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IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE

What is the use of all this life if we don't ever use it? (Shirley Valentine)

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE
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Category Archives: Travel

Riebeek Valley

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on August 18, 2019 by adminAugust 18, 2019

Riebeek Valley   Yesterday, Saturday the 17th of August 2019, we packed our bags and after giving instructions to the cat sitter, we were off to Riebeek West, a small town about 75 km north-east of Cape Town.  It is next to Riebeek Kasteel, another quaint little town in the Riebeek Valley, which we have visited before. We booked into the Riebeek Valley Country Retreat, where many guests were sitting … Continue reading →

Tagged Bay Leaf and Thyme, Mama Cucina, Riebeek West | Leave a reply

A Family Wedding In The Eastern Cape

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on October 9, 2017 by adminOctober 15, 2017

At last – another family wedding, always a favourite event to attend.  We were invited to the wedding of my nephew Angus and his fiancé, Michelle, both teachers at Gill College, Somerset East in the Eastern Cape. On 22 September 2017 we were on our way to P.E.  We arrived at lunch time and decided to have lunch at Bluewaters Cafe.  On our way to the restaurant, we were greeted … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged De Malle Meul; Pieter van der Westhuizen; Wedding Venue; Philadelphia, Gill College, Ginger Restaurant, Lord Charles Somerset, Somerset East, Somerset Guest House, The Verandah | Leave a reply

A quick visit to Langebaan, Western Cape

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on August 20, 2017 by adminAugust 21, 2017

I accompanied Deon in August to Langebaan where he had to meet with clients.  As their meeting was late afternoon on a Saturday, we decided to overnight at the Farmhouse Hotel which overlooks the Langebaan Lagoon. Langebaan is situated 120 km north of Cape Town and is very popular among tourists.  The Langebaan Lagoon is a salt water lagoon which stretches for 17 km from Saldanha Bay to Geelbek in … Continue reading →

Tagged Club Mykonos, Farmhouse Hotel, Kokomo Restaurant, Langebaan, Pasta Trinchado | Leave a reply

Postberg Flower & Nature Reserve Langebaan

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on October 24, 2016 by adminMay 14, 2017

In spring it is wild flowers in abundance along the West Coast and we were off to the southern part of the Langebaan Lagoon, which is part of the West Coast National Park. The flowers are spectacular in August and September and then the Postberg, which is situated within the national park and privately owned, is opened to the public.  The flowers usually grow on granite or limestone rocks. We … Continue reading →

Tagged Lagoon, Langebaan, Pearly's Restaurant, Postberg Flower and Nature Reserve, West Coast National Park | Leave a reply

Our weekend at Stanford, Western Cape

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 24, 2016 by adminJuly 25, 2016

It was time to get away for a weekend.  We have not done this in a while, so we were looking forward to visit the village of Stanford.  Deon booked two nights in a quaint little village house and before we knew, it was time to pack our bags. Stanford was founded in 1857 and named after Sir Robert Stanford who was the owner of the original farm.  It has … Continue reading →

Tagged Stanford; Lavenders Blue; Mariana's; Springfontein; Shark Cage Diving; Overberg | 1 Reply

Mantis Mall, Darling

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 21, 2015 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

One of our stops when visiting Darling, was a very small mall, called the Mantis Mall. The sweet shop in the mall is well-known for making exquisite toffee, called Darling Sweet. Members of the public can watch the whole process of toffee making from beginning stage to packaging stage. The toffee is entirely manufactured by hand, with most ingredients locally sourced. The best room in Mantis Mall is definitely the … Continue reading →

Tagged It's a book, Lane Smith, Mantis Mall, toffee | 1 Reply

Oh my Darling!

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 18, 2015 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

As a reward to ourselves for working hard during the first six months of the year, we decided to spend a couple of days in the small village of Darling, 75 km from Cape Town and 25 km from Yzerfontein along the West Coast. On our way, we noticed the dull and grey shrubs that is called Renosterveld, often dominated by Renosterbos. It is found only in the South, South … Continue reading →

Tagged bobotie, cabaret, Darling, Evita Bezuidenhout, renosterveld, Tannie Evita se Perron, tipsy tart | Leave a reply

Woodstock, Cape Town

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 11, 2015 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Deon and I took a short break during the June holidays and decided to explore Cape Town as much as possible during the few days. First of all we decided to visit Woodstock which is one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs. Woodstock is within reach of Table Mountain (a beautiful backdrop to Woodstock); the CBD and the V&A Waterfront. We had been to the Old Biscuit Mill on a previous … Continue reading →

Tagged Bread Cafe Woodstock, Cape Town, Castle Brewery, designer clothes, Old Biscuit Mill, Salt Circle Arcade, suburb, Victorian semi-detached homes, Woodstock | Leave a reply

Oxford Arms Country Tavern, Durbanville

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on February 2, 2015 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

This Friday we were both too busy at work to explore Cape Town’s restaurants. But we will have our outing if there is time next week, maybe to our local pub. When on holiday in London and Amsterdam in December 2006, we explored some pubs. On one of our days in London we left the hotel at 11:00 and returned the next morning at 3:00. We were enjoying our holiday … Continue reading →

Tagged Oxford Arms Tavern; pub; waterhole; Guinness beer; bangers and mash; London; Amsterdam | Leave a reply

Simon’s Town

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on September 25, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Once a term we break away for a weekend. Our cat sitter gets her instructions and off we go. I read about the actress, Ilse Roos, who moved to Cape Town with her family and settled in Simon’s Town. Our family visited Simon’s Town when I was a child and ever since I had a picture of a windswept town in my mind. I could not understand why anyone would … Continue reading →

Tagged Cape Peninsula, Ilse Roos, Nuisance the dog, Simon van der STel | Leave a reply

A visit to Kalk Bay and Kirstenbosch

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on August 17, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Our friend from France is visiting us and we decided to spend the day in Kalk Bay and after that we would go to Kirstenbosch. It was a glorious, sunny spring day and early morning we headed to Kalk Bay. Deon and I have visited this beautiful bay several times previously, but it was again a worthwhile visit. What a beautiful place this is. There are interesting little antique shops, … Continue reading →

Tagged Kalk Bay; Kirstenbosch; | Leave a reply

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, Barcelona

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 18, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

I remember a summer’s night in Barcelona. Sandra and I have started our Spanish visit in Madrid. After three days in Madrid we went to Toledo for one night, then magical Granada for four glorious days, then one night in Sevilla (which was not on par with the other cities we have visited) and then … Barcelona (do you hear Freddy Mercury and Monserrat Caballé?). What a wonderful city. We … Continue reading →

Tagged Barcelona, La Font Màgica de Montjuïc, tapas, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc | Leave a reply

Vergelegen

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on July 2, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Yesterday we visited the Western Cape’s world-class Estate, Vergelegen, in Somerset-West. Vergelegen was granted to the new governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel, successor of Simon van der Stel, in 1700. Willem Adriaan transformed this outpost into a magnificent Estate. Unfortunately he was called back to the Netherlands in 1706. Vergelegen then had several owners, until 1917, when it became the possession of Sir Lionel Phillips, who bought it for … Continue reading →

Tagged braised pork neck, capers, Champhor trees, chorizo, Estate, Hottentots Holland mountain range, Vergelegen | Leave a reply

Meteora – suspended in the air

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on February 23, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

In June 2010 we were off to Europe and we included Meteora, meaning suspended in the air,  in Central Greece as part of our itinerary.  We booked into Plakias guesthouse in Kalampaka, the city under the towering rocks of Meteora. What makes Meteora worth the visit is the monasteries built on huge rocks. Many tourists gather in Kalampaka every year to torture themselves climbing the many steps to the monasteries.  … Continue reading →

Tagged Kalampaka, Meteora, monasteries, yoghurt with honey | Leave a reply

Riebeeck-Kasteel

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on January 8, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Today we visited one of our favourite towns close to Cape Town – Riebeeck Kasteel.  It is situated in The Riebeeck Valley, about 80km north-east of Cape Town.  We have been to this village many times, but will always return to experience the exuberance of this place again and again. This is one of the oldest towns in South Africa.  It was named Riebeeck-Kasteel in honour of Commander Jan van … Continue reading →

Tagged Bar bar blacksheep, Jan van Riebeeck, Oil of the Olive, Riebeeck Valley, Riebeeck-Kasteel | Leave a reply

De Malle Meul, Philadelphia

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on January 5, 2014 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Just outside Durbanville lies the village with the beautiful name, Philadelphia (brotherly love). It is popular with Capetonians, not only for a weekend getaway, but also for the Sunday lunches at de Malle Meul, the restaurant which is also the art gallery of the well-known South-African artist, Pieter van der Westhuizen.  This 150 years old village originated when farmers in the vicinity wanted their own church.  The beautiful white church … Continue reading →

Tagged chapel, Church, Durbanville, etchings, paintings, pastel-works, Philadelphia, Pieter van der Westhuizen, weddings | Leave a reply

The jovial waiter; his wife the chef; a wet guest and penne al pollo

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on December 29, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

In June 1999 we went to Italy and France. In Italy we visited Rome, Siena, Florence and Venice. Then we travelled from Venice by train to Nice, France, where we met our friend, André. The three of us planned to explore the French Riviera and the arrière-pays niçois (Nice hinterland) for three days. We spent our first night at the Hôtel Belvédère in Peille. The hotel was an old family … Continue reading →

Tagged Belvedere, chef, Florence, France, Nice, nuns, penne al pollo, Rome, Siena, Venice | Leave a reply

Aliens in Athens?

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on December 26, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Our last trip to Europe was in June 2010 to Turkey, Greece and France.  It was wonderful. First of all we stayed over in the magical Turkey for three days.  The Hagia Sophia is our favourite monument to visit in Istanbul. Then we explored the monasteries in Monastiraki – breathtakingly beautiful.  Strange how some people choose to live, but I always admire guts. And then off to the Athens, but … Continue reading →

Tagged Acropolis, aliens, Athens, France, Hagia Sophia, Mykonos, Santorini, Turkey | Leave a reply

A Wintry Night in Stellenbosch

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on June 22, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

We enjoy visiting the towns around Cape Town.  We have been to Riebeeck-Kasteel, Greyton, Franschhoek for the Bastille Day festivities and now Stellenbosch.  We sleep over for a night, explore the town on foot and try to find a good local restaurant before heading home the next day.  This time we reserved a room at De Hoek Manor, a guesthouse in the historic centre of Stellenbosch. We know Stellenbosch well.  … Continue reading →

Tagged De Hoek Manor, Stellenbosch | Leave a reply

A Street in Istanbul: 1997 and 2010

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on May 15, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016
Akbiyik Caddesi

            On our first visit to Istanbul in 1997 we stayed at the Alaaddin Guest House in Sultanahmet. This neighbourhood gets its name from the Blue Mosque (The Sultan Ahmed Camii) that is just around the corner. We long ago decided to always stay in the old city centres where we would be the close to the touristic attractions. We enjoy walking around in the … Continue reading →

Tagged Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Lonely Planet, market | Leave a reply

ISTANBUL: The Hagia Sophia

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on May 8, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Our first visit to Istanbul was in summer 1997.  We were well prepared.  We have read much about Constantinople, the once capital of the civilized world.  One of the first things we wanted to do, was to visit and experience the 14 centuries old Aya Sofya (The Church of the Devine Wisdom) built by emperor Justinian to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire.  It is said that Justinian, on … Continue reading →

Tagged Aya Sophia, Church, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Justinian, Turkey

Shirley Valentine and Manoulas Restaurant, Mykonos, Greece

IN SEARCH OF A GOOD LIFE Posted on May 4, 2013 by adminFebruary 10, 2016

Our favourite movie (or at least one of our many favourites) is Shirley Valentine. We have watched it many times.  [At first I was not allowed to participated in the dialogue, later on I was not allowed to move my lips in sync with the the dialogue (Master of the House)].  Whenever one of us felt we were losing the art of living and of a good marriage relationship, we … Continue reading →

Tagged Agios Ioannis, Greece, Manoulas, Meze, Mykonos | 2 Replies

Recent Posts

  • Riebeek Valley August 18, 2019
  • Jean Restaurant at Klein Roosboom Boutique Wine Farm August 2, 2019
  • Urban Wines and Bistro, Cape Town December 11, 2018
  • Ismael Lô In Concert at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens November 26, 2017
  • Arugula Bistro and Bread November 17, 2017

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