Here are my answers to this weeks SYW from Di

Is your home heated by radiators, underfloor heating or an open fire?
We have a portable gas heater that can be placed in any room. In our lounge we have a wood-burning stove.

What is a comfortable temperature in the colder months for your home?
Setting a comfortable temperature in our home is not possible – no air-con – no central heating. If it’s too hot, an inadequate fan tries valiantly to cool us, but otherwise it’s down to wearing light clothing, drinking iced drinks and heading to the beach for a swim.
If it’s too cold we light the fire or add layers of clothing.

What is more appealing, a mug of hot coffee or tea, a bowl of warming soup, or stew and dumplings?
Coffee is my beverage of choice, but in the cold weather, I love a warming bowl of soup. Biltong soup is my favourite. I buy it ready-made from a Checkers or OK Foods. It’s made with finely chopped biltong—South Africa’s beloved dried meat—milk, cream, cheddar cheese and beef stock. The spices include coriander, nutmeg, and pepper. It’s like a hug in a bowl, with a bit of a protein punch and a whole lot of local pride.

Would you prefer to share the dawning of a new day or a beautiful sunset?
Early mornings are the best time of the day in the bush, and I am always thrilled to see the sun rise during a game drive. At home, I seldom rise early enough to enjoy a sunrise, but sunsets are stunning.

Gratitude:
We’re back in Cape Town for a visit—a city that once held our nine-to-five lives before we swapped it for the slower rhythms of Struisbaai. It’s been a heartwarming reunion tour, catching up with old friends and beloved family, and I’m deeply grateful to each one who carved out time for us. One of the most meaningful moments was celebrating what would have been my father’s 100th birthday with my siblings. We gathered for breakfast at a beautiful restaurant tucked into a golf estate. I remain profoundly thankful for the gift of a father who was always loving and supportive to his children and who adored his grandchildren,

Spring has arrived in the southern hemisphere, and on this first day of September, the skies are clear and the air is soft enough to shed a jacket. Soup will be replaced with salads, and hopefully, sunrise drives will feature in the near future.
During the past cold months, we often entertained our friends in front of log fires and indoor braais, but now we look forward to sunshine, beach walks, outdoor braais, and trips to nature parks.
It is in the laughter of old friends, the legacy of a loving father, and the quiet joy of being exactly where we’re meant to be that gives me joy.