My husband recently surprised me with a weekend away. My, oh, my, he got it so right! Our friends have a picture in their home of them at The River Siding Rondawel taken years ago and I’ve been dreaming of a River Siding weekend for the longest time. Dreams do come true…
The River Siding – Tranquil Riverside Accommodation
Set amongst the towering mountains of Wolseley and nestling on the banks of the Breede River, you will find the River Siding’s variety of tranquil accommodation options. The boutique cottages and cabins are located a mere 90 minutes drive from Cape Town, on the charming rural produce farm, Ou Stasie. Ou Stasie, renowned for its picturesque scenery, offers a tranquil retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life.
The River Siding Rondawel
The River Siding offers a serene riverside sanctuary along the foothills of the Wolseley mountains and we had the pleasure of enjoying a magical getaway that we will never forget.
The River Siding Rondawel is a quaint chalet perfect for an intimate and romantic getaway. It is shaded by mighty trees with a magnificent view of the mountains and the flowing river.
The Rondawel has an open-plan layout with a double bed, two bunk beds, a fully equipped kitchenette and a fireplace.
It is beautifully decorated, comfortable and oh-so cosy. The Rondawel is equipped with fresh linen and towels, tea, coffee and fresh milk. And they have free wifi.
The little kitchenette has everything you need, including fresh herbs. We were also spoiled with a bowl of fresh fruit.
The bathroom is situated outside of the chalet about 7 metres from the Rondawel. The bathroom has two toilets and showers and is for the exclusive use of the Rondawel guests. This makes it ideal to transform the area next to the Rondawel into a small camping site. Huge trees create large shaded areas perfect for putting up a tent or two.
We were blessed with wonderful weather on the Friday that we arrived and (of course) my husband immediately started building the fire for our braai that evening. Sitting by the fire pit was absolute bliss. Soaking up the beautiful scenery next to the braai was a surefire way to forget about the worries and woes of every day life. The River Siding also provides two crates of wood and firelighters which meant that all our meals were cooked and enjoyed al fresco.
The Rondawel has an amazing stoep which wraps part way around the chalet. One can while away the hours on that stoep simply soaking in the scenery and the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves of the enormous trees surrounding the chalet.
A few steps from the chalet led to my idea of Heaven. Months of glorious rain created a steady current of burbling bliss. The part of the river that runs past the Rondawel is quite shallow which meant that I could firmly plant my behind on a rock and feel the water rushing over my shoulders. The water was so crystal clear that I could see the grains of sand underneath. Swimming in the chilly river, listening to the water cascade over the rocks and the birds singing in the trees, made me feel whole. Water truly is a healing force and the River Siding is an ideal place to experience it.
The river, the quiet, the solitude… we couldn’t have asked for more.
We spent two nights at The River Siding Rondawel, but it felt like so much longer. We had the opportunity to spend quality with each other and in nature. This getaway was the best weekend we’ve had in years. We long to go back.
Our next visit to The River Siding will hopefully be soon and we hope to book the Cottage. Our daughter and best friends will be joining us and I am dreaming about another unforgettable weekend.
Hopefully I can tell you about it soon!
xoxo