FRENCH MARKETS

France is the capitol with regards to Markets and they can be found weekly or bi-weekly in most towns and villages around France and are a "Must Do" on any visit.

 These vibey colourful markets are steeped in tradition, as often several generations of the same families have

 sold their produce at the same market. 

Fresh produce is key in French cooking, whether it's just home cooking or fine dining.

The French take pride in displaying the fruits of their labour come rain or shine.

 I must make mention that the market is also a meeting place for the villagers and a great place to catch upon the local news and gossip.

Enjoy!

The freshest Fruit and Veg from the region.

No market is complete with the Fromage stall selling dozens of local and national cheeses.

Not sure what you call this musical box, but the gentleman was very enthusiastic.

Olives of every description and to suit all tastes

Local fish including Eel.

Most rural markets have ducks and chickens for sale.

These were two pot bellied pigs, not for sale!

LE SUEUR CHEETAH PROJECT

This past weekend, was a weekend that I will never forget....

The highlight being a visit to the Le Sueur Cheetah Project situated in the Nambiti Game Reserve near Ladysmith in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Below is a passage taken from their website and I couldn't have said it any better.

A truly life changing experience awaits you at the Kwa Cheetah Project. Meet our hand reared cubs and experience the ways they interact with people and each other. Get to understand their plight and amazing adaptations. Spend time with our Cheetahs, Servals, Leopard and Caracals. An eye opening hands on interaction or thrilling walk with our cheetahs while they hunt will leave you in awe.

The tour starts off with an informative talk regarding some interesting and shocking statistics about Cheetahs, after which everyone  gets the chance to touch, rub, brush and spend some quality time with the Cheetahs, Servals, Vega the handsome young Leopard, Caracals, and African wild cats.​​​ This very interactive tour lasts around 80 minutes and costs R200. 

Caracal

Vega the young Leopard

What was so nice about this tour was that at no stage did we feel rushed and you certainly didn't get that feeling of it being a commercial, touristy, staged event, unlike a similar project in the Cape,where bus loads of overseas tourists pay a few hundred rands to have a 30 second interaction and photo taken!

  The passion for the conservation of these animals is very evident during the tour and something you may not be aware of.. 
The Cheetah is nearer to extinction than the rhino!

Here are some of those shocking facts:

The main goal behind the Kwa Cheetah Project is to repopulate cheetahs into the wild.  The reason they are trying to do this is because there are only between seven and ten thousand cheetahs left worldwide. About two thousand cheetahs are dying every four years due to three main factors:

The first factor: Natural predation

Lions, leopards, hyenas are the cause of countless deaths. Cubs are also taken by martial eagles, baboons, jackals etc. This is a natural occurrence and is not too much of a concern as it has been ongoing for hundreds of years.

​​

The second factor: Humans

We are destroying their natural habitat at an alarming rate, farmers do shoot free roaming cheetahs as they do tend to catch livestock.  Mother cheetahs are killed so that the babies can be hand reared and sold on the black market. The biggest human threat to these cats is probably the trade in the east with skins, skulls and bones in high demand. This trade is as prolific as the trade in rhino horn.

​

The third factor is however of major concern: Genetics 

This is probably the biggest threat to cheetahs due to the fact that the world cheetah population was almost destroyed during the last ice age. Since then cheetahs have been interbreeding and today just about all the cheetahs worldwide are genetically related. This is causing huge problems for theses cats. Around 35% of all males born are born sterile, cubs are born with internal defects like liver, heart, kidney and lung defects, external defects like seven legs, no legs, and two heads. This is all a result of interbreeding. Due to the above mentioned problems, cheetahs in reserves need to be monitored carefully to stop family members interbreeding. 

​​Cheetahs are not only beautiful but they are the world’s fastest land mammals. They can reach speeds of 120kmph and can get from ​0 to 100 kmph in only 2.9 sec. 

How sad it would be if our great grandchildren only had photos of Cheetahs

to look at! 

At the Kwa Cheetah Project your support will help ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures and once you have felt the touch of their fur under your hand a piece of your heart will always stay behind...

I can honestly say, that the time we spent with these amazing animals,

 was a very special family experience and one that I highly recommend.

If you would like to show your support with a either visit or a donation then click on the link below.

For more info 

JUST REMEMBER THIS!

iwantmycoffee {REVIEW}

Iwantmycoffee opened only 3 months ago and is already causing a "stir" (excuse the pun) in the world of coffee culture cafe's and best of all, its right on my doorstep!

The creators of iwantmycoffee Ard Mathews (songwriter and musician of Just Jinger fame) and his partner Deborah have nurtured their "baby" from conception to birth and should be proud of how this "toddler" is maturing and surely its a positive sign for the birth of some siblings!

You will find this "babygem" on the ground floor of "Mayfair on the Lake" behind the Chris Saunders Park overlooking both the park and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

What does this new kid on the block have to offer?

Its one of those inviting, friendly and want to linger longer kinda places.

The menu focuses on the coffee and drink selection, with a few "delish" sweetie and organic sandwich options, rather than focusing on food choice and the coffee being the add on.

Two experienced Baristas work their magic with the local "Bluff Bru" selection.

 They also offer a South African decaf called Racemosa believed to be the only naturally occurring decaffeinated bean in the world.

Add to this a radio station (iwantmyradio) which is located at the back of the cafe and you have a unique,cool place to chill,enjoy good coffee,meet friends or just people watch. 

For those of us that need to work there is free Wifi.

My BFF and I shared a yummy, huge beef roll (R40).I couldn't resist the "dreamy" Belgian Hot Chocolate (R25) and my well travelled friend chose their Frappachino equivalent Coffreezo (R30) which she rated as one of the best she has had.

iwantmycoffee is a "must place" to visit and for those of you that live far,far away, then I hope for your enjoyment the siblings come soon!

Open weekdays and Saturday mornings and on Wonder Market Sundays.

iwantmycoffee 

PUCKETTY FARM STALL UNDERBERG

Situated on the outskirts of Underberg is the famous Pucketty Farm Stall.

This farm stall has been a part of the community for the past sixteen years and was started by local artist

Serena Shaw. From humble beginnings of selling loaves of homemade bread from her back door the

farm has grown into a collection of wooden rickety buildings,which house some animals,

 the farm stall, an art gallery, tea garden and picnic site. 

The children love the animals and my eldest son who is now 19 years old still remembers the 

famous pot bellied pig called Nigel...

Obviously Nigel has long gone, but Pucketty farm still has charm and fascination for the little ones.

The farm stall, with straw on the floor, is full of farm goodies like fresh laid eggs, homemade breads,rusks, biscuits and chocolate brownies.

Pickles, jams, farm milk, pates, farm cream, ready made meals and lots more are also on sale
The one thing that makes this farm so unique is its payment method...
the entire farm is run on an honesty basis!
You choose your items, then write them down in the book, add up the total on the provided calculator
 and put your money in the honesty box and if need be, you help yourself to change!
There is even a credit card machine that you operate yourself in order to pay for your goodies!
Hard to believe in these times, but it works and there are no staff in sight to ask or query anything with!
Pucketty Farm is a special little place,
so if you are ever in the Underberg area then pop in and see for yourself.

PICKLEPOT CAFE BOSTON

Continuing from my previous post my "BMW Sunday Trip Out"...To read review the first much needed stop was at a little cafe called the Picklepot on the R617 Boston/Underberg Road. 

The Picklepot has been in existence for many years and has just been taken over by Craig Francis.The last time I visited my "kiddiewinks" were little and I remember it being very child friendly with an outside jungle gym and plenty of space for them to run around and I was pleased to see it hasn't changed.

Getting off the bike all wet and cold, the first thing I headed for was the welcoming fire, the fire at that moment, actually interested me more than any food or drink,which for me is saying something!

Craig was very attentive and helpful with the fire and the drying of our gloves etc. 

His cafe did resemble a Chinese laundry at one stage!

The thawing and drying out process was helped along though, with a very nice, big mug of Hot Chocolate..

I was so happy to see this fire

 A Yummy Hot Choc R22

The breakfasts we ordered were tasty and well presented. The menu has a range of breakfast, lunch and snack choices, as well as scones,muffins, cakes and the usual beverage selection.

A half portion of scrambled egg on seed bread R35

The Sunrise Breakfast R40

The Picklepot has produced a range of jams and pickles for many years on site and are available for sale in selected outlets in KZN or in the cafe. Baskets of the jams and pickles are brought to the table with your food, allowing you to taste. My husband tasted all the pickles and and jams and we finally decided to purchase the French Atchar, which was "delish".

With our clothes dry,our bodies warm, and our hunger satisfied we headed off for the next leg of the epic journey.

Jams R30 

Pickles R30

Whiskey Marmalade R30

Contact Details

Craig Francis 

072 190 5548

Picklepot@polka.co.za

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET BRAAMFONTEIN

The Neighbourgoods Market is an independent initiative founded in 2006 by entrepreneurs Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro, whose aim is to revive and reinvent the Public Market as a civic institution. Specialty traders showcase their wares every Saturday,thus creating a weekly platform for local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers and distributors, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisan producers, celebrated local chefs, and micro enterprises. 

Following the success of the Cape Town market located in the Old Biscuit Mill in the industrial neighbourhood of Woodstock Cape Town, the Johannesburg edition was launched in 2011 in the vibrant neighbourhood of Braamfontein, Johannesburg. In keeping with their commitment to urban regeneration, Justin and Cameron chose a venue in the heart of the inner city. The market takes place over two floors of 73 Juta Street, a Johannesburg landmark building.

Any "food loving" visitors to either Cape Town or Johannesburg must pass a couple of hours on a Saturday morning between 9 am-3 pm at either of these vibey markets.I have now visited both and can highly recommend.If you are not a "foodie" or on a serious diet, then don't bother going, as its all about tasting, buying and enjoying good food and drink and soaking up the Neigbourgoods Market "vibe".

Here are just a few of the foods available

Rooftop

Their is parking
on the streets around the market and plenty
of highly visible security guards.

Oysters and Champagne

Cupcakes a plenty

Yummy  Rose Cupcakes

Lovely pastries and I love this chocolate brownie

Beautiful French flans and pastries

Cheeses galore!

Spanish Paella

Home baked Pasties,pies and quiches

For more info

KULENI GAME FARM {ZULULAND}

This past weekend my hubby and I were invited to a friends lodge in a private game park called Kuleni approximately 20kms outside of Hluhluwe. This 170 hectare farm consists of 17 totally private sites, which are privately owned and house individually styled eco-sensitive timber structured lodges.Each lodge has its own watering hole, ensuring that the following game can be seen Giraffe, Wilde-beest, warthog, nyala and impala literally drinking within a few meters of your deck....Kuleni is also a bird watchers paradise!There are also plenty of walking trails around the park of varying distances.

Unfortunately my friends do not rent out their lodge, but many do in the park, for rates and info.

This really was luxury in the bush and we had a wonderful and relaxing weekend.....