Our January trip is always eagerly looked forward to by many – it’s time to catch up and find out what happened over Christmas and New Year.
Bookings were slow to start – (is this becoming a Cape Town thing?) – only 17 in the week before but in the last few days ‘brisked’ up and we had 26 to lunch at Moody Lagoon, on Benguela Cove, a new restaurant on the road to Hermanus, just past the Arabella Hotel.
Of course, can we ever go over Sir Lowry’s pass and NOT stop at Peregrine Farm Stall? This has become a habit, and they have wonderful bakes, pies and fresh vegetables – and, in addition, wine, chocolates you don’t find anywhere else – oh dear the list goes on and on!
Our arrival at Benguela Cove was timed for 12h00 and we were amazed how the property has changed since we visited in late October. They have built a stunning restaurant with huge glass windows and views that take your breath away! The new restaurant has a very apt name! Looking over the Bot River Lagoon as it does, I guess often that lagoon shows various moods according to the weather. High winds and you could call it “Moody” – we were lucky to see the lagoon and the surrounding mountains in their absolute glory – we surely do live in a wonderful part of South Africa.
The staff at the restaurant were exceptional and our every need was pampered to – so very refreshing to have this happen when very often service levels leave a lot to be desired!
Very shortly all the ladies had found a place to sit with friends. One table was quickly taken for dear Heather who had celebrated a special birthday the day before – nothing like having a glass of champagne and a toast to the birthday girl!
Four of the ladies decided to order starters, which looked delicious – anything from mussels to a Caesar salad to prawns! Very shortly our main meal was served, which was a choice between beer battered hake & chips or a beef burger with chips or a salad! My beef burger (minus the bun) but plus a salad, was delicious and comments were made about the caramelised onions! Delicious.
Dessert was a medley of three flavoured ice creams served with a variety of crunchy bits – also decadent and just the perfect size as it was quite rich!
Their wines are excellent, and comments were heard about the Matilda Rose wine – their Sauvignon Blanc equally good to drink!
We were entertained by a ‘group’ of ducks (Google says they are called a ‘flock’ of ducks only when in flight, and can also be called a ‘group’; ‘raft’ ‘a paddling’ or a ‘bunch’!!)
They arrived, and the birthday girl gave them some of her burger bun – initially one or two – but by the time the bun was finished there were quite a few more having fun! – waddling around the tables and being ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ at!! After being in the restaurant we could all see why staff had warned us ‘not to feed the ducks’ – blobs of poo all over!
It was difficult to get everyone to board the coach – guess this comes from having had an excellent time and not really wanting to join the throngs of cars and trucks on the N2 inbound to Cape Town. We left Benguela Cove at about 3.20pm and reached our first drop off in Constantia at just after 5.00pm, with the second drop off in Tableview at after 6.15pm. WOW this traffic in the city of Cape Town at peak times leaves a lot to be desired.
However, all said and done – when one has such a good time with friends, we must sacrifice something, and we were all very comfortable in an air-conditioned vehicle which we didn’t personally have to drive! – so what do we have to complain about.