Delheim - Cape Malay Curry in Potje

Only managed to get to Delheim twice this trip. First time had excellent Ostrich Bobotie, this time Cape Malay Chicken Curry, a stalwart of their menu that I've been ordering for many years, served in a small potje with Rotie, Rice and sambal, coconut and chutney. And wine!

I love their tasty home made bread.

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Lunch at Neethlingshof Estate

I like a lot about Neethlingshof - the wine, the winemaker, the food and eating outside on the veranda during harvest seeing grape hoppers driven below us and backed into the winery destemmer opposite. 

This was our second visit this trip. First time it was too inclement to sit outside so we lunched in the splendour of the old manor house. We were lucky then to be given a table because they had not got my reservation made online; power cuts meant no internet for them.

I had the lentil bobotie with rice, sambal, chutney and sliced banana coated in desiccated coconut. The bread was also good.

Since the droughts and consequent water shortages we are seeing more 'air water', which is - as far as I can make out - effectively what you get by using a dehumidifier.

Grapes were coming in, these were Malbec. Neethlingshof were one of the first to grow and make Malbec in the Cape.

And this is the view from the veranda

Lunch with Pierre at Jordan Estate

To Jordan Estate for lunch with good friend Pierre Loubser. There's two restaurants and Pierre had chosen the Bakery where we could sit outside with tremendous views over the valley.

Since they don't make Pinotage we enjoyed a bottle of Black Magic Estate Merlot 2015, and I bought a bottle to take to Jan & Jenatte's braai.

 

Gordon's Bay Beach

Returning from lunch at Ocean Basket, at top left. Nice walk there around the sandy bay then past the sand dunes to the new harbour and the restaurant next to the sea overlooking the harbour.

And Joan loves prawns.

Gordons Bay beach at dusk.

Gordons Bay Impossible Road

There's only one way to get into this road - its a dead end, but it has a No Entry sign. So how did those cars get there :) 

At House of J C Le Roux

Up in Devon Valley is one of our lunch places, good views, friendly service, lovely sparkling wines and fantastic chips. 

We bought some halves of Pongracz MCC for pre-dinner aperitifs.

Vin de Francois Vintage 2017 Auction

To Cape Town on Wednesday 27 February just in time to be taken to  the auction of Vin de François 2017 on Saturday 2 March a secret location which turned out to be Zip Zap Circus’s Big Top in the heart of Cape Town.

where we were greeted by a stilt walker, 

clown and ring master who showed us to a red carpet and the entrance.
 
 

About to enter the Big Top

 

Main course: Slow roast lamb with dates, cashew nuts  & rosemary, wrapped in crispy phyllo, served on crushed buttery potatoes, pumpkin fritters and a melange of vegetables.

 

Circus acrobatics during dinner

 

Enjoying Vin de Francois 2017

 Fruit of the auction!