Cederberg Astronomical Observatory
In a country with more angles on tourism than on a cut diamond, I was interested to discover the existence in the South African Cederberg of a private observatory that offers the opportunity for stargazer and astro-enthusiasts to indulge in some southern hemisphere observations. The Cederberg Astronomical Observatory was established in 1980 by British astronomer Peter Mack who was at that time employed by the Astronomical Society Of South Africa. Mack visited the Cederberg and recognised immediately the potential in the region for a local observatory.
Since then the site has been developed and is now run by a consortium of partners with headquarters based in Cape Town. Any of these good people can be contacted via the web page, and are available for consultation on matters of astronomy, or for advice on any phenomenon or particular events being held at the observatory.
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A friend from Germany was in town last week and desperately wanted to visit some natural hot springs. We have 4 of such that I am aware of, and there are all within 2 hours of Cape Town.
Goudini Spa: A large family resort with municipal charm and old world holiday camp appeal. This place has been a traditional family mainstay for many many years and is still going strong. The rooms are basic but cheap and the grounds are very lush and well landscaped. Not really ideal for young people, but great for families, wanting a quick getaway from Cape Town at little expense.
The Baths: It has been a while since I was here, but I remember enjoying the place greatly, the baths are steaming hot and the setting is quite remote and very much amongst nature.
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2003 Allesverloren Cabernet Sauvignon
Where found?: Ultra Liquors, Green Point Main Road | Map
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Allesverloren Cabernet
How much? R53
Drunk with? Dinner; Gourmet burgers!
Did it suit? Awkward fit
Value for money? Yes
SA Blog recommends? For a romantic table for two
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2004 Riebeek Cellars Pinotage
Where found?: Pieter Kruythof Laan, off Kloof Street
Riebeek Kasteel | Map
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Riebeek Pinotage
How much? R15 (!)
Drunk with? Dinner; Chicken soup.
Did it suit? Quite well, surprisingly.
Value for money? Yes
SA Blog recommends? For fun with friends.
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Spotted! A lykwa (pronounced LAKE-vaw) in De Oude Kerk museum, off Church St. in Riebeek Kasteel (map), in the Swartland region of the Cape Winelands.
Lykwa
What on Earth is it? It’s a horse-drawn hearse - hence its rather grim appearance. In Afrikaans, lyk means “body”, and wa means “wagon”. According to locals, the son of the last person to be carried to her grave in this “bodywagon” is still alive and kicking in the Riebeek Valley.
This particular lykwa saw the most action during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, which ravaged …
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The Cango caves near Oudstshoorn are South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction.
Discovered (again) in 1780 and opened to the public in 1806, the Cango cave system is a winding network of jewelled caverns stretching well over 5km (so far discovered)
The first great chamber you enter is called the Van Zyl hall (named after the man said to have discovered them), is as long as a football field, with gorgeous dripping limestone formations.
There are two tours available to the general public and from where the “standard route” ends the “adventure tour” takes you a little further into the cave and through some tight squeezes some no more than 30cm high. The caves are a humid, warm and reasonable well lit. Take good walking shoes and dress lightly.
Some Cango caves mystery and intrigue:
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Every Spring, tourists and local nature lovers come from all over to pay homage to one of the most spectacular flower shows in the world.
The West Coast of South Africa, is an acquired taste, compared to the lush garden route. It is rocky, dry and sometimes quite featureless. This makes a huge about face in the spring months when wildflowers carpet huge swathes of it in a massive display of colour. This is starting right now!
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Alert! After a frigid weekend, the Western Cape - and more particularly the town of Ceres, which is sort of a Swartland launching pad into the high, cold Roggeveld - has snow!
Snow is not all that common during the South African winter, but it usually arrives at least once in July (hence the thousand-and-one Xmas in July! sales, etc.), drifting down into the mountains of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, as well as the areas of the Free State and KwaZulu Natal that border high-lying Lesotho.
Ceres is just a few hours’ drive from Cape Town (where it …
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Het Vlok Kasteel
Church Street, Riebeek Kasteel | Map
Het Vlok Casteel
Specialty: Olives, olive products, wine, jams, chutney, dessert toppings, biltong and more!
Tel: +27 (0) 22 448 1433
Fax: +27 (0) 82 567 9132
jlvlok@iafrica.com
SA Blog recommends a look inside? Don’t miss it!
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2004 Waverley Hills Organic Shiraz
Where found?: Old Dalby Wine Shop, Voortrekker Road, Riebeek West | Map
How much? R70
Waverly Hills Shiraz
Drunk with? Solo - a wine tasting.
How did it go down? Not too well, unfortunately.
Value for money? No
SA Blog recommends? Find another organic - Stellar, for instance.
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