Three down and one more to go in our hunt for some of the best farmstalls between Cape Town and Clanwilliam.
We started off at Desert Rose near Koringberg. Our second stop took us to Kardoesie, where we met the lovely Hanri and Annette Theron and our third stop was De Tol. Our last stop takes us to Veldskoendraai in Clanwilliam.
Written by Thys de Beer
Tell us more about your farm stall
Velskoendraai is situated right at the entrance to Clanwilliam. Owner Louise Nortje takes great pride in their community-focused farm stall that stocks at least 65% local goods like homemade preserves, jams, rusks and biscuits.
Clanwilliam is, of course, the Rooibos capital and within the seven clans of rooibos, there are more than 100 flavoured or blended rooibos teas, – all of which can be tasted at Velskoen Farm Stall. They sell more than 300 products containing rooibos!
Louise has big plans for the farm stall as she hints toward pop-up stores. She also owns Bella Louise restaurant in town.
How did you survive lockdown?
Louise Nortje
Apart from government funding as an essential service, they delivered their fresh boxes and did shopping for townsfolk that were stuck indoors.
Business has since been picking up. Recently founded tour company, Destination Cederberg, depart from and return to Velskoendraai in the afternoon. They are also involved in the Taste the Region initiative that offers wine, gin and rooibos tastings in surrounding Klawer and Lutzville. The Cederberg is also the bouldering capital of the world attracting boulderers from all over.
What’s on the menu?
Velskoen’s full breakfast is a firm favourite but their roosterkoek and traditional delicacies, like their hearty tripe waterblommetjiebredie and whole lamb neck are also popular. And pies, it seems that travellers love their delicious pies.
The Clanwilliam Hotel
Linda and her team treated us like royalty at the Clanwilliam Hotel and did not let loadshedding stand in their way to serve the photographer, George, and I some delicious steak at the hotel’s Badger’s Grill. We also didn’t need Eskom to be able to quaff one of Piekenierskloof’s delicious reds either. Luckily our spacious room’s comfortable beds ensured a good night’s sleep after a long day on the road.\
Pictures: George le Roux
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