Letter from London, February 2009
Dear Alrie and the Van Wyk's,
I can't express in words how wonderful our stay at Papkuilsfontein was. The only problem was the brevity of our stay, oh how i wished we had booked a whole week!
It was by far the most wonderful few days of a wonderful month in South Africa. The cottage is perfect in every way and please, please never install electricity. Oh how i miss the hammock and a late afternoon swim in the dam. I am still salivating at the thought of all the wonderful food that was delivered with cheer and passion morning and night. Thank you for making us so very welcome and sharing your stories and knowledge.
I have booked to come back in south africa to see the flowers in August. I arrive on the 14th and intend to travel up to Namaqualand first to see the flowers there as i assume with it being hotter there that they will flower first? I will then head up to Nieuwoudtville and stay in the area for a week or so before heading down to Langebaan. I know that both De Hoop and Die Rondekraal are at present booked but if you have a cancellation for either of them from the 15th to the end of August i would love to come and stay. Failing that are you able to recommend any other nice place in the area and also in Namaqualand although judging how work will be this year i will not be able to stay in an expensive place.
Also i would very much like to find out the best places to see the flowers in your area, do you know anyone who might be willing to talk to me about such things?
Again thank you so much and i hope your wonderful barn is progressing well. I have had some thoughts about the outside area that i will forward on in the next few days.
Best wishes.
James and Ash
(London, UK)
