Old Potter's Inn in Greyton

Paula stayed at the charming and welcoming Old Potter's Inn and loved it. Go to their listing to make a booking for a great weekend away in Greyton.

If nothing in particular comes to mind when you hear the name Greyton, here is the lowdown: it's a charming, small town nestled between the border of the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve and the river, Sonderend, just an hour and a half drive west of Cape Town. This town was our destination when we left our cats, rolling lazily in the sun on the driveway, at a respectable time, one Saturday morning.

Having packed our things in the car and thrown back a quick cup of coffee, it wasn't long before our stomachs started to question both the when and where of breakfast. In the mood for a hash brown, I soon stopped over at a petrol station to fill up our tank and feast on a Wimpy breakfast.

With our veins pumped with caffeine and cholesterol, we plodded through Somerset West and sailed over Sir Lowry's Pass. Just at the bottom, where the R321 branches off the N2, I spotted the Orchard Farm Stall. I've had a pleasant brunch at the coffee shop there once before and bookmarked the spot afresh in my brain to stop over the next time we're in the area (in fact, there are quite a few lovely places to stop-over which I've listed near the end of this article).

The fields we spun passed were somewhere between green and brown. The heat must have driven the livestock to shelter, emptying the landscape. However, birds of prey seemed to have no concerns about the temperature and we spotted quite a few of them spiralling on thermals. Just a few minutes later, we turned off the N2 and arrived in the idyllic little town.

Not to say anything in particular of the sustenance of our earlier breakfast, but our first stop was the weekly Saturday market. Here we found delicious pies filled with springbok and peppery beef. Already taking some strain from the heat, we cooled down with some fresh watermelon juice and a shady walk past the rest of the stalls.

There was a variety of arts and crafts on display ranging from gold-leaf medieval-style cards, to porcelain décor and knitted hats. A man was working with leather near a stall selling fresh vegetables and eggs (the biggest I've ever seen). Jute hats where being crocheted and knitted into shape on one side and stinging-nettle cheese sampled on the other. There were a lot of plants and herbs for sale; add to that bonsais, succulent arrangements and seeds.

After this feast for both eyes and stomach, our hosts at The Old Potter's Inn kindly let us check-in a little bit early. The centrally-located and well-equipped cottage we stayed in is separate from the main house which was originally built as a farmhouse back in 1830 and which is a National Monument today. Once all our baggage was arranged, we lazily transformed ourselves into determined mountain-bikers (the last time I rode a bike was on flat Dutch terrain three years ago).

My newly acquired helmet shone black and gold in the sweltering sun as we peddled out of the town, adjusting the bikes we had borrowed from the Inn as we went. After some time (not well spent) trying to orientate ourselves according to a map that felt like it had more blank spaces than information, we happened upon a gate that led into the reserve. We were directed by a kind man to the path we had been trying to locate. He also mentioned that this was where you could hike to the waterfall and in the other direction; to McGregor. Armed with sunscreen and plenty of water we managed to tackle only one sizeable hill before returning for a shower and a brief interlude from summer in our cottage (cue the air-conditioner).

When we felt sufficiently cooled, we headed out again, persevering through a wave of heat to the shady awning at Vanilla Café. The café seems to be more about elegant cakes and tea, but drinks and snacks aren't out of place. We tried the spicy samoosas and chips which came with a lovely coriander-chilli dipping sauce.

After some time relaxing in the shade, we met up with some friends for supper, but had to retire early since the bike ride had really tired us out. From the upstairs bedroom of our comfortable cottage we could see weeping willow leaves dangling above the long pool by the light of the moon, and when we opened the double doors the view from the bed was relaxing and green.

Our morning appetite ushered us onwards to the coolness of a very elegant dining room where we were soon served a refreshing breakfast cup filled with muesli, fruit and yoghurt; accompanied by juice. This was followed by a coffee and country breakfast with the option of toast. A perfectly done egg, bacon, fried tomato and beef banger made an excellent start to the day.

True to that Sunday morning feeling, we strolled under the oaks of the side streets, admiring the country-style houses, quaint shops and creepers gone wild. When I felt sure I'd seen my future life living as a farmer's wife in a just-less-than-picture-prefect house, with children running wild through the fields and myself milking cows with one hand and wielding a patient paintbrush in the other, it dawned on us that it was time to start heading back to real life.

We packed our bags and said farewell to the friendly staff before heading back to the city life, keeping our eyes peeled for hawks on the way.

Going on a road trip to the Overberg via the N2? Here are some places to stop:

Engen (N2, just before Somerset West): Fill up your tank and get breakfast, padkos or coffee.

Houw Hoek Farm Stall (N2, just after Houw Hoek Inn): Stop over to browse the home-made and freshly picked goods on sale, grab a coffee or an ocean-acquired brunch (or catch your own fish in the trout dams).

The Orchard Farm Stall (on the intersection of the N2 and Oudebrug Road (R321)): Browse arts, crafts and home-made treats, top-up your padkos supplies and hang around on the jungle gym. You can also order a picnic basket or do a bit of wine tasting!

Dassiesfontein (N2 between Botrivier and Caledon): Peruse a wide variety of typically South African farm stall products, tuck into some boerekos at the restaurant and try some local dairy products. If you feel like taking a longer break, browse the antiques, leather products, herbs, landscape photography, and vintage clothing and then why not pick out a Victorian fireplace?

To find out more about Old Potter's Inn and to book a weekend away in Greyton, click here.

Images of Old Potter's Inn in Greyton