Eskii was awesome, and took the time to explain this whole emo/indie culture of which I’m so unfamiliar with. I was unsure at first, as was he about the modelling, but by working together we soon got the hang of it and we have the photos to prove it!

There were one or two shots I requested for my own creative benefit, like the hand shots (you’ll know which ones when you see ‘em) and there was one where there is a spiderweb in the shot, but its hard to tell so I didnt upload it.

Please do comment since, well, this is a blography after all :P Good and bad comments, I want to hear what you think!

The polo practice was very interesting. The horses and riders would line up in groups of four, and there would be four planks stuck in to the ground a few metres away. The horses would then gallop, the rider would lean down and spike the plank with their spear-like stick, swinging their arm backwards as the horse galloped past. The speed they went at was admirable…especially as they leaned down right over the horses shoulder!

There were another two riders on the far side of the field practicing something more complicated. The rider would move off, jump a small jump while popping a balloon, and then gallop with his spear in the air parallel to the floor. The spear wouldnt move and his aim was dead-on as he speared a few loops, and then he went on to lean down and spear a plank like others (keeping the loops on the spear!). Then he’d turn around and make his way back (all at quite a speed!), stabbing his spear into a hanging cushion. There was more that he did, but rethinking it I’m lost as to where it all fitted in haha. I couldnt get photos as he was too far away and I didnt want to trample across the field and potentially get run over by galloping polo players haha. It would be rude of me!

After watching for a bit longer, we walked around the large estate and eventually made our way back to the car where we then drove up to the winery itself. Since the wedding is Muslim, I wont be taking photos that include any wine related subjects/backgounds, so I got my photo fix right then and there! I, of course, asked permission to photograph their wines and displays, and they happily obliged my whims.

After I got a few photos, we sat down for some chocolate tasting (R35ppm, they also have cheese tasting at R55 for a 2 person platter), and I was given a taster glass of wine that they recommended (it was really lovely on its own, but not too great with the chocolate). They set up two tasting boards, which consisted of different chocolates, three own-choice truffles, and two chocolate shot glasses with honey liqueur. We were instructed to eat them in the following order:

White chocolate, milk chocolate, 60% dark, 75% dark, 80% dark, one shot, three truffles, then the last shot. Gosh it was divine!! Especially the Honey Liqueur! They sell bottles of it for R90 or so and they happily brought out a bottle frosted from the freezer for me to photograph…lovely! After finishing the photos and tasting we were offered a private tour of the factory, and got to know a little more about the Estate. All very interesting, but alas I remember little…photography and listening dont go well with me haha. The bf remembered the wine vats contained 44000 litres of wine, however.

And so ended our day in Somerset West. I was happy it was such a gorgeous day…please hold thumbs for great weather on the day of the wedding!!

Photos and captions follow:

Michael posing for me for lighting purposes

Polo practice

The horses were so well schooled!! Sigh!

See the speed!

Even more speed – and look at the leaning!

Some wine product shots

I really like this shot!

A tiny part of the array of choices for truffles

My tasting board (Apple & Cinnamon, Apple Sours, and Spiced Rum truffles…Apple Sours was a dud though :/)

Michael’s tasting board (Chilli, Peppermint, and Cappuccino)

The Honey Liqueur (frosted and unchilled) with the factory in the background

The Honey bottle neck

Inside the factory – a few vats holding Merlot

Those are the vats that hold 44000 litres!

A view from the inside out

On the way to the factory (I took pics on the way back)

Me!

The bf!

Outside the winery

That is such a gorgeous door!

I’d seen one of these before, for a Nikon D90, and it went for R12,500 or so. So I thought, “lets see what this one is sitting at…” and found (to my amazement) it was sitting on R7500. Before I could stop myself, or think about funds, I signed up and placed a bid for R7750 (has to go in R250 increments). I figured, if I get it for R7750 then I’ve saved almost 50% on the camera and lens alone, forget about all the extras it was coming with, and if I didnt, well then I’m not out of pocket for any moolah…whats the harm, right? Right??!?

Well, all through gym I found myself thinking about my bid…and I even had gone to far as to make a link to the auction on my cellphone to keep watch. Got home from gym, showered, washed my hair, and off we went to dinner. On the way, however, I checked my bid and saw a few other people had bid…so I upped mine to R8500. Yes, I can see you shaking your head…you can stop that! With all the pro bidders out there, not to mention snipers or even people that actually have the funds to pay for their purchase, I wasnt going to get it. The auction was set to end at 11.30pm.

Let me digress quickly and mention the dinner. Firstly, it was utterly fantastic, and probably deserves a post of its own, but seriously, Wang Thai at the V&A Waterfront is amazing! I had two really huge oysters for starters (I can hear you asking, “only two?? you cheapskate!” and my response is that I’m still getting into them, and dont want to eat too many to turn myself off them so I’m taking it slow…I want this love affair to last, m’kay!), a couple of pina coladas (also made to my satisfaction, since I make them from scratch for myself at home), and then the bf and I ordered honey chicken and honey duck to share. Large quantities of Jasmine Basmati rice (mmmmmm!) was ordered for the table and I must say the service and food we received was amaaaazing! Well and truly! Big ups to our waiter, Shepherd!

Throughout dinner I’m ashamed to admit my conversation at times was dominated by my bid. I kept checking my bid every half hour or so, and it was solidly on R8500. With less than an hour to go, I realised I might very well win this…and started to get all light headed. I didnt think this far…I dont really have this kind of cash to spend…I surely cant really win it…can I??

By the time 5 minutes was left, most of the table was interested in the results and I was a nervous wreck. I promptly ordered a tequila, as no matter the outcome, I was in need of a shot! I refreshed my phone browser a million times and with only a minute to go someone sniped in a bid jumping the total up by R500!! Quickly I whipped into action, and without thinking of the consequences I bid R9250…a couple of agonising seconds went by and then it was closed. I had won. I had WON! I promptly downed my tequila.

I confirmed my purchase as soon as I got home and am currently sorting out payment finalities and I will be the owner of a brand new Canon 40D body kit, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens, .50x Wide Angle Lens, 2X Telephoto Lens, 8GB Memory Card, USB Card Reader, Carrying Case, Velbon CX-460 Tripod, Table Top Tripod, Lens Pouch, 3 Piece Filter Kit, Universal Screen Protector, & 3 Pc. Lens Cleaning Kit. All for R9250 (almost half price!).

If you want to know more about the Canon 40D (or any other camera for that matter), check out the stats on DPreview.com (click the indepth review link for even more info) which is only the best site for camera reviews and stats…seriously.

Not only are they in love, but they’re also fun! Lots of fun! They were quite ready to nibble ears, smooch, give piggy-backs, roll about on the (slightly damp) grass, smooch, step in a little mud, smooch some more, and laughed all the while doing so. And wow can Julia laugh! Its infectuous and loud, and occasionally a little snorty, which of course sets her off laughing even harder! They’re so perfectly suited for one another, if gives the rest of us hope that there is a love out there for us that is filled with fun, laughter, and a silent sixth sense of union between two people.

We took a short trip out to some fields near our local stable and spent some time in the gorgeous sun (which made us give a huge sigh of relief since it had been raining right up until yesterday!). There was quite a bit of walking involved, but we did get to pet some sweet, sweet horses along the way!

However, photographing this couple was somewhat tricky. Julia has had quite a few ops in her life since she was born to correct a few deformities with her one arm and hand (not to mention she’s missing her wedding-ring finger!), and understandably is quite sensitive about it showing in photographs. For me, however, its just another example of what an amazing and strong person she is, and how amazing her partner is. They’re both so strong for each other and its just beautiful. Simply beautiful. She’s certainly an insipiration for me.

Here are just a few shots so far, hope you like them!

MacroMutt was created to help connect dog lovers with professional dog photographers in their area, and I am happy to be one of their international members :) Thanks, MacroMutt!

Check out their site here and my feature here