Beautiful and Botanical

Recently, a few of us creatives visited the Durban Botanical Gardens.  It was a beautiful day and we had a hugely satisfying time snapping away at the photogenic surroundings.  What a privilege to visit this haven with like-minded Durbanites.
These large significant gardens were developed in 1849 as a station for growing trial agricultural crops and are the oldest surviving Botanical Gardens in Africa.
The plant life is breath-taking, and so many of the other elements of this, Durban’s well-run and oldest public institution are intriguing.
Here is some of what I saw:
This bright banana petal seems to be pointing the way…

A large round pond in the centre was ablaze with lumo polka-dot green leaves and gentle spiky pink water-lilies

This tender installation is a special artwork by Nicci Fourie featuring metal cut-out children holding hands.  They are walking in a spiral line,  representing a cochlea and illustrating the fact that children must be heard.

The Orchid House is an exotic oasis brim full of bright green tropical foliage and colourful blooms

The height and rhythm of a variety of different palm tree trunks caught my attention.

We finished the day off at the well-supported tea garden.  The simple nostalgic tea and eats were served quickly and heartily.   If you are close to Durban, and it’s been a while since you’ve visited the Botanical Gardens, this weekend may be a good time to go back and enjoy some deep soul restoration.
Events – Visit the Durban Botanical Gardens Event Page. The Gardens host a number of major musical events, the next one being Gangs of Ballet on Mother’s Day – the 10th of May.

The Morning Trade

Last week Sunday dawned the first day of a brand new market in Durban - The Morning Trade.  An artisan trade market - packed full of delicious food and a hungry Durban Community.

 

Zak and Tonic in the Rooftop Garden

This week I visited the Zak and Tonic Pop up Shop in the Priority Zone Rooftop Garden. 

Rivertown Beerhall Exhibitions

The Rivertown Beerhall was built in 1914, and it re-opened again earlier today - a century later! 

 

The atmosphere was vibrant as people crowded the freshened space to view the exhibitions, coinciding with UIA2014, the International Architectural Conference being hosted here in Durban.  

Beset Durban - Living Blocks

The aim of Beset Durban  is to get us onto the streets of our city - and they are succeeding in an interesting and exciting way! 

 

Msundusi Museum - Pietermaritzburg

The Msundusi Museum in central Pietermaritzburg is well worth a visit.  It is housed in the beautiful redbrick building that was once the old Longmarket Girls School.  

 

Marilyn's Tea House

The Kloof SPCA is housed in the 42ha Glenholme nature reserve.  It is so worth a visit to see the genteel surroundings of this vibrant charity.   Not only do they serve the community by taking care of their beloved pets, but they provide a haven for thrift shoppers and visitors. 

Marilyn's Tea Shop serves refreshments from character-filled old home on the grounds, which also houses the SPCA's Antiques and Collectibles Shop - Memory Lane.

The Pietermaritzburg Air Show

Earlier today, the KZN Winter Air Tour wowed the crowds at the Pietermaritzburg Airfield.  This was the third year that the event was hosted here.  Since the Virginia Airshow is no longer happening, it gave Durbanites an opportunity to take a drive inland and be aerially entertained. 

The Grand White Dinner - Durban

The Grand White Dinner has taken place in 4 cities in South Africa this year, and we were so excited to attend the last one for 2014 in Durban this past weekend.

Beset Durban - Florida Road Archiwalk

200 on Florida - Victorian Home of Spiga

Beset Durban is a community-focused group of people who organise walks in Durban.  They have taken aspects of the word beset (set upon, surround, attack from all sides) in making it their goal to get Durbanites back onto the streets of their own city. 

Hollis House

Durban Digital Day

What a great event.  I was delighted to be at this 'annual digital, tech & online conference, networking hub and big day out in KZN.'

Scan Art - Scanography

Scan Art Durban, curated by Heather Pattenden launches today, hot on the heels of artSPACE Durban's 10th birthday celebration week. 

Wood - Carpet Hooks

Sketches of Durban Harbour and its Surrounds

Have you heard of Cathcart William Methven before?  I've  just learnt that he was an amazing chap.  These delightful sketches of Durban and its Harbour are only one of his many achievements.

 

The envelope that houses these postcard reproductions states that he was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and  Engineer in Chief of the Natal Harbour Board. 

Interpret Durban

I am passionate about my home city Durban, and fascinated with the creative talent that we have here too.   

So last night was a very good evening to experience both.  Streetscene Alternative Tours hosted an Interpret Durban T-shirt Competition at the Colomba Coffee Factory in Durban.

The Markets of Warwick

Last week we went on a tour of the Markets of Warwick.
It was an incredible experience.  It opened up an area of inner city Durban to me.

 

Refreshing and Inspiring

My daughters and I had a special time on Saturday morning as we coffee'd and shopped in Davenport - an older vibey suburb of Durban.The atmosphere is great. We started at Bean Green with arguably the best coffee in Durbs at the moment!

Round and Round

We have lived in Durban for around 15 years now, and it has taken us this long to visit the Roma Revolving Restaurant. We had a few family milestones to celebrate - so we thought we would give it a try. I have never been to a revolving restaurant before. We really enjoyed ourselves. The secret was to arrive just before the sun set

Shopping Trip

Last week I went down to The Waste Centre in Durban. If you are a sewer and you've been to Durban, you will have visited this Institution! It's been around for years and stocks just about everything that is fabric related.
I was looking for backing fabric for some cushions I have been commisioned to do. The shweshwe fabric I found will do very nicely.

Joy in the Journey

Christy-Anne Bestwick has a comprehensive blog documenting her beautiful journey in Jewellery Making!

Durban Fashion

I don't usually do fashion on my blog, but I do love to do Durbanish things! So ...Here are some of my daughter's shots from The Dept of Fashion and Textiles at the Durban University of Technology's annual fashion show, where 22 students showcased their fashion ranges last week.