Apron Strings

It was around the mid-1900s when young Michael Edwards of PE decided to leave the nest and build his own home down the road aways from his parents.  He used the limestone dug up from the land to build a cottage in which he could live and enjoy the company of his friends free from parental restrictions.  Every so often, though, as young men are prone to, Michael would pack up his laundry and take it "home" for his mother to do.  On these occasions his friends would tease poor Michael and tell him he was still "tied to the apron strings."  Thus began the tale of the famous Apron Strings Garden that owner, Ronnie Bird, told my husband and me after the Crawl on Thursday.

Meet the Owner
Ronnie Bird

The cottage

The fireplace

Ronnie continued with the history of the building and the land, the highlight of which was how the extensive strawberry fields on the property led to the evolution of the building from cottage to coffee house.  Ronnie, Lou and I sat in front of an impressive fireplace in the main inside dining room.  Lou and I looked at an old Apron Strings picture album while Ronnie explained how he and his wife, Nanette, acquired Apron Strings in 1989.  They have been running the coffee shop and the adjacent B&B ever since.  Ronnie then took us on a tour of the B&B.

The B&B

Located on Sardinia Bay Rd. in Lovemore Park, Apron Strings is close to town but feels like it's a world away with the fragrant tree-lined walkways, beautiful gardens, tons of open green space, and a play area for children.



Inside dining room



Outside seating



Last Thursday was a national holiday, Human Rights Day, in RSA.  With many people having the day off we ended up with 23 Crawlers, three of whom celebrate their shared birthday on March 22.  Happy Birthday to Crawlers Margaret and Fran, and special Birthday Wishes to first-time Crawler Arthur who turned 90 on Friday!

Happy Birthday to Margaret, Arthur and Fran!

When we all arrived Nanette was ready with tables set up for us in a large shaded garden area.  Kenna brand single-origin Kenyan coffee was available for everyone at a self serve table making for a bottomless cup for all the coffee drinking Crawlers.  Teas, cappuccinos, cakes and breakfasts were also served by our very hospitable barista/waitron, Taona.  Some Crawlers were so chilled out by the relaxed atmosphere that, by 1:00,  they ordered lunch as well.

Meet the Barista
Taona

Celebrating the holiday with coffee, tea, strudel and scones!

Apron Strings is open Wed-Sun and all public holidays from 9-5, serving breakfast and lunch.  The inside dining room seats about 50 while the outside gardens can accommodate about 100.  The venue is available for daytime private functions, teas and parties.  From the pics and what some of the Crawlers said it is also a wonderful setting for weddings.  Check out the amazing Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter map for contact details and more info about Apron Strings.

This Week's Crawlers
Beth, Stella, Beryl, Nomusa, Gail, Margaret Z.,
Megan, Jackie, Colleen, Howard, Jenny, Lou,
Linda, Les, Keith, Arthur, Dale, June, Margaret M.,
Fran, Audrey, Fr. Ashok

With 23 Crawlers sitting at numerous tables on Thursday it was tough for me to pick up on all the conversations going on.  However, besides stopping to sing "Happy Birthday" to our guests-of-honor, there was one topic that seemed to make it to all the tables, that being the Autimn/Spring Equinox (March 20, 11:02 a.m.)  While the Crawlers, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Nomusa Nkomo, Gail Darne, Margaret Zoetmulder, Megan and Jackie Snyman, Colleen LeRoux, Howard and June Nash, Jenny Beach, Linda Kensington, Les Baldwin, Fran and Keith de Beer, Arthur and Margaret Marshall, Dale Mitchell, Audrey Kerford, Fr. Ashok Brahmane, and my husband, Lou, welcomed in the Autumn season by enjoying the very warm and sunny weather, my family and friends in NY and PA were still experiencing cold, wintry conditions for their first full day of Spring.... guess the groundhog was wrong! .... and, so much for the "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" thing.  Let's just hope the snow is all melted by the time Lou and I visit in June!

As for returning to Apron Strings in the future.... I think Lou and I may make it a weekly event for an after Church breakfast on Sundays!

~Thank you to Ronnie and Nanette for the hospitality and an incredible story!
~Happy Birthday to my nephew, Brenden, in Binghamton, NY - March 28
~Happy Easter to All!

Until next week,

Ellen