Homeleigh Halt Guest House

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Homeleigh Halt Recommends

Homeleigh Halt announces that Alan Tours has now introduced  The Magnificent 7 day tour.  See Alan’s website for more details.

We have developed a unique day tour combining an early morning boat trip to one of the two Island groups in the Bay,  on the way we search the quite waters for the many Common, Bottle nosed and Humpbacked Dolphins as well as a number of species of shark that reside in the Bay.

 Seals, a variety of marine birds and the occasional Orca or Killer whale scan be spotted in the bay.In winter we  see the arrival of the Southern Right and Humpback Whales.

 After searching the waters of one of the largest protected bays in the world we return at mid-morning for lunch in the Harbour. After a well prepared lunch we again board the transfer vehicle for the short trip to the thickets of the Addo Elephant national park.

The Bay of Port Elizabeth is located on the south-eastern coast of Africa along the shores of Algoa Bay.

The city is fondly referred to as “The Friendly City” and tourists, who linger long enough to discover Port Elizabeth’s treasures, soon encounter the refreshing and sincere hospitality from which the city has earned its name.

Port Elizabeth is a superb value-for-money and family fun holiday destination, the city offers a diverse selection of attractions, scenic nature trails, historic heritage, magnificent wildlife, cultural experiences, countless water sport activities and 40km of breathtaking coastline and beaches.

The Bay is known as South Africa’s watersport capital and offers activity throughout the year, especially wind-surfing and fishing.

In fact, Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba diving is of world class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species.

Port Elizabeth boasts a wonderful moderate climate all year round, and has been rated as having the fourth best weather in the world! Sea temperatures range from 16ÞC in winter to 23ÞC in summer. Summers are dry and warm with relatively low humidity, while winters are notably mild, with an all year round rainfall.

 Spoil yourself and enjoy a truly unique holiday experience in Port Elizabeth.

Homeleigh Halt offers you superb accommodation at an affordable price.

Feel free to contact us for any further information.

Sailing

Pink Floyd fans are in for a treat as Centrestage presents its latest musical tribute by the Centrestage All-Star band.

 “Shine On: A Tribute To Pink Floyd” at the Uptown Theatres, from 7-8 August, and in East London at the Guild Theatre from 14,15 August!!!

For more information on this spectacular tribute visit the Pink Floyd page on the Centrestage website.

Musical director Donovan Hattingh says, “This is a dream come true for me. Michael McAuley (bassist) and I have been huge Floyd fans since we were about 12 years old. It’s a rare opportunity to see Michael smiling on stage! I’ve wanted to pay tribute to the band that gave birth to my passion for music for many years now, and finally I have my chance.”

The show showcases songs from the classic albums “Dark Side Of The Moon” and “The Wall”, but also features songs from “Wish You Were Here”, “Animals” and “The Division Bell”, amongst others. The format of the show is based on a typical live Floyd performance, such as can be seen on the live DVD “Pulse”.

I am posting my divine carrot and banana cake recipe

This is a beautiful light flavoursome cake.  I use a mixture of walnuts and hazelnuts, and use a really good canola oil . Keeps well and is great in lunchboxes and of course as an after dinner treat at Homeleigh Halt.

Mmmmmm….this is really nice….said Steven

Well Steven as promised here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups cake flour
1/2 cup self raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup coarsely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups finely grated carrots
1 cup mashed banana
1 cup vegetable oil

Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 160C
2. Grease 24cm round springform tin, line base with baking paper.
3. Sift flours, bicarb & spices into a large bowl, add sugar, stir in carrot and nuts.
4. Beat eggs and oil together and add to dry ingredients, together with           banana.
5. Mix well.
6. Pour mixture into prepared tin.
7. Bake for about 1 1/4 hours.
8. Cool cake in pan.

Top with a good layer of caramel and pipe some icing around the edge, just for added decadence.
Serve with cream.

The carrot and banana cake compliments my Amarula Coffee Surprise.

The annual Blue Crane Route Invites all to the 2009 Biltong Festival:

17-th – 18th July 2009 in Somerset East.

It is a mere 2 hour drive from us.

You will be entertained non stop for two days by some of S.A’s top artists such as:

MANGO GROOVE
JASON (IDOLS)
JUANITA DU PLESSIS
THEUNS JORDAAN
CHRISTO & COBUS
MALAIKA
LIANIE MAY
NIC STEVENS
MARIUS DE BRUYN
ZANDRE
EMO ADAMS
ANDRIES VERMEULEN
STU DAVIDSON
KAAPSE KLOPSE
DR VICTOR & THE RASTA REBELS
DOZI.

There are a wide variety of stalls, an aerobatics display, helicopter flips….and much much more.

Of course the most important attraction is the biltong. Now for those of you who did not know this, good ”biltong” must surely rate as the most sought after snack, meal, rugby accompaniment, gift…………..well the list goes on and on.

So I have sent my son off to Somerset East to source the most divine biltong and wors ( For my international friends…biltong is meat which is spiced and allowed to dry, made from beef or venison (local buck like kudu, springbok, nyala etc.), then of course there is ostrich, chicken and meat  from other big game animals.

Droe wors (Dry Sausage) is divinely spiced minced meat – piped into a sausage skin- allowed to dry. mmmmm an absolute must have!

If you are not near enough to us this time round, be sure to diarise the not to be missed festivals that take place in June and July annually: Billabong Pro Surfing (Jeffreys Bay), Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Kirkwood Wildlife Festival, Biltong Festival (Somerset East).

Stay at Homeleigh Halt and take a drive along for the day to any one of these not to be missed festivals.

 Entrance Fees to the showgrounds for the day cost ZAR 45.00 for and adult and ZAR 20.00 for a child of school going age.

Use our convenient currency convertor to see what this would cost you if you a visitor from outside of South Africa.

Homeleigh Halt Guest House is offering a magical special offer of a 4 night, 5 day getaway for R3500.00 for 2 sharing, in the friendly city of Port Elizabeth

 You get 4 nights luxury accommodation and a full English breakfast daily.

This offer also includes a trip to the world renowned Addo Elephant National Park, with a qualified field guide. The trip includes a light lunch. 

Other meals and refreshments are for your own account.

This incredible offer is also to be found on the official South African Tourism site under the exciting “Sho’t Left – Affordable Mzansi Holidays.”

Due to popular demand this offer is being extended to 31 August 2009.

See you soon!

Anybody who has stayed at Homeleigh Halt a couple of times gets to know that I love my coffee.  In fact you could probably say I am addicted to really good coffee…..

On occasion when I have a function here the ladies will ask me to make them something special.

Now that is when South African Amarula Cream comes to the rescue, and they provide you with the most divine recipes.

Listed hereunder are two absolute “must have” favourites:

Winter warmers from Amarula

This winter, treat your senses to a cultural exchange of untamed African earthiness and classic style, flavoured with modern undertones to awaken your spirit from within – introducing Amarula Coffee Surprise:

Amarula Coffee Surprise

Ingredients:
4 cups strong filter coffee
50 ml whipped cream
60 ml Amarula Cream
8 marshmallows
20 ml brown sugar
20 ml hot chocolate powder

Method:
Pour the coffee in large coffee mugs. Pour the Amarula Cream in each coffee, followed by the whipped cream, brown sugar and marshmallows. Sprinkle with hot chocolate powder and extra Amarula Cream. 

For a shorter, more energetic winter boost, try a Vodka Espresso which is an energetic shot of  espresso sipped through a luxurious collar of Amarula to inspire, uplift and enliven the palate:

Vodka Espresso –  for the very brave!

Ingredients:
1 tot Vodka
1 tot Amarula Cream
2 tot Espresso coffee
2 teaspoons Caster sugar (or to taste)

Method:
Shake coffee, vodka and sugar together with cubed ice, strain into a glass tumbler, and layer Amarula Cream on top. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.  There’s no need to let the winter chill get to you this season, with Amarula perfectly complementing Caturra coffee, we’ll keep you warm.

 All that is left for me to say is enjoy ladies and gents…now you can make your own at home. (This is an alcoholic beverage and as such is for those persons of legal drinking age.)

Homeleigh Halt Guest House has this information for you:

• Port Elizabeth is frequently shortened to PE, it is also referred to as “the Friendly City” , and less flatteringly “the Windy City”.
• PE forms part of the Nelson Mandela Metropole, along with Despatch and Uitenhage.
• If you plan on diving, bring along your certificate, alternatively there are diving courses on offer in the city.  Gear can be hired and boats chartered.
• PE can get quite busy during South African school holidays, so if you are looking for peace and quiet, come out of season.
• Due to the mild climate of the area, PE is a good year round destination.
• Inquire as to the fishing regulations in the area if you are a keen angler.It is also advisable to book accommodation in advance if coming in high season.
• Remember to bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera and binoculars. Really good bird and mammal  reference books are readily available.
• Take precautions against the sun, even when overcast.
• As everywhere in the World, take precautions against crime - for exmple -  do not walk alone at night in deserted areas.
• Be careful of sea currents and swim where lifeguards are on duty.
• There are numerous day trips and outings that can be arranged. Have an outing  custom designed to meet your specific interests. 
• An ocean safari or day safari  to Addo Elephant National Park or one of the other local game reserves is highly recommended.
• There are numerous accredited local tour operators – ensure that you establish the credentials of your tour operator. Ensure that your guide is a registered guide with ”FGASA” (Field Guide Association of South Africa) Membership cards are issued to all registered, qualified guides. 
• We are able to offer you a great deal of information on our wonderful city and surrounding areas.
• Let us help you to plan the most memorable holiday.
• Water is generally safe to drink straight out of the tap! Personally I do not drink bottled water in Port Elizabeth.
• There are some areas however where the water, whilst safe to drink, may not be to your liking because of the taste. We often refer to water as being “brak” (slightly salty and unusual taste). This is as a result of underground mineral deposits. If you grew up with this water, mostly in farming communities where water was not filtered but pumped directly from the underground source, then you became used to the taste.
• In areas where the water is really unsafe to drink you will be made aware of the fact by locals or your tour guide.

The local currency is the South African rand, comprising 100 cents. Coin denominations of  5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, and R5 are available, as are note denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.

 Tourists will generally experience a favourable rate of exchange when visiting South Africa. However, South Africa has very strict currency exchange laws and currency can therefore only be exchanged at banks and official bureaux de changes. 

South Africa’s banking system is said to be one of the most advanced in the world. 

Bank branches and ATMs are widely available countrywide.

 All major credit cards are accepted in South Africa, which includes  American Express, Diners Club , MasterCard and Visa.

It is essential however to carry a small amount of cash, as there are certain places where credit cards are not accepted.

Local street vendors selling beautiful African curios do not have card facilities so it is important that you have cash to make that all important memorable purchase!

VAT ( Value Added Tax ) is 14% and this is levied on most goods and services.  VAT can, however, be reclaimed at point of international departure.

If you would like any additional information please do not hesitate to contact Lynn at Homeleigh Halt Guest House (Bed & Breakfast style).