WEDDING BELLES

There is nothing more exhilarating than wide open spaces and Oaklands Country Manor has buckets of it.

This is where we, as a family, decided to meet - just outside the dorp of van Reenen in the Free State. Freddie and Willow travelled from Cape Town and we sauntered across from Pongola. Both couples had married earlier in the month – Freddie and Willow choosing a Buddhist ceremony and Rob and I exchanged vows in the Anglican Church.

Our celebratory ceremony in this vast open land was indeed very special. It was only us – and the crisp Free State air. But there is no such thing as a free bride. The grooms had to climb on their bikes, cycle across cow padded fields to find hidden treasures that would lead them to the altar, where the wedding belles were waiting, with champagne on ice of course! Freddie’s treasures were a little more cumbersome – as he came bearing gifts including an old enamel baby’s bath, a teddy bear and goodness knows what else. Rob was delighted with his red bell with its tantalising message “Ring for Sex”, which we heard miles away!

Oaklands Country Manor is a wonderful wedding venue, with great accommodation for 32 guests – but it works just as well for 4! It is run by the offspring of the Tully family, affectionately known as the Tullyban. The establishment has a fascinating history going as far back as 1860.

The matriarch, Lady Caroline wife of the late Sir Hervey James Hugh Bruce-Clifton, runs Oaklands with her siblings. Kathy Romer-Lee is the master chef with Annie Barnard and brother, Simon Tully, offering their full support.

It is a horsey place, with a polo arena and a stable filled with well-schooled horses. Experience the excitement of this noble game, either as a participant or an observer. If that’s not your chukka then opt for an out-ride taking in the gorgeous views and fresh air. There are loads of activities to keep even the most hyperactive folk busy.

And if that’s not your cup of tea, settle down in the sumptuous décor and fill that tummy with Kathy’s delicious fare. The pub can be conducive to bad behaviour or cuddle up in front of the fire in the comfy sofas in the lounge. That is if you can persuade the Great Danes, strongly resembling an Nguni cow, to move over.

I was particularly delighted to wander around Kathy’s veggie garden, although sad to see how the early morning frost had hammered the more vulnerable veggies. I spotted her worm farms and brought back a yoghurt tub of red wigglers to add a pedigree to my stock at home.

It’s little things like that that make a stay away from home so special!

For more information:  www.oaklands.co.za

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

Wino Wisdom

We are a fascinating bunch. Our talents range from farming, engineering, hospitality, game capturing –  we often embrace a retailer and tonight we threw in a lawyer for fun.

We are supposed to meet on a regular basis to share our Wino Wisdom breaking bread and drinking wine, but discipline and organisational skills are frequently lacking.

The Wise Wino Women

But we got it together tonight. Except our capturing team was missing, and they were sorely missed, hence the back up from the lawyer.

Our wine club was established over 20 years ago and has seen members come and go, all this happens in the bundu’s in northern KwaZulu-Natal. 

I fear not too much has been learnt over these two decades, but we persist non-the-less.

An old established family from our part of the world, Brian and Denise Blevin, were our hosts. We quaffed and guzzled wine at their home, also the nesting place of Tamboti Ridge B&B. Close by, on the road to Swaziland is their classy lodge – Shayamoya. We were indeed in good company.

Brian has a reputation of using his influence to get others to do his ‘wine club’ for him, and not to disappoint he commissioned the knowledgeable Lucia Smith from Vinimark to pour some wisdom into our pretty heads.

Lucia brought wine from two different Cape vineyards.Flagstone Wines – run by Bruce Jack, based in Somerset West, who cleverly purchases varietals and bottles under Flagstone’s name; and Rietvallei Wine Estate, a 7th generation vineyard in the Robertson Valley.

We were alerted to the fact that every vintage year is different, 

wine is so alive and the cellar changes due to a multiple of factors.

We learnt another lesson: with our twitching noses we proffered the most nonsensical comments about flavours – “cut grass, green peppers, crisp, refreshing.” And we were right. The second wine was different: more cheeky. But clever Lucia had given us EXACTLY the same wine, Rietvallei Classic Sauvignon Blanc – but a 2 – 3 degree temperature difference had changed the body completely.

Speaking of body, our token eligible bachelor/ retailer perked up dramatically when 

‘long legs’ were mentioned, 

and almost lost it when ‘wood’ was tangled up in the same sentence.

We nodded our approval at Flagstone’s “Noon Gun” affectionately known as ‘Mom’s plonk’ a wine that can be respectably opened at noon when the gun goes off at Signal Hill. We finished off our tasting with Flagstone’s“The Last Word”, a port style wine, with the fruitiness and spiciness of Shiraz with 18.5% alcohol content that finishes dry but has the sweetness (so I am told).

In between we indulged in Rietvallei’s leggy Chardonnay, with citrus, grapefruit and pineapple lingering on the tongue. The Cabernet Sauvignon offers a sweetish edge with cigar box flavours.

In the midst of swilling the Flagstone Poetry Merlot with its yummy red berries, the Blevin’s over-sized dog decided to do some rather orgasmic yoga on the Persian carpet. With sufficient wine inside us, giggles prevailed.

The Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz was a beautiful easy to drink wine. 2009,  we hear on good authority, was the best red wine vintage South Africa has had for 30 years.

We were all getting along fabulously until our bachelor/ retailer/ soon-to-be-nephew piped up with “I like being here, I am the youngest!” 

That was quite unnecessary.

So, another sun sets on Wino Wisdom. No notes were taken (except mine) and it is my duty to share with you what may or may not have been learnt tonight.

Sleep tight Mkuze.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

CAPTURING THE MAJESTIC HORSE

Perched high up on the Pakamisa Mountain Range in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is the exclusive lodge of the Pakamisa Private Game Reserve. Nestled below, in the low lands, are the Pakamisa stables, home to a collection of magnificent Arabian Horses all superbly trained by the owner, Isabella Stepski. There can be fewer greater thrills than exploring the wild African Bush on horseback.

It was here that artist Graham Kearney developed his unbridled love for Arabian horses. Graham is one of South Africa’s up and coming wildlife artists, and thanks to Isabella’s passion for horses, her enthusiasm rubbed off on to Graham, launching him into a new dimension where he has managed to capture the true spirit of the horse into his art.

Isabella initially commissioned a painting of 5 cats occurring in the wild at Pakamisa. As Graham had shown an interest in the horses, being a horseman himself, she encouraged him to photograph her favourite horse, Baron. The painting is, as she describes, ‘Outstanding!’

Baron was just the beginning, and Graham has not looked back. He loves every minute he spends photographing, interacting and painting these amazing and truly spiritual animals. He firmly believes this is his true calling in the art world.

Recently he has completed commissions for notable horse breeders, including ‘Sandford’ from the Alzu Stud, a champion show jumper, who is a gentle soul; ‘Mullins Bay’, a proud stallion, from the reputable Summerhill Stud; ‘Joepie’ a sport horse stud from Ruach Pinto and ‘Lissabon’, with his inner strength and unwavering presence from Callaho.

One can only dream of painting like Graham with his formidable talent. 

Website:

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve: www.pakamisa.co.za

Graham Kearney: www.grahamkearney.com

Or find them on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PakamisaGameReserve

https://www.facebook.com/graham.kearney

By reason of his elegance, he resembles an image painted in a palace,

though he is as majestic as the palace itself.

- Emir Abd-el-Kader

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

The Cinderella Chronicles

Her prince will need to find 8 glass slippers. 

Right now she has to settle for ‘hoppers and crickets.

Today she is hanging like old washing on her golden web, pissed off, no doubt, with the incessant rain. Her entourage of two sneaky ‘husbands’ hang equally miserably. At first I thought she was dead, dangling there limply. I tossed a sacrificial cricket into her web. That woke her up smartly.

Cinderella is a golden orb spider. A couple of months ago she settled in the vegetable garden, a swimming pool conversion. 

Thanks to the ghastly quality of water in the Zululand bush veld the pool became a maintenance nightmare; progressed into a mossie breeding project, and is now a productive organic veggie garden. 

I consider her my secret weapon; Lindiwe calls her ‘Security’ for paying her way by keeping the ‘hopper population down.

She has quadrupled in size in two months, and grown into a formidable young lady. She is very beautiful. (Quite something coming from someone who suffers from arachnophobia).

We have become totally obsessive about her. Scouring the veggie garden for ‘hoppers, making sure she eats properly. Her every move is photographed. 

Silly really. 

Rob caught a large locust for her on his sugarcane farm 20 kms away. Clutching his unwilling passenger all the way home, he hurled it into her web. It went straight through. One locust free again. Probably eating my veggies as I type.

In fact I do believe that she has become lazy. Food comes to her too easily. Her web has become untidy and she needs to do some serious housekeeping. 

Her two fellas are so light footed she doesn’t even know they are there. Apparently they keep her distracted with food in order to mate. (Which we are providing. They can thank us.) She is unaware of her irresistible sexuality and has no idea that she is about to produce a sack full of screaming baby orbs, who will eat each other anyway.

It does worry me that she has moved out of the veggie garden onto the veranda, and she is getting bigger by the day. Her fellas show continuous interest in her, which means soon there will be more of them.

And I still suffer from arachnophobia. 

Perhaps it’s time to get a puppy.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

On line relationships

The other day I went to the movies with a girlfriend. We chose to see ‘Her’ starring the rather gorgeous, enigmatic Joaquin Phoenix. It got me thinking.

Joaquin’s character is the anti-social Theodore Twombly (grief, what a name. But it is set in 2025 so anything is possible.) He is emotionally constipated and having difficulty dealing with his impending divorce to his childhood sweetheart. They have grown apart. Nothing unusual about that. Theodore writes personal love letters for people who have difficulties expressing their feelings, quite an antithesis considering his personality disorder. But it works for him as it does not require any human interaction.



He then uploads an OS (operating system), which is a computer generated ‘assistant’/ ‘companion’. Naturally Samantha (as she becomes) is programmed to meet all his needs and of course dear old emotionally stumped Theodore falls in love with her. Hook line and cyber sinker.

No great surprises but there is no chance in internet hell that this is going to have a happy ending. Samantha reveals that the OSes have evolved beyond their human companions and are going away to continue the exploration of their existence. Leaving a devastated Theodore to battle through his human existence – luckily Amy Adams is close by to pick up the pieces (her life is also shattered, so a great match here.)

TRAILER ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzV6mXIOVl4


If I think about how our relationships have changed in the past few years with the introduction of social media platforms, it is not an unlikely story. We now have the capability to communicate with old school friends, new friends, people we don’t even know. We have the bravado to applaud, share, cry and commiserate with them on a level we would never have dreamed of before. Is this a good thing?

Me, I am a complete media guzzler and OCD when it comes to using social media. I have enjoyed the old friendships I have re-kindled through FaceBook and the long distance relationships with like-minded people I have established. Would they be the same face to face? Probably not. 

But nothing that a glass of vino couldn’t sort out.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

“I will follow you to the ends of the earth ….. 

even to Manguzi!”

Love makes us do many strange things.

 After a stint overseas and time in glorious Cape Town, Lexi Stavrides initially nested in the quaint village of Ubombo - with the most breath-taking views over the wilderness of Zululand. Her young, dashing beau was relocated to Manguzi. Where????? Tucked away in the north eastern corner of Zululand, it’s a hop skip and a jump to Kosi Bay, and across the border to Ponta d’Ouro.

Lexi Stavrides is not the first young lass to turn her back on the pleasures of the city to follow her heart, and like many young pioneering women she is making the most of her isolation by transferring her talents and skills to members of the community. Lexi established Alex & Thatch: creating enviro-conscious, hand-stitched leather products with individual charm.

Combining her creative flair and love of working with her hands, Lexi’s Alex & Thatch range has combinations of natural, earthy colours; some are blended with bright, striking colours creating a classic yet fun look.

From one pioneering gal to another: Well done, girlfriend!

Can’t resist? You can order tailor made items off Alex & Thatch’s website:

http://www.alexandthatch.com/

or follow her on FaceBook and find out which markets she will be at:

https://www.facebook.com/alexandthatch

Leather Care:

·        Never let your leather goods get wet or damp.
·        Leather is not waterproof. If it gets wet ensure that you dry it out, but not in direct sunlight.
·        Pen does not come off leather when marked – just to note.
·        Never use polish or detergents to clean leather.
·        A wet wipe is great to use to clean your leather but without excessive wiping.
·        Use a leather balm, oil or conditioning cream every 4 – 6 months to treat your leather and to keep it supple.
·        Using your finger to apply a small amount of the treatment and ensure you wipe off any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
Never use Dubbin or shoe polish to care for your leather, this builds up a waxy layer over time. 
Leather ages naturally and when looked after can last you a life time!

HAND-STITCHED . ARTISANAL . LEATHER PRODUCTS

The home of fine leather craftsmanship.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

bursting with bling

The first time I met Karen Mathews in 1996, in Kenya, I had been coerced (by another Karen) into entering a hair-brained, mad persons event called the Rhino Charge. We were an all-girls team determined to win the Coup des Dames (which we did, by the way!)

We tore around in a Range Rover in some God-forsaken bush in the back waters of Kenya trying to get from one point to another in the shortest distance possible, spitting out dust and thorns. Why anyone would want to do this, goodness alone knows. But, it was for a good cause – The Rhino Ark – hell bent on raising funds to protect the Aberdare Forest in Central Province. 

I may add that my late husband, Ken Kuhle, was the founder of Rhino Ark so the pressure was on me to impress as we hadn’t tied the knot at this stage.

It is my pleasure to show-case some of Karen’s art. Karen is a lady of many talents, and this is just one of them!

Karen, who signs her work as sian, was born in Tanzania. Apart from 7 years spent in Italy, studying Interior Design (among other things), she has lived all her life in Africa. She lives on the southern boundary of The Nairobi National Park, which her studio overlooks. Her art is inspired by the nature surrounding her. With a dash of Indian blood, Karen (sian) loves to include an element of bling in all her work!

Her contact is fourwdm@gmail.com

           

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler