Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

This post is not about the dentist who I went to see yesterday again for the 10 518^th time. Nope it’s not about that at all.

Well, in a way it is indirectly related. You just need to carry on reading and you’ll understand why.

Okay so I went to the dentist yesterday to get a sharp edge polished away. It took 4 minutes and 20 seconds. I timed it. Good thing it was a short visit because National Geographic decided to air a documentary on Tarantula’s just as I sat down on the chair and gazed upwards. My timing is consistently spectacular. Great white sharks the one week, snakes the following week and arachnids this week! Having a numb lip for 7 hours is terrifying enough for me and even more terrifying for my husband. Poor thing.

Just as I was about to leave (with all my facial nerves intact, yeehaa!) we started having a doorway conversation – you know the types where you’re about to say ta ta and dash to your car but get delayed with chatter?  Yup, we had one of those but I didn’t mind because he told me news that made me want to squeeze both his cheeks with delight – 3 families that he knew rather well went to Australia in December 08 and have just returned back to SA for good. Apparently they battled to settle in and realised it wasn’t quite the same as “home”. Although I feel heartbroken for these people, I really do, I also respect their bravery for coming back. It’s not an easy decision to return home especially when you thought you had made the right decision in the first place. But we all make mistakes and hopefully any returning South Africans will appreciate this country a lot more and encourage others to stay. I think it’s much better to just stay Phut! What do you say?

P.S  Welcome back!

The delightful Stables Wine Estate is situated on a former thoroughbred stud farm in the foothills of the KZN Midlands – a few kilometres from the centre of Nottingham Road.

Owners Tiny and Judy van Niekerk’s immense appreciation for fine wines inspired them to establish KwaZulu-Natal’s pioneering wine estate. History was made in 2005 when KwaZulu-Natal was designated as a new wine of origin area, and in 2006 when the Van Niekerk’s released the first certified KwaZulu-Natal wine of origin wine.

The Stables Wine Estate consists of 27 hectares of vines – eight in Nottingham Road and 19 in Greytown. The wines being produced from the grapes of these vines are winning recognition already, proving that quality wines can indeed be produced in KZN.

In a lovely and peaceful atmosphere you can picnic amongst the vines and enjoy locally produced cheeses, meats and preserves together with any of the Stables’ delicious wines.

Whether you prefer Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Shiraz or Merlot – Stables has got a spectacular range of wines to taste, buy and enjoy. Wines include the KZN range, the Nottingham Road range, Rugby wines (such as Sharks Silver Tip, Raggie Red and Zambezi Pink), Comrades wines (such as Roadrunner Red and Wally’s White) and the Baby Elephant range.

The Stables is also a wonderful destination for exciting events – there’s the Vine Budding Festival in September, the Blues Festival in December, the Grape Crushing Festival in April and the Winter Solstice Festival in June.

For more info tel 033 266 6781/6363 or visit the
Stables Wine Estate Website