Beach hideaway at the southern tip of Africa

A little house by the sea

There are some places that one should not write about because, after all, there are only 365 days in the year, 52 weekends in a year, and so many, many people in the world all after the same thing: a bit of seclusion. I recently spent a weekend at this beach hideaway on a farm close to the southern tip of Africa on an isolated stretch of coast. Where is it? You'll have to scroll down to the end to find out. But just in case you're thinking of visiting, let me list the 'negatives'.

1. There are some very sheer cliffs above the cottage so it's a steep walk down.

Sandstone cliffs

2. The cottage overlooks the southern ocean (next stop Antarctica) so you can expect to find all manner of things washed up on the beach and you might feel compelled to make something out of them.

Driftwood art

 3. Part of the beach is made up of these pebbles which can be hard on the feet. 

Nature's artwork

4. The accommodation isn't exactly luxury. There are three double rooms to the right with a long drop (far right). To the left of the long building is a kitchen and bathroom. The cottage to the far left also has a double bed.

Beach shack 

5. The owners don't like you making fires out of driftwood in the braai area because it cracks the brickwork, so you'll have to make your bonfire on the beach.

A beach bonfire in the making

6. Dogs are allowed. You might not like dogs.

Dog freedom

 7. The beach is endless and deserted. You might get lonely.

Dog and her man

 8. The only available reading matter is a bit damp and dog-eared.

Appropriate choice

9. It can be misty in the early mornings so you'll have to wait for the sun to peek its head above the horizon and you'll only have this view from your bed....

Low tide.

10. There's no internet or cellphone reception so you might have to play chess.

Chess game on the go.

11. And for those South Africans who remember, it kind of reminded me of this Laurika Rauch song (a bit retro, I know). 

So where is it? I guess I should say: It's a place called the Beach Shack on a farm called Koensrust on the southern Cape coast. Kind of a hop and a skip away from Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. Don't tell anyone I told you.

My happy place: Rooiels

As much as I love to travel and explore new places, we all need those special spots that we return to again and again, where we can find comfort in the familiar and restore our sagging energy levels. One such place for me is Rooiels, a little seaside village, which lies sandwiched between mountain and sea on the False Bay coastline, just over an hour's drive from Cape Town (outside of peak traffic). 

We don't own a house here, but are fortunate enough to rent a cottage for regular weekends away. And because the weather can be inclement (read 'windy') it is never too crowded. Usually there are only a handful of similarly minded nature lovers around when we do visit. I love nothing more than to hunker down with a book or to sit on the stoep looking out over the sea with binoculars in hand to watch for whales and dolphins.

Here are 10 more reasons why I love it so

1. Across False Bay, of an evening, you can see a blazing ball sink below the horizon over the landmark Cape of Good Hope at the almost southern tip of Africa.

2. If we time the drive to avoid peak traffic, we can be there in just over an hour.

3. The dog can stretch her legs and adopt striking poses on the dunes.

4. We regularly see otter tracks on the beach.

5. The baboons call past too and, if you don't bother them, they won't bother you.

6. The waves truly are wild horses when the sea is up.

7. There's always something beautiful in the miniature.

8. You can see Cape rockjumpers on the mountain slopes.

9. You can go on beautiful fynbos walks on a back road to Pringle Bay.

10. And no two sunsets are ever quite the same.