There were big plans for a long blog post today. But then time got in the way. A bit of a lie-in after yesterday’s busy day, and now a family braai has been planned for this evening.
I have some very decent Swartland Shiraz to pair with my steak. Needs must.
And so, dear reader, can we agree to meet here again tomorrow for a real post (T&C’s apply)?
Thanks so much for your understanding.
Down at the cottage. Beautiful light on the way down here, but it was all about getting here and getting the braai lit.
Someone wanted a lamb chop.
Gazing wistfully into the braai doesn’t mean you’re getting what’s on the grid. But it’s always worth a try.
Botswana has implemented loadshedding. That might not seem very surprising to people “overseas”, but generally, Botswana is regarded as the stable, unfluttered, well-managed, “sensible cousin” bit of the Southern Africa. Well, the bit on the continent, anyway: Mauritius is the gold standard for excellence if you’re willing to cross a bit of ocean. More beaches than Botswana too.
But look:
It reads almost word for word like an Eskom announcement. And indeed, why not copy the text from the experts? A couple of points regarding the above: the footer unironically stating that they are “Powering Botswana To Prosperity” (except for the next few weeks, it seems). And the images top right, which are actually the same image, but with one very slightly rotated. Sadly, this only serves to suggest that the transmission line in question is falling over. Prescient.
Of course, we’re also in for blackouts this evening, including one at dinner time. Spotting this ahead of time, I’ve fired up the braai and we’re going to make the most of it with some decent meat and some decent red wine. There’s nothing we can do about it, and constant unfettered rage (like this lady – wow) will surely only lead to an early grave (which will mean less incidences of loadshedding in your lifetime, but still…).
So we’re going to cook oor die kole this evening, saving electricity we haven’t got and making the most of the situation. The glass is always half full, unless it’s that shiraz from Tulbagh (which it is), in which case it gets drained pretty quickly.
Pre-drinks?
A rather nice Bloody Nora (with this and this). Soooo good.
See you on the other side.
Down at the cottage. Braai. Beer. Beautiful evening.
I need to braai. And Spotify is doing its thing. So please allow me to share some Kae Tempest with you.
Delicious.
We’re onto Working Men’s Club and my fifteenth Milk Stout now, so I’d better get on with the cooking.
More. Tomorrow.
Had plans to blog all day, but then fell asleep this afternoon. No regrets: I needed it.
Now suddenly the guests are lit and the braai is here.
Or maybe I’ve had a few beers and it’s the other way around.