For a pricey and exclusive but relaxed family outing in the countryside there’s The Other Side restaurant at Monaghan Farm, just 15 minutes from Lanseria Airport. Set on a private housing estate - 1,260 acres of sloping greenery with the Jukskei River flowing across it - Monaghan Farm is selling the dream of country living to harried Joburgers.

Lunch is a three-course set menu for sophisticated tastes, served buffet-style and including a selection of tasty mains such as lemon roast chicken and baked lamb patties with tahini and pine nuts, lots of vegetarian sides and comforting and moreish desserts. For the kids there’s miles of space to ride bikes or scooters, a play area and trees to climb, and an option of margherita pizzas. All this makes for lazy afternoons and happy families.