Happy Lands Farm / B&B

So, after more than two years and over 100 Crawls it was just a matter of time before someone suggested our first PE Coffee Crawl road trip!  On May 2 as the Crawlers were sitting at The Tin House (see May, 2013 post) two lovely ladies, Nita Tayler-Smith and Myrna Bakker, stopped by the table, introduced themselves and joined us for coffee.  Once Nita heard about the Crawl she invited us all to her farm/B&B near Addo for a future Crawl.  Nita and I immediately got busy playing phone tag and sending emails and texts in order to plan the first out of town Crawl.  The Happy Lands Farm / B&B is located on Prospect Rd. in Summerville near Addo about an hour's drive from PE.

This Week's Crawlers and our Hostesses
Standing- Margaret M., Dale, Nita, Stella, Beryl,
Leanne, Sheila, Margaret Z., Myrna
On bench - June, Arthur
On ground - Colleen, Gail

On Thursday, May 23, Crawlers Leanne Waller, June Nash, Margaret Zoetmulder, Sheila Hurford, Dale Mitchell, Colleen LeRoux, Gail Darne, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Margaret and Arthur Marshall piled into three vehicles and headed to Happy Lands.  An hour later we arrived and were warmly welcomed by Nita and Myrna.  Once we got ourselves situated, we were led on a leisurely tour of the grounds including the rose garden, the pool area, the citrus orchard, and the self-catering B&B units.  Upon our return to the main house, a table on the verandah overlooking the gardens, set with savories, cakes, coffee and tea, awaited us!

The Rose Garden



The Orchard



We settled around the table, sampled all the goodies (not good for the waistline but oh so worth it!), and enjoyed the beautiful morning.  Everything was so delicious that we all asked if Nita's and Myrna's recipes were secret or could they share.  Luckily, many of their recipes are found in the Country Cuisine 2nd Edition cookbook published in 2009 to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Addo Rose Show of the Sundays River Women's Institutes.  Better still, there were a few copies in stock for sale!!!!  Needless to say, the two in stock sold immediately and an order list was created for the upcoming shipment!



Arthur and Nita



The Crawlers on the Verandah

The Crawlers not only love cookbooks but all books in general.  Over the years we have become somewhat of a quasi-book club.  I, being the biggest book nerd of the bunch, spent some time perusing the extensive B&B library which included four first printing Jules Verne volumes.  Once everyone was finished eating I brought out the Jules Verne treasures, much to the delight of all at the table.  These books spurred on a conversation about world travel, the places we've been, the places we'd love to go.  It was agreed by all....... so many books to read, so many places to see........... so little time.

From the B&B library

To say that Nita and Myrna spoiled us would be an understatement.  Their hospitality continued, though, as we were departing.  Bags of lemons and oranges for each of us to take home were distributed to us as parting gifts!  Thank you so much, ladies!

Colleen and Margaret with their parting gifts

Country Cuisine cookbook
What should I make first.....
Citrus Souffle or Citrus Surprise?

A quick hour later found us back in PE after a magical morning at Happy Lands.  Now that we have our first road trip under our belts the Crawlers are looking forward to more amazing adventures!

The road home

For more info regarding Happy Lands Farm / B&B (just a 20 min drive from Addo Elephant National Park) contact Mike and Nita Tayler-Smith at 042 234 0422 or check out their website: www.happylands.co.za

~An enormous THANK YOU  to Mike and Nita Tayler-Smith and Myrna Bakker for your hospitality and
  friendship.  The Crawlers had a wonderful time and are looking forward to seeing you at the Crawl in PE
  soon!!!

Until next week,

Ellen

These two met me outside my door when I arrived home.
"Where have you been all day?"