Swellendam Accommodation

Indaba 2012

18, May 2012

No comment

What a fantastic experience Indaba 2012 was. It was great to meet our suppliers and to meet a few new ones and to just generally get the feel for the state of the industry in 2012 South Africa. We used the Cape Country Routes stand as our base. The 2012 Indaba was also the perfect opportunity to rebrand or at least, start the rebrand process for CCR. We started off with the introduction of the new CCR map which is quite a departure for the brand but it was met with such overwhelming support by current members and by industry stalwarts, that the whole new direction seems the logical one. CCR...

South Africa. Bet you didn’t know that…

12, April 2012

2 Comments

The world's biggest hospital is the Chris Hani - Baragwaneth Hospital inSoweto. South Africa is one of only 12 countries where tap water is safe to drink. Its tap water is rated the third best worldwide. Pretoria has the second largest number of embassies in the world afterWashington, D.C. South Africa is the world's biggest producer and exporter of mohair. The rand, the world’s most actively traded emerging market currency, has joined an elite club of 15 currencies - the Continuous Linked Settlement (CLS) - where forex transactions are settled immediately,...

Another Classic Retreat

27, March 2012

No comment

We are so very proud to be part of Classic Retreats. The agreement has been finalized and our page is live on their site. http://www.classicretreats.com/members/overview/48/august-de-mist Classic Retreats is a fine portfolio of handpicked, elegant and charming accommodation experiences in Southern and East Africa each providing passion and personality together with outstanding value. CLASSIC RETREATS was launched in 1993 and acquired by Suzanne Bayly-Coupe in 1999. Since its inception, Classic Retreats has been responsible for the international positioning and branding of many of Africa’s...

Persian Ice Cream

25, March 2012

No comment

Having friends with a pomegranate farm in Bonnievale really helps when it comes to inventing and developing recipes. When those friends are in the process of introducing a whole range of products which we are helping to develop and brand, the recipes just flow. So. We love ice-cream all year round, not just during summer. I have made the custard base here simply with milk, rather than a combination of milk and cream; the end result is lighter, cleaner and more refreshing – almost Middle Eastern in flavour. For the custard base: 1 litre whole milk 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthwise 120g...

Blue door…

21, March 2012

No comment

Keep an eye on this door - next time you book into the Aloe Suite at Augusta de Mist, this door may just be the new door to the new bathroom. Renovations commence in May this year and some serious upgrades are planned for three suites. More later...

Augusta Extra Vierge

21, March 2012

No comment

Something that will be covered in much more detail in future posts will be the launch of Augusta Extra Vierge, a self-catering homestead in Riebeek Kasteel. The house is beautiful with views in every direction, while the interior is quirky and fun. Very different in style to Augusta de Mist in Swellendam, this little sister in Riebeek is just perfect for wine excursions and amazing food adventures. Augusta Extra Vierge sleeps six at most, has a gorgeous pool with a view, and the property has a small olive grove and large lemon orchard.

The Delicious Monster

21, March 2012

Comment

Growing right now all over Augusta de Mist is this rather exotic flower. This member of the Arum family is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m high with large, leathery, glossy, heart-shaped leaves 25–90 cm long by 25–75 cm broad. Young plants have leaves that are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes, but soon produce lobed and holed leaves. Common names include Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Plant (or just Cheese Plant), Fruit Salad Plant,Monster fruit, Monsterio Delicio, Monstereo, Mexican Breadfruit, Monstera, split-leaf philodendron, Locust and Wild...

A night with Bill Ashton OBE

13, February 2012

No comment

If you were having dinner at Augusta de Mist last night you would have heard the soft crooning of a septuagenarian after the dessert course, first in English and then in French. The singer was Bill Ashton, a living jazz legend and the song was one he composed for his gorgeous wife of 40 years, Kay. She smiled right through both versions and gently reminded him when he mixed up a few words. It was magical. Best of all was when Bill surprised us by giving us a copy of the sheet music, which he dedicated to us and signed it. He also gave us a copy of his latest cd, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra...

Barrydale Cellars does it again

04, February 2012

4 Comments

We discovered this little gem a few days ago, an answer to our prayers if you will, because just last week I made a mental note that we need to get grappa urgently as my last drop of Dalla Cia Grappa was finally had. Enter the team at Barrydale Cellars Building on the Klein Karoo's legendary distilling prowess, Barrydale Cellars launches Joseph Barry Husk Spirit, a welcome addition to the region's rich bounty. “Husk spirit – or grappa as it’s known in Italy - is gaining ground world-wide as a trendy lifestyle drink,” says Riaan Marais, CEO of Southern Cape Vineyards. “That’s...

When Auntie Liz visited Swellendam

28, January 2012

No comment

This image has been around for a while, and I only recently got verification that it is indeed authentic. Their Royal Highnesses Princess Margaret Rose and Princess Elizabeth, (now Queen Elizabeth ll), with The Rt. Hon F.C. Sturrock, (South African Minister of Transport), on the footplate of the Royal Train engine at Buffeljagtsrivier, near Swellendam, Cape Province, during the Royal tour of South Africa, Feb-Apr 1947. Princess Elizabeth sounds the whistle of the Beyer-Garratt locomotive. The three month long British Royal Family tour of South Africa in 1947 saw the ordering of eight...

Indaba 2012

South Africa. Bet you didn’t know that…

Another Classic Retreat

Persian Ice Cream

Blue door…

Augusta Extra Vierge

The Delicious Monster

A night with Bill Ashton OBE

Barrydale Cellars does it again

When Auntie Liz visited Swellendam

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories

Stay

Enjoy

Contact Us