My wife went to do the ParkRun on the beachfront promenade in the morning, while I took our Labrador, Remy for a walk. Our dog has hip dysplasia, so he can’t run for too long. After smelling the promenade and investigating everything he could, Remy’s eyes lit up when he met his mom at the finish and ran with her for a bit to Suncoast.

We then took him to the beach at Durban underwater club (DUC) and let him run on the sand.
From there we went to Moyo on the pier which is just next door. I had a coffee while my wife had a cocktail, and Remy had some much needed water. The service at Moyo’s is never great but the location is stunning so it’s an easy trade off.

We headed home had some breakfast and started getting ready for our afternoon out. My father fetched us at about 11:45 we picked up another friend, and we made our way to Billy the Bums for some pre-soccer drinks. Everyone else arrived around 12:30. The gates to the stadium were supposed to open at 12pm. So the plan was to have a few drinks then Uber down to the stadium around 13:30. That was the plan anyway.

The announcement then came over the SuperSport channel, which was on at Billy’s, the game was postponed until 19:00, with the gates now opening at 16:00. We all sat and debated what to do while drinking another beer. A braai was suggested, or another restaurant for lunch, until eventually someone suggested we catch a bus to Afro’s chicken on the beach. Just like that, we all agreed.

We caught an Uber cab for R20 down to Kings Park swimming pool which is where the PeopleMover bus leaves from. Hopped of the bus and made our way. Not knowing what stop would be closest to get off I asked our crew if anyone knew. This was my first time on our city’s people movers, but as it turns out, one of our friend’s son likes to ride the bus, so they do it often. He was leading the way. We jumped off the bus and took a cool 2 min walk to Afros where we had some awesome chicken burgers.

A little further down, we walked to Surf Riders and proceeded to order some beers and cocktails. We had a lot of entertainment, with a drunk couple getting it on just outside the restaurant, but that just makes for an entertaining day. We took another walk down to the bus stop, taking in the local art  and waited 20 min for our bus back to the stadium. For R5-50 a bus ticket, it’s a steal!

The only problem with the match being postponed was that now the rugby and soccer were on at the same time, and the fact that the rugby and soccer stadiums are across the road from each other. There was also a concert going on in the People’s Park with multiple bands and DJ’s, called The Enchanted Playground, which is next to Moses Mabhida. It was going to be a busy night. Half our crew had tickets to rugby and the soccer, and had now chosen to go to the rugby instead. We sadly said our goodbyes and headed in opposite directions. I got myself a Bafana Bafana hat, for a mere 20 bucks and now I was ready for the game.

We headed into the stadium got some beer and headed to our seats. The atmosphere at Moses Mabhida Stadium is unmatched. The vibe was awesome with all sorts of characters popping up, from Kaizer Chiefs biggest supporter to a man dressed in drag and loving it.

We had a Mexican wave come around the stadium at least four times, until the crowd had to start singing just to stop it. The game was a draw in the end, but that didn’t really matter. The stadium was on fire, the crowd was singing, screaming, and blowing vuvuzelas like mad men.

It was truly an epic game and an amazing day. I’m not a soccer fan, hell I’m not even that much of a rugby fan, and I’ve definitely been to more rugby games than I’ve been to soccer matches. But with an atmosphere like we had last night, I will definitely be going back for more.

The Howick Falls are always a nice place to start your trip. Head towards Howick and take the Midmar Dam turnoff, exit 103. Turn right over the bridge and at the next T-junction turn left, then head down Main Road towards the Howick Falls Hotel. At the Hotel, turn right and head down to find a parking. Along the road you will find an array of coffee shops as well as second hand stores, and of course, the Howick Falls themselves.

A photo posted by John Benecke (@kettleman) on Jul 1, 2014 at 9:35am PDT

From the falls, you can turn around and head right, up Howick Main Road. Go through Howick and over the bridge that crosses the N3. This turn off would be the Howick North, exit 107, if you were coming from the freeway. At the T-junction turn right onto the R103. This is one of your main Meander routes. From here on the number of shops and pubs are endless. If you feel you want to stop somewhere, then go ahead. The Meander has so much to see you could almost get lost. Florentine’s Belgian Chocolate shop is little chocolate shop on your left hand side as you start your Meander. They have awesome macadamia nuts covered in white, milk or dark chocolate. We normally stop here on the way back, otherwise your chocolate will melt before you can get it home… unless you stop on the way up and again on the way back down.

The Nelson Mandala Capture site is up next on the left and is definitely worth a visit (http://www.thecapturesite.co.za). It’s full of vibrant history, as well as a sculpture of  Nelson Mandela, which is more like a portrait. As a South African, you have to make the time see it at least once. It puts our lives into perspective.

A photo posted by John Benecke (@kettleman) on Mar 21, 2013 at 4:58am PDT

Just past the capture site at the petrol station on the left, is Steampunk Café (http://www.steampunkcoffee.co.za). It’s an awesome coffee shop and if you are going too fast you will probably miss it. You get R2 off a cup of coffee if you take your own mug. I suggest stopping on the way up, and the way down. The coffee is really good. Adding to the atmosphere is a local dog who comes to visit and stays on the welcome mat the whole day. Good coffee, good place to sit and chat. I have customers up in Howick, and I stop here at least once a week.

Next up is the Piggly Wiggly Farm Stall (http://www.pigglywiggly.co.za). This is a perfect breakfast stop. The food is good and they have a welcoming fire burning on cold winter mornings. There are a lot of shops here, as well as a pizza place that makes a really good pizza. They have a wine shop, a nursery, and you can spend hours here just relaxing. It’ a good place for children, when we were last there they were putting in some train tracks for a children’s train.

From here you have an array of places to stop at. I suggest stopping at any of the shops in the Midlands and picking up a Meander guide. It has a map of all the shops located on the route.

The Ugly Duckling is one of the shops up next and I think they have about three or so along the way. They have something for everyone. So browse and see if you like anything.

There are a few cheese shops along the route but the first one you come across, is Swissland Cheese. They all do cheese tastings but here you can pay R5 and buy some feed for the goats. It’s great if you have never done it but remember to bring some hand sanitizer. The other cheese shop is further along, and its called Marrakesh Cheese. Try them both, even if you don’t do it on the same day.

A photo posted by John Benecke (@kettleman) on Mar 21, 2013 at 4:59am PDT

There are a few lunch places but I have two favorites, and yes… it requires two days to do them both! The first is Gunther’s Sausage. Its just passed Swissland Cheese, just follow the sign on the main road when you see it. They sell German Swiss sausages and beer. You can either get some sausages as takeaway, or sit down for a meal. They have two huge Saint Bernard dogs, Hansel and Gretel, and they definately give the place an authentic German feel. All sausages are served with a crispy roll and potatoes, and you have the option to order sauerkraut. Oh, and did I mention the beer?

Further up is Rawdons Hotel (http://www.rawdons.co.za) and the home of Nottingham Brewery. You can do a tour of the brewery and buy lots of beer, or simply just buy lots of beer. The Hotel also does a good lunch, but I prefer Rawdons other pub, The Bierfassl just down the road. This is my other favorite lunch places to stop. They both sell a four glass beer taster so you know which beer to buy. This could take a few hours to enjoy as you can easily get carried away, so be prepared.  

At this point the road continues straight or turns left under the bridge. On your right hand side, if you keep going straight is a centre called The Junction (http://www.nottiesjunction.co.za). They have a variety of shops, so this is also worth a stop.  This road will shortly get you back to the N3.

A good place for dinner, justup ahead, past The Junction, in the Meander Centre on the left is Sapore (www.sapore.co.za), an Italian restaurant. The food is also really good. 

In terms of places to stay the Midlands have plenty. We found a nice one, just past the N3 turnoff, called The Windmills (http://thewindmills.co.za/). I’ll let the picture below say it all.

A photo posted by John Benecke (@kettleman) on Nov 16, 2013 at 5:09am PST

Now, time to go left under the bridge. The next centre is Sherwood Centre. They have a Spar, some antique shops, and a  few other places. Take the time to have a walk around. Further up the road is the other cheese shop Marrakesh and just past that is The Wine Cellar. They have all sorts of wines from all over, and you’ll definately spend some money here.

If you carry on along the road you will eventually get to the toll at Mooi River. There is an awesome Biltong shop at the Mooi River 1-stop.

This list is by far complete. Places to stay in the Midlands are abundant, some other places we have stayed at that I would recommend are:

• Pleasant Places (www.pleasantplaces.co.za)
• Waterford Manor (http://www.waterfordmanor.co.za/)
• Granny Mouse (http://www.grannymouse.co.za/ )
• Midlands Saddle and Trout (http://www.midlandssaddle.co.za)

This list could go on and on, but at some point, I have to let you discover the place for yourself.