South
Africa - Day 20
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Participants: Kev & Tam
It's our last full day. After her er...
exertions yesterday Tam is feeling a little frail this morning.
The weather is good, partly cloudy, but nice and warm so we get a
creamy doughnut thing from the bakery at the end of the road
(Motherdough) and have it on our patio along with a fresh brew
coffee. We spend a couple of hours around the pool and I suggest
having sushi for lunch at Glenwood Wine Estate as this was
recommended by friends. We book a table for 12.30 pm and head
out.
It's not far from Franschhoek, but the last mile or two is along a dirt road, so you can imagine how isolated it is. As we approach Glenwood we see the effects of recent fires. In fact they surround the estate and it's lucky to have survived at all. We are the only car in the car park and take a table outside looking across to the ever beautiful mountains. It's quite popular as by the time we leave every table is full.
It's so lovely sat in the shade with a gentle breeze blowing and we share a sushi platter and a glass of their own Chardonnay each. When we come back to Franschhoek (and we will) I can imagine many more relaxed lunches like this. The bill including a bottle of water and tip is about £25. By the way, they are never stingy with their wine pours in South Africa, it's all poured by hand and you usually get a big glass full.
Tam rather liked the flowers in the garden. Proteas I believe.
See, told you she liked the flowers.
Back to the cottage at 2.00 pm for another couple of hours relaxing. At 6.00 pm we go into town to the Lamu Collection. This is a shop selling clothes from a single designer with a bar and bistro above. We sit on the balcony and I have a sort of Bourbon sour which is very nice. Tam is still not feeling so good and so sticks to water.
This is the view from the Lamu Collection balcony.
After another small beer for me we go next
door for our 7.00 pm reservation at French Connection. When we
booked a couple of days ago the lady said she would book us for
inside as the forecast wasn't good and if it was ok she'd try and
fit us in outside. True to her word we get a lovely table on the
patio, but still under the roof canopy.
Unfortunately Tam is still feeling rough and not hungry at all,
so I suggest she goes home. She does and leaves me to dine alone.
I have the catch of the day which is Cape Salmon (white fish) in
a light buttery lemon sauce and french fries accompanied by a
carafe (250ml) of Pinto Noir from Haute Cabriere. The fish is
excellent and I enjoy it enormously. When I come to pay the lady
serving me says 'I hope your wife's illness is better soon ...
well, not really her illness'. I tell her it's a temporary
illness and we exchange knowing looks. Honestly the service
everywhere we've been has been lovely. I thought that service in
the US was good, but this is better.
Back to the cottage where Tam is feeling a little better, but still tired. I have a beer in our little courtyard before retiring to bed. Embarrassment prevents me from telling you what time it is.