Camping in Cape Vidal...

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Farmboy and I just got back from a really awesome camping trip with his family to the beautiful Cape Vidal Coastal Resort. Just outside of St Lucia, Cape Vidal forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (click here for a map). As your drive through the park towards Cape Vidal,  you get a chance to see a host of different species of wildlife. Once in Cape Vidal, it's a 5 minute walk to the beach, where you can take your pick from snorkeling, fishing, sun tanning, swimming or just plain relaxing...with so many options, who could ever get board :)


Cape Vidal is a camping resort, so don't forget your tents :)

 Here are a few pics of our trip, with more info to follow!

The **Green Grass** Shop

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This afternoon Farmboy and I took a little drive to a slightly different part of town. Our travels took us to Parkhurst, one of the coolest areas of Jo'burg I've ever come across. I can't quiet believe I've never been there before. Packed full of dainty antique stores, and cute cafe's, the main focus of our morning was The Green Grass Shop.  




The Green Grass shop sells lots of unique gifts, like this clock (above middle) and a host of crocheted animals...the owls being my favourite! But their main focus is on design. They have just got themselves a laser machine, and with it create all sorts of designs and engravings on anything from paper to wood. A nice touch for wedding invites :)




Check out their website here or pop in to their store at Flat 3 Sunlit Court, 34 Fourth Avenue, Parkhurst


Byanston Organic Market

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Looking for a place to buy fresh, home grown veggies for your home cooked Pizza and Pasta dishes??

"The Bryanston Organic & Natural Market is Johannesburg's original outdoor market. When you visit our market, you will enter an environment where the emphasis is on quality hand crafted goods, unique art and photography, clothing made from natural fibres, a deli filled with rich, wholesome foods and, of course, fresh organic and naturally grown produce" Byanston Organic Market
The market is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am until 3pm. 

Why not pop in for cup of tea and a snack, before checking out the wide variety of funky goods on sale...





How to get there:

Upcoming *Festivals* in SA!

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A taste of whats happening in our beautiful country during the month of April:


Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees
Where: Oudtshoorn

The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn features well-known and young up-and-coming artists in dance and theatre. Started as an Afrikaans alternative to the mainly English National Arts Festival, KKNK has 200 different shows on three different stages.




Splashy Fen
Where: Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal







Website: Splashy Fen


Every year the Splashy Fen music festival attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal for a feast of mainstream and alternative rock and pop. It offers plenty of facilities, but there are great bed-and-breakfasts in nearby towns for those who believe music festivals can be enjoyed without mud.




Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival
Where: Prince Albert, Western Cape


The Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival, held in the Swartberg region of the Western Cape in April, offers a whole lot more than just the region's famous olives and wine. There's an art exhibition, beer tents, live music, witblits tastings, crafts for kids, historic tours, a cycle race, an olive pip-spitting competition, culinary demonstrations, a midnight ghost walk, stalls, cabaret, a dance and more.

Thanks to SouthAfrica.info for the above information :)

Under the **Berg**

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What are long weekends made for other than to go picnicking in magical places with special people (*apart from sleeping in reading a good book that is*). And Thats exactly what I got up to this long weekend. 

After a great start of relaxing on Farmboy's farm...


The chickens provide the the entertainment as well as the sustenance for good old farm style fry-ups (I'm talking about their eggs...not the chickens themselves!)


View from the patio...it's a tough life for some hey :)


More morning entertainment thanks to "Pirate" and her dislike of early morning dew  :)


It is a dairy farm after all!

Then we headed out to Drakensburg Gardens, near Underburg in KZN, for a delicious Sunday lunch and a little explore of the surrounding area...

Some sights along the way...



Little gorge...


Not so little when you are trying to cross!



The view from our picnic spot


Lovely drive home...another beautiful African sunset! It's good to be home!

Meandering Madness!

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If you've got a few days and feel like some nice scenery and a bit of an arty*farty atmosphere, then why not head to the Natal Midlands to meander your way around restaurants, coffee shops, quaint b&b's and loads of funky arts & crafts!


Here is a map of the area: *For a more detailed interactive map click here for the official Midlands site*






On our way to Balito from Farmboy's Farm, we picked up our very own guide (Farmboy's delightful videographer friend, Luke) hopped into our car and away we went. Here's a few pics of where we stopped off:


1. Aladdin's-de-Light










A little disappointing as their coffee shop was closed for renovations. But, if your looking for some antiques you might spy one or two 'de-lights' :)
2. The Faraway Tree







Ummm...what can we say about this place...a little creepy perhaps? Not worth a stop unless your a real fairy fanatic :)











Chris offers a great introduction to all of the cheeses he has on offer (and of course a chance to stuff your face with cheese tasters!) . Also offered is a cheese-making courses from R750 a person for whole day filled with the intricate processes of turning milk into that yummy yellow stuff! Email Chris at Marrakesh@dillon.co.za for more details.


















Full of exciting bits of junk, this shop is filled to the brim with brightly coloured goodies from all over the show; as well as a very impressive range of 'antiquey' looking furniture. Definitely worth a stop!









Quaint little shop near Lions River with lots of scented goodies and loads of cute home made pajama's :) Definitely worth a browse.


And a few more pic's along the way...