3D REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

We decided to spend a weekend exploring West Coast towns that we have not visited before. The West coast is a wonderful place to explore if you just have a weekend to spare. We found the perfect accommodation that is reasonably priced at Juffroushoogte Guest Farm. Juffroushoogte Guest Farm Juffroushoogte Guest Farm is situated in Vredenburg on the R45. We booked into the 4-sleeper self-catering unit that reminds one of a farm laborer's cottage. The facade is a rough, plastered flat-roofed building and the interior is sparsely, but adequately equipped with all the necessities. Our self-catering cottage on the left. The friendly owners and the quiet setting were perfect. There is a lodge on the premises as well, but I was glad we chose the self-catering facility with its privacy. The Saldana-Sishen railway line runs behind the farm and we could see the neverending train transporting carriage loads of iron ore to the Saldana port that lies about 10 kilometers from V...

Paarl has many secret gems and the Calais Wine Estate , the oldest wine farm in Paarl is one of them. We spent the last weekend of the school holidays at one of the Kleinvallei self-catering cottages. Kleinvallei used to be a boutique wine farm that was privately owned. Now this farm is part of the Calais Wine Estate. Kleinvallei Family cottage. Friday Chillbuzz The hosts, farm manager, Vladimir and his wife, Helena, were warm and friendly. The welcoming tone was already set by Maritza, the Office manager who took care of our booking and received us with a broad smile the Friday afternoon when Sasha and I arrived. We settled in and then took a walk on the upper slopes where we saw rolling vineyards of black grapes, a dam hidden by tall pine trees and two houses perched on the upper banks of the dam. That was a pleasing visual treat. Later the afternoon, Vladimir had tried to tune the television channels. Interestingly, only channel that had a good signal, was a Russian ...

If you want a kaleidoscope of treats, you have to explore Route 62. Our family enjoyed our short breakaway to Montagu Springs Resort in Montagu. Whenever we take such trips, we pack in as many activities as we can.   Travelling from Worcester along scenic Route 62 is sheer driving pleasure. You snake through farms with wide expanses of vineyards and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. From Worcester you pass through Robertson which resembles a sleepy town scattered on the hilly landscape. Sprawling vineyards Ashton When you arrive in Ashton, do stop over at the old steam locomotive that is on display in this rural town. We enjoyed clambering on it and took tons of pictures, pretending we were the drivers on the train. Our casual tour guide, one of the town's residents, slightly under the "vine", gave us an impromptu talk. Apparently this steam locomotive (number 2010) was housed at the municipal offices before. It was later moved to the main road to delight both residen...