Sometimes all you need is to get away from home, explore somewhere new, and look at a different view to feel a million times more like you. That’s how it feels having gone away for mid-week break.
Last week we got away to Stanford and Cape Agulhas on a really mini baby-moon to spend some time together as a three before the new she arrives. The entire journey in total took around 2 hours 45mins which, with a toddler and a pregnant woman, is a good amount of time to spend cooped up in a car; I love the drive over the pass, stopping at Peregrine Farm Stall for a pie, and feeling the holiday spirit driving through Hermanus and then to pretty little Stanford.
Stanford has that old-town charm that encourages slow living. It’s home to great cheese, antiques and art shops and is great for walking around. Our accommodation was Blue Gum Country Estate – just 15 minutes from the town, positioned between the mountains and just far enough away that you feel secluded from the world…without missing out on all the home comforts.
It’s incredibly charming – and I love that word; from the moment we parked and left the car, all we could hear was birdsong and the gentle lull of nearby cattle. It was peaceful and safe.
Our room was one of the family-friendly mountain-view rooms and it was incredibly spacious, comfortable and backing on to a beautiful lawn.
I love the English country decor and the bed they put up for Rosie, but I think the view and the natural light stole the show.
We unpacked and let Rosie explore a bit before heading to the restaurant for some scones and coffee with their afternoon tea…which we should all be doing at 3pm every day. To work off the scones, we all played tennis together on the court they have located close to our rooms. Rosie loved it, not that she quite managed to hit anything, and it helped us blow off some steam.
Exhausted, but happy, we went back to our room, threw on comfy clothes and ordered room service.
Rosie had pasta (which was ridiculously good) and I had a cheese and ham toastie with fries because I need carbs. Lots of carbs. The food was good, the service excellent and afterwards, Mr H lit a fire to keep us warm.
The Breakfast
The fire pretty much lasted all night keeping us the perfect temperature. Had we stayed an extra night, they would have replenished the wood for us. Breakfast was served between 8:30 – 10:30 and consisted of a continental buffet as well as cooked breakfast options – obviously I had an English breakfast.
A family-friendly stay
After breakfast, we visited the cows and then went to the play area which you can see from the restaurant. The estate is lovely for families because there is so much space around. They have an earlier dining time for families and whilst the food is really delicious, I also want to note that the staff are friendly and understanding which makes a big difference when your kid throws croissant around the breakfast room.
Winter Specials
Whilst we enjoyed our stay as guests of Blue Gum Country Estate, they have some fantastic winter offers on at the moment which include some great food perks. For a tranquil place to rest in, it’s an ideal spot to getaway to for a few nights.
For more information, visit their website here
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