This Southern Suburbs Gem in Constantia… What a pleasure to photograph! Owned by some famous person it was really amazing to be able to see their taste and choice when they had made their money in the world of design and decor.

The kitchen was a dream to shoot. See the photo below to see what I mean. Pity no one was home to offer me tea… I had to succumb to the horrors of living off water for three hours. #firstworldproblems #drought2018

Otherwise, there were many rooms to explore (I think eight bedrooms!) and a huge garden with stunning views. A wraparound balcony, and long pool to swim in – another pity that it was not the height of summer. Although perhaps one day I will earn the money to afford a place like this there is a large part of me that doubts I would ever go to such excess. I recently spent a week in the bush – up in Klaseries Drift, at the Amani camp – and after tonnes of questioning by the other guests it turned out the one private reserve was only sold for about R40-50million ZAR. A lot… but considering it is 14,000 hectares of pristine land that adjoins Kruger Park, I figured it was worth it! “Free” lions, giraffes, zebra, leopard (and security!) and it kinda makes you think.

Why do people feel drawn to cities, and pay exorbitant amounts for the luxury of being on top of one another? Perhaps we value one another more than we think after all. I personally would make my money renting out the lodges on a private reserve, but that is just me. This southern suburbs gem is great, and I’d take it, but after seeing Knysna, Plett, Nature’s Valley, the bush, and the KZN north coast (all quite recently) I do think I would give Cape Town property prices a skip.