Five Reasons to Visit Schoone Oordt

So I have this App. It’s a simple app with the sole purpose of playing soothing sounds to aid in rest and relaxation. For example, a crackling fireplace, a babbling brook or frogs chirping. It’s actually not as random as it appears. 

I use it when I just can’t seem to quieten my mind or let go of the day. 

Seemingly endless moments spent lying in bed, simply exhausted, while my mind runs amok with thoughts... of that to-do list for tomorrow, my growing workload and of course the all important stuff, like "what would my dream kitchen look like" or "would I be able to use a rolling pin with my feet in a pickle?"

Sound familiar? Of course it does. 

Imagine visiting a place that offers you each and every one of those sounds, and more - without an App and 100% Authentically. 

Welcome to Schoone Oordt.

The Walker family undertook the tremendous task of restoring the main house of Schoone Oordt to its former glory, and with (I suspect), perhaps more spit and polish than had ever existed before, even in her hey day.

The woodwork and painstakingly restored antiques will take you to a by gone era. This establishment boasts manicured gardens and history dating as far back as 1853. 

It truly is a marvel and a testament to the formidable spirit and vision involved in bringing this grand old dame into a new century.

The food is packed with flavour, is suprisingly unpretentious and can only be described as modern country food at its finest. With an array of amazing local farmers, Alison Walker explained that the restaurant only sources fresh organic ingredients from local suppliers. 

The dishes more than echoed this claim in quality and taste and I was struck by the seamless integration of the farm to table movement in a setting that could be taken all too easily as ostentatious.

Schoone Oortd strikes this balance perfectly.  

A few dishes to mention; The risotto was superb, and the Overberg feef fillet was tender and seasoned to perfection.

The entree that really stood out was the beetroot salad with goats cheese and crispy sage, and of course to round it all off, I opted for the lavender creme brûlée. Apparently, as my partner pointed out, licking your bowl in the dining hall is uncouth. 

The service is attentive, friendly and there isn’t a second that you will not be waited on hand and foot. The staff are mostly local, which I love! There is a real sense of professionalism, as the staff moves without really being seen. After dinner, you come back to a lit fireplace and a turndown service that offers the sweetest homemade chocolate truffle you have ever had. (Naturally, I had both truffles.) 

The gardens are beautiful. They are filled with tranquility. If visiting during a hot spell or during the summer months, you could relax at the pool with a book and completely switch off to the outside world. With water features scattered in the gardens, I drifted off into a complete state of relaxation and my partner quipped on more than one occasion that I was a Zen-Master Truffle.

The bedrooms; Lying in bed listening to a crackling fireplace while sipping on peppermint tea is my definition of heaven. Their attention to detail will not go unappreciated, I can promise you. It’s the little things that make all the difference in a five star establishment. Fresh milk in the fridge and home baked rusks for your morning tea is just a few of them. The bathrooms are spoilt with fragranced products from pause room and I must admit a rose petal bath every night was on the cards for little old me.

In retrospect, thinking of my stay at Schoone Oordt - It's definitely the little things that turn out to be the big things.

Falling asleep to the sound of the water fountain outside and the fireplace crackling at the foot of my bed created a deep relaxation that no iPhone or App on earth could create. Sometimes you just need to take a step back.

I took a step back into the arms of our countries third oldest town, Swellendam and stayed at one of the towns oldest houses, Schoone Oordt.

The Walker's have not only created a space where the most natural thing to do is to let go and just be; they manage to maintain the values of slow living at every turn.

-Melissa 

Cape Canopy Tours

Have you ever dreamt that you are flying? I have. Several times. I run as fast as I can and some times I take off. 

Cape Canopy Tours in Elgin gave me that feeling. Zip lining through the Hottentots Nature reserve is up there on my top adventure experiences. I thought I would be a little scared! Truth be told, the 4 hours spent flying through the sky on zip lines was some of the most fun I have had. 

You have to make sure that you are dressed for adventure and ready for action. We stopped at Peregrines for a quick coffee and a snack on our way to the reserve, they ask you to arrive timelessly and make sure you have something warm in case it gets cold! 

Once you receive your safety briefing you will be off on a bumpy ride up into the mountains. I can see why they wanted to film lord of the rings in the reserve as it truly looks like something from another world up there! 

So what is zip lining? You are in a safety harness and via a pulley system you launch from one platform to another. In between? You are flying over untouched nature at its finest. From cliffs to rivers you get to see it all in the seconds you are zooming by! The longest zip line is 350 meters and it is a scream! 

Ending off with a short hike back to your vehicle and a peregrine pie back at base camp. This adventure is a must if you are in Cape Town and one of the top things to do in the Elgin area! 

p.s just don’t forget your camera! 

Thanda Private Game Reserve, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Recently I was lucky enough to take a trip up to Kwa-Zulu Natal on the East coast of South Africa. The weather is always welcoming (even in winter) and the rolling green hills are never ending. 

An added bonus was that I was able to take the Fuji XT1 along to photograph the experience, compliments of Orms.

Travelling up to northern natal (from the airport) by road for two and a half hours brings you to a beautiful game lodge called Thanda, a private reserve that hosts the big five. Big five? Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. Four out of the big five are endangered so the opportunity to see them in the wild is a privilege.

I grew up visiting the bush with my family almost every year. These memories are very near and dear to my heart. Being in the wild and hearing the sounds of nature is incredible. The stars are unlike anything you have ever seen before and listening to the roar of lions at night is something that will stay with me forever.

Included in the visit to Thanda were two games drives a day, lead by a very knowledgeable team (tracker and ranger) who shared their intimate knowledge of the bush with us. From fauna and flora to tribal mythology of the region, it was incredible learning so much on a drive while taking in the surrounds.

The drives were catered with drinks and snacks, with a special stop included for sundowners overlooking the magnificent valley and the Ubombo mountains. 

The rooms at the tented lodge were absolutely incredible.

The ability of achieving five star luxuries from the humble beginnings of a hardwearing canvas structure is something of a wonder to me.

The trees surrounding the tent give you the feeling of solitude and reflection.  Coupled with a cup of tea, just sitting and soaking it all in was the ultimate relaxation!

The XT1 makes for a perfect travel companion. Small and compact this camera packs a punch. The silent shutter proved invaluable for capturing wildlife and I managed to catch even some of the wariest animals unaware! The body is robust and weatherproof which came in handy on the back of an open land rover. 

With interchangeable lenses there wasn’t a moment missed.

I enjoyed the fact that every time the camera came out; people assumed that I was shooting on film. It was a great conversation starter and it soon became clear that there is an overwhelming appreciation for the retrospective design and of course, an equal appreciation for the ease ofmodern digital functionality offered by the Fuji XT1.

Thanks to Orms and the XT1 - I captured the bush perfectly!

What to do in Robertson Wine Valley

Everyone thinks that Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the best wine areas in Cape Town. Now don’t get me wrong, they are amazing!!! (#firstworldproblems) but if you happen to want for a new adventure, Robertson is the place for you.
I recently took a shot left and ventured out to the Robertson wine valley. Firstly, can we have a moment for the beautiful drive? If you haven’t done it before, you should. It really is a drive that is breathtaking. If you leave early, the morning light hits the mountains in a way that will make you see them with new eyes!

Once in Robertson there are so many activities and exciting places to stay, that I simply had to share them. The wonderful thing is that a few of them are children friendly and pet friendly so the whole family can join in on the fun!

One of my first experiences in Robertson was something a little different. You have all heard of a braai (a South African BBQ) and you have all heard of a fondue. Well, combine the two and you have one awesome lunch spot at Rietvallei Wines.  A family run business filled with a passion for wines to the point that most of them are named after family members! I am all about being a proudly South African girl when it comes to a great braai. The meat was beautiful and the awesome thing is that it all came from local farmers. So one could say, a true farm to table experience. It definitely left me pondering about the point of rather than meat free Monday, we should eat less meat and actually support local free-range farmer. Food for thought. Bookings are essential.

With my stomach full and my thirst for wine not quiet satisfied (I am slightly wine obsessed) I ventured off to a magnificent estate, De Wetshof. I was treated to a walking tour of the estate and a site specific Chardonnay tasting in the vineyards. It was one of the most beautiful wine tastings I have ever had. The splendid cheese and charcuterie platters were delectable and the crisp wine was perfect to wash it all down.  I really enjoyed watching the sunset while sitting between the vineyards that had produced the amazing wine I was drinking! It was something unique and I would definitely book the experience again!

My first night in the area I stayed at one of my favourite spots. I actually did a blog post on them specifically not too long ago that you can read here. The country lodge is called Jan Harms Gat and it is filled with history and charm.  It is a five star establishment that offers not only their own amazing wine but also a food pairing that is scrumptious and homey.  Waking up in the mist to a farm style breakfast and hot coffee is something I will never get tired of.

What would a trip into wine country be with out bubbles? No not champagne but MCC. A proudly South African Methode Cap Classique and my host, Graham Beck Wines. I was treated to an educational and fascinating side to the widely enjoyed MCC. To see the hours of labour and love that go into every bottle was amazing! It made me realize that next time you want to complain about the price of your wine, you should think about the months of labour and love that go into each bottle! It was mind blowing to see. The tasting session of still wines as well as their prized MCC left me wanting more. I was so impressed with their still wines that I walked away (proudly) with four bottles in hand and slightly tipsy because I wasn’t going to pour it out after each tasting!

I popped into Springfield Wines for a tasting and I was stunned with their beautiful grounds! A pet friendly spot (which I love) Springfield offers the option to pack your own picnic basket and spend the day basking on their lawn whilst sipping on their five star wines! Not a bad option if you want to get away from the humdrum of the city! The views are incredible and the ambiance is relaxing!

After having my lion’s share of wine I visited the vibey and rustic Olive farm Marbrin. They produce some of South Africa’s top olive oil and walked me through the process of making it. I loved tasting the variants that were earthy and bold but I must admit, it was terribly hard to not get distracted by their cute collie that kept asking for his stick to be thrown. I was brought back to reality when cheese tasting was mentioned. If you know me, I am ALL about the cheese. La Mont cheese had put together a mouth-watering cheese tasting that included fried Halloumi and cream cheese with focaccia. They supply some cheese to Woolworths including their Halloumi. With home made Limoncello (made on the farm) to end off the day it made for a memorable experience.

Mo & Rose was my lodging for my final nights stay in Robertson. I love this guesthouse and highly recommend it if you are passing by or looking for great four-star accommodation in Robertson. The décor is simplistic with a european flair and the bedrooms have fireplaces, a major plus when the sun goes down, as the area can get very cold in winter. It used to be a cactus nursery in the 1950’s and was bought over by Axil and Mo. She had a vision and transformed the magnificent garden into what it is today. Some of her cacti are 60 years and older! There are gardens tours for in house guest (booking in advance is essential.) The food menu is simple but it is done well and at the end of the day that is what it is all about.  With friendly service and a peaceful atmosphere Mo & Rose ranks as one of my top experiences in Robertson. Even if you were passing by I would stop for a cup of coffee and a walk through the succulents!

If you haven’t done a wine and chocolate pairing before it is really something you have to try! Robertson Winery does a wonderful one! Bookings are essential, as you don’t want to miss out and be disappointed. I was treated to a tasting in their cellars that are 75 years old! It was a great experience. With locally sourced chocolate that has been perfectly matched to their wines, I really enjoyed the education I received on the nuances of the flavours I was experiencing! I mean chocolate and wine! What’s not to love?

A great lunch spot and my final destination in Robertson was the Van Loveren Wine estate. I opted for a garden tour, as I am a geek for history and nature! I loved learning about the towering trees and soaking up the energy that they give out as you walk the estate. With great wines to match the beauty of the property I settled down for lunch. The food was delicious, hearty and left me content. Not only with lunch and wine but also a wonderful weekend getaway.

So next time you want to experience Cape Town's wine culture at its finest, take a drive out to Robertson Wine Valley!

-Melissa

Leopold7, expect the unexpected

There is a new kid on the block in terms of craft beer and I must say I am impressed! A beer that is made with the environment in mind is my kind of beer!

With the theme of “expect the unexpected” I was whisked away to a magical night in Elgin at the Old Mac Daddy Airstream Park. For those of you that don’t know that part of the country, it really is something special. The green rolling hills and quiet forest surroundings make you feel like you are 100 miles from nowhere. Perfect for a picnic and beer under an old oak tree!

Leopold7 is a craft beer that has come to South Africa from Belgium and has hit the shores with amazing flavours of citrus and floral notes. We were treated to tasting notes to get our taste buds going (from popcorn to chocolate truffles) through out the day, which started off by listening to opera in the middle of a farm field. Very much expect the unexpected!

To see a fusion of international beer and local inspiration come to fruition in leopold7 is simply, magical. One minute we were crossbow shooting the next watching synchronized swimmers perform in a lake. All that just to emphasize the boldness that is Leopold7. With a higher than normal alcohol level this beer truly is audacious and with 3 grains and 3 hops blended together with a secret spice (that none of us could guess, let me know if you can) you can truly expect a great tasting beer that is sure to rock beer culture in South Africa!  

-Melissa