Blogs from Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

I discovered too late as I am writing this, I should have been recording our knowledgeable guide, Ben. As I look back on our trip I struggle to remember all the names and places, but here goes. We started the day by stopping at one of several "picture frames" in Cape Town that provide a scenic view inside. This one frames Table Mountain, our first planned stop of the day. From there we traveled with hundreds of others to the cable car station to ride to the top of Table Mountain. The wind that prevailed the past two days, stopped the cable cars and now everyone was making up for lost time. Fortunately for us, Ben was able to secure tickets quickly and gain quick access to the cable car. I am not sure how he ... read more

So, Winespeed has taken up my campaign to give Chenin blanc a fair chance on your dinner table. I enjoy it with seafood, pasta, cheese, and fruit. South Africa accounts for 53% of the world’s total planted acreage of chenin blanc. France grows 28%, primarily in the Loire Valley, and together the U.S. and Argentina split another 15%. For centuries chenin blanc was (and it still remains) South Africa’s most planted grape. Sometimes known there as steen, it was one of the first grapes to arrive on the Cape in the1650s. Historically, far more white grapes than red were grown in South Africa—a reflection of the past importance of cheap South African “sherry” and brandy which were based on white grapes that could be grown at astronomical yields (and consequently little flavor or complexity). Chenin blanc ... read more

Day 2 of our "tour" started with Table Mountain and another drive through the city. (We decided to go up Table Mountain on Tuesday, even though it was included in our tour, because the weather was good, and the cableway closes if it is too windy or the cloud is too low. Happy to do it twice.) This drive took us through some different places in the city so quite interesting. Then up the mountain to the lower cable station. (So much for hiking mountains to see proteas at the gardens, they grow wild over the slopes of Table Mountain and when you are sitting on the other side of the bus, you can see them! The mountain is covered in fynbos - a word they invented to describe the vegetation on the mountains of the ... read more

As I am writing this, it is pouring rain outside, and I mean pouring, a real nice thunderstorm, and I am very happy I am under a roof. And a very nice one! A cyclist that I had contacted when I was thinking about coming to South Africa invited me to stay with him and his wife, in Stellenbosch. I don't know if I have ever met anyone so enthusiastic about tour cycling, it is actually touching to listen to him talking about his experiences and how much he loves to travel on his bike. There is definitely something very addictive about bike touring and it's nice to meet other people who can fully understand why I like it too. As I left Robertson 2-3 days ago, I didn't expect the scenery to be all that ... read more

Calvinia: Aufwachtemperatur: 5 Grad, immerhin ueber Null. Aber im Lauf des Tages wurde eswaermer, bis auf 21 Grad, schoener blauer Himmel - der perfekte Motorrad Tag! Die Bedienung im Fruehstuecksraum trug Wintermantel und Wollmuetze!! Das kommt sicher auch nicht so oft vor. Im Ort sassen schon wieder die Leute vor dem bottle shop - in der Hoffnung, dass es vielleicht heute den Alkohol kostenlos gibt. Zuerst niederes Gebuesch, Schaffarmen. Viele dieser Farmen haben am Haus ein Feld mit Feigenkaktus. Das ist die Notration fuer die Schafe, falls mal wegen ausbleibendem RFegen nichts mehr anderes waechst. Es ging insgesamt ujeber 4 Paesse an diesem Tag und durch wunderschoene Landschaft. Bei Clanwilliam begannen ausgedehnte Orangenhaine, die meisten bluehten gerade und der Duft hing in der Luft. Citrusdal: kleine Pause, Larry, Julia und Brad kamen dazu. Leute mit Bie ... read more