Franschhoek Country House

... more on the roads to Franschhhoek and were suitably impressed with the style of these of these wineries.

The wine estates have spent big on the tasting rooms, some in the $$million plus area and put to shame the meagre sheds that comprise many an Aussie tasting room. There is an argument that the wines can speak for themselves of course,(i’ve often found myself talking to a good bottle of red late at night), but it was comfortable and ...

Hello again. I've had 4 nights in Capetown and one in the Franschoek winelands now. All the training is over at last and now we get to relax a bit more and get out to see more of Africa instead of hearing all about it in a conference room. It's been reasonably full on but it hasn't stopped the group going out until 4 and 5am each night in local bars despite the 6:30am wake up call each day. I'm flabbergasted at the willpower to carry of some of them have ...

Been awhile since we've written. I have been quite sick with the Capetionian plague. I think I am finally starting to recover as I have started some of the emergency antibiotics I brought with me. Hanlie had a slight sniffle but was over that quick, she managed just the basic cold that some had, I of course had to get the full blown disease. Last weekend we went to Franschhoek for the Bastille Day festival. It ...

... photographic conditions, so it took away some of the enjoyment and didn't allow me to really focus on what I was actually seeing, I was too busy taking pictures of it. I also wish I had more surface photos of the sharks. This situation was soon remidied when we were dropped off at Shark Alley, the official merchandise shop, where a very late lunch ( it was now 4:30) was set out for us and we got to watch a DVD of our experience. I forgot to mention our friendly ...

... all disappointing. In fact by the time I got round to the carrot cake, I was feeling kind of sick and I knew it would be horrid. It was a huge slice, and I just couldn't touch it so Emma had to eat some of it so that we didn't look too rude, taking it and not eating it. she was also feeling unwell by that time and I quote: "That little piece has just sent me over the edge.....I don't think I'm coming back." The waitress kept clearing our plates at intervals. Popping up and ...

... 10:20 we were met at the gates of Concordia, by a black bus sporting "Easy Riders Wine Tours" along the side. It turned out that a minibus was not really what was needed as the group only consisted of Emma and I and a Dutch couple. I think however that 4 was a good number, and I'm glad we signed up for that tour rather than the one on Sunday, where the group was apparently 20 strong. Lucas, our guide, said that with larger groups things do tend to get more rushed, and the ...

... the biggest waves I've seen in my entire life, and I know now why South Africa is popular for its surfing. After lunch we went to Boulder's beach where there is a penguin colony. It was so strange to see penguins on the beach! I always imagine them in a snowy environment. Their quirkiness and awkward style of waddling didn't seem to fit with the other more majestic animals ...

... blacks and coloureds from whites) was in force. the people live in tin huts but are very positive thinking given the very poor conditions they live in. also went to robben island where mandela was kept imprisoned, went to the beautiful waterfront area with its nice restaurants, cafes and shopping areas. we hired ourselves a wee rust bucket and zoomed out to cape point(southernmost point of africa where the indian and atlantic oceans meet and the wind so strong ...