When doing an accommodation enquiry, I will only proceed with the booking after I send the host correspondence asking whether they can accommodate our three Miniature Schnauzers. Despite the information indicating they are dog friendly. I prefer them knowing upfront that we are arriving with not one but three! The response received from Charlotte at Sunflower Cottage was welcoming and I confirmed for two nights without looking at other options or where it was in relation to the activity in the village. Days leading up to our visit I Googled establishments in the area and then searched for them on Instagram. I sent them direct messages to enquire whether they were dog friendly. Again, responses received were filled with love for dogs.
Arriving at Sunflower Cottage, we were delighted. It was picture perfect with a great location to everything the village had to offer by foot and paw. It was even on the doorstep of the beautiful dog friendly Krans Nature Reserve. We all felt at home. The three G’s immediately settled in the enclosed spacious garden where they could play and run. It gave us comfort that they were not able to leave the property and had sufficient outdoor space after the journey. From our side, we fell in love with this thatched roof, yellow exterior painted walls, and wooden painted blue shutters cottage that was originally built in the 1880’s. With thick original adobe walls and mud floors, it was a true gem. Some recent additions such as an outside shower were done, but it certainly has not lost its historic charm.
After unpacking we set off on foot to Jimmy’s Pub for their Monday evening meal special and drinks. In the heart of the village with an outdoor seating area and outside heaters under the trees, it was great to see the village at dusk and meet some locals. We enjoyed a festive time and the fur kids received plenty of attention from the owner and staff.
While strolling home, we stopped for a nightcap at the Old Post Office Whisky Bar located inside the historic Post Office building. We took a seat at one of the outside tables on the veranda but as the colder night air rolled in, they were happy that we moved to the inside with the dogs. We were transported back to our visit to the Old Post Office Whisky Bar in Brooklyn, New York 6 years ago. With no shortage of available Whisky’s, I recommend a visit for a whisky lover. The pub style food leaving the kitchen to other tables, looked huge in portion size and we were determined to come back here for dinner the next evening.
After a good night’s rest in 100% white cotton bed linen, in a four-poster bed, we set out for a walk in the Krans Nature Reserve. We did an easy walk of just over 2.5km from the cottage to the dam at the top of the village. The landscape shared similarities to the vast and open spaces of the Klein Karoo and I needed to stop every few steps to take photographs. G, G and G absolutely loved every sniffing and exploring minute and being off their leashes for the occasional photograph. We often wandered off the route missing a signpost, but we were not complaining as we were not rushed.
Returning to the village we passed Out of Africa Café, the daytime restaurant of the dining experience Tebaldi, and we decided to stop for coffee and breakfast. Asking for a sneak peek at the current menu of Tebaldi my mouth was watering and I understood why it has such an established name in the village. With the option of eating in the Manor House or in the lush garden they cater for all weather conditions and with the plus of being dog friendly for well-behaved leashed dogs in the garden area, I made a definite note to book for a future visit.
After a refreshing shower at the cottage and browsing some shops in the village, we took the 10km drive out to Lord’s Wines high up in the McGregor mountains. We took a seat in the outside dog friendly area. Elevated with spectacular panoramic views with the silence, colours, and beauty of nature we could feel we were on holiday. Our sommelier made sure that the dogs had water and was comfortable before we started our wine tasting. What was supposed to be just a wine tasting ended in a relaxing long afternoon with pizza, a bottle of wine, and cheesecake to share. We ended up not going out that night again and just enjoyed the comforts of our well-equipped cottage.
Our last visit the next morning was at Time Out Café, which is part of At The Courtyard, a live performance and event venue in the heart of the village. Sunny areas, loose beautiful carpets, and attention to detail around every corner - a feast for the eye. The spontaneous owner Meg assured us that we were welcome to sit on the front veranda, or inside, or in the courtyard, wherever we felt comfortable, as Oliver her dog is so chilled, he will just go to sleep. She was right and he did. We could easily spend our entire morning there for Time Out before heading to our next destination. The fur kids were spoiled with organic dog treats called ‘Brakkie Happies’ made by a local resident and sold at the village’s Saturday market. They were loving it and I could see they wanted a second one. Listening to Meg’s stories about how they came about living in McGregor, her love for a good cup of coffee and her love for dogs, I knew that if I lived in the village this would become my go-to place. I am sure many of the locals share the sentiment as there were quite a few others enjoying their catch up on life and caffeine.
My only regret about our two nights in this dog friendly village is that it was only two nights and that I did not get to visit more places. Next time!
15 Jun 2024