My Mum, Jean Temkin, had made Millgate her home in the year 2000. As a writer and an artist she moulded the property according to her dreams and aspirations. Her passing last April saw us in a state of flux as to what the future may entail. Do we continue as an accommodation venue or do we fade, quietly, into the rural landscape and enjoy our own retirement.
Well, as we head into 2025, into seemingly another year of local, and global, uncertainty, we have reached a new determination of creating a special place, of sharing our wonderful home as a place of refuge and relaxation from the humdrum of daily existence. This was Mum’s heartfelt dream and we are committed to build, and shape that dream as we move into the future.
Starting with a slight name change – Millgate Cottage to Millgate Midlands Retreat – to signal a fresh start, to emphasise our escape pod, a retreat (even if only temporary) from the daily turmoil “out there”, and also to emphasise where we are – the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
We have our own small section of the Midlands, in-between the rolling fields of neighbouring farms, be they timber or pasture, populated by creatures wild – buck, birds, porcupines, and domesticated – cows, chickens and horses.
Accessed by a sometimes muddy farm road that wends its way, 1km, through mielie or ryegrass fields (depending on the season), up over a railway line – the sound of a freight train trundling through the Midlands at night is a remarkably comforting thing. Nestled amongst our own, small, forest of indigenous trees (including the odd, stately Oak and other not-so-indigenous), bird life abounds. Nestled comfortably on the shoulder of a foothill, Millgate is sheltered from the gusty North-easterly that can sweep down the valley of Balgowan on occasion.
Millgate Midlands Retreat offers comfortable, quiet accommodation, I stress comfortable instead of “luxurious”. We have been , and will continue to decorate our rooms in a more relaxed, colourful, homely style. The decision has been taken to remove DSTV, to emphasise the get-away-from-it-all, but, for those still needing a connection we will be expanding our current wi-fi coverage.
Blessed with an onsite Bistro with a German slant, hearty meals of eisbeins, schnitzels, goulashes and more are available Wednesdays to Sundays. The Bistro – Shazorro is its name, named after our two horses – also bakes a fine array of pies, Danish pastries, breads and various German delicacies. A covered deck offers cool, comfortable dining overlooking our constantly metamorphising gardens.
Various projects will be constantly underway, at present we are experimenting with a naturally filtered swimming pool, avoiding chlorine and other chemical cleansers. Using natural plant life (and creatures) to clean and cycle the water creating a natural, mountain pool-like environment. . It’s not an easy project and will be constantly evolving as we learn new tricks. We are also putting together a separate games room with table tennis, dart boards and a pool table, fun, casual activities to add to our 9 hole putt-putt course.
Bookings : https://book.nightsbridge.com/17210