My Cape Town

Groomed to a lustrous finish the magnificent creatures pranced on the grass, their silky skin gleaming over well-toned bodies.  Glossy manes flicked through the air as they aimed the occasional playful nip at one another... and that was just the race-goers.  

This was Cape Town’s biggest horse race, the J&B Met, where the glamour is undeniable – the tents, the canapés, the TV crews... enough to bring fifty thousand people flocking to Kenilworth race course each year.  Conversations are constantly interrupted by squeals of “ooh look” as a new celeb is spotted or another outrageously flamboyant outfit saunters past.  And I’ve never seen so many good looking people in one place.

There was the sense of an unofficial programme for the singles being passed in whispers… “Here comes Lover Boy, out of Kiss Me Quick by The Milkman.  A smooth mover lurking in the shadow of stable-mate Roving Eye, well-known for his series of conquests this season.  Nonetheless one to watch out for – could well go the distance....”

It’s funny really - the race was apparently started by English soldiers wanting to impress the girls, and years later everyone is still pretending that it is all about culture and society when clearly the underlying aim is to get the person you have a crush on to be stirred to a frenzy of lust by the pounding hooves and heaving breasts and sweating flanks of the horses.  If that doesn’t work there’s always the booze. 

Tottering past the stilt walkers and the belly dancers I found myself drawn to the main stage where the competition for Most Elegantly Dressed Couple was in danger of holding up the races.  The entrants were still mincing around the stage as, a stirrup’s throw away, the horses were being paraded before the Fancourt Majorca Stakes.  But this was Cape Town and no-one seemed to mind too much except perhaps Gavin Rajah who, as one of SA’s leading designers, had apparently appealed for ‘more couture and less circus’. Clearly he didn’t stand a chance.

The theme this year was plum and metallic. Luckily, as Neill pointed out, I had a large spot brewing on my chin which was maturing nicely to fulfil both of those credentials.  I pulled my hat a little lower and retired to the relative cool of the tent where, as a guest of advertising gurus Lowe Bull, I was invited to make use of a free bar and an endless supply of canapés.  It was a far cry from the English race meets I’ve gone to where we’d take shelter from the rain in the boot of the car, huddled round a flask of soup.  But I thought I could probably cope.

I had intended to do the racing thing properly - cast a beady eye over the horses, study the form, kick the ground a bit in a knowing fashion and all that... but frankly I was a little unsteady in my heels.  So I settled for plan B - gazing at the list of names until one glowed with meaning and the promise of untold riches.  But even this method, faultless though it was, was hampered by the glass I had in one hand and the vol-au-vent in the other which meant the pages of my programme kept sticking together.  Yet again salty snacks proved my downfall and I was just too slow to place the bet on Pocket Power that would have netted me a cool R 13.70.

Never mind, there’s always next year.  And next time I’ll know to cleanse and tone and buff and polish for weeks beforehand.  And maybe lay off the vol-au-vents.

Daisy

Contact me

Go to the Cape Concierge website

Guest House of the Month

51 on Kloof Nek
Tamboerskloof, Cape Town City Bowl

6 en-suite bedrooms

Opened just before Christmas 2007, 51 on Kloof Nek has had a baptism of fire through the Peak Season in Cape Town.  Despite having had no time to take photos yet alone establish a website, its six rooms were occupied throughout this time to roars of approval from happy guests.

Formerly the offices of a film production company and then a private house, 51 has been extensively renovated to provide six spacious en-suite rooms decorated with a playful French flair by owner manager Maryna Knoetze.  High ceilings and wooden and marble tile floors have been treated with a neutral palette creating a cool, sophisticated background for original artwork and touches of colour and rich texture throughout.

Each room but one has its own private outdoor terrace for guests seeking a bit of space and solitude, though in fact the atmosphere generated by the layout of the house and by the friendliness of the management staff is often more like that of a house party, where guests mingle and chat at the bar in the main living room or as they pass on the deck on their way out to the pool.

Fabulously situated for both the pulsing town life and the laid-back beach vibe of Camps Bay, there are plenty of good bars and restaurants within a short distance of the guesthouse.  Facilities also include off-street parking (though limited) and wireless internet connection.  All bedrooms have air conditioning and flat screen TVs with satellite and DVD players.

What makes 51 quite unique, however, is the Pool Room that provides another separate social hub.  Not only does it offer another chill out area with a bar and a large TV screen, but a good quality gas hob and small kitchen area for any guest who might prefer to eat in occasionally.

Nearest shops, bars and restaurants: 3 mins walk
Nearest beach: Camps Bay 5 mins drive
Cape Town Airport: 20 mins drive

Rooms at 51 on Kloof Nek are currently being offered at a special opening price of R 1200 pn.  Contact me for more information.

Upcoming Events

Highlights for February, selected from WhatsoninCapeTown.com   - the indispensable guide to all that's happening in Cape Town.   For a full list of what's on in the next few months, go to  the website .  Upcoming events include festivals, shows and fairs; music, theatre and dance; cricket and other sporting events; comedy and concerts and exhibitions; celebrations of wine and whiskey, flowers and freedom... bring it on, Cape Town!   

Click here to contact me and find out how you can subscribe to my weekly information service.

UP THE CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL
1 February - 3 February
This eclectic music festival and weekend campout on the banks of the Breede River is back by popular demand and will feature 18 of SA's premium homegrown bands such as Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Taxi Violence, Bed on Bricks, Flat Stanley and Love Jones. Pack a tent, bush gear and anything that floats.

KIRSTENBOSCH CONCERT: ISMAEL LO
3 February
A huge artist in the world music genre, Lo offers a smooth, multi-textured voice and low-key, folky style.

SWAN LAKE ON ICE
6 February - 2 March
The Sunday Telegraph said "The Imperial Russian Ice Stars are to skating what Cirque du Soleil is to circus: inspiring, original and great theatre."

SUMMER SYMPHONY SEASON: 1
7 February
The first symphony of the Season, with soloist Martino Tirimo (piano), playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major.  Principal Guest Conductor Owain Arwel Hughes. 

CRICKET: NASHUA CAPE COBRAS v. WARRIORS
8 February
The MTN Domestic Series is the premier domestic one-day cricket competition of South Africa.

AUSSIE RULES FOOTBALL: AUSTRALIA V SA
9 February
The Australian Indigenous Youth team will take on South Africa in an annual tour inspired by the Qantas Kickstart programme aimed at encouraging sport in disadvantaged communities. 

ESECIAS FLAMENCAS
13 February - 16 February
An innovative dance production that celebrates South African heritage through the exotic and vibrant medium of flamenco.

RUGBY: VODACOM SUPER 14
16 February
Vodacom Super 14 Fixture - Local boys the Vodacom Stormers vs Vodacom Bulls (Pretoria, SA) 

SUTHERLAND EXCURSION
16 February - 17 February
Prof Brian Warner leads a weekend tour to the world-renowned SALT Observatory in Sutherland. Own transport needed. Overnight stay at Sutherland Hotel. Booking essential.

BALLET: GISELLE
to 17 February
One of the best-loved ballets of all time, performed in the open air. Audience members are welcome to bring a picnic.

PUMA PENINSULA MARATHON
17 February
Over 3 000 of SA's top road and lifestyle athletes take to the streets for the fastest marathon in Africa.  A qualifier for both the Two Oceans and the Comrades marathons.

ANDREW ZOLLI IN CAPE TOWN
18 February
The global forecaster and trend consultant is a Fellow of the National Geographic Society where he is leading development of a global initiative to envision new scenarios for life in 2040-2050. 

CAPE COUNTRY PICNIC FESTIVAL
22 February - 25 February
Picnic on large lawns shaded by oak trees. Arts and crafts and food stalls, live music, kiddies corner. 

OPERA: RIGOLETTO
22 February - 1 March
The tragic love story reset in present day South African townships.  A great opera for buffs and first timers. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. 

CELINE DION LIVE IN CONCERT
23 February - 24 February
The top selling female artist of all time is in South Africa. 

KIRSTENBOSCH CONCERT: ARNO CARSTENS
24 February
'The Godfather of SA Rock' has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, The Beastie Boys, R.E.M., Metallica and Ronan Keating and is the biggest-selling singer/song-writer in the SA English rock genre.

FILM SCREENING - STEVE BANTU BIKO: BEACON OF HOPE
25 February
Many people whose lives he touched bear witness to Steve Biko’s dynamic life in this film written by Nkosinathi Biko (52min).  

DESIGN INDABA EXPO
29 February - 2 March
South Africa’s premier showcase of local design in all sectors.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION
to 12 March
An extraordinary insight into the beauty, drama and diversity of the natural world in an exhibition owned by the Natural History Museum of London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and sponsored by Animal Planet.