Tafelberg & co

The past weekend we've visited Table Mountain. Shame on me, but this was a first even having been in Cape Town for about six times! Very impressing to see the city bowl, Robben Island, Camps Bay...from this height.

My father and Jacques flew back to Belgium yesterday. It's amazing how these three weeks have flown by. I would like to thank them via this way one more time for all their hard work and support during those weeks. The renovation works are coming along very well and we are on the good track to open in September.

Noordhoek 23 mei

The very first horseradish is popping up in the vegetable garden under the approving eye of this colourful chameleon.

Teamwork!

After getting several quotations from different builders, we decided to work with Noor and his team. Noor is friendly coloured guy who seems to have a lot of experience in the business. He gave us a few referrals that we all very positive about him.
During the first phase of the renovation works, the ugly grey brick outside walls are plastered. They are working with a team of about 15 guys and thus well advancing!

Lola is feeling right at home and even took the liberty of helping herself to one of the guys' lunches...
The weather has been up and down, but we did have a few marvelous days where we could enjoy breakfast on the terrace and a real South African braai in the evening.

This weekend we're heading for Stellenbosch, ons geniet baie..

Greetings Bram, Rolle, Jaques

Lola in Africa!

Our precious beagle Lola arrived last friday in Cape Town. She endured the 11 hour flight with no problems. After thoroughly inspecting the house and garden, she decided to make her bed near the warmest place being the stove.
Yes you are all reading it right, we have to warm ourselves because during the weekend winter hit Cape Town with a nasty storm.

Starting renovation works 8/5/2008

My dad Rolle and his accomplice Jaques arrived in one piece in South Africa. They say that Flemish people are hard workers and they are the living proof: daddy cool has started the transformation of the garden, while Jacques sank his teeth in the garage which is going to be our private living room.
We also hired some local workmen, Fadil and his friends, to break down the kitch wall tiles. All this is taking place under a nice sunny sky and temperatures of around 20 degrees, not bad at all.
As the container has not yet arrived, we are camping in the house. I did manage to prepare some spaghetti and a delicious butternut soup if I may say so myself.
Keep well!
Bram

Noordhoek - South Africa 30/04/2008

The past days and weeks we had to say goodbye to all our friends and family. It has been an emotional but a heartwarming time, in typical Flemish tradition accompanied with a lot of food and drinks.
We hereby would like to thank everyone for their support and lovely gifts. It meant a lot to us...

Tuesday morning 5am we left for Brussels International airport. And yes, flight delayed which caused a bit of stress knowing that we only had an hour in transit at Schiphol airport. After the plane had landed, luckily a KLM hostess was waiting holding a sign with my name on. Followed by a sprint to the gate, skipping the long queue at the passport controle, I just made it. It was very clear that that would have never happened without the excellent organisation at the airline. Well done KLM!

Wednesday 30th of April
After a quiet flight, I slept well at the Blue Tangerine which is a guesthouse owned by Mark and Colin in Noordhoek. Their place is just one road up the mountain from where we are. In the morning, I couldn't help but quickly go and have a look from their garden to see if our house was still there (which fortunately was the case). Tomorrow is the inspection of the property whereafter I normally get the keys!

Thursday 1st of May
The South Africans celebrate Labour Day as well today. I received the keys to our house this morning and was already up and about with a house pipe in the garden this afternoon. As it hasn't been raining properly for about 3 months now, a lot of the plants were in desperate need of some water. Hard to believe for a Belgian like myself that it can be this dry in fall...