If it is an antique, old world oasis you are looking for as your next escape then look no further.
Al-Ru Farm is indeed a very gentle place. Ruth Irving is a well-known antique dealer and it is obvious from seeing the property she shares with her husband just how much they enjoy life's beautiful things.
Ruth travels extensively, particularly to England and France, to bring back treasures which she sells from her showroom, which was once the shearing shed. A straw bale barn houses much of her collection.
The farm's gardens are in South Australia's Open Garden Scheme and are open to the public each August and November. Ruth works in the gardens with two gardeners for three days each week and the hard work has certainly paid off.
The two-and-a-half hectares of gardens have a grove of 1400 young olive trees, an orchard, reflective pond, arched walkways and more than 1000 rose bushes.
Lucky visitors stay in the Garden Pavilion, a beautiful B&B with definite French flavour — it has French antiques, French doors and is laid out like a French country house.
It is very private, with all windows looking over the garden, which is kept exclusively for guests to enjoy. It even has its own driveway and is set away from the main home.
The Garden Pavilion has a large bedroom with queen-size bed with crisp white linen, sitting room with comfortable sofas and chairs and open fireplace, a separate dressing room with suitcase racks and the bathroom has a large rainwater bath and shower. The kitchen has a stove, refrigerator, freezer, microwave and marble benchtops. Breakfast is a treat of bacon, eggs from the farm and home-made jams. There is also a range of teas and coffees. Gourmet dinners can be supplied by arrangement. You will be made perfectly comfortable with air conditioning, and there is a television and CD player for your entertainment.
