A delightful morning at Franschhoek Inn
Sunday 7th May 2006
Venue
Franschhoek Inn *****
Club Captain
Graham Johnson
Tail end Charleen
Gill Koch
In Attendance
20
So what’s a gal gotta do but wrap up damn fine if she’s gonna leave the house at 07h00 on a Sunday morning for a Nomads breakfast ride!! Sjoo, padded trousers, Nomads long sleeve sweater, jacket, neck scarf and the very best winter waterproof gloves couldn’t keep the cold at bay. I guestimate the temperature to have been at around the six or seven mark on departing from home – just cold enough to stay put under the duvet. But having a bike in the garage means one thing – it’s for riding so get out there and ride it.
Off to Damelin. Cautiously down the West Coast Road as on Saturday there had been an oil spill which left it’s tell tale signs on the tarmac and had me skidding a little even in the car. Running a little behind schedule after realising my jacket lining was missing, that and having to fill up the bike, I arrived just a few minutes before eight and was surprised to see just a hand full of bikes. But you know, within seconds Nomads started arriving and before long the original number tripled and I presume our Club Captain was chuffed at the outcome?
Seems like Grahams GPS decides our route these days, reminds me of David Hasslehof (but without the hair!!) and his talking car Kit. Pretty straightforward it would seem, take the highway towards Stellenbosch then head up and over Helshoogte Pass and arrive at Franschhoek Inn. Quick Sticks. And now for a Tail end Charlie? – well, I volunteered my services for the simple reason that I actually know where Franschoek is, and for goodness sake I just don’t have the gall to expect anyone sit behind me over the Helshoogte Pass. Lizl affectionately offered the female version of Tail end Charlie to be Tail end Charleen. Just for future reference in case one of our lasses get an opportunity to do so.
Taking off en masse, we arrived at the traffic light and I’m sure for the very first time in history we all went over at the same time. Ok, so the light wasn’t exactly one hundred percent green when we did so, but we managed it anyway! Before we knew it, there we were in Stellenbosch. A whole lot too early as well. This stop gave folk a chance to light up a fag whilst Graham did the rounds informing Nomads of an extra ride which would delay our arriving so early. It didn’t take too much deliberation from me to take the direct route, hoping of course that without this Tail end Charleen they’d be Ok and wouldn’t miss my services too much.
So once again, it was back on the bikes to wave cheerio to the other Nomads whilst I proceeded through Stellenbosch en route Helshoogte Pass. Me and Gilbert O’Sullivan – alone again naturally. The Pass was quiet and I didn’t see another bike until reaching Franschoek when a couple of rodeo riders passed me at an alarmingly fast speed entering the historic town probably in search of breakfast?
It was here that I found the most beautiful Franschhoek Inn . . . . and Gary Peckham who had apparently veered off some km’s back for house keys. We parked our bikes and waited for the rest of the Nomads to arrive. Gary is now the proud owner of a Suzuki Intruder (if I’m not mistaken?) and it’s – well, amazing!!. Much comparable to the size of Mike Hair’s Rocket, these bikes are BIG. The beauty about these bikes of course is that they’re quite low slung and the riders saddle is more than adequate. Apparently Sharron is happy with the seating arrangement, so Gary’s happy that Sharron’s happy.
Once inside the Inn, a sheltered outside patio was scattered with breakfast tables placed directly in the morning sun. Not a breath of wind, just sheer warmth and the very best hospitality around. Hot coffee arrived immediately as did the menus offering various breakfasts from English breakfast to Eggs Benedict to Buffet breakfast – the choice was endless. Now hear this, Rob Todd advised Lizl to stay away from the English breakfast as she is Afrikaans – what’s that all about Rob? Lizl is perfectly bilingual and can eat her breakfast in any language.
I only have praise and good comments about our venue. Terribly upmarket and extremely posh but so delightful. It was well after 12h00 when folk started packing up, deciding which route to take back. For some it was past the Butterfly Farm and on to Lanners Landing, and others just went straight home. I must thank Graham Aldis who offered to ride with me to the Butterfly Farm and guide me on my way as did Robert and Lizl Todd. But to Mark Pringle, what can I say? Thank you so much for riding a good three quarters of the way home with me where we went our separate ways just a few km’s from my destination. The rest of the route was a breeze, taking it easy through Table View and once again on the West Coast Road.
The morning turned out to be a wonderful one. I must say Graham that over the years we’ve been to some weird and wonderful venue’s (more wonderful than weird) and Franschoek Inn takes first place so far. Loved being at Opstal, loved being at Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club, Boulders and Houwhoek Farm Stall – but my absolute favourite has to be Franschhoek Inn.
