Stomping grapes at the Muratie Harvest Festival and conference eats at the Cullinan Hotel

Husband had to work last weekend so we don’t have many snaps of him to share this time around, but we still had a fair deal of fun…

Saturday, 18 February 2017: Muratie Harvest Festival

Husband sent me this snap of the cloudy sky when he left home around 6:30am on Saturday morning. Beautifully flocked against the duvet of blue sky.

With Husband office-bound until 6pm, I was off to the Muratie Harvest Festival in Stellenbosch with my parents. These are some of the outside sights. See the vroue orkes top left, the Kitchen Jammin Blues Band top right, packed seating area bottom left and youthful, friendly staff bottom right.

Old bicycle and wooden barrels in the main wine cellar on our way to the tasting.

Looky looky in the cellar. Muratie is known for its 40-year old cobwebs and stained-glass windows.

I present to you my first ever attempt at grape stomping. It’s cold, squenchy, and surprisingly satisfying!

Mum and me having a time while suitably hatted. It was quite windy so I kept my jacket on.

Dad was also hatted and the sky was still patterned with cloud.

A number of these bread baskets were dotted along our table, filled with crusty bread, dark grapes, soft figs and cheeses, dips, koeksisters and brownies as the surprise in the white paper package.

Full to the brim, everyone headed off towards the tractors for a tour of the grounds. We decided to head home instead for a nap.

On our way through the parking lot we spotted a sleek, stealthy BWM i8. Of course we did our subtle not-quite-leaning poses (dad wasn’t quite as subtle when we spotted a ‘flaming’ car parked in front of a ‘no parking’ zone a few years ago, click here for a reminder…)

Sunday, 19 February 2017: Hot cross buns for breakfast, waffles for lunch and boerewors rolls for dins

Yip, Husband had to work on Sunday, too. If I’m eating Sunday morning breakfast alone, it’s going to be chocolate hot cross buns, milk tart-filled pancakes and fudgey tea. Bertie was Very Interested.

All was not lost though, as a lazy morning of napping and reading was followed by a visit to the Big Bay Waffle Company. I had a caramel latte and the old-fashioned waffle topped with lemon curd. Husband had sushi next door.

Boerewors rolls and potato salad were on the menu for lupper at mum’s that eve. T’was just perfect for the weather.

And for afters? A rich coffee-chocolate-coconut cake (homemade, of course) and coffee. Mmm!

Wednesday 22 and Thursday, 23 February 2017: Crucial conversations training at the Cullinan Hotel

Having thoroughly enjoyed their #influencerchange training late last year, I was booked onto the crucial conversations training by Human Edge mid-week. On the first day, lunch was served poolside. Yes, really.

I dithered over the menu as everything looked so good! Remembering a colleague’s recent review of the Stella Cafe’s food I knew I couldn’t go wrong with the pork belly starter. Oh my GOODNESS it was delicious. See here, with a fellow attendee’s angry duck curry on the right. Loved the copper pot presentation.

Then we had mains. I went for the cheese burger, could barely finish, but it was so good, especially when smeared with these tiny condiments – whole-grain mustard, tomato sauce and mayonnaise.

Lunch on day two was a buffet in the Peach Tree restaurant. So much to choose from, the big round bowl top right was actually cheese for the pasta. Not a bowl of cheese, the entire thing was cheese. Gobsmacking. And look at the gorgeous purple and yellow dessert plate I ended up with! 🙂

Teatime treats across the two days included waffle segments, florentines, mini chicken kebabs, crunchies and lots of coffee. Trust me, we did learn lots, too – it was intensive with only 8 of us on the course and filled with role-playing, so we hardly had time to check in on emails back in the real world. A refreshing change!

That’s all, folks! Click here for my official review of the Muratie Harvest Festival on Bizcommunity.

*Disclaimer: Obviously our entry and eats at the Muratie Harvest Festival were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

33rd birthday freak shakes, fish tanks and family lunches

T’was my birthday on Wednesday and luckily Husband was off this week following his week of being ‘Marvin’, as his parents were in town…

Friday, 10 February 2017: Photoshop diploma and FUE date night

The first thing I did on getting home from work last Friday was go through the final lesson and quiz for my diploma in Photoshop through Shaw Academy. I squeaked by with 99%.

To celebrate my diploma and Husband finally having a few days off work, we set off for the Festive Underground Eatery of FUE, where I had this monster shake on my last birthday, before ‘freak shakes’ were a thing. They have a Friday night date night special of two burgers, two fries and a shake to share for R199…

The monster coffee shake that we ‘shared’ – Husband had a sip and no more as we were worried all that caffeine would affect his already shaky sleep patterns from working night shift.

Saturday, 11 February 2017: Airport collection and Petiscos dins

Bertie’s previous toy/TV-watching companion had become a grotty raggedy thing, so Husband presented him with a new friend – Monkey – first thing on Saturday. Bertie set about removing Monkey’s eyes, with a few licks as though to say sorry for hurting Monkey. Such a funny dog.

We headed off to the nearest Wimpy for breakfast before our airport trip to collect the parents. I went for a toasted cheese and Wimpy coffee, Husband had a Coke and streaky bacon breakfast with extra cheese griller.

Precious cargo safely collected from the airport, we headed back home to wait on an important delivery…

A fish tank! We’d been buying accessories over the weeks and finally ordered this tank last weekend as a combined birthday present to ourselves, for delivery on Saturday. No fishies in there yet as the water is being filtered and chemically altered to be just right – another week and it should be ready.

After a few more ‘Saturday things’ we were all feeling peckish and you can’t go wrong with a meal at Petiscos. Husband went for the hot chicken curry, the parents tried the hake and mussel combos, and I went for the can’t-miss chicken xai xai and Lindt Flake shake. Best!

Lol. Excuse the red lighting from the plastic sun filter to the side of the balcony.

We were done and dusted early enough to catch the sunset from Blouberg beachfront – note the males were brave enough to go knee-deep in the icy water.

Sunday, 12 February 2017: Braai with all the parents

If it’s Sunday and the Andrewses are around, it must be braai time. We braaied at ours on Sunday afternoon, with both sets of parents in attendance. All the food was delicious and there were lots of laughs.

Tuesday, 14 February 2017: BrandLove CX Trends talk, Woodbridge Island lunch and watering parents’ garden

Each time I attend an event held by BrandLove I feel there’s more and more to learn from them. Their latest customer experience trends event took place on Tuesday at the 360 Business Parks space in Paarden Eiland. This was the packed room in attendance.

Conference complete and on leave for a few days, I met Husband and his dad at Ilha in Woodbridge Island for a snack while his mum was out meeting former colleagues. We shared a portion of their bacon-feta jalapeno poppers, with Father-in-law opting for an omelette (despite it being afternoon time), and Husband and I shared the chicken schnitzel and chips. Yes, that is yet another coffee shake you see before me 🙂

Due to water restrictions in the Cape, we’re only allowed to water our gardens at certain times, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using buckets not hoses. As the parents were here on a Saturday and a Tuesday, we popped in to water the garden and also give the doggies a tour before the official move in a month or so. There was lots of exploring!

Bassie decided my lap was the best spot to sit and wait while the others did what they could to water the garden with buckets.

Wednesday, 15 February 2017: Birthday relaxing, family lunch and doggy beach walk

I’ve been taking my birthday off work for a good few years now. There’s nothing better than sleeping in, especially as the day flies by with all the calls and messages that come in. I also had the chance to read with my feet up and some caramel tea – of course Bassie wedged in beside me.

Husband and father-in-law joined my dad and his weekly pool tournament with his neighbourhood friends. Here they all are at Poole in Parklands.

I’d been chomping at the bit to try the deliciousness of All in the Kitchen for a while now. They recently moved from Boy de Goede circle to Marine Drive, but close at 6pm and don’t open on weekends. Seeing as we’d all be available we booked a table for lunch on my birthday. The meal of the day was roast beef with roast potatoes – see top left – the cappuccinos were strong and the coffee shakes were delicious. Everyone ordered the ‘meal of the day’ apart from me. That’s because…

Look. at. that. CAKE! I’d seen a preview of the ‘cake of the day’ on All in the Kitchen’s Facebook page and just knew I’d be going for this, the Nutella chocolate cake. It came complete with birthday candle and singing – just delicious!

After a brief nap it was time to walk off some of that food, and what better way to do so than at the beach with the doglets? You can make out Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Husband and Bertie in this shot from Kreeftebaai – Bassie stayed out of view with me.

It was a treat having someone else along to take photos during our walkies. Love Bertie shaking himself after his swim in the sea and the contented looks on both doggies’ faces once back home again.

Hehe. The annual ‘kiss on the cheek while wearing the birthday hat’ snap ❤ Click here for a reminder of last year’s version and here for the year before.

Thursday, 16 February 2017: Bread & Butter breakfast, Captain’s Kitchen cocktails

As we were both still on leave for the day, we decided on breakfast at Bread & Butter for the parents’ final meal with us before they returned home. I opted for the cheese and ham on sweet potato bread, Husband had the salmon eggs benedict and the parents each had the ‘hen’ breakfast.

We ended up at Captain’s Kitchen at Eden on the Bay in Big Bay that afternoon. I tried the blue crush-topped, pineapple-y Captain’s Sunset cocktail while Husband went for his firm favourite, the Long Island Ice Tea. The perfect way to round out a few days of leave.

That’s all, folks! Have a happy weekend. 🙂

Cloudy mornings in Melkbos and indulging in Woolworths’ chocolate French toast

Husband was nicknamed ‘Marvin’ this past week (he was on the night shift at work). I worked from home for a few days so we could see each other but we were much like ships passing in the night. Luckily he’s off this coming week so can recover and reset our internal clocks. It wasn’t all “work work work” though (sorry if you clicked through to those links and now have two earworms running through your head), we did have a few fun moments, too…

Saturday, 4 February 2017: The Hart Bakery and Melkbos beach visit

We’d not been to The Hart Breadhouse and Eatery in Melkbos for a while, so that’s where we breakfasted on Saturday morning. Here’s my strong cappuccino.

We both had the benedict breakfast for a change. Don’t worry, close-ups to follow…

I had the single bacon benedict…

 

Husband had the double salmon benedict. Really delicious, we both ate every morsel.

Full to the brim, we need to walk off some of that food before we could get anything done. Luckily, The Hart is just a hop, skip and jump from Melkbosstrand itself. Here is Husband heading towards the sea.

He’s just about the enter the water here.

And he’s in! Look how far away he is here, scampering along the rocks.

I stayed on the shore and admired the scenery. The clouds were just starting to scatter across the sky.

The clouds lightened up a few minutes later and we headed off to avoid the midday sun.

Aww, sweet little doggies. Obviously Bertie’s not trying to lick Bassie in this pic, I just chopped most of myself out so you can focus on their lovely faces.

Bassie wanted more attention so snuggled up close to me and her dad while Bertie went out for a lap around the garden.

Sunday, 5 February 2017: Woolworths Cafe meals and Captain’s Kitchen drinks

We tried the Woolworths’ Cafe in Canal Walk for Sunday breakfast. It only opens at 9am and was packed when we got there, so there was a little wait for the food, but it sure was delicious. I started off with a gingerbread latte while Husband had the bacon-potato cake with basil cream mushrooms.

For me? Possibly the best French toast ever. I went for the Nutella-banana-crushed nut option, as you can see. Each mouthful was a warm cocoa delight.

After a few Sunday chores we stopped at the beach. Husband scrambled along the rocks before taking a quick dip in the sea, as he does.

For our Sunday afternoon treat we decided on cocktails at Captain’s Kitchen in Eden on the Bay. It was sunny and bright out, just right for my strawberry shake and Husband’s Long Island Ice Tea.

Lol at this: Far too bright and we have mismatched expressions, but I think it’s gorgeous.

Thursday, 9 February 2017: Work meet at M&C Saatchi Abel CT

On Thursday morning, I popped into the M&C Saatchi Abel offices with Charlene from our sales team. What a lovely, bright space they work in!

That’s all, folks! Happy weekend 🙂

Husband’s 37th birthday hot dog and a farewell at Kirstenbosch

We celebrated Husband’s 37th birthday this past weekend, amongst other things on other days…

Monday, 23 January 2017: Spur’s Bar-One shake and chicken bacon salad

We popped into our nearest Spur after work last Monday and shared their chicken-bacon salad. Husband had a cappuccino and I slurped up their Bar-One shake.

Tuesday, 24 January 2017: Doggy beach walk

With my parents on a cruise for the week, we distracted the doggies with a nice long walk at Kreeftebaai after work. T’was remarkably empty.

The doggies had a lovely time chasing the sea and shouting at the birdies.

This is what it’s like for one person to walk both doggies – they veer off in opposite directions, with Bertie aiming at the sea and Bassie investigating the shells and dunes.

For dins that night, Husband had rustled up the following deliciousness – roast chicken with gravy, bright peas and potatoes roasted in duck fat. My new favourite.

Wednesday, 25 January 2017: Evening at Cape Town Comedy Club

We were invited to the Cape Town Comedy Club at the V&A Waterfront after work for a social evening with the team from Popimedia. We got there early as we had to leave early (before any of the comedy line-up even) to catch my next Photoshop webinar at 9pm, but still had fun. We dressed to the ‘black and red’ theme for the night, and I highly recommend the chocolate shake – very moussey.

Proof we were there. As it was previously known as Jou Ma Se Comedy Club, of course I tried the Jou Ma Se burger and Husband had the Jou Ma Se pulled lamb gatsby. Good dining fare.

Friday, 27 January 2017: Creative Mornings talk at Friends of Design

Tickets to the monthly Creative Morning talk go fast – so fast that this is the first time I’ve registered to attend in time. It’s held at Friends of Design on Bree Street, which is a working design lab and has lots of interesting things to see.

Even better? It’s free to attend, and there are lovely snacks, coffees and Sir Juice smoothies to get your creative juices flowing. Will do my best to register in time for each monthly talk!

Saturday, 28 January 2017: Pre-birthday celebrations

We started our Saturday at Village Place Cafe. Husband had a cappuccino, Coke and salmon eggs benedict. I went for a toffee cappuccino and the bacon, banana and nut-topped French Toast.

After a few weekend chores it was time for Husband’s pre-birthday dins, so we headed to the Ocean Sizzler at Eden on the Bay in Big Bay. He opted for the Sunset Screamer cocktail and seafood pasta, I went for a coffee milkshake and a cheese burger. Yummy.

Bellies full, we wandered around Big Bay as there were interesting things to see.

Sunday, 29 January 2017: Husband’s birthday fun

Birthday breakfast! We woke up pretty late so headed off to Reload in Parklands. Look at my bokkie in front of the bokkie wall, and note his breakfast hot dog with extra egg, my smashed avo bagel and toffee latte.

I had two free 2D movie tickets thanks to #AbsaRewards so we watched Passengers at Grand West Casino. Teehee at how I made Husband look all birthday-like with the added hat and balloons. 😉 We thoroughly enjoyed it.

When we got to Mum’s house for lupper she had pulled out all the stops – spaghetti bolognese with grated parmesan, her magical carrot cake complete with pineapple and walnuts (click here for a reminder of last year’s version), and the birthday hat that’s served us well over the past few years.

Thursday, 2 February 2017: Farewell picnic in Kirstenbosch

I’ve been to Kirstenbosch a few times but there’s always something new to see, like this bench just calling you to take a break and gaze at the purple-and-greenery.

Instead of cake and sad farewells in the office, we picnicked under a tree like this. The sky was very eerie and ominous, with someone saying, “If you try very hard, you can almost believe we’re in Jurassic World”. Ironic because…

Top left is a family of interested ducks, but look at the dinos top right and bottom left! How have I never seen these before? Also, the natural spring that provides for the entire park.

Cheese! (We ate some, too). Lol. Best bunch of people to spend eight hours a day with.

Woollies’ Pom Royale is lovely – non-alcoholic pomegranate with a vanilla flavour. We ate cheese, snack platters and homemade salted caramel ice cream. Lovely picnic!

That’s all, folks! Have a relaxing weekend.