SA Christmas 2008

The Christmas Festivities began a couple of weekends ago when Mike and I with a few friends went up the West Coast for Sunday Lunch. Served on the dunes we were served with endless seafoods including prawns & calamari strips, preceded by a great fish bisque and then to finish the afternoon coffee and Koeksisters.
Christmas Eve:
Mike and I were invited to celebrate with The Roeds Danish Style in Hout Bay. After an eventful relaxing time in garden with ponies and boules we were entertained by the childrens nativity play.
The adults dinner was served in the evening, the most amazing pork cooked in the Weber BBQ followed by Danish Rice Pudding. We all then had a couple of small gifts and Mikael played us the piano while we sang a couple of christmas carols.




Christmas Day

We were joined by Patrick and Stephen for our christmas lunch of Ham and Turkey. We were given a Wii by Mum & Pete so we had a few games of bowling and golf.
Thank you to everyone for all our other gifts it was nice to have something to open on Christmas morning.





Boxing Day
Mike and Stephen went surfing in the morning, then Mike and I went to watch James Bond at the Waterfront Cinema.

Today
Walked to the bakery down the road to buy bread for our ham sandwiches, stopped off at the new pancake restaurant in our building for coffee. Now just filling in form to try and extend our visas. This afternoon is the official opening of the new restaurant and pancake place downstairs so going down to do some tasting.

Merry Christmas
Mike & Nic
x

Sun, Beach & Movies

Now the summer has set it, it is great living in Cape Town. Friday after work a few us went to Clifton beach to watch the sunset with Pizzas. There was then a big screen set-up to watch a surf movie when the sun had gone down. There must have bee a couple of thousand people on the beach watching the movie.

Saturday awoke to a beautiful very hot day, between Mike working we took a drive to our recycling place which also happens to have a second hand book shop - so I stocked up. We met Patrick & Thabo for a couple of drinks at the bar across the road from our apartment. At 5pm we went to friends for a braai, then was pulled away early due to work, but managed to watch a movie.

Sunday - another baking day in Cape Town (as well as today, the aircon has been on in the office the whole day - usually I have to turn it off as my hands get cold). We went for our Sunday coffee to read the newspapers at the Waterfront then back to the flat, where i spent the afternoon on the balcony reading my book whilst mike worked inside. As soon as the sun hit our balcony I had to come in and run to the pool to cool down, and had a lovely swim.

Only 2 weeks left at work, before the office semi closes for Chirstmas.

Sarasota - 4th November to 6th November

As I write, we are ready to leave the warmth of Florida (not really true for past 2 days) for the cold of Wisconsin, but before we go I'll bring you up to speed with the past couple of days.
Tuesday morning Rose and I set off with Rose's friend Shelby on our bikes for a ride to Casey Key.
The local railway track has been converted to a biking trail so most of the ride is through a national park - very pretty and peaceful. However the peace was shattered by what sounded like a gunshot. Shelby's rear tyre had burst! Thank goodness for cell phones. She called her husband and made her way to the nearest road for him to pick her up. We continued on the trail. At the end of Casey Key, with Venice on the other side of the water, is a small fish bar which also serves great coffee. Rose and I had a cup and sat talking to a couple of men, one of whom is an Iroquois Indian from Canada.
Just as we were leaving, Shelby rang to say her bike was fixed and Dave was bringing her to meet us. We crossed back to the mainland and immediately turned right along the water and went to Pop's, a quaint waterside bar and restaurant. We ordered a pitcher of beer and a plate of Nachos for two - it was huge and plenty for the three of us. It was great sitting there watching the boats go by. It's not as easy to cycle after two large glasses of beer even though it was 'Lite'.

When we got back (slightly saddle sore - me) we just flopped at home. But of course, it was a great night to be in and watching the results coming in on TV. Rose had been threatening to immigrate back to the Netherlands if Obama did not get in. Guess her grandchildren felt the same way.

Well Rose is happy and staying in the US
Wednesday was aquarobics again and then, as the weather was cold, we took a drive to Lakewood Ranch - not very exciting - so we went to St Armand's and enjoyed an ice cream then a coffee as we strolled around looking at the shops. Back home again and off to the club house for pub night (and generous servings of Scotch).

Sarasota - 31st October to 3rd November

I finished off last time saying we were getting ready to go into Sarasota to eat. Well, we had the most amazing dinner at Michaels on East. Friday night's special was 'Lobster Fest' which consisted of two Maine lobsters, mussels and clams served with red potatoes and corn on the cob, which we washed down with a rose champagne. Absolutely delicious. Afterwards, we drove into the centre of town where we parked then walked around enjoying the halloween revellers in their costumes and also the live music.
Saturday, we cycled a round trip of 10 miles to a shopping mall to check out the special offers for kiddies clothes. I bought Nya two winter dresses (NOT pink so don't panic Traer!). Lazed around in the afternoon, ate delicious homemade chilli and watched a couple of movies. Went to bed early as I was feeling slightly under the weather.
Sunday morning I was fine again - must have just needed a bit more sleep. As the clocks went back, we had an hour's extra lie in. Went to 8.30 mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, then back home for BLT and coffee along with the Sunday papers. Then it was off to downtown Sarasota for the last performance of the musical Bye Bye Birdie at the Players Theatre, a local community theatre. It was a great, funny performance with more than half the cast being school kids. The lead roles of Rosie (Kaylene McCaw) and Albert (Jim Taylor) were superbly performed.

On the way home from the show we stopped at an Italian restaurant, Carrabas, for supper. We started off by siiting at the large horseshoe bar (Rose thought we might get to talk to someone) but it was too cold as we were directly under the air con. We asked to move and went to sit at a counter facing the kitchen where we could watch the cooking. For our meal we ordered spiedino which were skewers of large prawns and scallops grilled over coals and with a herby lemon butter, mashed garlic potatoes and courgettes. Yet another scrumptious meal this time washed down with chianti.

This morning it was up and off to an hour's water aerobics. The sun was shining in a clear blue sky and the pool water was 87 degrees. What a great setting for exercise. Rose and I stayed at the pool afterwards enjoying the sun, reading and lazily swimming. Early afternoon we went grocery shopping for this evening's meal and bought king crab clusters. We headed for Casey Key around 5 to watch the sunset but first we drove at the 15 mph limit from one end of the key to the other and back so that we could gaze at all the amazing houses. It is a long narrow key with, at most, only one house on one sid of the road or, in certain areas a house on either side. Did I say house? Mansion is the correct word. Anyway, after our drive we went onto the beach and watched a beautiful sunset. Then back home for crab and champagne - what a hard life!

Week Ending 1 November:

Saturday 25th - World Wide Creative went surfing, followed by lunch at The Brass Bell.http://www.heavychef.com/heavy-chef-wwc-news/geeks-go-surfing-lifesavers-on-high-alert/

Sunday & Monday Uncle Pete, Aunty Mim & Sandy were down from George, and we all went out to dinner on Monday night along with Eric.

Tuesday - I had my mishap, but all OK now, thanks to everyone.

Friday - Lunch time we took part in the Blogging Bake off, where we had to bake bread to raise some money for a charity that turns old containers into things in Africa. Seeing as we do not have an oven at the Studio we made Aunty Mims Beer bread in the Weber BBQ - which was great, apart from a little impatience and we put it on the BBQ too early and the bottom was a little burnt. http://www.heavychef.com/heavy-chef-wwc-news/blogger-bake-off-on-the-world-wide-creative-balcony/

This weekend - have taken it easy, Mike went surfing on Sunday with Shaun, Stephen & Rudolf from the office.

Friday Mike is going up to Jo'burg for the day and then on Sunday we are heading up to George for work and will be there until Wednesday evening. I'm looking forward to a break from the City after an exhausting week.

Sarasota - 27th to 31st October

Travelled on a direct daytime flight from Gatwick to Tampa where I was met by Rose at around 6.30 pm Florida time. We talked non-stop on the drive to her apartment at the Stoneybrooke Golf and Country Club where we arrived at 8.30 - too late for dinner but not for a bottle of pink champagne and a giant bag of potato crisps!
It was really cool the next morning when we took a long walk all around the complex - but the sun was shining in a clear blue sky which made up for the cold wind. Spent the rest of the morning drinking coffee, unpacking and getting organised (not a word usually associated with me). After lunch, we took a trip to the nearest shopping mall where we spent a couple of hours. Back at the condo, Rose prepared a delicious supper of stone crab claws and king crab clusters with salad and asparagus accompanied by a bottle of bubbly! Give me crab any day, rather than lobster. Absolutely delicious!
Wednesday morning there was still a cold wind blowing but, undaunted, along with another brave soul, we were in the club house pool at 9.30 for aquarobics. Actually, it was great as long as one kept one's shoulders under water. Rose had tennis practice at one, so I drove to the mall again and treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. There was no one else in the salon at the time, so I had a great time chatting to all the staff. Wednesday evening is 'Pub Night' at the club house so we went along around 5.45 and sat at a table eatng and, yes, drinking, with a load of Rose's friends.
Thursday was Rose's tennis match against another club so we started the morning with a brisk walk around the complex as a warm-up. It was still not weather to sit outside, so, on her way to tennis, Rose dropped me at Michael's craft store so I could look for scrapbooking stuff. Loved it as I could just look round at a leisurely pace. Did some other shopping and went to an Italian coffee shop for a pannini and coffee before heading back with Rose (who had won her match). By now the wind had died and it was HOT so we lazed by her complex's pool and read.
At 5.30 we drove into downtown Sarasota to the dinner theatre. After we had eaten our buffet supper, the stage was transformed for the play 'Gold Diggers of 1633' a musical adaptation of Moliere's comedy 'School for Wives'. Zany and entertaining. Afterwards, on our way to the car park, we heard some great sax playing. Our investigation led us to an outdoor courtyard of a nearby restaurant. There was only one group there, all ladies enjoying the music, dancing, eating and drinking. They called out to us and asked us to join them. They were on their annual reunion holiday and were all involved as consultant architects at airports in the US and Canada. We joined them for a glass of wine and stayed until the musician left.
This morning was HOT. We started the day with aquarobics then took a picnic to the Siesta Key beach. I just love this beach; the sand is fine quartz and always feels cool no matter the temperature. Had a long walk paddling through the water and watching the birds diving for fish. Came home when it got too windy and we were covered in sand.
Getting ready now to go downtown again for supper and then, maybe, go to see the Halloween revellers.

Weekend ended 19th October:

Thursday 4am up early to catch flight to JHB. Mike and Fred had meetings with Louis (Our new employee in JHB) and Thursday night was our first Heavy Chef in JHB. Luckily I could stay with Lyn and her parents and avoid work for a couple of days.

I had a great 2 days - thanks lynda!! I loved spending time with Senna and Callum - who are both toooo beautiful. Thursday night Lynda had arranged a games night with her friends, so after a family roast dinner a few friends arrived and we played three rounds of 30 Seconds. Friday Lynda took Senna and I to Gold Reef City (an amusement park), we all went on the big wheel (Kiddies version) and Senna loved the Cars that went around on a little track and down a fast hill, along with the Flintstones Ride where she went around 3 times in a row. I will ask Lynda to send over some of the photos. Mike picked me up on friday afternoon and we headed back to the airport for a night flight home through the lightening storm out of the Gauteng Area.

Saturday: Enjoyed the 30 Degree heat, quick walk to the Waterfront to get some milk etc. At the moment the 12th biggest yacht in the world is outside the Cape Grace Hotel, so Mike drooled over it and tried to do some calculations in his head on when he will be able to afford it. At $300million dollars the maths was quick - Never! Although it is pretty amazing it has 2 helicopters on, a big sail boat on the side and numerous other smaller boats. It is owned by the co-founder of Microsoft (I think he also owns a bigger one) and is worth a look http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatoosh_(yacht)

Sunday: Didn't enjoy the 13 Degree cold.Only in Cape Town can the weather change so dramatically. Went to Pat's for breakfast to watch the Gran Prix. Back home to work and washed the windows. Fed up of being inside we took a drive to Muizenberg with the surf board only to find it was a bit of a lake. Now watching a movie before heading to bed and to start another busy week.

Update - Sep 08

Due to the lack of posting on my part, I thought it best to update you on the main things that happened in September.

Chad and Che got married on the 2oth September, the whole family converged on Durban for a weekend wedding. A beautiful wedding despite the rain. Friday night Uncle Mike had arranged a BBQ at the B&B where we all stayed, and a chance to catch up with all the family.

Mom and I headed to Durban on the Sunday before the wedding and spent time with Micky, Ray, Oma, & Saskia before Eddy arrived on Wednesday and Mike on Thursday. It was great to spend time with Lara and Matt - below:

Back to Cape Town on the Monday after the wedding. The next weekend we thought it a good idea to go to Hermanus and see the whales, so we picked up Patrick with our picnic and made our way along the coast. We only then realised it was the whale festival, so when we hit the traffic we turned towards the nearest beach to eat our sandwiches. The next day we heard 1,000 cars an hour entered Hermanus that weekend - so we were glad we turned around.

Weekend just gone had a relaxing weekend, going to the beach with the Roed's and half a round of golf (Mike got hay fever on hole 4 so had to turn back). This weekend it is Chrissy & Mikael's Birthday party and Mike's Univeristy friend is heading down from Bahrain - so we should be quite busy.

Shh! Don't tell Mummy

This was when we over in the UK and Opa was the culprit.

Family Day

From all the photos you can see we all had a great day catching up

On TV

Got up early this morning to watch Fred on TV- this time live on CNBC Africa.

Mike & Nic Update July

I have just received another letter of updates from Auntie Rose and Mom has posted on the blog twice in one week so I thought I must also let everyone know what Mike and I are up to. First I am going to make a coffee..........

I am back and currently sweeping rusks crumbs from my keyboard. I have discovered some new premium double chocolate rusks and they are the perfect match to have with my morning coffee (& afternoon & after dinner). But with my new golf swing all my trousers have started to fall down, so i'm looking forward to some hearty home meals in a weeks time when we head home, and the odd rusk here and there is good for me.

Our flight details:
Leave Thursday 24th July (BA reluctantly as they were the cheapest, hopefully no holes in the seats this time). BA58 leaving 20:15 arriving T5 06:50.

14th August we fly to Dublin at 10:35 then fly home to Cape Town on the 18th August from Dublin via Heathrow.

On Friday we are heading to Fancourt Golf Estate in George as Mike has arranged a meeting to present the initial designs for their new website. Fancourt have given us a room and we will probably have dinner with Craig & Chareen. We are leaving early - so hopefully the pie shop is open early.
We will only be up for Friday, as Mike needs to head home to work over the weekend, and on Saturday afternoon we have tickets to watch the Manchester Utd versus Kaizer chiefs - which I am looking forward to as we have seats 2nd from the front and behind the team benches. Dad you will have to watch your MUTV and look out for us.

Tomorrow is an early start as we are taking Fred to the Airport for a Jo'burg trip. Which includes a TV interview after his stardom on Carte Blanche - see the post on the heavy chef. (If the video says it is not there, refresh the page and try again until it works).

I can't think of anything else exciting that has happened, it has been very cold and wintery here. I even saw snow on the mountain tops on the way to Muizenberg at the weekend. Our weekends are usually made up of a surf and then hitting a few balls on the driving range, and twice a month we can use the meshie/pitch and putt course for free. We have not used July's yet so hopefully we can go on Sunday. All our lessons have been used now, so money permitting we will sign up again when back from the UK. It really is worth having lessons for me, I learn something new each time and my swing gets better & better. Next lesson batch we are going to learn the short game. Without lessons I do not think I would enjoy it, I think I would get very frustrated. It's great that Mike and I can play together and he has some competition & of course he always wins.

Looking forward to Bridget's Wedding on the Saturday we arrive, it is at the church in bilsington and then the reception at the White Horse pub, so we will not have very far to go. I'm looking forward to some fizz, I have had a bottle of champagne in my fridge for months and no one to help me drink it.

Off to the library tonight as I have finished all my non library books that all our guests keep leaving behind for me. But for now the rain is way too hard to step out of the office and our car is only parked by the door.

xx

New house

Myrtle Cottage is progressing at great speed.

Nya thought she needed to go check out how the new home was progressing

Opa has bought Kingsley's sit-upon mower and Nya had to check that out too

The Expanding Family

Lynda, Senna and Callum came on Saturday and Sean came down on Sunday. Just a few pictures to keep everyone up to date.

Traer, Terry & Nya popped in on Sunday with their friends Lisa and James

Dijon

We left for Dijon on Tuesday morning, the idea being that we could take a relaxing drive down stopping overnight twice since we wouldn't be able to get into the track until Thursday morning.
We got as far as Dover docks before Ed got his head under a bonnet!
He was trying to help someone get their car started as the loading of the ferry was almost done!
Had a lovely lunch on board which meant I wouldn't have to cook that evening. We drove a little way on the motorway then took the N roads. They are so well maintained and the scenery is beautiful. Late afternoon we stopped not far from Soissons at Le Crois du Vieux Pont in Berny-Riviere. The camp site was huge but each pitch was very private. Ed asked for and got a riverside (the Aisne) stand. No one near us - except for ducks and swans that is.


When I opened the camper door in the morning, two families of ducks were waddling past with a swan as the rear guard. It shooed them all into the river then joined them. Was this the ugly duckling in reverse?
After a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants and coffee, we again set off on the N roads. We missed the camping site we were aiming for but did not want to turn back, so travelled on for another hour or so. In a small village, Chanceaux, we spotted a dodgy looking municipal camp site. There was only one tent there. The site was at the side of the village hall but there were lovely shaded areas so we decided to stop. A good choice as the village was charming. Bought some bread, cheese, salamis and wine and then stopped off at the local bar for a beer and a wine.

Had a simple supper and early to bed. Nobody had come to collect our money for using the camp site, so tried to pay at the bakers but no one would take the payment. Bon chance! So off we set for the last 30 or so km to Dijon race track.
Arrived, Ed signed in, we off loaded into the pit we had hired, checked out who was around then set off on a bike ride to Prenois, the village closest to the track. It was one o'clock so everything was closed except the restaurants. Had a delicious lunch (no cooking for me again) in the courtyard of a little restaurant. After cycling back it was time for a siesta. Ed had met up with Geoff Williams who had also raced in SA at the beginning of the year. He and his friend Peter came over for drinks and snacks in the evening while we caught up with what all of us had been doing since we last saw Geoff.
Friday meant business. In the morning, Ed qualified 18th out of 21. Had a slight oil leak which he repaired and the rest of the day was free. The HGPCA (Historic Grand Prix Association) who were organising a number of the races put on a "light lunch" - goodness knows what a normal lunch would have been. There were a huge variety of salads, cold meat, cheeses and french bread plus beer and wine to wash them down. Absolutely delicious. Oh, and puds as well. Think only the men managed those. Lazed in the afternoon and then time to eat again. The HGPCA put on a great barbecue.
Today, Saturday, families started arriving early with their picnic baskets. There are great places to sit on grass under the shade of trees to watch the racing. Ed finished 15th in his race but we are still struggling with the leak.
Lunch was a repeat of yesterday and we are just about to go to a barbecue and live rock and roll concert being put on by the organisers.