Food & Wine Market at Hermanuspietersfontein

This is a popular market on a Saturday morning for residents of Hermanus and the surrounds. Its setting is the Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellars at the Hemel en Aarde Village closest to Onrus, and if you’re not there to pick up the weekend’s nibbles and nosh, then you’re there for breakfast with friends. It’s a market in much the same vein as the Neighbourgoods and the Earth Fair markets in Cape Town, although on a slightly smaller scale. It can get busy though, so you might want to get here relatively early. The market opens at 09h00 … Continued

Peaks, Valleys and Champagne … in the Drakensberg

One of my favourite holiday spots is the Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beach and there is nothing better than an early morning swim in the Indian Ocean, but the Drakensberg offers just as good a holiday and there is no need to watch out for jellyfish and sand in your sarmies! Continued

Which two oceans, mum?

Two Oceans Aquarium

It’s a pretty valid question when asked by a four-year old en route to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, but it had me stumbling for a moment as, with my indicator stuck, my head craned round to see oncoming traffic, and my other finger reaching for the air conditioning that needed a mighty overhaul if you consider the angst with which it was emitting tepid air, my brain and mouth couldn’t get in synch to wrap around the rather meaty ‘Indian and Atlantic, love’.

Just as well it isn’t the Pacific Ocean that meets the Indian or the Atlantic, or my child would have spent at least ten minutes talking about specifics. The Two Oceans Aquarium based at the V&A Waterfront is probably the only major tourist attraction to which Capetonians actually go. Continued

Cape Town City Ballet celebrates 75 years in Cape Town

Sunday 22 November 2009 is a special day for ballet in Cape Town as Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) celebrates 75 years on ballet. This is South Africa’s premier ballet company and where better to commemorate this milestone but at the newly refurbished Artscape.

The evening will be commemorated with a once off gala performance from both past and present stars of the ballet. With a most fitting title the Happy Birthday Ballet will take the audience through the CTCB’s history. From the early beginnings at the UCT Ballet Company, through the days of CAPAB Ballet right until the Cape Town City Ballet as it is today. Continued

Farmstalls along the N2 between Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Houhoek Pass

Farmstalls on the N2

As the N2 summits Sir Lowry’s Pass and begins its meander through one of the most lovely valleys known to man – the Elgin Valley is sumptuous it is such a feast of beauty -  it passes no fewer than five farmstalls distributed fairly evenly on either side of the road (if you’re smart, you can stop at one or two on the way to your destination, and then another couple on your return).

We were headed to Vermont, the little village not far from Hermanus that has enjoyed a fair amount of attention if the number of holiday homes is anything to go by. We took it upon ourselves to stop at four of the farmstalls in an effort to do a comparison and to see just what each of them offers – besides, it’s great fun to fall out of the car, meander around the grounds, have a look at all the goodies, make a selection or two and then, between mouthfuls, rate the nosh … Continued

Whats up at The Grand Daddy?

The Pink Flamingo

Is it too early in the week to be thinking about the weekend? We think not! So let’s get up to date with the next two weeks of funky, fun events that are happening at The Grand Daddy Hotel. In case you are unfamiliar with this hotel, The Grand Daddy is one of the places to be in Cape Town.

Not only are the staff warm and hospitable, but the penthouse trailer park, that is home to a collection of 7 vintage Airstream caravans all with the backdrop of Table Mountain, is a unique and inspiring venue that will be host to all of these events. And if you are concerned that the weather may be a bit dodge don’t worry the events will just move a few floors down and will be hosted in the Daddy Cool Bar (an equally cool place to find yourself in!). Continued

African Drumming at The Tafelberg Restaurant & Bar

The only interactive show in Cape Town dedicated purely to drumming, this sounds like a great way to spend a Wednesday evening! This exciting event runs every Wednesday from 20h30 to 22h30 (doors open at 20h00). The Drum Mania band opens with a short performance of a simple rhythm and most people join in! Newcomers are then shown the basic technique of playing djembe including good seating posture. The more experienced players attending use this time to warm-up their hands or they just relax at the bar with a beer! Continued

The Parlotones performing in Cape Town and Jozi

The Parlotones will be performing in Cape Town on Friday 13th and Johannesburg on Saturday 14th November – Who are Kahn Morbee, Glenn Hodgson, Paul Hodgson and Neil Pauw, some of you might recognise the names, some of you may even know that these guys make up one of South Africa’s biggest selling rock bands and others might know them better as the Parlotones … Continued

Why I’m telling no-one about McGregor

It isn’t easy to find somewhere to stay on a farm that is remote but still close enough to a small town to provide light entertainment when needed and supplies when necessary. I spent quite a bit of time on the internet before I found our little gem on a farm just outside Robertson and McGregor (bonus as we got two quaint towns for the price of one!).

The unbelievably beautiful valley that holds Robertson, McGregor, Ashton, Bonnievale and Montagu in its embrace has something magical about it. And if you don’t believe me, visit it yourself and you’ll understand what I mean. The secret is to take the time to stop in the towns, as we did in Robertson and McGregor, so that the charm of each can find its way into the corners of your mind. Because it won’t be anything tangible or something you ‘discover’; the magic is simply there for the taking, you have but to imbibe … Continued

It’s the Ficksburg Festival, my cherry!

Cherry Festival

Ficksburg didn’t mean that much to me until I visited the pretty little town set on the banks of the Caledon River. It lies at the foot of the beautiful Imperani Mountain in the Free State, for those of you who didn’t know, and I had only heard of it before the festival because a school friend of mine hailed from there (and since we were at school in Durban at the time, you can understand how she was regarded with a fair amount of  incredulity).

First off let me say that if you’re a fan of cherries, then this is the festival to attend. For the last couple of years at least, cherries seem to have given the shelves of my local Pick n Pay the run around. That, or they were in and off the shelves so fast that I didn’t even catch a whiff of the dainty red stoned fruit! Thus a trip to the Eastern Free State around the third week of November may be the closest you will get to this delectable dainty … Continued

The grand opening of the Cape Quarter’s Square

Cape Quarter

This is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets because it has something for everyone, health, beauty, fashion, lifestyle and food all in one unique venue with typical Cape Malay architecture. This is a place that epitomises cool and if you want to be with the who’s who then you should make your way to the Cape Quarter …

This is such a fantastic space that is brought together with the central piazza which in itself is a meeting place for friends and family before they explore the Cape Quarter’s wonderful opportunities and hidden treasures. The Cape Quarter Piazza can be found at 72 Waterkant Street, Green Point … Continued

A weekend in Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Friends got married at Moreson Wine Estate last weekend so we used this as a good excuse to spend the weekend in Franschhoek.  It was a lunch time wedding and we live in Cape Town, so strictly speaking two nights in Franschhoek was not really necessary but then again, it’s Franschhoek and it’s always a treat to spend time in this beautiful town!

We arrived on Friday evening and there is something quite special about driving through the valley as the sun is setting.  We really do live in a country with the most breathtaking scenery … Continued