Taylored Trips – Out & AboutHere we feature a series of things to do in and around the Western Cape. Let’s start with the Overberg areaThe views, the mountains, the sea and forests, the farm stalls, the eateries and Inns are what make this

area special and always worth a visit. Remember to take the back roads too. There are hidden treasures around every corner and you will see things that are often missed.

Back road

Tar road

You tell me which one you prefer.While on gravel roads, the Van der Stel Pass between Bot River and Theewaterskloof is very scenic and makes a lovely alternat

e route if you are in the area.

Van der Stel Pass

I wrote about the other farmstalls in the region in one of my earlier stories but we missed the Orchard on previous visits, so here it is

now. They sell a huge variety of things and are perfectly situated right at the first entrance to Grabouw if you are coming from the Somerset West direction. We had coffee there and bought a hearty ready-made punnet of Lasagne to take home for later. It was delicious.

The Orchard Farmstall

I remember reading in the Mountain Passes South Africa weekly report that the stretch of N2 between Sir Lowry’s Pass and Houw Hoek Pass is also classified as a pass, so

if you’ve ever enjoyed this road more than you thought you should, now you know why.If you are a mountain pass nut like I am then you should check out the website of Mountain Passes South Africa. It’s free, just like Taylored Trips and they give a weekly report, news and a cyber

drive of a mountain pass every Thursday. Update!!! Mountain Passes South Africa is no longer free and you have to subscribe to their website.

Along this stretch of mountain pass between Sir Lowry’s Pass and Houw Hoek Pass you will see a sign leading you to The Hickory Shack, well, we saw it too and popped

in to have a look.

The Hickory Shack

Dining is done on a covered porch overlooking an olive grove, a stream, a vineyard and of course some pine forests and distant blue ridge mountains.

The Hickory Shack

I enquired about the Smoking Room, which is right next door and was offered a tour by the Smoke House Master himself.

The Smokehouse Master

He explained the entire goings on in the Shack, how the smoker works, how long they smoke the various pieces of meat and something of a speciality, his

beans, which takes four days to nurture into a very tasty side order.

Ribs, brisket and them beans in the making

Mouth-watering truck

A little further down the N2 Pass is the oldest Inn in South Africa. An establishment so old it has one of the largest Bluegum trees in the country acting as a bellhop right next to the main

entrance. They claim it is so big because it is right outside the Bar’s entrance and it got regular watering from the thirsty patrons over the years.

Houw Hoek Inn

Houw Hoek Inn

Houw Hoek Inn

This place is so idyllic and romantic that I even

know people that got married here.At the foot of the Houw Hoek Pass is a little town called Bot River. Most people don’t even know it exists, never mind been to it but it is a little gem and another “not-to-be-missed” spot. The Shunting Shed is quirky, rustic, nostalgic and festive all in one.

This diner/pub, right on the Bot River station platform, is the real thing and it is tastefully decorated and styled in the nostalgic bygone era of the railroad transportation which would be a thing of the past if it were not for some old die-hards who keep hanging on by their fingernails so that we can be

taken back in time to enjoy what used to be.

The Shunting Shed

The Shunting Shed

The Shunting Shed

A stone’s throw from the station (everything is a stone’s throw away in Bot River), is the legendary Bot River Hotel and it is everything that the Shunting Shed is and more. It has

been around for a long, long time and has many stories to tell. Some of which can be read on the walls of the bar and some of which cannot be repeated. What happens in Bot River stays right there. Entertainment flits past you constantly in this place. While we were there it ranged from a local dog

fight to a very interesting gentleman and all kinds of things in-between. The type of stuff the best movie producer wouldn’t be able to reproduce in a blockbuster movie.The hotel itself is a treat with tucked away treasures around every corner.

Bot River Hotel

Bot River Hotel

Pub at the Bot River Hotel

Trending in Bot River

Caledon, I suppose you could call it the capital of the Overberg, has one of our official casinos but more of an attraction is the warm water Spa on the same premises. This place is multi-faceted and you could spend days here being pampered while soaking up the mineral rich soothing warm water.

Warm water Spa

Not too far from Caledon and

right next to Gansbaai is a little holiday settlement called Die Kelders. Apart from some very nice houses, this place has a rugged coastline with secluded beaches with paths and walkways that can keep you occupied for weeks no matter what the weather is up to. They also have

some caves (kelders) on the waters edge where we used to swim when we were kids.

Secluded beaches at Die Kelders

I'm watching you!

Rugged coastline

Just a few kilos

inland from Die Kelders on a gravel road you will find Platbos, Africa’s southernmost forest. It has an Info Hut with information boards and placards, foot paths and accommodation.

Info Hut

Platbos Forest

If you have come to the Overberg via Sir Lowry’s Pass then you might want to take the long way home via the scenic

R44 coastal road through Kleinmond. This road is also known as the Faure Marine Drive and it has another, more popular name of Clarence Drive.Kleinmond is a glorious little coastal town which has recently blossomed due to its very own waterfront at the old harbour. Some lovely art shops and a few

restaurants draw people here in their droves and it is difficult to leave. They even have their own blues music festival at the harbour annually. Don’t miss it!

Kleinmond Waterfront

Kleinmond Big Blues Bash

Interesting things along this coastal route are; Palmiet river, Elephant Rock, Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, the penguin colony at Betty’s Bay, the Hangkli

p Hotel, Rooiels, the manganese mine, Dappat’s Gat, Koeël Bay, Steenbras river and the drive up to the filtration plant. All of these are worth a stop except the manganese mine and Elephant Rock which are viewed as you drive past, so if you want to stop and enjoy what’s on offer, plan ahead to

ensure you have enough time.

Faure Marine Drive, Clarence Drive, R44

This spectacular coastal road, one of the Cape’s finest, brings you to the St Tropez of South Africa, Gordon’

s Bay. Tucked away in the north-eastern corner of False Bay, this little harbour town could quite easily make one think that you were in another country. Nestled between the mountain and the sea with lovely white beaches, cliff-hanging palatial homes, two harbours and a naval base, this is the ultimate.

Gordon's Bay harbour

Cliff hangers

Absolute paradise

Stay tuned for the next in the series of “Out & About”. Where shall it be, Kouebokkeveld, Hout Bay, Cape Peninsular, Wilderness . . . . . ?Until next time, Keep on

Tripping!”