1 More Saffa | Two top finds in two weekends
How it happened I’m not sure, but in two weekends, I managed to stumble across two places of heavenly indulgence.
After being born and bred in South Africa for twenty-eight years, I finally made the move to London. Graduating with an honours in psychology and psychological assessment at the University of the Witwatersrand, I went to Wits Business school to do a mini-MBA, which precipitated my life in the management consulting world. With a six month travel through Central America behind me, I'm opening my heart to London and most importantly to its welcoming of my arrival and perky offerings.
How it happened I’m not sure, but in two weekends, I managed to stumble across two places of heavenly indulgence.
Before I knew it, the sun had started to shine and blossoms and bulbs sprouted on random trees and fields of green. Spring is teasing the Londoners! Despite taking the pre-warned caution that this might be only a momentary thing, South Africans instinctively race to their webers and braai tongs.
Everything came together one Sunday morning. The clouds burst into tears as my throat challenged what felt like, the swallowing of an acorn. Those pesky squirrels had come back to haunt me after my spreading of chilli powder on their soil to protect my bulbs. Curled up on the couch with a week ahead of tracksuit pants, slippers and Strepsils; I quickly realised seven essentials I would willingly sacrifice a healthy day for if I could teleport back to South Africa to collect
For a weekend in Dublin, be sure to pack any form of rehydration, a few liver recovery pills and a whole lot of stamina. The Irish proved to be the comical twin of a South African mentality i.e. moments are seized by one’s love of pubs, beer and rugby.
With pending South African elections and expats dodging between the guilt trip to voting or the keen responsibility, I decided to accompany my sister to the voter registration at South Africa House.
Tasting and testing restaurant menus throughout London has become my mission. In doing so, I was swept off my feet by the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. With a panoramic skyline of London and chic design, Duck and Waffle is my top discovery to date.
Having been in London now for six months, there are a number of random traits that I have come to realise. Those of you living here will know exactly what I am talking about and those of you who simply pass through, take note.
With the festive season coming to an end; clearly evidenced by the pork stuffing bloated stomaches and Christmas lights being pulled down from the trees, I decided to turn the conditioned indulgence cravings into active baking experiments.
The combination of unusual tasting fillings, set amongst a milk chocolate casing and placed in a strikingly designed box; makes you think you just entered the golden door to the bespoke end of Willy Wonker’s Chocolate Factory.
Today being the day of the memorial at FNB stadium, I saw it perfectly apt that the clouds in Johannesburg shed their tears too.
In the midst of cooling London and radiator extractor fans blowing the streets of South West London, I managed to find a restaurant winning the trade in my books. The Powder Keg on St John’s Hill, on the outside; looks like your average Keg or Baron back home in South Africa. However, walking through the doors, which are gracefully opened by the lovely Ken, you are taken to a 1920’s marriage of sherry, delicacy and old school music.
After nine months away, it was back to South African soil for ten days. The countdown to the flight home started far in advance and the anticipation of home, sun, friends and familiar culture danced within me as I sipped on prosecco and gnawed my way through edamame beans at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.
A tribute to the person who showed me around Braunton (North Devon). Seeing the passion with which this person showed me an area he spent a year living in, I felt it only fair to write an ode to what I undertstood to be his inner memory.
It was time for a trip. A simple four and half hour journey to what I never knew existed. Some will tell you adamantly that North Devon is home to one of the biggest surf hubs in Europe. With doubt in my mind and the cold winter approaching, I wasn’t finding myself convinced. However, I would very soon eat my words with satisfactory delight.
I am a firm believer that no satisfaction is more personally gratifying than a perfectly cooked egg, accompanied with a little sweet and savoury combination. Breakfast to me is a phenomenon. It can be eaten at any time of day. It can be combined with a flat white or champagne.
It was finally time. With my job in full swing and the minute the first pay cheque arrived, I took the plunge into Headmasters hair salon.
My jaw dropped as I watched the herds of people ploughing themselves into the buses and trains like their contents were as big as a Mary Poppins’s bag. Every time I convinced myself there was no possible way someone else could squeeze in, I was proved wrong.
Coming back into London, the rain spat in my face reminding me that the sun will not always shine and holiday time is over. The final stage interview was a little more ruthless in a meeting room and questions being asked by the head of department. Despite the minor stress and anxiety planting itself in red patches on my neck and cheeks (praying the lighting in the room softened it), I was phoned the next morning with the offer.
When the job hunting continues, pockets of time are seized to discover the excitements, simplicities and tastes of London.
With bank accounts opened and the adjustment to the soles hardening on your feet from pavements, I accomplished some ground breaking milestones within month one of London.
After six months of travelling in Central American humidity, I couldn’t have been more excited to land at London Heathrow. Butterflies leaped inside me as the thought of warm water, laundry and cooler air; leaving my hair to stay in the positions I intended it to. It all awaited me.