Blind Date with a Book and a View to die for

Is anyone game for a blind date with a book, breathtaking views, thrift shops scattered in quaintly decorated little nooks and crannies, and comfy seating in numerous little spots where you can hide away with your favourite book? There's even a small nursery for plant lovers!

Add to that, friendly smiles from the charming staff who offer excellent service, the best toasted sarmies on the best sourdough bread, the best carrot cake south of the equator, excellent coffee, and a lovely cool breeze from this high vantage point when it's sweltering hot everywhere else, and you have a recipe for success.

So please join me for a shopping spree at Pilgrim's Rest Tea Garden.

What an absolute treat it was finding this hidden gem in the midst of one of our best-loved areas, the Valley of a Thousand Hills, only ten minutes away from my best buddy @artywink's home. They joined us and were just as delighted as they also had not heard of this tranquil gem, so don't be surprised if you're going to get an Artywink post on this very same spot, of course from her vantage point :)

It was pure chance that I discovered this heavenly place when scouring Google maps a while back, looking for something new.
After reading the reviews, I knew we had to come to this special place at the end of Riverview road. It overlooks the massive tranquil Inanda Dam in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and the local settlement below.
The road was named long before the dam was built along the Umgeni River, which ends some 30 kilometers away at the Blue Lagoon that flows into the Indian Ocean.
Hubby and our friends thought I was leading them up the garden path, or rather on the road to nowhere, all very skeptical!
That was until the road ended and the tea gardens came into view, with the spectacular views of the dam way below!

Pilgrim's Rest Tea Garden is aptly described by the owners as:

A rustic tea garden tucked away in the heart of Crestholme. This is a place of tranquility and peace.

In another post, I will tell you more about this special haven and its outreach programs, or I'll have you reading all day or all night.

Today, we will go shopping and have a bite to eat from their simple menu.
I never thought I'd get excited and go ooh & aah when having toasted Cheese and Tomato Sandwiches; whether it's the secret blend of herbs, but these were really good!

Books, clothing, home decor, paintings, LP's dating back to His Master's Voice; all kinds of knick-knacks, there really was something for everyone, but books were the name of the game as it was everywhere.
It reminds me of my home where every room has a collection of books, even my kitchen, although those are recipe books.

This cosy corner is inside a large white marquee where the people who run the community projects also hold church services.

Books, books and more books, and another seating area inside a small building.

Pre-loved Calico Heart Clothing and ladies' accessories can be found in many little areas.

Paintings and vintage homeware makes a nice display.

The tiny Livingstone Nursery, with more clothing next door.

His Master's Voice, the grand-daddy of long-playing records.

One last look at the views of the Inanda Dam, but I must tell you that my photos do absolutely no justice to the breathtaking views!

I hope you enjoyed this shopping and exploration trip, my contribution to the lovely @dswigle's #marketfriday!

Original Content by @lizelle
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^{Artwork by @artywink}