Groot Constantia Wine Estate

Date: 19 November 2011

Location: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Constantia

Walkers: Aafke & Helen

After a busy morning browsing at exhibitions and shopping our first stop at Groot Constantia was the Jonkershoek Restaurant for a refreshing cup of tea and a slice of cheesecake. Afterwards we decided to stroll around the estate. It was midday on the first hot day of the summer, so we were hugely grateful for the shade under the oak trees!



We decided to walk up the avenue, back towards the entrance gate.



From here we got a glorious view, west, of the back table and Devil's Peak.



We retraced our steps, back to the trees. Great view to the east too: vineyards, the southern suburbs, the cape flats and the Hottentot's Holland mountains in the distance.



The restaurant was filling up with the lunchtime crowd now.



The approach leads directly to the grand Cape Dutch Manor House.



We walked around the manor house to the pond and cellar building behind. The Groot Constantia estate dates back to the 1680s. I always enjoy visiting - it's such a gracious old building, with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere in the grounds.




We decided to continue our stroll up the path to the historic bath. Another invitingly avenue, with impressively huge oak trees creating dappled light and welcome coolth.



There were several squirrels about, but this little fellow was particularly tame. Poor little guy hasn't much of a tail!




Beyond the path lie vineyards, with white rose borders.



We continued up the path. I remember picnicing on the green lawns to the left years ago but they seem to have disallowed that now. Signs forbid picnics and warn of baboons in the area.



There is a little garden at the top, with the old pool almost empty and looking a bit dilapidated. We sat on a bench and soaked in the glorious vistas. The slight elevation means awesome views of the Constantia mountains...



... and down to Silvermine and Muizenberg. Hooray for summer!


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Greenbelt: Silverhurst Trail

Date: 17 July 2011

Location: Constantia

Walkers: Helen & Michele

*** Route plotted here ***

More info about the Constantia Greenbelt here, and my other Greenbelt walk here.

Dorothy and I had an hour to kill before meeting some friends for lunch in Constantia, so we took the opportunity to stretch our legs along one of the Constantia Greenbelt routes. We choose the easy Silverhurst Trail which starts off Constantia Main Road.



It was a beautiful still day, and it was super to be outside in the sun.



We walked on the path to the right of the little stream.




After a while we passed a small dam. What a peaceful-looking spot.



Something very charming about winter trees isn't there?




There was lovely lush green grass growing everywhere, but not many flowers. However there were a couple of spots of colour here and there: red berries, a yellow seurtjie, light orange nasturtiums and a dark orange cobra lily (my first of the season!)




When the path came to an end we crossed the wooden bridge and headed back on the path on the opposite side of the stream.



We were now next to the Silverhurst Estate.



There are some fancy houses in this development, all safe and secure behind a very serious electric fence (ten strands!).



It was a pleasant easy walk back.




And then just a hop across the stream, back to our waiting car.


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Greenbelt: Alphen & Diep River Trails

Date: 12 April 2011

Location: Constantia

Walkers: Helen & Michele

*** Route plotted here ***

In the Constantia valley in the Southern Suburbs there are several walking trails along tracts of land between the residences. These are known collectively as the Greenbelt. For more information about the area and the various routes here.



We wanted an easy walk this afternoon so selected the popular Alphen Trail which starts on Alphen Drive just off the M3. We followed the sandy path to the left of the little stream.



It was super-easy walking, and there were lots of other people out and about, many with dogs. It was pretty too, with tall trees and much green leafiness.






Morning glory creeper was growing everywhere.



Further on we continued through a grassy meadow.





A lot of the trees growing here are deciduous European ones and there was a distinct autumnal look and feel to them. Gorgeous!



We reached the end of the Alphen Trail when we hit Brommersvlei Road. We decided to continue along the next route, known as the Diep River Trail. This one was quieter and a little wilder.





Beautiful tall yellow canna lilies grew alongside the path.



A bridge led over a wetland area...



... with lots of reeds, bulrushes and grasses.



Beyond that the path lead on through rather wild jungly undergrowth, and across another little bridge.




From the clearing beyond we got a view of Devil's Peak. As the sun was now behind the mountain and it was getting chilly we decided to turn around and head back. We'll have to come back soon to do some more exploring along the rest of the trail.




The Alphen Trail was still very busy... lots of dogs and even two horses.


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