A Visit To Woodstock & The Old Biscuit Mill

So off we went, a Saturday morning after breakfast. Usually when my brother, Julian, is in town, he has a standing appointment to buy books on a Saturday morning. But this time it was different because he is in town for 5 nights. So we went off to browse through the second hand shops on Woodstock’s well known Albert Road. The main feature of this area is the Old Biscuit Mill factory complex where hundreds of people congregate on a Saturday morning to eat, socialise and shop. I had heard about the Old Biscuit Mill but never knew where it was, so it was with quite some surprise that we stumbled upon it…

The Old Biscuit Mill

Parking in the area is tight, but there were many car guards who enthusiastically directed us to find an illusive spot. We drove round the corner where, we were told, ‘Neville’ would take care of our car. We found Neville who ushered us into a spot. We didn’t go directly to the Biscuit Mill, choosing rather to browse some of the shows on Albert Rd. There are several which are worth a visit, but don’t bank too much on bargains – these prices are geared up for tourists. A large jar priced at R750 gave us a clue! Anyway, it was fun to browse.

Having already had breakfast, there was also not much that grabbed our attention at the Biscuit Mill either, but we did enjoy the lovely atmosphere and the variety of shops. There’s also a magnificent view of Table Mountain…

Biscuit Mill view

After returning to our car, we beetled into Cape Town, parked close to City Hall and walked across the Parade, into Golden Acre and up Adderly Street to the Company Gardens where we were greeted by this unique Albino squirrel. Looking decidedly like a rat, it was only the tail that gave away his true identity….

Albino squirrelPlenty of squirrels in the Gardens, eager to find out if we were purveyors of the fine peanuts sold nearby. We weren’t. Sorry old chap…

Plenty of squirrelsIt was 2 years ago that we were last in this area. We came here often to visit Granny and sometimes bring her to the Garden’s restaurant for tea. My recollections of the restaurant were not great. I was surprised when we came across a newly renovated establishment. They had moved many of the tables out in the garden and replaced them with a play park for young and old, including large basket swings, which I had to try out…

Basket swingThe service at the restaurant was impressive. This was my view….a corner of Table Mountain…

Table mountain peaking throughI ordered a pot of tea which was beautifully presented….

Pot of rooibos teaWe also ordered salads which arrived in record time. It was altogether a huge improvement on the last time we visited. I’ll definitely go back.

We came home via Chapman’s Peak and noticed where the massive mudslides had been. They cleaned it up pretty quickly and it is open for business.

We live in a beautiful city and it’s great to get out into Cape Town and enjoy it!

I’ve been reading through the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar was pride and arrogant. He learned the error of his ways the hard way. He temporarily lost his royal authority and his sanity and was banished from his people for a time. At the end of it all, he acknowledged God…

Daniel 4:37

 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”

It’s always good to remain humble.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

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