food – Herman van Bon Photography

Every morning at 6 Claus von Schirp starts milking Stompie; a 18 year old Jersey/Hereford cross. The average daily ‘production’ of Stompie is about 4 litre pure milk. For their own use his wife Ilona makes cheese and butter. Stompie is part of a small herd of 4 cows and 1 bull which is part of their small organic farm in Napier, South Africa.

Cows can live up to 20 years, and possibly 25 years. Though it is far from the norm, the oldest recorded age for a cow is 48 years and nine months, according to Guinness World Records.

Truffles anyone?

My wife Yvonne makes the best truffles in town and the rest of South Africa and maybe even the best in the world. It’s an old Dutch recipe and part of the ingredients have to come from abroad such as the cocoa for the simple reason there is no premium quality cocoa available in South Africa.

It’s a hobby between her jewellery design and jewellery creating activities; all unique pieces and genuine handmade.

But this is about truffles. This morning she sold them on a market in the village and guess what? Sold out within the shortest possible time!!! Picture left: Yvonne flanked by Italian master chef Roberto and his South African wife Marissa.