A good run

So I did a trail run on Saturday. What they failed to tell us was that the run was in fact a killer 7km as opposed to the proposed 'easy-going' 6km in the email. And at least 1km of that was a very deadly, calf-and-shin-impaling uphill. And I should've taken better notice of the word 'trail'... After all my no-incline treadmill training, I don't think I was quite ready for dodging ditches, rocks and sticks, and nearly running into a wire fence. On a brighter note, it was a beautiful sunny day and running through the Constantia vineyards is probably one of the most serene experiences I've had in a while. Time for 'me'. To lose myself in the exquisite, tranquil surrounds. A much-needed time-out... A time-out primarily because I'm such a snail-pace runner that all my friends shot off ahead of me in the first 100m, when I was already complaining of a stitch and sore glutes! But I made it through and was applauded as I crossed the finish line by the boys, who were convinced they'd have to send out a search party for me, and had the ambulance's number on hand in case. Part of the package was wine tasting. Yes. At 9:30 in the morning. But after that run you feel like you're on top of the world. And that you've been running for hours and that it just must be midday by now. So we sat and sipped on Sauvignon Blanc in the sun as they did the prize giving... Numbers were picked at random and lots of people won hats, socks, T-shirts, watches, sports bands, wine... I won nothing. I left with sore shins and no present. I don't want to do trail runs anymore...

The day carried on in a similar fashion. We headed over to Pastis and watched the Boks get thrashed by those kiwis as we devoured buttery croissants layered with bacon and bree and avocado, and sipped on more alcohol (if you've already started why not carry on, right?). And then we went to Forries. And we left Forries at 8pm. Need I tell you the rest. Picture me, once again, atop a very large speaker at Tiger Tiger, rocking out to Pittbull like there's no tomorrow. And let me tell you. There was no tomorrow. I stayed in bed the entire day and managed to keep down half a piece of toast covered in melted chedder cheese by about 5pm. Never again.

Sorry for my lack of posts last week. Put simply, I had nothing to write about. I had so many restaurant and hotel reviews to write (Oh what a crazy night that was. I'm sorry I never got around to telling you about it but just think loft suite, free food, flowing champagne and friends. And of course a sneaky razzle out on the town) that I had no creativity left. Well, I couldn't be bothered. Anyway, am off to the dreaded Jo'burg this weekend again. It's that time again. Mummy wants me home. Back to hijack hell. For family time. And TLC. She's worried about me. I'm worried about me too. Only a small bag required - to fit in taser, mase spray and panic button. And thermal underwear. And a generator. Have already supplied Mother a list of things I need (face products, hair products, Woolies food, champagne, new clothes, essentiale, electricity...), and a number of appointments to be booked (hair dresser, dentist, optometrist, beauty treatments). May as well get the most out of this time! What are families for?

So apart from the fact that I can't walk today (worst shin splints ever, calf spasms, glute cramps, quad pain... liver pain) and am hobbling around the office like a hobo, I officially had one of the best Saturdays of the year and after 11 hours sleep I feel like a human being again. Bring on the week!!

Oh, and by the way: funniest film I've seen in a while...

Sunday Spectacular

So after a day out in Franschhoek, sporting a scarlet beret, clutching a bottle of Graham Beck Brut Rose in a flourescent orange ice bag, and attractively licking the blue and red icing off Bastille Day cupcakes – all very European chic of me – I woke up feeling a little worse for wear on Sunday morning. Having raced back from the festival at 6pm on Saturday evening (and devouring a wheel of camembert with my friend in an attempt to sober ourselves up) to see The Nutcracker, I awoke with images of Russian dancers, sugar plum fairies and rat kings still dancing through my head. Lost in a world of Tchaikovsky, I put on my ballet shoes and went to brush my teeth on pointe. As you do.

I decided I would not let some lame and actually rather mild hangover ruin my day so I grabbed my Sunday freezocino and hit the Waterfront for some 'me' time... aka 'retail therapy'. I'm coveting all the new collections in Mango, Forever New and Country Road right now. Two hours later I realised I was running late for a brunch out at Tashas in Constantia, so I changed into my new clothes in the Trenery changing rooms (classy, very classy) and hit the road, shopping bags in tow, feeling more than pleased with my Sunday purchases, but worrying how I was going to swing lunch on an empty bank account.

Tashas is still my favourite place at the moment – since I reviewed it, all I think about is going back to demolish that mind-blowing tower of a bacon rosti (best thing on the menu). After I did that – while my guy mates glared in awe at the human hoover before them – we decided it was sunny and beautiful and that it would be a sin to waste it indoors. We headed over to Bistro Sixteen82, bagged a couch by the pond and proceeded to plough through bottles of wine for the rest of the afternoon while admiring the beautiful Steenberg scenery and the sober families enjoying their sunday lunch. As the sun began to go down we headed back to civilisation, bought a few monsterous bags of Sweet and Salty popcorn (thank you Woolies) and decayed on the couch watching Game of Thrones (the best series in the world) untill 'someone' decided they wanted to switch over to Carte Blanche. At this stage I realised how worn out I was and went home to stew in a bath.

Anyway - suffice it to say that was one of the best sundays I have had in a very long time. Spontaneous, happy and fun. For once I didn't worry about anything or anyone.

In trying to remain healthy and get fit for the Constantia trail run, my schedule is teeming with vegetables and gym sessions. Unfortunately it's also overflowing with dinners and reviews and shows. At this rate any trail run is going to be an epic fail run unless I get my act together.

Until next time!