I am, without a doubt, about to freeze to an early death. But it has to be said, what a beautiful place to die!
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| The view... |
I'm sitting (along with an assortment of other sight-seers) on a very large, rickety trailer, attached to a massive tractor, at the top of the Landeberg Mountain, 1500m above sea level. It's 10 am and I feel, literally, on top of my world. The scratchy grey blanket I'm sharing with the lady next to me (our family was, as ever, late so could not sit together) is doing little to keep the achingly cold air off my legs. My hands, ensconced in fingerless gloves, are weeping for the missing woolen fingers.
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| Tractor dwarfed by the mountains |
But the view - ah the view of the Koo and Robertson Valleys stretching away below us to more mountains on the horizon, it's worth the aching ears, worth the bright red nose, worth the frozen toes. Our knowledgeable tractor driver, who has quite the sense of humour, is doing his best to keep us awake by driving into the biggest potholes he can locate all along the track up here. Protea Farm has been running these tractor trips since 1985 so they really do known what they're about - at least that's what I remind myself as we lurch into another pothole and watch the gravel spin away down to the valley floor from the precarious track we're on.
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| Something welcome and warming |
After a stop at the top and a chance to stamp about and get the blood flowing again, and re-shuffle so we can, thanks to the kindness of strangers, sit together on the way down, we head for a wooden cottage, available for hire for hikers, where we're served very welcome and warming (well, warming after at least 3 tots) local fruit liqueur.
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| Huddled together for warmth but still smiling! |
Then it's back down the bumpy track with another short stop where we are handed secateurs and allowed to pick as many of the beautiful proteas in full bloom all around, as we can carry - and finally we arrive at the site where lunch is to be served.
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| Proteas and more proteas! |
The potjiekos lunch needs a whole blog post to itself - although it can be summed up in one word - YUM! A spread of princely proportions, the menu includes mutton with waterblommetjies, curry beef and a chicken potjie, as well as plenty of farmstyle bread, local chutneys and cheeses, wine, moer coffee and a whole range of desserts. It's served in a lovely rustic setting and the buffet allows you to go back as often as you wish to replenish your plate or glass. After all that VERY fresh air we had appetites to do it full justice!
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| "Moer" coffee |
About Protea Farm Tractor Trips and Potjiekos Lunches
Protea Farm offers tractor trips are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (large groups can be accommodated on other days of the week except Sunday), leaving at 10am and 2pm sharp! (Again, don't be late like we were; give yourself enough time to travel the 29km from Montagu or, like us, you'll have the embarrassment of arriving to find a full trailer of on-time people glaring at you for the hold up.) Oh, and DO book and pay ahead to ensure you have a space, the trips are incredibly popular so don't just arrive hoping for a gap.
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| Stunning lunch setting among the trees |
The potjiekos lunch needs to be booked and paid for separately and this should also be done ahead. Prices are extremely reasonable and believe me you'll be hungry after the trip!
Finally, if you're going in winter make sure you dress as if you're off to discover the North Pole. It really, really is THAT cold!
For information and booking details go to the Protea Farm website
Montagu Accommodation
Mimosa Lodge in the charming Route 62 town of Montagu offers 4 star Lodge accommodation.
The Lodge is a delightful retreat with an enviable reputation for personal attention, hospitality and care, demonstrated by the many returning guests. Unwind from your day’s activities in the oasis-like garden, enjoying a refreshing swim, a game of croquet, or relax in one of the Art Deco style lounges.
Mimosa’s award winning Restaurant offers superb cuisine with the emphasis on local, fresh produce and home-baked treats. Tranquil tasteful bedrooms are quaint and different, and new rooms reflect a contemporary style.
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