Martha picked up a nearly black mussel shell.

The sand under his bare feet wasn't as soft now, but it wasn't yet covered with the sharp-edged black mussels.

Remnants of a feast were scattered about-blue-blackmussel-shells ,soiledtamale-husks, brown crusts of Italian bread that had been baked in huge round loaves.

For starters I ordered the fresh local Black Mussels in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce, served with homemade focaccia (Price R95).