July in the Midlands: Hills, Horses, and Hope

July 2024 felt like stepping into a storybook. We spent it in Nottingham Road, where rolling hills rise and fall like soft green waves, and every misty morning feels like a secret whispered just for you.

We visited Piggly Wiggly, a place that delights little hearts and big ones alike.

The gentle rumble of the old train filled the air with nostalgia, and every so often, the sound of trains passing by added to the timeless countryside charm. We explored the Dinosaur Park at Piggly Wiggly, where www.thedinozone.com sparked awe and excitement, and later took a quiet moment to visit Mandela’s Capture Site, standing in the presence of history and reflecting on its importance.

Just beyond, at Horse Shoe Bend, we watched ponies grazing under the wide, open sky before taking a slow, joyful ride ourselves. My boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he reached out to stroke their warm necks, giggling when their whiskers brushed his tiny hands.

I’ve always loved the hills of this area: how they wrap you in their quiet, how the winter sun makes every blade of grass glisten, how the air seems sweeter, softer, more forgiving. At Brahman Hills, we found the most peaceful spot to lay out a picnic.

That afternoon, inCase came in handy for our picnic: we set up a small braai under the clear winter sky, using our kit’s firelighters and tools to get the coals glowing. There’s something perfect about a simple meal cooked outdoors, laughter drifting into the hills, and knowing you’ve got everything you need right by your side.

I love the old-school countryside farm community this part of the world stands for. There’s an honesty in the way people wave from tractors, a warmth in every farm stall, and a simple generosity that feels like stepping back to a time when neighbors knew each other by name. In Nottingham Road, life moves slower, hearts open wider, and every sunrise feels like a fresh start.

But what makes Nottingham Road so special isn’t just the scenery, it’s the people. The kind, welcoming souls who greet you with warm smiles and easy conversation. There’s a sense of hope here that’s impossible to miss, a joy that lingers in the air like woodsmoke curling up from a farm kitchen.

Every moment felt like a quiet gift: my son squealing as he ran across a field, the golden afternoon light pooling across the hills, the simple comfort of sharing sandwiches on a blanket under the winter sky.

I came home feeling lighter, more alive, and deeply grateful for the chance to share this piece of South Africa with my little one. For me, Nottingham Road isn’t just a place — it’s a reminder that magic is real, that community matters, and that joy can always be found if you’re willing to slow down and look.