A Field Trip, A Funeral and an evening of Breyani

May 13/14/15 was our Field trip weekend in the northern Cederberg, about 300 km from Cape Town. Sunny days, lots of rock art, nice walks, some horse riding. (Click on the link to see the photos.)

A year ago we did the same trip over the same weekend, staying at Traveller's Rest Guest Farm. The area is out of cell phone range and last year, just before disappearing into the quiet zone,  I got an sms to tell me an old friend had died that morning, May 14. This year, as we entered cell phone range, the first text message I received was one to say my cousin had died on May 14. I think next year I will avoid the Cederberg on that day in May!

One thing Tim and I have not been able to organise while living in Cape Town is getting away at weekends and it felt really good to be out of the city for the first time. We had another foray into the country on Wed 18 May when we drove to Swellendam to meet my brother and his wife, Thane and Elize, for lunch on a gorgeous, sunny winter day. It happened to be a public holiday that day, for Municipal elections throughout the country so there was little traffic on the road. It's a long drive just for lunch - about two and a half hours each way, made worthwhile by the views first of the Elgin Valley, and then, once we'd crossed Houw Hoek Pass, of the majestic Langeberg mountains all the way to Swellendam. We met at the Old Mill House on the main road and had lunch in the garden.

Neil Garlick's funeral, Tue May 24, was held in the Good Shepherd Church opposite Kirstenbosch's stone cottages on a typical Cape winter day. There was a burst of drumming rainfall during the service - I think the heavens were giving Neil a resounding welcome! After Neil's burial at the Plumstead cemetery we all gathered in his home for tea and eats, an opportunity to catch up with relatives that I don't see too often. Neil planted the roses on his lovely property and his daughter, Margaret, developed The Terrace Coffee Shop at Chart Farm, where you can pick roses and sit down for a peaceful snack while the world hurries by on the M3 freeway.

Wednesday May 25 we enjoyed a night out with the students at the Baxter Theatre where we saw the show Breyani by David Kramer. Tim and I saw the same show in December with Kay McMahon, visiting from our Inverness home. Kay nearly went back the next night she loved it so much.

Breyani is the name of a spicy rice dish that combines a variety of ingredients to produce a mouth watering meal. This show, a "Breyani of Music", highlighted all the fascinating styles and instruments brought to the Cape over the centuries, from slaves, colonists and passing ships.