Afternoon at the James Island County Park

I got to spend a little one on one time with my precious granddaughter this afternoon.  We went to the park where she happily pottered around, climbing on and off things, scratching in the dirt, and generally having fun.  She loves to swing!  Yes I'm a little biased, but she is the most adorable child :)  She's even very tolerant of me pointing a camera at her all the time.

Things are happening at The Vendue

Some very talented designers and artists have been overhauling and redecorating the downtown Vendue Boutique Hotel with an emphasis on art.  The end result is quite exquisite.  I was there earlier today to photograph some of the chef's creative brunch dishes that will be offered on a new menu coming out soon.  They looked and smelled delicious!

A Chilly Shem Creek

This evening I was invited for dinner by some friends who live over on the other side of the bridge :) Now I know that this is really not such a long way from West Ashley, but somehow that Ravenel Bridge symbolizes a journey of greater import than the reality.  Anyhow, I thought I would leave a little early and check out the activity at Shem Creek.  Actually there was very little activity, at least on the board walks of Shem Creek Park.  The main reason was that it was cold, and the wind was whipping across the marsh and water at a very brisk pace.  I do hope they won't ruin this wonderful piece of the lowcountry with ugly over-development.

And a World Away ....

The sun sets quietly over the Stono River, breaking through the fog briefly.  It's a far cry from the summer sun in the Cape, but this just goes to show that it's all about the light. Light is magic, and it's almost mischievous the way it plays with the landscape.  One minute everything is monotone, dull and devoid of interest, and the next it looks like this - but just for a minute.  Suddenly it is all gone away, and you are left wondering if it really happened; except that you have it captured with the camera :)

La Motte Revisited

La Motte Cellar

Earlier in our travels we had lunch under in the garden at La Motte, but weren't able to experience the wine tasting because it was a Sunday and they were closed.  We made a reservation for lunch in the more formal restaurant at the wine estate for a few days hence, and arrived early to enjoy the tasting in the cellar.  A truly beautiful place, so tasteful, with great food and wine.  Here are a few of the photos I took.  I particularly like the one of my sister Judy in the wine cellar checking out some of the oak barrels.

The wine tasting table

My lamb shank special

13ft. statue of a woman holding an overflowing goblet of wine

Ruben and Grace

The Franschhoek Motor Museum, Stellenbosch & Homemade Pasta

Starting to wind down my visit.  Can't believe I am heading home in a couple of days.  These images were taken at the Franschhoek Motor Museum (very impressive collection of very special cars), in Stellenbosch (historic college town in the Cape and huge wine growing area), and then at my sister and brother-in-law's home where the family cooked up a storm for dinner.

Franschhoek Motor Museum

Stellenbosch Bookstore

Eendracht Hotel, Stellenbosch

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More Scenes from the Cape Roads

We drove back from the Ceres area to Cape Town so here are a few more scenes from the road.  Today it's back to the Franschhoek Valley for a couple of nights.

Abandoned Cottage and Gum Trees

Labourer's Cottages

Bains Kloof Pass

Roadside Cascade, Bains Kloof Pass

Bains Kloof Pass

Now this is Wine Country

We've been off the grid for a couple of days because we took a road trip to wine country that we hadn't explored before.  My mother and I love road trips, so we added this quickie to our long list of expeditions.  Some last minute "googling" found us a self-catering cottage on a wonderful wine farm near Tulbagh, The Seven Oaks Wine Farm, and from there we struck out in all directions.  Back in Cape Town now for a day and then back to Franschhoek for two nights to spend time with Lesley, #2 sister before heading back home.  Here is the latest crop of images from the road.

Victoria & Albert Waterfront

This has got to be one of the most "happening" places in the world, never mind one of the most beautiful.  Cape Town is one of the busiest ports in Africa and also one of the most popular tourist destinations.  These assets have been combined and the result is a great place to shop, dine, play, listen to music, or just enjoy watching the sights and sounds.  Seals play in the water, gulls screech overhead, all kinds of watercraft constantly stream in and out of the harbor.  You just have to be there and drink it all in to understand ...  Here is a pitiful attempt to communicate a small part of what it's all about.