Breakfast, Cape Town, Holiday, Milkshakes, Review, Weekend

What to do in Stanford 2019: Stay at Blue Gum Country Estate

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You may remember I promised a longer post than usual this week – you’re in luck, here it is! Scroll through for highlights from our midweek break at the Blue Gum Country Estate in Stanford and more…

Friday, 24 May 2019: Commodore conferences and half-price cocktails

My Friday started with a first - my first time speaking at a conference! I popped into the office first, then to the Commodore Hotel at the Waterfront for the Content Marketing conference.
My Friday started with a first – while I’ve attended hundreds, this was my first time speaking at a conference! I popped into the office while it was still dark out, then went on to the Commodore Hotel at the Waterfront for the Content Marketing conference.
We celebrated the start of the weekend and my much longed-for leave at Catch22 that evening. Bonus? Half-pirce cocktails before 6pm! See my colourful 'Catch23', as well as the seafood curry Husband and Dad both ordered, Mum's sushi and my buccaneer beef burger.
We celebrated the start of the weekend and my much longed-for leave at Catch22 that evening. Bonus? Half-price cocktails before 6pm! See my colourful ‘Catch23’, as well as the seafood curry Husband and Dad both ordered, Mum’s sushi and my buccaneer beef burger.
But first, cocktails! See Mum with her Bloody Mary, Dad with his Long Island Ice Tea, Husband with his Beeracuda (tequila, lime, sundried orange and a Corona beer). Cheers!
But first, cocktails! See Mum with her Bloody Mary, Dad with his Long Island Ice Tea, Husband with his Beeracuda (tequila, lime, sundried orange and a Corona beer). Cheers!

Saturday, 25 May 2019: Bean Authentic breakfast and bee stings

We had a long Saturday ahead as Husband needed to spend some time in the office, so we lined our tummies with breakfast at Bean Authentic in Monte Vista as we still had an Entertainer voucher to redeem. See the lovely strong flat white served in glass mugs, as well as my Ferrero Rocher mocha and Parmesan-crusted toastie filled with bacon, jalapenos, feta and spicy mayo. Husband had the bacon, cheese and sundried tomato egglets on avo.
We had a long Saturday ahead as Husband needed to spend some time in the office, so we lined our tummies with breakfast at Bean Authentic in Monte Vista as we still had an Entertainer voucher to redeem. See the lovely strong flat white served in glass mugs, as well as my Ferrero Rocher mocha and Parmesan-crusted toastie filled with bacon, jalapenos, feta and spicy mayo. Husband had the bacon, cheese and sundried tomato egglets on avo.
The whole family popped in for a braai later that afternoon - also see Bertie's slightly swolled lip from a bee sting. The swelling went down soon after I snapped this.
The whole family popped in for a braai later that afternoon – also see Bertie’s slightly swollen lip from a bee sting. The swelling went down soon after I snapped this.

Sunday, 26 May 2019: Kauai and Eden on the Bay beach walks

Spec had slept over on Saturday night so joined us for breakfast at Kauai at Eden on the Bay. The boys' mom also popped in for a cuppa tea and avo on toast. Proof we were all there.
Spec had slept over on Saturday night so joined us for breakfast at Kauai at Eden on the Bay. The boys’ mom also popped in for a cuppa tea and avo on toast. Proof we were all there.
We had a short post-breakfast stroll along Eden on the Bay, as Husband wanted to wet his feet.
We had a short post-breakfast stroll along Eden on the Bay, as Husband wanted to wet his feet.

Monday, 27 May 2019: Nutella hot chocolate and banoffee waffle at Panarotti’s

Husband went to work on Monday but I was already on leave,so joined my parents for a late breakfast at Panarotti's in Table Bay Mall. My Nutella hot chocolate and 'Bellissima Banoffee Belgian waffle' were lovely!
Husband went to work on Monday but I was already on leave, so joined my parents for a late breakfast at Panarotti’s in Table Bay Mall. My Nutella hot chocolate and ‘Bellissima Banoffee Belgian waffle’ were lovely!

Tuesday, 28 May 2019: Roadtrip to Stanford, night at Blue Gum Country Estate

It was a real treat to sleep in late on Tuesday but still rise in time for the earlybird Engling breakfast special at News Cafe. Tomatoes were well cooked and flat whites strong, as you can see here.
It was a real treat to sleep in late on Tuesday but still rise in time for the earlybird English breakfast special at News Cafe. Tomatoes were well cooked and flat whites strong, as you can see here.
We made our customary stop at the Sir Lowry's Pass lookout point. Husband was impressed with neither the elevation nor the gustiness of the wind. See a much more wind-swept version of this pic here, from when we visited Old Mac Daddy in Elgin.
Roadtrip time! We made our customary stop at the Sir Lowry’s Pass lookout point. Husband was impressed with neither the elevation nor the gustiness of the wind. See a much more wind-swept version of this pic here, from when we visited Old Mac Daddy in Elgin.
Some of the pretty sights we saw along the way. See sheep, various cows and even Carpaccio, the solo springbokkie. So cute!
Some of the pretty sights we saw along the way. Sheep, various cows and even Carpaccio, the solo springbokkie. So cute!
Looks like Husband is sharing a joke with this spotted horsey. Neigh!
Looks like Husband is sharing a joke with this spotted horsey. Neigh!
A few pics of the setting. It was peaceful, quiet and cold - too cold for a dip in the pool, alas.
A few pics of the setting, at Blue Gum Country Estate, 10km from Stanford. It was peaceful, quiet and cold – too cold for a dip in the pool, alas.
We felt we were well and truly out in the country while gazing at the view from our private balcony. Only one thing could make this better for me...
We felt we were well and truly out in the country while gazing at the view from our private balcony.
Gorgeous view looking out from our balcony.
Gorgeous view looking out from our balcony.
Some of the pretty sights on our quick ride fpr supplies along Queen VIctoria road in the heart of Stanford.
Some of the pretty sights on our quick ride for supplies along Queen Victoria Street in the heart of Stanford.
We stopped in at Raka for a quick winetasting, too, and stocked up on specialty snacks. Yum!
We stopped in at Raka Wine Farm for a quick winetasting, too, and stocked up on specialty snacks. Yum!
DInner is served! Not much is open in Stanford on a Tuesday night as WInter approaches, so we dined at Blue Gum's own Barke restaurant. We had the place to ourselves.
Dinner is served! Not much is open in Stanford on a Tuesday night as Winter approaches, so we dined at Blue Gum’s own Barke restaurant. We had the place to ourselves.
The MIlkshake Queen strikes again! Couldn't resist the ultra-chocolatey milkshake with my dins.
The Milkshake Queen in action! Couldn’t resist the ultra-chocolatey milkshake with my dins.
See Husband enjoying a glass of red at the fireplace and his two-course dinner of fillet steak and creme caramel with sorbet. I went for the toasted chicken-mayo with stacks of chips. Just the thing when paired with a chocolate shake!
See Husband enjoying a glass of red at the fireplace and his two-course dinner of fillet steak and creme caramel with sorbet. I went for the toasted chicken-mayo with stacks of chips. Just the thing when paired with a chocolate shake!
The standard gownie shot - with our pre-bed milk treats purchased in town.
The standard gownie shot – with our pre-bed milk treats purchased in town. Toffee Caramel for me, Banana for Husband.

Wednesday, 29 May 2019: Milkshakes in Hermanus

For me, it doesn't get much better than a freshy brewed coffee with a view like this...
Good morning? It sure is! For me, it doesn’t get much better than a freshy brewed coffee with a view like this…
Breakfast, my favourite meal of the day! See the fireplace - a different one to where w esat the previous evening - as well as the lovely continental buffet table and Husband's hot breakfast order.
Breakfast, my favourite meal of the day! See the fireplace – a different one to where we sat the previous evening – as well as the lovely continental buffet table and Husband’s hot breakfast order.
Why did we go to Stanford? This picture, snapped by Husband just before we left Blue Gum Country Estate on Wednesday morning, says it all.
Why did we go to Stanford? This picture, snapped by Husband just before we left Blue Gum Country Estate on Wednesday morning, says it all.
We rode out to see the lovely trails along the Stanford river before starting the long ride home.
We also rode out to see the lovely trails along the Stanford river before starting the long trip home. Next time we’ll stay longer, so we can fit in a river cruise.
Thr MIlkshake Queen strikes again! We took a slight detour on the way home to take advantage of the sunny weather in Hermanus. See my coffee shake and Husbands cappuccino at Burgundy's.
The MIlkshake Queen strikes again! We took a slight detour on the way home to take advantage of the sunny weather in Hermanus. See my coffee shake and Husband’s cappuccino at Burgundy’s.
We stopped at the Winelands 1-Stop on the way home to redeem our free Wimpy burger meal for the quarter - thanks eBucks! All this and we only paid for the drinks. The granadilla-mint slush is a must.
We also stopped at the Winelands 1-Stop once we were nearly home, to redeem our free Wimpy burger meal for the quarter – thanks eBucks! All this and we only paid for the drinks. This time the milkshake (banana) is Husband’s. The granadilla-mint slush is a must.

That’s all, folks! May your weekend be relaxing. 🙂 Looking for more?Click here for my full review of our stay at Blue Gum Country Estate on Bizcommunity, and tune in for my next update next week – same time, same place. 🙂

*Disclaimer: Our bed and breakfast at Blue Gum Country Estate in Stanford were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

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