Whatever the weather, Manora No, it's not "like the Razor Blade"? That's 'MIN' . Nor is it "like the Jewish Candlestick". That's 'MEN'. And that ends ORAH, with an H. It does not even, (as our daughters fondly imagined) signify that this is a "Little Manor". So what does it mean? Actually it doesn't really mean anything. It is just a nostalgic memory of a special place. A place on the West Coast of India where Pixie and Keith would escape briefly from the horrors of the Second World War and Keith's time on the Burma Front. A place that they would bring back to South Africa; by naming their first real home after it. Pixie and Keith Hammond lived on the sub-continent for over 30 years. And in all that time they lived in rented homes or army barracks, albeit it Officer's quarters. Their final flat in Calcutta was both spacious and comfortable, but it wasn't HOME. And Keith never stopped dreaming about the prime piece of ground he had successfully bid for among the plots in the new Kokstad Extension when this was opened up in 1948. No 54 Strachan Street was a gently sloping corner plot, knee-deep in veldt grass, with nothing between it and Mount Currie. Except, still clearly visible, coming down from the original site of Kokstad Town, the deeply grooved tracks of the early Griqua ox-wagons; evidence of the final trek from the original site to the present-day town after the devastating blizzard of 1898. Keith took personal pride in the way they crossed the bottom corner of the garden and would delight in pointing out this route to all visitors. Finally, in 1952 the foundations were laid and building began. Pixie was South African, Keith a Londoner, born and bred. The little thatched house, acknowledged their combined backgrounds as it grew and grew. If an Englishman's home is his castle then it goes without saying that he will often grace it with a name and from the start the choice was clear. From the time it existed only on a rolled-up plan, the new Hammond family seat was known, in memory of their favorite holiday spot on the West Coast of India as - Manora ACCOMMODATION Rooms 1 and 2 have been converted into one convenient "apartment". These were initially known as "Ingeli" and "Mount Currie" after the beautiful mountain views from each room. The apartment thus consists of 2 bedrooms, (one with double bed and one with 2 single beds, which converts to a kingsize on request). They are each equipped with DSTV, kettle, iron and board, hairdryer and electric blankets and fans. The bathroom has a shower in the bath and the toilet is separate. Room 2 also has a convenient desk and lamp. This is the ideal option for a family of four, OR for traveling companions who have no objection to sharing the ablution facilities. Situated at the top of the original internal staircase, which leads off the guest lounge, a lockable door now secures the apartment's privacy. Because of the facilities we have set the rate for Rooms 1 and 2, together as a "sharing" rate, even though each bedroom is a completely separate entity. At the end of the passage a lockable door yields access to Room 3, "The Suite". This now also has outside access, via the new staircase which leads onto a spacious "sit out" wooden deck. From here one enters a large, very comfortable en suite room with a kingsize bed which could be converted into 2 singles on request. It has its own bathroom with a shower in the bath. In addition to a small fridge and microwave, it also has all the electric appliances and hospitality tray. The seating area has a double couch, which converts to a sleeper should the need arise. Although these 3 rooms can be hired as two completely SEPARATE units, they are also ideal for the larger family to use as one complete flat - Mum and Dad in No. 3, (en suite), and kids and Grannie at the end of the passage, with their own bathroom. Or whatever. We look forward to preparing the space to suit your needs. Rooms 4 and 5, which have an inter-leading, lockable door between them, are both spacious optional self-catering suites, with small kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. These two rooms are often used by traveling families. The kitchenettes are equipped with a small cooking plate, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle and the necessary crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. In addition, No. 4 "Cascades" has an outdoor eating option, and an adjoining covered carport. The kingsize bed can be converted to 2 singles on request. It also has an extremely popular "back to nature" double shower and has hosted many honeymoon couples. Décor includes many items sourced in Pondoland. In addition it has all the usual electrical appliances and hospitality tray, as well as underfloor heating. It inter-leads with ... Room 5, "Nostalgia", which is decorated in traditional English style, and includes several old family pieces and momentoes from Bonnie's long association with Dance. She is a retired international Grades Examiner of the Royal Academy of Dance and this room, (and indeed much of the property), includes décor items from the 15 different countries in which she worked. In addition to the double bed, "Nostalgia" has a pull-out sleeper couch. The conventional bathroom has a shower in the bath. Underfloor heating, electric fan, electric blankets, kettle, hairdryer, iron and board are standard while the kitchenette includes fridge, microwave, toaster and small electric double plate. No. 6. - "The Loft" is an "upstairs and down" room with the double bed up on the mezzanine. One delightful and happy honeymoon couple, who extended their stay, wrote, "ons is met wittebroods en ons het so lekker pophuis gespeel". This romantic bedroom under the thatched eves has a rather private feel and was the specially prepared scene for a proposal. When confronted with the grooms requested 500 red roses the lovely bride-to- be's answer was, naturally, "Yes"! The kitchenette and bathroom with double shower are both downstairs. For your convenience, two TV sets - one up, one down. Although not under cover there is safe parking right next to the door of No. 6 through a private entrance. From the porch, steps lead up to a private deck with comfortable seating and lovely mountain views - a great place to enjoy early morning coffee or that cold beer after a long, hot day. No. 7 is the long-planned de Luxe suite. Although no expense has been spared as far as comfort and convenience are concerned, the really important thing about No. 7 is that it was specially designed as our wheel-chair friendly room. After parking in the adjoining covered car port one takes the ramp entrance into the private lounge. Here everything possible has been done to make the guest feel at home and in control. The spacious private lounge has a plasma screen with 40 channel DSTV. The little kitchenette has also been ramped to make life easier, with appliances within easy reach. Pottery and Tiles by "John the Potter" from Betty's Bay enhance this space. In the bedroom there is another TV screen to enjoy while you lie in the extremely comfortable king-size bed. As Manora is fully fenced and security aware, you may also lie here with your sliding door open, listening to the bubbling fountain in the adjoining walled, "white garden" with it's tree seat. The shower, basin and toilet were designed for easy wheel chair access, while the corner spa bath is there to sooth aches and pains, whether the guest is handicapped or has simply taken strain from the long drive or a busy day. Although we have stopped short of the obvious and have NOT given this suite the title "Seventh Heaven", we would like to share some comments by our guests:
"After a long exhausting day of work I could relax, watch DSTV, enjoy a wonderful bubble bath after a delicious dinner and snuggle softly into a deep sleep. Oh it was just great"!! That leaves us with rooms, 8. 9, and 10. Although these are the three smallest rooms at "Manora" they each have their own charm. They also have everything really necessary, such as their own bathrooms, small desks and DSTV. Hospitality trays, electric blankets, hairdryers and iron and board are also standard. All three are guaranteed to be cosy as they are equipped with under-floor heating. No. 8 and 9 comprise the self-standing "Welcome Cottage". They interlead and each have their own little porches and car port space. "Benvenuto" means "welcome" in Italian and "Wamkelikile" is the Xhosa equivalent. Bonnie's three working visits to Italy were the inspiration behind the décor in No. 8 with it's three-quarter bed, while No. 9 has an African theme and a double bed. Finally we have No. 10, "Jardin Bleu". The work of Cape Town artist, Janie Siebert, was the inspiration for this small, but fully complete room. No. 10 even has a tiny kitchenette. There is a desk too! The double bed rather crowds this room, but we have learned that guests really prefer a "double", even if they are in a single room. We have guests who happily regard this as their special room, really enjoying the privacy and Janie's beautiful hand-painted tiles and pottery. "I opened the stable door early this morning and the robin, (so tame!) came and sang for me". FACILITIES: • Bed & Breakfast • Dinner, Bed & Breakfast • Self Catering • Internet & E-Mail available • Laundry • DSTV • Continental and full English breakfast • Packed Meals • Secure, covered parking • Wheelchair friendly Local Activities: • Fishing • Hiking • Bird Watching • Golf • Climbing • Cycling • Horse Riding *Manora is only an hour away from the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains. Your hosts: Bonnie and Chris Auret Physical Address: 54 Strachan Street Postal Address: PO Box 17, Kokstad, 4700, South Africa Cell: 083 512 6878 E-mail: bonnieauret@telkomsa.net Rates: Double: R750 per room B&B Single: R440 B&B Double: R900 per room DBB Single: R550 DBB |
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