April Markets

The Meeting Tree and The Play Market both have markets coming up!

  

 

Sad to say I can't make this one as we have my brothers 30th on Sunday at my parents farm (not that that won't be awesome!)

Find The Play Market on Facebook here

Read my take on The Play Market featured on Living Hillcrest here

 

 

My mom and I have a date for this one! I still have only been to one Meeting Tree Market and loved the relaxed vibe in the trees.

Read my take on The Meeting Tree here

And find and like them on Facebook here

Please don't forget that the Shongweni Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning from 6-10:30am
Find The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market on Facebook here
Take a look at their new and improved website hereIn case you haven't heard they will be moving in the future and there are big things happening so make sure you keep up to date!



Hillcrest Car Boot Sale

I stumbled across this advert during a recent search and got quite excited! I think that this is a fantastic initiative from the Rotary Club of Hillcrest. Who doesn't like a bargain? Am I right??

What is that saying...one mans trash is another mans treasure?

 

 

You can keep up to date by visiting the website here or liking their Facebook page here

Hillcrest AIDS Centre

I recently posted about some places I want to try and enjoy in and around Hillcrest (and Durban). In case you missed it you can read it here. So when my husband and I went on a seedling shop/hunt (for our veggie garden) I suggested we pop into the Hillcrest AIDS Centre.
What a phenomenal place!
 

We popped in late on a Saturday morning so it was a bit dead (not many customers or people around) but wow is that place neat and tidy! We walked through the nursery and were seriously impressed with the selection, the prices and the service we received. If, or when, we need plants for our garden we will certainly stop off here first. One of the guys in the nursery showed us to their seedling section and sadly all they had was African Spinach and beetroot. We didn't want/need either. This didn't bother us, as we are used to having to sometimes search for the seedlings we want.

 

We then popped into Woza Moyo. WOW! All I can say is we spent a while in there and will definitely be returning! The amount of stuff crammed (neatly) into that little shop is phenomenal. You can literally pick up almost every item in that shop and spend time staring in wonder at the amount of talent, energy and effort that has gone into producing each item. The bead work is definitely something to write home about. Unfortunately we went before payday so couldn't spend like we would have but we did buy two little goodies: the 'perfect laundry room keyring' and a South African badge. The 'perfect laundry room keyring' is a beautifully beaded OMO logo. My husband just loved it! My daughter has declared that she will be saving up her money and would like us to take her back.

**Exciting news that I happened to hear from Jess at the Hillcrest Country Market yesterday (6 April): the shop will be expanding soon with two new ranges coming in. The shop will officially be a whole shipping container bigger!** 


 

A great idea would be to pop in before going to a overseas trip is to pop in and buy a few South African flag pins to give out to tour group leaders, bus drivers or any interesting foriegners you meet on your travles. We wished we had done that when we went to Asia again last year. If you ever send a package to family or friends overseas soemthing from this shop will make them pin for good old S.A.

 

Visit the Hillcrest AIDS Centre at 26 Old Main Road, Hillcrest. Or, just look for the distinct 'knit bombed' Jacaranda and you know you have found the right place.
Visit their website to find out more about the HAC here. I have literally touched on one [very] small aspect in a superficial way.
Like the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust on Facebook here
Like the Woza Moyo here
And finally if you are a gardener like HAC Trust Plant Nursery here

Hillcrest Easter Markets

It's a busy weekend of Markets in Hillcrest this weekend!

 

Tonight you can choose between (or go to both) The Village Market or the Roseway Waldorf Natural & Organic Night Market. The Village Market is at the Oxford Village (Heritage Market). If you are looking for something 'out of the norm' and 'far from mainstream' then head to Waldorf's night market. Friends dragged us to it a year or two ago and I had to promise my husband I would never drag him back again. It was a bit to "way out" for him and there was no beer tent for him to hide in! The Village Market will feature a live performance by No Fly Zone, a Easter egg hunt, Easter photobooth as well as plenty of food stalls and fashion.

 

On Sunday you should pop into the popular Hillcrest Country Market at Hillcrest Primary.

 

 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

SPCA Open Sunday Markets

Support this deserving organisation.

If you have extra love to give and would love a pet then the Kloof & Highway SPCA have some beautiful dogs and cats. 

The Main Office and animal shelter will also be open from 9:00 to 12:00 on the last Sunday of every month to encourage more adoptions.

10 things to do in and around Hillcrest

So, on a recent jog through the Internet I stumbled across this page from tripadvisor. I immediately got excited because I am a variety person. I need variety in my life and I LOVE trying new things.
This site tickled my fancy because I want to try some new things in and around Durban. And 'around Durban' means the Hillcrest area too.

The page is entitled 'Things to do in Durban' but lists a few things in our neck of woods too. It lists 52 attractions that travellers have recommended. On further inspection I don't agree with a vast majority of them but what the heck, maybe it's just me.

So I have decided to make my own list of what I would like to try this year...a few will be from the Hillcrest or Upper Highway Area, and some are in and around Durban. I live and work in Hillcrest and as wonderful as it is, it is a nice to have a change of scenery. I have tried not to include what I have already done e.g. Ushaka, markets, watching sport etc.

1. Inchanga Choo Choo
I have been wanting to do this for over a year now. On Sundays we hear the gentle 'Toot toot'  and the 'choock-o choock-o choock-o'from our garden and it is SO cute. I Just know my daughter will love it and my husband and I get a kick going back in time.
Apparently it leaves from Stoker's Arms, Kloof, and heads up to the Inchanga Museum and craft market on the last Sunday of every month. It leaves at 8:30am and tickets are R170 an adult, R130 a child (2-12 years) and for pensioners. Contact 031 303 3003.
Contact and find them on Facebook here
Visit their website here
You can book here



2. Picnic at Makaranga
I would love to picnic in the gardens of Makaranga. I have only ever been to Makaranga once. My husband took me to watch Top Gun under the stars. Read more about this here. I really hope Makaranga do that again this year. I digress. I would love to simply arrive at Makaranga and pick up my ready made picnic (I hate packing things!) and find a nice quiet spot with my favourites. I would definitely order the 'Deli Mini' and the 'Mon Petit Chouchou' for my little one.
find them on Facebook here



3. Riding Bikes along Durban's Golden Mile
I want to rent bicycles and ride from Suncoast to uShaka. I have seen quite a few little places that hire out bicycles and offer this. If anyone has a particular place they swear by PLEASE let me know. 



4. Winsome View
Winsome View is an animal farm and 'Country Bistro'. I have some friends that have been here and I am keen to try it out. Living in Hillcrest we have been to Duck 'n Deck 2 or 3 times and I am not wild about the place. For some reason this one sounds better so I am keen to try it out. They are open from 9-3pm on Tuesday-Sunday.
Contact 082 892 1615 and find them on Facebook here
Visit their website here 

5. 1000 Hills Birdpark
This is slightly more appealing for a quick 'get out the house' trip as it is much closer than Durban's Umgeni River Bird Park.
The Birdpark also has Christine's Eatery and Heidi's Antiques if the birds and reptiles get a bit much. I love a place where I can stop and have a cup of coffee and something to munch on.
It is R65 for adults and children over 10, R40 for children under 10 and R35 per Zip Line Ride. The Zip Line ride sounds interesting...I am sure my daughter would love to do that. She is a bit of a daredevil.
They are open from 9-3:30pm on Tuesday-Sunday.
Contact 031 765 6090 and find them on Facebook here
Visit their website here



6. People's Park Cafe
This is at the exquisite Moses Mabhida Stadium. I have been here before with a friend but would love to spend half a day here with my family. There is such a great variety of play equipment for the kids while you can either park off on a bench {or grass} or do something more active like Rollerblade, ride your bike, or skateboard. You can take a picnic and entrance is free! It's the people's park after all.
While I am there I want to go up the SkyCar and see Durban from above. This is R55 for an adult and R30 for children under 12.
It is open from 5am-7pm Monday-Sunday and the Cafe is open Tuesday - Sunday 7am-6pm
Contact 031 303 5719 
Visit their website here



7. The Oyster Box
We spent 5/6 months living in Lagoon Drive in Umhlanga and in this time drove past, or took walks past, the Oyster Box almost EVERY day. I have never stepped foot inside. This is very sad. I think I haven't been because I am worried my poor little card won't afford a cup of coffee there, let alone a sitting at the famous 'Oyster Box High Tea' or as they like to call it 'Traditional Afternoon Tea'. I think I also avoided trying because I didn't want to take my then 4/5 year old in there. I dream of a short stay there or some decadent tea or meal. If I ever have the chance of going to tea at the Oyster Box I will starve myself for a week a day.
Contact 031 514 5000 and find them on Facebook here
Visit their website here 



8.Groovy Balls
For years I have been wanting to get in one of those giant inflatable balls and going hurtling down a hill. I love living on the edge a bit! Little did I know that there is a place to do this just around the corner from Hillcrest. Groovy Balls can be found in Cliffdale and offers GroovyBalls, HamsterBalls, Mini GroovyBalls (for the kiddies), Off road Go-Karting, Target Shooting and Paintball. This sounds like a boys paradise!
Visit their website here for more info and pricing as there is quite a lot on offer. Like them on Facebook here.



9. Eat Out!
At some point I would like to try the following restaurants in Hillcrest: Lupa, Mozambik, Stretta, Two Acres and Bellevue Cafe {in no particular order}.

10. Hillcrest AIDS Centre
Shopping at the AIDS Centre for indigenous plants and beaded goodies. I would like to support this NPO this year. 
Visit their website here to get an idea of what they do and offer.

I plan to grow on this list. This is just the start. What do you want to try? What do you suggest?

Hillcrest Country Market-2 February

You can find {and like} Hillcrest Country Market on Facebook here