The annual Boxing Day Cricket fundraiser was held on the hallowed grounds of the Stanford Cricket Ground, otherwise known as the Market Square . The 12 illustrious teams battled it out in the hot sun, gallantly defending their pride. Delicious smells from the potjies wafted across the pitch, while families enjoyed the entertainment. The children had their very own cricket corner . This wonderful village event has been on the local calendar every year for the past 10 years. It started as a challenge from the locals to the weekend visitors, and now attracts a host of celebrity sportsman.  Jake White, Schalk Burger and Peter Grant were spotted patiently signing autographs.  The funds raised are for the local Animal Welfare charity and the Okkie Smuts ‘koshuis’ children. Make plans to be there for Boxing Day 2010 and be part of the fun!

Spring is getting here, with the forecast looking better and better.  But while it may still be a bit nippy, why not warm up in one of the local eateries? On Friday evening, 4th September, you could enjoy a Greek evening at Mandelis. Smash plates under the vines, while enjoying delicious Greek lamb, Meze and Baklava.

Over the first ‘official’ spring weekend, 4th - 6th September, there is a Mountain Bike night race on Friday night, starting  at 18:45 from Oom Tats. On Saturday, starting at Beloftebos, there will be three distances offered; 10 km,  30 km and 65 km. The route takes you through the local fynbos and wine farms. Beloftebos is a beautiful oak forest on the farm Paardenberg, next to Salmonsdam Nature Reserve.  Bring the family and enjoy the day under the oaks – there will be a farmer’s market, with lots of food stalls, local wine and beer and lots more!

The Stanford Village Market has been moved back to Saturday mornings, by popular demand. Pop into Stanford Galleries between 10 and 12am, and stock up on the locally produced goodies for the weekend.

Thanks to many car trips with teenage daughters, and Gareth Cliff on FiveFM, Fridays  always  evoke this happy cry……….

And being in Stanford for this long weekend promises to be filled with lots of things to do, places to visit, and of course, good things to eat!  Hop over to Hermanus, and visit The Hermanus Wine & Food Fair. Its been nominated as one of the 10 best wine festivals in South Africa. 50 local wineries from Elgin to Elim will present their wines for tasting, not forgetting delectable fares from various cheese and olive farms, as well as the famous Sushi of The Harbour Rock. All the wines on tasting will be available for purchasing at the Wine Village during the festival at cellar price.

Local Stanfordian and Supercook, Michael Dyson, will be plying his wares there. He’ll be offering sirloin steak rolls in home-made plaited stoneground flour rolls, hand-made chorizo sausage in same, Michael’s Fried Chicken, Onion Bhajis and a selection of warm pies, including the shortly-to-be-famous Stanford pie! This one has surpassed sales of the English Pork Pie and is now his best seller.

The Hermanus Botanical Society will be the main beneficiary of the Wine Village Cocktail for Fynbos and Wine Auction on Friday 7 August. Tickets are R120 per person and this includes a sumptuous supper, wine tasting, with the star attraction of the evening, the famous Wine Auction. Please remember that bookings are essential and tickets can be purchased from the Wine Village.

The Hermanus Times Kalfiefees from 6 -10 August hosts a number of class acts including music, comedy, drama, children’s theatre and more. “A Teacher in the Bushveld” is a humour and drama filled play that explores Herman Charles Bosman’s life as a school teacher in the Marico Bushveld. Mike van Graan uses South Africa’s obsession with sport for hilarious and satirical social commentary “Bafana Republic 3: Penalty Shootout“

Stanford has played host to local artist and bread maker, Niël Jonker. He has been presenting  2 day “Sourdough Bread Experience Workshops”, and will, too soon, be returning to his home in Baardskeerdersbos. Here, at his home in the small artist’s community, he has built a brick oven to enhance the taste and quality of his delicious wholesome homebaked breads.

Niël has developed a unique range of freshly ground wholegrain sourdough breads which he supplies to local organic markets. The grain is sourced from an organic farmer and mixed immediately after milling to retain all the flavour, texture and nutritional properties only found in wholegrain bread.

A talented artist and sculptor, his oil paintings include landscapes, portraits and still lifes. He will be offering an ART WORKSHOPon the 26th - 27th September at his studio, Die Bakhuis No 8 Baardskeerdersbos.

I have been enthralled by this amazing cycling race, Le Tour de France, that started in Monaco on July 4th, and is due to end on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday July 26th. Apart from being rewarded with an armchair tour of the beautiful European countryside, and magnificent mountain scenery of the Alps and Pyrenees, I have been amazed at the tenacity, courage and determination of the men cycling this gruelling route. The team work, tactics and strategies have been fascinating to watch. After racing for 4 -odd hours a day, the final result is fought out over the last few 100 metres.

21 days of racing,  159km to 224km per day,  total distance of 3500km, 5900 calories burnt per day (I heard they had to eat the equivalent of 62 cheeseburgers A DAY to replenish that!) six countries: Monaco, France, Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy, 180 riders, 20 teams.

The race first took place in July 1903 with sixty cyclists. It was organised by a journalist from L’Auto, to get cycling fans to read the daily sports magazine. That goal was reached and the circulation increased from 25000 to 65000 readers. Today the race attracts over 15 million spectators, with 5 million television viewers.

With two stages to go, and a lot of cycling and climbing and sweating before the finish line is in sight, Alberto Contador wears the overall winner’s Yellow Jersey. He has a lead of 4 minutes 11 sec over Andy Schleck, and third placed Lance Armstrong.  I know where I’ll be on Sunday afternoon…….