MYSTERY VENUE TOUR REPORT

Sunday 9th December 2018

Traveltime has been very active in 2018.  Tours have included a trip to the Karroo Theatrical Hotel in Steytlerville; 23 of us enjoyed a trip to the newly opened Elgin Railway Market by steam train; A trip to Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve near Graaff Reinet in May; A long weekend celebrating Christmas in July; Then in October we headed to Hogsback & Bedford to view their annual garden shows.

When news was released of our annual Mystery Trip, bookings were brisk!  We ended up with 30 people booked on the coach for Sunday 9^th December.  The idea behind the tour is that no-one knows where we are heading until we get there.  Everyone is given the chance to guess where the lunch venue is, with several clues being given in the weeks leading up to the final day of the trip.

Ingrid Fearns won our annual competition, working out that we were going to Dutchies in Hermanus.  For this she received a ‘complimentary’ trip and lunch on the day!

The coach headed out of Tableview by 08h45 across town to Constantia by 09h15.  What a joy to do a coach trip on a Sunday, as you don’t have the usual heavy traffic!

We had a short stop at Peregrines in Elgin (always a favourite with the gatherers amongst us) – their store is filled with many delectable items and many ladies were seen to come out with large brown paper bags filled with treats for Christmas.

Leaving Elgin we took the road into Hermanus and after about 30 minutes, turned left on to a road sign posted  “Rotary Way”.

History: In 1960 four men ascended the mountain above Fernkloof to the summit above the golf course.  Their mission was to establish the boundaries of Fernkloof. The one guy, Bill Le Barrow was unable to walk very far because of an old injury to his spine, and found he could not walk any further.  On their return Bill was so overwhelmed that it became his mission to try to provide access so others in the community could enjoy it!  They approached the local Rotary Club who contributed $100.  The municipality provided the labour, and the Divisional Council road making-machinery.  One of the 4 men surveyed the road and work started.  In 10 days, a dirt road was completed to the parking area. The Rotary Anns held a Sunday afternoon tea-party for funds.

Today the road up to the look-out point  brings much joy to all who take the time to drive up!

We enjoyed a glass of wine, and many photographs were taken. Later we headed down to Dutchies restaurant which is on Grotto Beach in Hermanus.

Dutchies is in a unique area – close to the sea with only a little road between it and the beach.  This all adds great atmosphere to the time spent there! A very warm welcome to all by Chantal and one staff member and very soon we were all seated and enjoying a cool drink!

The menu was presented to everyone and was very appealing

STARTER – Tomato and Basil Brushette OR Bitterballen

MAIN – Hake and Calamari Combo / Deboned Chicken Thigh Kebab / Grilled Sirloin with herb butter

DESSERT – Ice Cream with chocolate sauce or a Fruit Kebab served with ice cream and berry coulis

All enjoyed the delicious meal and gifts were handed out to all – Merry Christmas and all the usual wishes followed!  We left the restaurant by 15h45 which had us getting back to Constantia by 17h30 and Tableview by 18h15

A LONG DAY, BUT SUCH A HAPPY TIME WITH FABULOUS PEOPLE!

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