Dennehof Diaries: Winter Words 2022
After experiencing almost two wonderful winters in the Karoo, we can attest to the fact that it is a truly magical season.
Sceptics may think these are calculated advertising words to get guests to visit us in the dullest, dreariest, most freezing season of the year, and we certainly will not pull the winter wool over anyone’s eyes – WINTER DOES GET COLD IN THE KAROO – but the warm bottom line is that Prince Albert in winter is a wonderland!
The air is crisp and perfectly adjusted for hiking and cycling throughout the day, without adventurers needing to seek respite from the heat.
The light is incredible and perfect for photography and visual enjoyment wherever you look.
The days are predominantly sunny with blue skies, and the colder starts are the perfect excuse for sleeping in, and late afternoon lounging by the fire with a book and a glass of wine.
If ever you have experienced a ‘melting like a Dali clock’ Karoo summer, you too will appreciate the cooler thermometer readings of winter.
Now that we have speared ourselves in a sandal-clad foot when it comes to selling summer in a few months time, please read on and discover what has been happening in and around Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse this winter.
Inga, Albert & Ferdinand
xxx
Our inaugural cheese and wine pairing hosted in conjunction with Gay’s Guernsey Dairy was a runaway success. Twelve happy guests ate and drank their way through delectable cheeses made by talented head cheese maker Elizabeth (pictured left), presented by the dynamo dairy overseer Claudia (pictured center), and paired by Dennehof Karoo Guesthouses’ own WSET Level 3 qualified sommelier, Albert (pictured right).
Chat to us to book your unique cheese and wine pairing experience.
There are a few new beautiful faces that have joined our team, the most recent being Janine who we have deservedly dubbed ‘the best waitress in town’. Guests’ days get off to an excellent start experiencing her professional service and friendly demeanor while enjoying our scrumptious breakfasts.
Our winter Vitamin C-packed citrus bounty has been plentiful, and put to excellent use in the Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse kitchen. Zested, juiced, sliced or squeezed, our harvest enhances our homemade cakes, biscuits, breakfasts, and jams.
It might be winter, but there is no excuse to stay indoors when visiting our beautiful town. There is nothing quite like a biodiversity walk in the crisp mountain air with Prof. Sue Milton-Dean to learn all about the geology, botany, natural and cultural history of the southern Karoo desert.
Also on our get outdoors list is Ailsa Tudhope’s historical ghost walk, hiking at Bushman Valley, or a cycle up Swartberg Pass, to name but a few.
Giving advice and suggestions on Prince Albert activities is our passion, please speak to us.
King Ferdinand update: the King celebrated his first birthday on 9 July, to celebrate he ate (read: stole) ten cupcakes off the kitchen counter baked for another birthday celebration (read: not his). Besides growing as big as he is naughty, sweet Ferd has been getting rave reviews on booking portals from our guests.
We experience many instances of guests arriving, barely saying hello, eyes darting in all directions in search of the famous cupcake-stealing fiend, Ferdinand – Chief Liaison Officer indeed!
Winter has offered the perfect maintenance months. Boss man of Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse, Oom Damon, has been busy giving everything a fresh coat of paint, building a super-duper new compost enclosure, and checking we are summer-ready by damp-proofing roofs.
How beautiful is our recently revamped Forge Room with its emerald green wall! Also included in the revamp was an extra spacious shower installation with green (of course) floor tiles.
Together with our royal blue Dairy Room, Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse is starting to make a bold statement.
Winter, coupled with a load shedding schedule that has more stages than Broadway, has made our sourdough baking a challenging process. Dough seems shy to prove in these cold climes, and when it finally decides to perform, Eskom decides not to.
Against all odds, our luscious loaves are still coming to the fore to grace guests breakfast plates. For sourdough we persevere!
We think we have mentioned that winter is not for hibernation in Prince Albert, next year will be much of the same and then some. We are very excited that the inaugural Journey to Jazz will be gracing our Karoo spaces, keep an eye on our newsletter for updates.
Read more here and book your accommodationearly to avoid disappointment!
Finally a little winter rah-rah to end off with. We are proud to be featured in Inside Guide’s beautiful Karoo Road Trip article written by the word wizard Lien Botha, and once again, King Ferd made the cut.
The Secret Season is a roundup of 100 unforgettable experiences in the Cape designed to feed body, mind and soul.
In Inside Guide’s words “There’s absolutely no reason to curl up on the couch this season” … just like we said!
Get your copy at R130 online or at selected Woolworths or Exclusive Books stores.
We hope you enjoyed Dennehof Diaries’ “Winter Words”, and that you feel inspired to get outdoors and experience our Karoo winter wonderland.
Please stick around for our “Spring Scribblings” and any other tidbits in between.
Thank you for your support, please come visit us soon.
Sunny Karoo greetings,
Inga, Albert and the DKG Team
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