Being home over the Easter holidays does not mean you have to stay at home.
Uncle Tim’s is a real delight to visit. Several shops are open throughout the week and you will definitely find something for everyone browsing through the shops. From your horse riding gear to scarves and homemade soaps and a most quaint bookshop. Retro Alley caught the eye with all sorts of gifts available – especially for that not so ordinary person in your life. Whether it is Monday or Saturday, you will always feel welcome and you most certainly can sit down to a good meal any day of the week. So worth the drive. Uncle Tim’s is situated in Brentwood Park, Benoni. Covid regulations apply. Details: www.uncletims.co.za or 010 590 8003.
Junction 21 Indoor Market opened its doors shortly after lockdown regulations eased up to assist small business owners to make a living. You will find them at Pepper Square on Northrand Road, Boksburg. This is the place to be, to meet, to eat and enjoy good food and shopping. This Easter they will decorate again welcoming you to an Easter feast. Details: 1 Oosthuizen Road, Bardene, Boksburg, or 079 346 8633.
If old cars and the history of transport interest you then a visit to the James Hall Transport Museum is an absolute must. The James Hall Transport Museum located in La Rochelle is a true gem of Joburg South. The Museum opened its doors in 1964 and boasts a large collection of different modes of transport that was used throughout the years. It features multiple vehicles from the 1900 Clement Panhard to the 2010 Joule electric car. Take on a nostalgic walk down memory lane where you will even be able to take a peek at the trams of hay-days. Entrance is free but the museum only asks for donations to help with the upkeep. The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 3pm. Tours are available on special request and can be arranged 24 hours before the visit by emailing [email protected] Make sure to pay them a visit at Pioneers’ Park, 193 Rosettenville Road, La Rochelle. Details: www.jhmt.org.za or 011 4359485/6/7 or 011 435 9821.
Hitting the road on a Saturday morning finding places we have not yet visited. We stopped by for a breakfast at Mona’s Country Kitchen. A real surprise tucked away in Jatniel. The restaurant offers a menu with a variety to choose from for the hungry and not so hungry. If you choose not to take a seat at the restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, you can take a walk down to MacFresh Farm Deli where you will find various cheeses, fresh and frozen berries, quiches, sauces, jams, honey, farm-style butter and more. Here you can also sit down and order from the deli. They offer a children’s playground and here children still run around to their heart’s delight. Let’s not forget the berry picking where you can choose between picking blueberries and strawberries. No entrance fee and you will pay per weight once done. No need to book. Open Wednesday to Sunday. You will find them at 48 Evans Road, Jatniel, Benoni. Details: www.countrykitchenbenoni.co.za or 082 569 2469.
Situated a mere 10km from the centre of Johannesburg, 15km from Sandton and easily accessible from the East and West Rand, the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is truly Johannesburg’s Jewel of the South. This is a great family outing as there are six hiking trails in the KNR, varying in degrees of difficulty from two to eight. It is the largest proclaimed nature reserve in the Johannesburg Metropolitan and boasts a bio-diversity that extends from unique historical aspects to the existence of several species of red data plants. Visitors can choose from several trails suitable for the not so fit and the more adventurous and fit. Once your hike is complete you can get something to eat and drink from the coffee shop. The reserve is open to the public daily from 07:00 to 18:00. Visit them at 46 Impala Road. Details: [email protected]
De Backery came as a sweet surprise where the smell of fresh home-baked bread and cakes and other lovely treats meet you. The family bakery was established by Willem and Thea Verhoogt in 1963 in a small shop and they have grown to a bakery employing over 35 permanent staff members. Products are homemade using their own recipes which have been tried and tested over the years. We suggest you start your morning with your family at De Molen Pancake House and Restaurant on top of the bakery set in an old windmill built in 1996, which is a three quarter size replica of the Zeldenrust Molen in Groningen in Holland. The Verhoogt family decided to put up a real windmill to use as offices but the concept grew to be a pancake house and coffee shop since they realised that a number of their customers come from afar and would like to enjoy something to eat or drink before returning home after their shopping. And while there we met a young woman who was introduced to De Backery by her mom while still in primary school. Today, at age 25 this is still her favourite shop. This sure is a treat young and old should not miss out on. You will find them at 47 Van Riebeeck Avenue, Edenvale. Details: 011 453 2233 or www.debackery.co.za
