Misty morning among the vines

Walking through the vineyards of Groot Constantia in a very fine drizzle, not even quite that, afforded us an excellent opportunity to do something most of us shun - getting wet. What could be more beneficial for our skin than to be refreshed by nature, free from chemical additives? Being February, there was no chance of being cold and this was why we cheerfully set off in the dampness, strolling between vines groaning with grapes on one side and a completely newly planted vineyard on the other. With nobody around to give us a story behind this, we had to speculate on old vines beyond productivity, or a new varietal being introduced. Being the oldest wine farm in the country, it could be the former. We took our usual route down to the graveyard where the Cloetes rest in peace, then turned down the track to pass the irrigation dam and the lovely thatched homes that line the estate, before heading back up the hill to the manor house. A brief interaction with the resident ducks, who were setting off to hunt snails and other titbits under the vines, is customary and this was perfect weather for them as snails just love a little damp earth and glide out of the undergrowth in droves.
As we gained height, it seemed that the clouds lowered and we eventually succumbed and donned our rain jackets. We chose a coffee spot under the gum trees high up on the hill where more land is being cleared for new vines, but the drips from the leaves made it wetter than in the open and we soon moved off along the clay track. This being quite damp now allowed the clay to stick to our boots and shoes and soon we were walking taller than ever before. It was a mission to kick the dirt off when we reached a grassy patch and took quite a weight off our feet!
There is a collection of old farm carts and carriages that were used on the farm back in the day and we turned in to admire the craftsmanship of the cartwrights and wheelwrights - unfortunately new lighting was being installed and the atmosphere of antiquity was somewhat marred by aluminium  ladders, electrical cords and power drills.
By the time we returned to the cars, the clouds had lifted, the mist dispersed and the sun would soon being shining in a bright blue sky - a change of weather as only Cape Town can do it!