This is Part 3, of our journey to the town of Hopefield. We simply had to make a detour from Malmesbury to Darling to see the acres of land covered by wildflowers.
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Can you believe that we were one week too late to see the flowers. They normally flower in September, but due to the masses of early rains that we had, they flowered earlier, and the flowers were all gone when we arrived in Darling.
So, we decided to drive into Darling, as we hadn't had breakfast and popped into an interesting old house that was converted by the owner into a restaurant, for some coffee and toasted sandwiches.
Thankfully the road was in a good condition on the way to Darling and the rain stayed away.
We saw this neat wine shop as we entered Darling. Now I didn't want wine as we wanted a quick cup of coffee and some sandwiches.
And there it was. An old house that was converted into a restaurant.
So sad that we missed the flower show and look what was growing on the sidewalk next to our car at the parking.
She was happy to see all of the old relics of life that were on show inside the old house.
I am not an inside man, as I am an outside man and we walked through the house to the open back garden.
While she was ordering coffee and two toasted sandwiches, I walked around to take some photos of the garden,
A long time ago, this was a small swimming pool for the residents.
Even a water feature in the corner of the pool.
A small land of cactus flowers was on show.
Royal Mail? I think they operated in the early years under British rule.
Then on the way out, I spoke to the new owner of the place and he asked where we were going. So I told him that we were on our way to Hopefield town. He told me that he knew of a shortcut to Hopefield, but it was on a 24km dirt road to the tar road that leads to Hopefield. He said the road was in a very good condition, and if I was brave enough then I should take the shortcut.
Of course I was brave enough to take the shortcut, and so hang on to your hats, bras, and teeth, as I show you the shortcut and Hopefield in the next post.
We didn't know any of the history of Darling, as all that we know was that it has the annual world famous flower show. Busloads of tourists flock to the flower show every year, and we thought that we would be clever to miss the tourists by going a wee bit later, but sadly we were too late to see the flowers.
Darling is much more than what we thought, and have a look here:
https://www.hellodarling.org.za/
But not to worry, as we plan to go that way again when the weather gets friendly in early Summer and then we will spend some time in Darling.
So that's it for now, and in the next post you will see Hopefield town and all that it has to offer.
I hope you have enjoyed the trip and the photos.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
Thank you kindly for supporting this post.
Tapestry of flowers when in bloom a sight to behold, a pity a little late to witness the season.
Old treasures hidden within the valleys where people take pride in protecting the heritage of forefathers.
Have a wonderful new week and month.
!LUV
@papilloncharity, @joanstewart(2/10) sent LUV. | connect | community | HiveWiki | NFT | <>< daily
! help(no space) to get help on Hive. InfoA pity indeed, but we didn't allow it to deter us from exploring the towns.
I so wish that you can see how neat and tidy that they keep the old towns. We would move there tomorrow, if it were not for the heat during summer. +40C
Thank you and your wish is reciprocated.
!LUV
Extreme heat is what we play dodgems with here. Towns are clean down there, still have filth in too many places.
Oh yes, we are also worried about the heat here this summer, as we are having our first hot week now.
We were amazed at how spic and span they keep those little towns. No rubbish to be seen and maybe our bigger cities can learn from them.
Heat comes in waves, suppose the worst will arrive when it goes up and stays there.
Problem with our coastal villages is the visitors who trash up the place then move on, locals are tired of forever cleaning behind them.
Fishermen come down in their droves from certain areas leave fish tackle, old sardine boxes used for bait strewn on the rocks.
People of this country have no pride....
Oh yes, and sooner rather than later the real heat will arrive. We expected another nice day, as it was noted to only be cloudy, but then all of sudden, thunder and rain.
Instead of only leaving their footprints behind, they rather leave their dirty signature behind. I can also not understand it and we are supposed to have laws against littering, but no one to enforce the laws.
No pride indeed.
@joanstewart, @papilloncharity(4/10) sent LUV. | connect | community | HiveWiki | NFT | <>< daily
! help(no space) to get help on Hive. InfoIt was an amazing journey to Darling, I guess. The road there looks so greeny by the side, and place looks very tidy too.
Oh yes, we are in the spring season here and the fresh green colors are appearing all over the place. It is also mostly a farming area and you are right as it is very tidy.
!WINEX
The old house turned restaurant seems to exude a certain charm and character of its own. It's wonderful to see you making the most out of the trip and appreciating the small, beautiful details along the way.
Are there any events or times of the year besides the flower show when Darling becomes a must-visit destination?
Thank you and yes, that old house stays stuck in the old days. That's why we like it.
Big or small, I like to show the things that interests me and glad that you also like it.
Darling is in the center of the towns that circle it. That's why it draws so many tourists, as apart from the flower show, there is always something on the go at the Darling theater, or in the surrounding towns. There are also many wine farms that offer hiking, dining, watersports and other activities.
We plan to stay in Darling again as a base, as we want to visit the towns on this map. On the other side of darling is the West Coast and some lovely beaches.
!PIZZA
How cute and cozy it is there!
Thank you and the place is lovely.
!BEER
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