Planning for our day started when dam levels were critically low – since then the Western Cape has had good rains and on the 30th August levels of the dam are at 47%, which is an improvement but we’re still in need of more rain as was evident in some sections of this beautiful dam.
The area we drove through is beauty personified – what outstanding views we all had – TRUE EYE CANDY!! From the dam to the unbelievable fields of Canola all so beautiful in Yellow to the grazing Sheep (albeit without their winter “woolies” in the Cold Weather), we were all excited and our 3 stops had the true photographers getting off the coach to get the ‘perfect-shot’
It was amazing to me to hear how many people have lived in the Cape all their lives and yet had not been out to the dam! So, a well-planned day out.
On arrival at the ROUXWIL COUNTRY HOUSE we were met by O’Nel – she is such a warm person and encouraged us to take a stroll to look at their beautiful guest rooms. Most ladies took advantage of this and, were so glad that they had! The guest house is graded 5* and when one does the site inspection, you can see why! Beautifully decorated rooms complete with everything you need for a comfortable night’s stay.
With tables decorated with fresh flowers everyone took their places just on 13h00 ready for lunch. O’Nel had some wonderful stories to tell of life on the farm – how she grew up in the area! How they shear the sheep and some interesting tales of how the rams impregnate the ewes – of course, the inevitable questioning led to a few moments where O’Nel said perhaps our driver should close his ears! Women can be naughty!
Lunch was then served – An Oryx game pie / served with pumpkin fritters / roast potatoes / bean stew (like Granny served) and Beetroot – interesting flavours indeed. This was followed by a delicious, different milk tart with apples! A fabulous lunch served with love – O’Nel had pre-warned me “That she was looking forward to spoiling us” and that she did!
We then met Thys – the Man of the Farm – what a fabulously warm person he is. He also gave his impression of the farm / what they feed the sheep / the price of wool at present (something he’s extremely happy about) / and even the fact that O’Nel makes more money per square metre with the guest house, than he does per hectare of the farm!
After our lunch it was SO interesting to hear the various comments from everyone, which proves that, once again, our philosophy to go to different out-of-the-way places with Time Out and Traveltime is the winning recipe for what we do!