Braai is probably the best ‘South African’ word there is. It just sounds so much better than BBQ. Even my Finnish family has adopted the word to their speech. And luckily, spit braai does not actually require you to spit.
Day 96 – Braai
Category: Outdoors
God’s Window and other such places
People of Mpumalanga don’t suffer from undue modesty – or how else do you explain a place called ‘God’s Window’. But I have to admit, the views are phenomenal. Along the winding mountain roads are little villages with crafts, great restaurant, whisky and – naturally – curios to all tastes.
One of the places we visited was Pilgrim’s Rest – a little village with number of houses restored to their ‘previous glory’. My favourite spot is the old BP Garage and it’s famous car that has been left to ‘Rust in Peace’.
Day 89 – Blankets and Waterfalls
Sunday was cold. Because we were travelling with Merlin, restaurants did not let us inside, so brunch was a chilly – if tasty – affair. However, a walk to a Bridal Veil waterfall warmed us right up – and made both Merlin and myself comfortably snoozy for the drive back home. Luckily, Stuart is made of stronger stuff.
Day 88 – As far as the eye can see
I’ve been to Mpumalanga three times before, and twice I was unable to see much further than my own hand due to heavy mist, and thus unable to enjoy the famous views from the Panorama Route. The third time I was white water rafting in Blyde River and never got high enough to enjoy the views. Fourth time lucky.
Day 87 – Surprise Trip
This Friday was a public holiday in South Africa (Youth Day). Both Stuart and I have been so busy we only realised this on Tuesday – and decided it was too late to book a trip somewhere. In the Friday morning we promptly regretted the decision, and book a cottage in Mpumalanga anyway. Only 3h drive away from Joburg, it is a beautiful mountainous area. There is a lot of coal mining in the area, which explains the rail tracks in the middle of nowhere.
Day 79 – Bud that could
Walking around the garden today, I came across these tiny little flower buds. And I mean tiny! They were maybe half a cm across. And yet they were braving the freezing night temperatures of Joburg. I’m sure there is a life lesson here somewhere, but I just took the photo.
Day 77 – Reflection
Our pool area is surrounded by a glass fence. Fence is a must to make sure puppies and (visiting) kids can’t get into the pool un-supervised. However, a solid fence would block any view to the garden from the house windows. Glass fence is thus great – although it must be washed often due to the large number of visiting birds…
Our garden has embraced the fence, and many flowers lean to it for support, creating nice reflections in the sunshine.
Day 73 – There is work travel and…
Stellenbosch. Wine, mountains, sun and great company. Not a bad place to travel for work.
Day 72 – Better than being in the office
I travelled to Stellenbosch today for few meetings. Lunchtime I spent frantically finalising some materials in the street side restaurant – but it sure beats being cooped up in the office.
Day 71 – Backyard paradise
Our neighbourhood has a lot of beautiful, mature trees. And they attract a lot of birds. Throughout the year we can listen to an almost continuous bird song – not all of it pretty, but nevertheless.
Blue Moment 