Every year, for the past eight or so years, we kick off the New Year with a long and lazy family lunch at Zuurberg Mountain Inn near the small town of Addo in the Eastern Cape.
New Year’s day is a strange “morning after” kind of day, with everyone feeling somewhat shattered from staying up to see in the New Year the night before. It’s the perfect day for lounging at the beach, but unfortunately this is not a pleasant experience for us lovers of peace and quiet, as half of the province has the same idea and heads to the beaches for a rip-roaring, all-out, no-holds-barred beach party, and you have to fight for your parking, little patch of sand and square metre of sea water.
New Year’s Day is also Ralph’s birthday, so a special lunch with loved ones is in order. Zuurberg Mountain Inn is situated right on the top of a mountain, on the original wagon route from PE to Jo’burg. It is oozing a rich and fascinating history, and retains its old world charm, with wooden floors, long passages and huge porches (not to mention a couple of fat upside down dogs).
Zuurberg runs a four course New Year’s buffet lunch in its charming dining room, part of the original inn. Farm style soup, freshly baked bread, an array of salads and cold fish dishes, followed by a traditional carvery with two meats, sublime roast potatoes, delicious veg and gravy, and finished off with heavenly sweet treats, including traditional Christmas pudding with custard and loads of favourite dessert options to choose from. Way too much to eat, something for everyone, and a fabulous feast to end off the festive season!
A perfect family buffet lunch
Being mid-summer on 1 January, it is usually stinking hot, and we take our cozzies and towels so we can lounge around the pool and cool off after the feast. Zuurberg has the most marvellous rambling country gardens to explore, and a fantastic playground for the kids. It really is the perfect spot to relax and unwind with the family.
Cooling off after lunch
Accommodation at the inn consists of quaint brightly coloured settler cottages as well as hotel rooms in the original historic building. Although we have never stayed there, I imagine it is a perfect spot to use as a base to explore the surrounding Addo area.
We always have various family members from Jo’burg visiting over the festive season, and all of them agree with us – Zuurberg is an incredible delight and the perfect place to start the year. We have made so many happy memories there, and look forward to continuing this special family tradition!
Zuurberg has a lovely playground
Watch a short video clip of Zuurberg Mountain Inn from above:
Click here to watch on YouTube if it does not display correctly on your device
Website – http://www.addo.co.za/
Leave a Reply