Sylvia's Sedgefield Blog

Feb 22, Sedgefield's Caribbean Theme Slow Food Workshop

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:27:15 GMT

Rum cocktails, a talk on the Rastafarian way of life and the Masi Minstrels playing Reggae music were all part of the Caribbean theme that started off Sedgefield’s Slow Food Workshops for 2012. Hosted by PiliPili Beach Bar and 22° East Restaurant, it was a fabulous venue and a perfect day for a Caribbean lunch within sound of the waves breaking on Myoli Beach!

Feb 18, Montagu Pass fynbos

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:04:26 GMT

We'd heard that the Montagu Pass fynbos is looking stunning so Wayne and I (and Duke) took a ride in "Dukie's Suzuki" to see for ourselves. You'll see from my photos on Facebook that we were not diappointed. To find out more you can read about how to drive the round trip here. http://www.discover-sedgefield-south-africa.com/mountain-passes.html The old narrow dirt road bounded by a hand-built stone wall has itself been declared a national monument and it is a very scenic route to explore at any time of year. We passed no other cars at all today, just a couple of hikers, a few mountain bikers and the Outeniqua Power van on its return trip to George!

Feb 9, A Walk in the Biervlei Indigenous Forest

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:02:22 GMT

Today a group of 9 Walkie Talkies from Sedgefield hiked in the Biervlei Indigenous Forest a few kilometres beyond Hoekwil. The temperature was a comfortable 23 degrees. The forest was much wetter than we’ve experienced it before because of recent rain and fabulous mushroom type fungi and bracket fungi were out in full force. It was amazing to see so many different varieties. I took a good few photos and only wish I could find an informative book about them. One person saw a bushbuck skitter off and there were many birdcalls to keep us guessing. We had fleeting glimpses of Knysna Turacos, Green Wood-hoopoes, a Cameroptera, Sombre Greenbuls, Bar-throated Apalis and a good sighting of a Jackal Buzzard. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile hike in this beautiful forest

Feb 7, Eden to Addo Blueprint

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:47:39 GMT

In February 2011 I attended a presentation at Fancourt Convention Centre of the Eden to Addo Initiative. I was captivated by the sheer scale of the vision laid out by this dedicated group of individuals. Joan Berning explained the corridor concept and Pam Booth related the 400 km Eden to Addo hike that takes place in September every year involving 25 hikers (maximum) with 3-4 guides over 20 days - an experience that is sure to change your view of yourself and your relationship with nature.

Feb 4, Sweet rain on Sedgefield

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:57:17 GMT

Nothing can beat the sweet smell of gently falling rain after a long period of heat and humidity. I can hear the earth sigh with pleasure and the wild garden relaxes its tightly held branches - the tension leaving its thirsty limbs. I feel the relief as nature breathes more easily again. Even the birdsong has regained its vibrancy. Everything looks sparkling clean and fresh. The oppressive atmosphere has lightened and cooled restoring my energy level again. Thank you, thank you for life-rejuvenating rain!

Jan 29, Fred Hampson

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:21:24 GMT

Fred Hampson discovered Sedgefield when he and his wife holidayed at Placid Waters in 1956. They subsequently retired to Sedgefield in 1958. As an avid fisherman his way of life couldn’t have been more different from that of an infantryman in WW1. Fred was one of the very few to survive the living hell of Delville Wood! He not only lived to tell the tale - many times, eloquently, by request, at public meetings, on the radio, but he lived to the ripe old age of 99! That means he spent nearly half of his life, in the peaceful village of Sedgefield!

Jan 6, Karefree Management

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:43:36 GMT

Responding to an increasing need to have unlived-in holiday homes under responsible supervision, my friend Karen Donovan has opened a business dedicated to solely managing untenanted holiday homes. She will give landlords monthly updates on the state of their property keeping a watchful eye on aspects that could cause unnecessary expense if allowed to go unnoticed. Besides, won't it be great not to have to spend some of your much needed annual holiday doing urgently needed property maintenance? Please contact her, if you own a house/apartment on the Garden Route but live elsewhere and would like to know that someone is keeping a responsible eye on your important asset.

Jan 5, Sedgefield History

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:01:13 GMT

I'd like to draw the attention of interested visitors to the fact that I have recently updated the Sedgefield History page in conjunction with the diagramatic History Tree page that is not totally complete yet but a whole lot better than it was. Any comment or relevant information is always appreciated!

Dec 28, Breakfast on Monkey Beach

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:39:31 GMT

Family and friends gathered on Family Day for a delicious breakfast on Sedgefield's 6th beach cooked by the boys in no time flat after some fun time on the river. Monkey Beach is an ideal spot for power boats to anchor as its opposite the boat launch on Kingfisher Drive and is in the range of the river where people are allowed to enjoy their motorboats. The day was overcast but the water was warm and didn't stop people from skiing, boarding, tubing, swimming and generally having fun!

Dec 24, Salinas Restaurant, Wilderness

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:01:08 GMT

We had a great evening on our first visit to the newly opened Salinas Restaurant at Wilderness Beach (on the LHS just before you cross the Touw River from the Sedgefield Side). The carefree holiday vibe is palpable and the views are simply magnificent, the food is superb and the service is excellent. The casual seamless indoor/outdoor combination of seating arrangements on two levels suits the restaurant's position to a T. It is easily accessible from the N2 and all these features together are going to make it a winning restaurant!

Dec 22, Knysna Pipe Band

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:08:20 GMT

The Knysna Pipe Band led by Steve Collins played for an enthusiastic crowd on Bollard Beach, Leisure Isle, Knysna on Wednesday evening 21 Dec. Inspite of threatening rain, there was a good turnout and the bagpipes did justice to many old Scottish favourites. We hope to see the band on Eagle Green in Sedgefield as an invitation has been extended to them to come and play for us there. Find some pictures of the evening on my facebook page.

Dec 14, Whiskey Creek Canoe Trail

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:35:09 GMT

Five couples recently went on an outdoor adventure weekend canoeing up the picturesque Keurbooms River to spend the night at Whiskey Creek Cabin.

This canoe trail is 7 kilometers one way and is not strenuous if you are reasonably fit. We also got the tide right!

The Whiskey Creek Canoe Trail falls under the auspices of Cape Nature and is a wonderful way to enjoy an outdoor activity and experience nature with friends and/or family.

Dec 2, The Slowtown Tourist Route

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:33:42 GMT

Often when one lives in a town, one takes what's there for granted and sometimes one finds out that visitors know more about your town than you do - its good points and its bad ones.

With that in mind the Sedgefield Walkie Talkies set out to walk the newly created "Slowtown Tourist Route".

Although there are some places that could do with tidying up, there is much to recommend the Route as it is well sign-posted and uncomplicated. I believe it helps to orient the visitor to the layout of Sedgefield whilst giving them an engaging and honest overview of its appeal and many of its attractions. It's worth saying, we learnt quite a bit ourselves too!

Nov 29, Mother Holly's at Millwood

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:38:13 GMT

My friend Judith and I had a wonderful lunch today at Mother Holly's Tea Garden up at Millwood. The road takes you past Rheenendal and through magnificent indigenous forest to a little cottage near the overnight hut for the highly popular Outeniqua Hiking Trail.

Run by Gerald and Yvonne Hayward until the end of Feb 2012, I recommend you try it -anything on the menu will be good.

It's the ideal place to stop for a snack after a visit to Jubilee Creek, the big tree at Dalene Matthee's Grave or the Bendigo Mine Tour. We passed the Eden Easy Riders from Sedgefield biking through the area today and they seemed to be enjoying it although it was terribly hot!

Nov 22, Sedgefield Artist Sheila Cooper-Collins

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:55:50 GMT

Since moving to Sedgefield in 1992 Sheila Cooper-Collins has etched out a name for herself in conservation circles with her fundraiser for The Wild Life Society. Her limited edition prints on elephant dung paper of the old Matriarch, supposedly the last surviving elephant in the Knysna forests, raised R350,000 for environmental education programmes. She has created another attractive print of the lifesize footprint of a week old baby elephant, Thandi from Knysna Elephant Park with a minature of the little elephant in the left-hand corner of the elephant dung paper. A few of these are still available for purchase....

Nov 16, EAT Southeast Asian street food Themed Workshop

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:58:38 GMT

EAT Restaurant was the venue for the 7th Slow Food South-east Asian street food themed workshop

Nov 10, Good Reading

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:14:14 GMT

Books, books, books -some good reading that I'm happy to recommend.

Nov 7, Gando Apartment on Cormorant Street

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:24:16 GMT

Gando Apartment is conveniently situated, tastefully furnished holiday accommodation in Sedgefield on the Garden Route.

Oct 30, Leopards of the Garden Route

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:18:20 GMT

Yesterday at the Fynbos Eco-festival in George, Dr Bool Smuts of Landmark Foundation spoke about the perilous future of the Cape Leopards. There are 23 collared in the Garden Route area, 35 in the Baviaanskloof Reserve and a few in small pockets in other mountainous areas of the Western Cape. He mentioned that on Monday 31 October 2011 the world’s population will clock in at 7 billion. It has doubled in his lifetime. Conversely free roaming leopards have been reduced to 5% of their former numbers –700 000 only 50 years ago. As human settlement relentlessly demands more land, the leopards’ (and other wildlife) habitat is reduced until they cannot survive on it. His straightforward message was “take your photos people because soon that is all you will have of the Cape leopard. Especially,” as he said “Everyone wants to live like Bill Gates, regardless of the consequences to the environment.” SANParks and Cape Nature – who we think are the custodians of our wildlife contribute to the problem as they need little excuse, when approached by local farmers, to shoot what is considered a problem animal without real proof that it is indeed the culprit. It has been irrevocably proved that there are predator friendly ways of dealing with stock predation that are long-term more cost effective and successful than hunting, poisoning or trapping which is indiscriminate and has dire consequences for all kinds of wildlife including eagles and vultures. Dr Smuts showed us slides and videos of the damage caused by gin-traps that are legal in this country and the leopards that have been lost over the past 2 years because of them. To see an animal caught in a death vice fighting to get free is heart-breaking. Many innocent creatures die horrendous deaths in these traps cruelly and vindictively set up callous human beings who are not willing to change their mindsets and choose wildlife sustainable options. It's as if mankind is totally unwilling to compromise in order find a way to co-exist with earth's other creatures and yet when they are all gone and we have destroyed the biodiversity that makes this planet so incomparably magnificent, we shall shall be irretrievably and spiritually bereft.

Oct 29, Herold Wines - a farm visit

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:44:29 GMT

A great day can be enjoyed on Herold Wines, a farm at the top of Montagu Pass just 15 kms from George.

Oct 26, Calligraphers of the Garden Route

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:44:28 GMT

The Leisure Island Festival over the weekend of 22-23 October 2011 was a hub of creativity and colour. The stupendous summer's day meant it was a joy to be outdoors appreciating the huge variety of stalls and all they had to offer.

From indigenous plants to second-hand books, doll-houses, tasty eats of all sorts, an incredible embroidery exhibition in the local hall and of course our Calligraphy stall where besides the works of individual crafters there was our first ever "joint effort" calligraphy calendar (2012) proudly on sale.

It was a pleasure to watch the delighted faces of young people as with smooth flourishes Wilma, one of our more experienced calligraphers, professionally wrote their names in bright colours on carding, using cake colouring on an ice-cream stick, that they could then paste to the door of their rooms or where-ever! She demonstrated that calligraphy is a creative, graceful and relaxing art for all ages that has many fun applications.

Oct 18, Puccis

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:50:45 GMT

Puccis garden courtyard was the delightful venue for Sedgefield's 6th Slow Food Workshop. Chef Colin Capon announced the Slow Food committee to make our convivium official. Deetlef's thanked Andre Gauche for choosing their wines to represent our Slow Town. Colin told us about the Italian liquer, Lemoncello and we partook of divine Italian food.....!

Sep 30, Goukamma Nature Reserve

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:37:08 GMT

Between Sedgefield and Buffalo Bay is the under-rated and unpretentious magical Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area

Sep 23, Masithandane

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:30:05 GMT

Masthandanes 5th Birthday was celebrated on Saturday 23 September 2011. It was made a joyous occasion by the uninhibited participation of the pre-school children who had everyone smiling and clapping at their antics and singing along in the glorious sunshine the Sedgefield day served up!

Sep 21, Timberlake Slow Food Workshop

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:25:10 GMT

At our 5th Slow Food Workshop Andre Gauche advised that we now have two official Slow Town wines They are a dry red and a dry white from Deetliefs. More info is available from Rose at Knysna Tourism. – 044 343 2658 Jackie Weaver said there is an open day at Masithandane Friday 23 September 9:30 – 12:00 to celebrate their 5th birthday. Come and see how they contribute to the Sedgefield community. Tea, coffee and pancakes will be served. There will be an official “Slow Town bring and braai” at Andre’s farm on Sunday between 11am-5pm. As they have no idea how many will be attending please bring your own firewood, gas braais, seats, drinks, food etc. There will be some games to play. Come and enjoy a great family day in the beautiful Sedgefield countryside.
Directions.
Going from Sedgefield on the N2 towards George, turn right at the signpost to Pine Lake Marina. Don’t take the turning to go over the railway line though – stay left. It becomes a dirt road. You will go past Rondevlei on your right and end up driving between Rondevlei and Langvlei. Turn right at the T Junction – the sign says Wolwe Rivier. 200 metres up the slight incline, turn right again. The Rondevlei Guest Farm is 800 metres along the road on your left. The next Slow Food Workshop is at Pucci’s on 18 October 12pm – 3pm. It has an Italian theme. It is important to book your spot as seats are limited. Please reserve your seats with Colin Capon at cjcapon@gmail.com and if you are be bringing a culinary dish please supply him with the recipe by 14 October. Seats are limited so don’t leave it to the last minute if you want to attend!

Sep 18, Lakes Bird Club

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:19:54 GMT

On Saturday 17 September, Lakes Bird Club experienced a great turnout for the birding day at Voëlvlei, west of Mossel Bay, off the N2, on the road to Gouritz River Mouth. The vlei is full of water and Peter Ginn says there'll be lots of water there for the next 12 months. We enjoyed a great day of birding - no foreign sounds disturbed the peaceful countryside and I recorded over 60 different bird species. Other cars may have recorded more. We will definitely be going again a couple more times within the next year as many waders have still to arrive and many other summer migrants will swell the bird numbers that visit the pan. Lesser flamingoes will also visit as the water subsides. Multitudes of simple wild flowers lavishly littered the landscape adding to the enjoyable experience.

Sep 12, The Loose Goose Cruises on the Swartvlei Lake

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:50:57 GMT

Captain Saney operates guided cruises on the Swartvlei Lake in his 12 seater boat the Loose Goose

Sep 9, Groenewalds at Swartvlei

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:27:29 GMT

Rosalie's stories about her mother, Beryl Groenewald and her house at the Swartvlei and two trips on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe.

Sep 9, Next Slow Food Workshop

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:22:55 GMT

The next workshop will be at the Zucchini Restaurant, Timberlake on 20 September 12am - 3pm. The theme is South African Flavours! Come early and tour the venue, you will be surprised at those hidden gems tucked away in the village. Colin Capon’s Presentation will be a talk on his experiences in partaking in the Bidvest World Chefs tour for Hunger. Other presentations include Slow Beer by Mike Morris and Rob from Eats restaurant cooks up an Ostrich tail casserole. We will of course be discussing Rugby World Cup, plans for the future, the next meeting and venue. If you or your guests will be submitting a culinary delight for up to 10 portions you will not be charged for the day’s fee. All other attendees will be charged R50 for this event. Please down load the recipe proforma and return it back to Colin Capon no later than the weekend of the 17h September 2011 so that he can coordinate the dishes for tasting. Alternatively send him an e-mail at cjcapon@gmail.com and he will forward the relevant details onto you. Rsvp no later than the 18th Sept 2011.

Sep 2, Glentana and Red Berry Farm

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:19:44 GMT

On Spring Day the Walkie Talkie Club did a walk along Glentana Beach (between George and Mossel Bay) and then enjoyed delicious tea/coffee and scones at Red Berry Farm, the first beacon on the Outeniqua Country Hop Route. See the photos on My Facebook page!

Aug 26, White's Road Wilderness Walk

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:48:28 GMT

An ideal Garden Route walk to orientate yourself to this village is the Wilderness walk around Whites Road giving you views of ocean, lakes, forest and fynbos.

Aug 18, Race to save the Leopards

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:46:09 GMT

On 25 August a dinner/dance evening has been organised by the Grade 10 group at Glenwood House to raise funds for the Landmark Foundation’s campaign to purchase 2 digital cameras and a collar to monitor a leopard in the Kaaimans area. Gillian Van Houten, renowned journalist and conservationist will be MC at Idille, Wilderness where the event is to be held. Tickets are R300-00 person. Tel: Sally 082 820 0315 or Diane on 071 115 9475 to make a booking. This is a wonderful conservation effort initiated by school children at a time when every contribution to leopard conservation can make a difference to this magnificent cat. Beverley and Dereck Joubert reported in 2010 that 50 years ago there were 700 000 leopards in Africa. By 2010 there were merely 50 000. They said that in a five year study they conducted, 10 000 leopards had been shot by trophy hunters and at least as many again had been poached. This is unsustainable. We could lose all the remaining leopards of Africa within the next 5-10 years if the killing doesn’t stop. Watch this fascinating video chronicling some of the Joubert’s study.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/beverly_dereck_joubert_life_lessons_from_big_cats.html

Aug 14, Advertising Local Business

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:21:40 GMT

My Discover Sedgefield website is now open to advertising local business

Aug 11, Wild Olive Apartment

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:32:23 GMT

To rent in Sedgefield on the Garden Route in South Africa as a residential or holiday flat is the 1-bedroomed Wild Olive Apartment

Jul 27, The Bistro on the Lake

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:44:28 GMT

Hosting Sedgefield's 4th Slow Food workshop was the Bistro at Lake Pleasant Living

Jul 24, The Knysna Elephants

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:59:08 GMT

The story of the Knysna elephants, the only free ranging elephants in South Africa, continues to intrigue us.....

Jul 20, Amazing Gerickes Point

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:39:18 GMT

discover the amazing shore life of Sedgefield at Gerickes Point

Jul 17, Marine Protected Areas

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:40:35 GMT

Marine Protected Areas are the Game Reserves of the Ocean ensuring the survival of the wild life of the sea.

Jun 22, Venus Ear - Slow Food Workshop

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:43:27 GMT

Sedgefield's third Slow Food Workshop was held at the bohemian Venus Ear secret Tea Garden

Jun 21, Childhood Memories

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:47:58 GMT

Briony Lidstone recalls her Childhood Memories of Sedgefield in the early 70s

Jun 15, Sedgefield History Tree

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:19:39 GMT

Some of Sedgefield's history is to be found in the Sedgefield History Tree and early George records

Jun 15, Eppie

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:54:14 GMT

A vital spark and incorrigible character in Sedgefield's history is Eppie Hooper

Jun 14, Next Slow Food Workshop

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:02:49 GMT

Debbie at Venus Ear in the Houtappel Centre, Sedgefield is hosting the next Slow Food workshop on 21 June 2011 from 12am to 15pm. Our theme this month is cold winter salads and desserts. Bring your rands for the small farmers market, especially the fresh honey! Chrizelle Gill from the shop next door, Nurtured by Nature will be talking on the subject, Living to Eat-Eating to Live. Anne and John of Kleinfontein Cheese makers from Swellendam will be presenting some of their fine unpasteurised goat’s cheeses for sampling and Jono will be talking about wild fungi (mushrooms which are edible and which aren't) along with a glass of Chloe Franshoek wine. Colin Capon’s presentation will be on slow food smoking and cooking, served with the delicious salads and dessert you are all going to make.

Jun 6, Environmental Film - Gasland

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:42:05 GMT

Wessa is showing Gasland on Saturday 11 June at 10:30am at St Francis Church Hall in Swallow Drive, the award winning documentary film about the effects of "fracking" in the USA. Entrance fee is R20-00. If you're interested in the environment this 1 and 3/4 hour film is a "must see" in the light of the proposals to "frack' in the Karoo!

May 27, Slow Food Workshop

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:16:54 GMT

Chef Alma @ Groenvlei hosted Sedgefield's second Slow Food Workshop

May 13, Next Slow Food Convivium

Fri, 13 May 2011 10:35:33 GMT

Chef Alma @ Groenvlei Restaurant is going to be the next venue for Sedgefield's 2nd Slow Food Convivium. On Tuesday 24 May from 12am to 3pm the theme will be "Asian and Far Eastern Flavours - traditional, and fusion". The participants who submit a creative or simple culinary delight for up to 10 portions will not be charged the day’s entrance fee. All other members and guests will be charged R50 for this event. Please email our celebrity chef, Colin Capon at cjcapon@gmail.com to book your place at the next lunch. Colin will be demonstrating "Murtaba" - roti with curry savoury filling. There will be a short talk on spices sponsored by Little India from Grey Street, Knysna followed by wine tasting with Belinda from Deetlefs Wine Estate. For more information about the Convivium and to complete the recipe form, that will be fowarded to Colin, click on the link below and follow the instructions on the form.

May 11, Joe-Stina se Corada

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:22:10 GMT

Private holiday accommodation in a prime spot right on the Swartvlei lagoon less than 100 meters from the beach is Joe-Stina se Corada.

May 10, Hoorie C

Tue, 10 May 2011 19:30:01 GMT

Find accommodation close to Sedgefield's best beaches in the self-catering flat, Hoorie C.........

Apr 30, Sedgefield Paradise

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:14:38 GMT

It was January 2007 when my wife, Christine and I discovered Sedgefield. We had come on holiday to South Africa for 3 weeks. After spending 5 days in Cape

Apr 28, Slow Festival Fotos

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:54:58 GMT

Some Slow Festival Fotos of the activities and events that took place in Sedgefield over the Easter weekend.