Riversyde

Dora asked me to fill in a questionnaire about her guest house and I realised then that she had every angle covered - impeccable food, personality, award-winning service, comfort, beds, linen, garden. All got top marks, and not because I was sucking up! There are only four rooms in the house, all large with deep carpets and egg-shell blue or salmon pink walls. One has a little balcony, two overlook the river and two have free-standing iron baths behind screens in the bedroom with you. For some reason I loved this - perhaps because I could watch TV from the bath. You must make sure you book with Dora early enough to give her time to include you in her delicious dinners. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Riversyde is the river side. The tidal Great Brak River runs beside the lawns of the garden, just 5m from the house, and there is an island rich in bird life just yards from the jetty. Dora can make you a picnic and you can paddle off down the river on a canoe or take the motorised raft to some secluded sandy beaches; or otherwise stay at home and sample the very reasonably priced traditional South African lunches, delicacies and sweet treats from the cafe menu. Few hostesses take such deserved price in what they do. Good base for golf, beaches and day trips to Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay and George.