53 years to find a Pangolin and 2 hours at Golden Tiki...

This tattoo was as a result of  my almost life-long quest to find this elusive animal,

the extremely rare and highly endangered Ground Pangolin!

In November 2019, after 53 years of bush travels, I got to FINALLY find this male

while on a drive from Klaserie Sands River Camp.

I was able to spend 90 mins with it as it snuffled about 

doing what Pangolin do on a daily basis, curl up, un-curl and look for food.

My quest had finally come to an end, or did it?

I decided to turn my sighting into a tattoo and this was the original sketch.

The surround was to tie in with an existing tattoo of a Phoenix that I have.

Tasked again with putting ink on my skin,

Ryan "Busta" Boltoon owner of The Golden Tiki in 4th Ave, Linden.

Busta has been doing work on me for the last decade and 

I trust his expertise and knowledge when it comes to immortalizing

 special moments in my life.

And so it begins...On the calf of my right leg.

Of all the work that Busta has done on me,

this was the first time that I was not able to see what he was doing.

And to take pictures constantly...

The epitome of concentration, he gets to work.

I never ask "How long will it take"? as I know he works quickly and efficiently.

And the calf is not an area that produces too much pain.

Outlines are done and it is time to add the colour.

Adding colour is not as easy as it would seem.

Especially with a Pangolin, which is basically a rather drab brown animal.

My Phoenix tattoo (also done by Busta) can bee seen on the side of the same leg.

The colour palette that was utilised to get the final image complete.

Just like an artist, Busta had to mix certain colours in order to achieve

 the final effect that he was looking for.

This MIGHT look complete,

but wait... there is more!

The addition of the white makes the tattoo POP.

Another stunning work from one of Johannesburg's top tattoo artists.

For those who need to allocate time for a tattoo,

 entire work took just a shade over 2 hours.

This was a first for Busta, as he had never been asked to do a Pangolin before.

You can find the Golden Tiki in the small shopping complex 

 at 59, 4th Ave, between 7th and 8th Streets in Linden.

Although the shop does do 'walk-ins' for smaller pieces,

it is prefered that you book a consultation and an appointment

for the larger more complex works.

You can find the Golden Tiki on Facebook

or their website.

And less you think that Busta and I don't plan ahead...

This will be the next piece that he does for me.

This is Baras(it means 12 in Hindi) a tiger that we saw on 6 drives

while we were in Pench National Park in India in 2018.

I think that it will be my birthday present to myself in 2020. 

Wax on, no wax off...Valet-V, a car service with a difference.

When Valet-V arrived, on motorcycles,

I could not believe that all their equipment fitted into this box.

But it did. Including a high-pressure washer and a vacuum cleaner.

This box also contained electrical extension cables,

water hoses as well as buckets and all the cleaning products.

Before the cleaning started.

Going to the game reserve as I do on a regular basis,

there was a LOT of dust and road dirt to clean off.

Not to mention several scratches that I thought were ingrained.

I was to be proved wrong, as they managed to remove about 85% of them. 

Road dirt...easily removed with a high-pressure hose

and LOTS of elbow grease.

The team arrived on time...almost to the second.

They wasted no time in getting their equipment ready and set up.

Not even time for a coffee and a chat!

As I was a first-time client, Cherry did a pre-wash inspection with me.

Much like when you rent a vehicle, 

all the scratches and blemishes were noted and photographed.

The conventional cleaning method ( one of several on offer)

uses very little water, but removes more dirt that a bucket and cloth would.

The products that are used are of very high quality.

No household dishwashing liquid in sight.

The roof and bonnet get extra attention

 as they are the areas that take the most punishment from the elements.

Would you believe that the stool folds up and fits in the bike box as well?

This side of the car had been very badly scratched

by branches and the like during trips to the game reserve.

By the end of the process, almost all of them were gone.

Owner and founder, Antony Greene, giving some advice

to Franck about what product to use on some hard to get rid of stains.

In all the years of having cars washed,

I have never seen this area being treated.

Like all similar surfaces on the vehicle,

it too was finished off with a silicone polish

The interior looked and smelled like a new car.

Not a speck of dust to be found anywhere...and I looked.

Having clean tires and rims is like wearing polished shoes.

It is the first part of the car that gets noticed...

And the one that can make the most impression.

The guys did a splendid job,

finishing off with a long-lasting silicone polish.

Cherry, hard at work, with the final detailing.

Before and after...

Now the badge is proud to be displayed.

Showroom quality for a 13-year-old car!

It has not been this thoroughly cleaned ever...

As Antony said to me once they were finished...

"We are not a car wash company, we offer a detailing service"

And that they do indeed.

Franck, Antony(Founder Director) and Cherry.

At the end of a successful clean and a new and VERY happy client.

This service operates 7 days a week and 

they can attend to your vehicle

at any location.

For more information as to what services they offer,

visit their website:

http://www.valet-v.co.za/

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A long overdue return to The Braai Room Linden.

I drive, run or walk past this establishment on an almost daily basis.

It can be found in the centre on the corner of 1st Ave and Standard Drive, Linden

Ironically it used to be the site of a vegetarian restaurant a few years ago.

It has been a while since my last visit,

and with new owners on board my wife and I

 decided to pay it a return visit.

Are wondering why there is no price next to the burger special?

The answer is very simple...

There are two burger prices...R75.00 and R95.00.

It is difficult to fit both prices into such a small space

and it might be confusing to the customers.

Order one for R75.00 and you get a second on FREE!

The same applies to the more expensive option as well.

But ONLY on a Wednesday.

Serious cutlery...

And a proper steak knife.

My portion on the grill.

There is definitely something more succulent about meat 

cooked over an open fire.

And, of course, the choice of wood adds a flavour note to the meat.

Lamb rump steaks for my wife...

A portion that could easily serve two.

Both my wife and I found the portion sizes generous 

and the prices reasonable.

Served with a side salad.

Done to perfection, it arrived at our table quicker than expected.

My choice, Pichana.

Not a cut that I had tasted before...so I Googled it.

As one does.

This is what I found.

"The word is derived from picana,

which is a stick used in Southern Spain to herd cattle.

The cut of meat was named as a result of where the cattle were prodded by the ranchers"

For most of my life, I had eaten meat "WELL DONE"!

Then I watched 10 seasons of Australian Masterchef 

and I realized that I had been missing out as a result of eating it in that fashion.

Now I like mine medium-rare.

Also known as the sirloin cap.

it is a popular cut in Brazil,

and judging from the meal that I enjoyed last night,

it might gain favour here in South Africa as well.

Fire can be hypnotic...

Who needs sports channels on a series of wall-mounted TV's 

when you can stare into the flames while watching your food being prepared?

Subtle lighting adds to the ambience of the Braai Room.

There is an intimate bar area at the front of the restaurant,

where customers can be seated while waiting for a table.

A new addition to the drinks menu.

This Jack Black pale ale seemed to be popular with several of the diners.

Who can resist a Chocolate Brownie with ice-cream to end off a meal?

There are brownies and there are BROWNIES...

and this was one of the latter.

A delicious ending to a delicious meal.

Visit the Braai Room via their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Braai-Room-Linden-569106986931261/

and if you enjoyed your meal and would like to purchase the meat,

visit their butchery in the same centre:

https://www.facebook.com/Country-Meat-Linden-1845840585719425/

Support local, support Linden.

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and may not be used without permission

Meet the team at Orejen

The ever changing facade of Orejen,

the treasure trove of a shop that can be found at 24 5th Street, Linden

But be aware...behind these doors lurk old fashioned service and courtesy

 harking back to a long forgotten time when the customer was king.

The shop has been in its current location for 17 years.

(Before they moved there, they were situated in Greenside)

Jennifer...the owner.

This smiling face is the first of many(smiling faces)

 that you will encounter in the shop.

If the shop stocks it, Jennifer knows where the item is...

if it is NOT in stock, she can obtain it for you.

More importantly, she can source bespoke windows and doors!

All made from reclaimed wood...

Manuel, her husband is happiest when he has a power tool in his hands.

Meet Melita...

Most of the clients from Greenside/Emmarentia will remember this smiling face.

Melita used to work at a bottle store in that area before being left jobless

when it closed down 19 years ago.

Always smiling, always happy she is a magnet for babies that come into

the shop with their parents.

She is nearing retirement age and she will be missed when she finally leaves.

This is Kenneth...and goodness me, does he make a great cup of coffee.

As an assistant to Jennifer, his is the face that you will 

most likely see as you wander around the shop.

He is the newest member of the team,

but he already knows the stock like the back of his hand

and he is able to find objects quickly and efficiently

in this massive and ever changing environment.

The shop is spotless and all the goods are clearly marked

as a direct result of his enthusiasm

He is kind and patient and says that he loves the retail environment.

The shop toilet...not for sale!

But they do have similar toilet cisterns for sale.

Using old shoe lasts as decoration for the front office.

There are staff members who are intimately involved

with some of your purchases.

These are their faces and their stories...

If you want to know about tables, 

then Sam is your man!

Every table that leaves Orejen has been lovingly sanded, 

cleaned and oiled by him.

He is beyond passionate about tables and

 he can stain whitewashed tables to perfection.

He has been with Orejen for 13 years.

Chicco.

The longest serving member of the team.

 He has been at Orejen for 26 years ago.

Together with Manuel, he has laid every brick, plastered every wall,

cleaned every door and hung most of the windows at the shop.

Through the good times and the bad, he has been loyal and kind

Solly was referred to Jennifer by an aunt who has worked

 with her for almost 20 years.

He is the second newest member of the team.

So nice to have an ongoing family connection to the shop

Just some of the items that are in stock.

The shop is in a constant state of flux as new items arrive 

and older ones are shifted to fill different spaces.

http://www.orejen.co.za/

Support local, support Linden.

All images are the copyright property of

 

and may not be used without permission