African Queen guesthouse blogspot

Relax, take it eeeeeeeeeeeeeasy!

2010-05-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

At the end of April we finished off a very succesful second season. It was extended by one week due to the Vulcano eruption in Iceland. At least some good things came out of that: Camille and Mickey learned from Denise how to knit. After the skies had cleared and everyone (included the moms who were here for the whole month to meet their first grandson) returned back home, we enjoyed some piece for the first time in months. But most of all, we took some time off to enjoy parenthood.

We made use of the calm month of May to do some patch-up works. A few new windows, a new showerdoor in the honeymoon room, a bit of paint here and there....

Julian kreeg ondertussen zijn eerste feestje waarbij hij werd voorgesteld aan onze zuid afrikaanse vrienden.

The Worldcup Football started on the 11th of June. The South African national team scored the opening goal and finished their first game with a 1-1 draw against Mexico. The whole nation is caught up in the Soccer frenzy. Everywhere in the streets one can see national flags, hear the vuvuzela's, people cheering on their Bafana Bafanas (translated into Our Boys) and most cars drive around decorated in the national colours. A very special feeling to see a nation once so divided, now so united because of this little game named soccer..

Julian

2010-04-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

On the 8th of April 2010 we became the proud parents of a baby boy we named Julian: 54 cms tall and 3.3. kg!!!

2010

2010-03-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

The New Year couldn't have started worse than it did. On Monday the 25th of January our beloved grandfather, better know as Bompa, passed away suddenly of a heart attack. Being the glew that holds our family together, we will be greatly missed by all. We try to find comfort in all the good memories we have and the fact that at 82 years old he still got to travel to Cape Town where he had "the best holiday of his life".

Better news followed in February. On a stunning summers day Serge and Missy, our friends from Noordhoek, married in the presence of all their friends and family who came down from all corners. The celebration was a perfect mix between Missy's South African roots and Serge's French/Belgian.

Also in February there were a lot of familiar visitors: Stefaan and Bene, Christophe - Greet and their oldest daughter Feliz, Julie - Vincent and their son Julien, Mieke and Elke, Margaux's parents and Soetkin - Kris. They all had a wonderful time and it was heartwarming to see how they all reluctantly left Cape Town. Finally Anke and Phillippe also returned for the first time on holiday to their beloved South Africa.

More good news followed when we found out our permanent residency had been granted. It's a nice feeling to know we can stay as long as we like in this magnificient country.
Meanwhile Bram and I are preparing everything for the arrival of our first child in April. As our private section only has one bedroom, a thorough reorganisation is necessary. A few weeks to go and it will be the three of us, very exciting!!!

Xmas 2009 with families Steevens and Van Oost

2010-01-02T02:39:00.000-08:00

Woodstock market Cape Town!

2009-12-13T01:11:00.000-08:00

Life is good in Africa!

2009-10-23T01:37:00.000-07:00

We started building extra accommodation last September. A garden cottage with kitchen, living room and private terrace. Almost 1,5 month later, it's almost finished. Who says people don't work hard in Africa? Still some decorating to be done and then the first guests can sleep there in November.

As every year, the Southern Right Whales are visiting the Cape for the moment, still breathtaking every time!

Newest addition to our "little farm": six chickens. There will be daily fresh eggs served at breakfast time.
During spring cleaning Oscar was transformed from an almost black to a white donkey again. He's not a huge fan of water but seemed to feel better afterwards.
And so we are ready to start of our second season!

Oscar the donkey!

2009-09-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

On a drizzly day in September 2009 we visited the SPCA in Grassy Park. We were looking for ‘something’ for in our garden and had some chickens or maybe a small goat in mind. But when we saw this white Donkey, we immediately fell in love.

They had picked him up by the side of the road a few days earlier after he got hit by a car, leaving a gap wound in his side so big you could stick a melon in there. Also his head was full of scars, sad remains of his previous life as a cart animal no doubt with lots of beatings and abuse.

They couldn’t give us any guarantee at the SPCA that he was going to recover, but we decided then and there that we would provide a loving home in case he did. Two weeks later we received a phone call that he was feeling much better and his wound was nicely healing. Bram started right away building a stable and some fencing.
Since Monday, Oscar stands happily grazing in the garden. Welcome to the family!

South African winter

2009-07-25T02:39:00.000-07:00

After a very relaxing holiday in our home country Belgium, we returned well rested AND married to Noordhoek. Our time there has literally flewn by and we already look forward to our next visit. But we're equally happy to be back home where Evi, Piet and Kathy had taken good care of our home, guests and Badu. Right away we were back in business, preparing breakfast for our German guests the next morning!Badu has been struggling with a severe ear infection for a few weeks now and after all sorts of experiments such as panties around his head, we had to bring him in at the vet for a small procedure. After stumbling around for two weeks with a plastic collar around his neck, luckily the wound has now properly healed.
We're enjoying the Capetonian winter to the fullest, with some very mild temperatures and loads of sun. It still amazes us they call this winter...
Steven, Natasha and Henri have arrived and are busy renovating their new business Zensa Lodge in Scarborough. Last sunday we all cycled to the Cape Point nature reserve. We won't mention the fact that some of us didn't quite make it to the finish and needed a ride back to lodge by car...We also won't mention the fact that some of us, nearly made it out of bed due to stiff joints the next morning...

June 2009

2009-06-26T02:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleID=UM2BVK07

Stranding pilootwalvissen @ Kommetjie beach

2009-05-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

On saturday morning about 50 pilot whales had stranded on Longbeach in Kommetjie. These beautiful creatures life in large groups in which they hunt and mate, they also react to cries of distress from their fellow group members. This is the reason why, despite all the effort from the local community to bring the animals back into the ocean, they didn't succeed. As soon as one animal was brought deep enough to swim off, you could see it immediately returning to its group (still on the beach).
It was very sad to learn that after a whole day of rescue attempts, all animals had to be put down humanely...

Fishermans friend & co

2009-05-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

It's with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to our friends Anke and Phillippe. They have decided to return to Belgium again.
Our traditional sunday walk, this time on Chapmans Peak almost turned into a disaster after Phillippe nearly missed stepping on a puff .

Four days of fishing on the national fish Galjoen, two guys (Bram and Phillippe), result one fish...no comment

April 2009

2009-04-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

The yearly cheese festival in Franschoek. We had a great time tasting all the different local wines and cheeses.

After the last crayfish of the season had been caught and braaied, Badu and Eames had no better idea than to declare war to each other in pursuit of chocolat labbie Pandora. One small masacre and a finger that needed stitches for Phillippe were the sad result. They have (sort of ) mended peace while all wounds are healing...

Sunday lunch at Cape Farmhouse in Scarborough.

Finding bait for Galjoen fishing, not an easy task.

Two oceans marathon passage @ African Queen.

2009-04-11T00:57:00.000-07:00

Bevoorrading met o.a. gekookte aardappelen...lekker.

Easter 2009

2009-04-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

Het Zuid Afrikaanse seizoen loopt op z'n einde, maar de African Queen is nog druk bezet tijdens de paasvakantie.

Deze -ongevaarlijke- 'molesnake' vond de composthoop een ideale huisvesting.
Toch even schrikken, maar tuinman Lameck stuurde het diertje terug richting wetlands.

African skies vanop het terras, blijft prachtig en elke dag anders!

March 2009

2009-03-27T03:07:00.000-07:00

Autumn is slowly getting here. Still we're enjoying pleasant temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees and breakfast can still be served on the terrace.

A successful participation to the B&B expo with thanks to Daan, Denise and Carine.

Trips to Zeekoevlei and the Karoo

2009-03-11T01:49:00.000-07:00

Pelicans at Zeekoevlei.

We were invited by the Woestyns at their huge project Karoo1. It's promising to be beautiful! Main house dates from 1835

Beautiful sunset.

Family & friends @ African Queen feb. 2009

2009-02-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

Stefaan, Bene and little Gilles @ African Queen.

Refreshing dip in the pool!

Mum Denise, Chris and aunties Riet and Marijke are thoroughly enjoying their time in South Africa.

Family & friends @ African Queen jan. 2009

2009-01-28T01:07:00.000-08:00

We've been feeling a little bit back at home in Belgium with the visit from some familiar faces. After Carine and her friend Mieke stayed with us for 10 days, they were joined by dad Rolle. He hadn't seen the finished house after being here for the very beginning of the renovation works. After a week of severe flew, he was back to health and maintaing 'his garden'.
Monica and Pieter also arrived on sunday. We couldn't wait to take them for a walk on the beach and sundowners at the Red Herring.

HAPPY 2009!!!

2009-01-03T07:29:00.001-08:00

Kerst 2008

2008-12-28T02:51:00.000-08:00

UNO!!!

kerstdag bij anke en philippe van zensa lodge met iets teveel drankjes

kerstavond: apero aan het lapavuur bij zonsondergang

Met de belofte dat ze erna de Christmas crackers mochten openen, ging het courgettesoep er wonderbaarlijk gemakkelijk in bij alle kindjes!

De guesthouse vanuit de lucht met dank aan 'Heli Steven & Natacha' wij zijn de kleine zwaaiende stipjes ter hoogte van het zwembad!

Ready for the season!

2008-12-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

It looks like it's going to be a busy festive season at the African Queen, for now we're enjoying Carine's last days here and then it's back to work!

Gorgeous crayfish meal on the beach in Paternoster @ Voorstrandt restaurant. A real treat!

November 2008

2008-11-27T07:36:00.000-08:00

The family went back home, only mum Carine headed for Namibia to do a group tour there.
Christmas is coming closer, still it has a completely different feel to it in the middle of summer...very bizarre when you're used to gluhwein, christmas markets, dark evenings, warm coats, fire places etc.

Dr Miller gave Bram the green light to pick up sporting again. After a few gastronomic weeks, some exercise is well needed.

One sunday in Cape Town!

2008-11-16T07:15:00.000-08:00

Because they were having the time of their life AND didn't get to visit Table Mountain yet, everyone managed to convince bonnie and bompa to prolong their stay with one week. The first sunny day, we took them up the famous Mountain and yes, they were impressed indeed!

After, we went for sunday lunch to the famous Mount Nelson hotel in the heart of Cape Town.

Bompa found his calling a a security guard at the Mount Nelson hotel :-)

Apero with bubbles.

Mmmm a dessert or maybe two...

Finish of with an Irish Coffee, how are we keeping up with this?

Family Courant - Vannieuwenburg visit the Cape!

2008-11-09T01:56:00.000-08:00

Head of the family "den Bompa" in Africa.

On safari at Fairy Glenn.

Bonnie charming the ranger...

Beach walk in Noordhoek and relaxing by the pool.

Lunch followed by the famous Apple Pie at Blue Water cafe.

We escaped Noordhoek for 2 nights and stayed in this beautiful Franschoek cottage.

What's for supper tonight?

Beyond expectation!

2008-10-29T04:29:00.001-07:00

On the beautiful wine estate "Beyond Expectation" in the Constantia Valley there are occassionaly things happing beyond expectation.
During a luxurious picnic under the oak trees I (Bram) proposed (on my knees) to my - up until then - girlfriend Margaux. Yes, after almost a decade together we are tying the knots. Prepare for a lavish party in spring next year in Belgium! Of course there will be a South African party as well.

Sunny greetings from the Cape
Bram & Margaux

Summertime!

2008-10-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

The sunlovers were spoiled during the past weekend!

Marketing is very important.

Back to the roots.

Don't forget to relax ourselves of course!

Badu, ready for his walk on the beach.

Bram 34th Bday party

2008-10-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

Our first party at the African Queen!

Nice company, delicious Cape malay curry and sipping a glass of South African wine in the sun.
Does there need to be anything else?

Whale spotting

2008-09-24T05:55:00.001-07:00

As it is the middle of Whale season, we took a boat trip from Simons Town to get up and close with these gentle giants. They are very impressive and swim close to the coastal lines. They look just like submarines, occassionally jumping out of the water in the distance. Truly magnificient animals.

African Queen in premiere!

2008-09-12T00:37:00.001-07:00

We are ready!

2008-09-10T05:54:00.000-07:00

After 4,5 months of hard work, our guesthouse is ready to welcome its very first guests. We are both ecstatic with the final result! The transformation from a grey bunker to a warm and cosy home is complete.
Because of all the ups and downs during the past months we can now call this our new home! Below some impressions of what it looks like.
Thanks again to all our family and friends for supporting us, mostly from a great distance!
Greetings from Noordhoek!

Rooms almost finished

2008-08-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

with thanks to photographers Wim and Leen

Some pics...

2008-08-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

If Badu keeps growing like this, he's going to be as big as a Great Dane!

Apero with Wim and Leen

Getting wet...

Puppy class

Almost reading for opening!

2008-08-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

A well deserved nap during lunch break.

The new terrace.

Wallpaper poolroom.

Eén of the brand new bathrooms.

Life as it is: Noordhoek

2008-07-31T04:50:00.000-07:00

A stressfull and timeconsuming activity: hanging wallpaper. You only get one chance to get it right! Never having done this before, luckily mum Denise has so with her help two rooms are finished.

After some very heavy rains, the water coming from the mountains has found her way down...through our garden. With a big crater as a result. Fortunately gardener Lameck already filled the gap with sand.

We finally moved in our private section of the house and felt right at home.

Romantic diner in Kalkbay.

After a month of doing chores, cooking and taking care of Bram, Denise returned homewards. She was a true addition to the team for which we like to thank her with all our heart.

Progress

2008-07-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

The fireplace has finally arrived.

Grrr...

Mama Denise in action.

The outside of the house has been transformed from grey bricks to a warm colour.

Time for leisure

2008-07-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Terrace in the sun at Imhoff farm.

Walk along Noordhoek beach.

Lunchtime at Blue water cafe.

Delicious cappucino.

King winter has arrived

2008-07-09T02:09:00.000-07:00

Winter has arrived in a real Capetonian way: rain and wind are our share. Some night we have the feeling as we're driving through a carwash, so hard is the rain hitting the windows! Fortunately the weather forecast for the weekend is better.
Daan, Lieve, Wannes and Dorian have left Noordhoek heading towards Namibia. We expect them back in months time, before they will continue their journey through Africa. We were joined by Denise (Brams mother). She already pulled up her sleaves and started painting.
There is another addition to the family: a ridgeback puppy named Badu. Quite shy in the beginning, he has now settled in perfectly, knibbling away on everything he can get his teeth on...
Bram and I slept for the very first time in our own bedroom yesterday. Next step is finishing off our living room, but as we're still waiting for the stove there's no hurry to do so.

Some wintery images...

2008-07-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Nice sunny winters day at the construction site in Noordhoek.

Poolboy Daan has fished this Baboon spider out of the pool, no need for resuscitation, not that we had any intention to do so...

Very first harvest from the vegetable garden: radish...yummie!

The African sky, different every night.

Onkruid vergaat niet!

2008-06-30T02:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I left the hospital after ten days! It goes without saying that I will have to regain my strenghts, take it easy for a while and be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. But that is the least of my worries.
It is of course frustrating to sit back and watch everyone work so hard while there is so much to do, but full recovery has to be my number one focuss for the time being.
From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank my brother and Lieve for all their support in this difficult times. But most of all my wonderful girlfriend Margaux who has had it very hard but showed she's a real fighter like myself!
As true Flandrians we'll overcome this and look at the future with a positive mind!

Love
Bram

T.I.A.

2008-06-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

This Is Africa, welcome! Apparently there is some kind of admission procedure whereby one must undergo a great ordeal... Last friday Bram was admitted to the ICU of Constantiaberg medi-clinic where he is treated for a severe lung embolism. He is stable now, not yet out of the woods but in good hands. Dr Millers team are constantly keeping a close eye on him. His body needs time to react to the medications to dissolve the large blood clot and to overcome the shock.
In the meantime the renovation works continue to finish off our private section asap. When Bram comes home he can heal there at his own pace so that we can finally start with the realization of our African Dream.

Some very sad news...

2008-06-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our Lola past away. One of the builders left the front gate open, being a beagle she had to follow her nose which let her to the main road. There she was hit by a car. We are devestated...

The real African Queen arrived!

2008-06-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

After mum and I also arrived safe and sound in Noordhoek, we were unexpectedly joined by Brams brother Daan and his girlfriend Lieve. They have decided to continue their journey through Africa from Cape Town. While waiting for their jeep, which should be somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean between Ghana and Cape Town, they will explore the Cape a bit.
We started off with a walk on Noordhoek beach and some sundowners at the Red Herring.

We're also stocked to have our television connected and especially to be able to view a few Belgian programme's such as the news. That way we still feel somehow connected with our home country.

Driving on the left side of the road, asks for some adjustment. The windscreen wipers of the car have been switched on many times instead of the indicators and I even caught myself twice being a ghost driver (luckily on deserted roads!). Absolute concentration is a must!

As for the renovations, only one word springs to mind: DUST. Because Noor and his team are making new door- and window openings, the whole house is constantly covered in a layer of dust. Even the wardrobes which we had taped, have caught dust inside.
We can't do a whole lot until Noor finished with the structural works. Meanwhile mum and I have been doing some interior shopping: choosing paint colours, floors, furniture, even the picknick baskets have been purchased.

Tafelberg & co

2008-05-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

The past weekend we've visited Table Mountain. Shame on me, but this was a first even having been in Cape Town for about six times! Very impressing to see the city bowl, Robben Island, Camps Bay...from this height.

My father and Jacques flew back to Belgium yesterday. It's amazing how these three weeks have flown by. I would like to thank them via this way one more time for all their hard work and support during those weeks. The renovation works are coming along very well and we are on the good track to open in September.

Noordhoek 23 mei

2008-05-23T00:32:00.000-07:00

The very first horseradish is popping up in the vegetable garden under the approving eye of this colourful chameleon.

Teamwork!

2008-05-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

After getting several quotations from different builders, we decided to work with Noor and his team. Noor is friendly coloured guy who seems to have a lot of experience in the business. He gave us a few referrals that we all very positive about him.
During the first phase of the renovation works, the ugly grey brick outside walls are plastered. They are working with a team of about 15 guys and thus well advancing!

Lola is feeling right at home and even took the liberty of helping herself to one of the guys' lunches...
The weather has been up and down, but we did have a few marvelous days where we could enjoy breakfast on the terrace and a real South African braai in the evening.

This weekend we're heading for Stellenbosch, ons geniet baie..

Greetings Bram, Rolle, Jaques

Lola in Africa!

2008-05-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Our precious beagle Lola arrived last friday in Cape Town. She endured the 11 hour flight with no problems. After thoroughly inspecting the house and garden, she decided to make her bed near the warmest place being the stove.
Yes you are all reading it right, we have to warm ourselves because during the weekend winter hit Cape Town with a nasty storm.

Starting renovation works 8/5/2008

2008-05-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

My dad Rolle and his accomplice Jaques arrived in one piece in South Africa. They say that Flemish people are hard workers and they are the living proof: daddy cool has started the transformation of the garden, while Jacques sank his teeth in the garage which is going to be our private living room.
We also hired some local workmen, Fadil and his friends, to break down the kitch wall tiles. All this is taking place under a nice sunny sky and temperatures of around 20 degrees, not bad at all.
As the container has not yet arrived, we are camping in the house. I did manage to prepare some spaghetti and a delicious butternut soup if I may say so myself.
Keep well!
Bram

Noordhoek - South Africa 30/04/2008

2008-05-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

The past days and weeks we had to say goodbye to all our friends and family. It has been an emotional but a heartwarming time, in typical Flemish tradition accompanied with a lot of food and drinks.
We hereby would like to thank everyone for their support and lovely gifts. It meant a lot to us...

Tuesday morning 5am we left for Brussels International airport. And yes, flight delayed which caused a bit of stress knowing that we only had an hour in transit at Schiphol airport. After the plane had landed, luckily a KLM hostess was waiting holding a sign with my name on. Followed by a sprint to the gate, skipping the long queue at the passport controle, I just made it. It was very clear that that would have never happened without the excellent organisation at the airline. Well done KLM!

Wednesday 30th of April
After a quiet flight, I slept well at the Blue Tangerine which is a guesthouse owned by Mark and Colin in Noordhoek. Their place is just one road up the mountain from where we are. In the morning, I couldn't help but quickly go and have a look from their garden to see if our house was still there (which fortunately was the case). Tomorrow is the inspection of the property whereafter I normally get the keys!

Thursday 1st of May
The South Africans celebrate Labour Day as well today. I received the keys to our house this morning and was already up and about with a house pipe in the garden this afternoon. As it hasn't been raining properly for about 3 months now, a lot of the plants were in desperate need of some water. Hard to believe for a Belgian like myself that it can be this dry in fall...

Loading the container

2008-04-24T03:36:00.001-07:00

On Friday the 18th of April all our stuff was loaded into a container with destination Cape Town. It's expected there around mid May. So we are homeless for a few weeks. Luckily we can stay at the High Fields with Brams parents in Oedelem.
http://www.dehogenakker.be/

2008-02-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

In a short while, everyone can follow us on our new adventure because we are moving down under!