OUTING REPORT

The last day of winter – tomorrow is officially the Start of Spring!  Wow, waiting for the coach to arrive in Tableview you would have thought it was winter – scarves / and even a few drops of rain!  It was cool and not what one would think about approaching Spring – but then, it is Cape Town and warmer weather doesn’t settle in until about late October, beginning of November!

We headed out along the N1 towards the R44 and Wellington along roads lined with Spring flowers – but then, hey Spring must be coming!  Our arrival at the Uitkyk Farm, alongside the Imbuko Wine Estate, was at about 10h45.  Elsabe met us in the driveway and her husband, Jock came hurtling down the drive on his quad bike with his faithful dog on the back!

Elsabe was so welcoming and entertaining – living on her farm she likened her story to the Dallas story – Jock being “JR” and she is Miss Ellie!  What a wonderful sense of humour she has!  She had us all laughing as she took us through how their farm came to grow buchu ; how she started producing her jams and relishes ; olive oil and by-products giving us tips on how to use olive oil to its best advantage!

We then could do a tasting of her product and purchase some of the Imbuko wines which Jock and dog in tow, willingly went back and forth to the cellar for us.  Such hospitable country folk – we must return to this fabulous estate soon!

We then took the back roads to Paarl and the Blacksmith’s Kitchen on the Pearl Mountain Wine Estate! Their staff poured a complimentary Rose wine which accompanied the lamb dish they served.  Bowls of potato and leek soup were served along with lovely fresh rolls; the lamb which was lamb shank tagine, cooked gently off the bone in a mild, and aromatic spiced ragout, served with dried apricot, chickpea basmati rice and preserved lemon – delicious.  However, as the ladies had all had a lot to eat at Uitkyk Farm with the jams/preserves many ‘doggie’ bags went home on the coach.  Along with many bottles of wine and preserves – as Mel said, “Definitely one of those great Time Out outings”

Such joy and happiness on these monthly coach outings – amazing how many true friendships have been formed as a result!

View All Photos