Rules are meant to be broken right? - Good - because I made a rule not to post on weekends a week ago and I have already broken that rule twice in one weekend... perhaps it is because it is school holidays and for the next ten days, every single day is going to feel like a Saturday or Sunday haha! (most likely).

Picking up from where I left off yesterday, Jude, my mom and I enjoyed a lovely roast chicken dinner, had a bit of chit chat and then headed to bed. It was really great to have my mom stay over for the weekend - and needless to say, Jude LOOOOOVED having his Granny around! I am however, not accustomed to such early nights and waking up as chipper (and early) as I did this morning lol... but there I was at 7.45am, wide eyed and ready to do something with the day haha!

Amazingly enough, Dave was also up pretty early - considering he only got home from his gig after 2 am. Although, I suppose it is pretty difficult to sleep when you have a puppy stomping on your face and an "almost 10 yr old" screaming whilst playing FIFA on the playstation lol... adulting and all that!

Our weekend outing decisions have changed somewhat in the last two months as we now have posh pup to consider... so after a bit of discussion regarding dog friendly places, looking at where the grey clouds were versus the blue sky - we got in the car and headed in the general direction of sunshine and blue skies.

We headed in the general direction of Noordhoek which is about a 15 minute drive away from where we live - and a beautiful drive at that with the breathtaking views as you meander over Ou Kaapse weg. There were two lunch venues up for consideration... but we settled on Monkey Valley. I have only been there once before and that was when Jude was probably about 4 years old, so unlikely he would remember the trip. Monkey valley is a truly unique spot to visit and very much resonates the wholesome vibe of Noordhoek as a whole!

When we called them prior to arrival and they had said they were "dog friendly", we did not realise just how much they meant that haha - although, I am not sure why I was so surprised given the fact that we were in Noordhoek which is without question a nature lovers paradise!

There were SOOOOOOO many dogs hahaha!!! We arrived relatively early and before we had settled on a table, I asked one of the waitrons which areas the dogs were allowed in, to which one of the patrons replied "wherever they can walk" hahaha - and yes - that was precisely how it was!

We found a table, thew a towel on the floor for posh pup and then the shenanigans began haha! Within 5 minutes there was an elderly "gentledog" who was clearly half blind (poor soul) who managed to sniff out Herbies little disposable water bowl that we had set out for him and within 15 seconds all his water was gone hahaha!!!

Herbie was, well... let's just say "acclimatizing" himself hehe because his nose was very out of joint for the first little while. lol But he chilled out eventually - after a few treats. In the interim, we ordered our drinks and enjoyed the fact that the sun was showing her pretty face.

As for my two legged and less furry child haha - he was (as always) starving on arrival so before we had even been given menus he bellowed that he would like a chicken burger - and so it was! haha! - I am one of those moms that is BIG on making sure that WHEREVER we go, Jude has adequate entertainment which does not include technology. Yes, he is allowed to take his phone with - but I at least attempt to encourage alternative activity.

So first on the agenda was a game of pick up sticks between him and granny, to which granny lost hopelessly because Jude is a relentless and in denial cheater haha! It was actually pretty cool because the table next to us was enjoying a game of chess. I had asked Jude to bring the "checkers" but he forgot.

Thankfully, Jude's burger arrived so he transformed from demon child into a complete angel haha. We placed our orders, and Herbie enjoyed his lunch too - thankfully none of the other dogs ate it hehe!

Dave ordered the chicken curry, mom had the kiddies burger (because YES they were adult size!) and I had a steak. I am starting to notice that I seem to be on a steak trend again haha! And so, our meals were as follows...

HOLLANDSE BIEFSTUK

Pan fried tender beef fillet, flambéed with brandy and red wine cream jus-lie

MALAY CURRY

Chicken curry infused with traditional Cape Malay spices and sambals

KIDDIES CHICKEN BURGER

lol... no description required hehe

and next is my steak which was served with CREAMED SPINACH haha... those of you that read my post yesterday will know why I am laughing! The creamed spinach I received on Friday night looked like this...

So, I would like to just say that THIS is how creamed spinach SHOULD look and if you get anything else... send that slop back!

My steak was absolutely DIVINE and I didn't even have a steak knife to cut it - which says a lot! Once all the dining was done, Jude wanted me to join him down in the play area so he could show off his Jungle Gym skills. Posh pup joined us and whilst we had hoped he would make a widdle... he did not. Every time we have been out with him he has literally corked it all until we got home - which causes a little bit of tension for us because I know how often he goes to piddle at home lol - so he simply MUST be uncomfortable!

When Jude was done with his gymnastics and pull-ups I decided to go exploring the venue a little. As I said, I have only been there once before and I never ventured far from the table...

It is SUCH a beautiful place to visit! The whole vibe, the views - everything! I am pretty eclectic in my tastes, I like earthy, rustic spaces but I equally love modern, retro and even clinical aesthetics. Monkey Valley definitely appealed to the hippie in me :) After my little wander, I returned to the table and we just chilled for a while, allowing posh pup to socialise with some of the other dogs... and by socialise - I mean growl haha!!!

When we left we did a round trip of the venue in the hopes... GREAT HOPES that Herbie would make a piddle... and YAY!!!!! - Posh pups FIRST PUBLIC PIDDLE!!!! lol!!!

We were all really glad that he clocked this milestone lol because we wanted to take the drive over Chapmans Peak Drive I thought about @theycallmedan when taking these shots because he recently shared some AWESOME landscapes to which I shared some old Chapmans snaps in response. We don't go over this drive that often, but when we do it is always memorable. Yes, some of the following pics I was fiddling with settings, filters etc. for the fun of it but it does not take away from the magnificence of the landscape... well, not in my opinion anyway :)

and this set of pics would be incomplete without the Bronze leopard of Hout Bay on the rocks...which has been sitting there since 1963 and is a vivid reminder of the wildlife that once roamed the area’s forests.

It was SUCH a fantastic Sunday! And now... I am mentally preparing myself for a somewhat different Monday!!! hehehe... Tomorrow is cake baking day!!! eeeeeek!!!! I don't bake, let alone ICE a cake... hahahahahahaha... where is @foxyspirit when I need her :P So yes, wish me luck peeps - I am stepping into an unfamiliar arena! I cook - I don't bake... but tomorrow - I BAKE! haha :)

I may not have time to post tomorrow or the day after (being party day) but will play it by ear! Either way, I will catch you all again soon! MWAH! Love you all long time!

❤❤❤

Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Jaynielea
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