Struisbaai photographs | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

I was pleased that this our last day in Struisbaai produced good fishing weather. Earl and Yasin were up early and gone. Shahieda and I slept in late. In the early hours of this morning their daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren had arrived but I had not heard a thing.

They were all up and about by 9 and we enjoyed getting to know each other. Today is Yasin’s birthday and his kids just needed to be here to wish him.

The baby – Imaan – is so cute

Yasin’s birthday wish was to catch a big yellow-tail – not a tiddly little one like those he got yesterday – and yes – he got 12, the biggest being quite to his satisfaction at about 7kg.

Yasin on Kiora with his biggest yellow tail

He thought it hilarious that Earl once again caught very little.

Early with ‘very little’

While the men were at sea Shahieda had already begun to prepare for Yasin’s birthday lunch. She was cooking up a storm and I didn’t like to interfere! After all there is years of training in producing a good Cape Malay meal – they girls learn at their mother’s knee, and then perfect the art!

Shahieda performing her miracle

The rooties are ready for rolling but we don’t have a rolling pin!

Muslims don’t drink but Shahieda found a good use for this cold bottle of wine

Yasin flipping rooties

Before lunch was served Earl and I took Nilfah and the girls, Amirah and Ayesha to the beach for a swim. Amirah loves the water but the sea was like a washing machine again today and she found the the waves a little scary. She rushed out after a few minutes but her cousin encouraged her back in and then she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Grandpa Earl encouraging the girls to come in deeper

Ayesha (9) enjoying the sea

Amirah (7) running from the waves

We returned in time to be served an amazing meal – there was lamb currie, rooties, braaied chicken, potato salad and garlic bread – enough to feed four families!

A Laden Table

Whaheed with little Imaan

We just tucked in – after my third helping I said, ‘I think I’m going to convert,’ You’ll need a scarf, joked Shahieda.

I am a convert – My sarong will do.

Wow what a meal. And that was not all – There is trifle to follow but we’re all too full to indulge now so are watching TV, playing computer games or sleeping.

Nilfah made this gorgeous fridge cake

There was also trifle made by Shahieda.

The trifle and fridge tart was enjoyed much later

Oh boy – it was an early wake-up call for me this morning. The weather was perfect for fishing and I went with Earl and Yasin to launch the boat so I could bring the car home. I needed to go to Agulhas to fetch the laundry before early closing on a Saturday. So I just put a jacket over my pyjamas and tagged along! I didn’t go back to sleep on my return but fiddled on the computer and then a welcome Skype call from my best friend in England. We chatted on-line for an hour.

I didn’t go for a road run, planning to rather to do one on the beach at low tide later in the afternoon. After collecting the Laundry Shahieda (Mrs Yasin) and I went to Potpourri for a delicious ‘health’ breakfast and an excellent cup of coffee. We browsed around the shop then went back and put the linen back on the beds and cleaned the house to Yassin standards!

The men returned at about 11:30 and a good catch to brag about. Earl complained about not being able to get good crew these days but Yasin caught all the fish – 15 yellowtail and a Santa as well as some small red fish which were released.

Shahieda on on the jetty next to Kiora

Yasin on Kiora

Earl steering Kiora toward the trailer

Driving Kiora onto the trailer

Bak-load of fish

Proud fishermen

Earl said the only reason he didn’t catch was because he had to find the fish and steer the boat – that’s his excuse and he’s sticking to it.

Well to Shahieda and me it didn’t matter – we just enjoyed the fruits of their labour. Shahieda had never eaten Sushimi before – but now she’s a convert.

After lunch I went to lie on the bed to read my book but before long I was fast asleep. Everybody else, I found out later, also napped for a couple of hours. We woke up at 4 and Earl and I went to the beach – I did a low tide beach run and then we swam in the wonderfully warm sea. The wind had come up and the sea was rough – it was like swimming in a washing machine – but great fun.

Shahieda fried some samoosas to have with our pre-dinner sun-downers and the men braaied a yellow-tail for supper.