Blogs from Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

After the Blue Train, here we are on for four nights around Cape Town before being back home for a few days. Lately all trips to Cape Town have been part of way longer trips. So now that we have a short stay, let's splurge a little for once. We spent our first night and last night in Cape Town...and 2 nights in between in gorgeous Franschoek. The food on the Blue Train was decent, but far away from any top restaurant you could dream of. Definitively nothing you could call a Michelin experience. We are actually glad that the little Red Book hasn't made it to South Africa yet. We would probably have lots of stars in the country, but with those comes quite often the price tag. Over the next few days, we are ... read more

The roots of the South African wine industry can be traced back to the exploration of the Dutch East India Company when a supply station was established in Cape Town. Cape Town was then only a stop for ships and crew to pick up fresh produce during their journey along the spice route to India. Jan van Riebeek was given the task to manage the station and plant grapes to produce wine; falsely believing the eating of grapes and the wine created from them would prevent scurvy and other diseases between sailors during their long voyages. In 1659 the first South African wine made from French Muscadel grapes were successfully made. Thank you Wikipedia. So today, after touring downtown Cape Town and the beautiful gardens around the government buildings, Jenny drove us to the Winelands. It’s ... read more

Finished packing then went for lunch and finished souvenir shopping. Left for airport about 3.30 and booked into lounge as we had a few hours to spare - we decided too old to be sitting in uncomfortable seats waiting till time to board plane. Flight took off at 8.15 (SA time) and arrived Heathrow just after six and eventually in Edinburgh just after 11. We are all shattered but agree we have had a wonderful holiday but as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz said - there's no place like home (until the next adventure). Over and out Eed the Blogger.... read more

Well only three full days to go as start travelling home on Thursday. Fred in fine fettle this morning so book our lunch at Miko's, Mont Rochelle. Spent morning sunbathing before getting ready for taxi at 1.15pm. Did I say this was our relaxing week? Well it is and we're making most of it! Taxi driver told us that Richard Branson was only at his wine farm(Mont Rochelle) a couple of weeks ago. Lunch was excellent in the most beautiful surroundings with amazing views. After lunch dropped off in High Street and had drink at pub before moving on to a nicer bar and had couple of glasses of pink bubbly. Fred had a wee dip when started feeling a bit unwell but he soon rallied. Returned to cottage and had a wee party dancing to ... read more

After breakfast outside on patio, went for walk along Main Street and went to look for villa we stayed in last time. Recognised it straight away although wondered if it now has extension to the side. Went to ticket booth to enquire about tram to wine farms. This is hop on hop off service and allows you to visit up to six farms. The girl in booth was a bit crabbit as we seemed to be at cross purposes. We wanted to go for a nice lunch at one of farms then do tour another day. Went back to villa after lunch and after much dithering (where is Claudine when you need her) decided to book lunch for tomorrow at Mont Rochelle which is owned by Richard Branson. We will get taxi - no Tuk Tuks ... read more