Jonkmanshof in Montagu
I wish I were a word designer, collecting words, and displaying them in circles, or in groups, arrangements. I would put all the blue Delft words together with flowers in then. I would collect words like fossils or sculptures and display them. At night I would light my words up with subtle spotlights.
I wish I could take words and arrange them to be as beautiful as the collection of rooms and spaces at Jonkmanshof in Montagu.
If I could arrange words like that, I could be a new Hemingway.
But I am not, so let me say it in words I can.
On the main road of a small town of Montagu in The Cape, there is a ochre coloured home that one will pass on the street without much interest, as if it is just a typical Montagu home.
But this is all just a ruse played by the owners of this guesthouse, to keep the surprise on entrance of the home built 165 years ago.
Should you enter the home on a summer day, the cool darkened entrance will be a “lafenis” (IN English, like quenching extreme thirst) from the heat of Cape ….in winter, lemon smells from the garden and a crackling fire will meet you.
Summer you can sit in the pool, drink in hand, surrounded by said lemon trees. In winter, the fire will bring respite from stress. Books to be paged through. Gazing into the fire thoughts just melting away with the flames.
The space is a visual feast, it will take a day or two to look at all that has been put on display in the rooms. Beautiful collections of artifacts, art, sculptures, natural objects trouves.
You will receive a combination of total service and total privacy. This is hard to balance, but apart from the breakfast service, you will be left to hang around the home to seep in the history, the comfort and the care put into every detail.
You can order dinner in house, but there are a few places to eat in the area at night. Good advice will be given. Dinner in house is a good idea, hearty and beautifully presented tastes and produce from the vicinity.
There are two homes, each offering two suites. Each suite has it’s own special touches.
A must, is time spent in their store, De Nagmaal, homewear from the artists in the area. Earthy and classy, a very special shop. Have a look at their on line store: De Nagmaal. You will be tempted I am sure.
The team at Jonkmanshof will give details of what to visit in the area, but as for us, we spent our two days never leaving the home. Playing backgammon under the trees, and soaking up the much-needed peace and tranquillity.
Contact Jonkmanshof.com for package deals. It is favorable to stay longer than two nights, believe us. The homes are also fabulous for friends to book as the whole house- or two- can be a great private bonding experience.
The owners Hein Liebenberg and Jacques Erasmus also have a restaurant called Hemelhuijs in the trendy district of De Waterkant in Cape Town. Contact them them for an exquisite dining experience serving diverse food from Karoo Lamb, ‘Frikkadelle’, Tabbouleh to Vietnamese Coffee with condensed milk.
