The Chance Muse

The Old Biscuit Mill

2012-01-28T16:15:00.000Z

Welcome to the Old Biscuit Mill, a vibrant, warm-hearted market in the heart of Woodstock offering hip shops, fab farm stalls and cute cafes

A fun spot where trendy talented people come together to buy, sell, share and chill

The Biscuit Mill is Cape Town's premier foodie market, the first artisanal market in Cape Town to celebrate local suppliers of anything from fresh produce to chaucuterie, cider, beer & baked goods - something that has caught on big time all over the Mother City

In the shadow of Table Mountain, Capetonians and visitors go to the markets to eat and shop, relax, socialize, drink champers/cocktails/artisanal beers and to hang out with friends.

Like it says the market is located in a former biscuit mill!


Early arrivals are greeted by the sight of flowers and plants for sale at the entrance

The main attraction is the Neighbourhood Goods Market held every Saturday which sells among other things "fresh local produce, regional organic foods, hand-made cheeses, wood-fired breads, speciality fine-food, local designers, luxury beer, and live entertainment."

Delicious sandwiches with inventive fillings for a leisurely brekkie or lunch

This is where you will find Cape Town foodies out in force – be warned it gets packed – so go early in order to enjoy anything from fresh oysters to free range meat, bottled cordials or home-made ginger beer

Beautiful stall holder in green crochet top complimenting her lovely red hair

Pink oyster mushrooms and my favourite shitakes perfect for a stir fry

Or a grilled shroom kebab if that takes your fancy

And naturally a crop of chocolate cupcakes sprouting a garnish of fresh cherries

Cape Malay delicacies, samosas with a chili bite, fried sugary dough cookies and vol au vents filled with curried chicken - all delicious with a dollop of Mrs Ball's chutney

The original Mrs Balls?

Needless to say this is an additive free zone with home-made biltong, great olive oils and just about anything else you could wish for

Friendly pie-seller - not for sale

Pestos sold by weight along with all kinds of healthy stuff

Really chilled organic produce

My very welcome strawberry daiquiri with mint - non alcoholic, I should add but others are already tossing back a stronger version

A tasty-looking sea-food paella going down great

Wine, beers and bubbly by the glass

Cape Malay farm produce, spices, herbs and dried fruit

Very friendly Saffron seller - not cheap but I am assured it's the real thing, perfect for my next risotto if I ever get round to cooking again...

Amazingly large carrots

Perfect for a fab five-a-dayer from resident juicer who prepares fresher than fresh juices and smoothies

The Pesto man with tapenades

Crowded house at the thinner than thin pizza stall

Fresh rocket on everything

Red velvet cake with butter icing and raspberries

Be Nice to Your Mother Rasta Man - French Moroccan lived in Brixton UK for 20 years then just picked up and came south - so he tells me as he wraps my yummy goat's cheese and spinach tart in an eco brown paper bag

The French lady with genuine French baguettes and cheeses imported from guess where? Bought some for next day's planned picnic

The mozzarella man - buffalo - naturellement - bought two punnets

Emily Autumn S with Susie Rose P

Daddy & daughter doing the market together after a small disagreement with the Chance Muse

Which gave me the chance to chat to complete strangers like these lovely architecture students

And this cute young man - also architectural

Love these nattily dressed sellers of something Hungarian and spicy

Couldn't resist a buckwheat pancake with lemon and brown sugar

Nor taking pix of an amazing cross section of cool people!

And that's not all - my next market blog will be on the crafty side of the Old Biscuit Mill....

Sunday Driving or Strange Baptism

2012-01-27T06:50:00.000Z

We set out on a peaceful Sunday drive around the Peninsula and discover some strange politics, two very different tribes and some spectacular scenery...

At the top of Chapman's Peak, a long queue of traffic and we are brought to a crawl by a large crowd of really cool Capetonians who have turned out in force with their dogs, prams, babies, bottled water and organic sammies - some have even come with their skateboards

To join the protest march from Hout Bay to the proposed site of a multi-million rand toll plaza and office block

‘OFFICES NOT INDIGENOUS 2 CHAPPIES’, the very rude‘JOU MA SE TOL’, and ‘MURRAY AND ROBBERS DON’T STEAL OUR LAND, are some of the more creative placards on show. The anger is unmistakeable - outrage at the idea of an office block in this World Heritage Site and the fact that taxpayers would be funding half of the R54 million luxury building for Entilini - the toll company - already unpopular for its high toll fees.

Here a group of aggrieved Khoi San and Squatter Camp people say they have not been consulted at all and that the money could be better spent on desperately needed housing


We continue on our way, first for a long walk on Noordhoek Beach - only one doggy poo drama! necessitating one change of footwear and one stern lecture about 'looking where you are going' - then on to incredible Kommetjie

Where we stop for a picnic lunch of last night's salt beef on rye, amidst dog-walkers and Sunday swimmers

Across the white strand a strange group gathers

Old Testament figures, dark skinned, white robed against a luminous blue sky

A little straggling group of strandloopers winds its way along the white sand

Soon augmented by a whole crowd of spiritual searchers

Women stand in silent prayer and contemplation while surfers ride the waves on their own spiritual quest

The Church of Bethlehem - so I am informed by one of the young women, a girl barely out of her teens with a babe on her hip, who speaks in faltering English and doesn't understand my questions. A group of evangelicals perhaps from the local informal settlement or township, an outdoor baptism of new converts to this particular sect?

The women, clad in white garments, carrying infants and children,
gather quietly on the shore

A tent pops up and little children play happily in the dried kelp

Mr P is ready to capture this ethereal moment with his lovely new camera - for which I thank him

Women wander fully clothed, wading knee-deep into the water, hands raised beseeching

The clear treble of hymns in an unknown tongue, waft through the glistening air as the women clap and sway

A group of priests duck a fellow initiate beneath the glassy green waves


White gowns rendered transparent by the sharp cold shock of the salty sea and burnished black skulls like carved ebony, they welcome a new member to their church

A silhouetted man, like a Triton, gives benediction to his gods

Turbaned women clap and sing entirely oblivious of us or the icy blue water

Twin parallel universes of faith and secularism - intersecting for a brief moment

A woman prepares to immerse herself in the all-forgiving ocean, her sins and sorrows washed away


A dread-locked child waits quietly on the beach for her mother

Beach walkers hurry on their way averting their eyes from the strange scene

An elderly trio under a sky blue parasol ignores the whole scene, taking solace from a thermos

We continue on to the surfers' paradise of Witsands

A haven of brilliant ultramarine ocean and clean white sands

Dune bushes grow right down to the beach

A thousand shades of blue

Indigo, navy, cobalt , turquoise and a polarised shore

Waves curl endlessly onto the beach

Miles and miles of sand from Noordhoek to Kommetjie and on to Long Beach

Past Witsands, Misty Sands and all the way to Cape Point if we had time

Then on over Redhill to Simonstown

Where South Africa's navy lies moored in the beautiful bay

And little yachts float like butterflies against a blue sky or like Great Whites on a calm ocean.
Yes, everything here can be read in more than one way....

Glass House Guests

2012-01-24T15:34:00.001Z

It's been a busy period of entertaining and eating, house guests, and seeing wonderful friends and family from near and faraway....

A tea party for my marvelous mother

With Sister Sandy B

Mrs Sylvia G and matching Chinese tea-pot

Kosher lite - Sylvia, Rhona & Batya at the tea table

The downstairs Studio cum Garage - booted the car out and painted the floor blue -
makes a great tea-party venue!

Former Cosmopolitan editor, the lovely Jackie L, mom Rosemary
and smiling Stan H

Yiddishe tea-time delicacies with chopped herring and kichel

Top table with taigels - teeth shattering cookies in super-sweet syrup

Mel & beautiful Barbara, come for drinks, all the way from London

Blue notes - Mr P, Mel A, Antoinette & Barbara M

Michael & the always exuberant Ziona S, also from London town,
come for a relaxed dinner

Lady in Red on the sofa

Scarlet Lady - the divine Mrs G

Mr P and Marion G get close

A feisty family of wonderful women - Hannah, Talia, Nadia, Gina, Hazel, moi, Sandy, Sally, Susie, Tash and the strongest of them all; our mother, Rosemary

Colourful birthday brunch bunch - miss you all

Missing our lovely Ms Hannah P now back at Nottingham uni
slaving away at her English & History degree

Ms P and Table Mountain - memories of a happy holiday - come back soon!

My friend Cas, otherwise knows as Cheryl Anne & Brian S on sunny sabbatical from London, with our mountain as backdrop

Family tea with Hazel & Tony S, Clive, Caryn, Suska and Yvonne E

Soon to be married smart and cute couple Jason & Caryn

Yvonne - mother of the bride to be - & the Blogette looking on

Sweet sisters, serene Suska & on-the-go Caryn

Mr P's brother Clive, a serious man, & sissie Hazel in gorgeous amber necklace

Brother-in-law blues with Tony S

Susie in the Studio

Missing you Susie Woo!

Labia in Bloom

2012-01-21T14:11:00.000Z

The Chance Muse rediscovers a favourite haunt

In a stunning setting on the curve of False Bay in Muizenberg

The very beautiful Casa Labia


Former residence of Count and Countess Natale Labia

Built in 1929 in 18th century Venetian style filled with ornate gilding and silk wall paper

Now a national treasure, an arts' centre, shop & restaurant

Home to an art gallery hosting its second exhibition of floral-inspired works

Reflecting the incredible diversity of the Cape's unique flora as well as a diverse range of artists inspired by nature

Beautiful ceramics of birds, animals and indigenous plants

Intricate layered painting of birds and strange fruit in pinks and blues

Flower bowls like mandalas

Vintage prints of Namaqua daisies on old chair

Northern Cape aloes and Tiger oats

Mr P in front of a delicate golden landscape

Journal of a voyage to mysterious lands & delicate floral tea pot and tea cup

Ms P in purple vintage & Mr P in his new hoodie, pose in front of fabulous feathered mirror

A delightful shop where hand-crafted treasures and African artefacts are for sale

The Chance Muse thinks pink

And loves this view of the vegetable kingdom

And this pink protea

As well as a Cape Lily with reflection

Ms P would like to buy everything....

Gorgeous botanical vases

Best table in the house - will have lunch here next time

With a pefect view of the ocean

Nice Irma

Child's sandals on antique Persian carpet

Mirror shot

Wedding Party

Courtyard café

Elegant restaurant with delicious menu

Blooming at the Casa Labia

Babylon Stories

2012-01-18T14:24:00.002Z

Once upon a time in a strange and faraway land there was a farm called Babylonstoren in a range of mountains of the same curious name...

With all kinds of magical things to observe including a large golden Cinderella pumpkin growing among the tender tendrils of a young vine

Under a brilliant blue Southern hemisphere sky where a fabled gabled farmhouse snuggles sleepily under the trees as it has done since 1777

And a flirtatious flower peeks shyly and a little coyly through the leaves
in a mysterious green lily pond

A magical lotus bud blushing pink as the dawn on a young girl's cheeks

And a whole menagerie of bird houses on tall bamboo poles in the middle of an endless vista of waving corn wecomes stray warblers, humming birds and Cape thrushes


A field of golden sunflowers radiant as the sun and beds of waiting-to-be-plucked vegetables just perfect for delicious salads

And a young Princess

In a nest of canes on a cushion of silk stuffed with the softest downiest feathers

And a Cook in a striped apron and a Gardener in a pretty hat

And many more smiling horticulturalists wielding hoes and spades and singing while they work among the beans and the berries, the ducks and the chickens, the almonds and the bees

To create a gaden of such practical and inspired magic as might take one's breath quite away!

With roses clambering over pergolas and arbours and mazes and paths and wild bits and semi-formal gardens, mulberries and stone fruit, grape vines and a river walk

All nestled in a backdrop of mountains as sheltering as a father's love for his precious Princess

Where you can walk in the shade and
chose your own lunch from amongst the leaves and the herbs

And for a few moments the King and Queen forget all their troubles and are happy

Tripping gaily over flowers and leaves of grass, marvelling like Marvell,
at a "green thought in a green shade"

Wandering blithely up lavender scented paths redolent of our visits to Italy & Provence


Observing the hard-baked earth of Africa, cunningly crafted into parterres and raised beds in which camomile and mint and rosemary and other edible plants grow with expert attention and endless watering A maze of wild prickly pears with their thorny exteriors and juicy golden middles - an apt metaphor for this arid land with its honeyed beauty

A tea garden, lotus ponds, a guava avenue, olives, apples and pears


White-washed guest cottages, former workers' accomodation - for all this was once built by slaves - in a shaded avenue of old oaks with long memories

Converted into the most stylish B & B lauded in all the best 'overseas' mags

Where we ask for a quick look from a very charming chamber maid

And amidst this perfect setting

We discover dream kitchens

Fitted out with every luxury - though not sure quite how much cooking actually goes on here


Glass extensions carefully grafted onto the original Cape cottages

And the beautiful Babel restaurant - a place of many privileged tongues from all across the world

A former cowshed - where we sit beneath a bucolic bovine tiled mural


Under an intelligent-looking cow - hope he's not on the menu...

Drinking fresh spring water and ice-cold sauvignon blanc
with our lovely Princess P in her Dad's hat

Oh but the delicious flavours of this green-fingered fairy-tale place - a salad of fennel, asparagus, apple, pears, home-grown green beans and pretty green-hued flowers

And a red one, of water melon, plums, beets, russet leaves, strawberries, raspberries, scarlet tomatoes and blueberries

A perfect lunch of golden thrice-fried chips cured meats and fresh vegetables

A little shop with choice offerings of uncommon fruits presented in a super-stylish mélange of farmhouse chic and jet-set allure created by former magazine editor Karen Roos and her tycoon husband

Not a detail left untouched - a perfect espresso in an adorable pink demi-tasse with wonderfully crafted silverware

Fresh mint tea in rosey tea-cup

Mr P thinks it's been a fun day and our sun blushed Princess P agrees

The Chance Muse is amused at this brief moment of perfect accord

In this beautiful place on the trade routes of Africa, where East meets West,
but home is always best


As we are reminded by the exquisite blue and white Chinese porcelain displayed under glass and found in the grounds, pointing to those adventurous Dutch souls who moved fearlessly between India and Europe via the Cape, leaving a legacy of fine furniture, food and farmsteads - and tainted politics


I guess if there's a message here in this blue vista-ed haven with its dreams and desires, its past and its hopes for the uncertain future It is carpe diem - seize the day!

Heat Wave

2012-01-17T15:15:00.001Z

Beta Beach our secret hang out - don't tell anyone

Seaweed bobbing like my thoughts on this simmering hot day. It's so hot that the temperature is soaring to over 38 degrees

Clifton Beach where we took an early morning walk a few days ago and came across this lovely young woman on a photo shoot

In fact wherever you look in Cape Town there seems to be a nonchalant little group of photographers, stunning leggy models and accompanying minions

But then this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world - at least the Chance Muse thinks so

With its great surf, huge boulders and delightful bungalows dotted temptingly among the gently swaying palm trees

The Chance Muse thinks it would be quite nice to have a little shack here

Mr P isn't sure

Still it is a wonderful walk across white sands

And the sea is so transparent and the sand oh so soft on the toes...

Just for a moment you could feel you had gone straight to paradise

Perhaps an island in the West Indies where a Caribbean calypso is playing in the wind

Huge waves crash on a tumble of vast primeval boulders

Yes, it is one of the most expensive bits of real estate in Africa....

But one can always find a quiet spot if one goes out early enough

And be alone with the sea and sky

Discovering strange rock pools full of alien creatures

Sea anemones with fringed auras of cobalt blue and rust

And mussel-encrusted rocks pounded by huge surf

And little inlets and promontories of rock jutting out to sea

And a strange little sea-bird - cormorant? - looking lost and sad

And distant ships hinting at a wider world beyond

The Chance Muse enjoying the heat with hat adorned with bathers thinking up her next blog....

Whale Trail*

2012-01-16T13:38:00.002Z

Took the Whale Trail to Hermanus past Betty's Bay & Pringle Bay

Steep views down to amazing blue sea where in winter whales frolic with their young

Cape olives and strange-scented fynbos scrub with distant views of False Bay coast

A wild salty shore with shingle and crushed mussel shells and the sweet smell of the sea

Little bays and coves, with curious names like Onrus and Sandbaai

A sea-scape foam-flecked and fierce

Cape candles or agapanthus dotted on the stony cliff-top

The very stylish Marine Hotel bar in Hermanus

Bold flower arrangements in the hotel lounge

A cola-tonic on the terrace

A welcome respite on the journey

Cup of tea and a piece of short-bread - the closest we came to seeing any whales!

Our guesthouse in Sandbaai with view of rocks and the sea

Pretty lounge with telescope for whale watching

Hydrangeas and lovely photo books

Breakfast and a long walk along the coastal path

Freshly cut proteas in the bedroom

Biltong, Smokes & a Coke

Farm stall with fresh produce and delicious Cape fruit

Glowing jars of golden honey

Grapes, plums, lemons and dried apricots

A great selection of olive oils, Italian & local

Mr P on the Wolfgat cliffs in 'Let it Be' t-shirt

3 colours blue

And amazing shades in between on Strandfontein beach

White dunes and unfathomable seas

False Bay wild and unspoiled for an eternity

Foodie Haven

2012-01-15T15:37:00.000Z

Cape Town is definitely a foodie paradise and it's not just the posh restaurants that serve good food...

Delicious 60th Birthday Cake baked by dessert queen Jenny S

Luscious lemon meringue, coffee and chocolate cherry layer cakes from Bluebird Garage

Charley's Love Life & Eat Me luminous cookies guaranteed to put a smile on your face

Melt in the mouth chocolate & raspberry tarts from Hout Bay Market

Savoury green soup & Chinese chive pot stickers from Hope Street

Lovely lemon tea & crunchy, sweet, juicy, koeksisters at Kirstenbosch concert

Adorable coffee cup with great cappuccino at Valora on Bree

Hope Street - best organic Saturday market with shopping basket

Top -juicer - fresh ginger and apple again at Hope Street

Prettiest canapés with coriander ties

Cassis patisserie's pastel macaroons - raspberry and coffee my favourites!

David W's amazing chocolate mousse cake with fresh seasonal berries

Memorable family braai with home-made baby pickles and Moroccan couscous

A little light lunch with prawns, beetroot, red cabbage chili salad and fresh basil from the garden

The freshest salad greens plucked straight from the earth at the Scotch House

Fabulous salad with cashew nuts at our new year's party

Susie's baby fresh tomato and basil salad

Stan's brilliant butternut & rocket salad with balsamic glaze

New Year's Ottolenghi inspired feast

Gina's yogurt panna cottas with berries and almond tuiles

Most beautiful salad on the table - Flowers, fruit and cucumber with pecan nuts

A lovely afternoon tea with Melissa's lemon tart from Ziona

A perfect cup of tea with whale inspired short-bread at the Marine Hotel Hermanus

Freshest foamy orange juice and creamy cappuccino at Knead in Muizies

Cupcakes at Hout Bay Saturday Market

Juicy fruits for yummy smoothies - ditto Hout Bay

Best Xmas lunch at the Bernsteins

Another beautiful salad - grilled nectarine, asparagus, pomegranate and croutons

Sandy's waterfall bar b que beef fillet with finely shredded oriental vegetables

Xmasy desserts make a sweet ending

Hannah's 21st birthday cake with red roses and gold '21'

Family tea

Iced coffee and sauvignon blanc batmitzvah party

Blueberry brekkie with seed loaf and honey

Salad days at Dunkley Square

Barrista at Hope Street

Superb smelly cheeses

Muizenberg's Blue Bird Garage on a Friday night

Oysters

Tea Party for Mom's friends

Best bubbly at new year's eve

Fresh produce at Hout Bay

Dishy desserts ditto

Lazy Saturday morning market

Custard buns at Hope Street

Fresh tomato salad with basil perfect for a picnic

Best biltong

Scotch House scones

Wedding drinks at the Mount Nelson

Apricot & pistachios couscous

Home-made ginger beer, bread and farm cheese at woodland wedding

Houw Hoek farm stall honey for a sweet treat

Just Cruising or a Few New Year Thoughts with a little help from C.P Cavafy

2012-01-13T15:07:00.003Z

When the very generous Derek & Janet L invited us for drinks on board the fabulous floating appartment ship 'The World', visiting the Cape of Good Hope on its journey along the coast of the "Dark Continent"

It seemed an apt moment to give thanks, peek back and look forwards

To let go of old baggage, perhaps take on a new cargo and celebrate the journey ahead

As Derek L, Captain of this here ocean liner said: "The year she's rapidly coming to a shuddering halt. And what a year its been, 365 days, 12 months, summer, winter, fun, games -
we've had it all."

And in this spirit, the Chance Muse would like to bestow blessings on you all and peace and
love and all that and thanks for all the fine food and flowers, the fun, friendship and family

And thank our lucky stars for getting us safely to this harbour

As we embark on our individual journeys of discovery

Each in our own particular Mother City

Celebrating a world filled with bountiful abundance

May your ride on the big roulette wheel of fate and fortune take you to the very zenith!

May you celebrate the visual and sensory feasts of all that inspires you!

Keeping the demons away with fire and drums!

Creating lines of beauty with art and music!

And heralding a time of peace and justice on earth

Loving life, with its darkness and light, like the Cape with its Hope and Storms

And all its flaws and imperfections

Feeling fireworks in the soul and the black of night too

Not looking back in anger, nor forwards in fear

Trusting the little tugboat that keeps us sailing on dark waters

Looking at our city - wherever we are - each from a new and unique perspective

A harbour in which to moor for a while, a pleasure dome in which to dance for a few moons

As the great Alexandrian poet Cavafy says:
"Hope the voyage is a long one!"

"Hope the voyage is a long one.
May there be many a summer morning when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors seen for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind—
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars...."

New Year's Day Lunch

2012-01-12T07:05:00.000Z

The morning after the night before...

A lovely laid back lunch on New Year's Day


At the home of our very gracious hosts Hilton & Annalynne K

Jenny A & Gerald P in paisley patterns

2 ladies from San Francisco and David L

Roxy & Jeff fresh as daisies

Sandy & the surfing surgeon

Summer is here and it feels good

Dotty Elle K & pretty-in-pink Sandy B

Nothing ruffles Cathy A & Carol P in cool shades

Roxy L in starlet pose

Cecily K & American friend

Hannah, Susie, Mikaela & Dani in laid back blues & greens

Glowing girls

Good genes

Glen & Dani H looking hot

The Bold and the Beautiful

Family line up with Mr P, Susie, Brian & Rob

Relaxing by the swimming pool

Jami K with beer & Susie P

Linda A gives Cecily K a huge hug

Photo family - Bernard, Jenny & Tal

Sid, Hilt, Sandy in the pink

Ladies who Lunch

Watermelon for dessert

Heatwave Hannah

Summer-look Sandy & Tash

Janet at the pool

Jami keeping cool

Loving the heat!

Shine Like a Star - New Year's Eve 2012

2012-01-10T13:38:00.000Z

A glittering New Year's Eve with a star-studded guest list and a little help from photoshop....

And my Bubbley Sister Sandy

The glitterati - Hazel glam in animal print, Susie in leopard mini, Hannah & Tash

4 shimmering super stars - Tash, Susie, Dani & Han

Shine on! Glen H, Dani & Mikaela K

Hannah & our very helpful barman Rob with sparkles

Shimmering Tash & Rob

Twinkling Hazel & sparky Susie

Luminous line-up - Hannah, Hazel, Susie & Tash

Miaow! Jungle Girls

Rob L & Ian M getting in the mood

Effervescent ladies

Dazzling Dani, Mikaela, Glen, Anton & Gina

A glittering constellation of Kaplans & Meyers

Ziona, Annalynne, Hilary & the Muse - it's a bling thing

Hilary & Orly go forth & shine

Muse & Musettes with shiney shoes

Jeff, Roxy & Anny razzle dazzle

Anny & Hilton with Table Mountain specially lit up

Golden girls Dani & Michaela K

Stars in their eyes - soon to be wed - Anton and the gorgeous Ginabelles

Bright boy, Rob L and the light of his life

Ali & Robyn - fab new occupants of our former adode Minster Road in London

Dazzling Debbie Dub all the way from LA

Ava Gardener, Marilyn Monroe & Demi Moore aka three old friends

Glen M & Revel F in sharp suits

Smooth Operators Andy & Glen M

Sid K of the naughty smile & the Chance Muse with Victor B in the BG

Orly L with luminous smile on the dance floor

Janet L & Andy M in midnight moment

Dr Brian B bestows a brilliant grin

Jeff L takes a Chance

The divine Greta F, star of the screen with David K, Art publisher and revelling Roberta

Nonchalant glamour in the younger set - Lauren W & Paloma S from London Town

Studied pose from art-star Princess B and pretty Swiss cuz Mindy M

Sexiest couple at any party, Roxy & Jeff L of Head South fame

Sydney girl Sue & Toronto babe, Daphne

Inner radiance - Orly L & the beautiful Cathy A

Mr P & Ziona S in brilliant scarlet with matching smile

Chilling cousins on a hot night

The very groovy Hilary & Ian M get into the groove

Gorgeous gardening friends from Golders Green, Zea & Brian B

The divine Derek of school dinners & his lovely wife Janet L

Michael S, in trendy neon shirt & Dr Nolan W, light up the night

Bernard & Jenny A, brilliant photographer with Mr P

North London Posse - Princess B, Susie P, Paloma S & Lauren W

Giggling girls - Elle K & my sisie Sandy B sharing a joke

Jenny A tango queen hits the dance floor with blue ribbon

The stunning Daniella & her handsome husband Glen H

Mr P in musing moment

David W & his charming wife Caroline, with Roberta F

Chancing it with Jami K

Handsome Host & Hostess/Blogess

Leon, Sid & Elle K & Jan in sparkling form

Sharon & Sandy with stars

Sue, Tash & Daphne

Elle with sparkler

Champagne supernova

Seeing in the new year with fire and fun

Family fanfare

Woodland Wedding

2012-01-08T10:04:00.002Z

The marriage of the Wolf & the Humming Bird.

John S & Jane B tie the knot with a strand of intertwined crystals.

A magical Midsummer Night's Dream fantasy in a bosky glade of ancient oaks in the middle of nowhere...

A verdant woodland setting amongst the trees with a giant coffee-coloured safari-style tent

Mega-cool musicians serenade the arrivals with a hint of the musical magic to come

Guests gather for the outdoor ceremony with a carpet of white flowers beneath foot and cones of scented rose petals for confetti

Beautiful summery outfits, guests seated on old wooden pews decorated with
creamy bunches of greenery & wild flowers

The Bride arrives on a donkey cart just visible in the background

Tanya's girls - the prettiest flower fairies in delicate wings aka the humming birds

The bride in gossamer grey lace walks in on the arm of her very dapper dad who regales us later with beautiful tales of brilliant strong humming birds and much maligned wolves...

A magical retinue of sylvan nymphs and horned woodland creatures

The bride and groom, joyous soul mates, artists and musicians both, nature lovers and fable-makers, writers of songs and creators of legends

The happy couple, under a whimsical floating canopy symbolic of the tradition of the past and their home of the future, with marvellous Marcelle, in bountiful black embroidered with tiny humming bird and big bad/good wolf, alongside Simon who sang a beautiful ballad about wedding rings washed from the river and a feathery wedding bed laid down by the birds...

The bride's young page-boy nephew, serious and sedate, a little Puck with a touch of Bottom, in straw boater and furry ears

The Chance Muse in embroidered appliqué admires the scene and takes notes for her daughters - er - future nuptials

A somnambulant softness hazes our gaze as we succumb to the magic of setting and mood and a spell falls over us all

Adorable flower fairy, Peasblossom or is it Mustard Seed? - the bride's niece, in butterfly wings with single white flower and the most beautiful ears, gilded by the late afternoon sun

The coolest photographer in the woods with amazing pink & green protea - 'Aways for Love'

The marriage ceremony conducted by awesome Israeli academic and poet - a perfect blend of civil & traditional, Jewish & secular, heart-felt vows leavened by fanciful whimsy and strengthened by the fierce love of this inspiring creative couple

A wolf cub in top-hat and tails, young Izi holds the silver wedding goblet filled with ruby-red wine

Our own Princess B in fanciful flight of flounces and lusciously ruffled pink - Louella, I think

Tiny fairy-folk in trainers and sexy moms in high-heels eat fire-baked bread with creamy farm butter and home-made ginger beer as well as loads of very good local wines

A moment of joyful reflection after the ceremony as emotion overcomes the Bride

Check out 2 shady blokes - the very handsome Jami K in zooty suit and cool M.C David B, in possibly Burberry

The dazzling Lazarus Sisters and Princess B - no it's not a 70's Soul Act, but there's certainly an abundance of Soul around

Three powerful Women in Black with girls in pretty pastels & Izi B in Mad Hatter attire

Benigson Boys in the funny hats with Simon & Tomas in shiny shoes

The Michel girls in stunning 20's inspired beaded dress and cute Japanesey strappy number

Tanya S smiling

The lkong and the short of it - Jessi & Tash looking good

Donkey-cart & Driver wait patiently in the shade

Guests in romantic pastels and Panamas pose for photos

Love is - Tattoo Artists entwined with Buddhist motifs

Heavenly frocks and gorgeous girls with young Gabriel G in discursive mode

Evening falls in a golden glaze and the fields beyond fade while in the foreground David B & his girl Tash do a romantic slow shuffle

Table settings glow with glimmering glasses, stunning flowers, tiny hand-cut wolves and humming birds as table numbers, and a feast of slow-cooked lamb, root vegetables and creme bruleé

After the wedding cake - chocie marble and hundreds of yummy cup-cakes - the marquee buzzes with light and music as dancing and music fill the woods

A fabulous evening of Balkan Rock rocks our socks - and shoes off - girls abandon high heels and go bare-foot or flip-flop

Braziers are lit and logs piled on by invisible servants

Dancing lights and bountiful booze and late night home-cooked pizza from outdoor ovens

Fire fills the night with mysterious flames and flickering shadows

And we dance - well not quite till dawn - but until our feet hurt

Midsummer magic and a long journey back in the mysterious African night

An enchanted evening of iridescent humming birds and friendly wolves as we wish the young couple love and luck!

Hannah's 21st Birthday Brunch

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Hannah comes of age - our beautiful girl has grown up - individual, independent, striking, dilligent, and oh so focused!

Hannah & her cousins at her very special Cape Town brunch of salmon, champagne and birthday cake

Granny Rosemary in contrasting red and white and two aunties, Hazel S and Sally B

Gina's young man - Anton I & Uncle Tony S - the xtended family

A gathering of feisty women -say no more!

Our colourful quartet: Tallulah, Tash B, the birthday girl, our Hannah and Nadia B

A line of beauties in marvellous summer attire

Hannah & her Sister and Nadia in the Glass House kitchen

Bloggie & Blogette in the making

Cousin Gina looking good

The male contingent - Yos B, Rob, Tony S, Mr P and Anton I

The cake - suitably sparkey from Charley's - white with red roses and gold stars

A champagne toast to the birthday girl

Coffee & cake complete a delicious meal

Amy, G and Jules with Aunty Sandy in the the background

Glen cool in turquoise and Andy glam in black

Monica, Mary & Gili join the celebrations

The gorgeous Chittenden girls: Tess, Beth & Laura with Nadia & Talia

Great Uncle G with the awesome Amy M

A fabulous family gathering for a fantastic daughter

Party Girl

Some after party poolside relaxation

Friends & fam cool down

Glastonbury comes to Tamboerskloof

Late afternoon at the pool - it must be time for sundowners.....

Carly's Wedding

2012-01-02T13:49:00.001Z

The family gathers for a wedding in the beautiful grounds of the Mount Nelson

A chuppah under the trees decorated with strands of ivy

Mr P and his beautiful girls

Black and gold

Bridesmaids in elegant pleated grey chiffon

Bride & Groom under the chuppah

Wedding Guests - Sandy & Brian B

The very cool Andy & Glen M

Party girls in white silk & leopard print

Guests under the trees

Sydney lady in shades of blue, Jenny S, elegant in black & cream and Sandy B in stunning stripey satin

Susie in green silk

Aunty from London, Linda K in black chiffon with debonair Richard K

Dr K and the heavenly Annie

The bride's Toronto aunty, the divine Daphne in moiré tafetta with daughter Michaela

A very happy bride - the beautiful Carly

Childhood friends grown into lovely young women

Stunning Carly and her elegant mom, Orly in grey chiffon

Girls chilling with cocktails

A perfect setting for a wedding

Dappled sunlight and a bank of pink hydrangeas

The lovely Eunice in green satin and our green-eyed daughter

Family relaxing with mojitos

A rare event - our little family at a southern hemisphere simcha!

Sunshine and smiles with Anny K and Roxy L

A trio of delightful musicians

From Australia, lovely Laura in Grecian style chocolate chiffon

Steven & Carly with photographer

White iceberg roses in the hotel grounds - a perfect setting for a lovely wedding

Purple People

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Rings on her fingers, bells on her toes....

Members of the hippy tribe

Three Gorgeous Graces

Radiant Princess Susie

Happiness

Shopping with Daddy P

Looking Good Ms M

Threesome at tea time

Glamourous mother & daughter

Natural beauty

In the Glass House

The Artist at work

The Chance Muse muses on life, fate and other everyday matters

Cool dad in Botticelli t-shirt with eldest princess

Dancing to the music of life

Upstairs lounge with tea-cups

Night Market Muizenberg with Granny

A glass of savignon blanc & a bottle of beer

A quick sit down while shopping for supper

Family group with Granny at the amazing Bluebird Garage

Left to right Tash B in orange jumper, the Blogess in blue, cool Jules from L.A, the ever-hip Mr & Mrs M from London town, Front Row, the divine nieces Talulah & Nadia from Israel

Mrs M, Mr P & his Muse, fill their baskets with Indian & Thai specialities and take our delicious purchases home for a shared Shabbat supper

Mom & daughter with giant mirrored ball at the Grand on the Beach

A beautiful sunset eating on the sand

Another perfect evening

The Swimming Pool Season

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The Festive Season - friends, family, food and fun....

Relaxing by the swimming pool

Pink hibiscus and acacia tree

Those almond eyes

Lavender and purple petunias in pots

A circle of blue-gum trees and flawless blue sky

Family lunch on the tea-terrace

Y and the lovely Talulah

Coffee time in dappled sun

Chilling by the pool with assorted family

Creepy crawly and swimming sister

My mountain

R & R

In the shade with London & L.A family

Unwinding

Poolside conversation

The Chance Muse relaxing

Xmakah Lunch at the Bernsteins

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Add caption

Green Day

2011-12-29T15:44:00.000Z

Greenmarket Square - the heart of Cape Town, nucleus of the vibrant, Mother City...

Locals have gathered here for over 300 years when it was originally known as Burger Watch Square. Since then the square has seen an Old Town House, a civic centre and even the City Hall.

But above all, it has been a marketplace thronged with visitors such as our lovely young ladies indulging in a spot of ethnic-inspired shopping

Pavement cafes and bars and a great mix of cooking and cultures from Ethiopian to Indian, Nigerian and European provide a welcome respite from the heat of a South African summer

The gothic inspired Methodist church with its topical banner "The Truth will keep us Free"; reminds us of precious freedoms so easily eroded
Brightly coloured striped Kenyan kikois
Today the daily market entices locals and visitors such as our Ms T, with clothing, jewellery, and of course curios
Woven bracelets for the Rainbow Nation
A curtain of glass beads shimmers in the hot sun
Trade beads not dissimilar to these were once used as currency
A buzz of colourful characters such as this lovely Zimbabwean woman selling hand-made crocheted clothing
Painted ostrich eggs and wooden figurines waiting for a mantlepiece
Wooden bowls and woven baskets
Recycled coca-cola craft including an innovative folding sunhat and beaten metal picture frames
A swarm of beaded lizards and chameleons with red awning
Many of the market sellers are migrants from other African countries - all with their own tale of struggle and woe
Hundreds of hand-crafted curios and not that many customers. Come and visit and support the traders!
Little girl studies her red wrist-watch while her brother waits patiently for buyers
As we wander through a maze of stalls our eyes are caught by colourful but kitchy paintings
Girls negotiating a bargain
An open air gathering place, where restaurants and cafes spill onto the cobbled streets and free concerts bring
the various communities together
Above it all, Table Mountain looms over the square as it has always done

The Scotch Coffee House

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"Set in a stunning ivy courtyard, which has played host to a wedding shoot or two, this coffee house is a peaceful retreat, tucked away behind market square. Rising at 7, the cafe prepares hearty breakfasts, light lunches, traditional African dinners and a mean slice of Cape Brandy Tart. You'll find yourself chatting with the owner, who has many an interesting story to impart." http://www.capetownmagazine

A hidden gem, in Burg Street behind the Old Town House, in the very centre of Cape Town, the Scotch Coffee House provides the setting for a late breakfast before we hit Greenmarket Square

Frangipani tree hung with Xmas decorations

Nadia with her beautiful smile

Pretty packets and baubles add to the seasonal theme

The owner, Beulah, a legend in this area, picking salad leaves from the café garden

Organic leaves for our breakfast

Fuchia-pink and pinky-gold baubles

Old-fashioned scones with scrumptious cream and jam served with our tea on tartan table cloth complete with matching individual tea cosies

Upstairs, in the fabulous Michaelis collection, housed in the Old Townhouse, this beautiful lady with her enigmatic look smiles down at us

Artworks by Flemish and Dutch masters from the 16th-18th century, donated by Sir Max Michaelis form a magnificent collection

Conference of the birds - no doubt with metaphorical message

Modern abstraction brings the contemporary into this sanctum

Fresh orange juice & full English brekkie

Talulah and the Muse

Dad & daughter

The Chance Muse is loving having the family in town!

RIP - Max the cat - a most cultured and musical feline friend