tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53648795718113536642024-03-06T00:24:47.663-08:00Garden Route Bed & Breakfast - The Hideaway in SwellendamThe diary of a Garden Route bed & breakfastPer - The Hideaway 5* Bed & Breakfast in Swellendamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852997883373906013noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-68121471374323570572017-10-02T09:02:00.000-07:002017-10-02T09:03:29.422-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo4Pij_oLeC-DYjwEWtJT1Xad03g9nBDkU1d11fVclSCTBgTAHyT9hHAkOCTVc7UJEghV0EMt5LxLturLsD0T7U_ChscxZAIOWuEUGUjV_PT0v3DBbk_bD_fw2PlxV0sRh2p5IVJ1358/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo4Pij_oLeC-DYjwEWtJT1Xad03g9nBDkU1d11fVclSCTBgTAHyT9hHAkOCTVc7UJEghV0EMt5LxLturLsD0T7U_ChscxZAIOWuEUGUjV_PT0v3DBbk_bD_fw2PlxV0sRh2p5IVJ1358/s200/IMG_1723.JPG" width="112" /></a>Hi everyone, it is me again, Per, the head cat from The Hideaway in Swellendam, you know, that little guest house on the Garden Route. This is me just in case you have forgotten what I look like. I have been having a fabulous time with my staff doing lots of stretches, you know, Up Cats and Down Cats and lots of things like that. I must say it makes me feel very relaxed and lovely. Of course I am much more supple than my staff, except maybe Saskia who is our teacher, she is really bendy and definitely a Cool Cat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4aTm3qFyefVG_Z1TSktmrVuci_Hdog0TIDHIFTTc-l55pEemJCeyaJcONJAK5jFkfAzzQpm-j3TqWrX49VhRYJA-rEvJfg8iWTrzPPgSJdQ11oTO7kDZlde2826XJYJp7mtjuGqcRDE/s1600/IMG_1360+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4aTm3qFyefVG_Z1TSktmrVuci_Hdog0TIDHIFTTc-l55pEemJCeyaJcONJAK5jFkfAzzQpm-j3TqWrX49VhRYJA-rEvJfg8iWTrzPPgSJdQ11oTO7kDZlde2826XJYJp7mtjuGqcRDE/s320/IMG_1360+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>My staff call all this Yoga, which is very confusing because I thought yoga was something you ate. Not me of course, I love my Dr Hill's chick chick pellets and hunting for moles in the garden, so I wouldn't actually eat Yoga or fruit salad or any of that lovely honey muesli stuff that you humy-bees like, but I do like the stretchy bit, its is really fun. And then there is the new place at The Hideaway where people go for massages and facials and stuff. Not sure about facials but I love it when my staff stroke my back, - so relaxing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0TJnGocz06YUD-xEk2zQkT3Y7fYKaadAvwj0ciBW010v_j45Uqfct5G9P18uAr7pavY050c1h9UgDL77wJlSrUA6cVQ1jBUb9ZN0Evz9SN0MzAFAJVaqjAMY_O9nrHbNiljiCRY20IQ/s1600/1-IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0TJnGocz06YUD-xEk2zQkT3Y7fYKaadAvwj0ciBW010v_j45Uqfct5G9P18uAr7pavY050c1h9UgDL77wJlSrUA6cVQ1jBUb9ZN0Evz9SN0MzAFAJVaqjAMY_O9nrHbNiljiCRY20IQ/s200/1-IMG_0043.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA8jVG5hij4Qs10_DIWm7kAXbC6xWfg-vuaqWOOue2mC4cyNwhOUoAVVZX0UQYWQ2W2hxxd-MA29CxuOd6I3rYZSpa-N7no_MOdNkc9YgInk_mfWi3WE3FR0cbLyvJGK086u796b669s/s1600/IMG_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA8jVG5hij4Qs10_DIWm7kAXbC6xWfg-vuaqWOOue2mC4cyNwhOUoAVVZX0UQYWQ2W2hxxd-MA29CxuOd6I3rYZSpa-N7no_MOdNkc9YgInk_mfWi3WE3FR0cbLyvJGK086u796b669s/s200/IMG_1725.JPG" width="150" /></a>Oh well, got to go now, time for another cat nap. You know what they say about us cats, sleep, </div>
stretch, eat, repeat ....Per - The Hideaway 5* Bed & Breakfast in Swellendamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852997883373906013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-25965577010333561492016-08-03T08:48:00.005-07:002016-08-03T08:52:26.100-07:00Per and The Wallow<br />
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Hi there everyone, It's me again! You know, Per, the main peanut at The Hideaway, the little 5 star B&amp;B on the Garden Route in South Africa! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qlMaZpFK5eOJXAU-Ri1bE1xWgTF6XgP9v9rLvv8Aq8Z6rIuwjagXO85WRZNkXXEkzlObBCkbUMH-1C9BezMMXJGx4NnOmKjhRz5feQS6oTBHzkppLPNoOBPiqK9BhDExPJ8z56U-uSk/s1600/2016-07-23+16.47.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qlMaZpFK5eOJXAU-Ri1bE1xWgTF6XgP9v9rLvv8Aq8Z6rIuwjagXO85WRZNkXXEkzlObBCkbUMH-1C9BezMMXJGx4NnOmKjhRz5feQS6oTBHzkppLPNoOBPiqK9BhDExPJ8z56U-uSk/s200/2016-07-23+16.47.41.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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That's me in the picture! Sorry, I look a bit dozy, but I have just woken up<br />
from a great nap by the new wood burner stove my staff have installed for<br />
me next to my favourite napping chair,<br />
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It's luvverly when it's chilly, I can snuggle up and snooze in the warm.<br />
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My staff have been acting quite strangely recently, I don't understand why they have been disappearing into The Wallow and getting into this bubbly frothy thing full of water! Ugh! I can't stand getting my paws wet, so how they can lie there in the horrid wet stuff up to their chins I don't know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkJLMjfR0ZsS1catZvdGoy9P4jioBBd-Jlpubse4jyE_k4OXGPY6HA-oopM-cwGGSbImochZ7MnxhqRMjDKB54swmtSyyfrYGz_5eeiWCxr-Kz6hssm3-668DElIJKB6QNV-Zwm2gDHI/s1600/2016-08-03+11.09.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkJLMjfR0ZsS1catZvdGoy9P4jioBBd-Jlpubse4jyE_k4OXGPY6HA-oopM-cwGGSbImochZ7MnxhqRMjDKB54swmtSyyfrYGz_5eeiWCxr-Kz6hssm3-668DElIJKB6QNV-Zwm2gDHI/s200/2016-08-03+11.09.23.jpg" width="200" /></a>They say "there is nowt so queer as folk", so maybe that's it! Horrid bubbly thing, I 'm not going near it I can tell you!<br />
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And another thing, they've put this funny wooden box thing in The Wallow next to the bubbly tub and called it a "Finnish Sauna". Silly name, of course it's finnished, it's standing there isn't it? It gets really hot and the staff go in and come out all Yucky!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfWEpW4Sf51YI_qvDrNBGBrdbZOAagn-5vDSH5t0GPc_07JW3CxOR-542AxiodseftCSby82OYo0YOlc8CO2Tx1IENl0jbPp81ndUet_25QusAYbhu7mG5wGJFESIlB8BLpI1OU_yPlY/s1600/2016-08-03+11.10.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfWEpW4Sf51YI_qvDrNBGBrdbZOAagn-5vDSH5t0GPc_07JW3CxOR-542AxiodseftCSby82OYo0YOlc8CO2Tx1IENl0jbPp81ndUet_25QusAYbhu7mG5wGJFESIlB8BLpI1OU_yPlY/s200/2016-08-03+11.10.13.jpg" width="149" /></a>They love it and come outside and roll<br />
around in the cold. I mean, how mad is<br />
that, middle of winter and grown humey bees<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bYqc_ygxgfd_X9w_F43G8D10lo_YrMtbG9mBBMujeUeWmOuOyw5jf-PmnW9mN0lnbxMzwlgcRKpREsBJrkOtH_HalZd5BcJgy-EPfm19nES6ZFUpOFDGlqVX4JR_onrtgimmzlCw37I/s1600/2016-04-06+22.07.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bYqc_ygxgfd_X9w_F43G8D10lo_YrMtbG9mBBMujeUeWmOuOyw5jf-PmnW9mN0lnbxMzwlgcRKpREsBJrkOtH_HalZd5BcJgy-EPfm19nES6ZFUpOFDGlqVX4JR_onrtgimmzlCw37I/s200/2016-04-06+22.07.15.jpg" width="149" /></a>rolling around on wet grass and giggling, then jumping in the hot bubbly tub. I mean, I ask you. I think I shall have to have them "seen" by somebody. But, maybe not now, I'm awfully snoozily after chatting to you for so long so it's back to my chair for a catnap...<br />
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See you all soon, I hope! I don't get out much so<br />
maybe you could all come to see me? ........ That would be nice ......... zzzzz</div>
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Per - The Hideaway 5* Bed & Breakfast in Swellendamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852997883373906013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-82601704867368072012015-12-30T05:10:00.000-08:002015-12-30T05:10:08.928-08:00The largest natural swimming pool in South Africa<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrnJ4LfMs1WMQlk6n2eY2hbOEhztoVKZ-imRFYYLwz2LBPFDja4gAagQLaEdXlfHOF0FNbwoEhTILS_dA-k245QnmetHeR79R20L8U1C11nf-8sWubXt8WO2-axgeIWHgWgn0sIhdFrk/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrnJ4LfMs1WMQlk6n2eY2hbOEhztoVKZ-imRFYYLwz2LBPFDja4gAagQLaEdXlfHOF0FNbwoEhTILS_dA-k245QnmetHeR79R20L8U1C11nf-8sWubXt8WO2-axgeIWHgWgn0sIhdFrk/s320/IMG_0985.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest natural swimming pool in South Africa</td></tr>
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Hello everybody, It's me again, you know the cat that runs the Top Destination Award-winning bed & breakfast on the Garden Route. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and that Santa Cat brought you all the catnip treats you were hoping for! He certainly put some special things in my bowl! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPakmPkgoisht_rpU1_ve_58BqXs990u7TFDJxhYAWOG92W1C7mlmVeOl9zdkEYNPonAYSSRiMKO1Xodd0zORXNqzPm76AaqsorRjNBDJr7itiOzzT-vYWsLYzrb6DpMY6VKpXOhkfMQk/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPakmPkgoisht_rpU1_ve_58BqXs990u7TFDJxhYAWOG92W1C7mlmVeOl9zdkEYNPonAYSSRiMKO1Xodd0zORXNqzPm76AaqsorRjNBDJr7itiOzzT-vYWsLYzrb6DpMY6VKpXOhkfMQk/s320/IMG_0394.JPG" width="239" /></a>My staff have been very busy moving things around at The Hideaway because the new swimming pool is now open with the lovely guest lounge and they are up there every morning serving breakfast under those fabulous mountain views. Lots of guests are swimming and yoga classes have started up there too. The new garden is looking lovely with the 450 roses in flower and the stream lined with agapanthus. Of course, I'm not a swimmer, being a cat, but I can see the attraction when the weather is really hot. You see, I don't like ceiling fans, they scare me, so I have to find some shade, but the guests jump into the clear cool water and come out looking very refreshed. Well, you won't find me jumping in there, I can tell you! Phew! all this work has mad me very hot, so I'm just off to a shady spot for a catnap. See you soon! ......</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-33374594140619107292015-11-01T05:01:00.001-08:002015-11-01T05:06:54.292-08:00SANLAM Top Destination 2015 Award - The Hideaway wins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1lkMs45_V86J_bPyGZtbDPYQxN4bBWLJfJlqlnfO4ew_k8OYaT-PkTXbD5qNwloQsPmDpPonQEWfovYZ7Xn1k06BppqMKMPFWrdCVRsudJMECqkrtjNfpn9OGsekglEPERFDCUYsVkI/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1lkMs45_V86J_bPyGZtbDPYQxN4bBWLJfJlqlnfO4ew_k8OYaT-PkTXbD5qNwloQsPmDpPonQEWfovYZ7Xn1k06BppqMKMPFWrdCVRsudJMECqkrtjNfpn9OGsekglEPERFDCUYsVkI/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcg_UYBY1SVfr-DaJQboDhybwqgj7erj_q6ywMwU9T1nwS5vjKyC30pJ-f7AqtR39TCIhgFTqblj9WkpMzFEacjWFFV_vnXgknx-p__KbpwQboTdEqlOoHD1puDtcJcTPlBkebfCWyzs/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcg_UYBY1SVfr-DaJQboDhybwqgj7erj_q6ywMwU9T1nwS5vjKyC30pJ-f7AqtR39TCIhgFTqblj9WkpMzFEacjWFFV_vnXgknx-p__KbpwQboTdEqlOoHD1puDtcJcTPlBkebfCWyzs/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;">Hello everyone, it's Per, the cat that runs The Hideaway in Swellendam, you know - that wonderful little B&B on the Garden Route. I was so cross on Thursday 29 October because my staff just up and left without so much as a by your leave! They just got in the car and drove away. Luckily Tannie Anelma was here to give me hugs and make my supper, but what is a cat to do when their staff doesn't tell them that they are zooming off somewhere? Well anyway, you wouldn't believe it, but the very next day about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, they came back! Waltzed in as if nothing had happened! larger than life! Plonked a strange statuette of a lady leaning over backwards on the table and hung a certifi-cat<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>on the wall. Now, my reading is not so good, because I'm a cat, but Anelma said that it was the Top Destination Award for 2015 for 5 star B&Bs from someone called SANLAM. Not sure what that was about, but apparently, my staff had a phone call about a month ago informing them that they were finalists in the competition run by Discount Traveller and inviting them to a Gala Dinner at Ratanga Junction. That's why they left me, you see. Some of our lovely guests had voted for The Hideaway and they WON! Well, when I knew that, I was prepared to forgive them for walking out on me like that. Just wished they'd said! Anyway, can't stop, just heading for a cat-nap in my favourite spot .......</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-8252364066433802762015-09-22T08:25:00.002-07:002015-09-22T08:35:36.616-07:00New gardens and an EcopoolHello everybody, it's me, Per, the little cat that runs The Hideaway
in Swellendam on the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa.
My staff have been so busy creating the new gardens at The Hideaway
that I haven't been able to get near the computer for ages to write a
blog! I managed to slip into the office today when it was all quiet to
tell you about the huge additional gardens that the staff are making.
They have built a huge new swimming pool called an Ecopool, whatever
that is, I don't know, but it doesn't use any chemicals to make the
water clean and has lots of plants around the edges. Reeally
beeeautiful! I dipped a paw into the water the other day, and I'm not
much of a one for water as you know, but it felt so soft on my fur.
Lovely! There are lovely flowers too and an orchard, a stream and
olive trees and a new pool pavilion with fabulous views of the
mountains. The staff say they are going to serve breakfast there in the
summer. Oh oh! Got to go, the staff are coming back and I will have
to give up the computer! See you all soon, I'm <span style="text-align: justify;">off for a purrfect catnap in the new garden.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-88935098859992091512013-07-08T07:40:00.001-07:002013-07-08T07:40:06.503-07:00The Hideaway Has Gone Green<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMIF-IbdZvbR11EnEkWCFoEYTRdN4oeEOxEEdPlATYDomWrD1MPEySA1zLRiuNAs5eOmHfuOm4_GVB-6WW7oVdJu-UMwzoYsgEtQJrqdBI0uO5BdowTTHQJej8wzvrUjh3vQjxz5HmC4/s1600/P1000433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMIF-IbdZvbR11EnEkWCFoEYTRdN4oeEOxEEdPlATYDomWrD1MPEySA1zLRiuNAs5eOmHfuOm4_GVB-6WW7oVdJu-UMwzoYsgEtQJrqdBI0uO5BdowTTHQJej8wzvrUjh3vQjxz5HmC4/s320/P1000433.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hi everybody! It's Per, the crazy cat from The Hideaway in Swellendam, that little B&B that has some of the best accommodation in town and plenty of information on things to do in Swellendam. Well! I'm writing to tell you that The Hideaway, that lovely old Cape Dutch Nagmaalhuis with the classic colonial bullnosed stoep has gone GREEN! What? It is a National Monument, it can't go green! Well! Actually it is green and white because these are the classic colours for a National Monument of this type, but that is not what I mean .... It has gone green environmentally! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW5fzxwrCfh7t4N61mR75tL6Ulm02770XJsIAKFsGWMl_a_GT4mAX0y-SLkozB5QCtSAZxnC4RCzJOR0hlcMLQ9cljtizqnbV28zZ8l7QGxaff0WxgXRQ92rt2NLU-E_MoUFhRjvjcjo/s1600/1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW5fzxwrCfh7t4N61mR75tL6Ulm02770XJsIAKFsGWMl_a_GT4mAX0y-SLkozB5QCtSAZxnC4RCzJOR0hlcMLQ9cljtizqnbV28zZ8l7QGxaff0WxgXRQ92rt2NLU-E_MoUFhRjvjcjo/s320/1467.JPG" width="320" /></a>Apart from the usual modcons of reversing airconditioners, silent fridges, WiFi throughout, iPhone docking stations, et al, all the lights are now LED - saving tons and tons of electricity .... and all the water is heated either by heat pumps or solar energy, saving even more tons of electricity and we now have a bottle bank and rainwater butts and eveything. We use local suppliers for everything we can to cut down on food miles and make as much of our food as we can on the premises. So there you are - come to stay with us in Swellendam and enjoy green stuff at The Hideaway!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3OiYkfGpcUwRq5OmI0UFwmUGvnypqVA0kVEHjDDsoy44WJrk-5Ct-lmt15Cx3zHDGgZWDlICTxYbOaF9gUIbHkSOxmtDsWWPJWH84QBM2mHbWwSxdBn-_BdOex-Kz3TbETY_wwJMRRU/s1600/BigBee+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3OiYkfGpcUwRq5OmI0UFwmUGvnypqVA0kVEHjDDsoy44WJrk-5Ct-lmt15Cx3zHDGgZWDlICTxYbOaF9gUIbHkSOxmtDsWWPJWH84QBM2mHbWwSxdBn-_BdOex-Kz3TbETY_wwJMRRU/s320/BigBee+Logo.png" width="320" /></a><br />
Ooh! I nearly forgot! There are BEES buzzing in Swellendam from 9 - 11 August 2013 when the South African Bee Industry Conference comes to town, which is a great excuse to have a festival, so we are! The Big Bee festival, find out about it at <a href="http://www.bigbee.co.za/">www.bigbee.co.za</a>. You will find BEEuaty exhibitions, BEEr, BBEoerekos, Braais, BEEuffeljagsdam cruises, BEEoating, BEEhoney, BEEbands, Beemusic BEEconcerts, BEE7srugby, BEEblomme walks, BEEtrailrunning with Wildrunner, BEEgBoysToys, and definitely - BEE there! It sounds exhausting, I'm off for a catnap. See you soon.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-18379532733654470232012-09-10T08:39:00.000-07:002012-09-10T08:39:59.603-07:00Something surprising happened at The Hideaway ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everybody! It's me, Per, the best cat at The Hideaway in Swellendam. The things I have been up to in Swellendam on the Garden Route are just too a-maz-ing - I am so excited I can scarcely tell you. There has been so much going on around Swellendam that I have been rushed off my feet; exhausted; not getting my usual 20 hours sleep on the sofa! And it is all because MY STAFF have had so many nice things said about my little 5 star B&B in the Overberg that we have won a PRIZE (and I got my photo in the newspaper! Well! Fancy that!). I'm not sure what a prize is, being a cat ..... (I'm not sure what a newspaper is either really .....)<br />
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It all started when my staff drove off very early one morning and Oum Adin came in to sit with me. Tannie Sharon came in later and stayed the night. Well, I wasn't going to sleep in my room when my staff were away, was I? It was all cold and lonely so I dived into Tannie's bed and hid under the covers (I'm not allowed to do that when my staff are around, but I don't think Tannie knew because I stayed there all night!! Lovely and warm!!)<br />
<br />
Then my staff came home and there was lots of excitement because they brought this funny blue thing back which you can see at the top of the page. I don't know what it is all about, being a cat, but everyone was very happy and I had to sit still in my staff's arms while the lady from the newspapers pointed this thing at me. And then I found out that my staff had been to a party .... without me! Is there no justice? .....Look at them enjoying themselves .. Honestly! You just can't get the staff these days ... <br />
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Well, I'm off for a catnap..... Keep in touch....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-61028073642965972202012-08-05T03:56:00.000-07:002012-08-05T03:56:10.213-07:00Honours and Encounters<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ulGUusdL0dQBkp7ojzOCU5PWnQPdpktMgljeOwOF4cGYbaqZfqefFA6DPdshTx6H976IgjAH2uENgJFT2AQi9vTb5__3fFQUEeLQH4wQRSg9X4yO3NZgtbC5CMDSjEPbWPOBGBCV55s/s1600/2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ulGUusdL0dQBkp7ojzOCU5PWnQPdpktMgljeOwOF4cGYbaqZfqefFA6DPdshTx6H976IgjAH2uENgJFT2AQi9vTb5__3fFQUEeLQH4wQRSg9X4yO3NZgtbC5CMDSjEPbWPOBGBCV55s/s200/2496.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Wild Cat in the Kgalagardi <br />
National Park. Looks like me, doesn't she?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7MhiphyphenhyphenMCAxv30m6_sONzCoXXtr-2xZthIVjBsqaNtgWp_NRp2Bkux55tcRzVnUUwlPZY2xnK49B7eqZOQGoWdR4fotvcmppwUWBG-t5GkG4tAdXUtf3E1D1dud6Gl8f3WGjTgc7Fg/s1600/P1000433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7MhiphyphenhyphenMCAxv30m6_sONzCoXXtr-2xZthIVjBsqaNtgWp_NRp2Bkux55tcRzVnUUwlPZY2xnK49B7eqZOQGoWdR4fotvcmppwUWBG-t5GkG4tAdXUtf3E1D1dud6Gl8f3WGjTgc7Fg/s320/P1000433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great picture of ME!</td></tr>
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Hello again! Remember me? I am Per, the true Boss of The Hideaway, that great value little 5 star Guest House in Swellendam on the Garden Route where there are lots of things to do and see and enjoy! Well, my staff recently went away and left me for a whole 2 weeks, not on my own, of course, they provided temporary staff to see to my every need! Nothing less than I would expect from a B and B whose guests have voted it the Regional Winner of the AA Travel Awards for 2012! Being a cat, I am not sure what all that means, but my staff were very happy so it must be good, mustn't it? But while they were away they met a cat that looks soooo like me, (look at the picture) but he was WILD! My staff said that it was very unusual to see an African wild cat in the daytime, especially one that was being chased by 2 Pale Chanting Goshawks. I am not sure what they are, being a cat, but I bet it was scary, because I don't like being chased by the dogs next door so I know what it is like to be chased.... I go up trees too when they chase me and once one of my staff had to rescue me in a bucket on a pole because I was so high I couldn't get down. That was scary too. Anyway, I must take advantage of the lovely sunny weather and go and have a catnap in the garden, but I don't think I'll go up a tree today .......<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-44159729534835107742012-05-02T07:38:00.001-07:002012-05-02T07:38:25.255-07:00Autumn at The Hideaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxkoeJTiqUdBkXFgrL7NB3C1tkIXb8O98qEHy4_OqRHiqJcK7ewK2IVj17ovHs_JOoG9I2CsvvAX1-Hvu9pMLeeTVTHzYKf32moI9LZzfQzKwTCleMZtKlWsVyqcOFnsG-KatWNsv8DQ/s1600/1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxkoeJTiqUdBkXFgrL7NB3C1tkIXb8O98qEHy4_OqRHiqJcK7ewK2IVj17ovHs_JOoG9I2CsvvAX1-Hvu9pMLeeTVTHzYKf32moI9LZzfQzKwTCleMZtKlWsVyqcOFnsG-KatWNsv8DQ/s320/1681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hi everybody, it's Per from The Hideaway! We have been having such a lovely time at our little 5 star guest house in Swellendam near the Garden Route. All our guests have been so lovely and said such nice things about their stays with us. Of course, being a cat, I can't read, but I have been listening to my staff reading from the little book in the dining room that everyone writes in before they go. Someone wrote <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Staying here was like heaven on earth. Everything was perfect.” Wow! I must say it is nice being a cat here too, playing in the garden, lazing on the comfy chairs, lots of food and attention from my staff, but I am not sure what heaven is, being a cat. Apparently someone else said -<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is possibly the best place to stay on the planet! Perfect peace. - I'm not sure what a planet is either... I wonder if there are flies and moths to chase there? It gets dark about 6pm now, which is great for hunting, and all the leaves are turning red and gold, which is very pretty and it is still warm in the day and my staff light a fire in the evenings for me to curl up in front of. Bliss! Well, it's time to push off for a Catnap. See you soon ...... </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-47529163109827505502012-03-17T05:03:00.005-07:002012-03-17T05:42:08.823-07:00Indignities at The Hideaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7MhiphyphenhyphenMCAxv30m6_sONzCoXXtr-2xZthIVjBsqaNtgWp_NRp2Bkux55tcRzVnUUwlPZY2xnK49B7eqZOQGoWdR4fotvcmppwUWBG-t5GkG4tAdXUtf3E1D1dud6Gl8f3WGjTgc7Fg/s1600/P1000433.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7MhiphyphenhyphenMCAxv30m6_sONzCoXXtr-2xZthIVjBsqaNtgWp_NRp2Bkux55tcRzVnUUwlPZY2xnK49B7eqZOQGoWdR4fotvcmppwUWBG-t5GkG4tAdXUtf3E1D1dud6Gl8f3WGjTgc7Fg/s200/P1000433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720842836573918818" border="0" /></a>Hello everybody, It's me again! Per, the cat from The Hideaway in Swellendam - you know, the great value 5* B&B on the garden route, half way between Cape Town and George. Swellendam is the place where there are lots of things to do, places to see and people to meet! We have been having a fantastic summer at The Hideaway with lots of guests who make a fuss of me, which of course, I love, but my staff don't seem to have time to fuss me as much as I would like. I have been practising my hunting and caught locusts and moths and I nearly caught a frog, but my staff came and rescued it. He was about to put it back in the pond when it peed all over his foot! Ha Ha! The indignity of it, but he got his own back- he thought I had a tick very close to my rear end, so she took me to the vet. The indignity of it! Anyway, I soon forgave them! I love this picture that Ingrid and Kjell took of me the other day, don't you? It makes me look so regal! Oh, and that other photo is of the First Anniversary celebration breakfast, apparently my staff have been here for a year now, -<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg318T8oY6w4y5NPcRDm1kfU3KyWqdxswUBkvLJDbmGHjMf8Vqzf2gZdbNBdxmKEEWhOcu50aPRKg8SE2CJo0SIF5pHR-5w-s2KR5A2_LPXEZ-waYKA902ei6ZxrJTzJfSUYyUZFaqALrA/s1600/P1000396.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg318T8oY6w4y5NPcRDm1kfU3KyWqdxswUBkvLJDbmGHjMf8Vqzf2gZdbNBdxmKEEWhOcu50aPRKg8SE2CJo0SIF5pHR-5w-s2KR5A2_LPXEZ-waYKA902ei6ZxrJTzJfSUYyUZFaqALrA/s200/P1000396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720843352493991058" border="0" /></a>Well, I wouldn't know, I'm only 9 months old and I'm a cat... I have to go now to have a quick catnap on the sofa before THEY push me off so they can watch rugby or Formula 1 or something... I don't know, it is just so difficult to train my staff, don't they know it's my sofa really .....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-70814224530789643442012-01-15T01:26:00.000-08:002012-01-15T01:49:56.099-08:00Berries and Braais<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnIxLppdn8Gi-0Yj7heE_OIDbd5bucc5-1adf9Ywc1G-0VE1oYUwPHiTKDql1AuBTeyzYG_B5bvhYv2AAsbKLSkDS0B1w9JK7SZGtYrtmLtnp58Sc9jn0PlUs3EKc2elVt4ywUku_m44/s1600/DSC_3883.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnIxLppdn8Gi-0Yj7heE_OIDbd5bucc5-1adf9Ywc1G-0VE1oYUwPHiTKDql1AuBTeyzYG_B5bvhYv2AAsbKLSkDS0B1w9JK7SZGtYrtmLtnp58Sc9jn0PlUs3EKc2elVt4ywUku_m44/s200/DSC_3883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697792733159370562" border="0" /></a><br />Hello there! It's me, Per, the cat at The Hideaway. You know, the inexpensive little 5* B&B accommodation in Swellendam on the Garden Route in the Western Cape. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. My staff, Jackie and Stephen, (that's them in the picture) have had lots of guests to stay including one lady called Vanessa who thought I was the cat's whiskers. She threatened to catnap me back to somewhere called England to meet Mr Smurf. I liked her, but England sounded cold and wet. Brrrr! Then we had a visit from Biggles and Beth-Anne who stopped by to refuel on the way to Cape Town. She spoke my language! She had obviously been studying Talking with Tails! I have been very brave with the ceiling fans in the house, they are sooooo scary, but I don't mind them so much now. But as if having them in the house was not enough, now they have attached them to tin boxes which roar and rumble about in the blue stuff above the garden! I have to run inside when I see one in case it gets me. My staff say its all about the fire in the Langeberg mountains, but I am not sure why there would be a fire there when it's not cold, we only have fires in the sitting room in the winter, and that's OK because the fans aren't running then. Very confusing, but then I am only a cat! Hmmm!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-88008154143603971132011-11-21T08:07:00.000-08:002011-11-21T08:40:26.307-08:00Sad News from The Hideaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M5m2rMoYCkyUgxXtshovF14CP0ZFGYRX4hJOEqxtq9Ml7b5zMeowqHGAgOEyakGxLlzQQyz6l268ab1g1W8fUwmUY-CP7fJrR_XOjOkhatfkALth-G_U3k81QCLWee2QNFQpFNuGnDQ/s1600/1517.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M5m2rMoYCkyUgxXtshovF14CP0ZFGYRX4hJOEqxtq9Ml7b5zMeowqHGAgOEyakGxLlzQQyz6l268ab1g1W8fUwmUY-CP7fJrR_XOjOkhatfkALth-G_U3k81QCLWee2QNFQpFNuGnDQ/s320/1517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677489510188232706" border="0" /></a><br />Hello everybody! I am sorry to have been gone for so long, but I bring very sad news about my young friend Cleopatra, who after 15 years of living at The Hideaway, you know that great value 5 star guest house in Swellendam on the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa, has entered her 10th life. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Per, another Egyptian queen from the 4th Dynasty and still having a few of my 9 lives left, I have decided to come to live at The Hideaway. I must say, I have been impressed so far with the service provided by my staff, Jackie and Stephen, who look after my every need. Wonderful, comfy beds in beautiful rooms, fabulous facilities, even my own iPod docking station - it is amazing how far things have come since my reign in 2600BC! -. The food is wonderful and everybody talks about the hospitality (I'm not sure what hospitality is, being a cat, but never mind!) . Summer is nearly here at the foot of the Langeberg mountains, the whales are starting to move off to Antarctica, but some guests are still getting great pictures of whales on their cameras. Sometimes the weather is so warm my staff turn on the air conditioning, which I quite like, but I hate those fans on the ceiling, they are so-o-o scary! Gotta go and have a catnap. Bye for now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-14230678083301170352011-06-11T03:08:00.000-07:002011-06-11T03:24:52.772-07:00New republic of Greater Swellendam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfHTppb4MgSCGyjTtXKbQrDrtS1v4BR3TBvezx1dNCvyRABaPxWKyPSHBbOtmMRKeVhaMOdjSIDnx5Jn-crxHuIDLDvjmyPkP1YbLGqHC5B8zvQPlcf5Ewe-CvE5kOyi1f7uuXRocGQ8/s1600/002+%2528800x528%2529.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfHTppb4MgSCGyjTtXKbQrDrtS1v4BR3TBvezx1dNCvyRABaPxWKyPSHBbOtmMRKeVhaMOdjSIDnx5Jn-crxHuIDLDvjmyPkP1YbLGqHC5B8zvQPlcf5Ewe-CvE5kOyi1f7uuXRocGQ8/s320/002+%2528800x528%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616905638256419634" border="0" /></a><br />Hello everybody, it is me again! Cleopatra, the cat that lives in the purrfect place, The Hideaway in Swellendam, the best value 5 star B&B on the Garden Route. I told you earlier this week that there was rebellion in the air and its OFFICIAL! Stephen and Jackie had a Swellengram and they read it out. 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10.5pt;" lang="EN" >On <b>Saturday June 18</b>th in <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Swellen Mark Mall,</span> from 10:00 a.m onwards, there is going to be a party celebrating the date on which Swellendam, in 1795, declared itself a Republic, and for three glorious months, considered itself the official capital of the World! 216 years later, Swellendam has decided to claim back its historical rights and re-declare the Republic of Greater Swellendam – A republic of community, unity, love, art, music, good food, and beauty. All day there will be live entertainment in the streets, a huge open air traditional craft and food market outside the Old Gaol, and in the new Mall there will be dancers and buskers. Come and listen to newly formed Swellendam Band <b>"The Republicans"</b> ! </span><span style=";font-family:";" ></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10.5pt;" lang="EN" >The Republic will officially be re-declared on June 18th at a celebration at the <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Drostdy Museum </span>at 4:30 for 5 - Proclamation, Celebration and Jubilation! (and champagne!) This is a not to be missed event. Tickets for this event can be collected at the tourism office<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> at no charge</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span>or you can RSVP to <a href="mailto:swellendam@gsto.co.za" target="_blank">swellendam@gsto.co.za</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">It sounds like a fantastic time to come to Swellendam! Hope to see you here soon. Now, I must go and find Nefertiti so we can go and chase Gizmo together....<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-73701658213226098502011-06-07T01:43:00.001-07:002011-06-07T02:08:41.846-07:00Happenings at the Hideaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZc-MBNfGzkLZykjCo5slfMG-HJgleSR3JzRrPZ5dJ-Q3tmG6xJ8cRSS1-dExq_lT7OJXAFqJYDN2x03syvbikEo9B0ZM8IFgxx665om1TrP8YSIZQr2WpN4Ze_tlzlvu4Ip4tXqyajM/s1600/056+%2528800x531%2529.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZc-MBNfGzkLZykjCo5slfMG-HJgleSR3JzRrPZ5dJ-Q3tmG6xJ8cRSS1-dExq_lT7OJXAFqJYDN2x03syvbikEo9B0ZM8IFgxx665om1TrP8YSIZQr2WpN4Ze_tlzlvu4Ip4tXqyajM/s320/056+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615401708269168034" border="0" /></a><br />Hello everybody, it's Cleopatra here, the cat that keeps you up to date with everything going on at the Hideaway, the best value Guest House in Swellendam, that historic town on the garden route in South Africa. Well, last time I told you that we were expecting a Gizmo to arrive, but I wasn't sure what a Gizmo is. he arrived! He is small and furry with a bushy tail and he shot out of his carrybasket and raced up a huge tree to his little house. I couldn't catch him! I try to creep up on him when he is collecting nuts, but he is too quick for me. Great excitement at the Hideaway with Stephen's daughter Vanessa getting married in Ibiza and my cousin Nefertiti arriving here. I haven't seen her for ages, so it is lovely, but she is a bit younger than me and I'm finding it all a bit wearing! We have had all kinds of things going on in the village just now, a new shopping mall has opened up and there is the whiff of rebellion in the air. Apparently, something called a Republic is going to happen soon. I'm not sure what a republic is, but it happened 216 years ago too, so perhaps it is something that comes back after a while. I hope it's not catching. There are lots more things on our website at www.hideawaybb.co.za about Swellendam, things to do, places to go and to eat. Talking of which, I gotta go ... time for a cat nap ....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-87518086861016051852011-04-27T07:46:00.000-07:002011-04-27T08:46:53.784-07:00Snow on The Garden Route<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eUYdQ2n2F0Ptl9CWDtbK5sHcfeGmPqVjCGxs4nmCRfK3layDO8p3-7SG9f6UCSqTZazWnRNL5x5ED9Ck9IXjnmULZFaLwtsTJEWHoEcB5snqHvFDyOBYzJfbgesD4uqjTZxiIbvvdgw/s1600/WINTER+SNOW.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eUYdQ2n2F0Ptl9CWDtbK5sHcfeGmPqVjCGxs4nmCRfK3layDO8p3-7SG9f6UCSqTZazWnRNL5x5ED9Ck9IXjnmULZFaLwtsTJEWHoEcB5snqHvFDyOBYzJfbgesD4uqjTZxiIbvvdgw/s320/WINTER+SNOW.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600282736457876754" border="0" /></a><br />Hi everybody, it's me, Cleopatra, the real head of The Hideaway, the best value 5 star guest house in Swellendam on the Garden Route. You'll never guess, but I woke up this morning and looked up at the Langeberg mountains and they were covered in SNOW! In April! No wonder I was a bit chilly 'cos Jackie and Stephen hadn't put the heaters in yet. Well, I ask you, only a few weeks ago we had Otters in the garden. Really, here in Swellendam, South Africa, not far from Cape Town and George, we had Otters. They are called Tim and Julie and they stayed at the Hideaway for a few nights, so who would expect to see snow so soon after that? Anyway, the heaters are now there and we have a roary fire in the grate, so I shall be jolly snug tonight. Apparently, the Easter bunny visited us over the weekend. I didn't see him, but then I'm not sure what a bunny is, so maybe I saw him without realising. Jackie was very happy and opened some chocolates to celebrate. I heard that Gizmo is moving into the Hideaway. Now, I am only a cat, and I am not really sure what a Gizmo is, but I think he is going to live in a house in a tree. We have lots of trees, so I'm not sure which one. I shall have to think about all this. Snow, Otters and Gizmo, I wonder if he will let me chase him .....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-13177079144276244742011-03-27T01:51:00.000-07:002011-03-27T02:35:53.259-07:00Time Races by at The Hideaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8WBzIzSz9Ac4keD4wtk-xrwJJbrVc6FRxVyoDS3aa6N2i02vNPcpoKJ9HdQ-7c4h35Ux8NawSM-pQhMkdcoU_M3CpogKQ6wIcbMwI8teWPRPXFLIpTkL63zPBpDo7oAGRRZGhfAiXpc/s1600/BB.BONTEBOK+PARK.BIRDS.TAWNY+EAGLE+.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8WBzIzSz9Ac4keD4wtk-xrwJJbrVc6FRxVyoDS3aa6N2i02vNPcpoKJ9HdQ-7c4h35Ux8NawSM-pQhMkdcoU_M3CpogKQ6wIcbMwI8teWPRPXFLIpTkL63zPBpDo7oAGRRZGhfAiXpc/s320/BB.BONTEBOK+PARK.BIRDS.TAWNY+EAGLE+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588690314442054914" border="0" /></a><br />Hi there everybody, it's me Cleopatra again. You know, the real owner of the Hideaway Guest House on the Garden Route, the one that offers all those value for money add-ons that you don't have to pay for! Well, things have been moving on fast here, I have not been very well, which is why I haven't been in touch for a while. We have had so much excitement in Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa! First we had the airshow, - Swellendam airfield is hardly Heathrow, but we had hawks and Silver falcons flying everywhere. The noise was terrible, I had to hide because it was really scary! Then we had the annual One O'clock Hill Sheep's Head feast followed by a fantastic country show with cattle, horses, sheep and goodness knows what! Then we had the Tug of War, which was followed by the South African Junior Tug of War championships. There were some big cats there, I can tell you! But today was the most exciting, because it was the day that time raced ahead! The new humans at The Hideaway B&B, Jackie and Stephen, brought a clock radio with them from England and it wakes them up every morning at 6am. Today, it said 6, but woke them up at 5 and they didn't know, so they got up, showered, dressed and started preparing breakfast before they looked at a proper clock and realized - too late!! Ha ha ha! (but they watched the start of the Melbourne Grand Prix so there is a silver lining! Gotta go! Time for a cat nap ......Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-57545881158258432152011-03-02T05:45:00.000-08:002011-03-02T06:23:04.819-08:00What's going on at The Hideaway?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdDWbXuV83sfoI8v_Eco2fJDS79WJ6eGXwddYHeuhyphenhyphenlL6s71IqHVwjGupMW7Kn1z29CSz74Z1eXn00NeEDmmzLxdZWesJ_7efm7L3Oz0bHbW0PNWpYQXk_sdDT5ZtVrq7F_RYifkuNWg/s1600/Hideaway+website+photos+Feb+2011+2011-02-13+015.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdDWbXuV83sfoI8v_Eco2fJDS79WJ6eGXwddYHeuhyphenhyphenlL6s71IqHVwjGupMW7Kn1z29CSz74Z1eXn00NeEDmmzLxdZWesJ_7efm7L3Oz0bHbW0PNWpYQXk_sdDT5ZtVrq7F_RYifkuNWg/s320/Hideaway+website+photos+Feb+2011+2011-02-13+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579487666474900770" /></a><br />Hi there, It's Cleopatra again, you know, the true resident of The Hideaway 5* guesthouse on the Garden Route. I said I would get back to you with more news when I had some, and tickle my whiskers, but Jackie and Stephen - this is a picci of them - have moved into the best value top of the range guest house in Swellendam. My old companions, Mark and Di, gave me a cuddle and just up and left. That was 2 days ago and I haven't seen them since. My food is still being put out for me and I get a bowl of milk every morning, (which is lurverly), and more brushes than ever, and people are still coming and going and writing things in that funny book I told you about. I thought maybe Stephen and Jackie were here on holiday, but then, today, a huge truck pulls up outside the house and loads of boxes and packages came out. So it looks as if Stephen and Jackie are here to stay. Mind you I can't blame them, it is soooooo lurverly here, I just curl up in the shade under my favourite tree and look at the mountains. It has been very warm here, lurverly! Must dash! I feel another cat nap coming on! Will keep in touch!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364879571811353664.post-57656412983827817902011-02-23T04:52:00.000-08:002011-02-23T05:03:16.924-08:00CLEOPATRA’S SWELLENDAM DIARY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9G5jgnuE52B2SqCJVlACXqqGywjKzFttsxsUKYqpZB62teVlO7FloQRiVV2p9HyoZiwXw381n8bKEnG_DeWk4BOjYKSvboGnyIZlRaOyw4iXssoee8AMxFTb_gUgoo0gN1cSLo-z8IA/s1600/wensite+pics+050.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9G5jgnuE52B2SqCJVlACXqqGywjKzFttsxsUKYqpZB62teVlO7FloQRiVV2p9HyoZiwXw381n8bKEnG_DeWk4BOjYKSvboGnyIZlRaOyw4iXssoee8AMxFTb_gUgoo0gN1cSLo-z8IA/s320/wensite+pics+050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576869410859439890" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello there!<span style=""> </span>I am Cleopatra, the true owner of The Hideaway in Swellendam, the best value top of the range B&B on the Garden Route and I want to tell you about some very strange goings on around the house.<span style=""> </span>As one of the most popular Guest Houses in Swellendam, The Hideaway B&B is always busy with people coming and going, and I am used to that, but lately 2 people have turned up who come back every single day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not very good with names, being a cat, but I think they are called Stephen and Jackie. It seems they may be about to move in with me.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I’m pretty tolerant, and they have given me some great brushes, which help with the fur balls, but I mean what is a cat to do after 14 years if yet another set of humans turns up to share her house?<span style=""> </span>They keep on talking about Champagne Breakfasts and Sun-downers, me I’m happy with milk and Whiskas<a name="_GoBack"></a>, but I have to say that their breakfasts do look yummy.<span style=""> </span>My reading is not too good, being a cat, but somebody wrote in that funny big book they always keep on the coffee table “best scrambled eggs in South Africa” – whatever that means …</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gotta dash!<span style=""> </span>Need to curl up in the shade and have a cat nap!<span style=""> </span>Will tell you more as soon as I know anything!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com