Madame Zingara, 18th March 2026

 

Madam Zingara, what a night. Amy, Andrew, Carolyn, Terrance, Jacqueline, Adriaan, Michael and I. On arrival at 18:00 it was still light outside. Michael and I were staying at the Colosseum so we walked there. Everyone arrived on or before time and we made our way into the tent.

We were taken to our table # 500 right in front of the stage and ordered drinks. The starters, a mese starter platter arrived, one for each couple.

The acts took place in between the different courses. From acrobats to the chocolate snake, to the retro singers, what fantastic acts of an incredible high standard.

Next course was the butternut ravioli.

A choice of of lamb shank, chocolate steak, salmon and a vegetarian option.

Desert was delicious.

After all the acts were finished, everyone got up and danced.

We walked back to the Colosseum and a fun evening was had by all!!

Trip to Paternoster, Western Cape. 17th March 2026

Misty today as we ran, walked along the beach in Paternoster.

Launching the boats

Then I decide to go bobbing, it was cold, I measured 10 degrees in the water equating to 10minutes of bobbing. By the time I got out watch had warmed to a balmy 13 degrees.

We walked through town looking at the various shops after a good breakfast. Continental breakfast for me at the lodge and a proper, large English breakfast in town while chatting to Jeandre, the owners son in law. An ex rugby player that had moved to Paternoster with his wife and two sons.

We scouted the area for a restaurant that we had seen in the distance while walking on the beach in the early morning, the only red building in the whole of Paternoster. Voorstrand, the restaurant was discovered from the side of the street and as it had oysters (other restaurants never had, go figure) we decided it was to be our dinner venue.

A lovely evening, as it was a bit further and we had been kayaking and had been told we had to be there at 6:30, Michael drove us to the restaurant. 

Oysters for me of course and mushroom soup for Michael followed by panko prawns and calamari for me and hake and calamari for Michael.

We went back to the BnB and slept exhausted after a great day.

Trip to Paternoster, Western Cape Kayaking. 17th March 2026

Kayaking in Paternoster, two separate boats, Michael handling his fishing kayak like he was born on it, we paddled around rocks. We saw various comaran species, penguins, oyster catchers, seals and two types of dolphins.

Awesome hour in the sea with Bruce and Mark. So much fun and we learned a lot about the endemic species of the area.

Trip to Paternoster, Western Cape. 16th March 2026

Breakfast with Terrance and Amy, delightful at the red sofa Cafe, if a lot pricey, afterwhich we went back to collect the trailer that now had Andrew and Amys old lounge suite. Miracles do happen as nothing had happened to it while parked outside their house in the street. 

After dropping it off to be upholstered and maneuvering a trailer through Cape Town streets, (wow, again I am in awe of Michaels prowess with the trailer) we setoff for Paternoster.

Arriving is like being in the Caribbean or Cyprus with these beautiful beaches, white sands and boulders in line with Virgin Gorda.

We ate at the Jolly Roger, pub style. Fish and salad for me and steak and chips for Michael.

The famous Cape Columbine lighthouse is located in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, this is the last manned lighthouse built on the South African coast (1936). It is a unique square, tapered tower that offers panoramic views of the Atlantic.

Trip to Paternoster, Western Cape (another side). 16th March 2026

Arriving in Paternoster we were stopped by a lady asking us to go help a Volkswagen Polo that was stuck on the beach. Michael drove the bukkie according to her directions and came up to a man that while desperate to impress his gorgeous girlfriend, got stuck on the beach. She was flying out back to Johannesburg soon and they were trying to make their lunch appointment at Tittiesbaai at the Seekombuis restaurant.

They had just come from the Panty Bar in the Paternoster Hotel so were well on their cups.

Needless to say Michael to the rescue! He got then out of the sand and they were soon on their way.

Welcome to Paternoster!!

The weirdest signs.

Trip to Cape Town for Holly's birthday, in the park. 15th March 2026

What a beautiful birthday in the park. The kids had a ball with Holly totally engrossed in the proceedings. Food, drinks galore. Friends, aunties, uncles and grandparents all had a great time. The best part which we unfortunately missed as we had gone in search of coffee wa Amy entertaining the children with her rendition of 'hop little bunny'.

Trip to Cape Town for Holly's birthday. 14th March 2026

We arrived on Saturday during a heatwave in Cape Town. Michael drove via the N2 and we stopped at Bali in Riversdale for breakfast. Never disappoints, great value for money!! Towing a trailer with a lounge suite, kindly let to us by Jan. Well kudos to Michael, I am always in awe of anyone that can drive with a trailer, never mind reverse with one.

So lovely to see everyone again and we had a tasty dinner of Pedro's peri peri chicken, chips, rice and salad takeaway that made Nandos look silly by comparison in both price and quality.

Trying to sleep in the heat was hectic. Bitten my miggies we made our way down to the couch and lay in front of the fan which at least dispersed the hot air and miggies.