| 28 December 2005 |
When we looked out over the Atlantic on this beautiful sunny morning, we noticed a ship that we had not seen before. We looked through our telescope and found that it was the Sarah Baartman, a brand new multi-purpose 83 metre ship, belonging to the South African government. She is an offshore environmental protection vessel has been patrolling the waters off the East Coast of Southern Africa. The vessel has a helicopter deck, capable of handling a Oryx helicopter, which also allows her to carry out rescue missions, pollution control, fire fighting, and other emergency operations. She is also equipped with a small hospital and has facilities for accommodating accident survivors. Her mission, coordinated and funded by the European Union through the South African Development Community (SADC) Monitoring, Compliance & Surveillance (MCS) Programme, is to conduct cost-effective and efficient fisheries surveillance at sea.This vessel, the largest, strongest and best equipped of our four new environmental protection vessels, provides South Africa with the capacity to patrol and protect our offshore marine resources.
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| 25 November 2005 |
One of the pleasures of living in Cape Town is the variety of cultural events on offer. Last Monday we attended a performance of Haendel's Messiah, which was one of the best renditions I have ever heard. The soloists were excellent, and the choir outstanding. To make it even more enjoyable was the fact that the venue was the Anglican St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Fantastic atmosphere, wonderful acoustics and an appreciative audience. In the Intervals refreshments were available outside in the semi enclosed courtyard. Being one of those magical balmy evenings that one sometimes gets in Cape Town everything came together perfectly - I am sure Haendel would have been very happy indeed!
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| 15 October 2005 |
We are delighted to announce that we have at last finished some renovations which we hope will add extra enjoyment to our guests when staying with us. Firstly we have increased the size of the terrace at the Lodge, so that there is a space for everybody to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or even breakfast. Already this has proven very popular with our guests. Considering also that our summer last year was very hot we have installed a large air-condition unit in the general area to ensure additional comfort.
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| 15 October 2005 |
The biggest change however has happened in the Palm Suite. We took out the entire front wall of the lounge and replaced the old existing French entrance door with a large sliding folding door. The result is quite amazing, as it has added light and fantastic views to the apartment. On top of that we extended the existing terrace which now leads to a brand new infinity pool with a beautiful deck with sun loungers from where you see nothing but the Atlantic and Bakoven Bay. Both bedrooms have had air-conditioning installed to make nights comfortable and quiet.
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| 4 October 2005 |
Through mutual friends Chris and I were privileged to visit Ian Smith, the former Rhodesian prime minister, who now stays in the Cape. Having lived in Rhodesia during the time of his office, this was an extraordinary experience. Now in his mid eighties, Ian Smith continues to impress with his incisive understanding of the state of the world in which we live. Perhaps history will be kinder to him than the liberal press and other media were when he was dealing with the intractable problems facing Rhodesia in the 1960s and 1970s.
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| 18 September 2005 |
Spring has definitely come to Cape Town. The flowers are out, the sunshine is getting warmer and the beach is getting busier every day. There is a feeling of summer and holidays in the air and a smile on everyone's face. Look at the lovely sunset we had two days ago! |
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| 20 August 2005 |
We have had the great pleasure to host two of South Africa's most talented young artists in our guest house recently, Retha Erasmus and Wim Botha. Retha Erasmus was one of the artists participating at Michael Stevenson's latest exhibition "In the making: materials and process" featuring 11 South African artists who have strikingly individualistic practices yet share a deep concern with materials and materiality. At the same time their works draw attention to the process of their own making - the often obsessive labour in which materials are shaped, woven, applied or manipulated towards a desired form or effect. Retha's exhibit was really amazing, and I am sure
we will see more of her work in the future.
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| 20 August 2005 |
Wim Botha, who had shown his work at a previous exhibition was represented with a series of lino cuts, an art form that I personally have always enjoyed tremendously. If you are interested you can get more information on our young artists on Michael Stevenson's website.
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| 4 August 2005 |
When thinking about the Cape winelands, the names of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl come to mind immediately. But there are a whole lot of other regions with their own individual charm and settings to take your breath away. We were fortunate to be invited to the wine farm "Welbedacht" which is situated just north of Wellington, which again is just north of Paarl. I had forgotten how beautiful the countryside is out there! A wide valley surrounded by mountains with a vista to Table Mountain! The farm is owned by Schalk Burger, the father of one of our Springbok rugby players, who gave us an interesting tour and many fascinating details about the vineyards and the wine making. Best of all, we were of course invited to taste the various wines produced on the farm, which were delicious. So when you next visit Cape Town make time to explore this beautiful area, and may be venture as far as Tulbagh to see another part of of our beautiful winelands.
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| 10 May 2005 |
We are pleased to introduce you to our new family member Monty. He joined us on 22 April and is a Maltese puppy. He has settled in very well and Mischief, our 3-year-old Maltese lady has finally accepted him and both are playing happily together.
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| 2 - 5 March 2005 |
The South African Lifesaving Championships are being held on Camps Bay Beach, where 500-800 Lifesavers from around the country will contest eight Individual and twelve team events in different age and gender categories. They will contest the titles with positional points being awarded to their club to determine the grand aggregate club winner.
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| 6 February 2005 |
We went with guests to a performance of 'Carmina Burana' by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra at the Appletiser Summer Sunset concert at Kirstenbosch national botanic gardens. The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town and the New Apostolic Church children's choir joined the orchestra for their performance of the full 'Carmina Burana' oratorio by Carl Orff. Soloists for the concert were Kimi Skota (soprano), Anton Stoltz (tenor) and Ntsikelelo Mali (baritone). The concert was conducted by free-lance conductor and part-time lecturer at the UCT Music School, Christopher Dowdeswell. Well known as a regular conductor for Cape Town Opera, his recent productions include 'The Pearl Fishers' at the Grahamstown Festival, and 'La Traviata' and 'Die Fledermaus' at the Artscape Opera House. Just a few kilometers away at the Newlands Criket Ground South Africa was busy defeating England in the fourth one day international match!
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| 24 January 2005 |
Last night we went with some guests to the new release of Sarafina! A proudly South African musical, set during the 1976 uprisings in Soweto deals with the radicalisation of a young school girl who becomes embroiled in the riots and is tortured by the South African Police. The musical is set in the Morris Isaacson High School against the backdrop of students revolting against Afrikaans being used as a medium of instruction, and the lines "English in Afrikaans, History in Afrikaans, Zulu in Afrikaans, Mathematics in Afrikaans" illustrates this.
Sarafina! is a musical experience with songs performed in the tradition of Mbaqanga, fused with styles such as Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Gospel. After ten years of democracy Sarafina! still has great impact with the original leading lady Leleti Khumalo.
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| 9 December 2004 |
Clint Eastwood may have had something else in mind when he said "make my day" but the appearance of this seal basking on the rocks right in front of us has certainly made my day! We have noticed that seals have been moving North from Seal Island off Hout Bay to rocks near Oudekraal in recent years. Could it be that the next migration will be to the fashionable suburb of Camps Bay? What a wonderful prospect!
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| 2 December 2004 |
A recent landmark judgment by the Cape High Court has opened the door for the asset forfeiture unit to confiscate the cars of drunken drivers and speedsters. "The Department of Transport will not tolerate drunken driving and speeding on our roads." said Wendy Watson, chief director of land transport regulation in the department.
At Camps Bay Terrace you have no need to fall foul of these new drink driving rules as over twenty restaurants and bars are within easy strolling distance. An added benefit is that you don't have to battle to find parking which can be a bit of a problem in Camps Bay over the high season.
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| 28 November 2004 |
The Christmas lights have been switched on in Cape Town last night marking the official start of the season in the city. Multi coloured decoration lights and Christmas trees have been put throughout the city's major streets to welcome the season and there was a grand parade on Sunday to mark the final 31 day-march to the new year. The mayor officiated in a series of performances followed by the traditional switching on of the festive lights in Adderley Street. "On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I invite residents to bring their families to town for the annual celebration of the start of our festive season," said the mayor. "This is a time of goodwill and unity from all people, and what better way to show our Cape Town Spirit than by joining fellow residents in the heart of our city, come and enjoy the fun," she said. The parade included drum majorettes, traditional dancers, minstrels, "Nagkore", Christmas choir bands and sports clubs. Come downtown and an enjoy a uniquely Cape vibe after dark.
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| 19 - 29 November 2004 |
The Cape Town Fashion Festival aims to celebrate and showcase the excellence of South African fashion, design and textiles. It also aims to raise awareness amongst South African consumers to 'buy local' and to retain and grow more jobs and to establish Cape Town as a leading fashion design capital - equal to any other global competitor.
The sheer scale of local support for the Spring Queen and Catwalk events are tangible examples of domestic events with tourism potential. The time is right for the tourism industry to support and profile this festival. SA Tourism has identified the need for creative ways of realizing domestic tourism - seize the opportunity of becoming identified by harnessing the festival to support the growing tourism in this province.
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| 24 September 2004 |
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on the slopes of Table Mountain is included in the Cape Floral Region, the first time a botanical garden has been included in one of Unesco's world heritage sites. The Cape Floral Region displays outstanding ecological and biological processes associated with Fynbos vegetation, representing less than 0.5% of the area of Africa, but home to nearly 20% of the continent's flora. The heritage site comprises eight protected areas considered to be the most important examples of the Cape foral kingdom: Table Mountain, De Hoop Nature Reserve, the Boland mountain complex, the Groot Winterhoek wilderness area, the Swartberg mountains, the Boosmansbos wilderness area, the Cederberg wilderness area, and Baviaanskloof, which straddles the Western and Eastern Cape boundary.
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| 7 September 2004 |
While walking the dogs this afternoon on Camps Bay beach we were delighted to see a pod of three Southern Right Whales about thirty metres (100 ft) from the beach - the sound from their blowing was so loud that it even suprised the dogs! The Right Whale was so named because it was considered to be the 'right' whale to catch. Rich in oil and baleen (the large food filter plates which hang from the roof of its mouth) and a whale which floated in the water when killed, this slow-moving leviathan became one of the most ruthlessly hunted of all species of whales. Today, the northern right whale is virtually extinct. In the southern hemisphere populations show a slow increase since international protection in 1935. There are estimated to be about 3 000 - 4 000 southern right whales at present, with South Africa receiving the major percentage visiting its coasts annually.
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| 31 August 2004 |
Namaqualand in the north-west of South Africa is a sunburnt and barren semi-desert. But that changes dramatically in spring, when after a short rainy season the countless wildflowers spread over the wide plains like a colourful carpet. Most of the flowers belong to the different species of daisies. Gila and Chris have just returned via Namaqualand from a safari in the Kalahari and took this photograph on the way. The flowers line the roads for hundreds of kilometers this year in one of the best displays we have ever seen.
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| 24 July 2004 |
Business guests and those who bring laptops and PDAs on holiday will be pleased to know that we now have a free Wi-Fi hotspot in the guesthouse. Wi-Fi refers to a set of wireless networking technologies which allow users of Wi-Fi capable devices to connect to the Internet via our permanent ADSL broadband connection without modems or network cables. Wi-Fi is an emerging technology that will likely be as common as electrical outlets and phone lines within a few years, and which is already available in many airports, coffee shops, and hotels around the world. You can now have virtually unlimited access to email and the World Wide Web without even the cost of a phone call!
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| 4 July 2004 |
A few days after midwinter - the sun is shining and we could not help stopping to photograph this lovely view of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand where we had just visited. We have had the great joy of spotting the first whale cavorting just outside our little bay on 25 June! It was a fantastic spectacle to watch as the whale breached and spy hopped and blew again and again and again. It looked like a whale very happy to be back in Camps Bay!
We were also delighted to see our black oystercatchers back in action - we had not seen them for a while and were concerned, as they are on the endangered list, but are glad to know that they are back and well. Our local mongoose was walking along the pavement yesterday afternoon, and a single Egyptian goose seems to have taken up residence on the beach.
The restaurants are serving lovely heart-warming soups and offer good winter specials, and the beach has again become a playground for all our four legged friends who are banned during the summer months!
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| 15 May 2004 |
We are delighted that South Africa has won the right to host the 2010 World Cup finals after holding off a serious challenge by Morocco.
The announcement of the vote by FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Zurich was greeted with delight from our bid delegation including former president Nelson Mandela. We beat Morocco 14-10 in the final vote to become the first African country to host the event. The decision makes up for the disappointment we suffered after we lost the vote to stage the 2006 tournament by a single vote by New Zealand.
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| 12 May 2004 |
The Camps Bay Terrace website now has a schedule that displays the availability of apartments and bed and breakfast rooms for every day up to a year ahead. Click on the Availability Schedule link to see if we have space available for your next visit! The website is updated automatically so the information that you see reflects our current bookings. Please let us know if we can improve the format or provide additional information to help you with your planning.
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| 2 April 2004 |
The Nederburg Wine Auction 2004 celebrates the twenty ninth year of this annual event in Paarl between the 2nd and 3rd of April and this year's auction promises to be the biggest ever, featuring a record number of wines from nearly 100 South African wineries. This annual event has gained international status with major local and overseas wine buyers bidding for a stringently selected range of the finest wines produced by the Cape's top estates and wineries. One of the highlights of the event is a charity auction, where some very unusual wines are auctioned with the proceeds going to the Hospice Association of South Africa.
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| 13 March 2004 |
The Cape Town Festival, which launches on Sunday with a free arts and culture showcase at the Company Gardens. The launch will kick off 2 weeks of music, dance, art, theatre, culture and creativity of all kinds as Cape Town goes into festival mode. Supported and endorsed by the City of Cape Town and the National Lottery Fund, the festival seeks to unite us as South Africans by hosting a multi-cultural festival. The Cape Town Festival recognises the language of the soul that depicts our diversity, pain and aspirations as a people through artistic expression. To this end we thank our many supporters and funders who believe in the importance of nurturing our young nation's spirit.
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| 6 March 2004 |
Excitement is building with just one week to go to the Cape Town Festival and the Pick 'n Pay Argus Cycle Tour with cyclists countrywide and indeed world wide winding up their training and impatiently awaiting the big day. Exciting news in the media is that Cycling Legend, Miguel Indurain, a five-times Tour de France winner, will line up for the start of this years race. The guesthouse is filled with cyclists for the weeekend and we look forward to watching the race come past us in Victoria Road again for the first time in five years. Chapman's Peak is open and the route is via Hout Bay and Camps Bay as before.
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| 23 February 2004 |
Thousands of volleyball fans from all over the world are to descend on Camps Bay beach next month for one of the largest international volleyball tournaments. The Swatch-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour runs for five days from March 24 and, according to the organisers, is the largest and most important beach volleyball tournament yet to come to South Africa. In preparation, Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) officials are in Cape Town to train local referees to international standards before the tournament, which will be one of the last Olympic qualifiers before the Games begin in Athens in August. |
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| 17 February 2004 |
We have just uploaded the first virtual tours of the Penthouse and Suite apartments to the web site. Click on the links in the Virtual Tour section to see a 360 degree view of the apartments! Please be patient if it takes a while to load the first time - it it definitely worth the wait!
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| 14 February 2004 |
Here are few facts to wave the flag! South Africa's deficit is negligible - one of only a handful of countries in this position. We've had single digit inflation since 1993 - following 20 years of double-digit inflation. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1988. South Africa is one of only 12 countries where we can drink water from a tap. Our tap water was found to be the 3rd best quality in the entire world.
South African wines win international awards every year and we have the longest wine route in the world. Nelson Mandela, an international icon of forgiveness, tolerance, and humanity is our favourite son. The Kruger Park has the most innovative management of a national park anywhere in the world - and is the world's most profitable game park. Eskom is the largest producer of coal-fired electricity in the world and South Africans pay the lowest for electricity anywhere. South African Breweries is the 2nd largest brewer in the world and produces over 50% of China's beer!
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| 20 January 2004 |
We have recently driven in the Jag XK120 along the newly reopened Chapman's Peak Drive between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. To celebrate we stopped at a viewpoint and enjoyed a bottle of good Cape champagne (although we are not allowed to call it that!) The drive now allows beautiful round trips to Cape Point via Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Noordhoek and Kommetjie, returning via Simon's Town, Fish Hoek and Constantia (or vice versa).
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| 1 January 2004 |
A Happy New Year to all - may 2004 bring us all peace, prosperity and happiness. To find out what is on in Cape Town this month visit The Cape of Great Events. Camps Bay is as busy as usual although Summer has been late in arriving - we have had rain in late December, and we are now having the wind which is more usual in November.
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| 24 December 2003 |
To all our Guests and other Friends
We wish you a Happy and Joyful Christmas and a healthy and peaceful 2004.
Gila, Chris, Fezeka, Roseline, Catherine and Lucas.
Popcorn and Mischief remain our fierce watchdogs, and Calico Cat has been joined by Shumbi the Siamese kitten who is busy organizing our world to suit his tastes.
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| 16 December 2003 |
We are delighted to be able to say that we have been awarded the coveted five star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa for the Penthouse. All other apartments and rooms have been awarded the four star grading. We will do everything in our power to ensure that these high standards are maintained and if possible improved in the coming years.
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| 1 December 2003 |
Christmas fever has arrived in Cape Town - decorations are up in all the shops and frenetic building activity is everywhere as contractors try to finish construction work in time for the mid-December builder's shutdown. There are already International tourists aplenty and the flood from the rest of the country is imminent as the schools start to close.
hew! This is a small taste of what the Cape has to offer - for much more detail go to The Cape of Great Events.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 1 - 4 December 2003 | Zip Zap Circus | Various | 021 551 9901 |
| 1 - 21 December 2003 | Dionysos Festival At Kirstenbosch | Kirstenbosch | 021 799 8783 |
| 1 - 24 December 2003 | Christmas in Town | Cape Town CBD | 021 480 0603 |
| 2 December 2003 | Community Chest Twilight Team Run | Artscape | 021 424 3344 |
| 3 - 7 December 2003 | Jazzart's Dance Joint | Artscape Arena | 021 410 9848 |
| 3 - 31 December 2003 | Fame - The Musical | The Cape Town International Convention Centre | 083 915 8000 |
| 6 December 2003 | Obs Festival | Lower Main Road, Observatory | 021 448 5555 |
| 6 December 2003 | Johnny Clegg Live @ The Paarl Amphitheatre | Paarl Amphitheatre | 082 326 6319 |
| 6 -31 December 2003 | Cape Town City Ballet - Swingtime | Artscape Theatre | 021 650 2400 |
| 11 - 14 December 2003 | The Cape Town 4 Day Track Cycling Challenge | Bellville Velodrome | 083 640 4823 |
| 12 - 13 December 2003 | Cape Bonsai Kai - Bonsai Show | Kirstenbosch, Sanlam Lecture Hall | 021 797 8972 |
| 12 - 17 December 2003 | Table Bay International Sailing Week | Royal Cape Yacht Club | 021 421 1354 |
| 12 - 27 December 2003 | Cape Town City Ballet - Cinderella | Artscape Theatre | 021 650 2400 |
| 13 December 2003 | Kitsch Kitchen | The Cape Town International Convention Centre | www.mcqp.co.za |
| 14 - 20 December 2003 | All-Africa Paragliding Open Championship | Porterville | 082 788 4398 |
| 18 - 21 December 2003 | Carols by Candlelight @ Kirstenbosch | Kirstenbosch | 021 799 8783 |
| 20 December 2003 | Cape Point Challenge 2003 | Soetwater around Cape Point to Fish Hoek | 082 654 6542 |
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| 1 November 2003 |
Whew! Where did the year go? Here we are in the penultimate month of 2003 and it seems that last Summer has just ended. The Cape vibe is already quickening for the new season - here is a small sample of what is available - for much more detail go to The Cape of Great Events.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 1 November 2003 | Cape Town Opera - Cosė fan Tutte | Artscape | 083 273 3984 |
| 1 - 2 November 2003 | Cape Horse Trials | Spier Estate Stellenbosch | 021 712 4765 |
| 8 November 2003 | Chateau Libertas National BBQ Championships 2003 | Bien Donne Experimental Farm | 021 790 3367 |
| 12 November 2003 | Santos v Ajax Soccer | Athlone Stadium | www.supersoccer.co.za |
| 13 - 15 November 2003 | Resfest 2003 | The Cape Town International Convention Centre | www.resfest.com |
| 14 November 2003 | World Cinema Festival | Various Venues | 021 430 8427 |
| 22 November 2003 | 9th International Dragon Boat Festival | V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7632 |
| 28 - 29 November 2003 | Borobudur Ship Expedition And Indonesian Culture Exchange | V&A Waterfront Ampitheatre | 021 423-2321 |
| 29 November 2003 | The Concert for Nelson Mandela Foundation | Green Point Stadium | 084 915 8000 |
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| 22 October 2003 |
Those who have stayed in the Penthouse in the last year or so may be interested to see this photo of Michael, the artist who created the collage of township buildings displayed over the fireplace. Some guests were so taken with the style that they have commissioned him to do something similar. We invited Michael to come to the Penthouse and meet the guests so that they could describe what they were looking for, and took the opportunity to photograph him with his work. This is one of many ways in which we hope to involve less privileged communities in tourism.
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| 6 October 2003 |
The new pools in the Penthouse and Suites are now ready for use by our guests. The final piece is a fountain in the Suite pool which also acts as a plinth for a soapstone carving that we purchased during our recent visit to Zimbabwe. We also have a number of metal bird sculptures to decorate the new pools. The solar heating is working well and the pools are already at a very swimable 27 degrees centigrade. Don't forget your swimming costumes when you come - although the pools are so private you may not need them!
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| 2 October 2003 |
We are now all set for the Rugby World Cup in Australia. Every apartment now has its own DStv satellite television decoder as well as an audio system for CDs, tapes and FM/AM radio. The Penthouse, Suite and Lodge apartments also have video players for VHS tapes. DStv offers subscribers the greatest collection of television and audio channels in Africa. With over 50 world-class television channels and more than 40 CD quality audio channels, DStv is a complete home television entertainment, packed into one box. DStv prides itself on quality entertainment by offering non-stop movies, award-winning documentaries, cutting edge news, exclusive sport, series, lifestyle, music and kids programming. It's next generation entertainment for people who enjoy quality, variety and choice. Armed with a remote, you'll find exactly what you're in the mood for. If you feel like sport, you'll get sport. If you feel like a movie, no problem. By special request we can also arrange a range of German language channels from Deukom!
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| 1 October 2003 |
The weather now alternates between hot bikini days and torrential rain as the last of the Winter cold fronts sweep through. Whales have been within a few metres of bathers on Camps Bay beach, and the mountain is turning yellow with the Spring flowers!
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 1 - 11 October 2003 | Offbeat Broadway 3 | Theatre on the Bay | 021 438 3300 |
| 1 - 25 October 2003 | Sentimientos | On Broadway | 021 418 8338 |
| 2 October 2003 | 7th Smirnoff International Comedy Festival | Baxter Theatre | 021 685 7880 |
| 2 October 2003 | Theatresports 10th Anniversary | Artscape | 083 440 3961 |
| 2 October 2003 | Cape Philharmonic Orchestra | City Hall | 021 552 4020 |
| 3 - 5 October 2003 | Cape Town Festival of Running | Three Anchor Bay | 021 696 3058 |
| 3 - 19 October 2003 | Library of Congress | South African National Gallery | 021 467 4660 |
| 5 - 19 October 2003 | Ceramics SA Exhibition | Artscape | 021 423-7864 |
| 8 October 2003 | Michael Bublé | His People Centre | 083 915 8000 |
| 9 - 11 October 2003 | Banff Film Festival | Baxter Theatre | 021 685 7880 |
| 11 October 2003 | Foot of Africa Marathon | Napier to Bredasdorp | 028 425 1087 |
| 14 - 25 October 2003 | Japes | Theatre on the Bay | 021 438 3300 |
| 25 - 26 October 2003 | Cape Olive Fair | Castle of Good Hope | 083 915 8000 |
| 31 October 2003 | Mostly Mozart Festival | Baxter Theatre | 021 467 4662 |
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| 22 September 2003 |
There are more Southern Right whales around our coast now than there have been for 150 years, according to whale expert Peter Best of the University of Pretoria. Best, who can identify individual Southern Right whales from the pattern of the wart-like callosities on their heads, will be up in a helicopter next month to conduct his annual whale survey - for the 25th year in a row. He photographs all the pairs of whale cows and calves he sees, which enables him to follow the reproductive history and survival of whales over years. In the past 25 years, Best had identified 745 adult females and recorded the births of 2 119 calves. His research has shown that the Southern Right whale population has been increasing steadily at 7% a year. This rate is the maximum possible biologically, which indicates that the whales are responding well to being protected. "Although there is obviously doubt about exactly how many right whales there were originally in the late eighteenth century when exploitation started, the best available evidence suggests that current numbers are about one-sixth of their initial level. "Projections also indicate that there are more Southern Right whales around now than there have been for 150 years," Best said. He will do the survey between October 6 and 20 between Lambert's Bay on the West Coast and Nature's Valley near Plettenberg Bay on the southern Cape coast. - Environment Writer
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| 5 September 2003 |
The penguins at Boulders near Simonstown are breeding well with many chicks having hatched and eggs still in the nests. This is a must for any visitor to the Cape to see close up the endangered African Penguin thriving so well.Their call resembles a donkey's bray so they are also known as Jackass Penguins. They have white markings running from the top of the forehead round to under the chin, and from the chin down to the feet. They have red to black bare patches on the chin and in front of the eyes.
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| 1 September 2003 |
Spring is here - or so we hope - the wildflowers are on view along the West coast and the whales are at play along the South coast. The calendar shows how Cape Town is already hotting up for the Summer season.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 1 - 19 September 2003 | Exhibition of South African Printmaking | Castle of Good Hope | 046 603 8194 |
| 3 - 7 September 2003 | V&A Waterfront Spring Flower Show | V & A Waterfront | 021 790 2627 |
| 3 - 5 September 2003 | WineX | Cape Town International Convention Centre | 021 851 1563 |
| 6 September 2003 | A Different Place & Time | Genadendal | 021 467 4662
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| 6 - 7 September 2003 | Breede River Canoe Marathon | Robertson - Swellendam | 021 552 4020 |
| 7 September 2003 | Holistic Lifestyle Fair | Observatory Recreation Centre | 021 782 8882 |
| 7 September 2003 | Spar Sports Ladies 10km | Newlands Cricket Grounds | www.spar.co.za |
| 8 September 2003 | OH! OH! Operetta | Theatre on the Bay | 021 438 3301 |
| 11 - 14 September 2003 | Cape Wildflower Show | Cape Town International Convention Centre | 021 424 6482 |
| 13 September 2003 | Box-a-thon | V & A Waterfront | 021 447 4222 |
| 12 - 13 September 2003 | Diamonds & Dust - Music Under an African Sky | Barnyard Theatre, | 021 874 1505 |
| 14 September 2003 | Cape Argus/Woolworths Gun Run | Beach Road, Mouille Point | 021 439 9020 |
| 14 September 2003 | Puma Peninsula Marathon | Green Point - Simon's Town Naval Base | 021 511 7130 |
| 20 - 21 September 2003 | Cape Town International Kite Festival | Zandvlei, Muizenberg | 021 447 9040 |
| 23 - 28 September 2003 | Simon's Town Penguin Festival | Simon's Town | 021 786 1758 |
| 27 - 28 September | Blessing of the Fishing Fleet | North Wharf, V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7633 |
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| 1 August 2003 |
Spring is around the corner - the wildflowers will soon be on view along the West coast - a great time to be in the Cape. Take a look at the calendar of events to see how much is happening at this time of year - have a whale of a time like our visitors from Antatica!
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 1 August 2003 | Postberg Reserve Opens for Wildflowers | Postberg Reserve | 022 772 2798 |
| 29 July - 9 August 2003 | Claptomania | Theatre on the Bay | 021 438 3301 |
| 3 August 2003 | PPC Marathon and Half Marathon | Riebeek West | 022 487 1133 |
| 3 August 2003 | Holistic Lifestyle Fair | Observatory Recreation Centre | 021 782 8882 |
| 6 - 10 August 2003 | Cape WoW (Women of the World) 2003 | Artscape | 021 448 7948 |
| 8 - 10 August 2003 | Chilli Fiesta Town Cook-off | Company Gardens | 021 439 9020 |
| 9 August 2003 | Totalsports Ladies Race | Bellville Veledrome | 021 511 7130 |
| 9 August 2003 | National Women's Day Celebration | V & A Waterfront Ampitheatre | 021 408 7636 |
| 12 August 2003 | Auditioning Angels | Theatre on the Bay | 021 438 3301 |
| 15 - 17 August 2003 | Winter Food Fair | V & A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 |
| 20 - 25 August 2003 | Cape Town Fashion Week | International Convention Centre | 021 424 6482 |
| 28 - 31 August 2003 | Hopefield Fynbos Show | Hopefield | 022 723 0500 |
| 29 August 2003 | Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show | Clanwilliam | 027 482 2024 |
| 30 August 2003 | Puffer Ultra Marathon | Good Hope Nature Reserve | 082 730 1666 |
| 30 August 2003 | Potberg Mountain Bike Challenge | De Hoop Nature Reserve | 028 542 1326 |
| 30 - 31 August2003 | African Hip Hop Indaba | Cape Town | 021 705 1967 |
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| 14 July 2003 |
What is becoming a trial for our farmers is a boon for visitors to the Cape - this June was the driest for almost forty years. We have had glorious sunny and warm weather with magnificent beach days and sunsets. The whales and dolphins are here in abundance and yesterday we watched from our terrace a Southern Right whale breaching, spy hopping and lobtailing less than a kilometer offshore - a wonderful sight! This is the view of Camps Bay beach yesterday afternoon.
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| 1 July 2003 |
Cape Town is alive right through the Green Season - check these events to see if any interest you.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 2 - 5 July 2003 | Berg River Canoe Marathon | Paarl - Velddrif | 021 439 9020 |
| 3 - 23 July 2003 | Cry the Beloved Country | Artscape | 021 410 9800 |
| 12 July 2003 | Tri Nations Rugby - Springboks v Australia | Newlands Rugby Stadium | 021 686 4955 |
| 20 July2003 | Children's Festival | V & A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 |
| 20 - 27 July 2003 | SA International Documentary Festival | V & A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 |
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| 9 June 2003 |
Gila and Chris are going on a cruise around the coast of Western Turkey for a few weeks. We will live aboard a gullet two masted boat and will visit various archaeological sites including Didyma, Ephesus, Priene, Myletus and Halicanassus (now called Bodrum).
Richard is managing the guesthouse while we are away and we are sure you will be well looked after by him and the other staff. |  |
| 1 June 2003 |
Diarise these dates for your visit to the Cape in June.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| June 2003 | Man in Focus | V & A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 |
| 1 - 21 June 2003 | Sound of Music | Artscape | 021 410 9800 |
| 2 - 22 June 2003 | Red Bull Big Wave Africa | Dungeons Hout Bay | www.redbullwa.com |
| 3 - 5 June 2003 | BEQSA Expo | Cape Town Convention Centre | 021 797 5933 |
| 28 - 29 June 2003 | Introductory Rock Climbing Course | Cape School of Mountaineering | 021 531-4290 |
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| 20 May 2003 |
Winter in Cape Town is quite a challenge. This is the view that we have had for the past two weeks or so - absolutely calm and clear weather in the high twenties (yes, that is Celcius, not Farenheit!). Remember that this is the equivalent of late November in the Northern hemisphere.
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| 5 May 2003 |
Our winter maintenance program has started with a vengeance as work progresses on new plunge pools for the Penthouse and Suites. Each apartment is now completely independent of the main house and will have a private heated swimming pool for the exclusive use of its guests! Building work has started and should be complete by the end of July, 2003. The Penthouse pool is cantilevered over the existing pool deck and is heated by solar panels on the roof. The Suite pool is partially enclosed to ensure privacy and protection from the wind and is heated by an efficient heat pump.
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| 1 May 2003 |
Diarise these dates for your visit to the Cape in May. Congratulations to the South African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE) on its centenary - the Cape has many examples of fine mountain passes and long span bridges as testimony to this heritage.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 5 - 8 May 2003 | First Annual Afriskate Cup | Grand West Casino | 021 535 2660 |
| 6 - 9 May 2003 | SAICE Centenary Congress | Cape Town Holiday Inn | 021 762 8600 |
| 6 - 9 May 2003 | Waterfront Wine Festival | V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 |
| 10 - 25 May 2003 | Cape Gourmet Festival | Various Venues | 021 465 0069 |
| 10 May 2003 | Super 12 Rugby - Stormers v Cats | Newlands Rugby Stadium | 021 686 4955 |
| 25 - 28 May 2003 | Good Food & Wine Show | Good Hope Centre | 011 465 0069 |
| 26 - 27 May 2003 | Wine Industry Investment Conference | Vinyard Hotel | 011 880 0364 |
| 29 - 31 May 2003 | Big Band Jazz Festival | Baxter Theatre | 021 685 7880 |
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| 25 April 2003 |
Many people will remember our independent minded cat Indiana Jones, or Indy for short, not least because of his propensity to deposit his periodic kills on apartment terraces as presents to our guests. Sadly Indy disappeared without trace about two weeks ago and we are resigned to the fact that he will not be coming home again. He was with us for thirteen years and will be missed by us all.
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| 19 April 2003 |
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, one of South Africa's most challenging and scenic long-distance running events, took place in Cape Town on Saturday, 19 April. First run in 1970, the Two Oceans Marathon has become, with the exception of the Comrades Marathon, the most famous ultra-marathon in South Africa, and a race that is known worldwide. Ironically, it was conceived and brought into being by a Durban man who was transferred to Cape Town and missed the vibrant running scene of Natal. Dave Venter reasoned that Capetonians would view the event as a good warm-up race for the Comrades. The total entry was a record 14 224 runners, up 1 810 over the 2002 entry, and 855 runners more than the previous record entry achieved in 2000.
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| 13 April 2003 |
We went to the final performance of Cape Town's Aqua Opera on Sunday, an event that is becoming part of the annual calendar and should not be missed. The setting is spectacular, with the stage built over the water in the V&A marina basin, and Table Mountain as a fantastic backdrop. The programme was mainly opera, showcasing some of South Africa's best singers, and the production was lavish and innovative. It was a wonderful evening, as the wind dropped to a gentle zephyr, and the enjoyment of sitting under the black velvety southern sky with its thousands of stars listening to beautiful music cannot easily be put into words. It is another of Cape Town's many attractions in the V&A Waterfront, and we are looking forward to the next time! |
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| 2 April 2003 |
The Cape calendar continues this month to be full of exciting and entertaining events. Diarise these dates for your visit to our wonderful city.
| Date | Event | Venue | Telephone |
| 5 - 6 April 2003 | Art of Living Festival | Civic Centre | 021 689 2229 |
| 10 - 12 April 2003 | Aqua Opera | V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7632 |
| 11 - 13 April 2003 | World Cup Cycling 2003 | Bellville Velodrome | 021 557 1212 |
| 19 April 2003 | Two Oceans Marathon | Newlands | 021 671 9407 |
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| 30 March 2003 |
The Starlight Classics concert at Vergelegen outside Somerset West was a collection of European and African music, including classics such as Verdi's Anvil Chorus, the Toreador's Song from Carmen, and Motherland featuring local star Yvonne Chaka Chaka. The evening ended on a joyful note with the audience joining a vibrant rendition of We are the World and calls for peace in our troubled world. Richard Cock conducted the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra which was supported by the Cape Opera Chorus, including three magnificent young tenors.
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| 28 March 2003 |
We have just returned from a delightful lunch at Le Quatier Francais in Franschhoek. Rated as one of the top ten restaurants in South Africa, it is an experience to be savoured. The weather was perfect as we sat looking out on the lush garden and fountains, drinking fine wines and enjoying delightful company of our guests. We returned to Cape Town via the Franschhoek Pass through the apple orchards of Elgin, heavy with their autumn harvest. The finish to a wonderful day was a magnificent sunset in Camps Bay throwing shades of pink and orange onto the mountain cliffs and wispy clouds.
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