"the chuckle spot!"

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Gonna miss my babies......

Have just put a new tune on for you to listen to.........
I'm gonna miss my babies while we're in the UK...........
Sorry for the lack of recent postings....was about to update but am a bit out of time........
And secondlife is calling for a last play......!
If you haven't joined secondlife yet check it out http://secondlife.com/ you won't regret it!!!
See you soon, I'm off for a jol!!!
xxx

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

The Carlisles go on a 'rave'! (grown-up style!)

Okay, we went all out for a great treat for the long weekend at the end of April (we usually just stay at home on long weekends but fancied having a rave for a change!)
We decided to fly to South on the Friday evening, then we had four nights before flying back on the Tuesday - not bad!
We stayed at our old favourite, the Balalaika Hotel at Village Walk - http://balalaika.co.za/
(no upgrade to a suite this time as they were full)
This trip was JUST FOR FUN!!!! No doctors, no appointments, no shopping list, etc! What a difference it made! We just enjoyed ourselves, got up leisurely, enjoyed delicious breakfasts, visited the Rosebank fleamarket, shopped for pleasure, lunched, went out in the evenings and BASICALLY HAD A BALL!
We watched live music at the Blues Room (in Village Walk, so perfect access from the hotel) and had a great evening! http://bluesroom.co.za/
We found the most WONDERFUL restaurant EVER!!!
TIVOLI
This restaurant is also in Village Walk and how we missed it before I do not know - what a waste of our lives up until now!!! It will be very difficult to ever eat anywhere else again when in Jo'burg! We visited twice on this short trip!
Tivoli has a fantastic Italian menu with pastas to die for among other choices, a great owner/executive chef, Tinus, so friendly without ever being overbearing and we had the most brilliantly efficient pleasant and enjoyable waiter we've ever been served by.
The ambience is great, we were made to feel so welcome, it's up on its own floor/indoor balcony at the top of 'the Walk' and we could even smoke!!! We were even given complimentary shooters and desserts which was absolutely the icing on the cake!
I defy anyone to visit and not have an excellent dining experience!
So, well, what a trip! Can't wait to go back for a meal at Tivoli to be honest....

Doctors and birthday parties!

At the beginning of March we shot to South for four nights - "short breaks rule!"
Actually it was mainly for doctors, which we crammed in back to back in order to utilise our time fully. ie. to allow time for some shopping!!!
We actually had a ball, we stayed at the Palazzo Hotel, Montecasino, at Fourways, for three nights and had the coolest room - beautiful large windows opening right up with a view of the 'old' clocktower and entrance to Montecasino, etc.
It was a great place to stay, nice room (except for the 'American' mini-bar), easy access with our own key, along a walkway to Montecasino where you can dine and shop at all hours undercover, even though it feels like you're outside!
We lunched there (at the hotel, on the terrace) with Rex & Prue too before moving on to Dekuilen Cottages where we treated Prue (& Rex!) to an overnight stay, including a luxury, private five course gourmet meal set up for the four of us in the private dining room.
This was in honour of Prue's 70th birthday! She had no idea where we were taking her for the night so it was a bit of fun!
We gave Prue her gifts and flowers and basically had a really nice time together.
Ann-Marie organised a splendid meal and did her utmost to look after us. Sadly Charles had been ill so things were not quite up to the standard they had been the last two times we had stayed there. The grounds are also smaller so unfortunately it does not have the same feel as before. Nonetheless all the stops were pulled out for Prue!

Prue & Linzi deciding what to have for lunch!
Justin & his Mom & Dad at the Palazzo.
the private dining room at Dekuilen!





The Palazzo Hotel, Montecasino is part of the Southern Sun group:
http://www.southernsun.com/SSH/VHB/25383cf8de46a010VgnVCM100000650114acRCRD/74/72