[image source:reuters]

Well, hello!

I know, I know.. I haven’t written for a long time, hey?

I tell you… these bloody kids. Taking up all the time I should be giving to you, my special beauties. God, I missed you. Let’s just hang out again. And chat. I mean when last did we like… REALLY… CHAT?

Takes sip.

So nothing quite finishes off a year like a World Cup final. I never watch the sport, but do take in the odd semi-final here or final there. My personal highlight was how the commentator basically willed Messi and Argentina to win. From the very first minute to the final shootout goal. He really did have a basket of adjectives and elaborates at the ready. Constantly referring to Messi’s ‘destiny’ and at one stage shrieking, as he describing a beautifully constructed goal as ‘decorative’. Very good. Very entertaining, whoever you were.

There are many ways we evaluate the ‘state of the vibe’. It extends to more than just 2oceansvibe and the various business operations within the du Cap Collection. The vibe encompasses everything from business, family and friendships, to the weather and loadshedding. The vibe is a feeling, like Plett.

Speaking of loadshedding, is it permissible for Southern Suburbs homes to run full-on diesel generators? On a Sunday? For four hours? Come now. I tell you… it’s a tricky thing with neighbours. One doesn’t want to fall into an actual war with someone you are reminded of every time you get home – a place you should see as refuge from the insanity outside. Maybe an anonymous call to the cops would do the trick. But I don’t want the cops to get my number. I could use that lovely Vodacom feature… putting #31# before the number you dial hides your phone number. Then I can pretend to be another neighbour I don’t like and get them to go head to head. As I sit in darkness, stroking my cat as Phantom of the Opera plays.

‘CHRISTINE!’

Speaking of phone hacks, I’ll tell you another feature I’ve started using on my iPhone. You’ll know about the ‘do not disturb’ function under ‘Focus’ in settings. Which is great if you want to work or have a nap. And you can select who is allowed to contact you when it’s turned on. But that’s a bit too restrictive during my average day. So I’ve created a new profile called ‘no calls’ and I leave it on permanently. I’ve set it up to only allow calls and messages from a handful of people (wives and assistants) and the rest go to voicemail telling them to Whatsapp. No more Robo-calls. No more sales calls. Nothing but smooth streamlining and redirection into Whatsapp or email. Suddenly everyone is Whatsapping and Telegramming, then scheduling calls when calls are required. Just like we do when we’re ‘in the bush’. Now imagine being in the bush all the time. Rural meets urban. Karoonstantia.

I am writing to you from the farm – Cabine du Cap, where a mellow 35 degrees is upon us. We stayed a few nights at the Main Camp and then moved up to Caracal. There’s something uniquely special about both places, with Caracal providing a wood-burning hot tub, as well as a concealed TV that slides out of a piece of luggage sitting in the living area. Will be great to watch Charles’ first Christmas speech as king.

We haven’t fully weened ‘them’ off the iPads yet, but have made great headway. Light runs in the morning promise guilt-free consumption later in the day and provide moments to reflect. A few days later more family departs from Cape Town, arriving shortly thereafter with tales from the big city. My favourite so far would be the Constantia Village encounter, where I’m told a lady in her mid-50s was spotted crying… CRYING… into her phone, lamenting over the great Christmas strawberry shortage in both Pick n Pay AND Woolworths. The highlight of the exchange on the phone was her exclaiming, ‘my pavlova is ruined!’ Apparently strawberries were found at the Spar, where a different lady was heard mumbling to herself that her pavlova was ‘saved!’ I tell you, it’s dog eat dog out there. Or Agatha eat Ruth, as the case may be.

Big dinners and leftover dinners have allowed for some interesting chat, with topics coming up that might require your consideration. Of particular interest to me is the habit we have (probably another ‘South Africa thing’) of stopping and clearing the table, mid-conversation. This mass clearing where guests demonstrate willingness to help, occurs no more than 25 seconds after the last person to finish their food has placed their knife and fork together on the plate. I too am guilty of it, often highlighting this fact and how silly it all is, by loudly proclaiming during the act, “Rotherham noted clearing a number of plates”. We agreed that it was a silly habit and stopped doing it on night three. I’m happy to report that this is very definitely the way forward – as we relaxed and had an extended conversation for a change. We’ve discussed inventions, for example, where I proposed some kind of an Imodium grinder to be available alongside the salt and pepper grinders. For general assistance in keeping it together.

On the business front, we’re making some moves here at 2oceansvibe, with a whole new social media arm developing within a slicker, punchier overall offering. And we’re very excited to be adding Air du Cap to the du Cap Collection, launching around April. Air du Cap will provide boutique experiences and exclusive charter throughout the Western Cape and Karoo corridor. Small plane affordability and convenience, with private jet frills and safety. One and a half hours to Oudthoorn. Two hours to Plett. Wherever you want to go. For a third of the price of normal jet charter. We can even ‘teleport’ your car and trailer to your destination, so it’s there when you arrive. This will become the new normal and you’ll love it. Follow Air du Cap on Instagram to be the first to know when we launch.

Ok… I think that’s it from me. Hopefully we’ll bump into each other at Cafe du Cap in Newlands in the new year. We’ve got oysters now and that’s just pushed things to the next level.

I wish you all a fantastically prosperous 2023, and I love you.

S

ps. We’re back at it from Monday 9 January, 2023