Our last day in Cape Town ...

It was our last day in Cape Town today.  Already.  And to celebrate that, winter arrived!  This morning we spent on errands in the CBD, including of course a coffee from a funky tiny coffee shop.   

We also had to nip into Shoprite, one of the Supermarket chains.  I love visiting supermarkets just to check out the different items to buy.

This pano is Greenmarket Square, in the CBD

We headed out to the wineries area but our first stop was at Franschhoek for lunch.  Franschhoek is one of those wonderful towns that offered a choice of wonderful eateries, as well as beautiful buildings and interesting craft shops.  Leanne – you would have been in 7^th heaven!

Of course we had a mouth-watering lunch at le Quartier Francais – mind you, with a name like that you have certain expectations to start with, and they were all met.   The restaurant section was called 'The Common Room' and the menu entitled 'Local Grazing Ground'.  There was a tapas style menu, including

• fish pops / chakalaka ketchup
• lamb frikadelletjies / flatkoek / raita
• springbok bitterballen / apple mustard
• fried parmesan gnocchi / spiced brinjal / baby spinach

Can you taste it all yet?  The desert section was "lipsmackers"  (no, can't spoil you with a selection from the menu in case you are reading this before lunch!) and the drinks available were divided between "18's & over", including

• switchboard tonic
• bow chicka wow wow
• miss molly hoity toity (chenin blanc)
• miss molly kitchen thief (sav blanc)
• miss molly in my bed (cab sav)

The "all ages" drinks included a steelworks, homemade ginger beer and a virgin strawberry daiquiri.

Perhaps the best part of the menu was the Restaurant rules:

"no whining, no swearing, no smoking"   :-)

We didn’t spend as long as we could have exploring the town because by that time the rain had set in, so we drove down the road to La Motte.  This winery is known for its red wines, and its wine tasting set up is certainly professional!

We settled in, and shared a wine tasting.  Today they had 8 wines – 3 whites and 5 reds, each accompanied by an explanation of course.  We resisted the urge to buy any – I’m sure that most people who do buy their wines aren’t about to head off camping in Namibia … 

The area where they had the wine tasting was impressive, but as I looked around, I noticed some glass doors with steps leading down to a cellar.  Rows and rows of oak barrels.  Then I thought back to this time last year - and I know that Val, Leanne, Peter & Leonie will think of "Revolution" when you see this!

I was told that I needed to visit "the Ladies" before steeping out into the cold and wet, so

I haven't seen such luxurious "en-suite" loos before 

and once outside, it was good to be reminded that no swimming was permitted in the fish pond!!!

It will be interesting to revisit in better weather.  Really, the location and views were superb, or they would be in summer, but the good side of today's weather was that photos were 'atmospheric'

Despite the weather, we did stop at Boschendal.  This is one of the prettiest wineries, and certainly the grounds on the drive in were evidence of that.  The weather though made sure I had a different impression, but I could imagine the scene in summer – or even in winter on a sunny clear day!

The rain and cloud cover looked like it’s here to stay, so we headed home without any further detours.  Mind you, it was late afternoon by this time so we didn’t have much spare time anyway.  Tonight’s dinner was at Headquarters and – you guessed it – yummy!  They have interesting décor and a set menu – salad including pine nuts & shaved parmesan to start, then the tenderest Namibian beef steak with fries and of course a Café de Paris butter sauce.  When you’re mid way through the main meal, they come around with extra fries and sauce in case you want any more!  It was a delicious and filling meal, and together with a glass of wine cost the princely sum of $15.  Yep, fifteen Oz dollars.

This was on the wall at the entrance to the restaurant, and there are a few of you reading this knowing who this reminds us of 

So, tomorrow we are “going for a drive” …..