Thank you. Good Manners Puppet Show.
By Miriam Erasmus How often do we need to say “Thank You”, but hesitate to do so, or just simply forget. We used to learn basic levels of MANNERS at…... Read more.
Mim’s Rainbow Vegetable Curry
By Miriam Erasmus When feeding my family over the decades, I have always tried to give them a ‘rainbow’ every day. Being vegetarian – no meat, fish or... Read more.
Georgie, the Egyptian Goose
In November 2021 an Egyptian goose suddenly appeared by the pool after a very severe storm. We didn’t know where he came from, but the man down the valley also…... Read more.
Tree of Light 2025
By Miriam Erasmus Tree of Light glamour Link here …. Highway Hospice Tree of Light Every year the Highway Hospice just West of Durban holds their Tree of Light... Read more.
Frogs
Once upon at time when we moved here in 1992, we had a functioning swimming pool. After we had been here for a decade, the local Nguni cow herds found…... Read more.
Coffee & Chords – A Social Way to Learn Guitar
I know many folks who say to me ‘If only I could play the guitar, but I don’t want to buy one in case it doesn’t suit me ?” When…... Read more.
Black Lips – years before Punk Rockers adopted them
In the late 1990s we were driving to entertain at a dinner dance for a well known company. Just before we got there, I decided to touch up on my…... Read more.
Spring Changes
We were just having our morning coffee when suddenly smoke started billowing across the valley. It is the Zulu custom to burn dry grass in the winter to encourage... Read more.
Guys or Dolls on Halloween?
Look at these fabulous creations…. I was told as I was walking down to the local Catshill shops to pay cash for my few purchases and postage, that these stuffed…... Read more.
Heading South
By Miriam Erasmus It is always great to be home, but I have to get there first !! October 6th 2025 Heathrow departure lounge 6.45pm Airports are fascinating.... Read more.
Lone Pear Tree & Breakfast Recipe
In my Grandparents orchard, in Ringmer, Sussex, were fruit trees of all descriptions. Apple trees – Granny Smiths, Russets, Coxs and red ‘eaters’. Plum... Read more.
Our Last Peace Rose
The Peace Rose is my favourite. Probably because of its beauty and fragrance, but also for it’s wonderful story. This beautiful fragrant rose was originally named... Read more.
Gypsy without a Road.
By Miriam Erasmus Gypsy without a Road, ( click to open link ) produced by Saffron Summerfield of Mother Earth Music was my only L.P. Over the years it…... Read more.
Memories of an MG
William Morris set up Morris Garages in 1924, and the MG cars he and General Manager Cecil Kimber designed have been sought after ever since. Of course the most... Read more.
Fiddler’s Green International Festival at Rostrevor, County Down, NI
This was my second, and Tina’s 18th, visit to: The Fiddler’s Green International Festival at Rostrevor. (click to learn more) Nestled below the Mountains of... Read more.
Dalry at Folk Festival Time
My singing travels have taken us to an idyllic little town called Dairy nestled in the Garnock Valley in Ayrshire. Whenever I visit places nestled in the hills,... Read more.
Sunny afternoon in Ayr
My travels and singing schedule have brought me to Scotland, and Ayr. There’s nothing I love more than a good Charity Shop browse, even if I buy nothing !! ... Read more.
Home from Holland
It’s always hard to say goodbye, especially when you hardly see these friends, but there is always a next time to look forward to. Karin and Maarten once again... Read more.
Folk in the Lounge at Karin’s
8th June 2025 It was Karin’s 152nd Concert, and it was my 4th visit to her lounge, where she has hosted these gatherings since 2012. Karin Pronk loves folk music…... Read more.
Falling for Scheveningen
Karin and Maarten always try to make my journeys to Den Haag about more than the music. This year we decided to go to the Panorama Mesdag in Den Haag…... Read more.
Jet plane jellywobbles.
By Miriam Erasmus Morning in Africa I am not a happy pre travel person. For the last 20 years I have spent most Summers in the UK visiting family and…... Read more.
Coming Up: Our Writer, Miriam’s Musical Tour The Netherlands
Because I do so few concerts these days, the time before a tour starts is filled with prolonged rehearsals to get my voice and fingers in trim again. I have…... Read more.
Poinsettias
Every May these showy shrubs start to bloom in our garden, here in South Africa. We just have the red ones, but they also come in a beautiful delicate yellow,…... Read more.
Freedom of the Road
There is something about feeling as weak as a kitten that sends one’s mind soaring to stronger times !! We had 40C in January, and, like an idiot I forgot…... Read more.
Mim’s Musical Instruments Part 2, 1977 – present
Now, fast forward 17 years when John and I were working together as full time musicians. John was a brilliant and versatile piano and keyboard player. Our repertoire... Read more.
Mim’s Musical Instruments Part 1 1948-77
Over my exciting music filled life I have picked up many different instruments, both orchestral and those from different folk cultures. The instrument I have really... Read more.
Mudras (Yoga) by Moonlight
At the beginning of lockdown in March 2020 I was asked to film my simple yoga routine to help people keep supple. Our son, Sid, kindly offered to help and,…... Read more.
Boerebeskuit – Rusks Recipe
There is nothing like a dunking biscuit. We know all about leaving them in too long and fishing the goo out with a spoon. There is an answer –…... Read more.
Cows of South Africa
For hundreds of years, cows have roamed this valley. The hillsides are full of their paths as they have grazed their graceful way, heads down through the lush grasses.... Read more.
Treating Long Hair
My hair has always been my ‘trademark’. I have had long hair most of my adult life. In the 2010s I got a bee in my bonnet to see…... Read more.
Fashion-ing My Way
I love watching fashion shows. Well, I did until designers decided to get really weird and make garments I wouldn’t be seen dead in. It was like watching a…... Read more.
Lonely or Alone? Thoughts for Solo Travellers
May I offer up some thoughts about the subtle difference between loneliness and aloneness? I have been a ‘loner’ all my life. Always seeming to be out of step... Read more.
Beautiful Sunflowers
For my “lockdown garden” in 2021, I went to the local animal feed store and bought some sunflower seeds. I was warned that they were irradiated and may not flower.…... Read more.
Sentimental Clothes
My brother has just told us that his son deconstructed a ‘hoody’ to make another in fabric of his choice. It took him a weekend to finish. This brought back…... Read more.
Pulling in the Horns Month
Being self employed in the Southern Hemisphere has caused me to regard January as a “Pulling in the horns” month. Here in South Africa our school year starts... Read more.
Mim’s Favourite Article of 2024. Lewes Lass in South Africa on The Kings Hotel, Brighton
By Miriam Erasmus The Kings Hotel In June I was travelling throughout Kent and Sussex with a friend, and on our journey we visited my 96 year old Uncle in…... Read more.
Christmas in Africa
I love Christmas. In the Northern Hemisphere, where I spent the first 29 years of my life, it is Winter. Christmas here falls in our Summer, just after our Summer…... Read more.
How 1820 Linked South Africa with Kent & Sussex
From Miriam Erasmus, our Lewes Lass in South Africa As promised, I carried out further research regarding the events of 1820 and found inextricable links between... Read more.
Events of 1820 Bonded South Africa and the UK
From Miriam Erasmus, our Lewes Lass in South Africa People have been relocating across the globe since the dawn of humanity. We hear of migrations by land and sea... Read more.
Springtime in the South African Home of our Lewes Lass
It is 6.30 am, 29th October 2024 and a glorious morning here in the valley of 1,000 hills. The early air is cool and silky, and the sun is busy…... Read more.
Broadstairs, Dickens & the Canterbury Bell
Bleak House A phone call – “Would you like to come to a Pirate Wedding in Broadstairs ?” After the usual stop start journey round the M25 and over the…... Read more.
Our New Writer: A Lewes Lass in South Africa
Introducing a new addition to our writing team… My name is Miriam Brenda Erasmus – MBE for short, which always gives me a thrill! Lyn (Co-Editor of this... Read more.