I like Cape Town in May. The heat has dimmed, and the wind has finally settled. Autumn breaks and the mornings greet you with a cooler edge. Life finally starts to slow down after our summer loving on the beach.
As leaves start to turn, I feel a spring enter my step. We are on the verge of skinny jeans and Vagabond boots, wrapped in a burgundy scarf and finished with a takeaway coffee. I can smell it now.
Autumn is my favourite season, and it only lasts for three short weeks in the Mother City. In this part of the world, it’s like we are ripped from our golden summers and plunged straight into winter. That lovely in-between time that borders the seasons is gone before you can inhale the fresh air.
I am looking forward to the world turning a little slower. The mad rush that regulates the summer is gone. There is no longer need to be rushing to the beach, scrambling Lion’s Head and going our for coffee all before 2 pm. I welcome the calm.
Early morning mist in Stellenbosch.
Me, feeling the particular autumn mood.
People in Cape Town seem to slip effortlessly from summer to autumn. Slowly the leggings and boots appear, and coffee dates replace cocktails. Girls relax out of their strict diet and the gym has a little more room to breathe.
But my favourite is to watch the world around me change. The once brilliant green trees that line the streets of Cape Town becomes a chorus of auburn, chestnut and cardinal. Skies blush bright pink as the sun sinks behind Signal Hill in the early hours of the evening.
Most of all, winter has a tantalising scent. Suddenly it’s a stronger coffee, a whiff of cinnamon in the chai latte, the sting of ginger in lemon water and hot cocoa. This is coupled with ochre colours, with bronze and copper finishes. Amber also comes out to play.
If you venture a little out of Cape Town, you will see a beautiful patchwork quilt of vineyards colour the Winelands. A wine tasting suddenly becomes more about the Merlot than the Sauvignon Blanc and cosy places are eager to welcome you with a crackling fire.
I spent the long weekend tucked into my comfortable home in Paarl. It was a cosy affair. My childhood friend, Mira from McGregor, came to visit. We decided to make it a slow weekend.
On Sunday we welcomed the rain. I woke up to the pitter-patter on the roof. We had a late morning, tossing between ideas of how to spend the day. Eventually, we decided on breakfast at Melissa’s in Paarl, followed by hot chocolate in Franschhoek. My brother and his girlfriend joined us, so we were officially a party.
Some clouds getting caught up in the mountain after the rain.
I always think Franschhoek is best experienced in the winter. The mountains are cool and grey, and the trees clumped in the browning vineyards are evocative of a European landscape. ‘French Hoek’ (corner) indeed!
We parked the car and took a little stroll to The Hoek coffee shop along Franschhoek main road. We grabbed a quick cup of Deluxe Coffee in this bright little coffee shop and then hit the streets of Franschhoek.
Autumn feel: grabbing flat whites at The Hoek in Franschhoek.
A mean triple shot flat white: only for the brave. Deluxe Coffeworks.
The happy party of four! Funday in Franschhoek.
This town is the ideal sort of place to just wander aimlessly. There are colourful facades and intriguing corridors that attract your eye. The main road is peppered with little coffee stalls, bakeries, wine shops, pancake places and chocolate tasting rooms. One shouldn’t plan your day, you should just let it happen.
After patrolling Franschhoek main road, we headed back to the car. We had a new destination in mind. The car drove out to Leopard’s Leap, seated just a few kilometres outside of the town. We pulled up to the expansive and modern venue, admiring the view before we stepped inside.
It was buzzing in the restaurant, despite the cool weather. We took our seats at the wine tasting counter and each ordered a few glasses of wine to taste. Well, except for me (I volunteered as designated driver). I was assured the wine tasting was excellent, and I can confirm that the buffet lunch definitely was. I have never loaded my plate so full of vegetables before. It was delicious!
The airy interior of the Leopard’s Leap restaurant and wine tasting counter, Franschhoek. Credit: Leopard’s Leap.
After that, we called it a day. It was getting late and our wallets were getting lighter. As we drove out we caught the late afternoon sun spreading its fingers through the clouds to stroke the landscape. It was beautiful. The mountains looked austere and Simonsberg lay there locked in silence. I looked back at the little town of Franschhoek, crowned by the grey skies and carpeted in rich reds and golds. A day well spent.
