This is not the kind of email you want to receive from your accommodation provider, the week of your booking. It is even worse when the required accommodation is to attend a sporting event, on the weekend of another sporting event in the same place (who even does that?), for 9 people. Needless to say the week was stressful and involved a plethora of emotions and outbursts, most of them less than nice.
Thankfully, "I get by with a little help from my friends", and I have friends who are are second to none when it comes to being resourceful. And that is how, the day before the event, we landed up with a booking at The Little Farm on a Stream. Thank you Marcia!
Set on the slopes of the Hawequa mountain in Wellington, hidden a little off a gravel road and a narrow winding farm lane, is this piece of heaven. As we drove up we were met with the beautiful sight of the manager's home, and the vast open garden in front of it. I immediately felt relaxed, safe and pampered, and that my children would be too. When we entered the guest house, this sentiment was confirmed as Zac exclaimed, "Mom, this house is like Design Home!".
The guest accommodation has room for 12 - 16 people. The shared space - kitchen, dining area and poolside patio - is a mix of rustic comfort and coastal charm, while the rooms are luxurious with eclectic quirks. With ensuite bathrooms and interlinking lounges, there is a balance between privacy and community, and it's perfect for families or groups of friends.
It's difficult to imagine, but despite the excitement of the Cape Duo 3-day Stage Road and Mountain Cycle Race which Andel and Gerard (his partner) finished 3rd in, Jolene (Gerard's wife), the kids and I did not leave the farm until Sunday afternoon for the presentation. After a lazy evening around the fire (there's a boma too!) on Friday, we spent all of Saturday exploring the farm. We hiked up the mountain to the 2000+ olive trees that grow there. We took photographs around a little dam, as I navigated Bayley's pram over rocks and around Django and Summer the resident German Shepherds. We visited the chickens and the horse at the stables, checked out the vegetable garden, and picnicked a bit at the swings, the kids and geese playing together at the tractor, before heading back to the house for a refreshing dip in the pool. We literally followed the advice on the patio chalkboard - "we shall eat, drink and sing happy songs".
The only disappointment of the entire weekend was not being able to stay a little longer, and I highly recommend if you're ever looking for accommodation in the Wellington area, that you seriously consider this place. It's often in demand and booked up in advance in the high season, and the rates are not cheap, but I can fully understand why, and it's still worth it. And, if you can manage a last minute booking in low season you may qualify for a discount. But don't take my word for it - go check it out on www.onastream.co.za, or even better: go there!
Thank you once again, Little Farm on a Stream, for a truly magical, relaxing and most enjoyable weekend. We hope to see you again soon!
