It always astounds me how much beauty exists right in my backyard, I mean I am situated just 5 minutes from The Durbanville Wine Route and 20 minutes, on a good day that is, from the breathtaking beautiful Winelands. Darling, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is the perfect pit-stop town, with so many to see, do and taste. This charming town is fast becoming a favourite of mine. If you read my last blog post you will know that I visited Darling Brew, a local craft microbrewery also situated in the heart of Darling.
Darling Lodge is a 3 starred guest house with a beautiful Victorian feel inside and out. This grand dame offers three individually styled country rooms. The more modern garden annex consists of three further generously appointed rooms with a grape-vine covered patio which overlooks the sparkling swimming pool.
We drive around leisurely stopping to see all of the weird and wonderful types of scarecrows propped up all around town in preparation for the Scarecrow festival which took place from the 26 – 28th of October. Finding Darling Lodge is no hard task, located in the heart of the town, just off of the main artery of Darling. We pull up to the entrance of Darling Lodge, with a scarecrow affectionately named ‘Bennie’ of their own perched up on their post surrounded by plentiful blooming flora. Co-Owner Stephan warmly receives and welcomes us in. Showing us around all of the available suites, aptly named after local artists, each suite is styled according to the artists’ style together with the personal touch of their own flare both Stephan and partner Olivier posses.
We’re escorted to their lush and serene garden which feels as though we’ve been transported to an English garden in what I would imagine a setting would look like out of an Emily Brontë novel. You’re probably wondering how their beautiful gardens look and stay this lush? Guests are encouraged to reuse their shower water (remember, no taking baths as we’re still in a drought) with 5 litre bottles punctured to let the water seep out into the ground with spouts attached at the top to make it much easier. Stephan tells us most guests actually enjoy this water-wise chore!
Darling Lodge Guest House is the perfect venue for small business meetings and conferences, individual retreats, anniversaries or weddings of up to 24 guests. Children of all ages are welcome. They offer secure off street parking, a swimming pool with open air lounge, free internet Wi-Fi, a cosy TV lounge with garden view and privacy certainly conducive to curling up or putting your feet up to read a good book, an honesty bar (licenced), a relaxing library and individual concierge services.
Breakfast is served near the garden in the breakfast room equipped with plenty of varieties of tea and coffee, juices and more. The ambiance in the breakfast room as is the whole lodge is that of a family friendly, stay as long as you want type of feel.
Spend a weekend catching up on R&R or take a walk exploring Darling. There’s so much to see and do in the town and surrounds. Visit: http://www.darlinglodge.co.za/attractions.html and find out more. Stephan is quite knowledgeable about attractions in the area and where to get the best meal in and around the little town.
Find Darling Lodge Guest House through Darling on the Culture Route on West Coast Way and book your stay today! Have a look at their newly renovated website too:
Address: 22 Pastorie Street, Darling, 7345
Tel: 022 492 3062
Email: info@darlinglodge.co.za
GPS: 33º 22′ 44.16” S
18º 22′ 42.73” E
Information sourced from Hello Darling Tourism – https://www.hellodarling.org.za/darling-listings/darling-lodge-guest-house/
-Darling Lodge Guest House.
*This post was sponsored by Darling Lodge Guest House. All views and opinions are my own. *
This recipe is inspired by one I spotted in the latest Summer issue of Donna Hay’s Magazine. Instead of the doing the Frosé version, I am not much of Rosé drinker, but instead added some of Malfy’s delicious Gin. Malfy Gin, of Italian origin off the Malfy coast to be exact, has refreshing zesty citrus notes with hints of juniper. I chose this particular gin, to see how the lemony notes in the gin would pair with the watermelon and rose-water. To describe the finished product, I’d like to think of it as an alcoholic watermelon, rose-water flavoured frozen lemonade. I know, a mouthful in description, but it’s damn delicious and best of all so easy to make at home! I omitted sugar too, because the watermelon adds the much needed sweetness that this slush requires to be, well a slushy. 
This first recipe is inspired and adapted from one of my food heroes, Yotam Ottolenghi. The Labneh I made is from the cookbook, NOPI. To complement the rich labneh, I made macerated strawberries in a pomegranate molasses and sumac syrup with a dash of freshly cracked black pepper this was just the edge the in-season sweet strawberries needed. I love how extra creamy and decadent the Faircape Double Cream Yoghurt made this labneh. The texture of the yoghurt is such a thick yet smooth consistency that I would happily swop out cream in savoury recipes for this delicious yoghurt. Last night, I made a little throw together with whatever was in the fridge and pantry, and ended up making an incredibly tasty lime chicken pasta dish with this yoghurt as the base for the sauce. My verdict: I love cream very much, but for those days where you need to watch your calorie intake, I will certainly add this double cream yoghurt as a great substitute.
Labneh is a thick spreadable cream cheese that is made with usually greek yoghurt, a little salt and lemon juice and left to sit in the fridge to drain off the whey for 24 hours to thicken and turn into labneh. Usually served with plenty of good quality Extra Virgin Olive oil and Za’atar. Like always, this time I’ve put my own twist on Labneh and how I serve it.
The Corkless Mind 