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11Jul
Looking for an Affordable Winter Getaway? Why You Should Go to Clarens

Are you planning a winter getaway but worry that you might not be able to afford it? It’s a valid concern. Accommodation can be expensive, which means one of two things:

  • You won’t be able to afford that weekend getaway or
  • You won’t have money left for fun activities.

Most people are pinching pennies lately, and holidays typically move to the bottom of the list. But time off and time spent with the people you love, doing what you love should be a priority! That’s why many guesthouses offer accommodation specials this time of year. They understand that times are tough, but good memories are necessary to get you through those tough times.

There are so many different types of accommodation available all over South Africa to suit individual needs. Self-catering or non-self-catering – whatever you need, you got it. The key is to find accommodation that is centrally located. This way, you can easily reach restaurants, pubs, shops or attractions with easy access to nature for hiking and biking.

Why Clarens Is an Excellent Option for a Winter Getaway

Clarens is ideal for people who love spending time outdoors. Activities include hiking, biking, hot air ballooning, white river rafting, horse riding and much more. You can also visit Clarens Brewery to taste some of the best craft beers in the country. If you are looking for a majestic view, visit the Golden Gate National Park, where you’ll be surrounded by awe-inspiring nature.

More Reasons to Visit Clarens

If you’ve never heard of Clarens, you’re in for a surprise of a lifetime. Also known as the Jewel of the Free State, this little town is located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains.

Nature Lover’s Paradise

As we’ve mentioned before, outdoor lovers will appreciate Clarens and surrounding areas. Hiking, biking, horse riding, white river rafting, hot air balloon rides — you can do it all in Clarens! Just 17 km from Clarens, you will find Golden Gate National Park. Talk about unspoiled beauty!

Easily Accessible

Clarens is approximately 400 km from Durban, 300 km from Johannesburg and 200 km from Bloemfontein. You can also drive the 126km to Afriski resort in Lesotho if skiing is on your bucket list.

World Class Beer

In Clarens, you will find a world-renowned craft beer brewery called Clarens Brewery. This activity is not to be missed if you are a beer lover. The team at Clarens Brewery is passionate about producing top-quality beer. They eat, sleep and talk brew 24/7, and their love of beer inspires them to create new products regularly.

Affordable Accommodation

Finding affordable accommodation in Clarens is easy. There are so many award-winning options to choose from when looking for Clarens accommodation. It will all depend on the type of place you envision for your trip, your budget and availability, of course.

If the events of the past 18 months are getting you down, it’s time to go somewhere and do something fun. You deserve it!
10Jul
Custom vs Ready-Made Curtains: How to Choose the Right Type for You

Are you looking for curtains or blinds for your home? With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the perfect window dressing that will tick all your boxes and work best for your unique space. Do you want custom curtains, or will ready-made curtains suffice?

If you’re looking for an instant solution, ready-made curtains may be a good option. Browsing what’s already available in stores or online is quick and easy. Custom or tailored curtains take longer but offer more versatility. You can be specific about every little detail. Below are the pros and cons of both ready-made and custom curtains.

Ready-Made Curtains

Pros

  • Ready-made curtains are economical and budget-friendly.
  • You can choose from various colours and designs, and all it demands is a trip to the mall or browsing online.
  • They offer quick delivery and turnaround time for anyone that’s in a hurry.

Cons

  • Ready-made curtains might not look as good in person as they did on the package, but you won’t know until you remove them.
  • It can be a challenge to find something that compliments your interior design and your taste.
  • Ready-made curtains may not fit your windows since they come in standard sizes.

 

Custom Made Curtains

 

Pros

  • When it comes to colour, design, size and material, the sky’s the limit.
  • Your custom curtains will be unique and compliment your decor.
  • Your curtains will fit perfectly.

 

Cons

  • Custom made curtains may cost more, but you get exactly what you want.
  • They are made from scratch, so you might have to wait a little longer.

Both custom and ready-made curtains are great options if you want to make a style statement in your home. Below are more things to consider when purchasing curtains for your home.

 

Choosing the Perfect Curtains for Your Home

Curtains play an essential part in a room’s character and mood. If not done properly, it can cause the design to feel off. The following aspects need to be considered: the type of material, colour, thickness, as well as, curtain length. Save yourself the money and effort by educating yourself before you buy curtains. To make curtain shopping easier, follow this guide:

Purpose

For privacy in bedrooms, curtains should be manufactured from thick or block out material, whereas a dining room that leads onto a patio will only require curtains for lighting purposes. Heavy material will give a formal and dramatic effect, whereas lighter materials will offer a more light and sunny effect.

Colour

It’s better to choose natural tones if your room receives a lot of natural light. Bright colours will fade quickly because the sun isn’t very forgiving. Light curtains will open up a dark room.

Fit

Taking the proper measurements of your windows are critical in ensuring they fit perfectly. Measure the height from the floor to the rail, and remember to keep in mind the size of the hanging hardware.
9Jul
How You Can Help Save the Environment by Installing Solar Panels

For many years scientists have been warning us about global warming. While many people think global warming is a myth, there are many who grasp the seriousness of it. It is essential that we try to do the best we can to reduce our carbon footprint even if others don’t. If you are serious about protecting our planet, then you’ll know the importance of solar energy and what difference it can make. If you don’t, then let me explain:

Global warming aka climate change suggests the increase in global temperatures due to the emissions of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide being trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. As the radiation from the sun bounces back, it can’t get past the air pollutants, thus heating the planet. In the last fifty years, the average global temperature has risen faster than it ever has. 

What can you do to help?

When you install solar panels in your home or business, you can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels by using renewable, clean energy instead. This will decrease the emission of greenhouse gas significantly, thus helping save our beautiful planet.

What’s the lifespan of solar panels?

If you install quality products, you can expect at least 30 years of clean energy. That doesn’t mean that it will stop working after you’ve reached three decades. It does, however, mean that your solar panels might lose some efficiency over the years, but the degradation rates aren’t extreme. According to a recent study by NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), out of the 2000 solar panels, the majority of them were running at 88% of their original capacity after 25 years.

Can you Store Solar Energy?

The best way to store solar energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine or in the event of a power outage is by installing some kind of reserve like solar batteries. Many years ago, lead-acid batteries were the perfect solution for energy storage. But when lithium solar batteries came onto the scene, things changed.

Lithium is an extremely light metal with fantastic electrochemical potential. They also have a much higher life cycle than their counterparts when it comes to discharging applications. After charging and discharging lithium batteries thousands of times, it continues to be functional. You won’t have to replace them nearly as quickly as you would lead-acid batteries.

Do Your Part to Save Our Planet and Install Solar Panels

While you may have to invest some money now, most solar power systems will pay for themselves within a few years. And with the prospect of a lifespan of 30+ years, you can be sure to save a substantial amount of money on electricity. The benefits of installing solar panels far outweigh the price you need to pay.

If you have been looking for ways to fight global warming, you can by installing solar panels. Using solar panels as your primary energy source will save you money and help you protect the environment.