TOURING WITH GLEN : ARSENAL - THE PRIDE OF ENGLAND

TOURING WITH GLEN : ARSENAL - THE PRIDE OF ENGLAND: One of the most exciting things that you can do whilst in London, is to visits Arsenal Football Club centered in the Emirates Stadium. The...

ARSENAL - THE PRIDE OF ENGLAND

One of the most exciting things that you can do whilst in London, is to visits Arsenal Football Club centered in the Emirates Stadium.

The easiest way to get there is by tube. Get the closest route to the Piccadilly line and head in the direction of Cockfosters. The Arsenal station is on the way. There is a short walk down the route taken by the fans on Saturdays, to watch matches at the Emirates.

It is a good idea to pre-book the two available tours for there is one to the Museum and one to the stadium itself. The former starts earlier and there is a premium to getting in as these tours are very popular with the public.

All the managers are to be seen in the museum as well as the players. Above is a bust of the current manager, Arsene Wenger.

You will get into the changing rooms where you can sit in your favourite player's cubicle. See the old original tactical model, the showers and plunge pool, etc. See the state of the art medical, physio and dental theatre.There is also a post match interview room where the manager's post match comments are broadcast to the world in 14 different languages.

 Go down the player's tunnel where they meet with the roar of the crowds.

Sit in the manager's plush padded seat and listen to the friendly guide telling you all about the stadium.

Tony Adams, the renowned Arsenal captain, celebrating a famous victory.

Finally, on a completely different day, catch the river ferry at Tower Pier and go to the Royal Arsenal Pier where you can disembark. Go on a short walk to the Dial Arch pub where you will find a mounted soccer ball to commemorate the original founding and Charter of Arsenal Football Club in 1886. Have a pint of English ale and finish off with a 1m long pizza. Arsenal got its name from the arsenal where all the cannons were manufactured for the Napoleonic Wars.  Later the club moved north of the Thames River to Highbury and thence to the Emirates. Arsenal is the fifth most valuable association football club in the world, valued at more than $1.3 billion.

CAPE HOLIDAY POTPOURI

In the "Wind in the Willows", Ratty told Mole that "there is nothing so nice as simply pottering around in boats!"  I put it to you that there is nothing so nice as simply pottering about the Cape in South Africa in your hired car! There is something great and exciting around every corner.

For example, Montagu at the start of Route 62 has some wonderful working farms where one can enjoy the evening tranquility from the stoep of  a converted labourer's cottage. Walk up into the mountains, help harvest apricots or enjoy a bottle of Pinotage around the braai fire. Use this as a base to explore the surrounding country side such as Bonnievale, Robertson, Mc Gregor, Swellendam and my favourite vineyard Van Loveren, which is run by the Retief family.

Or perhaps you would like to hire a houseboat on the Langebaan lagoon. After parking on the shore, you have to ferry everything out to the houseboat where you can enjoy your Strawberry Daquiries in seclusion from the upper deck,  as the sun sets majestically over the ancient western mountains.

Or perhaps you would like to go on a cruise boat on the Bree River. Enjoy the drinks and snacks provided by the boating company as you calmly sail between the reed covered banks in complete tranquility. Take your binoculars as the bird life is magnificent, ranging from Cormorants to brightly coloured Kingfishers!

Or perhaps a wine farm would be more up your ally? Stand outside the entrance to Haut Cabriere wine tasting rooms, situated in the magnificent Franschhoek Valley where the French Huguenots originally settled. You have to book but an exciting,educational experience  can be taken in by watching Arnhem van Aachen, 'subrage' a bottle of Haut Cabriere sparkling wine with a sword, just as the ancient Polish cavalry officers used to do! There is also a wonderful restaurant that one can delight in.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THE WINE LIST

HOW TO CHOOSE  WINE IN A RESTAURANT

 Whilst you are touring around in your hired car or even dining in your hotel, it is wise to know about good wines.

Kings may be blest.

These poetic words were written a long time ago by Robbie Burns, the famous Scottish poet. Throughout the ages wine has been imbibed in Church ceremonies and it has always been present at the banquets of the greatest kings and emperors. But with the change of time, wine is no longer the privilege of kings but it is used on a daily basis by millions. One would not dream of going to a fine dining experience without ordering a bottle of wine or two. Not only is this relaxing but it is also part of a sensualist ritual. A dinner will inevitably be more enjoyable if balanced with a celebrated Pintotage or Sauvignon Blanc as the case may be.

The waiter arrives with the wine menu which is huge in proportion and bingo – the prices hit you between the eyes! You want to impress your partner and the list is prodigious. Your confusion rises. What must you choose to go with the fish and is it ok to select Cabernet Sauvignon with your Chateaubriand. What goes with the dessert?

How does it all work?

Don’t be swayed by the prices of the wines as this will put you off. Fundamentally, choosing wine is an imprecise art and the very best wine masters will argue over choices made. Everyone has different senses and there will always be a certain amount of disagreement. But remember that you should drink wine as “you” like it. On the other hand, the noticeable feature of each wine should prescribe which food it should match with.

Let’s say, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon and can slot in with dishes that go with spicy sauces e.g. beef, lamb. These wines also have a strong tannic, combined with a full body so they will go with cheeses that have strong piquancy. They are able to counteract the fattiness of these foods.

What of white wines?

Normally white wines are tangy , fruity, tart and acidic. You must also take its sweetness, bouquet and overall sense of balance into account. They can be matched with seafoods such as oysters and sole. Some go with cheeses and poultry e.g. Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. The overall rule is that wines that merge well with fish and other white meat contain high acidic flavour. The snappy, crisp suggestion of acid heightens the flavour of fish.

An Italian restaurant?

Wines that compliment pasta dishes are Merlot, Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio. So your choice is easy!

Wonderful flavour enhancing

Muscat, Rieslings or Port are best paired with desserts. Most curried and highly spiced oriental foods go with a Riesling.

Shiraz compliments Mexican food. Shiraz or Syrah as it is also identified, also enhances meat dishes such as chicken, ribs, as well as pork, beef and duck. If fast food dishes such as burgers will go with Merlot.

German foods such as ham and sausages will blend well with a zesty wine called Gewurztraminer. This is also safest for Asian foods. Most grilled dishes like fish and vegetables as well as mysterious spicy foods go with Rose. If smoked salmon is dished up on the table, it's wise to get pleasure from sparkling wines.

Wine speak

You must be familiar with the jargons brut, demi sec, sec or off-dry. These names refer to the sweetness of the wine. On a scale, demi sec wines are sweet and brut wines are not sweet at all. Look at the label that's written under the brand of the wine.

Don’t be scared to ask the sommelier if you have no clue at all as you cast your eye over the wine list. He is employed because he has huge knowledge and experience when it comes to wine tasting, preparation and serving.

What is the rationale behind choosing a good wine?

Basically a wine's purpose is not to annihilate the taste of the dish served with it, but to round out its strong points and suggestions of flavour. Many wines take time to reach their peak and in this maturation procedure the wine’s taste changes. It will grow more powerful or smooth out. Be mindful of this aging process of each wine. Some wines grip the characteristics of their storage barrels such as oak e.g. many Chardonnays are over wooded. Other wines can have complex taste through their colour and smell. Smell the wine for a good nose. If you are keen on the nose, it is very probable that you will also be mad about its taste.

A pragmatic way of becoming an expert on wines

1.    Investigate different wines. Experimenting helps you open up your wine terminology and enlarge your wine comprehension. It will give your taste buds an opportunity to delve into the art of wine know-how.

2.    Make certain that you take footnotes of each wine's individuality. A single wine tasting session does not make a wine taste regular. As you magnify your tasting skills, you forget a particular wine's attributes as well.

3.    Keeping an olfactory commentary of any wine is compulsory for anyone wishing to explore its complexity.

4.    Trust your nose and taste. Experiment with new wines and learn all the time. Discuss your new found knowledge with experts at the restaurant and wine emporium. Try different wines with different meals.

WINE TASTING IN THE CAPE

WINE TASTING

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• HIRE A CAR AND VISIT A VINEYARD IN THE CAPE FOR A WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
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One might say that it is ornamental, imprecise, inventive and delightfully silly.

To impress the audience at a wine tasting and enshrine yourself as a boffin of note, you must learn to spit. Whilst everyone else has to lean forward and bring the spitoon up to the mouth, if you can spit into a spitoon from two metres away without missing, you will be gazed upon with great envy and your reputation will be cemented for life. Young maidens will swoon about you in adoration!

Then the colour of the wine has to be determined by holding it up to a distant window or a spluttering candle in the distance. Nod knowledgably and pass comments on it's ruby nature or whatever.

Then swirling is another form of the ancient art. The glass should be held by the base between the thumb and the first two fingers, twirled rapidly in the correct circular direction - heaven help you if you are in a clockwise swirling school and you have the temerity to swirl anticlockwise! You don't dare spill a drop furthermore.

Once you have swirled and you perceive that all the others hovering around have started to slow down on their swirling, it is time to start determining the nose of the wine. You can rest assured that you have reached that stage where you have let air get to the wine and you have allowed it to breathe. You will probably be feeling slightly foolish at this stage.

To really impress, it is wise to pass a comment on the wine's legs - these are the trails of oxidising phenols sliding down the inside of the glass. Of course you must make sure that the legs are actually there, for if they have not formed (and sometimes they don't) you will look rather foolish.

At this point it is wise to tilt your head slightly to the side, hold the wine glass up to you right nostril and determine the nose of the wine. To really crack the nod as a fundi, it will have been wise to have learned beforehand, what sort of nose the wine has. For example, if you have surruptitiously looked at the label and percived that the wine is a shiraz, the comment that you can "pick up saddle-leather on the nose" will send everyone into paroxisms of delighted concurrence!

Finally, you get to taste the wine. Comments on the wine's bouquet, personality, essence and the fact that it's robe distingishes it above all others, will ensure you that you will crack the nod next time. You will be in, you will have made it and you'll be trapped into a web of 30 or 40 years of pretentiousness!

TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TURKEY

TRAVELSTART recommends you should look at 5 things you need in order to visit Turkey.

1. South African Passport

First up is your passport. You will need a permanent South African passport, which is valid for 6 months after your return to South Africa.

2. Return Flight to Turkey

Secondly you will be looking at a round-trip plane ticket. Specials start for around R5600 including taxes from Johannesburg, regular prices are R6000+. Please note that you will pay a little bit extra from Cape Town and Durban.

3. Turkish Visa

The third thing you will need to take into account is the Turkish Visa. Turkey used to be visa free; it now offers a free visa. You don’t need to send your passport in though; it is done all online and is at no charge. Click here to apply for a visa.

4. Hotel Reservation

The fourth thing to take into account is a hotel reservation. Budget hotels in Istanbul will cost you around R700 per night for 2 people sharing. More upmarket hotels in a good location will be from around R1300.

5. Spending Money

The fifth thing to take into account is spending money, and how you will take money over. 1 Turkish Lira is equal to about R5. You can take a credit card, one of those cash passport cards, or otherwise Euro cash is a good idea as well. I recommend taking Euros on top of one of the other forms of money.

Cost of food and drinks:

• Fast food will cost around R60 per meal
• A mid range restaurant meal will cost R300 for 2 people
• Coke will cost you R11-R12
• Draught beer will set you back R40

These prices are similar to South Africa, but where Turkey is more expensive is in petrol prices. The price per litre of petrol is +-R25, so if you are going to hire a car take that into account.

Thanks

BATTLE OF VEGKOP

If you ever want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg for an interesting and relaxing day, go on a day excursion to the Battle of Vegkop in the Free State. Pack a picnic bag the night before. Leave the city at about 6.30 am and proceed along the R26 on the way to Vanderbijlpark where you cross the Vaal River and proceed past Sasolburg. Follow the signposts and proceed to the town of Heilbron.

 Make sure that you enter the town and visit OJ's Diner for a sumptious English breakfast. The restaurant has a classic car theme and there are many paintings of old Fords and Buiks on the wall as well as ancient number plates from the days when Heilbron cars sported OJ number plates.

Pass through the town and head towards the battle of Vegkop. The road branches off the R34. You will come to a white gate at the entrance. After opening the gate at the battle proceed to the Museum and site of the battle where there are many fascinating memorials and friezes.

Once the Great Trek away from the Cape  had commenced, the Trekkers encountered many adversaries. Among these were the Ndebele, an offshoot from the Zulus. The Ndebele were lead by Mkalipi. Conflict arose over grazing. Voortrekker leader, Hendrik Potgieter drew up a well fortified laager of wagons on a defense position at Vegkop (Battle Hill). A maverick priest called Sarel Cilliers delivered a prayer for victory and Potgieter rode forth with 30 men to confront some  4000 warriors. The Ndebele refused to parley and the defenders fought a retiring retreat to the safety of the laager.

The Ndebele squatted on their shields until Potgieter provoked them into action by waving his whip with a red flag attached to the tip. The Ndebele tore at the sides of the laager, trying to gain entry. Over 1000 assegais were picked up afterwards from inside the laager. They were unable to gain entry and Potgieter led a second sortie to attack the warriors in the open. The latter retreated and departed with over 5000 cattle, horses and sheep which they had looted. This was a major blow to the Trekkers. 12 men were wounded and 2 killed. The Voortrekkers offered up a prayer of thanksgiving. The Nbebele lost 160 men.

The Trekkers recieved help from the Barolong and one year later the Ndebele (Matabele) were forced to flee to Zimbabwe. The Trekkers were forced to unite with other parties at Thaba Nchu.

After your tour proceed back through the attractive Free State farmlands to Vanderbijlpark and enjoy your late lunch with a bottle of Swartland Tinta Barocca on the grassy banks of the Vaal River.

GREAT RESTAURANTS IN JOHANNESBURG

“SIMPLY THE BEST”

HUGUENOT RESTAURANT

Cecil Scheepers is a restaurant operator of note! Situated off Ontdekkers Road in Florida, Johannesburg. His restaurant has recently been updated and it now boasts a Sushi Bar with two Japanese chefs. Many of the waiters have been with the restaurant for years and they have a friendly disposition. There is a fine bar with wine and spirits and the Huguenot is fully licensed. There is an outside deck that faces north and piped music is available there. There is also a function room that can be booked for parties, end of year functions, business meetings, etc. Each meal starts off with a shooter of Old Brown sherry, commonly known as OB's. The menu is attractive and there is a wide selection of dishes available. My favourite Huguenot meal consists of a bottle of shiraz, bread rolls with butter, a starter of grilled Calamari rings followed by blackened sirloin steak. To finish off a Glayva whisky tops off an enjoyable evening. There is ample parking. Telephone 011 672877, situated in the Flora Centre.

Atmosphere, ambience, service and food all get a 5 STAR Rating

“BEST IN THE WEST” 

Situated in Beyers Naude Drive, near Cresta Shopping Center, the iconic THUNDERGUN has been going since 1968! Paul, the Scottish owner, is a hands on operator who has a team of efficient cracker-jack friendly waiters. What is impressive, is the fact that the THUNDERGUN is always packed with customers, a large percentage being elderly ex-pats.Paul ploughs back a lot to the community and Tuesday lunches have a 25% discount for pensioners.

2,6 tons of spare ribs are sold each month by Paul and his team. It is little wonder that the THUNDERGUN was awarded the "BEST RIB RESTAURANT" in Johannesburg. The hamburgers are known as GUNS and the basic theme is Wild West, with Red Indian and Cowboy artefacts adorning the walls. The bar pumps and the restaurant has a fine wine list. My favourite dish is a medium/rare 300g Cajun sirloin topped with Danish cheese, served with onion rings and a baked potato - absolutely fabulous!

FIVE STAR for value, atmosphere, service and food

“Back to Nature”

Walter Sisulu Gardens is a fantastic venue to go to on a warm summers morning. There is a stunning walk up to the waterfall (which is the source of the Crocodile River). Here you can view the famous Roodepoort Black Eagles, often with the help of a local birder. On the way, there is a delightful restaurant where one can enjoy a variety of delicious breakfasts in the clear open air.
Afterwards, there are many interesting and sometimes strenuous walks. Surrounded by splendid gardens, one can just relax and let nature just seep into your bones!

FIVE STAR rating for value, atmosphere, service and food

"The Greek Sizzler"

Costa and Juanita are the patrons of this lovely restaurant situated at Banbury Cross on the intersection of Malibongwe and Olievenhout Avenues in Northriding. Telephone number 011 7951336. The menu is typically Greek with a wide variety of A-La-Carte foods that cater for all tastes. The restaurant offers patrons a glimpse of Greece and it has true Taverna charm as well as outdoor dining when the weather is warm. There is a roaring indoor fire during the winter. Costa takes real pride in his wines and there is an extensive wine list. The Greek Sizzler really starts to sizzle when plates are brought out for patrons to smash on the floor. My personal favourite dish there is kleftika or "stolen lamb", whilst there is baklava and dolmaides.   

FIVE STARS for food, service, value and price

"LUCIO'S PIZZERIA" Lucio's is an iconic restaurant on the West Rand of Johannesburg. Corado is a genuine Italian and an on hand manager who sees to the well being of his patrons. The Italian eatery is about 27 years old and it has perfected the art of being homely; Its appeal lies in the simple uncomplicated approach that is has. There is an extensive range of foods ranging from starters to pizzas to pastas plus much. much more. The pizzas are thick based and have generous toppings. There is an extensive list of local wines and the house red wine is pegged at R 90 per bottle. The waiters are friendly and efficient. Lucio's phone number is 011 678 0042 and it is located at 231 Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg. FIVE STAR for food, service, value and price. Shop 5 & 6 Fir Drive Centre Cnr Fir Drive & Weltrevreden Northcliff 011 4310591

Ralph Adamo is the patron of this superb restaurant. It is difficult to get into the establishment, because of its undoubted popularity. This is despite the restaurant almost doubling in size lately. The waiters are very efficient and friendly. Ralph is a hands on operator and he is a superb cook who sets a fine example as he expects perfection with his food and service. The menu is extensive with Primi, Insalata (Italian salad is superb), Pasta, Secondi, Pizza and Dolce. The wine list is superb with corkage of R80

Undoubtedly FIVE STAR for food, price, service and value

TASCO DOS AMIGOS

Situated just opposite the Fairlands Police Station, Tasco dos Amigos serves excellent Portuguese food at phenomenal prices. Recently, extensive alterations and additions have been added to accommodate the restaurant's popularity. There is a special on every night of the week and on Saturday afternoons you can eat as much Espetata as you like. The young waitresses are very friendly and efficient and there is ample parking for the faithful patrons. The wine list is limited but the prices completely negate this. For starters, the Squid Heads are superb and the Tuesday special, T-bone steak is ginormous! Traditional Portuguese drinks are freely available. The phone number is 0116782085.

FIVE STAR for food, service, price and value

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WHERE THE QUEEN GOES, THERE GO I

I have personally seen the Queen five times and there are certain rules to follow if you want to have a chance of catching a glimpse.

The first of these is to look out for the Queen's Standard. This flag is only hoisted if the Queen is in residence. So, if you arrive at Buck House and the Union Jack or any other is flying, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Queen will not be there.

Here is a picture of Balmoral Castle where the Queen goes on holiday. Note that the Scottish Standard is flying and so the Queen was not be there. However the tour there is absolutely fascinating.

Then, it is useful to look at the Queen's appointments in the Times Newspaper. This will give you a guide to where to hang out if you wish to see her. I knew that she was in Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Ambassador's Holy Communion. Lo and behold when we got there, her standard was flying proudly and I was able to see her emerge. The cherry on the top was to get a royal wave as she passed by in her Rolls. She is often seen driving in and out of Buckingham Palace. It is possible to tour the Palace at times and you are able to see her sumptuous apartments. 

Like wise, you may see her at the Royal Albert Hall where she sometimes attends the theatre. The best and closest view I ever had of her was at Lord's cricket ground. I was there with my School 1st XI on tour. Shane Warne had just annihilated the England batting line-up. We were advised by tannoy that we could go onto the field where the Queen was to present medals to the players. We could clearly watch her being served tea in the pavilion and then we were as close as 5 m from her as she shook hands with the players.

The Queen often resides at Windsor Castle. The Changing of the Guard is much more exciting there as one can get a lot closer. There is also a tour of the Royal Apartments which is brim full of history and fascinating indeed. Finally, it is great to go to the Tower of London where the piece de resistance is the fabulous Crown Jewels.

HIGHLAND GAMES IN SCOTLAND

LOWDOWN ON UK VISAS

UK Visa Application – How To Apply And Where In South Africa

4 October 2010   TRAVELSTART

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Nick Paul 

Updated: 27 August 2014

The introduction of the British visa has quickly become a major issue for South Africans travelling to the UK, where previously we enjoyed a freedom of travel, being allowed in and out as we wished for a stay of up to 6 months. The new changes made sure that South Africans now need to apply for a visa to enter the United Kingdom for any stay, and in most cases, even we’ll even need a visa to transit London on the way to other countries. Here are some basic questions and answers with some guidelines on how it all works and how you can apply.

Do I need a transit visa to go via Britain?

The general rule is that anyone transiting a UK airport (even if you don’t leave the airport) will require a visa if they travel on a South African passport. There are a handful of exceptions, some of them are not of much use for us, eg if your final destination is Australia or New Zealand, but who in their right mind would betravelling to Australia from South Africa via London? Others are of a lot more help to us: if you hold a visa for the USA or Canada and you’re not leaving the transit area of the airport in London and are continuing on within 24 hours to that destination, you don’t need a transit visa for Britain.

Which agency should I use for a UK visa application?

The answer is simple for that question, you can only use one agency. The British High Commission has appointed Teleperformance to process the applications. No other agency may process visas for the United Kingdom at all, all others only offer advice and assistance but will still send you to Teleperformance to apply. Be aware too that you will need to apply in person at your local Teleperformance office as biometric data needs to be taken when you apply.

How much does the UK visa application cost?

The cost varies for the type of visa you’re applying for, it also varies according the the exchange rate. The regular 6 month single or multiple entry visa will currently cost you around R1536 for business and leisure travellers alike. There are other visas for those who don’t wish to apply every six month if they travel regularly, eg the 2 years, 5 years and 10 years validity visas, costing R5550, R10064 & R13635 respectively.

How long does the UK visa take to process?

There’s no official time-frame mentioned anywhere but it usually takes about 2 weeks. For Christmas and the British summer months, maybe apply a little longer in advance. We suggest applying between 1 and 2 months before to ensure your application proceeds smoothly with all the correct documents and you get it back in time for your trip. There is a rush fee one can pay to get the visa done within 5 days which costs £100 (approx R1800 on 27 Aug 2014 exchange rates).

What documents does the UK require for visa applications?

Teleperformance request that you bring printed copies of your appointment confirmation and online application form, your passport, and any other documents you want considered. You can also double-check the documents against the official government site.

What are the steps I can expect to take to apply for the UK visa?

1. Find out what visa you need on the UK government site.
2. Book your appointment online using the same site and take note of the “GWF number” they provide. You’ll be emailed confirmation too.
3. Register your details on Teleperformance’s site.
4. Purchase any optional extras (like rush fees or courier services)
5. Prepare the documents you need (copies of your appointment confirmation, passport and any other supporting documentation.
6. Attend your appointment. If you are late, you forfeit your fee, also once you’be attended your fee is non-refundable for any reason.
7. You will be contacted by email once your passport is returned to Teleperformance

The above information is subject to change without notice, it was correct at time of publishing, we cannot vouch for it’s continued accuracy. It is imperative that you get up to date and accurate information as well as make the application via theTeleperformance website when planning your trip.