SNOOPING ABOUT ROUTE 62

I return to Route 62 time and again for the simple reason that I prefer back roads to highways, the slowness of country living, and I have a penchant for port. There is no greater delight than “popping in” at a padstal to find myself leaving hours later having scoffed roosterkoek, sporting a milkshake moustache and laden with jars of jam and chutneys that sit in the fridge for months afterwards.

This time I took Valentino along on aweek’s journey fromMontagu to Oudtshoorn, wherewe spent our days stoep-sitting at farmhouses steeped in history, enjoying ambles through the pastures and cosying up next to blazing fireplaces. By the end of the week, cellphones and laptops were of little importance. Thankfully Valentino is not much bigger than a rabbit so we made our way back to Cape Town in a car laden with frozen ostrich steaks, bottles of port, Wagyu boerewors and even more jars of jam.

MONTAGU

We have been returning for more than 10 years. It’s budget-friendly, dog-friendly and child-friendly. Owners David and Tara Webster frequented the property for many years and loved it so much that they bought it when it came up for sale. It is fully enclosed so your dogs can safely snoop about; there’s a huge lawn for ball games and plenty of great routes nearby to take them for walks. It’s also close to the centre of town and perfect for those who want to enjoy hiking, biking and mountain climbing.