Head In The Clouds - At The Frame House - Bosman's Wine and Protea Farm – Hemel en Aarde Valley

Sami-Joan, after a girls' weekend of fun in Onrus, suggested we spoil ourselves with lunch at Bosman’s Wine and Protea Farm. We phoned immediately and were told they’re fully booked, which surprised me since we’d never heard of The Frame House or seen Bosman’s farm.  The Hemel-Aarde Valley is our usual hunting ground, and we knew of no such place. They’ve been open for two years; it turns out! To avoid disappointment, I recommend booking early in the week, especially during peak seasons.

On Thursday, I phoned and made a reservation. We could do either the wine tasting with the taster menu or enjoy tapas on the veranda.  The veranda was my choice. Great minds think alike; it was no surprise to hear we’d both made a reservation.  Butch did a thorough investigation and suggested we do the hike before lunch.   I agreed.



The sun rose on a beautiful day in Onrus.  The veranda would be perfect after our hike.  We picked up our sticks, cameras and puffer jackets and set off. Bosman’s farm is not on the main drag but on the Karwyderskraal road. Hence our confusion.

There are two trails: one is the Koppie, which winds through fynbos and protea fields up to a bench on top of the koppie, offering spectacular views of Walker Bay and the valley below, and the other is the Wetlands trail. Both suit most fitness levels, but I recommend checking the trail difficulty if you have specific concerns.  Our circuitous 3km hike took roughly 45 minutes, with stops to enjoy the scenery and catch our breath.

Besides the beautiful natural vegetation, we saw ribbok, perhaps a duiker,  spoor, and I picked up a porcupine quill. 







While I was photographing my Butch was on his way up the mountain, I realised how little photographic models are valued.  Here he was at my beck and call, always camera-ready, always smiling and willing to pose with his right foot forward.  His remuneration?  Zilch.  I’m happy to report New Knee enjoyed a painless hike up and down the mountain.  Old Knee was disappointing but made it down without a snag.







The wind picked up during our walk, and we sat inside, where the cozy, inviting atmosphere made us feel right at home. It took a while to settle in, but soon everyone was on the same page, enjoying their beverages.   The veranda was filled with happy customers savouring Tapas meals, the aroma of good food and flowing wine creating a lively, warm ambiance that made the experience memorable. 







The menu is concise, with a selection of flatbreads with interesting toppings, four Tapas options, Italian cold cuts, cheese and flatbread platters, etc.







We made our selection, and I enjoyed every morsel.  The arancini were crispy and flavoursome, our tomato salad was delicious (Butch’s favourite), and the aubergine sticks had a good bite.  We had a very nice Custard tart (it’s called a Pasteis de Nata, but that’s not technically so; the pastry wasn’t true). The coffee was excellent.

Bosman’s also produces a boutique eau de vie, Tower Bos, which they don't serve in the restaurant; we did leave with a bottle. Next weekend with the children around, I’m sure they’ll get to enjoy a G&T on the patio while Butch lights a fire.







The Pine wood Frame House is the perfect spot for a hike and lunch with friends.  I want to return during the summer with friends.  The lawn is safe for children to play on, and I’m sure the proteas and fynbos will be spectacular then too.  Butch was disappointed that he couldn't enjoy a beer to quench his thirst after our hike.  I could have an alcohol free beer. We reminded ourselves that this was a wine-producing farm. Thanks, Sami-Joan, for the recommendation. It is best to make an appointment early in the week so you don't get disappointed.





I couldn’t resist a Marie Antoinette moment.