In November, we had the pleasure of hosting Bay Farm Tours at Fordoun. This global organisation caters to farmers, their spouses, and those passionate about farming, offering a unique opportunity to explore the world with like-minded individuals. Bay Farm Tours has been a frequent visitor to Fordoun over the years and this was their first…
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Warm Greetings from Fordoun. We invite you to embrace the beauty of the season, immerse yourself in the enchantging experiences we have curated, and find renewal in the sanctuary that is Fordoun Hotel and Spa. This newsletter edition encapsulates the vitality of the season and the offerings that await you at Fordoun. From our Spring…
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Jen Symons has had a keen interest in complementary and alternative healing modalities since she was a teenager. She studied Reiki for the first time at the age of 19. This was the beginning of a wonderful journey of healing, growth and knowledge. Jen will tell you that she is an endless student, always excited…
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“There is no love sincerer than the love of food”-George Bernard Shaw A classic French salad that consists of the following, sweet cherry tomato, crunchy green beans, black olives, roasted baby potato, anchovy fillets, a hardboiled egg, and tuna chunks all on a bed of crisp lettuce drizzled with mustard vinaigrette. The Niçoise salad is…
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‘Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing gets you in the Christmas mood like a fizzy, festive cocktail. Holly Jolly Citrus Christmas Cocktail 2 tots vodka 1 tot St. Germain (Bowls Elderflower) 1 cup fresh orange juice Dash of ginger beer Pomegranate arils for topping 1 sprig fresh thyme or mint Mai Tai Cocktail INGREDIENTS: 1 cup orange juice 2…
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BUBBLES AT THE FORDOUN FARM VILLAGE Saturday, 19 November 2022 from 12h00 to 16h00 R200pp* includes a tasting glass and tasting tickets. An array of Midlands fare will be on sale! Theme: Africa Chic Accommodation specials available for those wanting to stay over at Fordoun Hotel or Self Catering Cottages! Tickets are flying so book…
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Our team had a wonderful time tasting and testing gin and as we launched our limited edition of Leonotis Leonurus (Wild Dagga) gin just prior to Father’s Day this year! Leonotis Leonurus grows wild in the Midlands and is one of South Africa’s most beautiful indigenous plants. Zulu naturists call the plant utshwala-bezinyoni “The liquor…
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The Bicycle Shed moved their rental mountain bikes to Fordoun Hotel and Spa in July. Their motto is, `Cycling is for everyone’, and they look forward to bringing that philosophy to Fordoun! The trails are magnificent and what a wonderful way to embrace the outdoors and enjoy the scenery and a picnic thereafter! SEE PICNIC…
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The Ndlovu Range of Products, Wild Dagga and Artemisia, is the Fordoun Spa signature range. Our Artemisia range is based on the Artemisia Afra plant, one of the oldest and most widely used medicinal plants used in Southern Africa. Our key active ingredients and essential oils are 100% natural and all our ingredients are sustainably…
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We attended the recent Les Nouvelles Spa Awards and Conference (www.lesnouvelles.co.za) recently in Johannesburg and were immensely honoured to receive the finalist award for the boutique hotel spa category. Fordoun has been participating in this event for many years and has been an honour to be part of this event as it’s important to reconnect…
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Jon Bates, our Patriarch at Fordoun and former trustee of Michaelhouse Community Partnership was on the 6th May 2022 awarded the St Michael Award. Jon Bates has had a keen interest over many years in education and in the upliftment of people in the Nottingham Road and Balgowan area. He has initiated projects, served others…
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Did you know that Notties has its own Nature Reserve right here on our doorstep! Literally across the road from Gowrie Estate! We ask Jon Bates from the KZN Crane Foundation to tell us about the Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve (BBCONR). Q: Why do we have a reserve in our hood? A:…
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Oh red wine glorious red wine! We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Jane Lello (Stellekaya Winery – www.stellekaya.com) and Susan McNaughton (Gracelands Vineyards – www.gracelandvineyards.com) all the way from Stellenbosch for a superb wine and food pairing at Fordoun on the 28 July 2022. Such a wonderful eve filled with sublime wine, much laughter and glorius food!…
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Chef Jono and his culinary team launched Winter Warmer menu with great excitement! The menu includes comforting favourites such as Chef Jono’s famous crispy pork bites served with fresh pineapple and salsa and sriracha aioli to heart-warming curries and Midlands stuffed trout! SEE NEW MENU
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These crispy little cakes are stuffed with dates and are similar to mince pies in appearance. Makes 14 pies. PASTRY: 500ml Cake Flour 50ml Cornflour 50ml Icing Sugar 175g Butter 1 Egg 2ml Vanilla Essence Extra Icing Sugar FILLING: 250g Pitted Dates (Chopped) 5ml Lemon Juice 50ml Water 75ml Chopped Walnuts INSTRUCTIONS/ METHOD: Preheat oven…
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Join us for a memorable eve with Rob Caskie’s Flickering Embers story… Date : Wednesday, 17 November 2021 Time : 18h00 for 18h30 Cost : R450 per person includes the talk and a three course dinner. For those wanting to stay over; we will be offering a 20% off hotel and self-catering rates for the…
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Bees are by far the most prolific of the many pollinators for our plant species. Most flowers, fruits, vegetables, grains and trees rely entirely on them for ongoing production. Most forms of life on earth depend on them. Within a month from now a new apiary will be completed. Built inside an old cattle spray…
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Welcome to our Spring Newsletter, especially since Spring represents the start of new, brighter things. On that note it’s significant to all the changes taking place at Fordoun at the moment. Yes, the last year and a half has been a holding phase for us, we have tried new things but done a full circle…
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Celebrate Spring with an elegant High Tea and the most sublime delicious Fudge Cheesecake! A real treat for a Spring High Tea in your blossom filled garden… INGREDIENTS: 750g Plain Cream Cheese 2 Cups Chopped Fudge Vanilla Paste 2 Packets Tennis Biscuits – Crushed 300/350g Butter Melted 8 Egg Yolks 2 Tins Condensed Milk METHOD: Melt…
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Born and raised in: Born in Mooi River, raised in Nottingham Road. Who inspires you the most? Easy answer, my wife, Santanna. She is a real go getter, a people’s person and all she lives for is helping others less fortunate than us. She really does drive me to be a better version of myself….
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Prep Time: 40 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Yield: ±8 portions (depending on size of the belly) Equipment Needed: 1 Chopping Board 1 Sharp Knife 1 Measuring Jug 1 Large Roasting Tray 1 Sauce Pot 1 Silicone Spatula Ingredients for the Pork Belly: 2 Large Carrots, peeled and chopped into 3cm rounds 2…
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Georgie has joined our décor team and has been responsible for spa and room upgrades as well as Skye Bistro prior to lockdown. Georgie is a mother of 3, an artist, textile designer, and interior decorator. After qualifying from Durban Technikon in 1999 she ventured overseas to pursue a career in Textile Design. She first…
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We have great joy in warmly welcoming Dr Nicola Frickel to our spa and wellness offering at Fordoun. Nicola will be working independently from the spa and offering the following wellness service to guests and locals… Nicola is a Registered Osteopath who returned to South Africa 2009 after completing her degree at the British School…
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As we celebrated World Bee Day on the 20 May 2021; we realise how essential Honey Bees are for our environment. Almost 80% of our flora depends on animals, especially insects for pollination. Because every little bit counts, let’s act together! Honey boasts a number of natural benefits such as antibacterial, moisturising and has anti-ageing…
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Wine Tasting event and 3 Course Dinner at Skye Bistro with Groote Post on Wednesday, 7 October 2020. Bookings essential – for bookings and enquiries please contact Purity on Tel: 033 266 6217 or Email: reservations@fordoun.co.za What makes Groote Post special: Groote Post is situated 7km from the cold Atlantic. The cooling effect of the…
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We are feeling very privileged to be amongst 6 other international spas included in an article entitled “7 Unique Hotel Spa Treatments That Enhance Your Travel Experience”. “Traditional Zulu Healing Consultations at Fordoun Hotel and Spa, South Africa: Set in South Africa’s serene KwaZulu-Natal Midlands about two hours from Durban, Fordoun Hotel and Spa is…
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Written by Jon Bates, the Fordoun patriarch: Having free range chickens at Fordoun has been one of the most interesting activities on the farm. Not only do the chickens give us delicious healthy eggs, they also fertilize pasture and consume kitchen waste foods. We have three chicken ‘caravans’ which collectively house 250 hens which in…
View ArticleThe call of the red chested cuckoo (Piet-my-vrou) has been heard loud and proudly in the midlands this week. The folk lore goes that this signals rain…. The red chested cuckoo is a vocal, medium sized bird that is difficult to spot in its preferred woody environments – it is also called a “shy” bird. …
View ArticleWow … the midlands is looking fantastic. After the snow and rains of last week the sun is out (weak but out..), the days are crisp and clear and the air is pure and fresh. The outdoors are putting their “best foot forward” and encouraging us to explore and experience it. The farmers of the…
View ArticleLUX wedding venue of the year … At present the wedding industry is booming (blooming …) throughout the world, and in South Africa alone, is worth billions of Rands. The wedding industry encompasses venues and planners down to the caterers, flower growers and everyone in between. Every couple is looking for a new way to…
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