should I stay or should I go now ?

As Keith and I share the news that we're going to immigrate to Australia at some point in the future - people's reactions have been very surprising. The most extreme has been, "Why do you want to go THERE ? It's so far away." Again and again I think it's all perspectives. Some things may seem very normal from where you're standing, and then from somewhere else they may seem intollerable or inconceivable. I don't doubt for one minute that it'll be very hard, lonely, and we'll wonder if we did the right thing, but that's change for you.

maverick mag

On the flight home with Kulula we were presented with a free magazine entitled Maverick.
http://www.maverick.co.za/

Some very readable, topical pieces made me take it home with me. i do hope to visit their website again, to stay in touch with what they're up to. I found the opinions and investigative journalism thought-provoking and on the pulse of SA. I wish they were an e-zine.

Perhaps it'll be a blog one day ! ?

Franschoek Valley lunch

On the drizzly morning of Friday the 24th November, we decided to make our way out to Stellenbosch and Franschoek. On route we rang a mate of Keith's in London, Matt Mack, who had recommended a restaurant for lunch, with breathtaking views and equivalent menu. Mobile phones are awesome and within minutes Matt had given us the name and telephone number of La Petit Ferme in Franschoek. They were able to give us a table at 13h00, and Zack was compliant enough to fall asleep for nigh on the duration of our meal there : about 2 hours ! What bliss was ours. Keith wandered around the grounds and snapped a few photographs (sadly the weather wasn't playing ball, so these are as close as we can get to showing you how beautiful it is), and our food was better than anticipated. The service was world class, and so relaxed yet attentive. I would go again and again if we lived nearby. Friends of Keith's said, later on, that it used to be their favourite restaurant, but now they know the menu off by heart ! It is so hard living in the Cape. Experiences like this have made us wonder why we don't live in Cape Town.

crazy pedestrians in cape town

We have wended our way down the Garden Route (we stayed in the Wilderness and visited George, Nature's Valley, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay). We got into Cape Town late yesterday afternoon and on our trip into town discovered that the rumours of the nutty drivers had some foundation. A chap in a delivery van drove like a complete maniac on the highway, tried to write us off, and then further down the road cut off a 4x4, and dust and stones flew with mad swerving across two lanes. You really need to be alert when you drive here. The other thing that has struck us again and again is the number of pedestrians that just wander across the HIGHWAY ! what are they thinking ? People get killed on highways every day, why are they crossing something that's 3 lines wide, with moving hazards coming at you at 120 + km's per hour. It's just lunacy.

food poisoning at Storms River

We stopped at Storms River to pick up a car for friends on the Otter Trail. I decided stupidly to have the chicken mayo sandwich because the service was very slow and I figured it would be quick and fill a hole. Silly girl, it took ages and when it arrived, it was yuck-O. Definitely the worst chicken-mayo sandwich in South Africa ! Not to feel that I didn't get my money's worth, they gave me a little something to take home... diarrhoea. I had it for days and days, and Imodium didn't even touch it. In fact, I took 7 tablets one day (one shy of the limit) thinking it would hit it with a big stick, and... nada. Quite scary really. In the end I went to a pharmacy in Camps Bay and got some prescription drugs which put an end to everything. Amazing what the REAL stuff can do. The pharmacist, Alan Levine, told me there was an epidemic going around, and when I thought about where I caught it - Storms River mouth is a tourist hotspot (highest Bungee in the World is just around the corner, it's breathtakingly scenic, etc. etc.) and then flown down to Cape Town... little wonder ! I'm sure that tourists all over were suffering with me. Not nice at all, especially when you're on holiday.

Ornithological Heaven

Did you know that South Africa has some of the MOST incredible bird life in the world ? And it's right on your doorstep, quite literally. Having grown up in Johannesburg, I am quite nonplussed by the sight of a hoopoe, a sacred ibis, a grey heron. Here in London, I see only seagulls (I live on a river), pigeons (the scourge of the city, according to our esteemed Mayor), and an LBB here and there. Highlights are a nightingale in the dead of Winter singing outside the Independent's HO. But that's it! Johannesburg, and the rest of Southern Africa, is a completely different scenario. You just turn your head and there's another bird. Amazing really.

For a start, let's see what's available on Google:
Birdlife South Africa
Photos of Birds (et al)
planning a trip to go birdwatching ? And here's another link.

Then there are two amazing books to help you along : the Sasol bird book, and what used to be the Bible of Birds in SA, Roberts.

fabulous food - transkaroo, great brak river

on our first night in George, we were pointed to this gorgeous little place. it feels very Southamptons while the menu is soooo south african. lots of locally grown, fresh ingredients. delightful waiting staff - all trying very hard to make us feel welcome. teasing Zack and carrying him around right thru our starters and main course. I kept telling them he'd never go to sleep being carried around, but they insisted, so he just stayed awake and enjoyed all the attention. lucky bambino! our meal was just wonderful I remember Keith had the lamb and I think mum and I tried something else. It was all wonderful, and exceeded our expectations. I just loved the "sinkplaat" building and the trad decor. such atmosphere. highly recommended !