A Photo a Week Challenge – 31 July 2017

2017-08-02 | puppy1952

Nancy ask us to post Off Centre photographs this week. Here is my contribution.

Novel scarecrows taking a break in the sun

White-fronted plover on the shoreline in Struisbaai

A Kelp Gull wondering if he should go in for a dip

Women’s Day Weekend in Struisbaai – Part Two

2013-08-10 | puppy1952

It was a lazy start to the day this morning. The sun was up and shining again but the chill had not left the air so we lingered longer in our warm beds. I had my usual craving for croissants and the boys did their best to locate some. OK Grocer apologised but were not making them this weekend! Instead they came home with herby bread rolls, ham and cottage cheese. I was a bit miffed but when the lovely rolls were put before me all was forgiven.

Sharon tucking into brekkei

Sharon and I took a walk to the Struisbaai Mall and visited South Bound Gift Shop – always a fun place to browse around. The men caught up with us a little later and we shopped for a ‘snippermaandjie” (waste paper basket) and found a suitable one at the hardware shop. It is amazing what Struisbaai has to offer in the way of shopping these days. I wanted to show Sharon the Fish Shop and had no intention of buying anything but there were products on demo and after tasting this and that we left with a small haul – green fig preserve, mango mustard, olive chutney and whatnot.

A Smorgasbord of choice

The Fish Shop the meets all your fish requirements from bait, fresh caught fish and cooked take aways to items that you need to cook your own catch

There is some controversy as to where the Atlantic and Indian actually meet – The owner clearly believes it’s not here and I agree with him!

Later in the afternoon we took a drive to Suiderstrand and a long walk (over and hour) along the beach toward and beyond the Agulhas National Park Rest Camp where we stayed a few weeks ago. (See earlier Blog)

The scenery was to die. The pebbly beach proved challenging on the feet but the sound of the sea rumbling on them in the shallows was like nautical music to our ears.

Sweep of the coastline

Smooth white pebbles underfoot

Fishermen trying their luck

We left the shells where they belong

Enjoying the sunshine

The threatened African Black Oyster Catcher

Ignoring the breaking waves

Keep up please, Darling

We know we’re a handsome couple

White-fronted plovers

After all this strenuous exercise we’d worked up a healthy appetite. Chef Earl was keen to try out some more of his culinary skills and once again presented us with a delicious supper which was followed by fresh berries and yogurt.

Sadly tomorrow is pack up day and its back to Cape Town and normal life (and food) once more!

Weekend at Agulhas National Park

2013-07-24 | puppy1952

As if I haven’t been spoilt enough with overseas travel and being whisked away for a romantic reunion, I found myself off on another lovely weekend with my amazing husband. My school rented our house in Struisbaai for the Prefects’ Leadership training and needed someone to help with the fishing activity. We have always wanted to check out Agulhas National Park Rest camp so Earl volunteered to do the fishing with the kids and we booked into the rest camp.

We left home at 10 to 3 and had a pleasant drive arriving just before six. We booked in at the Sanparks office in Agulhas and then dropped the trailer off at our house in Struisbaai, said Hi to the teachers and boys staying there and then got Pizza from a a local plekkie in Struisbaai and headed to Suiderstrand where the Rest Camp is located.

The Pizza Place

The keys were waiting for us at the gate which is manned 24/7. It was dark when we arrived and very cold. We quickly unpacked and then enjoyed our pizzas before snuggling into our lovely big warm bed. No electric blanket but there was a heater!

Suiderstrand is about 10km from the Agulhas Light House. Accommodation comprises four two-bed and four four-bed self-catering chalets. Our two bed thatched wooden chalet was stunning. The kitchen was fully equipped with a microwave oven and two plate electric cooker. The fridge was big and there was little need to bring anything from home. It had a lovely fireplace and a weber for braaing.

The living area

Cosy Bedroom

Front Deck

The view was amazing. The weather was very cold and windy on Saturday but on Sunday it was still and sunny and we took a long walk along the pristine beach and then back through the fynbos.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Struisbaai and Earl did the fishing activity with the prefects on the beach. It was windy but the kids did not seem to mind. They had a wonderful time and one team caught a smooth hound shark which caused great excitement.

Earl Mentoring the next generation

The smooth hound shark

On Saturday evening Earl cooked a chicken in the Weber with sweet potatoes and lots of lovely vegetables. Dessert was nougat and rooibos tea in bed! In spite of having a fire it was freezing!

As I mentioned before Sunday was a stunning day – isn’t that typical – the day you need to leave is the day the weather improves! But it did give us a taste of what it can be like at this resort in good weather.