Blogs from Robertson , Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

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Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson April 10th 2018

We left Cape Town to drive to the Robertson wine region via Stellenbosch and Franschoek. The latter were both nice towns with interesting buildings and art and craft shops. Robertson was an interesting alternative area to the other wine regions with less tourists. We did not stop for too long and continued our drive through stunning mountain scenery. We enjoyed a wine tasting before an excellent late lunch at the Pierneef de la Motte restaurant. What an amazing meal. probably one of the best I have ever had. Springbok for main course.The restaurant is in a wonderful setting amongst the vineyards and mountains. In Robertson we had luxury airbnb accommodation at Hook Shot Lodge situated on a golf course. The next day we went on another wine tasting at Viljoensdrift and a short river cruise.... read more
View from Hook Shot Lodge
Robertson River Cruise view
Robertson river cruise

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson April 23rd 2017

It is starting to feel like the end of my bike trip is near. But I am still accumulating incredible memories and enjoying this trip immensely. After a night in Calitzdorp, under the stars in my hammock again, I left early after some of the other guests wished me safe travels. It was a beautiful morning, cool weather, thank God because I had a really long hill to climb. But I felt good that day and it went really well and of course going up usually means there will be some downhills eventually... Some of the people who had stayed at the same campsite as I did stopped when they passed me, offered me water, pepper spray, etc. It was fun to stop and chat for some time, I wasn't in a rush! And they were ... read more
Cat very proudly "riding" Stella
the famous route 62
cheese cake on the front rack

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson August 7th 2012

It was in warmer weather that I headed off for sunday lunch down a winding dirt road into the wilderness. I turned off Route62 and wondered where I was heading but soon a beutiful wine farm lay spread out before me, right on the banks of the Breede river - Bon Cap! A lovely buffet in a stunning setting - you can choose to sit inside or outside, alfreso-style. With lovely gardens & mountains as your backdrop, you couldn't wish for a better setting.... read more
Arrival through wine & roses!
What a setting!
The road to Bon Cap

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson April 17th 2012

Saturday afternoon was the ideal day to wander down the dirt road behind Rooiberg Winery to find Saggy Stone micro-brewery in 'the middle of nowhere'! Well, it's pretty close to the Nuy Valley which is a beautiful corner of the Breede River Valley under the Langeberg. Saggy Stone produces it's own beers and offers tastings and lovely lunches on the weekends. Perfect, 'cos my neighbourhood back home was getting pretty noisy with kids, motorbikes and an electric bandsaw!!! (Can you believe!?) It was wonderful to get out and sit in a beautiful rustic environment and enjoy a tasty serving of prawns, delicious home-made chips and fresh salad! I chose an 'Irish Red' to wash it down with - all very reasonably priced. The menu is varied and the servings generous - they've got a play area ... read more
The rustic braai area
Enjoying that Irish Red!
The approach!

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson April 3rd 2012

I left home this morning on a beautiful fresh day to head off to Farmer Redbeard & his wife on their farm in Ashton, just up the road from Robertson! My mission? Grape stomping!! What a a lovely setting, tucked up against the Langeberg mountains with vineyards & orchards spread out under the slowly warming sun. We started off with a cup of 'moerkoffie' which is really strong & brewed over an open fire. Then it was off to the vineyards where everyone was already hard at work on the last block to be harvested - Shiraz. Up to the cellar to see how the next stage goes, with a cool machine that separates the grapes from the stalks & feeds them into a huge stainless steel tank that can hold a ton!! My fun was ... read more
Harvesting the last Shiraz grapes
Conveying grapes!
Grapes go one way, stalks another

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Robertson March 16th 2012

So, what's on offer in this wonderful wine valley? Well, one fun activity that I experienced recently, is to go to Excelsior Wine Estate and learn how to blend, bottle & label my own wine! Excelsior has a stunning setting for tasting wine too - a little wooden house on stilts balancing over a lovely farm dam with views over the vineyards to the Langeberg mountains in the distance - sublime! Their guesthouse is a beautiful old-world mansion, set in stunning gardens with a pool deck to die for! They serve breakfast and dinner (with Excelsior wines of course!) and offer walks, golf-cart rides or cycling around the estate - what a wonderful place to 'get away from it all' - I had a fantastic time there! Have a look at www.excelsior.co.za for more info.... read more
Pooldeck
Guesthouse interior
Alpaca's




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