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BOOKINGS (set calendar) Cottage The Skuinshuis Artist’s Cottage was built ca.100 years ago in the local labourers’ flat-roofed style, with original mouldings around entrance door and windows. Recently extended to include a new bedroom, bathroom and two outdoor seating areas, the cottage now offers a stylish and cosy self-catering accommodation for two adults. 10% of all income from the cottage supports the Skuinshuis Scholarship Fund, administered by owner Sally Arnold since 2000 in aid of various creative projects (e.g. art classes, dance projects) for the youth of Prince Albert. Facilities Cottage facilities comprise a fully equipped kitchen with an original 50’s gas stove (four burners and oven), vintage cast iron Dover wood stove, fridge, iron + ironing board, a small lounge/dining room, an adjoining bedroom with double bed, air conditioning/heating, mosquito net and hanging storage space, a bathroom with extra-long bathtub, new shower, hand basin and hair dryer. Coming soon: satellite TV and a medium-speed internet connection. The courtyard terrace leads onto a sheltered seating area facing the swimming pool and garden, with outdoor furniture, sun umbrella and portable barbecue. All quality linen, towels and dressing gowns are provided. Serviced once weekly with a laundry service on the premises for a small additional fee. Shady parking is on a quiet, safe country street in front of the cottage. Several local restaurants and coffee bars offer a varied and delicious selection of fare. Excellent cheeses, olive oil, dried fruit, fragrant Karoo lamb and dessert wine are all produced in the village. The Prince Albert Gallery hosts a permanent display of local artists’ work, as well as acclaimed, one-off exhibitions by featured artists and ceramicists. The local weavery and other outlets stock high-quality products made from premium indigenous mohair. A cheerful internet café (offering home-baked produce) with medium speed connections will keep you in touch with the world. Art movies are shown in a former dam every 2nd Wednesday, and high level cabaret is featured at the Jans Rautenbach Schouwburg on a bi-monthly basis. A dirt, 1.6km long municipal airstrip plus small hangar allow for the safe landing and storage of a small airplane or helicopter. Prince Albert is the perfect place for chilling out after a hectic time in the city, for focusing on new creative projects (writing that book/screenplay?) and is a secure base from which to explore further afield. Panoramic hiking and cycling tours, as well as personal yoga lessons and massages (at extra cost), can be arranged on prior request. Landscape Prince Albert nestles at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountains (the 2nd highest range in South Africa and a designated World Heritage Site) on the edge of the Great Karoo - a plain of vast proportions. This semi-arid area boasts stupendous scenery in the form of endless vistas bordered by the Cape Fold Mountains, flat-topped mesas and other interesting geologic formations. By contrast, Prince Albert is a fertile green oasis with furrow-led water running off the mountains and is situated just 2 hours, via the spectacular river gorge Meiringspoort and Oudtshoorn, from a major airport with regular domestic connections: George. Cape Town is 4-5 hours distant via the accessible, well-constructed N1. Route 62, a popular drive through charming historical towns, winelands and beautiful scenery, is within close reach via the imposing Swartberg Pass. Climate Summers can be exceedingly hot (pure, dry heat around 40 degrees C - January/February). Gusty, cool late afternoon winds off the Swartberg prevail in the hotter summer months, dropping after nightfall. Winter days are sunny and warm (up to 25 C) with chilly nights (0 C). Rainfall is minimal. Clothing should include a warm sweater and long pants for all seasons. Rates 2007: TSGSA 4 Stars.
*Peak: Dec-Jan/Olive Festival (April - date varies) Refundable key deposit: ZAR 100.00. Laundry: ZAR 50.00 per service (ironing included). Conditions: 50% deposit on confirmation of booking. The remaining 50% rental fee is paid before or on departure. No credit card facilities currently available. Long-term bookings (upwards of 2 weeks) qualify for lower rates. Sorry, no pets. Cancellations: 0 – 7 days prior forfeit 50% of the deposit. 7 - 14 days prior forfeit 25% of the deposit. Contact and Booking: T/F: +27 (0) 235411 046 Welcome, Sally
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