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Getaway @ Blommekloof

My partner, doggies and I enjoyed last week-end at the lovely Blommekloof farm, situated in Leeukloof between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.

Tucked away in a valley, this property boasts panoramic views of the mountains and countryside. It truly is a getaway.

Getting there is a mini-adventure within itself. An easy drive and with my Picanto having made it, careful and slow driving will get you there and back, safe & sound. Note: A main section is gravel road with some bumps in the way and steep declines as you enter the Valley. I wouldn’t recommend driving there after dark, especially if it’s your first time.

After being greeted by a herd of cows at our front gate, with the joyful cackle of geese running through the field and the owner’s dogs barking in the background, we realized there was nothing around us but scenic (and happy) nature. No reception, no phone calls, no TV’s and no internet access…this place was perfect!

We stayed in their 2 bedroom cottage appropriately name ‘Sunflower Cottage’, thanks to the lovely morning sun it receives and flowers in the surrounding gardens. This is my personal favorite of the two cottages on-site, with its eclectic chandeliers and open-plan interior leading to a more modern feel than that of ‘Old Cottage’. Old Cottage is better suited to groups of 6+ whereas Sunflower caters to a couple or family of 4 perfectly.

Soon after arriving, the owner stopped by to welcome us and familiarize ourselves with the house. All houses at Blommekloof run off solar-power and gas – thumbs up for being eco-friendly. Claude is an interesting and welcoming host and soon we learnt more about the love and dedication him and his partner, Ali, have put into Blommekloof.

Dusk was approaching and it was time to BRAAI (BBQ). Sunflower has an awesome outdoor braai area with spotlight, great for the Braai Masters. All braai and firewood is supplied which is a nice courtesy. My man prepared us some mouthwatering meat on which we feasted…and then slept…

We awoke to fresh, crisp air that can only but resemble being out in nature with no (noise) pollution: Countryside Living at its best! With a freshly brewed cup of filter coffee in one hand and a home-made rusk in the other, with a view over the glistening dam, it was a GREAT start to the day!

Situated so deep in the valley, there’s nothing much to do at Blommekloof during the day. During our visit, Claude & his helpers were busy constructing a jungle-gym for kids entertainment with a swimming pool soon to follow but besides that, all that’s there to do is sleep/read/eat/watch movies on your laptop/play bat&ball or boardgames provided…basically being ‘home bound’, but that’s what we wanted.

One can go for walks on the farm and if you’re staying longer than 1 full day, a day drive to Mossel Bay +- 40 km and/or a day drive to Oudtshoorn +- 60 km is well-worth it.

These two top Garden Route travel destinations offer a variety of activities to do, in a day:

Mossel Bay https://www.hellogardenroute.co.za/about-the-garden-route/about-mossel-bay/

Oudtshoorn https://www.hellogardenroute.co.za/about-the-garden-route/about-oudtshoorn/

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is 20km down the road, offering a variety of day-visitor activities. These include guided walks with Lions, Game Drives, Elephant and Horse Back Safaris, also a bush Spa. https://www.hellogardenroute.co.za/listing/botlierskop/

8 Bells Mountain Inn is a mere 9km drive from your front door – a great place to visit with kids! They also offer amazing meals.  https://www.hellogardenroute.co.za/listing/eight-bells-mountain-inn/

More Garden Route Family-Fun Activities: https://www.hellogardenroute.co.za/garden-route-for-families/

After a while, we opted to stay more local and meander just a while off to a local village (on exploration to find a shop – alas!), get a glimpse of the pass towards the Klein Karoo and ended off with a sneek-peek of ‘Leeukloof Lapa’ just down the road, an intimate venue for weddings and small conferences. Good to know for business. https://sites.google.com/site/leeuklooflapa/

We retreated back to our cozy cottage for more relaxation followed by dinner next to the indoor fireplace, roasting marshmallows for dessert, as per tradition. Happiness.

Yet again, we drifted off into a deep slumber with the sound of nature and nightfall outside…

Blommekloof is ideal for people wanting to truly getaway to nature; it’s a place to re-group and rejuvenate. Just what every soul needs!

NOTE: Each cottage is fully enclosed with a fence, making it safe for dogs. Blommekloof is child-friendly however the dams aren’t fenced off so do keep an eye on your little ones.

GETTING THERE: Blommekloof is accessed via either the Hartenbos back road (follow signs to Botlierskop Game Reserve) or just off the R328, heading from Mossel Bay inland towards Oudtshoorn.

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