Valleys and vines - a bike ride to Elgin...

People from Near and Afar, summer has arrived in the Mother City and today was the perfect start to it. The Bree Street Bikers met for coffee at Luvey 'n Rose in Bokaap and then gathered up helmets and headed out to Elgin via the coastal road, past Koelbaai, Betty's Bay and then down into the lushest of valleys.

Elgin is about 70km's out of Cape Town, famous for its beauty and also for its fruit production and well established wine route. This has to be one of the Cape's most exquisite places, located in a greater area known as the Overberg - a must-see destination for locals and tourists alike. Lunch was at the Pool Room at the Oak Valley Estate - a stunning setting especially on a day like today. We were really disappointed with the service though...I expect a lot, particularly when the fare is on the pricey side. What made the day was the fabulous company and great wine...we toasted Andrew Brauteseth's birthday (aka @guy_with_camera) with an excellent Oak Valley 2012 chardonnay (R150 a bottle) - I highly recommend it.

 The forest leading up to the Oak Valley estate entrance is very beautiful. Sir Antonie Viljoen, who founded the Oak Valley estate in 1898, had a major love for trees and decreed that none should be cut down - as a result there are about 4000 oaks on the 30 hectares of farm property and believe me, they are magnificent...I took a walk through the soft grass and it felt amazing...there's something so soothing about the colour green don't you think?

Entering the Oak Valley Estate...

Blossoms and prettiness poolside - The Pool Room

Le pool...

The steak was great-the salad, not so much...

Looking into the pool area...

Back home past 50 shades of green...

For more about Elgin visit www.elginwine.co.za / www.elginvalley.co.za / re the Oak Valley Estate www.oakvalley.co.za - 0218594111 (The Pool Room) @oakvalleywines

Pics by Allison Foat on iPhone 5 and Canon D600 @AllisonFoat on Twitter and Instagram