The BEST birthday weekend... EVER!

Thanks to EVERYONE for making it truly the best birthday weekend ever ever ever!
Here are my photos and here are Richard's photos.

Update...swimming pool!

Yes folks, we have confirmation of a swimming pool on the farm! The weather looks to be hanging around in the late 20's or early 30's so make sure you pack your swimming and sun gear.

Directions to Excelsior Farm

Leaving Cape Town take the N7 north and travel past Malmesbury and Moorreesburg. Turn off the N7 at either 1 of the 2 turn-offs into the Piketberg village. Travel on the Elands Bay/Redelinghuis road (running parralel to the N7) and turn off 1,5km outside the village and turn left up the Versfeld Pass. Continue on the tarred road for 17,5km. (Pass the only tarred turnoff, Langeberg Road.) Turn left at the gravel road with the Excelsior sign and travel 2,5km until the road forks, turn right.

So far we have 20+ confirmed, with 5 horse-riders. Please email Beef (earnyourbreakfast@gmail.com) to reserve your spot, by the close of play Wedndesday.

The dress-up theme for Saturday night's campfire party and Sunday's hike is Earn Your Ridicularity!
You will be expected to wear your outfit for both events.

Things to bring:

Camping equipment (if not staying in cottages): tent, mattress, sleeping bag

Camping chair

Cutlery, plates, mug etc

Booooooooooze

Food: lunches for Saturday and Sunday (Sat night braai and Sunday breakfast will be a group affair with the costs split amongst us)

Guitars, musical instruments, music

Horse riding pant (if you wanna ride-R150 for 2 hours)

Binoculars and bird books

Swimming kit (dam) and SUN CREAM

Earn Your Ridicularity outfit

Excelsior Farm, Piketberg

What? A night away in the mountains, as part of EYB's 1st overnight hike
When? Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th Otober
Where? Excelsior Farm, Piketberg (approx 1 1/2 hour's drive from CT)
Who? Everyone and anyone!

Excelsior Farm has generously allowed us to rent out their two cottages on the farm, as well as set up some camping areas, tables, campfire etc so that we will have the whole area to ourselves and will be able to make us much noise as we like, as late into the night as we like!
The plan is so drive up on Saturday morning, hike that afternoon with the option of horse riding too. They have 8 horses so if we have a lot of interest we'll have to book a few rides, on Sunday morning too.
Saturday night will involve a lot of vibe, fun, games and drinking around the campfire. Sunday will have to be kickstarted with a typical EYB skottle breakfast to provide us with much needed sustenance for the day's activities (hiking, riding, mountain-biking).
There is also a trampoline on the farm, a dam, lots of bird watching opportunities and of course star-gazing activities. For more information, read below...

Sleeping arrangements: The two cottages sleep a combined maximum of 11 people. The cost of these will be roughly R100-R110 for the night.
The cost of camping will be R60 per person. We however need to rent out the cottages to ensure that we have the bathrooms available to us (they don't have separate camping bathrooms, as they're making a special arrangement for us to camp there), so if less than 11 people want to sleep in the cottages we might have to up the camping fees a little to cover that.

Contact Debs, Beef or Dave if you are keen to book your spot!

EXCELSIOR FARM MOUNTAIN ACCOMMODATION & HORSEBACK TRAILS

Excelsior Farm is situated on top of Piketberg Mountain and is 155ha in extent. About 10ha is used for agriculture and grazing and the rest is natural fynbos. We farm on a small scale with peaches that we grow organically. Rivers border the property on 2 sides. The larger Boesman's River has lovely rocks and pools. Many indigenous trees survive in this river area. The various walks are marked and pass near interesting rocky outcrops of weathered sandstone. We are privileged to have a large population of various bird species and visiting raptors like Jackal Buzzards.

We accommodate our guests in either of our 2 self catering cottages with indoor fireplaces. The smaller cottage has an open plan kitchen-lounge and has a suspended double roof bed overhead. There is one bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom with a shower, bath and toilet leading off it. The larger cottage has one bedroom with a double bed and private toilet, and another bedroom with 2 single beds. There is a second toilet and separate shower and hand basin. In the living room there are bunk beds that can sleep 3 more people. Both the kitchenettes are fully equipped with cutlery, crockery, fridge-freezers, microwaves, etc. There are gas stoves in both cottages. (There are no radio’s or TV’s.) Both the cottages have braai areas on undercover stoeps that overlook a kloof and small river where ducks and geese visit. First firewood is supplied as part of the tariff and more is for sale, should you run out. At night, under a spectacular starry sky, the frogs will serenade you and the owls will call your name. There is a swimming pool available for those who enjoy summer days of idle relaxation. For the energetic ones there are fynbos walking trails.

Mountain Horseback Trails are our speciality. The trails go through our neighbouring farms and all rides offer breathtaking scenery. Some trails have views of the Sandveld and Swartland that edges the Piketberg and on a clear day, one can spot Table Mountain and the West Coast sea in the distance.

We are constantly reminded by our guest of the serene beauty of our area and of the pleasure of walking (mostly accompanied by our Boxer dogs) in unspoilt fynbos, or of just the privilege of total relaxation and enjoyment of the magic of the mountain.
WE INVITE YOU TO COME AND SHARE IN OUR PEACE OF PARADISE!

Excelsior Farm is located on the Piketberg Mountain and is 155ha in extent. The area is wellknown as an export fruit region and buchu is cultivated extensively. The mountain has beautiful sandstone rockformations, indigenous fynbos and prolific birdlife with visiting raptors frequenting the area.
We farm on a small scale with organic peaches and offer accommodation in one of our 2 self catering cottages. Both cottages are fully equiped and has indoor fireplaces and private barbeque facilities under cover. There are marked hiking trails and a swimming pool. We specialise in horseback mountain trails that take between 2hours and 5 days! Birdwatching and stargazing is popular activities. The fresh air and tranquility rejuvenates all who visit.