There is lots to look forward to this Winter, with the Dullstroom Winter Festival coming. Taking place this year from the 4 July 2014- 6 July 2014, this promises to be a memorable event as its following and popularity grow each and every year.

The festival takes place in the quaint little town of Dullstroom which is situated in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Lots of South Africans come to this cosy little village for a weekend of fun, eating,fishing, dancing, competitions and to get a break away from  the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Dullstroom is only 2 hours away from Johannesburg , has some of the freshest air in  the country and is well-known for its alpine climate. It has that “small cobblestone village in Europe” feel.

Dullstroom is mostly visited for its fishing spots and is South Africa’s premier fly-fishing destination. It is also the only place where beech and elm trees grow in South Africa, hence the alpine feel.

The itinerary for the festival includes chocolate tasting, wine tasting, craft beer tasting, art exhibitions and blues and folk music. Some of the musical talents that were present in last years festival were Arno Carstens, Laurie Levine, Naming James and Matthew Mole to name a few. The Winter Festival Trail Run and MTB race is being hosted by Dunkeld Estate on the Saturday morning (5th) and will cater to all ages and distances. The MTB race offers 10km, 20km and 40km races – all entries R75. The Trail run will offer 5km (free), 8km (free) and 12km (R75) options.

romantic picnics

mountain biking trails and more

premier flyfishing venue in the country

boating in the lake

Baby yoga is not only a great way to spend time with your baby; it is also an effective way to keep your baby active and healthy.

The baby could be a part of either the mother’s routine or more traditional exercises. You don’t need to be a yoga expert and you certainly wouldn’t be expected to twist your baby into funny and complicated positions. Baby yoga classes often involve simple massages, stretches and simple yoga moves. These movements can vary from simply holding babies’ arms up above their heads, crossing their arms over their bodies and holding them upside down.

The moves and stretches are known to help release blockages of tension within the muscles and energy in baby’s growing body.

Benefits of baby yoga include help with stimulation of the physical, mental and emotional abilities of a child. Babies who do yoga are said to be more relaxed and calm, and have enhanced flexibility and strength.

There are many other benefits for you and your baby to discover while practising baby yoga; here are just a few:

• Strengthens the bond between mother and child
• Helps improve digestion
• Aids in motor skills
• Helps to improve sleeping
• It’s soothing
• Acts as a stress release for the baby
• Improves muscle tone and maintains flexibility
• Helps to improve body awareness and sensory integration
• Yoga exercises are very soothing. Moreover, an expert can prescribe a therapy for babies with different physical and mental ailments.

Teaching yoga can begin as early as at the age of 2 to 3 weeks, so find a yoga class near you and enjoy spending time with your baby.

Choosing the right bike

Choosing the right bicycle is crucial and you want to decide carefully based on your cycling needs as a family. Here’s a brief overview:

• Road bikes: Meant for cycling on pavements and roads, these bikes are usually lightweight and have skinny tyres. Road bikes are usually single-speed bikes meant for light everyday use around town.
• Mountain bikes: Mountain bikes have thick, sturdy tyres and a very durable feel. These are perfect for biking in rugged terrains and have great steering control, but don’t go as fast as road bikes.
• Hybrid bikes: A combination of standard and mountain bikes, hybrid cycles have become immensely popular in the last few years. They feature skinny tyres and can ride fast on pavements like road bikes and also allow the biker to sit upright, like mountain bikes.

If you want to roam around town for a leisurely weekend activity, you’re better off with road bikes. However, since mountain bikes are more stable and easier to steer, they might be a better choice for beginner cyclists.

Choosing the right cycling gear

After choosing your cycles, the next step is to choose your biking accessories. Biking essentials include a digital tyre pressure gauge, bike cleaner, mini bike pumps, cycle headlights and tail lights, reflective vests, and of course, a hard body cycling helmet with features such as flow vents, easy adjust, matching visors and moisture wicking. You might also want to invest in good bike wear for the whole family. Active soft-shell jackets, biking shorts and comfortable biking shoes are highly recommended.

Baby seats, bike trailers, and tag-along bikes

You can put your baby in a bike seat or trailer when s/he is at least one year old. Invest in a good baby helmet and follow all directions that come with the trailer/seat. You can also use a tag-along bike – a single wheel cycle that attaches to the seat of your cycle – so that your child can ride behind you.

Tandem bikes

Tandem bikes – meant for two people to cycle together – can be a lot of fun. It can make for a romantic ride but, it can be tricky to have a conversation!

This is the perfect time to discover the joys of cycling together as a family. Use the information above to choose the right bike, good cycling gear and have fun bonding with each other as you take on the trails.