On the outskirts of Durban, 'up the hill' - some 550 metres above sea level - is a place I am drawn to time and time again. Nothing fancy, not quite on the tourism route, a sanctuary for abandoned animals, mainly dogs and cats. Treasures for Africa, as the saying goes here, which means a load of treasures. We browse, searching for that something special that cannot be bought in the big department stores in the glitzy shopping malls, filled with mass-produced goods.
A different kind of 'retail' therapy. Way more satisfying than commercialized goods.
Of course, talking about my favourite place to go while I'm busy packing, selling, and buying a home takes precedence, so I've had to dig in the archives and use old photos from other visits. This quirky, decorated wall was given a new look when we visited a couple of years later.
Which one do you like?
We're usually famished by the time we finish our thrift shopping, and we love sitting under the trees, often listening to a popular Durban singer who gives up her time to do her part for the animals.
The property was donated to the SPCA by an eccentric old man, and the original farmhouse is now known as Marilyn's Tea House. Light meals, or teatime treats, are served; they make a mean apple pie! Clever use of broken china in this notice board.
Right in the middle of the large property is a small nature reserve, Glenholme Gardens, with hiking trails that are dog-friendly, so you often see pet owners walking their dogs on a leash, of course. I still have to go for a walk there; we have always been too rushed to make the shops in time, as some of them close earlier.
The tiny sewing room is filled to the hilt, a real haberdashery!
The reason I love coming here is not just to shop and find 'bargains'. To me, they are treasures, many of yesteryear, and each has a story to tell. Original paintings in superb frames, quaint mixed artwork, and even sculptures, are found in the tiny art gallery.
If you have writer's block and are looking for topics to write on, take a peek at our past Chronicles where you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy!
AND...if you would like to suggest the next prompt yourself, please feel free to contact one of the "Silverators", or simply tell us in a comment to any of our announcement posts!
This is week 3 - The Silverbloggers Chronicles - Prompt #03 set by Silver Cat who asked:
Take us to visit a special place in your hometown.
It can be any place, a park, a house, a street, a building. Why do you like it? What makes it special for you?
As you read, while I do enjoy shopping, which woman doesn't? I do not like busy malls filled with glitzy commercialized goods at over-inflated prices. I enjoy the fresh air higher up and away from the hustle and bustle of our coastal tourist city, Durban, and would rather go home with a treasure that tells a story, or something with a message, knowing that my money is being used to help with the care of abandoned and abused dogs and cats.
I've translated these wonderful words of wisdom:
𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙡𝙮
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙃𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
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Artwork by @artywink
𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠
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Join our Silver Bloggers community
Artwork by @artywink
𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠
Join our community of awesome content creators
by clicking my referral LINK