Word from the Editor

Just a quick note this month to say thank you to all of you who sent your good wishes for my impending motherhood.  Joseph Caractacus Ions (don't ask!) arrived bang on time (that's my boy) on 5th December, weighing in at 7.5lbs/3.4kg. 

That evening as I gazed bleary-eyed from my hospital bed I could see the silhouette of Table Mountain against the night sky and the new moon setting over Lion's Head.  I smiled down at Joseph, feeling a thrill of excitement at the prospect of bringing up a child in such a wonderful city as Cape Town. 

For now though we are concentrating on eating, sleeping and falling in love.

Daisy

House of the Year

As the coast of Africa curves down to its southernmost point, it edges a bay where whales have chosen to nurse their young every year for millennia.  Framed by dramatic mountain scenery, Walker Bay also boasts some beautiful beaches, all within an hour and a half’s drive of Cape Town.

Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the magnificent vista of the bay, Birkenhead House offers some of the most luxurious beachside accommodation in Southern Africa.  Fully inclusive of drinks and sumptuous meals prepared by award-winning chefs, the house also offers in-house spa treatments, a gym, a steam room and a plethora of friendly and highly professional staff.

The eleven en-suite bedrooms are each furnished with unique pieces of furniture and original artworks.   Paved in travertine marble throughout, each elegantly proportioned space is  highlighted with dashes of rich colour, immediately enveloping the guest in an aura of refined peace and luxury.

The design of the house and the attitude of the charming staff result in a place that is not only a delight to visit, but that works equally well for couples wanting space and privacy as for groups ready to enjoy more of a house party atmosphere.  For those who want to splash out, the whole house can be rented as an exclusive villa.  Needless to say, it has hosted more than one outrageously extravagant party!

Rates:  Individual rooms  R 3 800 – R 5 950 per room

            Whole House       R 44 500 per night (until 31 December 2006)

For further information, contact me at .

Upcoming Events

APPLETISER KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER SUNSET CONCERTS
Every Sunday 27 November to 2 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.
 
SHAKESPEARE AT MAYNARDVILLE OPEN-AIR THEATRE
19 January - 18 February 
An annual event, inspired by the productions in London's Regent Park. On warm summer evenings many theatre-goers begin the evening by picnicking in the park before the show begins.

J&B MET
28 January
The Western Cape's premier horse race.

UMOJA - The Spirit of Togetherness
7 February - 5 March
With a cast of 40 of South Africa's brightest and most versatile young performers, singers, dancers, drummers and marimba players this is a joyous celebration of dynamic talent, thrilling energy, great voices and sensual dancing sweeping across the bright and vibrant South African traditional musical landscape.

CAPE TOWN PRIDE
17 - 26 February
Nelson Mandela's new constitution, when he swept away Apartheid and ushered in South African democracy in 1994, included the all important "freedom of sexual orientation" clause.  This 10 day celebration is considered Africa's Mardi Gras.

TASTES OF THE WORLD FOOD FESTIVAL
24 - 26 February
A festival of foods from different countries, with champagne, wine and other drinks and 1930s 'Big Band' music.

ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL: SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA
3 March
South Africa take on Australia at Newlands in Cape Town in the second ODI match of the Australian cricket tour to South Africa.

CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL
3 - 24 March 
Cape Town welcomes a wave of sizzling talent from the arts, culture and heritage sectors.  The best in original South African and international music, performance, public art, comedy, spoken word and visual arts is featured under the banner of Celebrating Ubuntu (Humanity).

BRYAN ADAMS - ROOM SERVICE TOUR
7 March
International superstar Bryan Adams returns to South Africa to perform all time favourite hits and tracks from his 11th studio album, Room Service, which debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard European Top 100 Albums Chart. 

CAPE ARGUS PICK N' PAY CYCLE TOUR
12 March
A highlight on both the professional and amateur cyclists calendar, this is the world's largest individually timed cycle race, with over 35 000 cyclists tackling a 109km route around Cape Town.
 
5 DAY TEST MATCH: SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA
16 - 20 March
South Africa take on Australia at Newlands in Cape Town in the first Test match of the Australian cricket tour.

FATBOY SLIM JOINS THE COCA-COLA COLAB
25th March
The Coca-Cola Colab Massive Mix is the biggest international music festival SA has ever seen, taking place over 12 hours! Fatboy Slim will head an impressive line-up of artists including State Far Better, Flat Stanley, Simple Plan, Collective Soul, The Rasmus, Seether, Prime Circle, The Finkelsteins and The Parlotones.

TOTAL SPORTS XTERRA SA SERIES
25 - 26 March
The world premier off-road, multi-sport event and part of the Global Xterra circuit which now takes place in 15 countries around the world.  Televised event.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
31 March - 1 April
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (formerly known as The North Sea Jazz Festival) is officially dubbed 'Africa's Grandest Gathering' and boasts an impressive line-up of the world's top jazz artists.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS - WORLD TOUR
13 April
Dubbed by the media as the world tour of the century, Robbie Williams will open this tour in South Africa and play in a total of 13 countries for 1.6 million fans worldwide.

OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON
15 April
The world's most beautiful marathon attracts approximately 20 000 participants every year.

THE CAPE EPIC MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE
22 April - 29 April
This third annual epic mountain bike race involves 800 mountain bikers from 29 countries riding more than 900 gruelling kilometres through the magnificent scenery of the Western Cape.

CAPE GOURMET FESTIVAL
5 - 22 May
South Africa's premier food, wine and lifestyle event takes over the Mother City for a fortnight of feasting featuring events including the Table of Unity, The Cape Town Coffee Route, Restaurant Week, the Good Food & Wine Show and the Gourmet Signature Banquet.

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN
7 June - 15 July
The smash hit musical that took South Africa by storm in early 2005 will tour again in 2006 in a more intimate theatre setting.  This enchanting tale is propelled by ABBA's songs to successfully make the 'ultimate feel good show'.

FIRST NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GOLF
8 - 16 July
An exceptional opportunity for golf enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy some of South Africa’s finest golf courses.  The festival was created for amateur golfers who play for the sheer love of the game.