Category: this is south africa

Hot

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Everyone has their limits when it comes to heat. I never really thought about this before I moved to SA (because I never had to), but I’ve worked out that mine is about 34oC. Anything up to that, I’m fine – or at least, I can manage. Anything beyond that, I’m in immediate trouble; trouble which will vary from just “not very pleasant”, through to “actual death” on the three or four days each year when it approaches 40oC in Cape Town.

Today was below my threshold (just), but OMG. I struggled. And it took a while to work out why, but then I had a quick look, and, well…

Yeah. That would be it.

Honestly, what is this? We’re not in Durban here.

Great for the washing powder industry, I guess. Not so nice for those of use that were having to change clothes every couple of hours.

Bit melty.

Much time was gratefully spent in the pool (mainly because you can’t see the football from there), but while it’s a bit cooler this evening, I’m not really looking forward to just how warm our bedroom is going to be later on.

Tomorrow looks cooler – which will be nice – but my weather apps don’t show humidity, so I’m not really sure what to expect.

Kill the heat with cold beer. Always the best way forward.

Winning horse

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The Real Prince won the big race today at Kenilworth.

I was close enough to him to get sprayed while they were hosing him down.

No big issue, given just how hot it was out there today.

I’m not an expert on horses, but this guy seemed pretty happy.

And why not, given that he had just earned a cool R1,781,256 for his jog around the track.

Nice work.

Flycatchers in Jonkershoek

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That was a nice day out.

A drive to Stellenbosch, and then out into the Jonkershoek Valley, where we stopped off at the Oude Nektar Gardens and had a wander in the peace and quiet, taking in the fresh air and the amazing trees, flowers, lawns and birds. Which included plenty (or more) Black Saw-Wings (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) overhead, and at least a couple of flycatchers nearer the ground:

That’s the Fiscal Flycatcher (Sigelus silens) on the left, and the African Dusky Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta) on the right. The size is a bit off, because the Dusky Flycatcher is small, but the Fiscal Flycatcher is Far Away.

But they are always nice to see, anyway. Whatever size and wherever they were.

Then next door to Stark-Condé for some wine tasting and lunch.
Both were really good, but certainly not cheap:

When did R60 per wine for a tasting become a thing? Could we not organise some sort of locals rate, please?

That said, we did particularly enjoy their Cabernet Sauvignon and their – wait for it – Oude Nektar Red Blend. We tried the 2022 vintage of the latter, and you could definitely taste the potential. It really just needed a few more years.

And (of course), they’ll do that cellaring for you, but (of course) you’ll pay a pretty penny. The 2015 vintage comes in at a cool R1950 a bottle. I can imagine that it would be rather amazing, but that’s a lot for a bottle of wine, when you’re (mostly) just a happy quaffer.

And so we enjoyed some really good Eastern Cape fillet with the 2022 version of their CabSav, had a leisurely walk around the beautiful lake:

…and headed home happy.

I think I’m going to like it here

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We arrived yesterday afternoon after a leisurely drive down and a stop at the infamous Moerse Padstal in Napier. I am now able to totally recommend their roosterkoeke and their friendly welcome. It’s been a few years since we stopped there, but what a friendly place.

And now there’s just sunshine and blue skies and (almost) nothing to do. The wind is blowing, but it keeps the temperature manageable and the flies at bay.

As expected, the extra strain of all the visitors on the cell tower here means crawlingly slow internet, but there are other things to do: books to read, braais to enjoy, naps to plan.

We’ll be ok.

Oh, and if there was a good omen for this week or so away, surely it was the sight of a Black Harrier (Circus maurus) on the dirt road on the way in.

Nice start.

I think I’m going to like it here.

That awkward time

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What date is it?

What day is it, even?

The post-Christmas limbo period is a real thing. The rush and excitement of “the big day” over and done with, but still with that holiday feeling in the air, and summer in full swing.

What do you do?

Well, we are going to go to Cape Agulhas. Yes, it’ll be jam-packed with Vaalies…

But there are over 30,000 tourists visiting throughout Christmas and New Year. They don’t care about the water restrictions, because their GP-registered Chelsea Randburg tractor is near the sea, and will rust overnight if they don’t hose it down each evening. And so we literally run out of water some days.

But remember that if you are a tourist, the place you’re visiting is completely yours and only yours for the duration of your stay. Never mind the other people visiting, and certainly don’t worry about the local residents – they’re just there for you to use and abuse as you wish.

…but it will still be Cape Agulhas.

And a short break away from the madness of Cape Town and deep into the madness of Cape Agulhas will do very nicely, thank you very much.

Because it is all relative. A frustrating traffic jam in Cape Town is 5km and an hour long. In Agulhas, it’s just a bit irritating to be behind someone else at a stop street.

I still prefer it in winter, when there’s just us and a roaring fire.

So I’ll do it all again then.