We drove along the Breede River between Robertson and Bonnievale
to see something of the devastation which the flood in March brought to wine farms on its banks
So much lost land, vines and property
It is good to see some regeneration in the surviving vineyards
Bud break in a vineyard across the road from the river
The site of the red bridge across the R317. Only the concrete stanchions remain
Vineyards with one of the concrete supports of the Red Bridge
and the remains of the bridge lying across the river
We stopped at a small open space across the road and found a treasure trove of wild flowers
Lynne has described the plants in these photographs
Helichrysum genus (commonly known as an everlasting flower or licorice plant
Cape Rain Daisy Dimorphotheca pluvialis
Small, daisy-like white flowers that resemble a species of Mesembrianthemum (aka vygie) growing through a spiny boxthorn, Lycium species
Purple Vygie a low-growing succulent groundcover featuring small fleshy green leaves
Groenbossie, Lasiopogon glomerulatus, a species native to southern Africa in the daisy family (Asteraceae)
A bush of red vygies, mesembrianthemem
White Vygies
Orange Vygies
Helichrysum or a similar Karoo aromatic bush (karoobossie)
Doll's roses or Heuningbos genus Hermannia fillifolia with its twisted petals
They glow like small ruby gems in the veld
A close up
Hermannia althaeifolia L.
Wolhaar-poproos, pokkiesblom, klokkiesbos, lanternbos
Wolhaar-poproos, pokkiesblom, klokkiesbos, lanternbos
We stopped at the entrance to Silverthorn, an estate dedicated to the production of Cap Classique sparkling wines
It is owned by John and Karen Loubser, who were in Cape Town
We would taste the wines with them at the Siris trade show next evening
It is owned by John and Karen Loubser, who were in Cape Town
We would taste the wines with them at the Siris trade show next evening
Silverthorn is on an elevated bank of the river and escaped serious damage
while, across the river, vines were washed away for the second year running and four years in total,
Fanus Bruwer of Quando told us. He has sold the farm. So distressing
All the stories we have produced since 2012
can be opened from the archive list near the top of the column on the right of this page
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