Yes, it was indeed a ‘galore’ braai weekend … we had a braai on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 😁.
Just a reminder: “What is a braai”?
The word ‘braai’ is an Afrikaans word, meaning barbecue. This means you grill or roast (mostly) meat over the open coals – something South Africans love to do (especially over weekends).
A (very LONG) weekend away:
This was a celebration of our 25th anniversary and of course, we could think of no better way of celebrating this amazing milestone than in beautiful places next to a fire.
We have spent our first night in a wonderful hotel (and had one of the most delicious dinners ever), but the rest of our 5-day trip was quality time for my husband and me next to the fire in nature … we will show you more of these places in future posts … but now, it’s back to our braai weekends!
- Thursday – De Zeekoe Guest House Farm (Soetdoring Stone Cottages):
What an amazing place! We wish we had more time here – the views are spectacular and the cottage way too cute for words!
We had a very simple meal, but then, it would have been very difficult to have a braai that is equally as wonderful as our view! We’ve decided on a salad out of a bottle (yes!), the famous South African ‘braai broodjie’ (the melted cheese sandwich – you can read about it here) and a HUGE piece of steak.
The setting for our first night’s braai was perfect! The farm is just 7km (4.3 miles) out of town, but it feels as if we were far away from civilization!
After dinner, we sat next to the fire for a very long time. While sipping on a glass of wine, we felt blessed to have such a wonderful time together.
- Friday till Monday – Gamkaskloof, Die Hel (Die Stalletjie):
Yes indeed, translated it means ‘The Hell’ … don’t miss our future posts about this trip to fully understand why this place is called ‘Die Hel’!
Our little house, Die Stalletjie (meaning ‘small stable’), was indeed an old horse stable that was renovated into a tiny holiday house … we were super impressed with this accommodation and were happy that we had the opportunity to spent 3 nights here!
Friday:
We were tired (no, the right word is probably EXHUASTED) after a ‘hell of a drive’ to get here … so, once again, our braai was pretty simple! For now, it was all about relaxing next to the fire!
Tonight, on the menu: Chicken, Angel kisses (remember those cherries wrapped in bacon mentioned in our braai post # 3), more braai broodjies and some of the leftover curry green bean salad.
Saturday:
After we’ve taken long walks in nature and exploring our surroundings, we were happy to make another fire for dinner.
We’ve found pork kebabs in the town we’ve left yesterday and they looked really tasty – so, tonight we will have them grilled on the fire. Berto also found a bag of ‘roosterkoek’ mix which we will enjoy together with the pork kebabs.
‘Roosterkoek’ … what is that, you might ask. Well, if you google this word, you will find the following: ‘Roosterkoek (literally grill cake – say “roos-stir-cook” and try to roll those r’s!) is the traditional bread to accompany a braai. The roosterkoek are simply balls of bread dough cooked on a grid over the coals and are best eaten piping hot and straight off the grill’.
We’ve decided that tonight would be a great time to start celebrating our 25th anniversary (it was still a couple of days before our actual date), but who’s looking at the calendar ☺️. We’ve celebrated with a well-known drink in South Africa … namely Amarula.
Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) which is also locally called the Elephant tree or the Marriage Tree … see, very appropriate!
Sunday:
Today was a lazy day! It was quite hot and we’ve put our chairs under the shade of a tree close to the fire, got our reading books out and just enjoyed the moment … all of this, while Berto was making a delicious ‘potjie’ (the traditional South African dish cooked in a round cast iron black pot).
This was our last day in ‘Die Hel’ and we’ve used almost all of our food by now … and with the nearest town approximately 3 hours away, we could not pay a visit to the shop quickly. So, we had to make the best from what we had left over. A lamb potjie with sausage, carrots and potatoes sounded like a good idea!
We had a wonderful time, seeing new places and experiencing (sometimes hair raising) adventures … look out for our complete posts on this road trip where we’ve celebrated our 25th anniversary!
Wet and Dusty Roads 
Oh man! That looks so good! I didn’t make the mistake of reading it on a Friday this time. Your last articles made me crave steak so much, I was in severe danger of falling into temptation! You really know how to live!
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Oh, I’m sorry that we might be the reason of letting your guards down 👀.
This was a great “escape” from the crazy world and we’ve really lived this past week to the fullest! Thanks for reading … and have that steak before Friday!
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What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary and your barbecues from succulent steaks to those delicious looking Roosterkoek dough balls not forgetting the wine of course! Definitely a Braai Weekend to remember! Marion
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Thank you Marion ☺️. Yes absolutely, this Braai Weekend was a really amazing time together … the fires, food, wine and company was just perfect!
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When I next come to SA, pleeeease can I come to one of your braais? They look AMAZINGGGG. And most importantly, happy anniversary guys 🙂
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You are more than welcome Hannah … we will roll out the red carpet of braais just for you! And thanks for your wishes 💌.
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Happy anniversary! And how wonderful you were able to celebrate it with a stay in such beautiful places! I look forward to reading more about your long weekend, but meanwhile will try to resist drooling over all that delicious-looking food 🙂
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Ah, thanks so much Sarah! Yes, we were fortunate to have find these beautiful places we have not visited before … and yes, we had some really great food on this trip!
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First of all, congratulations again on your anniversary and what a way to celebrate it.
I have been looking forward to this post for ages and it certainly did not disappoint. Four nights braai in a row and in such beautiful surroundings, what a treat. I am hugely impressed by the quality of the accommodation not to mention the views. A plunge pool beside the braai, what more could you want?
I see Berto is excelling himself with the chef’s hat on again, that man can certainly cook. I cannot wait to hear what else happened to you on your road-trip, I am guessing form what you don’t actually say that there was some sort of an adventure involved so I shall look forward to that.
Now I suppose I shall have to go and make something to eat as you have made me hungry – again!
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Thanks Fergy for your good wishes … yes, we’ve chosen really wonderful places to celebrate our 25 years!
We’ve rated the food of these braai’s to be at the top of our braai list … because it was indeed delicious, but also because of the beautiful scenery that surrounded us on this trip.
The word ‘adventure’ must come up when you drive a road called “The Hell” … we will soon show you guys more of this road trip!
Hope you had something nice to eat … 😉.
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Well, I didn’t poison myself (not yet anyway). I just knocked up something quick – black pudding, chilli beans and a big plate of sautéed potatoes. Tasty enough and all done in about 20 minutes.
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Happy anniversary! Congratulations! You are so blessed to have each other. And all these wonderful memories too🤗🤗💖
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Thanks Morag 😍 … it is indeed a blessing to have someone special to share all these wonderful adventures with.
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Happy 25th Anniversary you should be proud!!!! It takes a special couple to make it that long in todays world. What an awesome post and that pool would look great in my back yard! I have the ingredients to make the angel kisses and I can’t wait to try them.
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Thank you so much Diane – yes, we feel really blessed 💌. We thought that pool was a great idea (it had a little stream of water that was flowing continuously and that sound was so relaxing!) Oh, we just love the angel kisses – sweet and salty – really yummy!
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I will be posting about them!
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Looking forward to that … and I’m sure yours will be even tastier ☺️.
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You’re so funny! ❤️
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Happy Anniversary and cheers to many more Braai adventures!
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Thanks a lot … yes, I hope indeed we can have many more braai’s (and adventures 😋) – the perfect combination!
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Happy Belated Anniversary 😊 the BBQ food looks yummy 😋
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Thank you so much Anita! Ah yes, that food … was a real feast 😊.
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Kudos, Corna, for 25 years! Wow, it sounds like such a long time, but time passes so quickly, right? The first photos you shared could have been taken in Arizona. I so enjoy all your posts, even though I’m not a meat eater. I just love all the time you & hubby spend exploring & braaiing! (Is that a word?!) Hope this weekend is bringing you joy! 🌞
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Thank you so much Lisa! Yes, we were also surprised to ‘suddenly’ realise it’s already 25 years … you know that saying about ‘time is flying when you’re having fun’ 😁. And thank you, ‘braaiing’ is now definitely a new word – I like that!!
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I’m drooling after reading this post! It’s been a long time since I had the luxury of indulging in a Braai – delicious!
Your abode for the night looks wonderful and such a stunning backyard!
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Thanks Nilla … you know what I think (after this trip) … the food tasted like the best braai food I’ve ever had, but probably also thanks to that stunning backyard we’ve had 😊.
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I have a good friend from Zimbabwe (raised there when it was still Rhodesia) and he makes the best Sth African hot pot – delicious and also makes a mean Braai.
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Oh yes, the old Rhodesians would definitely know how to put a great Braai together! I’m so glad you’ve experienced a Braai before – now you know why we love preparing our food this way 😋.
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Congratulation on your 25th wedding anniversary ❤ Thank you for sharing such beautiful images and the braai, looks great and baie lekker 🙂 I am stealing ideas and sharing with my hubby. We will also be celebrating 25 years this year and your post is definitely giving me lots of ideas.
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Wow, it seems 1996 was a great year for both of us! You are more than welcome to ‘steal’ some of our braai ideas … for a fellow South African, any time 😄.
Thanks for reading and your lovely comments.
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