There comes a time when a mother simply has to have a holiday to herself.

No snotty noses to wipe or bums to clean, no lunches to pack and no Mr Squiggles to forget.

Responsibilities fall away and she can just be herself for a while (and by herself if she likes).

My best friend and I have been talking wistfully about such an adventure in hushed voices for some time.

As we wave our husbands goodbye on countless fishing and hunting expeditions (all sans children) we whisper together, wondering when our husbands will be ready to go solo with the kids.

Four and a half years since the birth of our first child (and two since the arrival of our second) I decided it was now or never.

Tineke Speirs and I packed our bags (mine bulging with the added extras aka breast pump) and headed off for a weekend in the Midlands.

Believe it or not, I have never explored the Midlands Meander barring short forays into Piggly Wiggly to ride the train with the kids and stretch our legs mid road trip to
somewhere else.

It was a scandalous thought to imagine browsing undisturbed through shops full of delicate breakables and not choosing a restaurant based on the quality of the jungle
gym.

Our first stop was the iconic Nelson Mandela capture site.

It’s a long, beautiful walk through the Visitor Centre, where you want to linger and soak up the history and then out and down the long pathway towards the
impressive sculpture.

The sculpture, which towers above and yet seamlessly blends into the scenery, gives this unassuming spot the gravitas it requires. Mandela had just paid a clandestine visit to ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli’s Groutville home to report back on his African quest, and request support in calling for an armed struggle.

So it felt like we were following his footsteps by starting from the North Coast.

Checking into Old Halliwell Country Inn was like stepping back in time.

Roses set against the one-metre thick stone walls spoke of elegance and comfort.

The Inn, a century-old building, was built as a fortified homestead.

With uninterrupted views of the Karkloof Valley and horses grazing in the paddocks you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into a Jane Austen novel.

Our room was plain but it was very comfortable, made even nicer by the stone fireplace.

We felt very proud of ourselves for starting the fire in the hearth ourselves, like real girl scouts!

Old Halliwell was the perfect base for our holiday, and if we had been staying longer we certainly would have lounged by the pool or ordered a picnic on the lawns
and indulged in the cream and jam scones on the terrace.

As it was we had limited time so after a leisurely breakfast we were determined to begin meandering.

Driving and stopping wherever we pleased, we pulled in at dozens of little shops to enjoy coffee and cake, artisan chocolates, clothing, art and so much more.

The home of The Gourmet Greek was an unexpected highlight.

The rather inconspicuous Blue Cow Deli on the site of their factory offers Greek food and coffee.

We sampled the cheese-tasting board, washed down with home-made lemonade.

The huge variety of cheeses on offer was quite impressive and you are sure to leave loaded with everything from Black Gold Truffle to Camembert and Gourmet Greek yogurt.

The family business is run by former North Coast residents, Dimitri and Rosemary Dimitriades, who previously farmed in Gingindlovu and sent their children to Crawford College North Coast.

Their adult children Filia (now an award winning cheese maker) and Iakovos have both joined them in the business.

The Platform is another must-stop. This striking art gallery is inside the former Lions River station.

The old train platform provides the ideal platform for talented local artists, from sculpture to fine art.

This is also home to The Nguni Guy, where you can choose a magnificent Nguni skin carpet.

A mom’s weekend away is not complete without some pampering.

We stopped at Heritage Hair and Beauty Salon in Howick for a pedicure and a massage.

I recommend them if you don’t want to spend top dollar at the Midlands’ many fancy spa resorts.

Pampering can make a lady hungry, so we headed up to Blueberry Cafe which is another must-visit that was recommended by the locals.

The view of the Drakensberg mountains was spectacular and even the loos had been designed with the view in mind.

The food was divine and the gin just as good.

Blueberry Cafe and the Midlands in its entirety was a heavenly location to make a toast to motherhood, friendship and the start of an annual tradition.

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