Okay, now that the world didn't come to an end I figure I'd better get busy and write this last post of 2012.
Even with all the busy-ness associated with this time of year, the Crawlers managed to take some time out to celebrate the season on December 13th at Leo's Bistro. Leo's is situated on the grounds of the Ibhayi Guest Lodge (owned by Lion Roars), 144 Main Rd in Walmer. Up until a few months ago, I was under the impression that the Bistro provided the food service only for guests of the Lodge. Though as I have been out and about doing errands and such, I began to see signs for Leo's Coffee Shop on the 9th Ave. entrance to the Lodge. One day I decided to stop and check it out and found that Leo's is open to the public, Mon.-Sat. 8-Late for breakfast, continental breakfast, lunch, tapas, dinner, and Sun. for breakfast or brunch until 3. What a find! The perfect place for the Christmas Crawl.
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| Reward tidying the dining area |
Leo's is also the perfect place for any other function/event. The Bistro has seating for a total of 50 in the 3 rooms and lounge area inside and for 30 on the outside shaded patio. No event fee is a real plus. Limited off-street parking is available. Leo's provides a sophisticated yet relaxed venue amidst the hectic pace of Main Rd. Walmer. PE residents, check out Leo's Bistro...it's not just for Lodge guests!
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| Meet the Manager Kate Saunders |
So, the Christmas Crawlers, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Kathy Roppel, Margaret Zoetmulder, Fran and Mandy de Beer, Nomusa Nkomo, Leanne Waller, Vicki Minnaar, gathered at Leo's prepared to celebrate the holidays by breaking the No-Food-On-The-Crawl rule. Everyone ordered their teas or Sumatran coffees and breakfasts and, while we waited for our orders to arrive, broke open the Christmas crackers I brought. The usual mayhem ensued...paper hats being donned, prizes flying through the air, jokes and riddles being told, all while Gail practiced her new magic rope trick which was quite impressive once she perfected it.
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| This Week's Crawlers Gail, Vicki, Margaret, Nomusa, Leanne, Kathy, Stella, Beryl, Mandy, Fran |
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| Gail and her magic trick |
At some point during the festivities, each Leo's staff member on duty came to the table to welcome our group and to chat. The Crawl's Zim contingent had fun discussing their homeland with Zim staff members, Manager Kate Saunders and Waitress, Reward. The very talented Barista James and Chef Darrel also made an appearance at the table to make sure all was right with our beverage and food selections. This warm reception from Leo's hospitable staff coupled with the excellent coffee and breakfast has turned me into a return customer for sure.
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| Meet the Barista James |
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| Meet the Chef Darell |
The Coffee Crawlers, June Nash, Fran and Mandy de Beer, Leanne and Luke Waller, Margaret Zoetmulder, Beth Vieira, Nomusa Nkomo, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Kathy Roppel, my daughter, Liz, my husband, Lou, squeezed a very unofficial Crawl in on December 20th at Urban Espress just in case the Doomsday rumors were true. No cameras, no notes, just coffee and hanging out. A nice way to close out another year of Crawling. Well, we did have one camera...Thanks to Mandy for providing the Dec. 20th Crawler pic.
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| The unofficial Crawlers awaiting the end of the world |
I'll be away for the next few weeks and we'll start up the Crawl again on January 10th!
~ Thank you to the Leo's Bistro staff, Kate, James, Darell, Reward, for making our Christmas Crawl very
special
~ Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
~ Happy belated Birthday to my now 2-year-old granddaughter, Mia - Dec 19th!
~ Happy Birthday to my brother Bob - Jan 4th!
~ Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, Joe - Jan. 8th!
Until Next Year,
Ellen
