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My Cape Town

However intimidating motorbikes, leathers or facial hair might be, no-one could possibly deny that Harley-Davidsons are damn cool.  And I have ridden one!

My friends Cate* and Tony are getting married, and this last week has brought anyone to whom they are vaguely related and everyone they have ever met to Cape Town (where else?) for one heck of a party. And boy, did we kick it off in style.  Hen Party Stage I was held at Cobbs in Scarborough, way down the peninsula towards Cape Point, giving us just the excuse we needed.  Six of us girlies including the bride-to-be weighed up the indignities of helmet-hair against the chance to play Lara Croft...

So it was that last Saturday afternoon saw us standing in the lane outside Sandy’s house tittering nervously as big shiny motorbikes purred around us.  It is, inevitably, a little awkward to introduce yourself to someone and politely shake their hand knowing that in a minute you will both be straddling the same leather saddle, but the lads were all so nice it really wasn’t a big deal.  I was behind Peter who could never have been mistaken for a member of ZZ Top, as not only was he from Durham but he lacked both leathers and facial hair.  I forgave him that for his number plate (‘SPUD’ after his son) and his very shiny helmet which enabled me to see the flies getting caught between my teeth.  Within a minute we were whooping with excitement as we headed down the hill into Hout Bay, hands in the air and the sun rippling through our fingers. 

It was the most perfect Cape Town evening as so many are, the rosy light of the setting sun highlighting the magnificent jagged coastal scenery, tipped by feathery clouds glowing pink and gold.  By the time we reached our first stop on Chapman’s Peak, my smile had been so wide for so long that I had to use my hands to unglue my grinning lips from my gums.  We giggled our way through a couple of glasses of champagne (thoughtfully provided by ‘Pitstop Mel’) and then continued along one of the most stunning roads in the Western Cape.  Old hands by now we twisted and turned with ease round each breathtaking bend of Chapman’s Peak, to the last stretch way up on the mountainside above the wild stretch of Noordhoek beach where one lone kite danced in the breeze.  The sun was setting when we stopped for a quick tequila boost at the Kommetjie grill.  The final leg was then through increasing darkness, each one of us lit up for a fraction of a second by the beam of the Kommetjie lighthouse. Other traffic had dried up as we got further south, and as we cruised along the haunting Misty Cliffs we were alone in the night with just the thrum of engines and the sea air.  We arrived at Scarborough to roars of approval from the rest of the party, and staggered dewy-eyed into the bar.  What a buzz.

I'm so excited about the wedding this afternoon at Langverwagt wine estate.  Throughout the last week the party has continued… a picnic on the beach at Llandudno, a sundowner braai at a fabulous villa overlooking Camps Bay beach, golf for those who wanted it, sky diving and bar crawling for the stags, shopping and drinkies for all the girls at the Waterfront... and this in addition to the Symphony of Fire international fireworks competition and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival which are currently running.  What an end to a fantastic summer. 

Daisy

                               www.capeconcierge.co.za

Harley-Davidsons can be hired with or without chauffeurs for any length of time from a few hours upwards. The most popular chauffeured tours are the Peninsula Tour and the Winelands Tour at R 1 200 per person for a half day, or R 1 600 for a full day. 

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Villa of the Month

The tranquil atmosphere of this charming house is a wonderful surprise, located as it is in the heart of Cape Town’s city bowl.  Built around an open central courtyard with a sunken swimming pool, the villa oozes character and just a little eccentricity. 

Originally a Masonic Lodge, Hemingway House is located in a quiet gated cul-de-sac in the prestigious Gardens area of town.  To the south Table Mountain rears up to form an impressive backdrop, while the centre of Cape Town is a short stroll northwards down the shady lanes of Company’s Gardens.   Within spitting distance of everything from parks to shops and museums, the Lodge is also wonderfully located to get in and out of town easily, whether to one of the beaches or to the winelands. 

An airy entrance hall gives tantalising glimpses of the central courtyard and pool.  Located in the corners of the house, the four bedrooms are sumptuous oases of peace and elegance.  Guests are welcome to make themselves at home in the farmhouse kitchen, but most gravitate the Loggia - an outdoor sitting room next to the pool where canapés are served in the evenings in the company of the manager, Dale, a fascinating and charming Capetonian whose spirit pervades the house.  All the rooms open onto the courtyard, which is strewn with plants and tables and chairs and candles giving it an idyllic lived-in-and-loved atmosphere.

Decoration throughout is eclectic and individual.  Just across the road is Hemingway Lodge which offers three extra bedrooms by arrangement.  One of the most delightful houses in Cape Town, Hemingway House is a firm favourite with many guests.

Hemingway House is available for exclusive bookings from the end of May and throughout June at a rate of R 5 450 per day.  It sleeps eight, and children are welcome with exclusive bookings.  For more information contact me at .

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Upcoming Events

KFM SYMPHONY OF FIRE
29 March (SA), 1 April (Spain), 5 April (Canada), 8 April (final) 
Three teams of the world's most talented and accomplished pyro-technicians compete for top honours with dazzling firework displays set to music.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
31 March - 1 April
'Africa's Grandest Gathering' boasts an impressive line-up of the world's top jazz artists, including what is reported to be Miriam Makeba’s final performance.

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.

DESIGN FOR LIVING
21 - 28 April
Cape Town's longest running Expo (over 25 years) remains one of the most effective brand interaction tools available to the marketing and business fraternity.

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.

VEO CAPE TOWN ART FAIR
28 April - 1 May
Hundreds of affordable artworks for sale, covering a wide range of styles, genres and media from painting, sculpture and photography to glassware, with something for all tastes and budgets.  Art workshops will also be available.

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.

CAPE TIMES WATERFRONT WINE FESTIVAL
9 - 12 May
A total of 75 of the Cape's finest wine producers will present more than 300 wines for tasting as well as a wide variety of gourmet delicacies such as oysters, organic products, smoked salmon and boutique cheeses.

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN
7 June - 2 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.

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. 

ISUZU BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON
11 - 15 July 
This 202km race has been held annually for over 40 years and is the longest canoe race in South Africa and one of the most strenuous and gruelling in the world.

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

CAPE TOWN 10TH INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
3 - 24 September
South Africa's biggest comedy festival, featuring the world's leading stand-up comedians alongside South Africa's best.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
16 - 17 September
The skies above Muizenberg will flaunt a fantastic visual display as kite enthusiasts from around the world congregate in this seaside suburb.

HERMANUS WHALE FESTIVAL
22 - 25 September
Every year, from July to December, the Southern Right Whales travel thousands of miles to South Africa to mate and calve in the bays. The town of Hermanus offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, and the festival includes the world’s only “Welcome Whales Wave”, a human chain of 4 000 people.