This culinary key has unlocked my collective memory of wonderful picnics and yesterday's at Klondyk in Ceres as possibly the most magnificent. 

When Giggling Gourmet Jenny Morris SMSed an invitation to join a cherry-picking party I wondered if the schlep to Ceres was too far to travel. I'm pleased I overcame my Capetonian inertia because the journey itself was beautiful not to mention the destination. According to the SMS, it was going to be a communal picnic and we'd bring something to share. I brought an apple and celery salad and muffins which were utilitarian. The feast that Jenny and Abigail Donnely (Fairlady/Visi food editor) contributed requires in-depth reportage.

Lightly battered hake with a hint of lemon and chili, custom-made boerewors that would win any boere competition, lamb fillet in pepper, soy, honey and rosemary, and chicken pieces. All the above had been pre-made and finished on the new, space-age looking Weber gas-braai which David Morris assembeled in two ticks.

There was a delicious cos lettuce salad with a sort of Cesar dressing, a tossed green salad and my apple and celery. Mark, the owner of Cest si Bon bakery brought a selection of breads that on their own would have been a delicious picnic. Other people attending brought a truckload of superb dips anddrinks. Just spectacular. 

We picnicked under a huge oak tree on a soft bed of fallen oak leaves that made the strewn blankets and cushions as comfy as the best Sealy. A cooling breeze playfully caressed leaves onto our blankets. Jack, Abigail and Terry's gorgeous four-year-old took running dives into piles of them. Matriarchs looked on. Birds sang hymns to our pleasure. Life is good. 

We stopped at the Sir Lowry Hotel for scones which were only good for feeding the trout. 

As the setting sun swathed through the clouds and the mountains passed behind us like stage sets, even the car's air conditioner couldn't cool the warmth in my heart.