Allison Foat
What to do when the Cape Doctor tears through the Mother City for days on end? Flee elsewhere, somewhere calmer, like Stellenbosch. I did that last week after days of watching that billowing cloud pour over Table Mountain like a thick wad of cottonwool, ominous and grey, just like my mood. Enter the thought of Stellies, only 40 minutes from the CBD, and where a way gentler breeze was sure to prevail.
Strawberry fields for ever
First up was a spot of strawberry picking. I haven’t done that for years and it was amazing fun plucking the bright red fruit, destined to be drenched in mascarpone and icing sugar. There are a few places to go picking but I’d never been to Mooiberge where you pay just R5 for a large punnet, fill it to overflowing and hand it over to be weighed. Voila, you have sweet strawbs for days at a fraction of the supermarket cost.
Lunch at Terroir
After working the fields, head for lunch at Terroir at Kleine Zalze, conveniently situated close to Mooiberge. The restaurant was established in 2004. It’s situated on the family owned farm, a century old estate beautifully positioned in the winelands, that produces award-winning wines, has a top notch golf course, a four star lodge and enticing walking and cycling routes that I can’t wait to try out sometime soon. The cuisine is outstanding, food theatre at its best, created by chef Michael Broughton. I’ll let the images and their captions speak for themselves. Once you’re done salivating, make a reservation and experience fine dining and excellent service (CTD: thank you Collette and Liehana) in a relaxed atmosphere under the oak trees.
Leafy Stellenbosch is one of the most picturesque towns in the Western Cape. Home to one of the top universities in the country, it is surrounded by vineyards and the Jonkershoek and Simonsberg nature reserves and in town itself you’ll find the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture, art galleries, upmarket boutiques, restaurants, wine bars and hotels, and a vibrant atmosphere all year around.
So with the wind at your back, head out to Stellenbosch, and do any number of interesting things, be it in town or in the country. It’s a gem of a destination, at any time.
WS
Visit: Travel and lifestyle writer Allison Foat at www.capetowndiva.com
