Inverroche Classic Gin
Most people remember their Grandmothers because they smelt of Violets or Lavender, when I think of my Glam’ma I imagine Gin and cigarette smoke, two of my favourite things! Femme fatale. She was glamorous, worldly, beautiful, graceful, well travelled, she spoke the Queen’s English and...
Have NO Passport. Will NOT Travel.
Picture the scene: you're late, you're brushing your teeth and above the whine of the electric toothbrush you hear this "Darling! have you got your passport?" by now you've had it and shout back "yesh" loudly. Spraying toothpaste foam all over your new black cashmere sweater. I received...
Ranthambore National Park - India
We travelled halfway around the world to visit Ranthambore National Park for one reason only. To see the mighty and very elusive Bengal Tiger, a symbol of wild beauty and conservation importance. I wonder if they still exist? In Ranthambore village, Precious decided to hire a tailor to...
India by Rail
Whether you travel like a Prince or a pauper, India offers diverse train experiences that can evoke excitement and curiosity, making your journey memorable. Our first train journey was chaotic yet rewarding, as you can imagine. The mayhem at stations and the culture shock on trains highlight...
Vietnam - Getting Educated
They say, “a secret’s only a secret once you’ve told someone.” I have a confession to make: Jip, I have a crush on Luke Nguyen. I’d record his cooking programs, and he filled my disc space, which was awkward to explain. When we decided to visit Vietnam, I rushed to the nearest bookstore,...
Being Catherine De Nerve
"Work is a sideline - Live the holiday I’ll probably never see the Voyager blast off into space, but it’s like Cape Canaveral in this house as we start the countdown to lift-off on Tuesday. Old habits die hard. When I was growing up, certain things had to be done before going on a journey....
What's in a Name, You Ask?
“Jason scratched his head.” You named him Festus? You know that in Latin, ‘Festus’ means ‘happy’? You want us to ride off to save the world on Happy the Dragon? Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero My nephew and his wife are expecting their first child, my first grand-nephew and my parents’...
Zucchini and Oregano Quiche
Celebrate the days getting longer and warmer with a family favourite. Serve a crisp green salad and Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing. Don't forget to pack a bottle of Bubbly and Strawberries. PASTRY 500g Flour 2,5ml Salt 1,2ml Paprika 250g Butter 250ml Cheddar Cheese, grated 125ml...
Meditteranean Baked Tomato Salad
Nothing beats a beautiful, plump, sun-kissed, bright red Rosa Tomato. Using fresh, high-quality tomatoes ensures the best flavour, which is key to making this recipe a success. In our house, they're a staple, and this recipe is a winner for its versatility and simplicity. Use a variety of...
Herb Crusted Pork Neck
Be bold and ring the changes with this simply delicious de-boned Pork neck. The fresh herb crust is versatile and can be used successfully with either fresh fish or chicken breasts. Lemon zest adds zing. I have used this recipe for pork chops, and the coating is perfect for the meat side of a...
Moon over the Sea
If you read a book titled "100 Places to Go Before You Die," this cottage is one of them. Right there on the beach in Tofo, a seaside village not too far from Inhambane in Mozambique, just north of Maputo, the capital, you'll find local markets, restaurants, and transportation options such as...
The Best Carrot Cake Ever
This cake has been a favourite for 30 years; I baked it for church fetes, school bazaars, birthday parties, tea parties, and family get-togethers, and it was a staple in our home. It's comforting and brings back fond memories, encouraging you to try baking it yourself. 3 Extra-large eggs...
Bather Blues
It’s taken me forty years to figure out why older women wear last decade’s bathing suits: it’s because that’s their only choice. When I left school, I started working at a department store and noticed that many of our “older” female clients shared similar shopping habits, which I now...
12 Or So Facts
If/when I see myself in a mirror, I automatically look behind me! 1. I must go to spinning classes for my blood circulation2. I've got my mom’s hands and Grandma's liver spots.3. I'm not a blonde anymore4. Clothes' sizing has changed; a size 12 is the new size 95. Having the Apple iTiti implants...
Gorilla De Ville Goes Camping - Botswana
“Precious” promised himself he would go to the bush in 2014. Reservations were made with Banks, the Camp Official at the Khwai Community Camp. This is bush camping at its best, hard to beat and hard to find. We camped for eleven nights. The Khwai Community Camp is in Khwai Village, on the...
Have Passport Will Travel
For weeks, we’ve talked about nothing but “Princess Open Book's” holiday to Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique, (aka Anna). The child is tired, overworked, stressed, and fatigued, and needs to detoxify from all her physical, mental, and emotional toxins. We’ve sent lists of what to have, what to...
Can't Live Without Books
For the past 34 years, I’ve been a member of a Ladies' Evening Book Club. I rarely miss a meeting and can't wait to see the new books; I'm in love with them. I adore my friends, but I can’t do without the books. The scent of the paper makes me swoon. My love of stories and books began in...
Flower Power in Namaqualand
There’s nothing as rewarding as a trip to Namaqualand in spring. The question is when spring has sprung. Traditionally, we “celebrate” spring day on the 1st of September. Our experience has been that the best flowers are seen in August. Last year, we went during the first week of August...
Travelling with Audiobooks
The first thing we do when we go anywhere out of town is pack our iPod to listen to Audiobooks. For some reason we've never been successful when it comes to the car radio, that aerial just remains dodgy! I joined www.audible.co.uk years ago and eagerly await my very affordable subscription...
Caravan Capers in Botswana
We're back from Botswana via the Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park, and I want to share the highlights and surprises of our adventure with you. Not a day passed without a mishap or surprise! Thank goodness we kept our sense of humour! AND the world hasn’t ended, winter has come and gone, and...
Actually India!
A year ago, we were persuaded to go to India, so one day, whilst surfing the web, I spotted some cheap tickets, and while Georgie went off to Town to do the groceries, I booked our flights. On 1st May, we set off for India after spending 4 days walking in the Kruger National Park. We did...
Les Girls are Frenching It - The Background
Where do I start with this travelogue? I want to share my recent adventures in India and France, celebrating long-standing friendships and travel stories that inspire enthusiasm and strengthen bonds. India was a life-changing experience and left its indelible mark on my soul. Every day was...
Skietkuil Guest Farm, a star in the Karoo
This one's a keeper in my books. Situated right on the N1 from Cape Town to Johannesburg, slap in the middle between Three Sisters and Richmond, it offers a warm, authentic Karoo experience. Beautifully renovated farmsteads, tastefully decorated with all the amenities for a self-catering stay...
Molopo Kalahari Lodge: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The gin and tonic never tasted better. When last did you get up at 3H30 in the morning, after you'd been to a wedding, and been on the road for at least 10 hours? Exactly, few people have or would dare to. We did. My aching bones rejoiced when we stopped at the Molopo Lodge en route to...
Maun Lodge: I know I Maun a lot.
It was with a heavy heart that we left the Khwai Community Camp last Thursday. We were really getting into the swing of things in the bush, and the last thing we anticipated was a return to civilization, but, unfortunately, a broken alternator waits for no man. Anticipating a long and...
Bon Arrivee Maun: Fly me to the moon
I know it's very unlikely that all restaurants will keep up standards in the long run, but one can live in hope, and a patron at our guesthouse assured us that this was the best Maun had to offer. We'd been there before, and we'd enjoyed the vibe, food, colonial atmosphere, and the rather...
Queness Inn: Maun
Don't judge a Guesthouse by its impersonal face bricks. A new Guesthouse, quite a few kilometres from the CBD, Queness Inn, was a great find. The friendly, accommodating receptionist was eager to help and make suggestions, which made us feel welcomed and at ease. The three golden rules were met...
Duchess of Wisbeach: Sea Point
A good recipe and great ingredients set the scene, but the atmosphere and food quality at Duchess of Wisbeach are key factors. A friend's recommendation to visit the Duchess was all the encouragement we needed to book, even though our daughter and son-in-law were sceptical of our choice....
Seelan Restaurant and Bar: V&A Waterfront
Stunning autumn days in Cape Town beckon us to stroll down to the V&A Waterfront for lunch; it's always surprising how busy restaurants in this neck of the woods are, almost European busy. We stumbled upon Seelan tucked away below "decks" on Quay 5, a new establishment, hardly 2 weeks...
Sawai Madhopur: Nahargarh Ranthambhore
Earning our stripes at Nahargarh. We visited the Ranthambore National Park in summer, when it's not tourist season and very hot, I think we hit it spot on as far as our accommodation was concerned! What a treat, we were pampered and spoilt and waited upon fit for a Maharajah. A most...
The Oberoi, Mumbai
Staying at the Oberoi was like landing with my bum in the butter in Bombay! What can I say? 10/10 I couldn't ask for more except to linger longer. The Oberoi is just fabulous from the basement to the penthouse! This establishment lacks nothing. From my very first email enquiring...
India By Car with a Driver - Private Day Tours
Driving in India is almost like taking your life into your own hands. Oh, Holy Cow, it's hectic and indescribable unless you have a driver in his own car. Our driver Rajesh picked us up at the train station in Udaipur with a bouquet of red roses and a sign welcoming us to India, but the...
Grand Mumbai - Private Tours
Can't get any grander than this! On a recent visit to Mumbai, we decided to use the services of Grand Mumbai Tours, which offers personalized city sightseeing, cultural experiences, and more. We had a fabulous day and couldn't have wished for a better way to see Mumbai with our charming guide,...
Jamaica Me Crazy Cape Town
You might make me crazy, but Jamaica, my day! I had a hectic day, many, many tears as my darling boy was returning to Canada. I was distraught to say the least! We decided to end our holiday together with a bang and head off to Roodebloem road in Woodstock, you know that shady area...
Chandani Indian & Vegetarian Restaurant Cape Town
Spice up your day and take a trip to Roodebloem Road, which wouldn't be complete without ending up at this lovely restaurant. A tarted-up Victorian house situated in the heart of Woodstock. Rich purples, reds, and silver were used to create the decor. I loved that the restaurateur welcomed...
Mosselberg On Grotto Beach Hermanus
boy + girl + 4 seasons in a day = marriage. This was my second visit to Mosselberg Guesthouse, and I was once again suitably impressed by the beauty of the space, the location, the sublime views, the decor, and the atmosphere of peace and serenity. My first impression was "wow, look at that...
Temptation at La Vierge Winery
A glimpse of Tuscany. I admit, it was with reluctance that I made a reservation at La Vierge. I had another much-loved eatery in mind, but thankfully, I followed my best friend's advice and made a luncheon reservation at La Vierge instead. This was my third visit, the last a wedding...
B's Steakhouse: Hemel and Aarde
You think you'll never return for an onion? Think again, here they make a morish onion that breaks all the rules. B's is an institution. Steakhouse fare at its best, B knows his oats when it comes to beef. Try the onion, it's on the starter menu, fabulous! If the graffiti on the...
Oskar's Delikatessen: Hermanus
It's a coffee shop for Pete's sake! Books are my favourite thing in the world, and what could be nicer than a book shop next to a coffee shop? So, I'll pop into the bookshop, do my nosing around, and then happily go and settle in at Oskars. Here you can catch your breath, have cake, light...
Fernkloof Nature Reserve: Hermanus
A monkey's wedding must be a good omen for a bride and groom, I think. We attended a beautiful, romantic wedding in Fernkloof a week ago. Besides the gorgeous bridal couple, Fernkloof stole the show, as it always does. There were baboons on the lawns; they came out of hiding to make our day...