Old Mac Daddy and the Apple Blossoms (Part 2)

On you first visit to Old Mac Daddy the Spring blossoms were only just starting to bloom and so we decided we'd have to plan out next visit to see the blossoms in full bloom.

We thought October would be slightly warmer but as luck had it our second visit it poured with rain. This time round we thought we'd take the back route to Elgin via Franschhoek and over the pass which is definitely worth doing if you would like to make a day of it, there are so many lovely things to see along the way. We strolled the streets of the beautiful old town and wandered in and out of some of the shops...a must see is definitely the chocolate shop. 
We decided this time around we'd pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the view from our trailer which was a brilliant idea because it meant we wouldn't have to leave your trailer in the rain. So we packed the bag full of tasty goodies we found in Franchhoek and headed of to Old Mac Daddy.

The Franshhoek pass is one of the most beautiful passes and the view stretches on forever and ever in a gorgeous patchwork quilt. We decided to stop at Haute Cabrière along the way and try some of their wines and MCC. WOW. Some of the most enjoyable wines we've tried and the whole setting is absolutely stunning.

In among the flowers and grass covered hills you find  Haute Cabriere 

All the beautiful spring blossoms

After our wine tasting we headed off to Old Mac Daddy, this time the fields were covered in blossoms and it looked like a layer a snow over the valley.
We decided on staying in the Private Life of Plants on this trip and let me tell you....the view is magical. The Private Life of Plants has a quirky laboratory theme with text books on plants and nature and a work bench complete test tubes and HB pencils hanging from the roof of the trailer. I love that every single trailer at Old Mac Daddy has some much detail that it keeps you busy your entire stay.

Despite the chilly weather we decided to try our hand at fishing and off we went to hire a rod and head down to the pond....after an hour or two we'd given up on trying to catch anything but it was so much fun. Rods come with a bag of gummy bate and Old Mac daddy also has a catch and release policy so no fish are harmed - that's if you manage to catch anything.

Unsuccessful fishing fun

As it got darker we went back to our lovely trailer and cranked up the heater (not so eco-friendly but a must) and enjoyed our picnic to the sound of the rain falling on the roof. Absolute Bliss :)

With a hand full of other beautiful trailers and the Daddy's Villa to choose from we'll definitely be visiting again.

Old Mac Daddy - It's so good we did it twice (Part 1)

This is without a doubt, hands down my most favorite place in the World!
Old Mac Daddy is a little piece of Heaven, even a one night stay feels like you've been out of the hustle and bustle of city life for a week.

Not far from where we stay you'll find the Elgin Valley which is famous for their fresh produce, in particular apples. The entire valley is covered in fruit trees, it really is beautiful.
Old Mac Daddy is neatly tucked away off the main roads where you'll be able to see the shiny silver retro trailers peeping through the apple trees.

Our first visit to Old Mac Daddys was in the beginning of September and it was on our bucket list from the minute I heard about it.
We decided to start our day off as early as possible so we could spend as much time adventuring as possible - no need to set an alarm clock that morning because I could barely sleep I was so excited.

Tractors at Peregine Farm Stall

It turns out the drive from Somerset West to Old Mac Daddy really isn't that long at all. Somewhere definitely worth stopping at along the way is Peregine Farm Stall, they always have a wide variety of goodies to fill your basket up with and have some delicious baked goods. Obviously being situated where it is, there is plenty of fresh and dried fruits to choose from.

We booked into our trailer at about 2 o'clock and were left speechless at the peacefulness and tranquility of the surroundings. Our room Metalmorphosis was beyond COOL (there really isn't any other way to describe it), from the magnetic puzzle that covered the entire trailer to the wall of 'pins' which you can make an imprint of absolutely anything!

Each trailer has an additional lounge/bathroom built onto it which gives you more than enough space, it takes full advantage of the beautiful surroundings. The windows fold all the way open giving you the feeling of sitting in a massive tree house with the birds chirping in the branches right next to you. They have a very Go Green approach and it's so nice to see how they have made something so wonderful and still respected the nature around them. The best part of it all is there is NO cellphone reception (ok there is a little bit in the odd spots but it's best left hidden)

We hadn't been there longer than an hour when we decided we were so in love with Old Mac Daddy that we wanted to extend out stay another night... unfortunately the last room had just been taken. One word of advice if you wanting to stay more than one night is to try and get a different room for each night. They are all so different and unique in their own way.

After we'd unpacked and had a little nibble on our balcony we decided to do a little bit of exploring. There is so much to do at Old mac Daddy, from mountain biking to fishing (they even have fishing rods you can hire from reception) to sitting in front of the fire in the restaurant reading a book - or simply admiring the view from your deck.
The restaurant, Brinny Breezes has a small but delicious menu with their specialty pizzas not to be missed.

After we had dinner we wandered back to the trailer enjoying the night sky and millions of stars we don't usually get to see with all the city lights.
We woke up the next morning to a breathtakingly beautiful mist-filled valley that no words could actually do justice to and before we even checked out we were planning our next visit.

the Old Mac Daddy Trailers

There's also a great kids area which looks like tones of fun, they have a giant tractor to play on and chickens roaming free around it, there play area is also full of neat things to keep kids busy (perfect if the weather isn't that great).

A little kids dream

taking life at a snails pace

A night with Madam Zingara

Madam Zingara has been on my Bucket list for as long as I can remember and we've finally ticked it off.

For those of you who don't know Madam Zingara's Theater of Dreams is a travelling dinner circus, not the kind with elephants and poodles. The kind where beautiful girls with glitter and feathers do amazing acrobatics from the top of the circus tent while you enjoy your delicious 4 course meal. It takes place in the only Spiegel tent in Africa and is propped up by 1000 beveled mirrors.

We arrived a little earlier to enjoy the atmosphere and take in as much as we possible could. The entrance itself is a feast for your eyes with so many different things happening around you, from the Geisha on a podium to the floating top hats at the bar.

Once you enter through the door you find a fancy dress shop so you can make yourself feel at home as well as face painters do the most exquisite art works.

Fancy dress shop

Face painting

                                     

Welcome drinks are passed around and you're ushered to your seat (we were lucky enough to get an upgrade so we were even closer to the action). Before the show started we were served a wonderful mezze platter with a wonderful spinach and pear soup as well as cheeses,roasted nuts, bread sticks and a variety of dips.

Delicious Mezze plater to start the evening

The lights dim and the magic starts. A giant chandelier is lowered from the top of the tent and two women climb on and are lifted to the ceiling where they start the most spectacular acrobatics - no safety nets or strings attached. It's hard to take your eyes off them as they dangle above the audience.

The show is stolen by Cathy Specific, Queen of the Skies. She has a body to die for and quick wit to match, she had us laughing every time she was on stage. Cathy Specific is originally part of the musical comedy Mile High with Cathy Specific. What an awesome performer...she's have you eating out of the palms of her very large hands.

After the first half of the show dinner is served. What a menu, they've really made a huge job out of choosing what you want as a main. After our waiter Sheroo had gone through the list it was a no brainer to choose the Madam Zingara specialty of Chocolate Chilli Fillet with a magnificent tower of vermicelli which was equally spectacular on the taste buds as the show was on the eyes. (This awesome dish can also be found at the Bombay Bicycle Club if you can't get tickets for the show)

The rest of the show was one jaw dropping performance after the next with Russian balancing acts and contortionists to mention a few. Madam Zingara definitely brings a slice of magic to Cape Town and the Theater of Dreams will be at the V & A Waterfront until June. Tickets range from R385 - R475/R495 depending on where you are seated but seating is staggered so you are able to see from anywhere. Booking online seems to be the simplest way to book.