It is, rather incredibly, the eleventh anniversary of the atrocities of 9/11 today. The shock and horror of that terrible day lives in all our minds and memories, as it was one of those days when everyone can remember the exact moment when they first heard the news that a plane was flying into the Twin Towers, only to be followed by another, confirming the terrorist attack theory.
It all happened so fast and horrifically, that jaws dropped in disbelief and people watched spellbound as the iconic buildings ignited and crumbled and people flung themselves out of the windows. It was your worst nightmare come true, and as the reality of the whole drama unfolded, I was aghast at how any human being could have plotted and planned with such excellent execution the demise and misery of so many others.
It didn't end with the lives lost or bodies maimed however, as there were so many more other people affected by the tragic event. Survivors, onlookers, rescue workers (in particular) bereaved families, fatherless children, must all feel the pain of this day so acutely, even as we, from afar, can only get a glimmer of the trauma suffered by so many at the hands of so few.
It defies description and beggars belief that such an atrocity could have been committed against so many innocent people. I'll simply pause here to spare all those involved a thought, and resume my normally cheerful blog tomorrow...
Love, Suzy Q
Hello again everybody, and no you have not been deserted, it's been rather hectic, and I am trying to snatch a few quiet moments to fill you in on our sortie up the West Coast to see our famed carpets of spring flowers earlier this week. As mentioned in my last post, we decided to break with our usual day trip and picnic at Plankiesbaai in Postberg Reserve to overnight in the Rocherpan Reserve, making it a more leisurely trip. As the theory that your unborn babies will sleep through the night and eat all their vegetables eschewing all sugar coated offerings, this remained a completely theoretical idea.
We shut shop and set off bright and early on Monday morning, which was also supposed to be bright and beautiful and perfect for the opening of the flowers. It was, however, bitterly cold and overcast. Another debunked theory, even before we had begun. Not to be deterred, we motored up the R27 hoping things would clear up by the time we arrived there. Postberg Reserve only opens to the public between August 1 and September 30 for this annual floral display, so the window of opportunity is very limited. You can call the Flower Hotline on 071 3207146 or see their website www.capewestcoast.org just to be sure though.
Darling, the dear little town which Pieter Dirk Uys put firmly on the map with his Evita se Perron theatre was our first port of call. We chanced upon the Darling Museum in Pastorie Street, manned by Dianne le Roux, who dispensed information far beyond the walls of this utterly captivating museum to the many foreign visitors passing through there. She also told us about the Voorkamerfest which had taken place over the weekend. It sounds fabulous as a one-of-a-kind festival taking place in the front rooms of people's homes in the village, ranging from the grand to modest township homes, leaving everyone in suspense until each performance takes place. Great idea, and apparently very well supported, so book now for next year. email:tasha@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za
For a modest R10 museum entrance fee we took a step back into our past, practically entering a time machine as we crossed the threshhold. I can't imagine where so many artefacts were sourced, but they have been imaginatively used to reconstruct scenes depicting the lives of citizens in days of yore. I wish I could have spent all day gazing at classroom scenes, medical equipment, the toys in children's bedrooms, right down to period books and magazines they read to the fox stoles their mothers would have worn on grand evenings out. The shed houses a fascinating collection of wagons and coaches, and all the stories I have read about trekking were brought to life seeing the wagon wheels and coach lights and imagining them traversing the terrain we had just covered. I would highly recommend a visit to the Darling Museum as it really lifts the dry and dusty image of museums to fascinating new heights. www.darlingmuseum.co.za
Thirsty work all this history and culture, and still not much promise of the flowers opening we were told, so we decided to pop in to a winery we had long wanted to visit along the road, namely Groote Post, whose Pinot Noir Mr SQ had previously admired. Aah, the joys of not having to rush back from the flower route for the school run we sighed as we drove into the farm, admiring the flower strewn fields at the entrance.
Here to be warmly welcomed by Wimpie, for a complimentary tasting of some of the finest and well priced wines around. We kicked off with The Old Man's Sparkle - a delightful MCC Brut Rose which is a definite for the wine fridge. We then tasted the first 2012's I've tried this year, which always thrills me, and across the board, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays both wooded and unwooded. Chenin Blanc, Weisser Riesling and The Old Man's Blend didn't fail to titillate our palates.
In the true spirit of country hospitality, we got to meet the winemaker, Lukas Wentzel, who can't seem to put a foot wrong. Not only is he a wine maker par excellence, he is also a raconteur and generally nice fellow altogether, with none of the pretensions of some of the other winemakers we've met. When he and owner, Nick Pentz finally got to their sales meeting, we savoured the magnificent red selection before placing our order and getting back on the road. Hilda's Kitchen is apparently an excellent restaurant, but is only open from Wednesday to Sunday, so we were left with the option of finding a spot for our picnic lunch.
www.grootepost.com
Fate, as ever, played her wicked way with us, and we spied the Darling Brew sign just as we were leaving town. Ah sure, why not try the local beer too we wondered, specially as they had a board advertising lunch as well, and we were starving by this stage. Gloria served us a selection of their slow beers, the Bonecrusher being the best of the bunch we reckoned, with hints of coriander and orange peel. Decent tasting of four brews for R36, with an empty spot awaiting the famous Christmas beer, which reportedly has cinnamon and other festive spices. Beers and service were great, food less remarkable, but perhaps one should heed the advice of Kitchen Confidential and never eat out on Mondays.
www.darlingbrew.co.za
By this stage, we reckoned that bed weather called, and that we would try to see the flowers on our way back in the morning, and wended our way up to Rocherpan, which was a little further away than expected so glad we had taken some sustenance en route. We rather looked forward to reaching our destination and resting our weary wine and beer tasting bones! So much for the flowers en route, but manyana...zzz the flowers are sleeping!
Hello, on this, my favourite day of the year. Yes, the first of September signifies the first day of spring for me in the southern hemisphere (don't care what the pundits say about the 22nd, this is IT for me.) Nobody who was in Cape Town yesterday would believe that the skies might have cleared so we could see a bit of blue today, albeit hazy and still a bit chilly.
It has been, by public concession, the coldest, wettest, wildest winter we can all remember, so the arrival of spring has never been so eagerly awaited amongst people I know. However, we who have lived in Cape town long enough realize that, one swallow, one patch of blue sky, does not a summer make, and we still have some very chilly, wet days and nights ahead of us before summer in December. So don't, like me, in a fit of false optimism, pack the winter wellies away just yet. However, just for today, let's bask in the glory of the promise that spring brings.
I love it all: the budding on the trees, new green shoots and leaves on the vines, scent of jasmine, the mornings being a bit lighter and brighter, and the birds all atwitter, it all lifts my spirits so. People start to come out from hibernation and start smiling again. My dear friend and Pilates teacher, who simply abhors cold, wet weather, might get just a bit kinder in class as the weather warms up, though that's not a surefire guarantee as she loves to remind us of our bikini lines. AAArgh!! Hers of course is concave, life can be too cruel, but then again, let's just be happy with what we've got, marshmallow stomachs and all.
Spring brings... new life, new hope, rejuvenation of the land and joy to our senses. It also reminds me of my first visit to the future Mr SQ's home, and the meeting with the family who were about to become my own too. As a homespun girl in Europe for the first time, I was taken with the bunches of daffodils on sale in the streets of London, having never actually seen them before, but having a romantic notion of them thanks to Wordsworth. I bought a bunch as a gift for my future mother-in-law one warm May day (beware foreign girls bearing flowers!) and clutched them all the way on a long train and ferry journey, imagining her to be as equally delighted by the sight of these rarities as I was.
The ancestral driveway was lined with daffodils blowing gently in the breeze as I arrived, somewhat shakily, and possibly reeking faintly of cheap Spanish wine shared with a fellow traveller in anticipation of the daunting introductions ahead. My wilted offerings were graciously accepted, and became a family joke. However, I think of, and miss my dear mother-in-law, who used to call me to say, "The daffs are up, Suzy Q, and always make me think of you."
Spring has sprung, let's get to it. Speaking of which, Mr SQ and I are going up the West Coast on Monday to view our own magnificent carpets of daisies, and hope for good sunshine, all the better to see them open. Will report back midweek when we return from a night in one of CapeNature's new Rocherpan cottages. Being on their mailing list is proving to be expensive, (vis a vis the Whales, Wine and music weekend at De hoop) but the pleasure their locations and innovations bring is immeasurable. Till then, hope you all enjoy a wonderful beginning to spring.
www.capenature.co.za
Love,
Suzy Q
Wittingly or unwittingly, as parents we are constantly teaching our children by example, by the type of lives we lead, and by the knowledge we pass down to them. It's such a mammoth undertaking, moulding those young lives, that I'm amazed we don't have to undergo the most stringent selection process before we're let loose on unsuspecting infants, the type to which prospective adoptive parents are subjected.
www.sbg.org.sg/
A beautiful wire sculpture I saw a while back in the magnificent Singapore Botanical Gardens, second only to our own Kirstenbosch, has always stayed on my mind. It is entitled The Passing of Knowledge and is the work of local sculptor, Victor Tan Wee Tar. It depicts a parent with a bucket of clear water, tipping it over to be collected by a child holding a bowl, from which the rest of the water overflows onto the earth. The symbolism is obvious, particularly the use of the flow of clear water, in perpetuity, but I thought it worth mentioning, as it is a thing of such great beauty, delicacy and significance. The cycle of life on earth, the knowledge we glean during our time on this beautiful planet, and what we impart to the next generation...
The sculpture was commissioned by the Rotary Club in keeping with their 4 Way Test, which should consider all the things we think, say and do.
1) Is it the truth?
2) Is it fair to all concerned?
3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
www.victortanweetar.com
Food for thought in our daily lives and relationships. I love the new water to the new generation, who are the new wine after all. Rather reminds me of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's immortal Teach your Children Well from their Deja Vu album from the '70s. Now that might date me, but Suzy Q's not afraid of her age, only the afflictions the aging process places upon us, and as usual, nobody warned us!! This bit of knowledge, hmmm, now that I think about it, much like the pains of childbirth, I might just not pass on, hoping that the human race might continue without me frightening off the rest of the crowd on starting blocks at the beginning of the track.
Victor loves his art form as a means of expressing the human form and condition, and hopes to help people have a better understanding of their time here. He touched my heart, and I do hope that if you are ever in Singapore you won't bypass the Sun Garden in the SBG and pause for a moment or two to contemplate this masterpiece.
And hey, all my friends and readers out there, we might not all have lived our lives absolutely perfectly, but I do know that we are doing our utmost to be the best parents we possibly can be, so more power to us all, and good luck to the next generation, may they be wiser for our second hand knowledge. Pass that wisdom down the line!
Teach your children well!
Love Suzy Q
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
