Celebrating 30 in Tulbagh

A couple weeks ago I celebrated the big 30.

So for my “party” we took 4 of our favourite couples away with us to the Country House at Kloofzicht Estate in Tulbagh for the weekend.  I know you’re wondering, “Why Tulbagh?  What’s even out there besides dust and farm lands?’  And that’s the thing, besides a couple of restaurants, a main road and a Church street, there’s not thaaaat much going on there.

Which made it absolutely perfect.

I always have these ideals set in my mind before we go to things like this.  Of photos I want to take, of moments I want to capture, things I want to do.  And then instead, I tend to just lass it and enjoy myself.  So even though I promised to Instagram and Snap the heck out of the weekend, I under delivered.  But it was because I was having fun instead, so…  It’s still a win.  Plus then you don’t hate me as much for being kid free for the weekend.

Anyway, Seth and I dodged a whole bunch of Daisy goers on our way on Friday afternoon and arrived at our farm house at about 1pm.  We didn’t really know what to expect based on the images we saw on the internet, but we were blown away.  It was one of those amazing old houses, you know the kind, the ones with walls so thick you could sit in the windows.  And space!  So much space!  There were 5 bedrooms and the main room upstairs where we stayed had its own lounge and enough space for a dance floor!  We didn’t use it for that, but if you’re that way inclined, you totally could have.

And tables for days – there were so many places to sit and chill.  In the kitchen in front of the big fire place, in the lounge around the coffee table, in the dining room at the 12 seater table, at the little reception table, or about 5 tables outside too.  And a millions patios and balconies.

It’s one of those old houses that you actually just wish you could pick up and put on a plot in the south (of Cape Town – where we live usually).

There’s a pool and a dam.  I wouldn’t swim in the dam, but apparently you can.  There are boats that you can use to go on instead if you’d prefer not to.

After we stashed our bags, Seth and I headed out into the town to find a nice restaurant for dinner the next day and breakfast on Sunday morning.  We walked up and down Church street and found chocolate tasting (that you pair with coffee, tea, wine, port, brandy or juice), a few museum type places, decor/antique shops and at least 5 restaurants.  It’s not as small or uninteresting as some people make it out to be.  Although, Seth and I have a knack for finding every single decent shop/restaurant in every town we’ve been to.

Then we headed back and were joined by Simon and Claudette.  Then later just before supper, Brian, Lisa and 4 month old Jude joined us.  The next morning we had a hearty home cooked breakfast and then Zoe, Corne, Brittlee and Jared were welcomed into the Tulbagh fold.  Obviously our first stop was the chocolate tasting, followed by wine tasting and then lunch at one of the wine farms.  We swopped our fancy supper for the fancy lunch and so we scavenged from all the goodies that we brought with for supper.  There were gourmet Salticrax with melted Camembert, onion marmalade, avo and braaied boerewors which were actually really tasty as well as Nik Naks galore.  The next morning we headed to the Hotel for a breakfast that we didn’t have to clean up.  It was so chilled and relaxed.  I’m really glad that we had the opportunity to do this.

I was still hoping to do a 30th party in my back garden with ALL of my friends, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen right now which is a bit sad.  Will have to save it for next year 🙂

Now for the rest of all the pictures.

This picture is flipping blurry but the sweet lady at the chocolate tasting offered to take it and it’s the only one of all of us together.

The rest?  Well, what happens in Tulbagh stays in Tulbagh and all that 😉