Blairgowrie, Randburg

During May 2009 the neighbourhood of Blairgowrie, set just north of Delta Park and next door to Linden, Robindale, Craighall and Bordeaux, all woke to discover that their remotes no longer opened things like cars and gates. Which can prove a little vexing when you need both in order to function at all in Johannesburg. For well over a day technicians roamed the streets in search of the cause, whilst most of the suburb invested in new batteries that did not help at all.

After much debate and various outlandish theories that affected no fewer than 4 000 households, the remote saga was touted as a signal jamming problem. The cause: a small business was broadcasting a data signal that interfered with the city's newly-installed smart meters, installed to give them control over people's geysers.

Blairgowrie could continue being what it was – a suburb set virtually in the heart of the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. A fairly old suburb, its houses are quaint, large and leafy. Nothing much happens in Blairgowrie, which is a good thing, as it's essentially a place where people return at the close of a day to hang their hats and rest up. It's a cozy, tree-lined neighbourhood with a slightly bohemian feel.

However, the suburb is more than a little conveniently placed if one works in or needs to get to Sandton. It's also close to all of the major arteries that get you from A to B in the major metropolis – Jan Smuts Avenue, William Nicol Drive, and Republic Road, and if you're into shopping then Sandton City, Hyde Park Corner and Melrose Arch are all within a stone's throw.