Our morning started off at
Welvanpas Estate.
which has been in the Retief
family for generations.
The homestead is an eleven room
house with huge rooms -
that as one lady on tour said,
"Gee this bedroom is about the
size of my whole house".
Here part of our group posed in
front of a huge Azalea bush in
full flower.
The beautifully kept old
home in which Piet
Retief spent much of his
youth. Retha and Dan
Retief organising the
group for a tour of the
home.
Dan's mom very lovingly
informed us of the
history and took us room
by room to show us the
magnificent pieces of
antique furniture.
Most amazing was an old
Grandfather clock still
set to the exact time
(this is looked after by
a local clock maker).
Our next stop was the
Grand Dédale on the
Doolhof Estate. We
were informed that the
coach could not venture
up the long drive
because of overhanging
trees. and so we all
hiked up the hill (which
was a feat for a few of
our ladies who lately
have health problems) -
only to see the coach
sailing up the hill
- once we were at the
top! "That driver
can't get lunch today"
said one of the ladies.
However at first glance
the driver was worried
about scratching the
coach but then spoke to
one of the foremen who
agreed to 'trim the
trees' - so the problem
was alleviated!
The ladies were
taken to their grand tasting
room - "every woman likes a
bargain" - and they had
discounted two of their wines in
anticipation of the ladies
coming!
The views from the patio are amazing - but unfortunately
during lunch a very cold
wind came up and at
times made it a bit
unpleasant. Food
was, however, delicious,
and company even better
so you quickly forget
the discomfort!
Ingrid and Mel huddling together
to get 'warm' or are they just
happy to be together?!
Hilda and Ann are always such
good friends - they seem to
always enjoy their days out - no
matter what happens.
Our main choice - Herb
crusted kingklip served
with feta & citrus
couscous with red
peppers and rocket OR
Chicken breast stuffed
with sundried tomato,
feta and aubergine,
served on crushed baby
potatoes with steamed
vegetables.
Grand Dédale is a most
elegant guest house.
It is the only 5* guest
house in Wellington, and
definitely worth another
visit - especially for
that special birthday or
anniversary when
celebrations are called
for!
This upstairs bedroom (under the eaves) is very snug and
warm. We could all
dream of a cold winters
night snuggled up in
this fabulous room and
what a bathroom to wake
up to! Life is
great in Wellington -
and Grand Dedale is so
close to the city!
Only 67 kms from their
gate to the Convention
Centre - definitely an
area to explore with so
much to do in the area!
Watch out Stellenbosch
and Franschhoek -
Wellington is very up
and coming!
By 3.30 pm we were on
our way back to the city
where rain had set in
from lunchtime. We were
fortunate to have missed
this in Wellington
today.
I wished for a flower
and got a garden.
I asked for a friend and
got Time Out.
