Barry Hilton’s Cousins Online DVD Store

I’m looking after a friend’s house and dog in quaint residential suburb of Harfield Village for a few days. I really like the village feel about it – friendly neighbours, easy transport, restaurants and bistros.

This morning I went looking for a deli to grab breakfast but it was still too early for any of the restaurants to be open so I popped in to one of Barry Hilton’s franchised DVD stores four blocks away from home.

Basically, you login to their website and pre-book your DVD title, add it to your cart, and check-out. You can go and pick up your DVD, or they’ll deliver it to you, free of charge (terms and conditions apply).

I like this concept mostly because you avoid disappointment in driving to the store to discover that the DVD that you really want has been booked by someone else. Also, browsing online gives you the time to find exactly what you want before you even get there. The stores are modern and clean, and offer helpful service.

How to register:

Step 1: Log on to www.cousinsdvd.com

Step 2: Select the store closest to you

Step 3: Select ‘Register Here’

Step 4: Enter your details

Step 5: Select Register Me Now

Step 6: Go into the store with your ID to activate your account

You receive your 1^st DVD rental free when you sign-up for a contract, compliments of ‘The Cousin’ – Barry Hilton.

Contract Offers:

CASH RENTALS:

Latest Releases: R 22

Old Releases: R 11

Multi-Day: special offers in-store

R 90 CONTRACTS:

New Movies: R 18

Old Movies: R 9

(10 Units)

R 170 CONTRACTS:

New Movies: R 17

Old Movies: R 8.50

(20 Unites)

R 320 CONTRACTS:

New Movies: R 16

Old Movies: R 8

(40 units)

R 450 CONTRACTS:

New Movies: R 15

Old Movies: R 7.50

(60 units)

R 520 CONTRACTS:

New Movies: R 13

Old Movies: R 6.50

(80 units)

They offer thousands of DVD titles, easy browsing and quick selection of DVD’s via the internet. I’m not sure if all of their branches have computer terminals, but the one in Harfield does (Shop 1A, Harfield Village Centre, 48 2^nd Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont – Tel. 021 – 671 4187 or email harfield@cousinsdvd.com

Each store offers online browsing and selection, delivery and collection, contracts that never expire, DVD’s for sale.

You can manage your bookings online and keep series for multiple days.

You also have access to your account and rental history, and you can manage your contracts from home and set parental guidance parameters for your children.

They have outlet branches in the Eastern Cape (Cow Corner, Kabega Park, Mount Pleasant, Perridgevale, and Summerstrand), KwaZulu Natal (Bluff Superspar) and the Western Cape (Harfield).

Save time – order online.

Pull in my cousin!

www.cousinsdvd.com

Full Day Cape Winelands Tour

Come sample some of the finest wines South Africa has to offer on a full day Cape Winelands Tour. This fun, exciting and informative day will leave you with a lifetime of memories.

Visiting beautiful historical towns, guests have the opportunity to sample a variety of wines produced in the Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch regions.

Guests are collected at their central Cape Town accommodation, or met at a central meeting point. By 9am, everyone is settled into their comfortable, air-conditioned shuttle with qualified tour guide and a leisurely 40 minute drive gets you to the start of the world-famous Winelands region. Your first stop is a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley. Enjoy a wine tasting and guided cellar tour at one of the estates. Continue to Franschhoek, founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious prosecution in Europe. A memorial in town commemorates the arrival of these settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismark and royalty.

Guests can choose where they would like to stop for lunch (for your own account) and another wine tasting at a vineyard or in the town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa.

In 1679 Dutch East India Company governor, Simon van der Stel, recognised the fertility of this valley as perfect for vineyards. A blend of 18^th century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street.

Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.

A minimum of three wine estates will be visited during the day. Dual language tours are available on selected days only. This tour might also be done in reverse.

By the end of the tour, you’ll have had a wonderful day and made a few friends. Guests are safely returned to their accommodation at 5pm by their guide for the day, who would have imparted some delightful, interesting and humorous facts about the regions you visit.

Price: R 680 per person.

To book, please call 072 288 3366 or email info@theholidayzebra.co.za

Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour

Experience the best that the Cape has to offer. You’ve travelled all the way to South Africa and you’re itching to find out for yourself why everyone loves Cape Town so much.

Guests are collected from their hotel (or meet at a central point). You then head for Cape Point and some of the most spectacular views in the world. Pass through Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles.

Continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay. Guests will have an opportunity to take the optional boat trip to Duiker Island (for your account and time permitting) to view the Cape Fur Seals.

Then you’ll travel via Chapman’s Peak (if open) to the Cape Point Nature Reserve where you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Rhebok, Cape Mountain zebra, Bontebok and eland.

Then it’s on to the historical naval base of Simon’s Town, where you visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.

Stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a short walking tour of the gardens.

Return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial and the Groote Schuur Hospital.

The tour departs daily at 09h00 and ends at 17h00. Lunch is excluded (for your own account). Dual language tours are available on selected days only (English & German).

Tour price: R 680 pp

Guests are escorted on tours with professionally trained and qualified guides. Many interesting facts are shared with you as you pass through various parts of the Peninsula. Fully air-conditioned, comfortable vehicles can seat 6, 12, 22 and 44 passengers. Comprehensive passenger liability insurance is included for your extra peace of mind. Ideal for individuals, couples, groups of friends, work colleagues, sports teams, large groups, etc.

Tours include complimentary collection from central Cape Town hotels.

Bookings essential.

For reservations, please call 072 288 3366 or email info@theholidayzebra.co.za

Uthando Benefit Concert: 17 May 2011 at Table Bay Hotel

You're invited to a special evening: the Uthando Benefit Concert to be held at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town on 17 May 2011.

Performances by Amy Biehl Foundation, Dance for All, Jikeleza Dance Project, Hout Bay Music Project, Neighbourhood Old Age Homes, Happy Feet Gumboot Dances and Thokozani Brothers Choir Group.

Uthando promoted the upliftment of impoverished communities mainly in the Western Cape. In addition to its philanthropic cultural tours, Uthando focus on projects that benefit communities in so many ways, mostly by providing them with a means to sustainable income generating activities.

Together with Uthando, Terra Nova Tours has put together a benefit concert for the 17 May 2011 to showcase some of the projects' extraordinary talent.

The evening will include an exhibit by some of the projects too.

Canapes and drinks will be served.

Price per ticket: R 280 per person
Date: 17th May 2011
Time: 18h00
Venue: Table Bay Hotel

Please contact concert@terra-nova.co.za for tickets.

Book Launch and Exhibition at Grande Provence, Franschhoek

The Franschhoek Literary Festival Special Exhibition at Grande Provence include the following artists: Sarel Petrus, JP Meyer, Loni Drager, Henning Ludeke and Annelie Venter. Paul Boulitreau and Michaella Janse van Vuuren are showing in the main gallery.

1 May - 1 June 2011

Mother Natures Revenge

A beautiful, funny story I was told just the other day:

"The Knsyna Seahorse is one of the rare animals in the wild that when they team up with a spouse its for life. And then all his troubles in life begin... The female plants her eggs in the males pouch which he carries. He then gives birth to 200 babies. Immediately after that, the female plants her eggs in his pouch again. The male seahorse will remain pregnant for the rest of his life. It's called Mother Natures Revenge."

Thank you Featherbed Nature Reserve for a wonderful day in what must be the most beautiful location in the world - Knysna - www.featherbed.co.za

A day at Noordhoek Beach

Yesterday it reached 28-degrees so I decided to take a walk on Noordhoek Beach. I wanted to take the bus but the taxi got to me before the bus did. The driver didn’t have change for R10 so he said I could hold on to my money. I gave him an orange in lieu of payment. We got talking and he told me he lives in Masiphumele (the township on the other side of Kommetjie). A few days ago there was a huge fire in Masi which has destroyed a large number of houses, leaving people homeless and having to start all over again as everything they owned has been ravaged by the fire. My heart goes out to them. My brothers plumbing assistant lives in Masiphumele too, and by the time I got home, the trailor was being loaded with mattresses and a bed base as James’ possessions have been destroyed too.

I feel safe using public transport in Cape Town at any time of the day or night. I’ve never had a problem when it comes to my safety. I believe that when you’re in someone else’s territory, if you just respect them and their culture, you shouldn’t have a problem. It’s like that all over the world.

If you plan on taking a bus to Noordhoek, you’d be well advised to check the bus timetable well in advance. The Noordhoek bus route is very irregular. During the week there are only 7 buses per day – 4 before 9am and then 4 between 13h30 and 18h00. If you miss the bus, you’re pretty stranded as taxis on the route are few and far between. On Saturday’s there are only 5 buses to Noordhoek. Sunday there are no buses. One way tickets cost R7 per person so it’s really cheap.

There are a number of good restaurants in the area, including Noordhoek Farm Village (at least 3 restaurants), and The Red Herring Trading Post closer to Noordhoek beach. Then there’s Monkey Valley Beach Resort which is open to day visitors for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They often have live entertainment at Monkey Valley (www.monkeyvalleyresort.com or tel. 021 – 789 1391 for reservations).

Noordhoek beach has a big parking lot for about 60 cars or more. There is a security guard on duty. He always gets a bottle of water or juice or a snack from me when I go there.

There is a shipwreck (the ‘Kakapo’) on the Kommetjie end of the beach which takes around 30 minutes to reach by foot from the parking area. It’s a pleasant walk. The Kakapo left Cape Town for Sydney on 26 May 1900. Captain Nicolaysen saw Chapman’s Peak and thought it was Cape Point. He turned sharp east but instead of ending up in False Bay, he parked his boat on Noordhoek Beach. The boat ploughed so deep into the dune that the crew were able to step out of the boat without getting their feet wet. Since 1918 the Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie has prevented such mishaps from happening again. The wreck isn’t a safe landmark to visit on your own or as a couple though. I’ve never seen a beach patrol or security on the beach. Within the last 3 months, 3 tourists were mugged at the lighthouse. One of the victims was also punched in the face by their assailants. From my garden, the shipwreck looks like a car that’s parked in the middle of the beach so I’ve been tempted to risk the walk on 4 occasions with no problem whatsoever. It’s easier and faster to reach the wreck from Kommetjie.

From the beach parking lot, you get a gorgeous view of the entire stretch of unspoilt, pristine beach. Some websites claim that Noordhoek beach is 6 kilometres long; others claim it to be over 8 kilometres. There is a wooden walkway (about 100 – 150 meters long) which takes you to the sand. I’ve often found that there is a lagoon teeming with birds and the endangered African Black Oystercatcher – usually after some heavy rains. Horse riding is common in common in Noordhoek, and beach rides can be arranged. Behind the beach is a National park-protected wetlands. Behind the wetlands rise magnificent mountain slopes, densely overgrown with coastal fynbos and vineyards.

At one end of the beach is Chapman’s Peak which plunges into the sea, and at the other end, the quaint seaside fishing village of Kommetjie. Chapman’s Peak connects Noordhoek to Hout Bay and the city centre (call 021 – 791 8220 or 021 – 791 8222 to check if Chapman’s Peak is open).

There aren’t hordes of people at Noordhoek so you get to choose your ideal spot to soak up some rays. The water is exceptionally cold on the Atlantic side of the peninsula, but I’ve managed to enjoy a few swims when the heat gets too unbearable. There are also a couple of good surfing spots.