I ♥ Darling Because…

This Q&A article was first published on the SA-Venues blog: http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/love-darling

 

Hi, I’m Paul Martin from Aloe Cottage in Darling.

Darling IS BEST KNOWN FOR its won­der­fully diverse spring flowers, the Voorkamerfest Theatre and Arts Festival, Evita se Perron (the home of Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout), great wine farms, art gal­ler­ies, country-style res­taur­ants and bis­tros, the Duckitt orchid nurs­ery, the friendly small-town atmo­sphere and relaxed coun­try life.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Evita se Perron where you can pose as “the most fam­ous white woman in South Africa” and take a humor­ous trip down South Africa’s memory lane at Boerassic Park.
THE BEST spring flower PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Tinie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve, Waylands Flower Reserve or at the orchid open days at Duckitt Nurseries on the first Saturday of the month from May to November.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS CAN BE TAKEN while sip­ping wine at some of the local wine farms like Ormonde, Cloof, Darling Cellars, Groote Post and Tukulu.

WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO cycle around the vil­lage and farm­lands with my cam­era. The Nguni cattle at Oude Post Farm are par­tic­u­larly beau­ti­ful with their speckled hides and long horns.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO browse the amaz­ing selec­tion of books at Book League.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS any time of the year, BECAUSE sum­mer offers trips to nearby Yzerfontein beach and long warm even­ings around the braai. The Darling Music Experience clas­sical fest­ival takes place in February. Autumn is ideal for wine tast­ing while the vine­yards turn to orange and gold. Winter brings misty morn­ing walks, and cosy nights with good food and wine. Spring brings the annual Darling Wildflower Show, Voorkamerfest, Rocking the Daisies music fest­ival and so much more …

MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Chicory Cheese Café or Brig’s Barn.

FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST The Marmalade Cat.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Bistro Seven, TRY THE Eisbein.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Café Mosaic, known by the loc­als as ‘The Stoep’.
MY FAVOURITE bar­gain hunt­ing SPOT IS The Mantis Trading Store.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Kraalbosdam on a Friday night.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO the Darling Country Market on the first Saturday morn­ing of the month at the Nitrophoska Building.

Darling’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS the local butchery, Darling Vleismark, per­fect for stock­ing up before return­ing to the city. And don’t miss the cheap homemade jams at the till!
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS enjoy the local beer, Darling Brew, avail­able at most res­taur­ants in Darling.

FOR SOME CULTURE , I LIKE TO GO TO the Voorkamerfest in September, where per­formers from South Africa and around the world give intim­ate per­form­ances in the ‘voork­amers’ (lounges) of houses in Darling. It is not to be missed.

TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO enjoy the beau­ti­ful sur­round­ings.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY mak­ing your own wine at the annual Darling Cellars Crush Day.
MY FAVOURITE WALK IS with my dogs at the Renosterveld Reserve at the top of the hill, where you have pan­or­amic views of the vil­lage and sur­round­ing farm­lands.
MY FAVOURITE gift and home­ware SHOP IS is the beau­ti­ful ware­house at the back of The Marmalade Cat.

MY FAVOURITE bird WATCHING SPOT IS from the kit­chen win­dow at Aloe Cottage, where the weaver birds put on a fant­astic dis­play build­ing their nests and show­ing off their dexterity.

IF YOU’RE HERE IN July, JOIN IN THE FUN AT Christmas in July at Evita se Perron.

MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS Darling Museum. Discover how Darling got its name and don’t miss the little shop; Ouma’s Treasures.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS Koekemakranka Backpackers, FOR ITS cre­at­ive and whacky interior, cre­ated by local artist and co-owner Omnia Grobler.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Lelieblom Farm Restaurant where the kids can see and touch farm anim­als. Enjoy a lazy week­end lunch where you dine with your hosts and enjoy true coun­try hospitality.

BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS tak­ing a leis­urely drive around the coun­tryside.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO go wine tast­ing, stock up my cel­lar with excel­lent local wines, then enjoy a cel­eb­rat­ory meal at Hilda’s Kitchen at Groote Post.

THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS the dif­fer­ence that one per­son, Pieter-Dirk Uys, has made to a com­munity by put­ting Darling on the map and giv­ing so much to sup­port devel­op­ment pro­jects in the area.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Aloe Cottage, of course!
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I sup­port The Darling Trust.

I ♥ Darling BECAUSE the people are friendly and wel­com­ing, the vil­lage is authen­tic and not overly touristy, and it’s an hour from Cape Town… but a world away!

Aloe Cottage

Aloe Cottage offers lux­ury self-catering hol­i­day accom­mod­a­tion in Darling, near to Cape Town, South Africa. We are pet-friendly! The hol­i­day home has been beau­ti­fully dec­or­ated with top qual­ity linen, fur­niture and art­work and enjoys pos­sibly the best views in Darling — over rolling hills and farm­lands to the dis­tant moun­tains. Aloe Cottage is the per­fect romantic get­away for couples as well as for week­ends away with friends or fam­ily holidays.

Visit Aloe Cottage
View Rates or make a Booking

Desirable Digits

Chicory Cheese — +27 (0)72 852‑6644
Brig’s Barn — +27 (0)22 492‑2451
The Marmalade Cat — +27 (0)22 492‑2515
Bistro Seven — +27 (0)22 492‑3626
Café Mosaic — +27 (0)22 492‑2307
Kraalbosdam — +27 (0)22 492‑3803
Lelieblom Farmhouse — +27 (0)82 573‑7736

West Coast spring flower report – 29 Aug 2011

Click to download the full Flower Report – 29 Aug 2011 as a PDF file.

DARLING

www.darlingtourism.co.za or www.darlingwildflowers.co.za for more info.

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:

Darling Renosterveld Reserve (At top of village behind the Darling Primary School);

Darling Groenekloof Reserve (R315 alongside the SPCA premises)

Tienie Versfeld Reserve (R315 Darling – Yzerfontein)

– at all the above reserves visitors need to park their cars and walk in the veld

Duckitt Nurseries Wildflower Reserve – farm road through reserve (R307 Darling – Mamre – in front of Duckitt Nursery);

Waylands – farm road through reserve (R307 to Mamre)

TYPE OF FLOWERS:

All around Darling the flowers are coming along splendidly. The flowers that are most prominent are:-

Spiloxine canaliculata  – Geel Poublom; Spiloxine serrata  -Goue Sterritjie; Babiana nana -Sandveld bobbejantjie; Dorotheanthus bellideformis – bokbaai vygie (all the colour variations); Drosera cistiflora -snotrosie/sundew; Dimorphotheca pluvialis – reenblomitjie; Arcotis hirsute -Gousblom

Groenekloof: The Groenkloof Reserve is looking more and more spectacular but you must go in and walk around mainly on the road side of the reserve:

Oxalis; Romuleas; groot tulp (Moraea flaccida); the odd bloupypie (Gladiolus gracilus); clumps of orange gousblom (Arctotis); Gazania; Arums /varkblom (Zantedeschia) are well developed, as are Euphorbia and veldsuring (Rumex); yellow eendekos (Cotula), and of course the white ones, ganskos; viooltjies (Lachenalias); Spiloxene, Drosera, Lachenalia, Trachyandra, Moraea, Lapeirousia, Gladiolus, Wachendorfia,  Indigofera, Muraltia,  Tripterus, Felicia, Dimorpotheca,

Flowering bushes: Roemenaggie (Struthiola) bushes; Metalasia; poproos (Hermannia);   bokmaellie (Microloma); platannadoring (Arctopus); lots of the geel klapperbrak (Tetragonia herbacea) and wit kinkelbos (Tetragonia nicgrescens); wilde knoffel (Tulbaghia Capensis); tabakbos (Senecio pubigerous);

Most of the above will be evident in the other reserves and fields and more will be visible in the upcoming days.

Tienie Versveld Reserve – as impressive as Groenkloof because it was also burnt. Super displays of Cotula and Blue flax especially at the top dam.

Renosterveld Reserve – worth visiting but it is rather impenetrable in places with many bushes.  Many varieties can be seen along the paths but if visitors are prepared to go off the pathways they will see a greater variety in bloom.

Duckitt Nurseries reserve now also open:- Beautiful swathes of blueflax are most prominent but visitors should get out and walk to enjoy the finer species flowering between: poproos (Hermannia); sterretjies (Spiloxene); surings (oxalis); froetang (romulea); Lachenalie(viooltjies);Snotrosie(drosera); Dimorphotheca pluvialis – reenblommetjie, etc

Waylands now open. The reserve is dominated by the prolific early blue flax and the yellow coloured flowers. The contrast is very pretty. Here is a list of some of the species found: Late and early flax; Pyjama Bush; Various Bobbejaantjies; Lachenalia;Sterretjie –Poublom,Orange star and the small yellow star; Snotrosie; Chinese Lantern; Purple vygiebush; Bok Baai vygies; Yellow Gousblom; Agt dae Genees bos; Gheizhorrheiza: Small yellow and small blue ones; Felicia; Cineraria; Small yellow nemesia; Yellow ixia.

A birdwatcher from Finland was most chuffed to have seen his first Clapper Lark.

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Plenty

Please note that this is someone’s  perception, and not a guarantee.

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:       Burgherspost Wine Estate Nature Reserve

 

Wildflower game drives at Burgherspost Nature Reserve.

Please book in advance – Contact Jacques vd Merwe  Conservation Manager

Tel: 022 492 2830   Fax: 086 653 7479  Cell: 084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za   www.burgherspost.co.za   www.cloof.co.za

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:               Cape rain daisies (Dimorphoteca pluvialis); Bloupypies (Gladiolus carinatus, G. gracilis) ; Geelpypies (Gladiolus trichonemifolius); Rooipypies (Gladiolus watsonius); Uintjies (Morea tripetala, Morea speciosa); Tulpe (Morea minuata, Morea flaccida); Sporries (Heliophylla africana) ; Bobbejaantjies (Babiana ambigua); Leipoldt-se-bobbejaantjie (Babiana leipoldtii);  Pajamabush (Lobostemon fruticosa) ; Skilpadbessiebos (Muraltia spinosa) Rotstert (Babiana rigens)

HOW MANY FLOWERS:                     Plenty

(Please note that this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee)

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:       

Roadsides along the R315 (Darling –Yzerfontein road) and along the West Coast Road R27

Roadsides along the R307 (Atlantis – Darling)

TYPE OF FLOWERS:

white rain daisies (dimorphoteca pluvialis); orange arctotis

Lewertjies (indigofera); bloupypies

Oxalis – all different types and colours; yellow vygies

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches

Please note that this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee.

 

FLOWER SHOWS:

                                                           

Name:                           Darling Wildflower Show

Date & Time:               16 – 18 September 2011

9am  – 5 pm  daily

Venue:                            Darling Sports Club

Admission:                  Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Friday (The entrance fee includes entry to the landscaped hall as well as a free ride on a tractor drawn wagon to see the Oude Post

Contact:                 Enquiries Con Meyer cell 084 916 111

Stalls:     Ingrid Wilson 083 655 4237

Name:                              Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show

Date & Time:                15 – 18 September 2011

9am – 5pmdaily

Venue:                              Oudepost Farm Darling

Admission:                   Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Thursday and Friday

Contact:          022 492 2606 info@duckittnurseries.com

West Coast spring flower report – 19 Aug 2011

Biedouw

West Coast Flowerline  –  071 320 7146

 

MATZIKAMA AREA

 

HARDEVELD

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        On the N7 from Nuwerus towards Bitterfontein.

On the road to Kliprand east of Bitterfontein flowers can also be seen and is approximately 80km from Bitterfontein.Beware it’s a gravel road and one should drive slow.         

Route towards Rietpoort towards the towns of Stofkraal & Molsvlei.

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     Gousblomme, Perdebosse & Vygies.

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Fields 

Please note that this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee.

VANRHYNSDORP

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        R27 west to Vredendal & east to Nieuwoudtville.

On Zandkraal farm (Maskam Guestfarm) various routes to see flowers aswell.

Urionskraal road, Gifberg road and Kobee road. One can also do a cirular route – Mouerskop.

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     Karoo Daisy/Poublommetjies (Osteospermum); Purple Vygies; Beetle Daisy (Gorteria), Yellow and Purple Hongerblom (Senecio) Skaapbos (Tripteris) Perdeblom& Perdebos(Didelta) Fields of Froetangs, Sporries,Bobbejaantjies,Weeskinders.     

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Fields

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

 

FLOWER SHOWS:

          Name: Succulent Show

          Date & Time: August and September 2011 Every Day 08:00 – 17:00

          Venue: VANRHYNSDORP

          Admission: R10.00 PP

          Contact detail: 0272191062 

VREDENDAL & KLAWER towards LUTZVILLE , STRANDFONTEIN & DORINGBAAI

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:         From Klawer along the R362 & the R363 towards Vredendal.

Along the R363 from Vredendal towards Lutzville. Along the R362   towards Strandfontein & Doringbaai.

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     Purple & white vygies , yellow perdebosse, namaqua daisies (white & orange) & gazania’s.

 

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Fields

Please note that this is someone’s    (Fields here and there with patches all over)

perception, and not a guarantee.

CEDERBERG AREA

 

CLANWILLIAM

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS: IN TOWN: around Reenblomstreet and Ou Kaapse weg,VredeOordCemetery,RamskopNatureGarden.

OUT OF TOWN: Biedouw Valley, R364 from Clanwilliam towards Nieuwoudtville over the Pakhuis Pass and the Botterkloof Pass, N7 between Clanwilliam and Citrusdal, Ou Klawer pad from Clanwilliam towards Klawer, Nadouwsberg, Boskloof.        

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS: AtRamskopNatureGarden you can find more than 350 diffirent species flowering at the moment. Other areas mentioned above have the following flowers:      Elandsvy, Kapokbos, Jakkalsblom, Wit Soe, Jakkalsbos, Clanwilliam madeliefie, gousblom, Haarbos, Perdebos, ridderspoor, pietsnot, skildpadbessie, Muraltia Heistra, Hongerblom, sambreetljie, kalkoentjies, sporrie, bokbaaivygie, vygiebos, kappieblommetjie, osteospermum pinnatum, dassiegousblom, berggousblom, botterblom,

 

 

Doornrivier

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Fields / Plenty 

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

 

FLOWER SHOWS:

          Name: ClanwilliamWild Flower Show

          Date & Time: 25 to31 August 2011

          Venue: Old Dutch ReformedChurch (Blomkerk), Clanwilliam

          Admission: R30 for adults, R25 for pensioners, R5 for children

          Contact detail: cederberg@lando.co.za – 027 482 2024 – www.clanwilliamwildflowershow.co.za

For photos and feedback, also visit the following blog: http://citysearchblog.yellowpages.co.za/citysearchblog/post/459092#more-459092

 

citrusdal

 

location of flowers:  in town :Citrusdal turn off from the N7 to town,

OUT OF TOWN: The Baths turn off;Muller Street turn right,drive straight to Boontjiesrivier towards Boschkloof; Voortrekker Street(ou pad)from Citrusdal towards Clanwilliam, N7 between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam; Beginning of the Cederberg, Algeria turn off towards Cederberg Cottage.

TIPE OF FLOWERS: Katstert(vuurpylfamilie), Proteas/suikerbos, Vygiebosse, Skijlpadbessie(laaste blommetjies), klokkiebos, Heide(Erica glabra), Bokhorinkies/kannetjies, Katstert(aarbossiefamilie), Barroe(lobeliafamilie), Filecia(bloublommetjies), Donkiebos, Kapokbos, Clanwilliamharpuis, Reënblom/Cape rain daisy, Bergmagriet(plenty), Ridderspore, Clanwilliam daisy

LAMBERTSBAY

 

    LOCATION OF FLOWERS         On the R364 from Lambert’s Bay towards                                                                                Clanwilliam.

Erven in town. Golf Club. Suurfontein.

TYPE OF FLOWERS                  Vygies (Lampranthus sp), white daisies (Arctotis                                                                  merxmuelleri). Pietsnot (Grielum humifusum) Sorrel (Oxalis                                                  sp).

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

 

BERGRIVIER AREA

 

PIKETBERG

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        On the R399, all along the road from Piketberg to Velddrif.

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     A variety of Ramnas, Gousblom, Namakwa Daisies, Geel siering and Hongerblom (Senecio).

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee.

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        Along the N7, from Koringberg towards Piketberg.

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     A variety of Namakwa daisies, geel siering and hongerblom ( Senecio).

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Plenty / Patches / Few

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

VELDDRIF

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS: Vygielaan and Bergrivier Golfcourse, open piece between                                Jakaranda street and Tecoma avenue, open plots in town, tar road to                                     Dwarskersbos. Tarred road (R399) between Velddrif and Piketberg.

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS: White, yellow, orange Gousblomme. Botterblommetjies. Geelbobbejaantjies, yellow surings, Astertjies,  white reënblommetjies/rain flowers, red katsterte (on the road to Dewarskersbos)

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

     

SALDANHA AREA

                             

HOPEFIELD

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        In town on vacant plots (Mainly Sand and Oakroad)

Next to library whole field covered

On road to Langebaanweg (R45)

1^st 25km from Hopefield to Velddrift on the

roadside(R234)

Drive slowly along road.

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     White & Orange Gousblomme (Daisies) Patches, Arumlilies (along river), Skilpadbessiebos (New name Muraltia Spinosa), Protea (Sugarbush) Few, Bloupypies (In roadbushes) Few,  Drumsticks (Mauve Verbenas) Patches, Duinebessiebos (New name Muraltia Scoparia), Sewedae Geneesbossie) Patches  (Groen bos met blou blommetjies), Bruin Salvia (Bruin Saliebos) Patches, Geel Hongerblom, Bitoubos, Restios, Pers Cineraria, Bokbaaivygies, Volstruisdoring, Pers Vygiebosse

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches / Few

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

 

FLOWER SHOWS:

          Name:                            Hopefield Fynbosskou

          Date & Time:                 25-28 Augustus 2011

          Venue:                           Hopefield Sportklub

          Admission:                    Gratis by hek. Betaal slegs om blommesaal te besigtig.

R15 Volwassenes, R12 Seniors, R5 Kinders

          Contact detail:             Fiona Kotze 0227830856 (Leave message on answering

machine if necessary)/ 0832862457

Lizelle Strydom 0227231720 / 0731876764

JACOBSBAAI

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS: +3km from the main road.

 

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS: Bietou/Chrysanthesmoides,Geel Melkbos/E Maritanica,Ossierapus/O                                                    Cylindrica, Soetkopdikblaar/S sarcoides,Rotsvygie/C rostrata.

HOW MANY FLOWERS:  Plenty 

 

Flowershop open from 11H00 – 15H30

Contact Detail: Koos & Elise Claasen: 022 715 3116

 

LANGEBAAN

 

Location of Flowers   :Langebaan Gate to Seeberg Hide

Type of Flowers         :Orange gousblom, Yellow Suring, Skilpad Tebossie(Yellow),

Sukkelbossie(Whtie Flower),Bobbejaankool(Yellow Flower),

Spinnekopblom Stems, Hongerblom(Yellow & Pink).

Location of Flowers    :Road Langebaan Gate to Geelbek:

Type of Flowers          : Kaopkbossie(White Flower),Bobbejaankool (Yellow flower)

Strand Sallie(Brown Flower),Harpuisbos/Euryops(Yellow

Flower),Restio/Riet(Brown Flower),Blombos(White Flower),

Geelmelkbos(Yellow Rossete).

Location of Flowers   :Geelbek

Type of Flowers      : Pink Hongerblom,Restio/Riet(Brown Flower).

Location of Flowers  :Road to Geelbek to Kraalbaai

      Type of Flowers   :Bietou(Yellow Flower),Blombos(White Flower),

Geelmelkbos(Yellow Rossete),Strand Salie(Brown Flower),

Rooi Naeltjie,Truitjie(Red Flower).

Location of Flowers  : Kraalbaai to Tjaarbank

Type of Flowers        : All the above shrubs.Helder Kuip Vygie(Yellow Flower)

Vygiebos(Bright Purple),Ice Plant,Suring/Sorrel(Yellow &Pink)

Location of Flowers  :Postberg Gate Left to Plankiesbaai

Type of Flowers        :Suring/Sorrel(Yelllow&Pink),Reenblommetjies,

Eendekos(Yellow button flower),Vygiebos(Bright Purple)

Pronk Tulp/Tulip(Pink),Petsnot(Yellow Flower).

Location of Flowers  :Road between Langebaan & Saldanha

Type of Flowers        : Reenblommetjies (White)

      HOW MANY FLOWERS:   Plenty / Patches 

 

PATERNOSTER AREA

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        On smallholding Pelgrimsrust just before Patrnoster.

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     Trachyandra falcate (Namakwa Kool)

Trachynadra ciliate (hotnots Kool/Wildeblomkool)

Ornithogalum cooperi (Geldbeursie)

Danbeya zeyheri (Bobbjaanhoek)

Romulea elliptica (Vredenburg Froetang)

Lapeirousia jacquinii (blou Koringblom)

Carpobrotus quadrifidus (Elandsvy)

Carpobrotus edulis (Suurvy)

Othonnacoronopifolia (sand Bobbejaankool)

Arctotheca calendula (Seepampoen)

Arctotis hirsuta (Gousblom)

Dimorphoteca pluvialis (Reenblommetjie)

Arctopus echiniatus (Platdoring)

Ballota Africana (Kattekruie)

Oxalis luteola (geel Suring)

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        On the road between Paternoster and St Helena Bay. Beware                                                it’s a gravel road and one should drive slow.    

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                     GLachenalia unicolor (pers Vioolltjie),Zantedeschia aethiopica (Varkblom),  Carpobrotus quadrifidus (Elandsvy)

Carpobrotus edulis (Suurvy),Ruschia tecta (regop Vygie)

Cotula turbinate (Ganskos),Arctotis hirsuta (Gousblom),Arctotis stoechadefolia (kus Gousblom)

Oncosiphen suffruticosum (Stinkkruid)

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS: CapeColumbine Nature Reserve otherwise known as Tietiesbaai

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS       :            Albuca flaccida – slang Tamarak,Albuca juncifolia – klein Tamarak,Arctotheca calendula – Cape weed,Ballota africana – Kattekruid,Carpobrutus acinaciformis – Elandsvy ,Chrysanthemoides monilifera – Bietou,Cotula coronopifolia – Eendekos,Cynanchum africanum – Bobbejaantou,Cysticapnos vesicarius – Klappertjie,Didelta carnosa – see Gousblom,Dimorphotheca pluvialis – Reenblommetjie,Dorotheanthus bellidiformis – Bokbaai Vygie,

Euphorbia arceuthobioides – klein Steenbokbos,Ferraria crispa – Spinnekopblom,Grielum humifusum – Pietsnot,Gymnoidiscus capillaris – Geelkruid,Hemimeris sabulosa – sand Geelgesiggie,Hermannie anifolia – bos Poproos ,Indigofera complicata – silver Lewertjie,Lampranthus vredenburgensis – Vredenburg kruip Vygie,Various other typs Mesembryanthemaceae,Limeum africanum – Koggelmandervoet,Microloma sagittatum – Bokmaellie,Nemesia versicolor – bont Leeubekkie / Weeskindertjies,Oxalis pes-caprea – Suring / Sorrel,Pelargonium fuldigum – rooi Malva,Salvia africana-lutea – strand Salie,Senecio aloides – groot Dikblaar,Senecio sarcoides – soet Dikblaar,Sutherlandia frutescens – Kankerbos,Tetragonia namaquensis – Namaqua Kinkelbossie,Thesium spinosum – steek Groenbasbossie,Trachyandra ciliata – Wildeblomkoo,Trachyandra falcata – Namakwa Kool,Zygophyllum spinosum – Spekbos.

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches

Please note that this is someone’s

perception, and not a guarantee.

 

SALDANHA

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:

SAS Nature Reserve           : Moreson and Baviaansberg.

(Gravel road to the Reserve): Behind the Farm House

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS             : White Daisies

                                               Yellow Vygies      

  

HOW MANY FLOWERS       :    Plenty

ST HELENABAY

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS            HOW MANY FLOWERS            LOCATION                           

                                               

Oxalis pes-caprae Surings                     Patches                  Throughout town

Arctosis hirsute Gousblom                    Patches                  Around Da Gama Monument

Hermannia alnifolia bos Poproos            Patches                  Around Da Gama Monument

Senecia maritimus strand Hongerboom Plenty                    Along entire coastline

Dimorphotheca pluvialis Reënblommetjie                   Plenty           Throughout town

Mesembryanthemum guerichianum Lizard plant          Patches         Coastline through town

Pelargonium capitatum kus Malva          Patches                  Britannica Heights

Berkheya rigida Disseldoring, Krammedik         Patches         Britannica Heights

Bulbina annua geel Kwassie, Kopieva      Patches                  Britannica Heights

Eriocephalus africanus Kapokbossie        Patches                  Britannica Heights

Heliochrysum revolutum strand Sewejaartjie     Patches         Britannica heights

Lessertia frutescens Kankerbos               Patches                  Britannica Heights

Salvia Africana-coerulea bloublom Salie Patches                  Britannica Heights

Trachyandra muricata rolbos Kool          Few                       Britannica Heights

FLOWER SHOWS:

Name:                  Flower Power Arts & Crafts & Food Market      

Date:                    Saturday 27 August 2011

Time:                             10:00 – 14:00

Venue:                 Shelley Point Hotel, St Helena Bay

Admission:           Free

Contact detail:     Karin Board 082 215 8423 / Margie Burgoyne 072 029 9084

 

SWARTLAND AREA

DARLING

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:        Darling Renosterveld Reserve (At top of village behind                                                                  theDarlingPrimary School);

                                                            Darling Groenekloof Reserve (R315 alongside the SPCA                                                                  premises)

                                                            Tienie Versfeld Reserve (R315 Darling – Yzerfontein)

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                 Groenekloof: is now really worth a visit – after the fire last year                                                  the flowers are so much more visible and in profusion. It is still a                                                   little early for most of the bulbous varieties but numerous buds are                                               now evident.

                                                Oxalis; Romuleas; groot tulp (Moraea flaccida); the odd bloupypie (Gladiolus gracilus); clumps of orange gousblom (Arctotis); Gazania; Arums /varkblom (Zantedeschia) are well developed, as are Euphorbia and veldsuring (Rumex); yellow eendekos (Cotula), and of course the white ones, ganskos; viooltjies (Lachenalias); Spiloxene, Drosera, Lachenalia, Trachyandra, Moraea, Lapeirousia, Gladiolus, Wachendorfia,  Indigofera, Muraltia,  Tripterus, Felicia, Dimorpotheca,

Flowering bushes: Roemenaggie (Struthiola) bushes; Metalasia; poproos (Hermannia);   bokmaellie (Microloma); platannadoring (Arctopus); lots of the geel klapperbrak (Tetragonia herbacea) and wit kinkelbos (Tetragonia nicgrescens); wilde knoffel (Tulbaghia Capensis); tabakbos (Senecio pubigerous);

Most of the above will be evident in the other reserves and fields and more will be visible in the upcoming days.

Tienie Versveld Reserve – as impressive as Groenkloof                                                                    because it was also burnt.

Renosterveld Reserve – worth visiting but it is rather                                                              impenetrable in places with many bushes.  Many varieties can be                                                  seen along the paths but if visitors are prepared to go off the                                                      pathways they will see a greater variety in bloom.

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s  perception, and not a guarantee.

 

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:       Burgherspost Wine Estate Nature Reserve

 

Wildflower game drives at Burgherspost Nature Reserve.

Please book in advance – Contact Jacques vd Merwe  Conservation Manager

Tel: 022 492 2830   Fax: 086 653 7479  Cell: 084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za   www.burgherspost.co.za   www.cloof.co.za

 

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                Cape rain daisies (Dimorphoteca pluvialis); Bloupypies (Gladiolus carinatus, G. gracilis) ; Geelpypies (Gladiolus trichonemifolius); Rooipypies (Gladiolus watsonius); Uintjies (Morea tripetala, Morea speciosa); Tulpe (Morea minuata, Morea flaccida); Sporries (Heliophylla africana) ; Bobbejaantjies (Babiana ambigua); Leipoldt-se-bobbejaantjie (Babiana leipoldtii);  Pajamabush (Lobostemon fruticosa) ; Skilpadbessiebos (Muraltia spinosa) Rotstert (Babiana rigens)

HOW MANY FLOWERS:                     Plenty

(Please note that this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee)

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:       

Roadsides along the R315 (Darling –Yzerfontein road) and along                                                   the West Coast RoadR27

Roadsides along the R307 (Atlantis – Darling)

TYPE OF FLOWERS:                 white rain daisies (dimorphoteca pluvialis); orange arctotis

Lewertjies (indigofera); bloupypies

Oxalis – all different types and colours; yellow vygies

 

HOW MANY FLOWERS:           Patches 

Please note that this is someone’s      perception, and not a guarantee.

 

 

FLOWER SHOWS:

                                                           

               Name:                           Darling Wildflower Show

            Date & Time:                   16 – 18 September 2011

9am  – 5 pm  daily

            Venue:                                      Darling Sports Club

            Admission:                      Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Friday

(The entrance fee includes entry to the landscaped hall as well as a free ride on a tractor drawn wagon to see the Oude Post wetland )

            Contact detail:                 Enquiries Con Meyer cell 084 916 111

Stalls:     Ingrid Wilson 083 655 4237

            Name:                                    Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show

            Date & Time:                   15 – 18 September 2011

9am – 5pmdaily

            Venue:                                      Oudepost Farm Darling

            Admission:                      Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Thursday and Friday                                               Contact detail:                 022 492 2606 info@duckittnurseries.com

 

 For updated weather reports, you may visit the following websites:

 

www.yr.no            www.accuweather.com   www.windguru.com             www.fallingrain.com   www.weathersa.co.za

 

 

 

 

Darling calendar of annual events 2011

Monthly throughout 2011

Duckitt Nurseries Open Day

Date:  First Saturday of every month May to November

Venue: Duckitt Ochid Nursery, Oudepost Farm,R315  Darling

Tel: +27 22 492 2606

E_mail info@duckittnurseries.co.za

Website : www.duckittnurseries.co.za

 

Darling Country Market

Date: Last Saturday of each month

Time: 9h00 until 12h30

Venue: Nitrophoska Building, Main Road, Darling

Tel: 082 927 6225

 

February 2011

Darling Music Experience – Concerts in the Country

Date: 25 – 27 February

Venue: Various in Darling

Tel +27 22 492 3996

 

Darling Cellars Crush day

Date: 26 Feb

Venue: Darling Cellars R315 Darling-Malmesbury

Tel:         022 492 2276

 

Ride the Wind with the CA2C – Cycle Race
Date: 26 Feb 2011

Venue: From Clara Anna Fontein in Durbanville to Darling

www.ca2c.co.za

 

March 2011

Adenco 400 (Absa Off Road Championship)

Date: 11 – 12 March

Venue:  Darling Club, Darling

Tel:         082 8077 797 (Bill Bright)

 

April 2011

Darling Passion Play

Date: Good Friday 22 April

Time: 16:30 for 17:00

Venue: The Vlei – opposite Evita se Perron, Darling

Tel : 074 369 8212 (Sarie Vlotman)

Admission is free (although donations are always appreciated)

 

May 2011

The Wonderful Wines of Darling at Trinity Lodge

Date: Every Saturday night in May

Venue: Trinity Lodge

Tel 022 492 3430/083 325 4148 (Shaun Mc Laughlin)

www.trinitylodge.co.za

 

Darling Museum Crafters Day

Date: Sat 21 May

Time: 10h00 until 14h00

Venue: Darling Museum

Tel +27 22 492 3361

 

Darling Half Marathon

Date: Sat 21 May

Venue: Darling Primary , Kalkoentjie Street Darling

Tel:          Mary Ashford 082 684 5575

 

July 2011

Xmas in July

Date: Weekends throughout July

Evita se Perron

Tel: Bookings (022) 492 3930

www.evita.co.za

 

August 2011

Wildflower Game Drives

Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct

Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate

Tel: +27 22 492 2830 /  084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za

www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za

 

September 2011

Wildflower Game Drives

Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct

Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate

Tel: +27 22 492 2830 /  084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za

www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za

 

Darling   Voorkamerfest

Date: 02 – 04 Sept

Venue: Evita se Perron

Tel : Tasha Reid  082 321 7542

www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za

 

Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show

Date: Thurs 15 -Sun 18      Sept

Venue Oudepost Farm, R315 Darling

Tel: (022) 492-2606

www.duckittnurseries.co.za

 

Darling Wildflower Show

Date: Fri 16 Sept to Sun 18 Sept

Venue: Darling Club, Jacaranda Street Darling

Tel:         (022) 492-3361

http://www.darlingwildflowers.co.za

 

Wildflower Game Drives

Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct

Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate

Tel: +27 22 492 2830 /  084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za

www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za

 

Renosterveld MTB Cycle Race – Ride the Rhino
Date: 30 September to 2 October 2011
Venue: Three day, stage race starting in Langebaan, Darling, Malmesbury ending in Durbanville.

E-mail info@renosterveldmtb.co.za

www.renosterveldmtb.co.za

 

October 2011

Rocking the Daisies music festival

Date: 7,8,9 October

Venue:   Cloof Wine Estate, Darling

www.rockingthedaisies.com

 

Darling Gymkhana

Date:

Venue    Darling Club, Darling

Tel:         022 492 3013

 

Wildflower Game Drives

Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct

Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate

Tel: +27 22 492 2830 /  084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za

www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za

 

November 2011

The Wonderful Wines of Darling at Trinity Lodge

Date: Every Saturday night in November

Venue: Trinity Lodge

Tel 022 492 3430/083 325 4148 (Shaun Mc Laughlin)

www.trinitylodge.co.za

 

December 2011

Evita se Perron Christmas Season

Date : Throughout  Dec

Venue : Evita se Perron, Arcadia Street Darling

Tel: 022 492 3930

E-mail: bookings@evita.co.za

www.evita.co.za

 

 

Darling Spring Flower Report: 9 Sept 2010

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:

Beautiful flowers are now out in full bloom in all reserves around Darling as well as on roadsides.  It seems that with this year’s peculiar weather it is going to be an exceptional year for the wonderfully scented Blue Pypie, Bobbejaantjies,  Kelkiewyn Moraeas, Romeleas and many others. The yellow and white daisies are also out in abundance

Darling Renosterveld Reserve (At top of village behind the Darling Primary School);

Darling Groenekloof Reserve (R315 alongside the SPCA premises) Park at the SPCA and enter through the small gate in the corner;

Tienie Versfeld Reserve (R315 Darling – Yzerfontein);

Contreberg (along R307 to Mamre)

– at all the above reserves visitors need to park their cars and walk in the veld

Duckitt Nurseries Wildflower Reserve – farm road through reserve (R307 Darling – Mamre – in front of Duckitt Nursery); No buses

Waylands – farm road through reserve (R307 to Mamre)

Visitors must please take care not to drive off the road in the Waylands and Duckitt Nurseries reserves as the veld is very wet and they may get stuck. No buses.

The Darling Hills road past Groote Post wine estate is looking beautiful at the moment so well worth a drive along there (gravel road but in good condition)

Wildflower game drives at Burgherspost Nature Reserve.

Leaving 9.30 every morning except Sundays and depending on the weather @ R150 pp (min. 2 people) from Cloof Cellar.

Please book two days in advance – Contact Jacques vd Merwe  Conservation Manager  Tel: 022 492 2830   Fax: 086 653 7479  Cell: 084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za www.burgherspost.co.za www.cloof.co.za

TYPE OF FLOWERS:

Waylands Wild Flower reserve is looking really beautiful. There are lots of the White Stars and Sundews out. We saw a lot of the yellow Ixia and the little yellow Geissorhiza, as well as the very pretty Babejana that look like a Kelkiewyn. We even saw some Kelkiewyn, which is very early for them. All in all it looks as if the flowers are already out for Spring Day! The chincerinchees are out, but not yet in flower. Hopefully they will be opening by the weekend. The late Flax has started flowering, and together with the early Flax which is still out, give the veld a very pretty blue haze. This weather seems to suit the daisies very well, as they are looking particularly colourful this year.

Tienie Versfeld

Awash with white and yellow daisies as well as a large variety of bulb species.

Darling Renosterveld Reserve

Spiloxene (poublom), muggiegras (acrosanthes); sneeuvygie (pharnaceum) bokbaaivygies, yellow spiloxene; purple romulea; orange romulea; pink ixias just starting, bloukappie (sparaxis) butterfly lily (wachendorfia) will be out soon; lewertjie (indigofera); lachenalias also starting, moraeas, a few bloupypies, bontrokaandblom (hesperantha); hermannia (poproos); sandgeelgesiggie (hemimeris) Reserve is bushy and visitors must walk off the path to see best flowers – walk to right in front of reservoirs

Darling Groenekloof Reserve:

Hermannia (lanterns-Poproos), Arctotis (daisies), Drossera (Snotroesie), Chlorophytum, Moraeari tripetala (blue), Homeria flaccida (Moreaea), Indigofera (Lewertjie), Dimorphotheca pluvialis (rain daisies) , Muraltia, Arums, Lachenia, Oxalis, yellow Spiloxene – all looking good – people must walk through and around the reserve to see.

Duckitt Nurseries Reserve:

Masses of blue flax (Heliophila); white raindaisies (dimorphotheca pluvialis); yellow cape daisies; bloupypies (gladiolus gracilus); hermannia (poproos); bobbejaantjie (babiana); gifkool (chlorophytum undulatum) and in the dam rhysblommetjie (onixotis atricta)

Burgherspost Wine Estate & Cloof Wine Estate:

Sandveld

Bloupypies (Gladiolus carinatus) – widely distributed, one-one

Cape rain daisies (Dimorphoteca pluvialis) – starting to come out now

Botterblomme (Arctotis breviscapa) – here and there, not abundant

Babiana ambigua – a beautiful little bulb starting to flower now – never abundant, but nice to see.

Gymnodiscus capularis – weedy – loads on the old fields – tiny yellow flower

Ganskos – Cotula turbinatata – also a weedy – loads along the sides of the roads and on old fields

Sugarbush (Protea repens & Protea burchelli) – almost at the end of its season.

Wetlands

Geel pypies (Gladiolus trichonemifolius) – dense patch in the wetlands – smells really nice

Leipoldt-se-bobbejaantjie (Babiana leipoldtii) – Critically endangered – quite a few – one-one

Sterretjies (Spiloxene spp.) – patches here and there.

Bleek Viooltjies (Lachenalia mutabilis) – nice little bulb flowering in patches here and there.

Leucodendron lanigerum – flowers throughout the year, but looks at its best now – not a colorful shrub, but very rare and has some interesting value.

FLOWER SHOWS:

Name: Darling Wildflower Show

Date & Time: 17 – 19 September 2010

9am  – 5 pm  daily

Venue: Darling Sports Club

Admission: Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Friday

Contact detail: Enquiries 022 492 3361 info@darlingtourism.co.za

Stalls:     083 655 4237

Name: Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show

Date & Time: 16 – 19 September 2010

Venue: Oudepost Farm

Admission: Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY on Thursday and Friday

Contact detail: 022 492 2606 info@duckittnurseries.com

Darling Spring Flower Report: 12 Aug 2010

LOCATION OF FLOWERS:

Best reserves in the Darling area at the moment for shows of flowers are the Tienie Versfeld reserve which is awash with white and yellow daisies and the Duckitt Nurseries reserve which is covered in blue flax.

Darling Renosterveld Reserve (At top of village behind the Darling Primary School);

Darling Groenekloof Reserve (R315 alongside the SPCA premises) Park at the SPCA and enter through the small gate in the corner;

Tienie Versfeld Reserve (R315 Darling – Yzerfontein);

Contreberg (along R307 to Mamre)

– at all the above reserves visitors need to park their cars and walk in the veld

Duckitt Nurseries Wildflower Reserve – farm road through reserve (R307 Darling – Mamre – in front of Duckitt Nursery); No buses

@ Cloof and Burgherspost Wine Estates

Wildflower game drives probably next week depending on how the flowers look. At the moment it’s still early, just here and there – nice for botanists interested in the little obscure flowers and rare and endangered things, not fields covered in daisies.

Minimum of three people @ R100 per person – the drive takes about two hours.

Contact Jacques vd Merwe  Conservation Manager

Tel: 022 492 2830   Fax: 086 653 7479  Cell: 084 606 3470

e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za www.burgherspost.co.za www.cloof.co.za

TYPE OF FLOWERS:

Tienie Versfeld

Awash with white and yellow daisies

Darling Renosterveld Reserve

Spiloxene (poublom), muggiegras (acrosanthes); sneeuvygie (pharnaceum) bokbaaivygies, yellow spiloxene; purple romulea; orange romulea; pink ixias just starting, bloukappie (sparaxis) butterfly lily (wachendorfia) will be out soon; lewertjie (indigofera); lachenalias also starting, moraeas, a few bloupypies, bontrokaandblom (hesperantha); hermannia (poproos); sandgeelgesiggie (hemimeris) Reserve is bushy and visitors must walk off the path to see best flowers – walk to right in front of reservoirs

Darling Groenekloof Reserve:

Hermannia (lanterns-Poproos), Arctotis (daisies), Drossera (Snotroesie), Chlorophytum, Moraeari tripetala (blue), Homeria flaccida (Moreaea), Indigofera (Lewertjie), Dimorphotheca pluvialis (rain daisies) , Muraltia, Arums, Lachenia, Oxalis, yellow Spiloxene – all looking good – people must walk through and around the reserve to see.

Duckitt Nurseries Reserve:

Masses of blue flax (Heliophila); white raindaisies (dimorphotheca pluvialis); yellow cape daisies; bloupypies (gladiolus gracilus); hermannia (poproos); bobbejaantjie (babiana); gifkool (chlorophytum undulatum) and in the dam rhysblommetjie (onixotis atricta)

Burgherspost Wine Estate & Cloof Wine Estate:

Sandveld

Bloupypies (Gladiolus carinatus) – widely distributed, one-one

Cape rain daisies (Dimorphoteca pluvialis) – starting to come out now

Botterblomme (Arctotis breviscapa) – here and there, not abundant

Babiana ambigua – a beautiful little bulb starting to flower now – never abundant, but nice to see.

Gymnodiscus capularis – weedy – loads on the old fields – tiny yellow flower

Ganskos – Cotula turbinatata – also a weedy – loads along the sides of the roads and on old fields

Sugarbush (Protea repens & Protea burchelli) – almost at the end of its season.

Wetlands

Geel pypies (Gladiolus trichonemifolius) – dense patch in the wetlands – smells really nice

Leipoldt-se-bobbejaantjie (Babiana leipoldtii) – Critically endangered – quite a few – one-one

Sterretjies (Spiloxene spp.) – patches here and there.

Bleek Viooltjies (Lachenalia mutabilis) – nice little bulb flowering in patches here and there.

Leucodendron lanigerum – flowers throughout the year, but looks at its best now – not a colorful shrub, but very rare and has some interesting value.

FLOWER SHOWS:

Name: Darling Wildflower Show

Date & Time: 17 – 19 September 2010

9am  – 5 pm  daily

Venue: Darling Sports Club

Admission: Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY

on Friday

Contact detail: Enquiries 022 492 3361 info@darlingtourism.co.za

Stalls:     083 655 4237

Name: Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show

Date & Time: 16 – 19 September 2010

Venue: Oudepost Farm

Admission: Adults R25 scholars R15 / Special discount for pensioners R15 ONLY

on Thursday and Friday

Contact detail: 022 492 2606 info@duckittnurseries.com