REPORT :
Spring Flower Tour-West Coast
22nd-26th August ‘23

View Photo Collage at end of Report.

Our 5-day flower tour – UP THE WEST COAST – has been in planning for months.  We attracted Jeanette & David from Edenvale; Annie & Antony from East London , Anne from Hillcrest and Lois from Gillitts, KZN.  They all overnighted at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel, and we met them the night prior to our tour – over a glass of wine in the Pebbles bar at the hotel; we knew we were destined to enjoy our flower tour with these special people.

Day One – Our first day dawned with temperatures not above 10 degrees and 60 – 70% rain in the Langebaan area!

We were meant to be going into the West Coast National Park.  We left in light rain – (oh dear!!) – we decided to go up the N7 to see the Canola in the hope that the predicted 60% rain in Langebaan might just dissipate………however, no chance of this happening because as we neared Darling even more rain fell!  Thanks to Duckitt Orchids for changing our tour from Wednesday to Tuesday at such short notice – so all was not lost for our 1^st day.

We all enjoyed a coffee at Darling Cellars and then headed to a 12h00 orchid tour – fabulous blooms; this tour is ‘always’ enjoyed by visitors to the Western Cape.  We then went to Darling Sweets and thanks to our wonderful hosts – Stephan and Oliver at Darling Lodge Guest House who allowed us to use their breakfast room for our ‘picnic’ lunches (meant to be enjoyed in the WCNP), with a fabulous fire burning – oh the joy of long-standing suppliers!  Much appreciated by all and then an early check in to our rooms.

Dinner tonight was at Marmalade Cat – another supplier who helped us when we discovered there were no restaurants open in Darling on a Tuesday night!  A fabulous dinner almost home-cooked with such love from Sandi and staff.

Day Two – After a good breakfast we left Darling Lodge in light drizzle and arrived at the WCNP in rain but as our day progressed the clouds disappeared, and we had the most fabulous day enjoying the flowers which without a doubt, are the best they’ve been in many a year!  We had purchased lunch at the Spar in Darling and enjoyed this at Plankiesbaai along with the sea gulls who hover around people eating – always looking for something to eat!  (Sadly, these birds are becoming used to begging – which is not good at all!)

Our dinner tonight is in Darling with Nina at Old Forge – our guests were SO very impressed with décor and ambience at this lovely restaurant – what added to this is everyone on arrival receives THE OLD FORGE TIMES – Fabulous little English Colonial spot in the quaint part of the world……fabulous touch! This was followed by a delicious dinner in a very full restaurant.

 Main Course:

• 1910 WAGYU – 200g Wagyu burger served with fries.
• THAI CHICKEN & PRAWN CURRY served with rice & all the trimmings.
• STEAK & ALE PIE slow cooked sirloin in ale. Topped with crust & mash and peas.
• SALMON PASTA smoked salmon in creamy sauce served on tagliatelle.

 This was followed by s choice of desserts of the day – all in all a fabulous evening in Darling.

Day Three – This morning we started with a visit to Evita se Perron (it was closed on Day Two for a private function).  We then went to Laaiplek and Bokkom Laan (coffee at Columbine with their extensive list of Latte’s; Rooibos teas; and coffees with names like Devil’s advocate; Sticky nartjie; Pinotage Rooibos; Bergament and black tea; Hot cross bun chai; etc etc – something for everyone.  After this we headed to Aurora and visited Koekeloer & Koffiemoer (this quirky coffee shop run lovingly by Ancoise is worthy of a visit in Aurora).

After our laid-back lunch we headed to the Saldanha Bay Hotel where check-in, in their lounge was accompanied by a Gin and Tonic – and we were shown to our rooms – all water facing and comfortable.  Dinner tonight was in their dining room.

• Saldanha Bay mussels; Smoked snoek samosa; Crumbed Halloumi ; Smoked ham & pea soup.
• Hake and chips; Seafood potjie (Hake, mussels and prawns in a spicy sauce with rice) ; Calamari and chips ; Half chicken, chips + seasonal vegetables ; 200g fillet with rustic fries + seasonal vegetables; 600g Pork Ribs with rustic fries + seasonal vegetables

• Lemon Meringue Slice; Chocolate Nemesis cake; Baked Cheesecake with berry coulis.

Day Four – The Hopefield Fynbos show had started yesterday.  We arrived in overcast weather and decided to spend an hour and a bit at the show.  The show had a wonderful display of flowers in the area plus a huge tent which a few people on tour said they found different items to buy.  Pity about the cold weather and pending storm when at 11h15 when we were all meant to be back at the coach, the heavens opened and sadly Jeanette and David got drenched!  This is the one problem with ‘life in the Western Cape’ – storms brew out of nowhere and are very difficult to predict.

After this we headed down to the NG Kerk where at 12h00 Julian Melck did an organ recital par excellence…….my goodness the lady on duty told us in advance that Julian was going to surprise us with his performance and we all agreed we would not have missed this whilst on tour!  A performance that will stay embedded in our memories for many years to come!

We enjoyed ‘lunch’ and supported the NG Kerk funds – and then headed to Jacobsbaai where the tour organisers were lured to look at a new restaurant – O’Driscolls – read about this on Cape Town Eats Group – run by an Irish lady and her South African husband!  Coffees and chat in their cold dining room and after this we took a drive around Jacobsbaai noting the development since our last visit.

Day Five – Sadly today being our last day on tour but this is spent in Paternoster.  We arrived again in cool, cloudy weather – a short visit to The Crayfish Wharf was enjoyed.  Particularly a shop worthy of visiting is STUDIO SEA LOVE by Adelle Grosse –

Adelle claims –  It is my pleasure to bring the beautiful ocean into your home by means of my underwater videography.  She transposes her images onto towels; sun hats; blankets – you name it – items for your home (sure she’s going to do very well in her shop).

After this Anne and Lois found a quiet corner in a coffee shop with dominoes to play; Carol found her favourite Proteas at a new shop called Dispens; and the rest of the group visited the shops and the Panty Bar in town.  We all enjoyed a ‘light lunch’ at Voorstrandt Restaurant.  Some enjoyed their Mushroom and Chicken soup / a few enjoyed the legendary fish and chips and by 14h00 we headed back to the city and our drop off point – the Blaauwberg Beach hotel.

AT THE END OF THE TOUR WITH MUCH UNPLANNED RAIN AND OVERCAST WEATHER we can safely say:

SPRING AND THE FLOWER SEASON is a time of rejuvenation and renewal,

A time to shed the weight of winter and embrace the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

The End