Wanted for next auction - Sandtonchronicle Epaper

Celebrating beautiful places • September 20 – October 8, 2016 • Free
Flip to page 9 for more info!
Maurice van Essche,
oil on board
Terence McCaw,
oil on canvas
SOLD R55 000
SOLD R35 000
0
Wanted for
next auction
Art, antiques, objects,
furniture and jewellery
Saturday 22 Oct
W
William
IV inkwell stand by Robert
G
Garrard retailed by Lambert
S
SOLD R18 000
Bronze of a pair of cherubs playing a
drum and pan pipes on stand
Visit our website for full catalogues
www.rkauctioneers.co.za
SOLD R28 000
083 675 8468 • [email protected]
Corner Garden and Allan Roads, Bordeaux
Desirables
Compiled by Donné-Louise Grobler
Everything you need for a little dose of Vitamin sea...
Glow girl!
When we’re on holiday
we’re planning
on looking like a
bronzed Greek
goddess ... and this
gorgeous Clarins
Bronzing & Blush
Compact (R550)
was the answer
to our golden girl
prayers! Available
from
fr
all major retailers.
Caffeine fix
Sunshine sass
Our fave footwear guru Steve Madden has teamed up with Zando.co.za to bring us
the new collection, Summer Daze. Celebrating a denim-friendly season of high shine,
sensual suede, sky high platforms and blocked heels, these gorgeous shoes (from
R699 – R2299) can take you from the boardroom to your beach holiday faster than
you can say ‘hello vacay’! Details: www.zando.co.za/steve-madden
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
We don’t know
about you, but
when we’re on
a getaway, we
still need our
daily cuppa ...
this delightful
travel mug
(R169.99) from
TTypo will have
us drinking with
flair, anywhere!
Details: www.
typo.com
Tretahte
of k
wee
Pillow talk
Yes, please! We’ll sail away any
time with this luxurious cushion
(R595) from Block and Chisel.
Details: 011-442-0809
Make memories
No holiday is complete without fabulous photos
to remember it by! The EOS 5D Mark IV (from
R60 000 body only) is for those who want to
capture them with crystal clarity. This is because
of its 30.4 megapixel CMOS sensor with wide
exposure latitude and 7 frames a second high
speed shooting, which means no more blurry
photos! It’s also perfect for your vacay videos
with an internal 4K movie-recording function.
This nifty gadget even features built-in Wi-Fi
and a GPS
G ... a must-have for any professional’s
pict
ture-perfect sto
picture-perfect
stories. Details: www.canon.co.za
For the birdwatchers
Musthave aapy p
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If you’re a fan of our feathered friends, here’s the spoil to
beat all spoils! Peter Ginn and Geoff McIlleron’s The Ultimate
Companion for Birding in Southern Africa is a superlative
coffee table book set. All profits from these visually stunning
bird books will go to The Unlimited Child. Bonus – they’re
offering a discounted price to our fab readers! Simply use the
promo code TG1234 when filling out the online order form at
www.birdbook.co.za and the book will be yours for R1134.
Bye-bye
dry skin
Hello smooth
supple hands!
This hand
cream (R99)
from Cotton
On Body’s new
Botanicals
range is great
for travellers
on the go ...
and it smells
divine, too!
Details: www.
cottonon.com
In the bag…
No more struggling to identify your luggage at the
airport … Typo launched a new, quirky travel range
in September, just in time for our summer getaways!
You’ll be wheeling in style with this range of superlightweight suitcases (they’re as effortlessly practical
as they’re pretty). But that’s not all – there’s also a
wide range of super-cute travel accessories to match.
With everything from eye masks, travel wallets,
headphones and neck pillows to travel mugs, Typo
may just be our next one-stop travel shop. Details:
www.typo.com
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
Jet-setter
A quick trip to Victoria Falls, anyone?
Imagine the glamour of an old-style safari
flight with a view of the Victoria Falls … it
ended up being so impressive that British
Airways’ forerunner, BOAC, added a stop
to its UK/ Johannesburg service 68 years
ago! Those on the flight were treated
to one of nature’s most breathtaking
spectacles.
At first, BOAC used Solent flying boats,
which departed from Southampton and –
via five stops, including the one at the Falls
– landed on the Vaal Dam four-and-a-half
days later. Yes, that’s right, it may not have
been the quickest way to travel between
the UK and Joburg, but these flying boats
were equipped with cabins where you and
three others could comfortably sleep …
plus you could pop up to the upper deck’s
lounge/dining area for a relaxing round
of refreshments or do a touch-up on your
make-up in the lower deck’s dressing
room. This was some serious luxury safari
travelling!
The BOAC planners knew their Skymaster
could do the same trip in about 30 hours,
but they hoped travellers would be blown
away by the scenic night stop at the Falls
to make the total distance of 5600 nautical
miles worth it. At least they never had to
worry about landing in severe weather –
the Vaal Dam was the perfect pit stop for
landing and taking off (think, no waiting
around for hours because of a delayed
flight!).
From the Vaal Dam, the flying boats
travelled to Victoria Falls, landing on the
Zambezi. One of the station engineers,
S. Kempson, remembers what it was
like seeing one of the Solents coming in
to land, ‘Approaching from low above
Kandahar Island, the aircraft lost height
with superb grace and, scudding swiftly
across the waters of the Zambezi,
completed a perfect touchdown. She
taxied easily towards the mooring buoy,
and tied up in seconds.’
The travellers stayed overnight at the
majestic Victoria Falls Hotel as no night
flying was allowed. You can see a mural
at the hotel commemorating this weekly
service and the stop was affectionately
nicknamed the Jungle Junction, which
is now the name of the hotel’s buffet
restaurant.
One of the luxury flying boats
comes in for a smooth touchdown.
The glamour of that era has not been lost
forever though. Today you can undertake
the same journey from Joburg in a day
with British Airways operating one of its
most modern aircraft on the route. The
A380 can accommodate 469 travellers
in four cabins – First, Club World, World
Traveller Plus and World Traveller.
Although the scenic stopover at the
Victoria Falls wasn’t enough to save the
flying boat service as faster, more efficient
aircraft were introduced on the route,
there’s still plenty of demand for the ‘flight
of angels’, with various charter companies
offering flights over the Falls.
Contrary to what visitors might think, the
term wasn’t coined by tourism brochure
copywriters, but by David Livingstone, the
first European explorer to see the Falls. He
wrote in his chronicles: ‘It had never before
been seen by European eyes, but scenes
so lovely must have been gazed upon
by angels in their flight.’ Details: www.
britishairways.com
Donate a pair
(in good condition) when collecting your
race number at Wanderers Club on the
6th,7th,8th & 9th October 2016.
Drop off point also available at
Caxton House 368 Jan Smuts Avenue.
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
Sun City
Ready for the ultimate serene retreat?
We’ve always loved a weekend away at
the beautiful Sun City … so naturally we
were thrilled when we found out it has
launched its new chalet accommodation.
Blown away by the touch of rustic
glamour these chalets offer – inside and
out – we felt at one with our stunning
natural surroundings.
The thatched chalets are tucked away
from all the bustle ... the Letsatsi bush
was literally on our doorstep! But don’t
worry, we were still in walking distance
of the Cabanas hotel (in case we felt like
lounging next to the pool and sipping
a sundowner), the resort’s popular
Shebeen (if you’re fancying a party) and
Cultural Village (where you can browse
through locally made crafts or sit down
and chat about your future with the
sangoma – thrilling stuff!).
We stayed in one of the 14 chalets,
which each accommodate between one
and four people, including a Main Chalet,
offering a king-sized bed, separate living
area and an en-suite bathroom. The
rooms fully embrace the African spirit
Sun City offers, but we weren’t left in
technological darkness. We had access to
Wi-Fi (how could we miss posting a pic of
ourselves sunbathing at the Valley of the
Waves on Instagram?), a coffee machine
(for a caffeine fix) and a mini bar.
Once we’d settled in, we were ready
for a bite at the chalets’ lovely new
restaurant, which was just a hop, skip and
a jump away from our door. The quaint
African-style café is located inside the
Kwena Gardens, crocodile sanctuary …
which were also on the menu (eek!). We
were a little hesitant about broadening
our culinary experience with a taste of
reptile, but the friendly staff soon won
us over with delicious descriptions of
the crocodile burgers and crocodile
Amarula curry … and we tried both!
What on earth does it taste like, you may
wonder? Well, the texture reminded us
of chicken, but the taste was so much
better – we especially loved the creamy
crocodile Amarula curry – try it for a truly
African experience. For those who are
a little less adventurous, the restaurant
offers a continental breakfast, an a la
carte breakfast menu and for anyone just
looking for a light snack or lunch, the a la
carte lunch menu is perfect.
After a memorable meal, we decided
to take a cue from our reptilian friends
and soak up the sun next to the Cabanas
hotel pool, which anyone staying in the
new chalets in Sun City has access to. If
the kids are looking for more than just
a little pool-time fun, they can head
back to Kamp Kwena where fun-filled,
supervised workshops are hosted for
the little ones twice a day. These include
exciting visits to the crocodile farm
(you can do this on your own too – we
suggest going sometime around feeding
time when the crocs aren’t just dozing in
the sun), musical games, arts and crafts,
storytelling, adventures at The Maze of
the Lost City and Bumper Boats. They’re
guaranteed some wonderful fun in the
sun!
We must admit, we felt a little guilty
spending most of the day just lounging
around (as amazing and as relaxing as it
was!) so we embarked on an adventure
to one of the world’s longest zip slides,
the Zip 2000, 2km of fast adrenalinfuelled entertainment! At first, we were a
little nervous at trying the zip slide – all
that’s holding you secure is a harness – so
we were given the option of a tandem
slide (which we politely declined ...
we like to think we had on our big girl
panties). As soon as we stepped off the
platform we got over all our previous
fears … we felt as if we were truly flying
over the most breathtaking landscape
imaginable.
Whether you love slipping and sliding
in the water park, sunbathing next to the
pool or taking your chances with Lady
Luck in the casino – Sun City definitely
has something for you. We can’t wait for
our next trip to the new chalets at this
amazing resort! From R1894 a person a
night.
Details: 014-557-8998 or go to www.
suninternational.com
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 5 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
H OT T
I P!
Ready
a l i t t l e to t r y s o m e
th
d
think ifferent? Yo ing
it ’s no
u m ay
t your
te a , b
cup
ut
dishes the crocod of
ile
at
absolu Sun Cit y ar
e
te l y d
elish!
We love the thatched roofs which
add a rustic touch to the chalets.
The perfect place to wind down
after a day of fun in the sun!
Back to Spring
Back to Life
SPECIALS
V
20 ALI
16 D U
W NT
HI IL
LE - 4
ST O
OC CT
KS OB
LA ER
ST
SPRING SCENERY
BUY 3 FOR 2
BUY 3 FOR 2
BUY 3 FOR 2
BUY 3 FOR 2
BUY 3 FOR 2
Indigenous
Mixed
Colours
Mixed
d
Colourss
Mixed
Colours
Indigenous
Duranta Gold
Osteospermum
Calibrachoa
lib
h
Delosperma cooperi
New Guinea Impatiens
• 4L bag / 17cm pot
• Sun loving garden shrub
• Yellow golden leaves
• 4L bag /15cm pot
• Sun loving
jÒ&REEÒ¹OWERINGÒPERENNIAL
• 17cm pot
• Semi-shade, groundcover
• Hanging baskets, borders
• 15cm pot
• Sun loving groundcover
• 0URPLEÒ¹OWERS
• 15cm pot
• Semi-shade, prefers moisture
• Bedding or container plants
NOW
R119.99 FOR 3
SAVE R60 91608
NOW
R119.99 FOR 3
SAVE R60 75320/3
NOW
R119.99 FOR 3
NOW
SAVE R60 421292
R79.99 FOR 3
NOW
SAVE R40 79932
R79.99 FOR 3
SAVE
VE R40 22407
HALF
PRICE
Indigenous
In
Scented
Indigenous
Strelitzia reginae
Gardenia ‘Cinderella’
Clivia miniata
• 10L bag
• Hardy form plant
• Striking orange craneLIKEÒ¹OWERS
• 20L bag
jÒ3CENTEDÒWHITEÒ¹OWERS
• Good for semi-shade
• Low growing shrub
• 5L bag
• Semi-shade / shade
• Low maintenance
jÒ"RILLIANTÒORANGEÒ¹OWERS
NOW
R74.99
SAVE R75 16646
NOW
R299.99
SAVE R100 98204
Indigenous
Ind
Indigenous
NOW
R49.99
SAVE R30 7785
Plectranthus
‘Mona Lavender’
• 4L bag
Duranta
‘Gold Mine Double’
• 20L bag
• Indigenous shrub
jÒ7HITEÒÒBLUEÒ¹OWERS
• Hedging, screening
• 20L bag
• Sun loving garden shrub
• Yellow golden leaves
• Semi-shade, indigenous
• Flowers in autumn and
spring
NOW
Freylinia double
R49.99
NOW
R299.99
NOW
SAVE R150 93384
SAVE R20 80781/4
OUTDOOR
R299.99
SAVE R150 26871/60558
Excluding
Pump
Chlorine Feeder x 2
• 1.5kg
jÒ3TABILISEDÒ¹OATERÒ
• Keeps swimming pools
sanitised on a monthly
basis
Algae Destroyer x 2
Culterra 3:2:1 (25)
Gromor Accelerator
• 1.5L
• Destroys black & green
algae in swimming pools
• 10kg
• Slow release nitrogen
• Lawn fertiliser
• 10kg
• Organic fertiliser
pellets
NOW
SAVE R60
R169.99
SAVE R80 6003042003248
NOW
R209.99
6003042003262
NOW
R124.99
SAVE R30 853090
NOW
Pot Egg Medium
• range of colours
NOW
Geni Waterfeature
R299.99
SAVE R100
R89.99
• Medium tower and small
Sicilian pond
NOW
R2149.99
SAVE R550 883645/8834821
SAVE R20 870084
FEED FROM YOUR GARDEN
A large variety of Citrus, Figs, Berries, Peaches, Nut and other
Fruit Trees now available
BUY 4 FOR 3
NEW!
Starke Ayres Low Carb
Seed Mix • Econopack
NOW
R47.99
SAVE R12
6001363005507
Starke Ayres Nutrifeed
Assorted Herbs / Veggies
• 12cm pot
NOW
Feed with ...
R89.99 FOR 4
SAVE R30 65752
LIFESTYLE GARDEN CENTRE Cnr. Beyers Naudé Drive & Ysterhout Avenue, Randpark Ridge, Randburg
• Tel: 011 792 5616 • GPS Co: 26° 5' 44" S 27° 56' 39" E • Trading Hours: Mon - Thurs 07:00 - 17:00 • Fri - Sat 07:00 - 17:30
Sunday 07:30 - 17:00 SPECIALS VALID UNTIL 4 OCTOBER 2016 OR WHILE STOCKS LAST.
We reserve the right to limit quantities. Errors & omissions excepted. Items already on promotion will not be discounted.
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
• 500g
• Water soluble soil
treatment or foliar spray
R79.99
SAVE R20 756737
www.lifestyle.co.za
Country
With its stone features, luxury thatched rooms, gorgeous gardens and
the opportunity to be pampered from head to toe, Valley Lodge & Spa
in the magnificent Magaliesberg really is a charming country affair.
Must love Magaliesberg. One minute
you’re hooting your way through Joburg
traffic, the next you’re on a quiet twisting
road and find yourself in the middle of the
countryside. That’s right, you’re just one
Josh Groban CD (60 minutes more or less)
away from a wonderful country affair. The
original stone-clad house, built donkey’s
years ago, looks as if it’s been around
forever. Think a massive interleading
sitting room and bar area complete with
fireplaces, a dart board and a billiard table.
The lodge is set in a nature reserve which
has a river, indigenous vegetation and
prolific birdlife ... just the place to rack up
hours of me-time.
The spa … swoon! By the time you’re
cuddled in the fluffy white gown any
work worries you may have had will be
long gone. There’s an indoor mineral
pool, saunas and a jacuzzi … this is where
you would have found us in-between
treatments, sipping champers. We
seriously recommend you make a day
of the spa and opt for one of the terrific
packages. Get your glow on with an Elemis
facial and then let go with a Swedish full
body massage. You don’t have to think at
all. In fact it’s pretty much impossible to
think because you’ll be on the verge of
dozing off from the get-go. Determined
to see the end of your hunched-overthe-computer knots? Try the deep tissue
massage. Then if you really want to be
pampered from head to toe (of course!)
get a mani and pedi while you’re at it.
So much to do, so little time. Need a
spot of entertainment? There’s a tennis
court and a gym, fly-fishing, and gentle
river walks … we can’t comment on any of
this – the only exercise we got was walking
to the spa. Oh, and great birdwatching,
too! And if all that sounds a bit … well,
tame … then all sorts of exciting stuff can
be arranged – from horse riding trails to
hot-air ballooning. If you’re keen to do a
little exploring, take a drive to the world
famous Maropeng, The Cradle or the
Sterkfontein Caves which are all in the
area.
Variety is the spice of life. Whatever
your tummy’s grumbling for can be found
at the buffet at The Zeederberg Restaurant
... you name it, it’s got it! We probably
frequented the spread more times than we
should have, but hey, we were on holiday,
right? After brekkie we got comfy on a
lounger beside the pool, a Nora Roberts
book in hand, where we sipped mojitos
and tucked into lunch poolside – and
didn’t budge until sunset. Talk about
weekend goals!
Hit snooze! And then hit it again, and
again. With comfy king-size beds, blackout
curtains and birds cheerfully chirping in
the background you’ll have no problem
sleeping until noon. Not only have the
majority of the rooms been rebuilt, but
they have also been refurbished … think
country chic with a modern twist. If
privacy and nature are important be sure
to book the river-facing Luxury Rooms (the
Luxury and Superior Rooms have thatched
roofs and come with a larger lounge area
and terrace) where you’ll get a serene view
from your veranda … we loved waking up
to see zebra grazing.
Take a dip in this iridescent
indoor mineral pool...
Stuff you need to know!
Valley Lodge & Spa is an easy hour’s
drive from Joburg. The Hoopoe Spring
Package a couple sharing includes a one
night stay with dinner, bed, breakfast
and spa vouchers valued at R1000
a person (valid until November 31).
Standard Rooms from R5120, Luxury
Rooms from R5350 and Superior Rooms
from R5575. Children’s rates apply
to Luxury Rooms only. No charge for
children 0 – 6 years of age – R1070 a
child a night 7 – 12 years of age. Check
online for specials that include spa
treatments – it’s worth booking these in
advance. Details: 014-577-1301/5, www.
valleylodge.co.za or [email protected]
Get lost among the trees while birdwatching.
Kick back and relax in one of
the stunning Luxury Rooms.
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 7 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
Cape
We have two very different options for you…
We’re escaping to the winelands
We think we’ve found the ultimate wine
lovers’ paradise at Boschendal, where
you can taste world-class wines against
the magnificent backdrop of the Groot
Drakenstein mountains. Every time we
gazed out of a window of our comfy
Orchards Cottage, we felt we were
experiencing a fairy tale! The cottages are
stylishly simplistic with a touch of rural yet
contemporary character, but still luxurious!
Think dark wooden beams, a cosy
kitchenette, plush couches and a bedroom
with a balconette for relaxed evenings
swooning over the view.
Keen to explore, we laced up our walking
shoes and took a leisurely 2km walk
(driving is an option, but we preferred
fresh air and exercise) through the fruit
orchards and pastures to have a light lunch
at the Boschendal Farmshop and Deli.
Think tables spilling out under the shade
of elderly oaks, with a view of the original
manor house and farm buildings which
frame this historic corner of the estate.
The deli was not only a feast for our eyes,
but all our senses (who doesn’t love the
smell of fresh bread?), and we settled our
grumbling tummies with fresh farm bread
and artisanal jams – absolutely delish!
As difficult as it was, we managed some
self-control (there were so many jams
to choose from, we simply had to take
some home), because we were seriously
looking forward to one of the famous wine
tastings. We suggest the Vineyard Tour
(R70pp), where we were taken on a guided
trip through the extensive patchwork
of varietals, with those gorgeous peaks
always in sight, ending with a divine
glass of wine watching the sunset at
The Viewpoint (the highest point of the
farm – we felt like royalty!). We knew this
also meant dinner time was approaching
and we decided to indulge ourselves at
the award-winning The Werf Restaurant,
a beautifully revamped wine cellar that
serves country-style cuisine using the best
seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
The eclectic décor frames the cooking
spaces in the restaurant (yes that’s right,
you can watch the delectable meals
being made), where the aromas alone
will make you want to sample everything
on the menu. We’d heard a lot about the
pasture-reared Angus beef … and we
weren’t disappointed! Served with veggies
grown on the farm, the steak practically
melted in our mouths. The Werf also has
a fab Food Garden, where you can buy
just-picked veggies and fruits, ideal for
making a luscious lunch in the comfort
of your cottage. It was the perfect ending
to a fab day – definitely a must-visit if
you find yourself in the Cape. One – four
bedroom Orchard Cottages available from
R2700 a cottage a night. Details: www.
boschendal.com, for accommodation 021870-4210 or accommodation@boschendal.
co.za, for wine tasting 021-870-4210/11 or
[email protected]
H OT T I
P!
The Farm Shop and Deli is the
perfect spot for a light lunch.
Want to
class w taste worldin
book in es? Be sure to
advanc
e
of Bosc
hendal’ for one
s
famo
wine ta
stings! us
The comfy interior of the cottage
made us feel right at home!
We loved the gorgeous backdrop of the
Groot Drakenstein mountains.
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 8 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
Calling all stylish city-slickers
After you’ve experienced the winelands
head off to the hottest address in the
city … the luxurious Lawhill Luxury
Apartments, which provide the ideal
home base to explore Cape Town. The
modern, neutral-toned design with steel
finishes will make you feel you’re in a
home away from home with complete
privacy and a swoon-worthy backdrop of
the iconic Table Mountain and the Cape
Town city skyline. You can choose between
one, two or three bedroom apartments
(all self-catering) or the glamorous three
bedroom penthouse (our top pick, of
course!) – all very spacious and decked
out with the most on-trend décor with
concierge services and housekeeping
included. Your breath will be taken away
(ours was) when you step out onto the
large exclusive balcony, which has a
stunning plunge pool for those muchneeded sundowners, and take a look at the
gorgeous view of the One & Only Hotel (to
which Lawhill guests have direct access,
including the hotel’s facilities, spa and
restaurants), marina and canals at the V & A
Waterfront. The vibrancy of the Waterfront
lured us in and we popped down to take
a closer look. We were about to wander
past Meloncino, but the glorious smell of a
wood-fired pizza oven reminded us it was
lunch time. Meat eaters and veggie lovers
alike will adore the tasty pesto pizza (it also
does gluten-free pizza bases on request)
where the cream cheese, home-made basil
pesto and roasted pine nuts did a little
happy dance in our mouths! We’d been
eyeing the Cape Wheel from our seat, but
decided we’d rather browse through the
Watershed market before we braved the
ride. The market houses the best in local
arts and crafts including jewellery, clothes,
accessories and delightful home décor.
Once we’d dropped off our shopping,
we gathered enough courage to take a
ride on the Cape Wheel (we have a severe
fear of heights – eek!), but our knees were
buckling for no reason! We were treated to
spectacular views of Table Mountain and
Robben Island among others, but all the
views of glistening water gave us a serious
craving for some seafood … and we knew
just the spot! A little birdy had told us
about Mondiall’s signature fish tacos so we
were very eager to try them. The crunchy
tacos are served with chipotle mayo, pico
de gallo and coriander – yummy! If fish
tacos aren’t your thing, you could try the
seafood plate, which includes fresh line
fish, prawns and mussels served with
fragrant rice, a side salad and peri-peri
and lemon butter sauces (delish!). Full to
the brim, we ventured back to Lawhill for
some much needed relaxation before we
attempted the trip home. The next day,
we were ready for a large breakfast, and
five-star Table Bay Hotel’s The Atlantic
provided! Described as the best breakfast
buffet around, this experience is a musttry with 230 dishes from which to choose.
We seriously – and we mean seriously
– suggest the fresh oysters, sushi and
delectable custard-filled pastries. After our
high-end, luxe weekend, we’ve decided
this is the only way to experience the
Mother City… Lawhill Luxury Apartments
from R3830pn for the one bedroom
to R15080pn for the three bedroom
penthouse. Details: 021-418-2138 or www.
lawhillluxuryapartments.com
The fab penthouse apartment is a must for
those looking to live in the lap of luxury.
LEISURE OPTIONS
Editor Samantha Richardson [email protected] • Journalist Donné Grobler
• Art Director Demi Maasburg • Subeditor Rose Chinery • Photographer Danielle
Ashwin • Media Assistant Catherine Webster • Contributor Kym Argo • Sales
Manager Eleen Du Buisson 011-293-6176 • Advertising Michele Topham 082-4919154 • 011-889-0940 • e-mail [email protected] • Editorial Phone 011-889-0655 •
e-mail [email protected] • Street Caxton House, 368 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall.
Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. Vol 22 NO 03 • Competition rules:
Judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions
are not open to the sponsors or Caxton employees or families. LEISURE OPTIONS reserves
the right to publish the names of winners, who will be contacted telephonically and
must collect their prizes within 10 days or they will be forfeited. Winners’ names on www.
leisureoptions.co.za
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 9 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
The ultimate luxe relaxing spot
to take in the stunning views.
Fancy a bit of night swimming
on the exclusive balcony?
As beautiful as the house is on the
outside, the inside is just as lovely.
iTHEMBA
WALKATHON
Join us in the
crusade against
breast cancer
Beauty for a Purpose
Early detection saves lives
DATE:
DISTANCE:
VENUE:
FEES:
QUERIES:
EMAIL:
Sunday, 23 October 2016
5km or 7.9km
Marks Park, Johannesburg
R120 for adults and R80 for
children between 2 and 12
071 274 1613 / 087 097 0011
[email protected]
Free
State
The perfect road trip pit stop!
• Goodie bags for all walkers
• Fun for the whole family!
• Dogs walk for free
LIMITED TO
30 000 ENTRIES
Put on your pinkest Avon lipstick in the crusade
against breast cancer at the 2016 Walkathon and
let’s break the Avon world record!
If you’re heading off to the Cape this
December, you really should consider
stopping for a day or two at De Oude Kraal
Country Estate and Spa. It’s a wonderful
Free State guest house just south of
Bloemfontein. You may be thinking that
it’s fairly close for an overnight stay, but
if, like us, you think the journey is just as
important as the destination, you won’t
regret this pit stop!
This award-winning (they definitely
deserve it) guest house, owned by
Gerhard and Marie Lombard, is an old (six
generations, wow!) family home on a 2000
hectare working merino sheep farm. As
beautiful as the house is on the outside,
the inside is just as lovely … all the rooms
(from R985 pp sharing) are individually
decorated, most have open fireplaces and
some have spa baths. Speaking of spas,
it has an excellent one (exactly what you
need after a day in the car).
There’s also loads of space for children
to run and stretch their legs and explore,
with a few companions of course – there
are sheep, ducks, bunnies, sheepdogs,
even meerkats and turkeys around every
corner! You and the kids can also enjoy the
swimming pool, walking trails, horseback
riding and the tennis court. It also offers
evening drives on the tractor and wagon
(great fun) with views of the spectacular
Free State sunsets and glimpses of the
blesbok, black wildebeest, eland and
springbok which roam free on the farm.
But the real winner is Marie’s food. If you
happen to be there for one of the regular
wine and food pairings you’re in for a
special treat. But don’t fret if that’s not on
the agenda … the regular three course
lunches, afternoon tea and cakes and five
course fine dining dinners are exceptional.
The wine cellar, too, is a place of wonder!
Trust us … this deserves at least a two
night stay … a wonderful start to a break
from the city. Details: 051-5640-733
If you’re not in Johannesburg – upload your
pinkest pout picture on social media and share.
Walk for a Purpose
Register: www.ithembawalkathon.co.za
OUR MEDIA PARTNERS
iThembaWalkathon
#iThembaWalk2016
OUR NGO PARTNERS
iThembaWalkathon
#WalkForAPurpose
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
The spa is definitely a must
after hours on the road!
We experienced the beauty of the
bush on a tranquil game drive.
Bush
H OT T
I P!
Not
able t only will y
o
o
s p a d e n j oy a re u b e
a
y
,
b
ut k id laxing
mass
t o o ! B a g e s a r e o f d i e s’
e
fe
spot sure to boored
fo r y o
ka
the lit u and
t l i e s.
Step into Mabula Game Lodge. Breathtaking sunrise safaris recommended.
Relaxing spa treatments mandatory. Making
memories a given.
Sipping sundowners after a safari, watching
the hippos splash around like … well, hippos.
Crocs enjoying the last few minutes of the sun.
Absolutely no dipping your toes in the water
here. Then a herd of 15-odd elephants casually
strolled by … seconds later, one cheeky ellie in
musth (our game ranger, Sebastian van Vuuren,
explained that his testosterone levels can be as
much as 60 per cent greater) decided he didn’t
like our dinner set-up under the stars and, with
one very casual swipe of his trunk, wiped out
a setting at the table. Really, we’re not making
this up. Yip, just another extraordinary day in
Africa.
Dinner under the stars is only one of the
experiences that make a stay at Mabula Game
Lodge memorable. Just two-and-a-half hours’
drive from Joburg, you’ll find the lodge in the
Waterberg region of Limpopo Province. Come
the end of the year, the bushveld greys and
yellows of autumn start giving way to the
green thickets and grasslands ... a spectacular
setting where the Big Five roam free along with
predators like hyena and jackal.
Half-an-hour into our first game drive and we
were in holiday mode faster than you can say
‘Amarula’ … which is exactly what we enjoyed
while the sun set. We were fortunate enough to
have a private game vehicle so we didn’t have
to worry about annoying anyone … yes, we
care that Sebastian may have seen a leopard
pawprint or smelt a carcass (a bit gross, we
know). Absolutely no reason to rush here. We
spent ages at each sighting taking it all in ...
and loved every minute! We saw lion snoozing
in the dense thorny scrub. Baby warthogs
playing. We waited while zebras crossed the
path (isn’t this the best kind of ‘traffic’!) and saw
buck at every turn. We tried very hard to spot
leopard but despite our determination, they
didn’t oblige by showing themselves.
If this isn’t enough to have you packing your
bags, the enormous range of activities might
persuade you ... think bush walks where you
can channel your inner Bear Grylls and spot
game (we finally got to see a leopard up close
... an amazing experience!), horse and quad
bike trails, tennis courts and swimming pools.
Once you’ve ticked a few of these off your
list you’ll be feeling properly pooped ... time
to head off to the spa. A pedi and hot stone
massage will take you to your happy place
… the spa even has kiddies’ massages … you
know, for when the times tables are causing
knots. If your mini-me is more into adventure,
there’s a Cubz Club for the littlies where they’ll
learn all about wildlife and play old-school
games like sack and egg and spoon races.
Once you’ve exhausted yourself, retreat to
distinctly African thatched rooms where you
can flop down on a comfy bed. The rooms are
decorated in soft, neutral bush colours and the
rustic décor lends itself perfectly to the setting.
Psst … don’t underestimate the joy of a long
afternoon nap … that’s right, doing absolutely
zilch is totally acceptable.
If you ask us, happiness is sipping
sundowners after a safari, pampering spa
treatments and making memories you’ll never
forget ... it’s no wonder we think Mabula Game
Lodge is so marvellous!
Stuff you need to know
Mabula Game Lodge is approximately
150km from Joburg. Rates are from R3535 for
a single room and R2365 sharing. Kids under
six stay free (kids 6 – 11 R1180). The rates
include accommodation, two game drives a
day and selected local beverages. Excluded
from the rates are transport to and from the
lodge, conservation fees, items of a personal
nature like phone calls, mini bar and curio
shop purchases and spa treatments. Details:
014-734-7000 or email reservations@lodge.
mabula.co.za
Dinner under the African
starry sky, anyone?
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 11 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016
Review
All the entertainment you need for your next road trip!
Walk the walk
One Sunday, being a naturally curious journalist who enjoys being a pedestrian, Luke
Alfred set out to walk from Orange Grove to Modderfontein, a distance of about 12
kilometres. This was the start of a year of wandering the various paths, tracks and roads
of this country, during which he met many interesting characters and unearthed all sorts
of fascinating bits of almost forgotten history. His book, Early One Sunday Morning I
Decided To Step Out And Find South Africa follows his journeyings, (which were not
taken consecutively). He followed the 1820 settlers from Salem to Southwell – at 24
kilometres a bit of a schlep, but nevertheless, full of interest. He ventured into Thomas
Pringle and Alan Paton country. He hiked from Muizenberg to Simons Town via Kalk
Bay and did a couple of shortish rambles in the footsteps of Gandhi and another round
Soweto, taking in the quirky Credo Mutwa Centre. It’s a lovely book to dip into, especially
if you’re travelling anywhere near where the author went walkabout. Tafelberg, R250.
In full bloom...
Spring is the perfect time to visit the
Namaqualand Flower Route … when the wild
flowers put on a phenomenal display. It’s a trip
well worth making … and an indispensable
guide is Map Studio’s newly released Visitor’s
Guide Flower Route. The guide explores the
coast north of Cape Town … an area where
3500 species bloom every spring. Early
bloomers pop up in late July, September
is completely spectacular, and in October
there are some late-flowering gems. This
lovely guide combines visual inspiration
with practical advice … where to see the
best wild flowers, where to stay, main
attractions in each area and flower-spotting
identification images. If you can’t make
it this spring, buy the book, get inspired
and book for next year’s show. You won’t
regret it. R195 from your local bookstore or
online on www.mapstudio.co.za.
Create your own
adventure
Here’s one for eager adventurers –
Maureen Day’s 4x4 Travel Guide:
Eastern Africa. The book is a veritable
mine of useful information that includes
itineraries, what to take (including a
grocery list), potential costs, availability
of fuel, documentation needed, medical
precautions – even bush recipes. With
loads of photographs, snippets of useful
(and fascinating) information the guide
covers Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda,
Kenya and Ethiopia and documents the
adventure of a lifetime. Struik Nature, R230.
Whether we’re at home or on
holiday, the wine we’re loving
right now is Protea Chenin Blanc
2015. It’s a lively, vibrant wine with
stonefruit and lemon flavours. Crisp
and tangy, we enjoy it with avocado
dishes, a chicken and pear salad,
and good old family favourite, fish
and chips. It’s really affordable,
too … around R52.95 from your
favourite bottle store.
You’ll be ready to hit the road with these catchy albums...
S ocial
b u t te r f l y
Visit w
le is u r e o p w w.
t io n s .co.z
a
for more
gre a t b o o
ks
to add to
your fab
collec tion
!
We must admit, we were absolutely blown
away by this album. It’s so simple to lose
track of time, while you become lost in
the dreamy lyrics (don’t worry, majority of
them are in English) and interesting beats
that France’s Christine and the Queens
have created on their latest album,
Chaleur Humaine. This pop sensation
is the brainchild of provocative singer
songwriter Héloïse Letissier, who turned
to music after being inspired by a group
of London drag queens. You won’t want to
skip any of their pop tunes while driving
on the open road … we even caught
ourselves pressing repeat on Tilted and
IT quite a few times! We’ll definitely be
listening to this beauty even when the
road trip is over. Available on iTunes.
She’s finally back – an entire decade after
she released her last album! We’re so
ecstatic that Gwen Stefani has elevated
our musical lives once more with her
latest album This Is What The Truth Feels
Like. Gwen has graced us with her usual
catchy bubble-gum tunes and cheeky
lyrics that we’ve always loved listening to.
Our favourites include Make Me Like You
written about her new beau Blake Shelton
and Used To Love You (written about guess
who? Her ex). Fab songs to sing along to
whether you’re in a relationship, going
through a break-up or flying solo. If you’ve
ever been a fan of the platinum blonde
beauty, make sure you include this album
on your next road trip playlist – you won’t
regret it! Available on iTunes.
Her first single Here, had us singing the
infectious tune in our cars for weeks (and
also made us feel less guilty about not
attending every social gathering). Alessia
Cara’s debut album Know It All offers
perfect peaceful background music (for
those long stretches of road gazing out
at pastures), but also has a sprinkling of
tracks (we love Wild Things and I’m Yours)
in-between to get you pumped up for
that moment when you finally see a spot
of blue on the horizon (are we there yet?).
After hearing her rich voice for the first
time, we ‘ve been anticipating this release
and it’s now available for our listening
pleasure with 13 tracks set to take up
permanent residency in our music libraries.
Available on iTunes.
LEISURE OPTIONS PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 8, 2016