The owners of White Bridge Farm Accommodation joined us recently on one of our Magical Moonlight rides - this is what they had to say. (original posted on Facebook)
UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCES FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY: Last night we were yet again privileged to enjoy a spectacular moonlight ride with Jo and John Lister from Horse About. It was a perfect evening and since we were all reasonably experienced riders on this occasion, we went for a beautiful canter through the vineyards until we reached the foot of the mountain. Here we took the forest path and slowed our pace to a stead walk in single file as it was by now pretty dark. We entered the thicket and could no longer see anything as the darkness surrounded us. This was a real lesson in trust between man and horse. Suddenly the moon crested and all the leaves on the surrounding trees turned a shimmering silver. We lost the moon again as we moved closer to the mountain and it appeared again as we moved the other way. In this way we experienced the "moon rising" about 5 times during this magical experience with the night jar calling in the back ground. When we finally broke through and exited the forest on the far side, the moon was by now fully up and we headed through a paddock of cattle. We continued in moonlight on another bush path taking us past a tree which has signs of having frequently been visited by a leopard. This I have witnessed on a previous ride in the daylight. We finally arrived at a wonderful new gathering place under some large trees where John and Jo have created wonderful log tables and chairs and a tethering pole for the horses. It was the first time that this site had been used by guests. We felt very privileged when we dismounted here to enjoy some wine and snacks as we looked over the valley below and, listening to the silence and toasting our good fortune with gratitude. Thank you Jo and John for sharing. This wonderful experience, along with sun set rides, family morning rides, proposal or romantic rides etc. can be enjoyed by anyone visiting this valley and we are very grateful that the Listers have this wonderful activity to offer our guests.
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The charm that attracts so many visitors to our valley, is at times teasingly (even grumpily) said to be "sleepy hollow syndrome"!
Visitors are sometimes frustrated to find that shops or attractions are closed, or that activities are fully booked. But it is important to keep in mind that the peace and tranquility of country life means leaving the frenetic life of traffic jams and 24/7 availability behind. Many local businesses are small and/or family run, meaning they simply cannot be open 24/7, but on the plus side when you visit you are almost sure to be attended by the owner or someone who has the time or interest to want to know "How you are!" A small group policy on many of the activities not only ensures personal attention, but also that you will never be part of the masses. Leave the rat race behind and unwind while you enjoy the slower pace of country life, us country bumpkins do realise that it can be a bit of a culture shock at times! Many guests to our valley simply want to relax, and an array of self-catering farm stays are perfect for doing just that. However if you would like to be entertained by visiting attractions, enjoy a recommended restaurant, taste wine and take part in some activities, it is worthwhile checking availability and opening times before you visit and planning accordingly. Highly recommended tours that need pre-booking or opening time consideration. House of Krone Cellar tours Wolseley Block Houses Horse About Kimilili Cheese Ladera Wines - Wine with Soul If wine tasting is on your weekend agenda, be sure to check the weekend and public holiday opening times and plan accordingly. And to complete your relaxation weekend, why not book a Shiatsu session or a massage at your accommodation with a Heavenly Hands Mobile Swedish Massage Therapist for contact details and more |
John & Jo
We are the owners of horseAbout Trails & Adventures in the Western Cape. “We left the premises with heart full of joy, love for these amazing horses and admiration for the lifestyle of John and his family.” Categories
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