As my regular readers are aware, we celebrated a special family birthday recently, and I was stumped for an idea for a truly gorgeous cake which would not only be a feast for the eye, but also for the many young guests who were invited to celebrate with us. For this major milestone birthday my previous amateur attempts with sponges covered in icing and dotted liberally with smarties and 100's and 1000's simply wouldn't do, but I really didn't know which way to turn. Charly's bakery seems to have the monopoly on Big Event cakes, but my sources tell me that whilst they look great, the cakes themselves aren't that good to eat. I can't vouch for this as I've never tried one myself, but I didn't want to take the chance.
A little gourmet bird whispered in my ear that The Chocolate Moose, which has branches in Noordhoek and Steenberg Village might be a good place to try. Fearing the worst, as I've heard horrendous stories about prices for these designer cakes, we popped in to the new Steenberg branch, there to meet the friendly and helpful Natasha. If the dummy cakes on display aren't enough to blow your mind, the catalogues of to-die-for cakes most definitely will! Oh to have those baby birthdays all over again (with a bit more disposable income) but guess I'll have to wait for the grand parenting days. To be honest, curse the expense, we were sold instantly on the innovative ideas and fun element to the cakes, but would they live up to our expectations?
Our order was placed in good time, no deposit required (must be looking trustworthy in my old age) and we waited in eager anticipation. Bang on cue, I received an sms the morning of the big day, and we went to collect quite the most magnificent work of cake art imaginable, and promptly burst into tears. (Such is the emotion associated with family milestones and celebrations, or is it just me!?) Everything was perfect and beyond, spellings, candles, decorations and design, spot on. Only one problem, how could anybody cut such a work of creation?
Lara Woodburn, a classically trained pastry chef with notable credentials, started her business when demand for children's party cakes became more than a regular favour for friends. She successfully juggles motherhood, cake creation and management of a growing entourage of staff as her business expands, and always delivers the cake on the day ("can't ever be a day late with a great cake," she says) even if it means working through the night. We have since returned with a special request for our wonderful dentist, and at this challenging request for a toothy cake, she further exceeded our expectations. Pricy but nicy for special occasions and people, but well worth the expense. Oh, nearly forgot the bottom line, they taste moist and delicious too!
And on that celebratory note, wishing you all a wonderful weekend. If you're not in the market for a celebration cake at the moment, why not pop in to one of the stores to titivate your senses just looking at the cakes, and pick up some of their breads, rolls or croissants just to sample some of The Chocolate Moose's wares.
Love,
Suzy Q
www.chocolatemoose.co.za
Whilst I am loving writing my blog and enjoying the positive feedback I've been receiving from you dear readers this year, I think I've missed my mark, or need to find a new vocation. Yes sirree, in her next life, your Suzy Q is going to apply for the job of naming air fresheners. Whilst I've yet to sit beside anybody on a plane or train who gives their job description as "Namer of air fresheners" there must be somebody, if not many bodies, who actually do this job.
Now, bearing in mind that this is a universally accepted household product, there are many, many fresheners out there on the production line requiring original, descriptive, captivating, and most importantly, good sales names. I'm a fresh air freak of note, and many's the classroom from which I've been evicted for flinging open the windows in the middle of winter, and friends know to bring an overcoat when they come to eat as it's al fresco all the way, never mind the weather. So my idea of fresh air is along the spring blossom, sea breeze lines.
Looking at my current clutch of fresheners I'm amazed at the range of words used to describe them. (BTW special on a three pack at Pick 'n' Pay at the moment guys and gals.) My Scottish heart will ne'er allow me to miss a bargain, no matter how bad, which reminds me of an article I read recently with regard to people tightening their belts in these recessionary times. Today's middle class 20 - 30 year olds are in no way attuned to thrift as we are, so I'm also bemoaning the fact that I have evolved into that terribly boring species, The Thrifty Housewife. Why can't I say, "May as well hang for a sheep as lamb," or "let's go the whole hog," and blow it all on a fine fillet rather than trying to make a pound of mince into five fascinating new dishes to last the week? Huh!? I sense a seed change coming kids, watch this space...
But as usual I digress, back to the names of air fresheners, which range from the bewildering, to the bemusing to the downright bizarre, all with Capital B's. In my possession I have:
Sparkling Citrus - is this meant to be drunk?
Strawberries and Cream - a treat for Wimbledon or what?
Clean Linen - sorry but I just don't get the connection!
Interestingly enough, whilst researching for this posting, I discovered that there are not only people who name these products, but those who test them too. Hmm, the mind boggles at the criteria they use, and how they rate them according to an intricate scoring system. Sounds something akin to the Air Fresh Olympics, as scores rate from 4,8 (Country Berries) to 6,9 (Sunny Days) for those who are interested. Seems folks don't like to associate food with it's end product and the odorous aftermath, but prefer thinking of Airwick's Scented Oil Island Paradise, coming in for the Bronze at 5.8 after narrowly being pipped for the Silver by Glade's Hawaiian Breeze at 5.9
When I take up my new job, I think I'll just get straight to the point, and call it (for all sprays seem to smell the same anyway) Out, out, damn odour, and make it snappy before the next person uses the ablutions. On the subject, I'm rather anti the little dangly things people hang on their rear view mirrors also under the guise of freshening the interior. Even worse, the pong of the stuff they use after the odd proper wash-and-vac my dear little car receives, which smells more like a night in Hong Kong than a field of lilies or an orchard of cherry blossom.
But on that fragrant note, I must just include my all time personal favourite, the air freshener mysteriously named Summer Romance. WHAT went wrong in the love life of the marketing man responsible for that one, I'd love to know. Still, it's the spray of choice for the bathroom used by the Misses SQ (my warped sense of humour coming into play) but I do hope I'm not putting them off romance for life even if they laugh every time they see the can.
Also rather liked these ads for Sapilo air fresheners and hope you get a laugh from them too. Please let me know if you get the odd chuckle from reading my blog, and if there's anything specially you'd like to put out there for discussion. Love to hear from you!
And if you enjoyed this posting, you might like to go back to Chemical Warfare 12/2/12 if you have recently started reading my blog.
Thanks as always for taking time out of your busy days to read me,
Cheers,
Suzy Q
Can't resist a quick note on the charming story which has tickled my fancy, regarding our swimming hero, Chad Le Clos. A Johannesburg schoolgirl from Glenvista High, without a date for her matric dance, camped out at OT airport with an eye catching poster asking our homecoming hero to be her dance date.
Lo and behold, in a PR coup or a moment of genuinely spontaneous kindness, our lad Chad walked up to her and apparently said, "Yeah, I think I can do that, unless I have other swimming or travel commitments," causing poor (or lucky, lucky, lucky) Melanie Olhaus to swoon. And her understanding headmaster forgave her bunking school on (com)passionate grounds.
Imagine, a dream come true. Which just goes to prove, that if you don't ask, you don't get. And that a Mountie always gets her man, so good luck to Melanie, and lets hope that they have more than swimming in common, and that the press and her school friends don't monopolize her big night. They have already been offered a Lexus to drive and a designer dress for the night. Wish I had swam harder at school!
It seems that Chad was eager to agree as he had missed out on milestones such as this in his own school career due to his swimming commitments, so hope he enjoys letting his hair down a little too. The more I see of him and his humble, but confident attitude, the more I like him, and hope to see him rise to further glory. Could it also be that that he hails from my own small town, and quite possibly learnt to swim, as I did, in the local municipal pool? Perhaps he inherited some of the junior Suzy Q's residue of swimming skills whose traces might long have been left in the pool...?
Here's wishing one of my dearest and staunchest supporters who has found himself in a hospital bed over the weekend a very speedy recovery, and love to all of you readers too and best wishes for a wonderful week ahead.
Suzy Q xx
As you may well have gathered, I am a proud Capetonian of note, revelling in all the natural beauty and splendours of my beloved Mother City. There is of course so much more, and our cultural offerings are as rich and diverse as the magnificent mountains and land and seascapes. Before our hectic child rearing years, Mr SQ and I used to regularly attend the weekly symphony concerts at the city hall, but that seems to have fallen by the wayside over the past two decades. By contrast, the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra has risen to greater heights, and we ventured forth on Thursday night (braving bitterly cold weather in favour of the familiar fireside) to go to the Weber, Rachmaninov, and Vaughan Williams concert.
I still get a thrill going to the city hall, even though she resembles a somewhat shabby old lady at this stage. Past grandeurs, history and the backdrop of Table Mountain compensate for the seediness which surrounds her and the somewhat archaic ticket sales system. We are out and about, and ready to partake of a great event, which is about to exceed our already high expectations on the musical front.
The evening kicks off with an informative talk by the inimitable Rodney Trudgeon, king of classical music in my mind, whose remarkably rich voice, charming delivery and seemingly infinite knowledge of music leaves me utterly enthralled and in awe. His descriptions of concertos are poetry in themselves, and we are so very lucky to have him now in cape Town and especially hosting "Classic Breakfast" on FMR most weekday mornings. Dunno where Suzy Q would be without you doll, so in case you didn't know, you're dearly loved by this blogger. www.fmr.co.za
The most impressive Curtain-Raiser was performed by the Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble, conducted by Sean Kierman. Those bright young things, all eager, talented and clearly delighted to be performing on such an auspicious stage were an inspiration to behold and a pleasure to listen to, particularly in the light of being part of an outreach initiative. The future of a country is in it's youth, so hope springs eternal in my mind, and I wish that more could be done to invest in the lost children of the country.
But I digress before the big event, the unforgettable highlight of the evening, which was the performance of Sergei Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, OP. 30 by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. We were seated in one of the balconies, which rather makes one feel like royalty, but more importantly allows for great acoustics and also give's a bird's eye view of the goings on on stage.
Guest conductor Arjan Tien from the Netherlands swooped, controlled and cajoled his musicians from a moving Maria von Weber overture, to the most rousing and emotive pieces of piano music I have ever heard performed. Anotonio Pompa-Baldi, the highly acclaimed Italian pianist delicately, deftly and passionately played the Steinway till it sang, soared and roared. And that was as nothing to the resounding ovation of the audience. I thought my my heart was going to bounce right out of it's chest.
As for the rest, it fairly paled into insignificance, but the symphony concerts are hopefully going to feature more regularly on our calendar. After all, if we don't all make an effort to support our arts, we will have only ourselves to blame if and when they fall by the wayside.
www.cpo.org.za
On that note, good night and best wishes for an enjoyable weekend to you,
With love from Suzy Q
Sundays, once days of religion, rest and most definitely no shopping, drinking, movies and at times in our dark past, no petrol have evolved into a general free for all. Pity the poor shop assistants for whom it has become a normal working day. There have been Sundays so bleak and lonely in my past that I won't bore you by repeating them in this hopefully, cheerful blog, but will instead fill you in on a perfect Sunday for us. Life being as unpredictable as it is, this doesn't always occur in this order, if at all, but on a good, uncomplicated day, it goes something like this...
We attend the earliest Mass of the day, trying to enjoy a service sans rug rats with pious mothers warning the little brats in loud whispers about Baby Jesus coming to strike them down if they persist in bleating, banging their expensive toys on the pews and running up and down the aisles during the Eucharist. (They do anyway so I wonder what religion will mean to them at the end of all of this? Ditto the little girl and her mother who managed, no matter where we tried to hide from them, to sit on top of us, as she unwrapped one noisy, edible treat after another throughout the service and devoured them, presumably as a means of keeping her quiet. This included her extravagant Easter Eggs deposited on her pew by the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday. The sound of the unwrapping of shiny metallic paper surpassed all her cellophane sweety packets in the past. Perhaps we'd have more peace if we went into the cry room provided for them?) So, all this to say that we go to some lengths to try to secure a peaceful corner in which to contemplate our lives and say our prayers. Leaving Mass we place a posy on the plaque of a dearly loved departed friend, and pause for a few moments to give thanks for her friendship and kindness. RIP. The car park resonates with the somewhat melancholic tunes from the saxophonist who takes up residence during the rush hour, which probably gives him a welcome respite from his room in the old age home opposite the church. We appreciate his music and let him know so. On Father's Day he told me that his only child lives in Australia, so what can I say, my heart goes out to him, loneliness being what it is.
Next stop, or step, is Kirstenbosch, also early enough to beat the crowds, where we do a brisk stroll, and marvel, as always at the splendour of this most beautiful of botanical gardens in our very midst. The Tea Room adjacent to the Garden Centre is proving to be our favourite coffee stop (vis a vis my recent posting on the disappointing Moyo Restaurant which has taken up residence on the old Silvertree Restaurant site.) There, the staff are bright and shining when the doors open at 8.30am even on some of the freezing cold mornings we have been there. For R19 we get an excellent capuccino with a biscotti in magnificent surroundings served by smiling staff, so you really can't go wrong. I'm eyeing their High Tea for Two and will fill you in when I've splashed out on a high day. www.ktr.co.za
All going well, we head to Chart Farm in Wynberg to pick roses for home as much as to ogle their views. I've written about the delights of rose picking here before so don't want to bore you, but may this just serve to remind you of how much fun it is to go an select one's own long stemmed, fragrant blooms fresh from the farm. We never tire of it. From here we hotfoot it to St James for a stroll on the walkway, and weather permitting, a dip in the tidal pool. I must add that it can be very pleasant swimming even in winter, perhaps even more so than summer, as barring a few rapid intakes of breath, it is at least uncrowded, and divine to have all that space for frolicking. On occasion we have decided against braving the chilly waters, only to spy two guys messing around in their wetsuits, then we simply can't resist casually stripping off and swimming to the wall, causing them to sulk just a bit and skulk off.
Then it's home for one of Mr SQ's famous Sunday lunches. The kitchen is his sole domain for the day, where he is more than a dab hand. Tradition reigns supreme here, and it's a roast fest or similar, usually accompanied by some bubbles or a good bottle or two of wine. It's a great day to catch up with our daughters, who study or party so hard that we really don't see enough of them any more, so it is our Family Sunday Thing. However, it's also a great opportunity to share a leisurely meal with friends and family. I flicked through our phone book last week, wondering who would like to join us, and wished that many of our nearest and dearest weren't so very far away. That includes Durban, France, Ireland, Jo'burg, New York, Singapore, Switzerland, Uganda, UK, Worcester and more, especially those we shall see sadly no more, whose names I can't bear to erase from our book. So thanks to the two dear friends who dropped all to join us last Sunday, hope they enjoyed the day as much as we did.
Lotsa love,
Suzy Q
PS. And then of course, the Sunday nap calls... No wonder Communism failed!
Hope all local ladies had a lovely Woman's Day yesterday, and that local lads reading my blog spoilt their ladies accordingly. We had a wonderful day, enjoying the company of new friends which accompanied the lift in the weather, which fooled us into thinking that spring was in the air. Ha! As I write, the blackest, wildest cold front is heading straight towards us, so button up and batten down the hatches.
Those of you who have been following this blog for a while might recall me mentioning an interest in astrology. (Astral travellings etc 29/3/2012) I'm not talking about reading one's stars first thing in the paper every day, though I do that too just for fun as I can't help myself smiling gleefully when promises of travel and great opportunities pop up. This is more of a "know thyself" astrology, which isn't fanatical, but definitely shows an interest in where the planets were and the sun was aligned when one was born, all the better to determine and understand one's place in the whole cosmic space. Thus it was I was invited to have my birth chart read by local astrological psychology consultant, Amanda Baldwin at her cozy studio in her home in Fish Hoek. The studio is bright and comfortable, the perfect size for creating intimacy, but is non threatening, creating a safe space to discuss one's life, dreams, failures and future prospects.
Amanda is at odds to point out that the Huber method of astrology which she practices is a diagnostic, not a predictive tool, with which to view one's life. Knowledge is power, and understanding your strengths, weaknesses, early influences and relationships enables one to live a balanced life and reach one's full potential. Having received my birth place, date and time, she has prepared my charts, and presents me with the "artwork of my soul." Love that! Her observations and assessment of my life are uncannily accurate, and I am rather shaken at how she can pinpoint really difficult times in my life. This is not however time to look back, but to take responsibility and use experience and understanding to propel oneself forward. The good news is that my planets seem to be melding into a positive space, so it's looking good for Suzy Q, you may be happy to hear.
I'm so impressed with Amanda's insight, advice and empathy, that I want to know more about her motivation and astrological education. She was a successful primary school teacher who had studied child psychology, and had used astrology to assist her in raising her own three very gifted children. Reaching a stalemate in her own career, she took the plunge and changed directions, studying astro-psychology. She is affiliated to the UK based APA and has set up her own practice. She offers assistance, based on a detailed assessment of a birth chart, on careers, talents, problem areas, and is especially interested in parent/child relationships, as she felt that she benefitted as a mother from this type of advice.
She finds that people usually tend to turn to her in times of trouble, but is also available for consultations providing a snapshot into one's life. A consultation is usually two hours, although a lot of work is done prior to meeting face to face. Speaking of which, whilst Amanda obviously prefers to meet with her clients, as her popularity has grown and her insight and advice have become so highly valued, she does offer skype consultations as she has a growing international client base. Her fees are more than competitive with other consultants, and I truly believe that she does her work with a genuine interest in her fellow man rather than for financial gain. I definitely left her feeling enlightened, emboldened and motivated.
Contact details: Amanda Baldwin Cell: 27-83 3913716
email: albaldwin@mweb.co.za skype: aleebaldwin
It's all in the stars kids, hope they're shining brightly on you.
Love,
Suzy Q
Finally dear friends, a bumper blog edition, thanks for your patience. There have been practical reasons for delays with which I shan't bore you, but please read on...
I do hope that I don't lose any friends or readers when you find out all about the De Hoop ...Of Wine, Whales and now Music festival we've recently been fortunate enough to attend. We are still coming down slowly from a weekend so wonderful that I'm a little nervous to tell you about it, for that very reason, but since I promised to, I shall honour my obligation. As I'm on the Cape Nature mailing list, I received a tantalising email outlining a weekend to be held in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Having visited this most beautiful place many years hence, I was enticed back with thoughts of the exquisitely beautiful coastline, whales in the bay, pristine fynbos, and abundant bird and animal life coupled with perfect peace and tranquility. However, in addition to all these attractions, a special winter weekend of whales, wine and music was being offered which sounded so irresistible that I managed to convince Mr SQ that we simply had to go, and being the good sport he is, we booked and wondered what lay in wait.
And wonder we may...what a whopper of a weekend it turned out to be! We were so busy trying to partake of all the events in the programme, as well as having time to enjoy the reserve itself that there was scant time for relaxation, so I'm hoping that we may be able to return for a few quiet days at some later stage. On arrival, after about a four hour journey, we were warmly welcomed and given tea and chocolate cake, and started making the acquaintance of some of our fellow weekenders. Being solitary travellers who have never gone on anything akin to a tour before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a group event such as this one. Suffice to say, we met loads of interesting people during the weekend. We skilfully avoided the more serious and occasionally strange sorts, and made some great friends along the way, whilst enjoying a weekend of great company, conversation and laughter. Our hosts, William and Nini Stephens, and the manager, Justin and his staff ensured that we were all superbly cared and catered for, and rather overfed and watered. No complaints though, the exercise bike will just have to do double time.
Our well appointed cottage on the vlei was comfortable and private, with an inviting four poster bed as well as a second bedroom. Since our last visit, De Hoop has been taken over by Madikwe Lodges and tarted up quite a bit with stylish furnishing and fittings. The self catering accomodation is well equipped, but on this all inclusive weekend package, we were catered for so had the luxury of not packing up the kitchen sink for the trip, nor cooking and washing during the weekend. What a treat! We resisted the temptation to go for 40 winks after the drive, not wanting to waste a minute of our precious time, so headed down to Koppie Alleen, fortunately not by bike as planned as it was a good 25 minute drive. We saw bontebok and a family of Cape mountain zebra en route, which added to our excitement at revisiting this breathtakingly beautiful spot. Even the memory of our previous visit could not adequately prepare me for the sheer spectacle of the expanse of sky, sand and sea with a pod of Southern Right whales already in residence. Every year almost half the world's population of this magnificent species come to this warm Indian Ocean reserve to mate and calve, offering visitors wonderful displays of whale nursery antics. This spot is also the ending point of the famed five day Whale Trail, and kids, that's the Next Big Thing on my To Do List when Miss SQ No 2 leaves school at the end of the year and we are no longer bound by school holidays and routines. I spy blue sky...
We made it back just in time for a quick shower and nipped into the pub for a sundowner and an informal music talk with the five musicians from the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra who would be presenting Saturday night's Whale Time Serenade. It created a cozy, intimate atmosphere and we felt as if we'd known this disparate and extremely talented band of minstrels all our lives.
Whilst the four ladies from Melane Hofmeyr-Burger's string and flute quintet held court, perched atop their barstools, it was their maestro Ivo Ivanov who serenaded us with his magical violin during dinner. The candlelit Fig Tree Restaurant came alive as we took to our tables in eager anticipation of the next event. Included in our bonanza package was a food and wine pairing evening, hosted by Strandveld and First Sighting wines. A veritable culinary feast it was too, of six small, but more than ample, tasteful appetite teasers prepared by Liezl and charmingly served by the camp staff, some wearing different hats for the occasion. Each course was accompanied by a different wine, well presented if perhaps a tad shy on the pour, to complement the food. Luckily for Mr SQ, who clearly hasn't lost the charms for which I first fell, he was forever the lucky recipient of the extra glass left at the bottom of each bottle (much to the chagrin of some of the other greedy guests) so he never went thirsty! I half expected to find a dead crow nailed to our door on return, judging by some of the black looks he was getting (and that wasn't just from me!) Ah the luck...
Hard pressed to choose, I think my favourite combination was the Strandveld Syrah accompanying the Rare Roast Beef on a bed of perfectly cooked risotto, though the Warm Chocolate Fondant drizzled with a Vanilla and Coffee Cream tempted even a non dessert gal like your Ever-Wannbe-Slender Suzy Q. Oh well, what the hell. Those whose eyes weren't drooping or bellies popping stayed up to watch the Olympics opening ceremony but we headed for bed, to sleep the sleep...
Not for long however, as we had to be op en wakker and ready at the meeting tree for our guided bird walk at 8am. Reluctantly leaving the warmth of said four poster bed, warmed by hot water bottles, we braved the bitterly cold morning to join our two charming and extremely knowledgable guides and the rest of the group who hadn't partied too late into the night. Our efforts were well rewarded, as we rounded the vlei to see heron, flamingoes, pelicans, cormorants and an ibis. Unfortunately we were a little too late to spot any Cape clawless otters, but hopefully there'll be another time. I was a tad nervous about being in the midst of serious twitchers, of which there were a few (nearly as off putting as serious vinophiles at a wine tasting) but happily we met other like minded bird lovers who simply wanted to enjoy the walk and learn more about our feathered friends. No better man to lead this expedition than Dalfrenzo Laing, from nearby Napier, who has completed intensive guiding courses, and both educated and entertained us.
After a hearty breakfast on the sunny terrace of the restaurant, my intention was to hire one of the mountain bikes and go for a nice long ride, as the terrain is flat and ideal for game spotting. Unfortunately, due to twisting my already gammy knee the previous day (ask no questions, hear no lies, though it had more to do with falling out of the sea when caught skinny dipping on a seemingly deserted beach than falling out of the famous four poster bed) I was unable to take up the challenge, and fell into bad company, a doctor no less, whose advice was "wyn vir die pyn." (wine as a painkiller) Those in the know already know that I don't need much encouragement in that direction so a wine tasting set up under the 100 year old fig tree by the local Cape Agulhas estates proved a perfect place to forget that my aching joints precluded me from cycling the nature reserve flat. We were so well treated by the representatives from Black Oyster Catcher, Quoin Rock, The Berrio and again Strandveld/First Sighting, to name but a few that my woes were soon forgotten. The setting beats anything I have attended in my more serious wine tasting days into a cocked hat, and the ambience around the flames as we wandered from beautifully appointed wine stand to stand was fabulous. So much thought had gone into each stand that I fear an award should have been given, though it would have difficult to single one out. Cherries, cigars, chocolate, asparagus, guavas and limestone were all on display, representative of the elements in any one particular estate or cultivar. Fun fun fun, and all the while meeting up again and again (it was a circular tasting around the magnificent fig tree after all) with other guests and day trippers and wine folk.
Our lunch platters or picnic hampers soon called (more food and wine!!) so we headed off to the picnic tables at Koppie Alleen with our newfound friends and drank deep of the view we were so thrilled to introduce them to and chatted the afternoon away...until it was suddenly time for the Saturday evening highlights of the weekend. More quick splash, shower and change for dinner (hey, when is this famous four poster gonna come into it's own we were both starting to wonder?) and we were semi spruced for the Whale Time Serenade in the elegant Cloete Room. Melane and her musical crew, also very much more elegant than our meeting of the previous evening shimmered and shone under whale collages which flashed up onto the overhead screen. Part 1 was a classical programme, with an interval accompanied by delicious canapes and a glass of sherry, followed by more contemporary music and a dinner back in the Fig Tree Restaurant.
Now, I am ashamed to admit, we did not rise at 6am to go on the whale walk at low tide. Mea culpa. So much a gal can do on a decadent, indulgent weekend away. We had been fortunate to hear the excellent power point presentation from Delfrenzo the previous evening and had walked the route and swam in the sea and so felt a little guilty but also justified in snuggling down for an extra hour on Sunday morning. Before we knew it, we were all saying our fond farewells, hoping that we'll meet again, same time, same place next year dv. Hope we will, and maybe we'll see you there too...?
With lotsa love,
Suzy Q
www.dehoopcollection.co.za
