Warm choc chip-bacon cookies and windy day pasta at Panama Jacks

Is it just me or is time speeding up as we get closer to the end of the year? I can’t believe it’s just a month to Christmas Day, and that 2017 is just a week after that! But don’t fret about everything you need to do by then – it is Friday evening, after all. So boil the kettle for a nice cuppa and browse through a few of our favourite moments from the past week…

Saturday, 19 November 2016: Pink Olive tea, lunch at Panama Jacks

On Saturday, Husband and our dads went off to play a round of golf so me and our mums trotted to the nearest Stark Ayres nursery for breakfast at the Pink Olive restaurant. That’s me having a sip of Mum’s orange-rooibos tea, top right is our table in the pretty setting and bottom right shows my banana-peanut butter smoothie with Mum’s tea set.

I went for the flapjacks. Made to order, they’re dusted with icing sugar, and best eaten while still hot with a dab of syrup and vanilla-infused cream. The mums shared a portion of scones.

Golfers back, we headed off to Panama Jacks in the harbour. Husband and the parents all had the ‘avo seafood’ starter in the first pic, followed by the fettuccine marinara in the end pic. I just had the fettuccini verde pictured in the middle and struggled to finish!

Husband and his parents outside Panama Jacks with containers of leftovers. Note how Mother’s hair is being blown about by the wind!

Here is Husband, getting into the spirit of things when he met Santa (that’s Mr Claus to you) at our local shopping centre.

The doggies were not being affectionate siblings on Saturday afternoon. Look at the evil eye Bassie gave Bertie when he leaned in for a hug! These two are very funny.

Sunday, 20 November 2016: Breakfast at Baconville, icy beach visits

Three faces of a sleepy Sunday Bertie.

On Sunday morning we decided to try Baconville in Tygervalley’s Willowbridge Centre. It’s been open a few weeks and is the sister restaurant to Bacon on Bree in the CBD. Some of the things we ordered included the shoestring fries with garlicky baconnaise; the ‘Breakfast Club’ – poached egg with haloumi, bacon, mushrooms and avo; and a chocolate latte. I loved the piggy-shaped serving boards.

The best thing on the menu? Though we definitely didn’t try it all, I’d say it’s the chocolate-chip bacon cookie, served with a dollop of coffee ice cream. Texture-wise the biscuit was slightly chewy as it was straight out of the oven, and the bits of salty bacon went so well with those melty chocolate chips it’s making my mouth water right now just thinking of it!

After a few chores we were ready to head out again. Husband braved the icy waters in Big Bay for this photo – I was only in up to my ankles and felt like my feet were freezing off!

Husband had a celebratory draught for his ocean bravery at the Ocean Sizzler along the beachfront. I was cold enough for a cappuccino.

Lupper at Mum’s that evening was this wonderful chicken salad with cashews and thinly-sliced apple.

Wednesday, 23 and Thursday, 24 November 2016: HumanEdge Influencer conference at Protea Hotel North Wharf

Wednesday dawned cold and rainy, so it was a nice distraction to make my way to the Protea Hotel North Wharf to cover HumanEdge’s two-day Influencer training course. See the orange-y orchid at reception and view from the front of the hotel over the two days.

These were the fresh tea-time muffins served on day one.

I had to take a photo of how my jacket blended in with the bathroom flower arrangement!

Teatime treats on day two. That’s not a bigger cup than what I photographed on day one, it’s just the angle. 🙂 Luckily I only spilled a bit of coffee in my saucer and not all over everyone’s pastries.

Lunches over the two days – Wednesday on the left included a creamy curried chicken with pumpkin and slice of red velvet cake; Thursday on the right was a spicy stew with sweet potato and creamed spinach, followed by three scoops of ice cream and a cappuccino.

It was quite an intense course, with only 20 of us attending and lots of roleplay and reading homework, so I was quite proud to get a certificate of completion and sticker to show my team had won the most tokens. Click here for my overview of the first day’s learnings.

That’s all, folks. The weather is set to finally feel summery in the Cape this weekend, so slather on that sunscreen and watch for the wind! 🙂

Jumbo hotdogs, Intaka Island walks and teatime treats at The Vineyard

I said we’d have lots of pics of the in-laws in my last update, and lots of pics we have! They’ll be in town for a few more weeks so expect them to feature in the next few updates. 🙂 We had lots of food balanced out by lots of walks, as you’ll see below…

Saturday, 12, November 2016: Big Bay brekkie, Intaka Island and doggy walks

We started our Saturday with breakfast at the Eden Cafe at Eden on the Bay in Big Bay. That’s my latte on the left and banana-marscapone flapjacks on the right.

There’s Husband and his mum, both tucking into their Surfer’s breakfasts (salmon-and-scrambled-egg panini), with his dad’s English breakfast on the right.

Here are Husband and his parents, mountain-gazing from a chilly Big Bay after breakfast at the Eden Cafe.

We popped into Canal Walk briefly after that as we were in the area for our afternoon at Intaka Island while Dad-in-law met up with a friend. Just look at this enormous hotdog we shared! Tis a jumbo cheese griller.

Intaka Island is a real hidden gem in the heart of all those fancy buildings. Here is Mother, making her way through the walkway.

Lots of little weaver nests are dotted in the rushes at the water’s edge.

These are the floating heronries at Intaka Island. We joked they should be renamed ‘ibiseries’ as we saw just one grey heron on the day.

We stopped at the viewing hut mid-way to gaze across at the pretty view…

Such a photogenic spot in Century City, but those construction cranes framing the mountain mar the beauty.

Husband and his mum taking a break from all the walking.

We stopped at Sunset Beach on our way home. This is the view of Table Mountain from the walkway between parking lot and beach.

Blouberg looks tiny and so far away from Sunset Beach, but it’s the next stop on the bus route along the coast. Look at those tiny kites in the distance!

There were quite a few ships on the horizon and the water was freezing.

Despite having had quite extensive walkies ourselves already, we treated the doggies to an amble around the neighbourhood that evening. See how happy we all are here.

But the doggies soon changed expressions. These doggy faces are just the funniest!

That evening we dined at the Driftwood Cafe. That’s Mother-in-law and Husband with their food on the left, with Dad-in-law and me on the right. Don’t worry, close-ups of the food to follow…

Our four full plates from the Driftwood Cafe. I had the blooming onion, top left, Husband had the eisbein and mash, bottom left, Mother-in-law had the mussel pot and Dad-in-law had hake and chips.

Sunday, 13 November 2016: Primi beachfront breakfast and full family braai

We wanted a view of the sea for Sunday breakfast – and delicious food, of course, so Primi is where we ended up. I had the super-sized cappuccino (just look at that mug bottom left!) I also ate the freshest croissant with a side of bacon (top left), with Husband going for the salmon eggs benedict you can see bottom right, and the parents sharing a portion of eggs Florentine between them, top right.

When last did we have a full family braai, with both sets of parents in attendance? Probably a good four years ago, before we moved to Cape Town. Top left is all the meat on the braai, bottom left is Husband and his dad getting the fire going, me with a Strongbow berry cider and all the menfolk watching/playing/laughing at cricket on the right.

Much later that evening it was just Bassie and me on the couch with my book. She refused to look at the camera though.

Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 November 2016: INMA Conference at The Vineyard Hotel

I spend Monday and Tuesday this week networking and note-taking at The Vineyard Hotel at the Interntational News Media Association (INMA) global summit. The tea time treats were amazing – here are my four mini-plates over the two days. Read up on my conference coverage here and here and here and here.

Just so you know, this was the distracting view from my seat in the Vineyard Hotel ballroom at the INMA conference. It’s a wonder I got anything done.

That’s all, folks! Happy weekend 🙂

Dancing with elephants, chicnic feasts and fireworks

This last weekend was a very busy one, as you’ll see below – this selection of pics made the cut from about 250 in total! Let me know your favourite…

Thursday, 3 November 2016: IABC Africa gala dinner at the Vineyard Hotel

The sky was overcast and there was a definite chill in the air but we had a lovely time at The Vineyard Hotel last Thursday. This is to show how low the cloud was over the mountain, as well as to set the scene for how very ‘deep-in-nature-y’ everything felt in this batch of snaps.

We made an effort to stick to the colour scheme of black, white and silver, as you can see.

Such gorgeous table decorations, and fitting too as the theme for the night was ‘dancing under the stars with elephants’. Click here to read my overview on Biz if you missed it this week.

We ate a trout-y starter, lamb-y mains and assorted mini-desserts. Full descriptions here, in my official event overview, which explains how we ‘danced with elephants’.

Saturday, 5 November 2016: Pink Olive breakfast, chicnic lunch, beachfront dins

We were in a garden-y outdoors-y frame of mind all weekend, kicked off by breakfast at The Pink Olive in Starke Ayres nursery, West Coast Village. I liked the look of the Adirondack chairs out front, we had birdies coming up to eat out of our hands and my cappuccino with side shortbread biscuit was just the ticket!

My French toast with grilled bananas and syrup was just what I felt for and rather filling. You can just see Husband’s sunny Eggs Benedict in the background.

Bellies full we were ready to browse some garden centres for veggie garden ideas. This display at SuperPlants in Plattekloof caught my eye.

Soon it was time to hit the road as we had a very important luncheon appointment in Franschhoek. Loved the way this made it seem like a long, empty road lit by fluffy clouds.

Those mountains set around the Franschhoek Valley always make me feel comforted and hemmed into nature.

Another view of those blue peaks, from further up the road.

The Allee Bleue chicnic truly is an amazing way to welcome Summer. My full review is up on Biz here. Do read it, highly recommended.

The lovely tree-lined driveway from front gate to picnic area.

Nothing I love more than a line of palm trees!

Handsome Husband stepping out the car and heading towards the picnic area – through the little archway you can see.

The cheese and charcuterie board was just brimming with tasty morsels, we didn’t know where to start!

We had four jars of flavoursome spreads and smears to choose from. This chilli-tomato jam went well with everything.

My favourite – homemade mini pies filled with bobotie.

Four of the estate’s flagship wines.

Much, much later that evening we went by bike to Catch22 on Marine Drive to catch the City of Cape Town’s Guy Fawkes display on Blouberg beach. That’s me with a hazelnut latte.

Husband went for the Long Island Ice Tea – he’s sad that they no longer muddle their Robben Island version, which added a vanilla Coke flavour.

Husband went for the Calypso Catch salad, which is bursting with all sorts of seafood.

I went for the Buccaneer beef burger, topped with bacon and cheese and served with chips and onion rings. Ate every morsel.

Fireworks at sunset on Blouberg beach. It was packed and very well-run.

Sunday, 6 November 2016: Pancake at Blueberries and clean doggies

We had breakfast at Blueberries on Sunday morning as it is in the Table View Shopping Centre, where we had a few errands to run. See my lovely glass-mugged cappuccino with Husband top left, his huge amount of food bottom left and my banana-caramel topped (and filled) pancake. Bananas for breakfast all weekend!

Sunday was also the day of the doggie bath. Just look at these clean wet dogs! Both freshly emerged from a shower (with their dad). Bertie looks pleased, Bassie is very sorry for herself.

Dry, clean, happy doggies. Bertie looks surprised and Bassie says having her ears tickled is just heavenly.

Much later that afternoon we popped into the Driftwood Cafe for our Sunday treat – a draught for Husband…

I went for my Driftwood standard, the custard shake. Such a happy sunny setting.

Sunset in the suburbs was so pretty this week.

That’s all, folks! Husband’s parents have just arrived for a week of house-hunting so you have an idea what type of pics you’ll see in next week’s update…

Pina Colada shakes and exploring Intaka island

This week’s update is a bit more picture-packed than usual as we took so many snaps last weekend that I just couldn’t decide which to use. All the better for you to scroll through below…

Saturday, 29 October 2016: Squirrel-greeting at Company’s Garden, Intaka Island tour

We were up very early on Saturday to stand in the collections queue at Home Affairs for our new IDs (only the first 100 in queue get to collect). Here is Husband outside a lovely tiger sprayed in the CBD.

Mission complete, we were hungry and decided on Company’s Garden. The eating area is set among such pretty greenery and we were there early enough to have a choice of tables.

I started off with a flat white, and sliver of perfectly dunkable biscotti.

The banana bread French toast, served with bacon, marscapone cheese and strawberries is always a win, as is the Eggs benedict served with salmon and spinach that Husband opted for.

These very tall trees make you feel very small, but not quite as small as the squirrels that scamper about…

Like this curious little squirrel! We named him Nutmeg. He came over to nibble our fingers.

There were lots of inquisitive pigeons around, too.

We had more birds on the brain that day as our next stop was here: Our vessel for the early afternoon, in which we explored Intaka Island, in the heart of Century City. Intaka means bird in Xhosa and we sure did see a lot of them, even the elusive Peregrine Falcon.

Look at these three feathered friends, for example – we weren’t sure if they were going to hop onboard with us or back in the water for a swim. They chose the latter option.

Just one of the intriguing displays at Intaka Island – this is a wall of ‘air plants’ – their roots grow out of soil.

Of course Dad and Husband explored some of the steam engines before we set off across the canal.

Mum and me on the boardwalk through the marshes and reeds – you can see some of the Century City skyscrapers behind us.

The weather was just right, with a light breeze and lots of sunshine to keep us warm and happy.

Only Husband was paying such attention to the guided tour that he didn’t turn for this shot.

Group shot from the other side – see how ‘Intaka’ reflects from the outside onto Dad’s shirt.

The view of Canal Walk from the other end of Century City, with a birdie flying by.

We’d worked up quite an appetite by then so decided to meet up again at Jerry’s Burger Bar in Blouberg, close to home. Look at that amazing view – half the reason it’s always packed.

I had to try the pina colada shake. Was just as creamy/coconutty/pineapple-y as you’d expect, with no alcohol.

Mom and me, with the Jerry and the Sloth. Both delicious. Unfortunately the scary Halloween decorations are out of shot.

Beers’ cheers from the boys’ side of the table.

Husband went for the junkyard dog, wrapped in bacon and topped with avo and cheese.

Dad ordered a side of onion rings that we all shared and still couldn’t finish between us – that’s a huge side order!

Bassie in pensive mode, later that evening.

Bertie Andrews. Such a handsome boy. You can see why we tell him he’s a white doggie with brown mask and superhero cape.

Different faces entirely when it comes to waiting for their dins. Such sweethearts.

Sunday, 30 October 2016: Sampling Wimpy’s new sweetie-topped milkshakes

Husband felt like the Bullseye breakfast from Cafe Lacomia on Sunday morning, so that’s just what he had. You can see my cappuccino with two tiny biscuits in the saucer. Also ate a toasted sammidge, no pics of it alas.

Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to try out Wimpy’s new ‘topped with sweeties’ milkshake. I went for the coffee option, Husband had banana.

Monday, 31 October 2016: First day of BrandLove’s Customer Design experience course at 360 Business Parks, Paarden Eiland

Just loved this wall art in the entrance to 360 Business Parks, on Wessex Road in Paarden Eiland.

Two of my favourite workshop sights – coffee cups and boxes of Lego!

One of the Lego scenes I created. It looks like fun and games – and is – but also requires quite a bit of deep thinking and even a certificate of attendance for completing the course.

My little ones came to fetch me from the bus! Bassie seems to have an urgent message to share here, along the lines of “Mom, that other dog is shouting out the window. Help.”

That’s all, folks! Next week’s post will also be packed as we’ve had a busy few days…