Kiwi Cake

Yield:	16 Servings
Categories:	Cakes

1		Unfilled sponge sandwich [8 or 9-inch round white layer cake; not sponge cake]
1	tb	Instant coffee
3/4	c	Sugar
1/4	c	Water
1/2	tb	Rum or brandy [I use rum]
300	ml	Cream [I use at least a pint of heavy cream; more would be fine]
6		-(up to)
8		Kiwifruit [4-5 large ones as found in our groceries; hers seem to be smaller; from her garden]
1/2	c	Slivered almonds [at least--I use more]
1/2	c	Canned mandarins [mandarin orange segments; I often use fresh sliced strawberries; or both strawberries and mandarin oranges]