Breakfast & Baboons & Buffoons at the Porter Estate Market

It’s been a while since we headed down to Zwaanswyk and the Porter Estate Saturday Morning Market. Lots to see and do here, but first, it was breakfast time and while the kids amused themselves in the sandpit and on the jungle gym, I amused myself with bacon, egg, veal sausage and onion. Which was nice and exceptionally good value at R40.

Add to that an enamel cupful of the local Moer Koffie:

Now, Moer Koffie is a strong, dark brew. The kind of stuff you want to drink after you’re had a moer se nag out on Long Street, like we had. I’m not even sure what type of beans are in there and honestly, I don’t think anyone really cares because the senses are far too intrigued by the enamel cups and condensed milk condiments. Please promise me that you won’t try it with the illusion that Moer Koffie is going to effortlessly win any awards, because I really don’t think that’s the point. Even still, it’s still worth the experience of drinking something other than the usual brands that ferry their wiles through the mainstream.

You have to be a bit careful at fresh produce markets like these. The produce is good and rather difficult to resist – olives, bread, olives, sausage, olives and olives – but it’s also often expensive. The lamb chops at R98 a kilo are a good example.
Oh, and this morning, you also had to be careful to avoid mountain bikers cycling through the market. There’s actually no sign saying that they can’t cycle right through the middle of the couple of hundred people (and kids) there, but I think that’s probably because it should just be common sense. After all, it’s not like there are signs in multi-storey car parks telling you not to jump off the top floor or at Spur telling you to slap the kids in the playroom – it’s simply reasonable behaviour.

Cyclists claim that they get picked on a lot, but in my opinion, they deserve it.
This guy is the exception that proves the rule:

One further issue at the market this morning was the troop of about 40 baboons which was heading towards the market when we arrived. Fortunately, they stayed away, as they would surely have ransacked the place and eaten all the pricey lamb chops.

Do baboons like olives?

2 thoughts on “Breakfast & Baboons & Buffoons at the Porter Estate Market

  1. I LOVE that market. Haven’t been for a few weeks now. Must make a plan to go next week. Just hope it doesn’t rain. I also get VERY carried away there. And those breakfasts are just MOUTHWATERING.

  2. Have to confess – I’m one of the mountain bikers who visits the market regularly (although I do get off and walk once in the market area).

    Anyway, every weekend I’ve noticed the baboon troop hanging around the area on a more frequent basis and have witnessed a few raids made by them. BUT… while this goes on the baboon monitor guys just sit and watch them cause chaos (and people potentially put themselves in harms way by trying to shoo the baboons off).

    My question: what is the function of the baboon monitors? I can appreciate if they’re briefed to not interfere with the troop’s movements, but surely reducing the “friction” between people and baboons is part of their job? i.e. Either warn the market people what’s coming or steer the troop away from the market?

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