Hilda's diary of a Cape housekeeper

There were two visits we always looked forward to with great delight as children. After the harvest was garnered in, in December, my father and mother, with all of us and our nurse, would go and stay with our mother’s only sister, who married Mr. Philip Cloete, and lived on a beautiful estate called “ Klapmuts ” in the Stellenbosch neighbourhood. It took us a whole day to drive there in our family coach, which was a double Cape cart on four wheels, drawn by eight spanking horses. The goodies were packed in the box which formed the front seat of the wagon, (“ voor kesse ”) ; a raisin loaf was always put in the side-pocket of the wagon, as we children got very hungry before it was time to outspan, and we thought that the best of all. We would outspan twice a day, for breakfast and lunch, giving the horses an hour’s rest ; we all used to be very pleased to help unharness the horses, and then when they were knee-haltered and had a good roll in the sand to cool themselves, they were allowed to have a nice drink, but some naughty ones would delight in rolling in the water if it was not very deep. We left home at five in the morning, and some of the brothers were left in charge of the house and farm. We usually arrived at our destination at five o’clock in the afternoon, and how well I remember the hearty greetings and welcomes from all the dear cousins and uncle and aunt, and then there would be refreshing tea and fruit, lovely apricots and soft brown figs and pears galore ; then the whole party would stroll to the lovely old garden — the scent of jasmine and “ gardenia ” (a large tree with bright shining leaves and starry white blossoms, oh how sweet they smelt ! ) ; roses and other lovely flowers, dahlias and hydrangeas, grew all along the walk, but what had the most attraction, I must confess, was the row of fig trees growing beside a small stream. There was such an abundance that every one could have a feast. Bananas also grew most luxuriantly. There were lovely oaks all round the house, and a wonderful spring of water, which fed the pond where the horses and sheep were watered ; one could see the water bubble up, as if it were boiling out of the ground in this fountain, but it was most beautifully cold and sparkling. A rich valley formed part of the garden and orchards ; then there were vineyards of muscatel and green grape, “ groen druive,” which is, I think, a most delicious eating grape, and ripens early. How happy we children used to be, and how quickly that week or ten days sped by. All about “ Klapmuts ” there were lovely homesteads, built by the old Huguenots and Dutch. “ Noitgedaachts built by the Cloetes, now a Government farm for fruit growing and training school, and many others, among them one we enjoyed going to, “ Elsenberg,” such a charming old place owned by the Myburghs. What a show of fruit and preserves we were treated to ! First there was tea, and fresh preserves handed round in cut-glass dishes, and pretty little silver forks to eat it with. Then after we had walked round the garden, coffee and cake was served in the dining-room, and fruit of all descriptions. What lavish hospitality and genuine hearty kindness one remembers receiving from those dear old people.