If you want to get a jump on the Fragrance Fest which will kick-off on February 26, 2016, then why not check out the Fragrance Route?  

As I understand it, this year's Fragrance Fest will be slightly scaled back, but it's still an integral part of the PROE Mossel Baai Arts, Culture & Food scene.  The map below shows the locations for 2016 but is a bit hard to read.  Just click on it and you'll get the 2015 map in PDF format for download (note there are a few minor differences!).

I'll post more info as it becomes available - or keep an eye the PROE MB website.

The scenic route takes you through the rural backroads of Great Brak and Friemersheim where you can visit (by appointment prior to the Fest) the Hakuna Matata Game Farm, Kattekwaad (homegrown olives & olive-oil and olive-oil based products), Die Kraal (a multi-purpose complex whose grand opening coincides with the Feb 26th start of the Fest, where you can expect to find various locally-produced refreshments & handicrafts) and the Friemersheim Nursery.

Of course, you can drive the route, but it's even better on the bike (it's included in the various cycling routes on this website)!

We decided to take a trip up the coast to Keurboomstrand on the other side of Plettenberg Bay, dropping by a few of our favourite places along the way.

First stop was Timber Lake Farm Village (where we discovered the large craft beer menu at Zucchini's), then on to Tottie's Farm Kitchen in Rheenendal for a delicious lunch in their wonderful garden (definitely worth a  visit) as a bit of a side-trip on the way to Knysna.

First stop in Knysna was to see Cheryl who has her refinished furniture at Frame by Frame on Gordon Street now (she moved from her original location next to Firefly Eating House last year) and then a quick pop into the Knysna Art Gallery which is housed in the old Knysna gaol.  We picked up a couple of ceramic birds (2 for R100) and stuck them in an old bird cage we brought back from Jakarta a couple of few years ago.  Works pretty well, I think!

From there it was onward to the Leisure Isle Art Gallery (which is co-housed with Leisure Isle Antiques) there before carrying on our way.

On the N2 about 7-8 km's before Plett, there's a fantastic little place called, "The Heath", where you'll find a cozy cafe, and a really great bespoke wood furniture & design shop called ilovani (together with Amoeba Concepts), where you'll find all sorts of cool and original items.  Definitely worth a stop if you're into original, natural design.

Then it was past Plett to the Old Nick Village where we ordered a couple of good coffees from the friendly (American) barrista.  Had a bit of a wander around there looking in the shops before moving down the road to our destination:  Keurboomstrand.

We were last there several years ago, but after hearing good things about Ristorante Enrico (check out the reviews on TripAdvisor), we decided it was worth a visit - besides, we're always up for a road trip.

We had an antipasto platter and a couple of craft beers (can you sense a theme?), as we were saving ourselves for the big event later in the evening (the antipasto was good and the service very friendly, but I have to admit my bias: La Locanda in George is still my favourite!).  Meanwhile, there were a few dozen dolphins swimming by, putting on a real show - the viewing was great right from our table (sorry, no pics - not really worth the attempt with a mobile phone).  It's definitely worth a trip to Enrico's if you're into a bit of a drive.

The big event?  Dinner at Kilzer's Kitchen back in Knysna for their weekly "Cook & Look" which are held Wednesday evenings (see reviews on TripAdvisor).  It was fun and something a bit different.  They aren't licenced, so if you go, bring your own bottle - or bottles.  Here are a few photos:

Feel like a bit of an outing - and maybe a bit of breakfast of lunch?  Well, if you haven't done so already, you should check out the Outeniqua Farmers' Market in George.

I probably shouldn't give away my favourite food stall at the market, lest the line up get too long for when I want to go, but what the heck... the Bistro La French Connexion stall has the best quiches around (their main restaurant is worth a visit - it's located just outside of Sedgefield at the Swartvlei Lagoon opposite the Sedge Links Golf Club - a mashie course which is affiliated with Pine Lakes Marina).  See either of the French Connection's Facebook pages (here and here) or reviews on TripAdvisor.

Otherwise, the Kwekery is always worth a visit - it seems to be getting bigger and better with each season.

The Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m.  You'll find more photos (together with photos of other markets in the area) in our Flickr photostream.

Things are bustling at the Great Brak Uitspan Mark today - a great setting in the park right on the banks of the river.  The antiques across the street at Traders Auctioneers are also drawing a fair bit of interest today.

The next market day is Saturday, March 29th.

It's a busy day at the Market today - a great setting right on the banks of the Great Brak River.  The antiques across the street at Traders Auctioneers are also drawing a fair bit of interest today.

The next market day is Saturday, March 29th.

We were on a roll, so when we finished up with the Sedgefield markets, we decided to pop in at Timberlake Village to see what was happening there.  Unfortunately, all of this market-hopping meant there was no time left in the day to hop on the bike...

They may be slow in Sedgefield, but they are no slouches.... their Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market and Scarab Village Market have been going for years and are always popular - but in the last year they've stepped things up a notch since the Outeniqua Farmers' Market in George got going - and they've added a new section between the two markets with even more foodstalls and crafts. 

Lauren's Deli Eatery in George (see Tripadvisor reviews) comes well-recommended and have a stall there.  We had a couple of the the rather non-traditional prawn falafels which were pretty tasty (with a wasabi-mayo dressing, lettuce and pickled ginger) before doing the rounds in the markets and the nursery.  Check them out the next time you're looking for a bit of an outing on the other side of Wilderness.  See the Farm Stalls & Craft Markets section of this website for opening times and more info.