Unreal Scarborough sea, sitting at Slangkop lighthouse and patting Imhoff Farm camels

Tomorrow is husband’s 36th birthday, so I am posting this now as shall surely be spending quality time with him at the usual ‘blog post creation’ time of the week.

Hard to believe it’s already the end of January, 1/12 of the year has flown by in the blink of an eye.

Here are highlights of the past week…

Saturday, 23 January 2016: Breakfast at Saint’s, pretending to be on the cover of National Geographic

Saturday was a hot, lazy day, Mine got off to a good start with this cappuccino at Saint’s in Big Bay.

Husband had the salmon eggs ben and a Cola, of course. The logo next to his face proves we were at Saint’s. I had the feta-scrambled eggs with toast, unpictured.

This photo frame is 10 steps from Saint’s so we walked across and Husband happily snapped away.

Zoomed in, without the frame. Click here for a reminder of our Winter version of this photo.

As Mum and Dad were off to Shelley Point on Sunday we visited for lupper on Saturday this week. Bassie loves being carried on her grampa’s shoulder like this, as she’s then technically the tallest person in the room.

Bertie was happy to sit on a comfy chair and watch his sister parade around on grampa.

Sunday, 24 January 2016: Breakfast at On the Rocks, sightseeing along the coast

On Sunday morning we decided to breakfast at On the Rocks, right on the beachfront, where we had celebrated Dad’s birthday a few years ago. Note my slight sunburn from the day before.

Here is my berry-and-ice cream French toast. Very yummy.

Husband had the ‘breakfast pan’.

It was set to be an adventure/explore day, so off we headed for Hout Bay and walked all the way from the one harbour to the other.

A solitary gull at the greeny sea.

Always most amusing to see the sea lions sprawled of their own accord on the ‘Seal Alert sea rescue’ boat.

This guy looked – and smelled – like he needed a bit of a rescue…

Continuing on our road trip, we had to stop and pat the camels at Imhoff Farm.

Me doing the exact same thing.

Then we repeated the process at Slangkop Lighthouse. Here is Husband’s version…

And here is mine. Pretty as a picture!

Look at this absolutely ridiculous sea colour near Scarborough. No photo filters, promise.

Rounding out the trip we stopped at Dixies near Simon’s Town/Fish Hoek for a refreshment break. Here is Husband’s Amstel draught – I opted for a coffee shake.

We shared this Mexicana – completely doused in Tabasco sauce, of course.

Tuesday, 26 January 2016: Punjab Express

On Tuesday we stopped at the recently opened Punjab Express after work to try their tikka chicken. Was very tasty, and I loved this chair.

That’s all, folks! Look forward to Husband’s birthday celebrations in my next update. 🙂

Week-long celebrations with muchos nachos, sunset beach walks and burny bunnies

This week the title pretty much says it all, except it was ALSO my half birthday, plus we had breakfast with my Cape rellies AND we’re heading off on our very first holiday since moving here almost 3 years ago, so we’ve been in good cheer all week. See below…

Thursday, 20 August 2015: GIL Africa Conference at Table Bay Hotel and my half-birthday

Pre-conference coffee in the quiet outside section at the Table Bay Hotel. I was there for the Growth, Innovation, Leadership (GIL) Africa Conference and loved this interesting water feature.

Pink, pink flowers during morning tea at the Table Bay Hotel.

The 20th is also my half-birthday. Odd, I know, as my real birthday is 15 Feb. The doggies don’t care though, as long as they get to give kisses. Bassie wasn’t too impressed that the moment was photographed – she’s a little shy…

Friday, 21 August 2015: Bizcommunity’s 14th birthday fun at the Fat Cactus, Woodstock

Starter platters! We ate and we ate, so much so that we were full by the time our mains arrived.

That’s my rather large portion of Sloppy Joe nachos. I took more than half home with me for dins!

It was so sunny and bright that we pulled the blinds down – then there was too much light on the other side of the table. So we reached a happy compromise by wearing hats. Metallic. Cowboy-style. Obvs.

The doggies received another special delivery from Hills on Friday – this time they are dental crouton things to keep their little mouths healthy. Bertie merrily crunches his way through them, Bassie isn’t too keen and eats them with long teeth as she’s a little fusspot.

Saturday, 22 August 2015: Special coffee and snorkelling

I love the way the peppermint choc syrup is swirled onto the medium latte at Reload.

It was the hottest day we’d had in weeks, so we headed down to Cosy Bay near the 12 Apostles – Husband did a spot of snorkelling – he put on his snorkel and flippers after I took this shot.

We then stopped off at the always-delightful Riverway Cafe in Hout Bay for an afternoon snack. This was my coffee shake…

And the most delicious lemon cheesecake.

Husband opted for his favourite, the piggy poppers – jalepenos filled with cheese and pulled pork, wrapped in bacon. Really hot and really good.

Sunday, 23 August 2015: Brekkie with my Cape family at Durbanville Hills

My cappuccino and the tiny Durbanville Hills menu – packed with tasty options.

Most of the ladies opted for the eggs ben with ham. Such delicious, frothy Hollandaise sauce. Mmm!

I don’t think Husband shouted loud enough for the end of the table to hear it was time to smile for a photo – teehee.

Monday, 24 August 2015: Pre-anniversary bunny chow at Inside, Big Bay

My precious Husband with our half-price chicken bunnies on the eve of our 8th wedding anniversary.

Of course ‘koffie-bekkie’ over here washed hers down with a latte.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015: Team lunch at The Tap House, Salt River and sunset beach walk

When a restaurant mentions their cheese burger has won an international award, that’s what you order. It was really good – like a gourmet McD’s. Plus there’s an R55 ‘burger and beer’ special on Tuesdays…

Lunch eaten and work finished for the day, we headed off with the doggies to their favourite walking beach, Kreeftebaai, close to Melkbos. Witnessed a beautiful sunset…

Husband on the rocks next to the setting sun.

The doggies in a calmer moment. Looks like Bertie is licking his sister’s head. Teehee.

This shot just captures Bertie’s personality to a T – curious, intelligent, inquisitive. Love that dog!

Proof the little ones were there…

I know it’s blurry but it’s too funny not to include. Husband photobombing my usual ‘Bassie and Mommy post-beach visit’ shot 🙂

Thursday, 20 August 2015: Breakfast in Constantia and afternoon naps

Just look at that yummy deliciousness! Parents treated me to elevensies at the Raith deli in Constantia on my day off. This is the Strammer Max – rye topped with avo, heaps of ham, cheesy egg and slices of sweet pickle.

Dad and me, while he tucks into his franks with potato salad.

Despite her open eyes, Bassie was fast asleep in this shot, leaning on me as I read and had an afternoon nap. Just what the doctor ordered!

That’s all, folks – next week will be an update on our anniversary stay at Avalon Springs in Montagu, watch this space! 🙂

PS: The text that’s underlined in gold is linked to related content I’ve posted earlier in my blog, so go back and click on the links of you missed ’em!

Long weekend rugby, movies and pulled-pork/bacon poppers

How do you improve on what’s already wonderful as it’s a long weekend? With chilli poppers, of course. And if they’re wrapped in bacon and stuffed with pulled pork and cream cheese, all the better.

That’s one of my highlights from last (long) weekend – see more below…

Saturday, 25 April 2015: Best chilli poppers, supporting the Stormers

It was really chilly last weekend – feel it, Winter is here. And so, a chai latte was in order when we went to the Riverway Cafe to try their famed ‘piggy poppers’ – R58 buys you 6 extremely hot chillis stuffed with a pulled pork/cream cheese mix and wrapped in bacon. My goodness they were amazing.

The piggy poppers, in all their glory. Well worth the trip to Hout Bay.

Oh, just hanging with the team, you know. Pip pip, old chap. We were lucky enough to sit in the Ogilvy box for the Stormers/Blue Bulls rugby match and squealed with delight when our team won!

Not Photoshopped. Really me at Newlands.

Not Photoshopped. Really Husband at Newlands.

And then! On our way out the bellows of the building we saw these cardboard cutouts and could not resist. Spot Husband at the back right. Teehee.

A close-up of Husband in all his rugby-playing glory.

Sunday, 26 April 2015: Bakery breakfasts, afternoon movies and doggie Milo

Sunday breakfast – one of the nicest French toast croissant efforts ever. This was at Ou Meul Bakkery at Willowbridge Shopping Centre, opposite the main Tygervalley Mall. Scrumptious with their homemade berry compote and fresh slices of banana.

Husband’s choice was just as tasty, with avo, poached egg, bacon and more.

Tummies purring we headed to Grandwest casino where we spent our winnings on movie things – here I am with the Minions poster (movie not out yet, we watched the Avengers instead).

The pink-streaked sunset from Mum’s house, where we had lupper.

This is what happens when you offer Tabasco Yoda the dregs of your Milo.

Monday, 27 April 2015: Fishy breakfasts and Freedom Day drinks

The sugar dissolving into my cappuccino at Ocean Sizzler, Eden on the Bay not-very-early on Monday morning

Husband had garlickety haddock with his breakfast

We then spent a few hours on housework, which sent my nose into a tizz, I was sneezing all day long, hence looking a bit sleepy in this photo – loved my Horlicks milkshake at Cubana, complete with a cherry in the glass.

Here is Husband with his snowdrop shooter.

That’s all for now, folks. I dithered about sharing today’s photos in this post too, but today is technically the ‘next weekend’ already and I should have published this post last night, as the eve of the next weekend, so I will love and leave you here… stay tuned for our next episode 🙂

Bassie turns 8, Earth Hour 2015 and our own Blue Train trip of sorts…

We made it to the first long weekend of 2015! I hope you’ve already had a very good Good Friday, filled with all the things you love most. Ours hasn’t been a very relaxing one as we’ve been doing lots of little chores around the house, mainly in the garden, but the grazed knuckles and aching arms are worth it when the garden of your dreams finally starts to take shape. More on that in the next blog update though – for now, I’ll show you what we’ve been up to since last Friday’s update…

Friday, 27 March 2015: Braai at home

Ribs! They were braai-ed to perfection by Husband. Bassie was hopeful that she’d get some left overs. As was Bertie, almost hidden behind me. (They did).

Saturday, 28 March 2015: Canal Walk breakfast, Earth Hour Scrabble

After a spot of car license renewal admin, Husband went for a very saucy hot dog and 500ml cola for his breakfast – look, there’s even a dollop of sauce on the tip of his dear nose, teehee

For me? A saucy chip roll, and a McCafe caramel-infused cafe latte. Very sweet but just what I needed!

For Earth Hour that night, we played Scrabble outside, with our solar jars lighting the board. You can just see Bertie watching from the doorway. He didn’t join in, though.

I Scrabbled too, with coffee and puffy jacket as it was a bit chilly.

Sunday, 29 March 2015: Hout Bay day trip

Pretty yachts in Hout Bay, and you can just see the seal to my left, heading towards the man feeding him fish right from his own mouth (sies).

Husband contemplating breakfast at the Riverway Cafe in Hout Bay.

His breakfast Cola came with lemon, ice and a pleasingly green glass.

For me, a creme brulee-flavoured cafe latte, with a shortcake biscuit on the side. Yummer rummer.

Husband said his breakfast was just wonderful. At R30, it was an eggy-mushroomy-tomato jammy-rosemary-sprigged delight. Which he promptly Tabasco sauced to an inch of its life, of course.

See? We were at the Blue Train, too! OK OK, this is the restaurant version permanently posted in Sea Point. And Mum and Dad had been off of the real Blue Train for a full day already – still funny 🙂

All the gulls on the rocks in the middle of the Camps Bay tidal pool. I had to make my way carefully to the boundary wall to take this shot, with the sea crashing over my feet and Husband helpfully holding my arm for stability.

Of course Husband had a dip in his favourite sea spot near home, looking like he was about to take on the whole world.

Husband with his Driftwood drink…

Me with mine (yes, it’s a peanut butter shake, you know me well).

Bertie LOVED his belated birthday present. This is a gorilla stuffed toy with chewy rope legs and a squeaker inside. He sat and dug out all of the stuffing to reach the squeaker, then ran around with the newly flattened toy. Such a sweet dog.

Tuesday, 31 March 2015: Nando’s dins with parents

The leathery palm-leaf shaped lights at Nando’s, where we supped with Mum and Dad on collecting them from the airport.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015: Fire & Ice hotel, Royale burger lunch, Bassie’s 8th birthday

Pretty floral display at the Fire & Ice Hotel, where I attended a morning event on Wednesday. Just not so keen on the red wall, due to previous house having questionable red sections.

Much-needed tea break treats at the Fire & Ice…

Playing around with the iPad’s Photobooth/selfie settings, still not looking at exactly the right spot but this is better than my earlier attempts.

Wednesday was also #redmylips day, so I had to keep wiping my cup between sips – plus I overfilled it so spilled some into the saucer, as I do.

Mature cheddar burger and fries for lunch at a work meeting at Royale in Long Street. One of the best!

And there was this – a fudgey brownie milkshake, with chunks of chocolate brownie in the bottom of the glass – and by chance, a purple straw.

Happy birthday, little one! Bassie is now officially eight human-years old. Still hates wearing her birthday hat.

Even when Granny and Grampa visited, Bassie was reluctant to grin while wearing her birthday hat. I’m an embarrassing mom, I think.

But she LOVED eating the peanut butter-chicken muffins Granny baked especially for her birthday.

That’s all for now, folks! I see lots of chocolate in your future – happy Easter weekend 🙂

Powerless meals and pretty, scary birdies

It’s been a week of powerless meals for us, with power cuts seeming to strike at just the time we would usually start cooking or decide to venture out for a meal. But we’ve not let the lack of electricity get to us, as we’ve had lots of fun with mother-in-law visiting for a few days. In fact, we’ve had a right jolly time of it, with all sorts of fun excursions…

Friday, 5 December 2014: Asian meal with Mother at Earth Cafe

Doggies looking a little sad still, but slowly adjusting to life in their new housie. Note how Bertie’s collar matches his dad’s lumo green t-shirt.

First meal with mother – we went to Earth Cafe in Parklands on Friday eve, which was in the middle of a power cut, but managed to cook delicious noodles and sweet n sour things on gas. That’s natural sunlight coming in the window at about 7.30pm

Saturday, 6 December 2014: Sea Point breakfast and sneakily cooking around the loadshedding

Oh, the irony of the sad face against backdrop of the juice label! Not his usual weekend Coke breakfast – this was at Osumo in Sea Point, our third attempt at breakfast as the power cuts were so widespread. We were in the area to drop off Mother’s rental car so went for a healthy start.

We carefully timed our cooking so we could eat a home-cooked meal on Saturday evening – beef olives and broccoli

Sunday, 7 December 2014: Parenty brunch, bird park visit and Woodbridge sunset

Sunday morning was all about doggie beach walks followed by brunch at my parents. Here we all are looking happy – doggies out of shot

The tasty spread – cheese scones, devilled eggs, fruit salad, orange juice, sparkling wine and more

Following a brief (powerless again) nap at home, we headed out to World of Birds in Hout Bay – R85 entry but worth it as there’s so much to see, including monkeys, mongooses (mongeese?), reptiles and even a bat-eared fox. This was one of a set of happy parrots that kept greeting us – and when I offered him my map of the area he had a nibble, teehee

Best! Look how this owlie winked at me! We didn’t zoom in, he let us get this close with the camera (phone)

I look very happy here, but look at the little blue birdie’s face closely – scary how cross he is! Scarpered off to the next exhibit fast!

Mother in pink with the scarlet (orange) ibises

Husband under a row of fluffy greenies. I think his expression based on worry one would poop on his head- luckily they didn’t – or unluckily, as that’s meant to mean good luck, is it not?

A tiny little owlie. Small he may be, but quite menacing when he’s blocking the only entry to the exhibit

See how he’s blocking the way? I was terrified but Husband dared me to crouch next to him for this shot, so I did. That’s pure fear and I do believe I was squealing.

Mother took this rather glorious shot of a white peacock in full courtship display. Beautiful.

To celebrate not getting pecked by pigeons and other birds, we had dins at Ilha, Woodbridge Island on the way home. Here’s my standard iced coffee shake (three straws just for me, lol)

Sunset at Woodbridge Island – Mother and Husband wetting their feet

Beautiful sunset with hazy mountain

Woodbridge Island from the beach side

Mother and me on the beach – looks like I have two feet sprouting from one leg, teehee

Finally took a shot of the Woodbridge lighthouse at sunset. Pretty, innit?

That’s all for now, folks! Almost halfway through the month and just a day from the next weekend, time is spiralling faster and faster!

PS: Yes I know, still no pics of the new housie – chance would be a fine thing! Pretty much fully unpacked but not quite properly decorated yet. Soon soon, I promise?