Stuffed Animals

This post is dedicated to a tall brunette with a fetish for my humour. Christa, baby… this is for you ;)

Last weekend I went to the museum. I LOVE the museum. In Cape Town we have one BIG one with all the nature vibes. This is the museum to which I refer.

I love the whale section, the dinosaur section and the mammal section. If they ever re-opened the insect display, I’d love that too. Now, wonderfully and unbeknownst to me, an incredible man named Peter Flack – a writer and hunter – donated what seems to be his ENTIRE taxidermy collection to the museum.

These specimens are exquisite. Their pelts shine in comparison with the tired models that have stood frozen since what I can only assume is the 1930s. Leopards stand frozen, mid leap, glass eyes glistening. A buck and hyena are caught in a moment of battle that can only make you wonder who has the upper hand – the hyena seems to have his teeth inches from the buck’s throat, but what’s this, look at the horn poised to impale the hyena! A rare jungle elephant stands proud, and you can see the fine hairs on his skin – rumoured to be the only stuffed specimen of this species.

How did I get so passionate about good taxidermy? I’ve considered this all week, from about the time that Christa looked at me and declared that I needed to put this all in a blog post. Is it strange that my eyes sparkle when I talk about taxidermy?

I remember reading a book when I was younger, much younger, called “A Wheelie to Friendship” by Jenny Bow. The Krugerrands were inside the stuffed cats all along… yes! I know, AMAZING.

Later I read the novel, “The Conjuror’s Bird” by Martin Davies, about the search for the only stuffed specimen of a rare bird. They described some of the taxidermy technique… riveting stuff!

Then again, maybe I’m just morbid?

More on the Peter Flack donation:
http://www.peterflack.co.za/trophyRoom/trophyRoom.html
http://iziko.org.za/static/landing/statement-peter-flack-collection-donation

Bleddy Hipster

Started my day with the best latte in Cape Town – at Truth. Truth, for the foreign and/or uninformed, is a very hipster coffee spot, around the corner from my office in the CBD. Seriously – imagine coffee at the perfect temperature to drink NOW. Another favourite in that hood is Field Office – great latte too, but needs a single sweetener, you don’t need to sweeten Truth coffee, it’s perfect and claims so right on the cup. Both spots don’t bat an eyelid at my order of a Skinny Latte.

 Wi-Fi – like duh, obviously I log right on to their network the moment I snap my laptop open.

This brings me to the coffee shop in which I am currently sat. I’m waiting for my car engine to be steam cleaned – yes… I feel like I’ve dropped my car off at the oral hygienist. I walked in, tossed my perfect fringe, asked “Do you have Wi-Fi?” and nodded to “Table for one” – apparently Wi-Fi is not a foreign concept here, but it doesn’t work.

I decided not to assume anything at this place… asked “do you have fat free milk?” – Again, no - At least they had a table and canderel… so here I sit, for the next hour, writing posts to be posted later. Yes, I knoooow, how pedestrian.  *rolls eyes*

I just remembered that I haven’t even had my lunch… don’t suppose they would appreciate me asking them to re-heat my artisan chicken soup? It’s in a glass jar and all…. Ok, ok, I’ll stop. I made the soup. I put it in a jar. I put soup in jars because I don’t like the taste of plastic leaking into my soup.

 I should also tell you, I’m wearing purple skinny jeans, a denim shirt, a snood….

And a pretentious smile.

*big wink*

xoxox

 

 

 

Considering beers

Beer is an acquired taste. I acquired the taste for beer just over 3 years ago.

In the past year I have refined this taste to craft beer. I have my friend Marco to thank for that.

My favorites? Well I have a few;

IPA: Imperial Tequila Ale, which is sold in 660ml bottles and has been matured in barrels used to age tequila. It has a light ale flavour and distinct tequila aftertaste.

Kings Blockhouse: A local IPA, easy on the taste buds with a mildly fruity aftertaste.  I would rate this as a good "every day" beer and like to take it to social events. Sold in 500ml bottles. Available on tap at Van Hunks on Kloof street.

Paulaner  Wießbier Kristallklar: One of the best Wießbier I have ever had. Clean and strong with medium hops. I keeper indeed.

Keizer Karel Charles Quint: A blonde beer. Wonderful taste and very easy drinking. Not easy to find, I think the bottle I sampled was ordered especially for the beer tasting Sharona and I held.

So, I like beer. In moderation of course, otherwise you won't enjoy it.