Stellenbosch School Choir Festival

The annual Stellenbosch Choir Festival for school- and youth choirs, hosted by the Stellenbosch University Choir, will take place on Sunday 29 August at 15:00 in the Endler Hall, Victoria Road, Stellenbosch.  Tickets R30 at the door.

 

Why not come and show your support? Eendracht Hotel would be the perfect place for you to overnight and be able to enjoy the festival to it's full potential, without having to worry about driving long distances back home.

Six school choirs, together with the Stellenbosch University Choir, will take part in this year’s festival. Participating choirs are:

• Rhenish Primary School Junior Choir conducted by Felicity Lolliot
• Laerskool Stellenbosch Junior Choir conductor Dalina Heese
• Weber Gedenk Senior Choir conductor Roshan Chakane
• Laerskool Eikestad Senior Choir conductor Suzanne Erasmus
• Rhenish Primary School Senior Choir conducted by Felicity Lolliot
• Lückhoff High School Choir conductor Nathan Johannisen
• and the Stellenbosch University Choir conducted by André van der Merwe

Who Wouldn't Want Wine?

New labels for The Royal Chenin and Red Blend for The Royal Hotel's very own wine!

Reviews:

Robert Parker about the chenin: "This is an absolutely spectacular value in Chenin Blanc. Relatively dry, with exuberant, exotic fruit and loads of melon and honeysuckle. The wine has crisp acidity, loads of personality, and sells for a song. All of this comes from South Africa’s Riebeek Valley. This is one you don’t want to miss."

And the Washington Post:
"This wine packs a deceptive punch. And that punch tastes of apples, pears and quince, with an appealing herbal note that helps it pair well with salads and other light fare. Don't drink it too cold, or you might miss all the fruit."

And keeping in with the spirit of things, here are some Fun Facts about wine:

• Out of the top 10 wine producers, South Africa comes in at #7! Behind Italy at #1, and France at #2.
• Did you know that not all wines get better with age? 90% of wines should be consumed within a year.
• There are roughly 10,000 varietries of wine grapes.
• Only 5% of an Oak tree is suitable to be used in the making of high grade wine barrels.
• According to U.S. Dietry Guidelines, in a 5-ounce glass on wine there are only 100 calories - as apposed to a 12-ounce beer having 150 calories - plus, wine is a fat-free and cholesterol-free drink... Cheers!

Chenin Blanc Label

162 Species of birds at DeZeekoe

At Dezeekoe, we have a beautiful dam and we are fortunate to have 162 known species of birds.  Lately, the Fish Eagle has been very active as it is breeding season.

West Coast Wild Flower Season

Visit Abalone House soon or you'll miss out on something wonderful!

There is a magical time along the pristine West Coast when every coastal town and inland village, mountains and fields are ablaze as an endless, kaleidoscope of wild flowers burst, almost simultaneously, into full bloom.

Did you know that 80 species of flowering plants are indigenous to the West Coast?

 

This is an amazing thing to witness; if you have never seen the wonder, take a trip down and spend the night at Abalone House, and dine at the in-house Saffron Restaurant, wake up early, and behold the magic that is the sunrise over the wildflowers...

An endless sea of colour.

Soak up the Winter sun and enjoy the beauty.

 

School children get new uniforms

The DeZeekoe primary school kids were delighted with their bright new uniforms last week!  Look how smart and proud they look.

Pictured in the background is the owner of DeZeekoe - Paula Potgieter.

Rain! Everywhere. DeZeekoe carries on as usual.

Humpff...who put this water here? 
The Meerkats are wondering how to 
get across the puddles 

There has been so much rain all around the country this past week.  
In fact for the first time ever, there was snow in all 9 provinces.  
While many are pondering what is happening with all this crazy weather, at DeZeekoe, we are carrying on as usual and working around the rain.

How do we find the gold at the end of the rainbow?

Farm workers in their smart yellow rain suits

The cattle are feeding in the kraal instead 
of out in the soggy fields. 

The fields!

De Hoop offers all women a gift in August

De Zeekoe Meerkat challenge

Come & enjoy De Hoop's playground these school holidays

Planning a holiday for the family is very exciting and knowing that the De Hoop Reserve is a safe, outdoor destination with almost year-round sunshine, its no wonder its a firm family favourite. Children of all ages will relish the freedom to explore the reserve. The endless beach, towering sand dunes, inter tidal rock pools and diverse fauna and flora provide a natural playground for kids to learn.

There is plenty to do in De Hoop and guests are spoilt for choice. But one activity which we are proud to lay claim to is that De Hoop is THE BEST land based whale watching site in the Cape. So get your littlies out and about, grab a couple of pairs of binoculars and come visit us for an awe inspiring viewing of these magnificent creatures.

A 2-night stay will only leave your family wanting more. For more information on the ultimate family getaway click HERE. For bookings and reservations please call 0861 33 4667 or email us on res@dehoopcollection.co.za

Grand prize winner!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

The lucky person drawn from our 9 finalists is:  Wilhrisca Charmonéy Ehlers

Well done!  The details of your prize are below.  

ENJOY!!

CCR COMPETITION GRAND PRIZE

10 Nights valued at R 25 000.

AUGUSTA DE MIST Swellendam   www.augustademist.com	2 Nights’ accommodation for 2 people including breakfast and dinner on one of the nights.
AGULHAS COUNTRY LODGE Agulhas www.agulhascountrylodge.com	2 Nights’ accommodation for 2 people including breakfast and a bottle of wine at dinner. (Dinner not included)
OYSTER CATCHER TRAIL Mossel Bay www.oystercatchertrail.co.za	1 Day on the OYSTERCATCHER TRAIL for 2 people fully catered and guided and 1 night’s accommodation for 2 people in a cottage in Boggomsbaai.
BOTLIERSKOP Mossel Bay http://www.botlierskop.co.za/	One night’s accommodation for 2 people at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve including dinner and breakfast as well as a game drive and an elephant back ride.
KNYSNA LOG-INN Knysna http://www.log-inn.co.za/	2 Night’s accommodation for 2 people including breakfast and 2 rounds of golf at Pezula Golf Course including Green fees & a cart.
DE ZEEKOE Oudtshoorn http://www.dezeekoe.co.za/	2 Night’s accommodation for 2 people including breakfast and a Meerkat Tour for 2 people.