Elgin Gardens12-10 November'12 TT
Time Out & Traveltime offers friendship and fun                       Travelling down roads least travelled                                    Visiting places not normally seen by tourists                                Great company and excellent meals are to be expected                              It transfers you out of your everyday life!

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Saturday 19th March 2011   

WELLINGTON HARVEST FESTIVAL

Twenty Six Estates form the Wellington Wine Route and many of them take part in the annual harvest festival which is celebrated over 3 days. We chose the first day to visit a few of the estates.

First stop in Wellington was the Information Bureau where we collected our "goodie bags" containing Festival information and our entry "armband", with the ever necessary wine glass for tasting.

Then it was on to Diemersfontein Estate where a band was playing and staff where still gearing up for the expected flood of visitors.  Their "Valley of Canapes" was still not available - only ready at 12h00! Pity because someone close by - said "Oh well if the Canapes aren't ready let's move on" - I thought the purpose is to 'hold' people at your estate when you have them!

Our Next stop was Oude Wellington, one of the older and smaller estates which produces wine, brandy and grappa. They also breed Alpacas.  A fresh loaf of delicious bread was produced with jam and we all tucked in - not exactly the correct connoisseurs way to taste wine - but their wines tasted good, nevertheless.

Val Du Charron up on the hill has the most magnificent view.  Our group was quickly assembled for a photo. Here there seemed to be a lot more money available for development, as the new tasting room and guest house seemed to ooze character.

"Cheers" seemed the order of the day.  Despite blistering heat outside (Maximum temperatures mid day of near 40 degrees) these ladies in the air conditioned room found lots to be happy about. No it's not the wine talking because not much was consumed.

Val du Charron is a unique wedding venue and one can see why.  With doors and sliding windows the views seem to come inside.  Debi with her saxophone entertained everyone - on special request she performed a tune for Theresa which was much appreciated by all.  What a talent she has!

Our "lunch" stop was at Doolhof, home of Grand Dedale Guest House.  When we arrived there it was blistering outside, and we headed for the wine tasting room. This was pretty full, but seeing their "glassed off- salon privé" was unoccupied we asked whether we could be seated there and enjoyed our light lunch in the best seats in the house.  Thank goodness for air conditioning.

Welvanpas the home of Piet Retief  was our last stop. By now the heat was excessive and only two ladies decided it was time for a coffee stop whilst the other chose the comfort of the air conditioned coach to sit and chat! 

The Wellington Festival was a day of heat,
but with the company of friends and new people to meet,
it turned into a day which produced a treat (or two)
Published 21st March'11

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