I pretty much knew that Nick loved game reserves before I knew his name. It was one of those things he seemed to reiterate over time and so what more of a perfect birthday gift than to pack up and head to Tala in Camperdown.

I told him to pack everything from running shoes to baggies so that he would have no idea where we were missioning to. I loaded him in the car and I drove us up through the hills on a beautiful sunny autumn day, windows down and blasting Van Morrison.

Finally after a few wrong turns and flustered phone calls to mom,we arrived at Tala and headed straight for the pool area.Here I unpacked us a picnic of all his favourite foods and we lazed and ate and ate and lazed in between the acacia trees and sunlight.

Afterwards we headed to the huge vehicles that would take us on a two hour sunset game drive.I cannot explain how fresh the air smells up there and how deeply green everything is. We saw a variety of buck, birds, zebra,giraffe and rhino. It was fun to be on a drive with people from India and America as we were constantly reminded how lucky we were to have to all this on our doorstep.

www.tala.co.za

Naughty Nineties Antiques on Churchill Street in Windermere,but be the quaintest and quirkiest gosh-darn place this side of Durban.

When I informed my friends that I would be working in  Churchill, each one of them got more excited that I could practically eat here everyday, than the fact that I had finally gotten a job. And after investigating- I understood why!

Tucked away in a little side street house,Antiques is the perfect spot to grab some comfort  food. A hot chocolate or a potted muffin- all fresh,quick and tasty. This little place is decorated with everything that is kitsch and cool. Mismatched sari’s as curtains, revamped furniture, plates and cups of every size and color as well as hand picked ornaments from a time gone by.

The staff are as sugary sweet as the cafe’ and  you better be sure to book on a rainy lunch time as this tiny place gets rather packed! Even more wonderful than the old Coca Cola fridge, is that a florist and decor shop are attached for those of you who will want to return home and convert your homes into the beautiful chaos that themes Antiques.

91 Churchill Road, Berea, KwaZulu Natal

Mon - Fri 8am - 4:30pm, Sat: 8am - 2:30pm, Sun: Closed

+27 (0)31 303 5959