Groot Constantia  in Cape Town is a must see tourist destination for any world traveler who lands on the tip of South Africa. 

https://i.postimg.cc/nhqp9tsz/Groot-Constantia-2.png
image Source wwwPixabay.com

I was there yesterday walking with my sister and her dog Snoopy. She lives nearby and we frequently hike the paths through the vines high above the iconic homestead. We enjoy the shade of the 400 year old gnarled oaks in the heat of the day as we climb up to Lady Anne's bath. We imagine the 'lady' requesting the pool be built to combat the heat of the African summer ..... flowing veils from picture hats from hundreds of years ago float into my mind. 

You've heard about 'mad dogs and Englishmen going out in the midday sun' ? 
Well that was us yesterday. A leisurely breakfast on the patio delayed us and time taken to dog proof my sister's car against the constantly shedding white hair that Snoopy rubs into the dark upholstery.

We needed his antics and delight in being out and about to ease our heavy hearts. A funeral has called me to Cape Town and we are going through a sad time.

The view alone from high up on the hill among the ordered rows of vines loaded with beautiful dark purple grapes lifts my spirits.

https://i.postimg.cc/YCV7PqJb/Grapes-1.png
Image Source wwwPixabay.com

We stand in the heat on the dusty road being soothed by the exquisite majesty of the view across to Muizenberg beach and the misty horizon. Insects zither and we slowly move down needing to seek the shade.

Above the modern winery and homestead, set out like a child's model farmyard, we see people busy setting out tables. As we get closer we see that they are covered in long cloths with epergnes of fruit and an enormous chalice of champagne bottles clink in ice floating in red roses. Rows of glasses twinkle in a shaft of sun. The deep shade is alluring and joking quietly we agree that we should line up and get a sip of what we know is amongst the BEST WINE in all the world having drunk it in our own homes, often.
Imagine our surprise when a bright chirpy voice calls out, "hey you walkers, would you like to sip our best bubbly to celebrate the beginning of the harvest?"
We needed no second invitation. They even patted Snoopy on his enthusiastic head. We discovered that the whole staff is treated to a flute of their finest with lunch served under the oaks in gratitude for a good growing season and a harvest that will take several months as the various grapes from pinotage to sweet desert wines are picked.

I was enchanted by the young manager who brandished a huge carving knife and swept off the top of that first bottle in a flourish of gushing bubbles. Our glasses were filled with the fizz and an added glug or two of fresh orange juice and briefly I thought of Simon van der Stel establishing this vineyard back in 1679 as first governor of the Cape. I also remembered that this famous estate produced wine for emperors and kings from Frederick the Great of Prussia to King Louis of France. Even Napoleon Bonaparte in his banishment drank champagne from Groot Constantia to ease his loneliness!
https://i.postimg.cc/Y0bP5byQ/champagne.png
Image source www Pixabay.com
In our dusty shoes with our sunhats askew, Snoopy sniffing the air hopefully for a doggy treat, we celebrated with brand new friends the joy of being in the moment.

I reflected that everything comes and goes in seasons. There is a time for planting... a time of hard work before the harvest....a time for birth and indeed a time for death at the end of a life well lived. 

We walked home with our backs a little straighter and in the sorrow of loss a new perspective.............
fresh hope.