The Happy Labby Blog

16th January

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One of those days and not a lot else. Blew a gale but sunny. Golf was dreadful. –

Market day again –

We bought a couple of pictures off the man who does them all in pencil –

Also a couple of items off the leather stall –

Shame he wouldn’t fit into our suitcase –

Or him –

Plenty of vibrant colours around –

We had a little walk on the estate this afternoon and just to show you our skies while you’re suffering Storm Ciara –

Then Gordon spotted 3 blue cranes in the paddock next to us – what a lovely way to end the walk –

Quick photo of the grape pickers starting work on the estate –

Then we were off for another of those days –

Where there ware some lovely Springboks on the course –

Not quite as green as other courses we’d been at –

But the spoonbills had found a feeding ground –

This morning we visited the amazingly stunning –

Guarded by this statue –

The front door was flanked on one side by a stone wall and on the other by a living green wall –

Part of the corridor ceiling was a paper collage –

Leading to a very impressive art gallery –

With examples of some of the work on display –

Not quite sure what they all mean but they were impressive. This was one of the pictures outside the gallery –

A little more self explanatory!!!

There were 2 magnificent trophy rooms housing all the South African history of cricket, rugby and golf –

This cricket cap from 1906 –

All sorts of memorabilia –

And the Springbok on every SA rugby blazer was slightly different each year –

This was some of the wine racks in the tasting room –

Views outside from the balcony –

And onto the balcony –

This is the stable block – UNREAL –

Then off to the Spier Estate –

Which was very different. Here you could rub the stones and they emitted musical sounds –

African beaded art to buy –

And a wall covered with plastic bottles housing sedums –

A very good day out.

We went into Cape Town – to the indoor market already selling Christmas decorations –

Admired the ceiling display –

And looked at some of the wares on offer –

Outside they were moving this into the dry dock with Table Mountain behind covered in mist –

These little pooches were being looked after by a charity waiting for new homes –

African art –

I think this may be past salvage point –

The steel band were in good spirits –

A wonder through the Mall –

Past a very nice cake shop –

For a very good lunch –

Went out to Kirstenbosch in the afternoon and saw these 2 happy chappies –

The day started with thick fog –

Then it was one of theses days again –

Lovely view of the back of Table Mountain –

I wouldn’t like to argue with the on course security –

The day started with thick fog –

Then it was one of theses days again –

Lovely view of the back of Table Mountain –

I wouldn’t like to argue with the on course security –

A trip down to the local shop –

Guarded by this rather drag like figure.

They have the most amazing wine selection –

And a very posh looking bottle for £6.50 (And that’s expensive!!!!)

We’ve been watching theses baby Egyptian Geese – the 3 small ones, then about 10 days ago another slightly larger one joined the group –

Very strange. No idea where it came from.

Just another view of our villa – fabulous –

And something a little more tired –

Then we went into Stellenbosch for diner –

Amazing tempura starter –

And mains of lamb ribs –

Steak –

And ice cream for the pooches –

One of these days today –

At –

And it was warm –

Needed a dip in this when we finished –

This is what the inside of a Dragon fruit looks like and it’s very tasty –