Here are a few photos of our picnic at Kirstenbosch Gardens last Sunday to celebrate Angelina's 19th Birthday.
Joanne made the most delicious Picnic spread.
Happy Birthday Angelina.
Monday I tackled my bread starter amongst doing lots of end of the month admin.
I cannot wait to get our first artisanal loaf in the oven. I need to wait another week.
Keeping track.
Always follow the recipe. Naaaaaaa.
Tuesday I headed into town with Joanne with the boot full of things to deliver and a list a mile long to do. It started with dropping Joanne off. Then Angelique jumped in the BMW, and we were off to Kalk Bay to have breakfast with Mike Eades. Mike wanted to introduce me to Etienne De Kock. The drive was nice along the side of the mountain (M3). We do live in such a beautiful city. Then the drive through Newlands and Bishops Court is also spectacular. I decided to go around the back and over Boyes Drive and that was the cherry on the cake. 3 beautiful views in one morning.
We popped into Cafe Olympia and Mike arrived, as did Etienne. We got chatting and it was one of them easy flowing conversations that felt like five minutes but was an hour.
Etienne invited us back to his studio where I was in awe of what he creates. Google him.
Photo of a photo. Meet Etienne and Mike.
Zoom Zoom.
Admiring Etienne's pendulum artworks.
Then it was off to Woodstock to get some supplies from Deckle Edge and then popped into Woodstock Brewery to do some work.
I spent the time doing a small catalogue for the Star Fish Annual Charity Auction and then it was off to see Jacques La Grange to deliver his gold tree and discuss his ideas around some events with Richard Scott Gold Champaign (Cap Classic).
One happy collector, and friend Jacques Lagrange.
Artist and hanger. LOL.
Snap, but no snap.
We then went to see Henry at his Sea Point Gallery.
The ever-busy Henry in front of his Sea Point gallery. He is actually off to frame 4 of my prints.
There is a new burger joint opposite Henry’s gallery called BRASH. We decided to go test them out as there apparently good. But we were stopped at the door as they only open at 4pm. Strange.
So, we opted for Stud, opposite Joanne's offices. The burger was good. I give it an 8/10. The condiments a 9/10. I am pondering on weather to review and write up about burger joints.
Photo of a photo moment. Richard Scott style.
Good presentation.
I have decided to start a food blog. Joanne and I eat out at so many good places, for some reason inside my head I wanna share my food experiences. I am not sure if I must do it here or on a separate blog. hmmmm. Let me try it here next week and see how it goes.
Nonetheless, it was closing in on 2.30pm, when Joanne finishes work, so I packed up my laptop and crossed the road to fetch her.
We had a few errands to run on the way home.
Joanne and I dropped off Suzy's Richard Scott decanter she had just added to her Richard Scott collection.
The new up and coming artist Kyle Jardine.
We had another lazy afternoon as we both had a hectic day.
Tuesday night I managed to sign up Songo with an annual charity for them, so that was great news.
Wednesday was house clean day, so I did all the washing etc in and around the house. Perfect day for it as it all dried. I also decided to clean up the Auction tables in the studio which Angelique and I managed to do. Nice feeling when everything is nice and neat.
Working hard.
Having fun, cos I can.
Finishing off with a simple brown paper wrapping that is worth around R2 500.
Ta Da.
Meet Hendrik. Hendrik does all my metal and woodwork. Here he is after cutting up and putting together my latest work from discarded objects in the studio.
Camera me, Camera you.
Joanne came home and she planned a trip to Robertson to see a wedding venue for early next year. She booked us into a beautiful farm stay just outside Roberson called Croxley Farm, so as I type this on Thursday afternoon, I am getting quite excited.
We decided to drive straight to Robertson and do a nice trip on the way back Saturday.
We arrived at our destination and settled in. We decided on supper at the farm next door called Beuld with Chef Clinton Drake at his restaurant called Ragazzi. The food was good. Then early to bed.
Itinerary, but only for the way home.
Our setting at Ragazzi restaurant.
Checking out the venue.
Nom Nom Kingklip and peas. Delicious.
Not a great pic, but I shared it anyway.
Friday we were up early. It was nice as our host Megan, from Croxley’s Farm upgraded us to the main house and in the main bedroom nogal. Well, Joanne and I have stayed in some wonderful places, but this house stay was up with the best. I cannot even compare it to that beautiful pod, Aardvark, that we stayed at over new year in the Karoo. Croxley farm is an old farmhouse with 5 bedrooms. Megan has modernised the interior to something Joanne and I have never seen. She gave us full access to the whole house. It was utterly amazing. I can highly recommend you bring the family here for a weekend.
Ok back to Friday morning. I made Joanne a nice cup of coffee and we sat working on the deck.
Worker bees.
Our office for two days.
Megan and Mike came over and they gave us the walk about on the farm as to where you could host a wedding.
Mike makes his own Grappa. Whoaaaaaaaa. We got chatting and we discovered that Mike and Megan had done what Joanne, and I want to do in the near future. Move out of town and go live a rural farm life.
Mike's Grappa and Quince Jam.
Mike was in the restaurant industry, so we got talking about food and chefs. He suggested we try Kabokbos restaurant near Bonnievale. He knows the owners and Chefs, Sam, and Juan. Juan even stocks Mikes grappa, where we got to taste it for the first time. Nom Nom.
The food was delicious, and the hospitality and setting were next level. So, if your passing Robertson or Bonnievale pop in and book a table.
Got the pic.
Our view Weltevrede Wine Farm from the deck of Kapokbos.
Skaap Stertjies (Lamb Tail) Best ever. We even ate them with our hands and licked the plate clean with their delicious bread. As described on the menu; "Slow cooked sheep tails • Curried Pickled onions • Homemade Labneh• Spekboom"
Seasonal rillettes served with pickles & crackers.
Brandy snaps: "Cheesecake mousse • Pistachio • Guava • Lavender" Nom Nom and we also remembered to order Mike's Grappa which paired really well with the Brandy snaps.
Got the pic with Chef Juan.
After lunch we drove back to our own little paradise and played some cards on the deck. The night came quickly so I lit a fire, and we watched the sun set while sitting cozy by the fire.
Playing cards and enjoying life with the love of my life Joanne.
Saturday we were up early again, and I had a dip in the pool while Joanne googled Wedding Venues in Ceres, Tulbach and Riebeek Kasteel.
We set off at 11 and had a plan to get home around 3pm.
First stop was non-existent as we realised we had Christina’s 50th party to go to Saturday night. So straight home.
We did manage to go to the butchery, Pintos and Robertson Art gallery. We even had time for a quick early lunch a Four Cousins to try their burger. News to follow.
Four Cousins, quite an impressive place.
I will report back.
The party was awesome. Always good to let your hair down now and again and dance. It was awesome to wish Christina, Irini’s sister. Irini is my friend that introduced Joanne and I. It was also nice to see the kids Stefan Jnr. and Georgia all grown up and in the big wide world like Richie and Angelina.
Great to catch up with Stefan Jnr.
The extended family. Georgia photo bombing.
Sunday was up early. Doing some research on holidays in December and up and about.
Joanne decided on a roast beef lunch yesterday while in Pinto’s butchery in Robertson.
Signing off.
Thanks for reading!
Until next week.
r i c h a r d
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