Sights, lights and... bites

Some things to do while in Paris: keep an eye out for spitting side-walk men, don't ever step into the bicycle lanes...ever, eat a pastry (obligatory pain-aux-chocolat for breakfast worked for me), spy-gaze in cafés (at Parisians who never seem to work), tip one of the multitude of street performers occasionally, have the barman suggest you his favourite wine... and then drink it!, don't feed the park birds, stroll down a promenade (any one, there are so many!), put a 'cadena d'amour' (love padlock) on a bridge railing, pay homage to the Eiffel ( as opposed to 'the mountain'), all done while wearing comfortable shoes of course. You don't want blisters forming on top of blisters now do you.. Paris, you have left me itching for more.. No really.

And the Parisienne bed bugs ♥ me too..

Paris i ♥ you

Rosemary hill

Another worthy sunday visit for you. Rosemary hill, a beautiful plot just off the Donkerhoek offramp on the N4 highway in Pretoria, where high tea and quiet scenery combine in the prettiest way. Theresa, the force behind this down-to-earth breathing space, has created a delicate escape from the city - perfect for a sunday family outing. Now that is had waned down to winter, there are no sunday markets but I am sure they will resurface again when it is warmer. There are walking trails around the farm where, as the name states, the family also distill various essential oils. On the offchance that you do come across a market event, be sure to try Pretoria-based Petite Chevre, a 100% organic goats milk cheese. Pure delight.

Gazing maven ponders..

Market on Main

Visited Jozi's version of Cape Town's Old Biscuit Mill aka Market on Main the other day, it's on every sunday in the metropolitan city depths. How refreshing! Look at the handmade porcelain pretties By Hannah Hughes from the Be Kind range that I came across, or the lasercut key racks of Joburg's skyline from Love Jozi, or the roasted kalamata olive stand, or the Ethiopean coffee outside, or the second hand clothes upstairs.. A truly lovely morning out, but go there early before all the fresh produce and goodies dissappear :-)

Egoli strolling

I've been exploring the inner city streets of Johannesburg lately. What a treat to find urban inspiration in previously decrepit areas, a change of scenery from my usual nature retreats. Like meeting a rapper-looking pastor (whom I didn't believe was a pastor) who told me about a new initiative going on outside the courtyard of Lamunu where free movies are projected onto the building facade of the hotel on friday nights. Last friday was Jaws. How fun is that?