The Whale Coast Route is a treat for the weekend traveler. The route meanders from its start in Gordon’s Bay, through Rooiels, past the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, through the sleepy town of Kleinmond and on to Hermanus, the Whale capital, and host to the annual Whale festival every September. Beautiful views await one at every  curve of the road; mountains towering above, clear aqua seas below.

During the winter months, there is the added bonus of being able to observe the visiting whales, very close to the shore. At many points along the route, and in particular along the cliff path of Hermanus, it is possible to watch as they lazily perform  for us, waving their massive tails, sailing, spyhopping or lobtailing - or while they summon up energy to launch their 40 ton bodies out of the water for an impressive display of breaching.

Driving away from Hermanus, hugging the lagoon edge, the road takes one to the delightful Victorian village of Stanford. No whales in the quiet Klein River that flows through undisturbed, but otters and owls, welcoming country kitchens and an award winning wine route. Stop here for a day or two and fill your picnic basket with the local cheese, superb wine and freshly baked pane di mare and take a river cruise on the Platanna to enjoy the fantastic bird life and stunning views of the mountains. Book into one of the delightful cottages dotted through the quaint village, and soak in the village atmosphere while taking a stroll along the Wandelpad.

Continue the next day along the coastal route to the quiet settlement of De Kelders, where the rocky cliffs offer a perfect viewpoint of the whales down below. Listen to their eerie calls echoing in the cliff-side caves as they talk to each other. Every year, these wonderful mammals come into our protected bays to breed and calve and nurse their young in the relatively warmer waters of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. After a brisk walk along the cliffs, or to the caves below on the Duiwelsgat trail, pop into Coffee on the Rocks for their mouthwatering chocolate cake.

Press on to Gansbaai for an adrenaline boost. Board a boat and head out to sea to get close to Great White Shark while safely ensconced in a cage that has been  lowered into the chilly ocean. Cruise around the famed Dyer Island, situated 8.5 Km off the coast from Kleinbaai harbour to watch the penguin colony.

All of this in a short weekend. Pack the binoculars, fill up the car and head over to the Whale Coast.

Thanks to many car trips with teenage daughters, and Gareth Cliff on FiveFM, Fridays  always  evoke this happy cry……….

And being in Stanford for this long weekend promises to be filled with lots of things to do, places to visit, and of course, good things to eat!  Hop over to Hermanus, and visit The Hermanus Wine & Food Fair. Its been nominated as one of the 10 best wine festivals in South Africa. 50 local wineries from Elgin to Elim will present their wines for tasting, not forgetting delectable fares from various cheese and olive farms, as well as the famous Sushi of The Harbour Rock. All the wines on tasting will be available for purchasing at the Wine Village during the festival at cellar price.

Local Stanfordian and Supercook, Michael Dyson, will be plying his wares there. He’ll be offering sirloin steak rolls in home-made plaited stoneground flour rolls, hand-made chorizo sausage in same, Michael’s Fried Chicken, Onion Bhajis and a selection of warm pies, including the shortly-to-be-famous Stanford pie! This one has surpassed sales of the English Pork Pie and is now his best seller.

The Hermanus Botanical Society will be the main beneficiary of the Wine Village Cocktail for Fynbos and Wine Auction on Friday 7 August. Tickets are R120 per person and this includes a sumptuous supper, wine tasting, with the star attraction of the evening, the famous Wine Auction. Please remember that bookings are essential and tickets can be purchased from the Wine Village.

The Hermanus Times Kalfiefees from 6 -10 August hosts a number of class acts including music, comedy, drama, children’s theatre and more. “A Teacher in the Bushveld” is a humour and drama filled play that explores Herman Charles Bosman’s life as a school teacher in the Marico Bushveld. Mike van Graan uses South Africa’s obsession with sport for hilarious and satirical social commentary “Bafana Republic 3: Penalty Shootout“