Sun, 11 Dec
Stellenbosch
Checkout from The Cullinan was at 1100, and the taxi [a minibus, to our surprise] arrived on time for the 45 minute/30 mile journey. Good roads, very little traffic, and there we were at **
http://www.eendracht-hotel.com ** , a charming little B&B in the heart of the old part of town. It proved to be an excellent decision on our part, with a very nice room and our own little private courtyard [where we could smoke]. R5754 for the 3 nights, breakfast included: a bargain! A very well-equipped bathroom, with separate shower and bath and all with hansgrohe plumbing fittings.
Inner courtyard and plunge pool …
Our room (#2)
Bathroom …
And little private courtyard, with ashtray
…
As our room wasn’t ready until 1400, we strolled the three hundred yards into the centre of town and started exploring the dining options. We were spoilt for choice, but settled for dining outside at the Stellenbosch Kitchen [part of the eponymous hotel] for our first meal.
http://stellenboschkitchen.co.za/wp-...INNER-ONLY.pdf
Oh, WOW!
Steak …
And their twist on Shepherds Pie. Yes, that’s a huge slice of Braised Lamb Shoulder, with a potato topping!!
It was interesting to discover that all the prices, everywhere we looked, were around the same … R150-200 for Mains, R40-60 for wine by the glass. Oh, so cheap by UK standards!! (Our quick GBP conversion was divide by 2 and shift the decimal point, so R40 is a bit over £2).
Stellenbosch is a lovely little town, everywhere walkable and with dozens of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. A most agreeable base for a few days - indeed, we now wish we’d stayed a little longer. Maybe next time, eh? Let me show you around with a few pictures, including the “Village Museum”, which is actually 4 houses furnished as they were at their time through the centuries [a most interesting and effective idea].
Essential shopping if you're a "Diamond Member"
The Village Museum …
The Villiage Museum of Stellenbosch
The Toy and Miniatures museum …
Toy and Miniature Museum in Stellenbosch, Western Cape
More food, this time at Oppie Dorp,
Home another restaurant just down the street. We chose the ’Sharing Plate’, which comprised [clockwise from the sauté potatoes]: Duck Breast, Kudu Steak, Ostrich Steak, Springbok Spring Rolls and Crocodile in Tempura Batter. R600 [25 GBP/35 USD] = AWESOME!! And we finished it
With all the strolling around, we were frequently in need of refreshment and tended to pop in to [or rather sit outside] the Slug and Lettuce (Edit: 2017 ... now closed) where Madam would sip a refreshing cider and I would glug the local Castle lager … or we might have some wine, of course, depending on the time of day! A generous R25 bowl of garlic and rosemary infused Stellenbosch Mission olives was a nice accompaniment. They're not mean with their portions around here!!
Another meal at the Stellenbosch Kitchen [it’s so close, and almost irresistible] for Sea Bass [for me] and Prawn Risotto [for her].
Sea Bass …
Prawn Risotto …
And room for some Orange Tart, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Ginger Crumble and Créme Anglaise …
And, before we move on, I must compliment the Eendracht on their delicious breakfasts … hot or cold
We were really sad to leave, but this was just one part of the itinerary. We had done “The City”, then “The Town”, and it was time to move on to the “Franschhoek Country House and Villas”
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