With apologies to Take That, and in my defence it is to promote Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa, I have ‘all I do each night is braai’ running around my head.
The braai, or barbecue, as South Africans are quick to tell you is a religion in the Rainbow Nation, only matched by rugby.
And viewers of Gary’s Wine Tour which kicks off on November 11 on ITV will see the great man chomp through boerewors and sosaties (that’s spiced sausages and skewered meat to you and me).
All against the backdrops of stunning and varied South African scenery.
Bok for good
Along the way Gary will be joined by pals from the showbiz world.
Including music producer Eliot Kennedy, Michaela Strachan, Ben Shephard, Jane McDonald and Mica Paris.
The first episode sees Gary, who boasts his own brand, dive straight in to South African viticulture.
Gary and best buddy Eliot are Bok for good (soz) for a crash course at the Spier Wine Farm in Franschhoek.
Before tucking into their braai.
Never veldt better
After a restorative wine themed spa treatment, the boys head off to try their hand at wine blending.
Before a drive up into the mountains to learn the art of pairing great food with the right tipple.
And they finish with a spectacular drive along the coast to Camps Bay.
Where they try a glass of Gary’s favourite wine in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles.
Of course, the first piece of advice South Africans will give you, and you can have this for free, is put ice in your white wine.
The rand tour
But we imagine that Gary and his SA pals will tell you that… and much, much more.
While you’ll also get a peek through the keyhole at the Kruger National Park (staying at Kruger Shalati).
And Johannesburg (where he resides at Sanctuary Mandela)
And we’ll keep you updated here with Gary and his South Africanophile pals as he progresses through the republic.
Now SA is just two hours ahead of the UK and your pound will fetch 22 SA Rand.
Flight of fancy
If you’re thinking of your long-haul trip for next year.
While there is increased flight capacity into Cape Town in 2025.
With Norse Atlantic flying three times weekly from Gatwick.
Triple daily flights from Heathrow (January-March) with British Airways.
And an extension of Virgin Atlantic‘s season through to the end of April.
It’s been a few years since I was last in SA and watching the sneak preview of Gary Barlow’s series.
I can honestly say all I do each night is braai hoping that I’ll be a part of you again some day.