50+ Fun Zone

We lunched here recently, and as always, we had a good time. And we really enjoyed the cheap pensioner meals.... 🤩 Plus, seeing as it is Father's Day today, they are laying on a special buffet for the Dads!

NB: THIS PLACE IS POPULAR! I WILL ONLY BOOK FOR THE FIRST 10 CONFIRMED RSVPs!

We know the scene: rolling green lawns, oodles of fresh air, fit and intimidatingly energetic people bouncing around on tennis courts and bowling greens, and friendly chatter in the restaurant and pub. Live music, courtesy of a talented local muso, adding to the Sunday chill vibe. Yaah, the country club scene. We love it.

Would you believe the German Country Club as we know it today is steeped in history and tradition. It seems the Deutsche Turn- und Sportverein was officially founded on 3 February 1928 when approximately 80 people met at the German School in Hillbrow. The early activities centered around gymnastics, athletics and ball games. The first club facilities were built in 1934 on four acres in the Johannesburg suburb of Mountain View and officially opened in 1936. During the Second World War things at the club quietened down considerably, with a revival only happening towards 1947 again. Over time tennis was added to the featured sports and became quite prominent to this day. By 1963 it was evident that the grounds were too small for the desired expansion, which saw the move of the club to Halfway House, where it was officially opened in August 1969 with some 400 members on the books. The activities in the seventies included not only tennis, but also gymnastics, handball, a 3,5 km annual road run and a multi-disciplined competition between the seniors of the Deutsche Schule and the Club. A swimming pool, children’s playground - and last but very importantly - the bar were added. After an enduring lull in activity and membership growth, the current premises in Paulshof was secured in 1985, and the all-important Liquor Licence obtained two years after. Since then activity has boomed under new management. Apparently a guy named Rudi Schmidt was hugely instrumental in making all this happen, and because of that the bar is called ‘Rudi’s Corner’. Rudi has passed away since, but I’m sure his happy spirit is still hanging around.

There is a famous German expression ‘Wenn schon, denn schon’, which means, ‘if you do it, do it right’. Given that the Country Club is German managed, it should therefore come as no surprise that the bar and restaurant staff employ this thinking when serving visitors at the club. Let’s go suck up some German Gemütlichkeit!

On the premises is the famous Cesco’s Portuguese restaurant with their exceptionally reasonably priced (some meals at R 50.00!!) menu of delish meals that we have come to know so well, e.g. rump trinchado, seafood paella as only the Porras can make it, and eisbein as only the Germans can make it! All served with roast potato wedges and Cesco’s secret sauces. Winter comfort food!! And for those so inclined, great traditional German beer is also served with a smile (maybe by German mädchen in dirndl outfits and bobby socks…).

131 Holkam Rd, Paulshof, Sandton.
011 803 6128 / 082 553 0686

Come along to our first ever casual craft workshop where we will learn to use tin sheets (a bit softer than pewter) to fashion ourselves a gorgeous little trinket box. Everything included! You only need to bring your delightful self, your apron, cushion and hat, and take your lovely gift home for someone special.

Nicci is driving in from Cullinan especially to come and teach us this very unusual hobby. Once we have the techniques down pat, we can carry on by ourselves and make many larger and beautiful items at home.

We need to start early, since the technique takes time to learn and master. Also, Nicci needs to drive back to Cullinan. After a short while, we can take a little break to sit back and marvel at our newly acquired skills, and order a delicious breakfast. Then continue and work our magic.

Meals and drinks for your own account!

We can only accommodate 8 people on this workshop, so the first-paid-first-served principle will apply. I will send payment details by personal MeetUp email to the first 8 responders.

COST: R 250.00 per person - PRE-PAID.

THIS ITEM (= NON-EVENT, NOT REQUIRING RSVPs) WILL BE REPEATED EVERY NOW AND THEN TO ALERT ESPECIALLY NEW MEMBERS ABOUT THIS SCAM. IF YOU HAVE BEEN APPROACHED, SIMPLY IGNORE THE PERSON AND REPORT THEIR NAME AND SOME DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PROFILE PICTURE IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION ON THIS PAGE. I WILL THEN REMOVE THEM FROM THE ENTIRE 50+ FUN ZONE MEMBERSHIP LIST).

Don't think it won't happen to you! Many, many savvy, highly educated professional people who are generally scam and crime alert have been swindled out of millions by these extremely crafty and well-trained scamsters! Here is a very informational website created and managed by a normal, alert professional person, just like you and me.... It is worth a visit:

https://www.skywomen.co.za/about.html

From time to time our social group - along with many other MeetUp groups and dating sites - is infiltrated and irritated by scamsters who target gullible women (although a few men have also been approached). We have managed to get rid of a lot of them since July last year, notably through active information dissemination, but the trend is continuing again.

The scamsters approach members of the group with a dimwitted sentence such as 'Your looking great Samantha, you like to chat?', or simply 'Hi Kim'. To sharp and alert people the rotten English is already a dead giveaway of something smelly and unsavoury brewing. (Or of an exceptionally dull individual that should be avoided anyway). Their strategy is then to engage in friendly, seemingly innocuous online conversation for while, during which time personal information is obtained and a 'trust relationship' built. Then one day, out of left field you are craftily scammed out of a hefty sum through an other-wordly tale of woe or sudden calamity that hits your new 'friend'.

Fortunately most South Africans are wide awake when it comes to scams, but these guys can be VERY creative and convincing. So unless you are adventurous and have money to burn, BEWARE OUT THERE!

Best policy is to never respond to direct messages of any kind via MeetUp email unless you have met the person at one of our events.

Please keep reporting any incidents on this page - as a service to other 50+ FUN ZONERS - and I will remove them immediately! If you block them, they are simply blocked from contacting you, but can still pester other members.

Never been here, but this place comes highly recommended! People say if you have never tried British cuisine, you should reserve a table at this bar. Tasty fish, pork roast and english roast will impress you at the first bite. It's a good idea to order good yorkshire pudding too, and wash it all down with your draft beer, irish beer or fave vino cultivar.

All reviews are complementary about the food, friendly service, homey decor and the traditional English style pub atmosphere. What seems to be a very reasonably priced menu offers all your English delights, such as Yorkshire pudding, as well as the usual winter delights for our South African palates – I’m already salivating for that delish-looking Sunday roast of roast beef, pork, potatoes and warm winter veggies.

An inside table for 10 in a sunny corner booked in my name.

Tel: 011 807 5586
Petervale Shopping Centre, Cambridge Road, Bryanston.