There are those rare, wondrous places on earth that fully encapsulate the essence of family holiday escapism. Where the adventure trails are boundless, the activity options are aplenty, the entertaining areas are abundant and the atmosphere that prevails instils calm and connectivity to all of the things that matter most. A place that welcomes those childlike ways of barefoot, fancy-free frolicking on the lawn, under the trees, through the wild gardens, along the wooden walkways and in and out of the water. A place where the sentiment of happiness being best when shared, reigns true. As we unravel ourselves with the magnificent landscape that spans before us, sharing our happiest moments with our most favourite people of all.
Such a place exists along the bends of the Breede River that meanders over three hundred kilometres of the voluptuous valley. Resting directly upon the river, emerging from the earth with layer upon layer of slate stone, Kob Crescent discreetly declares its rugged yet beautifully refined build, that consciously blends in with the environment it inhabits. Set on tiers of rolling lawn that cascade into the river reeds, with endless walkways carving routes around the garden, beneath the milkwoods, this hideaway is the labour of a couple’s love for the water and all of the activities that come with it. It is their family album of holiday memories etched into the stone to be retained forever.
Seven gorgeous bedrooms – two of which occupy the separate cottage, some with bunks, some with kings and queens – span the property amongst pockets of entertaining spaces, resting and reclining areas, a fabulous open-plan kitchen and dining area that leads out onto the monumental deck with its swimming pool, Kolkol hot tub, sun-loungers, comfy sofas and swinging chairs. The property’s original eel bar retains its legacy – in honour of the multigenerational families gathered around it over the years, and the multigenerational families to come – and has been gently restored with light oak ceilings, porcelain-tiled floors and the signature slate walls. Adding an all-important pizza oven into the culinary mix for those necessary evenings of creative competitiveness when it’s a tough call over who made the best.
Many a merry moments will be spent around the pool, in the hot tub, on the trampoline, or with a book beneath the bougainvillea vines on the deck. With its plethora of places to gather around and rest upon, it’s rather like living with a multi-faceted character. Every day there’s something different and exciting to explore. And that’s the fun of it. When you’re not about the house and its myriad spaces, it’s onto the water to perfect those water-skiing tricks, tackle the fishing rods, climb aboard the sails, the rubber ducks, the tubes and SUP’s, and simply let the rapids of the river do the entertaining. Some might like a gentle paddle across to the other side in a canoe to where more jetties meet more pathways for an amble along the river, or a decent early morning jog. There’s certainly no question, throughout the hours of the day, you’ll be earning every feast from the fire, every cold pint from the barrel and every extra hour spent in those heavenly beds. The rest is made up of those magical moments around the tables, on the lawn, under the stars, beside the fire-pits reliving and retelling those magical moments from the last time, reaffirming that sentiment of happiness. When it’s time to leave Kob Crescent, there’s a side of you that will not join you on the journey home. It’ll wait patiently by the river, with the bishops and the bullrushes, the falcons and the fish eagles, until you return.
What we love!
- The beautiful coral tree that the driveway swivels around, saluting and welcoming you in as you arrive at the property.
- The magnificent views of the river – and direct access – with the mountains that cradle the property. The garden’s landscaping has been perfected to optimise the perspective of the river. Kob Crescent is named after its location on the river bend where loads of Kob are known to swim about.
- Even though there is so much to do on the river and land to explore on either side of it, the property itself offers so many tranquil spaces for those moments of calm and quiet. It can also be just you and the river.
- For the love of entertaining, Kob Crescent is designed for larger than life families, who can spend time connected together in the hub of the home, and simultaneously branched out into separate, private pockets of the property.
What you need to know…
- The property is a 40-minute drive from the town of Swellendam – 29kms on a dirt road of the neighbouring farm where you’ll pass herds of sheep, goats and horses along the way.
- There is daily housekeeping on the property.
- Should you fancy a bit of trail exercise, there is a lovely 8km running, cycling or walking loop across the other side of the river, which you can either canoe or SUP to.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie