Leave the Wellington traffic behind and take the scenic country route known as the Bo-Hermon road; feel your shoulders relax and tension ease away. The quiet road will afford you the opportunity to notice the scenery on either side: vineyards, Charolais cows (sometimes with sparkling white newborn calves) Aberdeen Angus cattle, cultivated fields, farm dams, workers’ houses with children playing, long eared donkeys, even more vineyards draped over hill after rolling hill, the great Hawekwa mountain close by and Groenberg in its foreground.

Just as you reach Rooshoek Road and begin turning right, you will be compelled to slow down. You will even want to pull over and stop the car.  Because, after the detailed farm scenery you have been enjoying along the way, the world that opens up before you now comes as a surprise. It is so unexpected.

It is far. It is wide. It is open.  And you can see right across this vastness to the distant Nuwekloof Pass that is the gateway to Tulbagh. You can see all the way to the Witzenberg mountain range, with the great Lemietberge to your right. This is gravel road country. The world here is not a playground – it is for real.  People work hard, the elements are tough.  But for every gruelling day, there are tenfold where every aspect of being here is a balm. You may enjoy these to your marrow, because when you pit your energy against nature’s mean hand to carve a life of more than mere existence, you earned those moments. They are your stripes.

Little Loft House is a cottage that was created especially to capitalise on being in this wide open, away-from-the-world panorama. There is nothing complicated about it. Positioned to face north-west with an uninterrupted view towards Kasteelberg in the distance, it also is exactly where you will want to be to watch the big sky change colour as the sun begins to set.

From the covered stoep you have 180 degree views with not another building or impediment in sight.

The interior of the cottage is decorated with relaxed charm and informal country elegance. There may even be a few quirks. The ambience comes from the stories behind most of the pieces and the decor not being interior designed or “store bought”.

As the name suggests, the cottage has a loft. A flight of wooden stairs leads up to two comfortably sized bedrooms beneath sloped wooden ceilings.

Each bedroom sleeps two people and has a north westerly view towards Riebeeck Kasteel. The first bedroom has an iron, extra long Queen-sized bed and the second bedroom has two wooden Standard-sized single beds.

Both rooms have cotton percale sheets and down duvets. In the winter months there are also woollen blankets, hot water bottles and heating. In the summer months Wellington is known for temperatures that reach up to the mid forties and even so, there is no air conditioning in the cottage. Each bedroom is equipped with a remote controlled floor fan and it is probable that you would want to sleep under nothing more than a cotton percale sheet.

The bathroom is downstairs with a spacious shower, wash stand with hand basin and a toilet. Soap, towels and loo paper are supplied.

The kitchen has everything you need except for a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier (uncomplicated). There is a fridge /freezer, small stove with electric oven and gas/electric hob, microwave oven, stove top kettle, electric toaster, Brita jug for filtered water, coffee pot, tea pot and all necessary pots and pans and cooking utensils, as well as a double kitchen sink for washing up.

Instant coffee, filter coffee, Rooibos and Ceylon tea, milk, sugar, rusks, olive oil, condiments, a pat of butter and fresh farm eggs are also supplied. Although a basket of firewood is provided, it is recommended that you bring more. There is an inside fireplace for the winter months and and outdoor fire pit that can double up as a barbecue – a flat grid with folding legs is supplied.

Little Loft House provides unlimited free WiFi but no television. There is a bookshelf with books, some magazines, playing cards and board games. It really is a place to come and unwind, slow down, listen to the birds, frogs or just the wind. If you are a keen cyclist, there are kilometres of dirt roads to enjoy. Bring your bike! Although there is no swimming pool, there is a large pond in the garden.  If you are happy to take a plunge au naturel, bring your swimsuit too.

Finally, if you like exploring, there are so many places to visit that are not far from here. Little Loft House is a member of the Drakenstein Local Tourism Association and in the cottage you will find a map and a guide to the Winelands Meander, a comprehensive guide that will inspire you to explore and experience.

A rough guide to distances:

Wellington: 11kms    Paarl: 26kms    Riebeeck Kasteel: 22kms    Tulbagh: 41kms    Franschhoek: 50kms    Stellenbosch: 52kms    Worcester: 72kms     Cape Town city: 81kms    N1 via R44: 36kms

Booking opportunities:

https://www.airbnb.co.za/rooms/28327411?source_impression_id=p3_1573815830_ZzwiVXuES9ryzCO8

https://www.travelground.com/accommodation/little-loft-house

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/littlevlei-farm.html

https://www.safarinow.com/go/littlelofthouse/

For any enquiries about Little Loft House, please email laviedepraerie@ibits.co.za