We started off this morning slightly later than usual (the kids managed to sleep in until after 6am – thank goodness!) and had breakfast again in the hotel (Chris had another foam face on this coffee). Then a quick pack of the bags and we hit to road heading north west out of Cape Town City.
An interesting view of the clouds falling down off Table mountain on our way north
We reached Franschhoek where we intend to stay for the next couple of days, and dropped off our bags at the ‘Farm’. Then we headed out for lunch. Google maps provided us with a suggested option on a side street off the main road. Driving along the side street we became concerned with the state of the buildings and the people hanging around the street (not an ideal place to be), then google had us turn right into a gated community. We thought we were going to be denied entry, but we weren’t and found a lovely place to have lunch. The staff were very welcoming and there was the big lawn out front for Karl to run around on (in between rain showers). The food was also excellent. It also had an excellent view of a ‘Humma Crane’ which is what Karl is calling cranes on this trip (no idea why!).
Lunch in a gated community, security scanning car, licence mobile number address etc
After lunch, we headed down the road to the Winelands Light Railway, which is a miniature railway train and tracks hand built by a train enthusiast, We managed to time it right with the weather (that had been showers on and off all morning) as we had ok weather the whole time we were there.
The small electric train pulls 6 carriages and everyone from kids to adults can ride. The loop takes about 7 minutes and it goes past animal status, over the bridge, through a tunnel of plants, and through a real tunnel which is long enough that for a moment it is pitch black and you cannot see the end. Both boys really enjoyed the train ride, and we went around 6 times. The builder has really put a lot of work into the trains and tracks, there were even train crossing signs, train signals (complete with tiny ladders for a miniature person to climb to repair).
The place also included a playground and a sheltered area with lots of kids activities, including colouring, story books, naughts and crosses, toy bikes and the ball pit. We spent some time just chilling out here between train rides. Nearby was also a museum of old trains, cars and tractors to look at. And there were animals all around (chickens and goats and lots of birds).
Our visit to this place was really reasonable and we would definitely come back.
Back to our new hotel, which includes a wood fire hot tub which we spent an hour or so relaxing in. The place we are staying is about 15 minutes away from Franschhoek, right out in the country, so there are no houses around and it is very quiet. We plan to enjoy a few relaxing days here (especially as the weather is set to rain for the next week). Our room includes complementary farm fresh laid eggs, a bottle of wine and snacks. Oh and the possibility of a wild animal or two coming onto the property from the reserve next door.
Bye bye for now now
Chris, Dan, Karl and Isaac
Hi CDKI, thanks for sharing your fun and activities from day 8. Lots of smiling faces on the little one. Obviously heaps of fun. Hmm the “Humma Cranes” where did that come from? Enjoy and stay dry. 73