Music: Your guiding force

I am listening to old Bob Marley and the lyrics of This is Love got me thinking; “I want to love you and treat you right.” This is what I want from love and the man I spend my life with, to be treated right and share shelter, metaphorically speaking.

Now, as teenager’s we listened to a lot of Bob Marley, he chilled us out, without herbal aids, and was great to sing along to when partying. As I got older and was not just singing along to the tracks I found many answers and wisdom in his lyrics. How much of what we believe in comes from the music we listened to as kids, teens and even now…

What power lies with the artist’s of a generation, especially when they are the likes of Justin Bieber and One Direction? I was born in the 80’s but on route to church we used to listen to some golden oldies. When people started revolutionising music the parents of the time resisted it and said it would influence the children. Looking back we never understand because we see that the kids deserved the freedom to explore.

This led to free love and hippies travelling the world and not settling down, women working and mass independence. All good things, but when your 11 year old daughter is looking up to Rihanna smoking weed and selling her flesh, sorry I meant flashing her flesh, you do worry, right? Music, as always, does guide us and the youth of the nation, with shallow lyrics about ‘the boy checking you out’ what will we become?

This is not a slate on all music but popular music is what is reaching the masses and that is what is being preached. I would now like to make mention of Nneka, whose voice is amazing! She has not compromised her lyrics, plus Chase and Status have remixed her song Heartbeat, which you feel in your bones and your heart.

 Next time you lend your ear out to a tune think about what it is that you are allowing to become a part of you. They can sell just about anything by adding a catchy tune to it and a half dressed woman.

Silver stars: Atkinson's Antique's

Stepping out first thing this morning to go acquire a set of jewellery I spotted on a visit to Long Street on Saturday.

The little place I got them is Atkinson's Antiques, 021 4243726, 213/215 Long Street, Cape Town.

Waterfront

This is the venue area I have visited most while in Cape Town, for the most part it is the most easily assessable shopping with parking; it is clean, safe and a great experience.  Every time get there I feel like I am cheating my Cape Town by going to this tourist pit, but yesterday I got it. It's a blazing Saturday,  Capetonian's and tourists are out in droves. We got our under roof parking and head in. It's the simplest task to get every thing you need from clothes to a barber shop(http://www.englishshavingshop.com/).

Outside there is live music being performed and just a wonderful chilled atmosphere. You see we were not here to shop but to take in the day. Which consisted of a walk along the harbour and yacht and people watching.

 The area offer's some great craft in the Craft market and just above the parking lot next to the center you have a scratch patch with more that enough crystals to choose from. There are boat cruises and stunning sculptures made by local artists. Yes a tourists heaven but even for locals a good way to spend a few hours.

Charly's Bakery

In the heart of the Fringe in Cape Town is a little bakery that has the most magical treats. You'll know the building from it's bright exterior as seen in the images below.(www.charlysbakery.co.za/)

 Having tasted them for my self I know first hand how delectable the pies are. The spinach and feta as well as the roast veg are delicious. I prefer them cold and the later has mostly sweet potato and butternut with cinnamon so has a sweet taste

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I have some informants that tell me that the cookie monster cupcakes are to die for but I'm yet to indulge. These cakes are all so well presented and fun that they will make indulgent presents for any occasion.

Houtbay dinning

The drive to Houtbay definitely get's you ready for what you are about to experience. We took the drive past Kirstenbosch Gardens, old stately homes and through the trees to come to the little town of Houtbay, it is so chilled and peaceful moving through the canopy of trees on route to your destination.

There is a Sunday market across from the Mainstream Mall that has some really great finds and is worth the visit. I mean to say it is not a carft market that you see a church bazaar's but offers some really unique products such as jewellery designed by a husband and wife, hand made leather sandals sold by the most chilled out man I've ever met, other home decor products and much more.

After one has satisfied the the shopping urge moving done to the harbour here you can enjoy a dining experience at the Wharfside Grill. I highly recommend the 25 years old receipt fish and chips or the fisherman's basket. The hake is so soft and tasty and the assortment on the fisherman's platter( mussel's, calamari, yellow tail& prawns) is covered in a frothed butter. Why not go the hole hog and upgrade by adding the lobster.

In this area there are more option for lunch and if you are on a budget or just feel like something more relaxed just take a walk around the corner and you will find a few places to choose from. Muriel's has the best pink and white swirl soft-serve and from what the locals say the calamari is some of the best on offer!http://www.mobilenetsolution.de/muriel/index.php/component/content/frontpage.html

Being in the market for a set of pearl earrings, this was the spot! Drop in at the Pearl Factory(pearls in the oyster) for great priced jewellery. Last tip for the area is ‘Dungeons’ reef break, and has some pretty big waves to surf in. I did not get round to that but will be returning as soon as I can.

Lion's Head

After being off line for a while I have to say I have some great information on Cape Town for you guys. Last Sunday we went up Lion's Head, for 2 hours of entertainment and exercise I must say free is a really great price!!

Going up starts off easy but you really have to give it your all to get to the top, it is worth every second you gasp for air. It is do able for all ages as on the way up we saw pregnant women and toddlers. I would say to go up early before it gets to warm and just enjoy the scenery.

Wonder whirl-wind

I want to for this post use the same idea about an area as a part of you. Cape Town has many different aspects, but for me today she was definitely calm, free, fun and very well fed.I was honored to blow through Cape Town with a dear friend and even though it was his birthday I felt well and truly treated.

Kicking off the day with a delicious breakfast and Bloody Mary at Beleza, (belezarestaurant.co.za/) on Kloof street. It is a step back in time and you get a distinct tree house feel and I can not think of a better way to start the day. Amongst locals it is known for the best breaky in town and the 29th there will be a vintage clothing sale so if you are in town stop by.

 

After breakfast finishing at 1pm we spead down to the waterfront and spent an hour crystal shopping, no one can say we were not productive. Then the next surprise as we are driving along Sea Point Beach Road the venue becomes clear, it's La Perla( laperla@mweb.co.za) . With it's old world charm you are actually transported to the 60's I actually believed that Sophia Loren had graced the dinning hall.

Peckish at this point I was whisked to  Newport Deli ( www.newportdeli.co.za) for what I was told is the best cheese cake. My reluctance was unfounded and between La Perla and this cheese cake I found the decadent bit within my Cape Town. Healthy tip balance a drop dead cake with a soda water for a guilty free indulgence... Do you believe me

Still not stopping we head back along the beach cut up towards Table Mountain turn right and start the slow steady winding to viewing bliss, Signal hill!!

Once at the top you see views on the shoreline below and all of Sea Point but photo's can not do it justice so so you will have to make the trip and come see it yourself. All those words, awestruck, speechless, majestic they all still can not explain it. We went before sunset as the parking situation is a bit tight, maybe take a walk if you want to watch the sun go down. 

That was that for us we head home to breath for 5 minutes before Birthday drinks commenced at our local JC's ( http://www.jcbrasserie.co.za/). Have a great weekend all.

Watching Sunday go by

Watching Sunday go by:

Before the summer traffic stops you get down to Big Bay. I had not seen the little centre they have there, filled with various restaurants and shops. Eden Cafe( http://www.edencafe.co.za/index.php.) right next to the surf board and paddle board hire (http://cabrinha.co.za) has some great food and makes a mean coffee frappe. Here we watched the day go by until we were ready to walk on the stretch of coastline. Some of the best views of Table Mountain and the City are on view here and it is a ace spot for wind surfing and other water sports.