I have often wondered why I named my column The Bag Lady and on more than one occasion I can with all honesty say, I know why! I always have bags with me, whether it’s my handbag, my camera bag, a shopping bag, an overnight bag or more than one of the above. I was thinking my arms were beginning to get longer.
Anyway, to get back to this week, I’ve been browsing some of the many sales and there’s lots of good buys to be had and I envisage seeing many more sales over the next month or two. So keep your eyes open. I’ve also spotted summer clothing coming in, gorgeous fabrics and colours. It goes without saying – I just can’t wait.
Worth the drive
On Sunday we took a drive through to Henley on Klip with a few friends and enjoyed a wonderful time at Duck’s Country House, situated on Mitchell Bank Drive, only about 30 minutes from Glenvista.
The country house plays host to a gift shop (Duck’s Gift Shop – 083 556 5847), a coffee shop (Duck’s Coffee Shop 083 603 1210), a wedding venue (seats up to 75 guests) and a chapel (seats up to 60 guests), as well as three double guest rooms and one family room sleeping four in the house itself and three double guest cottages within the garden area. There’s also a theatre (The Red Door) where you can enjoy a theatre evening once a month.
Our first stop was the delightful gift shop where we were greeted by owners Sandy Meyer and Denise Oosthuizen who offered us a glass of sherry, perfect for a chilly morning. I spotted some unusual tea pots, if you collect these, you must see them for yourself. There were some lovely gifts and trinkets, from vases, plant holders, scarves, jewellery, clocks and “White on White” artwork. I loved the umbrellas with scenes of London printed on them. I just had to buy myself a little something and chose a beautiful photo frame.
Next we went through to the coffee shop, having to walk down a hallway where I spotted quite a few ducks (no, not real ones) but ever so lifelike and a few pieces of antique furniture. Husband and wife, Michael and Anrike Bryant, own the coffee shop and we were welcomed by them as well as a blazing log fire, where we thought we’d make ourselves comfortable until we looked through the picture windows and saw the gardens beyond with huge trees.
We settled on a table under a tree, which, due to winter, didn’t have many leaves left but gave a dappled effect from the sunshine filtering through the branches. We enjoyed a light lunch with a glass of wine. The menu offers breakfasts, toasted sandwiches, wraps, soup, gourmet burgers and pancakes and waffles as well as apple pie and scones. We finished with coffee before we strolled down to the river bank.
Tranquil is not nearly the correct description, all we could hear was the sound of birds and the ripple of the river.
Definitely worth a visit and we’ll be returning again soon to enjoy the wonderful hospitality and quaint atmosphere, as well as some tasty food.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
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