The West Coast village of Darling, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is a well-loved weekend destination, particularly during the Darling Wildflower Show in September each year. But Darling has much more to offer than just wild flowers. Here are 7 things to do all year round.
1. Take in a show at Evita se Perron, the brainchild and home of satirist Pieter Dirk Uys and his alter ego, Mrs Evita Bezuidenhout. From the old Darling station platform Evita, the ‘most famous white woman in South Africa’, keeps a beady eye on the progress of democracy and doesn’t pull her punches. Go early to have lunch and soak in the atmosphere of the cabaret venue, Boere kitsch and all. Or just book a seat for the show and let Evita entertain you in her unique style. Shows run most weekends of the year.
We went to An Audience with Pieter-Dirk Eish and it was fabulous. He’s so relaxed yet on the button with his humour. Audience members chose from numbered boxes containing various ‘costumes’ and he had to play the relevant person. A clever trick to make each show different and keep it fresh, but I was pleased one of the choices was Evita herself. It just wouldn’t be right to have a show here without her.
We went to An Audience with Pieter-Dirk Eish and it was fabulous. He’s so relaxed yet on the button with his humour. Audience members chose from numbered boxes containing various ‘costumes’ and he had to play the relevant person. A clever trick to make each show different and keep it fresh, but I was pleased one of the choices was Evita herself. It just wouldn’t be right to have a show here without her.
Pink rules at Evita se Perron
2. Visit the Darling museum in Pastorie Street. What I love is that it’s not just a random display of items reflecting the lifestyle of the village since it was established in 1853. Instead, the hall-like interior of the 19th century Town Hall in which it is housed is divided up into ‘rooms’, each crammed with intriguing pieces. In one, a woman is preparing food in a kitchen complete with hearth and ingenious gadgets to make her life easier; another depicts a child’s nursery complete with crib and old-fashioned toys. Here a gentleman’s dressing room, there a parlour with chairs drawn up to the fireplace, as if the occupants have just left.
A separate section of the museum has churns, paddles and moulds that tell the story of the early butter-making industry in Darling. Alongside, an agricultural hall portrays the history of farming in the area, with steam engines, tractors and an enormous wooden threshing machine, now painted an unseemly pink.
Museum staff are well-informed, so this is the place to ask about Hildegonda Duckitt, author of The Diary of a Cape Housekeeper and various cookbooks, or anything else you want to know about the area. You can pick up tourism brochures too.
A separate section of the museum has churns, paddles and moulds that tell the story of the early butter-making industry in Darling. Alongside, an agricultural hall portrays the history of farming in the area, with steam engines, tractors and an enormous wooden threshing machine, now painted an unseemly pink.
Museum staff are well-informed, so this is the place to ask about Hildegonda Duckitt, author of The Diary of a Cape Housekeeper and various cookbooks, or anything else you want to know about the area. You can pick up tourism brochures too.
Darling Museum's kitchen display
Ready to play - Darling Museum's nursery display
3. Go wine-tasting at Groote Post. The enthusiasm of the bubbly ladies manning the tasting cellar is huge; they just can’t wait to share their lovely wines with you. And, as a way of thanking you for driving out of your way on gravel roads to get there, they don’t even charge for tasting. My personal favourites? The Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012, the scented Riesling (great with a dessert or curry) and the luscious Merlot 2011. A honeymoon couple shared our tasting and told us they'd had Groote Post Merlot 2010 on their first date, three bottles of it during an entire night of nattering.
Take the R307 out of Darling towards Cape Town and turn right at the Darling Hills Road. After 7km turn left to the Groote Post Cellar.
There’s also a restaurant at Groote Post, but we thought it was expensive - R500 for two, with wine but no dessert (in 2013) - and the food and service unspectacular.
Take the R307 out of Darling towards Cape Town and turn right at the Darling Hills Road. After 7km turn left to the Groote Post Cellar.
There’s also a restaurant at Groote Post, but we thought it was expensive - R500 for two, with wine but no dessert (in 2013) - and the food and service unspectacular.
Groote Post's wine cellar and tasting room
Inside the tasting room at Groote Post
4. Or go wine-tasting at Ormonde, a gracious homestead set among vineyards at the edge of Darling village. Ormonde produces three labels: the value-for-money Alexanderfontein range, Ondine, and Ormonde. Tasting hours: week days 9am–4pm; Sat 9am–3pm. You’ll find Ormonde in Mt Pleasant Street.
Ormonde
5. If beer is more your speed than wine, visit the Darling Brew tasting room at 5 Main Road, Darling. This craft beer prides itself on its ‘slow beer’ philosophy, to reflect its slow fermentation and, well, yes, a kind of lifestyle appeal that mass-produced beer doesn’t really offer. Sit at the bar or relax at tables outside while you have your tasters before deciding which you like best. Choose from Darling Brew Slow Beer, Bone Crusher, Native Ale, Black Mist, Silver Back and Desert Dragon.
If the beer starts going to your head, you can order a light meal to soak it up.
If the beer starts going to your head, you can order a light meal to soak it up.
6. Take your bicycles along with you and go on a slow ride around the dorp to see some of its pretty homes and gardens. Or, if you’re lazy, just take a drive up and down some of the roads; you’ll find the back streets much more attractive than the main road.
Darling is awash with pretty homes and gardens
7. Whatever you do, don't forget to eat at The Marmalade Cat on the main road, opposite the Engen fuel station. It’s a trendy little eatery that’s a must for breakfast, lunch or tea. We enjoyed a freshly made quiche and salad, and a steak roll with mustard sauce (much less expensive than a similar item on Groote Post’s menu and twice as nice). The lemon meringue pie was so delicious we went back the next day for more. And we’re already plotting a return trip, that’s how much we enjoyed it.
The Marmelade Cat - coffee shop and gift shop rolled into one
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
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