The Overberg and surrounds – Tourists in our own backyard

2015-10-19 | puppy1952

There is nothing like having visitors to prompt you into visiting places that are all too familiar but still exciting to explore.

Now that we are residing in the picturesque, fishing village of Struisbaai at the tip of Africa and a three hour drive from our former home, Cape Town, we welcome having friends to stay. Last week Tony and Sharon were our guests for a midweek break and what fun we had.

The weather was not perfect but at least the rain held off and it was not too cold. On Wednesday set off to visit Elim 36 km away. Of course we birded on the way there and back!

Blue Crane

Red-billed teal

Elim was established in 1824 by German missionaries as a Moravian mission station. The grew vines in the viticulture suitable terrain so as to produce their own wine for communion. The he missionaries taught the villagers a variety of trades and skills. Thatching was a skill they mastered and to this day Elim thatchers are recruited to from all over the world.

The village is picturesque and has changed little over the years. The thatched whitewashed cottages are typical fo their homes. All the roads in the village lead to the thatch roofed church. The community, still mainly Moravian, consists of farmers, artisans and farmers.

Elim is becoming known for the export of fynbos, and as an emerging area in the production of wine.

We visited the museum which has some fascinating exhibits.

Implements from a bygone age

The waterwheel

We loved this cart with a licence plate!

Typical kitchen from long ago

Sharon showing how lowly she can be

On Thursday, after a delicious “Early” breakfast we set off for the historic town of Swellendam wich was declared a magisterial district in 1743. It was the fourth oldest in South Africa, and was named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel who was the first South African born Governor, and his wife, Helena Ten Damme. This outlying settlement was the gateway to the interior, and was visited by many famous explorers and travellers including Francois Le Vaillant a noted ornithologist (1781).

A village was established beyond the Drostdy, where artisans including numerous wainwrights, blacksmiths, coopers and traders settled. Swellendam was the last outpost of Dutch civilisation on the eastern frontier and thus the services of the residents of the town were of utmost importance.

Our first stop after a scenic drive from Struisbaai was The Old Mill Restaurant. We wanted to sit in the garden but it had rained and the seats were wet so we settled for an indoor table and ordered coffee and milk tart. Inside the menu we found a touching trip report written by one of the staff. They had all been taken to The Kruger National Park and surrounds to do a training course. What an amazing experience they had flying for the first time, seeing fascinating wildlife and exploring a part of our land that they’d only dreamed of. And what a lot they learned about their trade too. The piece was written with such warmth and appreciation of every aspect of the experience. It’s worth going to this restaurant just to read it!

Earl and Sharon next to the lovely fireplace

Feeling refreshed we went to the Drosdy Museum and really enjoyed all the exhibits and re-informed ourselves of our South African history.

Sharon emerging from the Cooper’s cottage

Sharon thinks I should crochet a spread like this!

Tony and Sharon in the court room of the original drosdy

Tony and Sharon in the court room of the original landrost

Earl wants this for his hearse

He says I can have this one

A very old Singer Sewing Machine

At ‘The Whipping Post’ restaurant (It was the old gaol) we found this stunning patio furniture which I fancy having here in Struisbaai!

We spent a good few hours exploring Swellendam and I can recommend it as a destination especially if you have an interest in things historical. There is also a pottey you could visit and we popped into an art gallery too. The exhibits were interesting and if I could choose I would have take this.

The weather was cooling down quite rapidly by the time we left and made our way to The Bontebok National Park. There was not too much to see but we were thrilled that we saw its star performers plus a few other creatures.

Star of the show

And some of his friends

The flora is stunning

Southern Black Korhaan

Back in Struisbaai we popped into the harbour and took a photograph of the stingrays cruising beneath the surface.

Such a beautiful harbour

On Friday Sharon and I made the most of the most glorious morning and walked to Agulhas.

View on our walk

The men met just over an hour later and we did the compulsory standing on the southern tip thing, took a scenic drive to Suiderstrand and then had breakfast at Potpourri.

Our Southernmost Friends

Me with the Agulhas rocks in the background

It was a lovely end to to a brilliant visit with our friends.

Retiring Adventurously – Heritage Weekend – Struisbaai and Breede River

2015-09-28 | puppy1952

Weekends and Long weekends mean nothing to one when one’s retired as every day is a holiday. It’s only when somebody rings to say they want to come to stay that one realises that something special is happening.

Our darling daughter, Laurie, sometimes known as Lolz, came to spend the Heritage Weekend with us here in Struisbaai. “But Mom, You need to meet my friend Cara’s parent – they’ll be at Breede River – would’t you l like to spend Saturday there and spend the night?

Well, why not? We haven’t got anything better to do and we’ve heard a lot about Cara’s parents over the years and the girls have often said, “you guys have so much in common – you really need to meet.” When one’s kids are little, you meet the parents of their friends but when they grow up, you tend not to. So we agreed that this would be a good idea.

Lolz arrived at 7:14 pm on Wednesday evening and we went to Pelican Harbour Cafe for dinner. Not the best supper we’ve ever had there but still a pleasant evening. Earl’s ribs were okay but our grilled calamari was a bit fishy in taste and we left half of it.

Daddy and Daughter

Enjoying the old photographs of Struisbaai

It looked good and usually it is!

The next day Lolz had to do some work – she’d taken Friday off so needed to do work to make up for it.

We did some garden work and found this tiny tortoise the size of a small urchin shell and smaller than the leaf it was next to.

Lolz needed to get some air after working hard most of the day and so we went for a walk on our beautiful beach.

The harbour

Lolz

View from the boardwalk

On Friday she needed to work some more and I did quite a bit of ‘hooking’. She saw my crochet work and ordered a set of placemats!

We decided to make Banting pizzas for supper! The local fish shop stocks Banting products and we bought psyllium husks from them. I prepared the cauliflower mash and Lolz mixed this with the psyllium husks to make the pizza bases. We baked them in the convection oven and then added the toppings. I had no faith that this would work but to be honest the pizzas were divine – even better than normal pizza – But if you decide to do it, don’t expect it to be anything like normal pizza. The base is nothing like a normal pizza base. I never liked Pizza bases – I always felt sick after eating Pizza as much as I like eating them at the time. But the cauliflower/psyllium husk base was just delicious and no after effects! We put our favourite topping on top – cheese, feta, olives, creamed spinach, olives and avo after.

A canary loving our garden

Lolz making Pizza

Me eating Banting Pizza

On Saturday we were packed with towels and bedding and ready to leave by 9:00 am. We stopped to pick up a dozen pre-ordered croissants from O K Grocer and then shopped in Bredasdorp for our braai.

Our first stop was at my sister at Riverine, Breede River. Her son, Robert was there with his wife Katja and baby Matthew. There is another little great nephew on the way!

Matty waiting for Granny’s scones

Tucking into scones

The croissants weren’t bad either

But Matty prefers his Grandma’s scones

Mom, I need a jammer lappie!

Boy having fun

Robs still love his mommy

Lolz, Tana, Earl

Brian, Robs

After a couple of lovely hours catching up with family we made our way to Lemoentuin to meet Laurie’s friends. L Cara and Laurie have been friends since they spent a year working in London. The girls have always wanted their parents to meet and this weekend it finally happened. What a stunning time we had! In spite of it being a cold and wet weekend we had the most amazing time. As the girls predicted we immediately clicked with Doug and Bridget as we have so much in common.

We had an early braai so that we could go to The Boathouse Pub to watch the Rugby.

The gang - Earl, Doug, Lolz, Justin and Cara

The gang – Earl, Doug, Lolz, Sean and Cara

Watching the Boks beat Somoa – Cara, Heather, Earl, Sean

The Boathouse, Breede River

I’m not really big on watching sport but it is after all The World Cup – so I got quite excited to see the Boks doing so well. Last week we ate Sushi – with disastrous results – On this day we had a traditional braai with boerewors and obviously this bode well and we crushed the Samoans! Go Bokke!

After the match we took Doug and Bridget home, enjoyed a cup of coffee and chat and then retired to bed.

Next morning the kids cooked breakfast on the skottel and we finally made our way back to Struisbaai. The dirt roads were muddy and slippery but luckily we can go anywhere in a Land Rover. But oh wow just look at the designer mud!

Earl getting rid of the mud

A Visit to The Breede River

2015-09-07 | puppy1952

Spring really smiled brightly and presented us with a glorious day on Saturday. After breakfast we bade farewell to Barbara and Andrew and packed an overnight bag and made our way to Riverine on the Breede River to visit my sister and brother-in-law who were spending the weekend at their holiday house there.

We arrived at lunchtime and after taking sitting on the jetty and taking in the amazing view of the river we sat on the patio and enjoyed Tana’s delicious chicken salad.

The Breede River

The house

Sisters

After lunch we took a drive to Cape Infanta.

Relaxing together

Brian and Tana

Me, Brian, Tana

The Southern Right Whale blowing a V shape

His fin

More of him

Perfect day for fishing

Lovely place to walk along the sand

Little Egret in the shallows

Earl found this rock kestrel

We passed a farm that had emus!

And a rhebok

A Denham’s Bustard was a highlight

So after this lovely day we returned and Tana cooked us a delicious lamb curry and after chatting we went to bed after 10. We had a late lie in on Sunday before enjoying Brian’s breakfast and then took a long walk around Riverine. Then it was back to Struisbaai!

Thanks Tana and Brian for a stunning weekend.

Retiring Adventurously – Homeward Bound

2015-01-16 | puppy1952

12 January 2015 – Outjo to Robertson to Cape Town

The sun gets up a little later here in Namibia than it does in The Western Cape so we are up at 5 in order to get to the airfield by sunrise.

We pack the Landy – no lift in a luxury vehicle this time – and set off for Outjo. The canvas roof is on but the windows do not wind up. It is a tad chilly but not uncomfortable but the wind is now not blowing through my hair but rather through my ear! I am glad that I kept my jersey out and drape it over me for a little extra warmth. All goes well – the usual cowboy style driving at break-neck speed – but I’m used to this now. What I do not expect is a slight change in the weather and rain pelting down in big splats onto the windscreen – and no working wipers. This does not daunt our host and he races on with gay abandon. Indeed, I do find it quite exhilarating. Abrie offers me his jacket which I use as a shield at the open window more as wind than rain protection as here the rain comes straight down and does not enter the car at all. We drive snuggled together for some time and then like magic the skies clear and the rain is gone. Suddenly, Abrie screeches to a halt – there is an apparition in the middle of the road which turns out to be a tall Herero teenager with a bag upon his head. He is hitch-hiking. Abrie tells him to jump into the back. He grins his thanks broadly.

The Landy that took us there

We arrive at the airfield. Phineas, the caretaker, greets us and helps us pack the plane. Earl takes the young man to town where he is to drop off the Landy. The chap who took us to the farm will bring him back and then keep the Landy till Abrie’s return. Before they go the young Herero gives Phineas his cell and he poses for a photo in front of the plane. I decide to get one of him too.

The young man is kitted out in his best town clothes, cell phone plugged into his ears, music blaring like any modern teen.

Sunrise at Outjo

We are soon in the air again. The mini-gymnast troupe are touring with someone else now. I fancy myself a seasoned flyer and take my seat with not a care in the world. What I experienced this weekend has dispelled all my phobias and I will live dangerously and fearlessly from this day on!

The Robertson Valley

Breede River runs through it

We fly over Springfield

Abrie lands the plane and taxis it straight into the hangar – without bumping another plane. The fit is perfect. We drive to Springfield have a cup of tea, pick up some wine and we’re off back to Cape Town. We take a scenic route via Franschoek. We marvel at the contrast between our home province and Namibia – Both have their own unique beauty – the one rugged, flat and dry, full of character the other green, lush and gentle with towering mountains. Wow – I just love that I get to experience it all!

Franschoek Valley

Struisbaai Holiday Day 21 Visit to Riverine – Breede River

2013-01-04 | puppy1952

It was cool and overcast this morning but the wind had dropped and there was no rain. So there was no excuse – I had to get out there and run. The wind was in my face on the outward route and I found it a struggle but coming back with the wind behind me was far more pleasant. Still I missed the encouragement from the boys. I did not reach my personal best but I did it a tad faster than Wednesday!

Mrs Yassin made us delicious omelettes for breakfast and Yassin decided that my housekeeping was not very good and gave the house a once over before breakfast was cooked.

Yassin at work

Mrs Yassin’s lovely brekkie

Earl and Yassin fetched two labourers and they soon set to work clearing the garden and preparing it for a facelift.

Preparing the new garden

We left Yassin to supervise and went to do some chores in Bredasdorp and then drove to Rivierine on the Breede River to visit my sister, Tana and brother-in-law Brian.

Of course we did a spot of bird watching en route.

Flock of Blue Crane (Our National Bird)

Steppe Buzzard

Driving toward Riverine

It was great to find my nephew Rob and his wife Katya were there too. The weather was glorious. After soaking up some sun on the jetty we decided to take a cruise and to pop in on Brian’s sister and brother in law who live a few km further up the river.

Relaxing on the jetty

Two River Princesses – Cheers!

We passed other boats and I got soaked because of the bumpy wake!

On Pat and Tony’s stoep

View towards The River

Pat and Tony share our passion for birds. They have many feathered visitors to their garden including kingfishers and woodpeckers. Pat has counted over 60 different species during this holiday.

Francolin with chicks

When we returned Rob and Katya had lunch ready.

Lunch Alfresco

We spent a pleasant afternoon chatting and enjoying the fabulous weather.

Me acting like a Lady of Leisure

On our way home we stopped for more birdlife on the side of the road. There was a flock of 9 Denham’s Bustard. As soon as we stopped they moved further away and some took to the air.

Nervous Denham Bustards

One obliged but was still not as close as I would have liked

On the road between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai we found a flock of white storks. One had also flown over Tana’s place at Breede River – and we teased Katya that it was a little early delivering her baby!

Two of the white storks we saw

‘Min dae’ (few days) till we return to Cape Town, work and routine. We are making the most of every minute!

Struisbaai Holiday Day 15 – Arniston

2012-12-29 | puppy1952

Stunning weather greeted us this morning. It was amazing to wake up without back ache – Thank you Steve! At 7:00 am we were once again enjoying an invigorating run down the beach and followed it with a rather chilly swim in the sea.

We found the baby lapwing on the way to the beach

A fisherman tried his luck

A border collie decided to visit and dig a hole and Simon buried himself in the sand while the family look on

A border collie decides to visit and dig a hole and Simon buries himself in the sand while the family look on

On our return Earl made a special birthday breakfast for Laurie – my precious girl is 33 today! We sang the birthday song to her and gave her presents and then she set off back to Cape Town where she will celebrate with her friends tonight.

Low tide was at 10ish today and we were to meet up with Monet’s family, visit the cave have a swim and collect Jay and bring him back to Struisbaai with us.

We travelled up in the Fortuner and Allan’s VW Polo. There is a dune road to be negotiated to the place where the climb down to the cave begins. We all squashed into the Fortuner so that we didn’t have to walk from beach parking lot. The kids shrieked when Grandpa pretended to skid and Shan said, Please don’t do that again Grandpa!

We negotiated the slippery rocks and met Monet’s family coming out as we went into the cave. Jay was clearly enjoying himself.

Making our way gingerly across the slippery wet rocks

Die Groot Grot

The Cave

Shannon emerging from the tunnel

When we came back we saw the two young people coming down from the dunes. Jay was covered in sand as he had rolled down – When you’re on the dune it is compulsory to roll down, he said. The two of them stood on the running board and hung on as we gave them a lift to the beach parking area. We are used to no crowds when we come out of season but at this time of the year finding a spot to park proved quite tricky. Of course the spring low tide brought lots of visitors to the cave too.

We joined Monet’s family on the beach and went in for a swim. The water was heavenly. The kids went in with boogy boards and had a brilliant time surfing the waves.

Jay and Monet taking a wave together

Josh, Monet, Jay

All too soon it was time to return to Struisbaai. We packed Jay’s bike into the back of the Fortuner and made our way home. Jay told us about his exciting two days. They had explored the Breede River area, taken bikes into De Hoop Nature reserve and enjoyed an 11 km bike trail and come close to eland, bontebok and zebra.

On route we had to stop for yet another shot of a pair of our beautiful national birds.

A Pair of Blue Crane

We stopped at the market to buy miellies and had them for lunch. Everybody was pretty whacked and an afternoon nap was called for. In the evening Allan cooked us a delicious beef stew.