Nick the Greek

Isnt it funny what you miss when you are away from home, yet when you have it you totally take it for granted. I was telling Sam how much I missed good Lebanese food, and how there isnt one lebanese eatry here, other than the kebab stall at the end of the road which I have yet to sample. Hence why I have been baking feta bread and making numerous Arabic delights...
we have resumed our weekend brunches with Suri and Kay and they took us along to the Hellenic Centre where a lovely guy , yes you guessed, named Nick, has a catering company which provides a lunch on the first and last sunday of the month. I wanted to dive head first into the humous, babganoush, taramasalata, mini dolmades, kofta balls. chicken skewers...the list is endless as was the dessert trolley with even homemade baklava...
Nick runs a food lovers market once a month and I have been encouraged to have my own stall with Lebanese nibbles...something I am seriously considering, and something Sam's colleagues should brace themselves for as they will be my guinea piglets.
After lunch it was off to the playground at the Durban Country Club where the wee fella's first experience in the sand pit did not go down too well. He was more interested in smiling at Ella, and who can blame him.

 Thankfully Nick has a deli that provides close to what will satisfy these cravings. I told Sam about my idea for a food stall at the fare...I suggested calling it Beirut Bites, to which he responded 'That's a great name, then I can open a nightclub and call it Beirut Nights! '
Enough said.

Until next time...

After days of stormy weather, finally a break in the clouds...



So we ventured out of Durban at the weekend to Balito where the surfers were practising for the yearly Mr Price Pro competition, and then along the golden beach onto to the picturesque town of Umdloti (pronounced Um-sh-loti!) where the restaurant-with-a-view speaks for itself, as does their seafood. Whilst there we came across a small gallery where an artist named Darren was deep at work. Nelson Mandela, Prince William are just a few to own his miniature sculptures, but the best part about his work is the workshops he teaches the underprivileged kids in the townships as well as his wonderfully intricate paintings of township life. Have a look http://www.thehoozoo.com/socialprojects.html

There has been much excitement of the Monaco guests for their SA wedding which took place on our complex which we share with the same hotel as Princess Charlene's  venue. Apparently Albert didn't stay with her but the amount of secret service, police and helicopters patrolling the place did our heads in so we are happy to have normality resorted.

We took a look at Laith's future school. Cant believe we will register him next year so he can start when he turns 2. This place is a mixture of an african themed disneyland playground with a rainbow of cultures and no processed food where teachers hug the kids, damn near perfect in my eyes, Check out a small section of it!

Until then we have joined a moms n babes group where he is learning to mix with other babes his age. Troy is smaller but can walk, Quinn is twice his size and strength and has taken a shine to Laith. There are three other girls but I cant recall their names as I have only been to one session, which proved a hit with the critter so we are back next week, armed with chocolate cake for all. Thought we would share a taste of Grandma's love. The moms are super cool adn fun and we are looking forward to some vino and age appropriate conversation soon!

Patricia has joined the family to help me out for a few months and to say she is a delight is an understatement. She loves Laith and she loves to cook for us, and I mean proper homemade food, from stews, to curries, to bakes.We are very lucky and grateful. Granpa came and went, left Laith feeling confused as to where his favourite man had gone, and subsequently left me in tears.

This is Arthur and N, our security guards and Laith's buddies.

Our UK store, where prices are triple to the cost back home but believe me when I tell you when you are craving salad cream, pickled onion crisps or PG tips, you will come close to selling the clothes on your back to get them!

The even have sour flying saucers - remember those sweets?

until next time...

Mr Akram Sr, Jr And Master

who is the fairest of them all?