Vino's and Chino's {another Chino adventure}

Vino's and Chino's {another Chino adventure}

I realise I have been quite neglectful this week of the poor cup-of-chino but big things are on the horizon and I (regretfully) let chino slip. But here is a dose of chino for the weekend.

Last weekend we headed to Parys for a wedding – what a fantastic little town. I have never ventured to that part of the world before. It is such a quaint little place and is cup-of-chino heaven. Along the main road, there is a coffee shop every few metres, one could seriously over dose on caffeine if you had to pop into every one.

On good advise from our fellow road trippers, we had a lunch at a wonderful eclectic place called Hoi Polloi. The food was delicious and the company was wonderful. Although there is quite a treacherous exit due to the angle of the staircase – proves a little more difficult after a vino or two. Anyway,we made it out alive and all the better for it.

The shops along the main strip stock everything from mosaic frames to Granny’s rusks. You could spend hours sifting through the homemade goodies. If you are looking for a weekend getaway close to Jozi (only an hour and half away) Parys should definitely be on your list.

To find out what this little gem has to offer checkout this link: www.parys.co.za/

Creative community inspiration - Arts on Main

Creative community inspiration - Arts on Main

When the weather is good, we always try and find a spot to enjoy the sunshine.  For ages, I have wanted to take a trip into town to experience Arts on Main. So last Sunday that is exactly what we did.  Wow, what a vibe. When you reach the entrance you cannot imagine the buzz of activity. The food stalls are amazing and thereare so many choices, ranging from artizinal beers, bunny chow, prego rolls, Argentinian cuisine to roosterkoek and souvlaki.  Anything goes and the crowd is incredibly festive. We even got to watch some salsa dancing, which was unexpected and we suddenly felt the urge to take dancing classes.

Organic chocolate store.

The original Roosterkoek Queen.

The ‘I was shot in Joburg’ sign caught my eye. They have a shop at Arts on Main and the idea really struck a chord. ‘I was shot in Joburg’is a community project – using photography and creativity. They provide street children with photography training. These children then apply their creative skills and generate an income.  Royalties earned by the photographers are managed by the NGO, who supply the children with financial advise from an outsourced registered financial adviser. http://www.iwasshotinjoburg.co.za. How fantastic that these kids get a chance to express themselves through photography. It just shows no matter what your skills are you can use them to uplift your community.

View from the top.

After a few mini Prego rolls, a couple of beers and much relaxation we decided to head home. What a wonderful afternoon, we will definitely make that trip again. It is so refreshing finding these creative hubs in Jozi and can’t wait to discover a few more.

To find out more here's their website marketonmain.co.za/.

Persian delights – time to get tasting

Persian delights – time to get tasting

Nothing better than starting a Saturday morning with asurprise parcel. Even if the parcel is not for you, there is still an elementof excitement. Last Saturday, Iranian cherub received a big box from Cape Town,compliments of her parentals. The treats that emerged are amazing, especiallysince I have never tried/seen any of them before. This was no ordinary treatbox but a strictly Iranian treat box. Delicious nougat (gaz), chic-pea flour, cardamon and pistachio biccies, fruit nibbles (labashak) and chocolate covered dates.

Delish gaz - with awesome package design.

Not only were there treats in the box but Persian spices too. Tonight we are being treated – the Iranian cherub is cooking a Lamb Stew with Persian gold and all the new spices. Persian gold = dried limes. Apparentlythese limes are the business and I cannot wait for this meal.

Contents of the Persian parcel.

Our humble home is going Persian and we are loving it.

Spruits and flicks

Spruits and flicks

Recently, I have been really lucky. We have been spending loads of time outdoors on weekends. We were invited to a friends 30^th in Bronkhorstspruit. I have never really spent much time in that part of the world - and Gramps’s birthday meant we were camping on the farm at the Bronkhorstspruit river.

Wow, what an unbelievable place. Natural beauty – I’m talking about the river and not the boys playing volleyball. Although they aren’t a bad bunch;)

Sundowners at the river followed by an evening of disco fever – Farah Fawcet flicks nog al. 

This place is not even an hour out of Jozi and the sense of space is insane. I wasn’t happy about having to pack up and trek back to the city but who can complain about a weekend filled with friends, farms and Fawcet flicks. It was pretty special all-round.

Chino adventure

Chino adventure

A cup-of-chino adventure is always welcomed. I love finding new places for my caffeine addiction. Whether it be a quaint tea garden or a modern coffee shop, I love them just the same.

The decor always inspires me, especially when you can purchase what is on display. On my Easter escapade I uncovered this little gem - Latte and lace.

 The people of Empangeni are well aquatinted with it and I can see why. Look at the lovely style, plus you can buy anything on the shelves. It's all for sale. The tea and scones were absolutely delish. Luckily for my bank account, I had a flight back to Joburg and could only take hand luggage. If that had not been the case April would have been very poor.

So if you ever pass through the metropolis of Empangeni and need to feed your chino addiction, stop by Latte and lace. Just make sure that you have an empty suitcase.

Everyone loves a bit of Vaalie

 Everyone loves a bit of Vaalie

I love the coast. There it is... I said it. Every year I start feeling more and more like a *Vaalie. Believe me, I am not happy about this but when you have lived away from the coast as long as I have there are certain habits that you pick up (against your will) that scream Vaalie.

* Vaalie - one who descends from landlocked Gauteng (formally the Transvaal) to the seaside. Hence Vaalie.

Firstly, you find yourself at the coast only at Christmas and Easter. Along with the rest of the Vaalie nation. If you do happen to hit a coastal town out of those holiday periods, you make poor coastal souls take you to the beach - even if it is just to look at it and breathe in the salty air. 1 x poor coastal brother has been subjected to this on countless occasions, thanks Trav. Unfortunately as much as I fight it, I fear I have more Vaalie tendencies these days.

As a coastal lover who is not currently residing near the beloved ocean, I feel like I have been quite forthcoming with my shifting status - but I could never go full Vaalie.

Let me explain full Vaalie - one starts to hyperventilate when the sea is in sight. The excitement builds to such capacity that as the first grain of sand touches the skin, the Vaalie charge is set in motion. Note: never get between the Vaalie and the ocean - it's up there with getting between an elephant and her calf - sane people just don't do it.

The Vaalie charge involves a Vaalie sprinting to the sea and the overwhelming happiness that is brought on by waves beating you into submission. I am allowed to bring the Vaaliness to light as I am marrying one and he is the one that explained (and happily demonstrated) all of the above.

Easter brought out the Vaalie in me as I descended down to the coast. But with a view like this who could resist.

I got to spend some good time with good people, and I have all the Vaalies to prove it.