Tiger Tom, Riebeeck, South Africa

Steve & Helly


Posted Aug 25, 2007, 7:56 pm
I am a tiger with a big THIRST! Inspired by 'Greedy' I have decided I wish to drink my way around France. I wish to sample fine wines wherever I go and become a knowledgable French wine expert on the way.

I am due to travel to Normandy in three weeks time where I will be left with my first host family.

In the meantime I shall sample as much wine as possible before I go!

Salut!
Steve & Helly


Posted Aug 26, 2007, 9:42 am
I didn't travel very far last night, just to the kitchen for a bottle of wine and a glass. Cheap French wine, but oh, so yummy.

My appraisal of this wine ..... 'Mmm, dry'. (There wasn't even a clue on the label as to what I should be tasting!!) I think I have a lot to learn.

After my first glass I decided the world looked good from an upside down position. I spent the rest of the night standing on my head.
Steve & Helly


Posted Aug 28, 2007, 9:54 pm
Well, I made it a bit further today . . . the summer house to be exact. I settled down for the evening with a 'proper' French bottle of red wine. So 'proper' the label was in French. I had to take my French phrase book with me.

Over a glass, or two, of wine I studied the label and used the book to translate. It really made my little grey cells work. So much so I resorted to eating a whole box of Belgian Chocolates to help me concentrate.

After all that work I relaxed on my back and studied the ceiling, contemplating what I should write today.

My thoughts on the wine .... mmm, red!

(Still think I have a lot to learn!)
Steve & Helly


Posted Sep 1, 2007, 7:11 pm
What an evening! I sat drinking wine, which was ok but wasn't French (and came out of a box), when, Rick Stein's 'French Oddysey' came on the TV. Rick was travelling down the Canal Du Midi, eating gorgeous sea food and sampling good wine at a winery. Mmm, I was SOOO jealous.

After the programme I sat on the box of wine - Gosh, it was a struggle to climb up! - gazed into the garden and dreamt about France. Still, only two weeks to go until I'm there.

Finally, I tried to cheer myself up by reading Rick's book and began to plan this weekend's food.

Rick says, ' I still think that the French make the best wine in the world'. Oh, I so agree.

My opinion of this evening's wine ... 'fruity'.

Steve & Helly


Posted Sep 9, 2007, 9:44 am
Tiger Tom is obviously getting too carried away, planning for his forthcoming trip to France!

Helen discovered him in the fridge this morning - he'd discovered the bottles of French Champagne bought to celebrate Steve's 40th birthday.

Helen told him off and removed him from the fridge. She found him later snuggled up to a bottle of quality French red wine, one of Steve's birthday presents.

Tiger Tom has been told he has to wait until Sunday evening to get a taste, he'll just have to be patient!
Steve & Helly


Posted Sep 11, 2007, 7:29 am
Hurrah! I was allowed to taste the champagne, but only the little bottle.

It was very fizzy and the bubbles made me sneeze!

After finishing off the bottle . . . ooops, was I supposed to share? . . . I practised my scooter riding technique. I need to be able to balance, ready for my ride around Normandy.

It was very difficult as my 'scooter' kept rolling away, I hope my Normandy scooter doesn't do that!

My appraisal of the champagne . . . 'bubbly'.
tigertom


Posted Oct 25, 2007, 7:35 pm
Hello i'm Myles Helly and Steve Doel haded me tiger tom when they viseted me in france i'm English but speak good french i tryed to teach tiger tom some but all he can say is bonjour grrrr,resently i took him for a tour of normandy on my scooter lucky i was the designated driver because he drank a too much.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 8:09 am
I was very sad to be leaving Normandy. I've spent two months travelling on a scooter. No pictures though, so Helly won't let me complete my mission, she says I'll have to come back.

I cheered up a bit when I found out I am to go travelling to America and southern France next year. Hurrah! I think I'll have a glass of wine later to celebrate.

In Honfleur I climbed up with my firends and looked at the town from a distance.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 8:12 am
Hurrah, what an amazing bridge.  This is the Pont De Normandie. It spans the River Seine. It felt ever so high up.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 8:14 am
Finally I'm back in England, although I feel very sad and am missing France already.

The traffic in Dover was amazing, so much and so noisy.

After climbing up to have a look I decided to snuggle down and sleep for the rest of the journey. When I get home I'm going to have a HUGE glass of wine to recover from the journey.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 6, 2008, 3:33 pm
Hurrah, now I'm home I'll start on the wine. A little Italian number today.

Mmmm . . . very nice . . . 'fragrant, elegant, dry and crisp' . . . ok, so I cheated and read the bottle!
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 6, 2008, 3:38 pm
'Tiger Tom, what are you doing?' (Helly)

'I'm standing on my head.' (Tiger Tom)

'Yes, I can see that, but why? (Helly)

'So I can see whether there's any wine left in the bottom of the bottle.' (Tiger Tom)

'Ahh, I'm lost for words!' (Helly)

Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 5:54 pm
I decided to get in the French mood by eating brie . . . and crackers . . . and pickled onions!

I ate lots!

To wash it down I decided to help myself to my favourite French red wine . . . mmm fruity.
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 5:56 pm
Mmm, after several glasses I decided I would share with the cats.

First Maisie:

'Maisie . . Maisie'

Maisie sniffed my wine - I got a little worried, I thought I might really have to share!

Then she ran off!
Steve & Helly


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 5:59 pm
Next Oscar . . .

I had to climb on the table without spilling my wine - not a mean feat after several glasses.

'Oscar, Oscar'

Oscar looked at me . . . and turned his back.

Still, all the more for me!

Now, where's Murph?
Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 12, 2008, 4:46 pm
Hello! Today I've finally arrived in Novosibirsk, Russia to my host Oksana. Here I am in Oksana's flat with her teddy bears.
http://i030.radikal.ru/0802/1d/83c6bfc81b0c.jpg

And here I'm making friends with Oksana' cat Musya :)
http://i017.radikal.ru/0802/e9/30bec36b4799.jpg

Oksana has many indoor plant in her house. Look, I'm  in real jungle :)))
http://i025.radikal.ru/0802/66/928ff180fbf7.jpg

Here I'm playing with a dachshund and with some other very big dog.
http://i017.radikal.ru/0802/03/c4f0b7a55a0e.jpg
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/5e/273973cd0cf9.jpg

After that Oksana allowed me to use her computer and taught me how to use ICQ ;)
http://i038.radikal.ru/0802/fa/6ea0a07a6c32.jpg

While I was walking about my host's house I found some very nice picture with a strange animal.
http://i004.radikal.ru/0802/c6/7d342b4645f7.jpg

Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 13, 2008, 5:36 pm
Today is my second day in Russia. I've had much fun today. My host took me to the office where she worked.
Here I'm in snow. It was snowing heavily yesterday. http://i002.radikal.ru/0802/94/f642d460f63c.jpg
http://i009.radikal.ru/0802/b2/4d3b50a9f6ce.jpg
http://i002.radikal.ru/0802/c2/05b050c3f202.jpg

I found a telephone and wanted to call Helly and Steve, but Oksana said- you couldn't call abroad from that telephone :(
http://i026.radikal.ru/0802/a7/a0d61ed5a258.jpg

This beautiful church is situated near the place where my host works. It's called Voznesensky Cathedral.
http://i047.radikal.ru/0802/30/1ba445a86ec7.jpg

http://i034.radikal.ru/0802/a8/5498791562ae.jpg

http://i008.radikal.ru/0802/af/9ea56a36a86e.jpg

Then we went to the park where we could see some very beautiful birds:
http://i015.radikal.ru/0802/8b/8052e2a531bf.jpg

http://i019.radikal.ru/0802/6e/87519f8a24ec.jpg

And here I'm playing in Oksana's office. I found some bottles from champagne. Oksana said they were left after the New Year Day :)
http://i031.radikal.ru/0802/4b/3eb922b1c400.jpg
And on this photo I'm trying on the mink fur coat.  I like it very much and wanted to wear it outsides, but Oksana said that it was not mine and I couldn't wear it :(
http://i039.radikal.ru/0802/04/e60ee93c4a08.jpg

And here I'm playing with pumpkins as if was Halloween :)
http://i015.radikal.ru/0802/7f/87f0f32e55d4.jpg
Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 15, 2008, 5:58 pm
Today is St. Valentine's Day. It's also celebrated in Russia.
Oksana took me to her work again and I was presented there with beautiful flowers and sweets. I was happy!
http://i018.radikal.ru/0802/25/ecbc343898da.jpg

http://i029.radikal.ru/0802/45/44c597103fd4.jpg

In the afternoon my host went to the post-office and received there another TV- BearyLuv. He was from the USA. Soon we became very good friends!
http://i026.radikal.ru/0802/ea/eaadd0eb616d.jpg
And in the evening our host took us to the concert. It was dark already outsides so we had a chance to see Novosibirsk in the evening with all those lights and illumination. It looked very beautiful!
http://i008.radikal.ru/0802/98/595c5b90e4f6.jpg

http://i048.radikal.ru/0802/b3/f47e85d4e25d.jpg

http://i024.radikal.ru/0802/1c/a8248c71f7f2.jpg
We liked the concert very much! Many musicians and groups took part there and it was very interesting. Here are some photos:
http://i049.radikal.ru/0802/9c/d56bc9c3d415.jpg

http://i012.radikal.ru/0802/be/7e7bad7b6579.jpg

http://i038.radikal.ru/0802/ed/dfecb7252efe.jpg

And now I want to wish Steve and Helly Happy St Valentine's day and send them this valentine :)
http://i035.radikal.ru/0802/78/d25162e0b3d7.gif


Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 18, 2008, 6:43 pm
We had a very interesting day yesterday- February,17. At first our host took me and BearyLuv to her meeting with other people who create handmade teddy-bears. We could see there many interesting bears.
http://i006.radikal.ru/0802/a7/744c55eccb20.jpg

Some of them were very small!
http://i031.radikal.ru/0802/c1/e6824f06b860.jpg

http://i014.radikal.ru/0802/49/9d0313c788a0.jpg

And some looked rather strange :)
http://i042.radikal.ru/0802/6e/5b76f7bd1447.jpg

After the meeting we walked in the centre of Novosibirsk.
We found some old wooden houses:
http://i009.radikal.ru/0802/71/78bc2ec6eb56.jpg
http://i037.radikal.ru/0802/b8/094e0d946f34.jpg

And we saw the monument of Vladimir Lenin and the House of Opera and Ballet.
http://i045.radikal.ru/0802/49/76f8928c768d.jpg
http://i042.radikal.ru/0802/b4/1932e9db78e7.jpg
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/06/686a9cbb9b7c.jpg

And here is the Russian tramway:
http://i011.radikal.ru/0802/01/48b251b77be7.jpg

We saw an iron throne!
http://i035.radikal.ru/0802/3d/0cd60ca5d733.jpg

And here I'm near the Novosibirsk local museum. It's a rather old building and beautiful too.
http://i007.radikal.ru/0802/a9/89f6bdbc9cf2.jpg

And in the evening Oksana took us to the concert of local group who play African music. It was great!!
http://i013.radikal.ru/0802/c9/989c3a7248ec.jpg
http://i034.radikal.ru/0802/b4/fcbe60f37abc.jpg

Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 20, 2008, 4:53 pm
Oksana's collegue -Elena has recently bought a new car, so today she has brought some wine to celebrate this event with her collegues in the office. Of course I couldn't help joining them ;-)
http://i045.radikal.ru/0802/cb/e3aa80f0abbc.jpg

Here I'm with my new friend :)
http://i020.radikal.ru/0802/d8/44dd7c4aba61.jpg

In the afternoon my host took me and BearlyLuv to the Sibfair where a new fair is held now.
http://i004.radikal.ru/0802/e8/b3bc7089c89a.jpg

I could see there a house made of ice!
http://i046.radikal.ru/0802/88/b1ef615d0cad.jpg
http://i027.radikal.ru/0802/27/333b99f241d3.jpg

We saw many interesting things at that fair- for example-
a ballon:
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/5d/54e70f7f3cd4.jpg

A girls in the uniform of stewardesses :)
http://i017.radikal.ru/0802/fa/df49d251c1dd.jpg

Dancing girls:
http://i035.radikal.ru/0802/cf/72c3057d0546.jpg

A "house" surrounded with tulips:
http://i027.radikal.ru/0802/76/817d46b06968.jpg
http://i014.radikal.ru/0802/7e/48192e8c7bfb.jpg

A clown:
http://i048.radikal.ru/0802/37/0b6c407cc32f.jpg

A funny man with a barbell:
http://i034.radikal.ru/0802/04/754b4a459a43.jpg

Everytning was so-o new and interesting for us with BearlyLuv, but we had to return into the office where Oksana worked.
But we had much fun in the office too :)
Look!  BearlyLuv and me found some treasure :)
http://i037.radikal.ru/0802/a3/28a0e2c8e3c9.jpg

And we found a very strange fish in one of the rooms-
it really looked like a hedgehog :)
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/82/5f2a5df278ed.jpg







Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 24, 2008, 8:38 am
On Friday February,22 we had snowfall in Novosibirsk. It was great! BearyLuv and I went outside to play on the snow . At first we were making a snowman:
http://i037.radikal.ru/0802/ca/2880a60764c7.jpg

Then we were playing on the playground:
http://i032.radikal.ru/0802/9f/0815edc4c479.jpg
http://i014.radikal.ru/0802/e7/e67b54c1c186.jpg

We really had a nice time, but the snow was falling and falling and we were afraid that we couldn't find our way home in such snow, so we had to come back home.
http://i025.radikal.ru/0802/8c/7507cb26a46c.jpg
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/96/82db4e720d42.jpg
http://i028.radikal.ru/0802/5d/b4b2273a090d.jpg
Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 25, 2008, 7:07 pm
On Saturday Oksana took me and BearyLuv to IKEA. We were looking for a clock for Oksana and for a present for her colleague. While walking there we could see many interesting things and make lots of photos!
BearyLuv and me even wanted to stay to live in Ikea, but Oksana said that it was impossible, because we couldn't live in a shop :)
http://i022.radikal.ru/0802/a1/aa5a8529e70a.jpg
http://i035.radikal.ru/0802/32/7792952c02e6.jpg
http://i037.radikal.ru/0802/4b/b4bb257c571f.jpg
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http://i026.radikal.ru/0802/3c/f1a0dbd4ab07.jpg

We also visited A build-a-bear workshop. It was even more interesting then IKEA! There were many nice toys and clothes for them. We asked Oksana to buy some clothes for us, but there was nothing of our size :(((
http://i031.radikal.ru/0802/80/a1d9f6a9a9f6.jpg
http://i006.radikal.ru/0802/ab/ef5115017b62.jpg
http://i002.radikal.ru/0802/ed/bd5a50f37417.jpg

We walked too much and felt very tired! What a nice idea to put benches in the shops! We could sit there for a while and rest.
http://i038.radikal.ru/0802/fc/e29dcb8e1f2c.jpg
http://i045.radikal.ru/0802/9b/26b2a914ed0a.jpg

Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Feb 26, 2008, 5:21 pm
Yesterday I told you how BearyLuv and me visited Ikea on Saturday. After Ikea we went to Oksana's colleague. She moved to her own house about a month ago, so she invited my host and two other girls to see her new house. It's situated in Novosibrsk, but it takes us about 40 minutes to get there. Here are some photos of that district:
http://i016.radikal.ru/0802/ce/644c4ca16539.jpg
http://i042.radikal.ru/0802/85/aef8a6f3fca5.jpg

They don't have central heating there- instead of it they have stove heating, because it's an old house. But soon they are going to renew it.
http://i010.radikal.ru/0802/80/115d72d57125.jpg

We could eat very tasty meat, in Russian it's called "shashlyki".
http://i008.radikal.ru/0802/cd/e1538eb8fc39.jpg
And it's the place where shashlyki were roasted. I guess it's like our barbeque :)
http://i023.radikal.ru/0802/f5/90cbc1f54cf5.jpg

In the yard:
http://i029.radikal.ru/0802/02/9fbf7b025fff.jpg

We found there some huge traces. If elephants lived in Sibiria, it surely was an elephant who left them in the yard!
http://i035.radikal.ru/0802/1a/4d93aa7c08e9.jpg

When we were walking near the house we could see some dogs in the next yard. They were very angry. Perhaps they were hungry and wanted to eat us 8-/
http://i038.radikal.ru/0802/bc/c4b388156d17.jpg

And we saw there a black cat that was sitting on the window-sill. The dogs didn't pay any attention to it.
http://i006.radikal.ru/0802/2a/efab3c5a65d1.jpg

http://i001.radikal.ru/0802/b3/41495dc2ae0e.jpg
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By the way in that house we met two bears- a boy and a girl.
Here we are all together chatting:
http://i007.radikal.ru/0802/1b/5b61ba65e154.jpg

http://i006.radikal.ru/0802/84/067e9f12e31d.jpg

Oksana
oksanashevtsova77@gmail.com

Posted Mar 2, 2008, 5:53 pm
Today is my last day in Russia, so yesterday I had a farewell party with  BearyLuv.

And Oksana allowed me to feed her Guinea pigs with fresh salad.
http://i005.radikal.ru/0803/1f/9a2d93f2f067.jpg

Look! I found this wooden tortoise with beautiful stones.
http://i037.radikal.ru/0803/68/b7472194015a.jpg

I wanted to swim on that tortoise, but my host said that it could be spoiled by water, so she gave me and BearyLuv another boats and some toys. We had much fun swimming in the bath-tube :)
http://i022.radikal.ru/0803/77/9a0899acf50a.jpg

And in the morning Oksana will take me to the post-office and send to France.  We all feel a bit sad because we have to part :( Anyway Oksana and BearyLuv wished me a nice and safe journey! :)

Mistigree


Posted Mar 21, 2008, 6:38 pm
BONJOUR !!
I'm here, in sunny (but windy) Toulouse !! What a difference of temperature between Novosibirsk and here !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2349640473_88749b4067.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 4:31 pm
As I told you, I arrived yesterday in Toulouse in this Russian blue box.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2350472512_2fd060cd6c.jpg?v=0

I was welcomed by a strange little pink character called Greedy. He told me he was fond of food !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2350472752_7995a095df.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 5:27 pm
March 17th was a perfect day to arrive... I'm not Irish, I'm English, but I wanted to celebrate St Patrick's day although.
Therefore, I went to the Mulligan's.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2349640629_d2cec7506d.jpg?v=0

It is an Irish pub, not too far from Mistigree's house.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2349640915_c47c8066f1.jpg?v=0

It was the occasion to revise my Ireland geography...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2120/2349640371_e1f5c0ca3b.jpg?v=0

... as well as knowledge of flags. Of course I know how the French flag is because Mistigree showed it to me yesterday.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2349639899_c7118b0ae8.jpg?v=0

I could have drunk some Guinness but I prefered to taste some Grolsch (which is not Irish at all !!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2350475168_ed13ed3fcc.jpg?v=0

The beer bottle was so deep that I did not managed to drink straight from the bottle, and they lent me a mug so that I could drink the whole content.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2349642113_e7175d4250.jpg?v=0

When I got out of the pub, I was a little tipsy, but I managed to walk to Mistigree's house however.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2349640027_5c9842a10d.jpg?v=0

Then I needed to sleep and Mistigree gave me the choice between 5 beds...

Château de Gueyze...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2393083916_2d71c16047.jpg?v=0

Château Valoux...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2392250955_0e35d7bccd.jpg?v=0

Château de Crouseilles...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2393084424_1905fae905.jpg?v=0

Château Nenin...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2393084664_0edbd5f922.jpg?v=0

And Château Beaulieu... which seemed to be the most comfortable...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2392251749_a5acfd8fa6.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 5:47 pm
Today I wandered around Mistigree's house while she was working and I discovered some interesting places... This wine shop for exemple !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2350474372_f6faeb49e2.jpg?v=0

It sells wine, champagne and others alcohols.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2349640787_2af52cc83b.jpg?v=0

Just a little further, I saw this board indicating a wine cellar (in French "une cave à vins") just near...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2350474656_d84c898ceb.jpg?v=0

I found the cellar just behind indeed.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2350474552_4c963f415f.jpg?v=0

What I saw in the windowshop aroused my interest !! I wanted to buy a bottle of wine, but I only had some pounds with me and they told me they were only accepting euros !! When I go back in Engand, I'll tell the Queen to accept the Euro so that I can easily buy my wine in France !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2350474224_cc29e5841b.jpg?v=0

I was not afraid to climb on this barrel !!! I even wish I had fallen into it !!! A good bath of wine can be very pleasant, believe me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2049/2350474918_16bf2f09ee.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 6:43 pm
Hi ! I'm in Ger, the village where Mistigree's parents live. It is situated in the "Pyrénées-Atlantiques" department, which is divived into 2 main areas : Pays Basque and Béarn... Ger is in Béarn, just near Pau... There are 2 famous wines here : Jurançon and Madiran. Besides, it is said that Henri 4th (a King of France who was leaving in Pau) was baptized with a Jurançon drop !
I looked into Mistigree's father's cellar to find some Madiran or Jurançon.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2391016186_5269d02a05.jpg?v=0

There weren't any of them, but I found others very interesting and various wines from the South-West region.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2390183997_ed3b2504c0.jpg?v=0

This one comes from le Marmandais which is situated in the "Lot et Garonne" department, not so far from here.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2391015826_132ec73e98.jpg?v=0

And this is a Bordeaux wine from the "Gironde"department.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2390184285_868d34882f.jpg?v=0

Here is a wine from the "Landes" department. Mistigree told me it made me a very strange face through the bottle !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2391016040_6efd55b9f6.jpg?v=0

As I could not open all the bottles, I decided to taste the Côtes de Saint-Mont red wine from the "Gers" department.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2391017126_ca98f9b81c.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 6:54 pm
I met a nice and pretty cat here called Chelsea.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2391016312_dcda1d1ea6.jpg?v=0

I told her she has beautiful eyes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2390184125_fc597ebe26.jpg?v=0

And as she was not insensitive to my charm, we had an eskimo kiss with our noses !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2391016830_3660efb8aa.jpg?v=0

I even slept in the same bed as her, but there was another cat too, so we stayed very wise.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2390180233_e048c5c4b9.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 7:38 pm
As it was Easter, Mistigree offered me a giant chocolate egg ! Greedy was a bit jealous but Mistigree told me he was on a diet for a few days.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2390180367_530a691882.jpg?v=0

Mistigree also proposed me to drink some mellow wine from Gascogne to go with the chocolate. Of course, I couldn't say no !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/2391013184_c447a5b8d6.jpg?v=0

While I was enjoying my glass of wine, Greedy took the opportunity to eat all my egg !!! Can you see him behind the bottle ?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2390180613_fde0da1edd.jpg?v=0

This is how I saw Greedy after my glass of wine !! This sweet wine was rapidly effective as you can see, only one glass was enough for my vision to be altered !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2391013082_2366fc1469.jpg?v=0

For this second night here, I did not sleep in the bed with the cats, because Mistigree had a surprise for me... Look at my new bed !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2390183499_b9e6049d1e.jpg?v=0

I slept very well in this wooden box and I dreamt of South-West French wine all night long !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2390183239_0d34afce07.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 8:41 pm
Mistigree's father likes very much wine too and I found a very interesting book in his bookcase. It is about bottles of wine labels.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2390181025_5278755fd6.jpg?v=0

I even discovered a very old French label with Napoléon featuring on it !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2391013304_40c54ef914.jpg?v=0

Here are some Bordeaux / Médoc labels.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2390181161_bfb9a65f6e.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2391013844_55dc3a8edc.jpg?v=0

Even the Queen Mother appears on some labels because she came and visited Mouton Rothschild in 1977 !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2390181675_bc67bd7367.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2390181233_5bc7fe04cb.jpg?v=0

Do you know Beaujolais nouveau ? It is celebrated each year at the end of November in France.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/2391014006_3a01059d73.jpg?v=0

It seems the Bourgogne labels are looking very medieval in general !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2390181795_b97aed539b.jpg?v=0

Here are colourful Alsacian wine labels. I think I will have to train hard before being able to pronounce "Gewurtztraminer" correctly  !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2390182191_fb31b9e583.jpg?v=0

I was totally hypnotized by those labels with beautiful women on them !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2390182845_c5ee8cd093.jpg?v=0

There were Champagne labels too (from Maxim's !)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2391015218_9d0c1a9420.jpg?v=0

This label comes from Provence and the wine is called " F A N N Y " because it is the name of a Marcel Pagnol's book's heroin (Pagnol was a famous French writter from Provence / Marseille). You can see French playing pétanque on it ! How do you say "pétanque" in English ? Mistigree thinks it is "French boules" but she's not sure.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2390183099_dcb64ba629.jpg?v=0

Let's end with an English wine label about the Hastings battle !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2390182611_b3e17d989b.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 9:19 pm
Today there was a market held in Toulouse by people from the department of "Lot" which is not so far from Toulouse. Mistigree told me that many English people have bought a house in this department !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2392914445_09f6d9a487.jpg?v=0

There were some wine degustation. The most popular wine from Lot is Cahors (which is the name of a town in fact).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2393744986_4a95882afc.jpg?v=0

I saw this poster about the "Fête du vin de Cahors", but I think I won't be there anymore when it will be held (and I'm not sure Mistigree would have gone to this fête anyway !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2393744708_314929a1ee.jpg?v=0

There were too many people and I couldn't approach this giant bottle !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2392913611_db786ce5a4.jpg?v=0

Once back home, I read a leaflet that I took at the market. It is about a distillery that we can visit in Souillac.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2392959651_0f4c264c18.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 18, 2008, 3:26 pm
Dear Steve & Helly,
I'm going to fly to Belgium for one week holiday, that's why I'm standing in front of Pau airport this morning !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2432019256_2a4ff460af.jpg?v=0

The flight is Pau-Charleroi and then we will have to reach Bruges by train.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2431201739_428430fd4a.jpg?v=0

First we weighted our baggage. Mistigree brought many ToyVoyagers and books to release into the wild and she was afraid that her luggage may be too heavy !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2432018378_697c7eb4e9.jpg?v=0

Then we went to register ourselves and our luggage at this desk.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/2432018234_986e181006.jpg?v=0

I was even giving a boarding pass that I will have to present while getting on board.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2431201911_c408f93ab2.jpg?v=0

Our flight is only at 12:50... We have time before us !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2431201307_a5a6ff0b48.jpg?v=0

I decided to visit the airport and found an interesting shop where we can buy wines.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2432019914_71eaf4a87c.jpg?v=0

It was also specified that we could bring wine on board, but Mistigree did not want me to bring any bottle !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2432019056_3d6cca0413.jpg?v=0

It's now time to leave, our plane is waiting for us !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2431202091_e46d52e53b.jpg?v=0

I hope we're going to have a good flight... I'm a little anxious about being in the air.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2432020046_127e6b7af8.jpg?v=0

I fastened my seat belt as it was asked.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2432019718_c1a57cc263.jpg?v=0

I read all the safety information also.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2432019442_5100f147c7.jpg?v=0

And here we go !! up into the clouds !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2431203521_e5e50122b0.jpg?v=0

1:30 h later, we arrived in Charleroi airport.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2432039334_e245b74ec8.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 12:03 pm
From Charleroi airport, we reached Bruxelles by coach and then we bought a train ticket to go to Bruges.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2432037902_a378faffc2.jpg?v=0

There was a newspaper in the train with an article about Riesling that seemed interesting. I tried to read it, but all was written in Flemmish and I did not understand anything !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2432037696_8c48b9c4f6.jpg?v=0

So I just stayed at the window looking at the lanscapes.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2431220593_12e58f589e.jpg?v=0

We finally arrived in Bruges at the end of the afternoon.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2431222305_b0debc8ede.jpg?v=0

I discovered the hotel with much excitement because there was a mini bar full of mignonettes in our room (you know those very little bottles !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2431221335_9ac2dcd9ea.jpg?v=0

Some champagne in the fridge too...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2431221797_a562a5b44c.jpg?v=0

And bottles of wine waiting for me in a sideboard, just perfect !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2432038294_1e845e7cc6.jpg?v=0

I was hungry because of the trip and asked Greedy if he could give me something to eat... He only gave me an orange, and kept all the cookies and chocolate for him !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2431220797_ff2407d1fb.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 1:20 pm
Today I visited Bruges. As it is written here, the centre of the  town is part of the UNESCO world heritage. That can be easily understood, because wherever you are in the town, there is something beautiful to admire !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2432042198_1e51d38820.jpg?v=0

I don't know if I'm right but I guess this flag is the flag of the West Flanders aera where Bruges is situated.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2432040010_ed7510fdf1.jpg?v=0

Here I am on the main place of Bruges. You can see a horse behind me, that's because there are barouches carrying tourists if they want to.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2432038440_bf80226e4b.jpg?v=0

On this place, there is a gigantic belfry whose bells are regularly ringing different melodies (I even heard it ringing Kalinka, the Russian song !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2432042038_5ffbd4d3df.jpg?v=0

Bruges is called "little Venice" because as you may know, the town is crossed by many canals.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2431223759_b4286247e8.jpg?v=0

Along the canals, there were banisters with lions heads on them ! Maybe in 100 years, there will be the same banisters but with MY head on them !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2432038768_f505ab2a6e.jpg?v=0

Some places here made me think of Maida Vale in London !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/2431224293_2b5985ccab.jpg?v=1208804008

All the houses have something different but the one I prefered was this one and its 3 little turrets.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2431225495_2901b2c15e.jpg?v=0

Here you can see the statue of Jan Van Eyck who was a well-know Flemish painter. I'm sure you know his painting "the betrothal of the Arnolfini"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2432040188_cca67c251a.jpg?v=0 http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:wItY4uy42RSsxM:http://www.artchive.com/artchive/v/van_eyck/eyck_arnolfini.jpg
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 2:07 pm
For lunch I had salmon with potatoes. But only water to drink... no wine, no beer !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2431225635_c6479cda08.jpg?v=0

Later in the afternoon, I saw a bottle of Pastis in front of a restaurant but it was in a kind of cage and I couldn't catch it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/2431224819_efdc19325d.jpg?v=0

It was the same for those old bottles of wine, they were inside a windowshop and I just couldn't approach them because Mistigree was looking after me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2431222451_0c5ac4da1f.jpg?v=0

Look at all those corks ! I wish I had opened the matching bottles of wine !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2431222119_b6b3543166.jpg?v=0

Here is a shop with Belgian beers, and you will believe me or not, but I did not taste any of them during my stay here ! It is a pitty, isn't it ?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2431224639_e176cbd5b0.jpg?v=0

I saw the Henri Maes brouwery. whose name I did not know before, do you ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/2432039478_17b488b3de.jpg?v=0

There were some beer barrels in the courtyard and I asked Mistigree to have my picture taken with them.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2431222871_75b6c1b19b.jpg?v=0

Yes, enjoying the time, that's what I'm doing here Steve & Helly !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2432041394_0e3ed79044.jpg?v=0

I even thought of Elephonse when I saw this grey 2CV in the streets of Bruges ! If he had been here with us, he would certainly have been very excited !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2432039840_55db79ac06.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 3:14 pm
As Ostende is only a few kilometers from Bruges, we went there for the day.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2431267271_18c5408062.jpg?v=0

It is situated on the North sea. The beach was quite desert and it was windy, but that's how Mistigree likes the sea she told me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2432084762_58b7af0476.jpg?v=0

Youhou !!!! it is me and Mistigree on the sand !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2432084506_b1426c6f8a.jpg?v=0

I saw this poetry on a wall, but of course, it was as the newspaper the other time : all written in Flemish and I could just understand some words.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2432083988_3b162e60e9.jpg?v=0

I have very much enjoyed those wooden beach cabins !! And the clouds over the sea were just like some of Turner's paintings !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2432085204_bee9833e16.jpg?v=0

In the harbour, I saw little ships like this one.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2401/2432083580_7630cc2f2d.jpg?v=0

And bigger ships like this three master. It is called the Mercator and it has been several times to the Easter Island.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2431268817_faa25424c6.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 4:02 pm
This time, we took the train to go and visit Gand.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2432077966_b5c7f14be5.jpg?v=0

This is the main place, which also has a belfroy as Bruges. Don't think Mistigree was drunk when she took the picture crooked like that, it is just that she found it is sometimes more original than a basic straight picture !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/2431262035_86c5144b71.jpg?v=0

The houses here are colourful and it seems most of them date from the Belle-époque as they say in France (it means the begining of the XX century)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2431261733_14b896edae.jpg?v=0

Here is a detail of this specific architecture.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2432078796_0e25995d2c.jpg?v=0

There is also a castle in Gand, known as "Le château des Comtes", but we did not go inside of it because we had no time for it, there were so much to see in just one day !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2432079128_1b1d38e7c1.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted May 25, 2008, 4:21 pm
And finally, we ended our stay in Belgium by going to the main city : Bruxelles and its Grand Place, which is in fact a little bit narrow !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/2432074064_d01d3bc5ae.jpg?v=0

Behind me is the museum of the town where you can see paintings, and the 400 different clothes of the Manneken-Pis !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2431257293_01cd568b12.jpg?v=0

And here is the townhall (crooked of course !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2432073724_9f75c43157.jpg?v=0

Then I followed the sign that was showing the way to see the famous Manneken-Pis. Mistigree told me that if I had not been there, she would certainly not have gone to see him (she doesn't care about him !!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2431249769_ff5ed00f14.jpg?v=0

Here is the guy ! Nothing very impressive indeed !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2431250071_0f766a0591.jpg?v=0

We couldn't leave Bruxelles without having a look at the Atomium. Ths sun was shining on its globes !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2431249277_0f3bc4b02f.jpg?v=0

I even went up at the top, very high, but I must confess I deserve no credit because it was with a lift !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2431249571_29cfd09a69.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jun 8, 2008, 12:15 pm
Today I thought of you Steve /+/ Helly and of Elephonse because there was a very interesting report about 2CV on TV !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2539835012_06dd200ab0.jpg?v=0

It was called "ma 2CV et moi : une histoire d'amour", that means "my 2CV and I : a love story"... They showed many kinds of 2CV and a man who was collecting old pieces of 2CV to restaure them. He said there only remain 15000 2CV in France.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2539012619_223505c0a5.jpg?v=0

Mistigree told me that when she was a child, she had a play with her sister and brother. Each time they were seing a green 2CV, they have to say "deuch verte" ("deuch" is a diminutive of "deux-chevaux" and "verte" means "green"), and the first who saw the 2CV and said "deuch verte" won the right to pinch the others !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2539835222_d0c2fc16c2.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jul 20, 2008, 11:44 am
This week-end « rendez-vous aux jardins» is held in France. That means we can visit gardens that are usually not opened to the public or that are not very much known.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2549487518_2e56a860b7.jpg?v=0

We went to visit a garden in Fonbeauzard, a little village 10 kms away from Toulouse.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2548658387_0b8a93f822.jpg?v=0

There is not only a garden but also a castle, but not a middle age castle, rather a fine residence made of bricks. Mistigree told me that “les petites filles modèles”, the heroins of the book of La Contesse de Ségur, used to play here when they were child (but I'm not sure this book is known in England and I don't know its title translation) .
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2549486170_26858bc828.jpg?v=0

I followed the sign that was on this chair and that meant "begining of the visit".
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2549486796_1f51435986.jpg?v=0

We couldn’t visit the inside of the house because people still lives inside, but the outside was wonderful !! I don't now if I prefer an English cottage or this French residence ?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2549486430_59b8dce7a1.jpg?v=0

The blue shutters, the old table and chairs represent so much the French gentle way of life !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2549486620_8dd81e8479.jpg?v=0

Let's visit the park and "le petit jardin" (the little garden) now !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2548657629_abd65be814.jpg?v=0

This is the noria on a small stream. I did not approach too close because I’m not that fond of water ! The noria were useful in the past because it brang water to the kitchen's house.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2549487146_6a5d22cca2.jpg?v=0

What a surprise when I arrived in the garden !! A little vineyard !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2548656585_17b95f3b65.jpg?v=0

This is what should become wine soon !!! We are just near "le frontonnais" which is the area that products Fronton wine, and Mistigree told me I should soon taste a glass (or 2...) of it !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2548656403_35903d70f6.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jul 20, 2008, 12:23 pm
Mistigree lent me a French "casquette" (cap). It is called "casquette Gavroche" in reference to Gavroche, one of the character of "Les Misérables" from Victor Hugo. Gavroche has the same type of cap and represents a Parisian boy. I was very proud to wear it...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2654097120_9fe04bbc24.jpg?v=0

... but when Rangler arrived some days ago, I found him so stylish with its cow-boy hat that I immediately wanted to exchange our respective hairdresses !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2653213389_9749d8e052.jpg?v=0

Be careful JR Ewing, here I am !!!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2653272939_592e198c2f.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jul 20, 2008, 1:23 pm
Today Mistigree showed me this bottle of wine... It was offered to her 17 years ago and she never opened it since then !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2653273129_0b9b2c0e0a.jpg?v=0

In fact this wine was sold for the bicentenary of the death of Mozart in 1991 (not the death of Mozart in 1991, but the bicentenary of course !), you can read on the tag that it is a Bordeaux... If only I could taste it... but Mistigree doesn't want to open it !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2654097730_01b162ac80.jpg?v=0

I was sad about it, but Mistigree told me she had a surprise for me in the fridge, so I run to the fridge and opened it. Near the carrots juice, there was a bottle of red wine !!! Although I think it is not good tu put red wine in the fridge, I was happy to find it !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2653274391_1041c55a3b.jpg?v=0

It was a bottle of Fronton, which is the main wine that is made in the department Haute-Garonne.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2653273677_850e2d5e2f.jpg?v=0

Very hard to open, but it made me do some body-building !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2653274745_a2b43a7762.jpg?v=0

YES !! I finally got it !!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2654099500_fca532abfa.jpg?v=0

It smells very nice...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2654099940_35e21fe23c.jpg?v=0

... and tastes very nice also !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2654100192_e8e57f683b.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jul 20, 2008, 2:40 pm
Today was my day of departure... I'm sad because it has been months since I've been here and I really enjoyed my stay... but it seems they have good wine in South Africa too and I can't wait to meet Lizette !
So here I'm in my traveling box... I look like someone in a bobsleigh, don't you find ?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2680280732_cd8bae2b6e.jpg?v=0

I had to do some contorsionism to fit in the box, but Mistigree could finally close it and she let me at the post office in the afternoon... She was sad too because she loved me a lot, she said !
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2680280872_f51becd176.jpg?v=0
Lizette


Posted Aug 13, 2008, 9:44 am
Yay!! I arrived in safely in SA!!
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 3:58 pm
Today I am reaaallllyyyy excited!! My host mum told me she had a nice surprise for me.....but first we are going on a mini road trip to get there........

Here I am with some Alwyne along the way.  They are indigenous to South Africa and sometimes used to make Aloe.  Also in the background you can see the the bright yellow Canola fields.  They make Canola oil from it.....hhmmm  you know what grapes are good at making???
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:00 pm
OK now this looks promising!! 

Hhhmmm......Nederburg....that kinda sounds familiar??
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:01 pm
OH GOODIE!!!!!
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:08 pm
NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT!!!

OOoooh baby do you know...something something Oohoo HEAVEN  is a place on earth....you know in heaven wine comes first oooohhhh baby do you know....um something....la la la slurp slurp SLURP.
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:11 pm
Have to join in all the fun activities.......Well hello there girls!!  Hey....wait a minute......
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:13 pm
Some more "refreshments"  Apparently I have to stock up as I am about to go look at a demonstration. of some kind...actually I would rather spend some time with this lovely Brie!
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:20 pm
Ok...ok it never hurts to brush up on your wine knowledge.  Hmm barrelmaking, think that is a first.....They sure do make alot of noise...

Although this little one sure is comfy...hmmm wonder if I can fill this with "something" and take a bath;)
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:25 pm
Right.....then off to go watch the Rugby.  I know a little of this game since they play it in France aswell. Lots of guys running with a ball....

The Bokke was losing badly so we had to drink alot more wine......

Eish!!!  Getting a little dizzy tiger!!!
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:33 pm
Off outside to go get some fresh air and meet some more Festival Folk!!!

They sure are a diverse bunch out here.....where are the zulu's?? Isn't this Africa?

Oh never mind....I wonder if that Persian Princess will take me home......U think??
Lizette


Posted Aug 19, 2008, 4:40 pm
After a hard day of festivalling......I sit and watch the sun go down over the vinyards...I wonder what the winelands have in store for me next...
Lizette


Posted Oct 1, 2008, 7:07 am
Ugh! My host mum said she had a nice suprise for me again this weekend......but before all that, I still need to learn a bit more.....hence I am sitting in the office and working!  Not really my idea of a good time.....
Lizette


Posted Oct 1, 2008, 7:10 am
Luckily I am learning how to export wine...so one day when I have my own vineyard (boehahaha)  and I want to send my wine to people all over the world,  then I will know how to do it.
Lizette


Posted Oct 1, 2008, 7:12 am
Don't think I am quite a fan of all these spreadsheets....

Ok....Purchase order....shipping date.... supplier name.  Hey! I might be getting the hang of this...
Lizette


Posted Oct 1, 2008, 7:14 am
Ok ok...enough!!  When does the drinking start....???????
Lizette


Posted Oct 1, 2008, 7:15 am
I am sure they won't miss a couple of these......
Lizette


Posted Oct 24, 2008, 8:21 am
Spent a lovely day on the beach...... wow, just look at that mountain....although all this fresh air is making me thirsty:)
Lizette


Posted Oct 24, 2008, 8:22 am
Yeahhhh maaaaann!  Do you know where they keep the wine?
Lizette


Posted Oct 24, 2008, 8:24 am
Hmmmm....guess something stronger will have to do???
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:01 am
Lizzy:  Tiger Tom what are you doing?

Tiger Tom:  I AM THIIIRSSTTYYYYYYY!!!!!  What does it take to get a drink around here??

Lizzy:  Ok ok!  Lets take you for some real wine.

Tiger Tom: YIIIIPPPPEEEEEE  its about time! 

Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:07 am
Rightio first stop is the Swartland Winery.

The history of Swartland Winery dates back to 1948 when the Swartland Co-operative was founded by 15 member farmers in the Swartland region which got its name from Jan van Riebeeck’s description of the land on seeing the indigenous vegetation, ‘renosterbos’, appear black in colour.

Lizzy tells me a "renoster" is a rhino, I surely hope I won't find one of those in there
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:09 am
Iin weee goooooo...........
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:11 am
Now this is more like it!!
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:54 am
Seeing as it is still a bit early I will start the day of with some nice Bubbly ---  Hhmmmm, elegant, delicate muscat flavours complemented by grassy undertones

Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 7:59 am
A bit of light reading, while enjoying a lovely oaked Chardonnay
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 11:12 am
Next up is the Riebeeck Valley....

Ohhh la la.....how I love the word Open!
Lizette


Posted Jan 7, 2009, 11:13 am
Bonus!!! Snacks toooo!!
Lizette


Posted Jan 9, 2009, 9:36 am
Tiger Tom:  Lizzie, why are there rose bushes in the vinyards?

Lizzie:  It's because roses are very sensitive to bugs and sickness, so the farmers watch the roses to see if they need to spray the vinyards to keep the grapes healthy.

Tiger Tom:  Aaahh, but still a very romantic pairing:)
Lizette


Posted Jan 9, 2009, 9:39 am
ROOAARRR!!!  Come here you little juicy, magnificent, soon to be wine grape!
Lizette


Posted Jan 9, 2009, 9:42 am
Aaahhh....it's niiiccceee and cooool down here.  Very hot up there.
Lizette


Posted Jan 9, 2009, 9:44 am
HHmmm I looooveeeeee winecountry!

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