Whales 2 Wine

Whale watching on the dunes
After saying goodbye to Carol, Andre, the dogs, cat, rabbit, chickens and ducks, we left Swellendam for a 50km drive to De Hoop nature reserve.  The jewel in the Cape Nature crown, it's a 36000 hectare World Heritage Site comprising rich biodiversity and 70km of pristine coastline, and 50km of dirt road to get there (which, in a rental VW Polo Vivo, makes for bouncy drive).  Despite this claim to fame, De Hoop isn't even signposted from the main road, but a contact of Duncan's had suggested we go there and boy was it worth the effort.  The park is huge, filled with wetlands and an incredible coastline, prefaced by enormous sand dunes.  And as the stretch of protected coastline is so large, it's a very popular spot with the whales, making it one of the best land-based places to watch Southern Right whales calve, blow, breach and bellyflop close to the shoreline.  We saw lots. 😀




Lunch at the De Hoop Opstal camp

Before being turned into a conservation area, the land was farmed and the old manor houses and farm buildings in the centre of the park have been beautifully restored and turned into rentable accommodation, along with restaurant, spa and venue.  Quite the place for lunch, and on another trip, a stay.  We couldn't believe how special this place is, and how few people go there.





Leaving De Hoop we had a good 2 hour journey to Hermanus, our next overnight stay.  Passing huge big open farmland, but hardly any other vehicles, we're still finding it hard to comprehend the enormous and varied landscapes on the Garden Route.  And to be honest, we're also somewhat bemused by the signage.  This morning, we learnt our first Afrikaans:  apparently "Buy a donkey" (baie dankie) means "Thank you very much", but when we came across a sign by the road reading "Ladies, come and get your vet koek here", followed shortly thereafter by "Schietpad" and signs to the "slaghaus" we were really flummoxed.  Any Saffas out there reading this - help! before we get into trouble!

Lunch!
Overnight in Hermanus and we woke to a day of wine.  Duncan had arranged to go visit a few of the wineries just outside Hermanus, so we made our way up the valley to Hamilton Russell vineyard.  There, chief winemaker Emul gave us a tour of the land and cellars and of course let us taste the wonderful fruits of their labour (pun intended).  I was keen to buy, but D suggested not jumping at the first hurdle, so we hurried along to Creation for another tasting and then Newton Johnson for lunch and another little one.  As if that wasn't enough, we then stopped in the Wine Village and, entertained enormously by the proprietor, spent most of our travel budget on a handful of very nice Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay.  Best of all was the blue gin, made from the blue pea flower which turns pink when you add tonic.  (google it... there's more, but not printable on a family blog)


Now I know that lovely sunsets are two to the dozen, but tonight, as we headed home to the guest house, we witnessed a such a spectacular one, it's almost unreal... Sweet dreams everyone.



Location: De Hoop Nature Reserve, Overberg District Municipality, 6740, South Africa

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