Braaivleis, Boerewors, Burger Patties and Sunny Skies!

There is no better way to celebrate the start of summer (even if it is was a bit of a shaky start) than to have a good old-fashioned South African favourite - a braai. Here in the UK, a braai is called a "barbecue". This involves gas, coals (not much flame) and hamburger patties...yes, you read correctly, hamburger patties. One of the reasons given for using patties is that meat is very expensive. For us, money is no object when it comes to food, especially red meat - sizzling over red hot coals. We shared our first barbecue with our friends, Jo and her sister, Kate (South Africans who have been staying in the UK for about 10 years) and their friends. George and I agreed (after our initial surprise) that burger patties are a really good option and have included them in our grocery list.

George - King of the Barbecue!

(He has become the official barbecue'er)

Friends

Our fellow South Africans - Jo (right) and her sister, Kate (left)

Enjoying our braai at Kate & Jo's place

Look at the stacked toast - a delicious extra that no braai was without at Cape St Francis (SA)

Take 2 slices of bread per person - lightly butter the "outside" of each slice

Inside, spread some chutney and add sliced cheese, tomato and onion, salt & pepper

When coals are not too hot toast until cheese melts - serve hot/cold - mmmmmm

Leeds Castle 27.04.08

Summer is here....I think...and what a wonderful way to have spent it in the grounds at Leeds Castle. I say the grounds, because we didn't go into the castle (We will do so on our next visit). The day was far too fine to spend any of it indoors. Leeds Castle was holding a horse and crafts fair over the weekend. There weren’t many stalls – but those that were there had really lovely things – handcrafted jewellery, children’s handmade toys and of course the delicious food stalls. We enjoyed a lamb burger with yoghurt and mint sauce for lunch. The horse events were fun to watch – a Quadrille (4 horses doing a drill to music), a side-saddle event with the riders dressed up in costume, The Mini Marvels (miniature ponies) and sheep dogs working with geese. We enjoyed the sheep dogs working with geese the most – the dogs needed to “herd” the geese across the arena and into a pen – they were guided by a man (all dressed up in his tweed coat, hat and holding a crook) who gave the dogs commands – each in a different voice depending on the dog he needed - see pics in following blog entry.

George took photographs of the ducks, a pair of swans and their chicks, a peacock (who was doing his very best to attract attention by showing off his tail feathers) and some other birds - he is adding the really good photographs to his expanding portfolio.