Pincushion Proteas on the upper slopes
On Tuesday I collected an excited group of Australians for a mid morning start to Kirstenbosch and then out to the Cape Winelands....Our midwinter weather could not have been more perfect and we did a one hour orientation walk from the top gate with Castle Buttress forming a dramatic backdrop for a great start to the day!!....A highlight was the Spotted Eagle Owl showing well in a low branch above the Dell and the Aloe Ferox in full bloom.....My guests were fascinated to hear about the magnificent Forest Fever Tree in the Dell and the origins of Colonel Birds Bath!!....
Fairviews Famous Goat tower
Then it was off on the N1 for a 40 min. drive to Fairview near Paarl for some great late morning Wine and Cheese tasting....Famous for its Goats cheeses my guests just loved Fairviews iconic Goat tower with its resident Billys sleeping near the top!!....After some exceptional tasting it was into the Goat Shed Restaurant for a lunch which concentrated on some excellent South African dishes on offer while sitting on the patio with a view all the way to Table Mountain
The view from Delair Graff
Into the car and up the dramatic Helshoogte Pass to the breathtaking setting of the Delaire Graff Estate deck overlooking the Banhoek Valley where my guests settled in for some serious and very relaxed tastings of the Estates exeptional wines....this is where my first problem of the day arose....!!....I simply could not tear my Oz visitors away from this setting so decided to bypass Stellenbosch where I had intended to take them into Oom Samie se Winkel which is stocked and laid out just as you would have expected of an 18th Century General Dealer Store.....
The Scarecrows of Mooiberg
Then it was off down the R44 to the Mooiberg Farm Stall where the Zetler Family and their Berry Farm workers have created the most astounding array of Scarecrows and metal sculptures ....People come from far and wide to see these brightly coloured creations which are unique......
The Beduin Tent at Moyo on Spier...
Finally it was down the Annandale Road past vast Berry fields to Spier Estate for an interactive visit to the Cheetahs which form part of Spiers outreach programme, a look at the Turkish Anatolian Shepherd dogs that are being bred on the Estate and finally some coffee and a beer or two in one of the spectacular tree top dining areas are Moyos African themed restaurant at Spier......My guests watched a red Cape sunset over the vinyards while reflecting on a great day.....
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