Sharon and Hendrik Te Roller enjoy some of the best views from their house that The Somerset Lifestyle and Retirement Village offers. Sighted above the East side of the central park they have a full view of the park itself and across to Table Mountain and the bay. They have Okkie Potgieter to thank for that view, he insisted that this plot was the one they wanted rather than one further down that they had first chosen and they are eternally grateful for his persistence.

Sharon has photographed many sunsets from her balcony over the years, each one she says better than the last, and looking forward to capturing many more. They love their house and living in the village.

Hendrik, along with his brother, owned all the butcheries at the Food Lovers Markets across the Western Cape. After 35 years they sold out to Food Lover’s only retaining the butchery at the Somerset West branch. He still works there 7 days a week. Retiring is not for him he says, he works harder than ever now. When asked, Sharon claims to be a lady of leisure and never having had a job but it turns out that she was a professional ballroom dancer, and enjoyed much success as an amateur competitor.

Both Hendrik and Sharon are vegans, and have been for many years. He had some health issues and his son, a vegan, suggested he try it for an initial two weeks. He’s never looked back, his health improved, he’s now the ‘Vegan Butcher’. Hendrick is a road cyclists and cycles to work most days. Sharon is always busy as well, they have many friends in the area and as he says, there is always something to do. They both agree that moving to The Somerset was the best decision they ever made, and have no plans to move anywhere else.

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