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Clarens Mountain Estate
September News 2020
Spring seems like a good time to get newsy......Covid or not!
Wow! It's been rough this year, to say the least! We hope you are all well, doing your best to keep smiling, staying hopeful and most importantly, staying healthy!

Take time to smell the roses.
To enjoy the sound even of hadedas.
To appreciate each little insect in nature.
To be grateful that you can make a difference and make this world a better place for all creatures.
SOOOOOOOO! Drum roll!!!!

Remember we ran our fabulous Christmas Easter Special earlier this year? Exciting news! Of the 10 selected stands chosen, and even through the tough times of Covid, we and the fabulous estate agents have sold 5!

So there are 5 more up for grabs! Not only that, the beautiful Show House has also been sold to a wonderful family! Our little big Estate is feeling more and more like home every day! And we welcome all our new home owners and wish them well on their new upcoming builds, happy times on the Estate and obviously fun times in Clarens! The best little town in the Free State!
 
Take a look at whats still available! 

Erf     m2      Was       Now
797   1438    R470k    R282k      SOLD
798   1400    R470k    R282k
808   1400    R470k    R282k      SOLD
809   1400    R450k    R270k
810   1400    R430k    R258k
811   1400    R420k    R252k
834   1398    R560k    R336K     SOLD
836   1398    R560k    R336k      SOLD
845   1400    R695k    R417k      SOLD
866   1394    R710k    R426k
 
CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE IN HELPING YOU BUY YOUR OWN SLICE OF PARADISE FOR YOUR DREAM HOME OR HOLIDAY RETREAT. SPEAK TO US ABOUT OUR DEVELOPER FINANCE OPTIONS! 

sales@clarensmountainestate.co.za
 
Our fabulous team, always busy, come rain or shine or Covid... keeping the Estate looking clean and ship shape! Thank you David, Albert, Jacob and Mmutsi. You guys are awesome!!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Highland 100 -  Enter the 2 day Outride (its not a race)
24, 25 and 26 September 2020

Take on the iconic Eastern Highlands of the Freestate by MTB.
Based in the iconic village of Clarens, the routes take you on a postcard highlights tour of the region, amongst towering buttes and the Maluti's in the background.
 
The riding will be a mix of gravel road, farm tracks and some tar, but rocky terrain is to be expected!. Don't be fooled by the distance, this is not an easy day out for everyone. MTB and E-Bikes are both welcome. 
​
Being a long weekend, it's the perfect chance to combine riding and a family weekend away, savouring the sights, sounds and tastes Clarens is famous for.
 
Click here to enter https://www.highland100.co.za/
Get your creative juices flowing especially in Clarens, the art mecca of the Free State! How about trying your talent with a Portrait Workshop in oils with resident artist Ruth Walter! Have personally done a few and can say without any hesitation they are AWESOME!! 
WHEN: 25, 26 and 27 September 2020
TIME: 9am to 4pm daily
COST: R2400 includes a light lunch

Please contact Ruth to book your place ruthwalter.workshops@gmail.com
 
COMMUNITY
Cluny Animal Trust are doing their Annual Sweepstakes Fund Raiser!

Please consider helping! Each ticket costs R100 and you can stand a chance to win up to R25 000!

Please email imogen@clunyanimaltrust.co.za to purchase your ticket! There is much needed relief to buy food, medicine and vaccines to name a few. 
THE ‘CLARENS COMMUNITY CONCERNS’ THRIFT SHOP

Born from the variety of urgent community needs within Clarens and its surroundings, the Clarens Community Concerns (CCC) Thrift Shop, has opened its doors!
As Clarens residents know all too well, many vital fund-raising events have had to be cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many worthy local causes without this much-needed income, and consequently in dire straits. One of these, for example, is the Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC) which requires substantial funding to function effectively, and to keep the village and the conservancy pristine, maintained and constantly monitored, for all to enjoy. Two more worthy causes in a similar position and in desperate need of funds are the Cluny Animal Trust and the SPCA in Bethlehem. All of these have a direct impact on Clarens and its surroundings.

The aim of the CCC Thrift Shop is to raise funds in order to assist these various causes and address other specific needs within the local community, as and when they may arise. A sad truth is the all too frequent township fires that can completely destroy homes and leave residents with virtually nothing. In such cases, the CCC would be able to assist with essential funds, clothing and bedding etc. All funds raised will go to a deserving beneficiary. This is a wholly voluntary project aimed at assisting and improving conditions for the local Clarens community.

The shop is located in a large, peach coloured container on the grounds of Tshepong, opposite the Combined School in Kgubetswana and is run by the CCC Team, comprising Ann de Boer, Linda Kearns and Eve Platte. We open twice a month (mid-month and month-end) between 09:30 and 14:30 and dates are advertised on a board at the main gate of Tshepong. Social distancing through limited numbers, hand-sanitising and mask-wearing are compulsory.
Needless to say, ALL donations would be most welcome - and very much appreciated by a lot of people! Kitchen items, beddings, children’s clothes and shoes are some of the most required items that are always in huge demand and would be warmly received! However, we sell everything, and everything sells, so please call us if you have anything you no longer need – someone will need it and many will benefit. We will happily arrange to collect your donations and you can contact us as follows:
Ann – 083 258 4476, Linda – 082 266 8986 and Eve – 083 380 8710.

We look forward to successful selling and would really appreciate your support in this community venture!

#Clarens #MyTimeInClarens #N3Gateway #LetsStaySafe #DoGoodTuesday
Support local! Enjoy delicious pizza at Mosaic and don't forget their Tuesday Special!
Glen Green, resident of Clarens and awesome photographer, ready to make your GuestHouse look fabulous! Call him - 082 826 7043
LIGHT,  FLUFFY AND FUN SECTION
QUIZ YOURSELF 

Q - Which book did Mary Shelley write at the age of 19?
Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Crispy Tofu
Recipe from Minimalist Baker
SPRING ROLLS
1 1/2 cups julienned vegetables (such as carrots, red pepper, and cucumber)
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 bunch fresh mint
4 ounces vermicelli or rice noodles (the thinner the better)
8-10 whole spring roll rice papers
ALMOND BUTTER DIPPING SAUCE
1/3 cup salted creamy almond butter
1 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce (tamari if gluten-free)
1-2 Tbsp brown sugar, agave, or honey if not vegan (depending on preferred sweetness)
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
Hot water (to thin)
CRISPY TOFU
8 ounces extra-firm tofu (drained and thoroughly dried/pressed)
4 Tbsp sesame oil (divided)
3 Tbsp cornstarch
2 1/2 Tbsp almond butter dipping sauce
1 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce (tamari if gluten-free)
1 Tbsp brown sugar or agave nectar
Instructions
Start by preparing rice noodles in boiling hot water for about 10 minutes (read instructions on package), then drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cut pressed tofu into small rectangles. Toss in 3 Tbsp cornstarch and flash fry in ~3 Tbsp sesame oil, flipping on all sides to ensure even browning – about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Prep veggies and prepare almond butter sauce by adding all sauce ingredients except water to a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add enough hot water to thin until a pour able sauce is achieved. Adjust flavors as needed.
To add more flavor to the tofu, transfer ~2.5 Tbsp of the sauce to a small bowl and add an additional Tablespoon each of soy sauce, sesame oil and brown sugar or agave and whisk to combine.
Add tofu back to the skillet over medium heat and add “sauce/glaze,” stirring to coat. Cook for several minutes or until all of the sauce is absorbed and the tofu looks glazed, stirring frequently. Set aside with prepared veggies and vermicelli noodles.
To assemble spring rolls, pour very hot water into a shallow dish or skillet and immerse rice paper to soften for about 10-15 seconds.
Transfer to a damp cutting board or damp towel and gently spread out edges into a circle. It may take a little practice, so don’t feel bad if your first few attempts are a fail!
To the bottom third of the wrapper add a small handful of vermicelli noodles and layer carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, fresh herbs and 2-3 pieces of tofu on top. Gently fold over once, tuck in edges, and continue rolling until seam is sealed.
Place seam-side down on a serving platter and cover with damp warm towel to keep fresh. Repeat until all fillings are used up – about 8-10 spring rolls total.
Serve with almond butter sauce and sriracha or hot sauce of choice. And of course a chilled glass of Chardonnay!
READING CORNER - BOOK SUGGESTION

"Four In The Morning" Phillipa Mitchell

To the outside world, Claudia Stevenson has the perfect life: a fulfilling marriage, two gorgeous children and a successful career, but behind closed doors she is living her own secret nightmare. A verbally abusive relationship has left her with more questions than answers, and more self-doubt than self-love. An unintended love triangle threatens to destroy her world as she knows it.

An unexpected turn of events leads her on a path where she will watch her life turn on its head in a tragic twist of circumstances that will leave you breathless and gasping for more.

Based on actual events, Four in the Morning is a story of love, tragedy, forgiveness and redemption. It a powerful personal documentation of unshared truths, dedicated to a family whose lives were left shattered in the aftermath of events that will never be fully understood.

About the author

"Born and raised in South Africa, I graduated from the University of South Africa in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science. With a lifelong love for the printed word, I worked in both the book-selling and publishing industries for seven years before heading down the path of entrepreneurship, opening a specialist academic bookshop in 1998, and launching one of South Africa’s first online bookstores in 1999.
Working on both sides of the tracks for almost three decades has given me unique insights into the book world as a whole.
Today, I am an internationally published author, professional ghostwriter, and accomplished book editor, working with independent authors all over the world.
With my strong business and academic background, my focus is primarily on memoir and works of non-fiction, including business and inspirational books.
So, how did it all begin?
I believe that it is our responsibility as human beings to raise the energy of our planet by sharing our stories with the world. I didn’t always feel that way, however. It took an event that shook my world to plant that seed and propel me into a lifetime career of writing, ghostwriting and editing.
In 2007, my husband got into his car, drove away, and was never seen again. The chain of traumatic events that happened that day all led back to me, and there was no way that I could escape them. Seven years later, burdened with guilt and desperate to find peace and forgiveness, I decided to share my story with the world. I started writing Four in the Morning as a memoir but because I wanted to protect identities I decided to write my book as a novel instead.
Four in the Morning was published as an eBook in July 2015, and in Paperback and Large Print in April 2017. My hope is that anybody who has been through trauma, and who has struggled to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives afterwards, will find peace and hope through my story.
After completing my book, I wondered how many other people had stories of their own to share but did not have the time or the necessary skills to capture their story on a printed page. I knew that with my unique blend of empathy, curiosity and creativity that I had found my place in this world. In ghostwriting and editing I found my true calling as a writer, and I have immersed myself in it ever since."

Contact Phillipa to purchase your copy  -  https://phillipamitchell.com/four-in-the-morning/
Until next time, stay safe!

"Never attach yourself to a person, a place or a company. Attach yourself to a mission, a calling and a purpose. That's how you keep your power and your peace"
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sales@clarensmountainestste.co.za

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Clarens Mountain Estate · Clarens, Free State · 9709 · Clarens, Free State 9709 · South Africa

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