Winters in the Cape encourage many excursions and dine-outs and I certainly had my fair share this year!

I had a most enjoyable and memorable evening at Pigalle Restaurant.   Renowned for its fresh seafood and Chalmar steak, the menu comprises of classic dishes with a subtle Portuguese flair, inspired by owners Victor and Naldo Gonçalves.  With its luxurious interior design and French accents evident in the furnishings, the atmosphere is traditional opulence - the word plush comes to mind.  The most enjoyable part was the music - jazz jazz jazz - we were treated to Ian Smith on his trumpet, backed up by the voice of Adelia and the super duper Pigalle Band.  Dancing is natural and enjoyed by all during, and after, the meal!  What a great night out!

A hike up Silvermine Mountain, part of the Table Mountain National Park, on a clear, sunny, winter’s day is just a gorgeous thing to do - especially if you follow it up with a breakfast on the braai around the dam.  

This facility, which is unfortunately closed from 1 October for the fire season, is very popular on weekends, but so quiet during the week that you almost feel that it is your own.  It is a great idea for a group event, en route to the Peninsula.

Up in Mpumalanga, the SATSA Conference was held at the Pine Lake Inn this year so I took the opportunity to take a big drive around the area before arriving.

A visit to a favorite stop for coaches, before Dullstrom, is the Alzu Petroport - what a fun place!  There is a huge waterhole which is visited by the animals on the small farm; Rhinos, Buffalo and Zebras!  Where else can you sit and eat delicious waffles, along a main road, while rhinos and buffaloes walk around, only a short distance from you - in no other place than the Alzu Petroport on the N4!  The Country & Outdoor shop stocks outdoor clothing, shoes and equipment and the 6.5m high slide is the largest in Mpumalanga.  Over 600 000 Visitors come here each year and they love it!  

Dullstoom, also known as Emnotweni, was, as always, a treat - this time I found the Clock Shop for the first time.  They advertise themselves as 'the largest selection of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere’ and 'a magical corner of time'.  This was huge fun ... you can see they are serious about clocks!  The factory was established in June of 2012 and, since its first prints, is has grown in size and capability, and is now able to custom make clocks using your own photographs.  The town, which is the highest in South Africa, and one of the coldest, is a premier trout fishing area.  It is so pretty, with many interesting shops.  Numerous excellent restaurants, such as The Rose Cottage, with its blooming garden, coffee shops, a craft-beer brewery, a world-renowned whisky bar, with the largest selection of Whiskeys in the Southern Hemisphere, and eclectic pubs, all form part of this relaxed and charming village.  Dullstroom is an escape for artists, writers and musicians.  Come out and play in this unique African jewel!

The route then took us through Lyndenburg, which is not as cool as Dullstroom, but we did find a hidden gem!  The Lydenburg Museum, which is very well put together, was so interesting!  It tells about the Pedi people, the English colonialists and the Voortrekkers, all done with authenticity and care.  To get the most out of it, you would need to spend an hour.  Lydenburg, which means “place of suffering” was discovered by the pioneering Voortrekkers, but marauding Bapedi armies fought a series of bloody battles with the settlers, monuments to which can still be seen in the area.

And then, down Long Tom Pass we went – how utterly gorgeous!  It is named after a large cannon called The Long Tom, the British name given to Boer-operated field gun, which can now be found at the top of the Pass.  The Boers lugged this metal monster, which was used with great effectiveness in the area, to the most amazing places and, constantly surprising their enemy, it became the bane of British Generals.

We stayed overnight in Hazyview at the Sabi River Sun, with its lovely grounds and facilities.  The name Sabie is Shangaan for ‘fearful’ and refers to the crocodiles in the river.  Accommodation is comfortable and homely and The Eden Spa offers a range of exclusive treatments, whilst the year-round children’s entertainment gives parents a welcome break. 

The next day was a full day’s drive to the Three Rondavels, Bourkes Luck Potholes and God’s Window.  The Three Rondavels, also known as the Three Sisters are at the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon drive.  These geological formations take the shape of a traditional beehive-shaped hut, built and used over centuries by indigenous people as their homes.

Bourkes Luck Potholes are a series of natural geological formations formed by centuries of water flowing through the landscape, having carved out dramatic, cylindrical, rock formations and pools.

We marveled at the stunning view from God’s Window, one of the most scenic vantage points in South Africa.  Majestic cliffs plunge down 700m and, on a clear day, you can look over the famous Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains, on South Africa’s border with Mozambique. 

We stopped at the famous village of Pilgrim’s Rest.  The entire town was declared a National Monument in 1986, as a living memory of the early gold rush days in South Africa during the late 1800s/early 1900s.  A dedicated team of historians, architects, curators and special interest groups closely monitor all developments in the village to maintain its historic appearance, which is vividly evident in its museums and historic sites.  It offers a fascinating window into the past, and captures the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold.

This entire area is vast and extremely beautiful - no wonder tourists and locals just love to visit!

Until next time, fond regards ….