The Latest
Sunday's Roast With Sweet Onion Tarte Tatin
Using staples from our store cupboard is always a bargain, especially at weekends when you don’t want to put a foot wrong or go into a shop. Explaining why this is helpful can inspire readers to feel more confident in their pantries and enjoy stress-free cooking. On most Sundays, we like to take...
Breakfast Inspiration - BIRCHER
Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. I find we slip into a routine very quickly, especially when it’s just Butch and me. Every meal is a repeat of the day before, as we’re both busy and meals at home serve their nutritional purpose, keeping us sustained and hopefully healthy. It was on...
Gifting Memories - La Colombe and Kleinbosch Kloof
A few years ago, we invited a granddaughter for a camping weekend in Prince Albert, hoping to cherish simple pleasures and make memories. It was a chance to get to know her better and for her to experience some things we enjoy. As luck would have it, it coincided with the Olive Festival, so we...
Weekend Meander to MIDDELPOS
Pompelompie Hartklop (Heartbeat) Festival. The heart of the Karoo beats in its resilient, steadfast community, inspiring admiration and respect among visitors. One fine day, Butch came along and suggested we go on a road trip to Middelpos. I’d never heard of the place, but I was game. He...
Let's Hit The Road Jack - YZERFONTEIN
My beloved knew I’d be emotionally drained after our glorious six weeks in Onrus with the family. This was my weekend to be spoilt, almost an early Valentine’s treat. He made a reservation at the Yzerfontein Caravan Park for the weekend and secured a lovely campsite using the camp layout on...
Rather Late Than Never
Hallo! I have missed you, old friend, and I want to reconnect after almost three months. Like some relationships, if you neglect them, you can drift apart, but I'm back! We will be back on track in no time, and I look forward to sharing more family updates with you. Many exciting things...
Moaning Minnie on Monday
I hate complaining; it does no one any good, does it? But sometimes I am so disappointed that the only way to process my feelings is to vent my frustration. Today I see red because of how Daly Bread treated me. On Friday, as is customary, I ordered Almond Croissants from Daly Bread in...
Quiche Me Quick
When it’s sunny and days can be spent on the beach with a book, there’s no time to linger in the kitchen. Quick, easy meals like these help you enjoy your day without stress. Having a few vegetarian recipes in your arsenal is always a good idea, especially when on holiday. I find we need...
Sunday AKA The Wife’s Day Off - Potjiekos recipe and my Polenta
In South Africa, husbands give their wives “the day off” when THEY cook, often on a Sunday, to let them relax and enjoy some leisure time. It means we don’t have to stand in front of the stove and sweat it out. This day off doesn’t come cheap, though. We earn it. Before we can twiddle our...
Setting The Record Straight
Some very clever people wrote a very interesting article on perception, comprehension, and fake news. Recognising how easily we are influenced can make us more aware and cautious about the information we consume. "Humans can transform fake information into fake memories, especially when...
Windy Weekend Weather Wolseley
It’s often hard to believe there was a life before a disaster. Fortunately, there was. Our memories eventually remember only the good things in life, as bad thoughts are laid to rest along the wayside. And then life goes on, and soon we say, “Life is good”!Before the great debacle and the...
A Gut-Wrenching Confession
If you're interested in the whole sordid disaster, this is it! Shake, Rattle and Roll, without the big band, was what happened to me this morning. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try or work at something, it fails. Coming to terms with failure and moving on is a learning curve I have learnt....
2nd November A Day To Remember
It would’ve been my Grandmama Joe Knight’s birthday; she was born on 2 November 1906. She would’ve been a ripe old age (113), and I often wonder whether she'd be proud of our rugby team, especially given our rich family history with the sport. Sharing this connection can deepen family and...
Changing Lanes
Not only am I trying to negotiate my way to a heavy-duty driving licence, which is nerve-wracking, but we are also gearing down to change lanes in our lives. Once we took the plunge and put the indicators on, signalling a change of lanes in our personal life, inevitably, many parts of the sum...
Making Memories In Montagu
As we get older, we enjoy celebrations. Could it be that they’re becoming scarcer, as we attend more funerals than parties these days? Fortunately, we were on our way to a birthday braai and would camp in beautiful Montagu, with its heritage homes, enormous properties, channelled water,...
A Knight's Stay - Self Catering Somerset West
It’s hereditary, this thing about me not doing sleepovers. I prefer sleeping in my bed with my ancient down pillow. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I must sleep out: my pillow. The other is packing all my toiletries. I inevitably forget something at home. This time it...
Seven Sticks Of Wood And A Block Of Blitz
No final destination was the plan. YR.com said it would be the worst weekend to go camping. I checked daily, which was very unusual, to see whether the weather would improve. Not a chance. We didn't want our spirits dampened by drizzle, so we packed up and headed off to see some spring blooms...
The Honey Badger Goes For An Annual Check-up
We’ve been far and wide in the Honey Badger, our Isuzu NP 300 4X4 Overlander or motorhome. Motorhome sounds like a retirement home, whereas Overlander sounds sexy and adventurous. Don’t you think? We'll stick to Overlander Truck. It’s been just over a year since we officially took possession...
Winter Wining And Dining Winners
One restaurant left a foul taste in our mouths. Their food is mouth-watering; their communication is shocking. More about them later. Let’s move on. Should I ever complain about anything, roll your eyes. I know, life is a bed of meringue, sugar and spice. I am spoilt and sometimes indulged....
Safari On Super Suppers And Snacks
Gosh, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that spring in my step. A new shop opened in town: Nibbly Bits. As the name suggests, they stock many delicious nibbly bits. I went all out and got us some treats. After my spree, I met up with friends en route to Prince Albert in the Karoo, and we...
Tips And Tricks For Camping, Overlanding Or Roadtripping
Every trip has unique challenges, and it’s impossible to plan for every eventuality, especially when space is at a premium. African roads are often poor; always keep that in mind. Here are some of the things I learned on this trip to help you feel confident and in control of your planning. ...
Mabuasahube - The Pecking Order
At last, we were ready to enjoy ten days of doing absolutely nothing. That's what dreams are made of... a real holiday. The wonder of Mabuasahube. All we do is wonder what’s next. Shrug. Shake your head. Nothing. We wait and see. No expectations. But there is always the promise of a surprise....
The Fab Four Conquer The Kalahari - En Route to Mabuasahube
Best friends, best buddies, best Boetie (brother) and hiekkelsuster (crochet companion) – that’s what Percy and Sue are to us. It’s rare to hear siblings of our age actually like each other and choose to spend time together. We do. We’re close, companionable, comfortable and cosy. The recipe...
My Many Miles To Mabuasahube
Plus, many hours spent practising MA-BU-A-SA-HU-BE and successfully playing the sympathy card. But first, we rendezvous at Melton Wold in the Karoo. Planning a trip on short notice is very exciting. From the moment we decided, during one of our long boozy lunches, that we needed a quick getaway,...
Who Let The Dogs Out?
Who let the dog out? And what's more in the Kalahari to boot! So, there we were, minding our own business, watching another beautiful African sunset, contemplating the day, sipping drinks, when a Land Cruiser came hurtling up our road in a billowing cloud of dust. My stomach lurched, and I...
The Story Of My Crochet Blanket
I dread coming home, not the actual being home, but the flight; it scares the living daylights out of me. I am a wreck; no customs official leaves me be. I will always be the lucky one to be “randomly checked”, scrutinised and frisked. Do I really look like a drug-courier-terrorist? I wonder. Do...
"Maricha! Where have you been?"
It’s Monday, the 8th of July 2019, and it will be the very first time I open my laptop to scroll down to Word to take up my keyboard once again and write. It’s been a while. I hope my words don’t let me down after all these months. I opened this scribbling, written while in Canada, and thought it...
Bonnievale River Lodge And White Linen Camping
Sometimes the end of a story is the story. Our stay in Bonnievale is a classic case where a mishap could make or break one's enjoyment of the moment. We have friends who are Swallows; they spend six months in South Africa before migrating back to the UK for the summer. Somewhere along the line,...
Butch With An Eye - Update
This nightmare started 8 months ago and has changed the way he sees. Everything. In the blink of an eye, Butch’s plans and dreams changed when he suffered a “stroke” in the Retina, known as a retinal stroke or central retinal vein occlusion, which differs from a brain stroke. The diagnosis...
18 Fabulous Things To Do in April
These are my 18 fabulous things to do in April. Winter is not my favourite season so I need to have a few highlights to look forward to. For some reason a lot of eating goes into this list, will have to curb my enthusiasm! It is also time to prune and do some maintenance work before we have...
To Arniston With A Surfboard
The Southern Cape must boast the best weather. Autumn has come early this year; I can’t remember ever experiencing three weeks of inclement weather in February/March. We packed up our Honey Badger in the hope of sunshine and perfect waves. Arniston is a gem. As a young girl, we used to go...
Spicy Mexican Chicken and Corn Soup
Before I do anything else, I want to share this easy and delicious Spicy Mexican Chicken and Corn Soup. I whipped it up quickly last week, and we all agreed it's a recipe anyone can master. It's perfect for any season, bringing summer vibes to wintry days and keeping winter chills...
12 Fun Things To Do During A Wet Spell And Beetroot Risotto
Here are my 12 fun things to do during a wet spell. Bragging rights in the car industry are earned when your new VW outruns the competition and goes from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds. Our summer went from balmy sunshine days to cloudy and wet overnight, and Autumn kept it up for 7 days. Suddenly, we...
Suikerbossie Guest Farm Meander - A Review
There are only 52 weekends in a year; we’ve already spent 9-10. Life is hectic and stressful; many need to recharge in the country, savouring fresh country air. Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld is the perfect retreat for young and old, especially during [spring and summer...
Seven Things To Do At Suikerbossie Guest Farm
Here are my seven fun things to do at Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld. SEVEN FUN THINGS TO DO AT SUIKERBOSSIE GUEST FARM: 1. Buy Tannie Lettie’s famous Old Fashioned Ginger Beer with raisins 2. Buy a bag of delicious dried Organic Peaches 3. Hire a slip-and-slide for kids of...
Authentic Seafood Paella Recipe
A traditional Spanish paella, packed with authentic spices and ingredients, designed to inspire home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. In a previous life, I was a caterer, and this Paella recipe was a firm favourite among clients. It is foolproof, easy, and takes centre stage at the table. I...
The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne
My book of the year. Devoured by our book club, this thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age story is deeply touching and invites readers to connect with the characters' journeys. John Boyne put his heart and soul into this book, telling the story with humour and compassion while illustrating the...
Not Pie In The Sky - Old Fashioned Apple Pie With Nuts and Cranberries
Did you know? The apples we buy fresh have been hermetically sealed in a cold storage facility for at least a year! Cold Storage works something like this: Organic-Hermetic storage, or “hermetic storage”, consists of a sealed storage system containing a modified atmosphere. This means...
Cape Salmon Is Summer - Fish Cakes
There’s no sense in living by the sea and never enjoying fresh fish, so I appreciate the importance of choosing quality ingredients. When we wanted to buy Cape Salmon caught at this time, we couldn’t find any in Hermanus. Cape Salmon is the queen of the seas, and I'll always go for that option....