The view from my kitchen window - enjoying a happy marriage, raising teenagers, dog walking, growing mentally younger as my body starts showing signs of decline, loving life in Cape Town and all the glorious sights, flavours and fine wines it offers. Concerns about the state of the nation and the future of this fair land of mine.
Lucky old Suzy Q, living quite near to Kalk Bay, which is home to my favourite bookshop, namely Kalk Bay Books, owned and managed by the very competent Ann Donald. It is housed in a charming stone building constructed in 1913 as a saloon/overnight stop for travellers, and retains all it's natural charm, whilst entertaining a beautiful sea view. Move over all you anonymous mall bookstores, this is a book lover's fix! In addition to this, Ann hosts regular book launches, which have proved to be immensely popular, as one gets to hear and meet favourite authors firsthand over a glass of complimentary Leopard's Leap wine with canapes from the adjoining Annex restaurant. www.kalkbaybooks.co.za
Thus it was that I met my Polar Bear hero, Lewis Pugh, shortly after the launch of his book Achieving the Impossible. His frozen feats leave the likes of us mere mortals feeling like teddy bears, even me proudly doing my laps in 13' water during winter. He's talking sub zero temperatures here, and all for the environment. Not that he got much chance to talk as he was interviewed by Donald Paul, ex editor of my favourite aforementioned mag, The Big Issue, who was either inexperienced as an interviewer or clearly preferred the sound of his own voice (or does that mark him as a mere male gals!?) Still, I think that all that time submerged in Arctic waters might just have numbed Lewis's brain, for all be he a maritime lawyer and environmentalist of note, he came across as rather stilted, and to my mind, just a little odd. But then I guess you'd have to be somewhat offbeat to endure the conditions he has - and that's not an invitation to say the same about me kids!
I duly bought my copy of his book and queued up to get it signed and shake the great man's hand, shyly confessing my baby polar bear status and offering my services should he require an assistant on any of his future expeditions. (Must've been the free plonk, or else my late life desire for adventure huh, but I still haven't been called for an interview. Maybe just as well!) I enjoyed the book to a point, as the title was, of course, inspirational, but wouldn't put it on my shelf of best loved books. I might just say that I waded through it. Maybe I could take a tip or two from him though, pussyfooting around delicate issues as I do, as he certainly didn't pull his punches when it came to some of his school masters, and I wondered how on earth they'd feel if they were still alive to read his account of his schooldays.
Then, moment of all moments, came the invitation to the launch of Shaun Tomson's book of children's poetry, Krazy Kreatures under my surfboard. Cancel everything, get there come hell or high water, whatever you do Suzy Q. We're talking teen dream here. Shaun and I both hail from Durban (more shocking revelations, only my nearest and dearest know this) yet he inhabited a different world to mine, for a variety of reasons, so our paths sadly never crossed. Shaun was a surfing star from a very young age, already riding the crest of the wave (pardon the pun) as a teenager, who progressed to become a humble and handsome world champion, and a forerunner for the sport. His film Bustin' down the Door shows how neglected or undervalued surfing was as a sport and how he used to struggle, even with his world class status, to attend all the big contests. Of course, as a gal who used to hang around Bay on Durban's North Beach during the July school holidays watching the Gunston 500, (hoping to catch Shaun's eye, of course) I have to giggle at the fact that a cigarette company was the sponsor of such a major sporting event.
I coerced Miss Suzy Q No 1 to join me for the evening on the grounds that she couldn't miss the opportunity to meet this national treasure (of whom she'd never heard, OMG have I failed her as a mother?) and so it was that we bumped into Shaun and his buddy outside the shop on the night. Now Miss SQ 2 is not one prone to exaggeration, but she does say that I fair threw myself at him (she lies, I hope) but it was honestly rather a moving moment seeing one's childhood hero in the flesh. And oh, what a nice guy!! He spoke honestly and movingly of the loss of his beloved son Matthew (how much can a person bear in one lifetime?) and the adoption of his son Luke. One can only wish him and his wife, Carla, much joy in raising him, and, oh dear, no more I can say on that sad subject.
Rather admirably, when Shaun's book of children's poetry was rejected by local publishers, he self published it, and happily signed my copy for me. It's cute, not quite Richard Scarry or Quentin Blake, but it was no doubt cathartic for him to write, and has charming illustrations by Trevor Paul. It was rather heartwarming seeing Shaun gather the little ones in the audience around him and read them excerpts from the book in his specs. I have bequeathed my copy to Miss SQ No 1 on the grounds that I can read it to any grandchildren she or Miss SQ No 2 might give me, in memory of the night I met my teen surfing hero.
Your own dear Suzy Q, wishing you a wonderful long weekend.
Ps. I am also wondering why: a) when I could comfortably wear a string bikini, I felt so unworthy of the apparel!? and b) why I never got on a surfboard, being such a fan of the sport. Our job then as wannabe surf bunnies was to sit on the beach waxing the boards for the boys, with never a thought to actually standing on one. A better world for young maidens today. Surf on...
Allow me to introduce you to a whole new concept in celebrating in style. We all know that every day, especially for those of us lucky enough to live in the Mother City, is a celebration in itself. To this end we enjoy each day dawning, walk on the mountain or take to the sea, and give thanks for living in this most beautiful of cities.
However, if one had to raise the bar towards more hedonistic celebrations, look no further than the recently opened GORGEOUS by Graham Beckbubbly bar attached to Catharina's at Steenberg Hotel. (This being an all time favourite of Suzy Q's - I did promise to share some of my best kept secrets with you if you were loyal enough to stick around as my blog gets off the ground. So thanks loyal friends and fans, please stay with me, more of my favourite hideouts later...)
Mr Suzy Q has rightfully earned the nickname Champagne Charlie for his love of good bubbly, and in Cape Town a well made Methode Cap Classique is more than adequate for our needs. As it happens, Peter Ferreira, from Graham Beck Wines in Robertson, is our favourite man for the job, and so well made and distinctive are his wines that they have often been mistaken at blind tastings I have attended for those from the famous house of Krug, whose style he favours. We have done a handful of sorties to his HQ on those red baked Klein Karoo plains to savour his delicate Brut Rose's, but time doesn't permit many more at the moment. Imagine our delight when it was announced that a dedicated bubbly bar, featuring his MCC's was to open, literally on our doorstep, in the Constantia Valley.
An under utilised wing of Catharina's has been transformed into an exquisite, bordering on decadent, art deco type bubbly bar featuring Vivienne Westwood wallpaper and Tom Dixon fittings. Intimate booths vie with stools-to-be-seen-on, depending on the mood and the occasion. Bubblies are available by the glass, bottle or flight ranging from R40 per glass to R500 per bottle. These can be accompanied by light bites by the inimitable Garth Almazan, which include freshly shucked Saldana Bay oysters (R18 la piece) perfectly served on ice with Tabasco and lime wedges, or selections of canapes including our hot favourite, asparagus and goat's cheese risotto croquettes (R25). It's not an inexpensive evening out, but a convivial place to meet up for a sundownerand/or a special celebration in a seductive setting. Jenna and Zelda, who left Bistro 1682 to set up this exciting new hotspot will see to to your every need, as always, with charm and professional pizazz.
My only sour note is that since GORGEOUS by Graham Beck opened, the no smoking policy on the terrace and outside the entrance to Catharina's seems to have gone for a Burton, and hotel manager Gaby Gramm has informed me that management can allow smoking outside at their discretion. Much as I like the venue, staff and the whole concept, if I have to walk through a cloud of obnoxious fumes to even get inside the door, I won't return. It also precludes the option of sipping one's bubbly outside on a pleasant starry evening.
This isn't Peddlars after all, but a five star establishment. I hope that sanity prevails and the smoke free terrace environment makes a comeback, so that we too might be tempted to return. But if you are not quite as fussy about the air you breathe as I am, it might just be the place to pop into for that special date or celebration. Open daily from 11am - 10pm. Call 021-7137177, but like Anthony Bourdain, it's No Reservations. www.gorgeousbygrahambeck.co.za
Gotta admit, turning 50 can do things to a girl's head, and let's not mention the other body parts right now, shall we? I got wind of an icy water swim to be held in midwinter in a dam in the Drakensberg, and immediately set my heart upon doing it. Why? Well, why not? I love swimming, had managed to keep up my daily laps in our unheated outdoor pool the previous winter, being a gal who loves the great outdoors and really doesn't enjoy the confines of gyms, not to mention the lane rage types I've encountered there. Also, I had a desperate desire to break out of my middle aged maternal role and DO something a bit wacky and wild. Ann Gray, the organizer told me that absolutely no wetsuits would be allowed ("it's meant to be a challenge!") and that the funds raised would go to the Estcourt SPCA. Well, being the proud owner of a rescue hound, there was no further reason not to go, and I dreamed of returning to the Champagne Castle region to take in all that long forgotten crystal clear air, majesty and beauty and take up the challenge. No more Suzy Q the shrinking violet!
Mr SQ generously offered his flight miles to his wife, whose sanity he was seriously beginning to doubt, and his daughters who had no option but to be party to this middle aged madness, as Mr SQ suddenly had to be elsewhere at the time. Easier said than done, however, as crises will occur on cue when Mom wants to do something, but yet again, boer maak 'n plan, and the girl's roadshow arrived in one piece. We thrilled at the sight of the mountainscape, but I took a sharp intake of breath when I arrived for a recce of the Dragon Peaks dam. This was REAL. "Oh help," I yelped, a little like Maria arriving at the gates of the von Trapp homestead, all bravado but zero confidence. An expanse of muddy water with the wind whipping little frosty peaks across the surface did not look at all enticing to me. Ok, it was actually only 100m for the official swim, but I'm a little nervous of open stretches of water to say the least, and joined the rest of my family in questioning my state of mind. I had definitely heard "menopausal" mumbled more than once or twice in my vicinity. The Misses SQ, it transpired, had not even told their very best friends where they were and why they had been dragged there. Fortunately the deal included a lovely weekend in the Champagne Castle Hotel on one of their reasonable all inclusive winter promotions if we survived the ordeal, so there was a little sweetener for them.I decided to stretch my aching muscles and have a swim in the hotel pool on arrival to literally test the waters and the altitude. Man, was it COLD!? The folks huddled in their great coats sipping afternoon tea on the verandah nearly choked on their scones as I did my first few mountain laps. A good dinner and a warm bed made up for a long day.
The day of the swim, midwinter indeed, dawned crisp and clear, a perfect day for Polar Bears! After a quick hike to the Sphinx we headed to the dam, and joined the throng of nervous and excited participants. There I finally met Ann (Mama Bear) Gray and paid my entrance fee and made my dog food donation. I had a number marked on my arm (in case they had to identify my body!?) so decided to ceremoniously hand over my jewellery to my daughters, just in case. They had skulked off, but not unnoticed, and were thronged by local yokels, who had rather hoped that they would be removing their outer apparel and joining the swim rather than their mental mother.
At the noon day gun we were set off at five minute intervals. The 11' water was bracing to say the least, but the swim was over so quickly, rather like the trip up Table Mountain, that I was almost disappointed to be hauled out of the water so soon at Bunny Island to the sounds of Queen's "We are the Champions." There was a raging bonfire and a welcome glass of gluhwein to warm the cockles. Success, I'd done it, and was so pleased and proud of myself, but honestly, the lengths a gal will go to for a mug of mulled wine.
The Misses SQ heaved the hugest sigh of relief that their ordeal was almost over, but not before the prizegiving, where I received my certificate and a special mention for travelling so far for this worthwhile event. Over R3000 was collected for the SPCA as well as donations of pet food and blankets. All in all, a well organized and fun filled day was had by all. The next Polar Bear Challenge is to be held at noon at Dragon Peaks Dam on Saturday June 23rd 2012. Contact Ann Gray 082-8280401 to join the Mountain Madness.
As for Suzy Q, sigh, Lewis Pugh, where are you...?
Good night, and thanks for taking time to read me. I do hope you're enjoying all this as much as I am in writing it for you.
