DARLING, OH MY
DARLING…
AUGUST 2007
After a splendid
weekend of glorious sunny weather in Cape
Town, we awakened with the pitter-patter of rain on
our balcony. It’s Tuesday, 21 Aug. Karin and I planned a daytrip to Darling …
This review was only supposed to be about our
daytrip to Darling. But once again, Cape Town surprised me and
I had to, yes, sorry, had to tell you about it.
Thursday 16 August 2007
We departed on Thursday, 16 August, from Lanseria to Cape Town. (www.lanseria.co.za)
These pictures are sure to tempt you:
besides the hostesses offering you coffee while you’re reading the
complimentary newspaper, there is also a ‘self-service station’ complete with
coffee machine. The lounge
is tastefully decorated with baskets and fabulous comfy chairs.
Although Lanseria
Airport only flies to Cape Town in the morning and back in the
afternoon, the luxurious lounge does it for me.
There are no stampeding, fresh coffee (gratis) and friendly staff.
Our flat in Cape Town wasn’t ready yet, so we drove to
Stellenbosch. We had a look at the burnt
Eendrag hostel. Rumors had it that the
students got back on Thursday morning (Women’s Day) from partying, were hungry,
had meat but no braai. Took a broken
upholstered chair, ignited it and the rest is … history.
To feed our hungry tummies, we turned into
Church Street and parked at D’ Ouwe Werf.
(www.ouwewerf.com)
It’s
Stellenbosch’s oldest and most historic hotel with this amazing
restaurant. They still had the breakfast
dishes on display and I really, really wanted some cheese. Hein ordered a chicken pie with vegs. With my cheese and leek soup, they served me home baked straight-out-of-the-oven seed bread!
It was sooooo good! Our waiter
was Purdon and very efficient. In Summer
you can sit outside on this gorgeous patio, with vines trailing all over. The streets in Stellenbosch do not offer
ample parking, but at D’ Ouwe Werf there is a ‘valet parking’ area to consider.
Friday 17 August 2007
On Friday night we met up with Pieter, one of
Hein’s university friends.
We ended up in Jan Kats(z) – a pub on the top
floor of Stellenbosch Hotel, c/o Dorp and Andringa Streets. On our very first date, (a blind date) after
dinner, Hein and myself had a nightcap at Jan Kats(z). Memories …
Saturday 18 August 2007
Saturday morning we drove to the Waterfront for
breakfast at Balducci’s. (www.balduccis.co.za)
Now, interestingly enough, when I mentioned this restaurant to a few
people, they all had bad experiences.
Previously, Hein ordered an omelette with
tomato, cheese and rocket and found the tastes amazing. This time he ordered the farmhouse omelette
and was a bit disappointed, but still liked it.
Still in the ‘cheese mode’, I opted for the cheese platter. It took a while, but we had wonderful coffee
and it was worth the wait. The platter
is R120, but is definitely for 2 people.
You also have a choice of water biscuits or toasted focaccia and the latter is definitely worth it! You choose your own 6 cheeses and the
portions are not small. They had a
divine fig preserve, fresh salad leaves, strawberries, dried fruit, fresh
grapes and olives. The Boland Blue
cheese was divinely creamy and soft.
On Saturday evening, we had a 50th
birthday party at the Mowbray Club. When
Hein started in the IT-business (1994) in Johannesburg,
Greg Rawlins was his boss. Since then
Hein has kept contact with Greg (now in Cape
Town).
At the top of this page, I mentioned our ‘blind
date’. Shirley Rawlins worked with me in
1990 at attorneys. (She was from Matatiel, Natal.)
In August ’90, Shirley arranged a formal dinner and I needed a
partner. Didn’t know any male friends to
accompany me and a ‘blind date’ was arranged for me. Thus entered Hein and we got married etc etc.
JUST BE PATIENT – THE WHOLE STORY WILL BE
REVEALED TO YOU …
A month ago I had lunch with my friend,
Alice. Her friend Lisalot and her mom
joined us. Lisalot’s mom said something
about Matatiel. I mentioned that I knew
Shirley Rawlins and they both knew her.
Shirley has a 2-year old boy and 4-month old twins. Shirley’s very tiny and after the twins, had
to walk with a crutch. But for some
reason, I assumed that Shirley is now staying in Matatiel.
BACK TO THE 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY – we
met some nice people at our table and were chatting away, when I looked up, saw
a side-way glimpse of this woman’s face … and she’s walking with a crutch …
SHE REMEMBERED ME! Yes, it was Shirley. Upon asking her why
she’s at the party – HOLD ONTO YOUR SEATS – Greg Rawlins (the 50th
birthday boy) is her COUSIN! And Shirley
and family stay in Stellenbosch.
Needless to say, I was gob-smacked and
shell-shocked for the rest of the evening.
The world is so small. Next time
I’ll go and visit her and the kids.
Even though the weather forecasted a cold
front, we had the most awesome weather in the Cape. Beautiful open skies, sun shining –
everything green and fresh.
Monday 20 August 2007
Monday night we drove through to Stellenbosch
to meet up with a friend and life coach, Louise, and her friend Fanie. We booked a table at Moyo, Spier. (http://www.moyo.co.za/content.asp?subID=50)
When we arrived there, we were taken to this
‘treetop table’. Seriously! In the treetops. Luckily, it wasn’t that cold and they had 2
heaters and nice, fluffy blankets.
These photo’s were taken during the day. Top photo is the ‘treetop table’ area. Bottom photo is the rest of the restaurant, which
would be spectacular day- or nighttime.
They do not have an a la carte menu, but a full buffet. A bit pricy (R180 per person), but it does
provide you with a load of choices. We
had some lovely fish dishes, stunning veggies and scrumptious lamb shanks and
casseroles.
Definitely try to book the ‘treetop
table’. It is an amazing experience,
with water tinkling all around you. The
ladies wash your hands beforehand with rosewater and if you wish, paint your
face.
After a splendid
weekend of glorious sunny weather in Cape
Town, we awakened with the pitter-patter of rain on
our balcony. It’s Tuesday, 21 Aug. Karin and I planned a daytrip to Darling …
Tuesday 21 August 2007
Despite the rain, we decided to drive to
Darling. (www.darlingtourism.co.za) Saw lots and lots of arum lilies – growing
wildly (although I do believe it’s illegal to pick them.) It was still raining a bit, but when we
stopped at ‘Evita se Perron’ it stopped.
For the rest of the day!
Sfdsf
Filled with old furniture, gold mirrors,
hundreds and hundreds of fairy-lights and photo’s and paintings everywhere –
even in the bathroom!
We shared a light and fluffy scone and had a
good browse through all the letters and memorabilia – dated back as far as
1961!
A craft centre for the local people has been
started and they sell beautifully handcrafted pillows, blankets and gifts.
Years ago we visited a mission church in
Darling – converted into a home. It was
spectacular. Although I’ve lost the film
and have to rely on my memories. Karin
and I found the church and had a look around.
Although empty, it’s still a magnificent little place. The previous lady rented the cottage as a
home and used the church for an art gallery.
Can you image that ambience.
Ormonde (www.ormonde.co.za)
was our next stop. A wine and olive
estate. We tasted some olive paste and
bought a few bottles of wine, olives and paste.
On the dam, we also saw a few white swans floating around.
Olive Crusted Grilled Steak
1 kg Rump Steak
2 tbsp Darling Olive
Paste
Grill Rump Steak as
usual. Spread Darling Olive Paste over
the steak for the last five minutes of cooking, turning briefly to sear the
paste to the meat. Serve with chips and
salad.
In Darling’s main street, we found ‘The Marmalade Cat’. A tiny restaurant with
some interesting gifts. We also popped
into ‘Nostalgia’ next door. (http://darlingtourism.co.za/historydetail.htm)
Stunning old, old furniture, an amazing wooden
butcher’s block, beautiful chinaware and lots of little trinkets.
For lunch we popped into ‘Simone.’ It used to be the Brig’s Barn Country Stall. Lovely warm interior (loooove the red walls)
and a hearty crackling fire. We chose to
share the ‘pork belly’ and just as well – the portions were huge. It was heavenly – served with a creamy,
smooth mash and freshly steamed broccoli.
Karin tried the ‘Russian tart’ which I believe is also called a
‘jodekoek of jodetert’. Basically thin
sponge layers smothered in thick creamy custard.
After ‘waving’ goodbye to Darling, we drove
through Yzerfontein and then back to Cape
Town. Of course
the sun shone the rest of the week …
Friday 24 August 2007
Our flight was scheduled for this afternoon. Somehow we missed it. Kobus and Linda (friends and colleagues)
planned to attend a rotary evening in Saldanha and managed to obtain tickets
for us as well as a bed for the night at Nina & Pierre’s house.
The rotary evenings are all fundraising events
and good fun. Upon arrival, you buy a
polystyrene hat filled with 3 bags of peanuts (unshelled). Golly you would think – so much peanuts to
eat … NO, NO!
The peanuts are to throw – at – everyone around
you. They also sell huge, plastic
glasses/goggles and believe me – you need it!
I don’t like hats, so I took a beating there,
but the glasses helped a lot! Those are all peanuts on the floor.
Kobus and Linda
with loads of peanuts on the table.
Later-on, we just collected peanuts from the floor.
This guy protected him well and was just
concerned about his drink.
(Top photo) What a nice action shot, Hein! Linda throwing and Nina protecting her
face.
(Bottom photo) Pierre ready to launch!
With all the peanuts on the floor, it was
extremely slippery and quite a few people fell down.
Saturday 25 August 2007
On Saturday we flew back with SAA. Kulula has no flights to Lanseria over the
weekend. Hugo, Hein’s brother, had to
fetch us at O. Tambo International airport and took us to Lanseria to fetch our
car.
Why does my arm hurt though? I only realized later it’s because of the
‘peanut hurling’.
It was good to be back home again!
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