Oct 12, 2009 - Stellenbosch & Rain

A very wet start to the day, awoken at 4am by a huge storm, it was hitting the window for a good 2 hours, easing by dawn, but still damp. I decided that I should not stay in, so out in the car and headed east towards Stellenbosch, for all you wine drinkers you will will have heard of this place. ... The drive down was not nice, and despite it clearer in Cape Town, the cloud was struggling to lift here, I guess the mountains were having an effect.A very wet start to the day, awoken at 4am by a huge storm, it was hitting the window for a good 2 hours, easing by dawn, but still damp. I decided that I should not stay in, so out in the car and headed east towards Stellenbosch, for all you wine drinkers you will will have heard of this place. ... The drive down was not nice, and despite it clearer in Cape Town, the cloud was struggling to lift here, I guess the mountains were having an effect....

Jan 4, 2009 - Back to the Vineyards at Stellenbosch

We left Cape Town in a cherry red VW Gulf.We left Cape Town in a cherry red VW Gulf....

Dec 30, 2008 - Bike Tours, Wine Tastings and Champagne Cruises

On December 29th, we piled into the rental car and drove to the city of Stellenbosch, about an hour outside of Cape Town. ... Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest European settlement after Cape Town. ... Stellenbosch is usually a lively University town, but with the summer holidays it was pretty quiet. ...

Nov 10, 2008 - The Winelands, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek

Not only did he name Simon's Town (the naval base) after himself and Constantia (now a prosperous part of Cape Town) after his four year old daughter Constancia, but also Stellenbosch (Stel's Bush) was named after him, after he explored the area of the First River soon after he took over as Governor of the Cape in 1679. ... Shady oak trees line Stellenbosch’s streets and give the place a nice summery feel (on my first day there that is - the weather was to turn stormy the next day and very nasty the day after) and around the Braak (the village green) two period churches, homes and the VOC Kruythuys easily transport you back to 1750 or so. ... Stellenbosch is also the home of Stellenbosch University, an Afrikaans-language university and the place where the generation of leaders that created Apartheid was educated (though officially open to all races no black students have enrolled yet). ... If Stellenbosch is the intellectual home of 'Afrikaanderdom', Paarl some 40 kilometres further north, certainly is the ideological one. ...

Aug 31, 2008 - A day visiting vineyards!

A strategic plan was hatched by Team Friar and Grant that ensured a day of ‘maximum coverage of excellent vineyards’ in the region! It was another cold, wet and blustery day but knowing the mission we were on it was all go! Our first vineyard was called Blaauwklippen and we enjoyed sampling 5 of their wines.A strategic plan was hatched by Team Friar and Grant that ensured a day of ‘maximum coverage of excellent vineyards’ in the region! It was another cold, wet and blustery day but knowing the mission we were on it was all go! Our first vineyard was called Blaauwklippen and we enjoyed sampling 5 of their wines....

Aug 30, 2008 - South Africa here we come!

Well, here I am back on ‘blog writing’ after Geoff’s penmanship through China!! Our flight from Hong Kong to Johannesburg was great. Oh what a change from Business Class!! We got our cool little rental car and away we headed on our adventure through the Garden/Wine Route! First stop was Stellenbosch which was only a 30 minute drive from the airport. ... This is right in the heart of the wine region, over 100 vineyards in a 25km radius! We rocked up to the tourist information centre and sorted ourselves out a nice B&B for 2 nights.Well, here I am back on ‘blog writing’ after Geoff’s penmanship through China!! Our flight from Hong Kong to Johannesburg was great. Oh what a change from Business Class!! We got our cool little rental car and away we headed on our adventure through the Garden/Wine Route! First stop was Stellenbosch which was only a 30 minute drive from the airport. ... This is right in the heart of the wine region, over 100 vineyards in a 25km radius! We rocked up to the tourist information centre and sorted ourselves out a nice B&B for 2 nights....

Aug 6, 2008 - Wine Country

Wine country! Fran and I had been eagerly awaiting our visit to Stellenbosch and the surrounding wineries for years, and the time had come. ... For the first couple of days of our overland tour, we made a second stop in Stellenbosch to stock up on some more wonderful South African wine. ... Fran and I discovered that we could walk to three wineries there.Wine country! Fran and I had been eagerly awaiting our visit to Stellenbosch and the surrounding wineries for years, and the time had come. ... For the first couple of days of our overland tour, we made a second stop in Stellenbosch to stock up on some more wonderful South African wine. ... Fran and I discovered that we could walk to three wineries there....

Apr 21, 2008 - The Winelands

We spent our second weekend exploring the Winelands just east of Cape Town. We visited two vineyards on Friday afternoon just outside of a twon called Stellenbosch. ... We headed back into Stellenbosch for dinner, and stayed at a nice, little B&B called the Yellow Lodge. ... After a quick continental breakfast, we headed out for more wine tasting.We spent our second weekend exploring the Winelands just east of Cape Town. We visited two vineyards on Friday afternoon just outside of a twon called Stellenbosch. ... We headed back into Stellenbosch for dinner, and stayed at a nice, little B&B called the Yellow Lodge. ... After a quick continental breakfast, we headed out for more wine tasting....

Apr 21, 2008 - Stellenbosch

I hate to say it, but today was the first day I felt disappointed in the group part of our trip. In reality? How about 7 hours on the bus, a rushed tour of a rather terrible winery in the wine country, an extremely boring tour of Stellenbosch University (our guide's son just "happens" to be a student there- thus our tour). ... As for Stellenbosch, though, it is South African wine country in an absolute picturesque natural environment. ... Imagine Napa with TOWERING mountains in the background.I hate to say it, but today was the first day I felt disappointed in the group part of our trip. In reality? How about 7 hours on the bus, a rushed tour of a rather terrible winery in the wine country, an extremely boring tour of Stellenbosch University (our guide's son just "happens" to be a student there- thus our tour). ... As for Stellenbosch, though, it is South African wine country in an absolute picturesque natural environment. ... Imagine Napa with TOWERING mountains in the background....

Mar 23, 2008 - Rovo Rail/Cape Town/Stellenbosch

HAPPY EASTER! We woke up early and had breakfast (with little chocolate Easter eggs at our places). We were met in Cape Town by Eugene, our guide here and immediately left the city for a small town about 40k away called Stellenbosch. ... It is a lovely city which Eugene says is mostly a college town.HAPPY EASTER! We woke up early and had breakfast (with little chocolate Easter eggs at our places). We were met in Cape Town by Eugene, our guide here and immediately left the city for a small town about 40k away called Stellenbosch. ... It is a lovely city which Eugene says is mostly a college town....

Feb 29, 2008 - Pick up our Rolling Home

To Stellenbosch A bus took us to the surburbs where we picked up our Maui Motor Homes. ... It took a wrong turn into a new housing area which gave us a good view of home life.To Stellenbosch A bus took us to the surburbs where we picked up our Maui Motor Homes. ... It took a wrong turn into a new housing area which gave us a good view of home life....

Jan 25, 2008 - Looking in Stellenbosch for a sunny granny flat to rent.

Stellenbosch , city (1991 pop. ... Stellenbosch, founded in 1680, is the oldest European town in South Africa after Cape Town. ... of Stellenbosch, a theological seminary, a technical college, and a teachers college are in the city. ... za" target="_blank">See Stellenbosch website ...