellar.
In a few weeks, I will be saying good bye to my home and business of 20 years.
Wishing the new owners, many wonderful years ahead. I am sure that you will come to love Makuti as much as I did from building, developing, creating, renovating, changing, renovating again.....
Thx my wonderful place in the clouds.

20/10/2016

A long time since writing a post. Lovely summer days here, warming up to a very busy season from November to March. The pool is being re-lined and then the cost of filling it, will probably be the original cost of building the pool.
From 1st November heavy restrictions on water use with garden watering by bucket only. A valuable, much loved and Spring beautiful garden sentenced to a death by dehydration.
What holds for Makuti in 2017?

20/04/2016

Makuti has had a fabulous occupancy for 30 months. All good things come to an end and so a quiet spell is upon us. From April until October, some great specials to be had.
Otherwise, I will be enjoying the fine weather, food, wine, music, markets, mountain walks, swimming in the sea, whale watching .... For the next several months until I see you, my fabulous guests next.

10/04/2016

After months of not posting, I am finally back on track. On 3rd January a guest driving down the driveway ran over a wonderfully friendly 100 year old mountain leopard tortoise. I plunged into a dysfunctional state for a few months.
The season has ended. I am taking some time out, going away for a few weekends and then leave for Europe on 22nd May, returning on 12/13June.
London, Surrey, Dorset and then France with Avy and John BATEMAN and hopefully a brief visit to Trudy and Jack van Poll in Antwerp, then onto Brugge and Brussels.

In the mean time the last of renovations. Windows to be replaced, exterior to be painted and new pool to be built, garden to be pruned and final stages of subdivision to be effected.

I am not selling Makuti. Business is too good. My faithful guests are too fabulous.

I am now on a mission to buy wine for the guests in the next season. Just discovered Music ( a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend) by D'aria in Durbanville. It is gorgeous. Did not taste the whites at the fabulous wine tasting Slash in Noordhoek put on by Sirrus vintners. So happy to reconnect with the crew.

03/03/2016

At Gorgeous Beau Constantia tasting 4 wines with sushi coming shortly. A view you can never tire of. Even better, my wonderful school friend Lucy and her equally wonderful husband Clive, are sharing the occasion, relaxing and being wowed by the view, wine and food before the grueling Argus cycle tour on Sunday

30/01/2016

Winter special monthly lets from early April. Minimum of 3 month stay. Friendly pets welcome.
Makuti cottage = R20000/mth.
Cedar cottage= R22500/mth.
Oregon cottage= R25000/mth.
Includes elec, wifi, DsTv, maid for a 2 hour and 1 hour clean/ week. Excludes wood for the fireplace.
Contact Doreen on [email protected]

11/12/2015

Finally the last grouting, tiling, granite topping and bathroom renovation ended today. Hence the last cleaning.
Makuti cottage now looking sparkling, even if the incorrect granite was delivered and installed - a 60% discount goes a long way to it being the almost right granite.
A much needed and earned relax now. Not even with a glass of wine as too exhausted to lift the glass.

03/12/2015

03/12/2015

Giscard, Camberley's sommelier in training, although extremely capable and tres charmant, is at the helm of our wine tasting experience in this gorgeous setting. Pinotage has a 9C rating. Fruity, full bodied and the best of it's varietal that I know.

08/11/2015

It is the annual 2 x consecutive weekend open gardens and lots of wine at Elgin. Sadly the last day today but worth a visit. Lorraine's, Freshwood and Duncan's Roses are my favorites. Also worth attending is the stunning Christmas market at Bromersvlei Rd. In Constantia. Feast your eyes and shop til you drop with fabulous Xmas gifts, great live music, stunning setting, the best Constantia wines and some great food too

25/10/2015

A wonderful week in Port Douglas and Cairns with my fabulous family, celebrating the special wedding of my neice, Danielle French and Stephen Burke on 23rd Oct.
Now enroute to Brisbane and then 4 days in Toowoomba with my mother.