Breathtaking bush break

Experience the thrill of the bush veld and the many wonders that nature has to offer. The superbly furnished self-catering lodges, all with breathtaking views, will enhance your quality time. An evening spent at our "Bush Boma" or breakfast with the birds will relax your mind and recharge your spirit.

Only 3 and a half hours drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, lies a wonderful escape from the stresses of city life. Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge is situated above the quaint picturesque town of Pilgrims Rest and is close to all of the natural attractions of the Eastern Transvaal. Within 5000 hectares of Game Reserve, with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, our 4-sleeper chalet is situated.





Self-Catering
Accommodation at Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge consists of 164 thatch lodges, sleeping 2, 4, 6, or 8 people. Lodges are serviced daily and fully equipped for self-catering (or you can eat in the restaurant). Each lodge has satellite television and M-Net and all accommodation overlooks sweeping Escarpment views. Towels and basic toiletries are provided. Larger units have washing machines and tumble driers.

Facilities at the Lodge
Facilities include four swimming pools (two heated) in delightful gardens, floodlit tennis courts, a squash court, mini - golf and a games room with table tennis and other indoor games. Then, there's a children's playground, a kiosk/shop, restaurant-cum-coffee shop and the Crystal Tavern. Adults looking for tranquility and relaxation will find it at The Clubhouse - strictly for over-16's. The complex houses a health spa (indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, sun deck, gym), a beauty salon and a TV lounge.



You too can call this home. For only R2199 for four people for a week, you can stay in utter luxury on the following dates: 27,28,29 and 30 October 2008.

For more information, or to book, contact Lizette at lizette_s@webafrica.org.za

Writing and editing services

A professional image is essential to the success of any business.

Nothing is as off-putting as spelling errors, incorrect punctuation and wrong vocabulary used on professional communication.

Whether it is business letters or documentation, websites, e-books, we offer professional writing and editing services to suit your pocket. Our rates are lower than our competitors.

For a personal quote or more information, email Lizette at lizette_s@webafrica.org.za

Beggers like to choose

Growing up I was taught that one should empty one's plate. Although it's not always great for the waistline, it's good manners and food doesn't go to waste. After all, there are a lot of people who have no food at all.

In recent months, however I have been seeing how picky people can be about food. It seems to be a huge tendency in the people that are previously diisadvantaged.

I may not be nuts about rice, pap and cabbage, but I eat whatever is put in front of me with all the appreciation possible. It's much worse where there is none.

A few months ago we visited the home of relatives and had pap or oats for breakfast, whilst the domestic's child luxuriated on huge bowls of cereal that was actually bought for us. This child also refused to drink cordials, insisting on Coca-Cola instead and he didn't eat vegetables as he preffered meat, no matter who got short-changed in the process. This child wears R400 Reeboks whilst my children look great and are perfectly happy with their R40 Ackermans shoes. The mother had her hair done for R100 recently and then cried as there was no food at home for the children. I refuse to have a haircut if it's more than R60 and that's only once every 3 months. This same woman is expecting me to give her a heirloom of a woman she hated and stole from on her death-bed.

Last week I attended a function and happened to land at a table with a lady and her 4 young children. The children were thin with big, hungry eyes, looking around in anticipation at the food and treats available.

The first course arrived - chicken soup, ideal for the cold winter's day. It may not have been the most tasty soup I have ever had, but my body yearned for the nutrients. My daughter asked for seconds, but I explained that there are other children that are less fortunate and she should leave some for them. Alas, the three older children of the other woman, all sent back their entire bowl of soup. The youngest was a baby and shared with the mother.

Then arrived the main course: fried chicken with rice and veggies. Again, the family scoffed down the chicken, but the rice and vegetables were sent back as is. My family could've been fed on that alone for 2 meals. What a waste - how rude?

Dessert was gulped up by the now starving kids and when the cake arrived, my family had to share two tiny little pieces.

I don't understand how poor people don't teach their children to eat what they get and be appreciative. You could count on 2 hands how many times my children had cereal in their 6 years, instead, they eat pap, Mabella and sometimes as a treat, oats.

This utter rudeness obviously stems from the parents' inability to prioritise and the general sense of entitlement.

We can't expect this country (or the world for that matter) to change unless we can change our priorities.

75 year old man outwits 4 hijackers

A 75-year old man faced a gun to his head on Friday afternoon when he went to drop his domestic worker at the 4-way stop to Orangefarm, south of JHB where she catches a taxi home. As the domestic worker got out of the car with her bags, they were approached by 5 men. One man entered the car and put a gun to the man's head, demanding money and trying to pull the keys from the ignition. The victim was cool and calm and accelerated the car, causing the hijacker to fall out of the car. The angry criminals hit the domestic and grabbed a bag with food and clothes, money and a cellphone. She was picked up by her employer and taken to the police station.

Find or advertise your property here

Looking for a place to rent? Look no further than RentaSpot.

Rentaspot is SAs biggest rental hub with a wide choice of properties to let. Plus, we have lots of fun stuff to make your experience with us an experience. Try out our easy-to-use fuzzy logic search bar, spot a property on our mapping system and then check out how far away the shops are.

Rentaspot offers a great marketing platform with a database of tenants and a place to list any type of rental property so whether you have a beach front apartment available for 2 weeks, timeshare you can't use, a short let duplex, commercial or factory space rentaspot is the ideal place to show it off.

Rentaspot is a sister company of Private Property, and online efforts are supported by their extensive off line advertising.



If you prefer a place of your own, contact Lizette via the Contact Us page to arrange your home finance for FREE!

Steve is closing down his blog

Following a recent emergency operation, South African music sensation Steve Hofmeyr, is closing down his blog.

Steve se Spoegblog is no. 7 on Amatomu and receives in excess of 4 Million hits per month.

Steve has been a prolific writer and very consistent in his entries. Every day he shared news, opinions and a bit of himself with his readers - even when he was in hospital.

Soon, instead of his blog, his website will display a homepage. We will miss connecting with Steve every day...

Wishing you well on your recovery and building kites and fishing!

Who is Vernon Koekemoer?

If you don't know Vernon Koekemoer, you live in the dark ages!

He was made famous for his fashion sense and compared to the likes of Rambo and Chuck Norris.

This is the photo that made the man:



More about Vernon:

Vernon Koekemoer makes onions cry

Vernon Koekemoer can delete the Recycle Bin.

Ghosts are actually caused by Vernon Koekemoer killing people faster than Death can process them.

Vernon Koekemoer can build a snowman..... out of rain.

Vernon Koekemoer can strangle you with a cordless phone.

Vernon Koekemoer can drown a fish.

When Vernon Koekemoer enters a room, he doesn't turn the lights on, he turns the dark off.

When Vernon Koekemoer looks in a mirror the mirror shatters, because not even glass is stupid enough to get in between Vernon Koekemoer and Vernon Koekemoer

Brett Favre can throw a football over 50 yards, Vernon Koekemoer can throw Brett Favre even further.

The last digit of pi is Vernon Koekemoer. He is the end of all things.

Vernon Koekemoer does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die.

Bullets dodge Vernon Koekemoer

A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Vernon
Koekemoer and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

The Vernon Koekemoer calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd - no one fools Vernon Koekemoer.

If you spell Vernon Koekemoer wrong on Google it doesn't say, "Did you mean Vernon Koekemoer?" It simply replies, "Run while you still have the
chance."

Vernon Koekemoer can do a wheelie on a unicycle.

Once a cobra bit Vernon Koekemoer' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

When Vernon Koekemoer gives you the finger, he's telling you how many seconds you have left to live.

Vernon Koekemoer can kill two stones with one bird.

Vernon Koekemoer was once on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and was the first to spin. The next 29 minutes of the show consisted of everyone standing around awkwardly, waiting for the wheel to stop.

Leading hand sanitisers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Vernon Koekemoer kills 100 percent of whatever he wants.

There is no such thing as global warming. Vernon Koekemoer was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Vernon Koekemoer can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

Vernon Koekemoer has a deep and abiding respect for human life unless it gets in his way.

It takes Vernon Koekemoer 10 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

Vernon Koekemoer once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Vernon Koekemoer could use to kill you, including the room itself.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman. Behind every dead man, there is Vernon Koekemoer.

Vernon Koekemoer destroyed the periodic table, because Vernon Koekemoer only recognises the element of surprise.

Vernon Koekemoer got his drivers licence at the age of 16 Seconds.

With the rising cost of gasoline, Vernon Koekemoer is beginning to worry about his drinking habit.

The square root of Vernon Koekemoer is pain. Do not try to square Vernon Koekemoer, the result is death.

When you say "no one's perfect", Vernon Koekemoer takes this as a personal insult.