Over a white garden wall and a thick bank of indigenous greenery, Kleinmond beach presents itself as a giant sickle shape of deep blue sea edged with shreds of a white lace wave line. It is a glorious view and must have been the deciding factor for the positioning of the cottage – the first in the area – in the 1860s. Much of the authenticity of the original cottage remains, with deep window ledges revealing the width of the walls that naturally insulate the interior from summer heat or the cooler months from June to September. A break here offers the wonderful simplicity of a real beach holiday. Sand that may not have washed off entirely in the outdoor shower will fall on either slate, terracotta or sturdy wooden boards, all practical surfaces that invite a barefoot break.
