Affordable self-catering Farm Accommodation MontaguKeisie Cottages is a mountain retreat, offering affordable, self-catering farm accommodation, on a small fruit and wine farm at the end of the beautiful Keisie Valley, 24 kms from Montagu in the Western Cape.Keisie Cottages is the perfect getaway if you want to just relax and enjoy the peace and serenity of the mountains, but if you enjoy a bit of adventure, there is plenty to do. Hiking, mountain-biking, swimming, bird watching and stargazing abound on the farm. We also have a beautiful pool area, next to a stand of our prize-winning roses! The farm, called ?Vredendal? (Peace in the Valley) is below the Burgers Pass just 1 km along a dirt road from the R318, the road less traveled which leads from Montagu through the Keisie, to the Koo Valley and on to the N1 just after the Hex River Valley. Your holiday here is all about getting away from the madding crowds - no TV?s or mobile reception so sit outside at night, enjoy the unbelievably starry sky, listen to the sounds of nature and rediscover the joy of spending time with people important to you without the distractions of modern life! P.S. "Keisie" means "Sweet Water" in San, and the Keisie Valley is renowned for the flavour and quality of its fruits and wines. Come to our farm and sample our fruit for yourself!We have three charming restored self-catering farm cottages. Vine Cottage (sleeps 2), Lavender Cottage (sleeps 4) and Fig Tree Cottage (sleeps 2). There is also the main farm house - Gooseberry House (sleeps 8-10). All cottages and the house are self-catering, self-contained and electrified for convenience. All cottages have a kitchen, fully equipped for self-catering with fridges, mini-stove and oven and a microwave as well as a brick braai facility outside, just off the verandahs. The cottages are all equipped with a kettle, toaster, pots, pans, bowls, glasses, crockery and cutlery needed to make you stay convenient.Three of the cottages are together, but not adjoined. There are screens, shrubs and flowers between the cottages for privacy. These cottages are all rustic but cosy and comfortable with large indoor fireplaces, stoeps and braai facilities. Each cottage has been transformed into a quaint, cosy environment with a traditional fireplace to ward off those chilly Cape winter nights.Vine CottageVine Cottage is the first cottage and sleeps 2 in a double room. The lounge is comfortably furnished with a big sofa and a table and chairs for eating. The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering and the bathroom has been refurbished with a lovely hot shower and a toilet. Lavender CottageLavender Cottage sleeps 4 in one double room and one room with twin beds. It has a sitting room/ combined kitchenette area with a fireplace. The kitchen is fully equipped and the bathroom is re-furbished, with a lovely gas shower and a toilet.Fig Tree CottageFig Tree Cottage sleeps 2 in a double room. It is the end cottage (so a bit more private) and has a lovely big fig tree outside for shade. The lounge is comfortably furnished with an armchair and a big sofa around the coffee table. There is a table and chairs for eating and the kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering. The bathroom has been refurbished with a lovely hot shower and a toilet.Gooseberry HouseGooseberry House sleeps 8 to 10 people in four bedrooms. There are two double rooms with queen size beds, a double room with a king-size extra length bed and a single bed and a fourth bedroom with a bunkbed and an additional single bed for the children. There is a large well-equipped kitchen with large fridge/freezer, large gas oven and stove, microwave, toaster, kettle and even an espresso / cappucino machine. Gooseberry House has a separate dining room with a fireplace and a lounge that also has a wood-fired Dover stove to keep you warm in winter. The lounge also includes a large 52 inch flat screen TV with the full range of DSTV channels. There are two bathrooms and a separate toilet as well. There is a large outside stoep with a 12-seater table and lovely braai area. Gooseberry House is surrounded by wonderful gardens (especially fragrant in Spring) and also has its own swimming pool.Find the AdventureThere are many different routes that you could take to go for walks on our farm and on the neighbouring farms, ranging from easy strolls to serious energy-sapping walks. We have arrangements with our neighbours to allow you to go fishing in their dams (just let us know and we will phone them to let them know about you). We are at the foot of Burgers Pass and there are many cycling routes in the area that again range from the gentle to the arduous. Ask us for suggestions if you want to pursue any of these more adventurous options.Find the AnimalsThe farm is a transient home for many different animals and while most are shy and seldom seen, you may well see their spoor or catch a glimpse of them. Mammals that have been spotted on the farm include Leopard (only the spoor as it passes through), Bat-eared Fox, Cape Grysbok (can sometimes be found on the lawn of Gooseberry House), Grey Rhebuck, Baboon, Cape Porcupine, Small Spotted Genet, Yellow Mongoose, Small Grey Mongoose, Klipspringer, Caracal, Cape Fox, Cape Hare, Honey Badger, Smiths Red Rock Rabbit and many more.Find the BirdsThe farm is also home to a wide variety of bird species with almost a hundred confirmed species sighted here, from simple little brown numbers all the way through to spectacular Verreaux eagles (witkruisarend), buzzards, falcons, owls and all sorts in between.Find the Vegetables and HerbsWe are currently replanting our extensive herb garden and also have a fresh farm vegetable garden that contains vegetables in season. You are most welcome to stroll through these gardens and select some fresh vegetables and herbs to take back to your cottage to produce a farm-fresh meal. Speak to us to see what we have growing at present.Find the TranquilityYou obviously also have the option of doing absolutely nothing except lazing by the swimming pool, relaxing under the oak trees alongside the river, smelling the roses, curling up around the fireplace, enjoying a braai or taking a picnic basket and a bottle of wine up the hill to watch the sunset or the moon rise.