Hey Weekenders!
It’s Saturday night and I’m tired because I walked a 9km hike on the mountain this morning and then had a late family lunch this afternoon to celebrate my birthday that was this week, but I didn’t get to dry my hair before lunch because our “awesome” government can’t get our electricity sorted out fast enough so we had Loadshedding for the 2 hours that I needed to get my self sorted out before lunch. LONGEST SENTENCE EVER!!! But I had to just get it all out there.
I’m not quite ready to share all the excitement from this week. Still processing so I thought I’d share a sweet spot we visited a couple weeks back. Firstly because it’s a quaint little spot on the Berg River up the west coast of Cape Town and secondly because they have VERY EXCELLENT COFFEE!!!!
Photo from west coast way.co.za
Bokkomlaan is a tiny little heritage site along the Berg River in the town of Velddrif. Bokkom refers to salted and dried mullet so this little riverside spot is the place where locals, for many many many years, have spent their days fishing, salting and drying their mullet. They hang it out on covered racks protected from the sea gulls and just leave it there to dry out. I’ve personally never acquired the taste for this delicacy. Laan means Lane. So it’s basically called “dried fish Lane”. But what makes this area special and why it’s a heritage site is that this is where Bokkom started in our country.
I don’t eat much fish at all but COFFEE!!! I can do a coffee any time and enjoy it. Especially a double latte with a good thick micro-foam. None of this watery weak stuff. Flavour must be good - burnt is the worst. And a good coffee doesn’t need sugar. I cut out sugar in my drinks many years ago and I intend to stick to that for the rest of my life. Columbine is the ONLY place in Velddrif that makes a good coffee. And we have done some searching!
At one point I’d drink 8 mugs of tea a day ( I used to only drink tea) with 2 teaspoons of sugar in each cup. When I did the math I immediately cut down to 1 sugar, then half a sugar and then.... well it’s not even worth the effort for half a sugar! Down to zero sugar for years - but that makes room for my baking without the guilt. It’s all about balance folks.
Anyway, we stopped by late afternoon, got our good coffee and took a little amble along the shore to look at the boats. They’ve got some interesting stuff going on with a lifeboat converted into a little charter boat. I’d be far too claustrophobic for that one but each to his own.
The geese seemed to prefer the peace without us interrupting them. They moved off a little way, but were probably inspecting us for crumbs. They look all cute and sweet but I know they’ve got a heck of a peck if they go for you.
Did I mention the local roaming dog?? He’s always around. Every time we visit he’s here. We don’t know where he lives or who he belongs to, but he seems happy and says hello to everyone that comes by.
I don’t think there is anywhere more down to earth than this place. We always find it relaxing and unwind when we visit. We live in a pretty cool little surf village on Cape Point, but this is next level grass roots.
If you’re ever in the neighbourhood look up Bokkomlaan. It’s worth the visit. Friendly people. Good coffee & dried Bokkom!
