UPDATE JANUARY 2015:  Unfortunately, Poppy Gift Shoppe is closing it's retail shop (it will continue to sell to the trade and online) - and that means the coffee shop and little nursery in the back have also closed.

You'll find the Poppy Gift Shoppe on Long Street in the same neck of the woods as the Peperboom Restaurant, more or less opposite the pop-up tourist info caravan and the public library.  Watch for the giant fabric-wrapped tree on your left as you enter the village.

The nursery is great - and getting bigger by the day - whether you're a guest in the area and thinking of bringing a little gift to your host or a resident looking for just the right thing for the garden.  And you'll find cosy tables tucked away in all corners if you're looking for tea, coffee or a bite.

Here are some photos of the nursery/kwekery and tea garden:

If you're looking for more ideas on what to do and see in the area, check out the pop-up info caravan on Long Street (at the edge of the sports field directly opposite the Peperboom Restaurant).  They have all kinds of maps (including the various routes mentioned in the Hiking & Walking section of this website - whether it be the Art Route, the Short Walks or the Historic Route - as well as and Running & Cycling page - which includes some specific Great Brak cycling routes, and of course, the Fragrance Route (or check out the "cycling" category of this blog for more ideas, including the Attakwas). They can tell you where to take the kids - you name it.  Even on the hottest days like today, you'll find the caravan manned by a helpful & enthusiastic crew of young people - way to go guys/gals!

Newly-opened "Memory Box" on Long Street in Great Brak holds evening soirees on Sundays.  Entry is usually in the R80-150 range (depending upon whom is performing) and includes a glass of wine, a pasta dish and a dessert (delicious I'm told, but the focus really is the music).  Just room for 20 guests or so, so it's quite an intimate affair.  Why not check them out?  Details can be found on their facebook page.

The Outeniqua Farmers' Market in George is wildly busy this season - and for good reason: it's a great place to check out some local arts, crafts, hear some live music, buy your groceries (fresh produce, cheese, dairy - you name it), a plant from the onsite nursery and grab a lekker bite to eat (check out the quiches and savoury croissants at my favourite, French Connexion but get there early, as they are the "real thing" created by Steff and Emmy Aufschneider - see this article from the George Herald for more info). The market is open on Sundays during the holiday season - it's a bit quieter than Saturdays if crowds aren't your thing.

See the Farm Stalls & Craft Markets section of this website for more details, including location.

Check out the new volleyball posts - now we're talking!

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family this Saturday - dogs included?  Why not take part in the inaugural "Great Brak Stick & Hat Walk" tomorrow (Saturday, Dec 21st)?  I understand some people are even going to dress up their pets....

If you haven't registered already, you can do so between 7:00 - 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.  The walk itself commences at 7:30 a.m.  You can get more info from the helpful young people manning the Great Brak Tourism Initiative's pop-up caravan on Long Street in the sports ground directly opposite the Peperboom Restaurant or call Allistair or Marchay on 044 620 3338.  The Mossel Bay Advertiser also has a little blurb on the event - read about it here.

There's a modest R20 entry fee - and there will be a lucky draw for prizes at 9:15 a.m.

If you're curious about the route, see the map in the "Great Brak River Village - Short Walks" section of this website - I believe they are doing the Vleiland & Nature walk (#2 on the map).

Now, admittedly, not everyone is into running or cycling - but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun if you're into a bit of adrenaline and speed is your thing.  Certainly not with the Trans Agulhas Challenge making a pitstop at the Great Brak beach on Dec 28th (stage 1 of the multi-stage event).

Check out the slide show below for an idea of what to expect!

Racers who take part in what is billed "the world's toughest inflatable boat challenge" leave Hobie Beach at Plettenberg Bay at 8:00 a.m., heading up to Nature's Valley before doubling back down the coast a series of checkpoints along the way.  The 7th, 8th and 9th checkpoints are at Glentana, Great Brak and Little Brak, respectively, before the final stop for the day at Mossel Bay's Santos Beach.

If that's something that sounds like fun to watch (bring your camera and earplugs...), then head on over to the PSPG Trans Agulhas Challenge website - or better yet, the event's official website - for more info and spectacular photos.  More info is also available in the George Herald.

During the holiday season, the area from George to Mossel Bay goes crazy with road runs, trail runs, mountain bike races, and all sorts of combinations of the two.  It's incredible.  Great Brak is right in the thick of things, with many events taking place here.

Of course, there's the Great Brak Grabadoo, held annually each December 31st.  This year is no different, so if you're a keen mountain biker (or are into the family fun walk), get your gear on and register now.

Click on the image below to register or to find out more - or read the latest article about the event in the Mossel Bay Advertiser.

Any local will tell you the best fresh fish comes from Viking Fisheries in Mossel Bay.  Viking moved their retail shop up from the harbour to Bland Street a few years ago, but the same crew is still there behind the counter...

Another gorgeous day yesterday - perfect for the walk back & forth from Glentana.  The dolphins were really putting on a show and there was a rumoured whale sighting nearby (whales have been spotted a few times in the last couple of weeks, by the paragliders in Sedgefield as well as hikers at Nautilus Bay, just past Dana Bay).  What better way to top the day off with streaming Jimmy Buffet's RadioMargaritaville and preparing some cream-cheese stuffed jalepeno chillies?  Not the mild ones which Woolies now sells, but the "Russian Roulette" variety found at Fruit & Veg City.  Russian Roulette, you ask?  Well, some are very mild, but some are definitely not... and you never know which one you're going to get.  They give off their oil during the preparation which wafts through the air - thus the "Bear Spray" reference. :)  And be sure to watch where you put your fingers afterwards, as you'll get a bit of a burn going....  And, yes, the generous glass of sangria for the chef obligatory.