Raging Fires in Stellenbosch

February 9, 2009

While Australia comes to terms with the deadliest bushfires they have experienced in their country’s history - here right on our doorstep, Stellenbosch had their own raging inferno to deal with.

While driving through to my cousins wedding in Franschhoek on Friday afternoon it was hard not to notice the bellowing smoke coming from the Jonkershoek valley. And while heading up and over the Hellshoogte pass one could only gasp at how perilously close the inferno was to the magnificent Tokara Estate.

“The fire was restricted to the mountains and did not threaten any agricultural or residential properties.”

I find that hard to believe but you can read a full report on all the fires here.

I think the following video and slide-show of pictures tell a slightly more threatening story:

Video:

Pictures:

And while all of this was going on - I found time to head on up to Haute Cabriere to have a glass of bubbly with my family.

As you can see from the image above - the view was breathtaking (the sky very dramatic with the smoke from the fires over the mountain). 

Life is full of juxtapositions - a celebratory drink can be contrasted with a threatening fire just over the mountain while at the same time a deadly inferno rapes the land of another beautiful country and kills everything in it’s path…

Posted in Wine News