We're off to Paris ...

I'm counting down the days as we plan our buying trip to Paris ...

I can hardly contain my excitement at our forth coming trip to Il France, Paris. Our tickets are booked and so is our accommodation. All that's needed now is to pack a few things in a small suitcase and put this suitcase into a huge empty one, so I have space to bring back all those lovely vintage goodies.

When deciding where to stay, because Paris is such a huge city, you need to plot the markets you plan to visit on a map and make your decision from there. We have chosen to stay in an apartment, mainly to cut the high costs of hotels, but also because we wanted a truly French experience, and to see how the Parisians really live. Some of the apartments leave little space for your suitcase, they are so small, but that said, one could get some wonderful space saving ideas.

Our apartment is moments from Le Louvre and the river Seine. We have a whopping fifty square meters in a 17th Century building and a real bed. I say that because I noticed when looking, that many apartments have sofa beds or 'cupboard' beds, where the bed actually folds away in the day time into a cupboard. I've checked we have a proper shower too, as i've also heard some showers are almost over the toilet, making for a bit of a tight squeeze.

My husband bought 'Paris: Made by Hand' by Pia Jan Bijkerk which contains fifty shops where decorators, designers and stylists source their chic and unique items. Its a travel guide of a different kind, and I have already started to plot my favourite choices to ensure we don't miss a single thing.



Follow me on my journey and I'll fill you in on all the lovely places, antiques, food etc...

Els Amics Restaurant Fort Nottingham Natal Midlands

I received another phone call from someone today at our shop, looking for the telephone number of Els Amics Restaurant which is next door to us, so I thought I would officially give their number out here 0824870922

Our copper wires were stolen, as it is in many areas across the world, so many are without land lines, (unless, like us, you have your land line re-directed via the internet) and unfortunately for Els Amics, this is seriously affecting their business. It's easy via the Yellow Pages to get a land line number, but not always that easy to get a cell phone number. 

Happy eating! 

My internet 'Shop Keeper' on Human Rights Day at Simply Sam Trading

Yesterday was a public holiday in South Africa and we were fortunate to have our children at school, which meant my husband and I got to spend a day together, doing totally what we wished. Brookdale Spa did come to mind, but instead we decided to go on a 'Midlands Meander' on our bicycles. The round trip was about 45kms. The easy part was down hill to 'Piggys' for a brunch, but getting back home with all those hills, aah ...


The Midlands Meander has some of the most enchanting places to visit and one of my favourite has always been  Caversham Mill. The setting, almost on top of a ferocious river,is idyllic. When we arrived there, manager Clint, offered us a convivial chat and an apple for the journey, with a quick after thought of "mind the locals they drive like maniacs"!  We made it to Piggy Wiggly Country Village from Caversham Mill in 15 mins, as the down hill was great. Well, mostly down hill. 


A quick Croissant and Cappuccino had us set for the next part of the journey to Tanglewood Hotel. But first a quick look around Piggy Wiggly Country Village. Set up a couple of years ago with only a little outlet selling fresh produce and a small coffee shop, Piggys has become one of the most popular outlets on the Midlands Meander, as it now boasts at least ten different outlets with the most gorgeous offerings. I love Zulu Lulu's new 'spacious' shop by Traci and Stuart Tomkins. I picked out a number of items I'd like to send my hubby back to buy for me. Their ceramics are stunning and the children's pottery painting classes keeps children occupied with a soul filled art for a few hours.  
 by Traci Tomkins

Tour les Jours has gorgeous hand-made PJ's and other gorgeous items, you're sure to find something you can't resist. Frankie & Delilahs was new to me, but what a lovely outlet. We have a good laugh looking at their 'Britto' range of ceramics by Brazillian artist and ceramicist as they make the most colourful dog bowls that a customer had said he wanted to buy to serve chips and dip in at home. Well that would definitely get tongues (tails) wagging.


   


After a serious hard slog up lots of gradual hills, we were eventually rested and ensconced at the historical Tanglewood Hotel (where it is said, Jack the Ripper is to have stayed whilst on the run). Having eaten a delicious lunch my 'dishevelled' husband announced that the only way he was going to continue our cycle, was if I booked him in the hotel for the night, to continue the cycle in the morning. Well, what do you do when you're in a fix? Call a friend. Those hills were not for Sissy's, so we called a friend to pick us up and take us home...


What a most enjoyable day off work. What made the whole thing even more enjoyable was knowing that all my hard work, working on the Simpy Sam Trading web store, was paying off as the internet became my 'shop keeper' and as I cycled around enjoying the beauty of the area, I was still selling. Our web store now boast a card facility so give it a try. simplysam.co.za

Check out Simply Sam Trading on the Home Front - SA Garden & Home

The latest Garden & Home is all about  'Country Style' with some really stunning interiors, including a fabulous home from our very own Dargle Valley. The furniture that is featured will send you running to our web store www.simplysam.co.za
Some beautiful gardens are featured too.

There are articles on re-vamping furniture - close to my heart of course. We are re-vamping a 1930's Chaise Longue and also an Oregon work bench which will look fab in a kitchen or on the veranda as a server. I have just sold a mirror with the most gorgeous decorative gesso vintage frame and there's an article in the magazine giving you tips on antique and vintage mirrors that can help you decide what will suit your style. We're excited as Simply Sam Trading got a little mention on the home front
Check it out ... on sale now!

Beautiful Boutique Home for Sale in Fort Nottingham, Natal Midlands - Make that move to the Countryside and live your Dream ...

Have you ever dreamed the dream of having a beautiful place, tucked away in a magnificent country setting, a wholesome place you can call your own? Often the expense puts most of us off, but if you could make this into a business proposition, then that's a different matter. Read on ....

A River Runs Through it - Boutique Home in Fort Nottingham 
R5,995 Mil

 P r i v a t e   S e l l e r 

Run your own Boutique Hotel, and make your money work for you ....

Impress your friends with this stunning home, reminiscent of an 'English Boutique Hotel', one of the most beautiful properties in the area. Only a couple of years old, it has all the modern conveniences you could ask for, set on 5 hectares of land, your own piece of paradise. Sitting on the deck overlooking spectacular views with the soft sound of your own piece of river below, this is pure escapism. You need only move in and enjoy.
Run your own Boutique Hotel from this multi level property and make your money work for you. The main bedroom en suite is quite private, on the lowest level, quite separate from the three spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms above, all with a decidedly old worlde English feel .  Consisting of a large bedroom/sitting area with its own private patio with wonderful views to ensure you feel totally spoilt . The en suite has a spacious shower room leading through to a second room that has your own private Sauna and Jacuzzi and walk through dressing room.
The Farm House kitchen, with adjacent terraced Potager,  is open plan to a spacious dining area, with a separate scullery and store room and enclosed veranda leading to parking and carports. A separate TV room is on the same level. The middle section consists of a huge 'hotel style' lounge area with your very own 'English style' Pub and views from the deck that just go on and on. 

Horse lovers can enjoy trails with free reign over of their own land, modern Stables, Tack Room and feeding area.

Modern staff rooms would be an easy conversion to a separate cottage if required.

This is a lifestyle property for the discerning buyer

• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 bathroom (one en suite)
• Sauna
• Jacuzzi
• Pub
• Lounge
• TV Room
• Farm House Kitchen
• Terraced Potager
• Easy maintenance garden with working water feature at entrance
• Fully equipped Gym
• Dining Room 
• Scullery
• Wine Cellar
• Carports
• Modern Stables and Tack Room and feeding area
• 3 Staff rooms with ablutions
• River on 2 sides of property boundary
• Approx 20km from Nottingham Road

Register , giving your full contact details, for more information on this property.

20th Wedding Anniversary - paper or wood? ...

A twentieth wedding anniversary is a biggie. I know this because my last one, which was eighteen years, wasn't listed on the 'anniversary listing' of things to buy. However, Simply Sam Trading customer Charmaine, managed to convince her husband to purchase a lovely vintage Milliners Hat Stand Block, for their wedding anniversary recently - not because wood is what you buy for your twentieth wedding anniversary, but simply because she loves these interesting hat blocks which are quite a rare find.
Her current collection of Milliner Hat Blocks now stands at around twenty three and although the suggested gift for your twentieth anniversary is Porcelain or Aluminium, Charmaine says she just loves wooden objects. Her passion for wood even extends to wooden rolling pins, a love she thinks she may have acquired from her 'Ouma'.  I think Charmaine's husband couldn't have been happier that she'd managed to find the perfect gift for him to buy for her. Now that's love for you...

Simply Sam Trading - Open this Weekend

It is the last weekend of the month and Simply Sam Trading is open, Saturday and Sunday, from 10-4pm, in the beautiful Hamlet of Fort Nottingham. We are now located on our own property, in the original building of the 'Cafe le Fort' restaurant, at the entrance to the village . Besides our little haven of interesting antiques, vintage and gift items offered at Simply Sam Trading, there is so much more to see and do once you're here in this picturesque historical hamlet. 

We see Fort Nottingham as somewhat of a destination venue. Why is this? Well firstly you are transformed into another world, to a place where time has stood still, an escape from the bussle of City life. Fort Nottingham is the reason why Nottingham Road is so named which is due to the Sherwood Forester's 45th Regiment from Nottingham, England (my home town) being called upon to protect the local people and their cattle from marauding Bushmen. The stone barn (circa 1869), which now houses the Fort Nottingham Museum, was originally part of a camp erected by the regiment whilst more permanent quarters were being built. There are beautiful walks around the village and in the Fort Nottingham Nature Reserve and the owner of the Museum' is happy for people to picnic next to the museum. A children's play area, means the children are happy.

The infamous Els Amics restaurant of Pietermaritzburg fame, is open for lunch Saturday and Sunday (bookings only). The gardens are beautiful, with views across to the Cape Chestnut Forest, and Val is known for her love of Indigenous plants. For reservations telephone Val on 0824870922 or email elsamics@absamail.co.za

If you are keen to spend a few days in our little Hamlet Paula Davey runs the lovely Chameleon Cottage, once an original stable, which has been furnished with all your creature comforts in mind. Call Paula on 0829292275

We look forward to seeing you this weekend if you are fortunate to be in the area. If not, you can always visit our web store open 24 hours a day.

online web store: http://www.simplysam.co.za/ 

Deliveries are undertaken personally to Gauteng and Natal with all other South African or International deliveries arranged on your behalf.

The Fort Nottingham Nature Reserve is a small reserve 15km west of the village of Nottingham Road. It consists of grassland, wetland and afromontane forest biome. The Tony Kerr hiking trail starts in open grassland at the picnic site near where the Khathaza Stream. It traverses the slope of a thickly wooded hill and dips in and out of several gullies and seasonal watercourses. The walk should not take more than two hours. Even during the dry season, the trail is cool and damp in places due to the thick canopy cover of the indigenous trees. The lower slopes of the hill are fairly densely covered with Ouhout (Leucosidea sericea), an invasive indigenous shrub. Some of the trees in the indigenous forest are Common Spike-thorn, Forest Knobwood, Red Pear, Sneezewood, Yellowwood, White Stinkwood, Cape Chestnut and Tree Fuchsia different species of ferns, orchids, lichen and mosses. A stillness hangs over the forest, broken by the occasional bark of a bushbuck, samango monkeys calling and a myriad of bird calls. Porcupine and bushpig leave evidence of their presence where they have rooted in the undergrowth for food. Reedbuck is often seen on the grasslands. Late stone-age workings bear evidence of the history of this site. The stone cairn near the entrance was part of a temporary tented campsite used by the 45th Regiment whilst stone was being quarried to erect permanent quarters at the village. Wagon wheel tracks made by the Voortrekker settlers en route to Loteni are still evident. Of interest are the unexplained faces carved into the sandstone bank along the Soldiers Road to the quarry. Dobie, a trader who traveled through the area from Kokstad in the 1860’s drew a sketch of the first Fort Nottingham buildings against a backdrop of the forested hills. Visit the museum at nearby Fort Nottingham to learn more about the history of this area. The Lions River Honorary Officers are involved with restoring the Fort Nottingham reserve to its former glory. As with so many natural areas, the reserve is being threatened by invasive alien plants. Along the eastern border pine trees and Australian blackwood from a neighbouring farm have started to invade the reserve. On the western border bugweed and black wattle are making their presence felt. The grasslands are also being threatened by bramble and the indigenous Ouhout.

This excerpt taken from the Lions River Honorary Officers website http://lionsriverho.co.za/30422/48657.html