A Weekend in Knysna

We had a very enjoyable weekend visiting Mike, Nicky, Travis and Robyn in Knysna.  The drive there from Hermanus wasn’t much fun as it poured with rain and there was very heavy traffic all the way, but Saturday dawned fine despite predictions of bad weather.  We were able to take Robyn and her friend Gigi to the Leisure Island Festival where they enjoyed the activities, whilst Travis was with a friend.

On Sunday we had the rare pleasure of accompanying the family (sans Robyn, who spent the day with a friend) to a cricket match at the Abbottsfield oval at Rheenendal.  Luckily for Travis one member of Michael’s team (the Rheenendal Rangers) didn’t pitch, so he got a game with the adults and acquitted himself very well.  I never thought that I would see the two of them playing cricket in the same team and I am proud to be able to show some pictures of them in action.  Unfortunately, the Rangers lost by one run with one ball to spare, making it a tight and exciting finish!  Michael scored 21 runs and took a wicket, whilst Travis got 7 runs and very nearly took a wicket.

Mike pulling to leg

In line at the food stall

Gigi and Robyn

A beautiful field

Renee and Nicky feeling the cool breeze

Mike bowling

Missed that one

Travis, driving

Well played!

Travis walking on

Colours of Benetton

Cool, wet weather deterred most walkers this morning, so it was just Lynette who accompanied us along the cliff path to Grotto.  Fortunately the rain had stopped and we had a good outing.  There were whales aplenty and a seal on a rock at Shelly Beach – for the rest the main point of interest was observing the colourful clothes ahead of me.

Colours of Benetton

Baby seal

Walking at Oak Valley

Our walk at Oak Valley this morning was one of the best attended for quite a while.  There were no less than 25 of us and we enjoyed traversing beautiful areas of this magnificent farm in perfect walking weather – cool and overcast.  The going was very wet in parts, attesting to the recent heavy rains, but the cycle paths which we used were reasonably dry, and the scenery was reminiscent of the English countryside, with all the oak trees and shady forests.

We finished up at The Pool Room restaurant, where we had a good meal before returning home.  Well done, John, for arranging this treat.

At the start

Through the wet

Through the bull paddock

Aristea sp.

Pterygodium catholicum

Georgie, Mike and Mags

Some of the neat vineyards

Apple blossoms

Thistle

Lunch at Constantia Glen

On Sunday we met Andrew and David and their families, sans Keagan who was being entertained elsewhere, for a lunch and wine tasting at Constantia Glen.  It is a beautiful place, high above Constantia and the wine and platters to which we treated ourselves were scrumptious.  The kids had the run of the farm and busied themselves exploring.  It was a good opportunity to cement family bonds, although Andrew might have preferred a quiet day at home in order to repair his sore head!

Lunch at Springfontein

Today ten of us were the first lunch guests at the newly opened restaurant (with a Michelin star chef) at Springfontein Wine Estate.  It was a memorable occasion with outstanding food, excellent service, and a beautiful venue.  It is a pity that this great establishment is so out of the way – one wonders if it will be able to attract enough clients, but if the word gets around then it can only succeed.  The wine list was exceptional with a fine selection of South African wines as well as an outstanding Bordeaux collection. 

We ate outside

Gansbaai to De Kelders

There were ten walkers on this morning’s beautiful stroll along the coast from Gansbaai to ‘Coffee on the Rocks’ at De Kelders.  The weather was perfect and the scenery immaculate as usual.  We saw a number of whales lazing close inshore, including a pure white calf swimming with its mother.  The sea was like a lake, and we felt privileged to be able to use this wonderful stretch of coastline at our leisure.  The coffee wasn’t bad either!!

Gladiolus cunonius

Morea sp.

Satyrium carneum

At Coffee on the Rocks

A whale with her white calf

Agathosma sp.

Helichrysum sp.

At Stanford Cove

A waterfall on the beach

Helichrysum sp.

Helichrysum sp.