After a day of clambering about the mountain and stroking the alpacas in Paarl, the girls were now rightfully a little more than just peckish, and so off I set in search of something nice and family friendly in order to satisfy their combined mewling. As it just so happens, the Picardie Guest Farm, situated right near the start of the old town, has the most wonderful of farm stall coffee shops inhabiting their grounds – the über family friendly JANKAN experience.
It’s not a lot to look at, sure, but the metal sheet building houses an incredible array of fresh produce and other knickknacks ready for purchase, as well as the all important bits of a small kitchen and of course pizza oven! Stepping through the tin shack, you enter a paved courtyard area that has a number of tables shaded by a large stretch tent, and sprawling beyond that, a grassy play area that is filled with jumping castles, jungle gyms, and just a ton of other things for small children to clamber about on. Even further to the back is a small paddock where kids can enjoy a horse ride or two (in fact, this is something that Jessica did many moons ago when we first visited this space), and of course, littered throughout is a huge assortment of small farm animals, from bunny rabbits to pigs, and even a free roaming goat.
And then of course there are the farm dogs walking around, Great Danes included! In other words, it is no wonder then that JANKAN is a firm favourite for local kids birthday party celebrations. As for our little visit, we found a small table, I ordered a beer and some pizza plus roosterkoek to share, and off the girls scuttled for some play time, appearing only now and then whenever food or drink arrived at our table!
JANKAN is a very simple, laid back experience, a perfect little taste of some light farm living, and is thus easily recommended if you should ever find yourself in Paarl with small hungry energetic kids and maybe in desperate need of some coffee and something to feed the masses.
Related Link: JANKAN Farm Stall | Facebook | Picardie Guest Farm | Paarl