December – 2025

4th. Pippa arrived late afternoon

5th. After walking Zara we headed out to Kalk Bay for a sea front lunch.

For the evening it was a toddup between a Soir

e at the French Centre or The Friday Night Food Market at The Range. The Food Market won hands down! No surprize really, set as it is on the lower slopes of the constantiaberg section of the Table Mountain range, among the vineyards.

There are food stalls of Indian, Thai, Mexican, Chinese and Japanese origin. Not to mention good old South African Braii (BBQ) stall with obscene amounts of meat!

There are Pissas, seafood, desert offerings and Juice and alchol bars. Seating in inside the big tent where a band plays and people get up and dance quite unselfconcously.

And there is outside seating adjascent to the vineyards

The diners are mixed races and ages all chomping away happily together.

The childrens area includes a bouncy castlem a clown who make balloon animals, face apinting and a sand pit.

All in all a very satisfactory day with a delightful conclusion.

12th. Some of the neighbors children came and helped my trim the Christmas tree that I have put out on the driveway of the complex. They were rewarded with apple juice and cup cakes!

13th. Moved the rowing machine to my bedroom. No excuse not to start my day with a session of rowing now! Main reason was to free up te 3rd bedroom to restore it to its status as a bedroom.

24th. Christmas Eve.

I was invited to pop in on Michael, Danielle and the boys in the afternoon. I bought the boys mask, snorkle and flipper sets which went down a treat. In and out of the pool and I suspect perhaps even to bed!

And early evening to John nd Sandi’s to help decorate the “Tree”. Each ornament having been contributed by different friends and family members so the task was strung out with stories and memories. present were also Lyn and Sue.

25th. Christmas Day got off to a good start with a lovely walk in the Dog Park. Big lear skies and Yuccas in flower

Then back home to lay the table for linch to be shared with my neighbor, Robyn.

26th Boxing Day. In the morning home made mince pies and strawberry ice cream at Lyn’s. Zara enjoyed her garden. In the afternoon we went to Bill Robertson’s Farm if Noordehoek where he regularely holps “colegial” music events where Baroque music is played on Baroque instruments. Many of these having been made or restored by Bill. Always an informative and gently pleasant experience.