Great views...

I have also decided to add photos of great views in Joburg when I am inspired.

So here is the first one... it's a view of Sandton at sunrise from my office building balcony.

A little piece of doggy heaven

The other day I ventured out to Walkhaven Dog Park with the Muppet (and his 3 gorgeous girls) and Princess S (and his little dog). It’s outside Joburg, over the N14 in Muldersdrift. According to their site, it’s a 22 hectare property – having no sense of size and distance, I am going to assume that’s HUGE! Because it looked like it.

You arrive and are greeted by all sorts of dogs… big, small, gay, straight, you name it, they have it! As long as you have 4 legs (even that’s optional) and are of the canine variety, this is the place for you! (and they are obviously welcome to bring their ‘owners’ aka the people – who have the money and the food.)

Once you’ve paid, you’re free to make use of the area, including a dam, a wetland (mud pit) and an area of really long grass, where once in a while a dog pops up, doing a rabbit impression. Most of the dogs are well behaved and well socialised, though there’s always one who just doesn’t fit in. It’s mostly a leash-free environment, so the dogs get to run around and just go crazy.  They swim, chase balls, sniff each other, you know, the usual dog stuff.

There is also a picnic area and a restaurant where you can order food and drinks and just relax. There is even a doggie spa, where they can get washed and pampered after a tough day of being a dog.

On the “puppy hugging” side of things, Walkhaven also do their bit by doing fundraising and creating awareness about animal welfare organisations.

So, if you have dogs and want to treat them to a day out, this is a great place!

Old Joburg Architecture

One of my ultimate favourite things about Joburg is the architecture. Not just any architecture, the Arts & Crafts style of the Rand Lords and early pioneers and inhabitants of Joburg.

Most of them built their mansions in Parktown, along the ridge, overlooking the Sachsenwald and in the distance, the mines and the Magaliesberg. As with development in any growing city, some were torn down so that hospitals and highways could be built. However, quite a few remain.

The architect who I think is the founder of this style was Sir Herbert Baker (also the architect of the Union Buildings and train station in Pretoria). I adore his style! I don’t know why or exactly what it is, but his style just speaks to me. He used rock mined from the sites where he built the houses, had archways, sloping shingled roofs, great craftsmanship and tiered hillside gardens. I can imagine what it would be like living in one of his grand houses, sitting on the patio with a glass of bubbly and my golden retrievers, between the arches, looking down over Johannesburg towards Magaliesberg (though I’d have much better sanitation and a more comfortable corset). Sigh…

This brings me to the Parktown Westcliff Heritage Trust. It’s a non-profit organisation that makes sure all the historical buildings in Joburg are looked after and kept safe from government and developers. They organise weekly walking and bus tours around various houses and suburbs in Joburg. The first one my dad and I did was of the Brixton Cemetery (I love cemeteries, but not in a creepy way!). It was fascinating to hear the stories about the people who had been such a huge part of the Joburg history and growth, both good and bad.

We then discovered homes like Northwards, Villa Arcadia (owned by Hollard), Emoyeni (now a conference venue), Stone House (Herbert Baker’s own house), and historic streets like The Valley Road, Rock Ridge Road and Pallinghurst Road and the list goes on. I saw where gold was discovered - and contrary to what I had been taught, George Harrison did not stumble over a lump of gold, he blew a hole in the ground. We’ve done a tour of the Freemasons Lodge in Parklane, we’ve been walking through Hillbrow and the battlefields in the south.

I even owe my existence to one of these historical houses – Eikenlaan. It’s now the Mike’s Kitchen on St Andrew’s in Parktown. This is where my grandparents met after the war. My grandfather was in the RAF, my grandmother had moved to Joburg to work and they were staying in the same boarding house. My granny spotted my grampa (who was rather good looking and dashing) and offered him a cup of warm Milo…. and here I am!

So, do yourself a favour and check out their website www.parktownheritage.co.za and take a tour or two. The houses they have deemed historical and protected all have blue circular plaques outside.

Stone House

 Northwards

I HEART Joburg... I really, really do!

This is blog post #1... I made the decision, while walking through the Melville Koppies, that it was time to blog about my home city, Joburg.

I love Joburg. I have always lived here and am constantly surprised and inspired by my city. I have seen lots of other cities but none of them have the same vibe and feel. They don't inspire me nearly as much!

So, what I plan on doing is writing about great places I have been to in Joburg, fun and interetsing things to do and places to get good stuff... I welcome comments, input and suggestions, so feel free to share!

Well... here goes! Next post to follow soon!