Wednesday, February 01, 2023

In MENU This Week, Elgin Chardonnay Colloquium, South Peninsula day, Beach Bar - Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch opera concert

The photograph in this week’s MENU cover shows a book, "Dark Continent My Black Arse", by Sihle Khumalo. It was quite by accident that Lynne was reading it when we were hit by “load-shedding, exactly 16 years ago to the day. And here we are, still bothered by electricity shortages. The only difference is that is has become worse. Mr Khumalo wrote an interesting article in the Sunday Times last year, aimed at those who blame the country’s post-democracy challenges on the paler skinned population. See it here

On a lighter note, this is the first MENU of the year, with stories of some of our “holiday” activities and, very importantly, a wonderful wine tasting. We look forward to many more and, so far, have one in the bag for next week

Elgin Chardonnay Colloquium

We were very excited when we were invited to attend the Elgin Chardonnay Colloquium. It had not been held since 2019 because of the Covid hiatus. Elgin's cool climate and excellent soils produce some of the best South African Chardonnays in several different styles, some of which we were to taste in the four flights. They were kind enough to lay on transport from Pinelands for us, a place at which we could safely leave our car. It was an early start, the bus leaving at 8 am. Read on…

A Day in the South Peninsula

We had been rather housebound for the Christmas and New Year period, during which Cape Town fills up with lovely tourists, but the roads and restaurants are so busy that locals just wait for the 'season' to ameliorate. Schools started again, the roads calmed down and we decided to take a lovely tour of our favourite summer places which we love to visit. Read on…

Lunch at The Beach Bar, Hout Bay

Lynne had read good reviews for The Beach Bar in Hout Bay. It's next to the beach car park, opposite the Chapman's Peak Hotel. So we invited a friend who lives locally, booked a table and went for lunch on a beautiful breezy day. The wind made us choose to sit inside. We were impressed by the wide variety of ages and apparent incomes eating there. Read on…

Cape Town Opera concert in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

We made a resolution this year to go to more music events. We both love music and have quite eclectic tastes. So, when we heard that Cape Town Opera was giving a Sunday concert of opera choruses at Kirstenbosch, supported by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brandon Phillips, we bought tickets immediately. It is such a lovely venue. You pack a picnic supper and some wine, get there for 4 pm, take a rug and some small low backed chairs and walk to the concert area, where the lawns slope down to the stage, and find your favourite place. Read on…



All the stories we have published can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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