Father-in-Law’s 76th birthday, a rainy stay at Franschhoek’s Akademie Street Boutique Hotel

Last weekend was cold and rainy – perfect for a weekend away in Franschhoek! But first, we had some family celebrating to do…

Friday, 12 April 2019: Father-in-law’s birthday dins at Portalia

Saturday was Husband's father's 76th birthday, so we all joined him at Portalia last Friday evening to celebrate. See the fairy lights in the outside seating area, proof we were all there, the dads having a drink together, my dad's flambeed chorizo meal and some of our pizzas, and my Amarula coffee. — Saturday was Husband’s father’s 76th birthday, so we all joined him at Portalia last Friday evening to celebrate. See the fairy lights in the outside seating area, proof we were all there, the dads having a drink together, my dad’s flambeed chorizo meal and some of our pizzas, and my Amarula coffee.

See the boys' end-of-evening whisky dom pedros. — See the boys’ end-of-evening whisky dom pedros.

The weather was quite wintery when we got home that evening so we snuggled with the little doggies and noticed a rainbow just after sunrise the next morning.

Saturday, 13 April 2019: Lunch at Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s Terra del Capo, night stay at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel

We started our Saturday with breakfast at Mugg & Bean in Bayside Mall. See my peanut-butter latte and avo-rainbow slaw toast, as well as Husband's egg-and-bacon toast, Coke Zero and cafe crema. — We started our Saturday with breakfast at Mugg & Bean in Bayside Mall. See my peanut-butter latte and avo-rainbow slaw toast, as well as Husband’s egg-and-bacon toast, Coke Zero and cafe crema.

Next stop, Husband treated us to a couple's massage at Aiyara Thai Spa in Eden on the Bay. — Next stop, Husband treated us to a couple’s massage at Aiyara Thai Spa in Eden on the Bay. We were prodded and pummeled with Tiger Balm for a good 45-minutes, to ease the stresses of the first quarter of the year.

We stopped at Anthonij Rupert Wyne on the very outskirt of Franschhoek's main road on our way into town for lunch. Once our appointment was ticked off at the gate we parked and made our way into the tasting area, all decked out for Easter. — Next, road trip! We stopped at Anthonij Rupert Wyne on the very outskirts of Franschhoek’s main road on our way into town for lunch. Once our appointment was ticked off at the gate we parked and made our way into the tasting area, all decked out for Easter.

See Terra del Capo's fresh-out-the-oven breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar in upcycled Protea wine bottles, Husband's Franschhoek trout and smoked salmon antipasti dishes, and the 'digestifs' trolley with cocktail options. — See Terra del Capo’s fresh-out-the-oven breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar in upcycled Protea wine bottles, Husband’s Franschhoek trout and smoked salmon antipasti dishes, and the ‘digestifs’ trolley with cocktail options.

Mmm. My sweet potato gnocchi was the highlight of the meal at Anthonij Rupert Wyne's Terra del Capo, as one of the handful of warm dishes on the summer menu. — Mmm. My sweet-potato gnocchi with hazelnuts, pancetta and Tallegio cheese was the highlight of the meal at Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s Terra del Capo, as one of the handful of warm dishes on the summer menu.

We're yet to sample the high tea at Anthonij Rupert Wyne's Terra del Capo, but if the desserts are anything to go by, they're a must! See my cappuccino - Terbodore's hazelnut blend, with a sweet iced bunny biscuit, as well as the berry-topped chocolate torte and the mini 'crossover cake' - a mix of cheesecake and carrot cake. We just managed to finish these between the two of us. — We’re yet to sample the high tea at Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s Terra del Capo, but if the desserts are anything to go by, they’re a must! See my cappuccino – Terbodore’s hazelnut blend, with a sweet iced bunny biscuit, as well as the berry-topped chocolate torte and the mini ‘crossover cake’ – a mix of cheesecake and carrot cake. We just managed to finish these between the two of us.

Cheers! There was a roaring fire blazing in the upstairs wine-tasting room, a quaint car waiting down below, and delicious wines to imbibe. Click here for my full review on Bizcommunity!

Home for the night - Akademie Street Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek. Perfect for a winter stay, scroll through to see why! — Home for the night – Akademie Street Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek. Perfect for a winter stay, scroll through to see why!

Some of the eye-catching things in and around Akademie Street Boutique Hotel. That's Husband with a Bluetooth-activated gramophone, so you power your choice of songs from your phone. The 'Africa' art bottom right comprises booklike paper folds. — Some of the eye-catching things in and around Akademie Street Boutique Hotel. That’s Husband with a Bluetooth-activated gramophone, so you power your choice of songs from your phone. The ‘Africa’ art bottom right comprises booklike paper folds.

Views of windows, from windows and maps from Akademie Street Boutique Hotel. — Views of windows, from windows and the cute hand-drawn map from Akademie Street Boutique Hotel.

The main pool - bottom-left - has a jacuzzi at one end. Also see the private pool and jacuzzi outside out cottage's suites in the top-let and bottom-right. Consider us two waterbabies delighted! — The main pool – bottom-left – has a jacuzzi at one end. Also see the private pool and jacuzzi outside out cottage’s suites in the top-left and bottom-right. Consider us two waterbabies delighted!

We stayed in Gelatenheid A. Some of the sections of our suite: See the wall of books and mirrors, freestanding bath tub and heated towel rails - not used, balcony as seen from the hot tub and bed at the centre of the suite. — We stayed in Gelatenheid A. Some of the sections of our suite: See the wall of books and mirrors, freestanding bath tub and heated towel rails – not used, balcony as seen from the hot tub and bed at the centre of the suite.

One of my favourite labels ever: "Come quickly, I am tasting the stars." This was a lovely welcome treat - thank you Akademie Street! — One of my favourite labels ever: “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars.” This MCC Brut was a lovely welcome treat – thank you Akademie Street!

There's nothing nicer than hot-tubbing when it's bucketing down outside. As the barrel-shaped hot tub is wood-fired, we were happy and toasty all afternoon. — There’s nothing nicer than hot-tubbing when it’s bucketing down outside. As the barrel-shaped hot tub is wood-fired, we were happy and toasty all afternoon.

As sunset started to streak the sky, we reluctantly got out of the hot tub for a spot of exploring.

The gardens are quiet and filled with pretty things, like these statues and wooden works of art. Take a stroll, weather permitting! — The gardens are quiet and filled with pretty things, like these statues and wooden works of art. Take a stroll around the grounds, weather permitting!

See Husband strolling down from our suite to the Orangerie area for pre-dinner drinks, snacks and games. He also played the piano for a while.

For dins, we walked down to the Elephant & Barrel Village Pub on main road around 7pm. I had a delicious coffee shake, Husband had a Castle Lite draught, and as we were still so full from our lunch at Terra del Capo, we shared the potato wedges with sour cream, guacamole and curry mayo. Yum! — For dins, we walked down to the Elephant & Barrel Village Pub on main road around 7pm. I had a delicious coffee shake, Husband had a Castle Lite draught, and as we were still so full from our lunch at Terra del Capo, we shared the potato wedges with sour cream, guacomole and curry mayo. Yum!

Lol! This night's stay featured straw sun hats in the standard gownie photo. See four of the numerous attempts at this photo. — Lol! This night’s stay featured straw sun hats in the standard gownie photo. See four of the numerous attempts at this photo.

Our full bellies and the sound of rain outside meant we slept very well that night.

Sunday, 14 April 2019: Doggy beach walks at Kreeftebaai

Scenes from breakfast on Sunday morning. See the pastry selection, platter of fruits, granola, yoghurt, smoothies and honey on each table, as well as the Le Creuset coffee carafe and our hot orders - eggs benedict with bacon for Husband and pancakes with bacon and honey for me. — Scenes from breakfast on Sunday morning. See the pastry selection, platter of fruits, granola, yoghurt, smoothies and honey on each table, as well as the Le Creuset coffee carafe and our hot orders – eggs benedict with bacon for Husband and pancakes with bacon and honey for me.

Husband walking with an umbrella to our checkout on Sunday morning. See the nice sign at the empty bicycle rack - "I don't ride a bike to add days to my life, I ride a bike to add life to my days." — Husband walking with an umbrella to our checkout on Sunday morning. See the nice sign at the empty bicycle rack – “I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life, I ride a bike to add life to my days.”

Terbodore coffee's Big Dog Cafe was closed as we made our way out of Franschhoek on Sunday, but the Terbo Truck looked inviting - will try stop in on our next visit! — Terbodore coffee’s Big Dog Cafe was closed as we made our way out of Franschhoek on Sunday, but the Terbo Truck looked inviting – will try stop in on our next visit!

We took the doglets for nice long walkies at the beach that afternoon. See Bertie and his dad in the sea while Bassie steered me toward the safety of the dunes.

That’s all, folks! We hope you’re having a relaxing Easter long weekend. 🙂 Click here for my full review of our lunch experience at Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s Terra del Capo on Bizcommunity, with my review of Akademie Street Boutique Hotel to follow soon. Tune in for my next update next week – same time, same place. 🙂

*Disclaimer: Our meals and accommodation at Anthonij Rupert’s Terra del Capo and Akademie Street Boutique Hotel were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.