A visit to Rawdons Hotel in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Every time I’m in South Africa, I try to visit a piece of the country I’ve never seen before. The Midlands is a place I had heard of on many occasions and been wanting to visit for quite some time. The name evokes scenes of misty hills, dark green woodlands and gleaming lakes – landscapes you’re more likely to find in the northern parts of England. But as I soon discovered, this quaint piece of countryside in the heart of Natal, delivers on all of the expectations that is promised by that name.
On our recent road trip through KwaZulu-Natal, we decided to pass through the Midlands, staying at Nottingham Road – a small village tucked away between rolling green hillocks of Mooi Rivier and the foothills of the Drakensberg. The area, also known as the Midlands Meander, is less than a two hour drive from Durban, and very easy to reach by car.
During our visit we stayed at the Rawdons Country Hotel, a tranquil estate with an old English charm. Surrounded by wide green lawns and massive oak trees, the hotel offers a breathtaking view of two lakes and the pine woods beyond. All day long the lake is full of life, with waterhens hopping on the water and ibises fishing for food. At night, while the finches disappear inside nests among the reeds, the evening air becomes abuzz with an orchestra of toads.
Tucked away between the trees at the edge of the water is the Lake House. Perfect for larger groups or families, the house offers two spacious rooms that open onto a semi private lawn. The interior is an elegant mix of antiques and country-cottage furnishings. My favourite was the kingsize canopy bed, the wood-burning fireplace and romantic bathroom with clawfoot bathtub.
The Rawdons Estate also houses the Boars Head Pub, an independent brewery known for its naturally brewed ales and lagers. Here one can sample an array of quirky-named ales like tipsy tiger or pye-eyed possum, as well as their very own gin and tonic on tap. If you think you’ve quaffed quite enough, you can brim your belly from a hearty selection of pub dishes like beer battered hake (my favourite) and hunters pie.
The Rawdons Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore everything the Midlands has to offer. Or for a simple day of relaxing, just curl up with a book next to the pool. Apart from the beautiful scenery and luxurious atmosphere, what I appreciated the most about the hotel, was their friendly staff and their efforts at making our stay feel super special.
My favourite spots in the Meander for
Breakfast: The Blueberry Café
Coffee: Terbodore coffee Roastery
Browsing & shopping: The Piggly Wiggly Country Village and Ground Cover Leather company.
Lunch: Chicken pies from the Windmill Country Stop
The air is warm and prickly as we manoeuvre our rented Hyundai up the steep streets of Cape Town’s city centre. Up ahead, the large flat body of Table Mountain towers like a majestic monument. Behind us, the deep blue water of the atlantic glimmers in the sunlight. It’s a bright and sunny day in Southern Africa, and we’re on our way to meet Carla Erasmus, co founder of Bofred; the feature furniture brand based in Cape Town. Carla has warmly agreed to an interview and invited us to her home, where we’re gingerly greeted by her curious, and oh so photogenic dog, Frankie.
How did you get started with Bofred? What was the inspiration and driving force behind starting your own thing?
“Boredom really… I got bored with working really hard for other people and executing their creative visions. I had my own. That gave me confidence to take the leap. I was stuck in a 8-6 job. Underpaid and creatively frustrated. That’s enough to make you be brave enough and start your own thing!”
At what point did you realise or start to feel that the business was worth pursuing and that it could be a viable endeavour?
“I still don’t know. We have three years behind us. I work really hard, I give it my all. I’m an early riser and a confident business owner. That must count. I think it’s a viable business because I LOVE my job. I strive for perfection and originality & creative indulgence… We have many opportunities ahead of us that excite me.”
Was there a point in time where you almost gave up? Tell us about that – and why you kept going nonetheless.
“I want to give up when I realise I could make more money… I made a lot more before I had my own company. But money isn’t everything you know… and I am not giving up…”
Which piece that you developed, are you most proud of?
“The Arch Table Lamp. I LOVE it.”
What motivates you in your work or where do you find your inspiration?
“I go to lots of art exhibitions. Im an artist and a photographer – and not strictly a designer. My designs are just sculptural yet practical items for the home. I find most inspiration in art and music.”
Do you have a mentor? Tell us about him or her. If not, who would you most love to learn from?
“Oooooh, tough one. I perhaps need a mentor. I read a lot about other small businesses and their success stories – so I absorb what other creatives are doing around me. So I can learn from their mistakes and make insightful decisions in my business.”
How would you define your home style or style of your home?
“It’s lots of found items from travels and heirlooms. Lots of art and photographs and books and textures. I don’t really follow trends – I just buy what I like and I can use in my home. Everything has a story, I know where everything is from, when why and how. Nothing is bought in sets of 8. Nothing matches the drapes. As one evolves – as one should – I let go of things and replace the insignificant purchases.”
Do you have inspiration sources that you apply to styling your home?
“Nope. I get influenced with work research and work and home collide. But I am a huge fan of young London based interior designer, Studio Ashby.”
What is your favourite room at home and why?
“The little corner seat at the front of the house. It’s a built in window seat. Trees being the view and dappled sunlight. Morning coffee / Friday night wine corner / Saturday morning meditation / Sunday lazy reading nook.”
What’s your favourite piece at home? Why do you love it.
“I bought a Staffordshire ceramic dog at a SPCA in Underberg, Kwazulu-Natal, and it’s my favourite possession. It cost nothing, literally I think R20 – but I gave a large donation because I’m an animal activist and it would only be fair. They did not realise the value. I LONG for a pair. My favourite pieces is the ART in my home, it grows and move around in the house… so it’s ever changing and ever pleasing.”
Do you have an architect, artist or an iconic designer who inspires you?
“Jacques Grange! ( interior designer ) & Eileen Grey // Cy Twombly as multi-disciplinary artist & Giacometti. No, too many to name. List is endless.”
What place do you escape to? A place you like to go to, to recharge or an address that makes you feel good?
“I go back “home” where i grew up – Durban – every three months. I visit my parents, my sister and her family. That’s solid quality time. And I can just be.”
“For me to recharge, take me to a secluded cabin, no electricity, no signal, no instagram – no evidence that I existed in that space – a waterfall…. my dog and my husband. Western Cape has endless magical spots such as these that I enjoy with my family and friends.”
Do you have a philosophy of life, or advice you follow religiously?
“Go to bed early. Go to bed with an empty mind. Go to sleep relaxed. Talk to your dog, your partner or read an easy read. Listen to music. Laugh. Get off your phone. And wake up early. Have a coffee, go for a walk, make a healthy breakfast and start work bright and early!”
Name one piece of advice you could give to someone who’d like to be pursue their own dream or business idea:
“Be Brave. Be original and have fun!”
If you could go back in time and meet one famous person, who would you want to meet and why:
“Geogia O Keefe. she had a lot of dogs. We would hang out and paint in her garden.”
What is your favourite destination outside of South Africa, and why do you love it?
“I haven’t travelled enough… but I loved travelling to Sri Lanka for a friends wedding – and we backpacked for three weeks after that…”
Spending a hot summers day: In Yzerfontein sipping crisp Chardonnay at my mother in law’s home and taking a quick sunset dip in the freezing Atlantic!
Spending a cold winters day: If it’s raining: At home, with snacks and documentaries. If it’s just cold: Hiking up the mountain and enjoying the views and the fresh air!
Finding inspiration: At an art exhibition – hopefully by myself – on a saturday morning, SMITH or Stevenson Gallery.
A night out with friends: A night IN with friends. Or greek in the courtyard at Marias.
For more info and a glimpse of the beautiful furniture they make, take a look at their website and instagram.
I do not write about restaurants all that often. And there’s a really good reason why. In order for a place to make it to these pages, they have to meet three specific criteria. Number one is off course a beautiful interior with a great energy and atmosphere. Secondly, the food needs to be better than my mom’s cooking. Finally the service has to be really great. Trust me, in Berlin, this trifecta is not that easy to find.
But, in the heart of Schöneberg’s Rote Insel, a couple of blocks down Leberstraße, there is a tiny deli, that ticks all three of these boxes. Around two and a half years ago, owner Erdal Balli, transformed the garage that once stood here, into the vibrant eatery now called Nosh.
Balli, who used to own Stellwerk down in Steglitz, is no stranger to the culinary scene. You may recognise his surname on a few kebab shops around Berlin, owned by Balli’s family. After 12 years of running quite a sizeable restaurant, Erdal decided to scale down to a smaller, more flexible eatery, to make more time for his family. His head chef from Stellwerk, now commands the kitchen at Nosh, where food from all kinds of cultures come together.
The menu is a cosmopolitain mix of influences; from Mongolian Beef Pasta to Ukrainien Wareniki. Derived from the Yiddish “naschen” which means to snack or nibble, the name Nosh is a testament to the restaurant’s east-european jewish influence and Balli’s own connection to the Russian and jewish communities in Berlin.
When I mention to Erdal how I always notice fresh flowers whenever I’m there, he quickly attributes it to his wife Viji’s keen counsel. She coincidentally runs Mokalola cafè next door and makes sure that Erdal keeps his finger on the finer details.
Clearly though Erdal has quite an eye for good design himself, and laughingly admits to a slight obsession with beautiful chairs. The tasteful interior is the result of his own directives; from the mid century chairs he sourced from e-bay, to the tables he had custom made. The wonderful factory lamps from a former GDR factory, he salvaged, cleaned up and had rewired. They now serve as beautiful statement pieces above each table.
The restaurant recently extended their open hours from 12 in the afternoon on Monday through to Thursdays. The rest of the week you’ll find them open between five and eleven. During warmer summer days, you can enjoy your food on the outside terrace upstairs. But you don’t have to wait for better weather to nosh on a delicious meal. Even on a cold winter’s evening, their Halloumi salad remains one of my favourites.
Say hello to my new friend Philodendron Rojo Congo. We met a couple of weeks ago, when this curiously coloured character found its way onto my desk. It took me several google attempts to ascertain it’s species, but I wasn’t completely surprised to discovered it to be yet another Philodendron – the Araceae family does after all, have close to 500 different species.
The Philodendron Rojo Congo can be identified by the bright red colour of young foliage. As the plant ages, the lance shape leafs turn a deeper darker green while the leaf stems retain their deep Auburn hue.
From the ancient Greek “philos” which means “love” and “dendron”, meaning “tree”, the name philodendron describes the species’ propensity for winding around trees. But unlike it’s brother Monstera, the Rojo does not share this climbing character. Instead, like the Xanadu, this philodendron is self-heading, which means it grows upwards and outwards.
Native to South America, the Rojo Congo prefers partial to shady areas but does not tolerate cold temperatures. This low maintenance perennial makes an excellent houseplant thanks to its sculptural appearance and good looks, plus it keeps the air clean while doing so.
Caring for your Philodendron Rojo Congo
Names: Philodendron Rojo Congo. Family: Araceae, native to South America. Water: Regular or weekly interval, ensuring the soil remains moist, but never soggy. Location: Shady, temperate areas. Diffused natural or indirect sunlight like a northern exposure as direct sun will cause leaf burn. Soil: Fast draining acidic to neutral soil. Toxicity: Toxic to pets and children.
Troubleshooting
Soft green droopy leaves:Your plant needs some water. Give if a good dousing and it should perk up quickly. Yellow droopy leaves: Could be due to overwatering. Check your pot to ensure that it drains well and that your plant is not sitting in water. Always feel the soil with your finger before water. If the soil is wet, or moist, do not add water – this will cause the roots to rot. Brown crispy spots on leaves: Leaf burn from too much direct sun. Move your plant to a bright but not sunny spot with indirect light. Few leafs dropping off at the bottom but the other leafs look healthy: A healthy plant will at times drop off older leaves. If the rest of the plant is healthy, it should not cause worries. Saggy, drooping leaves even after watering: Your plant may at some point get too big for its pot. If the plant looks otherwise healthy, but a little lethargic, consider wether it might be time to give it a slightly larger home. If this is not the case a nitrogen fertiliser could help rejuvenate it.
It’s just turned four o’clock. The sun is beaming spherical shadows through the dusty windows. Moments after I’ve boarded the train at Ostkreuz, it makes its lazy start towards the east. Twenty minutes till my stop at Rahnsdorf. I’m on my way to meet Arne, the owner of Feine Laube – a delightful holiday cottage on the outskirts of the Berlin.
I first met Arne via Berliner Landjungs, an Etsy shop Arne runs with his partner. There you can find a charming selection of home decor pieces, from mid century chairs to vintage enamel tableware. Arne told me about their renovated “Ferien Wohnung” just outside the city and as a fan of their store, I was rather excited to see what they had put together.
I meet Arne just outside the station. As we walk to his car he excitedly tells me stories of the dilapidated building and garbage dump they started out with.
Bright golden rays flicker through rows of pine trees along the short drive to Feine Laube. Tucked away in a quiet street surrounded by woodlands, the cottage lies just a thirty minute walk north-east from the Größer Mugglesee. The large lake is quite popular among water-sport enthusiasts and those who love watching the sun dance and bounce on the water.
As I walk towards the flat roofed cottage at the rear end of a wild lush garden, I can almost smell the charcoal fire burning in the barbecue. I imagine basking in the sun as I pass by the white loungers while two sparrows splash in the pond beyond.
Inside, a cozy country-style kitchen welcomes me with it’s homely atmosphere and provincial aesthetic. Here at their countryside retreat, Arne and Alex have managed to create just the perfect balance between old and new, rural yet comfortable.
Much like their shop, the cottage is a filled with lovely vintage pieces. It is in fact a kind of live-in showroom. As curators of beautiful things, the two have painstakingly refined every corner of the cottage.
Their handy work is visible in every room, from the hand-made lavender sachets, cushions made from vintage linen and pendant lights from up-cycled antique milk jugs. All of these items you can find in their store.
I’m almost surprised at how friendly and welcoming the place feels – quite unlike the modernist german design I’m so used to around here. You really get a sense of the affable and good humoured nature of the hosts.
Every room opens onto the garden, making it refreshing and cozy at the same time. It really is the perfect little getaway; wether it’s for long summer nights out in the garden or for cosy and comfortable wintery days.
As we head back to the station the sun starts to dip beyond the Berlin skyline. Arne and I muse on buildings we pass, dreaming of places we’d love to renovate. I say my farewell to Arne, walking back to the station. Happy and elated, my feet find their way to the platform, my mind still lingering in the Feine Laube garden.
Founders Alicia Ferrer and Lena Müller on how they make home-grownherbs and veggies, easy, fun and sustainable
Alicia and I met at Soonafternoon’s plant-swap event last year. She told me about her product and I immediately liked the idea. I had been trying to grow veggies at home with various successes and failures, and usually had no clue what I was doing. Alicia’s aim was to help people grow their own greens by providing a beautifully packaged comprehensive DIY solution that would guide you every step of the way. Earlier this year I joined the duo for lunch, to learn about their ambition to bring the joys of edible gardening to every home and to do so sustainably.
Let’s start with some details about you two; tell us where you are from, what you are into, what makes you, you.
Alicia: “I am from a small city on the beach south of Barcelona. I ended up in Berlin by mistake 5 years ago. I came to take a summer German course and I instantly felt attracted by the Berliner sexiness. What makes me, me? I would say my inherent sense of humour!
Lena: “I am from Hof, a small town in Franconia. When I am visiting my family, you will find me in the backyard of my father’s house. There I have my vegetable garden and greenhouse, where I have been sowing, growing and harvesting vegetables since 2013. I love to experiment with special types of vegetables like physalis, sweet potato, and melons. For this, you must know that Hof is also called Bavarian Siberia, because of its weather. It is the coldest place in Germany. Nothing makes me happier than to be in my garden and eating fresh veggies and fruits – no meat! I’m not joking when I say gardening is my life!”
Why Berlin?
Alicia: “As I said, I had a crush with the city at first. What makes me stay, are the great possibilities Berlin offers to found and grow a startup in terms of market opportunities and startup network.”
“I think that sometimes the best things in life are those that are not planned and are a result of many coincidences.”
Lena: “I came to Berlin after finishing my Master degree in Erfurt. The reason actually was love. After my boyfriend and I were living in different cities for 5 years (due to my studies), it was time to move in together. I was looking for a job in the green-ecosystem. Working on a vegetable farm or in practical research is impossible in the city of Berlin as there are no big fields. That’s how I ended up at Grüneo. As a Plant Expert, I help our customers to make gardening easy and fun.”
What inspired the idea of Grüneo? And what were the steps you took to make your idea into a product and business?
Alicia: “I am passionate about DIY-projects. Actually, if you come to my home, it is all full of self-made furniture, paintings, and whatever handcraft thingy. I wanted to grow my own greens at home, but I have no balcony. So I started growing a small garden in my windowsill until I thought; what if I develop a whole concept and bring it to urbanites? My first step was to make market research and build the first prototype with the main product features and test it with potential customers. It worked pretty well, however, it was only the first time I would ask for feedback!”
Lena: “The concept of Grüneo was Alicia’s idea, and I jumped on the project on Nov. 19. ”
“To bring our Grüneo products into life, we work continuously with the Lean-Startup Methodology. We started small, built a prototype, asked for feedback from real customers, and rebuilt it until the final product we have today.”
What do you think are key characteristics one needs, to be an entrepreneur and to start a business?
Alicia: “I think to be an entrepreneur first you need a passion for what you do. You are and should be the first believer of your product or service, not only to be the best seller but also to stay strong when tough moments and challenges come. I also believe the founder should be constant as it requires faith and “perseverance” every day. For example, you don’t have a set routine, or a boss waiting for you in the office. This is really connected to the routine, I really recommend having a healthy and planned daily routine. ”
“Being an entrepreneur is like being a hiker, step-by-step the mountain is high and tough, you carry with you a big backpack. But reaching the peak is the best feeling.”
Lena: “To be brave – Fortune favours the brave! A strong belief in your idea and product is crucial, as well as to build a strong team and a working mentality. ”
What have been the biggest challenges or obstacles you had to overcome in the pursuit of your product and business?
Alicia: “A big challenge has been to build a high-quality product in terms of user-friendly content and sustainability. We have done big research to find suppliers that produce regional and have the environment as their Nº1 priority.”
Lena: “We also did experiments with different substrates for growing in indoor spaces. We chose seed varieties which are easy to germinate and that have similar nutrient requirements. Some plants, like rosemary, normally propagate with cuttings. Sowing seeds does not work that well. Our boxes offer the tomato ‘Bogus fruchta’–the growth stops and ends with a flower in 65 cm, while normal tomato varieties can grow up to 15 meters high. It all fits together; the best materials for growing indoors, ease-of-use and sustainability. Currently, a big challenge is to get the Öko-certification.”
Do you have some words of advice for someone who wants to pursue an idea?
Alicia: “Build a great network from the first moment. Finding and creating alliances with like-minded people will not only open new doors, but also be a good support for your project. For example, in Berlin every day there are at least two events dedicated to entrepreneurs and startups!”
What does sustainability mean to you as business and how do you bring it into your practice?
Alicia: “Sustainability for us starts from our suppliers, our production, and our philosophy in growing the business.”
Lena: “We create a product which has a good impact on our life and our environment.”
“Especially in gardening you can easily buy the false materials. E.g. the substrate – the fundament for all plants, contains most of all peat. This is a non-renewable natural resource and valuable ecosystems are destroyed. Our substrate is peat-free and regional, it has only natural ingredients which are social and environmentally friendly.”
“For our pots we selected the ones that are made from regional wood fibre. Our fertiliser has more than one good feature. It is plant based and pure nature without adding chemical components. Second, it is made from sugar production waste without any animal manure, like normal organic fertilizer which usually has. It is vegan and though it is a concentrate, it is long-living, suitable for indoors and smells like liquorice. It will bring all the needed nutrients too.”
Where would you like to see yourselves and your business in a year from now? What are your future goals?
Alicia: “Growing very high! We just started our crowdfunding campaign with Startnext (which will run until the 28th of March). This sets the kick-off of our brand into the market. The goal is to collect funding for this year 2020 and get our first customers. That being said, in a year from now we wish we will have a beautiful running online shop, selling across Europe and setting up our new B2B channel.”
Lena: “That in one year we grow big! I wish our online shop is successful and we have a wide range of seasonal boxes. In a year we will have made it possible for many people to have their own garden and with our service we will have helped all in gardening questions. And maybe our customers can buy our boxes in organic supermarkets and garden centers.”
What slogan do you live by?
“The future belongs to the ones who believe in their dreams”
– Alicia
“Gardening is the only philosophy that fills your belly”
– Lena
How can my readers support you?
Both: “We are currently doing a Crowdfunding campaign in Startnext. We are launching our new gardening boxes. Check our campaign and get inspired by our green vibes! Go to www.startnext.com/gruneo and watch the video. There, you can select your preferred reward and give our garden (startup) light (funding) to grow very high!”
Here’s a link to their website and instagram. Go help them grow a new way to grow :).
Pothos sounds rather more like a character by Dumas than a long leafy vine. And perhaps in direct opposition to its actual mythological greek counterpart, this easy growing houseplant doesn’t symbolise yearning or longing but can and often does, grow really really long.
This ever growing characteristic of Pothos explains one of it’s more dubious names. Also known as the Devils Ivy, Golden Pothos belongs to the Araceae family and have been naturalised in many parts of the world due to it’s resilience. Their enthusiasm for growing means Epipremnum Aureus make truly fantastic houseplants. They just have a knack for staying alive. I have one in a bathroom with zero windows. It happily lives on. Perhaps it doesn’t grow as quickly as it’s window-sill-bound buddies, but it lives, and it looks pretty happy too.
Common names: golden pothos, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy, taro vine and devil’s vine.
Identification: An evergreen vine with smooth and shiny heart shaped leaves that are bottle greens and spectacled in mustardy yellows and white hues. The sturdy stems can climb by attaching their aerial roots to surfaces. This trailing quality mean they work very well as hanging plants too.
Caring for your Golden Pothos
Soil: Pothos grow well in any good draining potting soil.
Location: They can survive in varied lighting conditions, from low light to bright light, but preferably not in direct sun. Plant’s that live in low light conditions won’t grow as quickly and abundantly as others but they’ll stay green and pretty.
Water: Golden Pothos can thrive with sporadic watering. Once a week to two weeks in moderate temperature and during winter months even less. As you get to know your plants you’ll learn how frequent or infrequent to water them. Always test the soil with your finger, and only water once the soil is dry. I usually give mine a good shower of water in the bath every 10 days or so, but I recently came across this neat drip-free trick for watering hanging plants. Drop a couple of ice cubes into your pot and let the water slowly melt away into the soil.
Propagation: Pothos are extremely easy to propagate. Simply cut a stem just above a leaf node (where a leaf attaches to the stem). Remove a couple of leaves closest to your cutting, and place the stem in water. You should see roots shooting out in a couple of days. You can also just remove the leaves and stick them directly into wet soil. eHow has a great video explaining exactly how to do this here.
Without the anticipation of Christmas and thrill of Sylvester, Berlin can be pretty grey and gloomy in January. So if you need some motivation to leave the house, head over toFreiRaum on Katzbachstraße. With their two wood burning stoves and logs to last all winter you’ll be hard pressed to find a cafe more cozy. Owners Oguz and his wife Nihal, have done an amazing job at creating an atmosphere so inviting that you just won’t want to leave.
But if you can’t be coaxed on looks alone, come for their amazing coffee and delectable edibles. Everything is home-made and freshly baked by Nihal and Oguz, whom you’re certain to meet on your visit. Originally from Turkey, Oguz moved to Berlin 6 years ago. He studied economy and was a diving instructor before practising gastronomy here in Berlin. Nihal, who grew up in Berlin, is an art therapist, and initially used the space as her studio.
The idea for FreiRaum came about when Nihal fell pregant. The family found an apartment above her studio, and because she was about to stop working they decided the turn it into a coffee shop. Oguz and Nihal did the interiors themselves, with an effort to maintain an eco friendly approach.
Eight months later the resulting design was simple and understated with a focus on earthy colours and natural materials like bare clay walls and wood panelling. Coupled with old wooden floors, wild flowers and woolly throws, the space is reminiscent of a mountain cabin in Scandinavia.
It’s down-to-earth aura is even more enhanced by the child friendly elements like tiny chairs and wooden horse. It’s no surprise that the owners themselves have two kids, Eftalya, now two and a half and her 15 year old brother, Tanyel.
I simply love hanging out here. For Oguz and Nihal it’s become a true Kiezcafe. A place where families gather, wonderful exchanges occur and friendships begin. Do come and have a look for yourself, on Katzbachstraße 24, Kreuzberg.
The name Majorca has passed my awareness several times, but for some reason I always associated it with images of drunk beach goers and partying teens so akin to the neighbouring Ibiza. But boy was I wrong. Soon this Spanish island would blow my socks off, both by it’s spectacular landscapes, and delicious food.
Towards the end of April I desperately needed an escape from Berlin. It was a looooong winter. After a quick google flights search, I discovered very well priced flights to Majorca and booked it right away. But since I’m not much of a beach person I set upon a hopeful search for a farm stay, if there was such a thing…
Eventually I found Sa Rota, a farm in the middle of the island and set about my Spanish trip with great expectations.
The self catering unit we stayed in was perfectly equipped, complete with pebbled courtyard to enjoy home cooked breakfasts on sunny mornings, as well as a private deck with spectacular views over the valley and its breathtaking sunsets.
The interiors are unpretentious and stylishly decorated, with well chosen pieces that support the integrity of the old building. The shuttered windows and terracotta tiles are unmistakably Spanish while the bare stone walls add to the old age charm.
Wether your planning a romantic weekend or a week long stay, I can highly recommend Sa Rota. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for lazy days like reading in a hammock or bathing in the pool. And should you wish to explore, the location makes it easy to get to every corner of the island in under 2 hours.
The warm welcome we received from the owners of this 18th century Spanish farmhouse, was surpassed only by the magnificent beauty of the place and it’s surrounds. Nestled against the hilltops, the finca offers everything you might wish from agritourism; from lemon trees bursting with fruit to bees buzzing around massive lavender bushes and the sound of cow bells and bleating sheep from the neighbouring farmlands.
It’s speckled tentacles reach and bend like the liquid legs of a giant Octopus and yet this prickly pirate lives far from the sea and don’t swim well at all. The Aloe Vera, a short stemmed succulent, is cultivated throughout the world and widely regarded for its medicinal and cosmetic qualities.
Aloe Vera belongs to the largest succulent genus Aloe, which encompasses an elephantine number (450) of species! These are widely distributed across sub saharan Africa in dry climates with little rainfall so it’s no wonder a potted aloe adds instant warmth to indoor spaces.
Common names: Aloe barbadensis, Aloe Vera, Aloe vulgaris, Medicinal Aloe
Caring for your Aloe Vera
Soil: Plant your Aloe in well draining potting soil with corse grit or sand in a container that drains very well. I prefer keeping succulents in plastic containers inside terra-cotta pots as they drain far better this way.
Location: Keep them in sunny, bright areas, but preferably away from direct sunlight.
Water: Give the soil a thorough soak then allow it to dry out completely between watering to assure the roots do not rot. Test if it is dry by sticking your finger deep into the soil (about 4cm). In winter they need less water so be very careful of over-watering your Aloe. It can be anything between 1-4 weeks.
Propagation: Aloe’s produce offsets or baby plants that you’ll see popping up around the parent. Allow them to grow a couple of centimetres to ensure they develop a stable root system of their own. You can easily separate them by holding them closely to their roots and pulling them out gently. Be careful not to tug too roughly, you don’t want the roots to break off. Plant them into a similar potting mix and leave in a bright sunny location.
Trouble Shooting
Red or brown leaves: Your plant may be suffering from leaf burn. Move your plant so it will receive indirect sunlight and cut away dead leaves with a clean sharp knife or shears to allow healthy plants to receive more nutrients.
Soggy soft leaves: Your Aloe have been overwatered. Check your pot to make sure there is no blockage causing poor drainage. To save your plant from rotting, remove the plant from the soil and remove dead or affected leaves. Let it dry out completely and repot it into new potting soil suitable for succulents. If you use the same pot, be sure to sterilise the container before using it again.
I’m fond of these nuggets not only because they grow so easily and proliferate so well, but they’re said to be superb air purifiers – releasing oxygen and absorbing CO2 at night. And although they’re not entirely as majestic as the Aloe Ferox, they do bring a little bit of South Africa into my Berlin home.
Memories & dualisms: Reflecting on abandoned places
My fascination with atmospheric spaces is mostly due to the emotional affect they can bring about. How strange that a few walls and a roof, a simple structure, can make you feel a certain way; cold or cozy, sombre or happy, safe or unsettled…
This affecting nature becomes even more pronounced when you venture into abandoned places. Perhaps because the predefined notions of public and private are skewed upon your trespass, as you become a voyeur in someone else’s forgotten world.
Berlin has so many of these deserted spaces. Hidden away, forsaken though not forgotten. Barred (unsuccessfully) from intruders and vandals, from explorers… Like portals into bygone worlds they become great story tellers of the ones who might have lived there. Offering the outlines, so we can fill in the blanks; a perfect canvas for the imagination.
A once unassuming structure, becomes a place of fantasy, where memories–imagined or real–are captured in the walls, each layer of peeling paint exposing an era that once was; each colour another step back in time.
These delicate worlds are perhaps so etherial not because they might give way underfoot, but because with each passing day, nature takes back what man has made there. Earth and her elements reclaiming their territory, re-entering where it was once banished from.
Suddenly exposed, are our disconnected relationship with the world. These creeping vines and rotting timbers attest to our disparity with nature. Cause with each brick being laid, each floor board secured our manmade shelters slowly take us out of nature, and nature out of us, so that we no longer feel the beating heart of the earth below our feet.
Perhaps therein lies the beauty of abandoned places. Perhaps these dirty, dusty spaces remind us not only of our forgotten pasts, but of the dualisms we’ve defined–man vs nature, dirty vs clean, past vs present, real vs imagined–and allow us to ever so briefly, collapse them into one…
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