A Blue Cow and more off beat along Route62

 

 

Take for example the little nursery of botanical illustrator Gehrard Marx on Mount Hope; approx. 10 kilometers from R62 between Oudshoorn and Mosselbay. His collection of rare American and African (succulent) plants such as haworthia and ariocarpus species is much spoken of in botanical circles, especially the ones outside South Africa. Drive from Calitzdorp approx. 5 kilometres uphill toward Roodehoogte and experience undisturbed one of those magnificent sunsets of the Little Karoo.

 

But the biggest surprise is in Barrydale. Along the mainroad (R62) you find all kinds of popular coffee shops, craft- and antique outlets and restaurants. But turn into Tennant Street and follow the blue arrows and you will end up at Barrydale’s own Waterfront and that is where one can really chill down in

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Cow in a traffic free zone. Easy going staff takes time for the guests. Simple but excellent meals with fresh ingredients (yes you may have a look in the kitchen) and the view; simply beautiful.

 

And if you ask the staff they can tell you all about things do do and to see that you don’t read in the travel guides. Ask for the daisies of Hildegard Crous, or about hiking trails and so on. You will be surprised. Inside Barrydale is a good vibe with friendly helpful people with a smile and have you ever heard of Magpie? No? ….. Oops …. Barack and Michele Obama bought some chandeliers for their private rooms in the White House; made of rubbish the guys of Magpie collect in Barrydale and surrounds. From rubbish the 4 guys also small utensils as bags, pencilholders and other small items to take with you as a memento.

 

 

 

 

And if you want to stay over in Barrydale; well The Blue Cow serves very well as a tourism office! It’s on the house.

 

At last but not at least: Just outside Barrydale on the way to Montagu is the Tradouw wine cellar of the Joubert family; it’s one of those 5 South African cellars (+2 in Robertson, 1 Hermanus, 1 Worcester) that are selected to supply the 20 or so top-of-the-top restaurants in Holland with their exquisite wines.