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Accommodation winelands South Africa
Hello just thought I'd pass on a lovely find in case you want to have a real
chillout un-Johannesburgish holiday! ALMONDBURY - a roomy Victorian guest house on a farm. Animal lovers - there is everything here, even a ram with his sheepish wives, 3 magnificent siamese who belong to Wilbur Smith's estranged daughter (many of her fascinating sculptures in the house), a flock of geese who were strangely quiet and a border collie who herded them constantly with a mad glint in its eye. The lanky smokey-grey great Dane is called Squirrel! Each time the hen lays an egg the cockerspaniel sings! Varied bird life, flocks of long-tailed mousebirds, weavers, drongas and many I couldn't identify. A magnificent escape for city kids who think that wild life is the pigeon flying inside the mall. The owner of the property, Ming cooks like a dream - we stayed on and had Sunday lunch - three choices from the menu while you nibble homemade brown bread and butter. Starter, main course and dessert, coffee and superb friendises (mini brandy snaps were addictive) - R75 per head. Wine - bring your own (no corkage) we chose a very pleasant Robertson red from their cellar for R28. I had a halved avo filled with smoked salmon and trout in a superb dressing and Sean had Simonzola soup (creamy cheesey) and our friends had Roasted Aubergine salad with chick peas. Of the 3 Main courses we chose rare beef fillet and mini Yorkshire puds (after hearing our cries of delight more puds were brought poste haste) and GOOD gravy, roasted cauliflower, broccol,i courgettes, carrots and peppers and there were about 6 desserts. The atmosphere is haute casual and the conservatory dining room also boasts a 'pantry' - there were plump potted cherries in brandy, bottled peaches and jams made on the farm - sold out by the time we left! Nothing is locked (that phenomena alone is worth a visit for Gautengers!) and when we got 'home' at 3:30 am on Sunday night (Iwon't tell you what we were doing!) the lights were kindly left on to find our rooms. Double accommodation is R120 per person en suite and we were given a plunger of coffee, homemade chocolate cake and most marvellous muesli crunchies on the house when we arrived! This could really fall under the title - "Home from home". Outside lots of room to breathe and explore, lovely series of dam reservoirs - I love to see an abundance of water! Nice walks along farm paths with interesting chunks of white granite and straticulated rocks to fascinate. JOHN ROBINSON for further info at website: http://almondbury.150m.com or telephone +27(0)23 626 4360 Dassieshoek Nature Reserve is right next door. An exquisite orthadox chapel is hidden about 3 km's on - in a romantic vineyard setting and the delightful benevolence of Father Zaccharias is found within. This would make the most superb wedding venue and one could party forever at Almondbury afterwards without disturbing anyone! On the national road off Robertson we found - Affies se Plaastal - with some fabulous Cape antiques amongst tasty pies and other edibles, an interesting cheese fridge with surprisingly excellent local produce and all the craft things you expect to find at craft markets nowadays but don't! Bought an old grape picking basket - only R95! (had to fill in the antiques register so it is real!) and those little egg cabinets, quilted tea cosy and a tooled belt that was completely different from the usual fare - was tempted by the smooth old wooden grape crushing screw, like a giant barley twist - but where to put it? I live in a mousehole! Nice steady rain here all weekend, all the barrels are full so it was good to get away to the slightly warmer Robertson area. Have a good week! xEmile Thank you again, John and Miles for your warm hospitality and the endless cups of coffee, it was really good to get to know you and your wonderful menagerie. If you get any enquiries from Johannesburg-ites (I sent this to friends as well as some acquaintences at magazines where I contribute (or used to) articles) you must enquire if they like non or smoking - some of my friends are violently anti-tobacco - so be warned! It was a great escape - felt as if we'd been away for ten days, we were so relaxed Sean was late for work this morning! Best wishes, Emile and Sean. |
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