More Gieser ramblings with M&D

Our favorite coastal drive - it's got to be one of the most beautiful in the world! And about 1 hour from Cape Town. We drove this road en route to one night in Hermanus, on the southern coast /Indian Ocean side of the country. Jim and I both enjoy this town as it has a "cliff path" stretching 10km along the coast, in and around the rocks and beaches and fynbos. Here's Mom doing a bit of exploring, setting out from the guesthouse where we stayed.

The following morning Jim and I both woke up early enough to catch the sunrise from the balcony of our room (I think this is a record for us! Never happens! But it was beautiful and I'm glad we saw it - thinking we should do that more often). Later in the morning grey clouds starting to roll in as we were exploring on the cliff path.


Back at the garden cottage and supper on our stoep.

On Sunday after church we wandered around at Kirstenbosch Gardens. That's a camphor tree!

Dad and Mom G arrive!!

We were privileged and blessed to have Mom and Dad (G) here for 2 weeks. It was a busy and amazing time together! Jim's schedule was free since he'd turned in his thesis and I was able to take most of the time off work. Here begins a few posts about our time together in Cape Town and beyond.

First things first: Table Mountain! It was a beautifully clear day - though hot...some of the hottest days of summer occurred while they were here so we were VERY grateful for the swimming pool (not pictured :-) ) at the guestouse where they stayed, only a block from our cottage.


The following day we took a walk along the False Bay coast, heading into the wind in true Cape style. Below: at St James beach in front of the colored beach houses.

Then lunch at one of our favorite places, Olympia Cafe - probably the best meal we had during their visit. Amazing fish cakes (Jul) and beetroot/feta/spinach salad (Mom) and yellowtail (Dad) and Cape salmon (Jim) and ciabbatta with olive oil & vinegar (all).

More to come...stay tuned...

Weekend away in Paternoster

Two weekends ago we celebrated Jul's 30th plus Jim Finished Thesis plus Please Let's Go Away For the Weekend Just Us Two. We were able to get a pretty good deal on renting a cottage in Paternoster, a tiny fishing town two hours up the West Coast (Atlantic side).

Paternoster means "Our Father" which is what the Portuguese sailors en route to the West Indies were praying when they fortunately made it to this stretch of coastline in southern Africa; they planted a white stone cross - or "padrao" - to honor God (and themselves as explorers!) as they came ashore for provisions. Or something like that... not sure about the history of it all.

Anyway Paternoster later became a tiny but bustling fishing village (for fish and for lobster). Unfortunately in the last 15 years the waters of the Atlantic have gotten warmer and the industry has died out. Now only a few families remain for subsistence fishing. Meanwhile tourism has grown and this little village is now a weekend hot-spot for urban Capetonians. A bit of a strange juxtaposition...but it IS indeed a beautiful bay and town. The cottages are mainly white stone with painted shutters and of course make for great photos.


Here's Jul in front of the "first" cottage we stayed in - an original fisherman's cottage that has been somewhat restored for tourist rentals. I say "somewhat" because the first night there our toilet overflowed and the following morning the electricity went out (and didn't come back on), so despite it's cuteness we were moved to a "second" cottage, which we were very grateful for!




A Saturday lunch spot - how's that for a restaurant on the beach!

"Sundowners" at the Beach

A recent sunset picnic on the beach with friend Kirsty: (this is one of the "poshest" beaches in Cape Town; hence the Extremely Nice apartment buildings) The two women lounged while Jim prepared the yummy sandwiches.


Nope sorry that's not us crooning away on the beach, but these guys were nearby and it was too cool to pass up the photo-op.

Mixed feelings

Our "favorite" cat continues to torment us - in one moment sweet and loyal, in another moment maddening and bothersome. Isn't it lovely to have a pet that welcomes you home and wants to sit next to you? But why does he insist on sticking his nose so constantly in our business? And despite our attempts to 'train' him he still tries to sneak into our house (to sit on the futon or jump up onto the armchair) almost daily. Keep in mind his owner lives two blocks away but Pollock hangs out with us morning to night!!!

So on a nice afternoon, we pet him and feel the love.


A few days ago Pollock demonstrated his earnest character while Jim was cleaning out the toaster. Right after this photo Pollock went and sat purring contentedly at Jim's feet.


*Not pictured: 10 minutes later Jim went back inside and Pollock casually tried to sneak in with him. "Hey pal!" I shouted and snapped my fingers (he usually responds to that). Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Jul. Meanwhile Jim got a big glass of water and tossed it onto Pollock. He ran away.

And then there are our landlord's two grandsons, J* and A*, who come over to their grandparents every Monday afternoon/evening. This is how that decided to handle Pollock: the Scat Cat 3000, as they dubbed in.

I thought perhaps Pollock might be traumatised but his loyalty to us since this 'experiment' remains undiminished.

POLL: Should we give up and let Pollock come into our place and treat him like our own cat? Or should we continue to keep him out but show affection from time-to-time? Or should we permanantly give him the cold shoulder?
*the last option doesn't work. We tried. And he really is cute.