Weekend Learning's

SO it is Friday. What a late Weekend Learning’s this is! It is the first week of December. Back home we call this Silly Season. And for good reason! Here in London, there is not a name for it. Lame. I cannot wait to go home for Christmas. I love London, this is true, but I have had enough for 2015. I want my family, my friends, my dogs, my home… This is what I learned;

• If I have discovered anything this year, my heart, lives in South Africa.
• “You’re in my bones, and my blood, and my heart. I’d have to tear myself open to let you go.” - Cassandra Clare.
• Clifton Road Maida Vale is an amazing little road a good walk from my house. There are lovely little organic fruit and veg shops, deli’s, restaurants and even a pet store. A great London discovery.
• The use of swearing to alleviate stress or pain is called "lalochezia.”
• I finished another book this weekend. Yes I am proud of myself! Any suggestions on what to read next?
• "Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.” - Bertrand Russell 
• Shakshouka is a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chilli peppers, and onions, often spiced with cumin. I only came across this when I started dating my man. And I quite like it. I for some reason was craving it this weekend and decided to make it. Probably the fact that I miss him so much, maybe a little food could bring me closer to him... kind-of-maybe-not. Anyway! Easy, low cost, delicious. Craving killed.
• You can remove errant deodorant marks from dark clothes by wiping the white streaks with a dryer sheet. I found this out this weekend. Fuuuuun, I love doing my washing. This is one of those things you do living in London; your own washing. 
• “Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters.” - Margaret Peters

I hope you keep warm my little teacups. And if you are in South Africa, soak up that sunshine for me! Have good weekends.

Xoxo

PS. I want a pawpaw.

Leave a Comment Bertrand Russell, Cassandra Clare, Christmas, Clifton Road Maida Vale, December, home, London, Margaret Peters, Proudly South African, quote, quotes, Rare word meaning, Shakshouka, silly season, weekend

Weekend Learning's

This is my home... Isn't she lovely!

Spending this last weekend in the bush with friends and family was joyous. I still think (*hope) that one day I will own a place in the bush. Maybe it is because I love the animals or the nature or the smells or the feeling, but I can easily say that I would rather have a holiday in the bush than by the sea. For my international followers, a “bush” holiday is when you go into the “wild” of our lands (this being game reserves and such) and you spend time learning and exploring the wonders of nature, enjoying the natural beauty that is an African Dream.

So this Weekend Learning’s is an ode to Africa and this is what I learned;

• Do not forget your GPS when you go somewhere new...
• I love acacia trees so much!! They are too beautiful.
• Night Spotting is hysterical...
• When lying in the bath listening to baboons screaming, I feel a little scared. Apparently they’ve learned how to open doors and with no fence they literally come and knock on your window! Eeeek!
• I still like fizz-balls and if they’re full of Rooibos all the better.
• A boma dinner in front of the camp fire with blankies and camp chairs is romantic.
• Game driving to a lunch spot in the middle of the African plains is surreal, getting there and seeing an African storm coming is a disaster! Finding shelter in a dilapidated farm house... Priceless!
• Poncho’s are a thing of genius.
• Seeing rhino's made me realise what monsters poachers are... Go to STOP Rhino Poaching {here} to help!
• Seeing a giant male Lion paw print as you’re jumping out of the Landy to bush walk kinda FREAKS you out! Especially when it is the size out my head...
• I love African patterns, from giraffe pattern pillows to grass woven bowls to decorated calabashes, they inspire me.
• Gin and Tonic is, and always will be, the BEST bush drink and next to a watering hole for sundowners is divine.

African glossary for you:

• acacia trees: A tree or shrub (genus Acacia) of the pea family that bears spikes or clusters of yellow or white flowers and is frequently thorny and flat topped.
• Night Spotting: Night game drives when a spot light is used to look for animals.
• Rooibos: South African shrub having flat acuminate leaves and yellow flowers; leaves are aromatic when dried and used to make an herbal tea.
• Boma: A boma is a livestock enclosure, a stockade or kind of fort, used in modern times as an enclosed area to sit and eat.
• Game Drive: A safari. A trip into the wild to see animals in their own enviroment.
• Poncho: A garment in a tent style, esp. a waterproof one worn as a raincoat.
• Landy: Term of endearment for a large green Safari Land Rover.
• Calabash: An evergreen tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete, family Bignoniaceae) that bears fruit in the form of large woody gourds.
• Sundowners: Drinks taken at sundown.

Xoxo

PS. I love you Africa, be mine? STOP Rhino Poaching!!!!

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Vodacom Durban July

This weekend my girlfriends and I will venture to Durban to experience the Vodacom Durban July! Here is a little info for you...

The Durban July Handicap is a South African Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Raced on turf, the Durban July Handicap is open to horses of all ages. It is South Africa's premier horse racing event and currently offers a purse of R2.5 million (app. US $360,000).

First held in July 1897 at a distance of 1 mile (approx 1600m), the distance was modified several times until 1970 when it was changed to its current 2200 meters (11 furlongs).

My dress is ready and away they go!

Xoxo

PS. Put your money on the table people!

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Tiny in Town

Going into town in Jozi is a treat for anyone. It still has this weird perception of danger (as once a long time ago it was) but in actual fact town has blossomed into buildings of culture and places that are unique and special in both quirk and charm. I love the high-rise buildings, the feeling of being tiny in town with the big city lights. My favourite place would have to be Arts on Main.

Arts on Main is situated in Fox Street (I know right!) in the heart of the Johannesburg concrete nest we call ‘town’. In amongst the wires of grey and metal streets is a pearly, grassy haven. In this city sanctuary you are greeted by a small courtyard of olive trees, stepping stones and garden furniture. This is surrounded by a library, a printing studio, galleries and even a sweet little reading room for the quieter at heart. It is so gorgeous, you can literally breathe easy the second you step inside.

This weekend I decided to pop in to see the ‘In Context’ exhibition. ‘In Context’ presents a diverse group of international and South African artists who share a rigorous commitment to the dynamics and tensions of place, in reference to the African continent and its varied and complex iterations, and to South Africa in particular. The works - wide-ranging, frequently provocative - engage with a number of pressing questions about space, context, and geography.

I highly recommend you go have a look and perhaps soak in the sun and stay for lunch!

Xoxo

PS. Explore every corner, you’ll open many doors!

1 comment art, artist review, Arts on Main, Proudly South African

Soccer world cup 2010

Ke Nako! It is here, taste it, feel it, touch it, love it. Welcome to South Africa.

Yesterday over a million people gathered in Johannesburg central for the welcoming of the South African team; Bafana Bafana.

These beautiful photographs (Boston Big Picture) of South Africa World Cup Fever are too beautiful not to share!

Finally the worlds eyes are on South Africa, it is time to show them what we're made of.

If you're not in South Africa experiencing the fever, where in the world are you!?

xoxo

PS. Vvvvvvvuuuuuuuuuuuuvuzelaaaa!

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Army of Red!

The Fifa 2010 world cup is just around the corner and Interbrand Sampson is ready!

xoxo

PS. for those of you who dont know, these are Vuvuzela's check here for info!

Leave a Comment inspiration, Proudly South African

Life, loyalty & freedom!

Being an 11 year old child I craved adventure and one faithful summer, after seriously begging for it, my parents decided to take us to the famous Kruger Park.

From spending a lot of my childhood in rainy England, I think the biggest animal I came across was a sheep. Grazing there on our meadow walks, it wasn’t that exciting. Africa on the other hand is the complete opposite. In Africa, things are big! Big storms, big droughts, big trees, big mountains, the big 5 and of course, the great and mighty elephant.

I wanted to see an elephant! During the 5 days we were there I saw lots of Africa’s spender ranging from exquisite bucks, to elegant giraffes to proud rhino’s and even some sleepy lions. On our way out of the reserve I gave up, considering that elephants are so big, I could not quite believe that we had some how missed them. At that moment i did not know how wrong I was.

The cue to get out of the Kruger was about 10 cars deep and we accepted the fact that it was going to be a long sit in the boiling car. But just then we saw them, a heard of about 5 elephants lunching close to the road. In fact they began to walk towards the cars. This worried the bumper to bumper 10 car cue and people began to put on reverse lights to try and get the traffic moving. My father, a wise and calm man, who was sitting in the drivers seat at that time, told us to just relax and sit still.

I was too excited to care, as to the right of us a baby elephant moved into the road and in front of our car. An adorable little thing which started to panic with an adorable little squeeky, trumpet trunk. Being so young I did not realize that this was your first warning to MOVE! My father and mother both looked at us on the back seat, then looked at each other. I saw that their normally red faces in 40 degree C weather, were white as snow... Almost green. There was no way to go forward with the baby and as my father was looking around for a solution, She stepped out onto the road. She being the mother and gorgeous 3 meter tall and probable 3,000 kilograms of pure motherly instinct was looking at us.

Before I could say ‘help’ she was charging, ears flapping, trunk rearing, feet moving (very fast I might add for that big bulk). And my dad put us into reverse. Luckily the people behind us were wiser to the elephant attack escape routine. They had seen what was going to happen and had reversed at the sight of the baby. We made it, but only just! I swear her trunk almost touched the open window!

So I got my adventure and now I love elephants even more!

Do yourself a favour and read ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ by Lawrence Antony. I can officially and proudly say it is by far my favourite book! Many a time it had me laughing out loud or crying at how beautifully Lawrence describes our magnificent Africa! He also has a website and other books. Truly a proudly South African story to be... Proud of!


“When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his reserve at Thula Thula, his commonsense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival - notorious escape artists, they would all be killed if Lawrence wouldn't take them.

He agreed, but before arrangements for the move could be completed the animals broke out again and the matriarch and her baby were shot. The remaining elephants were traumatised and very angry. As soon as they arrived at Thula Thula they started planning their escape... into the waiting guns. As Lawrence battled to create a bond with the elephants and save them from execution, he came to realise that they had a lot to teach him about love, loyalty and freedom. Set against the background of life on the reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, this is a delightful book that will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.” - Publishers Description

Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd
ISBN: 9780283070877
Publication date: June 2009
Pages: 288
Illustrations: illustrations

xoxo

PS. * Learning About Life, Loyalty And Freedom

2 comments Book Review, Proudly South African

Team Lash

I am a huge supporter of my country!

And I often wonder how I am going to support my soccer team with only 112 days till 2010 kick-off.

I have thought of the the obvious things such as shirts, stick on tattoos, flags and face paint. But really being the girl that I am I want to at least wear something a little flattering and 'fitting'. (since the smallest Bafana Bafana shirt I found came down to my knees!)

So then the other day I was stumbling though the internet and came across this site; Eyelash Central and low and behold I found the perfect ladies supporter gear... if you can call it that!

South African flag eyelashes!

Have you ever seen anything more fabulous! They cost R75 which is a bargain compared to the R400 team shirt I tried on. And you'll still look stunning while booing the ref and fluttering a supportive eyelash!

GO BAFANA! GO 2010!

Xoxo

PS. Make sure you stick these babies on properly, you don't want a 'droopy flag' at half time!

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