I'm back, and have so much to tell you about that I barely know where to start, hence my delay. We Librans are notorious for indeciciveness, so lest I deliberate any longer, let me tell you today about the fabulous Franschhoek Literary Festival. Being lovers of words, literature, books and reading, I can't believe that we only went to our first flf last year, as it is such a truly fantastic event. Oh, hang on a moment, was that shortly after Miss SQ No 1 got her driver's license and we could, maybe, just start getting away for the odd weekend again, even with fingernails chewed to the quick with worry? (Or salved by the delectable local wines?) Well after the success and enjoyment of last year's festival, we couldn't wait to return and take in some of the 2012 line up.
This is the brainchild of local author, Jenny Hobbs, and is now in it's sixth successful year, but seems to be threatening to burst at the seams. I hope it doesn't get tooo big, as the beauty of the event is in the venue, Franschhoek being a quaint village, surrounded by mountains, vineyards and bathed at this time of year in spectacular autumn hues. The talks take place over three days in a selection of venues, all within walking distance of each other. Fortunately for us all, the weather has been mild and clear, so no hotfooting it from venue to venue in the rain for us yet, but even that wouldn't be too much of a hardship or detraction for being there. It has an interesting cast of authors and well known characters, many of whom can be seen mingling with the crowds, signing books, drinking coffee, or sipping bubbly at one of the many pavement cafes when not participating in panel discussions. There is an air of great excitement, a touch of madness, and a slight frisson of "you never know who you might meet." Nothing can yet beat meeting Justin Cartwright last year, whose great hands have penned so many brilliant books. Sadly he wasn't back this year. Oh dear, did I throw myself at him too in a mad moment of heady excitement at meeting a long time literary hero? Nothing holding back ol' Suzy Q when she gets going, sorry to say! He didn't exactly quail at being presented with at least a dozen treasured books to sign, and in fact was quite taken aback seeing some of his earlier works in proof form. I guess he'll return when he has a new book to promote.
This year we chose to kick off with an intimate talk in The Screening Room, which does double time as an armchair movie theatre, called Poetry of this Late Age, featuring poets Gus Ferguson, whom we admire and treasure, and Margaret Clough, who was an alluvial diamond newly discovered. There was such gentleness, humility and beauty to their poetry it left me utterly charmed. And hopeful. Gus discovered his talent for words in his early 30's, and Margaret, much, much later, so let's never say die kids, there's hope for all of us who try, I hope... Look out for copies of Dubious Delights and At Least the Duck Survived, if there are any poetry lovers out there. In the evening we attended Pieter-Dirk Uys in Cabaret playing "Bambi Kellermann" in the packed Church Hall, which was a marvellous performance by this national treasure.
Home for the weekend was again at La Bourgogne Farm riverside Cottages, just beyond the Huguenot Monument, which provides the most comfortable, well kept self catering cottages in beautiful surrounds. The cottages are managed by Loesje and her able assistant Lara, and despite it being a very busy weekend for them, they went to great lengths to see to our every need (including the removal of the pool cover for lil' old polar bear here.) The farm produces a few wines, including a very interesting 2009 Semillon called Progeny, fruit which Loesje preserves and sells, olives and truly exceptional olive oil. www.labourgogne.co.za
Our neighbour for the night was the author, James Whyle and his wife, so we dutifully attended the talk on his novel, The Book of War, also in the Screening Room. This was conducted by Mark Behr (another unexpected thrill as I have long been a fan of his) and was very interesting, outlining the war in the Eastern Cape, from where James hails, in the mid nineteenth century. The behaviour of people is a constant source of amazement to me. Two seats away from me (just too far to poke in the ribs) sat a young woman who no doubt fancied herself as a budding journalist, or was perhaps just tweeting her friends to let them know where she was, as she tapped, nay stabbed her ipad throughout the entire discussion, when not rifling in her voluminous handbag for more sweeties, which trust me, she definitely did not need, to unwrap noisily. She beat the girl by a whisker who asked after a long and thorough synopsis of the book by James, "basically what's it about?" He held well. We have our signed copy, which Mark said contained some "stellar writing" - high praise indeed from the author of The Smell of Apples - but I fear it might be a tad too violent for my tastes, so will have to ask Mr SQ to review it for you.
We also attended an excellent panel discussion hosted by the witty and eloquent Marianne Thamm entitled On being Bolshy with Gareth Cliff, Denis Beckett and Martin Welz. Now that takes guts! Needless to say, the state of the nation was hotly debated. There were so many other interesting talks we would have loved to attend, rather spoilt for choice, but that is all we could manage. Neither can one go hungry or thirsty in Franschhoek, with so many restaurants and quaint little establishments from which to choose. We came home full to the brim of all the good things we had left Cape Town to ingest, and have, needless to say, already booked for next year. www.flf.co.za
Love,
Suzy Q
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