Rain on the ridge

The rains have come and Kruin Park is greening again. The Jacarandas are all but over and the walk through the park to the Muckleneuk campus of UNISA is now through green trees. Gone is the dry of winter. Spring is late in the park but when it comes the transformation is almost immediate. This little jewel that sits on top of Muckleneuk ridge is well used by the local residents: few people know of the unique views over the city from high points in the park. There are maintained paths through the park which lead one from east to west in such dense bush that one has to remind oneself that the city is just below. The park is fenced and locked at nights. The gates open at 06:00 and the mornings are still fresh and new before the sun rises in all its November heat. A little piece of paradise, we think!

Walk to UNISA

Pretoria is one of the best-kept secrets.

In October the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom without a leaf in sight - a cloud of purple. From Legodimong, high above the city, we trace the streets across town lined with purple. At this time of the year the Jacks help to fine-tune one's mental compass again.

Kruin Park, behind us, is free of Jacaranda trees. It is through this still dry nature area that one will walk to UNISA in the mornings, a distance which takes about 15 minutes. Exiting the nature reserve onto Devenish St, one walks along the ridge with beautiful views over the city, up Dr Willem Punt Drive to the Muckleneuk campus of UNISA. In the next few days a carpet of Jacaranda blossoms will cover the streets as the flowers fall making this walk a wonderland for a few days only.

"Spring is in the Air"

"every sight and every sound" ....

Our doors and windows are flung wide! Spring is here! Nestled against every rock are plants announcing the change in the air. Kalanchoes vie with Sporaxis for attention. Watsonias startle with leggy elegance. Such a profusion of colour! This garden is a delight at this promising time of the year. Make sure you see it!

Established about 4 years ago, the garden is now full of the plants Mark so loves to collect. "This we found in Sewe Weekspoort" "This comes from Audrey in Pietermaritzburg". Each plant has a history which links it to our lives; some come from the gardens of parents along since gone and speak volumes when they flower.

Winter on the ridge

UNISA and the blue-lit Telkom tower are visual markers for our house. Approaching Pretoria along the R21 from the airport one can see the Telkom tower from more than 10km away. Once you can see the tower you know where you are headed. We are on the same ridge as UNISA and the tower heading east. A walk to UNISA is 20 mins at the most through Kruin Park, along Devenish St and up Willem Punt St. A drive is 5 mins: the park prevents one travelling as the crow flies. If one understands that the park has to be circumvented, it's a simple drive either down the hill on the northern slope or around the park on the soutern slope. Our exercise is walking so we know the terrain well. Having Kruin Park right on our boundary fence is awesome: if one looks south one can forget that one is in the city. We see a wide range of birds and the occasional bush baby or mongoose. Our park is well cared-for: its fenced and regularly patrolled; its kept clean and the locals regularly stroll through with their dogs. If you have time to wander through it towards the eastern side, one can see unobstructed views of the Union Buildings and the city from the rise. Wonderful memories to take with you. We hope you visit us soon. More pictures on our website: www.legodimong.com

A day at Legodimong

In September our house will celebrate its 5th birthday. Perched high on Muckleneuk Ridge, with foundations of 3 metres deep, Legodimong was built by Bart Withaar, the son of a Dutch builder. This house is here to stay. Designed by Graham Waterston, it boasts light and view and its earthy terracotta floors link eye and heart. This is first and foremost a home, and it is much loved.

When we realised how cool and airy the downstairs rooms are, with windows that open wide to the view, we knew people would be wowed. And Legodimong Bed and Breakfast was born.

Legodimong translated from North Sotho means 'in heaven'. The name is taken from the Lord's Prayer 'thato ya gago a e dirwe mono lefaseng bjalo ka e dirwa legodimong'. We get many puzzled queries from North Sotho speakers about the name, so simply: we are on the top of a hill and closer to heaven. "Aaah" is the appreciative response. But the name works for us on many levels. Living here is heavenly. And we are greatly blessed.

Take a look at our website for pictures - www.legodimong.com and enjoy your glimpse of heaven.

To read more about Legodimong, click here...

Visiting us at Legodimong

This is the first posting from Legodimong: am I talking to myself? Worse things could happen on our hill overlooking Pretoria!

Mark and I send fond greetings to all our guests! You've touched us in some small way so we can't forget you. Greetings from Pretoria.

I plan to post Legodimong news and hopefully pictures which Mark keeps taking - of plants or sunsets or birds from this amazing position high on the hill. Watch this space!