Dreaming of Clarens.

Outside The Purple Onion Deli in Clarens

I have just started creating a new range of cards and while busy cutting and sticking, my mind wandered onto one of my favourite places in our beautiful South Africa, a quaint little village situated in the Eastern Free State by the name of  Clarens. It is surrounded by majestic mountains which form part of the Maluti Range that stretches all the way into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

One of the most beautiful attractions to me in Clarens, is the silence...so quiet and still, you can actually hear it. Soothing to the heart and soul. Music to the ears. Yes, I do think silence is music too. The birdsong is lovely too and if you're lucky enough to stay near the little stream after the rains, the water flowing over the stones sings it's own cheerful song. An ode to nature.

If you're not the kind who likes to hike up a mountain, or if your body won't allow you to, there is plenty to do in the centre of town. There is only one tarred road, the one leading into town from the main road. It goes round the town square and into the main street. The rest of the streets are all dirtroads and all of them eventually takes you into the village where you can browse to your heart's content or grab a tasty bite to eat when your tummy starts rumbling. 'nough said, have a looksee for yourself. The photos underneath show the stream after the rain and one of the roads leading into the village. If you love nature, art or the simple pleasures in life, Clarens is just the place for you. A true South African gem!

One of the most interesting places we have stayed in through the years, is called "The Treehouse." It was built around three tree trunks, one still alive, which shoot up right through the roof. It's an enchanting little cottage, almost like a little Hobbit house.

This door leads to a very rustic main bedroom with a cast iron bath. Very romantic if you light a few candles... The first evening we were there, we rescued a little froggie sitting next to the tree trunk near our bed. The tree is actually inside the room. There's a murmuring little stream on the property, very soothing to the tired soul. There are two bedrooms inside the cottage.

The loo has a lovely view of the leaves and the trees through the window, wow!

The bathroom close to the second bedroom has a sunken bath and shower surrounded by walls built from stone almost creates the atmosphere of bathing in nature itself.

Hope to visit Clarens again soon! Lots to see and experience.