Thursday, November 10, 2022

The Great Optimist charity race at Boatica, the V&A Waterfront

We heard about Boatica and the Great Optimist Charity Race on Cape Talk Radio and decided to go and watch
It was being held in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
We took our friend and neighbour Judi Thomas and, chatting,
we discovered that between us we turned out to have a few years of boating experience
It was a perfect early summer day with just enough of a breeze to make the day interesting for sailing
and the show was extremely popular
The sea was calm and large boats were heading out of Victoria Basin to have a trip in the bay
while on the left is the ferry which takes people from one side of the harbour to the other
Two historic buildings are at the exit from Alfred Basin; on the right is the iconic red Old Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront,
which is an important part of the old Cape Town harbour
It was built in 1882 and served as the original Port Captain's Office
It is a three-story Victorian Gothic-style building, featuring a clock imported from Edinburgh
and surrounded by pointed Gothic windows
The building on the left was the next Port Captain's Building, built in 1904
The building is a good example of the Arts and Crafts School of architecture

The two are connected by the Clocktower swing bridge for pedestrians



Boatica 2022 plan

There were some larger yachts, cruisers and power boats (new and old) for sale
and you could, if you wanted, go aboard to view them. All way beyond our aspirational budget

We found our way along the jetties to where the tiny Optimist boats were moored ready for the race, which started at 12.30. The Optimist is one of the two most popular sailing dinghies in the world, with over 150000 boats officially registered with the class and many more built, but never registered. It is sailed in over 120 countries and it is one of only two sailboats configured as an International Class by World Sailing exclusively for sailors under 16. Lynne is pretty sure that it was the boat that she was taught to sail in, a completely abortive wet weekend on a reservoir in South England

John learned to sail in a similar, but older, boat called a Billy-Oh in the St Andrews College Sailing club, where he also helped to build several Andy 12 foot dinghies, which were designed for the school by legendary designer Frank Spears. So we knew the mostly celebrity contestants taking part in this race, who were all over the recommended age, were extremely brave and hopefully experienced

Some were out on the water practising

We had come to support Pippa Hudson, whom we love to listen to every afternoon during the week on Cape Talk Radio
and on her sail and hull was the logo of another charity we support, Ladles of Love

The NSRI boat was a popular destination for many who support this essential South African coastal rescue service
we have no official coast guard service

Some of the motor boats and cruisers moored near the Bascule bridge, which can be raised for access

Pippa Hudson getting ready for the race

Giving and receiving instructions and course directions

They were to sail out of this dock and under both of the bridges, turn about and then sail back as fast as they could

Lots of different sponsors mentioned on all the sails

and a few more became visible

Time to get into the boats and get to the starting line

and time to launch the Cape Talk Optimist

and off they go

Riaan Manser is a slightly crazy and very successful explorer/adventurer
He was game for raising money for charity in this race and in other charitable enterprises
His impressive list of world firsts includes circumnavigating Iceland with Dan Skinstad,
kayaking around Madagascar and rowing from Cape Town to New York with his wife Vasti

and Pippa is off!

Smiling all the way and sailing what looks like a wooden bathtub. Watch that boom Pippa!

They all needed to get in a line behind the start and the wind was not playing along

Nearly there

Oops, watch that dock! A kind surfer pushes the boat off

lining up at the start

Supporters waiting for the vuvuzela hooter

and they're off!

through the cut and under the bridge which was raised at the very last moment

The wind is not kind in the corridor between the two docks and some had to paddle with their hands

A sculler off to monitor progress

First to arrive back was two-time reigning champion Caleb Swanepoel
- but would he win? He had to paddle like crazy

Perhaps not... Now there are two of them and the wind is down
It was a showdown of epic proportions as the wind dropped midway into the race
and skippers resorted to paddles, their hands, and dirty tactics with water weapons to get their boats across the finish line

The winner! 19-year old newcomer Hamilton Slater was the first sailor to complete the course
And it was worth it, the 2022 Great Optimist Race, in partnership with Boatica, raised R130000 for the Little Optimist Trust
during its fun-filled sailing event in Cape Town
The Trust enables financially and physically needy children to use the exposure to sailing
as a means to facilitate healing (both mental and physical), as well as to enhance wellbeing and quality of life

As we left we saw a sad sight and a disgrace;
the Second World War boom defence vessel SAS Somerset, a very neglected museum ship

Harbour seals sunning on the dock

We were in dire need of a beer and, as all the venues at Boatica were totally full, we headed to Ferrymans Tavern

Black Box was the band performing at Ferryman's and they were very good
If you need a band for a function, you might like to employ them, they are very versatile

AAAhhhhhhh

Ice cold nectar. The small one is for Lynne. She misses punting on the Cam and boating on the Solent

Children having great fun in the water feature at the entrance to the V&A Waterfront mall


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Posted by MENU at 6:03 pm 0 comments

Tastes and aromas at Seven Oaks

We enjoyed three experiences while we stayed at Seven Oaks

On arrival, we were welcomed by Ina Basson, their Tasting room manager,
who had so kindly and ably arranged the weekend for us

They have an attractive courtyard in front of the tasting room for balmy days and evenings

Patrick and Jacqui Pols were in the tasting room and wanted us to taste some of the Seven Oaks wines

The line-up of wines. Having tasted the whites and rosé on our trip around the farm it was a chance to taste the reds

The 2021 Seven Oaks Cabernet Shiraz is not oaked and has a lovely nose,
with good red berry fruit, spice and coriander spice
Crisp and zingy on the palate with strawberry, cherry, cassis and black pepper

To accompany our tasting, they had provided two of their specially curated cheese platters,
which was just perfect as we needed some lunch

and some excellent farm bread and butter

Chatting as we ate and tasted

and, inside, there is a long tasting table and a couch in front of an open fireplace for those chilly winter days

The 6+1 2019 Cabernet Shiraz has been matured in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels
Incense wood on the nose with ripe berry fruit
Sweet on the initial entry, with warmth from alcohol and layers of berry fruit

Jacqui Pols is the organizing brain behind the hospitality on the farm

The 6+1 2020 Merlot has wood smoke, then cherry, berry and dark chocolate on the nose
Sweet cherry fruit, some amaretto cherry stone, with crispness in the middle
Wood supports well. Some cherry candy on the end

Patrick Pols is gregarious, fun and a great host, full of bonhomie

The Per L'Amore de Andie is the name of the Seven Oaks Cap Classique
Amore is the registered name of the farm and Andie is their daughter

We all so enjoyed the 2020 Padre Red Nose Merlot Cabernet
A cassis bomb on the nose with good wood, mulberries and raspberry
A classic blend, still young but with good potential
Good fruit, chalky tannins and dark oak, so it has all it needs to age well

The 2020 6+1 Shiraz also has all it needs
It is spicy on the nose with good dark berry fruit, mulberry and incense wood
On the palate, sweet berries, cherries, cranberry, good supporting acidity
and layers of long fruit flavours, chalky tannins and wood on the end. Very good indeed

The 6+1 2019 Pinotage. Incense wood, berry fruit, with young sweet and sour fruit on the palate
This needs time, as all young Pinotages do

The 6+1 2012 James William Reserve Cabernet Shiraz was made by the 2006 Young Winemaker of the Year,
Francois Augenbach, at Romans River farm which is next door
Christmas cake aromas, sweet and sour bruléed fruit on the nose and palate with a touch of wood

The 2021 Seven Oaks Noble Late Harvest, made from Sauvignon Blanc from the neighbouring farm
It is aromatic on the nose, lovely and sweet with honey and flowers, well balanced with good acidity
It has an RS of 140

Our next adventure, the following morning, was to experience the Aroma Room
Ina explained how it worked and we were all keen to test our noses to see which smells we could recognize
Some of us have the advantage of doing this almost daily......

Into the room at the end of the tasting room

where there are 14 containers, each containing an ester to inhale, and to guess what you are smelling
The first 14 are found in white wines

and, on the other side, another 14 which are found in red wines!
Lynne took notes and, although this is what she does with wine regularly, found it quite challenging, as did we all
But it was a lot of fun too. There were some aromas that each of us got instantly, because they are very familiar
Lynne got the truffle quickly, because she makes truffle scrambled egg every Sunday – with truffle oil
and Violet is one of her favourite smells in wine and in macarons and in our garden
But telling the difference between say strawberry or pineapple and some other fruit can be a challenge

When you have finished each one, you can scan the box on the wall above each container.... 

....to find out how wrong or right you were

and you get the answer quickly

and then it was time for the Pop up Lunch, which Seven Oaks holds once a month
A different chef each time, with a different menu
This month it was the turn of Jo Wagener, Private Chef
A biscuit shaped like a bunch of grapes was on each napkin

A homily on the wall, to which we subscribe

Seating outside for early arrivals or people coming to taste wine. The lunch was held in the tasting room 

We scanned the menu with our phones

and, of course, there was Seven Oaks wine to order with your lunch

The Amuse Bouche was a smoked oyster on a thin crisp, topped with onion sprouts, and pomegranate aruls

Chef Jo Wagener, being introduced by Patrick Pols

She told us about the food to come

The first course was a recipe she’d invented
Baby Squid stuffed with her Mother's recipe Bobotie, topped with tomato concasse
It was a new experience for everyone and some were not sure it would work. It smelled very good and was enticing;
the bobotie was very good with lovely clove spicing and the squid was tender and in a flavourful sauce
A very enjoyable and satisfying dish

The palate cleanser was Spanspek;
cantaloupe melon, liquidised with vanilla sorbet and freeze-dried yoghurt, topped with Dukkah. Very sweet

Peter ordering some wine. We began with the 6+1 Chenin Blanc, which is lightly wooded
 It has good clean fruit, lime and lemon, long flavours and went very well with the starter

The main course was a lovely individual Lamb Wellington in crisp flaky pastry,
with a small amount of very flavourful mushroom duxelles inside
Served with crisp potatoes and caramel coated, deep fried pumpkin fritters
(we could have eaten a bucket load of those)
It was a very large portion and the shredded lamb inside was very tender 

One of the other friendly guests, who was also staying the weekend, came over to have a giggle with us all
We had the Padre Red Nose Cabernet/Merlot with the main course and it was such a good pairing

Time for dessert, when they start pouring the Noble Late Harvest; full of honey and so well balanced by the acidity

A tiny slice of Crème Fraiche mint tart on a light pastry base with very delicious strawberries and a chocolate sauce

A smiling chef after a good service

A great artwork bringing back lots of memories

and then on Sunday morning, after breakfast and tidying the cottage,
it was time to say goodbye to Patrick, Jacqui and Ina and thank them for a marvellous weekend
It had not been all relaxing - we were too busy to think of stopping; there was so much to do and we had such fun

Go and experience Seven Oaks yourselves. And perhaps book for their next Pop-Up restaurant?
You will find them on Seven Oaks Winery and Vineyard Cottages: Home https://www.sevenoaks.co.za

All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

If you do not wish to receive e-mails from us, please email menucape@gmail.com with the word 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in your email

Posted by MENU at 12:52 pm 0 comments
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