tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post5896416612332906999..comments2024-03-28T15:44:17.585+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Babylonstoren’s Hanging Gardens, outside Paarl in the Cape …Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28878798164926440172016-05-16T07:10:57.356+01:002016-05-16T07:10:57.356+01:00Hi Beste - this was a new wine estate I came acros...Hi Beste - this was a new wine estate I came across and was bewitched by it ... so had to write about it - I hope one day I can get back to visit ... for now it will have to wait - mind you it's summer here! So this was a vicarious visit for us all .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-68525263787144917832016-05-15T21:19:14.830+01:002016-05-15T21:19:14.830+01:00In the back of my mind I have been wondering about...In the back of my mind I have been wondering about your days in South Africa. I'm happy to hear that you're taking us on a trip with you Hilary.beste barkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002530133068046229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-30633525878787470862016-05-14T07:24:22.094+01:002016-05-14T07:24:22.094+01:00@ Nas - everyone was invited .. and you're on ...@ Nas - everyone was invited .. and you're on the list ... it would be brilliant wouldn't it .. <br /><br />@ Dianne - lovely to hear you were teaching the children about Explorers and especially those that went from Europe to the Spice Islands round the Cape .. travelling wasn't so easy then ... but he made it once and that helped us today ... <br /><br />@ ACIL - yes the crime is challenging, but one just needs to be careful and go with people who know the ropes ... and it's fine.<br /><br />It is a beautiful part of the world and well worth a visit - to see the landscape, the animals and to experience a different side of life, particularly in the Cape ... I hope you get there soon .. <br /><br />Cheers and thanks for the visit - enjoy the weekend - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-4731454181243115102016-05-13T22:58:16.713+01:002016-05-13T22:58:16.713+01:00I truly loved this. I have wanted to go to SA for ...I truly loved this. I have wanted to go to SA for a while. I must admit, though, that I find the level of crime scary. I know a couple of South Africans based in London now and they told me that they left because of the ever-rising crime. Your post makes me want to give it a go.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53950197793503590952016-05-13T12:58:56.783+01:002016-05-13T12:58:56.783+01:00Bartolomeu Diaz and his journey around the Cape of...Bartolomeu Diaz and his journey around the Cape of Storms/Cape of Good Hope was part of my explorers unit when I taught 5th grade. Diaz was one of the less blood-thirsty explorers. Too bad he didn't survive his second trip around the Cape!Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-24530243556362087672016-05-13T11:36:12.715+01:002016-05-13T11:36:12.715+01:00Beautiful pictures. Can I come along with you? Sou...Beautiful pictures. Can I come along with you? Sounds fun!Romance Reader https://www.blogger.com/profile/10633164931292182035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-73086187975039580542016-05-13T07:16:02.903+01:002016-05-13T07:16:02.903+01:00@ Jeffrey - when the time comes .. I'm sure it...@ Jeffrey - when the time comes .. I'm sure it will be an amazing trip. South African Breweries took over Millers I think ... but there's plenty of beer in SA - and now lots of microbreweries have sprung up since I came home.<br /><br />@ Mark - I'm glad you enjoyed the brief overview ... I don't know Australia and the Far East having never visited ... but my time in SA helps somewhat .. <br /><br />Thanks for visiting .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63413869453798036272016-05-12T22:04:45.008+01:002016-05-12T22:04:45.008+01:00Thanks for enlightening me! My knowledge of South ...Thanks for enlightening me! My knowledge of South Africa is somewhat limited:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-3268440104747842022016-05-12T17:01:45.865+01:002016-05-12T17:01:45.865+01:00Looks like the making of a great trip.
I'm not...Looks like the making of a great trip.<br />I'm not much of a wine person, so I will have to keep my eyes open for beer postings. ;) If they have that sort of thing in South Africa.<br />But now that I think of it, I think a South African company recently purchased Miller Beer, a hometown brewery.Jeffrey Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06973104877310669196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28141069515321216792016-05-12T10:13:26.012+01:002016-05-12T10:13:26.012+01:00Hi Joylene - thanks so much ... and yes when (not ...Hi Joylene - thanks so much ... and yes when (not if!!) we win the lottery we can all meet up and have fun helping each other ... and have a visit to Babylonstoren .. <br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84348479417519666782016-05-11T17:55:06.963+01:002016-05-11T17:55:06.963+01:00You put a lot of effort and love into your posts, ...You put a lot of effort and love into your posts, Hilary. I just wanted to thank you for that. As for the blog itself, delightful. I shall win the lottery, then we are off on a jet plane, first-class, of course! Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-86418559063608611222016-05-11T15:09:33.979+01:002016-05-11T15:09:33.979+01:00Thanks Janice - wonderful, wonderful idea - I shal...Thanks Janice - wonderful, wonderful idea - I shall get over there sometime soon ... for now I must reside here and live for my dream!<br /><br />You're a star for leaving such a complementary comment - long may I continue on - and long long may you all keep visiting and enjoying what I post about ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-46942870587777551722016-05-11T15:05:58.185+01:002016-05-11T15:05:58.185+01:00I don't think I've ever heard you this wis...I don't think I've ever heard you this wistful and sentimental about a place and its delights before, Hilary. Make a wish... get yourself there! I'm sure your hundreds of contented readers would be happy to help as a thank you for your years of tour guiding, entertaining, educating, inspiring and supporting us all.janice hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264755008473956457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63135447257870325942016-05-11T14:52:24.164+01:002016-05-11T14:52:24.164+01:00@ Gattina - SA is very beautiful and so glad you&#...@ Gattina - SA is very beautiful and so glad you've a classmate to chat to about the country. I know it's far away - but it's just an overnight flight?!<br /><br />@ Susan - good to see you ... and how fascinating you've been there - the Wellington Wine Walk sounds good then the Franschoek Literary festival - wonderful.<br /><br />Babylonstoren - well you've whetted my appetite even more for a vist - how fascinating to have - courses according to colour ... and then your confirmation of the layout of the estate and the delight it offers. I'm sure the pocket needs to be lightened with any purchase or meal - but I just felt worth it, when I looked at the review.<br /><br />Perhaps you can let us see the photos of the food ...?!<br /><br />@ Lynn - it does look magical doesn't it ... <br /><br />@ Crystal - yes the babysitter first, then all the moneyboxes cleaned out and your own ones ... and then with another few years savings a trip would be in order - definitely doable!<br /><br />Thanks so much - lovely comments ... and vicarious trip or not - just worth reading up about .. cheers Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-71038265713125804092016-05-11T13:29:54.752+01:002016-05-11T13:29:54.752+01:00I would LOVE to take a trip to South Africa. I'...I would LOVE to take a trip to South Africa. I'd need a few more dollars, and a babysitter, but hey, it's doable, right?<br /><br />Thanks for the vicarious trip.Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-72606937458734810602016-05-11T11:26:47.485+01:002016-05-11T11:26:47.485+01:00I would love to visit Babylonstoren! Thank you fo...I would love to visit Babylonstoren! Thank you for this glimpse into it. It is a truly magical place, I can tell.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57966205238587287302016-05-11T09:52:22.446+01:002016-05-11T09:52:22.446+01:00Hi Hilary! I've been to Babylonstoren! It was ...Hi Hilary! I've been to Babylonstoren! It was almost to the day two years ago ... we were down in Wellington for the Wellington Wine Walk which was wonderful and thereafter was the Franschoek Literary festival. We met up with a dear friend Sheila and her friends (bookings are made much in advance), and my son and his then lady friend (now his wife) joined us at Babylonstoren for a very memorable meal. I have some photos of the meal - which was ordered according to colour, I think green, red, yellow, maybe purple ... and the walks around the estate where the food is grown is beautiful.. horses in pasture, friendly dogs. We were there in the area again later in the year, this time to show our US friends but not for lunch. I remember buying a very beautiful soap for my niece Elizabeth - pockets had to be fairly deep for that purchase, especially for the lunch but worth every penny!Susan Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041548718544123557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51430367994263405782016-05-11T09:23:16.717+01:002016-05-11T09:23:16.717+01:00I have a friend in SA, it must be very beautiful. ...I have a friend in SA, it must be very beautiful. One of my classmates has been there 3 weeks ago and found it wonderful ! A pity it's so far away !Gattinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636525277807715146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-42170690127238919082016-05-11T06:14:27.713+01:002016-05-11T06:14:27.713+01:00@ Natalie - so glad you enjoyed the vicarious trip...@ Natalie - so glad you enjoyed the vicarious trip ... and yes I'd love to take a trip right now ... <br /><br />@ Jean - thank you - the food is good, the history is always interesting .. <br /><br />@ Sherry - there are some wonderful gardens there; that ceramic bull is extraordinary isn't it ... I'd be distracted by all around me, I suspect .. the place sounds wonderful .. <br /><br />Thanks so much for visiting .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79004310406494933682016-05-10T18:30:10.365+01:002016-05-10T18:30:10.365+01:00I agree - a trip to South Africa would be lovely! ...I agree - a trip to South Africa would be lovely! That is some ceramic head of a bull! If I went there, I'd probably be too distracted looking at that, to eat.Sherry Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844837212122243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79666145897607599142016-05-10T12:28:27.515+01:002016-05-10T12:28:27.515+01:00Your posts always make me hungry. :) Thanks for th...Your posts always make me hungry. :) Thanks for the little dose of history to start my day.Jean Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33309739888829535352016-05-10T11:41:28.793+01:002016-05-10T11:41:28.793+01:00Sounds like a fantastic trip.Loved the pictures. A...Sounds like a fantastic trip.Loved the pictures. And Sprankel, tapas, fruits, and cheese sound delicious.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-52068297401126333412016-05-10T07:21:37.642+01:002016-05-10T07:21:37.642+01:00@ Lee – yes finding the estate and wanting to expl...@ Lee – yes finding the estate and wanting to explore – even vicariously … gave me lots of ambience to think about – and to be able to get a glimpse into the layout and setting ... and to see the history. That bull is amazing isn’t it – I’ve no idea of its size …<br /><br />The world was opened up quite quickly once the ocean waves could be conquered more easily … but the African coastline is not very friendly … and lots of lives were lost … as it was explored: the Skeleton Coast tells its own story … <br /><br />This cookbook is just a delight … so informative and the photos/images in the book are just lovely to look at and think about … I loved the flavours of Cape Dutch dishes … <br /><br />@ Nicola – that’s great you’ve heard of the estate .. I just inadvertently came across it. I’m so glad it’s on your list of places to visit – good luck to selling plenty of books … and I’m delighted you enjoyed the ‘taster’ .. <br /><br />@ Christine – I’m glad I’ve given you something to think about re South Africa … I’m afraid my journey is over for now – though I could write some more at some stage – and may do so … <br /><br />@ Paula – thank you … I’m delighted you enjoyed the history lesson – and yes travelling allows us to sample new cuisine doesn’t it … my taste buds are happily rolling!<br /><br />@ Joanne – it is a beautiful country. No I don’t work in tourism ... I just write what I feel like – but I have lived in South Africa ... and I know this is a place I’d love to visit. Delighted I’ve whetted your appetite … <br /><br />@ Lynda – thanks ... the coast is just so beautiful … <br /><br />Cheers to you all – so pleased you enjoyed your R & R read through …. Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-945942420987679362016-05-10T01:31:11.636+01:002016-05-10T01:31:11.636+01:00Those coastal shots are gorgeous.Those coastal shots are gorgeous.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15473972646671029452016-05-09T21:08:52.380+01:002016-05-09T21:08:52.380+01:00I've heard it's a lovely country. Do you w...I've heard it's a lovely country. Do you work for the tourism board? You should. I've joined your adventure tour. You whetted the appetiteJoannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11604494404874408870noreply@blogger.com