Notes

Eco Retail in Swellendam

02, September 2012

No comment
Fresh Swellendam produce

Seon Eco Village is a familiar participant in most markets around Swellendam, regularly appearing at the Farmers market on the R60 as well as the Under the Oaks market on Church Square next to Old Gaol. It was with much joy that we learned of the opening of the Seonae Eco Centre opening this week right here in Swellendam. The team from Seonae provide the freshest produce, grown locally (often organically) and where conventionally produced, the eco benefit is the fact that the produce did not travel for hundreds of kilometers subject to refrigeration. They will also retail the most unusual...

Read more...

A Whale of a Time

31, August 2012

No comment
whale tale

Explore the magic of the SA coastline with its abundant marine life up close and personal in a stable kayak in the company of an experienced guide. Glide across sparkling water while enjoying a view of the majestic mountain, sea cliffs and marine life. After a thorough briefing on kayaking techniques and safety you paddle from the historical Old Harbour and do a round trip, the direction dependant on winds, swells and paddling abilities. A knowledgeable guide shall open up the wonders of our ocean to you, as we explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Kayaks are paddled in a Marine...

Read more...

So what if it’s just a mention?

29, August 2012

No comment
Home Chef

The first little blurb about the Passionate Pomegranate Co and the totally useable products that they produce has appeared. Because of print real estate being what it is, the Augusta mention went from a nice substantial amount to a sentence. But we are not complaining. All that is needed is the mention, by name, to keep us happy. Watch the press and online media for lots more coverage as our two week PR blitz starts to pay off! When we in collaboration with Judi Rebstein from Old Gaol started to outline a launch plan earlier this year it all seemed so distant and somewhat unachievable but here...

Read more...

Meetings, launches and clear directions

28, August 2012

No comment
This way...

It has been a busy few days at Augusta de Mist with the first of the Passionate Pomegranate Co launch dinners and the Executive Committee meeting for Cape Country Routes, also here in Swellendam. The Pomegranate range is a hit and the media people who attended absolutely loved the product and promised to send us updates of their progress with the goodie bag products the received upon leaving Swellendam. Watch the press for details! The next launch evening is this coming weekend and again promises to be a sensory feast of flavors and bold applications of these incredible products. Fun...

Read more...

Suurbraak Van Gogh

22, August 2012

No comment
suurbraak town

On a recent visit to Suurbraak I picked up a leaflet about the village and found the address of the groups that creates the hand-crafted "Van Gogh" chairs, which we have in our dining room at Augusta. One of Van Gogh's famous paintings, titled Vincent's Chair, features a chair which takes up most of the canvas. This is the style that is being hand-crafted at the 'Suurbraak Skrynwerkers': the wood is canary pine and the seats woven sea-grass, both growing locally. The old "bodging" method is used. To quote from an arts and crafts magazine: "Workers seat themselves on a shaving horse, clamp...

Read more...

Under the Oaks

22, August 2012

No comment
Market time

Swellendam is seeing somewhat of an awakening when it comes to weekend markets, and this summer the market options will be plentiful. Cathy van Eeden of Swellendam TV took these great pics of the Under the Oaks market which is hosted once a month on the Church Square diagonally across from Augusta de Mist. The goods on sale vary from old books, pomegranate juice, sosaties, coffee from Old Gaol, fresh produce from the Korean commune just outside town and much more. It is a picture perfect setting next to the Koornlands River, under large trees, and plenty of space to sit. Also on the premises...

Read more...

Fascinating Rhythm

17, August 2012

No comment
front-1

Undoubtedly in a critical minority, Gershwin is seen as one of the great Modern composers – certainly one of the greatest American composers. He's had a tough road to critical acceptance. You can spread the condescension toward him from the serious writers thick on a bagel. Other than a prejudice toward pop styles and pop acceptance, its hard to see why they take the attitude. A few heavyweights (Copland, Thomson, and Bernstein) and a whole bunch of lightweights blackball him from the True Composing Fraternity. But we can say this: no music like Gershwin's existed before him, and no music in his style...

Read more...

The Big Cook-off

15, August 2012

No comment
pan grilled beef & pomegranate products

In a mere short weeks we are hosting the first in a series of dinner evenings as part of the launch of Passionate Pomegranate Co's range of products which we had quite a hand in developing. Charlene and Lena from Old Gaol restaurant here in Swellendam were on hand in the kitchen to help and bring with some of their vast experience with delicious food. On todays test list was a great little beetroot and pomegranate soup which we shall henceforth call The Bonnievale Borscht and also a most amazing Beef Fillet with Pomegranate Jus as well as simple roasted Rosemary Roasted Vegetables. It was all just...

Read more...

Canola Maps

09, August 2012

No comment
CanolaKaart

Forget Google Maps. Here it is. Canola Carnival Map. Spot Augusta de Mist. As you can see - it is a short stroll to the festivities. Swellendam is suitably yellow for the occasion!

Read more...

Cape of storms? You bet…

08, August 2012

No comment
Snow Lion

...and another weather update today. Here are some images from friends in Swellendam to illustrate a few things that have been witness to during the current cold snap. We all think that it is much colder this year than last, with more rain and much more snowfalls across the country. Bev Missing of Rain, our Swellendam Superbrand took this shot in the Hermitage, which is part of Swellendam. Johan Kriek, manager of the Drostdy Quarter and all-round curator of note caught the Sugar Bridge at Buffeljachts almost engulfed with water, and this river is normally fairly tame... by the way: the name...

Read more...