Review
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....
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...
"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,...
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...
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...
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...
The Wall - Kariba Dam
It was time to wave goodbye to Mana Pools. A month was just long enough, and I was excited to resume our road trip and head to our next destination, Kariba. All the stories I’d heard about Kariba conjured images of holidays, fun, and houseboats. Romantic. We, of course, would not be staying in...
Going To The Dogs - Nyamepi Campsite Review
Close your eyes. In the distance, hear the cry of the African Fish Eagle calling its mate. The soft rustle you hear could be a Vervet monkey suckling her young; the soft blow is an Impala warning the herd of danger; and the loud swishing and snorting in the water is a hippopotamus...
The Company We Keep
It's true that birds of a feather flock together, just like Lilian's Lovebirds. Although we travel very well together and can do so comfortably without company, we were delighted to know we wouldn't be alone for the entire time we were in Mana. We are social animals, after all, and I need...
Mangwanani! Mana Pools
Morning! The early bird catches the worm. We’d be there when the gates opened. That’s what we thought. But of course, in Africa, that seldom happens. We couldn't have known that the fuel shortages were about to begin. Eventually, we made it to the Mana Gate, and then we had to negotiate...
Roadtripping From Our Southern Shores to The Mighty Zambezi
On a fine Friday afternoon, we were all packed and excited to set off on our 5-day road trip from the southern tip of South Africa to the northernmost border of Zimbabwe, where our journey would end on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. Our first stop was Matjiesfontein, where we...
The Honey Badger Does Its Maiden Long Haul To Zimbabwe
I am not a procrastinator by nature; I can’t multitask. This blog has been in the works for a while now; unfortunately, Murphy had a hand in the delay. I must confess that the past couple of months since my last blog have been hectic, with unexpected delays and last-minute preparations. I hope...
Butch With An Eye - A progress report
Shortly after we returned to Worcester, I sent Butch off to the stand-in ophthalmologist for an update and check-up, with me in tow. This was duly done, but the results were unsatisfactory. The doctor had nothing to add to the initial investigation; he shrugged his shoulders and, wringing...
Feeling Like A Royal In Prince Albert
Before I lose my mind completely, I must tell you about my very special visit to Prince Albert a few weekends ago. This is a Karoo town to look up to, where authentic architecture and a strong community spirit create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel at home. If you’re impulsive, always...
The Tofo Tango To Mozambeats
The weight of being South African slides off my shoulders, smooth as velvet, as I cross the border into Swaziland, and a lightness washes over me like an overdue sigh. Summer has taken its toll on us. The innocence of Africa welcomes us as we greet friendly border officials and navigate...
New Hats And Old Bats - Hiking The Whale Trail
Hiking the whale trail has been a dream for many years. When the opportunity presented itself, we said yes without missing a beat. One of the most picturesque hikes in the Western Cape (possibly even the world, when the whales are frolicking in the breakers) and probably the most booked-up...
Find relief in Citta della Pieve
We often ask: “How would you like to live here?” Sometimes it’s very tempting, but then I remember our mountains, the sea, my ordinary, predictable, yet incredibly happy life, my friends and family, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else but in our Sleepy Hollow, surrounded by vineyards,...
Suffusing My Senses In Siena
On most weekends, in fine weather, I enjoy a long walk along the cliff path in Onrus. I’m always touched by the names inscribed on plaques, carefully set into tiles dotted along the way. These tiles of remembrance are mostly dedicated to loved ones or pets. Sometimes it's just a poem or a...
Travels With Tozers Tuscan Tours
Nothing is amusing about two middle-aged couples in a hire car. You have the driver, the co-pilots, and the backseat drivers. All experienced experts who think driving on the “wrong side” of the road is a walk in the park. And then you have the GPS. An unfortunate woman with a posh accent...
Sayulita Señorita
Say me, say you, Sayulita! That’s the way it should be. Naturally! Right next door to Punta de Mita lies this vibrant, colourful beach town — I’ve been told it’s very similar to Tulum, but with waves. All roads lead from the steep hills down to the sea — cobblestone streets line the zocalo...
I Can't Keep It In
There’s no other way but to spit it out. They say “a secret’s only a secret once you’ve told someone," so I’m going to tell you all about a big secret-one of South Africa's hidden gems on the West Coast. It’s not your usual let’s-gossip-about-the-neighbour secret; it’s all about a...
Every Picture Tells A Story
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No matter how many beautiful photographs of Cinque Terre I’ve seen, nothing beats being there in person. Like any great beauty, there is more to her than meets the eye. This place has soul, history and charm. Being a World Heritage Site doesn't happen at...
A Leaning Tower And A Pisa Pizza
Since the Arno has silted up and cut the city off from the sea, Pisa has become slightly off-kilter and a little seedy, though that’s only my opinion, of course. The decline of this once-powerful naval city is evident, and I wonder how popular it would be if it didn't boast such...
Overweight Honey Badger Must Streamline
The Honey Badger is on a crash diet—no more heavy metals. On the spur of the moment, it was decided to weigh the truck, and the collective surprise was huge when she came in a few hundred kilograms over her recommended weight allowance. “How on earth can that happen?” you may well ask. Trust....
A Flip-Flopping Peregrino On Camino
My friend sent a photograph of her amazing, knitted patchwork blanket, a gift for her grandson, the other day. I am in awe. You see, I started one too, years ago. On all our wanderings, I’d sit in the car and knit; I’ve made miles of strips and squares. They are haphazard, not all exactly...
A Sucker For Punishment - Hiking The Fish RIver Canyon - Again
A sucker for punishment - that was exactly what I must be when I agreed to repeat my 2016 hike of the Fish River Canyon, hoping to inspire fellow outdoor enthusiasts to take on similar adventures. I couldn’t go back on my word, so I saddled up the old backpack, loaded it with essentials, and...
Good, Better, Idiom
Packing up and traipsing all over the countryside is not the only way to relax after a busy year. We stayed at home, enjoying simple pleasures and the company of friends. Our home was our base for making day trips, reminding us that true relaxation often comes from shared moments and comfort....
One Whale Wallows
Weekenders line the cliffs and choke the paths in the Republic of Hermanus. Spring break and it's chock-a-block. Traffic jams, long queues and exhausted officials are the order of the next 10 days. No matter where you were within a 1km radius of the Old Harbour, you’d hear the screech of...
Drive By Shootings On Sunday Drives
Butch hadn’t had such a good day on Saturday. His Springboks lost to the All Blacks. The result was expected, but the shock still hit the solar plexus, didn’t it? What a shame. Sadly for them, Saturday was the last straw and their last chance to impress. They’ve lost an ardent fan. To regain...
Schatzie Goes Hands, Knees And Bump-Sa-Daisy
That’s exactly how I made my descent into the Fish River Canyon—slowly, with measured steps, often on my behind, and with proper safety gear like sturdy boots and gloves. I had no dignity as I squatted to slide down rocks, but I was prepared for the challenge. When did my legs shorten? It was...
LynnV Has A New Shoot In Franschhoek
LynnV has a side hussle (or GIG) in Franschhoek. Today we're celebrating Lynn’s new salon on Main, we're proud to share her journey from dreams to reality and invite you to experience her new space. We’ve all had visions of an empire, of shedding old skin and re-inventing ourselves. Often,...
Getting It Right - Camping At Mana Pools
Position, position, position! No 20 is the sought-after campsite, and we had it! With a large, ancient Wild Fig tree offering us shade, we made camp just beyond the branches’ reach, where the early-morning rays would be our alarm clock and, at night, the hippos' calls would send us off...
A Facial In Time Saves Nine
“People are seldom naturally perfect, and that's why God made stockings, shoes and cosmetics." Estee Lauder. Last week I stopped to chat, which ended with the promise of a gift. Juliette must’ve seen the need for a relaxing facial when she saw me dragging my sore calves unenthusiastically...
The Weakest Link Takes A Hike
History tells us that contemplation, meditation, soul-searching, and philosophising often take place on mountaintops. Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Mandela and Gandhi did it. I had a close call, a wake-up call, a bruised ego, a sore bottom, and a chipped toenail. Last week, I embarked on a...