My Cape Town

When my mother phoned the other night she was a little surprised to find Neill at home looking after Joseph while I was out at the rugby.  The situation hadn’t struck me in the least bit odd, despite the fact that I’d never been to a rugby match in my life before.  After all, rugby is an intrinsic part of the South African life to which I aspire.  Should it really be surprising that a totally unsporty wife and mother should want to experience it?

Well maybe yes.  But I had finally made it to the famous stadium at Newlands, all of a 10 minute drive from our house, and base of the Vodacom Stormers.  The home team were taking on one of the top Kiwi teams, the Chiefs, in the ninth match of the Super 14 series (a tournament between the top provincial teams of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand).  Some clients had asked me to join them for the match and I jumped at the chance.

On nearing the stadium I entered a forcefield of well-being, a fug of calm and serenity as I drifted into the heady smell of hops from the nearby brewery. Taste buds working overtime,  I eyed up a wors rolls on one of the stalls outside and had bought it, eaten it and was regretting it by the time I joined Annabel, Simon and Jake in the stands.  I could feel a chunk of hard beef sausage lodged mercilessly in my oesophagus as I squeaked my hellos and sat down next to five year old Jake.  It was Jake’s first rugby match too, so I made a great pretence of listening as his father explained the rules to him, nodding wisely while swallowing desperately and subtly wiping the odd wors-induced tear from my eye.

A few days earlier Simon had watched South Africa thrash Pakistan at cricket, and had marvelled at the beauty of the setting of the Newlands cricket grounds.  We were now in the stadium next door, and while the view in a stadium is rather more obstructed we enjoyed our perch high up in the Railway stands, with the full glory of the afternoon sun on us, and the top of the mountain peeking over the rim opposite.  Vendors scooted around selling biltong and crisps and drinks, and there was a great Friday evening buzz from the vast crowd.

My hoarse attempts at conversation were fortunately interrupted as the Stormers came trotting onto the field to thunderous applause.  In their black and white hooped jerseys (specially designed to mark their 10 year anniversary) they looked remarkably similar to the Camulodunum team on the cover of Asterix in Britain.  Familiarity washing over me, I stood and croaked along with the cheers of the crowd.

I’ve watched rugby before of course, but only on the telly or the occasional school sports field.  I knew that being a spectator in a 50 000 seater stadium would be different, but I hadn’t appreciated the fact that high up in the stands we would be so far removed from the grunts and groans of the players, from their heaving aggression and their flying sweat.  Instead, the tension on the field was transmitted through the spectators, an extraordinary and rather wonderful experience of being a small part of a larger whole, of feeling the pain of each tackle by osmosis.  One person seemed oblivious to this though. While I vied to watch the pitch, eavesdrop on Simon’s explanations and swallow the dratted sausage, Annabel fixed me with her beady nurse’s eye and asked, “So, did you enjoy your childhood?”

I could barely speak let alone attempt to give a good answer to such a profound question. I waved down a passing drinks vendor who, I then noticed, had not a crate of drinks but a large solid backpack and a hose tucked into his waistband.  I wavered, but curiosity got the better of me. A second later I had a steaming cup of creamy Milo complete with what I was thrilled to establish was a marshmallow floating on the surface.  A rather brilliant idea, really, if you don’t think too hard about it.

My culinary inquisitiveness now thoroughly satisfied, I started to pay more attention to the pitch.  Despite losing possession of the ball in the first minute, the Stormers had settled down into what was proving to be a pretty solid attacking game.  When they scored a spectacular try in the 25^th minute – their first of the Series – the crowd went wild. The previous day I had taught Jake to curl his tongue when sticking it out at me.  In return, he now showed me how to whistle.   I had to touch the first two fingers of each hand to my bottom lip, he explained, and then scream loud and high, “Eeeeeeeee”.  Not a particularly elegant method, but it worked for me. 

More than that, it managed finally to dislodge the remaining wors.  By the time of the final whistle I was cheering and whistling and stomping along with the best of them.  The Stormers had won 21 – 16.  Eeeeeeeee.  I’ll be going again, but next time I’ll avoid the sausage.

Daisy

                        www.capeconcierge.co.za

The Stormers are currently playing in New Zealand and Australia.  Their next matches on home ground are 7, 21 and 28 April and 5 May.  For more information on Newlands stadium or the Stormers, go to www.thestormers.com

Villa of the Month

Launched recently with not one but two parties knee-deep in champagne and sushi, this latest addition to the Blue Views stable has instantly become the flagship property for this popular group.

The manager, Linda, started out with exceptionally high standards and has had nine years to perfect her knowledge of what it is that high-flying visitors to Cape Town desire.  While all the properties are based on an open-plan living space that flows easily to the outside, the houses have a Scandinavian accent to their furnishings, whereas the penthouse apartments tend towards the New York minimalist.  Glass walls fold away to let the interiors and exteriors merge, and iconic pieces of furniture have been placed against dramatic backdrops.

Penthouse II offers no less than five large en-suite bedrooms, which come with extra-length king size beds as standard.  As with the other properties, Penthouse II has a complimentary ADSL line and WiFi connectivity and is serviced each day by a dedicated team of staff.  Each bedroom has air-conditioning and a personal CD player with excellent sound quality.

The outside spaces offer awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the sea, with an assortment of ridiculously comfortable corners offering varying degrees of shade or privacy.  Maximum social exposure is gained from the 8 metre glass-fronted pool which links the lines of the indoor living space with the various outdoor areas.  With the Twelve Apostles on one side and Lion’s Head on the other, it looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and basks in the afternoon sunshine.

If the demand for the first Penthouse is anything to go by, this place will be taking bookings well in advance.  It is currently still free 8 - 17 March, 30 March - 23 December and from 5 January 2008. Rates range from R 3 500 per day in low season (£ 270, $ 565, EUR 410) to R 10 000 per day over Christmas and New Year (£ 770, $ 1613, EUR 1175).

To book Penthouse II or for information on any other of the Blue Views properties, contact me on  .  Cape Concierge newsletter subscribers will, of course, get a discounted rate.

Upcoming Events

APPLETISER SUMMER SUNSET CONCERTS AT KIRSTENBOSCH

Sunday evenings until 1 April

A chance to drink wine and picnic in one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain.   Key events are listed below.

www.nbi.ac.za    / www.sanbi.org/frames/concertfram.htm      

11TH SPIER ARTS SUMMER CONCERTS SEASON

until 23 March

The annual summer program at Spier celebrates a proudly African line-up, presenting a diverse variety of performances. 

www.nbi.ac.za    / www.sanbi.org/frames/concertfram.htm    

CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N' PAY MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE 

4 March

The MTB Challenge part of the build-up to the annual Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour.

www.mtbchallenge.co.za      

SIR CLIFF RICHARD IN CONCERT

6 & 7 March

One of the greatest Rock and Roll legends of all time.  By popular demand, Sir Cliff has added a second date to his Cape Town stop.

www.sanbi.org/whatson/cliff.htm   /  www.computicket.com       

CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL 2007

6 - 24 March 

The best in original South African and international music, performance, public art, comedy, spoken word and visual arts.

www.capetownfestival.co.za       

CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N' PAY GIRO DEL CAPO

7 - 10 March

A six-day stage race, 'Giro del Capo' means 'Tour of the Cape'.

www.girodelcapo.co.za  

WESTLIFE

9 March

With almost 45 million albums sold world wide, Irish boy band Westlife is returning South Africa for their “Love” tour.

www.westlife.co.uk

CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N' PAY CYCLE TOUR

11 March

A highlight of every cyclist's calendar, this is the world's largest individually timed cycle race, with over 35 000 cyclists tackling a scenic 109km route around Cape Town.

www.cycletour.co.za      

CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT KIRSTENBOSCH

11 March

A commemorative concert entitled 'A Garland of Memories', celebrating the works of the composers Glinka, Grieg, Sibelius and Coates.

www.sanbi.org/frames/concertfram.htm      

THE CAPE EPIC MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

24 March - 1 April

This annual race involves over 900 mountain bikers from across the globe riding more than 900 gruelling kilometres through the magnificent scenery of the Western Cape.

www.cape-epic.com      

TRANS CAPE

24 March - 2 May

An inaugural large-scale exhibition of contemporary art featuring more than 60 African artists from over 19 countries showing work at 24 locations across the city of Cape Town.

www.capeafrica.org/exhibition.html      

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

30 - 31 March 

Formerly known as The North Sea Jazz Festival, this event is known as 'Africa's Grandest Gathering' and boasts an impressive line-up of the world's top jazz artists.

www.capetownjazzfest.com      

OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON EXPO

4 - 6 April 

The Old Mutual Marathon Expo boasts over 90 exhibitors with interactive displays.  The Two Oceans Fun Run/Walk will be held on the 6 April.

www.twooceansexpo.co.za       

OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON

7 April 

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is the world's most beautiful marathon and one of the largest timed races in SA, attracting more than 20 000 participants each year.

www.twooceansmarathon.org.za      

SA CHEESE FESTIVAL

27 - 30 April 

The chance to savour a huge array of cheeses in harmony with wine, olives, freshly-baked bread, fruit and nuts. 

www.cheesefestival.co.za      

WELLNESS FESTIVAL

28 - 29 April

A complete holistic lifestyle festival to nourish body and soul at the V&A Waterfront, with a wide variety of stalls, workshops and talks.

MY COKE FEST

1 May

A 12 hour rock festival, featuring Evanescence, Staind, 3 Doors Down, Hoobastank and the legendary Guns ‘n’ Roses.  What’s not to love?

www.computicket.com

THE 15TH CAPE TIMES V&A WATERFRONT WINE FESTIVAL

8 - 11 May

An opportunity to taste over 300 wines from over 75 of the Cape's top wineries, as well as a few gourmet nibbles.

CAPE GOURMET FESTIVAL: GOOD FOOD AND WINE SHOW

24 - 27 May

South Africa's premier food, wine and lifestyle event takes over the Mother City for a fortnight of feasting. 

www.gourmetsa.com      

WACKY WINE WEEKEND

1 - 3 June

Wine tasting, boat cruises, quad biking, winemaker dinners, cheese and olive tasting in 40 wineries from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson.

www.wackywineweekend.com    

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GOLF

4 - 10 June

An opportunity for amateur golfers from around the world to see the Garden Route and test their game on some of the finest courses in Africa. Great prizes up for grabs.

www.golffestival.co.za     

Cape Town Book Fair
16 - 19 June
Readings, book launches, panel discussions and seminars. A joint venture between the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Publishing Association of South Africa (PASA).
www.capetownbookfair.com

TRI-NATIONS RUGBY: SOUTH AFRICA v. AUSTRALIA

16 June

The Boks face Australia at Newlands.

www.sarugby.com/news/Content/pid=17.html  

FREEDOM CHALLENGE EXTREME TRIATHLON RACE

16 June - 14 July

A run of 88km followed by 2200km mountain biking and 220km river paddling, this race takes participants from the Indian Ocean coast at Durban to the Atlantic coast at Velddrif.

www.freedomchallenge.org.za/xtc2007overview.html     

PICK 'N' PAY KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL

6 - 15 July

One of the most popular annual events in the Western Cape, this has expanded to become a 10 day celebration of sport, food, wine and leisure activities.

www.oysterfestival.co.za  

ISUZU BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON

10 - 14 July

This 202km race has been held every year for over 40 years and is not only the longest canoe race in South Africa but one of the most strenuous and gruelling in the world.

www.bergrivermarathon.org.za