We headed down one of the most famous roads of the Garden Route, the Route 62 and took in the views...
They are all tar rather than gravel roads in SA, however there are still some driving risks in rocky areas!
“I drive a motorbike, so there is the whiff of the grim reaper round every corner, especially in London.” - Benedict Cumberbatch
On the open road.
Surrounded by lovely mountains.
Our next stop was in Robertson, one of the wine regions, where we were at the Rosendal Winery and Spa. We arrived to a warm welcome and an impromptu wine tasting specially organised for us, before a relaxing hour or two taking in the views and swimming in the gorgeous pool as the sun went down.
"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." - Benjamin Franklin
Views of the vineyards.
Sundowner time.
Dinner was delicious and it turned out the waitress knew people I knew from my time in Namibia.
We slept deeply and after a scrummy, arty looking breakfast we left Rosendal all too soon. We both regretted not staying for longer, and would definitely return.
We headed over to Springfield Estate Winery - producers of one of my favourite wines, Whole Berry, it may have been 9am but we had to taste all their wines as they are so good. We did not leave empty handed, especially as the prices are so good at source! Unfortunately with luggage restrictions we had to be limited in our purchases, but snaffled away a few bottles including the Methode Ancienne - their most exclusive wine!
"Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever." - Aristophanes
We drove on through the pretty town of Franschhoek and over the mountains and passes in this area, a tricky drive, but seriously stunning and famed on the Garden Route as one of the most lovely drives.
More vines.
'Table cloth clouds' like that of Table Mountain (or Tafelberg in Afrikaans), are common in this part of the world.
Some steep hills up, and down (much steeper than it looks!)
This is much steeper than it looks and the truck in front had to go super slow top prevent runaway!
And some serious bends!!!
“Always focus on the front windshield and not the review mirror.” - Colin Powell
Some views from the relaxing winery.
Refreshed and with directions we headed back and managed to find our location. The Italian owner was lovely and friendly and gave us some recommendations for the evening.
"One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time." - Hermann Hesse
We walked to town, past some lovely houses and through the edges of the uni grounds. The restaurant recommended was full as it was Freshers Week and parents were dropping their children off and taking them out for dinner. We plumped for the Cape Town Fish Market chain restaurant and started with cocktails. Everything appeared to be going well until we had an hour and a half wait between the yummy starter and the cold insipid main, epic fail Cape Town Fish Market!
"That food was so bad I can't wait for it to become a turd and leave me." - Thomas McGuane
We had a look around Stellenbosch the next day, with a lovely lunch in an arsty cafe and a browse around some lovely independent boutique shops.
"My look is a Modern Bohemian type thing." - Frances Bean Cobain
We looked through the Village Museum which is a collection of old buildings throughout the ages. Each building is genuinely from its period with artefacts from the times held within, but some renovations have taken place in some of the properties to return them to a by gone era. In each of the properties there is a host dressed in traditional clothing who tells you about that time and what took place in these houses, which was really interesting.
"History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Skins drying.
They are all tar rather than gravel roads in SA, however there are still some driving risks in rocky areas!
“I drive a motorbike, so there is the whiff of the grim reaper round every corner, especially in London.” - Benedict Cumberbatch
On the open road.
Surrounded by lovely mountains.
Our next stop was in Robertson, one of the wine regions, where we were at the Rosendal Winery and Spa. We arrived to a warm welcome and an impromptu wine tasting specially organised for us, before a relaxing hour or two taking in the views and swimming in the gorgeous pool as the sun went down.
"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." - Benjamin Franklin
Our lovely little patio.
Homely room.
Glass of Merlot? Don't mind if I do!
Pool and pond.
Stunning infinity pool and views.
We slept deeply and after a scrummy, arty looking breakfast we left Rosendal all too soon. We both regretted not staying for longer, and would definitely return.
We headed over to Springfield Estate Winery - producers of one of my favourite wines, Whole Berry, it may have been 9am but we had to taste all their wines as they are so good. We did not leave empty handed, especially as the prices are so good at source! Unfortunately with luggage restrictions we had to be limited in our purchases, but snaffled away a few bottles including the Methode Ancienne - their most exclusive wine!
"Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever." - Aristophanes
We drove on through the pretty town of Franschhoek and over the mountains and passes in this area, a tricky drive, but seriously stunning and famed on the Garden Route as one of the most lovely drives.
More vines.
'Table cloth clouds' like that of Table Mountain (or Tafelberg in Afrikaans), are common in this part of the world.
On some of the passes there was a fair way down!
This is much steeper than it looks and the truck in front had to go super slow top prevent runaway!
“Always focus on the front windshield and not the review mirror.” - Colin Powell
Our next stop was the artsy town of Stellenbosch. This is a big university town and is steeped in history. We drove through the centre and on to the outskirts, we struggled some to find The Stables Lodge, our home for the night, so stopped at a local winery - for tea and a taste of the vine grapes (in grape form!) this time!
"Wine is a treacherous friend who you must always be on guard for." - Christian Nestell Bovee
Refreshed and with directions we headed back and managed to find our location. The Italian owner was lovely and friendly and gave us some recommendations for the evening.
"One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time." - Hermann Hesse
We walked to town, past some lovely houses and through the edges of the uni grounds. The restaurant recommended was full as it was Freshers Week and parents were dropping their children off and taking them out for dinner. We plumped for the Cape Town Fish Market chain restaurant and started with cocktails. Everything appeared to be going well until we had an hour and a half wait between the yummy starter and the cold insipid main, epic fail Cape Town Fish Market!
"That food was so bad I can't wait for it to become a turd and leave me." - Thomas McGuane
"My look is a Modern Bohemian type thing." - Frances Bean Cobain
We looked through the Village Museum which is a collection of old buildings throughout the ages. Each building is genuinely from its period with artefacts from the times held within, but some renovations have taken place in some of the properties to return them to a by gone era. In each of the properties there is a host dressed in traditional clothing who tells you about that time and what took place in these houses, which was really interesting.
"History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Skins drying.
Loved this corner chair.
Meow
Herbs drying.
Dinner time?
As you move through the houses you can see how the times move on too.
And the furniture is upgraded.
Upright piano.
Lovely view to the gardens.
Kids toys lined up (for some reason this display felt a little creepy).
Bathroom furniture.
Medicince chest / Apothecary cupboard.
Before we knew it we were on the road again! With a solemn promise that on our next road trip we would spend more than one night somewhere!
"When you have really exhausted an experience you always reverence and love it." - Albert Camus
We drove back to Cape Town and spent about an hour lost on one side of the city thinking we were much closer to where we needed to be than we were. Eventually we found our BnB. The lovely receptionist/maid let us in and helped us to the room. We had booked Villa Belladonna as a treat - with private entrances, self catering options, braai, a hot tub, gym facilities and private balconies and views over the city we were really excited. Sadly, this is not what we got, we were in a cramped and shabby room above the garage and didn't feel comfortable there at all. The description was marketing at its best stretch and our write up on Tripadvisor reflected that!
"For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through." - Steve Jobs
"When you have really exhausted an experience you always reverence and love it." - Albert Camus
We drove back to Cape Town and spent about an hour lost on one side of the city thinking we were much closer to where we needed to be than we were. Eventually we found our BnB. The lovely receptionist/maid let us in and helped us to the room. We had booked Villa Belladonna as a treat - with private entrances, self catering options, braai, a hot tub, gym facilities and private balconies and views over the city we were really excited. Sadly, this is not what we got, we were in a cramped and shabby room above the garage and didn't feel comfortable there at all. The description was marketing at its best stretch and our write up on Tripadvisor reflected that!
"For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through." - Steve Jobs
The area of Vredehoek itself was really lovely with some small independent restaurants and cafes for dinner - which was great as we were a way out in the foothills of Table Mountain. Red Sofa Cafe was lovely for breakfast and Sidewalk Cafe was a great little dinner find with Bella Italia doing portions big enough to share!
The next few days were spent on the bus tour and seeing Cape Towns historical sites...
"In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it." - John Archibald Wheeler
The next few days were spent on the bus tour and seeing Cape Towns historical sites...
"In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it." - John Archibald Wheeler
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