Greyton, South Africa

Janet-Lynn Vorster, resident of Greyton, located in the Overberg area of the Cape Province, South Africa, tells Globerovers Magazine about life in this quaint village. She tells us that “residents in Greyton are generally busy, healthy and vibrant, so don’t let the average age of many retired residents fool you into thinking the town is not bursting with creative energy and brilliant minds”. She also invites us all with “Bring your children, your parents, your walking shoes and bicycles. Buy carrots for the horses you will pass on your meanders and come and unwind. Whatever you do – don’t forget your camera to capture some of the best memories you will ever make”. Thanks Janet-Lynn for your wonderful story!

Text and photos by Janet-Lynn Vorster

Greyton… The name is a gross understatement as it does the town an injustice. There is nothing grey about this picturesque little village. In fact, both Greyton and the surrounding areas are a kaleidoscope of colour. Greyton, with a Nature reserve, is surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers. It is an easy 150 km drive from Cape Town, in the Overberg region, with superb tarred surfaces all the way.

In winter, the surrounding fields are patchwork quilts of green and yellow – canola and wheat – and you could be forgiven for finding it a trifle surreal. A variety of indigenous fynbos create ever-changing hues to the hills and mountains throughout the year.

In the warm and balmy summers, Greyton has the most beautiful gardens. Spring is when the roses bloom, late October being the zenith, with people coming from all over to celebrate the annual Rose Festival. In summer you could be forgiven for thinking you were walking through an English country village with mixed borders in full bloom.

Houses are not hidden away behind high walls, so a pleasant amble through the village provides ample opportunity to admire Greyton’s beauty and capture the memories on camera. Autumn is truly splendid! Tree-lined lanes turn to yellow, orange and red, spreading a blanket of colour all around them.

Winter brings life to fireplaces that have been dormant through the warm summer months and can be found burning wood in most of the homes and restaurants – cosy and inviting. Occasionally, snow-capped surrounding mountains are a wondrous sight in winter.

People, animals and the environment are treasured in Greyton, and Greyton is home to many eco- and community projects. There is also a peaceful Retirement Village.

Greyton in the autumn. Cycling is a common mode of transport for young and old alike.

Dogs and cats think they are in heaven as they are thoroughly spoilt in Greyton, spending winters indoors in front of the fires, surfacing only to take their owners for walks and fresh air. One thing that has always intrigued me about Greyton, is the animals that seem to exist together in such peaceful harmony. There are no barking dogs. I have never seen such a vast collection of ginger cats, while cows and horses wander and graze peacefully throughout the village.

You may find ducks waddling across Oak Avenue, chickens greeting you at restaurants as they cluck and strut around, sheep on miniature “farms” within the town and even a pot-belly pig!

In Greyton you can put the car to rest. Everything is within walking distance. People, animals and horse riders, or horse-drawn carts, have right of way in the streets. Bicycles abound! Nothing is further than about three minutes by car.

The centre of town has what I call “The Greyton Triangle”, a block made up of three streets that form a triangle. More specifically they are Main Road, Oak Avenue and Ds Botha Street. To walk around this block is a mere 610 metres (666 yards or 0.38 miles) and you can do and find almost everything you need here.

Clothing shops, a furniture shop, a couple of restaurants and tea rooms, a petrol station, the municipal offices, post office, chocolate shop (world class export brand!), candle shop (exquisite!), attorneys, estate agents, printing company, art places (really worthwhile!), hairdresser, optometrist, doctor’s rooms, pharmacy, museum, hardware store, hotel bar, take-away foods, wine boutique, bed and breakfast accommodation and two grocery stores… You will pass the local information centre in Main Road too!

The retirement village at Greyton is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the town.

The Info Centre in Greyton is well organised and up to date on what is available for visitors. Local residents are also kept up to date by e-mails and get involved with festivals and events. Greyton hosts many events very successfully – from music and jazz festivals, to yoga and healing retreats, cycling tours, hiking groups, organic markets and much more. It is a hot spot for weddings with a difference.

A friend from the UK visited me recently, and we went to many neighbouring towns and cities, including Cape Town. At the end of her visit she commented that the best food of all at the best prices had been from the restaurants in Greyton. I absolutely agree. Greyton is home to some of the finest food you will ever eat, wonderful ambiences, accompanied by local wines and beers that are world class. Vegetarians are catered for in most restaurants.

There is nothing backward about the residents in Greyton. Greyton has a rainbow of nationalities and languages. Various religious and spiritual beliefs and other philosophies exist peacefully side by side in a spirit of “Ubuntu” – an Nguni word describing an African worldview adopted in our cultures in South Africa.

It means respect for human dignity, or a spirit of kinship. Some say “I am because you are”.  Residents in Greyton are generally busy, healthy and vibrant, so don’t let the average age of many retired residents fool you into thinking the town is not bursting with creative energy and brilliant minds. There are younger residents too, but not as many.

Greyton Main Road where horse-carts are mainly used to entertain out-of-town visitors.

They play bowls, croquet, tennis and bridge, cycle, ride, hike, do yoga, line dancing or attend talks on interesting topics. Musical evenings come alive with local musicians and singers. Greyton boasts professionals from all walks of life, well-informed locals and all kinds of artists and foodies.

Our Saturday morning market is renowned, and most locals still frequent it regularly, as there are some things you just cannot get elsewhere. If you are visiting for the weekend or a holiday, supplies can be bought in Greyton, so come and stock up locally on what Greyton has to offer.

Bring your children, your parents, your walking shoes and bicycles. Buy carrots for the horses you will pass on your meanders and come and unwind. Whatever you do – don’t forget your camera to capture some of the best memories you will ever make.

Life is about creating memories that remind you of unforgettable experiences and bring a smile to the face. Greyton will do exactly that. GR

A few more photos of Greyton and its surroundings…

The surrounding countryside in winter. Patchwork quilts! This is between the N2 highway and the town of Greyton, a 32 km drive, on the only paved road leading into town.

This photo depicts what Greyton is about – letting people in and keeping animals safe. There are still open areas like this within the town itself.

The Gobos River runs through Greyton, untouched and crystal clear and straight off the mountain, with its characteristic red hue. In the summer, children swim in this river with its shallow pools.

The surrounding countryside with pink hues from the fynbos in flower.

ALL TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JANET-LYNN VORSTER

This article appears in Globerovers Magazine, Issue 5, July 2015