Kirsten arrived with a suitcase full of mischief for her few days here. The excellent Lismore Chardonnay from Greyton. Restless River Cab from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the ‘RedBlack’ from Ahrens family vineyard. A distinctive Syrah blend with the focus on the fruit, rather than the oak. 

Slow cooked pork belly (the three chef version) in Viognier with cauli-mash and squash to go with the wines.

Compression socks to help my weary leg muscles. Long black things that seemed to assist but didn’t go high enough for my groin muscle that is still taking strain. Especially trying to keep up with Craig, who is flying. 

Pied Kingfisher raucous at sunset. Thunder rumbling out of perfect sunset skies. That compulsory meaningful glass of wine. 

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‘Through the Heads’

Oil on canvas 20cmx20cm 

  
A couple of small paintings of rowing boats finished, and a portrait of Donavan on the easel. For the portrait I used sepia tones, a break from the colour I normally use. I used the sepia tones to reflect the ‘historical’ aspect of Donavan who is a fixture at East Head Cafe, and his stories about Knysna and the people who have shaped it. 

A mixture of Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna, toned with white. Burnt stein a and white as a contrast colour. I also used a touch of Ultramarine Blue and Madder Deep to lift the Burnt Umber that felt a bit flat.

Forest run with Hugh tested my legs on the uphills, with the downhills more of a coordination issue. The forest, apart from my breathing, was quiet and the jeep tracks easy underfoot. I was probably a tad ambitious in distance, but Hugh was patient on the long last climbs.

Rowing boats

Oil on Canvas 20cmx20cm