A very unassuming
entrance into a blaze of
color and beauty.
Prominent Tulips
is situated on the
LeDomaine Farm outside
Rawsonville.
Everyone gathered
outside the gate to the
farm in the blazing sun
- little did we know as
we entered the farm what
beauty awaited.
Adriaan
who is the
Production Manager
introduced himself and
told us about the farm.
He spent nearly 15 years
in the South African
Navy, where his last
post was Executive
Officer of one of the
Navy’s submarines. He
received extensive
training in the USA on
the cultivation process
that is used to produce
these tulips (with
military precision!).
The ladies listened
enthralled in the below
zero cool room - in
fact, one or two got
cold and put scarves
around their shoulders.
The tulips waiting in
crates for the staff to
'de-bulb' them before
they get packet for
delivery. What an
awesome job to be
working with these
flowers on a daily
basis. Adriaan
told us all his staff
come from the valley
where the factory is
situated. Generally, he
only employs women as
then their money is used
for their children and
home as opposed to the
men, who in the area
would just use the money
for alcohol or drugs.
These flowers get distributed to
Woolworths and Freshmark
(Checkers) on a daily basis.
Amazing in their pack-room they
had this lovely bunch just there
for their beauty - in fact they
were placed on the wash hand
basin!
The tulips are grown
hydroponically and their
slogan "Tu-lips say it
with a kiss" is a very
apt saying! A
tulip is such a
beautiful flower and
most of the ladies were
very excited to hear
that they are now
available year-round at
their favorite store.
The entire process was
explained to us by
Adriaan who is very
passionate about the
tulips and their
production. When
you go through the
factory with him, you
can understand his
passion about these
long-lasting beauties!
Then it was off to the
Opstal restaurant
with the sun breaking
through the clouds -
this restaurant is in an
awesome position.
Their staff are super
friendly, and the
service excellent!
Joy and Chrissie took
some time-out away from
the other ladies to
stand in awe of the
view. Then
Chrissie decided to
drink water from the
fountain...........little
did she know she had
company in the form of a
very large spider!! ..or
was she aware of it and
challenging it?
Click on the spider to
see a close up when it
left the fountain!
Ingrid, Ann and Mary
seem to be enjoying
themselves. Whilst
Dot, Dawn and Sandy seem
to be 'falling over'
already after their
first drink of wine -
jokes aside this was
just to make sure I
captured the correct
spirit of fun they were
all having.
Margaret and Yvonne
enjoying the company of
the other ladies.
Whilst Trixie and Elaine
get to know each other.
This being Elaine's
first coach tour out
with the ladies.
Mel and Laura are also thrilled they
have left their 'pressures' @ home!
Brenda, our avid photographer is always
keen to bring her latest photos - here
she shows Lynn the photos of Brenda's
time at the Lanzerac.
Our final stop before heading home was
the Du
Toitskloof Winery, a
favorite stop when in the Breedekloof.
We all had a laugh - I gave the ladies
15 minutes to buy their supply of wine -
and believe it, or not, the staff at Du
Toitskloof managed within my framework.
Trish, Yvonne and Lynn
seem to be anxiously 'waiting
for the coach' having
already done their wine
buying!.....and
Wayne says the
chair won't fit into the
coach! (what a pity!)
- Sandy
had already positioned it in her lounge!
Good friends are like stars
You don't always see them,
but you know they are always there.'
