Riebeeck Wes

Riebeeck West is well-known for its Olives and its wine.

We had Aneta's big-0 birthday there this weekend. It was lovely to connect with old friends and make new ones.

I couldn't take any photos because my batteries were 'pap'-flat, and the spares that I usually carry around for just such an eventuality didn't even let the lights come on they were so flat. Weird isn't it?

Lunch was a spitbraai with baby potatoes, baked veggies and salads. The meal was rounded off with divine puds. My favourite of course was the chocolate mousse with flake crumbed on top, oh me gosh!

When we arrived I was thirsty, but was only allowed some punch, that had such a 'skop' that I had to sit quietly for a while to get my composure back. I didn't want to misbehave.

What a lovely day.
Thanks.

Lalaland, Piket Bo-Berg, Western Cape, South Africa

Lalaland, symphony in green

We left Saturday afternoon after my writing workshop. It was torrenting with rain all the way to within 10km of Piketberg. As we went further up the mountain, the sun came out. Glorious.

Some of us camped on the lawn, others were more fortunate and slept in the house.

We drank Buchu Schnapps and the tongues wagged much better. Some of us, I won't mention names, talked a lot of, you know what, and we all had fun.

The storm came over late the evening after we had our "braai" (barbecue) and waterblommetjie "potjie" (a lamb and vegetable stew we make in a traditional three-legged black pot, on the fire).

Sunday morning we picked oranges in the orchard and had freshly squeezed orange juice. Yum! There is nothing like fruit freshly picked.

The next morning the sky was clear and we could see forever.

If you ever want to visit this area here is a link for: what to do, food and accommodation in Piketberg area.

Beacon Isle Hotel Plettenberg Bay

Beacon Isle Hotel Bliss

We left Cape Town at 11 pm and arrived there at 6 am the next morning. We encountered minimal traffic. Most of the big trucks pull off the road at about 3 for some shut-eye. Our little Honda Jazz did itself proud, it ate up the miles/kilometers no problem

It was a treat to stay in the Beacon Isle Hotel. We were on the first floor. Our sliding door opened up onto a huge balcony that we shared with the rest of the first floor. From there we had a 300 degree view. We saw whales sprouting and cavorting and a 5km school of dolphins passing just beyond the breakers. We could hardly believe our eyes. As soon as we thought this must be the last of them, more would come past, and more, and more.

I tried out the gym, but only once. It was fully air conditioned with no fresh air coming in. It felt like I was exercising in an aeroplane. Gross.

I did not try out the beauty salon, game rooms, nor sport facilities. It was still too cold to swim for my liking. I must have been a feline in my previous life. I am not much of a water lover, unless it is snugly body temperature.

We had some lovely sundowners on the deck. The hotel suppers were reasonably priced, and a handsome portion of very palatable food, not gourmet fare, but definately edible. We licked our platters clean (figuratively speaking). We did not try the restaurant.

We drove back at a more reasonable hour.

On the way back near strand we saw these birds flocking towards a spot. It must have been a shoal of fish.

We got back safe and sound.

Looking for accommodation in Plettenberg Bay follow this link

Kiki Theo's launch of new book Money Well

Hugh and I went to Kiki Theo's book launch at the V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books and was joined by Dorian Haarhoff. Liesl Jobson took the photos for BookSA

See more pics of us and Kiki on Flickr

In her book "Money Well" she speaks about creating wealth by being able to contain money, for if there is no containment, money has nowhere to land, it disappears.

I have only just started reading it, and love the exercises. I have already had some insights into ways that I can open myself up to being more attractive to money, and generating greater wealth and prosperity in my life.

Tania Van Schalkwyk's launch of Hyphen in the V&A Aquarium in Cape Town

Tania did a masterful job of organising wine, cheese, poetry, in the Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on August the 31st 2009. Guests had a great time feasting their eyes and feeding body and soul.

Spring tide and storm coincide on 23rd June 2009 in Kommetjie

A huge storm and spring tide coincided on Tuesday 23rd June 2009. Waves of 5 - 7 metres caused the water to wash over the banks and path leaving huge mounds of kelp on the catwalk.

The island that separates the inner and outer kom was awash and waves came in in quick succession.

As usual we had some surfers who braved the weather to surf in weather where most people wouldn't even put their noses out the door never mind their bodies in cold water and the wind blowing a gale. Different strokes for different folks. I think my blood would curdle if I tried this, they are very brave.

There are more photos on my web album. Here is the link to it: http://picasaweb.google.com/sonja.wilker/KommetjieStormInJuly2009#

Pygmy Whales stranded on Kommetjie Beach

What a very sad experience it was to see these exquisite creatures' dead bodies being washed in the waves. There were many spectators, so much so that it caused a traffic jam in our usually quiet suburb. One wonders at the reason for the Pygmy whale pod getting stranded on the beach. There is a lot of conjecture. Hopefully the research will throw some light on the subject. I saw quite a number of blue-bottles washed-up all along Long beach to Kommetjie and was wondering if whales and dolphins are immune to their sting or not, and whether they had anything to do with the beaching.