Our #hogsbackxmasinjuly summary story

Eat Saint Laurent at Butterfly's Bistro

For this Xmas in July, Eat Saint Laurent @ Butterfly's Bistro will be serving the following to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians on Saturday and Sunday:

1 Butter Chicken with Persian Rice (R50 for 500 ml tub);
2 Chicken, cream and curry soup with carrots, green beans and apples (Mulligatawny) (R50 for 500 ml tub)'
3 Persian Rice, Crispy Potatoes & Dhal served with yoghurt and fresh coriander (for vegetarians) (R40 for a 500 ml tub);
4 French Beans with roasted garlic cloves in butter and mint served on Persian rice (for vegetarians) (R40 for a 500 ml tub);
4 Lamb, bean and Omani lemon soup (Ab Gousht) (R50 for 500 ml tub);
5 Anis Cakes (made with ground almond, aniseed and star anise as well as Pernod) (R10 each);
6 Tarte Tatin in a tub served warm (Upside down apple tart with puff pastry) (R30 for 500 ml tub);

All foods will be served warm (except for the anise cakes)

Out of 6 options, 4 are suitable for vegetarians.

Eat Saint Laurent is geared for takeaways.

Eat Saint Laurent... because taste is everything.

See you at Butterfly's Bistro!

The key to Hogsback- The raffle to win

This year we have the key to Hogsback Raffle which will give a couple the honour of being the Numero Uno VIP guest in Hogsback. You will be treated like a King/Queen, pampered,, wined and dined,  and the prize comes with a key which gives you access to:

• Free meals at designated top notch eateries in the Village
• Taken on various excursions in and around the Village
• Lots lots more.....you have the key...go for it!! 

Hogsback Inn Event Schedule

FRIDAY

• From 6-30 pm Live Music and Karaoke - Prizes for best categories
• Dinner - Organic Mountain Mutton Stews and homemade bread
    

SATURDAY
The Hogsback Inn is the home of the Medieval part of the festival. Go back in time!!

• Pub Lunches all day
• RUGBY - Springboks vs All Blacks at 7pm

SATURDAY NIGHT

Medieval Banquet with

• Busty Bosom Competition
• Belly Dancers
• Jester
• Musos, etc...

Gift a gift for our#hogsbackxmasinjuly gift tree

Please bring your gifts or edu-gift box donations to the Visitors information Centre and leave it by the Gift tree. (Donations will be collected and signed for there). You will also have the opportunity, when gifting your gift to write a message to the child who will be receiving the gift. Please people, be generous in the spirit of #Hogsbackxmasinjuly

KING'S LODGE #hogsbackxmasinjuly programme

Kings Lodge is definitely the place to go and visit with lots of stalls and activities planned!


Friday 24th

17h00 - 21h00             Pub & Grub

18h30 - late                 Mbasa "LIVE' (free entry) & Richelieu promotion


Saturday 25th

08h00 - 10h00             Champagne breakfast (R85. please book)

12h00                          Chill Dip challenge (R20 registration fee) own the t-shirt!

12h00 - 14h30             Pub & Grub

14h00                          Rugby (Springboks vs All Blacks) / Richelieu promotion

17h00 - 19h00             Ballroom dancing & Cha Cha show (free entry)

19h00                          3 course Gala dinner &'LIVE' music by 
                                    Daniel (R190 please book)

Sunday 26th

08h00 - 15h00             All day brunch (R80)

Fast Food on the hogs!!

No. Can't be!!

Fast Food and Hogsback do not go together. Here we do things in slow.....mo with the rustle of the wind and the cough of the clouds. Nothing here ever happens faster than slow. And we want our visitors to know that. Here it is all about the people, the walkways, the slow conversations and the big chill. so yes we do not like the word FAST!!

But. Just for #hogsbackxmasinjuly we going to TRY to make an exception and do some fast food. This will mainly be done by the various "outsider" stall owners who are more likely to be grilling in the fast lane. Some locals are going to give it their best go, so yes. There will be fast(er) food.

Hobbiton

At Hobbiton the kiddies will be having a jol along with some of the adults who never did the kiddie thing. So in between zip lining and scaling up and down structures, swinging on ropes and so forth, there will be snacks, cakes and fast food to keep the tummies going.  On Saturday and Sunday you will be able to buy Boerewors roll & tomato bredie (R20), Hamburgers (R25), Cooldrink cans (R10). A tea garden for the more discerning parent will serve high tea  and cakes all day.

Butterfly Bistro

Apart from the normal fabulous fare that the Butterflies offer along with ma-plenty gluhwein, the locals will have many delioush eats to sell. Mistyfell will have Hot smoked Trout and gravadlax (trout) on offer, there will be fresh breads, pate's, garlic spreads and Spanish omelets. Wonderfull wholesome soups will also be on offer.

Visitors information centre

At the VIC we will have amazingly njammie Kudu boerie rolls, Kudu burgers, Game cheese grillers, Kudu prego rolls, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, soup. You will also be able to buy Game meat packaged, Game Biltong, Game Droe wors, cupcakes, mini Xmas cakes.  There will also be a mini doughnut stall with groovy pancakes and boerewors rolls. No hungry people anywhere in sight!

Away with the fairies
You will also be able to eat burgers and pizza form the wood fired oven, bath, listen to live music from 14h00 on Saturday and enjoy the best view while chilling in the breezee at the Fairies!! Don't miss out on this fast food opportunity!!

Photo Credit: http://goo.gl/11F9YW

The Gallery
We will go wild at the Gallery with game rolls and kudu steaks on the grill. You will also be able to buy game products for later consumption. The Fast and furious sweet tooth among us will be able to "smul" on muffins, date balls and coconut ice thingies.

Kings Lodge

Apart from freezing your bazookas off at the chill dip there will be a lot of tummy warming stuff on offer, both from the Lodge itself (see here) and the stalls in the marquee. So fast , your tummy will be full before your bazookas have warmed up!

The Edge
Liquid fast food in the form of sherry and port tasting will be on offer here. Otherwise the Edge does not resort to fast food but rather offer gourmet food and will endeavour to conjure this up at a slightly faster pace. Their delux pizzas from their wood firing ovens will spew out said pizzas at a constant rate so hang around while taking in the painting scene, having a massage or taking a meditative walk in the labyrinth while waiting for the faster than normal food to appear from the mist!!

Eat like a King!! #hogsbackxmasinjuly

Kings lodge will be catering for everybody this weekend with food fit for a King (or queen) with lots of specials that will be conjured up by the Court chef, Adam the Great.

For Friday night and Saturday daytime there will be a pub menu o offer with various specials. The lamb curry must be mentioned and for the frosty lot there will be various soups on offer. So pop in any time for sustenance.

There will be King Lodge Gala dinner on Saturday night, but you won't be able to just pop in and have to book to be part of this illustrious affair:

On Sunday there will be an all day brunch available, so make sure that you visit!! 

Winter wonderland celebration of food

Nutwoods park, one of our world class eateries in Hogsback is hosting a winter wonderland celebration of food this coming month. As the restaurant is not licensed you can bring your own wine to complement amazing food. Remember to book as their is limited place available. ALSO OPEN FOR WEEKDAY BOOKINGS BY APPOINTMENT,

Welcome drink at 7h00pm for sit down at 7h30.

The menu for #hogsbackxmasinjuly 24 July 2015 is:

• WELCOME DRINK
  
• PEA AND HAM SOUP
• SMOKED TROUT TART
• WHOLE ROASTED SPRING CHICKENWith Saute Potato andCaramelised ParsnipsVeg in Season
• XMAS PUDDING with BRANDY SAUCEandHOMEMADE VANILLA ICE-CREAM
• Rolls and Coffee

Hogmanay ( Dinner in the Scittish tradition) Saturday 1st August

• BEETROOT AND ORANGE SOUP 
  
• VENISON AND SMOKED OYSTER TERRINE
• BEEF FILLET AULD REEKY(Medallions of Beef Fillet with Smoked Cheese Sauce)andRumbleythumps( creamed potato and braised cabbage)Veg in Season
• SCOTCH SHORTBREADBROWN BREAD ICECREAMWHISKEY LIQUERE
• Rolls and Coffee

#hogsbackxmasinjuly Social reporting in action

This morning a brave group of Hogsbackians gathered to learn more about social reporting. Social reporting captures moments in the life of a community/event and report it real-time using anecdotes, stories, photos and short videos. This then get posted to social platforms like Facebook, twitter, Instagram and blogs. It does not take a lot of effort just a tiny bit of technology (most phones can Facebook and tweet) and enough caring/sharing about your community to spread positive news/vibes. We are so quick to share bad news, it is time that we spread some cheer/ get the plight of those less fortunate than us out.

So the aim was to get to know our local beneficiaries of our #hogsbackxmasinjuly effort a little bit better while at the same time learning how to tweet and Facebook an event.  We started off at Jikani (www.jikani.com) where Gemma warmly welcomed us. We struggled to do an interview with her as she kept on bursting into laughter, (Click here to see that) but to summarize, Jikani provides work opportunities, computer training, weaving, beading and second hand clothes provided by the local community.

Interview vir Jemma pic.twitter.com/M5cPmFBCEu — hogsbackinfo (@hogsbackinfo) July 16, 2015

Our next stop was Hobbiton (www.hobbiton.co.za) where a camp was in full motion. We saw how they create miracles with very little and provide wonderful outdoor opportunities for disadvantaged kids, corporates, churches and schools. That is not all, they also open their facilities to weekend visitors where for very little you can get a clean bed and all the activities included! They will be celebrating their 75 anniversary this year. They are also desperately looking for a sponsor for their end of year camp for the local kiddies from down in the valley.  See their social media story: 

The next stop was MASIKHANYE PRE-SCHOOL where Busi specially meet up with us to show us her humble school for the babies and little-lies from the local Hogsback working community. She really need quite a lot more stuff, especially kitchen stuff. Her enthusiasm is contagious and we wish her well in her brave undertaking to make a difference in Hogsback!

We concluded our outing with a lunch at our local hangout place, Butterfly's Bistro and thank everybody who participated in our reporting session. We are quite proud of what we achieved and what we learned and we are ready for #hogsbackxmasinjuly!!

To follow our tweets click on the above link. Please follow us on twitter @hogsbackxmas and like our Facebook page!!

The heart of Hogsback

We have seen in a previous post that Xmas in July is about preserving our "greenness". Preserving our planet for a future generation to enjoy is important.  But that is not all that it is about!!

It is also about our future generation! As part of our #hogsbackxmasinjuly outreach the HCTO (Hogsback CommunityTourism Organisation) will be printing and sponsoring 65 #hogbackxmasinjuly money note booklets ( comprising of 10 x R5 notes) which will be handed out to the local kids (Crabbush School kids) that they can either use at Jikani to buy food or at Hobbiton to partake in games and buy food there.

We will also have a quite a few of the money booklets that will be handed out to visiting kids by our festival clown on the weekend so look out for him!

Green is the new white

What is our #hogsbackXmasInJuly all about? Is it about the snow?????? No???? Then what???

Fun olde English bowls afternoon

Hogsback has a proud tradition of fine bowlers and are challenging all visitors to partake in the #HogsbackXmasinJuly bowling competition! If you are coming from an established bowling background we ask that you bring your own bowls. If no, we have bowl to fir your throw!

If you have never bowled before, now is the time to get the ball rolling!! Beginners are more than welcome to join in the fun while being showed the ropes by our veteran friendly Hogsbackian bowlers of fame! They will show you how to swing and slide, rock and roll from one side to the other!

Whether you are teen or old (sorry no teenie-weenies on the lawn), make your way to the bowling green for a relaxing afternoon of bowling fun. Pimms, kindly sponsored by Hogsback Inn, and Cucumber sandwiches will be served.

Dress is informal and you will get extra credit if you come dressed up with #hogsbackxmasinjuly spirit. All we ask is that you wear flat shoes or slops and comfy clothes which cover shoulders to knees! No bikinis! Come ye olde English dress!!

Venue:  
Hogsback Bowling Club  (Car park within Kings Lodge Grounds)
Date & Time:  
Sat 25 July-1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost:
R30 per person (includes Pimms before we start, and Pimms and cucumber sandwiches at conclusion.)
Prizes:  
A few prizes will be awarded at around 3.20pm

Exhibitors exposed!!

In anticipation of having a rock and roll extravaganza of shopping experiences at our #HogsbackXmasinJuly festival, we will be doing a brief introduction to what you can expect over a few posts in the run up to welcoming you in Hogsback! So sit back and start saving for all the special goodies that you will be able to buy and enjoy!

Soooo.... Here are some of the stalls where you will be able to chill-out at:

• Essential Amatole (local oil distiller) 
• Kingfisher creations (cool clothing)
• Caleb's Gift collection (ornamental cutlery), 
• Flanagan T-shirts,tattoos and fudge
• Enviro Game and Salami
• Josef Steyn Photography
• Caleb Khumalo Tableware and gifts
• Karen Ramsay  Gemstone jewellery
• Kathy Cumings- Essential oil products, dried fruit, nuts, honey, pineapples
• Made with Luv deco gifts
• Olga's preserves
• Eunice's sewing goods
• Peter Mclean's Wood creations
• Linda and Dave Marais- Jewellery/scarves/tablecloth weights
• Hennie Meyer leather belts & accessories
• Robert George leather bags and jewellery
• Melanie Kruger Gifts
• Estelle Cox knitted clothes, crochet
• Edwin Staples socks
• Martin Nyandebru Leather products
• Leo Wire products
• Jessica Schwulst -Hamburgers/Hot dogs/Chips
• Priscilla Swart-Mini donuts/pancakes/Boerewors
• Sarah-Game wors/salami/cupcakes
• Mari Brightmore paintings
• Marion Henry Gifts in a tin and other gifts
• Arvid and his wild bunch- authentic Gluhwein
• Nosipho Lubisi- shweshwe bags/skirts/hats/cushions
• Melanie socks
• Nkonkobe crafts
• Mthimkulu Tsetse paintings
• Michael Zhanje lights/puzzles/notebooks
• Ronnie Herselman Canine products
• Margie Hoole Sheepskin slippers
• Dave Chalmers-Wooden toys
• Janice Lombard clothing
• Tanya Gowar beads and jewellery
• Anne Katz clothing
• Anina Espag Paintings/rock art
• Rika Soloman clothing
• Jean Gysman woodwork/chutney/ginger beer
• Zikhona Mkiva Traditional / vintage clothing
• Edwin Staples cellphone accessories and socks
• Souti Camo clothing
• Pat Staples children clothing/aprons/fairy tutus
• Jo-anne Maroulis Fun & educational toys
• Matthew Lister UV fairy dresses etc.
• Sylvia Steinmetz Wooden toys/succulents/bonsai

#hogsbackxmasinjuly Social Media Competitions

#hogsbackxmasinjuly will this year be rewarding active participation in x-mas activities, events and serious shopping reporting, through the use of social media. There will be lots of prizes up for grabs (earphones, speakers, cellphone and lots more from our stall owners) to get everybody tweeting and Facebooking about the event.

So how can you become part of this buzz? All tweets and Facebook posts and comments will earn you an entry into our random prize draw. So get started immediately! Some of the categories that will put you in strong contention for a prize are:

• Stall Mania poses: 
  Visit as many as you can of our exhibitor stalls and strike a pose with the friendly stall owner/goods. Be sure to capture it with your camera and tweet/Facebook it making sure that you include the hashtag #hogsbackxmasinjuly anywhere in your tweet/Facebook post.
  
• Best tweet or Facebook PostThere will also be separate prizes for the "best" Facebook post/comment or tweet about the Festival. So get your grove on and start tweeting! Each entry can be the one picked! So be inspiring....be funny...be hogsbackian. 

• Random tweet
  A tweet will be randomly chosen from the thousands/millions of #hogsbackxmasinjuly tweets  so make sure that you tweet everything and anything using our festival hashtag!
  
• QR code scavenger hunt
  We will be running a separate competition for the bright folk visiting the festival. Be sure to install a QR code reader (e.g. Quickmark) on your cellphone so that you can scan clues to solve some riddles about Hogsback. Entry forms will be on sale at the Visitors Information Centre (VIC) for R20 per entry form. All proceeds will go towards the various charities in Hogsback.

Sooooooo, get those phones out (we know they are out already) and get tweeting, Facebooking and fun-ning!! Just dont forget to add the hashtag #hogsbackxmasinjuly. While you at it....have you liked out Facebook page yet. Click here to like the page and follow our twitter account here. 

To see our live twitter feed, just look to the right of the blog page...... or click on this link

Xmas in July Social meeting

Things are still going full steam ahead for our #hogsbackxmasinjuly festival. We looked at how we can use social media to get the word out there and get people engaged in our outreach projects and planning around the festival.

We were very honoured to have the Nkomkombe representatives present, pledging their support for our festival. It is good to know that all the stakeholders are pulling together to make sure that this year is going to be the biggest and best yet!

How to keep track of #hogsbackxmasinjuly news

• We ask that you go and like our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hogsbacksaxmasinjuly) to stay up to date with happenings, views and news as it "happen". 
• Please share our posts about the festival with your networks! 
• You can also keep track of interesting tit-bits via our twitter stream by following @hogsbackxmas or searching for our Hashtag #hogsbackxmasinjuly on twitter. Remember to insert our hashtag anywhere into your tweet if you want to show up in our festival stream! 

Getting ready for #hogsbackxmasinjuly !!

For the 2015 Festival, the stalls will be distributed along the main road of Hogsback, starting at Kings Lodge and finishing at the top end of town. The organisers have planned entertainment and buskers all the way up the road, encouraging festival goers to move freely up and down the various markets, stopping off at the music stages, restaurants, pubs, eateries and hotels.

There will be traffic calming in the form of a stop and go on the main road. Limited parking will be available and NO PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE SIDES OF THE ROAD. Stall holders will be issued with parking disks/car passes and allocated appropriate/convenient parking.

A free shuttle service will be available to all festival goers for the entire weekend. These shuttles will run from the accommodation establishments to the markets and Hobbiton. This services will be available all day and well into the night!

So, get your #hogsbackxmasinjuly spirit on now!!

Xmas in July 2015

Hogsback Xmas in July Winter Festival is going to go BIG this year!

We won't just have the normal tent activities but the WHOLE of Hogsback will be transformed into a Xmas wonderland and with any luck we might even have some snow!

Please check back regularly for updates and notices of our exciting programme in development. The emphasis this year will be on community and fun. There will be lots of stalls all over, next to the roads, at the hotels, with an activity center at Hobbiton where the young ones can play, slide, climb and do. Of course there will be the usual Xmas ox-wagon ride for a gentle meander through the village at a Hogsback pace. 

There is very limited sleeping space available, but you can put your name on a waiting list for cancellations or just come up for the day. There is still camping space available and enough gluehwein to keep you warm. 

The Hobbits are very busy making Xmas hats, and the locals are preparing surprises for everybody. So don't miss out, put it in your diary. Now. 24-26 July 2015.