Stanford Country Cottages

Whales in Walker Bay every day

Patti Legg — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:20:23 +0000

The Heritage Day long weekend at the end of September sees thousands of eager whale watchers embark on a pilgrimage to Hermanus - the land based whale watching capital of the world.

Here, they eagerly jostle along the cliff paths with binoculars and long lenses, pointing and oooohing as these great beasts leap and splash their gigantic bodies out of the clear blue sea to breach and fluke and lobtail and skyhop. These massive mammals intrigue and fascinate us with their haunting calls and immense power.

But here’s the thing………..whales are very intelligent, but they can’t read calendars so they just loll about in the bay EVERY weekend in September, and October, and even in November before their babies get big enough to swim all the way down to the Antarctic where supplies of krill are more prolific.

So pay us a visit any time between now and the end of the whale season, and you will be rewarded by their evocative calls and jaw dropping displays as they leap out of the water in playful glee. You may not get the music and concerts, the fun and the games but you’ll still get the whales, without the crowds!

Feel it, hear it, see it…………its here!

Patti Legg — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:27:16 +0000

Today is the day we have all been waiting for, when our team runs onto the pitch at the magnificent showcase of soccer in Soweto. We have listened to the countdown from 1000 days ago, we have worn our yellow jerseys on ‘Football Fridays’, we have watched with trepidation as construction crews ripped apart our road system and dug great gouges in the earth, we have cheered in the streets as our boys have driven past, we have been whisked to the airport on the mighty Gautrain and now we smile with pride as we drive through the sleepy early morning streets with our beautiful flag flapping from our car. Today is the day.

Today is not just the day our national team plays the opening game against Mexico, its the day where we can look back on all that has been achieved, we can hold our heads high as the world looks on, impressed. We can believe in our future, we can revel in the unity of our nation. Once again, we can dream of a wonderful future for our land.

Good luck Bafana Bafana, good luck. Ke nako

20 days to the buzz of the Vuvus

Patti Legg — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:56:53 +0000

20 days from now, South Africans will watch with pride as their players run onto the pitch at the Soccer City Stadium for the opening game against Mexico - and the Vuvus will go wild!

You may have a good knowledge of the intricacies of the game, and be tempted to argue with the ref’s whistle from your privileged position on the couch, but how much do you know of the history of the Beautiful Game?

Did you know that Soccer was first played in Johannesburg in 1888, two years after gold was found on the reef? Although very competitive, it was mostly amateur soccer.

In 1896 Indian Football Clubs united to form the Indian Football Association.
1937 – Orlando Pirates, 1947 – Moroka Swallows, 1971 – Kaizer Motaung’s All-Star XI became Kaizer Chiefs.
In 1958 the South African Bantu Football Association affiliated with FASA and FIFA and subsequently recognised FASA as the sole governing body of soccer in South Africa.
In 1959 Orlando Stadium in Soweto opened.
In 1965 Moroka Swallows won their first national championship in the South African Soccer League.
In 1983 Jomo Sono bought Highlands Park, a historically white club and renamed it Jomo Cosmos.
In 1985 the National Soccer League (NSL) was launched.
In 1989 the First National Bank Stadium (Soccer City) with a capacity of 80 000 opened at Nasrec.
In 1991, four historically divided and entirely separate bodies united to form the non-racial South African Football Association (SAFA) in Durban.
1990 SAFA was accepted back into FIFA. Domestic soccer was re-organised along non-racial lines at last.
In July 1992 South Africa re-joined international football by hosting the first fully representative international soccer match at King’s Park Stadium in Durban. The South African team (dubbed Bafana Bafana – the boys), defeated Cameroon 1-nil.
Three years later Orlando Pirates won the African Champion’s Cup.
The following year SA hosted the African Cup of Nations and the national team became champions of Africa after beating Tunisia 2-nil at the FNB Stadium. The Premier Soccer League was launched the same year.
In 1997 South Africa qualified for the 1998 World Cup with a 1-nil victory over Congo at the FNB Stadium, but the team lost in the first round of the World Cup in France the next year.
On 15 May 2004 South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In June 2009, South Africa successfully hosted the Confederations Cup

Let celebrate being part of history, and embrace with pride, our national team.

Good luck Bafana Bafana!

Alive and kicking - in Stanford

Patti Legg — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:44:50 +0000

With just 40 days to the start of the eagerly awaited Soccer World Cup and the arrival of plane loads of frenzied fans, the locals in Stanford have come up with their own solution to home grown hospitality. The Village has an impressive collection of talented chefs, artists, wine makers, bakers and warm wonderful people who are pulling out the stops to ensure that visitors, both local and from abroad, experience the warmth of the Overberg.

The renowned country restaurant, Marianas, is offering cooking workshops and her foodie fans will be delighted to hear that she will be open for Friday evening meals during June, with a special menu showcasing local produce.

Mosaic Farm invites their guests to indulge in a weekend of ‘Slow Food and Good Wine’ at the Spookhuis.

If you’re still hungry for culinary knowledge, you can join a cooking demo at Blue Gum Country Estate’s “Ready Steady Cook” while Dad and the children head into the outdoors on a nature exploration.

Children will be entertained while their parents enjoy their time out - adventure camps, playgroups, soccer tournaments on the village green, horse cart rides and a ‘Kidz Kamp’ on a nearby farm have been arranged to keep them happily and safely occupied.

There will be no excuse for feeling frazzled, or not being well groomed. Lots of specials are on offer at the spa, and Moms and the teenagers will be indulged and pampered.

The local pub will have live music and a cabaret show in the evenings and a foot-stomping, good ol’ fashioned Barn dance will be hosted by Stanford Hills Wine Estate. The regular Evening Market will ensure that guests sample the delicious local produce. Galashiels Lodge will share the secrets of the Scottish tipple at a Whisky tasting evening. For a touch of refinement, a traditional English High tea is also on the cards.

Our close neighbour in Baardskeerdersbos, renowned artist Niel Jonker will be sharing his bread-making secrets at the 2 day “Sourdough Experience”

Great specials are on offer for accommodation, so don’t let that long winter holiday get you down. The village of Stanford is warm and inviting, any time of year.

Stanford…….take it slowly

Patti Legg — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:45:49 +0000

This quiet part of heaven always manages to lift my spirits and heal my soul. Driving over the mountain from Cape Town into a misty, wet afternoon I watched grey clouds hanging over the mountains and expected a cold and miserable week ahead. I was delighted by the glimpses of autumn shades on the orchards as I sped by and I looked forward to lighting a comforting log fire on arrival. A snug night, bundled up warmly, and deep restful sleep prepared me for any kind of day. Waking to a crisp blue sky with no trace of the grey mood was an unexpected treat and I celebrated the sunshine with the brilliant sunbirds in the garden. A late afternoon walk through the quiet and gentle streets, bathed in golden fading light rewarded my senses again. I stayed out until the last traces of pink over the mountain had deepened to deep charcoal and drank in the peace and quiet and contentment. This village is a special place.

Jazz up Earth Hour on the Village Green

Patti Legg — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:35:33 +0000

Be part of the world wide celebration of Earth Hour on Saturday 27th March 2010 at the Village Green in Stanford! After the success of Stanford’s 2009 Earth Hour, it was decided to enhance this event and create a fund-raising opportunity in support of Overberg Conservation Foundation.

With the Cape Town Jazz Fest taking place 3 days after Earth Hour, the timing was perfect to organise a Mini Jazz Festival in our own village. The Stanford restaurants will function as Jazz Venues for that evening, and the purchase of a ticket for R60 will gain entrance to all restaurants bordering the Village green and the High street. You are encouraged to meander the High Street restaurants and sample all the delicious foods, company and music on offer.

The event is proud to host Chad Zerf, pianist and vocalist from the UCT school of Jazz, getting ready to perform with George Benson himself at the Cape Town Jazz Fest; Morne Katz - brilliant guitarist and vocalist/pianist; Michaela Faye Kruger in an excellent chocolate Jazz trio at the Art Cafe; Overberg’s very own icon, Piano Ben, will charm audiences with his professional smooooooth sounds at Evergrines; Les Witz at Paprika’s on Saxophone - toe tapping Dixie Jazz man, hat and all! Johan Dowries from Hawston with the Gospel for the King Jazz Band will be on at Stanford Arms Hall. On the Blues/ Jazz side famous SA musician Valient Swart, guitarist and vocalist, will be at Gypsies! For those looking for a great ‘knees up’, Mississipi Disco will be at La Finestra.

The Street Market begins at 3pm. The High Street will be closed to traffic and Stanford will turn into a mini New Orleans with treats and eats, pumpkins and pony rides. The stores and antique shops will stay open late spilling their wares onto the High Street and the stoeps of Stanford.

The Earth Hour picnic on the Green will start at around 6pm. Local award winning produce will be on sale, and visitors can fill their picnic baskets.

The Church bells of the area will peal across the Kleinriver to mark the much awaited 100 million strong global movement of Earth Hour, when the lights suddenly switch off at 8:30pm plunging the Village Green into Galaxies and Starlight. The Hermanus Astronomy Society will have star pointers and be available for anyone interested in learning about the night sky.

At 10pm, the Jazz Fest will begin in the restaurants bordering the Green and along the High Street, introduced by a Sax playing “Oh what a wonderful world” across the Village Green. Contact Stanfordinfo or the Art Cafe to book your tickets.

Celebrate your love on Valentines Day

Patti Legg — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:20:41 +0000

Lovers in the Overberg region will have no excuse for not having something special to do on the Valentines weekend.

Mosaic Farm invites you to a Valentine Dinner on Saturday Feb 13th at the 1892 Spookhuis with a complimentary glass of Villiera Rosa Brut and Canapes. Stay the weekend and enjoy the special Valentine’s accommodation package.

Start the day of romance with a Sunrise breakfast at Boschrivier Wine Estate. Enjoy a glass of chilled sparkling wine as you gaze lovingly into your partners sleepy eyes.

Meander across to the Klein Rivier Cheese farm, pick up your lovingly prepared picnic basket of delectable goodies and head down to the river for a quiet snooze.

Lunchtime will present agonising choices…..should it be a surprise at THYME at Rosemary’s Restaurant with a glass of bubbly - or the Valentines Day Lunchtime Special at Paprika? Fruity Lamb Roll with Feta & mint Jus followed by a Dessert Buffet. Perhaps a platter of love bites to feed your beloved at Gypsies, followed by Grape- stuffed love birds

Your choices are endless - make this your best Valentines weekend ever!

The Stanford Junior National

Patti Legg — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:45:36 +0000

There’ll be much buzzing about on dirt bikes next weekend as Stanford hosts the first round in the exciting Junior National Off-road Championships at Boscheuwel Farm, just outside the village on the R326.

Now in its fourth year, this event caters for riders between the ages of eight and seventeen riding motorcycles or quads. Competitors, together with their families, travel from all the corners of South Africa to participate. The 2009 champions Julian Greef Hoffman, Joshua Louw and Calvin Wiltshire will again be competing.

The action starts on Saturday 6 February at 9h00. The junior motorcycle and quad classes will race for two hours and refuel at the pits on the Boscheuwel Farm. The senior classes will start their race at 12h00 and will be racing for about three hours. The loop for the two-wheelers will be partly sandy with tight technical sections as well as some hard pack sections while the route for quad racers will include rocky sections as well as technical parts in a forest and two river crossings.

Spectators are most welcome to be part of the action and although they can support their local heroes, motor-sport enthusiasts will be able to get close to the racing and view race bikes and quads prepared by some of South Africa’s well-known names including the former Dakar quad winner, Cornel de Villiers.

With the involvement of a series sponsor this year, the organisers - Western Cape Junior Off-road Club (WCJOC) - are hoping that junior off-road racing will be taken to a new level.

Take a drive out to the venue and give these talented youngsters your support! Stanford welcomes you and wishes you a wonderful weekend of competition and camaraderie.

Flight for Birders

Patti Legg — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:29:03 +0000

Birdlife Overberg is hosting the popular and informative “Flight for Birders” identification course by Anton Odendal in Stanford on 24 and 25 February. The costs will be R 350-00 per head, and include the course manual and a certificate endorsed by BirdLife South Africa – roughly 1,400 slides and drawings will be used. The contents of the course get updated every second year and this has now been done – in many cases images of similar and potentially confusing species have been combined on the same slide in order to illustrate differences. The development of an infrastructure for birding tourists in the local area will also be highlighted. In the vast majority of the slides English and Afrikaans names of species are printed onto the slide. The course focuses on basic steps in the identification of birds, places heavy emphasis on where to find the rare and often endemic birds in southern Africa and illustrates how ordinary bird-watchers could become involved in the conservation of birds and their habitats. The course will be presented at the Main Hall of the popular Stanford Arms Hotel.
Contact Elaine at mwjasser@mweb.co.za or 028 - 3161105 / 0824558402.

Village Cricket at the SCG

Patti Legg — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:47:38 +0000

The annual Boxing Day Cricket fundraiser was held on the hallowed grounds of the Stanford Cricket Ground, otherwise known as the Market Square . The 12 illustrious teams battled it out in the hot sun, gallantly defending their pride. Delicious smells from the potjies wafted across the pitch, while families enjoyed the entertainment. The children had their very own cricket corner . This wonderful village event has been on the local calendar every year for the past 10 years. It started as a challenge from the locals to the weekend visitors, and now attracts a host of celebrity sportsman. Jake White, Schalk Burger and Peter Grant were spotted patiently signing autographs. The funds raised are for the local Animal Welfare charity and the Okkie Smuts ‘koshuis’ children. Make plans to be there for Boxing Day 2010 and be part of the fun!