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TRAVELTIME - Previous Tours |
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Saturday 19th March
2011
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WELLINGTON HARVEST FESTIVAL |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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"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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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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BACK TO TOP |
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MYSTERY LUNCH VENUE
Sunday 9th December 2012 |
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