little birthday bash

At least that's what the invite said... but as usual, it was a fabulously big and raucous affair with all the lovelies coming out to play.

The birthday boy dashing in his favourite cowboy hat, the gallerista cooked a sublime thai chicken curry, the bar men were as charming as ever,

and as always, we were sorry to have to leave.

Diaz, Kimberley hotel, Dave and Them tornados

Bright city lights- not our Cape Town, not this part of town,

Like someone who has seen it all, subtle and forgiving, dark corners accepted and secrets a given.

Dinner at the Diaz with the renaissance couple- (remember the cool Barrydale hotel)- great start to the evening, this time overflowing, see it quieter here, exuberant party table in the centre, a Stormers win on the telly and Trinchado to die for.

Not forgetting an unlikely trio in the corner that belted out a kick-ass 'Walk the line' - then we were off to hear Dave Ferguson's familiar version at the Kimberley Hotel.

The end of Dave's whirlwind visit and as always a roof-raising send off.

We arrived to the great sound of Long time Citizen, then the balcony cleared to hear Dave, sadly only a glimpse of his head- but we've seen him plenty.

Somehow missed Wind up Wanda- too much balcony hanging...next time. Them Tornados arrived with a flourish, the art teacher standing on the couch for a pic by this stage.

A gorgeous wee bit of a lass joined them for a few songs-  no mistaking the chemistry with the front man, but perhaps a trio is best for a while longer.

A very satisfied drive by- drive home

Hotel balconies and Guest house verandas

Birthday girl

It was our second party spent enjoying the balcony of the Kimberley Hotel in Roeland street- it's a deliciously seedy venue, perfect for your fishnet stockings, and of course throw on the feather boa too.

The old beauty has a second wind, enjoying the hip patronage of the Michaelis students who pack it full on a Friday night.

 Upstairs is the party venue, wrap around balcony, bar area and side room for dancing, complete with pressed ceilings and fireplace- there's so much history in these rooms, that a little decadence seems requisite.

drive by, drive home- pedestrian walkways

Saturday was work attire-  a caterer in fishnets would have definitely made the mother of the bride a little twitchy.

A marquee over the veranda, looking onto the big red polka dot balls that floated in the blue pool, a vintage '50's theme, complete with a sweetie bar in that darling kitchen unit.

Sorry, no pics of  the food, can't you see the shakes in my pics below? - snatched post ceremony canapes and pre plated starters...I was running only on adrenalin, I promise to try a little harder next time.

Perfect venue for a wedding- Constantiawoods Estate

The frenchman's party- Oh la la

Finally I get to the highlight of last week.....the frenchman's party, he has turned a respectable age for a gentlemen and he did it in style.

An eclectic collection of fabulous friends and family, the gorgeous daughter served us our meal, marinated fish with spiced rice and slow cooked cabbage with equally secret spices from a great cook I'm going to have to seek out at the Pan African Market- just looking at that picture, I know my description is lacking.

Then it was the charming son's turn to entertain, he had us on our feet for the rest of the night- he can read a crowd with gypsy like accuracy.

A Speech and birthday candles, hugs and kisses- great food and the perfect bar counter, disco dancing and much laughter, a friend that was missed.... memories.

Joyeux anniversaire notre ami.......Je suis désolé pour le 'makreel' erreur!

The bascule bar and the Irish lass

In excellent style the Irish lass bid us farewell at the Bascule bar in the Cape Grace hotel at the Waterfront. 

We usually avoid the waterfront, but loved the Bascule bar, the Cape Grace sits in the real harbour, a comforting distance from the commercialism of the shopping areas.

We sat outside under the heaters next to the water, whilst the art teacher smoked, sunset and the luxury catamarans sparkled, a lazy seal circled- yes... we're sure it wasn't a shark.

Inside the bar, glamorous, warm and intimate, the lounge perfect for private parties and the cellar for a naughty game of hide and seek.

Scrumptious elegant snacks, best service we've had in a bar and of course, when the Irish lass is involved- the champagne flowed.

a peek into the cellar

Irish lass and gorgeous shoes

We're gonna miss you, Irish lass and those gorgeous shoes that you wear.....as they say-

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind always be at your back,

and may the sun shine warm upon your face

until we meet again.

drive by harbour

Friends, food and celebrations

We've had an intoxicating rush of parties lately........the sultry welcome home party on Saturday evening was followed by a torrential rain birthday party on Sunday - for the sweetest sixteen year old imaginable.

Mild panic- well just me.....but then I've never seated 16 people in our tiny lounge before, the dining room table went out into the rain and the garden tables came in (they take up less space).

I had only one solution to our problem- just keep the wine flowing faster than the leaking ceiling.

No matter the weather, if its friends and food, its always a wonderful celebration.

A bit of funk & skunk at the Bijou

Sound enticing? It certainly was, the Bijou collective hosted an open studio, vintage night market and it all turned into a fabulous party.

This old cinema, turned foundry and art collective has creativity in its bricks.

We arrived to the enticing sounds of  sixgun gospel,  

We ate- delicious roasted lamb, beetroot and red onion on ciabatta from out of this planet catering.

We shopped- a stunning necklace from 'a bird named frank' and  see these heavy metal bowls- made by talented blacksmith Conrad Hicks, loved his 'cowboy' pans as well.

and then we danced.........yep, none other than everyone's favourite band Time flies- top form guys- we loved you!

It'll be a bi-monthly market, so bring cash and your dancing shoes.

Twinkle twinkle little party lights

A fun and frenzied few days preparing for the 'art teachers' party on Saturday evening, a bit of scrubbing and cleaning...sadly happily ours is not the kind of cottage that stays in 'show house' condition for more than a few hours.

Then the food.... its always an honor to cook for friends and I loved every minute of it -  there were beans to be soaked and kilo's of pork belly to be bought, fresh fish to be found and many lemons to be picked for the ceviche, ricotta cheese and fesh fennel seeds for the meatballs, chickens to be poached that needed fresh herbs to be foraged, chorizo that is 'just right' to be sourced and triple chocolate brownies to be baked....not forgetting the pretty fragrant  flowers to be chosen......who would have thought it....and dare I actually say it- I embraced my 'inner Margaret Stewart'!

The time arrives- wonderful hours with fabulous friends, drinking, eating and laughing, its the stuff of real life.

'The art teacher' is happily overwhelmed with his well chosen gifts- trays of plants; delicious dark chocolates; olive oil & biltong; vodka, whisky, grappa and wine; candles and photographic prints, books and glossy art books, sharp knives and wonderfully original music compilations- what more could a man ask for?

The pathway to the cottage in the morning light- walk a bit further for a delightfully hedonistic display of half empty wine glasses and bottles, scraped plates, spent candles, abandoned shoes and overflowing ashtrays- it was a great party- thank you all.