As the year draws to an end one realizes how very fortunate we all have been in 2014. The year has given us all the opportunity to travel. In fact Time Out Ladies club and Traveltime have organized 18 coach trips (512 passengers & 45 days away) over the past 12 months. We have also had many new people joining the trips.
Sunday 7th December dawned with the promise of a hot day with temperatures peaking in the early 30’s. As our coach left Tableview we noticed the mist gathering over the sea, a sure sign of a hot day ahead. On the collection of the Constantia passengers it was very evident that everyone was in the mood for a good party to celebrate the coming of the Christmas holidays.
Our destination was ELL (Eat Love Life) restaurant in the Hemel en Aarde valley.
EAT – We all love to eat well LOVE, LIFE – Everyone on board decided this very appropriate as we all Love Life!!
The Hemel en Aarde Valley is indeed such a very beautiful (almost rural) part of the Western Cape. It is becoming a haven for some excellent restaurants – and none other than ELL where Ethical Eating is practiced.
Our menu had been pre-chosen: (a choice of)
Free range chicken ballotine with a creamy wine & basil reduction, rosemary mash and salad or vegetables OR Fresh Nuwejaarsrivier Trout with Fries and Salad OR Wild Mushroom Risotto served with Garden Herbs. Desserts were a Berry Pavlova OR A fridge cheesecake with a coulis of fruit in season and a homemade trio of ice cream.
The 46 guests settled into the restaurant – some did a bit of wine tasting – some just sat and caught up with friends – some stood on the verandah in awe of the wonderful views!
There was some added fun to the day when little badges with cute quotes were handed out to certain of the guests, which resulted in much laughter. The quotes were selected with the recipient in mind. ‘Aged to perfection – Out of Control – Out of my mind back in 15 minutes – Addicted to shopping’!
Homemade Christmas crackers were handed out – and laughter was heard from all tables – “Laughter is the Best Medicine” said none other than Charlie Chaplain…….and at the end of the day proof was that we all traveled back to the city with such a good feeling in our hearts.
There was also a numbered prize draw which resulted in small gifts being distributed to about half the guests.
Roll on 2015 and the good, fun times that comes with being with friends!