Sunday with Tobi: an afternoon in the gardens

Last weekend Sunday we spent the afternoon (with a picnic) at Kirstenbosch Gardens. It turned out to be quite warm and the flowers were amazing!! That's Jim and Tobi lying on the blanket.






Above, a pincushion protea. These only bloom in winter - and they only grow in the Western Cape!! No where else in the world!! (oh wait that applies to 1,400 flowers. Incredible, isn't it?)

Visit with Tobias: Peninsula Tour, part 2

More photos from our Saturday excursion with Tobi...

Lunch (fish 'n chips, YUMMY) at Mariner's wharf (below). Right when Jim was taking this photo, I was standing at the car and a big gust of wind came up and blew a huge amount of sand through the open doors into the car. Oh well, a sacrifice for the photo.


Above and below, Camp's Bay Beach. Yes, that's a body builder. He was having some kind of photo shoot and so people gathered around to get a close-up view. Everyone was making comments and the women were hooting and laughing. (So were we.)

Of course no day trip would be complete without a stop for coffee!

Visit with Tobias: Peninsula Tour, part 1

This past weekend we met and hosted Tobias (Tobi), who travelled all the way from Karlsruhe, Germany for a week in the Cape Town area - five days for a conference, and two great days with us. Tobi is engaged to be married to Ethel-Maria, who we met in 2003 when she visited BFA (we've stayed connected since then) and so we feel privileged to now meet Tobi - the wedding is in less than three weeks!

Saturday was a beatiful day, sunny and warm but with a nice breeze, so we spent the day touring the Cape Peninsula and seeing some popular sights. Here are some photos, part 1.





Yes, those are African penguins! They are the only penguins in Africa and are endangered, which is why this small colony on the peninsula is now protected and their home is a national park.

Homemade Pasta

Inspired by Jamie Oliver (The Naked Chef, his first cookbook, which Jim received from Jul's coworkers for his 30th birthday) and enabled by Anthony Buratovich (friend from church who loaned his pasta maker): homemade pasta!

"Making pasta was really fun," Jim effused upon reflection. "It was very easy, just eggs and flour. And it tastes so different from store-bought pasta."

"He showed such confidence and deftness in the kitchen. Tasty! I hope he does it again soon," commented his enthusiastic wife.




(Thanks to Rachel for the apron; as you may recall it was a Christmas Gift to Jul. So thanks also to Jul for letting Jim wear it.)

Spring...slowly springing...

Now that the 'rainiest September on record' is in the past, we are hoping that October will bring the full arrival of spring to Cape Town. Warmer weather and sun, in particular! Fortunately we have had occasional sunny days and are seeing new flowers blooming. And one day last week Jim even wore short-sleeves as he walked up to campus to go to the library and meet with his thesis advisor. Jim took the photos of these beautiful flowers on a short walk through the neighborhood (I - Jul - am up to 15 minute walks now. Back healing slowly but surely!).

(not sure why it got messed up but this photo is supposed to be horizontal)




A neighbor told me that these are "Dragon Trees", originally from west Africa (perhaps Cape Verde islands?) and grow very slowly, so these trees must be over a hundred years old. Aren't they amazing!!