Goodbye Cape Town

The blanket was securely on Table Mountain as I drove out on my way to Franshhoek, there was drizzle in the air so a good time to leave. The journey by A roads was a real insight into the real South Africa, arriving in Franshhoek was like driving onto a film set.  
Franshhoek seems to cater for all that is bad about wine, the tasting houses are visited by aficionados who hold forth in loud voices and the town itself is a fine experience, fine wine, fine dining, fine art, fine jewellery...........
I found some quiet tasting rooms away from the wine tram route, I thoroughly recommend Soms-Delta not only for the personal service and wonderful setting for the tasting but also for the museum which records the history of the land the estate is on since the early Stone Age.  My second recommendation would be the Lynx boutique winery, their unbounded enthusiasm is infectious and the Rose was possibly the best I have ever tasted, mind you I do like it bone dry. One other excellent attraction was the Franshhoek Motor Museum, four large sheds of cars in pristine restored condition, I fell in lust with the 1929 S Type Mercedes Benz.

I managed to avoid the obnoxious at night by dining at the Elephant & Barrel, the only pub in town and the Stand Restaurant on the road north on the outskirts which was locally run and more of a family restaurant.
An early start this morning saw me in the hills above Franshhoek by 8:30, there was a fabulous view of the valley from there, foolishly I didn't take a photo so you will have to go yourself to experience it. On Billy Boy's recommendation I took the R 62 through the Little Karoo and once again he got it right, great views and interesting sights and experiences along the way.

 I arrived at Earthbound B&B in Oudtsdoorn and what a place, probably the best I have ever seen. The setting looks nothing from the road but once inside it is just perfect, six letting rooms with everything you could need set around a swimming pool with a large patio  and the owners and staff fall over themselves to make you welcome, I will definitely come here again on my next visit, I am glad so few people read this blog otherwise the place would be booked years in advances.

Time to get ready and go on the hunt for a sports bar showing tonight's rugby match.