We were all superbly lazy yesterday,
so today we decided to kill a little bit of the cabin fever
and get out and about...

After the other days experience, of NOT planning ahead,
and being turned away from almost EVERY place,
we were a little wiser today
and booked in advance.

I have tried to get us a table at this place,
many times in the years past...
but they are always fully booked.
Life was in our favour today, and as I called to check
they had received a cancellation

So... we headed off to

MOGGS COUNTRY COOKHOUSE

........

The restaurant is located in the picturesque
Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley
outside Hermanus in the Western Cape.
The expression "heaven and earth" comes from the fact that
when you are high up in the valley,
the clouds descend and literally touch the mountain
so... heaven meets earth...

The views enroute to this place were nothing short of spectacular!!

Te restaurant is a family run establishment
with a truck load of history!
They have been around since 1996
which is pretty damn impressive,
considering that people are sitting on waiting lists to get a table there.

Clearly, they are doing a few things right!

On arrival, I was simply blown away
by the character of this place!

I love places with "quirk"
and Moggs Country Cookhouse
has oodles of that!

And by oodles... I mean PLENTY!!!
I mean even the roofing was something completely unique!
The one part of the restaurant roof was covered in empty egg trays
and the other, with pine cones.

It was quite an awesome sight!!!

The restaurant is not limited to the building itself,
it stretches onto the most magnificent garden,
which has the most breathtaking views
and plenty of comfy seating to sit and relax.

As you can see...
mom was DEFINITELY in her happy place! hahaha ;)

After arriving at our table, ordering our drinks and food,
and receiving our bread "basket"
the very sweet young waiter (like 13 yrs young)
explained that lunch would be served in approx. 30 minutes.

Mom and I ordered the one and only
Hermanuspietersfontein Bloos and Dave and dad enjoyed
some home made lemonade...
Like seriously...
WHEN was the last time YOU had
homemade lemonade!!!

Seeing as the food was going to take a little bit of time,
we decided to head down into the garden area
to kick back and relax!

Now THIS is the setting that a good Rosé
should be enjoyed!

No day out would be complete without an "ONSIE" or two ;)
Say CHEEEESE!!!!

Whilst us ladies relaxed and enjoyed our "Bloos"
the guys headed down to play a little

"BOULE"

which essentially "Bowls" from what I could gather, haha
except it is played in a sand pit
and with solid metal balls...

nothing quite like a little
testosterone competition
to make the guys feel like heros lol!

Grub was served and it was time to go eat!

The menu was comprised of VERY creative options
all of which sounded amazing...

At the end of the day,
I ended up selecting the lamb shank
which let me tell you,
was a HUGE treat... because I have not eaten mashed potato
for about three years now!!!
and it is one of my all time favourites!!!
Ok, ok... I LOVE lamb too.... but mashed potato...
MMMMMMM!!!!!!!! hehehe ;)

Despite being a "country vibe" restaurant,
the food was so BEAUTIFULLY presented!!!
I was honestly gobsmacked -
and the portions were VERY generous!!!

The lamb shank was served with mash potato
and a basil, lemon and feta sauce
accompanied by a spinach puree.

My dad being a lot better behaved in the "no carb" department
ordered his lamb shank with roast veg...
I TOTALLY don't regret my cheat choice! hahahaha!

My mom ordered the pan fried cob fillet
marinated in parsley, garlic, lemon and avo creme fraiche
which was served with wafer chips.

Dave ordered the rolled pork belly and crackling
with a lightly spiced demi-glaze sauce
on a crunchy beetroot, apple and walnut salad...

The food was SO spectacular
and the portions GENEROUS
that not one of us had ANY space left for dessert!
Hehehehehe!

With lunch done and dusted,
we headed back down to the garden to relax a little
while our food digested...

I cannot speak for anyone else,
but I was feeling like a full snake!
hahaha!

Anyhooooo.....

We had intentions of heading down to the beach
for a walk with the kids,
but the wind has picked up quite a bit
and that is NOT the best time to go to the beach... lol

so... homeward bound it was...

and a SPECTACULAR day it was!!!