Meccas of Mud and Chicks on Sticks

The first thing the late Christoph Dornier did at his eponymous winery on the Helderberg was install a fountain, to be switched on when the patron was home. It must be a German thing as Hans Schrieber has a big one at Neethlingshof in Stellenbosch that spurts away to impressive heights.

But both herren have been trumped by Dianne Laurance in Margaret River, West Australia, whose fountain is surmounted by a magnificent 3m-tall flying lady called “Free as a Bird.” Finished in 24ct gold leaf, this statute of a woman with arms outstretched (think of a cross between a Dick Enthoven Greek Goddess at Spier and the bonnet of a Rolls Royce) is raised up to the heavens on a blue pole. The locals call it “chick on a stick.”

Chick on a Stick