Stanford has played host to local artist and bread maker, Niël Jonker. He has been presenting  2 day “Sourdough Bread Experience Workshops”, and will, too soon, be returning to his home in Baardskeerdersbos. Here, at his home in the small artist’s community, he has built a brick oven to enhance the taste and quality of his delicious wholesome homebaked breads.

Niël has developed a unique range of freshly ground wholegrain sourdough breads which he supplies to local organic markets. The grain is sourced from an organic farmer and mixed immediately after milling to retain all the flavour, texture and nutritional properties only found in wholegrain bread.

A talented artist and sculptor, his oil paintings include landscapes, portraits and still lifes. He will be offering an ART WORKSHOPon the 26th - 27th September at his studio, Die Bakhuis No 8 Baardskeerdersbos.

I have been enthralled by this amazing cycling race, Le Tour de France, that started in Monaco on July 4th, and is due to end on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday July 26th. Apart from being rewarded with an armchair tour of the beautiful European countryside, and magnificent mountain scenery of the Alps and Pyrenees, I have been amazed at the tenacity, courage and determination of the men cycling this gruelling route. The team work, tactics and strategies have been fascinating to watch. After racing for 4 -odd hours a day, the final result is fought out over the last few 100 metres.

21 days of racing,  159km to 224km per day,  total distance of 3500km, 5900 calories burnt per day (I heard they had to eat the equivalent of 62 cheeseburgers A DAY to replenish that!) six countries: Monaco, France, Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy, 180 riders, 20 teams.

The race first took place in July 1903 with sixty cyclists. It was organised by a journalist from L’Auto, to get cycling fans to read the daily sports magazine. That goal was reached and the circulation increased from 25000 to 65000 readers. Today the race attracts over 15 million spectators, with 5 million television viewers.

With two stages to go, and a lot of cycling and climbing and sweating before the finish line is in sight, Alberto Contador wears the overall winner’s Yellow Jersey. He has a lead of 4 minutes 11 sec over Andy Schleck, and third placed Lance Armstrong.  I know where I’ll be on Sunday afternoon…….

Happy birthday, Madiba. May you be blessed with health and strength for the rest of your days. My you be surrounded by  love and kindness every day of your life.

Its been heartening to see the initiatives taken by people all over the world to honour this amazing man on Mandela Day, July 18th. But I’ve been thinking about what we should really be doing to make a meaningful change in other peoples lives. Our first instinct is to rush out and give ‘things’ to the needy, and in our country, there are sadly many, many needy people.

Is this solving the long term problem, or is this just giving a short-lived solution to a deeper, more desperate situation?  Perhaps our 67 minutes would be better spent on thinking deeply, examining our lives and making a pledge to make  a difference in someone else’s life every day, from now onwards.

Teach someone to grow a veggie garden, participate in helping someone learn to read,  mobilise big business to support education in local communities, find out about green living, and preserve our amazing  planet for the new generations.

“Each individual has the power to transform the World, the ability to make an imprint”

“Change has to start somewhere. It can start with you”

It seems that the answer to the Cape winter blues is to have a festival. Hot on the heels of the news of the ‘Fees van die Ganse’ in Gansbaai this weekend, the locals are gearing up for another flurry of weekend activity. This time in the French corner of the Cape, Franschhoek, at the Bastille Festival,  also on the weekend of July 11 and 12.

220 years ago, the French people celebrated their liberation after the storming of the Bastille the previous year. This great party went on for four days in the Champs de Mars at the festival called the ‘Journee des brouettes’ - day of the wheelbarrows.

Today, the local festival celebrates Franschhoek’s centuries-old French Huguenot heritage with a wonderful feast of food, wine and entertainment. The “Long Walk” has become a feature of the festival, and pays homage to Nelson Mandela, and his own unique vision of “Liberte, egalite, fraternite”. 

This Gourmet Capital of the Cape is just a pleasant drive away from our own village and Gourmet Centre, along a wonderfully scenic route which takes you past the impressive Theewaterskloof Dam and over the Franschhoek Pass.  The organisers are promising lots to see and do, and lots of yummy things to eat and drink, with the focal point in the Bastille Food and Wine Marquee.

 Apart from the gastronomic indulgences, there is a lot more on offer for the whole family. The  galleries, boutiques, crafts shops and food emporiums will be dressed up to the nines and draped in French apparel. Entertainment ranges from a French Film Festival at Le Quartier’s Screening Room, to boules (Petanque), a chefs and waiters race, street soccer, a barrel-rolling contest and fly-fishing competitions. 

 C’est la vie!

Far from being a sleepy village, there are always plenty of things to do in Stanford. You could join the local Quiz night, aptly named “Think and Drink” at the Stanford Art Cafe on Thursday 2 July. The popular Paprika restaurant has re-opened under new management, and has exciting new menus for breakfast, lunch and supper.

Or you could explore your creative side, and join in on a Life Drawing class, run by Nikki Miles every Monday evening from 6 - 8pm at Stanford Galleries.

The library is buzzing, with loads of activities for the children during the holidays - and while they’re busying themselves there, pop into the newly opened Beauty Spot for a treatment.