I’m sure there are people the world over with a better quality lifestyle than the one we enjoy on the Ridge, and lovelier school runs, but if this morning’s winter drive can be bettered I have yet to find out where.
Driving towards the motorway a troop of monkeys by the side of the road made my son and I pull over and watch, babies, mummies, daddies, quarrels, games, all human life was there, and although I know most South Africans are a bit “over” these little creatures, to us they are still a source of pure happiness.
We drove on to the freeway, the sky was blue, and a flock of pelicans flew over our heads. At the top of the Ridge looking down you couldn’t see where the sea began and the sky ended. By the time we got to school we had chatted about the First World War and rugby teams … a typical South African combo, a conversation without sport is now like a meal without meat for my 13 year old.
On the way back my car followed its nose into the car park of Flanders Mall, and parked outside Remo’s. I really hope they serve Renzo’s pains au chocolat in heaven or I’m not going. My daughter had their beans on pain poilane with poached eggs, perfect breakfast, perfect day. The coffee is the best I have ever had in Natal, and as we chewed the fat friends came and went, stopped by the table, sat down, moved on.
In an hour we saw Renzo Scribante, who could cheer me up on a cold day in Iceland just by sitting still and looking decorative, Chris Black from Aubergine, and Rory Hunt from Sage, who has just launched a range of the most delicious delicacies that have ever populated my fridge … his Sage chilli sauce, and balsamic reduction with vanilla, pepper, clove and bay leaves I could eat with my cornflakes it is so good.
If you go up to Sage make a day of it, although it’s only up the road, go to Sheffield Beach, then pop into the Lifestyle Centre, buy beautiful things for your home and a bucket of brownies for your fridge. And if it’s a Friday have a pizza from their wood burning pizza oven, relax and kick back.
There is such a buzz on the Ridge, it’s hard to think where I would rather be. In the next couple of months we have the new Remo’s down in Umhlanga to look forward to, with a bar and a bakery and some amazing new dishes.
Exciting things are round every corner and our little bit of heaven is really coming into its own.
By Elizabeth Moore