Thursday, September 06, 2012

The great trek Day 1: Cape Town - Durban - Kokstad


From a cold and cloudy Cape Town
we took the MyCiti bus to the airport 
(thanks to our friend Ronnie for the lift from Sea Point to the Civic Centre)
Plastic eggs and very crisp biscuits at Mugg & Bean
A Mango flight to Durban took us
to pick up our replacement wheels in Ballito
then a run down the South Coast and up to the edge of the Malutis 
with an occasional pit stop
to the accommodation we'd booked at Peacehaven guest farm near Kokstad
Well-named, it is in the country at the foot of Mount Currie
A quiet drink in the lounge
followed by dinner
cooked by Pat Kötting with help from daughter-in-law Kit
Courgette and blue cheese soup to start
followed by the biggest lamb shanks ever, topped with a peppadew sauce,
mash and perfectly cooked thin green beans and carrots
with a glass or two of Porcupine Ridge Merlot
The family joined us at the table - Kit, James and Rob Kötting. We discovered that James and John worked for different branches of Taeuber & Corssen (AGFA & Bayer distributors) in the late 70s
Next morning, a walk before breakfast with spider webs and rural landscapes


The guesthouse 
has a few self-contained cottages
The geese are pets
Charlie the golden retriever, chosen by the AA Accommodation Assessors for a “special mention” as being the Most Hospitable Hound
Scrambled country eggs and bacon
The rooms, very well appointed and most comfortable


Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

Expressions of Franschhoek at the Taj

Gaby Palmer-Bolton, Mount Nelson PR with Willem du Toit, Taj F&B Director
Darran Stone, winemaker at Mont Rochelle
Riaan Nolan of Zando Shoes & Fashion and Jan Laubscher of WineTimes
Francois van der Merwe introduced guest chef 
Michelle Theron of Pierneef restaurant at La Motte
Potato crusted Salmon served with braised Fennel, Parmesan Gnocchi, 
Cape Curry and Coconut Velouté
La Motte Brut 2007 - Haut Espoir Viognier 2008
Wild Mushroom open Lasagna, Porcini & Hazelnut Velouté with deep fried Egg
La Motte Chardonnay 2010 - Holden Manz Big G 2009
A special substitute for John: spicy paneer and salad from Bombay Brasserie
Crispy Lamb’s Soutribbetjie with Gremolata crushed Potatoes, 
Parsnip Puree, Quince & Bacon jus
Moreson Magia 2006 - Haut Espoir Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Chocolate “Melksnysels” with spiced Milk punch, Milk Chocolate mousse 
and Salted Honey comb
Pierre Jourdan Blanc De Blancs 2009

Tamo von Arnim introducing his family's wines
La Motte winemaker, Edmund Terblanche
Wayne Buckley, head of Holden Manz PR and Marketing
Irina von Holdt CWM discussing wine with a visitor from Brazil
Anne Armstrong, mother of Rob, the owner of Haut Espoir
Clayton Reabow, Moreson winemaker
Chefs at attention
The Mint restaurant
Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012

Morvino trade tasting at the Vineyard

Lynne with Joakim Hansi Blackadder, sommelier at Rust en Vrede and his wife
Painted Wolves Jeremy and Emma Borg
Tyrrell Myburgh of Joostenberg
Lynne with Alison and Steven Digby of Manuka at Southey's
Rudi Schulz
Miles Mossop with Chris and Wendy Bertie
Natalie Opstaele of Almenkerk with Mark Herd, Sunset beach Wine & Deli
Joris van Almenkerk and Natalie Opstaele
De Morgenzon team: winemaker Carl van der Merwe 
and Katie Barratt, Sales & Marketing Manager
International Wine & Food Society's John Grant & Eugene Mori and a friend
Miles Mossop with wine boxes

Photographs © John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2012