by Elza | Apr 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
Looking to do some 4×4 driving while visiting the Stilbaai / Jongensfontein area?
Why not try the 4×4 Sand Route between Stilbaai and Jongensfontein at Eden Park!
This route consists of a scenic loop that is not too difficult, depending on the driver’s level of experience as well as the vehicle’s capabilities and a ‘Speelgat’ where various climbs out of the sandy ‘bowl’ not only test the skills of the drivers and the 4×4 performance of the vehicles, but it is great fun.
All you need is a 4×4 vehicle with Hi and Low Range and R150 per vehicle for the permit.
Remember to deflate the vehicle’s tyres to about 1Bar (or even less). There is a pump so that you can inflate the tyres again before leaving the farm.
Follow the route by following the arrows. Keep an eye out for tortoises, buck and other animals – we saw a few very interesting tracks… – and like always when doing 4×4: ‘Tread Lightly’.
How to get to Eden Park 4×4: About nine kilometres from Stilbaai (one kilometres before Jongensfontein) take the gravel road to the right (away from the ocean and Jongensfontein’s first houses) and follow the indicators for about two kilometres to Eden Park.
Buy the permit in the ‘self-help’ office and start the fun.
The Eden Park 4×4 Sand Route is an enjoyable experience for the whole family.
There is also a seasonal nine-hole golf course.
For more information, contact André at 072 155 4857
by Elza | Mar 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
The local newspaper, Suid-Kaap Forum, reported today (Thursday, 23 March 2017) that Blomboschfontein Nature Reserve has been declared as a Provincial Heritage Site so as to protect its archaeological value. The site includes the structures and unmarked graves as well as the nature characteristics with a cultural value and the archaeological areas in the reserve.
The Blombos Cave is situated next to the reserve and received Provincial Heritage status on 29 May 2015. “This heritage site contain important evidence of pre-historic life and with its declaration as a heritage site it will be preserved for future generations. The Blombos Cave is especially important as it contains archaeological evidence from the Middel Stone Age and bears testimony to a cultural tradition which no longer exist. Due to this Blombos Cave is not open to the public, but the Hessequa Archaeological Society manages a detailed exhibition on the cave at the Palinggat Homestead and forms part of the Archaeological Museum.” – Suid-Kaap Forum
Suid-Kaap Forum article: Blomboschfontein Nature Reserve now a Provincial Heritage Site
- Visit the information centre and museum at Stilbaai Tourism to learm more about the Blombos Cave
- Photos from Professor Christopher Hensilwood’s first visit of 2017 to the Blombos Cave
- For more information about archaeology in the Hessequa area, visit the Hessequa Society of Archaeology (website)
- Read local Stilbaai resident, Rhona van Heerden’s blog about their recent hiking experience from Blombos to Jongensfontein.
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by Elza | Feb 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Stilbaai se 9-gaatjie-gholfbaan is bekend vir sy besonderse uitsig wat die oseaan vanaf Lappiesbaai en Stilbaai se oostelike gedeelte tot by Skulpiesbaai, die visvywers en Bosbokduin insluit.
Die gholfklub is in 1986 gestig met die stigterslede (Stilbaai-inwoners) wat die baan ontwerp het terwyl hulle ook tot die bou daarvan bygedra het. Dit is in 1987 geopen en beskik tans oor 357 klublede.
Die baansyfer is 72.
Fasiliteite sluit in ‘n afslaanbaan; 17 verskillende afslaanbowwe; gholfkarretjies en waentjies te huur; ‘n Pro Shop en ‘n klubhuis wat ook vir funksies en seminare gehuur kan word.
Klubbestuurder: Gerida Hough
Tel: (028) 754 2625 / Email: info@stilbaaigolf.co.za
Website: www.stilbaaigolf.co.za
STILBAAI’S BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE – AND INTERESTING TREES!
Stilbaai’s 9 hole golf course is known for its beautiful views that include the ocean from Lappiesbaai and the eastern side of town to Skulpiesbaai, the fish traps and Bosbokduin.
The golf club was founded in 1986 and the founding members, who resided in Stilbaai, designed it and contributed to it being built. It was opened in 1987 and has currently 357 members.
It is a 72 par course.
The facilities include a driving range; 17 different tees; golf carts and trolleys for hire; a Pro Shop and a club house that can be rented for functions and seminars.
Club manager: Gerida Hough
Tel: (028) 754 2625 / Email: info@stilbaaigolf.co.za
Website: www.stilbaaigolf.co.za
Some of the ‘interesting’ trees at Stilbaai’s beautiful golf course. More photos HERE
by Elza | Jan 16, 2017 | Uncategorized
Al ooit gewonder wát die storie agter die ‘monument’ is wat in die see tussen Stilbaai se westelike strand (Wes-strand) en die hawe opgerig is?
Hester Barnard (sy bly steeds in Stilbaai) vertel dat dit opgerig is nadat haar niggie (Garetha, die enigste dogter van Babs en Piet Cillie, ‘n onderwyser van Swellendam) jare gelede daar verdrink het.
Garetha en ‘n maatjie het tydens laagwater daar geswem toe Garetha in die moeilikheid geraak en verdrink het – die maatjie het oorleef.
Dit het regoor die strandhuis gebeur wat haar (Hester Barnard) oupa aan moederskant gebou het en waar hulle vakansies deurgebring het. Die hartseer was egter só erg dat die huis later verkoop is.
Stilbaai het ‘n hele paar ‘monumente’ met ‘n interessante geskiedenis – soos die Wafra-tok wat by die NSRI-gebou staan en die twee monumente wat langs die R305 tussen die N2 en Stilbaai opgerig is asook die monumentjie regoor ‘Julie se Baai’.
STILBAAI’S MONUMENT IN THE SEA
Ever wondered what the story behind this ‘monument’ in the sea between Stilbaai’s western beach and the harbour is?
Hester Barnard (she still lives in Stilbaai) says that it was built after her niece (Garetha, the only daughter of Babs and Piet Cillie, a Swellendam teacher) drowned there.
Garetha and a friend was swimming there during low tide when she got in trouble and drowned – her young friend survived.
The monument was built opposite the beach house where it happened. The beach house was built by her (Herster Barnard’s) grandfather on her mother’s side and they spent their holidays there. It was later sold as the memories was too sad.
Stilbaai has various memorials and monuments – like the Wafra fishing boat at the NSRI building and the two monuments next to the R305 between the N2 and Stilbaai as well as the little monument opposite ‘Julie se Baai’.
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(Blog and photo: www.mystilbaai.co.za)
by Elza | Dec 28, 2016 | Uncategorized
Stilbaai has many talented artists creating a variety of art – from paintings, sculptures, pottery and photography to jewellery, leather, the art to upcycle, stoneware and glass. The December holiday season is the perfect time to visit the various art exhibitions as well as the art in the shops and stores in Stilbaai and Jongensfontein and acquire a unique piece of (local) art.
VIEW ART IN STILBAAI HERE:
- Art work by Sonja Margerison at Mamma Mia (Fynbos Centre)
Sonja Margerison (photo from Facebook)
- Wood ‘n Stuff (Osler Place, Stilbaai East) – paintings by Paula Kruger
Paula Kruger
- Louis Hiemstra, Alison van Zijl and other artists are exhibiting in the kiosk at Tuin-op-die-Brak (just off Main Road East) until 4th January 2017.
Tuin-op-die-Brak kiosk
- Pop-up Art at The Artroom in Koof Industrial (next to Stilbaai Slaghuis) with artists Nadine Hansen, Erika Prinsloo, Suné Moolman, Rhona van Heerden, Ernest van Huyssteen, Elisma Grundling, Trixie Krumm and Dayay Heyller, Trouver Jewellery and Amalgamation
- Brenda Thomas and Suzelle Mouchtouris are exhibiting at the Palinggat Resort Hall on 29 and 30 December
- The Cottage Gallery on the Jongensfontein road is open between 10am and 4pm Wednesday to Saturday where the art of Marian Smith is on display. Viewing can be arranged. Phone 076 834 3213.
- Beth Lowe Exhibition daily at 1 Patrys Avenue (until 15 January 2017)
- Art by Jenny Book and other artists at Southern Comfort (10 Gousblom Avenue, Stilbaai West)
Southern Comfort (photo from Facebook)
MORE ART:
- Visit the Tourism Bureau (Langenhoven Street, stilbaai West) for information about the Art Route in Stilbaai and Jongensfontein. Appointments can be made with artists to view and acquire their art.
- Contact the Stilbaai Art Retreat where you can ‘paint on a canvas, print on paper, make jewellery, paint a frame, look inside your heart, dance on the sand, meet the locals, enjoy fabulous food and have fun while learning new creative ways to express your art’ – Stilbaai Art Retreat (Facebook).
- Let the kids do some art at Kuns Pret Stilbaai! Monday to Friday until 6th January 2017.
- Visit www.mystilbaai.co.za for more information about various artists and galleries in Stilbaai and Jongensfontein
YOU’VE MISSED…
…The annual Arts and Crafts Fair at the Community Hall – it will be back in December 2017! – and the Trixie Krumm / Ria Holliday exhibition in Jongensfontein. Make sure not to miss it in 2017!
Look out for the Arts and Crafts Fair in 2017!
You will be amazed by the art you will find in Stilbaai. Just look around in the shops and stores and even in grandma’s beach house… Support the talented local artists.
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(Compiled by www.mystilbaai.co.za)
by Elza | Nov 7, 2016 | Uncategorized
Milkwood trees are a familiar sight in Stilbaai and as it is a Protected Tree, one will see many huge milkwood trees as it is illegal to move, destroy or damage it without a valid permit.
There is, however, one special milkwood tree. It is ‘Langbos se Oupa‘ or the grandfather in the Langbos Woods. Situated in the Langbos Woods on the property of the Kleinhans family about eight kilometres outside Stilbaai, this is the largest white milkwood tree (Sideroxylon inerme) in South Africa and is one of 75 ‘champion’ trees in the book ‘We are the Champions’ about exceptional important trees that deserves national protection because of their remarkable size, age, aesthetic, cultural, historical or tourism value. ‘Langbos se Oupa’ is most probably older than a thousand years and grows between a variety of indigenous tree and shrub species in Langbos.
Figures
Tree trunk diameter : 10.45 metres
Tree top : spans 475m²
Height: 14m
To visit this Grand old daddy is not easy and one can not reach it without a 4×4 vehicle. Contact the farm owners (the farm has been in the Kleinhans family for five generations) first to get permission and a map and then set out in a 4×4 vehicle to tackle the thick, loose sand and thousands of molehills that add to the challenge on route to Langbos. One has also have to tread lightly as especially tortoises might be using the same ‘road’.
Once at Langbos, one can not help but stand in awe of this huge, old three as well as its surroundings. It is a quiet forest where the ‘beards’ from the branches move slightly in the breeze and the moss shows the areas that do not see much sunlight. Although overgrown, there is a path and one can hike in the woods for an even better experience.
It is interesting to note that a milkwood tree, close to the farm Olive Grove on the eastern bank of the river, was earlier used as a ‘post office’ when post was put in a leather bag and hung on a branch. This tradition was done away in 1890 when a post office was built.
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