Robyn’s Durbs update.

I think it’s safe to come out of hiding now that the dust has settled after the Super 14 final where the Sharks were robbed of the trophy by the Bulls (I’m not a bitter loser at all)! All I can say is that South African rugby was a huge winner on that day! This weekend’s win over the English Roses (58-10) went some way to ease the pain a little.

South Africa was been gripped by a severe cold front this week, with snow even reported in Plettenberg Bay. Durban, who I claim doesn’t experience much of a winter was also very cold, but us Durbanites can comfort ourselves in the fact that it was colder throughout the rest of the country and no snow fell!

The sun has come out again though and to celebrate there is a concert in the park this Sunday (3 June). Durban Botanic Gardens (www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za) plays host to a South African rock legend and lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls, Arno Carstens in a Sunday afternoon concert! Pack your blanket and picnic basket with cheese and wine, round up your friends and enjoy a fantastic afternoon in the gardens, watching some top class music and sipping wine while the sun sets whilst being surrounded by amazing trees, a lake and birds! The gardens form a perfect location and has played host to regular afternoon concerts by popular South African artists such as Just Jinger, Watershed and Freshly Ground (I’ve attended all 3).

Coming up in July (7-22) is the annual Midlands Meander Creative Festival, inspired by the Salzburg Summer Arts Festival held yearly in Austria. Presenters usually entice adults/children to join in creative lessons and workshops about music, culinary art, cheese and herbs, leather and woodwork, jewellery design and different facets of fine art like drawing, oils, watercolours and sculpture. The 34 courses are interactive and take place at picturesque Midlands Meander venues. Check out www.midlands-meander.com for details.