Babylonstoren - the culture of beauty

The road to Babylonstoren beckons like a siren's song, and if you have not yet heard the call then you are deaf to the poetry of the very earth itself.

Babylonstoren is the brainchild of Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, and lucky for us mere mortals that they have chosen, in a gesture of immeasurable generosity to share her with the public.

So that what might have been a hidden gem privy only to a selected few, is a national and sure to be beloved national treasure.

The 8 acre vegetable gardens at Babylonstoren were designed by acclaimed architect Patrice Taravella who is the part owner of The Orsan Garden which is set in the Berry region of central France.

They are inspired by the Company Gardens of the Cape which for centuries acted as a refreshment station for visiting ships stopping off half way between Europe and Asia.

But it is Gundula the fine art graduate (seen here observing the flow of the leiwater with Mr Nielson) who acts as chief gardener.

It is Gundula who (with her purple and green eyeshadow and floral apron ) looks as if she has been plucked from the finest garden bed, and who colludes with visionary owner Koos Bekker to ensure that the gardens continually respond to the dynamics of the South African landscape.

Everywhere there is a meeting of function and form.

Here, cut off wine vats act as washing stations for freshly plucked produce.

And here, an assortment of vintage garden recliners lie about under the trees near the public restrooms.

 In the Apiary a chorus-line of mulberry trees tempt the lucky bees.

Creatures great and small are all welcome at Babelonstoren.

In fact, it is the warmth with which visitors are welcomed by Elmien, Lionel and the rest of team that makes the farm so hard to leave.

9000 clivia's in bloom down by the river make the perfect photo opportunity for Moira and Gundula!

In a moment of serendipity I discover the barn lights needed for the cottage at Boulders!

And am inspired by the way in which even the most utalitarian construction is a thing of beauty.

After a day spent wandering the gardens, we retire to one of the beautiful guesthouse suites for a delicious lunch supplied by Babel the restaurant kitchen.



And then, around a shaded lunch table we plan our next return...

xxx elle