Once a year the vast farmed canola fields that cover the farmlands of the Overberg region between Bot River and Caledon reach full bloom, turning the area into an incredible carpet of bright visceral yellow. Of course the usual worries about farm monoculture fields still applies, but ignoring that, this incredibly unusual landscape sight is one to be experienced and well worth the drive out to see.
Last year we nipped out to try and get a better view of the fantastical snowy peaks currently on display (and also get out of the pandemic-induced cabin fever headspace), and decided to sneak in a visit to these gorgeous yellow lands with a drive down the N2 to perennial favourite Dassiesfontein, an unmissable farm stall and restaurant that sits neatly between Bot River and Caledon and which has been trading there since at least the 90’s.
As you might imagine, the drive over was breathtaking, with field upon field stretched out in front of you as you start the descent down the Houw Hoek mountain pass. Pulling in at the solar panel laden Dassiesfontein farm stall building, we were excited to learn that they had since built a giant oversized table and chairs next to their donkey corral to serve both as a fun roadside attraction and also to provide some shade and shelter for their popular furry drawcard.
Avoiding the people, the girls had a blast feeding the donkeys with all the juicy grass growing outside of the enclosure, before giving in to our requests to pose for a million photos in front of the adjacent bright yellow canola field. And while there were too many people sitting in the restaurant for us to feel comfortable enough to join in, we did however make sure to peruse through this mad farm stall, browsing the bevy of antiques, curios, leather, clothing, dairy and pretty much anything and everything else that finds itself stocked in this incredible space of… stuff.
So a pretty nice short and sweet escape to somewhere in the literal middle of nowhere.
Related Link: Dassiesfontein Farm Stall | Facebook