Evening in the Valley of Desolation, Graaff-Reinet
This week, we continue the story of our inland odyssey, travelling to and spending time in the Camdeboo area of the Karoo. And, very exciting for us, was our invitations to two wine-related events, the Blaauwklippen Blending Competition awards and Caroline’s bubbly tasting. Caroline’s Fine Wines is about to move her city centre shop to Regent Road in Sea Point. We hope that she will receive the support that she deserves. Enjoy our stories (Click on the photos or the headlines to open them)…
The Awards Ceremony and Lunch of the 38th Blaauwklippen
Blending Competition
Every year for 38 years, Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in
Stellenbosch has held a Blending Competition for wine clubs. We were delighted
to be invited again and to write about the winning wine and the winners of the
38th competition. A glass of the Blaauwklippen Brut Rosé started the day well… Read On…
Caroline's
Celebration of Champagne and Cap Classique
We were invited to celebrate November with Caroline’s
at the Table bay Hotel Ballroom. There was an afternoon session as well. We
opted to go to the one between 6 and 8.30. Only 70 People could be accommodated
in the hall and that included people serving, so good Covid protocols. It was
wonderful to see so many friends from wine farms and the attending public. It
is a challenge with so much to taste… Read On…
MENU visits the
Karoo and the Garden Route 7. Prince Albert
Prince Albert is at the bottom of the phenomenal
Swartberg Pass, built in the Victorian era – and the town is named for
Victoria's husband. We checked into our very smart self-catering apartment at
Koppie Cottage and discovered that we could sit outside at the back and so we
braaied for the first time. Even the front entrance had some seating... Read On…
MENU visits the
Karoo and the Garden Route 8. Through the Karoo to Graaff-Reinet
Today we were leaving pretty Prince Albert and heading
for Graaff-Reinet and the Valley of Desolation. It was going to be quite a long
drive and we would be leaving the Western Cape, entering the Eastern Cape and
climbing up to the Great Karoo. We headed first for Klaarstroom... Read On…
MENU visits the
Karoo and the Garden Route 9. The Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet
We wanted to break our trip in Graaff-Reinet for a
couple of days. It was the actual inspiration for the trip. Over the years, we
have travelled to places that one of us had visited before, but the other had
not seen. This time, it was John’s turn. Lynne had never been to the central
Karoo. John’s maternal grandmother’s family had farmed here since the late 18th
Century and his grandmother was born in Graaff-Reinet in 1883... Read On…
Graaff-Reinet has two noteworthy natural attractions;
The Camdeboo National Park and the Valley of Desolation. They are close to one
another and both can be visited on the same day. Taking our lunch with us, we
headed off to the Camdeboo National Park, which is a less than ten minute drive
from the centre of Graaff-Reinet. It is a small Park and can easily covered in
a half day visit. Entry for both of us cost R96. This included entry to the
Valley of Desolation, which we planned to visit later to see the valley at
sunset. The weather had turned hot and muggy, there were scudding clouds high
in the sky and a real berg wind; 37ºC when we arrived at the Park… Read On…
MENU visits the
Karoo and the Garden Route 11. The little village called Nieu Bethesda
After
our time in Graaff-Reinet, we made our way to Nieu Bethesda, a quick detour on
our way to our overnight stay in Cradock. John's mother was born there and
Lynne had never been to this tiny village that does not seem to have aged in
150 years. We drove to Nieu Bethesda along beautiful roads and gentle passes.
We were relieved to find that most of the road to the historic village was
paved and, when it became a dirt road, it was in good condition… Read On…
The
road trip before today’s stories…
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 1. Calitzdorp - De Krans and 365 on St Helena
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 2. Calitzdorp - Axe Hill
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 3. Calitzdorp - Lunch at Bakhuis
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 4. Calitzdorp – Boplaas
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 5. Calitzdorp - Peter Bayly Wines
MENU visits the Karoo and the
Garden Route 6. From Calitzdorp to the Swartberg Pass
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