East London - We often broke our journey between Durban and the Cape by staying in East London. Then, as accommodation in that city became ever more pricey, we opted for Gonubie, which proved a quieter, cheaper alternative.
Recently, while driving rather aimlessly in search of a different B&B from the ones used previously in Gonubie, I came across Chanteclear, owned by Tony and Stella Paul. The fact that it’s located on Ocean Way already tells a tale: the sea is just a stone’s throw beyond the vegetated dunes.
Early the next morning, on my way back from watching the sun rise over the beach, I looked up to see Tony waving enthusiastically from the deck.
“How warm and friendly,” I thought, but it soon emerged his excitement was not evoked by my scintillating personality. He had just spotted the first whale of the season, wallowing out to sea.
Chanteclear’s upper deck is possibly a favourite of visitors, for this is where they can spot all the action. Wisely, the Pauls have also put their breakfast room up here.
So, regardless of the weather, guests can enjoy the sea, and anything which happens to be frolicking in it, as they tuck into breakfast.
Clearly, Tony and Stella believe in a hearty start to the day. Fresh fruit salad in a tall glass, yoghurt, cereal, and a hot meal to keep even the hardest-working sailor in ship shape… eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, hash browns and tomato.
The rooms (including those which offer self-catering) are all located around a central courtyard with a fountain and inviting benches.
Each en-suite room, with selected DStv channels, is decorated differently. A pretty room divider acted as a headboard above my comfortable bed. There were light, billowy curtains, white tiles and crisp white linen.
There is a communal braai area in the courtyard, where those who want to can quickly make friends.
Take a long walk along the rocky shore in the area or stroll to the main, sandy beach some kilometres away, using a grassed walkway.
Here a raised wooden walkway, beside the dunes, is a big drawcard. Gonubie also has a sheltered lagoon, where canoeing and kayaking are popular.
It is the kind of resort where families went in the days before large, high-rise hotels took over the skyline of many holiday destinations.
Of course, if you get withdrawal symptoms and hanker for the hustle and bustle, you can always take a drive to East London, only 20km away.
l Contact: 043 740 2111; 082 775 9709; 083 570 7245; e-mail: [email protected]
Sunday Tribune