South African Wine Tour Conclusion

Dornier Barrel Room
Dornier Estate, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 23, 2025

 The final day of the wine tour was highlighted by a visit to the Dornier Wine Estate and a wine lunch at Waterford Estate. The real highlight, however, was the goodbye dinner at Steenberg Estate.

Looking into the Vat
Dornier Estate, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 23, 2024

Dornier Wine Estate provided us with a tour of the barrel room and then a tasting of seven wines. The barrel room tour highlighted yet another approach to producing wines. The three story, largely underground facility is suited for the production at Dornier. 

We were able to see red grapes fermenting in large stainless vats and both enjoy the odors of fermentation and the view hanging over the top of the vat looking at the berries. It was quite a sight looking into the vats from the top as they were filled and then looking at an empty vat for perspective. 

While at Dornier we tasted seven distinctive wines. The wines were 2024 Pinot Grigio, 2022 Chenin Blanc, 2022 Semillon, 2021 Tinta Barocca which was a new grape variety for me. It is a red varietal from Portugal originally. 2020 Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Donatus Bordeaux Blend, and a 2016 CMD which was the former owner's favorite wine blend consisting of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. 

It was a very enjoyable tasting. 

Lunch
Waterford Estate, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 23, 2025

From there we bussed around the corner for lunch at Waterford Estate. Chris and I had a tasting at Waterford before the wine tour began and we were familiar with their wines. We enjoyed a Chenin Blanc, a Grenache, and a Shiraz with lunch. They all paired very well with the charcuterie platters we enjoyed.  

Sunset at Steenberg
Steenberg Estate, Constantia, ZA
February 23, 2025

After our enjoyable lunch it was back on the bus for the ride to Steenberg Estate on the Constantia region. It was a longer ride, but worth it. We enjoyed luxury accommodations and another gourmet meal to celebrate our last night together. 

We enjoyed some sparkling wine outside mingling and talking about the experiences we had enjoyed during our time together and then it was inside for a scrumptious dinner. 

Our Traveling Companions and Tour Directors
Steenberg Estate, Constantia, ZA
February 23, 2025

It was hard to say goodbye, but we had a 3:15 AM wakeup to get to the airport for our jet to Johannesburg and then onto our safari.

We did subsequently make it to our lodge for the safari and are heading out on our first ride in about two hours. As it was a travel day, the blog is a bit later than expected. Highlight of the flight and drive? We saw three elephants in the wild during our three-hour ride from the airport to the game reserve.

-- Bob Doan, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, South Africa

Next to Last Day

 

We had a slower paced day for our next to last, penultimate, day of the wine tour. It was nice to get back to the hotel about 3:30 for a nap or shopping, or even writing this blog. 

Punching Down the Berries
Starke-Condé, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 22, 2025

After breakfast, we loaded the bus and headed off to Stark-Condé for a tour and wine tasting with the owners. Again, it is harvest season and this wine cellar was definitely in full working mode.

The cellar tour was comprehensive and informative. We sampled juice in different stages of fermentation and watched the winemaker demonstrate how to punch down the berries. 

Stark-Condé Barrel Room
Stellenbosch, ZA
February 

After the tour, we headed off to the island tasting room. Yes, it is on an island in the middle of a bucolic lake. It truly was a different take on a tasting room and provided good separation from the Post-Card Restaurant which adjoins the winery. 

The tasting room sits on an island protected by a large willow tree. Once on the island, the tasting room is a beautifully arranged place to enjoy wine while communing with nature as I watched innumerable birds fly past and into the nearby trees. 

Headed to the Island Tarting Room
Stark-Condé, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 22, 2025

While we were there, we enjoyed tasting five wines, two whites, the 2023 Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc and the 2023 Field Blend which is made from Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, and Viognier. Following these two nice whites, we tasted their three flagship Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The wines were the 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (which is called the Stellenbosch Cab Sauv on the price list), The 2019 Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2018 Oude Nectar Cabernet Sauvignon. All three contain some portions and combinations of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec. All of the wines had a very nice price point and are available in the United States--which is awesome.

Lievland Rose
Lievland Wine Estate
February 22, 2025

Next up was lunch at Lievland Cafe next to the Lievland Wine Estate. We began our visit with a very nice Lievland Rose which was made from Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsaut. We learned a bit about the winery, including the symbol of cupid riding a springbok. Apparently, the springbok which is a type of antelope was given to the previous owners and they placed it in a pen with horses. The horses adopted the springbok and it began thinking it was a horse. So there was love between the horses and the springbok. 

Lievland Barrel Room
February 22, 2025

After the telling of the story, Tom Lennon, the winemaker came out and chatted with us about the winery and we got a short tour of the cellar. I was impressed with the apparent age of some of the barrels. Following the discussion in the barrel room we went into the restaurant for another gourmet lunch. While there we enjoyed two more wines, 2024 Chenin Blanc and 2023 Pinotage. Both were sourced from grapes in the Paarl Region. The winery is actively planting vines and expects to begin producing more estate wines in the near future. 

Wow! What a great day it was. We hopped into the bus and made our way to the hotel in Stellenbosch for a relaxing afternoon. 

Today is the final day of our wine expedition and we are looking forward to a winery in the morning, lunch and a probable tearful good-bye dinner. It truly has been an experience not to be forgotten.

Picture of the Day
The Mountains from the Tasting Room
Stark-Condé Winery
February 22, 2025

-- Bob Doan, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Making our way to Stellenbosch

The Working Barrel Room
Kaapzicht Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 21, 2025

 Another beautiful day dawned in the Western Cape, South Africa. Yesterday, we enjoyed a great breakfast on the veranda of the Royal Hotel to start the day. Fortunately the day was cooler than the over 100-degree day we suffered through the day before. 

We had a relatively early bus time and were on the road to our first vineyard by about 8:30 AM. As an amazing statistic, since arriving in South Africa we have sampled over 100 different wines! We are a bit ahead of the tour because we arrived three days early and visited three wineries even before the formal program began. 

The day began at Kaapzicht Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. We were treated to a tour of the working cellar where juice was being piped into the tanks straight from the press or the being stirred in the tanks. While in the cellar we sampled freshly pressed juice, juice which had been fermenting for 5 days, and some that had been fermenting longer to gain an understanding of how the process happens. 

After the Tasting
Kaapzicht Wine Estate
February 21, 2025

After touring the barrel room, we transitioned to an extensive wine tasting. All told, we tasted and enjoyed 11 wines, with one of them being a sparkling wine to begin the visit. During the wine tasting we enjoyed 3 Chenin Blanc offerings, a Pinotage Rose, 3 different Pinotage wines, a Cinsaut, a Bordeaux blend and a Cape blend. Wow. And that was all before noon! Each of the wines provided insight into the mind of the winemaker and how grapes become wine. Additionally, each offering was targeted to a market segment and appropriately priced.

Lunch Under the Trees
The Table at De Meye, Muldersvlei, ZA
February, 21, 2025

Being lunch time, we bussed to The Table at De Meye restaurant for our luncheon appointment where we enjoyed another gourmet lunch under some large trees. The restaurant is a farm-to-table type restaurant and also serve the food family style. As the day was cooler, it was very enjoyable and the food and wines paired perfectly.

After lunch it was off to Kanonkop Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. This is a wine that can readily be purchased in the U.S. and it was great to visit and enjoy additional tastings. This was a Pinotage tasting, as Kanonkop thinks if itself as the big dog of Pinotage wines. We tasted 6 wines, a Pinotage Dry Rose, a Cape blend which has more Pinotage than another wine in the blend, and 4 other Pinotage wines with varying price points. By the time we departed, I had to agree that they do great Pinotages, but they are not the only winery doing Pinotage--as we have seen during this wine trip. 

The Wines of Kanonkop
February 21, 2025

After the tasting, we had some time to enjoy the winery and Chris found dogs in need. Two Irish Setters were happy for her to pet their heads and rub their bellies. She is missing her dog Finnegan a lot! 

Chris and the Irish Setter
Kanonkop Wine Estate
February 21, 2025

The day ended as we checked into a very nice hotel in Stellenbosch. We headed out a bit later to secure dinner and enjoy the very busy college town on a Friday night.

-- Bob Doan, Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Road Less Traveled

Sorting and Destemming
Kleine Vine, Tulbagh, ZA
February 20, 2025

 After boarding our tour bus yesterday, we proceeded to a winery along a long unpaved and rough road. It was the road less traveled. The climb up the mountain to the vineyard was interesting and long. Along the way we passed a massive ostrich farm.  

2016 Semillon
February 20, 2025

It was a fantastic visit to a winery where we were met by the winemaker Wynand Grobler. We enjoyed a short few hours with him and the staff as we toured the winery and discovered how a gravity feed system works. We witnessed sorting and destemming and getting the grapes into the fermentation vessels. It was quite a process.

During the visit we enjoyed four excellent wines, a 2024 Grenacle Blanc, a 2023 

The Scenery I Enjoyed During Lunch
Rijk's Wine Estate, Tulbagh, ZA
Febraury 20, 2025

Semillon, a 2022 Cisaut, and a 2022 GSM names TMV. All exhibited excellent balance and complexity in accordance with the grape varieties. As a bonus, we tasted a 2016 Semillon from 120 year old vines. It was superior in all respects.

From there we headed off to Rijk's Wine Estate in Tulbagh for another great lunch. It was a two course lunch with wine. The wines were the Private Cellar C Henin Blanc 2023 and the Private Cellar Pilotage 2021. Both wines were perfect matches for the courses and highlighted the continuation of excellent wines we have been sampling from South Africa.

The final stop of the day was at Saronsberg Wine Cellar. It became a very hot 102 degree day, but we survived and enjoyed wines at a table under some large oak trees. A light breeze kept us from expiring for heat exhaustion as we sampled some very nice wines beginning with a 2024 Brut, followed by 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2022 Viognier, a 2022 Seismic which is a blend of the big 5 Bordeaux grapes, a 2022 Shiraz, a 2021 Shiraz and finally the Full Circle 2022 which is a great Rhone style wine. All of these wines offered something special and were very enjoyable., The price points were superior and I bought some of the Viognier and 2022 Shiraz. 

All-in-all it was another great wine tasting day in South Africa. I continues to be exposed to creative winemaking and of course an organic and biodiverse approach. 

We returned to the Royal Hotel in Riebeek Kasteel for the evening. Today we depart for the Stellenbosch wine region! More fine wine awaits!

Today is forecast to be cooler than yesterday! That is a plus. 

-- Bob Doan, Riebeek Kasteel, South Africa 

But Wait, there is more

Stian Willernse
Wildeberg Winery, Franschhoek, ZA
February 19, 2025

 Grapes, apples, and olives are  the principle crops grown in the region of South Africa we traveled through and visited yesterday. Both the grapes and apples are being harvested.

Wildebery Winery Offerings
Franschhoek, ZA
February 19, 2025

We began the day in a very scenic valley of the Franschhoek appellation at the Wildeberg Winery. We enjoyed tasting seven of their wines. Stian Willernse guided us through the tasting which included Semillon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, a Chenin and Grenache blend, a Cabernet Franc and Malbec blend, a Grenache and Syrah blend and finally a Cinsault. Each of the wines provided us with insight into the mind of the winemaker. Stian advised that the Coterie Cabernet Franc (67%)/Malbec (33%) blend was their number one seller at the winery and I have to agree that of the seven wines we tasted, it was my favorite. The wine had cherries and black currant on the nose, mild tannins, and a very enjoyable balance and structure.

Overall, I felt that all of the wines exhibited a good balance and provided an excellent representation of the winery. 

Avondale Oak Barrel Room
Paarl, South Africa
February 19, 2025

We boarded our bus and headed off to Avondale Wines in Paarl, South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela Statue
February 19, 2025

Along the way to Avondale, we passed a prison from which Nelson Mandela negotiated the terms of his release and the end of apartheid. A statue of Mandela was erected at the entrance to the prison shortly after his death on 2014. I was barely able to snap an image of the statue as the bus sped by. 

Arriving at Avondale we were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the barrel room during harvest. It was abuzz with activity, but we were able to view the extensive network of steel tanks, uncountable numbers of oak barrels and some unique wine making vessels including underground vessels pioneered in the country of Georgia and other vessels created both in Italy and South Africa. 

I had heard about the Georgian underground method of fermenting wine and as it was explained, there is little intervention from the winemaker. The grapes go into the tanks and ferment for a year and then are drained and the wine is made with an ABV of about 12 percent.

Lunch Menu
February 19, 2025

Following the tour, we were treated to a gourmet two course wine lunch which featured four wines. I have added a copy of the menu to highlight the quality and complexity of the food and wines we have been enjoying at our wine lunches. They are truly extraordinary and esoteric. 

The Tour Group on the Veranda
Royal Hotel, Riebeek Kasteel, ZA
February 19, 2025

As for the four wines, they were expertly paired with the courses. Of the four wines presented, my favorite was the Druk-my-Niet Cabernet Franc 2019. It was a solid Cabernet Franc which expressed the character of the grape with a good nose and Excellent color. It paired well with the meat and did not show either the green pepper or black pepper which is present in so many Cab Francs. 

Climbing back onto the bus, we headed off to our hotel for the night, the Royal Hotel in Riebeek Kasteel. Along the way we marveled at the stunning scenery and were concerned about fires raging on the mountains and near the road we traversed. Upon arriving at the hotel, we processed in and almost as a complete group enjoyed gin and tonic on the veranda. It is said that two prime ministers of South Africa have enjoyed the veranda of the hotel. The hotel is decorated in an authentic style, but offers modern conveniences. The town is small, but provides essential places to eat for the hotel. 

Today, more wine! More travel, but we return to Royal Hotel for the evening!

-- Bob Doan, Riebeek Kasteel, South Africa

Into the Wine Region

Stepping off the Bus
Glenwood Vineyards, Franschhoek, ZA
February 18, 2025

 Yesterday was highlighted by visits to two wine estates in the Franschhoek region. We spent one night at a hotel in Francschhoek, which was nice because after spending almost 3 hours on the bus to start the day, we only had a short ride to the Protea Hotel near the center of the thriving village of Franschhoek. Along the way we encountered stunning scenery and, of course good wines. 

Entering the Barrel Room
Glenwood Vinyards, Franschhoek, ZA
February 18, 2025

Glenwood Vineyards was our first stop. The bus ride up the narrow valley and across a very narrow bridge was something to remember. The vineyards sits off the beaten path, but is worth the time to find. We enjoyed a tour of the barrel room complete with a barrel tasting of Chardonnay which had been in the barrel 12 months and had about another 12 months to go. Glenwood calls themselves the Home of Chardonnay--and that seemed true. Following that, we sampled five wines including two Chardonnays. Both were solid Chardonnays. In addition, we tasted a Cabernet Sauvignon, a merlot, and a Shiraz.

View from the Veranda
Holden Manz Wine Estate
Franschhoek, ZA
February 18, 2025

Our next stop was at Holden Manz Wine Estate in Franschhoek. Here we enjoyed a three course wine lunch. We sat on a veranda with a magnificent view and a cooling breeze. It was a near perfect environment to enjoy fine wine and gourmet dining. During our time we were guided through the lunch and wine tasting by one of the owners, Big G, and enjoyed six wines including the 2023 Chenin Blanc, 2024 Rosè, 2021 Semillon, 2022 Chardonnay, 2018 Visionaire, and the 2020 Big G. The Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. 

Pavlova
Holden 

The food was also something very special and I would be remiss for not mentioning something about the food. Well, the dessert, Pavlova. I had not had this dessert before and it was totally enjoyable.

Aside from the wineries, Chris and I have been enjoying the stunning mountains and valleys of the countryside. As we are bussed across the southwestern portion of South Africa, it seems that there is so much stunning landscape to enjoy that we just would like the opportunity to stop and spend time just looking at the scenery and enjoying a nice glass of wine. 

Today, we leave Franschhoek and head off for two wineries today and transitioning to a hotel in Reebeck Kasteel. Another fun day ahead!

-- Bob Doan, Franschhoek, South Africa

A Day at Sprintfontein Wine Estate

 I have never had a a wine experience like yesterday. 

African Queen
Stanford, South Africa
February 17, 2025

Chris and I spent the day totally involved with one wine estate from about 10 AM until 5 PM. Wow! What a day! We walked the vineyards, we tasted the wines, and we enjoyed a fully narrated four-hour wine lunch which included tasting 11 wines! Coupled with the wine we enjoyed on the boat, we sampled 12 South African wines yesterday.

Snake in the River
Sanford, South Africa
February 17, 2025

The day began with a boat and wine experience on the Klein River near Sanford, ZA. The boat ride was coupled with an introduction to the Springfontein Wine Estate. The trip down the river was enjoyable, I always enjoy being on a boat. The excitement was when a yellow and black snake swam across in front of the boat. No one knows what kind it was, but some speculated it was a spitting Cobra. The skipper of the boat reversed the engines to allow it a wide berth as it swam from one side of the river to the other. 

Johst and the Argon Pressurized Tank
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

After the journey to the winery along the river, where we saw a lot of wildlife including Egyptian Geese, ducks, and many other birds we arrived at the winery and began a day of wine education and tasting. 

The Spring
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

I cannot begin to say enough about Springfontein Wine Estate. They are an organic wine producer committed to biodiversity. The owner is working to expand knowledge of and interest in South African wines with the two principal varieties being the red Pinotage and the white Chanel.

Chris and I had the opportunity to learn about how the wines are produced, including a new pressurized intracellular fermentation process using tanks and argon gas. We also had the opportunity to walk the vineyards and see the spring which provides the estate with both water its name.  Sadly, we also viewed first hand the damage birds caused to the crop where about 40 percent of the potential harvest was lost. 

A Bunch of Chanel Grapes
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17. 2025

After the orientation to the estate, we proceeded to a wine lunch, which lasted almost 4 hours and provided 11 selected wines paired with food. There were six courses and I sampled for the first time kudu (a type of antelope) along with gourmet prepared dishes that paired fantastically with the estate's wines.

While the food was gourmet, the wines were the stars of the afternoon. We enjoyed a selection of Chenin Blanc, Chanel, Pinotage, and blends which all were well crafted and paired perfectly. 

Wine Lunch
Springfontein Estate, Sanford, ZA
February 17, 2025

Through it all, the founder and owner of the estate provided the narrative of the wines and his vision for the future of not only his wines, but South African wines in general. 

When we were finally ready to depart, some almost seven hours after starting the day, I was excited about the future of South African wines and especially the varietal Chanel. 

What a great day of wine and education and gastronomic delight. Wow!

And to think, Chris and I are on this wine tour for another week!

-- Bob Doan, Hermanus, South Africa

Cape Town to Hermanus

 

Wines at Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate
Bot River, South Africa
February 16, 2025

We departed Cape Town yesterday morning to move out into the South African countryside and begin enjoying the wine focused portion of our trip.

Table Cloth on Table Mountain
Cape Town, South Africa
February 16, 2025

As we boarded the bus in Cape Town, we could see the table cloth was coming down Table Mountain creating a stunning scene as the cloud poured over the top of the mountain and descended until it evaporated. 

We bussed through the countryside traveling east into the wide-open spaces of South Africa and into the wine country. 

Our first stop of the day was Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate in Bot River. We enjoyed a selection of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz wines for the tasting. We also enjoyed a lunch from the adjacent Farro Restaurant whilst sitting on the veranda out of the bright sun. We spent time with the owner and winemaker learning his particular thoughts about wines and winemaking while also gaining an understanding of South African wines. We enjoyed the wines and their interpretation as explained by the winemaker. 

Me and Chris Overlooking the Vineyards
Creation Wines, Hermanus, South Africa
February 16, 2025

Our second, and final, wine stop of the day was Creation Wines in Hermanus. They are not actually in the village of Hermanus, where our lodging is, but outside the town a short drive away. We met the owners and enjoyed learning their history and vision for the winery. We enjoyed a tasting in a very elegant tasting room where we enjoyed six wines: three Chardonnay and three Pinot Noir. The Reserve Pinot Noir was tasting very nicely. It being Sunday afternoon, the tasting room was very busy, but we were afforded a personalized experience. The wines were all tasting very nice and with a good price point. 

View from Hotel Pool
Hermanus, South Africa
February 16, 2025

From Creation, we bussed to our lodging at the Harbor House Hotel situated on the Atlantic Ocean waterfront in Hermanus. After accessing our room we headed out into the town to find dinner which we thoroughly enjoyed.  

Today, we will enjoy another wine estate and a boating expedition. Today also marks the one week point in our trip. It is hard to believe that we have been in South Africa almost a week. 

Programming Note: As I am traveling, I will not be publishing Monday Musings this week or next. I expect to resume Monday Musings on March 3rd. 

-- Bob Doan, Hermanus, South Africa

Amazing South Africa

Our Tour Group 
Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
February 15, 2025

Today was devoted to seeing the sights of Southern South Africa. We headed for Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. This was no ordinary bus tour. We stopped along the way to enjoy the animals that we saw. And there were many.

Looking at the Cape of Good Hope
Cape Point, South Africa
February 15, 2025

Of course, both Chris and I enjoyed the African animals that we saw for the first time ever in the wild. We were amazed. I did not get good images of them all because my iPhone camera is malfunctioning at maximum zoom, but were saw baboon, bontebok, eland, zebra, seals, and a wild ostrich. The really cool thing was that we slowed or stopped the bus so we could take pictures when each of these animals were sighted.

After arriving and enjoying the Cape of Good Hope we rode a funicular to the top of Cape Point where again, much like yesterday, we felt as if we were standing on the top of the world as we looked down upon the waters surrounding the Cape of Good Hope and imagined the distress of the sailors who were wrecked upon the treacherous rocks and shoals.. 

Kingklip on the Plate
Kalk Bay, South Africa
February 15, 2025

But wait, the day was not over. We continued to lunch at the Harbour House Restaurant in Kalk Bay, South Africa, where we enjoyed a gourmet meal and I enjoyed a fish named Kingklip for the first time. Wow, a great white fish maybe like a cod or a flounder. I, likely, will be enjoying more Kingklip on this trip. We completed lunch just before 4 PM and began the uneventful journey back to Cape Town for the evening. 

Today depart our Cape Town lodging as we begin the South African wine experience portion of the trip and both Chris and I are looking forward to enjoying every drop!

-- Bob Doan, Cape Town, South Africa

To the Mountain and Beyond

Atop Table Mountain
Cape Town, South Africa
February 14, 2025

 Table Mountain dominates the Cape Town, South Africa, skyline. Since landing on Tuesday evening, the mountain has been almost always in our vision as well as in many of our pictures. Yesterday, with the assistance of a very popular cable car we conquered the mountain and stood, literally, on top of the world. The scene was breathtaking and much of our discussions with other travelers was spent comparing the vistas from Table Mountain to the Grand Canyon. The two are very similar in that pictures cannot capture the awesomeness of either scene. 

Bob and Chris On the Mountain
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
February 14, 2025

We enjoyed a delightful champagne lunch on the mountain and then took time to explore not only the view but the flora and fauna of the mountain top. It was fitting that we visited the mountain on Valentine's Day. What better way for lovers to enjoy doing something together?

The cable car ride itself was an interesting. Although it rises some 2200 feet to arrive at the top, the cable car slowly spins to allow the riders to experience the ascent from different views. I captured that in the video below.

Following a bus tour of Cape Town and some free time back at the hotel to refresh, we headed off to a sundowner celebration hosted by a very nice couple who own a home right along the beach. The celebration was grand, although the sun made an early exit because of a cloud bank to the west. We were able to meet the other travelers in our group and kick off the wine tour. The evening was a total success and we experienced a different cuisine: Cape Malay, which we throughly enjoyed. The wine was flowing and provided an excellent accompaniment to the food. 

-- Bob Doan, Cape Town, South Africa