Taste with your Eyes!

Surprise: an emotion that occurs when something breaks our habitual pattern.

On Friday we were indeed surprised and out of our regular routine of downing tools after a busy week ready for pizza in front of the television. We had booked in at Le Quartier Francais for dinner in their Tasting Room and were spending the night. We were joined by Swedish family friends.

The Tasting Room is regarded as one of the best restaurants in SA and we were looking forward to seeing just what it was that made them so great. We were in for an eating experience. The décor is quite funky, punctuated with flashes of bright pink and orange, but with a classic feel. The quote above was set on the table in front of us.

We chose the seven-course, African-inspired tasting menu. Each course was explained as it was set in front of us. Our waiter entertained us with little anecdotes about ingredients like buchu, baobab and biltong. The first serving of corn bread in a pilchards tin, accompanied by butter with caramelised milk solids, caused one of our friends to exclaim, “Taste with your eyes!” and that pretty much set the scene for what was to follow.

We enjoyed course after course of colourful dishes imaginatively presented on boards, different plates, and even a strip of slate. The surprise was definitely in the tasting – beetroot-red crispy looking balls dissolved in our mouths to reveal an unexpectedly soft and creamy centre; a cigar of avocado and shrimp which looked like it was encased in seaweed, splintered when we bit into it.

This was an exercise in mindfulness – we paused between courses to prepare for what was coming, delighted in the presentation, taste and smell of it and discussed the sensations which were being stimulated. We could hardly believe that 5 hours had passed. We had eaten well, but not over-eaten and dinner had been an experience to savour. Well done, chef Margot Janse van Rensburg!

To 120!

When I woke up yesterday morning I wanted to give myself a hug to seal in all the good vibrations. I felt like a child who did not want her birthday to end. As I lay in bed I replayed the events of the night before - I had the best celebration ever – great food, great company and great music.

The occasion was a BIG birthday which deserved to be celebrated.  More than the celebration was the opportunity to thank all the many people who have supported me and kept me sane on the journey through life. Leading up to the event I had spent a lot of time thinking about who would be coming and what they meant in my life. I also wanted them to all connect with each other.

The people gathered there represented every stage of my life from student to mother and wife, and all my varied interests from yoga and meditation to Spanish, children’s rights and writing.  It was quite an international gathering, representing 12 different countries and what a privilege to be able to celebrate with all of them.

The cherry on top of this was that the Delft Band was playing – I am immensely proud of them and of their hard work and perseverance to make something of their lives despite the circumstances they find themselves in. The perfect gifts for me were to have my friends support this project.

I feel like the cat who got all the cream – I walked around I spoke to everyone who was there, and maybe I am imagining it, but the room was buzzing with good energy, accompanied by the jazz rhythms! It was a warm and festive occasion and I look forward to the next years, although perhaps not quite “to 120” – which is a blessing I got from one of my Jewish friends. 

You can't teach them anything....

You can’t protect them from everything, I have realised. I heaved a sigh of relief when my son chose hockey over rugby. Every time I hear about broken forearms and collar bones or horror of horrors, neck injuries and concussion, I thank my lucky stars that I don’t have to worry about that. And then he does a 100m sprint and next thing, something “pops” in his hip.

Orthopaedic surgeon, X-rays, MRI scan, ice and physiotherapy later, we now face two months of no sport (any suggestions for channelling the energy of a 15 year old welcome).  He has been on crutches for the last two weeks and I can see him getting fed up. They are a hindrance when he quickly wants to do something or go somewhere.  My reminders about preventing problems later by being patient now, fall on deaf ears.

I suggested to him that sometimes things happen for a reason. “You are probably going to tell me the reason,” he replied. I thought that perhaps the lesson to be learnt is that he should be more flexible, take time to stretch, rather than to be in dogged pursuit of the goal. He rolled his eyes in response. You reach the stage where you can’t teach them anything either.