Exploring: 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark *Part 1*
/Anatomy Design
"Anatomy Design is a unique shopping destination - with a focus on beautifully detailed contemporary furniture and homeware"
Verdange
"Vendange is a retail concept themed around food, wine and olive oil accessories. We also supply an extensive range or ceramics, glassware and some furniture"
Lucky Fish
"Lulu Baily is an artist who had a dream of owning a shop that would allow for a broader expression of creativity. Lucky Fish opened five years ago as a fusion of trading store and bazaar with classic luxurious comfort. The shop's antique cabinets and a shifting array of beautiful furniture house all sorts of interesting odds and ends. Lulu stocks a wide range gleaned from antique markets and high street shops in India. An eccentric mix of furniture, lamps, cushions, clothing, toys and china come from as far afield as Sri Lanka, Spain, France and Argentina"
**I have just received my badge for the South African Blog Awards! If you like my blog, and feel extra nice today, pretty please wont you click here and vote for me :) All you have to do is enter your email address and you will be sent a confirmation email, just click the link in that email and bombs away!**

I ♥ Market *October*
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Market on Main...round 2!
/So as not to confuse anyone, ArtsOnMain is the building which houses MarketOnMain :) |
Check out her blog (click here) for more stock of her lovely pieces |
View of outside, what a pretty Spring Day in Jozi! |
omnomnom...ChocolaJ :) |
The most delicious *homemade* marshmallows I have ever encountered! |

Tea & Pancakes in Aliwal North
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Grahamstown Festival...Day 1
/Even managed to catch a sneaky show, Tellin' Tales by Gavin Bonner...percussionist, storyteller, freestyle poet. What a treat! If you're around for the Festival, consider booking yourself a ticket. He is showing at the Monument B2 Arena, tickets cost R45. Click here for more info!
A great starts to what is hopefully going to be a *warm and sunny* week of festivities :)

Grahamstown Festival 2011!!
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Accommodation on the N1...*Kuilfontein Stable Cottages* Colesburg
/But if you are looking for a half way stop point that serves mouth watering meals and crisp white linen, then Kuilfontein Stable Cottages are just for you.
Kuilfontein is a luxury Colesberg guest house offering bed and breakfast or dinner, bed & breakfast accommodation. The rooms are Their prices are definitely not for the faint hearted, but as is the case with most things in life, you really do get what you pay for here. Your hosts, Leigh and Penny Southey are friendly and charming, and will do their utmost to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
For more information drop them a line at info@kuilfontein.co.za or check out their website by clicking here.
You won't be disappointed by either their hospitality or their Karoo lamb curry :)

London in a Day...
/Meeting up with a good varsity friend led to a very late night of catching up on the latest scandal, as well as getting the 411 on each others plans and dreams for the future. As you may well be aware, late nights are not conducive to early mornings and these 2 sleepy Saffa's (nickname given to South Africans living/traveling abroad) managed to crawl out of bed and hit the high streets of London before it got too chaotic.
Here are some great places to see if you only have a few days to spare and want to get the most out of your trip:
1. Portobello Market
antiques, food stalls and other odds and ends
Thu is a half day closing at 1.00pm
Sat 8:00am- 6:30pm
2. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.
Just for just's you have to check this place out (you might even be lucky enough to see the 'changing of the guards')
Directions:
By Tube: Green Park Station is to the North, Victoria & St James Park are to the South and Hyde Park Corner is to the West. You can get to the palace from wither of these stations.\
Buses: 2B, 3, 9, 14, 16, 19,, 22, 25, 30, 36, 38, 52, 73, 74, 82, 137, 509, 510
Changing of the Guard: 11:30 May through August. September to April, the frequency changes to every other day.
3. St James Park
St James's Park is the oldest Royal Park and is surrounded by St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
The park is one of the prettiest in London with spectacular flower beds, a lake with two islands and fountains.
Directions:
By Tube:
St James's Park -
The Park is also easily accessible from Charing Cross Station, Westminster, Green Park, & Victoria
By Bus: 3, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 148, 159, 211, 453
5. Big Ben & the London Eye
After walking through St James Park, just follow the crowds and soon you'll find yourself staring up at Big Ben :)
Directions:
By Tube: Westminster
Once you've seen Big Ben, it will be hard to miss the London Eye. It's located within easy walking distance from several London Underground stations: Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross and Westminster.
Waterloo is the closest tube station to the London Eye and is about five minutes walking distance. Exit the station following signs for the South Bank.
Embankment and Charing Cross stations are close together on the north side of the River Thames. Both tube stations are a ten-fifteen minute walk to reach the London Eye. From the station, cross over Hungerford Bridge.
Westminster tube station is the closest station to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. From Westminster tube station, take exit one and follow signs for Westminster pier.
Tickets: Standard ticket prices for the London Eye are about 17GBP
Opening Times:
- January - March: daily 10.00am - 8.30pm
- April to June: daily 10.00am - 9.00pm
- July and August: daily 10.00am - 9.30pm
- September to December: daily 10.00am - 8.30pm
So there you go! Just a short review of some great touristy places to see while you're in London. But remember, its a *HuGe* place, so make sure you get yourself an underground map, and do lots of research on other places you want to check out.
P.S. A few other places are Hamley's (the biggest toy shop in the world-Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus & Oxford Circus Tube Stations) and Oxford Street for all of its big brand stores (Oxford Circus Tube Station).

The Royal Wedding *who & where*
/Everyone's getting into the spirit, especially this guy who is making sure he has got his spot!

Camping in Cape Vidal...
/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!

Byanston Organic Market
/"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

Upcoming *Festivals* in SA!
/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.

Under the **Berg**
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Meandering Madness!
/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:
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' :)
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...
