Next weekend I will be heading out to the Franschhoek Valley for their Franschhoek Uncorked festival.

Normally I don't do festivals. Too many midgets. Wait, I cannot say that! What is the correct terminology? Little folk, small people? Something along those lines.

I am Countess Josephine de Ville. Only daughter of Count Jean Luc de Ville and the late Countess Jacqueline Josephine de Ville.

So you want to hear about a hidden gem, huh?

I had the good fortune to escort Mr & Mrs Tait on a private tour of Cape Point. In the past they had unsuccessfully tried to view whales elsewhere in the world, so they were particularly keen that we should see whales on this tour.

A very happy 90th birthday from all at The Last Word to Nelson Mandela, possibly the biggest gem of them all

But rather than being miserable, for those who know where to look this is a very special time. In The Cape the clear days between the rain are the crispest most refreshingly beautiful days of the year - positively effervescent.

This is Twinkle Toes the tortoise. He lives at The Bishops' Court and enjoys roaming the grounds with his girlfriend Citronella and getting frisky at breakfast time.

If you sniff you lose, or so I discovered during a tasting of a rare and very exceptional Scotch whisky. Yes, it is all of 48 years old, blended and aptly called The Last Drop because when the last of 1347 certified bottles are consumed thats it, there simply is no more.