Jason Bakery Bardough breakfast and the Red Devil steam train

Last weekend was another sunny one, as you’ll see from the short sleeves in the pics below…

Wednesday, 18 July 2018: Unboxing diversity with Kantar Millward Brown

I attended an interesting morning presentation on ‘Unboxing stereotypes in advertising’ at Kantar Millward Brown’s offices on the Foreshore on Mandela Day. Make sure you read my overview if you missed it.

Friday, 20 July 2018: Joining the Tribe Coffee early birds, Wikimania Cape Sun conferencing

Last Friday I walked across the road to Tribe Coffee Roasters the moment I had put my bag at my desk, as a colleague told me about their earlybird special – any coffee ordered before 9am is R15. My large flat white was delicious and worked a charm!

Later that morning I attended the Wikimania conference press briefing, on the 32nd floor of the Cape Sun Hotel, only to bump into my cousin Luke, who is a reporter for the Weekend Argus. Read my coverage of the event if you missed it.

Almost birds-eye view of the Cape Town CBD hugged by Table Mountain on our way down the lift, once the event was over.

Saturday, 21 July 2018: Flapjacks and doughnuts at Table Bay Mall, Portuguese chicken Petiscos dins

Husband had to work on Saturday so we grabbed a quick breakfast together at Table Bay Mall’s Mugg & Bean before parting ways for the day. See my cappuccino with chocolate biscuit and stack of choc-chip flapjacks. Husband had a ‘serious cappuccino’ and the bacon and egg on toast.

Soon after Husband left for the office, my parents arrived at the Mall – just in time for a teatime treat! See Mum and me mid-laugh with our chai lattes at Dunkin Donuts.

Dad’s treat of cappuccino and doughnut topped with white frosting and sprinkles.

The doglets were most curious about my leftover flapjack later that afternoon.

We decided on Petiscos for dins that evening as we both adore their chicken fillet xai xai. I also had a Lindt choc flake shake, while Husband had a glass of the house red.

Sunday, 22 July 2018: Jason Bakery brekkie and spotting the Red Devil steam train

We woke to ‘road trip weather’ on Sunday, so off to Jason Bakery Bardough in Green Point we went. See the skull made of corks; dark charcoal-looking rolls; white chocolate, raspberry and almond croissants; and my flat white.

See the interesting decor, pigs-ear type biscuit that accompanies the coffee and Husband’s rocket, mushroom, bacon, egg and cheese-filled ‘breakfast toastie’.

Beautiful coastline on the winding route home!

We stopped along the way to peer over the edge at the crashing waves below.

We were in the Kloof Nek side of Cape Town that afternoon so stopped in for a very brief walk around one of the walking trails. It’s so green and gorgeous.

Husband exploring Roundhouse, at the bottom edge of the walk we were on. Lovely hint of the sea in the distance.

Eagle-eyed Husband noticed the Red Devil was on the train tracks in the Cape Town harbour when we passed, so of course we took a detour to have a closer look.

Proof that it really is the Red Devil and not just any random red steam train.

Husband had a dunk in the sea slightly further up the coast from his usual spot that afternoon.

Thursday, 26 July 2018: Sunrise in Woodstock

We left for work a little earlier than usual on Thursday so the sun was just beginning to rise when I reached the Woodstock MyCiti station.

That’s all, folks! Gasp, have just realised that while I glugged down copious cups of coffee, there was a severe lack of milkshakes on the menu. Just one! I will have to make amends 😉 May your weekend be restful and restorative.

Sunny winter weekends at the beach

Last weekend, the weather was sunny and mild so we spent lots of time out and about, as you’ll see from the pics below…

Friday, 13 July 2018: Warding off the winter chill at work

The winter chill returned last Friday, so much so that I wore my fingerless gloves to type at work. I also gladly accepted the orange my sweet deskmate offered.

Saturday, 14 July 2018: News Cafe earlybirds and beachview burgers at Jerry’s

We started our weekend with earlybird breakfast specials at News Cafe on Marine Drive – the full English for me, the eggs benedict for Husband.

Later that day we were doing weekend chores at N1 City, where I snapped these brightly coloured cream doughnuts. Was almost tempted to have one, but…

I knew we were heading to Jerry’s for an early dins so kept my appetite for it. See Husband’s ‘drunken chicken’ burger with skinny fries and my cheesy ‘heart attack’ with sweet potato fries. Also see Husband’s glass of red and my wild berry shake.

View from our table at Jerry’s, Table View. Chilly, but gorgeous.

Aww. Bertie looked so proud of himself for getting a hug from his dad that evening.

Little Miss Bassie was equal parts suspicious and jealous, but also received lots of TLC.

Sunday, 15 July 2018: Melkbos Kitchen breakfast and doggy beach walks

The weather was bright and beautiful again on Sunday so we took a little drive for breakfast. See the calm sea of Melkbosstrand.

Melkbos Kitchen looked most appealing, so that’s where we ate. See our flat whites, Husband’s eggs benedict and my apple-ginger flapjack stack. Close-up to follow…

Close-up of my apple-ginger flapjack stack.

This was the beautiful empty road later that day – it just shouts of ‘Sunday afternoon drive in the country!’

Later that afternoon the wind had died down, so it was perfect weather to take the doggie for beach walkies.

Sweet Bertie at Kreeftebaai. If you look closely you’ll see he is Very Wet as he loves to swim doggy-paddle along the shore and then sprint up and down the coast, barking at sea birds.

Sea birds in flight, soon after Bertie started barking at them.

Sweet little Bassie also enjoys a brisk trot but prefers to stay dry, for the most part.

See the quiche and mini sausages we snacked on at Husband’s parents’ house that afternoon. The doggies were delighted when my parents popped in for a few minutes, too. See Bassie nestled between me and Mum, Bertie asleep on the couch against his grampa’s leg, and the chocolate cake Mum rustled up in the microwave when we visited later that evening.

If you’ve been active on social media this week, you’ll know this also happened…

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

Winter weekend beach breakfasts and sea swims

It’s been quite a wet, chilly week so without the pics below, you probably wouldn’t believe that last weekend was one of those rare warm winter weekends in Cape Town. So warm, in fact, that Husband had a dip in the ocean…

Saturday, 7 July: Breakfast at Makro, Winter sea swims, Durban July jollity 

Our Saturday morning activities were all in the vicinity of Makro, so we had breakfast there, too. See my English Toffee milkshake and toasted chicken-mayo, Husband’s Coke Zero and boerewors breakfast, and the large cream-topped cappuccino we shared.

Later that morning, Husband decided the water was just warm enough for a dip in the sea. So off we went to his favourite dunking spot, in he went – and he was out again fairly soon, but feeling refreshed. The mountain looked lovely from there, so I just gazed at the view.

That’s the view I was looking at. Insert heart-eyes emoji! 🙂

Later that afternoon, we stopped in at Husband’s parents’ house for the annual Durban July horse draw and snacks, with a quick braai after. Bassie was particularly sweetly behaved that day.

Aw. See? Such sweet doggies waiting to greet their other set of grandparents.

Sunday, 8 July: On the Rocks breakfast, Driftwood lunch

On Sunday morning we stopped in at Husband’s parents house again to pick up Spec, who had spent the night. Then we set off for On the Rocks, for a wonderful breakfast filled with sea breezes and seagulls. Coffee close-up to follow…

That’s what I call coffee with a view!

Look at the food! That’s Spec’s enormous omelette top left, and Husband’s kippers with poached eggs bottom right. Close up of my berries-and-ice-cream French toast to follow…

As promised. Delicious, as the jammy berry compote is slightly tart and the ice cream melts into the hot sandwich – if you eat it the way I do!

We met my parents for lunch at the Driftwood Cafe on Sunday. See my custard shake, Dad’s lime shake, Mum’s Flying Fish and Husband’s draught beer. Also my nachos and Mum’s cajun chicken caesar salad. Not pictured – Dad’s calamari and chips.

Husband’s mussel pot with chunks of bread and chorizo.

Tuesday, 10 July: An evening visit from an old friend

Our friend Gords was in Cape Town on business on Tuesday, so he popped in at our house for a quick visit that evening. Bertie was pleased to see his old friend, and spent some quality time with his Grampa.

Little Miss Bassie also loved all the attention.

We’ve had some pretty pinky-orange skies at sunset this past week, too.

That’s all, folks! Here’s to a relaxing weekend filled with happy moments 🙂

Rooting for local rugby

You know Winter is well and truly here if my weekly highlights include supporting our local rugby team, UniMil (Milnerton) at Theo Marais Park…

Saturday, 30 June 2018: Sweetloaf’s R11 treats and rooting for local rugby

It was a Village Place Cafe kind of day on Saturday, so Husband had the mince on toast topped with eggs while I had the sweetcorn fritter breakfast stack. Also see our cappuccinos.

A little later in the day we were at Sable Square where I can’t resist a treat from Sweetloaf, as everything costs just R11 – whether it’s a cold drink, cappuccino, pastry or mini pie you’re after.

Couldn’t help snapping this oil spill in a parking lot on Saturday. Such pretty rainbow colours.

We decided to pop into Theo Marais Sportsground for a little rugby atmosphere on Saturday afternoon and to support the UniMil (Union Milnerton) main team against rivals Tygerberg. I was thrilled to see the NOB (No Ordinary Burger) food truck as their burgers are delicious! We shared a chili cheese burger at half-time.

We were only there for the main game at 4pm but some fans had watched the action all afternoon.

Husband opted for a bottle of Carling Black Label purchased on the premises while I sipped from a flask of coffee we brewed at home.

T’was all overcast and gloomy by the time we headed back home following a close game – final score 32-36, we just won!

The doglets warding off the winter chill in front of the fire that evening.

Sunday, 1 July 2018:  Limnos breakfasts and Wimpy shakes 

We tried the breakfasts at Limnos Bakers in the Table Bay Mall on Sunday. See our cappuccinos, my custard croissant and Husband’s mince on toast topped with eggs (again).

We decided on Wimpy shakes for our Sunday afternoon treat. A plain vanilla for Husband and the toffee-peanut butter for me.

Little Miss was chilly so wore her pajamas/tracksuit to her Granny’s house. Bertie wore his too but kept lifting it off his back so we let him run loose.

I always feel like somebody’s watching me… Sweet little girl sitting warm and snug.

A sleepy boy on the couch at home again, later that evening.

Monday, 2 July 2018: Breakfast at All in the Kitchen

I had taken a day’s leave on Monday so started the week off on the right note with breakfast at All in the Kitchen with my parents. Love their food and drink and wise words on the wall!

Mum and me with our croissants and flat whites in the corner.

It was a truly chilly day with rain showers on and off so I spent lots of time with my hands around mugs of hot drinks and in finger-less mittens.

That’s all, folks! It looks set to be a warmer weekend than usual for a Cape winter, so enjoy the sunshine 🙂