Just on a year ago, The Husband and I returned from what was to be our last ever holiday together. It was marvellous.
as an aside -
When returned from holiday, I began a series of of posts about our holiday food indulgences. I never got beyond this one and this post has been lurking in my drafts for more than a year. Looking at the photographs and what I wrote, I remember that day and evening - like they were just yesterday.
Fish market
Each morning, fishers bring the morning catch and set up market within 5 minutes' walk of where we are staying. Although a friend who'd lived in the area had said she remembered a market was a very happy discovery to find it still there.
When I said that it was five minutes from where we were staying, it really was. I took this photograph from the fish market, looking towards The Strand Pavillion where we stayed, courtesy of dear @lizelle and her beloved.
From past experience from another fish market - from more that 20 years ago, and when we lived in Cape Town - we knew it was a pick-your-fish-and-they-clean-and-prepare-it for you, ready to go over the coals.
We managed to get a kabeljou: it was the last one. It was always our favourite and was a wish for that holiday - for either eating out or eating in. That said, for fish that fresh, we'd have been just as happy with the "pink silvers" or red snapper. That we got fresh Cape Kob, and to cook it our way, was the cherry on the top.
I'm running ahead of myself:
The fish has a final return to the sea as part of the cleaning process.
Then it's returned to the market before being handed to the customer.
Before heading for our day out, we returned to our apartment and safely stashed our fish.
another aside -
It was the last time our friends, S & A saw Tom - remembered in the photo in this post.
We got back to a beautiful, balmy evening and we knew that we'd spend a significant portion of sunset and dusk sans power. Light wasn't a problem, but it did mean that I had to organise some of the supper preparation ahead (at home, I have a gas stove).
So as the sun set we stared over False Bay, watching the ebb and flow of the water, drinking our favourite tipples. And with gentle conversation.
The Husband's last - ever - fish braai
We prefer(red) our fish cooked simply: butter, lemon, olive oil, garlic and herbs (chives and dill): grilled over hot coals, skin up.
With no artificial light, the fire looks really fierce - it wasn't.
It turned out perfectly!
We ate it with potatoes for The Husband (of course) and another seasonal favourite: a mango, basil, cucumber and tomato salsa which I served on a bed of lettuce.
The Husband age with gusto, ditching the potato in favour of a second helping as large as his first.
After a candle lit supper we sat watching the see and across the bay and the lights came on.
We didn't mind no lights: it was a glorious evening.
One I shall never forget.
Until next time
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm still re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
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Original artwork: @artywink
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Bitter/Sweet memories play with one for many years, taste of air, fish and good company.
Fish along the coastline always superb, supporting fishermen at early morning market really something not to be missed.
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Beautiful night without a doubt, and an unforgettable memory. Thank you for sharing with us. My regards.🤗🥰
Unforgettable Holliday, fresh fish, beautiful sunset, together with someone you love creates wonderful memories❤️.
Ah Fiona, what precious memories! I am so glad that you were able to have this holiday together.
Everything looks so perfect, I remember you sharing that sunset with us. That fish looks absolutely delicious.
Life can be so exquisite, but so painful as well!
Thankfully for both you and me, we had fulfilling lives with two wonderful men, and have no regrets!
I told Arthur one morning that I did not want it to ever end. But typically he gently tried to prepare me, and told me many times that he was likely to go first, because of being diabetic for so long!
I did not want to hear any such talk!
In the TV series After Life, Anne, whom Tony met when visiting his wife's graveside, said to him:
My sentiments exactly!
Beautiful post Fiona xxx
He was never ill. He was supposed to have outlived me. Anyway, I do know that he'd not want me to mope and stop living life. Hard though that is.
What beautiful and precious memories, Fiona. I know it must be a little bittersweet but what a blessing that you were able to have that perfect holiday and create those memories that add up to a lifetime together.
I send you a big hug.
PS: I starve to eat a grilled fish right now with that mango side dish;)
Bittersweet indeed.
You and I, both!
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STOPor to resume write a wordSTARTI'm not and I've never been a fan of fish but I'd lie saying that this one doesn't look delicious!
Thank you!