Our next stop was George (a town I’d never spent any time in) and we stayed at ArendsRus Country Lodge, attracted by the photo of a fountain and scenic views on CapeInfo.  It was an inspired choice taking us into the rural area close to the Outeniqua mountains.

En route I saw a sign for The Hop Route, which I remember being promoted with a flurry several years ago, and wondered if I was going to experience something special.  Well… the Hop Route seems to have died but the scenery is spectacular.  Could this rival KZN’s Midlands Meander, I wondered, since I had never been there?  Now that I have been to KZN’s Midlands, I’m sure that it could easily  become as popular with a little more entrepreneurial spark and marketing.

ArendsRus is rather special — very comfortable and stylish — with views that let the brain breathe.  I was there on a Sunday and Monday night, which was unfortunate because the restaurant — which is very popular — was closed.