The lucky few who’ve caught fish head straight for the sink, first to measure, then to scale and gut the catch. With sharpened knife in hand, Minx gets to work on the fish like a surgeon, and the rest of the Crew watch in awe. Lots of oohs and aahs.
Then AJ lights the fire, and the smell of the braai settles over camp. The 1st prickle of tension is in the air. Mickey is trying to talk the Crew into one more cycle, just one more activity, while the Prof quietly slips away. His real work is only just beginning: as the Crew’s self-appointed sommelier, he’s off to plan the evening’s flight. Judgie puts on his reading glasses and gets stuck into the paperwork, tomorrow’s boat draw, a tweak or two to the competition rules, while laughter and banter roll on around him. The Crew, together again at one of their favourite spots.
The Prof reappears, a bottle wrapped in disguise, grinning as he invites the Crew to enjoy a glass of something chilled. Minx wipes the fish scales from his hands, raises a glass to his nose, inhales deeply, swirls, and takes a generous sip. “Chaps,” he says, “to friendship and family.” Beaming, the Crew clink glasses and toast their good friendship. Bonhomie, in a word.
Lined up along the wooden kitchen counter, the evening’s flight awaits: a mix of local and international bottles. French Bordeaux sits alongside Swartberg Chenin. Great wines lined up together in camaraderie and competition. The last bottle of the flight stands quietly and humbly confident, the pièce de résistance. Many hours of planning and dreaming are behind its creation.
Maze, the Mediterranean blend that’s become the Motley Crew’s favourite, and the reason this trip always ends the same way: one more glass, around one more fire, with very good friends bonding together.