Month: September 2018

Stanford Through the Lens

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite Instagram photos taken by our Stanford Tourism members to give you a glimpse into art, weddings, activities, accommodation and the gorgeous landscapes that make up Stanford and surrounds. Enjoy! And if you’re an avid tapper of the photo button, tag us on your next visit to Stanford with #visitstanford and be sure to follow us on Instagram @visitstanford.

 

Goodwill Mountain Farm (@goodwillmountain)

We love Goodwill Mountain’s celebration of spring! With rolling views of the Stanford Valley, the farm is nestled on the side of a mountain. Accommodation options range from lovingly restored labourers’ cottages, to a Villa sleeping 8-10 guests.

Find them on Stanford Tourism Website here.

 

Panthera Africa (@panthera_africa)


Someone else enjoying spring is Panthera Africa’s gorgeous white lion, Oliver. If you’d like to make the most of the warmer evenings, why not book a Sunset Visit and experience the magical cats of Panthera in a unique atmosphere. Pre-booking is essential, you can find out more here.

The Zesty Lemon Restaurant (@zesty_lemon_restaurant)

If picture-perfect country weddings are your thing, you’re spoilt for choice in Stanford. We just love the mood of this recent wedding captured at The Zesty Lemon – vintage and retro country looking gorgeous!

In addition to small weddings, they also hosts team buildings, year-end functions, birthdays and kids parties.

Find them on the Stanford Tourism website here.

 

Graze Slow Food Café (@graze_cafe)

Graze Slow Food Café recently hosted yet another successful Self-Sufficiency Workshop. Participants learnt about animal husbandry, gardening and growing their own organic veg, herbs and fruits. Beekeeping looked like loads of fun (and pretty sci-fi) and cooking, bottling and preserving skills sent the participants home feeling like true pioneers (and no doubt friends and family will receive something pickled or fermented under their Christmas trees). To find out more about their Costal Forage in December click here.

 

Su Wolf (@sutroywolf)

Whimsical, quirky, playful, and of course, colourful, Stanford Artist Su Wolf’s work will tease your lips right into a smile. Her Instagram feed is a welcome patchwork of colours, inspiration and her travels – as well as some snaps around the village too. Read more about Su here, and why not book an appointment to visit her studio?

 

Blue Gum Country Estate (@bluegumcountryestate)

If a foodie getaway is on your wish list, accommodation establishments like Blue Gum Country Estate mean you never have to wander too far from your comfy room to find delectable dishes. Cleverly, Blue Gum’s restaurant has two sections – one more informal ideal for family get-togethers and open for 3 meals a day (BARKE), while The Blue Gum Restaurant caters to Adults only for more romantic dinners. The same menu is served at both sections, so the atmosphere choice is up to you.

Find out more about Blue Gum Country Estate here.

 

African Horse Company (@africanhorsecompany)

Saddle up and see the sights of Stanford and surrounds on horse back with African Horse Company. Enjoy an outride (around 1-3 hours) or gather your gusto and go for an overnight option – from 2 to 10 days you’ll really see some magnificent Overberg sights. Find out more here.

 

Springfontein Wine (@springfonteinwine)

Delivering wines that are “a combination of nature and human craftsmanship,” Springfontein Wine forms part of the @stanfordwineroute and showcases some South African favourites like Chenin Blanc and Pinotage as well as the ‘regulars’ like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Springfontein also have a small planting of Petit Verdot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.  Pop into their Springfontein Bar(n) for tastings and food served daily from 11-9pm.

 

All photographs property of the respective members.

Pura Soda Race2Stanford gearing up for an even better Western Cape Triathlon

In November 2017, one of the oldest towns in South Africa hosted the inaugural Pura Soda Race2Stanford half iron distance triathlon with great success. The inaugural race attracted elite local triathletes including Matt Trautman, Stuart Marais, JP Burger, World Multisport champion Robyn Owen, Kelly van der Toorn and Vicky Van der Merwe.

 

On the 10th November 2018 Bravo, the Hermanus Whale crier, will sound off the second Pura Soda Race2Stanford. Athletes begin their challenging day out in paradise with a 1.9km swim in the new Harbour of Hermanus before making their way by bike, 90km through the magnificent Hemel en Aarde wine Valley, over Shaws Pass via Caledon to run 21.1km in the quaint & picturesque historic village of Stanford.

This 70.3 mile distance triathlon will begin with 2 laps of chilly but stunning setting sea swimming before embarking on a brutally beautiful 90km point to point bike ride and topped off with 3 crowd inspired, scenic relatively flat 7km laps along the river and through the charming cottages and farm trails of Stanford. The finish will be celebrated in Stanford’s Olde English style village square.

Families and supporters can explore the local art and antique stores and have the opportunity to run 1 lap of the run or enjoy a short historical tour walk in the morning before setting up picnics at the finish on the green or the banks of the peaceful forest lined banks of the majestic Klein River. There are also boat cruises serving the celebrated local wines along the river which boasts over 200 different bird species of which 30 are endemic to South Africa.

The traditional farm style market on the village green will be the setting for the vibey bike-run transition and race finish line. Supporters & spectators will be served artisanal farm foods, cheeses, wines and craft beers. Make sure to try a G&P (Gin & Pura) also made with locally distilled Gin on the green or at the after party.

 

The event supports community involvement with locally sourced marshals, music, infrastructure, food etc and we plan to ramp that up as we grow. The response from the community has been fantastic since we left the route cleaner than we found it and filled many bed nights & restaurants which too will grow as our field increases over time.

 

After 2 years of planning, Cape Town’s first ocean swim half iron distance triathlon was a dream come true. Once the road through the famed Hemel en Aarde had been tarred we realised we had a world class, custom fit course with equally beautiful, yet still very challenging & rewarding swim, bike and run legs. To have athletes of the calibre of Matt, Stu, Robyn, Gabriella and Kelly who have raced all around the world confirming that we’d unearthed a gem and that they loved it was enough for our event crew and partners to raise more than a few glasses of the Overberg’s finest.

 

Price of entries are the best value on offer at only R1950 for an individual entry and R2350 for a relay team of 3. Visit www.electricink.co.za/race-2-stanford for full race details and entry portal.

 

Follow the Race2Stanford on social media:
IG: @Race2Stanford
Twitter: @Race2Stanford
Facebook: Race2Stanford

 

For further information contact Electric Ink / Abre Roux on 021 438 5972 or race2stanford@electricink.co.za