Tuesday, 29 September '09: Getting side-tracked in Bloemfontein

Purchasing pot pourri from a sweet scented mix in a battered enamel basin at the Bloemfontein Organic Market on Heritage Day last week.

All things pretty, smelling of lavender and roses under the hot sun.

The syringas are covered in pale mauve blossoms against a blue sky. Goods for sale at the Organic Market related to a greener, cleaner world - bins for recycling, water-wise plants and worms to start one's own wormery. I drew the line at unbleached loo paper. I want to save the world but...unbleached toilet paper looked a little too natural for me!

Somehow I kept getting side-tracked from Green issues. Here are the ice-cream lickin' reasons: Joelle.

And Jaelene. The reasons for my visit to Their World - Bloemfontein (translated from the Afrikaans. Fountain of flowers) in the Free State.

I am rather late in posting. Just back from my short visit. But if you hurry, you will find lots of other interesting corners of the globe and equally nice folk on My World.

Tuesday 8 September: Verandah days in My World

It's verandah days at Thatchwick Cottage. So wander up the path and admire the clivias.

Take a seat on the verandah and I will bring you a drink. Iced camomile tea laced with berry juice?

Galahad is happy warmer days are here again.

I love my out-of-Africa stoep as it is known in Afrikaans. This long tiled verandah under the thatch overhang becomes an extension of the house in the long summer months. And it is the best place to watch a summer thunderstorm.

Join friends all over My World to see how the seasons change as the globe turns.

Tuesday

Thursday, 9 July '09: Don't take the Metro!

"Paris is so confusing", lamented the young American couple, "we have simply no idea of the layout of the city!"

"Ah," I said, with the air of a seasoned traveller, "Don't take the Metro! That's your problem. Just follow the river! And let the Seine show you Paris!"

" Prepare, however, to be distracted time and again." Here, by the sumptuous elegance of the Pont Alexandre III constructed between 1897 and 1900 to symbolise the Franco-Russian friendship instigated by Tzar Alexandre III and President Carnot.

"Linger a while to savour the sunlight on the dome of the Hotel Des Invalides founded by Louis XIV to house his wounded troops."

"Was a hospital ever so glorious as this one?"

"Stand amazed at Pegagus held fast by Fame, all in gilded bronze and mounted on the two pylons at both ends of the bridge."

"Take the steps down to river level so that you don't miss the elegant ladies who smile from the bridge's undercarriage on the passing boats."

"Don't stride to quickly along the riverside. Tarry to admire the engravings and antique books for sale. What does it matter if you don't read French? That battered tome with its yellowed pages will look just great on the desk in your library back home."

" Wherever you tarry for yet another snap, the Eiffel Tower seems to be pop up."

"See those grim towers up ahead. That is La Concierge, the final holding place of Marie Antionette and many other unfortunates before their last journey in the tumbrils to meet Madame Guillotine.""Cross to the Left Bank and wander through the nursery stalls selling spring flowers. I am sure a nice young man will stop garden planning for just a mo' to take your photo like he did mine."

"Wave at the river boats and really consider taking a dinner cruise. It costs a month's groceries but the recollection will never fade. My memory of Richard and I on that cruise in 2002 is precious."

"Let the distant towers of Notre Dame remind you to ignore your aching feet and head in the direction of the gargoyles. But do allow yourself to be sidetracked for lunch served by an enthusiastic waiter over at least two hours. You don't understand the menu? Let the universal language of smiles and nods do the trick as the waiter makes the choice. I guarantee the plat du jour will be delicious."


"Exhausted and you want to go back to the hotel? You simply can't. There is the magnificent Hotel De Ville and just up the road is..."

That showy-inside out museum of modern art, the Pompidou Centre. Like a lady who wants to show off the gaudy glamour of her underwear by wearing it over her day clothes, the air-conditioning ducts and elevators of the Pompidou are on the outside of the building."

" You don't understand the style of the likes of Rothko, Stella, Pollack and others? Why worry? Insight is quite unnecessary - just be seduced by their creativity and stand on your head to do your viewing if that will help."
"The Metro to get back home? Never! How can one stay underground like a Parisian mole in this fine city? Oh, I know there are quaint characters on the subway but walking is far, far better."

"Just let the river be your guide!"

For other wonderful parts of the world, visit My World every Tuesday. I have met some great friends this way.

Tuesday 9 June '09: The FIFA Confederation Cup, 2009 is in My World

Hey, all you soccer fans across the globe! Pretoria is gearing up for the FIFA Confederations Cup to be played in South Africa from 14 to 28 June. This sporting event is held in the World Cup host country a year before the really big event - the 2010 World Cup. But the Confederations Cup is major happening in its own right as six continental champions come up against the World Cup holders and the hosts, Bafana Bafana.

In Pretoria the games will be played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium (homeground of the Blue Bulls rugby team), just a short drive from my home. Now I must confess I am not a soccer nor a rugby fan; but the enthusiasm is contagious. At present massive road works are underway to updrade the transport network in Jo'burg and Pretoria for the 2010 event. We in this part of the world are very hospitable folk and I am know that these events are going to be great success. I just love the official emblem, a soccer ball in the colours of our flag!

Tuesday, 5 May '09: Die Blik Plek/The Tin Place

Winding our way home, we visited Ficksburg, cherry capital of the Free State, in search of cherry jam, preserves and schnapps. Here we just happened on a unique little country store, Die Blik Plek, roughly translated, The Tin Place. Housed in a restored Victorian beauty, adorned by broekie-lace ironwork, the store is the brainchild of the petite and dynamic, Ansie Fourie.

Ansie must have bought up every bit of scrap iron for miles around; the rustier, the better. Together with her staff, she is hammering, cutting, welding and painting one man's junk into every woman's treasure.

The area behind the shop is filled with the whimsical and the witty, the nostalgic and the unexpected. Welcome signs, chimes made of old kettles and teapots, bric a brac, tin roses, mirrors in battered wash tubs, bicycles and bumpers, old gates, old prams. This was a treat.

"Jou plek is wonderlik!" (Your place is stunning!)

"Ek is so-o-o-o bly jy geniet dit! Ek is so-o-o-o bly dit is vir jou mooi!" (I'm thrilled you are enjoying it! I am so pleased you find it attractive!"

Fancy an oranate frame to hang, with or without content, on your verandah wall? That was my choice but a little to bulky to tuck under the seat of SA Espress, the intercity jet. I opted for a tin angel instead.

Or fancy a dented teapot in a weathered frame?

Ansie has planted a garden in old school satchels...

and an easy-growing rosette succulent in every boot.

A tongue-in-the-cheek tin sign: Man gelos, hond gehou. Do you really want a translation? Ok, then. Left husband; kept the dog!

Driving through Ficksburg? Want to make a turn at Die Blik Plek? Just keep a look out for the battered wreck on the lawn. You're there!

PS For more interesting places on the globe, visit My World.