A trip to wine country

One last Bushmans Kloof pic
We were sad to leave Bushman's Kloof.  Besides being a magical place, it marked the end of a joyous weekend with old friends and new. But frankly, we were all (except Paula who has energy levels that I'd like to bottle and sell, and thus make my millions) complete toast by Monday morning.  A hearty breakfast and soothing massage to set us up for the drive ahead, we made our way back to Franschheock, where we will spend the last week of our Cape adventure.

Arriving at P's cottage just behind Paula and Elaine, an early dinner was booked at Reubens, a fairly new spot in the cache of restaurants in and around Franschheock.





Table decor at Delaire Graff Spa
 - not at all excessive :)


The next day we had a full itinerary planned.  Duncan needed to head into Cape Town for a meeting, so I joined Paula and Elaine at their spa day at the really fabulous Delaire Graff winery (spa, hotel, art collection, diamond shop, gardens & restaurants) in Stellenbosch.  As there were no spots available for a tummy tuck or detox (both desperately needed after the excesses of the weekend!), I sat quietly in gorgeous surroundings catching up on admin.  Paula and Elaine emerged looking radiant and we set off for wine tasting - why not, we're in wine country? - at Tokara Wine and Olive Estate.  If you've been to this part of the Cape, you'll already know that vineyards are so much more than bottlers of wine.  They are beautifully landscaped and often have amazing tasting rooms, restaurants, spas, boutique lodges and farm shops and even stables.  They are destinations in their own right - and Mont Rochelle,  which we popped over to next and which is run by Paula's friend James (as mentioned in my last post) is one of the best. Duncan had headed straight there on his return from Cape Town to catch up on work, and by the time we arrived, he and Front of House, Peter - a tall, laughing Kenyan - had pretty much become best friends.  But then Peter makes best friends with everyone. 😃 Top man.


La Colombe feasting

Paula had booked a seriously special spot for our dinner tonight.  La Petite Colombe is very new on the scene, but boy does it pack a punch!  Elegant and stylish, it offers only tasting menus.  We went for the wine pairing and they delivered. Top quality.  Every course.  Equisite oysters poached in champagne, steak tartare with shaved foie gras, ramen noodles so beautiful you didn't want to mess up the artistry in the bowl.  And you get to meet the chefs.  Even with the recent memory of Bushman's cuisine, this was something really really special.

The gardens at Babylonstoren





Wednesday morning we had an appointment.  A tour of, and lunch at, Babylonstoren, a majestic garden, restaurant, venue and hotel nestled in the Simonsberg, Du Toitskloof and Franschhoek mountains. Dating back to 1692, it is one of the best preserved farmyards in the Cape today, and still has today the original manor house, Koornhuis (wheat store), old cellar, ornate fowl house, dovecote, leaning bell tower and historic gates. A disused cow shed houses the current-day Babel restaurant, which serves exclusively produce from the estate, which in itself is a work of art, horticulture and botany all in one. The garden at Babylonstoren boasts more than 300 varieties of plants in the garden, all of which are edible or have medicinal value, with everything from blood oranges to asparagus, mushrooms and persimmons supplying the farm’s two restaurants. And let's not forget the bees and mulberry garden - which we particularly loved.


From the farm: one for the ladies!


After lunch we raced back to Franschheock for the main event of the day.  The inaugural drink at Le Poirier, Paula's new home which is currently under construction.  (Grand opening December 2018).  Joined by some of our new 'Bushman's' friends, Ian, Phil and Lindsay, we had tour of what's currently a building site, and then climbed a ladder onto the roof for the official First Drink at Le Poirier.  No doubt there will be many many drinks and parties at what is going to be a stunning home - but what a privilege to be there for the first one.  Happy days.

James and Dee joined us for dinner at Marigold later on.  Never imagined I'd be eating Indian in South Africa, and it put the Putney Tandoori to shame. Deep Fried Spinach.  Who knew it could be so good?  'Shame' as the locals here would say.

Tomorrow Paula and Elaine leave Franschheock.  Pauls back to Cape Town and Elaine back to Ireland.  The party is officially coming to a close.  Sad - but it's been brilliant.  And we need our waistlines - and livers - back.



Location: Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa

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