For a while now I have been wanting to go back to South Africa for a holiday, to see my family, and to spend quality time in the bush, rejuvenating and being re-inspired by the local people around talking, hearing their tales of bush life, the everyday talk of whats happening in the local areas and speaking with the interesting people that make up the population of Southern Africa. Its a feeling that despite visiting every few years, comes back and just needs to happen. Usually we take a holiday South Africa bound, and then after a time there, I’m happy to return home to Australia, and all my first world luxuries - like 24/7 power and fast broadband internet...

But a holiday to Africa is not on the cards this year... So, last year I saw this advert, and I bought 2 nights away in a local place, an hour up the coast from me : The African Cottages. And at last this May, I got to visit.

Themed as African and serving South African cuisine, Matilda (the host) has made a little home away from home, for anyone who wants to experience African hospitality. Our complementary meal on arrival was originally Bobotie - a dish made with curried mince and baked egg custard - except that I have a HUGE egg allergy - so we swapped instead for (items explanations are stolen from their menu...) Denningvleis – which is “Tender Lamb Shanks, marinated in our Malay Coconut Sauce , then slowly braised in the oven until the juicy meat falls off the bone. Served with polenta or “pap” (traditional maize porridge)” - which was wonderful and tasty and the best was that I didn’t have to cook it!

We also ordered a plate of Samoosas - “Meat. Delectable little morsels of crisp pastry triangles filled with a tasty curry mixture. Served with Chilli Jambo (our own chilli jam)” Could have eaten a whole jar of the Jambo it was sweet but yummy,and with the mild samoosas, it was perfect!

So I pigged out on homemade South African cuisine the first night we were there, and loved it. The second night we had a traditional braai (BBQ).

I also got to meet the guinea fowl. I love these creatures. They were on the tree outside our window, (they roost in this tree). This HUGE and totally beautiful fig tree dominates the yard of The Africa Cottages, and is just so spectacular that you feel tiny and insignificant by comparison to it. Waking up and looking at this tree was a treat and a half! But hearing those guinea fowls call all day - that was just bliss!

But unfortunately I wasn’t at the cottages to relax - I actually had to work. So was hubby. Viva le Telstra and 4G because although it wasn’t 100%, the internet was there on our phones and we could still work. I got a heap of my editing on Shooting Butterflies done (despite a corrupted file) and got to nut out a few bumps in the road of the motivation behind something that Buffel (my villain in this book) does.

So, my 2 nights away while fabulous were not in the ‘real’ Africa, but they were as good as I could get at this moment, and, I totally loved my time at The African Cottages. Thank you to Matilda and her beautiful cat Tiger, for making us feel so welcome and almost a home away from home! This is the little logo that Matilda has on her page and I think its just says so much about the African Cottages!










I got to attend an Art Opening on 23rd April, 2014. It was held in our local Community Art Centre - called - Inspiration Thru Art - ITA Art Exhibition Opening. The amount of talent on our little island is AMAZING! While I was careful to keep my opening speech short (I think there is nothing worse than standing at a function and having someone drone on and on....) I was thankful that the crowd laughed at my joke, and they too apparently heard the Art Talk deep inside their hearts, because the artists reported back that they sold a fair number of pieces, which was wonderful news!

I gave away a book as a lucky door prize, and was lucky enough to grab a photie of presenting this over to a reader - so thats always pleasing when someone who reads lots wins your book!
















I felt really honoured to be asked to open this even, and wanted to thank Helen Macdonald for asking me and for the beautiful glass necklace that she presented me with that she had made. I was spoilt rotten!!! Thanks to the Thursday Art group - see you for morning tea once I’m off this edit deadline!


Coming up: I’m having another author event at Capalaba Library on 20 May 2014. Time: 10:30 - 11:30 with refreshments before hand. (And I had planned to make some yummy South African things that are mentioned in My Brother-But-One for this one, so if you always wanted to taste rusks, or milktart - I will have some there.)

Hope to see you there! To book call: 3843 8010











































Thank you so much to Redlands Library for this beautiful poster that they have displayed outside the Capalaba library.

So, now I am disappearing back into my editing cave - until next time - stay safe and read lots!

Bye 4 now
Tina