Few more anniversary outing shots

Thanks to an anniversary present (US dollars can go a long way in SA Rands...) and a 'winter special' at a nearby B&B (above), we got to spend two nights in Noordhoek as a 7th anniversary celebration. This town (where Randy & Heather used to live) is on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, about 30 minutes away.

Very peaceful area, with a huge beach (8 km) and many horse farms. The most popular activity in this village seem to be anything related to being on the beach (whether on a horse or with your dog or just sitting to watch the sunset). What a great spot to wander and reflect on the journey we've been through together in our 7th year of marriage!

Of course, one of the highlights of our stay was the fireplace!! Yeah for staying warm!!

Test your knowledge - do you need to come visit?

What does the following describe?

Question. "The nose shows a meaty, gamey, prune, nutmeg, cashew and chocolate bouquet. The palate is rich and well-balanced."

Answer. If you answered, "African elephant", you should be thoroughly embarrassed. If you answered, "wine", you are correct and may proceed. If you answered, "cabernet sauvignon", you are very nearly an expert and will definitely enjoy a visit to the SA winelands! Please proceed.

Matching: Match the following four descriptions with the appropriate wine.

Wines:
Shiraz
Chardonnay
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc

A. Tropical fruits and limes predominate. Fresh acidity with some flintiness. Flavours linger on palate and leaves the mouth refreshed.

B. Predominant citrus tones, limes and oranges on the nose & the palate is creamy & has a balanced acid on the aftertaste.

C. Plus pudding, red berries & cocoa appear on the nose & the palate is firmly structured with well integrated oak.

D. White pepper, spices, meaty, black berries & herbaceous characters on nose and following through with meaty & hints of blue cheese on aftertaste.

Bonus Question: what do "on the nose" and "the palate" mean?

Answers: Sauvignon blanc (A); Chardonnay (B); Merlot (C); Shiraz (D). Here's Jim next to some chardonnay 'maturing' in oak barrels, and Jul pretending to look like she understands this whole wine tasting thing. I think that's Shiraz in the glass. (Hey, Tiff! Sound good?)


Lest we mislead you, allow me a brief explanation on this entry… the Western Cape is the place where the Dutch, Portuguese & British first colonized in South Africa, and early in the 1600s grapes began to be cultivated and wine was made here. So this area has a long wine-making history (in addition to a lot of other agriculture), and it is one of the top wineland destinations in the world. Thus wine and wine-farm touring is a huge local and tourist industry – wine is a part of the culture here. (For many years farm workers were actually paid in wine! That unfortunately has led to high alcoholism in workers but is thankfully no longer practised.) We’ve enjoyed visiting a few historic farms, tasting wine and learning more about the industry. But we are definitely far from being snobs about it!!! So come spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon at a farm with us, take it easy, and learn with us.

A 2nd spotted sign

Seen in the suburb of Woodstock, 5-10 min. from us in Rosebank. Hey, Mom and Dad, this is for you! And Pete and Rita! (don't know if that building behind is actually habitated or not...)

An outing to Castle of Good Hope

As an 'anniversary outing' last week, we finally visited the Castle of Good Hope, built in 1666 (in what is now the center of Cape Town) by the Dutch East India Trading Company, VOC. For several centuries it was the center of military and colonial life at the Cape. Part of the castle still functions in a military capacity, though most of it is now a museum. Above: view of the entrance and moat, with Table Mountain behind.

Above: Another angle of the moat at the entrance - the 'steeple' behind is the old City Hall, and Lion's Head in background.

Following this outing, we stopped at one of our favorite coffee shops for a 'long black' (Americano), and some studying (Jim) and internet (Jul). Yes, Jim usually carries around a stack of books like this. The reading never stops!

New Life in Winter

Jim spotted and captured this moth 'awakening', if that's the right word, out of its cocoon, latched onto the wall outside our bathroom window. Though it's winter - new life is still seen!

Fireside '9 Hole Golf' at Gauthiers

Now that colder days have arrived, it is a blessed thing to spend a rainy afternoon next to a fire...fortunately Randy & Heather's place has a nice indoor fireplace to keep us all cozy on a Saturday afternoon - chowing fajitas and homemade salsa, playing with the dogs, going for a brief walk around their 'property' (their flat/house shares land with an Indonesian restaurant, a B&B, and 5+ other flats), being mesmerized by the fire, and attempting a few rounds of 9 Hole Golf, while arguing about the rules and what is considered an 'appropriate' way to go out. "What? You're going out now?! But you have 12 points and I still have three more to turn over!" (sound familiar, Hawkins?)

their front porch (above) and the front of the restaurant (below)

Enkido, looking very distinguished.

Rain and Rain and… Rainbows

Amidst all the CRAZY, heavy rains we've been getting this winter so far - we also have seen AMAZING rainbows. Here's the view of one (though the photo only shows half of it), as seen from our front steps, which seems to reach and end in the UCT campus. If you look closely you'll see the double rainbow!

Saturday afternoon saunter in Hout Bay

A leisurely walk along the beach and harbour in Hout Bay, with Blanche. (this town & beach & bay is about 20 min from our suburb) Blanche is a medical doctor (internal medicine) and this was a rare weekend off for her, so we were very lazy together as we sauntered on the sand and later consumed very hot and delicious and fresh fish 'n chips!


In case you're curious, that's a sponge that I'm holding - Jim found it on the sand. No, it's not edible. But I think it's good for exfoliating. And the peak behind us, Chapman's Peak, is the one we hiked a few months ago with the group from church.



This is very much a working harbour, though it being Saturday most of the boats were in harbour and it was quiet.