TheIsland@GreatBrakRiver
  • Island Amenities & Activities
    • For the Adrenaline Junky
    • Golf in the Garden Route
    • Farm Stalls & Craft Markets
    • For the Gourmand - Restaurants & Dining
    • Park & Playground
    • Swimming, Splashing & Snorkeling
    • Tennis
    • Canoeing & Kayaking
    • Yoga
    • Beach Walking
    • Hiking & Walking >
      • Great Brak River Village - The Art Route
      • Great Brak River Village - Short Walks
      • Great Brak River Village - The Historic Route
    • Running & Cycling >
      • Great Brak River Village - Cycling Routes
      • Great Brak River Village - The Fragrance Route
    • Fishing
    • Whale and Dolphin Watching
    • Birdwatching
  • Welcome to The Island@GreatBrakRiver
  • Island Blog
  • Island Etiquette & Safety
  • Getting Here
  • Photo Gallery
  • Tide Tables
  • About Me

Get a Jump on the 2016 Fragrance Fest!

3/1/2016

0 Comments

 
If you want to get a jump on the Fragrance Fest which will kick-off on February 26, 2016, then why not check out the Fragrance Route?  

As I understand it, this year's Fragrance Fest will be slightly scaled back, but it's still an integral part of the PROE Mossel Baai Arts, Culture & Food scene.  The map below shows the locations for 2016 but is a bit hard to read.  Just click on it and you'll get the 2015 map in PDF format for download (note there are a few minor differences!).

I'll post more info as it becomes available - or keep an eye the PROE MB website.

The scenic route takes you through the rural backroads of Great Brak and Friemersheim where you can visit (by appointment prior to the Fest) the Hakuna Matata Game Farm, Kattekwaad (homegrown olives & olive-oil and olive-oil based products), Die Kraal (a multi-purpose complex whose grand opening coincides with the Feb 26th start of the Fest, where you can expect to find various locally-produced refreshments & handicrafts) and the Friemersheim Nursery.

Of course, you can drive the route, but it's even better on the bike (it's included in the various cycling routes on this website)!
Picture
0 Comments

Road Trip to Keurboomstrand

21/1/2015

0 Comments

 
We decided to take a trip up the coast to Keurboomstrand on the other side of Plettenberg Bay, dropping by a few of our favourite places along the way.

First stop was Timber Lake Farm Village (where we discovered the large craft beer menu at Zucchini's), then on to Tottie's Farm Kitchen in Rheenendal for a delicious lunch in their wonderful garden (definitely worth a  visit) as a bit of a side-trip on the way to Knysna.

First stop in Knysna was to see Cheryl who has her refinished furniture at Frame by Frame on Gordon Street now (she moved from her original location next to Firefly Eating House last year) and then a quick pop into the Knysna Art Gallery which is housed in the old Knysna gaol.  We picked up a couple of ceramic birds (2 for R100) and stuck them in an old bird cage we brought back from Jakarta a couple of few years ago.  Works pretty well, I think!
Picture
From there it was onward to the Leisure Isle Art Gallery (which is co-housed with Leisure Isle Antiques) there before carrying on our way.

On the N2 about 7-8 km's before Plett, there's a fantastic little place called, "The Heath", where you'll find a cozy cafe, and a really great bespoke wood furniture & design shop called ilovani (together with Amoeba Concepts), where you'll find all sorts of cool and original items.  Definitely worth a stop if you're into original, natural design.

Then it was past Plett to the Old Nick Village where we ordered a couple of good coffees from the friendly (American) barrista.  Had a bit of a wander around there looking in the shops before moving down the road to our destination:  Keurboomstrand.

We were last there several years ago, but after hearing good things about Ristorante Enrico (check out the reviews on TripAdvisor), we decided it was worth a visit - besides, we're always up for a road trip.

We had an antipasto platter and a couple of craft beers (can you sense a theme?), as we were saving ourselves for the big event later in the evening (the antipasto was good and the service very friendly, but I have to admit my bias: La Locanda in George is still my favourite!).  Meanwhile, there were a few dozen dolphins swimming by, putting on a real show - the viewing was great right from our table (sorry, no pics - not really worth the attempt with a mobile phone).  It's definitely worth a trip to Enrico's if you're into a bit of a drive.
Picture
If you squint, you just might see a school of dolphins frolicking in the background...
Picture
These craft beers have a serious head on them - you'll have to pour slowly and carefully into your glass unless you want a lap full...
The big event?  Dinner at Kilzer's Kitchen back in Knysna for their weekly "Cook & Look" which are held Wednesday evenings (see reviews on TripAdvisor).  It was fun and something a bit different.  They aren't licenced, so if you go, bring your own bottle - or bottles.  Here are a few photos:
Picture
Picture
The appetizer: braised strawberries with rocket and parmesan, and sugar-cured kudu.
Picture
Picture
The main: lamb with layered potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Also came with an indigenous spinach (marog) which was creamed - it was delicious, but I didn't take a photo...
Picture
Picture
Dessert: Creme caramel and ice cream with meringues
0 Comments

The Outeniqua Farmers' Market - a Perfect Weekend Outing

3/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Feel like a bit of an outing - and maybe a bit of breakfast of lunch?  Well, if you haven't done so already, you should check out the Outeniqua Farmers' Market in George.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I probably shouldn't give away my favourite food stall at the market, lest the line up get too long for when I want to go, but what the heck... the Bistro La French Connexion stall has the best quiches around (their main restaurant is worth a visit - it's located just outside of Sedgefield at the Swartvlei Lagoon opposite the Sedge Links Golf Club - a mashie course which is affiliated with Pine Lakes Marina).  See either of the French Connection's Facebook pages (here and here) or reviews on TripAdvisor.
Picture
Otherwise, the Kwekery is always worth a visit - it seems to be getting bigger and better with each season.
Picture
The Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m.  You'll find more photos (together with photos of other markets in the area) in our Flickr photostream.
0 Comments

It's Busy at The Great Brak River Outdoor Market Today

1/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Things are bustling at the Great Brak Uitspan Mark today - a great setting in the park right on the banks of the river.  The antiques across the street at Traders Auctioneers are also drawing a fair bit of interest today.

The next market day is Saturday, March 29th.
Picture

Picture

Picture
0 Comments

It's Busy at the Great Brak River Outdoor Market Today

1/3/2014

0 Comments

 
It's a busy day at the Market today - a great setting right on the banks of the Great Brak River.  The antiques across the street at Traders Auctioneers are also drawing a fair bit of interest today.

The next market day is Saturday, March 29th.
Picture

Picture

Picture
0 Comments

Time for Timberlake Village

26/1/2014

0 Comments

 
We were on a roll, so when we finished up with the Sedgefield markets, we decided to pop in at Timberlake Village to see what was happening there.  Unfortunately, all of this market-hopping meant there was no time left in the day to hop on the bike...
0 Comments

A Great Day for the Markets in Sedgefield

25/1/2014

0 Comments

 
They may be slow in Sedgefield, but they are no slouches.... their Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market and Scarab Village Market have been going for years and are always popular - but in the last year they've stepped things up a notch since the Outeniqua Farmers' Market in George got going - and they've added a new section between the two markets with even more foodstalls and crafts. 

Lauren's Deli Eatery in George (see Tripadvisor reviews) comes well-recommended and have a stall there. 
We had a couple of the the rather non-traditional prawn falafels which were pretty tasty (with a wasabi-mayo dressing, lettuce and pickled ginger) before doing the rounds in the markets and the nursery.  Check them out the next time you're looking for a bit of an outing on the other side of Wilderness.  See the Farm Stalls & Craft Markets section of this website for opening times and more info.
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
You'll find incredible turned wood & furniture pieces at Dave Stephenson's "The Natural Edge" shop in the Scarab Village Market - or visit his website: http://www.davesnaturaledge.com/
Picture
A young Dave Stephenson wannabee in the making...
0 Comments

    Author

    TheIsland@GreatBrak features the occasional blogpost in between braaiing and beach walks - stay tuned or drop me a line.

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2018
    December 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Categories

    All
    2013/14 Holiday Season
    2014/15 Holiday Season
    2015/16 Holiday Season
    Adrenaline
    Anything That Floats - 2013
    Anything That Floats 2015
    Anything That Floats 2016
    Art Galleries & Exhibitions
    Auctions
    Beach
    Beach Walks
    Beer
    Birds
    Bootcamp
    Braai
    Bridge
    Coastal Cleanup
    Cycling
    Diaz Express
    Exercise
    Fishing
    Food
    George Agricultural Show
    Getting Here
    Golf
    Great Brak Muse Fest
    Great Brak River Community Network
    Great Brak River Tourism Initiative
    Hiking
    Island Life
    Kayaking
    Kite Surfing
    Klein Karoo
    Load Shedding
    Loadshedding
    Lost & Found
    Markets
    Meerkats
    Mountain Biking
    Mouth
    Music
    Neat Websites Apps
    Night Time Paddling
    Ocearch-shark-tracker
    Oudtshoorn
    Paddling
    Paragliding
    Photos
    Pilates
    Pinnacle Point Caves Points Of Human Origin
    Rheenendal Ramble
    Road Trips
    Roadworks
    Running
    Sedgefield
    Sharks
    Ships
    Stars
    Sunset
    Swimming
    Things To Do
    Tide Pools
    Trans Agulhas Challenge
    Vacation Rentals
    Village Marching Band
    Vistas
    Where To Eat
    Yoga


    Subscribe in a reader

    Get the latest Island blog updates delivered direct to your inbox:

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner