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My Cape Town

My intrepid brother came to visit recently after a three month stint in Madagascar.  This was his first trip to the African continent and he was determined to see as much as possible in the short time he had. After just a few days in Cape Town he took a car and headed up to the Cederberg mountains, the ruggedly beautiful former home of the bushmen.  From there he continued north to the famous waterfalls of Augrabies near the Namibian border. Only at that stage, he told us later, did he begin to comprehend the size and diversity of South Africa.  But despite its beauty and the friendliness of the people he met he realised, rather to his surprise, that he was "homesick for Cape Town".  

Aaahh, the smugness of this particular little sister is hard to describe.  In common with youngest siblings across the world, the endorsement of my beliefs by my older brothers and sisters is music to my ears.  And so, finishing off a 3 000km loop at breakneck speed, he headed back to our tiny house and concentrated his efforts on exploring Cape Town… the mountains, the beaches, the drives, the walks, the museums and, one of his favourites, the joys of Pick’n’Pay supermarket.  With only the occasional sharp intake of breath at my driving he accompanied me on a bay crawl all the way down to Cape Point, culminating in a little down-time with the penguins on Boulders Beach.  We went to see South Africa’s hottest band, freshlyground, performing at Kirstenbosch, we raced up the dunes on Noordhoek beach.  We went to an exhibition in the International Convention Centre and to a play at Theatre on the Bay.  The problem, as always in Cape Town, is that there was so much to do and so little time, and suddenly…no time at all.  But he’ll come back.  Everyone always does.

Daisy

www.capeconcierge.co.za

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House of the Month

The epitome of elegant decadence, this villa is perched high on the western flank of Hout Bay, its rim-flow pool overlooking the main sweep of the bay and directly towards the imposing landmark of the Sentinel. 

Light flows throughout the cool spacious interior.  The huge main living area is open plan with windows at one end which fold away completely so that the room naturally extends itself onto the outside deck.  From here, Hout Bay spreads itself out before your feet. 

At the other end of the house is the garden and a second, larger swimming pool with a sumptuous Moroccan-style gazebo.  The speakers above the jacuzzi are linked to the sound system in the house.  

The master suite includes a vast bathroom with a stone bath. All five of the bedrooms are en-suite and all have French doors out on to one of the two pools. 

The stark, clean lines of the house are offset throughout by vivid splashes of colour in Turkish rugs and kilims, as well as sculptures and paintings many of which have been especially commissioned for the house.

Daily rate R 3 500 - R 7 000 (sleeps 10-12 people)
5 mins drive from beach and shops
35 mins from Cape Town Airport
20 mins from Cape Town centre

For more information, contact me at

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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.

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
5 - 25 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
25 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.

SYMPHONY OF FIRE
29 March - 8 April
An exquisite fireworks display accompanied by a breathtaking symphony of sounds.   Three teams of the world’s most talented and accomplished pyro-technicians compete for top honours.

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.

PICASSO ART EXHIBITION
13 April - 21 May
More than 63 paintings, drawings and sculptures on loan from the Musée Picasso in Paris will be exhibited in the company of classical African pieces from South African collections.

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.

UMOYA WE-AFRIKA TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
27 April
A celebration of South Africa's Freedom Day with 180 performers and traditional food in the vibrant atmosphere of an African dance festival in Khayelitsha.

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.

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.

ISUZU BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON
11 – 15 July 
The Isuzu Berg River Canoe Marathon, a 202km race that has been held annually for over 40 years, is the longest canoe race in South Africa and one of the most strenuous and gruellling in the world.

STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL
3 - 5 August
More than 100 top Stellenbosch Wine Producers showcase their wines.