The air is crisp, dry and fragrant with fynbos and an intermittent whiff of wood smoke from the Kolkol heating gently on the hillside. Birds are chirping, sunlight is streaming in, and the views are nothing short of spectacular from every window. This is Buchubos Villa, hidden deep in the little-known Banghoek Valley, past 21kms of citrus farms and the occasional blueberry tunnel.
Its elevated perch at the start of the Banghoek Valley Nature Reserve gives it mesmerising 360-degree views of the rugged peaks behind the Piketberg on one side and a steep massif on the other – the last of the mountain ranges before the Atlantic Ocean. There’s only one dirt road through the valley and if you keep going it’ll take you to Redelinghuis, in the direction of the Citrusdal, a drive worth doing as you’re likely to have this off-the-beaten track route all to yourself. But this is one of those houses that invites complete relaxation with sun streaming in every window, the cosiest blankets for afternoon reads and fireside chats, and a kitchen for cooks and coffee lovers. And with the inviting pool and Kolkol, it’s quite possible not to leave, with the exception of an evening walk into the orchard below in the valley or up the hill for even more striking sunset views.
Inspirational interiors for absolute comfort
This is the quintessential Perfect Hideaways weekend escape, where the house is often so lovely and so inviting that you can’t bear to leave it (and come home with interiors inspiration for your own!). The bathrooms are in the signature style of Dominic Touwen and Camilla Fraser who have perfected these Moroccan-styled sanctuaries, each one with different tile patterns and colours. But a colour that unites the entire house is a palette of greens, most notably the luscious emerald Mervyn Gers ceramics.
Expect the softest down cushions, quality linens and superb solid wood joinery everywhere – particularly in the welcoming open-plan kitchen – and nooks and stoeps everywhere with hanging chairs or loungers with views. Cooking here is a dream but for most of the year you’ll find yourselves gathering around the pizza oven, or the outdoor braai or boma area while the kids play in the pool, enjoy a game of table tennis or go cycling on the mountain bike track just below the veggie garden. In winter, the place to be is in the steaming hot Kolkol (switch off the house lights at night and prepare yourself for a stellar show – night skies literally glow with twinkling stars) or gather around the toasty hearth indoors with a good glass of red for an evening of delicious food, board games and a long overdue catch-up with special friends.