Hello there! I feel the need for this greeting – because if any of you revisit the blog, you may have noticed that I have not posted recipes as per the usual schedule. The reason for this is that this area of the Western Cape has experienced massive fires!!
All danger has passed now, but blow me down if it was not a stressful couple of weeks. Many people lost their homes, and there were some deaths as well. The neighboring town of Knysna suffered massive damages, and apparently the fires are still raging up the coast in the pine plantations. It has had the feeling of an apocalypse.
In the midst of the madness, firefighting and constant checking to see if any fires were coming closer to the farm, I was also trying to make holidays reservations. The troll and I are have been planning a road trip up to Namibia to visit my Oma. She is consumed with delight and so are we now that we have escaped fire and even managed to make successful bookings with the National parks camping sites. (Our first booking was mysteriously annulled after I had paid in full. The lady at reservations said that it must have been caused by taxi strikes in the area ‘Yes mam, and it is all booked up now. Have a nice day’. Oddly it never occurred to her that one might want a refund.)
Thankfully I phoned back after I had finished panicking and got hold of a manager who actually apologised and wangled something to squeeze us in. This was a windfall because between our provincial traffic department issuing me with a warrant of arrest for a traffic fine which I had already paid, and the fires, I was feeling a little frazzled!
I had tons of recipes photographed ready to post to go off automatically while we were driving all over the countryside – but alas I do not have time to post them all! So, I leave you with this simple little wonder which has been waiting in the cue (Oven Roasted Kalamata Olives) – and wish you the happiest of cooking and living until we get back. At which point I will finally be able to post all of my hearts creations for you.
Wish us luck, with border officials, taxi strikers, bookings and all other potential hazards. With a little bit of flow – we might just be able to sail (or drive) past further trauma inducing topics.
