That Blog

That Blogger has the interests of her peeps in Cape Town at heart and knows that one of those interests is definitely vino! So…when I saw this little advert pop into my mailbox, I knew it had to be shared with you.

This is a great opportunity to stock up your wine supplies with some amazing wines at AWESOME prices.

Wine from really good wine estates for less than R20 a bottle is not something to sneeze at!!!

Every year, South Africa blog readers nominate their favourite blogs for the SA Blog Awards. This year is no different and I would be really appreciative if you could demonstrate your love of  ThatBlog by nominating me for the Best New Blog award…or any of the others that you see fit!

It really is easy enough to do…all you need to do is click on this link (Nominate That Blog) and this should take you to the nomination page where you can work your magic.

 I know you really love That Blog and really want to see your favourite Blog recognised for the joy it brings to your life so often…but every nomination you send will just overwrite the last one you sent, so it won’t really help whiling away your work hours by clicking on this loads and loads of time…unless you have more than one e-mail address of course then go for it!!

Please don’t forget to click on the confirmation e-mail that they send you once you have done the nomination, as otherwise it won’t count as a nomination.

Thank you so much My Lovelies….

Dedicated That Blogger fans, I owe you a massive apology!! I assure you that whilst I have not been writing to you daily, it does not mean I haven’t been thinking of you loads!!

I am still here on the Not So Muddy Island and still loving it. Unfortuantely I have been spending my weeks working, but have definitely made the most of the weekends!! I have been shopping up a storm, dining at fine restaurants and enjoying the best of English summer. Although, am nervous to say that my phone has been ringing about as often as Big Ben chimes…not from friends and family phoning for a chat, nope…Standard Bank card division are fairly convinced that my credit card has been stolen and being frantically abused by a deranged shopper in London. Despite my persistent assurances otherwise, they still seem to think it necessary to call for a chat whenever a new flurry of shopping starts up…bless, only my best interests at heart!! But really…the sales are on and what is a girl to do but make the most of it!!

As yet, my return date to Wintery SA has not been confirmed, but I can say that it is pretty likely that my luggage scenario may look a little like the Rooney family returning from their holiday in Barbados!!!

A flurry of porters off load the Rooney loot

One x Massive white van and a series of porters required to transport all the luggage. I fear that even with the expanda zip and the fact that my numerous pairs of new shoes are all very small…it is going to be a tight squeeze!

Will keep you posted on how that goes. Perhaps I should alert the kind soul collecting me from the airport that they should start recruiting for porters!

Please send news from Sunny SA! I miss you all terribly!

Well That Blog fans, after the long and sad farewells of last week…I encountered what can only be described as a bureaucratic nightmare of note that involved me having to re-apply for my visa and spend a week milling about Jozi waiting for visa app #2 to be approved. Lesson learnt…submit AS MUCH info as possible with a visa application. If there is even a glimmer of a doubt that you will ever return back to sunny SA, you won’t get that visa and that is a lesson I learnt the hard way. It seems that despite my Proudly South African beliefs, the authorities seemed to think that I was a likely candidate to hit the Mud Island, grow roots and start claiming benefits. Anyway, I have persuaded them otherwise and I set sail or should I say, take off tonight.

Anyway…in my abscence, I would like to ask a very big favour of you…please don’t forget the amazing atmosphere that has built up in this country over the last month of fantastic football. If you need any help remembering how the World Cup has inspired us…check out this great website www.keepflying.co.za 

I don’t want to hear stories of post-tournament depression and general sadness…we have accomplished SO much as a country in the last month and you can’t just let that be forgotten on 12 July. Keep those flags on your car/house/wall. Keep those wing mirror covers there and keep that spirit going!!

KEEP IT FLYING!!!

Well, I think by now you have worked out that That Blogger is pretty excited about the World Cup and all related festivities. It is here and we love it!!! Will Middle Earth EVER be the same again?

So, for today’s SWC fun…check out the latest in the Lord of the Rings series…awesome stuff!

(Thanks to The Bruv)

Remember I told you about the awesome weekend away for That Blogger and friends to the Agulhas Wine Festival? Well, it looks like it is time for another out-of-town adventure to go and do some Whale Spotting at the De Hoop Collection Whale Weekend.

You may not know this, but That Blogger was part of the semigration from Gotham City (aka Jozi), so the sight and novelty factor of a real Whale that isn’t disguised as a Metro policewoman and is actually splashing about in the ocean is truly exciting one!!

Metro Cops...Closest thing to a Whale in Jozi

We were lucky enough to spot 3 whales when we where there for the Wine Festival, but by all accounts, the whales have arrived en masse and it is a sight to behold. I can only assume it is because the Whales knew that the Whale Festival was taking place this weekend and so made sure their travel arrangements got them to De Hoop in time. Whales…they are clever like that you know?!

If the weather isn’t ideal for sitting on beach for too long, fear not…there are awesome log fires in the cottages that lend themselves perfectly to red wine and a good book and if you feel like learning a bit, there will be a leading whale authority staying there this weekend who will happily share expertise and stories.

Come on…you know you want a weekend away…so why not head to De Hoop Nature Reserve. There is everything from tight budget accomodation to some pretty luxurious spots (check it out here) and if you head there during June and July, you will get 25% off your booking (Tell them That Blog sent you). Come on…get booking!! I will tell the Whales to hang around for a while longer if you can’t make it this weekend

Call 0861 33 4667 or e-mail info@dehoopcollection.co.za for bookings.

The clever gals at Habits have come up with a Soccer shirt with a difference and That Blogger will definitely be sporting one of these little numbers for the next game. Don’t you just love the jumbled letters…a bit like some of the game results of this World Cup!!

Get yours from Habits in Claremont or available on-line at www.habits.co.za

Incidentally, if you are concerned that your shopping might interfere with game viewing…fear not, Habits is screening the games on a flatscreen TV and will be serving De Grendel wine to calm your nerves.

In the aftermath of the devastating drop-out of our Mighty Bafana Bafana from the Soccer World Cup, I didn’t think I would be able to find anything that could possibly put a “smile on my dial”…until I spotted these magical words “Brandon Flowers has released a solo album” whilst perusing the interweb.

On the off chance you don’t know who this genius is, Brandon Flowers was the lead singer of one of the greatest bands of our time…The Killers. Remember them? Came here last year, did a concert at Val da Vie…awesome concert spoilt by possibly the worst traffic jam in living memory. Yes, that was The Killers. Anyway, the lead singer has gone and done a solo album and one of the songs…Crossfire…has been leaked to the world.

According to those in the know on the interweb (obviously as trustworthy as the tabloids) this is not the end of the Killers…just a hiatus for the band. They are hopefully going to be recording a new album soon.

Anyway, Listen to it right here on That Blog (Crossfire)

I love it, what do you think of it???

Apologies to all That Blog followers for the problems you may have encountered yesterday and today with the site. it looks like all is sorted now and hopefully your That Blog experience will be uninterrupted in the future.

That Blogger is actually on tour at the moment…well, if you call heading up country to Jozi “On tour”. Yip, I am lucky enough to be heading to Soccer City to watch the Opening Game live!!

Anyway, I would never forget my lovely readers and always have their best interests at heart…that is why I thought I might mention a great special you might want to check out.

The über cool, Planet Bar at the Mount Nelson Hotel is getting into the World Cup Spirit…yes, they too can feel it!

There very talented team of mixologists (you may know them as barmen) have come up with a series of awesome new cocktails. With exciting names like ‘Italian Glimpse’, ‘Golden Goal’, ‘Berlin Martini’, ‘Slovenian Tea’, ‘Benny’s Kick’ and ‘Hemingway Special’, the thirteen cocktails sound as exotic as their ingredients, and are bound to get you into the swing of things!!!

Also, it is a well know fact that SERIOUS A-LIST celebs luuuuuuuuuuuuurrrve the Mount Nelson and the Planet Bar…so why not print out your list of WAGs and set off for a snifter or two.

We are on the eve of the most monumental sporting event the continent has ever seen and the country is abuzz with excitement!!

I headed to Ye Olde V&A for a spot of retail therapy yesterday and was just astounded by the amount of foreigners shopping up a storm and taking photos of completely random things (spotted a couple taking a photo of the escalators…is that to show folks back home how advanced we are here in Deepest Darkest??). Anyway, I realised that it was quite possible that there were WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) of some of the Soccer Stars walking amongst the happy shoppers and that I wouldn’t know them if I tripped over their Gucci shopping bag…so have decided to compose a little photo line up of some of them and thought it might help you too…as I always say, That Blog is here to help you!!

I have also included a little photo of the blokes they hang out with…just so you can carry on the good work you have been doing on familiarising your self with the stars!!

There is a great new buying club idea about to launch in SA and will give you access to some incredible specials and discounts. If you haven’t heard about it already, you can just thank That Blogger for keeping to up to date with what’s happening on the great world wide web!!! The site is called Twangoo and the guys behind the idea are working hard to secure some awesome exclusive deals at restaurants,  spas, hotels and some great exclusive retailers just for their members.

Keep a look out for more details on Twangoo launch date on That Blog and some of the awesome deals that will be on offer. But, in the mean time…why not sign up for their newsletter and check out their page on facebook. They are running a competition to win a R3000.00 Diesel voucher…now that is not something to sneeze at!!

Exciting times aren’t they??