Guests can enjoy a picnic on one of a number of view sites at Horizons amongst the lawns, gardens and trees in the 11 acres, with a choice of spectacular outlooks of Giant’s Castle, the hamlet of Rosetta, the Mooi River and the rolling hills of the Midlands or collect a gourmet picnic to take on their meanderings to the many attractions in the Midlands.

Couples can sit at intimate café tables and chairs, for groups there will be long tables available or there’s the traditional picnic on rugs with specially developed, low, Japanese style tables – but all in style. Linen napery, glasses, crockery, cutlery and ice buckets for the wine will be the order of the day. After lunch, the rugs and cushions provided by Horizons offer the perfect way to soak in the mountain air with a coffee and liqueur.

“The Midlands is one of the most fertile areas of the country, originating some of the finest cheeses, meats, herbs and other produce, and Horizons will be using as many local suppliers as possible to showcase what the region has to offer,” says Ian Robinson, the owner. “The culinary experience must be memorable to put us on the map.”

The food will blend local and regional South African ingredients and recipes with international influences. A basic picnic basket will be available and will contain fresh baguettes or farm loaves and a number of treats. Further gourmet delights will be available to add to the picnic. Prices are R59 per person for an ample picnic with a children’s basket (for 10 and under) for R29.

The menu will change according to the season with soup one of the signature dishes at Horizons – hot for winter and chilled for summer. The winter menu on offer includes lightly curried butternut soup with coriander, bresaola carpaccio with parmigiano (genuine grana padano), tonnato as a dip (from vitello tonnato), mielie bread on an oxtail reduction and cheeses and preserves. Crème brulee and tiramisu are included as desserts.

Chilled half and full bottles of methode champenoise will be available to freshen the palate, plus a selection of boutique South African wines tasted and chosen by the owner and a choice of beers including those made by local breweries.

Even on the cooler (and some times freezing) winter days Horizons will offer an inviting ambience by using a novel approach. Picnic spots will have their own outdoor fireplaces (also to keep the hot food hot until one’s ready to eat), alternatively picnickers can retreat to the patio and inside dining area with its linen bedecked tables, cosy fireplaces and picture view windows.

Horizons is ideal for families as the children can go off and play in the spacious grounds while mum and dad relax in the tranquillity.

The picnics look set to tap into a burgeoning market. Recently the quiet Nottingham Road area with its old world values has become a destination in its own right and is becoming more and more popular both as a residential area and tourism attraction.

Gowrie, a residential and retail development in the town launched last year, has sold 80 of the 110 sites released to date to a mixture of locals, parents of children at private schools in the area (Michaelhouse and Clifton), weekenders from Durban and retirees from the coast and Gauteng. The prime sites sold at up to R400 000 and already the village has 15 homes completed and a few small shops are springing up to serve residents and the growing number of visitors. There will eventually be 130 sites including the commercial sites on the road and there are plans for tree-lined walkways to link Gowrie with other developments in the village.

Close by, building is due to start in the second quarter on Oakwood Village, a R50 million development that includes retail and residential components and a holistic wellness centre.

Rosetta, next door to Horizons, is a quiet but well positioned gateway to more tourist treasures. It’s only 40 kilometres from the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, one of South Africa’s World Heritage sites, and the Kamberg, regarded by many trout fisherman as offering the best fly fishing in the country and home to trout hatcheries.

HOW TO GET THERE AND OPENING TIMES

Horizons is about five minutes from Nottingham Road on the R103 to Rosetta. Turn left just before Rosetta on the D146 (or pick up a Midlands Meander map). It’s open weekends and school and public holidays (except religious holidays) and offers on site picnics from 11am. To book or order a gourmet picnic to take away call 083 782 6167 or 083 782 4772. For more see www.horizonsgourmet.co.za

CHILDREN

Children are welcome although parents are asked to respect the privacy and tranquillity of other picnics. There is plenty of space and trees and a child minder is available on request