Montagu to Barrydale

Barrydale

The distance between Montagu and Barrydale is only 62km or about 50years. Montagu was an epicurean delight with tasteful galleries and well spoken ladies of a certain age tottering around its clean Victorian streets, Barrydale is South African modern with garish tourist haunts on the main Route 62 but the town away from all that is more laid back with some hidden gems. I am staying at the Blue Cow Barn in a barn conversion, the owner also runs The Blue Cow Cafe @ the Barrydale Waterfront which is a cafe overlooking a large pool which contains masses of huge Koi carp and surrounded by nesting sites for brightly coloured native birds a lovely place for breakfast and lunch.

 Jacaranda tree with  bougainvillea growing through it

My room at the Blue Cow Barn

Looking back at Montagu

I spent a lot of time just exploring the town on foot but i did take a trip over the Tradouw Pass which was a pleasant drive with great but not spectacular views. Again I can recommend Barydale for good honest South African food by that I mean meat, the Art Hotel is a case in point, an award winning chef immaculate service and all for the cost of a McDonnalds in the UK. I also tried the local Pakistani take away, they seemed very surprised to see me but the chicken curry and roti took me back the my last visit to the sub-continent fantastic taste and so far nearly 24 hours later no repercussions.
Today I stopped off for a 3 hour lunch on the way here to Ladismith and I am now going out for a Friday night burger, more soon