I wish a whistle had blasted through the quiet morning train platform as Beth and I embarked on a trip down south on Monday- it would have lifted the sleep and cobwebs in my slighty hungover head, but also been a fitting (albeit weirdly Victorian) send off as we headed on our way. Unfortunately the … More Springbok Fever, and Rugby in France.
I’m not in the best headspace at the moment- I feel like we’re existing in a half-life, where I crave being able to fly on the wingtips of the clouds while snuggling up under my duvet with a book to avoid having to feel anything or make decisions. I scroll through my phone looking at … More Bittersweet Return to Europe.
I am drawn, by some bizarre inclination, to the allure of midsummer. I have been, ever since high school English syllabus and Shakespeare’s titled comedy appeared on our reading list around the age of 14, I think. It would have been way too easy a study for the Matric English Lit Shakespeare, at which point … More Another Midsummer.
Do you know what’s better than Christmas in a warm, sun drenched, blue skied, endless-horizoned space, one with swims to cool down in, listless insects hovering over icy glasses of Chenin Blanc, braai fires and garlicky prawns, rolling highveld thunderstorms, and a setting sun with golden fingertips reaching over the west coast ocean, tumbling down … More A Christmas Carol, Version Y2K22
There is a sombre atmosphere pervading my home this week, almost as thick as the humidity that hovers over these thick summer days, windless but for the fans blowing relentlessly. A deep seated longing for those orange South African sunsets and warm almost-sisterly embraces have embedded themselves into our hearts, and there is no escaping … More A Tale of Two Countries
I started this entry a month ago, as confinment restrictions were lifted. Finally, France is offically open (except for the borders) and the terraces across the city were full yesterday evening. Towards the end of last week I started seeing adverts on social media for local restaurants that are now open for customers to order … More Recipe: Malva Pudding
One of my peeves about South Africans who have elected to live outside their homeland is when they lament the absence of certain homegrown treats that they can’t get. The list is endless: Cream Soda,NikNaks, Ghost Pops, Peppermint Crisps, Ouma Rusks, Mrs Balls chutney, the list goes on and on. Oh, and Biltong and wors, … More Not Mrs Balls
Thursdays are currently my Sunday, my one day off work where I don’t do anything unless its for me: go for a run; have a coffee date; sit on my terrace and write; binge watch tv; sew or even mundane stuff like the washing and cleaning. Between 8:30 and 15:00, my time is- for the … More Heritage Day
Thursday morning, winter in South Africa and here I am reclining on a chair on the sunny veranda of my in-laws. My feet are propped up on the ‘balustrade’ and I have bottle of water at my elbow. It’s too early for wine and too hot for coffee or tea, would you believe? A short … More Summer/Winter holiday, South Africa 2016
Yesterday I made myself a cup of tea, sat down at the table in my kitchen to reflect, and my eye set onto the 3 teeny tiny plant pots I have sitting on my kitchen window sill. My mind lapsed into a revery of day dreaming, one full of clichés- the hot African sun, the … More A Pot Full of Herbs
For 2 whole weeks I have planned this blog in my mind, on the bus, waiting for one, or even walking to one with the hands of my girls grasped firmly in my grip. I am sure you understand with everything else traversing through my mind, you will know why I have not actually written anything. … More Happy Birthday
There is something about the 21st century that is getting up my nose. Â Back in the ‘old ages’, writing opinion pieces was limited to real journalists, and the occasional ‘letters to the editor’, which were ususally edited. The norm now is that anybody and everybody spouts opinions in several very public arenas. Â I … More A little vent.
Without picking up a dictionary or googling it on Wikipedia, how would you define the word ‘culture’? Do you live your life according to it? Does it define who you are? Is it your excuse? Or would you go so far as to say that it is ‘rubbish’? I sit here in my lovely window … More Culture
Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals 