Keep calm and eat cake!: South Africa ...week 2

So let me get back to our South African holiday (I was distracted a bit by our Italian skiing trip - http://keep-calm-and-eat-cake.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-skiing-trip.html).

We were in South Africa for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years and had an awesome holiday. You can read about what we got up to in week 1 here: http://keep-calm-and-eat-cake.blogspot.com/2012/01/south-africaweek-1.html.

For the second week of our trip we headed to Hubby’s family in Knysna. The week was very relaxing and as always in Knysna revolved around food, drinking and of course family!

Highlights included:

Meeting our nephew Keagan – Of course we were so happy to see everyone again and see how much little Maddie had grown but what made it extra special is that we got to meet our new nephew Keagan. He was already 4 months old and such a calm and relaxed cute little bundle.

Little Keagan

Keagan and Uncle Al

Keagan and Aunty Mich

Maddie’s 3^rd Birthday – On the 27^th December was Maddie’s 3^rd Birthday and we lucky to be there to spend it with her. Hubby and I had been working on a cake in PE as a surprise for Maddie (and the others) so on the morning of her birthday we lit the candles and sang “Happy Birthday” and surprised her with the cake. She was spoilt with lots of pressies and spent the afternoon at the beach.

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Opening presents

Ile de Pain (http://www.iledepain.co.za/) – This must truly be one of my favourite places to eat in Knysna and I try and ensure to eat there at least once every trip. It was a lovely day so we all took a stroll from the house to the restaurant.

Ready for the stroll

All the options on their menu looked great and as always it was a very tough decision, but in the end I opted for the sandwich board. It was divine! Different breads were served on a cutting board with a variety of toppings, fillings or dips. My favourite was the mini hamburger which was so tasty (my mouth is watering as I type this!).

The sandwich board

Hubby opted for the steak sandwich. This was amazing! Even though mine was divine I still found myself having food envy when his plate arrived, even more so when I tasted the soft juicy steak with caramalised onions (ok now my stomach is rumbling!).

Hubby's steak sandwich

To end the lunch we shared a delicious pecan nut pie served with ice-cream. I would definitely recommend going there if you are ever in the Knysna area.

Pecan nut pie

New Years Eve – Well a trip to Knysna is not complete without a prawn braai. We saved it for New Years Eve and it was worth the wait! We had starters of oysters and then the guys got into braaing action and started on the prawns. The ladies made rice and a salad and the feast was ready. The prawns were succulent and, if I may borrow the phrase, “finger licking good”! The rest of the evening was spent drinking wine, playing the board game 30 Seconds and dancing to the ipod music. A great night with great people.

The boys working hard

The girls relaxing

The prawns!

What a spread

Other good meals – As usual we ate out a lot in Knysna and there are a few others worth a mention. We had lovely calamari and sushi at The Drydock Food Company (http://www.drydock.co.za/). A variety of sushi was served on a huge board that Hubby and I shared.