Putting Chart Farm on the Map

Constantia Valley with side of Table Mountain in the background

The freeway makes it quick and easy to get down into the Constantia Valley, but please consider this note of warning. Just before the viaduct shown in the post below, the road curves left and and at that point, it is advisable to slow down to the recommended speed of 70km/h. Over the years there have been a number of spectacular accidents at this point, simply because drivers go down the road and take the bend too fast.

If exploring the valley, my recommendation would be to rather take exit "12  WYNBERG" before this section of motorway and then turn right (sign "Wynberg Park"). This road goes under the viaduct instead (following 34 degrees south - see below). Then, turning first left, one come to the narrow road leading to Chart Farm.

At Chart Farm there is a great view over the Constantia Valley and beyond to the Muizenberg and Constantiaberg Mountains framing the valley. Apart from the great views, there is also a tea garden and an opportunity to walk amongst and even pick the roses at this rose farm. For more details and photographs of Chart Farm visit www.travelselection.co.za/chart-farm-wynberg-cape.htm

The road to the Constantia Valley crosses over 34 degrees South.

34 degrees south follows the road underneath the freeway viaduct

After cresting Wynberg Hill on the M3 south from the city, the road crosses over a small valley on the viaduct in the photograph. This viaduct also happens to "cross over" 34 degrees south. This line of latitude is not recognised in any way in Cape Town (not that I know of) and I guess it is really no big deal. After all, its hardly the Equator or the Tropic of Capricorn or the Arctic Circle! But as this line encircles the globe, is does pass through Port Elizabeth and the southern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. In South America it hits landfall just south of Santiago in Chile and heads across the Atlantic back to Cape Town from from just north of Buenos Aires. In an invisible way it is a sort of connection between all these places and everything else in between. You may not see it on the ground, but you could find it in an atlas or locate it on Google Earth. Big deal or no big deal, this "unseen line" goes under the viaduct in the attached photo - more or less at the point where the road passes underneath.

Constantia Valley is for everyone ... if you have time!

M3 freeway with Constantia Valley and Muizenberg Mountain beyond.

I have been involved with the bed and breakfast industry in Cape Town and South Africa for a number of years and one of the most entertaining requests we ever received for accommodation was when a Canadian couple phoned us to say that they had landed at Cape Town Airport that morning and were now phoning us from Cape Point. We assumed that they were looking for accommodation somewhere in Cape Town. "No" they said. "We are in a bit of a hurry and would actually like accommodation in Stellenbosch as we fly out again tomorrow!"

They would probably have driven through the valley on the M3 freeway, but with their super fast travel itinerary they would got from one end to the other in less than 10 minutes and this blog would certainly not have been of any interest to them!

Silver Trees along the M3 on Wynberg Hill

Some travellers have a lot of world to see in a very limited time and at times I have also suffered the disadvantages of high speed itineraries, but at such times we do tend to miss out on some of the interesting detail about places.

For example these fairly rare Silver Trees in the median between the freeway lanes accessing Constantia, could be overlooked. Wynberg Hill is one of the few spots where the Silver Tree grows naturally. This tree is almost entirely confined to the slopes of Table Mountain. There are more silver trees further up the slope on the west side of the feeway. I assume that these trees are growing here naturally, but it is possible that some of them may have been planted.

The silver colour to the leaves is from many fine hairs growing on each leaf. These lie closer to the leaf in very hot weather and thus provide extra protection, but exhibit a more pronounced silver colour. In cooler weather the hairs are more erect, allowing better circulation of air and the leaves look less silver.

Privileged to live in the Constantia Valley.

On a sunny Friday such as today, I feel extra privileged to be able to live and work in the Constantia Valley and hopefully future posts will capture some of the aspects that make this place so special. 

If you look up "Constantia Valley", the chances are you will only find one such valley and that is where I am right now - about fifteen minutes drive from Cape Town, South Africa. The Constantia Valley in this blog encompasses an area which is loosely defined by The Constantiaberg (Constantia Mountain) and part of Table Mountain to the west, Wynberg (wine mountain) Hill to the north, the Muizenberg (named after one Sargeant Muys = "mouse") to the south and to the east by the Cape Town to Simonstown railway line. The better known affluent suburb and wine-growing region of Constantia is but one area within the Constantia Valley.

Both rich and poor, along with associated issues and challenges of wealth and poverty, live in the Constantia Valley. We are extremely fortunate to have mountains, vineyards and greenbelts as "green lungs" for our valley. The waters of the Constantia Valley flow down to the sea at Muizenberg and taking a bit of "poetic" license, this blog does the same.

Having lived in Constantia for many years, it would be great to say that I know all about the valley, but in truth I don't. I plan to explore afresh and share my discoveries, possibly in the way an inquisitive visitor or new resident to the area might do and invite you to join me on this journey as I try to find out "all about the Constantia Valley".