The day before Easter and the coach rolled out of the city with 24 on board all heading to Franschhoek.
Arrival in the little town was just before 11h00 – and the ‘coach parking’ next to the Dutch Reformed church was fully occupied by coaches.
Franschhoek is always a popular destination and we heard there were a coach of French people exploring and another coach having Germans on board, and here we were local South Africans also enjoying what was on offer!
Many, of course, head to the first place – the Chocolate shop in the Main road – Huguenot Fine Chocolates!“Hey Mom if you’re going to Franschhoek head to Huguenot and buy me my favourite chocolates” – said Heather’s son!
There was fine rain by now and the coffee shop was another good place to stop – some enjoyed scones and jam with their coffee whilst others preferred the biscotti provided with the cup of coffee! One or two of the other ladies found jewellery in this little shopper’s haven and by 12h15 we all boarded the coach (again in the rain) and headed the 8km out of town to La Paris!
With the severe drought in Cape Town no-one ever complains anymore about rain – we are only too grateful to receive whatever quantity – hopefully there will be some in the catchment areas as well!
Staff met us at La Paris and took us through their deli shop where an exciting range of Easter eggs, cakes & breads line the shelves. Comments were made about the prices of some of their imported champagne!!
Very soon everyone was seated, and choices had been made for what they wanted to eat. Choices today were: ?
CAMELTHORN WEISS BATTERED LINE FISH & CHIPS Craft beer battered line fish with wedges or salad and tartar sauce – Line fist of the day was
Hake or Kingklip! OR
CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA Creamy free-range chicken with garden peas and bacon OR
200g SIRLOIN OR RUMP All meat is dry aged for a minimum of 14 days on the bone, served with baby roasted vegetables and chips OR salad and a choice of béarnaise, mushroom red wine or pepper sauce
DESSERT Chocolate brownie and caramel ice cream with butterscotch sauce on a bed of walnut crumble.
Good conversation flowed, together with much laughter.
It was special to welcome three new ladies on our tour today – Betty, Mary and Sharon who were very quickly welcomed and hosted at the various tables! We left the restaurant just after 3.00pm and headed onto the N1 in pouring rain – and we saw many people heading out in the opposite direction, for the long Easter weekend! We hit heavy traffic at the refinery and it must have taken us nearly 30 minutes to get up Blaauwberg Road for the first drop off! Constantia being the second drop off probably only got home by 6.00 pm.
What a great saying by Audrey Hepburn – and SO very true!