The Silvermine Elephant’s Eye hike, Toad in the Road pizza & seeing in 2016 in JHB

Before you go off and start your 2016 with a bang, scroll through our highlights of the past week, which includes our new ‘Boxing Day hike’ tradition (click here for a reminder of last year’s hike to the Woodstock Cave).

And even though I was working this week, there’s been a fair deal of excitement because if you’re perceptive, you’ll have noticed from the blog’s title that this week’s edition is coming to you live from our former hometown. It’s true, we’re in Joburg to spend some time with the in-laws and old friends – what a treat it’s been to see them again after many months by the sea with our little family. Bless…

Saturday, 26 December 2015: Boxing Day hike to Elephant’s Eye Cave in Silvermine, Toad in the Road’s pizza

Look at that ‘Who, me?’ face. Bertie so loves his chewy rope toy his Granny & Grampa gave him for Christmas that he carries it around the house with him, from bed to lounge to outside and back.

After a quick brekkie we set of for Silvermine National Park. It’s R45 per person to enter, but really beautiful with a few hiking paths to choose from as well as a large dam to picnic around. This is some of the scenery in the park.

We found the beginning of the designated path and set off…

We stopped to observe the view from the Fireman’s Lookout, a few steps away from the cave. You can see all the way to Muizenberg from there.

The standard ‘jump up and touch the ceiling’ shot once we’d reached the Elephant’s Eye cave. That’s me, of course.

Scary selfie. Lots of greenery in the cave as water seeps through.

After the hour-and-a-half or so hike we took a quick detour to see the much-talked about Silvermine Dam. It’s pretty and lots of picnickers were about.

Hike complete, we stopped at the Toad in the Road for a quick treat.

Husband celebrated with a foamy moustache.

Our pizza, the Josephine, was worth the wait and R90 price tag. Thin, crispy base and topped with feta, bacon, avo and pepperdews.

Sunday, 27 December 2016: Black Bull brekkie and festive massages

We noticed a few cars at the new local Black Bull steakhouse so stopped in to to try their breakfast. Here is Husband with his R24 special…

I went for the ‘French toast’ kiddies’ option, drenched in syrup.

Pic is a little blurry as my muscles were so relaxed, teehee. Husband had booked us in for couple’s massage at the local Thai massage salon. We each had a full 45-minute back, neck and shoulders massage which actually covered everything from ear tips to toes and tiny people standing on our backs!

Monday, 28 January 2015: Crashing sea

Once I was done with work for the day we set out to see the sea. The wind was super strong and the tide was strong, so we just looked without getting in.

Tuesday, 29 December 2015: Tall agapanthus

Have you ever seen an agapanthus as tall as a man? I have. These are in the parking lot of Sandown Retail Crossing.

Wednesday, 30 December 2015: Flying to Cape Town

Coupled with a 4.30am wake-time so I could get a few hours of work in before our 9.30am flight, we were full of excitement. Here we are sitting on the tarmac in Cape Town, about to head off…

An hour-and-forty minutes later we landed at Lanseria! A super-smooth flight despite turbulence warning as it was set to be 40’C in CT that day.

Once collected, the parents took us home where we unpacked. After a quick light bite to eat with Husband at the table outside I was back to work mode for a few hours.

When I was done for the day we went on a quick nostalgic trip past our old houses and to see some of our favourite sights. Look how sweet this fluffy chinchilla is, he was grinning back at me before Husband took this shot.

We headed back to the parents for a quick dip in the pool before setting off for Husband’s best friend’s house for a quick pizza dins.

You can’t see the pool but we’re sitting on its edge here. Is so lovely.

Husband ‘having a time’ in the pool.

So good to see some of our favourite people!

Proof that Husband ate a caramel Italian Kiss!

Thursday, 31 December 2015: My last work day and New Year’s Eve street braai 

It was so hot on Thursday that I went swanning about in my cossie. This was a slice of apple pie with cream and a mega coffee at the local Wimpy.

Work done for the day I noodled around in the pool. Was pure bliss.

That evening we were invited to a street braai in the complex where my brother-in-law lives – the very same unit we lived in when we first moved in together yonks ago. Note the neighbour’s white reindeer.

Look who is often in our old unit 81 Fairbridge! This gorgeous little ginger boy is called Aladdin. He often visits my brother-in-law, who now lives in the housie.

The brothers, united!

The first Weber-load of wors. About 17 of us had wors rolls, potato salad and more for our New Year’s Eve dins.

The Andrews four at the New Year’s Eve braai

Back at home just before midnight, we toasted 2016 with sparkling wine and watched some fireworks. Husband was in charge of popping the cork.

Friday, 1 January 2016: Happy New Year!

T’was a humid day when we rose, so Husband made me a floral iced coffee to start the day. Delicious.

Husband examining just how much the ‘little trees we had for Christmas and then planted at the gate’ have grown.

That’s all, folks! We’re here for a few more days of catching up, then back to CT to our little ones and a final week of leave. Hope your batteries are recharged and that you’re ready to tackle 2016!