I was a guest at the Royal Wedding

And so it was that I donned my best hat (my only one!) and my glad rags and headed off as a guests of 'the' Royal Wedding hosted by 'Just Boutiques and the Marriage Meander' at the local Hilton Hotel. What a treat to watch on the big screen and share in this memorable occasion, and wasn't 'the' kiss just the sweetest ever!

On the move and exciting plans ahead ...

I've just popped across to survey my new venue and cannot tell you how excited I am. We're moving our shop on Tuesday and hope to be open by the weekend, all going to plan. I know i'm very ambitious. Although i've had a wiggly tummy for the past couple of weeks, I must enjoy the challenge of creating new business ventures, otherwise why on earth would I even consider moving!
I know it's not exactly a new venture, but our new showroom will have gorgeous new elements to it. For instance Lara of 'Just Boutique events' will be facilitating various recreational workshops hosted at Fort Nottingham, which will include soap making, cookery, chocolate and various other creative workshops mainly for women, but children and men will also be catered for. Think cookery evening with a celebrity chef as the host for your birthday party. Lotsa fun and party party party!
As far as the showroom is concerned, we have a number of creative entrepeneurs in the area who make the most beautiful gift items which we hope to sell along with our antique and vintage items. Some of our old favourites such as our heart pottery by Urchin Art will still be available and I have been chatting with a couple of 'job creation' projects which are relatively new in the area who make beautiful blankets and other items using bamboo and another project with stunning chandeliers which are beaded from ceramic beads, soon to be made in the beautiful Natal Midlands.
Our neighbor, i'm sure, will continue the running of her new art gallery in our little '150yr old Town Hall' and not to forget Els Amics restaurant which is open for business each weekend doing lunches and supper.
We are still praying for a creative entrepeneur who loves to bake and is enthusiastic about running a little coffee shop on weekends. If you know of someone who loves the kitchen and people, and lives close to Nottingham, ask them to get in touch with me.

Fort Nottingham Highland Games

And so it was that the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham came to life yesterday with the fun and festivities of the annual Highland Games and the rainy 'Scottish' weather did not deter most people who arrived in droves, dressed in good old gum boots and rain coats. Many donned their Tartan Kilts and some brave people even walked around in Tshirts!

The mist hung on the mountain, true to form, and the bag pipes sang their songs as young girls put on wonderful performances of Scottish dancing. Haggis was waiting along with a wee dram of Whisky and those crazy enough to give it a bash, ran, or slip slided along the 'kilted mile' - a traditional mile run up the mountain which is not for the faint hearted. Kilted Africans tried their hand, unsuccessfully, at 'tossing the caber', much to the amusement of spectators. Then a gentle giant walked onto the scene and effortlessly tossed the caber without any problem.

I have to make special mention of the founder of the Highland Games, and that is of the late David Fox who worked tirelessly, every year, to make this event a success. He passed away this last Christmas, on the mountain, in the hamlet where he had lived for the last fourty five years, so this was the very first Highland Games without him. Watching the people pouring into the event yesterday made me realise what a legacy this man has left behind.....

If you missed it this year, be sure to add the Fort Nottingham Highland Games to your calendar for next year, as it is a real fun filled day for the family, even with all the rain and mist. This only adds to the ambiance.

We'll be opening Simply Sam Trading at the end of April, so come and see what this little Hamlet is all about. If you are a walker, there are the most stunning gentle walks up the mountain, which are just breath taking. Book lunch at Els Amics restaurant (033 2666982), visit the Fort Nottingham Museum which is displayed in a 150 year old stone barn and offers 'Jean's Junk' in the barns opposite. Browse the beautiful Antiques, Vintage and Hand-made items at Simply Sam Trading in the Stable Barn next door, and then a gentle stroll to our very own '150yr old Town Hall' where Vicky Thompson and her artist friends have put together an interesting choice of local art in their very own art gallery including that of local resident and ceramicist, Mick Haige.

New Signage is up!

Oh i'm so excited, and I just can't hide it, no, no,no, i'm about to lose control and I think I like it ......
The first of my new signs has just been put up courtesey of my lovely neighbor Bob Savage and as i'm standing there surveying the land i'm thinking "aah, this is sooo beautiful". I think you guys are going to love it!
Visit us at the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham from the end of April. Watch this space .....
Love Sam x

Fort Nottingham Highland Games

If you are fortunate enough to be in the Natal Midlands area this weekend, remember the Fort Nottingham Highland Games takes place at my new premises, Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, on 16th April. This is an annual event which is not to be missed, so don anything tartan and come and taste a bit of haggis and enjoy the festivities. Look out for a large white barn, which is where I will be moving my shop at the end of April.
http://www.fortnottinghamhighlandgames.com/

Less -40% on all Vintage & Antiques til the 'big move'

We are moving at the end of April to an exciting new venue, so take advantage of some fabulous savings at Simply Sam Trading. We are having a less -40% sale, on all vintage and antiques, until the big move.
www.simplysam.co.za

Simply Sam Trading is on the move to a place where time stands still

Sam invites you to discover “The Midland’s best kept secret”…and her new shop and dreams at Fort Nottingham Hamlet….

When Samantha Mc Donald and her husband enjoyed a gorgeous lunch at the old Café la Fort approximately seventeen years ago they had no idea that it was their destiny to live in Fort Nottingham and actually own the wild, overgrown property, that the little restaurant was built on. But something incredible happened that day which sent the ‘McDonald Clan’ on a beautiful  journey which meant leaving their busy lives in Pretoria behind and starting a new dream for their family in the Midlands.

While they renovated the tumbled down house, built in 1893, Samantha opened up her shop: “Simply Sam Antiques Brocante & Gifts”  (currently located next to Café Bloom) and quickly became known to many locals and meanderers as ‘the pretty friendly lady’, passionate about French antiques. While she has enjoyed a very successful four year stint at Country Courtyard, it has always been her dream to move her shop back to where it first originated, in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham ‘a beautiful piece of the past - where time has stood still’ which has remained undiscovered by most Meanderers. You will now be able to enjoy the Midlands best kept secret and Sam’s new showroom which will be located in the beautiful old barn, created out of old horse stables belonging to the late David Fox who founded the Highland Games. Fort Nottingham has one of the best 'micro climates' in the Midlands, often having stunning weather, which can differ quite significantly to other parts of Nottingham Road.

The new shop: “Simply Sam Trading” will be opening at the end of April. “My wish is for folk to enjoy a little escapism in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, away from the city madness – and for us to be able to share a piece of our tranquility with others whilst they browse the stunning items on offer, visit our quaint little museum or take a stroll down our lane to Roy’s restaurant – the infamous Els Amics,” Said Sam

Simply Sam Trading offers a unique and interesting selection of beautiful Antiques, Vintage clothing and collectables, custom-made Oregon doors and windows as well as gorgeous local handmade South African Gifts. In collaboration with Lara Edmonds of “Just Boutique” and various merchants, the Simply Sam showroom plans to expand its offering to showcase beautiful items hand made by local people, providing a platform for boutique businesses to sell and market their wares. These will include ceramics, art, crafts, crochet, foodstuffs and gifts, with a focus on the ‘job creation’ element. Unique and exciting plans, include recreational cookery courses, as well as featured “Boutique Events” at the end of each month. The vision is that eventually all items can be viewed and purchased over the web store at www.simplysam.co.za, gifts beautifully wrapped, and that country-wide deliveries be undertaken.

Anyone interested in selling their hand-made items can contact Sam on 0726059909 or email: simplysam@telkomsa.net. Tel: 0332666940

Simply Sam Trading can be visited at the old stables Barn, next to the Fort Nottingham Museum, in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, opposite Els Amics restaurant. Follow the signs west from Nottingham Road. Webstore:  www.simplysam.co.za Just Boutique http://www.justboutique.net


Remember the Highland Games is on this Saturday 16th April, from 9am - all welcome. Follow the signs from Nottingham Road. This is an annual fun filled event not to be missed.