Vergelegen and a Mountain Cabin

Combining a visit to a historical wine estate and a sleepover with friends in a mountain hut makes a pretty good weekend - at least that's our opinion. Last weekend we checked out Vergelegen, and then stayed at the Mountain Club Hut in the Hottentots Holland mountains with friends from Kuils River for one night.

Vergelegen is a beautiful wine estate in Somerset West, with a big Cape Dutch house and extensive gardens, situated at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountains. It was established by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in the 1700's, the son and successor of Simon van der Stel (governor of the Cape Colony in the late 1600's).

Unfortunately Willem Adriaan's best interests did not lie with the welfare of the Cape Colony, and he used the Dutch East Indian Company's extensive resources to build up his own private estate and wealth, as well as passing grossly unfair laws concerning the free burghers (independent farmers). He was corrupt, and dismissed from his post and exiled to the Netherlands by the Company in 1707.

The original estate was divided into four farms (Vergelegen, Lourensford, Morgenster and Cloetenburg) and sold off. Vergelegen is now a productive wine estate owned by a mining company, and is definitely worth a visit (even if you skip the wine tasting).

The maize-like herb garden. 

Beautiful, historic camphor trees in the gardens, believed to have been planted in 1700. 

All the buildings had the same Cape Dutch style. 

 The 'Royal' Oak, planted in 1928. This tree's acorn came from one of the last of King Alfred's oak trees at Blenheim Palace in England. Plenty of royalty has also come to see it, including King George VI and Queen Elisabeth II.

I figured a thousand or more people must have taken this picture before me, but not one that has these two boys staring at the pond like they're seeing a giant tadpole with three tails. 

All that remained of the old Water Mill was one barely-standing wall. 

Crossing a natural stream. 

A stroll in the Yellowwood forest. 

More big, dramatic trees. 

The rose garden. 

After Vergelegen, we drove to the mountain hut with our friends. After a short hike with all our stuff awkwardly over shoulders and arms, we were relaxing with great views of False Bay, the mountains in mist behind us, and the laughing sound of a mountain stream in the background.
We were soon joined by two other members of the Mountain Club and had a great time with them, playing cards, chatting, and braaiing (in the fireplace, because the wind would have blown the fire, person trying to braai, and 'wors' (sausage) away outside). Thanks for the 'kuier' everyone!

On the way to the hut. 

Already at home. 

A Weekend in McGregor

What better place to go to for a chilled weekend away than McGregor, the small and picturesque village in the Riviersonderend Mountains? McGregor has recently gained publicity and fame for its beautifully preserved 19th century architecture and relaxed atmosphere among the vineyards (and olive groves). This is where family of ours live, and so we had a nice 'naweek kuier' at the van der Colffs.

In between activities like 'kuier', swimming and braaiing-on-the-cob (and braaiing and braaiing....thanks oom Corrie), we went 'housewatching' on bicycles, drank milkshakes, watched the (absolutely ancient) 1973 classic Jonathan Livingston Seagull movie (I think an older generation will appreciate this), and had a Valentines Day lunch at Rhebokskraal Olive Estate.

The fabulous house at Rhebokskraal. 

Typical McGregor houses. 

The Old Post Office. 

A 'stoep' (porch) is a very South African thing. 

Some people have vineyards in their backyards....

...others have cows. 

Milkshakes! 

Table Mountain, a Castle, and Camps Bay

Last Saturday we once again donned our tourist hats, and set out to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. We climbed up Table Mountain, took the Cable Car down, checked out the Castle of Good Hope, visited the old Company Gardens and even tried swimming in the freezing (but beautiful blue) Benguela ocean current at Camps Bay. 

The most popular tourist destination city in South Africa is Cape Town, but what makes Cape Town so special is Table Mountain, the curiously flat 'Guardian of the South'.

There are many hiking trails on top of the mountain itself, but one first has to get up there... Most people take the easy way out and ride the Cable Car up and down the mountain, but we decided to hike up Platteklip Gorge instead, and only take the Cable Car down. We were very glad about the Cable Car once we were on top though - the climb was only about 3 km, but it took us an exhausting 2 hours! 

Just started. 

About halfway up the gorge. 

The view was fantastic. 

We were very fortunate with the weather; there was barely a breeze, which is unusual for the Cape (and mountains). 

Headed down on the Cable Car, we had a good view of Lion's Head (on the left of the picture) and Signal Hill (which is supposed to be the rump of the lion). We also heard the Noon Gun firing at 12:00 pm from Signal Hill, which it has been doing every day for 110 years (since 1806). 

The mechanics of the Cable Car, imported from Switzerland. 

We made a quick stop at Signal Hill for some pictures. 

Next up was the Castle of Good Hope. Built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company, it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa, and is still serving as a military building today.  

This bell tower was added by Simon van der Stel (Governor of the Cape) in 1684 (made from yellow, imported Dutch bricks). 

Both Sides of False Bay

Last weekend turned out most eventful, with 3 different outings Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We were all exhausted and agreed not to overload weekends again, but it was worth seeing both sides of False Bay since we are living here now for 2 months.

Google Maps to the rescue - False Bay (click image to enlarge).

Friday we went for a short 2-hour hike in Helderberg Nature Reserve (which is really close to where we live). It is a beautiful Reserve and we will visit it again.

View over the Strand, Somerset West and Gordon's Bay. 

Stunning King Proteas. 

Saturday we drove along the coast with friends through Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Simon's Town into the Table Mountain National Park, where we stopped at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope (these are 2 different places right next to each other, don't get confused between them).

In Simon's Town we checked out a Toy Museum. It was well worth it - everything from trains, dolls and detailed figures to a miniature circus were there. 

Inside the Table Mountain National Park - you can see the Dias Monument as a white speck against the ocean. 

An exhibition at the Information Center. 

The Big Buffalo Bay Weekend

Earlier in June, it was the Big Burger Buffalo Bay Weekend - 'tannie' Anel and 'oom' Jan Burger both turned 40 this year, and celebrated with friends and family at Buffalo Bay (Buffelsbaai) over a long weekend. After the Saturday evening party we slept over in a holiday flat, and the next day went on a long beach walk to Brenton-On-Sea (which is about 5km away coast-wise). Here follows the story...

As a favor for tannie Anel, we were the 'balloon and birthday cake couriers', picking up a huge (and rather colorful) birthday cake and lots of helium balloons on our way to Buffalo Bay. Despite a punctured tire, we arrived safely and the night was on!

Balloons!

Burger Birthday Cake.

The party theme was anything (and everything) to do with 'B' - accordingly, everyone had to dress up as something beginning with 'B'. There were everything from Ballerinas, Bunnies, Brides and Beach Bums to 'Boere' (farmers), Bridegrooms, Bikers, 'Boewe' (thieves) and even Braveheart (William Wallace)!

Theuns and Maarten went as 'Best Buddies', mom and dad as Bedouins, and me as a Basotho. I was a ninja Basotho though, as I was the party photographer as well.

As the night grew longer people 'shed' their costumes - not my dad though. 

 Later on, I turned into a 'Beanie'.....the DJ rocked tunes from the 80's and it was comical watching grown people relive their teenage years - until I got dragged into it.

A new day dawns... Wait up!

 Snack attack - never go anywhere without supplies.

Maarten found a a very dried out (and dead) shark ("Elna Elna neem 'n foto!!").

Me and mom made it to Brenton-On-Sea, and got a magnificent view of Buffelsbaai. We had excellent weather as well - barely a breeze stirred and it was lovely sunny.