Page 17 - Cape-Camera-Nov-Dec-2021

November/December 2021 Cape Camera

October Outing

(left) Lionel & Elmara Willis & sister, Mireille Landman, Anna Morris, Janice Ashby , Jeanette du Toit (right) Mike de Villiers, Judith Dodds,
Robert Maginely, Trudi & Nicol du Toit, Lionel & Elmara Willis, Mireille Landman, Lambe & Lesley Parolis, Jacoba van Zyl, Neels Beyers
and Marius Stockenström. Photos by Anna Engelhardt

(from left) Photos by Lesley Parolis, Jeanette du Toit, Robert Maginley
Summer magic at Vergelegen

On a most beautiful Sunday morning, the 24th October, some 20 CTPS members
gathered at this magnificent estate outside Somerset West to enjoy, explore and

photograph its spectacular gardens and historic buildings. Dating back to 1700,
Vergelegen is one of the oldest wine estates in the country with roots going back to

the son of Simon van der Stel.

Situated on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain rose garden in full bloom which has at its centre a sculpture by
range and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it passed through Stanislaw Trzebinski entitled ‘Aphrodite’.
a succession of famous and wealthy Cape families until Anglo Many ambled along a shaded trail, crossing the swing bridge
American purchased it in 1987 with the ambition to restore the over the Lourensford River which runs through the estate, and
buildings and furnishings to reflect the best from all the historic found their way to a yellowwood tree that is said to be 400 years
periods of its past 300 years. Today, it is a harmonious combina- old. Others visited the Reflection Garden with its two attractive
tion of magnificent buildings and generous and intimate gar- large ponds that were covered with water lilies and framed
den areas that contrast the simple with the bold, and the formal by tall Cyprus trees. The Sundial garden with its immaculately
with the informal. trimmed hedges was another favourite and so was the restful
We spent the morning meandering through the large estate wetland area with a boardwalk, flourishing arum lilies, indig-
that has a well-defined lay-out – each with its own charm and enous blue water lilies and other shade-loving plants which is
photographic opportunities. For many the first stop was at the situated below the Great Lawn and the Camellia Garden. Un-
five gigantic camphor trees in front of the homestead which are fortunately it was too late in the season to enjoy this particular
believed to be 320 years old. The next stop included the two garden in all its glory and too early for the Agapanthus and the
octagonal gardens – the one featuring two herbaceous borders Hydrangea Gardens, which we were told are exceptional in De-
that flank the path to the homestead, and the other a formal cember.

16 Cape Town Photographic Society