Travel Blog: Romantic picnic for two at Rustig Magaliesberg

We had pre-booked a late lunchtime picnic after our forest walk. I was really excited and so looked forward to be able to sit under ancient trees, watch the clouds go by and spend time with my hubby. We all lead such busy lives that it is really important to be able to set time aside to spend time together, to romance each other again, to reconnect in all the business and business of life.

The whole lawn was strewn with fragrant and colourful rose petals taken from the beautiful rose garden.

We walked towards our picnic spot and this is what we found. I have to confess that I was tickled pink to be spoilt and felt like the queen herself.

As we lay down under the tree, the long shadows of the trees lined the lush green lawns. The trees soon filled with the chatter of birds getting ready for their late afternoon activities. It was really wonderful to be able to lie quietly and watch and listen to all our beautiful African birds.

The nearby gardens were flush with bursts of fragrance and colour. Lots of bees and honey birds could be both heard and seen.

and then they arrived - the staff of Rustig had been very busy preparing a hot picnic basket for us. It was so big and very heavy hence it took two staff members to carry the basket to us. I could feel my mouth watering.

the beautiful green rolling lawns are soft and walking barefoot was really fantastic - feeling your feet and toes sinking deep into the grass

wow there was a huge amount of food and the aromas were enticing

Hubby and I about to tuck into a 3 course meal

we even had wine with real glasses

our 3 course meal

starters - delicious fish is served

freshly cut fruit salad and locally bottled spring water from the Rustig farm

great mini burgers and lots of Delicious salads - the Rustig chefs and team had really out done themselves

while we were taking in the sounds of nature a troop of vervet monkeys arrived and brought along with them a bunch of very cute little babies. It was really magical lying their wand watching their very enteraining antics.

They are member of the Old World Monkeys. The little vervet monkey is found in south-east Africa. This small black-faced monkey are found in savannas, forests and mountains, in areas with a high density of trees. Being highly adaptable, they can even be found close to human dwellings and urban habitats. which is what we were currently witnessing.

eating the Hibuscus flowers

the beautiful blue skies and light white fluffy clouds

Young monkeys are very playful, and one of their favourite activities are chasing one another and pushing each other down from the branches of trees.

Vervets are excellent jumpers and swimmers. This little guy was watching us on the law with keen interest. I am sure we would have loved to get stuck into our picnic basket.

As with other monkeys, grooming is an important aspect of vervets. They groom each other by removing lodged dirt and bugs from other vervets' fur.

Leaves and young shoots are most important in the diet, but bark, flowers, fruit, bulbs, roots and grass seeds are also consumed. They consume mainly a vegetarian diet which is supplemented with insects, grubs, eggs, baby birds and sometimes rodents and hares. Vervets rarely drink water which I found really facinating!

They are born with a pink face and black hair.

The different types of vervets vary in color, but generally the body is a greenish-olive or silvery-gray. The face, ears, hands, feet and tip of the tail are black, but a conspicuous white band on the forehead blends in with the short whiskers. The males are slightly larger than the females and easily recognized by their turquoise blue scrota.