Lake Naverone in the Underberg

About a 3 hour drive from Durban you will find yourself in a landscape that is majestic. The rolling hills of the Underberg is indescribable. The husband and I want to use our time in KZN as best as we can so a trip to the Underberg was on the bucket list.
 


Smaller lake next to Lake Naverone

 

I booked us a weekend at Lake Naverone, one of the best life choices I made last year :) The Lake is surrounded by a 400 hectare estate that will supply you with space for great outdoor fun or just a beautiful place to relax at. It has its own hiking trails or within a short drive you can hike at surrounding areas. You can book horse riding trips, do some birding or try your luck at catching some trout in the lake.

I was in awe about the beauty of this place. The mountains, the greenery and the thundershowers were perfection. I can imagine during winter time how pretty this place will be with snow on the mountains. Apparently is snows at Lake Naverone itself!


Our weekend view

 

The estate has 22 cottages that caters for small to big families. Check out their website for their rates and which cottage will suit you the best. We stayed at the Flufftail cottage. It's a well stocked self catering cottage with a inside fire place, outside weber and great views of the lake. They service the cottage twice a day so you can actually just sit on the terrace with a glass of wine the entire weekend and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

We spent a lot of time in the window bay reading during thunder showers. It really was heaven on earth.

 

Flufftail cottage

 


Braai area at Flufftail cottage

 


Finished my book here :)

 

 

Each cottage comes with a rowing boat. You can also rent other boats and fishing equipment. The husband tried his luck with the fishing but I guess it's  fair to say that a few hours in the water won't cut it. (googling fly fishing also did not help :) )
 


Sundowners on the lake



Hoping to catch dinner



He did not catch anything but still looked great trying :)



 

We chose to do a hiking trail outside of Lake Naverone called "Three Pools". You buy a permit at Lake Naverone because you enter the National Park. It's a moderate hike of about 5km.  Great place to swim at is Champagne pool. Its about 500 m away from Three Pools. If you carry on with the trail you will reach the Bushman cave. Pack a  picnic and enjoy brunch or lunch here!
 



Champagne pool

Our weekend at Lake Naverone was the perfect spot to be active but also relax enough so that the new working week was easy to tackle.

There is a store about a 3 min drive from Lake Naverone that is well stocked if you forgot anything but I would say come prepared with all your groceries from your home base or shop at the shopping centre in Underberg. There are about four restaurants surrounding Lake Naverone but we never visited any of them.

 The staff at Lake Naverone were very friendly and helped us with all our questions about the hiking trails and even organised us another boat when a large tour group stole  borrowed ours :)

If you ever venture to the Underberg, Lake Naverone is not a spot to miss!

For more information visit their website
Like them on Facebook
Contact them at info@lakenaverone.co.za

Treat Café @ Talloula

 

I've spent two lovely Sundays at Treat Café and can say that there is no better way to end off your weekend. Situated on the 1000 Hill road in Botha's Hill, its a short drive from Durban. It is adjacent to the wedding venue Talloula.

Welcome to Treat Café

If there is one thing I miss about Cape Town, it is the wine farms. Now this is not a wine farm but the fact that I can sit outside underneath the trees sipping on some excellent wine from the Cape, I call this my wine farm away from home :)

It is a popular place over weekends so a reservation is essential. We always sit outside, order a bottle of wine and enjoy a long lazy Sunday lunch. It also doubles as a gift shop so I warn you that after the first glass of wine your wallet may be more lenient than before! They stock beautiful ceramics and woven baskets.

Lovely outside spot

 

Terrible quality photo but just a peek into the inside of the restaurant.

Louis and his staff are always friendly and efficient. If you ever want to host a birthday party, kitchen tea or baby shower this is definitely a venue to consider!

Now lets get to the good part, the food. You can join them for breakfast or lunch. They also host specialty evenings which they advertise of their Facebook page.

 

The menu changes but the good old favourites are always there. For starters we have enjoyed grilled mushrooms topped with pesto, tomato and mozzarella. Our favourite so far however was the mezze platter. Pitas are served with humus, grilled peppers, olives ,tomato salsa and guacamole. There is also a spanakopita and potato samosa to share. This paired perfectly with our Tokara Chenin Blanc.



Grilled mushroom and the mezze platter

Talking about wine, I really love their wine list. Well priced, diverse with regards to cultivar and there are some winners from the Cape such as Haute Cabriere and Tokara. This is one place where you don't have to BYOB.

 



Haute Cabriere Tranquille

Tokara Chenin Blanc

 

For mains the dish to try is their pie. The husband enjoyed it the first time we were there and I had to put up a fight at our next visit so that he didn't order it again. I wanted to try the rest of the menu but yes the pie is so delicious that you can eat it at every visit. First of all the portion is big. Tender meat in a thick sauce is covered entirely with a puff pastry lid. It is served with chips on the side. The husband was tempted to lick out the bowl, luckily he remembered his table manners! He also enjoyed the homemade burger which he gave top marks to.

 

   

The must try dish!

I've tried the salmon pasta which I enjoyed but I would have rather have served it with cooked salmon than smoked salmon. My quiche I recently had was jampacked with butternut which I enjoyed but the crust was too thick and hard. The salad served with it however was very fresh!




Salmon pasta

Butternut quiche with salad

 

We've tried dessert once which was a saucy chocolate malva pudding. It was delicious and sweet but the berries and ice cream served with it neutralised it well. A recommended lemon meringue is also on the menu.

Chocolate malva pudding

Treat Café is worth the drive out to a 1000 Hills. You can always count them on serving great food in a comfortable environment. If you end off you weekend here I promise you, you will be okay for the coming week!

Cheers!

 




Visit them at 61 Old Main road, Botha's Hill
Open Tuesday-Sunday 08:30 - 16:00
Contact them at 031 777 1586
Like them on Facebook 
For more information check out their website

Bellevue Market

Bellevue Market is the place to be tomorrow evening. Every last Friday of the month you can wine and dine underneath the stars while listening to live music. My first visit to the market was last month and I am so sad that I am missing tomorrow night as I am on call :(

Bellevue Market

 

It starts at 16:00. Perfect to head over straight after work. Start off with a glass of wine, craft beer or even gin cocktails. My favourite was a pomegranate flavoured gin. While you are getting in the mood browse through various clothes and décor stalls.  There's ample seating but if you want to be more comfortable bring a blanket and make a picnic of it!

It is always gin'o clock!

Food wise they cater for all. For the adventurous tuck into delishous curries or pulled pork burgers. We enjoyed a delicious vegetarian pizza that we spiced up with some jalapenos and onion marmalade. As the cold showed face this week you can even tuck into some hearty soups and maybe take away some for the week?

Delicious pizza!

Before you leave be sure to grab some dessert on the go. I left with a few cupcakes and my weakness, a pecan nut tart.

Loved the fairy lights!

Bellevue Market, the perfect place to start your weekend! See you definitely next month!

 

 

Location: 5 Bellevue road, Kloof

Time: 16:00-20:00

Like them on Facebook

 

 

Eikehof

I love winefarms and I'm fortunate to live in an area that's spoilt with an unlimited number of choices. So much wine, so little time - my first world problem! Another one that has recently popped up on the list is, Eikehof.



Welcome to Eikehof

Situated in Franschoek, this family run farm has been handled with care, since 1903 by four generations. Winemaker Francois Malherbe and his wife Elize are very hands on and invested in their business. Francois will swing by the tasting room and tell you about their wines. Info straight from the horses mouth! They produce seven wines with the Rosé being their current new gem. Wine prices range between R50-R85. If you do the tasting it's only R30.

The beautiful Eikehof surroundings

They are also part of the awesome Franschoek Wine Tram that I've previously blogged about. They are situated on the red line. If you visit them through this you will receive a complimentary welcome drink and the tasting would be R30. You can also purchase delicious cheese and fruit platters to share for R140.



A large lawn for you to relax on!

 If you don't have plans for Valentines day yet, don't worry, I've got you sorted! If you are single, don't worry, they have wine! Eikehof is hosting their first ever Valentines Picnic! Come visit them as a couple, a group of friends or even alone. No discrimination! You will relax on their beautiful lawn underneath large Oak trees and will struggle to find a more relaxed environment.

For R160 pp you will receive the following

• A gourmet ciabatta filled with basil pesto, mozzarella and tomato
• Sweet chilli chicken kebab
• Fruit skewers
• Selection of meat and cheeses served with biscuits
• Strawberry red velvet cupcakes
• Bottle of wine shared between two (Rose or Sauvignon Blanc)



Some of the picnic selection

Engagements have been booming in my social circle. My bestie is also getting married so I am confronted with daily wedding to do's. Eikehof  is also an excellent venue to consider if you are looking! Contact them directly to enquire about their packages. What I've heard is that they are really affordable considering that they are situated in one of the coveted wedding areas.




Say 'I do'

Eikehof is definitely where you would have found me next weekend if I did not have to slave away behind the books to pass my psychiatry exam. Please drink a glass on me :) If you visit Eikehof you are ensured of a intimate and down to earth experience!

Bookings for the Valentine picnic are essential

Contact them eikehof@mweb.co.za or 021 876 2469
For more information visit their website
Like them on Facebook

Pictures have been supplied by Eikehof.

Muisbosskerm

Muisbosskerm is the first original open air restaurant in South-Africa. It initially started as a venue where the owners entertained their friends but in 1986 it opened for the masses. According to Getaway top 10 published in The Readers Digest it is one of the top 10 things to do in South-Arica.

The view

Seating downstairs



Fish prepping station

For R230 you experience an all you can eat seafood buffet. An extra R50 will ensure half a crayfish.

Now remember this is not a 'gourmet' experience. You eat out of plastic plates and a mussel shell serves as utensils. I must it's actually very effective :) While you dine there you will be entertained with real 'boeremusiek' in the background.

Everything is prepared, cooked and served on the spot. You would struggle to obtain fresher seafood.

Everything is cooked on the open fire...

...and served right next to it!

 The view over the Lamberts Bay ocean is amazing. I loved hearing the crashing of the waves while we dined. We visited during a windy day which is not ideal but they do supply you with blankets.

There are about 10-12 courses. There are no announcements when the food arrive so my tip would be to sit at the top of the restaurant where you will still have a view but can see when all the new delicacies arrive.

It is a bit like the hunger games where every man is for themselves so when they serve something new you must decide if you are going to volunteer as tribute and venture into the masses or sit back and wait for the storm to calm. We were a group of 6 so every time something new was served two of us would fetch it and we would dine tapas style. This also helps you not to overeat and experience everything on offer.

You will be treated to mielies, freshly baked bread straight from the oven, paella, waterblommetjiebredie, hotnotfish, snoek, geelstert, hake lamb, tripe and more. You end off your meal with 'regte egte boeretroos' and koeksisters.

Harders



Loved these mielies!



Say mielie!




Snoek and slaai



Freshly baked bread



Paella, geelstert , hake




What a treat! Crayfish!



Very excited about the crayfish!

Lamb



Koeksister cheers!



My favourite boeretroos!

My favourites were the mielies, crayfish, geelstert and the boeretroos. It was not the best seafood that I have ever had but it was good. The koeksister was a bit dry for me.

Corkage is R20 a bottle and they do have a bar that mostly serves wine from the surrounding area.
 At Muisbosskerm it's not only about the food but also about the experience.We travelled a 90 minutes drive from Paternoster and it was worthwhile. The fresh air, fresh food and jovial atmosphere would warrant my return.



Happy, satisfied customers!



A crayfish cheers!



Booking is essential

For more information visit their website
Visiting times

• Lunch 12:30 for 13:00
• Dinner 18:30 for 19:00

Located 5km from Lamberts Bay on the Eland's Bay road.
Contact them at muisbosskerm@kingsley.co.za or 027 432 1017
Like them on Facebook

Weekend in Tulbagh

It was one of my beautiful friends wedding in Tulbagh a few weekends ago. The last time I was in Tulbagh was 15 years ago. All I remember was that I ate a huge piece of chocolate cake :)


Wedding time at Morgansvlei

The beautiful bride

I was therefore very excited to venture into mostly unknown territory. Tulbagh has loads of wine farms around the town so naturally they were the main component of my weekend activities!

When you arrive in Tulbagh fetch a map at The Tulbagh Tourism Centre. The map is great and you can easily navigate the surroundings with it.  Alternatively these maps are available at the wine farms as well.


Saronsberg

Our first stop was at Saronsberg. You can't go to Tulbagh at not visit them as tasting their Shiraz is one of the top things to do! I mentioned to some friends that I was travelling to Tulbagh for the weekend and everyone started the conversation with " Oh but your must visit Saronsberg..." and I would interrupt and finish with " I know, I know to try the Shiraz." It has won numerous awards and truly is a great wine to drink.

Statue by Angus Taylor

Welcome to Saronsberg

Beautiful lawn to relax on

To top it all off the tasting venue is beautiful with loads of art you can admire. Our favourite pieces where the sculptures by Angus Taylor. I could have spent the entire afternoon at Saronsberg. You can lounge on their lovely lawn next to the dam with a glass of wine.

Art gallery upstairs

Elegant tasting room

Having an awesome time at the tasting room

Wine tasting is free and there are a lot of wines to taste. My favourites were the following

• Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz : I'm happy to report it lives up to its reputation.
• Saronsberg Seismic 2009: It's a bold and full bodied wine with cabernet sauvignon as the main variety which is probably why I loved it.
• Saronsburg Brut MCC 2009: I was surprised that this Brut actually had quite a sweetness to it that I really enjoyed.

The only wine I did not enjoy  was their Sauvignon Blanc. It seems that the reds are their forte. Saronsberg also offers accommodation with self-catering cottages and they only receive good reviews on Tripadvisor.

You can visit them

• Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
• Saturday 10:00-14:00
• Closed on Sundays

Tweet them @Saronsberg_wine
Like them on Facebook
For more information visit their website


Krone @ Twee Jonge Gezellen

I love bubbly so I was very excited to enjoy a tasting of only that! I actually enjoyed a glass of the Krone Borelis the previous night while watching the Lumineers at Kirstenbosch so I could not wait to visit the birth place of the lovely bubbles. The tasting room overlooks the vineyards and it was lovely to sit outside underneath the vine leaves. Our wine tasting host was energetic and really friendly.

Beautiful surroundings

Cheers

Outside tasting area

We tasted the following MCC's

• Krone Borealis Brut 2013 - This I would describe as your everyday bubbly :) I has the lovely biscuity/creamy taste.
• Krone Rose (Cuvee Brut) 2013 - This MCC has a beautiful pink colour and lovely apple notes. Serving this bubbles at a party would definitely make a statement.
• Krone Night Nectar (Demi Sec) 2013 -  This was my favourite! It was sweet but at the same time very refreshing.
• Krone Chardonnay Pinot Noir - Not a bubbly but also a great easy drinking wine.

Krone

My purchase of the day!

You can visit them

•  Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00
• Saturday 10:00-14:00 and the cellar tour is at 11:00

Like them on Facebook
Tweet them @houseofkrone
For more information visit their website

Other wine farms in the area that I did not get to but will in the future were Montpellier, Theuniskraal and Waverley Hills .

Tulbagh has loads of accommodation to choose from. We stayed at Rijks Country House which is situated 2 km outside of Tulbagh. You can also enjoy wine-tasting here. It's a beautiful estate where you can walk around and enjoy the surroundings. Service is impeccable and the rooms are equipped with more than you need. My favourite part of our visit was lounging next to the pool with a G&T. We made our booking through Booking.com who has great deals!

Does not get better than this!



Perfect way to relax!



Cottages at Rijks



Rooms at Rijks



Pool area


We spent most of our time outside of Tulbagh but if you have time you can enjoy the museums about the famous earthquake, watch a show at the Saronsberg Theatre or wine and dine at numerous restaurants. A place that looked awesome from outside was Things I Love.

As you can see to enjoy the small-town gem that Tulbagh is you will need at least two weekends away :) I will definitely be back!