Following the Celts at Volmoed

I had a three day course at Volmoed which is a Christian retreat and conference centre near Hermanus. It is in the valley behind and it was amazing how much hotter it was with a mountain between you and the sea.


This is looking back up towards the community- there are more buildings here than you'd realise


There are also secret places to sit


And there is even a cave


Called the Grotto 


The reflections on the roof were beautiful. You can't see in this photo but there was also a bird nesting in there.


Watch out! Slowly driving cats! Or maybe cats that need to drive have to be reminded to drive slowly. Take your pick...


Looking along to the chapel


And over the pond the other side of the chapel


The water lilies are not the usual blue we have been seeing here


And here are the Jade Plants  or money plants - huge and spreading not like the potted ones you see in the uk


A fairy retreat house!

On the second day we had a break in the afternoon and when Woody came to collect me I took him for an adventure following the sign to mountain and dam


We found this sign though we seemed a long way away from the sea and even further form a lighthouse


We found the overflow from the Karwyderskraal dam which is the reservoir that feeds Hermanus (I think I got that right)


There were some pools in the Rocks which cooled both us and some frogs. Much needed after a long walk up the valley overlooking the stream that flows down it towards Volmoed


Froggy!


Looking down the valley towards the Grotto at Volmoed. Above the Grotto is the prayer hut...
We got back to Hermanus and went for another walk along the cliff path... all the way to Neptune...


Dramatic skies but still warm enough to get the Woodward legs out


Woody and I both went back to Volmoed for a social evening at the Boma with those that live at Volmoed and those on the course with me

And the kitty was also invited. Wine and chat til the meat was cooked on the barbecue and we went down to the dining room


We had chicken and boerworst (beef sausage) with these salads. Watermelon, feta and mint was amazing and something I'd not had before. As the dessert was ice cream I had more watermelon salad.


This is the layout though it keeps the Grotto a secret


Another useful warning.....remain firmly seated after drinking. It also led to the singing of hymns which must be pretty unusual...


And South Africa's answer to the Rosetta Stone



Amazing flower heads on this one. The last day at Volmoed was a half day and we went on to an extremely quirky fish and chip shop where we met Cape Town friends do more to follow xxx