Tangleberry Cottage Self-catering

Tangleberry Cottage is situated 45 minutes to an hour from Cape Town and 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, it's a self-catering retreat recently established and fitted with excellent cooking equipment and food preparation utensils that would please any gastronome, chef or cook. The two bedroom-en-suite cottage, accommodating a maximum of two couples, is located in a romantic setting in the heart of the Elgin Valley. It's completely private, partly encircled by a lake and surrounded by an edible landscape of almonds, walnuts, pecan, avocado, mango, fig, cherry and various fruit trees all newly planted.

While waiting for the dough to rise for the absolutely sinful ?chocolate babka' that you're planning for breakfast on the 2.5-meter x 1.5-meter granite island top, take a look at the landscape and you'll see the Groenlandberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains in the North East and the Olifantsberg mountains in the South West, a mere bird's throw to Hermanus and the frolicking whales. This perfect backdrop should inspire you to create delicious dishes with your gathering of fresh ingredients.

Watch the wild ducks waddle across the green lawn or paddle in the dam in front of you while you lunch on your enviable bounty. You don't have to look far to spot the hundreds of bird varieties that live and visit Elgin. And if you want to work up an appetite for dinner, meander along the many walks and hiking trails available. As drinking and driving is prohibitive you'll find that your walks will conveniently lead you to several nearby wine estates. On your way back to Tangleberry Cottage, just as the sun starts to dip, you'll experience the country fragrances, dewy fresh grass, the intoxicating aroma of honeysuckle and the sweet blend of various nectarous flowers, all of which will wrap you in its narcotic embrace. So intoxicating will the experience be, it will begin to stir up thoughts of the evening's gastronomic pleasures.

After the first winter rains, forage for a variety of wild mushrooms that are strewn across Elgin's' forests floors. Chocolate-scented Pine Boletus are so delicious in puff pastry tartlets. Or, pan-fried in garlicky butter and tossed with Pappardelle and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Otherwise, sip wine while stirring up a fragrant risotto.

You may choose to toss the tea out of tea-time and rather, sip Champagne or an excellent Cap Classique while twirling your toes in the lake from the jetty's edge. And if the weather turns chilly, sink deeply into the buttery-soft leather sofas placed invitingly before an original two-meter wide wood burning fireplace conveniently equipped with an overhead steel bar with cast iron pots for the comforting casseroles or potjies you love to cook. The homely feel is continued in the local hand-made terra-cotta tiles complemented by American oak wood panelled floors.

And when all your senses are replete, you'll be sung to sleep by the chorus of the singing Cape ghost frogs while snuggled up in quality percale bed linen in the comfortable queen-size beds.

Dogs are most welcome.