A deal is a deal. A promise to keep.

Many months ago, probably 9 months, in an effort to get the work out I begged the freelancer to also stay late and finish the job she was working on. I said I would get her anything she wanted. Just tell me what you want. Ha, ha. When she said a Noddy doll I thought: That's easy, a piece of cake. Off I go to Hamleys the next weekend and to discover that, no, they don't have. I placed an order for one with them and am still waiting. I tried in every other toy store in Johannesburg - nothing. Sigh! 
Eventually I found this cute little Noddy at the Vintage Fair. Hallelujah! Thank you.
I am so happy that I kept my part of the deal, how ever late;-)

June flashback

1. I bought material to make another quilt. I enjoyed making the one earlier this year. I also want to apply what I learnt to show the improvement. 2. At last I am starting to use all the squares I have tie-dyed. 3. While we were in Durban we walked around the Moses Mabida stadium. I like that it is part of the city and so assessible. They should have done the same in Johannesburg, integrated it better into Joburg or Soweto. 4. Lunch at Weylandt. The food as beautiful was everything else there. 5. I enjoy the zigzag design on these stairs. The metal looks as pliable as a piece of paper. 6. I love the veld grass everywhere  at Freedom Park. 7. Once we were Warriors. This coat of arms, I must assume, once represented pride, loyalty and commitment. 8. Bunnychow at the Oyster Box. I asked the waiter to recommend something and he said it is the best in Durban. 9. Lighthouse at the Oyster Box. 10. Seating arrangement at Moyo. 11. Where we stayed when we were in Durban, on the beachfront. 12. Interior at the Oyster Box. 13. I only had coffee there but another patron ordered another helping of chips to take away because, she said, they were soooo good. 14. Pier at Umhlanga. 15. In bloom, a tree at Tinsel gallery. 16. Yummy birthday cake. Thanks. 17. Entrance at Tinsel gallery. Nikki exhibited her jewellery piece at the student show. Some very lovely stuff. 

Two days with ocean views

Last Tuesday morning we flew to Durban. A spur of the moment thing. We had this desperate need to hear the sound of the ocean.

We packed light because we had seen everyone's pics from the weekend - clear skies, frolicking in the sea and wearing tank tops. When we landed in Durban it was raining. We had thought of Ubering into Durban but then we saw public transport signs and thought let's see what that's all about. After a peanut bomb from Kauai we boarded the mini bus shuttle. OMW, they drop the person that is going the furtherst from the airport first and then make their way back into the city. Argh! no please no! Anyway survived it. But by the time they dropped us off at the Elangeni we were grumpy. Entering the hotel we were carried to the front desk in the ebb and flow of a hundred people. The film marketing fair and film festival were events currently in Durban and everybody was at the Elangeni it seemed. We dropped our bags with the concierge and we're out the front door and off to the beach. It wasn't raining but it was overcast and windy. I wrapped my scarf around my head and hugged my jersey closer for warmth.

We walked more than 14 kms that day. Along the promanade, around Moses Mabida, along the beach, the sea lapping around our feet, all the way to Blue Lagoon. At The Bike and Bean we had a cappuccino and rested, then on again. From Blue Lagoon all the way to Moyo pier and then back to the hotel. Stopped for lunch at Circus Circus, for a cocktail at Moyo's, where we watched someone learning how to surf (he did quite well) and a cup of coffee at Afro's Chicken shop. Checked in at the Maharani, a room on the 21st floor. The windows could open and we could continue listening to the sea. Bliss.

A shower and a nap. Wonderful. Burgers and red wine for supper at V&V then we were back in bed ;-) It had been a great, satisfying day and we were now happily exhausted. 

The next morning we woke up early. So then, more of the same - walking along the beach, letting the sand massaging the soles of my feet and the ocean soothe them. Loved it. There are so many thoughts that develop while walking that I know I will lose before I even have breakfast so I imagined how great it would be if we could record our thoughts and download them later, transcribe some and delete others. That way you keep the true essence and sentiment of them, with the original form, verbatim.

Early morning and the tide was going out and on the high tide the sea had returned all our litter to us. OMW, there is so much of it, we could not believe it. Yes, forget about finding seashells, the best you can hope for is sea glass. Honestly, instead of those signs up every where saying no dogs on the beach, the signs should say no humans allowed on the beach. We are really disgusting, disrespectful towards the great splendour of nature.However, the city has a good system in place so I think most tourists would not get to see all the litter. As soon as the tide starts going out teams arrive with rakes, collect and bag all the litter, doing the entire length of the promanade. In turn these bags are collected and by the time most people come down to the beach it's all cleaned up.

We had breakfast, al fresco, French toast with bacon and syrup, and coffee.Long walk back to the hotel, it was time to check out.

We decided to go and have lunch at the Oyster Box in Umhlanga. I loved the opulence of the hotel. If I had the money I would love to stay there. In the reception area large, flat bowls of apples, at least 60 apples per bowl, tall glass jars with dried apricots all colour co-ordinated with the decor.We sipped drinks outside, upstairs, at the Oyster Bar while pigeons ate our bar snacks. Then we went down for lunch and dessert. I ordered the Bunny chow because that is what the waiter recommended, and I was not sorry. It was all yummy and the service fabulous. 

Last walk on the beach and then to the airport and home. I had a great time, thanks.

A lovely eggsperience

Pablo Eggs Go BarDid you mean Pablo Escobar?

No. But perhaps they did when they named their restaurant. When I say Eggs Go Bar then everyone says Escobar. So it seems everyone knows about Pablo.

Pablo Eggs Go Bar is located in Mellville, where for many years, and from what I remember when I lived in the area, it had been an antique/vintage shop. Opposite the Golf Tea Room. I had booked for Savy and I to meet there for breakfast the previous week but she wanted to go somewhere closer to home. 

So the following week there I was,  ordering fresh squeezed juices and something with an egg or 3 in the dish. Difficult to choose from the menu, it mostly is something you have never had for breakfast before and you certainly will be back for more. When you see the meals at the tables on either side of you being devoured with the same relish you applied to your meal you must assume everything is delicious. It's a case of 'plate-envy' - when you see what's on someone else's plate and you think maybe you should have ordered that. I could have eaten a bucket full of the hummus that was served with my dish, it was that yummy.

Book or go early because it really gets packed, the vibe is good and the clientele eclectic, very interesting.

The Pudding Shop

I cannot describe it. You have to experience it. The creepers across the walls, the natural light above, the thought put into the small details, the attention to comfort, the combination of calm with a burst of colour, the soulful music and good food in front of the fireplace. You will want to stay all day.

Please go before The Pudding Shop closes at the end of July 2016. 
After that it becomes a venue for hire.

Youth Day outing

On public holidays they have a antique vintage fair at the Voortrekker monument so that's what we decided to do on Youth Day. However, listening to Redi Tlhabi's show where people were recounting their involvement on 16 June 1976 it seemed our trip was a little inappropriate. We, therefore, decided to go to the fair, view the monument since it was really as a result of the Voortrekkers coming here that lead up the the eventual event on June 16, and then revisit Freedom Park. 

The fair was okay. Lots of coins, stamps and old medals. An old SA flag here and there on sale, argh, and a large painting of Verwoerd. Really!


We went up to the monument and viewed the outside, then the inside, climbed the steps to the top to look down on the tomb and outside to look at the cityscape. We didn't go downstairs to the Voortrekker exhibition/museum though.


I had heard on the radio months before that they had put in a road that connected Voortrekker monument with Freedom Park and after asking at the office for directions we drove up to Freedom Park. 

Last time I was at Freedom Park ythe museum was not open. Now you start at the museum and then proceed to the heritage site. Skipping the museum visit is not an option. All the staff will insist you go inside and escort you to the door. You won't be sorry. Informative and well laid out, a good reminder of the journey of our nation. Not as detailed or as heavy on content as the Apartheid museum but the same course of events obviously. 
We walked up the hill to the heritage site and followed the paths all around it. The vegatation, the veld grasses and trees, makes the walk so calming. Many people had come to spend this Youth Day here. Remembrance.

Snapshots