Luxury Bed and Breakfast in Muckleneuk at Legodimong

2011-12-23T02:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas to all our guests! May this Christmas be one to remember and may you know the peace and joy which we celebrate at this special time of the year. We pray that 2012 dawns to bring you health, sufficient wealth and many good times with the people you love. We hope we see you again in 2012!

Legodimong Bed and Breakfast

528 Kruin St

Muckleneuk

Pretoria

012 343 5609

073 620 4160

www.legodimong.com

legodimong@mweb.co.za

When Spring comes...

2011-09-27T02:16:00.000-07:00

Spring at Legodimong brings a profusion of colour and scent. As you enter the property these are a few of the sights to welcome you to our Bed and Breakfast. Come on in. This is a piece of heaven.

2011-07-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

So near and yet so far (continuation of article below)

We stand above our government city Pretoria, the Washington of South Africa. We watch the planes fly in formation across the skies on national days of celebration. We see the crowds gathered at the Union Buildings on Youth Day or Freedom Day. Out of sight to the near west, are the two hills competing for attention with national pride - the Voortrekker Monument on one, and Freedom Park on the other, each representing its own world view. Each impressive, each inspiring. Below both, the Pretoria Station in all its Victorian splendour now includes the Gautrain terminal and the fast golden train flies high and then low on its new track to Hatfield and back, promising quick access to Johannesburg.

On the south UNISA holds proud position over the entrance to Pretoria, high on the ridge and demanding recognition. The biggest correspondence university in all Africa and possibly further afield too, UNISA spreads itself across the southern slope of the ridge, spreading more recently down into the city with an impressive new Registration Building and the Sunnyside campus. It is a power to be reckoned with, bringing academics from all corners of the globe to Pretoria, along with jubilant students from far and wide to their graduation ceremonies.

2011-07-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

So near and yet so far

Legodimong is in Muckleneuk, Pretoria, nestled against the warm north-facing slope of the UNISA ridge. On a summer's day when there is no haze hovering over the city, one can see for miles to the north, past the stately Union Buildings, over the Wonderboomnek, all the way to the Onderstepoort hill.

Our house stands with its back to the south, alongside a portion of the old Groenkloof Nature Reserve proclaimed by President Paul Kruger, and its front facing north overlooking the city of Pretoria. We love to joke that at the back of the house we are in Johannesburg and on the front we are in Pretoria, so different is the weather! In winter there can be a difference of up to 6 degrees on either side, with Johannesburg pulling in the lower temperatures on the south.

We are perched above the city; so near and yet so far. Close enough to hear the zoo lions roar in the quiet early hours of the morning. Close enough to hear the roar of the crowds when the Bulls score at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Close enough to hear the bells of the old Oos Kerk on a Sunday morning. Far enough to stay out of the daily traffic build-up into town. Far enough to watch the high-rise dwellers head for bed, one by one as they switch off their lights, leaving only corridor lights burning through the night. Far enough to watch the rain roll in from the west, dousing suburb by suburb until the city is lost in the squall and the rain batters on our roof. Close - or far - enough to count the hills around Pretoria and climb them during the holidays.

Night across a quiet city

2011-04-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

Early - before the sun begins to swipe its light across the dark sky - our city of Tshwane/Pretoria lies peaceful and almost still. The view full of detail in the day is limited to a thousand sparkling lights tonight and it leaves me awed again and again. I don't tire of this immense vista, day or night, but at night I feel something deeply calming. The city is at rest. I look down on a gently rising and falling ocean beneath us, a sigh of stillness as the city slows its pace and gathers itself for the morning tide.

2010-04-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

Clouds over Pretoria

We knew 2010 was going to be a good year: since the start of April we have had 116mm of rain! Today is bright and sunny again after almost 2 weeks of clouds and rain. Living on the top of the same hill as the UNISA Muckleneuk campus, we enjoy magnificent views of storms over town and to the west, memorable sunsets. Kruin Park on our northern fence is green and well-watered, as are all the street trees making our little enclave a real bird haven. Yesterday we saw a flock of 20 Green Pigeons in our street! Our street lights are working and we are on top of the world. Legodimong Bed and Breakfast is really a destination to remember.

2010-01-12T05:05:00.000-08:00

Ngwaga wo moswa! Happy New Year!

2010 is finally with us. May this year be full of all the things you've longed for - good soccer in June, lots of visitors, good rains and a few good books. South Africa is readying herself to host the World Cup soccer - so we look forward to newly widened and tarred streets, the Gautrain rail link 'flying' between cities, no litter on the streets - this is going to be a memorable time! 2010 is a year of hope and it's almost palpable.

We look forward to hosting YOU here at Legodimong, high on the hill overlooking the city of Pretoria / Tshwane. May you take home with you a small measure of the peace and hope to be found on this hilltop.

This pic of Mark and me was taken on a day walk in Cape Town.

Spring in all its 2009 glory

2009-10-27T01:46:00.000-07:00

With early rains this year our garden has been a wonder. With the vast view of the city in front of us daily, and the garden around us abundant with colour, we know we are in LEGODIMONG - HEAVEN!

2009-08-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

Legodimong is the North Sotho word for 'in heaven'. Perched high on the ridge in Muckleneuk overlooking the city of Pretoria or Tshwane, we know WE ARE.

Many guests have felt the same.

From Kenya: "Asante! The word we use for 'Thanks!' If I am asked, I would say "Legodimong is not a guest house - it is a guest home!! I came here as a guest. You took me in with an open heart and open hands."

From California: "Gorgeous views and even better company!"

From Addis Ababa: "Nice place and incredibly charming hosts. Thank you."

From Mauritius: "Very beautiful place. We had a very nice and enjoyable stay. Thanks for everything.... Will surely come again. Thank you."

From Botshabelo: "Warm welcome and it's really Legodimong indeed!"

We look forward to your comment!

2009-05-28T01:40:00.000-07:00

You are guarranteed

a warm welcome at

Legodimong!

4 years ago we started our Bed and Breakfast on the ridge in Muckleneuk, overlooking the city bowl of Pretoria / Tshwane. Lettie Munyamani joined our staff then and together we have grown in confidence and competence. She is able to run the business when we are away, and we frequently get letters from guests complimenting us on the hospitality when we return. As Legodimong is our home, we closely guard the happy atmosphere - and Lettie plays a vital part in that.

Legodimong means 'in heaven' - and we are!

2009-04-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

You're invited to breakfast!

Breakfast at Legodimong is a great start to the day. With views over the city of Pretoria and Kellerman playing softly in the background, breakfast can be as long as you like. We serve cereals, yoghurt and fresh fruit salad daily, and offer bacon and eggs, omlette or scrambled egg on order. Mark has become a chef of note over the years. Over breakfast we get to know our guests and are fascinated to meet such a wide variety of people. If you've stayed once, you are never forgotten! We look forward to hosting you again soon.

2009-02-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

As red roses are the order of the weekend, I thought to send you a profusion of red and white blooms from our front garden - our way of saying to each of our guests: you've been special!

I must admit that this picture was taken in October - a little ahead of Valentine 2009. Mark has struggled to grow geraniums in this position - south-facing and surrounded by paving - but this year HE GOT IT RIGHT. A friend who lived in Europe for some time commented that these were the first he had seen in SA like the ones that are so freely grown in Europe. At the moment they are a shadow of their October glory, but we like to brag anyway! Our Hippeastrums (Amaryllis) grow larger and more impressive each year - we've counted 120 flowers at one time. Just glorious.

From our perch on Muckleneuk Hill overlooking a green and clean Pretoria (Tshwane) we send you greetings! May 2009 bring much to look forward to. And we hope we meet again.

2009 - here we go!

2009-01-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

Will anyone remember 2009 with 2010 demanding our attention? From our perch on the hill top we wish you a great 2009 with the vision and energy to achieve all that you have planned. We hope that this year our paths will cross.

If you are planning a visit to Pretoria, December is a good time: the city is green, the streets are unusually quiet and the shops uncongested. Summer storms in the late afternoons are a frequent feature in December, heralded by angry clouds and short, violent showers which are over in 30 minutes. The city disappears from view to reappear washed and sparkling.

What makes Legodimong so memorable is our position high on the Muckleneuk ridge overlooking the city of Pretoria - plus a nature reserve on our back fence! In the city and in the veld at the same time. Our street is so quiet - being a cul-de-sac - that one can be forgiven for forgetting that we are almost in the centre of a major city. We are in walking distance of UNISA the largest distance learning university in Africa and many of our guests are students and visiting lecturers from all sorts of interesting places. Crawford school is just down the road and Groenkloof shopping center is a 5 min drive. Brooklyn, which offers superb shopping, is just blocks away. There is a huge variety of restaurants in the close vicinity.

We look forward to meeting YOU this year.

Rain on the ridge

2008-11-17T03:47:00.000-08:00

The rains have come and Kruin Park is greening again. The Jacarandas are all but over and the walk through the park to the Muckleneuk campus of UNISA is now through green trees. Gone is the dry of winter. Spring is late in the park but when it comes the transformation is almost immediate. This little jewel that sits on top of Muckleneuk ridge is well used by the local residents: few people know of the unique views over the city from high points in the park. There are maintained paths through the park which lead one from east to west in such dense bush that one has to remind oneself that the city is just below. The park is fenced and locked at nights. The gates open at 06:00 and the mornings are still fresh and new before the sun rises in all its November heat. A little piece of paradise, we think!

Walk to UNISA

2008-10-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

Pretoria is one of the best-kept secrets.

In October the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom without a leaf in sight - a cloud of purple. From Legodimong, high above the city, we trace the streets across town lined with purple. At this time of the year the Jacks help to fine-tune one's mental compass again.

Kruin Park, behind us, is free of Jacaranda trees. It is through this still dry nature area that one will walk to UNISA in the mornings, a distance which takes about 15 minutes. Exiting the nature reserve onto Devenish St, one walks along the ridge with beautiful views over the city, up Dr Willem Punt Drive to the Muckleneuk campus of UNISA. In the next few days a carpet of Jacaranda blossoms will cover the streets as the flowers fall making this walk a wonderland for a few days only.

"Spring is in the Air"

2008-08-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

"every sight and every sound" ....

Our doors and windows are flung wide! Spring is here! Nestled against every rock are plants announcing the change in the air. Kalanchoes vie with Sporaxis for attention. Watsonias startle with leggy elegance. Such a profusion of colour! This garden is a delight at this promising time of the year. Make sure you see it!

Established about 4 years ago, the garden is now full of the plants Mark so loves to collect. "This we found in Sewe Weekspoort" "This comes from Audrey in Pietermaritzburg". Each plant has a history which links it to our lives; some come from the gardens of parents along since gone and speak volumes when they flower.

Winter on the ridge

2008-07-10T01:43:00.000-07:00

UNISA and the blue-lit Telkom tower are visual markers for our house. Approaching Pretoria along the R21 from the airport one can see the Telkom tower from more than 10km away. Once you can see the tower you know where you are headed. We are on the same ridge as UNISA and the tower heading east. A walk to UNISA is 20 mins at the most through Kruin Park, along Devenish St and up Willem Punt St. A drive is 5 mins: the park prevents one travelling as the crow flies. If one understands that the park has to be circumvented, it's a simple drive either down the hill on the northern slope or around the park on the soutern slope. Our exercise is walking so we know the terrain well. Having Kruin Park right on our boundary fence is awesome: if one looks south one can forget that one is in the city. We see a wide range of birds and the occasional bush baby or mongoose. Our park is well cared-for: its fenced and regularly patrolled; its kept clean and the locals regularly stroll through with their dogs. If you have time to wander through it towards the eastern side, one can see unobstructed views of the Union Buildings and the city from the rise. Wonderful memories to take with you. We hope you visit us soon. More pictures on our website: www.legodimong.com

2008-07-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

2008-07-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

A day at Legodimong

2008-07-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

In September our house will celebrate its 5th birthday. Perched high on Muckleneuk Ridge, with foundations of 3 metres deep, Legodimong was built by Bart Withaar, the son of a Dutch builder. This house is here to stay. Designed by Graham Waterston, it boasts light and view and its earthy terracotta floors link eye and heart. This is first and foremost a home, and it is much loved.

When we realised how cool and airy the downstairs rooms are, with windows that open wide to the view, we knew people would be wowed. And Legodimong Bed and Breakfast was born.

Legodimong translated from North Sotho means 'in heaven'. The name is taken from the Lord's Prayer 'thato ya gago a e dirwe mono lefaseng bjalo ka e dirwa legodimong'. We get many puzzled queries from North Sotho speakers about the name, so simply: we are on the top of a hill and closer to heaven. "Aaah" is the appreciative response. But the name works for us on many levels. Living here is heavenly. And we are greatly blessed.

Take a look at our website for pictures - www.legodimong.com and enjoy your glimpse of heaven.

To read more about Legodimong, click here...

Visiting us at Legodimong

2008-06-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is the first posting from Legodimong: am I talking to myself? Worse things could happen on our hill overlooking Pretoria!

Mark and I send fond greetings to all our guests! You've touched us in some small way so we can't forget you. Greetings from Pretoria.

I plan to post Legodimong news and hopefully pictures which Mark keeps taking - of plants or sunsets or birds from this amazing position high on the hill. Watch this space!