Tag Archives: South Africa

Some things cannot fail to enchant the inner child.  Sleeping in a tower ranks way up there.  Staying in the tower at the Nieu Bethesda Arts Centre was magical.  We shuffled in, wet clothing clinging to us during a rare Karoo downpour. The lovely lady who greeted us, brought towels and led us into the adjoining priory lounge for a …

What is childhood without a little magic.  In 2013 when Fjord was 6 he wanted to go to a magic show.  I bought tickets for an illusionist show over an hour’s drive from home.  I gave myself a great parenting pat on the back, but oh what an epic fail.  The show was fun for adults but not in the …

I haven’t bothered to write about the last few wine estates which we have visited.  They have been quite forgettable.  Vines in abundance, check.  Lovely old buildings, check.  Nice wine, check, and so on.  Nothing has stood out enough to be remarkable.  Just when I was beginning to feel that wine tasting is all “been there, done that”, we discovered …

Our daughter Acacia (5) called The Owl House in Nieu Bethesda “The God place”.  True art is spiritual, a link between mankind and infinity.  It is a bridge between flesh and blood and that part of us which reaches for more, even when ‘more’ cannot be named and pinned down. Helen Martins was a troubled soul, there is a tangible …

Heading for our self catering accommodation at Lupela Lodge, we passed the nearby town Lady Grey. The clouds had dressed her, to fit her name. Like the original Lady Grey, the clouds were fickle and untrue, yielding nothing to the drought stricken earth. Despite the dun shades of drought, the lodge is a haven of peace and tranquillity. After the …

The road from home to the Eastern Cape baffled expectations, a winter landscape in mid summer. Lacking lush green the eyes took in only drought painted patterns of brown and black. Most rivers crossed bereft of water, we looked down on sand and stone. Out of sync seasons, left me feeling that I was watching a faulty movie, lips speaking …

Sometimes the good old-fashioned recipes are the best.  Apple crumble is my son Fjord’s favourite PASTRY 120 g butter 125 ml sugar 1 egg 2 ml vanilla essence 2 cups (500 ml) flour 10 ml baking powder pinch salt FILLING 1 large tin pie apples 60 ml raisins or sultanas (optional) 50 ml brown sugar cinnamon for dusting INSTRUCTIONS Heat …

Thanks to Heather from the blog One Step at a time, I won tickets to the Titanic Expo.  I confess that prior to visiting the expo I had minimal interest in the Titanic.  I never saw the movie (too much hype and I know the ending).  My only Titanicism has been the penchant to apply the colloquial term “Full steam …

In March I attended a fantastic blogging event organised by SA Mom Blogs. Tanya and Zule from O-V Optics presented a dynamic talk on protecting our children’s eyes. They spoke with passion which comes from a source of deep conviction. You may have read the article which I posted at the time. My son Fjord aged 8 has a pair …

I don’t buy into woo woo theories about rocks holding spiritual benefits or healing properties.  Keeping a rose quartz at hand is not going to result in being lucky in love, I can give you a few pointers, but stones don’t feature in any of them.  Looking past the BS, I do however concede that the feel of a stone in my hand …