Chart Farm Re-visited

Yesterday (National Woman's Day here in South Africa), my wife and I re-visited Chart Farm. The weather was magnificent especially considering that it is still pretty well still mid-winter here in Cape Town. We thought we might strike it lucky and be able to pick an early flowering rose or two, but all the bushes had been severely pruned in readiness for growth and flowering during the warmer growing months.The folks at Chart Farm specialise in the rose business and I'm sure their roses will be as magnificent as ever in a few weeks time.

Although this is a view in summer, it was a day just like this.

 So we retreated to The Terrace Coffee Shop. Being a public holiday, the coffee shop was very busy, so we were lucky to get a table at one of the windows overlooking the magnificent Constantia Valley below. There was a bit of a wait to place our order, but the tea and cake were certainly worth the wait. The carrot cake was moist and the icing with nuts was just perfect. The scones were good too. Probably most importantly, the tea was hot and was made with boiling water. So often tea is not made with boiling water so it does not properly infuse.

To visit Chart Farm or The Terrace, you will now unfortunately have to wait until the end of August as the farm is closing for the next few weeks. But that should give just enough time for the first roses to flower.

A Gem of a Church

There is no direct road back onto the freeway and down into the Constantia Valley from Chart Farm. This is just as well, because two delightful routes lead to the valley below. In 5 minutes these roads will get you into the Constantia Valley, but a few more detours and a few more minutes will reveal further surprises.

For example, the photograph below is not taken in some hidden corner of England. This beautiful church resides in a quiet corner of Wynberg, on the edge of The Constantia Valley. Founded in about 1836, St John's is, if not the oldest Anglican Church in Cape Town, certainly one of the oldest.

To get down to St John's Church, retrace your route from Chart Farm, by turning right down Klaasen Road and back to Trovato Link. Continue down the hill by turning right again and just after passing through the traffic lights, turn right into St John's Road. The church soon comes into view.

St John's Church, Wynberg

and another aspect.