Pork belly-bacon benedict at Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82 and posing with Just Nuisance

Wowee. Second work week of the year done and dusted, and it feels like two months rather than two weeks since we were on leave. It’s a combination of intense heat, slow internet and sheer hard work. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have any highlights to share – view our latest batch below…

Saturday, 16 January 2016: Panama Jacks lunch, swimming in the icy Atlantic

We do love lunching at Panama Jacks in the harbour. Always a treat to be served rolls before the food arrives…

We each went with the fettuccini mains. Mine is the verde (green, R40) – asparagus, parmesan cheese, thin slivers of baby marrow. Husband had the marinara, (R50) with a mussel chowder starter (R25). He finished his, I had to bring mine home for dins!

You’re not to admire my shiny forehead in this photo but just how well I twirled the fettuccini on my fork. Teehee.

On the lazy ride home we had to stop at the beach. T’was like a postcard!

And of course, Husband wasn’t content just to look at it. Here he is, frollicking in the waves.

Much, much later, once the temperature had dropped a little, we took the doggies for a walk around the suburb. Bertie loves chasing things in the shrubs.

Sunday, 17 January 2016: Brunch at Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82

On Sunday we woke late and couldn’t decide on a suitable spot to break our 12-hour fast. We eventually ended up at Steenberg Wine Estate and decided to treat ourselves to brunch at Bistro Sixteen82, known for its pork belly-bacon.

This colourful chandelier is quite something to see in person.

Of course I started with a flat white. T’was delicious. Look at the gorgeous scenery behind me – all that green was very soothing on the eyes.

What a lovely surprise. While waiting for our pork belly-bacon eggs benedicts, we were served hot, fresh honey brioche.

Of course Husband had an oyster starter. For breakfast…

And then, the eggs benedict arrived. Oh. My. Goodness, was it delicious. The pork belly-bacon is amazing, the little tomatoes were steamy and the Hollandaise was just right. Plus they’re served on potato rosti instead of stodgy English muffins. At R72, that’s not bad at all!

As we were already pretty far from home we decided to revisit Simon’s Town. These are some of the dinky little boats right at the harbour’s edge.

Can’t visit Simon’s Town and miss taking a photo with the statue of Just Nuisance. Though he seems to have been moved somewhat since the last time we were there…

Husband is one of the little ‘people dots’ floating in the sea. I sat on the beach with my book and a sugar cone instead.

Bassie insisted on sitting on her Granny’s lap when we visited for lupper. Both grinned.

As it was so hot, we had Do-It-Yourself burgers for dins. Husband placed his onion slices in pleasingly concentric circles on his patty.

Wednesday, 20 January 2016: Midweek sunset

I caught the very end of the sunset – much more spectacular in real life!

That’s all, folks. Sounds like we’re in for a spot of rain this weekend, will bring welcome relief from the incessant heat!

Breakfast with squirrels, Star Wars 7 premiere and year-end team lunch

What a busy week it’s been! The weather is hot and sunny and we’re finally both on leave, with lots of fun (and exciting) things planned for the next few weeks. Before that though, let’s look at our latest highlights…

Friday, 11 December 2015: Schwarma Express on Marine Circle

Husband felt for a schwarma, I felt for a sunset – perfect match.

The pretty sunset I saw from the beach front, before clouds started rolling in.

Saturday, 12 December 2015: Breakfast and mosaic-ing

On Saturday we tried out the new Village Square Cafe in West Coast Village for breakfast. My large cappuccino was strong and came with a shortbread biscuit (hiding in my spoon).

Husband tried the pesto breakfast, which came with perfectly poached eggs.

I went for the choc-chip flapjack breakfast with berry puree and two lumps of ice cream.

Finally done! I’d been working on this mosaic heart for a while, and finally got the grouting done on Saturday. Now, where to put it…

Bassie crawled under the pillows at her granny’s house that evening to escape from the heat.

The doggies (and Bertie’s bear) took up the whole couch when we got home so we had to make another plan for our TV viewing!

Sunday, 13 December 2015: Breakfast with squirrels

I’d been hearing good things about the new tea garden menu at Company’s Garden, so we ventured out to town on Sunday morning to have a looksie. Unfortunately their coffee machine was broken on the day, but I thoroughly enjoyed my tray of tea – that’s a biscotti on the side.

This is the banana bread French toast, with strawberries and bacon and marscapone. Very very good. Those are not real flies scampering over my tea cup in the background, it’s an interesting design!

Husband called his salmon eggs benedict ‘the best’. Strong praise!

Just a few metres from our table, pigeons and squirrels were scampering about, tamely asking for treats. You can just make out a little grey squirrel climbing down the tree trunk here…

He let me snap him from very close-up. Such a sweetie!

Tuesday, 15 December 2015: Final team lunch of 2015 at La Belle

With Wednesday being the Reconcilliation Day public holiday in SA, Tuesday was the last day of work of 2015 for many – also the day we sent out our last email newsletters for the year and the last day I’d be working with a colleague who relocated to Joburg that eve. That all came together to make it the perfect day for our final team lunch of the year. We settled on La Belle in Alphen, Constantia.

With so many amazing things on the menu, I teamed up with a colleague in splitting two mains between us. This was our first choice, the pork belly with greens and apple sauce, resting on corn fritters. Best ever.

Our second main – the La Belle beef burger, complete with mushrooms, cheese sauce and a metal bucket of shoestring fries. One of the tastiest I’ve ever had. (The burger, not the bucket).

Was I so full I had to skip dessert? No, of course not! I tried the ‘NY-style cheesecake’ and washed it down with a cappuccino. Enjoyed every bite.

Wednesday, 16 December 2015: Star Wars day

We started off the day with some coffees at the local McCafe. Husband had a cola, I had a caramel latte. So yummy.

With lots of time to spare before our showing of Star Wars at Grandwest Casino, we wandered around along with the rest of Cape Town – all and sundry were there! Of course I posed in the Snoopy movie cut-out…

Husband wore his Darth Vader shirt to watch the Star Wars movie, of course. We also got popcorn and Cola.

Wearing our 3D glasses before they told us to.

Thursday, 17 December 2015: Bagels and flat whites 

Thursday was my first day of leave! As Husband was sadly in office, Mum and dad treated me to a cream cheese bagel and flat white from New York Bagels. Was yummy!

My Thursday breakfast.

That’s all, folks! We’re both looking forward to some serious relaxing, starting now! 🙂

#Poolfail2015, cloudy Signal Hill and raspberry fingertip tops

Tired. Worn out. In need of a break. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who works full-time and doesn’t feel that way at this time of year. Not to say we haven’t enjoyed ourselves. It’s been a good year, but a really long one. We’re so looking forward to our ‘staycation’, coming up after just a few more days of work.

It’s that thought, and the following highlights and ‘exciting moments’, that are keeping us going…

Friday, 4 December 2015: Pool fill

Friday last week was hot – so hot that Husband decided we were ready to set up the pool for the first time since moving in a year ago. Right now, with water restrictions looming. Ah well. You can just see Bertie leaping out of the pool in the top right, and Bassie watching worriedly in bottom left.

Bertie took cautious high-raised steps all around then started galloping excitedly in the water.

My little one in the not-very-full pool. Love that tiny face!

Saturday, 5 December 2015: Adirondack collection, lazy Driftwood lunch

First thing Saturday morning we went in to Husband’s work to set up a print that had to be sorted out that weekend. I love his little desk fan.

Next stop: Breakfast! We quite enjoy KFC’s ‘AM riser’ – it’s like a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin, but nicer. We opt for the version with a hashbrown patty. That’s my cappuccino and Husband’s breakfast Cola, obvs.

Next, we collected a slightly damaged Adirondack going to a good home – that’s Husband’s holiday DIY project, so watch this space!

Bertie had a good sniff once we got it home, as it had all sorts of ‘other doggie odours’.

Later we went to the Driftwood Cafe for lunch. Here is Husband with his ginger ale, enjoying the mist spray.

For me, the starter nachos. So filling I took half home with me for dins.

Later, Husband had a custard milkshake like me. Wonderful thirst-quencher.

First swim in home pool! Despite caps and sunblock we got a little burnt. Ouch.

But disaster struck! When we got home from doing other weekend things, we found the pool had upended itself – tiny tears in the upper air rim and not 100% flat surface were to blame. Love how the doggies seem to be discussing the situation here.

Sunday, 6 December 2015: Cloudy Signal Hill, PBJ French Toast

We were heading towards Gardens Centre for breakfast on Sunday when Husband noticed very interesting cloud formations near Signal Hill, so we took a little detour…

Before we knew it we were in a thick mist.

But soon popped out into sunshine again – that’s Cape Town weather for you!

Just look at it. Lion’s Head is actually my favourite.

Taking in the view involves quite a bit of walking around, so we worked up quite an appetite.

Curiosity sated, we returned to our original mission of breakfast. Here is Husband with a ginger beer at Pulp Kitchen

This flat white was delicious.

Oh. Em. Gee. You guys. If you like French toast, croissants and peanut butter, and you’ve not yet had the PBJ croissant French toast at Pulp Kitchen in Gardens Centre, you. are. missing. out. And at R43 it won’t exactly break the bank…

Husband opted for the traditional brekkie, with a side of chilli mince (not pictured).

Later that afternoon mum surprised us with raspberries – I’ve always wanted to stick one on the tip of each finger like she did, teehee.

Tuesday, 8 December 2015: Almond croissant

I forgot my healthy oat breakfast at home on Tuesday so just had to satisfy my hunger with this almond croissant from the coffee shop downstairs. Well worth it for R12!

Wednesday, 9 December 2015: Best shortcake cookie

On Wednesday, my lovely colleague Angie (you can just see her peering at her screen) brought in a batch of homemade shortcake cookies. They were so more-ish I asked for the recipe!

Thursday, 10 December 2015: Barclays Rise Innovation hub launch at Woodstock Exchange

As my final business event for the year was held on Thursday evening at the Woodstock Exchange, I simply skedaddled across from the office. I had not been to the Exchange before so had to photograph this enormous silver-and-black sleepy Boston Terrier sculpture.

A special blend of ice cream concocted by the Ice Cream Ninjas, just for me, at the event. It included coffee, peanut butter, fudge and a brownie. Just perfect.

Friday, 11 December 2015: Desk-side daquiris

As much of the working world was going on leave from today, we had celebratory cocktails blended right in the office to sip at our desks. This was my yummy strawberry-mint daquiri

That’s all, folks! 🙂 Depending on the weather, this weekend will likely be another relaxed one.

Sea Point road trip, milkshakes outdoors and Bootleggers’ burgers

Last week a dear friend who is moving to Cape Town herself soon posted an image of the most amazing-looking milkshakes to my Facebook wall – they’re from the new hole-in-the-wall in Sea Point called My Sugar.

Warning: don’t click this review by Eat Out unless you want to drool. Unfortunately it seems everyone and their best friend also read the post, so when we eventually got there mid-morning Saturday they were closed for a private function of sorts, using all three of their inside tables. Never fear, we’ll try them again soon, and still managed a lovely weekend as the sun decided to come out at long last – see some of my highlights below…

Friday, 9 October 2015: Bertie sleeps upside down

Bertie fell asleep in his dad’s arms, watching TV

This photo’s not upside down, the dog is (see Husband vaguely behind him is right way around).

Saturday, 10 October 2015: Sea Point road trip, home and garden work

Excuse the very wind-swept hair, nearly got blown off my feet in Sea Point and Husband didn’t point out my hair was a little mussed. This was my huge bowl of very yummy granola and a Bootleggers’ flat white at La Vie.

Here is Husband with his large Cola and eggs ben with lots of salmon.

On finding My Sugar closed, following our lovely breakfast we walked around Sea Point a bit, stopping at a bench to watch the sea – and a seagull decided to wish Husband ‘luck’ by plopping on his foot. He went down to the sea to wash it off.

Sunday, 11 October 2015: Milkshakes in the sunshine and doggy walks in the suburbs

Sunday morning breakfast was a Wimpy local. This made me happy – toasted cheese (not on a stick) with lots of chips, a mega Wimpy coffee and the Sunday paper to read.

Later that afternoon we stopped off at the Driftwood Cafe for a treat. It was so delightful sitting in the sun. Here is Husband with his beer.

For me? My favourite peanut butter-custard milkshake!

I insisted on a photo of both of us against the greenery.

When we got home, Husband got to work painting our front gate

It was a busy afternoon as our first reed panels also arrived, to be placed behind our water feature. These are deceptively heavy!

Mum also decided to make the most of the sunny weather by making picnic-food for lupper, with lots of potato salad, chicken schnitzel pitas and more.

Not one to be left out, Bassie jumped onto my lap and gnawed a finger.

Later that afternoon we took the doggies for a walk around Mum’s neighbourhood. Bertie enjoyed all the purple wildflowers.

Wednesday, 14 October 2015: Press preview breakfast at the Netherlands embassy, day of tasty treats

On Wednesday, I attended a press preview of the new Dutch-SA #CoCreate design initiative. This is the rather tall front door of the Netherlands embassy in Strand Street. The Dutch are known as a very tall nation, so…

Once I got inside I was met with a lovely assortment of breakfast eats, like these fruit skewers, club sandwich-type triangles and salmony things.

And when I got back to the office it was time to sing to a colleague celebrating her birthday – she baked these delicious cupcakes, as well as coconut hertzoggie types. Mmm.

When mum and dad came for dins that evening, she surprised us with these mini milktarts she’d baked. Yum.

A pretty pink sky that night…

Friday, 16 October 2015: Department lunch at Bootleggers, Kenilworth

Bootleggers coffee company, our venue of choice for lunch. Note how very full it was.

Always tricky choosing what to drink at a place known for its excellent coffee, but when I saw ‘toffee milkshake’ on the menu I had to give it a try. Good choice as it was an amazing flavour. See other assorted colleagues’ drinks on the table, including a flat white exactly like the one I had at La Vie on Saturday.

To eat? The triple cheese chili burger and fries. I’d cheated and looked at the menu before we left the office so knew what I was having before we got there. Ate every single mouthful. Pricy at R95 but very good.

Time to smile – and pay. Best group of colleagues, most present but some past.

That’s all, folks! Catch you next week…

DIY patio-ing, rooftop sunset panoramas and almost snorkelling with seagulls

The nicest thing about owning a house is you can do whatever you like with it, and hopefully increase its value in doing so. That’s why one of the first things we did after moving in to our Very First Housie two-and-a-half months ago was to knock some nails in the walls. But of course we have far grander plans than that. And as Husband is quite the MacGyver-type handyman, he’s happy to do it himself instead of paying someone else to do it for him. That’s why I now have the most beautiful light fittings, ceiling fans, bedroom cupboard area, and thanks to last weekend’s efforts, a very strong support structure for a lovely sheltered patio area. But of course, that’s not all we did…

Friday, 6 February 2015: Loadshed roof exploring

Last Friday we were loadshed the moment we got home from work. Luckily the sun was still shining brightly, so Husband used the time to finally get up on the roof to do some exploring. This is what he saw, directly behind us…

Our neighbours to the left and back – these are not townhouses or flats but freestanding homes

Traffic heading toward the setting sun in front of us

To the front and right of us. Note an empty can in top right corner of our garage roof, almost in line with the ‘Parklands – no dumping’ sign. Oh, the irony!

Then he stitched the pics together as a panoramic shot, and this what a variation of what’s all around our housie. Beautiful.

Saturday, 7 February 2015: Breakfast at Melissa’s, lunch at Panama Jacks and first stage of patio beam installation

Leafy shape in my flat white from Melissa-s in Blouberg – our first ever visit to Melissa’s.

Husband ensuring his eggs ben breakfast was well and truly sauced

And for me? A slice of pecan praline cheesecake, thank you very much 😉

Tummies purring, we set off to do our ‘wood’ research, and found the place with the best price. Here I’m sitting in the backseat while the lengths of wood stick out the back of Bluebell – we did tie them down with rope, too. Of course MacGyver-y Husband thought of that

Wood purchased, we left it under the doggies’ care at home while dashing off to meet the parents at Panama Jacks for the last of Husband’s birthday celebrations. Here are dad and me

With Husband and mom facing us

Dad had this for his lunch – 4 crayfishy pieces, with rice and spicy sauce

After lunch we stopped at the beach for a quick dip. I noticed the seagulls were very close to the coming tide

Then his feet got wet. Mr Gull flew off before he could take Husband up on his offer to accompany him snorkelling, though…

The water was absolutely amazing, in colour and temperature. #nofilter

Here is Husband, about to set off on his snorkelling trip, with flippers on his feet. He said he saw little green fish yellow eyes

Then we got home and Husband got to work, putting up the first beam. Looks like he’s standing on air but it’s a trick of the light, he really is on the ladder. Take no notice of the scrubby garden, that’s a project for another weekend.

Sunday, 8 February 2015: Breakfast at Cafe Lacomia, drinks at Captain’s Kitchen

We needed to buy a few more DIY-type things on Sunday morning, so breakfasted at Cafe Lacomia, right inside our nearest Builder’s Warehouse. Here is Husband perusing the menu…

Look at the mini croissant we each got to sample before our breakfast, and the two (yes, two!) little cookies that accompanied my cappuccino. Nice touch.

Odds and ends purchased, we went back home, where Husband finished off the patio roof frame rather fast

Here he is nonchalantly sitting on it, to prove it’s sturdy and can take the weight of my hammock chair

Satisfied with a job well done, we headed to Captain’s Kitchen in Big Bay to wet our whistles.

I went for a coffee milkshake, of course

Mum made wonderful dom pedro things after lupper

Wednesday, 11 February 2015: Nutella hot chocolate at Melissa’s

As luck would have it, I had my second Melissa’s experience this week, when attending a breakfast business meeting at Melissa’s on Kloof Street. This is the Nutella hot chocolate.

Later that day, on my trip home, I snapped this shot – it’s a sight you only get to see from the MyCiti bus lane in Paarden Eiland. Gorgeous cloud-covered mountain

Thursday, 12 February 2015: Refreshing (alcoholic) work lollies

Thursday was the #BizTrends20-15 event, held at the Inner City Ideas Cartel in the CBD. It was a really humid day, so these tequila-lemonade lollies went down a treat!

Friday, 13 February 2015: Office Valentine’s Day celebrations

Our entertainment committee put together the most amazing candlelit brunch, which suited the suddenly-rainy weather. Here’s my selection of eats and flute of Appletizer (though there was sparkling wine on offer, too), on our fake-grass carpet.

Who said red and pink are clashing colours? Divine

Of course we played Bad Cupid – so pleased with what I ended up with – an owlie travel mug, just perfect for someone who loves coffee and owls

That’s all for now, folks – but this is my birthday weekend, so I’m sure there’ll be a cake or two involved – have some for me 😉