With the winter months upon us, it is pertinent for every individual to keep their skin hydrated in order to avoid the dry, flaky skin that is inevitable in the colder months.

When choosing somewhere to be treated, there are a number of spa’s that offer something extra, to ensure your time is spent to its fullest.

Granny Mouse Spa located onsite at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa in Balgowan, has made it their top priority to ensure that each customer is delivered exceptional service and value for money.

Added to every single treatment, is their signature welcome ritual. Should you book a treatment you are encouraged to arrive earlier to reap the benefits of the welcome ritual. Guests are treated to a foot soak with exfoliation before being directed to the change room where they will get ready for their booked treatment.

Over and above this signature welcome ritual, Granny Mouse Spa also offer signature packages for guests wanting to spend a half or full day in the company of our therapists. These packages promote total serenity, rejuvenation and relaxation. The Granny Mouse Full Day Re-Awakening option is a 5 hour and 30 minute treatment which starts off with a Full Body Exfoliation, CSpa Shimmer Milk Hydro Bath, then a Hot Stone Full Body Massage, Deluxe Manicure, Deluxe Pedicure, Thalgo Classic Facial as well as a light lunch and refreshments (R2020).

For those only wanting to stay for a few hours but still get a pampering, the Granny Mouse Half Day Soother, is a 3 hour treatment which includes Full Body Exfoliation, CSpa Shimmer Milk Hydro Bath, then a 30 minute Back, Neck, and Shoulder massage, Thalgo Classic Facial as well as a Hand and Foot massage (R1345).

However if you prefer a treatment specifically for your needs – Granny Mouse also offer their Signature Pick ‘n Mix Menu where you are offered the option of receiving 3 treatments of your choice for 1 hour 30 minutes (R690) or 4 treatments for 2 hours (R800) from the following selection: Shimmer Milk Hydro Bath; CSpa Basic Facial; Hand and Foot Massage; Head & Scalp massage inclusive of neck and shoulders; Back, neck and shoulder massage or a Full Body Exfoliation.

So if pampering is what you are seeking, then come to your “home away from home” where our qualified therapists will ensure that all dryness is hydrated, every knot, tension, stiffness or stress-related fatigue is taken care of and you are left feeling like a new and improved “You”.

“When it comes to the rejuvenation of the body, our team at the Granny Mouse Spa make it their focus that you leave feeling energised and refreshed. I can assure you that they will make your time with them worthwhile,” says General Manager, Sean Granger.

For more information contact (033) 234 4071 or make a booking at spa@grannymouse.co.za

For avid gardeners  who take pride in the appearance of their garden during winter, and want to ensure their special roses are looking pristine, it is time to get out the shears and start pruning.

How exactly is this done? Many gardeners know when to do the “snip”, however not all gardeners know how to correctly prune their roses. Incorrect pruning can lead to damage of the stems, preventing correct growth of your plants and sometimes may even kill the plant.

With Granny Mouse Country House & Spa having an inhouse gardener/landscpaer, delicate plants such as roses look good all year round – even in winter.

Here are some tips for the best way to keep roses in tip top shape during the winter months, because roses generally need protection from the harshness of winter’s cold temperatures and winds that can dry out stems.

1. Cover the base of the plant with soil – several spade fulls heaped on the base of the plant will help protect the plant.
2. Water the roses regularly especially if the winter is dry. In very cool areas – ensure you water to a depth of a few inches before the ground freezes over.
3. If the ground is frozen where the plant stands, cover the base of the plant with a heap of mulch, made up of hay, straw, leaves, or even compost. This will ensure the ground stays frozen and no thawing and freezing again takes place. The process or re-freezing and thawing damages the plant.
4. Ensure all dead leaves are pulled off the stem. These cause increased drying and even disease for the plant.
5. For windy areas, cover the plant with a polystyrene cone and fill with an insulation material, such as leaves, hay, thick layer of newspapers, etc.
6. Most importantly – for areas where there is frost/snow, ensure that when the ground begins thawing, you start removing all soil etc from the base of the plant.
7. New growth may have begun when spring starts – work carefully when touching the plant. This is also the correct time to prune.

When it comes to pruning here are some tips to do it correctly:

1. Sterilize the shears. Roses can be victim to disease if not treated correctly.
2. Cut off the blossomed roses to encourage re-growth. Cut at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above outward-facing bud.
3. Remove dead/diseased wooded stems and suckers. Remove suckers by digging down to the actual root. Then break it off where it started. Don’t just cut these as they tend to grow back.

These tips have been supplied by Mark Robson, Gardener and Landscaper for Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.

For more tips, call Mark Robson at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa on 033 234 4071.