Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Overnight in Calitzdorp

Time to check in to our accommodation at Klokkies B&B
Lynne found this Calitzdorp B&B on Bookings.com, a site we use often and are rarely disappointed. We needed somewhere that was comfortable and good value for one night and this certainly fit the bill
It is just 3 Km outside Calitzdorp, past De Krans and Boplaas
We love welcome signs
The late afternoon sun on the mountains. This mountain is known as Rooiberg and always seems to catch the sun
Klokkies is on a small hill or kopje and has wonderful views all around, giving a bird's eye view of the different climatic areas. This is the lush, green vineyard view, looking back towards the town. They irrigate with leiwater - a shared system of canals where water is released to flow and everyone can open their sluice gates to get some. Calitzdorp is very dry and hot in the summer and needs to preserve its water
In more detail
A yellow masked weaver on a thorn bush means there is water nearby
A sparrow
Moving more towards the left, the farmland stops just behind the dam and the dry Karoo begins
There is lots of fruit grown here, as well as grapes. The area is a good supplier of dried fruit like apples, pears, apricots etc.
Feed for the cattle has been harvested
A small farm nestled under the hill and beyond is the wild karoo land. We could hear the sheep and goats bleating and the chickens, until it went silent at nightfall
Klokkies B&B
Our room was at the back with superb views of the veld and the mountains. Each room has an outside table and chairs and access to braais
Our view
Early morning light on the vines
The farm waking up. Despite the warm days, it can get chilly at night
Time to check out and get on the road. Our friendly neighbours from East London leaving early
Someone making a big fire
The heat begins to rise as the mist lifts
Klokkies has a wonderful succulent garden. Our night there cost us R450
It is 8.30 and time for breakfast. We tried to return to Handelshuis, where we previously had a great breakfast but were too early; they only start at 9 (why?) and we wanted to get on our way, so we had breakfast just down the road from there at The Dorpshuis opposite the church. It seems a popular place for breakfast
We chose to eat on the stoep
Lynne's South African breakfast - very good boerewors indeed. Before we left Calitzdorp we stocked up on sausage and lamb for our freezer. The prices in Cape Town are ridiculously high and we saved a lot of money on good Karoo lamb and mutton leg chops for curries.
John chose the scrambled egg option
Our reasonable bill. Yes, we did have two coffees each and toast and marmalade were included
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

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