South Africa Monday 9 Nov '09

South Africa Monday 9 Nov '09
Wine Country
Encountered a small troupe of Baboons on the road. Got some good photos.
It's Kerry's birthday today so we have a chocolate each and sing happy birthday.
First stop Drakenstein Prison. This is where Nelson Mandela was held for the last two years of his imprisonment, and where he was sensationally released, 1982 I think. They recently erected a statue of him in front of the main gate- another photo opportunity for us tourists!
Then to the town of Franschhoch, established early 18th century for french settlers, Huguenots, who started growing wine here. They were forced to learn and speak only in dutch so there is little influence on the language (africaans) but, of course, many french names continue including those we see playing for the Springboks.
Next we travel to the Seidelberg Wine Estate. We have the wine making processes explained and see the oak barrels and steel vats containing maturing wines. Then in the old brick cellars, the wine tasting commences. I don't know much about wine but it doesn't matter. I thoroughly enjoy sitting there having my glass repeatedly replenished with various samples of their produce. Have to listen to stuff about the different smells and tastes but that doesn't delay the proceedings too much. The accompanying biscuits are very nice too.
Then on to another wineyard called Fairview. There is a huge restaurant here so first I stock up on Panin, ham and cooked vegetables before commencing the second wine tasting. I enjoy this even more than the first but cannot remember much about the six wines we try here. But I do remember the wonderful cheeses we were also given to sample, especially the one called blue rock, it was out of this world.
Next we are taken to the Africaans Language monument, two concrete spires and lots of symbolic concrete shapes that depict the history and life of the local language that Africaans people are clearly very proud of. The area has lots of trees and birds - it is a very quiet and peaceful place to be. Especially after two consecutive wine tasting sessions.
Finally to Rosenview, a farmhouse all on its own in the middle of vine fields in the Stellenbosch region. A short walk in the fields followed by a superb meal cooked by the farmhouse staff. Hake mashed with mayonnaise and cheese to start, main course bobotie, chicken cottage pie, venison and veg. And the red wine of course. Don't know what was in the bobotie but it was very nice. Then ice-cream and strawberries, finishing with the locally invented red bush tea.
A very pleasant day
All the Best,
John