Scraps of Hope – Pre cycle-tour Free State visit

Scraps of Hope

You may recall lasts weeks post about Ruan Smit – the enterprising young cyclist who sets off on his “Explore South Africa Cycle Tour” on the 13th February. (see the article here – Collecting people’s stories – cycling 9000km in 70 days). Ruan will be sending us weekly snippets and stories abut his experiences on the road during his tour to share with our readers – and here is the first. Says Ruan – “I’m spending some time in the Free State, doing some training and trying to get to some other towns – and wrote this article for you …”

“I’m in Ficksburg today, and I could tell you how beautiful the mornings are, that it’s at the foot of the Drakensberg, that before the rain falls there’s usually a sandstorm that precedes it. I could tell you that it’s the cherry capital of South Africa and that the sun shines a blistering silence during the day. But all these things you will probably find if you Google “Ficksburg” … Continued

Rugby Festival at Green Point Stadium (photos)

A few photographs of the Green Point Stadium (now officially called the Cape Town Stadium) taken on Saturday 6th February at the Rugby Festival. The Stormers won 47-13 after leading 18-13 at halftime … Continued

Back to basics at Beaverlac

Beaverlac

Last weekend I succumbed to peer pressure and went camping.  I did a 39 day trip through Africa at the beginning of 2000 and after camping for most of those 38 nights I vowed I would never, ever camp again!  But the group invite for a weekend away was sent and I don’t like to miss out … so I saw the inside of a tent again.

Our destination was Beaverlac in the Cederberg and my goodness it is beautiful.  The entire journey was less than three hours including missing a few turnoffs on the way out of the Mother City and the bathroom break so it’s a completely do-able trip for after work on a Friday. Continued

Wild Olive Guest Farm near Stilbaai

Wild Olive Farm

We’re no strangers to Wild Olive Guest Farm. We’re one of many who return to this peaceful refuge where a couple of chalets and a cottage lie on the banks of the Goukou River estuary and a wild organic vegetable garden, set in amidst a series of olive groves, is the mainstay of a bustling breakfast and lunch time venue that attracts a constant stream of visitors from Stilbaai …

The main reason people head out here, other than the food, which alone is reason to visit, is Hazel. Hazel is a personality of note. She beams, bustles and constantly expounds about her passion for permaculture. It’s rather like being on the set of a Jamie Oliver shoot I would imagine. Continued

From Corporate Strife to an African Life

“Life should not be measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of times you are left breathless” – Anon.

When I came across this quotation nearly four years ago, it helped me to realise that I needed to make some changes to my hectic and stressful world. Little did I know then the huge impact that this inspirational maxim would have on my life … Continued

Cape Town on Forbes.com “World’s most beautiful Cities” list

Cape Town

Forbes.com has just published their annual “World’s most beautiful Cities” list and this year Cape Town joins Paris, Vancouver, Sydney, Florence, Venice, London as one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Forbes.com on Cape Town …
Open space makes Cape Town special, says Levitt. Renowned English sea navigator Sir Francis Drake once referred to Cape Town as the fairest cape in the world. The city houses the Kirstenbosch botanical garden, and the top of Table Mountain offers a breathtaking view of the city from roughly 3,500 feet above sea level. Levitt, an environmental engineer, praises the city’s minimal ecological footprint, a result of its “manageable size.” Continued

South African Sports News – 3 February

Graeme Smith

Proteas ready for mighty India
The Proteas opened their tour of India yesterday with a practice match ahead of their quest to unseat the hosts as the premier test nation. The tourists are taking on the Indian board president’s XI in a two-day match in Nagpur before the first test begins at the new Vidarbha Cricket Association ground on the outskirts of the city on Saturday.

The two-test series – the second test will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 14 – could be one of the most important the Proteas have played in recent times. The number two ranked South Africans need a 2-0 series win to dislodge India from the top spot. A 1-0 result in favour of the tourists will leave both teams level on 123 rating points. Continued

Beautiful Bonamanzi!

Beautiful Bonamanzi

We had family out from the USA over Christmas so arranged to spend two nights at Bonamanzi Game Park … on safari!  I will be the first to admit that I’m not a big fan of the bush; I appreciate the beauty of it but let’s face it, the bush in mid summer when its 30 degrees at 5 in the morning is just not pleasant.  It’s especially not pleasant when the camp you are staying at does not have a swimming pool or air conditioning!

Bonamanzi however, is a breath of fresh air… Continued

Arderne Gardens – greenery in the midst of Claremont

Arderne Gardens

Say ‘Main Road, Claremont’ and the picture most people conjure up definitely doesn’t include greenery. It’s a bustling hubbub of activity, the air consistently rent with the hooting of taxis soliciting business, and the irate response of drivers looking for parking. But in the midst of all of this is Arderne, the garden of weddings, a 4.5 hectare garden filled with some 300 incredible trees that is just crying out for use … Continued

4 Oscar Nominations for District 9, 2 for Invictus

Oscar Nominations

The Sci-Fi box office hit “District 9″ scores 4 Oscar Nominations for Best Film; Visual Effects; Film Editing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and “Invictus” scores 2 Oscar nominations including the coveted Actor in a Leading Role for Morgan Freeman and Actor in a Supporting Role for Matt Damon … Continued

Jazz on Fridays in Franschhoek

Cape Dutch Connection’s Jazz on Friday, which kicked off on 30 October at La Brasserie in Franschhoek, is having one of its most successful seasons ever, says leader of the jazz band, Derk Blaisse. According to Blaisse, the Friday evening performances are attracting audiences of up to 300 at a time … Continued

Sax Appeal?

Get Sax Appeal

If you are on the roads in Cape Town this Thursday 4 February anywhere from Claremont to Table View, Bellville to Somerset West you will see a number of young people dressed a little bit differently and desperately trying to sell you something. Don’t send them away from your car window as they have something of interest.

They are selling you the UCT RAG SAX Appeal at only R20 a magazine and you may just find yourself giggling at many of the articles. Here are only 45 000 copies to be sold so make sure you get on the roads early to pick up your copy. Some of the contributors this year are Ben Trovato (a well known South African columnist), Seth Rotherham (famed for his blog 2oceansvibe.com), and James Clarke (renowned author of Blazing Saddles), Laurian Clemence (from the “Mushy Peas on Toast” blog, Professor David Benatar (head of the UCT’s Department of Philosophy) and quick tongued 5fm radio DJ Gareth Cliff. There will also be a number of cartoons, jokes and satires to keep you entertained for hours … Continued

Parlotone’s at D’Aria on Valentines day

Are you looking for a way into your Valentine’s heart? Or would you just like to spoil your loved one? If you’ve answered yes then get a move on and book your tickets for the Parlotones live at D’Aria on Valentine’s Day (Sunday 14 February 2010).

The Parlotones have proved they are the biggest and most popular English Rock / Alternative band in South Africa, playing to huge, sol out crowds as well as performing next to well know international bands (i.e. Kings of Leon and Evanescence). I wasn’t surprised to find out that in the last 18 months the band has sold over 100 000 records and performed in over 300 shows.  They have also won numerous awards, for example the People’s Choice Award for Best Music Act in 2008 … Continued

5 top spots with kids in Cape Town

Bugz kiddies play park

Cape Town, with its focus on the great outdoors, is seldom short of places to which you can take your children – beaches, walks, picnic spots abound – but there are times when the more formal, child-designated spot comes in handy, and a few of these are worth taking note of.

The top five, in no particular order (having gone through no competitive process to reach these pages other than to have gained my approval), are the Barnyard in Tokai, Bugz in Kraaifontein, Deer Park (also known as Rocklands Park) in Oranjezicht, Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie, and Scarecrows in Hout Bay. Most of these are outdoor venues, to accommodate the gorgeous summer weather, and places where parents also get to unwind. Continued