Gem of a town

The road to Riebeeck-Kasteel dips and rises, winds around the mountains and then when you come around the last bend - the town lies peacefully in the valley. Loads of pretty houses, tiny little tree lined roads and the glamorous old-world Royal Hotel all add to the charm of this town about 40minutes outside of the Mother City.

The first time I entered this town, it was actually me getting lost on the way to Tulbagh. It was the middle of the night, so we literally just passed through after some help from the locals.

There are loads of little eateries to choose from, as well as quaint shops to buy anything from scatter cushions to embroidered napkins, dresses to garden accessories.

Two weeks ago we headed north once again and found the town bustling on a Saturday morning. Parking was actually hard to come by!

Across from the Royal Hotel there is a little gem - a row of buildings with restaurants, shops and even a brewery. At the back of these buildings you'll find Bar Bar Black Sheep. We sat down for brunch and immediately ordered coffees to ward off the cold.

I do believe that any restaurant, coffee shop, bar or deli can (and should) be judged on their coffee. The speed at which it comes to the table, temperature (why oh why do some people serve tepid coffee?) and taste. Maybe it was the cold and hunger, but at least I was not disappointed.

Then their was the grub. It was difficult to choose, because everything on the menu sounded yum! I settled on the French toast, served with bacon, strawberries and pomegranate pips. Oh - let me not forget the green figs and cheese inside the french loaf! Plus syrup of course.

I woke up the next morning dreaming about that plate of food - no jokes.

Riebeeck-Kasteel is the perfect destination for a day trip from Cape Town. You'll love the ride there, and there is loads to discover in the town.

Around this time of year I always need a break. It's going into that final stretch towards December, when work gets more and more unbearable. There are no more long weekends to look forward to, so you really need to make the most of those 2 days every week. So, get in your car on a Sunday morning and just head out of town. I don't know if it's the fresh air or the charming surrounds - but it sure does work to make Monday morning more bearable!

Not enough Audrey's in the world.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had rediscovered books. More precisely reading of books.

You see, books are a thing in our family. My mom's side of the family are all book worms. Holidays in Port Alfred with my grandparent's mostly revolved around swapping books, lying around reading books, standing in the hall with Granny looking at the books and checking if there was anything new, or missioning down to the local library (where my dear Granny Audrey was a librarian for I don't know how many years). The library in Port Alfred was always much better than the one I visited in Port Elizabeth.

For various reasons. One, the librarians in Port Elizabeth were scary. They were all in their mid 30's or 40's, stern, and always glared over their glasses. ( I suspected all of them to be lonely spinsters). As a 8 year old I was not impressed. I had to be quiet. Walking around on tip toes and whispering. Carefully looking at the shelves and never quite sure if I could actually take a book home. I dare not ask. That would mean having to go to the counter and talking to one of the spinsters.

Port Alfred library on the other hand - well, my Granny was there and all the other Audrey's. I think they were a total of 3 Audrey's that worked there. All with grey curly hair, round tummies and lots to laugh about. Whenever my mom and I walked in, there would be laughter in the air. Maybe it's because we always visited the library during December holidays, so obviously a more festive mood hung around. But still. The Audrey's at Port Alfred Municipal Library always chuckled, asked the book lenders about their families or latest baking feat and above all, loved books. They were eager to make sure that you took the right book home. They would ask if you needed help, "Have you read the latest Dick Francis? Here you go, we just got it in!".

I visited a municipal library in Cape Town today. There was a chubby coloured lady behind the counter, and although never having met me, still smiled and helped all she could. I saw how she chatted to the regulars, asking about the holidays and really enjoying her day.

Sadly my Granny Audrey passed away this last July, but her love of books lives on in all of her family. I can not walk past an Exclusive Books store without remembering how she would dart in and devour everything, stocking up for the library back in Port Alfred. We would hang around for at least an hour before she came out, piles of books in hand!

I think the lady I saw today must have been an Audrey.

Goodbye 2010, a big 'Hello' to 2011!

Hello everyone!

I've been quite a lousy blogger the last couple of weeks. My posts have been infrequent and I've barely checked in on the other sites I so love to visit.

It's been an insanely busy downward spiral towards the end if this year for me, with trips to George for a wedding and a recent small holiday to Pretoria and Johannesburg. Work has not been without it's ups and downs, and in the interior design business things are always chaotic at the end of the year. (Why oh why does everyone want everything done by Christmas but only realise this at the end of October?)

But now I'm at home and loving the lazy days of summer. It's also been great showing the parents around town this past week. I've come to realise that there are teeny little towns all over the Western Cape (and probably also across the country) that have wonderfully creative spirits selling the most beautiful and unique products. Oh yes, and I really want to live in pretty small town like Riebeek Kasteel.

As is the custom with The Holidays, over indulging has been a big problem for me in the last 2 weeks. Firstly, I always receive either chocolates or cookies or nougat as pressies, then there is not only the Christmas lunch, but also all the left overs! Days of eating gammon and turkey and potato salad really does take it's toll on the waistline. Not to mention the trifle - and my trifle really was a winner this year! I'll share the recipe in a follow up post, you will not be disappointed! I believe that Christmas is not truly Christmas without a good trifle, and (sadly)therefore only make it for Christmas, once a year.

As the final hours of 2010 are ticking away, let's bid farewell to a year that has had it's Good, Bad and Ugly bits. A New Year always has the promise of great things ahead, and I for one am planning lots of changes, new adventures and fun times. Above all, let's make it a creative and inspiring year!

Enjoy the celebrations, don't drink and drive and travel safely!