Showing posts with label Western Cape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Cape. Show all posts

Saturday, June 8, 2013

BABYLONSTOREN PART III - "TEEKAMER IN DIE GLASKAS" (tea room in the glass house) a beautiful place to visit, walk, ooh & aah, and eat delicious treats - fresh from the farm.


NESTLED AMONGST ORCHARDS AND 8 ACRES OF VEG GARDENS, CLIMBING ROSES, VINES DRIPPING WITH PASSION FRUIT, IS A HEAVENLY OASIS.  THE TEA GARDEN AND GLASS CONSERVATORY.

As the sign says, "Teekamer in die Glaskas" - walk this way to something spectacular (I just made that up), the "Tea Room in the Glass House".


And there she stands in all her glory, the glass house.  Inside are vegetable gardens on the one end, chairs and tables for tea and the most delicious delights ever on the other.  



Outside the glass conservatory are many more casual chairs and tables scattered under huge old oak trees.

What sandwich would you like - pick your bread, freshly baked in our own bakery, add your selection of cheese and then what about some smoked trout, fresh from the farm?  Or our own smoked ham, or even smoked chicken.  


Fresh bunches of orange blossom - talk about heaven "scent".

Bunches of freshly picked herbs scent the air.


And for the arrangement, long stems of heirloom tomatoes.


I wanted to stay here forever, quite comfortable.

I can honestly say without hesitating, this is the most delicious and BEST tart I have ever had, by far.  Thin pastry crust filled with a white chocolate and lemon custard and topped with fresh Strawberries and Cape Goosberries.


The LOO!

I must say, I had a thing for these amazing "loos/toilets/bathroms", call them what you may depending on where you're from.  Surrounded by lavender fields, fresh herbs, fig trees and lemon trees, wouldn't you?


And there is still more to come.  This place is endless in "oh my, look at that, I want it........"

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Franschhoek - "French corner" - a little bit of paradise in the Western Cape, South Africa




Franschhoek, my favorite little town in the world.  Nestled in a valley surrounded by majestic mountains, Franschhoek was settled in the 1600's by the French Hugenots, persecuted Protestants, who brought their wine growing skills to the region.  Thank goodness, they did a fantastic job and this region produces world class wines and in one small town with a population of just over 15,000 you will find restaurants to rival the best in the world too.  This is the cuisine capital of South Africa.  And the scenery is breathtaking, with amazing drives, the most fantastic wineries to visit, taste, walk, delicious local food.  A must visit.  I'm lucky enough to have my mom living in the middle of this gem of a place and visit as often as I can.  







The main street driving into Franschhoek






My mother's little front patio and garden with a mountain backdrop

Mom's little paradise

A few of the stunning local homes sitting on side streets

Typical Cape Dutch architecture


La Grange interior design store


La Motte winery