Correct call makes for a winter-wonderland experience in Nieu Bethesda
We had already planned and booked our midwinter break for the end of July, in the hope of experiencing some decent snow, when Facebook was suddenly abuzz with forecasts of 30cm of snow.
Mrs Guru gave me that puppy dog look and subtly suggested a night or two in Nieu Bethesda, one of her favourite small towns.
Besides, she said, there was still so much she wanted to see in Nieu Bethesda, and the people were so friendly there.
As all husbands know, a happy wife is a happy life, so I was not going to upset her and gave her the go-ahead to book, after consulting with an ex-colleague on his views as to the chances of snow.
We left home on Sunday morning, warm clothes packed, a flask of coffee and some snacks for the road. I don't know why I always get so hungry on road trips.
Heading north towards Graaff-Reinet, we saw some amazing cumulus-type clouds, which just had cold heavy air written all over them.
I took this as a sure sign of moisture and cold, the main ingredients needed for snow.
After relating this to Mrs Guru, she asked if I was trying to convince myself or her that the models were right.
At that stage, I was not overly concerned, as seeing those beautiful cloud formations made the trip worthwhile, even if we did not see any snow.
Stopping every 10 minutes to take photos, turned a three-hour trip into an almost five-hour trip.
After a nice cosy supper and a few glasses of wine, it was off to bed to dream about waking up to a winter wonderland.
During the night, we heard heavy rain and on our previous visit, a long-time resident and farmer told me that it does not snow when it rains in that area. Disappointment started to set in.
The next morning, I was woken up by a very excited Mrs Guru shouting, 'It's snowing, come look.'
Sure enough, the snow was falling but was melting as it hit the ground. It did, however, settle on our vehicle and the surrounding plants.
Off to the local Village Inn and after a hearty breakfast, the owner told us that the snow was laying thick on her father's farm, just outside town.
We did not delay and in 4x4 mode it was on the road, taking it extremely slowly.
The further we went, the heavier the snowfall became, turning the countryside into the winter wonderland we had hoped to experience.
We were so excited we were speechless. Once again stopping every few metres to take reels and reels of photos.
When we got to the farm, we did not venture further up the mountain as it did not look too safe.
There was no way I was going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere in those temperatures.
Besides, we only had two litres of Old Brown Sherry in the car, and we would not survive the cold on that.
So, we took the 8km trek back to the village and encountered a bunch of 'Crazy Daisies' (as I christened them) along the way en route to the farm/guest house.
They were part of a group on the 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino, walking about 23km a day.
That is gruelling by any standard, but in the snow, well either very brave or crazy comes to my mind. I take my hat off to them.
Then approaching the village, we noted that the snow on the side of the road started to get slushy as it was starting to melt.
An hour later, looking back to the once snow-covered mountains around the village, there was hardly any sign of significant snow.
While on our jaunt I was able to build a snow angle (snowman) and get to pelt Mrs Guru with a grapefruit-sized snowball. We were like children.
Another tick off our proverbial bucket list. We have been lucky to have experienced snow, our recent trip to Founders Lodge with an awesome two game drives and enjoying fish and chips on the beach at Paternoster. All in the space of just more than a year.
My advice to anyone who wants to have a snow experience is that you must be there before the snow begins.
Most of these events only last a few hours at best, so if you want to travel after the snow has fallen, it will be too late.
It's like fishing or playing Lotto. You cannot catch a fish without a line in the water or win the Lotto without a ticket.
Watch the forecast and then take the chance. We were unlucky two years ago, but this time around it was well worth it.
This week in history:
1965 Heavy stock losses in the Cradock and Maclear regions.
Dam Levels
69% slightly down from previous weeks 69.46%. Impofu down to 51.93%
Weather Safety Tips:
Once again, we read about another vehicle washed away on a low water bridge resulting in numerous fatalities. Avoid low water bridges were there is fast running water in times of flooding.
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The Herald
17 hours ago
- The Herald
Correct call makes for a winter-wonderland experience in Nieu Bethesda
We had already planned and booked our midwinter break for the end of July, in the hope of experiencing some decent snow, when Facebook was suddenly abuzz with forecasts of 30cm of snow. Mrs Guru gave me that puppy dog look and subtly suggested a night or two in Nieu Bethesda, one of her favourite small towns. Besides, she said, there was still so much she wanted to see in Nieu Bethesda, and the people were so friendly there. As all husbands know, a happy wife is a happy life, so I was not going to upset her and gave her the go-ahead to book, after consulting with an ex-colleague on his views as to the chances of snow. We left home on Sunday morning, warm clothes packed, a flask of coffee and some snacks for the road. I don't know why I always get so hungry on road trips. Heading north towards Graaff-Reinet, we saw some amazing cumulus-type clouds, which just had cold heavy air written all over them. I took this as a sure sign of moisture and cold, the main ingredients needed for snow. After relating this to Mrs Guru, she asked if I was trying to convince myself or her that the models were right. At that stage, I was not overly concerned, as seeing those beautiful cloud formations made the trip worthwhile, even if we did not see any snow. Stopping every 10 minutes to take photos, turned a three-hour trip into an almost five-hour trip. After a nice cosy supper and a few glasses of wine, it was off to bed to dream about waking up to a winter wonderland. During the night, we heard heavy rain and on our previous visit, a long-time resident and farmer told me that it does not snow when it rains in that area. Disappointment started to set in. The next morning, I was woken up by a very excited Mrs Guru shouting, 'It's snowing, come look.' Sure enough, the snow was falling but was melting as it hit the ground. It did, however, settle on our vehicle and the surrounding plants. Off to the local Village Inn and after a hearty breakfast, the owner told us that the snow was laying thick on her father's farm, just outside town. We did not delay and in 4x4 mode it was on the road, taking it extremely slowly. The further we went, the heavier the snowfall became, turning the countryside into the winter wonderland we had hoped to experience. We were so excited we were speechless. Once again stopping every few metres to take reels and reels of photos. When we got to the farm, we did not venture further up the mountain as it did not look too safe. There was no way I was going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere in those temperatures. Besides, we only had two litres of Old Brown Sherry in the car, and we would not survive the cold on that. So, we took the 8km trek back to the village and encountered a bunch of 'Crazy Daisies' (as I christened them) along the way en route to the farm/guest house. They were part of a group on the 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino, walking about 23km a day. That is gruelling by any standard, but in the snow, well either very brave or crazy comes to my mind. I take my hat off to them. Then approaching the village, we noted that the snow on the side of the road started to get slushy as it was starting to melt. An hour later, looking back to the once snow-covered mountains around the village, there was hardly any sign of significant snow. While on our jaunt I was able to build a snow angle (snowman) and get to pelt Mrs Guru with a grapefruit-sized snowball. We were like children. Another tick off our proverbial bucket list. We have been lucky to have experienced snow, our recent trip to Founders Lodge with an awesome two game drives and enjoying fish and chips on the beach at Paternoster. All in the space of just more than a year. My advice to anyone who wants to have a snow experience is that you must be there before the snow begins. Most of these events only last a few hours at best, so if you want to travel after the snow has fallen, it will be too late. It's like fishing or playing Lotto. You cannot catch a fish without a line in the water or win the Lotto without a ticket. Watch the forecast and then take the chance. We were unlucky two years ago, but this time around it was well worth it. This week in history: 1965 Heavy stock losses in the Cradock and Maclear regions. Dam Levels 69% slightly down from previous weeks 69.46%. Impofu down to 51.93% Weather Safety Tips: Once again, we read about another vehicle washed away on a low water bridge resulting in numerous fatalities. Avoid low water bridges were there is fast running water in times of flooding.
The Herald
17 hours ago
- The Herald
42nd Knysna Oyster Festival gearing up for a feast of action
There is 21km and a full 42km option. There are lots of repeat customers coming back more than once to run this marathon because it goes through the forest, with spectacular views of the estuary and iconic Knysna Heads in the last section. 'It's just amazing to start and then run through the forest, the views are incredible. It's quite unlike any other run,' said Wayne Kidd, who is involved in organising the marathon, and just ran his 23rd Comrades. He said the event just kept growing in popularity, with both the 21km and 42km races sold out. There are some 6,500 runners doing the half-marathon and 1,250 doing the full run in 2025 Runners come from the Eastern and Western Cape, and as far afield as Gauteng. In 2025, 28 overseas runners from far off shores such as China, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Britain, will also be participating. Then there is the iconic Houtkapper Trail Run on Sunday, July 6. This event offers three distances, each winding through indigenous forest in Krisjan-se-Nek. It's one of the festival's most iconic off-road runs and again popular because where else in the world do you get to run in a forest? For a more relaxed experience, join the 3km Family Adventure Walk at Blackwaters River Lodge on Friday, July 4. Walk or run the 5km for Cansa on July 6 or take the whole family for the festive RAP Knysna Colour run on July 12. Runners are spoilt for choice as there is also the scenic Simola Sunset Wine Run on July 10. The KnysnaX Trail Series Winter Run is also on July 10 and the Choo-Tjoe Ultra Trail Run on July 13 is special because it follows the path of the historic railway route. Even the local 5km Saturday parkruns will start and finish at the Knysna High School Sports Field, part of the festival hub. There are two soccer tournaments to look out for, there is a rugby tournament, mini-hockey and netball. You name it, the Knysna Oyster Festival has it all. After the first weekend, pedal power kicks in with the Knysna Cycle Tour and three days of cycling. It starts on Friday July 11 with the Forest Enduro and Criterium Rides and offers biking adventures through the forests. There is a serious 86km, 56km or a 30km route. On July 5, the Canoe Polo Tournament will bring some excitement to the Knysna Waterfront. The Harbour 2 Heads Lagoon Challenge, on July 13, is a spectacular 12km or 24km paddle on the estuary. In previous years, it had record entries of 89 boats and 123 paddlers taking part, and in 2025 it promises to be just as successful. There is also a Padel Challenge at Simola Country Estate, and the Oyster Betterball golf championship on July 11. The Oyster Festival, previously called the Winter Festival, was started in 1983. Late local businessman Dick Ginsberg got together with the manager of the Knysna Publicity Association, Rose Smith, to organise an event that would bring business into town during the quietest times of the year for local hospitality businesses and restaurants. By the mid-'80s, it was renamed the Knysna Oyster Festival, and while it has weathered all sorts of storms — the fires in 2017 and then Covid (it was virtual in 2020 and then a hybrid event in 2021) — it is still going strong. The festival has morphed over the years and it would be fair to say the theme has shifted away from events that used to be drawcards to an emphasis on high-profile sporting attractions. The town literally comes alive and there are all sorts of attractions to coax locals out of their winter burrows. When it comes to oysters, they pop up in eateries across the town. Oysters are no longer farmed in Knysna, having failed to thrive in the estuary, but there are still the coastal kind — which come from rocks pools on local beaches along a 250km coastline, while cultivated oysters are also brought into Knysna from Gqeberha and the Agulhas area. Some 500,000 coastal oysters are harvested each year in the country, compared to 4.5 million cultivated oysters. The coastal oyster is bigger and has a briny taste, while the cultivated oyster is more buttery and subtle. It was said in 2024 that the Knysna Quartet of Restaurants (Drydock, 34 South, Sirocco and Tapas) went through about 15,000 cultivated oysters and 20,000 of the coastal variety during the festival. Total oyster sales in Knysna and surrounds were up 20%. Apart from sporty things and oysters, the Knysna Wine Festival takes place on July 4 and 5 at Simola Hotel. It has a reputation of showcasing wine from up to 50 estates from the Cape winelands and, of course, the Garden Route wineries. It's always difficult to write about this fest because how long is a ball of string and there is so much to do. Join the action and be part of the festival, whether you're actively participating and competing or just cheering from the sidelines. Check out the full programme at
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Mail & Guardian
Dry humour isn't funny
Dribs and drabs: Suburbs in the east of Joburg have spent eight days and counting without water. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy It is early on Monday morning and I wake to the sound of a rumble of thunder and a flash of lightning. This is followed by the unmistakable sound of raindrops on the roof. The promised cold front has arrived. Ignoring the icy cold I leap out of bed and rush outside barefoot to check that my primitive water collection system is in place. The old plastic rubbish bin and the vintage zinc bathtub have to be positioned correctly to catch the maximum amount of water running down from my leaking gutters. The reason for this frantic early morning activity is that our suburb is one of the many that have been affected by the ongoing water crisis. The east of Joburg has been particularly badly hit recently and I have not had water for at least eight days since the one day where there was a weak trickle from the taps. Before that there was no water for three or four days at a time and when there was water it was switched off at night in what Joburg Water terms 'throttling'. This violent-sounding nocturnal activity is to allow our much-abused reservoir to recover and fill to a level where at least some areas can get some water the next day. The result of this situation is that my vast collection of five-litre plastic bottles that I spent the summer months filling with rainwater has been depleted and flushing the toilet is becoming a problem. An attack by a nasty stomach bug that required multiple toilet flushings didn't help. So the unseasonal rainfall was perfectly timed but unfortunately it didn't last long and a pathetic amount of water was collected. Disconsolately I go back inside and check that there is enough water in the kettle for a cup of coffee, making sure to divert my eyes from the counter piled high with dirty dishes, pots, cutlery, glasses and mugs. To do the washing-up requires a visit to a friend's house to collect multiple bottles of water. Back home I must heat up water in the kettle and in pots on the stove to clear the unsavoury mess in the kitchen. Grudgingly I fill the dogs' water bowl while delivering a stern lecture on their reckless water consumption. I pour a small glass of water to wash down my blood pressure pills and make sure there is enough left to rinse after brushing my teeth. It is time for the first news diary meeting of the week and once again I tell my colleagues how lucky they are that this is a remote meeting and none of them have to be confined in a small office space with me. A daily shower in the morning is a distant memory so personal hygiene standards have dropped. There is a discussion about how the water crisis is a major story and we have to cover it. But we have done this so many times before that the problem is how to present it in a different way that will make people want to read it. There is no easy solution to this problem so I return to the kitchen in the hope that there is enough water in the kettle for a second cup of coffee. Like a moth to a flame I check on the Water Crisis: Time for Action WhatsApp group. There are 109 new messages, mostly from people saying that there is still no water in their street. There is a map with a growing red line marking the areas that don't have water. There are messages filled with angry words in capital letters. There are plans to hold protests and to visit the offices of those responsible for this shocking lack of basic services. There are many posts about the whereabouts of the elusive water tankers, and many pictures of people filling up containers. The unusual sight of people pushing wheelbarrows filled with plastic bottles down the tree-lined suburban streets has become a familiar one. And there are alarming stories about how air being pushed through the pipes keeps your meter ticking over even though there is no water. In among all this I come across an official statement: 'Today, MMC Jack Sekwaila conducted a site inspection at the Alexandra Park Reservoir with Johannesburg water officials, including Ops GM Mzakhwe Mtshweni. The visit formed part of the city's efforts to accelerate water recovery in affected areas and assess the condition of critical pipeline infrastructure. During the inspection, severe blockages were discovered — caused by illegal dumping, vandalism, and misuse of underground systems. In a concerning development, some underground chambers are being accessed and used as shelter by unhoused individuals, highlighting a deeper human and infrastructure crisis.' In desperate need of distraction I page through a cookery book looking for a new one-pot recipe to make for supper. Perhaps a hearty minestrone soup that the family can spoon from the communal pot. I need to shop for ingredients and the trip to the supermarket takes me down one of the main streets of the suburb. For more than a month it has been reduced to one lane by a series of large craters, the result of ongoing work to repair several sewage pipe leaks. It is not surprising to see nasty grey-green water bubbling up from a new hole in the road. The good news is that I have a gas stove to cook the meal on because there is another fault at the local substation and the power is out. At this stage it is like water off a duck's back.
