Observations on South Africa

As we leave we thought we should offer up our own little observations on South Africa

They have strange taste in cereals

and yes they really do taste of CUSTARD

They do a good line in strange beasties

A dossie on table mountain

in the muirs back garden

in a house we stayed in

South Africa does an amazing sunsets

Everything that tastes good has MSG!!

even Lappies!!

and once and for all people if your going to do something "just now" then do it "just now"!!

the end is nigh.... well this part anyway

Well it's early on our last full day in south Africa (with a baby lie ins are a distant memory). And I'm trying to reflect on our last 3 weeks in this beautiful country that have gone oh so quickly. Our favourite moments have been spent with friends non more so than on Friday being part of E's 5th Birthday celebrations by the river

Water guns and sugar a perfect afternoon for a 5 year old 

The boys mounting an attack on the toilets

Reluctantly posing by his tent pinata (way to go Debs)

E determined to win

E and his camping themed cakes, R poised to grab

Now back in cape town we are doing the last of the sights;
Table mountain

Sitting towering above Cape town the mountain often wears its "table cloth"

Windy at the top, well it's cape town its windy EVERYWHERE

Archie taking in the view below

Kirstenbosch

These beautiful gardens on the side of the mountain, I'm afraid the pictures do not do them justice!!

Rugby at Newlands

Stormers beat the lions 19-16

It's been sad packing up to continue our travels but our next destination awaits. \

Lots of people have stopped us on our journey to comment on how brave we are travelling with a baby, after 3 weeks of travel we're unsure what they are talking about (I really hope with a jet lagging flight coming up we're not about to find out).

Worcester,

Any time we've talked to South African's about our travels, most have looked pretty blankly when we mentioned visiting Worcester... Boy are they missing out

More wine and brandy, watersports, fishing, most of the world's exported eating grapes, fruit... and plenty of mountains

Jen has been amazing caring for two dependents this week as Pete's stomach took a holiday of its own. We've been beating the heat by visiting wineries by day, going for early evening walks, and keeping our eye on Archie who's learning new things every day. not all of which are welcome?!

Busted

Bernice's 2nd Birthday weekend on the trot

After a beautiful weekend on the coast with birthday girl Bernice (1st pic) & friends we're back in the hot & sunny winelands.

We learned about the amazing Lappies BBQ sauce, The SA craze for Sokkie (dancing), and the rugby season's just getting started

Life is Good!

While Skype has kept us in touch with grandparents so far, nothing could get us back to what looked like two amazing weddings over the weekend in London... Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Ciarleglio and Mr & Mrs Beech,

The serious business of winetasting

Our itinerary hits most of the new world's best wine growing regions...

Haskells - great food?!

The last few days have been devoted to sampling some of South Africa's best around Stellenbosch. It's been tough going, but 11 wineries later, it's safe to say that we're still very much wine lovers

Simonsig (great bubbly)

Our favourite

Oak Valley, Beyerskloof, Norhoek, Delheim, Simonsig, Kleine Zalze, Alto, Haskells, Rust en Verde, Spier & Waterford... plus a couple of Distilleries for the brandy




All this goodness was bound to have it's effects -

Todays Wineries

For those of you who don't know Stellenbosch area is the home of South African wine. Almost every winery opens it's doors to the public and for a few Rand you can taste their cellar wines and usually enjoy some quality food in the estate restaurants.

Rust en Vrede
Good value winemakers lunch and wine tasting; voted the 74th best restaurant in the world don't ya know. 

mmmm sirloin steak

not sure who is copying who here

The view at lunch

Waterford estate

Waterford is known for their chocolate and wine tasting combo, it's WELL worth going.

The Waterford estate

Wine Chocolate and tasting notes, what more do you need.

likes and dislikes

over our short time traveling we have formed a few opinions

Dislikes
Cheap hire cars - no aircon, no central locking, no suspension & too much plastic

Likes
Swimsuits that also protect from the sun

We'll be adding to these lists as we travel, but for now we're in the winelands of stellenbosch and for that reason we will be turning over this blog to some food and wine reviews over the next few days.

Weekend Grabouw style

Friday

Up and out early to visit the village of hope, a children’s charity in the village of Grabouw. Archie was the cause of much excitement and interest from the kids

Posing nicely for photos

Archie enjoying a walk in his wrap

Then we spent the rest of the day with the remarkable Muirs catching up with what they have been doing as they work closely with the local community, find out more at 
http://muirs-lighthouse.blogspot.com.

Aren't they cute

Saturday

Our good friend Bernice came up to celebrate her birthday so we all went for a days swimming at the dam, I think these pictures tell the story much better than I ever could!

Blue sky, hot braai and cool water.....heaven

cuddles with Daddy

MEAT!!!

Archie makes a new friend in auntie Nieci

First time Archie actually enjoyed a swim.

Isn't he cute, Seth I mean!!

Bernice beating everyone at lawn bowls!!

So tomorrow we head out on our own for Stellenbosch and the winelands.