Cape Town - For the month of August there are lots of things to do that tap into our feminine nature.
Groot Constantia has plenty on offer at any time, and you can set aside a whole day for it.
We were there from about 10am until 5pm, and we still didn’t manage to do it all.
Our indulgent day began with breakfast at Jonkershuis.
The weather gods had smiled upon us and blessed us with a glorious sunny day in between the rain, so we were able to sit outside (amid many, many small children with balls – of the kicking variety – and dogs; the point being you can take the whole family). From there you can see the vineyards and all the way across to False Bay.
Because there was a bottle of Groot Constantia bubbly on ice, I admit we did linger there longer than anticipated.
It was just so lovely, and the food was delicious.
The farm was established in 1685 so there are historic buildings to look at, like the Manor House, and a bath where the workers (slaves back then I should imagine) took a dip once a month whether they needed it or not.
We skipped those and headed to the cellar and wine tasting centre where Mangwanani African Spa has set up a little room for quick pampering treatments.
Mangwanani, which has 19 branches around the country, not only provides revitalising therapies but social upliftment through the training of rural or previously disadvantaged women, giving them accredited qualifications and careers.
We had 30-minute shoulder, neck and head massages before heading over to Simon’s Deli, where we picked up a bottle of wine (the farm’s blanc de noir, homemade if you will) and a picnic basket.
We tucked into a charcuterie and cheese platter, warm-from-the-oven French loaf torn apart with our hands, chicken liver pate, hummus, potato salad, green salad with feta, coronation chicken and more while gazing at the magnificent Constantiaberg.
And more vineyards.
There are far fewer small children up in this part of the estate.
Your other option at Simon’s restaurant itself is a two- or three-course lunch for R120 and R150 respectively, with a glass of bubbly. This offer is valid during August (except Sundays).
It has the same view thrown in for free. We could have gone on a cellar tour. We could have had a chocolate and wine pairing. Both would have been great.
But Divine Lady D and I are spa junkies, so we went back to Mangwanani for speedy little manicures. The massages – which could be the ones we had, or hands or feet – cost R100, and the manis and pedis are R150.
It was a magnificent day from beginning to end.
We travelled to Groot Constantia on the City SightSeeing buses (story next week), but if you’re going under your own steam it’s on Groot Constantia Road, Constantia.
l Call 021 794 5128 or see www.grootconstantia.co.za For more about Mangwanani see www.mangwanani.co.za
Weekend Argus