A stay in Vermont

Vermont

Tell people that you’re on your way to Vermont and many give you a puzzled response. They obviously are not expecting you to go all the way to America for the weekend, but whilst their brains are whizzing around trying to place the town on a map, I rescue them and explain that it lies close to Hermanus. The relief is palpable.

Acquaintances of ours have a wee cottage set in the heart of Vermont’s ‘old’ quarter. After staying in the town twice now, and familiarising myself with its streets, I have divided Vermont into the ‘old’ and ‘new’, or ‘east’ and ‘west’ quarters for my own reasons. The east or old side is relatively conservative with smaller homes and pretty gardens, whilst the west suffers from a serious case of ‘my house is bigger than yours’ syndrome (although there are obvious exceptions). Continued

Why I’m telling no-one about McGregor

It isn’t easy to find somewhere to stay on a farm that is remote but still close enough to a small town to provide light entertainment when needed and supplies when necessary. I spent quite a bit of time on the internet before I found our little gem on a farm just outside Robertson and McGregor (bonus as we got two quaint towns for the price of one!).

The unbelievably beautiful valley that holds Robertson, McGregor, Ashton, Bonnievale and Montagu in its embrace has something magical about it. And if you don’t believe me, visit it yourself and you’ll understand what I mean. The secret is to take the time to stop in the towns, as we did in Robertson and McGregor, so that the charm of each can find its way into the corners of your mind. Because it won’t be anything tangible or something you ‘discover’; the magic is simply there for the taking, you have but to imbibe … Continued

A hop, skip and a jump to Pilgrim’s Rest

Getting to Pilgrim’s Rest from Johannesburg takes longer than you think it will. It shouldn’t, as the obvious route along the N4 is pretty straight forward – Witbank, Belfast, Waterval Boven – but this is where it starts getting fuzzy, because by this stage not only were we tired, having only left work at around 3pm, but by the time we hit Sabie there was also a not-so-fine mist to contend with.

Oncoming traffic became somewhat indistinct, the world took on the ambiance of Narnia (I kept waiting for Mr Tumnus to come trotting out from under a lamppost) and my stomach took the opportunity to inform me that it was more than a little hungry – ravenous probably comes closer! Continued

Tulbagh and its Hidden Secrets

Tulbagh’s allure is immediately obvious. The scenery, which includes the towering peaks of no fewer than three mountain ranges, is jaw-droppingly beautiful, and the obvious seclusion of the horse-shoe shaped valley in which it lies simply adds further appeal to the already gorgeous countryside. But scenery aside, the town’s secrets are well hidden, although it takes but a minor delve beneath the surface to unearth them, as I soon discover … Continued

Shamwari Game Reserve

There is something distinctly colonial about Shamwari Game Reserve. Perhaps it’s that I don’t get out much, but there is nothing like a lovingly restored Edwardian mansion, the cool verandah and furniture a throwback to a bygone era, to make one feel distinctly elegant, even if I wasn’t exactly attired for the occasion.

How I got there is another story, but I happened to ‘gatecrash’ Shamwari, in a way. We stumbled off an overnight train from Johannesburg, to find ourselves awaited by a 4×4 vehicle and escourted onto the Shamwari grounds … Continued

Vredendal in the Olifants River Valley

Vredendal

Vredendal; Afrikaans for Peaceful Valley, is a modern town that thrives on the banks of the Olifants River. The town marks the boundary between the Mediterranean climate of the southern part of the West Coast and the dry, arid north.

The Olifants River is the large artery that drives the economy of the town and the region and makes this a small paradise for those who want to get away from the city, yet have access to all the modern amenities; the best of both worlds in technology and the warmth of small-town hospitality and living … Continued

Linger a while in Lambert’s Bay

Crayfish

Lambert’s Bay started out as a small and humble fishing village, much like all the other fishing villages along the Cape West Coast. Today, however it is known as the Diamond of the West Coast and one of the major tourist destinations year-round because of the moderate climate.

Here Seafood is king. In all its wondrous variety, the plentiful seafood has made the town into the prosperous community it is today.  Fisherman come from all over when the snoek (Cape Barracuda) run. This unique tasting fish is delicious slow-cooked on an open fire, basted with lemon juice and apricot jam … Continued

Olifants River Meander

Citrusdal

The Olifant’s River meanders through the valley bringing life to the surrounding area. Without the water this beautiful world of green, the heavy fragrance of the citrus groves that greet you as you drive along, the proud farming community with the renowned Groen Vallei wines would cease to exist.

There are many beautiful villages hidden away, that offer warm hospitality to visitors. You can travel around the region for days and days and never get bored.

The majestic Cederberg mountain range towers over Citrusdal; the hub of the citrus growing industry in South Africa. Only two hours drive from Cape Town … Continued

With Love From Shelley Point

© Paul Heydenrych

It all started on a Friday afternoon with three great friends, off for a weekend of fun and birthday celebration. It was lunch time, the car was packed, the music was playing and our journey began. Before we left Cape Town we had to stop off for some essential padkos (quiches, bottled water and chips from the Oakhurst Farmstall in Kenilworth) and once we’d bundled ourselves back into the car we were off …

Even though it was lunch time the traffic was bumper to bumper, because everyone knows Cape Town closes early on a Friday to make way for the weekend. Nevertheless we were three ladies on a mission to get to our destination - Shelley Point on the Cape West Coast … Continued

Bo Kaap – A Visitors Perspective

Bo Kaap

Bo Kaap’s location, just above Cape Town’s busy CBD, may be explicitly stated in its name (bo meaning ‘above’ in Afrikaans), but that’s just about the only thing obvious or boring about this quarter of culture in Cape Town. Tucked into the slopes of Signal Hill, the area is steeped in a rich history.

Many of Bo Kaap’s inhabitants are descended from the slaves brought to the Cape by the Dutch in the 1700s, hailing from India, Malaysia, Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The people making up this rich mixture of cultures were universally, though incorrectly, labelled ‘Cape Malay’, as was their flourishing architecture and cuisine.

Today Bo Kaap is home to just over 6000 people, 90% of which are Muslim (a result of the area’s classification as a Muslim Residential area during the country’s apartheid regime). This seemingly homogenous demographic makes for an incredibly robust cultural experience for anybody visiting the lively suburb … Continued

Muscadel and potjiekos in Montagu

Montagu

The small town of Montagu is located on the famous Route 62 within the Klein Karoo region of the Cape. With less than 10 000 permanent inhabitants it nonetheless has much to offer the visitor. Famed for its hot springs, the town in fact offers an abundance of other activities and experiences from adrenaline filled sports such as rock climbing to more cultured activities such as wine tasting, and just about everything in between.

The Montagu Market held every Saturday morning in the park opposite the tourism bureau offers a sampling of local arts, crafts and cuisine, and an opportunity to meet and mingle with the friendly locals.

Another local legend in the making is the tractor trip and potjiekos lunch, in operation since 1985, where visitors are taken by tractor and trailer to the summit of a local mountain, and, after admiring the view of the town and surrounding farmlands, are able to sample two local specialties: Muscadel and potjiekos … Continued

Hip & Happening Green Point

Green Point

Like so many areas of Cape Town, Green Point is, of late, enjoying a second vogue. Nestled between Signal Hill and the touristy V&A Waterfront, the neighbourhood is shrugging off its reputation as the stalking ground of ladies of negotiable affection, and trading it in for a shiny new one - that of trendy trade and social hub. Businesses, boutiques, eateries and slick nightspots are springing up like daisies, as those in the know hurry to stake their claim in this rapidly changing neighbourhood.

Of course, locals have always known they had a good thing on their hands. The bustling Giovanni’s Deli has been in business for longer than most residents can remember, and every morning sees it packed with regulars enjoying one of Cape Town’s first decent cups of coffee and a pastry, or browsing the selection of imported deli goods … Continued