Winter lunching at Balducci and 67 Minutes for Madiba, the Bizcommunity way

This past weekend we ate winter-warming food and tried to fit in a spot of relaxing, as you’ll see from the pics below…

Saturday, 13 July 2019: Ou Meul Bakkery brekkie and Balducci lupper

We started our weekend with breakfast at Ou Meul Bakkery in Willowbridge last Saturday. See my red-velvet latte.

See our breakfast bowls and happy faces.

Bright bunches of wild flowers on display in the eating area of the Willowbridge market.

Our sun-dappled garden that afternoon. Not seen: Bertie running around like a wild thing trying to bite the sprinklers and becoming sopping wet in the process!

We were invited to review the new winter lunch specials at Balducci’s in the V&A Waterfront that afternoon. See my Amarula Colada shake and Husband’s salt-and-pepper squid starter.

For mains, we went for the gnocchi carbonara and lamb shank respectively. Click here for my full, wordy review on Bizcommunity.

We were full to the gills by then, but couldn’t pass on dessert. See my ‘white Lindt chocolate’ cheesecake slice, and Husband’s ‘white Nile chocolate martini’.

As seen during our post-meal walkies around the Waterfront. Note Husband’s one-leg-up ‘pirate pose’ as we stood near the pirate ship.

Palm trees at Woodbridge Island at sunset, as seen on our way home that evening, always make for a pretty photo.

Table Mountain standing guard in the background.

Low-flying birdies over the water at sunset, just past Dolphin Beach.

Sunday, 14 July 2019: Breakfast at Kauai, Eden on the Bay

We met Husband’s parents for breakfast at Kauai in Eden on the Bay on Sunday morning. Chilly air meant long sleeves and scarves all round…

Tuesday, 16 July 2019: R59 pizzas at Panarotti’s

When I got home from work on Tuesday, Mum quickly whipped up a batch of crumpets and served them piping hot, with syrup and coffee. Yum!

On Tuesday night we ventured out to Panarotti’s at Table Bay Mall for their R59 pizza special. See our four different pizzas here as well as a Belgian waffle to end the meal.

Dad and me, enjoying our Amarula hot chocolate and Nutella mikshake accordingly.

Wednesday, 17 July 2019: Briyani and doggy jerseys

Wednesday was another cold one, as you can see here, with Bassie wearing her jersey. It was a briyani dins night, with flavoured milk to ease some of the burn.

Thursday, 18 July 2019: Bizcommunity’s 67 minutes for Mandela Day CSI outreach at Manenberg Primary School

A bit of rain didn’t stop the team’s 67 Minutes for Mandela Day activities. We delivered sweet treats and bookmarks to all the kiddies of Manenberg Primary School, and read to 70 learners from the grade 1 and 2 classes. Also see the pretty birdie painted on one of the exterior classroom walls, and our quick team pizza lunch at Ashley’s Family Restaurant post-event. Team pics snapped by Gail and Bardo.

That’s all, folks! Click here to recap my Balducci review on Bizcommunity. We hope you have a warm, restful weekend ahead.

*Disclaimer: Our meal at Balducci was part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

How we celebrated Husband’s 39th birthday

It was Husband’s birthday on Tuesday, so there were quite a few celebrations over the past few days involving cocktails, pizzas and beach visits…

Friday, 25 January 2019: After-work dinner at Ikura Earth Cafe

Husband fetched me from the bus stop after work last Friday and we had an early dinner together at Ikura Earth Cafe. See my very pink shake, Husband’s glass of red, his salmon handrolls and my crispy honey chicken. Yum!

Saturday, 26 January 2019: Reload breakfast, Hooked lunch, Beach Tavern cocktails

We opted for a quick breakfast at Reload Parklands on Saturday morning, before kicking off our admin chores for the weekend. See Husband’s eggy-bacon breakfast, my scones with jam and cheese, our coffees and the lovely leafy setting.

After much mall admin, we tried Hooked in Tygervalley Mall for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Husband enjoyed his fishy platter for one and the waffle with bananas and hot, fudgey sauce served in a pan was delicious.

We also met my parents at Beach Tavern in Woodbridge Island for Saturday evening cocktails. See the beautiful creamy pina colada shake with pineapple wedge. Dad and me had these, while Mum and Husband had Bloody Marys.

The four of us at Beach Tavern, with our happy faces and cocktails.

The weather was lovely so we stopped at Dolphin Beach for a quick beach visit on our way home. I was befriended by a doggy and there was a wedding ceremony underway. We sat on a dune and watched for a little while.

Sunday, 27 January 2019: Carlucci’s breakfast and beautiful beach weather

We had breakfast at Carlucci’s in Table View on Sunday morning, with a view of Table Mountain and delicious coffees. Also see my large almond croissant and Husband’s salmon eggs benedict.

Beautiful Table Mountain beyond the bowl of Table Bay.

Husband walking through streams of mussel shells to reach his preferred sea-swimming hole.

Husband and sea birds, between various dips in the sea.

I had a ‘Coffee in a cone’ from the cashless Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay as my Sunday afternoon treat.

Precious clean doglets after their Sunday afternoon shower.

It was a ‘build your own gatsby’ lupper at Mum’s. Yums!

T’was a pretty Sunday sunset, though the sky was hazy.

Tuesday, 29 January 2019: Husband’s 39th birthday dins at Panarotti’s

We met both sets of parents at Panarotti’s in Table Bay Mall for Husband’s birthday dins, after a long day of work. See all the happy faces.

Also see some of our pizzas and pastas – they’re all on special on a Tuesday – as well as my Bar-One and Dad’s Cherry Bomb shake.

The standard ‘birthday hat photo’ with the doglets once we were home that evening.

That’s all for now, folks! We’re sure to celebrate Husband’s birthday even more this weekend, so keep your eyes peeled for my next update. 🙂

NOB burgers, Rocomama’s ribs and new year swims at Shark Bay

This past week has been wonderful as we’re over the ‘eat eat eat’ Christmas week of the annual December-January break, yet we still had lots of fun times before we start the new work year next week…

Thursday, 27 December 2018: Rocomama’s ribs and shakes

We started last Thursday at The Daily in Big Bay. Queues were long so we just had a coffee to start the day – the condensed milky ‘tin cup’ for me, with the now off-menu tasting tray for Husband.

And so, next stop was Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay for actual food – the three cinnamon-sugar pancakes at R20 for me, while Husband had the hashbrown-mushroom stack.

Following a quiet day of rest, we met my parents at the new cashless Rocomama’s in Parklands for an early dins that afternoon. See the order sheets, chilli-cheese fries, BBQ pork ribs and current specials.

Milkshake mouths! Mine was espresso, the boys each had a creme brulee, and Mum had a Sprite Zero instead.

Dessert much, much later that evening – a fruit-mince pie and coffee in reindeer mug.

Bassie thought the mince pie was for her. She had one of her Christmas biscuits instead.

Friday, 28 December 2018: Enormous burgers at the NOB, Tyger Falls waterfront

Various stages of home-cooked breakfast – French toast with bacon and coffee for me, full fry-up for Husband, and hopeful doglets as always.

We saw on Facebook that The NOB (No Ordinary Burger) of food truck fame has opened a permanent eatery at the Tyger Falls waterfront, so headed that way for last Friday’s lunch. See the enormous burgers and views. Hand for size.

We needed to walk off some of that food before making our way home. Luckily the Tyger Falls waterfront is beautiful and easy to walk all the way around. It’s also surrounded by birdies, like this duck on the pier.

Saturday, 29 December 2018: Breakfast toasties at Reload

Reload is a good breakfast choice as it’s close to home, surrounded by greenery and we enjoy their coffee.

Our Saturday breakfast at Reload in Parklands comprised a ‘bacon-egg-cheese toasty’ on brown and flat white each. Coke Zero and Tabasco sauce for Husband.

Bellies full, we spent quality time at home with the doglets last Saturday morning. Such cuties!

We needed long, cool drinks after completing the Woodbridge Island-Lagoon Beach and back walk on Saturday afternoon. See Husband’s Bloody Mary and my Key Lime Pie shake at the Beach Tavern.

Beautiful blue mountain and glassy sea rolling in, later that afternoon.

Sunday, 30 December 2018: Sea swims and summery lupper

Husband coming up for air during a rock pool explore after a home breakfast on Sunday morning.

Mum put together delicious summery plates for our Sunday lupper.

Monday, 31 December 2018: New Year’s Eve in Langebaan

We so enjoyed our swim at Shark Bay in Langebaan last Christmas that we did so again with Husband’s family these holidays.

Sea swimming! Shark Bay is a magical spot between the lagoon and the open sea, as you can walk out almost to the other end of the inlet before you’re beneath the ‘waves’. We had a wonderful morning splashing about.

One of the best things I saw in Shark Bay – this doggie calmly going out for a paddle with his family.

Swim done, we took a cool cruise through town in search of lunch.

Pearly’s is a popular spot but they had a table for us, so that’s where we lunched. See Husband’s Thai fish curry top-right, the butter-chicken special bottom-left and my coffee shake bottom-right.

Er’rybody eating at Pearly’s! See Husband with his Thai fish curry, Spec and Father-in-Law with the butter-chicken special, Mother-in-Law with her snoek quesidilla special and me with the toasted chicken, chips and coffee shake. Various beers and wines for the rest. We left for home soon after and had a quiet evening in, with the doggies.

Tuesday, 1 January 2019: Happy New Year!

Loved this on the wall of Seattle Coffee in Exclusive Books at Table Bay Mall, when we stopped in for Husband to have a New Year’s Day espresso con panna.

We spent the day easing into the new year with a family braai at home with my parents, and more quality time with Bassie and Bertie. It was a scorcher, so they were happy to cool down under the fans.

Wednesday, 2 January 2019: Rocomama’s burgers and chilli-cheese fries

We had breakfast at Woolworth’s W Cafe in Table Bay Mall on Wednesday. See Husband’s flat white, Coke Zero and chorizo bowl, as well as my honey-nut latte and cakey coconut loaf with espresso cream.

After some reading under the fan, we were ready for food again. We had so enjoyed our burgers at Rocomama’s the previous week that we were there again for an early dins on Wednesday, this week. Also see my Belgian chocolate shake and our shared portion of chilli-cheese fries. Yum!

That’s all, folks! We’ve had a lovely, lazy break and luckily there’s a full weekend to go before we hit the office. Here’s to a super successful 2019!

Perfect beach ice creams and see the new Panama Jack’s

Last week Tuesday was a public holiday – May Day is Worker’s Day in SA so we had a day off work to do as our hearts desired, as you’ll see below…

Tuesday, 1 May 2018: Worker’s Day dins at Italian Club

When we finally got up, we went for a Cup & Cake breakfast in Seaside Village. See Husband’s eggs benedict and my ‘Eggs-purtly done’ – health bread smeared with cream cheese, Marmite and avo paste, topped with eggs any way you like – I went for hard boiled. Also see Husband’s ‘Quortado’ (variation on cortado, espresso with milk.)

We bumped into my parents when we stopped for a few chores at The Daily Cafe in Eden on the Bay, so the menfolk each had an espresso con panna.

We stopped for a snap at the ‘Lekker by die see’ mosaic on our way out of Eden on the Bay.

The palm trees and blue skies outside GrandWest Casino – we stopped in to watch the Avengers: Infinity War movie. Brother-in-law Spec joined us.

We were starving by the time the movie ended so decided on the Italian Club for dins, as t’was a chilly Winter’s eve. We both went for the gnocchi bolognese, mmm!

Ahh. Gorgeous sunset over Table Mountain on our way home.

My precious model children. They didn’t mind being huddled up close for once, as it was a chilly night.

Friday, 4 May 2018: Sunrise from the office window

Early morning sunrise over Lion’s Head, as seen from our offices in Woodstock.

Saturday, 5 May 2018: Bread & Butter breakfast, Woodbridge Island walk, Panama Jacks lunch

We had a Bread & Butter breakfast – the setting is just so quaint and cosy, with lots of cakes to drool over while telling yourself to order something healthier.

Husband succeeded in going for something healthier, with the salmon scrambled eggs, while I didn’t go so far as to have cake but had a chocolate-peanut butter smoothie bowl instead. Basically ice cream with nuts and bananas but hey, it was on the breakfast menu. Also see my cappuccino and Husband’s double flat-white.

We hadn’t done our ‘Woodbridge Island to Lagoon Beach and back’ walk in a while, so when we realised we had enough time, we were wearing caps and the weather was on our side, so do the walk we did. Once complete, we stopped at Ilha at Woodbridge Island for a liquid treat – draught beer for Husband and coffee shake for me.

We were meeting Husband’s parents for lunch at Panama Jack’s new location, inside the cruise passenger terminal at the harbour. It’s lovely.

We recommend sitting at the outside tables as you get a clear view over the harbour if there aren’t any ships waiting to dock. The inside roof is still pinned with flags, as in Panama Jack’s former location.

The food was fantastic. See the large house salad we shared top left, Husband’s angelfish Thai curry top right, Mother-in-Law’s fettuccini marinara bottom left and the duck with hoisin sauce bottom right – Father-in-Law and I both ordered this. We left not a speck of rice between us.

Sunday, 6 May 2018: Ice cream on the beach

For Sunday breakfast, we stopped in at Cafe Lacomia at our Builder’s Warehouse. See my tall cafe mocha, Husband’s cafe latte, his mince on toast and my toasted chicken mayo with chips. Hit the spot.

Book + coffee + dog = happy despite the winter chill.

The waves and clouds came together as the perfect ‘photo corner curliques’.

Sunday afternoon. should be all about strawberry swirled flake-tipped ice cream on the beach, Table Mountain in the background and clouds perfectly fluffed to cotton wool. proportions.

That’s all, folks! Winter is definitely in the air so keep warm 🙂

Strandloper fishy feast and Rocomama’s twisted cheesecake

If we’ve not yet spoken this year, happy 2018! It’s been a relaxing-yet-busy first week for us, as you’ll see below…

Friday, 29 December 2017: Day of rest

Friday was a day of rest, with this breakfast at Mugg n Bean in Table Bay Mall one of our only excursions. See Husband’s poached eggs on potato-bean hash brown, with my avo and poached egg toast and iced mocha. Highly recommended!

Saturday, 30 December 2017: Hot chocolate sampling tray at The Daily, sunset at the beach

We started our weekend as such: I went for the ‘hot chocolate tasting tray’ – white, dark and rooibos – with cinnamon-sugar pancakes while Husband had the eggs florentine and cappuccino at The Daily in Seaside Village.

We took advantage of the sunny weather later that day, with Husband having a dip in the sea at Castle Rock.

T’was an ‘ice cream on the beach’ day, so that’s just what I had for my afternoon treat. Was lovely, with ice cream all the way to the tip of the cone!

The weekly braai took place at Husband’s parents’ house later that afternoon, with Spec coming home with us and staying until New Year’s Day. Various snaps from the braai…

Lovely sunset at the beach on our way home that evening.

Sunday, 31 December 2017: New Year’s Eve Webered turkey

We opted for Foodlover’s Market for our final breakfast of 2017. See our cappuccinos, my bacon-feta-avo tramezzini with chips, and the boys’ halloumi stack breakfasts.

We stopped in at the Beach Tavern in Woodbridge Island for a brief beach visit and our final afternoon treat of the year. See my pina colada shake on the left.

There was gentle rain when Husband Webered ANOTHER turkey for New Year’s Eve, complete with confit potatoes and bright green peas.

Monday, 1 January 2018: Fry-up and prawn braai

We learned last year that almost everything is closed on New Year’s Day, so we planned ahead and stocked up on breakfast essentials ahead of the big day. Once we’d all rolled out of bed, Husband cooked a fry-up for all.

Spec left for his home after breakfast, and we got ready to put the Weber to use again with prawn skewers and peri-peri chicken. See mum and dad creating the prawn-and-peppers sosaties and the final outcome.

Husband did the honours of popping the New Year’s Day bubbly.

The hot doggies spent lots of time resting under the cool fans this week.

Tuesday, 2 January 2018: Melkbos morning, Woodbridge walk

Melkbosstrand beach was crowded as a result of the ‘beach weather’ day on Tweede Nuwe Jaar.

Castella Amare on the beachfront was one of few places open pre-noon on Tuesday, so that’s where we breakfasted. See our cocoa-topped cappuccinos, Husband’s eggs royale (salmon eggs ben) and my flapjacks with bacon and banana.

Various stages of the Woodbridge-Lagood Beach walk. We prefer starting at Woodbridge Island side, walking along the tree-lined road to Lagoon Beach, where we cross the stream and walk back to the Milnerton lighthouse along the beachfront. Walkies done, we stop for a treat. See Husband’s draught and the Dragon Fiery Apple I chose. They were frosty and delicious.

Wednesday, 3 January 2018: Day in Langebaan

We stopped off at the Vygevallei farm stall for breakfast, and ate at ‘Route 27 Roosterkoek’, which only served roosterbroodjies (coal-fired sarmies).

Of course I had a coffee to start (two tea bags of coffee in the pot = two tin cups full). Also see our ‘roosterkoeks’. Mine was jam and cheese, Husband had egg and cheese topped with hot sauce.

We met up with Husband’s parents at Shark Bay for a swim in the sea mid-morning. It was chilly but so refreshing!

Our destination for the afternoon – Strandloper! It offers a 10-course fishy feast, and if you’re a non-fish eater like me there’s still lots to fill that belly…

Mutton bredie! Crayfish! Moerkoffie in the sea!

We also ate… farm bread with three different types of konfyt (jam) – tomato, pineapple and fig. Mussels served two ways. Haarders. Koeksister twists with moerkoffie.

Thursday, 4 January 2018: News Cafe breakfast, Eden on the Bay walk, Rocomama’s treats

We woke up early enough for the early bird breakfast at News Cafe on Thursday morning. See our cappuccinos, Husband’s avo and chourizo eggs benedict and my early bird English breakfast. Very filling!

We worked off a bit of that breakfast with a brisk beach walk from Eden on the Bay to Kleinbaai and back – stopping at the yellow Nat Geo frame for a few snaps, of course.

On Thursday afternoon we went to the Durbanville branch of Rocomama’s with my parents. See dad’s burger and my chili con carne-topped fries.

This is what we came for – chocolate-syruped shakes with a tot of Jack Daniels served in skull-shaped glasses, and I tried the tiramisu version of their twisted cheesecake. So good!

That’s all, folks. It’s back to work for us next week so we’ll be making the most of our sunshine hours together this weekend! 🙂

Leadville for ‘small and shy dogs’; Bossa burgers and boozy shakes

Last weekend we took Bassie for an explore around Leadville doggy park in Sunningdale. It has a Reload on site so you can swig some coffee while your doggies trot around the grass, making friends.

See snaps of that and other top moments of the week below….

Saturday, 18 November 2017: Ilha breakfast, windy braai

We’d not been to Woodbridge Island in a while so headed that way for Saturday breakfast. Without planning it, we were both in matchy-matchy grey in front of their grey-blue wall.

See Husband’s full English breakfast with mushroom and pork sausage, and my well-sauced scrambled eggs on toast.

Bertie spends about 30% of his time perched atop the couch back like this.

Cold, rainy days are all about relaxing with the doggies indoors.

Scenes from the braai at Husband’s parents house, later that afternoon.

Last week you saw Bassie with the pudding cups. This week, Bertie allowed a few pics before he ran off to chew his in peace.

Bassie and I braved the chilly wind to sit in the sun by the braai fire for a while.

Sunday, 19 November 2017: Leadville doggie park, Saints treats

We’d heard that our local News Cafe offers a few more breakfast specials for the early birds, so tried them out on Sunday morning. I went for the standard English early bird top left, Husband sampled the ‘spinach and feta’ eggs benedict for R45. Very good value.

An ‘action shot’ of Husband peppering up his plate.

This is Leadville. Bassie had a fun time trotting around in the fenced off area for ‘small dogs shy dogs’.

Later that day, beach walkies! Bertie splashed about in the sea and had a lovely time.

We went to Saints at Eden on the Bay for our Sunday afternoon treat, and ended up with two drinks each. See my Snickers shake (with chunks of actual chocolate bar swirled throughout) and Cafe Capri (coconut chocolate latte, very yummy); then there’s Husband’s Smooth Criminal shooter – caramel vodka with creme de banana top, and his Kiss and Say Goodbye shake, with Scotch whisky, Kahlua and Oreo cookie bits. Yum.

Mum outdid herself with a summery feast for Sunday lupper. I think we ate everything between the four of us (six, with the dogs).

Mum made these gorgeous individual trifles for dessert.

Monday, 20 November 2017: Evening doggy snuggles

I worked from home on Monday as had lots of transcribing to tick off my to-do list. T’was still chilly that evening so Bertie curled up beside me on the couch.

Wednesday, 22 November 2017: Meltwater interview in Green Point, burgers and shakes at Bossa

I interviewed the global CEO of Meltwater at their Cape Town offices in Green Point on Wednesday afternoon. This was the view from the ‘interview room’. Click here for the interview.

That evening we headed out to Bossa in Burgundy Estate – where we used to go for paella at Espana. We sat outside and I was delighted that their boozy shakes are included in the R40 happy hour. See my ‘mud pie’ shake with vodka, Nachtmusik and Amarula. Husband looks zen.

Here is Husband’s cheese bomb burger – mozzarella, aged cheddar, bacon and jalapenos – with large onion rings and chips.

All the foooood. Husband had a burger, I went for the nachos with mince. That’s a half portion you can see, which I only finished the next day.

Thursday, 23 November 2017: Red cup, yellow chair at Red & Yellow

My brownie bite and colour-coordinated red cup of strong coffee in front of a yellow chair at Red & Yellow for the third week of ‘digital marketing live’.

That’s all, folks! I’m having a mini-staycation at the start of next week so looking forward to relaxing and having happy moments with the doggies.

Family Easter celebrations and first fireplace fire of 2017

Last weekend was a long one as t’was finally Easter weekend, plus Husband was on leave all of this week bar today, so we have a few more pics than usual below…

But first:

Bassie hasn’t been feeling well the past few weeks. She’s finally on the right meds and feeling a bit better – but that’s her standard sad face on the right, with her brother grinning away on the left.

Also, behold:

Easter time is the time for eggs, and the time for eggs is the Easter time! Teehee. Assorted Easter treats including a handful of second-hand books, an Easter-themed cake and toffee egg with coffee at work.

Friday, 14 April 2017: Good Friday brotherly beers

It seemed Winter had hit when we woke on Good Friday so we dragged out some warm clothes and stopped at News Cafe in Marine Circle for their early bird breakfast. Always a win.

We took the doggies for very brief walkies at their favourite beach for a change of scenery. Bertie and his dad ran off into the waves while Bassie and I took it slow.

We finally got to spend some time with Husband’s brother Spec later that day, newly relocated to Cape Town. Note their matching haircuts (given at same barber shop). We had a liquid break at Saint’s in Eden on the Bay – that’s my banoffee shake while they perused the craft beer menu.

Of course we took the ‘sitting on Table Mountain frame’ photo on our way back home.

T’was quite chilly that evening. Here you can see me having a quick coffee at Husband’s parents’ house when we dropped off Spec, as well as my hot-cross-bun muffin and coffee at home, and little miss Bassie huddled in front of the fire Husband lit that evening.

Saturday, 15 April 2017: Pre-Easter braai

We breakfasted at Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay on Saturday morning. That’s my slice of custard cake and cappuccino, and the avo-cream cheese-eggy toast Husband ended up with, pre- and post-Tabasco saucing.

I now present to you the first official braai at the Andrews seniors’ last Saturday.

Little Bassie and Bertie had fun trotting around their Granny’s garden, stopping for lots of attention and treats along the way.

It was quite the feast, once all the foodies were ready.

Main meal eaten, it was time to try the ‘braai pudding’ – brownie topped with caramel and marshmallows that gets heated on the braai. Plus coffee, of course. Bassie was very interested.

It was a lovely sunset once we got home that evening.

Sunday, 16 April 2017: Easter beach walk(s)

By Saturday morning the weather had cleared into summer sunshine again, so we ventured out to Melkbos for brekkie – I Love Melkies had just been renovated and looked most appealing, so that’s where we sat. See Husband with his cola and eggs on bacon-hash, with my cappuccino and bacon-marscapone-strawberry single waffle.

As you can see from my beach jump pics, this is what we did after we’d eaten.

Do you see that little speck of a husband in the distance? He really loves the sea, that one.

That afternoon we did the Woodbridge Island-Lagoon Beach round trip walk. There were lots of flamingoes in the water.

Post-walkies we stopped in at The Beach Tavern in Woodbridge. We sampled a bacon-wrapped chilli popper and fancy milkshake each. I went for the strawberry cheesecake, Husband had the alcoholic apple version. Jeepers they tasted as ‘colourful’ as they looked!

Monday, 17 April 2017: Family day with our little family

The weather was still lovely so we ate outside at Lacomia’s on Monday morning. That’s my cappuccino, Husband’s salmon-cream cheese omelette and my toasted cheese and tomato.

Monday was a lazy day with the doggies and finally going to watch Beauty and the Beast at the cinema. We always walk around the perimeter greeting the Koi before going into GrandWest Casino.

We stopped at the ‘pose and press’ photo booth in The District before the movie, as you do. These are our happy faces.

We were quite hungry after watching Beauty and the Beast so popped into the practically empty Hussar Grill. I’d been drooling over the thought of their chocolate-chilli chicken on mash for months, and Husband tried his first carpetbagger steak stuffed with oysters and topped with a brandy sauce. All in all, most delicious!

T’was sunset when we left. What a wonderful long weekend.

Thursday, 20 April 2017: Male family golf morning

The men-folk played golf at Burgundy Estate on Thursday morning (victors in order from left to right), the women-folk went for tea and I went to work. Sob.

That’s all, folks! Hope you had a happy Easter break and that you’re looking forward to the week ahead. 🙂

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. 🙂

Hiking Table Mountain’s Skeleton Gorge, touristy fun at the Waterfront and Christmas 2016

As we’ve been on leave for exactly a week, you can expect a double dose of the usual amount of pics below…

Friday, 23 December 2016: Brother airport collection, Spur breakfast and my first Dunkin Donut

First thing on Friday, our first day of leave,  we headed off to the airport. Next step, the brothers reunited! This scene was all the more touching as we’d just watched the ultimate ‘Christmas airport reunion’ movie the night before, Love Actually. I also liked the pretty tree of light on the right.

First stop, breakfast! We went for the Unreal breakfast at Canal Walk’s Spur.

We ran a few errands at Canal Walk that morning, and I finally got to try a Dunkin Donuts’ pastry. All cost R14, so you pay for quantity then select the one you want. They didn’t have yellow smiley faces so tried a ‘snowman’ – and was pleasantly surprised when I bit into a rich chocolatey centre.

It was a rainy afternoon but we were happy to spend it at home, catching up by playing Star Wars Trivial Pursuit, blogging and braai-ing.

Saturday, 24 December 2016: Big Bay morning, Woodbridge afternoon

Saturday was sunny and we had lots and lots to do, so we started our day with breakfast at The Daily Cafe in Seaside Village – that’s my cappuccino and Nutella flapjacks on the left, with Husband’s bruschetta and brother-in-law’s breakfast wrap on the right.

I couldn’t say ‘no’ to trying a Slo-Jo ‘Coffee in a cone’ when we passed Village Place Cafe in West Coast Village while running a few errands on Saturday. You down the coffee before it can melt through the chocolate and cone, then munch through the shell. I’ll be back! 🙂

View of Table Mountain from Big Bay, where brother-in-law dunked his feet in the sea for the first time during this visit as it had been raining the day before.

Husband and his brother in the yellow Nat Geo picture frame of Table Mountain from Big Bay.

That afternoon we did a very mild hike from Woodbridge Island, across Lagoon Beach and back. We rewarded ourselves with chilli poppers at Woodbridge Island’s Ilha.

We gave the Star Wars Trivial Pursuit another bash later that afternoon. I came last, even with Bassie’s help.

Sunday, 25 December 2016: Christmas lunch at our house

Cheers, Merry Christmas! Pose of all attendees at this year’s lunch, doggies are at our feet so sadly not in this shot.

But the doggies had lots of fun moments. Bertie tugged his new stuffed toy and his Mickey Mouse Christmas stocking, while Bassie sat on my lap and admired the view from her granny’s shoulder. Most of all they looked at the Christmas lunch spread.

Christmas lunch! Look at all the lovely baked potatoes, turducken, corned beef, gammon, ‘salad wreath’, trifle and mojitos.

Hills also treated Bassie and Bertie to these personalised Christmas stockings, each filled with a can of tasty age-appropriate stew for their Christmas dins.

After all that attention and all that food, the doggies nodded off happily.

Monday, 26 December 2016: Road trip to Langebaan

We had a busy day ahead so decided to fill up on the buffet breakfast at Doodles on the Blouberg beachfront as it was a public holiday. There are my three courses, and note the couple photobombing me and brother-in-law in the bottom left.

Duckies and geese all on patrol at the Vyge Valley farm stall on our road trip to Langebaan.

Finally there, we popped into Husky’s to wet our whistles and for a bite to eat. See my very pink strawberry shake and the samo basket once we’d eaten all the ‘samos’, chipolata sausages and tiny chicken wings (see how small in Husband’s wrist).

Brothers examining the sea at Shark Bay just outside Langebaan.

Some of our Langebaan seaside activities. See if you can spot Husband and brother-in-law, the tiny dots in the sea on the top and bottom left!

Tuesday, 27 December 2016: Skeleton Gorge hike up Table Mountain

Tuesday was hiking day. We’d dithered over tackling Lion’s Head or Table Mountain, eventually opting for Table Mountain through Skeleton Gorge – we parked the car at Cecelia Forest, then hiked into the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and started the trail. It looks very sunny in these pics but quickly became overcast.

Once in Kirstenbosch we ambled across the slightly swaying Boomslang canopy walkway before the heavy hike began. Quite the view.

We were completely exhausted by the time we reached the top of Skeleton Gorge. Some of us literally lay down to nap among the flowers, some gazed at the view.

Success! We reached the rock cairn of Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point of the Table Mountain park, after a good six hours of hiking.

After trekking across the top of the mountain we finally reached the upper cable station – there’s no way we were hiking back down! See some of the cloud and sights from the top, and how unimpressed Husband looked after 9km of hiking.

Wednesday, 28 December 2016: Touristy things at V&A Waterfront, dog walkies in the suburbs

We had an Entertainer voucher to use on Yacoob Yachts’ Ameera before the end of the year, but got to use it on the slightly larger Tigresse as Ameera wasn’t running that day. No seasickness in sight, but we got a little sunburnt. Spotted a few dolphins and other sea life and felt a little more like we were on holiday after.

We decided to use another of our 2016 Entertainer vouchers while at the Waterfront, for a two-for-one trip around the Cape Wheel. Another touristy thing to tick off the to-do list.

We stuck with our nautical theme for the day by lunching at Panama Jacks in the harbour. I felt like a plate of chips while the boys went for the fettuccine marinara. We had to hold onto our hats as it was really windy.

It was too windy for beach walkies that afternoon but the doggies were keen to stretch their legs so we went a few blocks around the house. They loved it.

Thursday, 29 December 2016: Mussel morning, Cape Point afternoon

Thursday morning was for mussel collecting as it was the best tide for it. I read under a beach umbrella while Husband bravely ventured into the sea to collect a bag-full.

By then we all had rumbling (and rambling) tums, so stopped off at Village Place Cafe in West Coast Village. I had a delicious cappuccino with a shot of toffee syrup, so yum.

There’s Husband with my cappuccino, my banana-peanut waffle, brother-in-law’s big breakfast on top and Husband’s pesto breakfast below.

Next stop, Cape Point! We saw the most beautiful ocean views and smelled delicious sea air the whole way there.

We didn’t follow all the cars on their way to Cape Point, instead turning off before then to reach the not well-known tidal pool.

Venus Pool is only accessible by short hike, so short hike we took. The pool was pretty empty and just right for my first swim of the summer.

Husband had a wonderful time splashing about and gazing out at the sea from the sea wall.

That’s all for now, folks! Brother Spec is with us for a few more days and we have another week of leave to look forward to, so expect another image-heavy post next week (make that ‘next year’… ) 🙂

Woodbridge Island walks and lunching at Glenelly Estate’s Vine Bistro

We’ve had a wonderfully sunny week, with lots of time spent outdoors…

Saturday, 10 December 2016: Summer lunch review at Glenelly Estate

We started last weekend with a quick, shared breakfast at the closest Cafe Lacomia as we had a busy, food-filled day ahead. I love that I get two mini biscuits with the cappuccino there, and the Bulls Eye breakfast is just the right size for sharing. Plus, you’re encouraged to eat cupcakes (not that I did)…

Glenelly Estate, our lunch spot for the day on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, has some of the prettiest vineyards and views.

Nestled at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains, this is a truly lovely spot.

The vine-covered pathway.

The food at Glenelly’s the Vine Bistro! Heavens, it was good. You can see Husband’s cold red soup starter featuring octopus tentacles and chorizo, as well as his lemon-chive hake mains on the left, then my pork trotter starter and blueberry duck mains in the middle, and a bottle of the Glenelly Estate Chardonnay on the right. Click through to my official review for more words on these!

Dessert is served… Top left is my ‘warm melting biscuit’ with poached pears and yoghurt chantilly, bottom left is Husband’s creme caramel, and on the right, my cappuccino.

Tummies purring contentedly, we walked around the rest of the grounds. This is the view of the vineyards from the upstairs tasting room.

More of the upstairs tasting room’s view. Such a picture-perfect spot.

On the way home we passed a sign for Mountain View Piggery in Paarl and obviously had to turn in to have a look. The piggies were rather large and clean – not a surprise when we saw just how much the guy on the bottom was enjoying his shower.

That evening involved lots of relaxing things. Here we are with the doggies in the lounge.

Sunday, 11 December 2016: Lagoon Beach breakfast, Woodbridge Island walk

On Sunday morning we headed to The Brasserie in the Lagoon Beach Hotel for breakfast. The buffet option was quite pricy so we were happy to order from the a la carte menu. Here is my cappuccino and Husband’s breakfast Cola.

But what did we eat, I hear you ask? Husband opted for the salmony benedict you see on the left, while I went for the grilled banana-filled pancakes topped with strawberries and cream. Delicious!

Next on the agenda was a beach walk to Woodbridge Island and back. We love these palm trees outside Woodbridge.

We stopped a few times along the way to admire the view. Can just see the Woodbridge lighthouse in this shot.

We stopped to examine the ‘wreck’ at Lagoon Beach – Husband says it’s actually from a movie set.

Sunday afternoons are for milkshakes. Husband went for a Frankies’ Cinnamon Cola while I tried Bread & Butter’s ‘salted caramel’ shake. That’s a chewing-gum ball on top.

Tuesday, 13 December 2016: Pink sunsets and doggy TLC

Pink-streaked clouds like these are my favourite.

The doggies got lots of TLC when their grandparents visited for dins that eve! Bassie’s expression on the right, while getting ear rubs from her grandpa, is very funny.

Wednesday, 14 December 2016: Rogue One screening at iMax

On Wednesday, we headed off the the Cape Gate iMax after a long day of work to watch the new Star Wars movie, Rogue One. We were surrounded by Star Wars heavies but fit right in as we’d worn Star Wars gear all day and even read the pre-movie book Catalyst so knew most of the characters on screen.

That’s all, folks! There’s lots of excitement in the air as we’ll finally be on holiday at the end of this week, and Father Christmas is coming (along with brother-in-law, Spec) 🙂

*Disclaimer: Obviously our meals at Glenelly Estate were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.