Introducing Jesse

My new little nephew. Congratulations to Lisa and Fabrice!

Prince Albert

I can't remember if I spoke about this little town before but I'm going to mention it again anyway. The best thing about going is the trip there, with the spectacular Swartberg Pass that seperates it from Oudsthoorn. We dragged Paul, our good English mate who was out from the UK, off for a weekend and stayed in an old farmhouse on the Weltevrede fig farm. I arranged a walking tour of the town with some old duck and it was really interesting indeed. We also tasted some dessert wine at the home, vineyard and cellar of the owners/winemakers.

Calitzdorp

The port wine capital of SA and a great weekend getaway; Calitzdorp has plenty of things of interest. We took the long and winding road to get there and made it just before the port tasting closed down for the day. The town is surrounded by mountains and we decided to explore a bit and travelled via the Huisrivier and Seweweekspoort Passes to the Gamkapoort Dam. Say that quickly after a couple of toots. We also went walking with a slightly crazy women and learnt all about incredible adaptation strategies of the karoo succulents.

Drakensberg

We spent another week in the Berg in September lasy year. Hopefully again this year!

Whale sex

During last year's whale season, Shaun and Robyn visited and we took them on the usual walk around Robberg. Ten minutes into the walk we rounded a corner and witnessed 6 southern-right whales mating. Well, to be more specific, 1 female being bullied by 5 excitable males.

Kranshoek

A little way through the forest, down a steep zig-zagging path, Kranshoek is a fantastic bit of coastline and a spot for some interesting walking. Jacks wasn't too thrilled when I got us a bit lost and then took her scrambling up a steep rockfall.

Robertson Wine on the River

10/10 for a fun weekend of good food and great wine in a really special setting.

Zinzi

Some time towards the end of last year we had a new arrival on the farm, in the form of a timid little puppy named Zinzi. Over the last 8 months or so, she has grown just a bit and is now only slightly slower than a cheetah at full speed. She also has an unbelievable personality.

Shaun and Robyn's wedding

Soon after arriving back in SA we had Shaun and Rob's wedding at a game reserve in the Natal Midlands. The name of the place escapes me but it was an awesome wedding and great setting.

They looked radiant, almost as good as me, and the whole occasion was a great success.

Getting up to date

Due to recent complaints regarding being so behind and useless with keeping up to date with my blogging; I will be posting a few pics and summarizing a few of the things that we've been doing since getting back to SA last year.

My oyster winner

A creamy poached oyster with deep fried spinach and a lime and tabasco sorbet.

Oysters galore

Tonight Jacks and myself are going to the 'oyster and wine mardi gras'; a fund raising event and one of the highlights of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival. Twenty restaurants presenting a variety of oyster experiences (around 16000 oysters) and some 1200 litres of wine to wash them down. Sounds like a very good idea to me. Stay tuned for the details of my oyster champion.