Innehållsförteckning för June 2016 från go!

Is pesticide to blame? Q EVELYN JOUBERT from Hartbeespoort writes: About two months before I saw this deformed citrus swallowtail butterfly, I treated my lime trees with pesticide because they were infested with parasites. Would the pesticides have caused the deformation? A Entomologist DUNCAN MACFADYEN says: It’s normal to see deformed butterflies in the wild occasionally – usually individuals that have pupated in tight corners and haven’t been able to expand their wings without hindrance. But this butterfly’s wing doesn’t seem to have expanded at all. It could very well be the effect of poisoning. Try to use an organic treatment in future. Spray a garlic-and-chilli solution onto your plants to reduce their attractiveness to this species. Is this a water scorpion? Q NICO BARNARDT from Grahamstown writes: I took…

“You’ll die, mate.” With every passing car, the words of warning grew louder and the swirling in my gut started climbing towards my heart. What was I doing? I found myself in Adelaide, Australia, on the corner of Pulteney and Rundle streets. I was inside Aussie Disposals, a camping gear store, looking for supplies and advice. My plan was to hitch-hike through the Outback to Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), about 1 500 km from where I stood. I would cover ground when I could, sleep in the bush by the roadside when I got tired and accept what the road and the journey offered up. “You’re stupid,” said the young lady behind the counter. “A friend of mine’s cousin was killed by a serial killer. You can’t hitch-hike…

We round the bend and Chris yells something about a bow wave coming in from the reed bed on the opposite side of the river. The message goes along the line of mokoros and we all start moving towards the bank. Then chaos erupts: A hippo comes up under Steve and Giles’s mokoro and rams its bottom incisors through the fibreglass hull. The boat tips over and Steve and Giles are in the water. I fumble at my belt and fire off a bearbanger, a non-lethal, explosive flare. The boat is upside down and Steve and Giles are frantically trying to scramble onto the hull. By this time, Goetz and I have pulled our boat next to the bank and I’m running along the river, heedless of possible landmines, while…

THE RATE INCLUDES WHAT TO BRING TOUR DETAILS Dates: 20 – 26 September 2016; 5 – 11 March 2017 Duration: Seven days, six nights Departure point: Rhodes, Eastern Cape End point: Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Accommodation: Lodges and guesthouses Cost: R9 850 per adult (2016); R9 950 (2017). Single supplement additional 30 %. ADVENTURE ITINERARY Day 1: We meet in the late afternoon at Walkerbouts Inn, in Rhodes. Day 2: We explore the valleys in the area and drive past Tiffindell Ski Resort before returning to Rhodes. Day 3: We head towards the Wild Coast, travelling on back roads to avoid Mthatha’s traffic. The Ocean View Hotel at Coffee Bay will be our home for the next two nights of the trip. Day…

Fun rides spin at dizzying speeds and children scream. Fibreglass horses go round and round. Strangers ram their bumper cars into each other and an ice-cream truck jingles in the background. Is there any sound more appealing to a child and more nerve-wracking to an adult than that ice-cream truck jingle? I’m in the amusement park at the Grootfontein Agricultural Show in Namibia. The Hyper X-Extreme ride looks like it could spin you into another blood group. But the most impressive ride is the Inverter – a monster machine that sends 24 passengers on a 360-degree cartwheel through the air. “Some kids ride the Inverter until their noses bleed,” says Deon van Blerk, vice president of the show committee. In the show office, teenager Dian Jansen says: “I’m not going…

Lamb shank and brinjal curry Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 3 – 4 hours The secret to fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks is to cook this curry slowly over a low heat. You need Here’s how 1 Preheat the oven to 150° C. Coat the brinjal with olive oil. Fry it in a heavy-bottomed potjie (with a tight-fitting lid) until golden brown. Remove the brinjal from the pot and set aside. 2 Fry the onions and cumin seeds in two spoons of oil in the same pot until soft and flavoursome. Add the rest of the ingredients (except the brinjal) to the pot and put on the lid. Cook the curry in the oven for 3 –…

It’s an age-old debate: Do you buy a specialist tool that performs a specific task really well, or do you rather buy a multi-functional tool that tackles the job reasonably well, but saves you the trouble of carrying more than one tool? You may find yourself facing a similar situation when buying your first 12 V camping fridge, if you find you have to decide between a dual compartment fridge/freezer or a dedicated single bin fridge/freezer. As with most camping decisions, it often comes down to a question of space, although there are some performance factors that need to be considered, too. National Luna’s two new fridges provide a good example: the 55-litre sports a single-bin layout, while the 60-litre boasts a dual-control double bin. In terms of size, both…

1 LANGDAM GUEST FARM Langdam might be a working farm, but they’re also busy trying to turn it into a wedding venue. “We have some Nguni cattle and a pear orchard” says manager Kirsten Krige. “We also had geese on the dam, but they took off. Maybe they’ll come back.” This dam, surrounded by an expansive green lawn, is the real drawcard: You can swim, paddle or cast a line for barbel. Near the dam, you’ll also find a communal lapa with braai facilities and a swimming pool. Three of the Langdam units are near the farmstead, while the other two have a more remote location. Kirsten has an arty side and the renovated units are decorated with beautiful murals. The Karoo can be very cold in winter, so all…

“I used the Kapperjol programme as my compass,” says Erns, who tried to attend as many weird and wonderful Hartenbos events as possible. “The langarm sokkies and foam parties caught my eye. In high school I spent many awkward hours standing in the corner at sokkies, so I just had to go back and revisit my clumsy langarm attempts of the 1990s. Fortunately I had no friends around to pressure me into dancing, I could just concentrate on getting a good photo.” Mannie Prinsloo is the guy in charge of the sokkies and foam parties at the ATKV resort. “He was very helpful” says Erns. “He even lent me his tripod so I could get a nice shot in the dark.” Mannie also told Erns how he only plays sokkie…

If you find stargazing a lonely pursuit, join other astronomy enthusiasts at a star party for a night of staring into space and discussing what you see. Despite the fantastic stargazing conditions we have in South Africa, the first official star party only happened in 2009. It was called the National Karoo Star Party, held about 20 km from Britstown in the Northern Cape, and this year it will return for the eighth time from 1 – 4 July. (Visit pretoria-astronomy.co.za  for more information.) Although star parties are aimed at serious amateur astronomers, those who have a more casual interest are also welcome to attend. There are strict rules about the use of light at these events to make sure stargazing conditions remain optimal, and there is downtime…

Fishing is a hobby that won’t let you go once you’re hooked. Before long you’ll lie awake at night, thinking about the best bait to land a carp at Bloemhof Dam. But if the fish aren’t biting, that’s also okay. Then you get to sit and watch pied kingfishers flit about in the reeds on the opposite bank. Relax. Maybe even doze off when the afternoon sun starts to warm your neck. Make sure you’re comfortable in Camp Master’s sturdy Angler 150 chair with mud feet to prevent you from sinking into the river bank, or choose the more compact Angler 100 chair if you like to move around and you want to carry your chair with you. The unique Seat Box even has built-in storage for your important fishing…

ALIDA HEINE Nikon D7100 Nikon 10 – 20 mm lens ALIDA WRITES: I took this photo at sunset in the quiver tree forest near Keetmanshoop in Namibia. I didn’t use a tripod, but I steadied my camera on a rock. My settings: aperture f14, shutter speed 1/8 second, ISO 100. TOAST SAYS: The quiver tree forest near Keetmans is one of those places that basically guarantees a good photo. Quiver trees have interesting shapes – they stand out like branchy fountains on the arid plains of Namibia’s otherwise severe landscapes. Still, you need to get a few things right. See how Alida’s tree towers over the landscape? You want the branches of your tree above the horizon, etched against the sky. If the branches are below the horizon, they might…

Some people say beer goes better with curry than wine does, especially craft beer, and this might indeed be true. It’s not to say that wine doesn’t go with curry, but just remember that it has a higher alcohol content so you can’t gulp down great draughts of it. The best wine match for anything spicy is an off-dry wine with a little bit of residual sugar to wrap up the chilli flavours and provide balance. Here are three to try. A lot of people shy away from the gewürztraminer varietal because they can’t pronounce it, but it’s really one of the best wines to pair with spicy food. (You say it like this: guh-vertztram-eener.) The Paul Cluver Gewürtztraminer 2015 (R80) is a great example: just off-dry and packed with…

RUSTIG, MAGALIESBERG This farm in the Hekpoort district dates from the 1930s. The original farmhouse has been turned into a guesthouse, but the vibe of the era has been retained. Rustig is exactly what you can be on this farm. Unpack, light a fire and relax next to the 25 m swimming pool, watching squirrels over the edge of your book. If you want to actually do something, there are great hiking trails: The Olievenhout (3 km) and Witstinkhout circular trail (5 km) go up into the mountains, with the latter going to some caves in the cliffs. Rustig also has two tougher trails, the Karee (13 km) and the Magalieskrans (18 km). Hikers can do these trails over one or two days – there are huts with basic facilities…

How to get there? Chrissiesmeer is about 247 km from Johannesburg along the upgraded N17 via Ermelo. If you’re coming from the other direction, it’s 172 km from Nelspruit and about 80 km from the Oshoek border post into Swaziland. Best time to visit? Chrissiesmeer is a year-round destination with a Highveld climate. Winter is cold but there are lots of fireplaces… Boot up. Take a walk through town to get a better view of all the sandstone buildings. If you want to go further, Matotoland Eco-tourism has opened a trail to the lake – it starts in Percy Street. It’s an easy 2 km walk there and back. Cycle & paddle. Cycle the dirt roads around town, but ask permission if you want to ride on farm tracks. Ask…

Chaos in the Kgalagadi On 7 April, about 130 mm of rain fell at Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – in one hour! Hail fell along with the rain. The hailstones, some the size of golf balls, pelted cars, campers, trees and animals, breaking windows and shattering car windscreens. (Our car was so badly damaged that it was written off by the insurance company.) Tents were shredded, gazebos were mangled, and tables were flung as far as 50 m by very strong gusts of wind. Unfortunately, some of the camp’s resident ground squirrels drowned in their burrows, and a puff adder and several birds were found dead. SANParks staff helped the people worst hit by the storm with spare tents, and the laundry was used to store bedraggled clothes,…

1 out of 5 inland mammal species is threatened.* One of our most endangered mammals is the riverine rabbit – there are fewer than 250 left in the wild. 1 out of 5 freshwater fish species is also threatened. For example, there’s just one intact population of the critically endangered Barrydale redfin left in the wild, in a 6,5 km section of the Tradouw River. 1 out of 7 endemic frog species is threatened. The Pickersgill’s reed frog is barely 3 cm long and critically endangered – it’s only found in a 9 km2 part of the KZN coast. 1 out of 8 local plant species is threatened. The cycad group (pictured below) is the most endangered plant species in South Africa. We have seven endemic cycad species that have…

2 – 4 JUNE TOPS at Spar Wine Show, Durban The theme this year is “the greatest show unearthed”, with a vintage burlesque vibe, and there will be much more on the agenda than wine tasting alone. More than 40 wineries from across the country will exhibit; there will be food stalls and fun entertainment. Where? Sibaya Casino Cost: R120 per person online; R140 at the door; R200 for a weekend pass. Tickets from itickets.co.za More info: wineshow.co.za 5 JUNE East Rand Motor Show, Benoni Flexing their motor muscles, car dealers and car owners will bring their classic cars, modified vehicles, and dyno-machines to this year’s East Rand Motor Show. You don’t need your own Corvette to share in the fun – there will be a…

Anyone who’s experienced the thrill of camping wild in remote parks like Mabuasehube in Botswana or Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe knows how hard it is to go back to camping in the Kruger Park’s rest camps. They’re suddenly far too busy, far too cramped and certainly too tame. Likewise, for those who have had the privilege of exploring any wilderness areas on foot, being restricted to the confines of your car suddenly doesn’t cut it. Fear not. You don’t have to hire a Land Cruiser or even cross the border to have an authentic wilderness camping experience. At the unfenced Nyarhi Rustic Bush Camp, run by the SANParks Honorary Rangers, you can park your Duster, pitch your dome tent and explore the northern parts of the Kruger Park on foot. DAY…

Body Warmers 1 Naartjie Kids Fleece Body Warmer Winter doesn’t stop kids from catching tadpoles and throwing mud balls. A body warmer eliminates “soggy-cuff syndrome” while still keeping mini-me’s core warm. This super soft, hooded number from Naartjie ticks all the right boxes and won’t break the bank. R200 at Naartjie Kids 2 Columbia Cathedral Peak Vest Everyone should own at least one fleece waistcoat. Wear it over your collared shirt on your morning commute or when you’re fly-fishing at Kamberg on a crisp July morning. This reasonably priced one from Columbia is made from excellent materials, with two zip-up security pockets on the inside. R450 at DueSouth 3 K-Way Vulcan Softshell Body Warmer A softshell jacket is lighter, thinner and more comfortable than a fleece or filled alternative. It…

Mahindra XUV500 What’s that? All SUVs look the same, you say? Then take a look at the XUV500. Mahindra often shuns European sensibilities and does its own thing. The first XUV500 arrived in 2011 and South Africans raised their eyebrows at the unique styling. Still, many people bought one for the exact reasons others didn’t. Mahindra SA’s big boss, Sanjoy Gupta, says the 2016 model looks like a cheetah. Could someone please give Mr Gupta a copy of go! so that he can see what a cheetah really looks like? However, I do agree with his claim that the XUV500 offers great value for money. For significantly less than R400 000, you get a neat interior with a big touch-screen display. You also get automatic wipers connected to rain sensors,…

GIOVANNI’S AT EIKENDAL, STELLENBOSCH If it’s your birthday and you want to have a big bash with all your friends and their kids, book a long table on the lawn under the trees at Giovanni’s on the Eikendal wine estate. It’s the kind of place where lunch can turn into dinner, especially on a hot summer’s day. The grass is green, the trees are tall (some can even be climbed) and the wine is chilled. There are lots of child-friendly eateries in the Winelands, but often the playground is far from the tables or out of sight. Not at Giovanni’s. Parents can enjoy a glass of sauvignon blanc while Lily goes down the slide only metres away. Those who’d prefer not to talk about nappies and schools can do a…

At sunset, the view is something else: kidney-shaped Chrissiesmeer, South Africa’s biggest freshwater lake; Tevreden se Pan, the biggest reed pan in the country; and many smaller pans with names like Slangpan, Kolganspan, Liefgekozen, Blaauwater… There are 270 of these pans within a 20km radius, some barely bigger than a swimming pool. You can only see this view from the air because the landscape around Chrissiesmeer is flat as a pancake. I asked Nico Steinberg from Florence Guest Farm to take me up in his light aircraft. He and his wife Ané, along with Aretha Strydom, owner of Miss Chrissie’s Country House, have worked tirelessly over the years to promote Chrissiesmeer as a tourism destination. “We always wished someone would invest in the town,” he says. “Turns out we had…

IN TOWN • Jail Bird. Sleep in a cell in this renovated old jail in Percy Street. Self-catering accommodation for six people; R200 per person. Contact: 082 929 1219; meraai950@ gmail.com  (Marietjie Blignaut) • Sandsteen Cottages. In Campbell Street. Three cottages that sleep two people each; R300 per person. Each cottage has its own braai. Contact: 082 929 1219; meraai950@ gmail.com  (Marietjie Blignaut) OUR PICK! Die Stasiemeester. In King Edward Street. A self-catering house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms; R350 per person. Contact: 082 809 7962; stoffberg@megaweb.co.za  (Marjorié Stoffberg) • Outside Inn and Innside Out. In King Edward Street. Nine double rooms (eight en suite). Some rooms have a private stoep. Rates from R400 per person, breakfast included; special rates for children.…