June 3^rd celebrates World Bicycle Day and there is no better place than the Midlands to cruise on your two wheeler and check out this beautiful part of KZN, at a smooth pace while breathing in the fresh air.

Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, situated in the heart of the Midlands Meander, KwaZulu-Natal is just the place to set off from to enjoy this region and the Midlands Meander, which has a number of routes for the avid cyclist to enjoy! For a more structured ride, there are organized tours that are available to you which the team from Granny Mouse can arrange. And for your convenience, Granny Mouse can even assist with arranging bikes for you!

There is so much to see on the many cycling routes. From waterfalls, to nature reserves and picturesque valleys, to local farm stalls, specialty stores, arts, crafts or coffee hang outs – there is something for everyone.

The area also provides a whole variety of terrain, from grasslands, wetlands and indigenous bush.

You will also possibly come across small buck, porcupine, bush pigs, jackals or even caracals. The bird life is so varied so don’t speed through and rather enjoy at a good pace and take in the wonderful sights and sounds of the local nature show.

So the only thing you have to worry about is making sure you have the following equipment:

• Helmet
• Water bottle
• Waist pack or small day pack,especially if you find that perfect little gift from the quaint stores on your fun outdoor adventure.
• Comfortable riding shorts
• And a fun filled attitude

Enquire now at www.grannymouse.co.za for the “ride of your life”!

Inspired from: https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/cycling-the-midlands-meander / https://midlandsmeander.co.za/explore/mountain-biking/

Sean Granger, General Manager of Granny Mouse Country House & Spa recently took time to read up on some awesome works of outdoor topiaries across Europe, which do really create a striking effect in a garden as well as create interest for those passing by.

Interestingly, the origins were in 44BC during the Roman era. Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus (who was known to be Julius Caesar’s side kick), is credited for introducing the very first topiary to Roman gardens, where he had elaborate figures of animals, and so much more at his Tuscan villa. Miniature landscapes (topos) were also created within Roman houses and villas for the first time, forming an art called topiarius.

In the 1500s, topiary was definitely found on properties of the wealthy folk and typical shapes were balls, cubs, cones and pyramids. Creating the sculptural forms were stone and lead which assisted with the creation of the shapes.

By the 17^th Century, it became fashionable to create more complex designs in Holland and soon set roots in England. In 1690, French gardener M. Beaumont created the topiary garden, Levens Hall, and is now in the Guinness Book of Records as being the oldest topiary garden in the world.

18^th Century saw a decline in topiary because of some satiric article on “Verdant Sculpture” published by Alexander Pope in The Guardian in 1713. Making it suddenly unfashionable, they were all but cleared from upper class English gardens which then went back to being more wild and natural looking. The smaller scale style of topiary did survive on in and around cottage gardens primarily in ball and cone shapes.

Fortunately, there were a few gardening writers and topiary enthusiasts who managed to bring it back into favour and fashion and thank goodness for that.

Further good news was the ingenious idea of creating portable pieces, taking the art form into the 20^th century. Frames, now assisted in being a permanent trimming guide, can be stuffed with moss and planted wherever you want, and is a living growing sculpture and beautiful to look at.

There are some super impressive living sculpture forms throughout the world and here are some of the top five as quoted by garden destinations:

1. Levens Hall, England – possibly the oldest with over 100 topiaries
2. The Marqueyssac, France
3. Drummond Castle Gardens, Scotland
4. Green Animals Topiary Garden, Rhode Island
5. Ladew Topiary Gardens, Maryland

So, pull out your shears, prepare your “green fingers” and start creating that front lawn masterpiece on your hedge to impress your neighbours or passersby and be the topiary envy of the block!

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-make-your-own-topiary.htm
http://www.topiaryart.co.uk/the-history-of-topiary/
https://www.gardendestinations.com/five-of-the-worlds-most-fascinating-topiary-gardens/