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Neighbourhood walk in Philadelphia, Cape Town

Philla Villa

When I saw that Christine took part in the Neighbourhood Walkabout, I was so keen to show my side of Cape Town – the rural village of Philadelphia, deep in the heart of wheat country. As we are coming to the end of summer, the gardens all seem a bit tired. The wheat fields are dry and it really is not very interesting in terms of what’s growing. But it is a pretty village with all of 25 houses, a Post Office, a Church, a corner store, coffee shop and crystal shop! So, sit back and enjoy the walk through my simple village life.

This is the front garden of my house situated in a cul-da-sac. No traffic and just the place to relax and unwind.

[one_half]My front garden[/one_half]
[one_half_last]Front of my house[/one_half_last]
Right next door to me we have garden lovers and this you can see with the beautiful urns by the front gate. Right next to that we have the horse stables where animals run free and the sheep eat everything in sight.
[one_half]Philla Villa[/one_half]
[one_half_last]Stables[/one_half_last]

Bougainvillea abound in our village and these are still in full colour.  Here we have the bougainvillea just at the beginning of our street, behind the local store.

[one_half]Bougainvillea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bougainvillea flower[/one_half_last]

This red bougainvillea is next to the famous old Mill that has been converted into a fuction venue – De Malle Meul (this means The Mad Mill). It is also  next to the old Dutch Reformed Church which always gets a new coat of paint every year!

[one_half]Malle Meul[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Church[/one_half_last]

The Main Street bustles on the weekend with town folk shopping in our local mineral shop and enjoying the shade of the huge Pepper Tree at the coffee shop.

[one_half]Magic Minerals[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pepper Tree[/one_half_last]

Then here are a few sneak shots of my neighbourhood gardens. I just love the old fashioned-ness of the place. Roses and lavender seem to be common in all the gardens.

[one_half]Blikhuisie[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Malle Madonnas[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Roses[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Madonnas garden[/one_half_last]

Then, in between the begonias and pansies, the neighbourhood birds are always looked after by the locals – well fed and watered. The doves and pigeons seem to hang out at my watering hole!

[one_half]Bird feed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Doves[/one_half_last]

The Pepper Tree seems to be a favourite in Philly. Giving shade against the harsh summer heat.

[one_half]Pepper tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Shade of Pepper Tree[/one_half_last]

The Philadelphia buildings have become well-known amongst Film Companies, using them in many local and international movies. Just an interesting snippet!

[one_half]Post Office[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hoekwinkel[/one_half_last]

Thank you for joining me on my Neighbourhood Walk! Why not join in – visit A Tidewater Gardener for details about the “Winter Walk Off Challenge”, visit other neighbourhoods around the globe and then let us sneak a peek at your neighbourhood! I hope I made the deadline – 19th March, the last day of  summer here in South Africa xxx

By Barbara

Country living is the best! Being a true spirit of the earth, my garden is all about vegetables and fruit trees and herbs and chickens roaming free. I was keen to really start gardening when we moved to Philadelphia in 2005, but not your typical suburban-type garden – sterile and bug-free! I wanted an edible garden.

9 replies on “Neighbourhood walk in Philadelphia, Cape Town”

Such a quaint little place, I enjoyed the walk and the surrounding areas are so lovely. I wouldn’t mind staying there, not so much traffice and hustle bustle of city life! Thank you Barbara for sharing.

Thank you so much for participating, and you did get the entry in on time. Your village looks perfectly charming and quite different from the Philadelphias I know of in the states, which have their own, but different charm. I love the bougainvillea and the gingerbread trim on the buildings. Thanks again, and you can look for a wrap-up posting from me in the next day or two.

I love the superabundance of bougainvillea in your village, everything looks so pretty with the sheer abundance of the bracts in full colour. Pinks, purples, reds … brilliant! And of course the village itself is quaint and pretty. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.

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