This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ladies day out

Our ladies get-togethers usually entail the trusty coffee club meeting at The Deck Restaurant but since our favourite cappuccinos are on hold for a bit whilst it receives a wonderful makeover, we decided to change things up and so we embarked on a ladies night out!

All beautied up and with our favourite earrings on, Mooria, Pertunia and I went online in search of options. Being the more mature kind since we all have calves and bulls at home, we decided that the younger options of clubs and pubs weren’t really our scene, however African Pride Irene Country Lodge’s Lakeside Bar seemed to be the ideal spot and so we herded off there for our much anticipated day out.

As we entered the Lakeside Bar the relaxed, festive atmosphere was immediately apparent with couples, groups of friends and families chattering away, enjoying a drink together.

Seating ourselves, we decided to start our day with a house cocktail – the Ridgeback. True to our waiter’s word, this was a most refreshing drink and it was well enjoyed by all three of us. Careful not to drink on an empty stomach, we decided to order a snack platter (which was more like dinner) with loads of biltong, chips, fruit and nuts. Munching away and sipping on our cocktails, we ladies enjoyed the next few hours of catching up…

Teenage calves and grumpy bulls were the main points of conversation as we had a few good stories, laughs and the odd serious point of view. What is said at the Lakeside Bar, stays in the Lakeside Bar!

Moving on to wine and ciders, Mooria commented on the wonderful décor that makes this place welcoming.  With the amazing lake views and different types of bird life, it felt like we were in the countryside.

Pertunia was more impressed with the friendliness and service of the staff. Welcoming smiles and great suggestions on drinks and the platter meant that our day was a breeze – even without our bulls around to take care of us.

After a couple of hours of having a good old natter, we decided it was probably a good time to return to our barns.

As much as we love our coffee club dates, I think we are going to throw in another ladies day out or two every now and then – the Lakeside Bar being the perfect spot. In fact, I think I should tell Bill that it’s a great spot for the bulls to get together too…

Till Next Week,
The Dairy Cow

African Pride- Irene Country Lodge offers Luxury accommodation in the heart of Gauteng; South Africa’s Economic Capital, in the historical village of Irene, Centurion. This luxury upmarket hotel now boasts with 75 spacious bedrooms and conference facilities that have recently undergone a phenomenal refurbishment.

The newly renovated hotel rooms are elegantly designed each with its own balcony or patio with breath-taking views overlooking the lake. The design is modern contemporary, offering the charm and warmth of a countryside manor, but reflecting a unique South African flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotel rooms all in excess of sixty square meters situated on 60 hectares of open land.

All rooms boast magnificent views of either the forest or the bird sanctuary home to some 140 bird species. The room configuration consists of 10 Luxury King Rooms opening onto a patio with a stunning view of the lush, green meadow. The 47 Deluxe King Rooms are elegantly designed all with a balcony or patio with a breath-taking view overlooking the lake. The hotel boasts 14 Superior King Rooms hidden away in our amazing natural Camdeboo Forest. The loft superior rooms are double volume designed to delight the senses.

 

African Pride Irene Country Lodge also offers superb conference facilities set in this calm and relaxed countryside in Centurion. The conference facilities can facilitate events from 2 to 140 delegates.

A new addition to the conference venues is the newly designed and renovated Boardroom en Suite. This combines luxury accommodation with executive boardroom facilities seating a maximum of 12 GUESTS. This multifunctional boardroom suite can be used either for executive meetings or as an executive suite boardroom catering to the high end traveler or head of state requirement to meet in the convenience and safety of the executive suite.

 

The hotel’s experienced team delivers a highly professional and seamless service. The hotel also has a fine dining restaurant, function and wedding venues, and also boasts the Award Winning Camdeboo Day Spa as well as the infamous historic operational Irene Dairy Farm right across the road.

Irene is a suburb of Centurion; but has become a business and leisure destination.

The hotel is conveniently situated between Midrand and Pretoria. Making the travel to the Union Buildings in Pretoria a mere 15 min drive away and the travelling to Sandton in Johannesburg a 20 min drive.

Centurion Gautrain station is situated at the Centurion Shopping Centre only a 5 min drive away.

The hotel offers transfers to the station as well as to the surrounding facilities of Southdown’s shopping centre and Centurion mall.

	Ready to travel down the winding oak avenues of Irene, here lies your premier getaway destination, right in the heart of Gauteng and it’s full of love this Valentine’s Month. We certainly have an array of wonderful ideas for you to spoil your loved one this February.
	For you and your Valentine, African Pride Irene Country Lodge is running the Romantic Rendezvous promotion any day of the week throughout February. Enjoy a lavish breakfast buffet, a five course dinner, a picnic lunch under the oak tree and a rejuvenating spa package. Read more…
	Camdeboo Day Spa is running for Valentine’s month a Romantic Scents promotion. A 45 minute luxurious scented candle back massage, sweet -delights a glass of “bubbly” and a personal gift per couple.Health Spa Members can book their valentine package via Healthspas.co.za. to earn more benefits. Read more…Or join in on their Yoga for Pairs. This session is suitable for all levels, it is filled with fun, laughter and opportunity to share priceless moments with your loved one. Read more… Camdeboo Day Spa also offers a special range of gift vouchers which at an additional fee can be boxed wrapped, added a gift and get it delivered right to your door step. Read more…
	So you’ve dozed in luxury, loosened up in spa style and now you need to eat, right? Yes! And for that, theMeadow Green Restaurant at African Pride Irene Country Lodge has a special Valentine’s Day dinner.Come and indulge your love for your other half and your love for food with an intimate Valentine’s Day Dinner. A glass of sparkling wine on arrival, followed by an exotic five course meal served under the stars, will set the idyllic Valentines mood as Kirsten Watkins’ soft saxophone serenades conduct the romance in the air. Read more…
	Further down the lane, the Irene Dairy Farm’s Barn restaurant has specially created lavish Valentine’s Day Breakfast Buffets available every Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of February.Also available on Thursday 14 February 2013, however bookings are essential. Read more…The Irene Dairy Farm’s Deck Restaurant offers alternatively to spend a few precious moments on their deck watching the sun go down. Enjoying a biltong or cheese platter for two including a glass of bubbly. Read more… The Farm shop on the Irene Diary Farm has its very own Valentine’s Day corner this month. Offering an array of heartwarming gifts to show your appreciation to your other half. Read more…
	My favorite market, The Irene Market, offers a special Valentine Themed Market on the 9th of Feb to buy your ideal gift. Read more…
	Then the Irene Village Mall celebrates by you falling in love with fashion at Old Khaki this month of love! Open an Old Khaki account between 18 January 2013 and 24 February 2013 and you could win R5000 in Old Khaki vouchers! Read more…
	Last but not least the Southdowns Mall offer you to fall in love with Village Trading Co this Valentine’s Day. Take a quick look at a couple of great idea’s you can spoil your Valentine with. Read more…The destination Irene is nestled between the sprawling cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Irene is old-style charm in the heart of Gauteng. So take the time to take a trip to this wonderful destination this Valentine!

 DAFF Deputy Minister, Derek Hanekom and TIA CEO, Simphiwe Duma attended the launch of the Tshwane Animal Health Cluster today at the Irene Dairy Farm. The Technology Innovation Agency and its key partners in the national system of innovation or NSI as they are known selected the Farm venue to bring through the animal theme.

The Irene Dairy Farm has been transformed for the arrival of these important GUESTS and a hype of activity has been booked from Zulu Dancers to the amazing three tenors performing later in the day.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel General Manager is very proud of his TEAM.

The winning TEAM!

African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel Executive Chef Hanroe Erasmus understands the good life and the cuisine that goes with it. He has spent most of his working life in 5-star hotels and restaurants, creating dishes that are culinary works of art.

Hanroe has for the past two years overseen 5 food outlets in the hotel, including the 100-seater fine dining restaurant March.

He qualified as a chef in 2005, and immediately found his dream job at the exclusive Kuname River Lodge just a short drive away from Tzaneen.

In 2009 he relocated to Johannesburg where he became Executive Chef at St Andrew’s Boutique Hotel with its 80-seater fine dining restaurant Trents, then he moved on to become Executive Chef of moyo Fountains Valley in Pretoria, before taking over the kitchens of African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel.

Hanroe has demonstrated his culinary mastery through the creation of such dishes as Cauliflower and Truffle Soup and Cumin Dusted Seabass, served on a carrot and spring onion rosti with a citrus cream sauce.”

The winning DISH!