| The West Coast region of the Western Cape is still | | | | believe you've ended up in Greece. Wonderful |
| one of the most unspoilt. A couple of hours drive out | | | | houses, whitewashed with green roofs giving out |
| of Cape Town, you will find this area hard to beat | | | | onto a long sandy beach. |
| for sheer peace and quiet. | | | | Brightly coloured fishing boats trailing their nets |
| It is famous for its spring flower displays, bringing | | | | metres from the beach with the fishermen hauling |
| people from all over the world to see it's | | | | their catch straight onto the sand for everyone to |
| magnificence during late August, September and early | | | | view, squabble and purchase the fruits of their labour. |
| October. Carpets of daisies and brightly coloured | | | | Behind you, you'll see fish hanging, drying in the open |
| bulbs erupt to create brilliance hard to match with | | | | air. |
| words - superlatives don't do justice to this | | | | From St Helena head towards Velddrif, a quaint |
| magnificent spectacle. | | | | fishing village situated at the mouth of the Berg River |
| The land could be seen as rather austere and not | | | | where it flows in St Helena Bay. Here is a paradise of |
| much appreciated outside of the flower season, but | | | | fishing, birdlife and boating. Life drifts on in a peaceful |
| the desert and semi-desert areas do have their own | | | | atmosphere, giving you time to unwind and relax far |
| appeal of wide open sky, distant hills and | | | | from the madding crowd, noise and traffic and to |
| multi-coloured rocks. | | | | surround yourself with the wonders of nature. |
| Of course, there is much more to this region than | | | | Don't forget to take your binoculars and view the |
| just the flower season. Dropping down off the main | | | | stunning flock of flamingos on the salt pans - they |
| N7 road, down to the coast, you come to St Helena | | | | love the mineral rich waters of the Berg river, sifting |
| Bay. | | | | the water through their bills to trap the algae in the |
| Slightly warmer water than Cape Town will greet | | | | water. The algae give the flamingos their stunning |
| your toes as you wander along white sand beaches, | | | | colour. |
| virtually on your own with the seals, cormorants and | | | | For the wine lovers amongst you, don't forget to |
| seagulls for company. The Southern Wright Whales | | | | visit the fledgling wine growing area around Piketburg, |
| are also visible on their migration during the months | | | | about one hours drive inland. Two particular estates |
| of July, August and September. | | | | merit mention. |
| Stay at the St Helena Bay Hotel, or choose one of | | | | Nieuwedrift rates highly for the wonderfully warm |
| the smaller guest houses. The hotel is a friendly place | | | | welcome Johan Mostert gives all his visitors, firstly |
| with glorious views from its front bedrooms out over | | | | showing them his talented artist wife's paintings |
| the water, although not The Ritz, it's friendly, clean | | | | lovingly displayed in his newly built tasting room |
| and serviceable. | | | | before reverently opening his extremely select wines. |
| Even in late December it's possible to just alight on | | | | Johan produces two wines, a Shiraz and a Chenin |
| accommodation, but don't count on this to happen | | | | Blanc, but don't for one minute compare them to any |
| for much longer, as this little known area will surely | | | | other wines of the same grape varietal - you have |
| be discovered before too long. Expansion in the area | | | | to taste them for yourselves! |
| is already underway with a considerable number of | | | | Perched majestically on top of the hill overlooking the |
| new homes being built at Shelley Point and Admirals | | | | surrounding wheat fields is Org de Rac. This stunning |
| Island, many of which will be second homes or | | | | brand new building houses a beautiful tasting room, a |
| holiday homes. Lifestyle is high on the list with golf | | | | knowledgeable and friendly staff and a very |
| courses, boating, spectacular views, wildlife and long | | | | interesting range of organic wines, which are all |
| sandy beaches drawing people to this part of the | | | | certified by the Soil Association. No sulphur additives |
| world. | | | | make this wine quite delectable and must be tasted |
| Take a short trip along one of the dirt roads, through | | | | to be appreciated. |
| the farmland down to Paternoster, where you will | | | | |