Mervyn Cole writes:

“We last visited Old Nectar, in November 2022, and we were all excited to see what the change of season had done to these beautiful gardens. Six Villagers went on the bus, driven, as always, by our trusted charioteer, Lourens. Another six took their own cars as originally the bus was fully booked. Sadly, not everyone could make it, but those that did set off at 10h00, sharp, as I always like to say.

The drive took about forty minutes, then we were outside the gates of Old Nectar; where we sat and we sat, and we sat.

“The Gate is open,” said the receptionist. “No, it’s not,” said Omer. And this conversation went back and forth for a few moments before they found the button that really did open the barrier. The parking area is quite small and parking was a bit of a mission, as some other Garden Club had the gall to book on the same day as we did! However, thanks to some nifty maneuvering, by Lourens, we were able to dismount from the bus and start up the steep hill, to the gardens proper.

If you wish to go to Old Nectar, make sure you are capable of walking that hill. Some of our party found it quite tough going, and the loose gravel on the path did nothing to make walking any easier. But once you get to the top, the view over the gardens and the Manor House made the struggle worthwhile.

Our first sight of the flowers of Old Nectar was a magnificent Azalea bush. It was huge and in full flower.

We were greeted by Mick, the new Manager, who welcomed us, answered a few questions, and told us the House was closed to the public. That being the case, I said that I wanted to see the Rose Garden, as last time it was too late for any flowers, and several of our group joined me.

Ja, well, no, fine. This was the first disappointment for me. I was expecting a well-cultivated, abundance of gorgeous blooms. What we got were bushes, with overblown flowers, dead flowers, and weedy beds. I will explain why below. That said, there were some roses out and a few were full of aroma.

We walked amongst the roses, before returning to the Manor House. It was noticed that the other group was going in, so several of our party decided to join them. Some of us who had been to Old Nectar last time, and had visited the house then, carried on walking around the gardens.

The weather was very kind to us, and the walk around the Estate was both pleasant and filled the soul with the joy of being at one with Nature. There were many different trees and shrubs to admire and the two guide pamphlets provided, in return for the R50 entrance fee, pointed out which trees were planted where giving both Botanical and common name and their country of origin. The second leaflet was more of a history and guide to the gardens. 

The trumpet flower has hallucinogenic pollen, and it has not been unknown for Stellies students to be found stealing the flower and sniffing “the scent” with great eagerness! As it was so warm, and because we are all, quite, mature, some needed to rest after all the activity of the day. I suppose they were saving their strength for luncheon.

Whilst some were resting, I went exploring less frequented parts of Old Nectar. I found what used to be a café, as there were tables, shaded by some tatty umbrellas, so obviously it is no longer in use: a shame, as a cooldrink would have come in handy. I also found a vegetable garden that had gone to wrack and ruin, with weeds and a few artichoke plants being the only things thriving, in this neglected area.

By coincidence, I ran into Manager Mick and asked how long he had been working at Old Nectar, as it was a lot scruffier than I remembered. He had only been in the job for two days after a series of other “horticulturists” had let the gardens become run down: he was the fifth since Covid locked out the paying public. They were not up to the level of competence that Peter van der Spuy, the owner and son of Una, the World-famous gardener, and creator of Old Nectar, expected. Mick said it would take at least six months of hard work to get it back to its former glory. So, another trip may be on the cards, come November.

Whilst the gardens were delightful, stomachs needed to be filled, and I had booked a table, for us, at the Postcard Café. To those who have not been to the restaurant, we can highly recommend it. The portions are large, the food delicious, and not over expensive (a Teriyaki Burger was R155 and came with a big portion of hand-cut chips). They cater to Vegans and Vegetarians: Gluten Allergic can eat some dishes without worry.  The wine, Stark-Condé’s own, is a bit pricey, one bottle being R900+, but a glass of good Pinot Noir came in at R66. Service was attentive and the food came quickly.          

After luncheon, we filed back on the bus, and, as they say in all the best Children’s Stories, tired but happy we made our way home.”