PlanetEye

In all our travels we have not been in a town like this before, its the kind of town that if you don't stop and chat you'll miss a host of attractions, activities and not to mention a multitude of wacky individuals.

We originally planned to stay over just a few hours but it quickly became 4 and then 5 ....DAYS!!

This quaint little town dates back to 1849 and was named after the original farm owner Captain Robert Stanford and today is proud of its history and heritage. Like many small towns there is only the High street where most things happen, from the tasty treats at the lovely farm style Deli to the local pub not to mention the many lovely restaurants.

One thing you will notice is missing in Stanford is Traffic lights, except on the stoop of the local pub which only notifies visitors if they are open (green) or closed(red-but never seen!). Another place that cannot be missed is the local junk shop that is like a treasure chest filled with antiques and little gems.

The Birkenhead micro-brewery, a local landmark in the area where we enjoyed a tour, tasting and enjoyed a gourmet meal while getting a bit tipsy before heading off to a lovely late afternoon boat cruise on the Klein river which runs through the town and is home to an abundance of birds and wildlife.

Stanford also has its very own cheese factory, the Klein River Dairy shop produces a variety of interesting cheeses all of which can be sampled while viewing the manufacturing process. Stanford also has some very interesting historical architecture especially of the original farmhouses and the Dutch Reform Church.

Lastly we met Oom Johan (Oom meaning Uncle) who lives in a large refurbished water tank where he has a smallholding where he grows the hottest chillies you can find and does a variety of 'mechanical /inventing jobs' reminding me of a 'Caractacus Pots' character... He also brews something that is known to locals as "Wit blitz" which in English means white lightening and is potent and goes through me like a crack of lightening

Stanford is surely a place like no other and a great way to spend some time.

In the eccentric town of Stanford in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape you will find Mosaic Farm situated along the banks of the Hermanus Lagoon. After driving on the worst road I have ever been on with potholes and puddles as big as dinning room tables we arrived at a little treasure in the Overberg.

The Farm dates back to 1857 and stretches over 933 hectors of land rich in flora and fauna and some of the most legendary spots in this small town that kept me very awake one stormy night.

In 1892 Henrietta and Jack Poole built a huge but spectacular stone Manor on the farm. This legendary manor house called a Spookhuise (meaning Ghost House) is situated where the ancient milkwood trees meet the Hermanus lagoon . Henrietta was a socialite and after the passing of her mother it became a lonely and unhappy place for her because her husband was away for long periods of time. So one stormy night with the baby in one arm and her favourite Persian carpet in the other she made her way across the lagoon to Hermanus never to be seen again. To this day people have said they have seen an elderly women sitting along the banks of the lagoon with a parasol. But on approaching her she vanishes!!!

The Spookhuise and adjoining properties have recently been restored to be a conference & function facility.

Now it was just my luck that on the stormiest night in years we stayed over at Mosaic Farm in one of their very homely self-catering cottages right next to the Spookhuise during a very enjoyable but nervy night .... aside from the cottages they have a luxurious tented lodge. Between the ancient milkwoods you will find tents that are fitted with a en suite bathroom, comfortable beds and everything thing you would need to feel like royalty in the African bush.

The farms activities include hiking, kayaking, whale watching and bird watching or you could just kick back and enjoy the breathtaking views and the excellent service provided by the Mosaic Farm staff.

This is one of the many secrets of the Western Cape just waiting to be explored!!

While spending time touring through the Overberg Region in the Western Cape we came across a restaurant called Bientangs Cave. Set in a natural cave along Walker Bay which is situated in the seaside town of Hermanus one of the most popular places in the world for shore side Whale Watching.

The Cave was names after Bientange a Khoisan women who lived there in the late 1800's. She was a loner who was totally self-sufficient living in the cave where water, heat and food was abundant. She was believed to have supernatural powers and be able to communicate with animals but then one day she vanished never to be seen again... It is believed that it is the spirit of Bientang that keeps the gracious Southern Right Whales coming back year after year .

Since then the Cave has been kitted out with a splendid kitchen and bar but otherwise it remains just as she left it with the waves crashing along the rocks and the whales providing close hand entertainment between the months of July and November.

Bientangs Cave multi award winning restaurant also caters for special functions such as weddings and party's and is known for its seafood dishes although they do cater for vegetarians. They stock local wines that complement the scrumptious dishes and the breathtaking view. Where else can you dine while being entertained by Whales less than 20 meters away.

The owner told us of an experience that would fit into any Popeye cartoon sketch, where on one magical day he sat on the rocks looking straight into the eyes of a Southern Right whale 5 metres away. Just before many minutes of intently watching each other she decided to be on her way but before leaving him she sprayed a large spout of water directly at him as if to say thank you !

Open all year round weather permitting from 11:30 to 4pm on weekdays 7 to 9:30pm in season and 7pm to 9pm on Friday and Saturday. I n whale season I would strongly recommend that you make a reservation!!!

The fastest land animal on the planet is the Cheetah with a slender body and long legs this feline can get up to speeds of 110km/h in a matter of seconds. It has a flexible spine, enlarged heart,oversized liver, increased lung capacity and a well designed muscular body making the cheetah an amazing hunter.

We visited the Cheetah Outreach on the Spier Wine Estate and learned that Cheetahs are the most endangered large cat on earth with some reports saying wild cheetahs could be extinct within 20 years!!!. Cheetahs thrive in vast areas where prey is in abundance but have a poor life expectancy of 8 to 12 years in captivity due to their lack of genetic diversity.

The Cheetah Outreach project was established in January 1997 to educate and conserve these splendid animals. They work in conjunction with farms in Namibia (90% of the worlds cheetahs inhabit Namibia) and have had a great success to date in breeding and getting livestock farmers to accept Turkish Anatolian Sheep Dogs which are very beneficial for farmers in the protection of their livestock from cheetahs and therefore reducing the level of conflict between farmer and the cheetah.

When visiting Cheetah Outreach project you have the choice of viewing from beyond the fence and visiting an extensive information centre. Alternatively you can get up close and personal with one of these amazing cats. On the day we visited we were able to interact with a set of cubs that were bred in captivity. Before we entered the enclosure we were briefed by one of the expert cheetah handlers on acceptable behaviour when with the cheetahs. We had to remove any dangling jewellery and tie up any loose hair also removing are glasses as the reflection agitates them. The pre education before going into the pen with the cheetah was very good with an emphasis on safety not only for the visitor but also the welfare of the cheetah.

The Cheetah Outreach's slogan is ''see it, sense it & save it'' and in doing this through the education work at Spier, Cheetah Outreach believes it will assist in spreading the word and ultimately saving the Cheetahs for future generations-lets hope so!!!!

Throughout time Eagles have been a symbol of strength, freedom and authority over the bird world and if you are a bird lover a visit to Eagle Encounters in the Cape Winelands is well worth the effort. This was a review that I was dreading as I have Ornithophobia - a fear of birds but I braved it once again.

Established in December 2001 by Tracey and Hank Chalmer, Eagle Encounters is a rehabilitation centre for birds of prey of all types along with conservation, education and eco tourism services. They are based at the Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

Its best to set aside 1 ½ hours for viewing and interaction with the birds in their special 'Touch Gallery'. I was brave enough to interact with all the birds and to even have a one eyed eagle which had been rehabilitated after loosing an eye as a juvenile perch on my hand. Having had my fair share of excitement we made our way over to a display area where there's a show everyday with the following schedule:

11h00 - Eagle, Hawk and Falcon Training during which these amazing birds exhibit amazing techniques when hunting and feeding. One of the participant is the Peregrine Falcon which is the fastest animal on the planet.

14h00 - Falconry Interactive Display where you will see an array of Buzzards, Hawks, Kites, Owls and Falcons. This is a fun filled session that is enjoyed by all ages.

15h00 - A Secretary Bird Demonstration during which you will witness the strength and accuracy of the beautiful Secretary Bird during a simulated hunt.

16h00 - Built to Kill Session will leave you in awe of these great creatures as they display their hunting skills in a set environment.

It was during the Falconry Interactive Display when I specially asked the trainer not to include me as I would only to observe, but clearly an Eagle had a different plan and before I knew it he was to display his agility by flying from a treetop roost straight onto my head!!!.

Eagle Encounters is NOT a zoo but a place of recuperation,rehabilitation and conservation and is an experience I wont forget and highly recommend.

I also have a phobia of bungee jumping but my partner is looking into that for later this year so stay in touch!!

Millions of whale enthusiasts from all over the world come to view these majestic and gracious ocean mammals. There are several world renowned spots all along the Western Cape Coastline including the False Bay, Hermanus, Sandbaai, Stillbaai, Struisbaai, Arniston, Cape Infanta, De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Whale watching can be done from a licensed Boating Company or simply by sitting on the shore. Southern Rights are very curious and playful and they come extremely close to the shoreline and can be clearly seen by the naked eye.

There are several ways to enjoy these gentle giants one of which is sea kayaking in Walker Bay in Hermanus. We were made to feel welcome from the time we arrived even though I was shaking in my boots cause I could not swim at the time. Using the latest French designed sea kayaks Walker Bay Adventure hold the only permit to take visitors out into the Walker Bay Marine Sanctuary where no one is allowed to enter with any motorised craft during whaling season. So with our life jackets strapped on tightly we started paddling into the bay.

There was quite a swell but our trained guide was confident that we would be able to encounter whales. Within minutes of setting our paddles in motion we came within 20 meters of a huge mother and a calf just fooling around together. Respecting these large animals we kept our distance but there have been times when the whales curiosity gets the better of them and they will swim under the kayaks or even breach within meters !!!

To view a whale close in from the shore is fantastic but when you view one from sea level on a precarious kayak it can only be described as a life changing experience and one that will live with you always.

Walker Bay Adventures cater for clients of all ages and physical strengths. They also offer a few different adventure activities such as paragliding, quad biking, sand boarding and more . Walker Bay Adventures are open all year round weather permitting (keeping in mind that the Western Cape enjoys some glorious winter days)and we would recommend taking a trip with them.