First I'd like to note that I probably will not be able to post regularly for a while - on the 14th we are flying to Johannesburg, staying in someone's home, and then off to our Game Preserve (see link below). I have heard that there is NO Internet at the Game Preserve at all. I had hoped to post via my phone, but it may not work either.
I'm posting early in the morning for yesterday's adventures, as the computer at my guest house was in constant use last night! Yesterday was another wonderful day. We set off for Stellenbosch to try to retrieve Monika's ATM card which got stuck in a machine at a bank (no success so far!). Then we drove in a large loop through the 4 mountain passes - incredible climbs, incredible views. The mountains around Cape Town rise suddenly, and are rugged - no "foothills" to speak of, so the views are amazing once you get up high.
As we came out of one of the passes, we passed through an area of fruit production - a large reservoir allows irrigation...we saw peaches, apples, pears, and apricot trees, many growing close to each other, supported by wires. We pulled over to an estate, and drove up into the estate itself to see if we could purchase some peaches. We were met by an American woman who was staying at the estate, and she was able to radio to the guys in the field, who were just bringing some in. The peaches were yellowish-orange in color, no "blush" that we are used to - flesh was the same color. We bought 2 for each of us - what a treat to see the orchards up close and have fresh peaches!
We continued on our loop, and it was early afternoon before we returned to Franschhoek. We found a restaurant/small vineyard tucked back down a windy road that was still open for lunch, and...what a find! The food was exquisitely prepared - each of us had something different, but it was all memorable. I had a chenin blanc (one of theirs), a swiss chard salad with cous cous, pomegranates, with a surprise dollap of fresh goat cheese (hiding in the cous cous), as a well as a rissotto of truffles and peas (with a "pea mousse" on top). All of this for around $20!!!
After this amazing meal, we strolled over to their "Exotic Plant" greenhouse - they grow, sell, and ship orchids to parts of South Africa. We rolled into the car, and went off to take a nap prior to our evening hike.
The hike itself was up Mont Rochelle, one of the peaks towering above Mont Rochelle. There are no trees, and the climb was steep. I was still feeling a little stuffed from our meal, so I took it even more slowly than the others - I never did reach the peak, as they did. But...the hike took us through amazing vegetation. At first it was low scrub and wildflowers, but as we rounded the ridge, we came to a microclimate which had the fynbos vegetation at shoulder height - the soft reads brushing our sides as we walked; delicate wildflowers all around. It was a "meadow," unlike any high mountain meadow I have ever hiked in. It was so lovely. I enjoyed being surrounded by so much beauty - for most of the hike I was by myself, and it was peaceful and lovely.
 |
| Sunset on Mont Rochelle - Franschhoek in the distance |
We hiked down just in time for sunset, and drove home for a light dinner. A beautiful ending to a beautiful day.
Magical
ReplyDelete