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‘Die Blou Seekat’ het vastrapplek in Stilbaai-Oos gevind.
Dié enigste aan die oostekant van Stilbaai, is perfek geleë langs die kafee in Hoofweg-Oos by die eerste stopstraat en is in die hande van Adolf Botes en Johannie Vermeulen wat bekend geword het vir hul groot verskeidenheid uitgesoekte wyne en netjiese winkels, Stilbaai Kelders, in Voortrekkerstraat in Stilbaai-Wes en Oppie Hoek (op die hoek van Hoofweg-wes en Buitekantstraat).
“Ons wil deur middel van Die Blou Seekat-drankwinkel aan kliënte in Stilbaai-Oos dieselfde diens lewer as wat ons by Stilbaai Kelders doen alhoewel ons vanweë die beperkte ruimte ongelukkig nie dieselfde hoeveelheid voorraad, en veral wyn, daar kan aanhou nie,” sê Botes.
Kopers is egter altyd aangenaam verras deur die hoeveelheid en verskeidenheid produkte in die nuwe winkel en die Mi Liquors Blou Seekat is altyd gereed vir die vakansiebesoekers. Kliënte wat uit meer as 850 wyne wil kan kies en sommer verdere aankope doen terwyl hulle in die weste is, kan Stilbaai Kelders besoek terwyl diégene wat nié oor die brug gaan nie, wel die ander gewilde produkte by Die Blou Seekat sal kry.

Ys is ook hier beskikbaar asook gesuiwerde water wat hiér getap kan word.
‘Mi Liquors Die Blou Seekat’ is daagliks (behalwe Sondae) oop van 9:00 tot 18:00 en tot 20:00 gedurende Desember-vakansies.
Besoek gerus hul Facebook-bladsye – Die Blou Seekat Drankwinkel  en Stilbaai Kelders – vir meer inligting.

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About a year ago, 33 members of the Cape Bird Club visited Stilbaai for a three day camp and their bird watching adventure started at Botterkloof Resort situated about 5 kilometres outside Stilbaai next to the R305 that leads to the N2. They chose the self-catering option at this resort with its ponds and large trees and saw a Greater Honeyguide as well as an Olive Woodpecker, weavers and bishops, a host of wagtails, a Common Moorhen and even a Malachite Kingfisher as well as a Knysna Woodpecker before their camp started in all earnest.
In their report posted on their website www.capebirdclub.org.za the group describes where their convoy of nine vehicles drove and which birds they spotted. On the first day, their list included Brimstone, Cape, White throated and Yellow canaries, Brown-hooded, Giant and Pied Kingfishers, an African Spoonbill, Large-billed and Red-capped Larks, Olive Bush Shrike, Streaky-headed Seedeater, a Bar-throated Apalis and a Booted Eagle as well as an African Fish Eagle amongst many. They were however disappointed that the Black Cuckoo that was spotted just a week earlier, failed to appear.
It was quite windy when they got to the coast and they had no luck in seeing a Shy Albatross. They did manage to see a White-Chinned Petrel, oystercatchers, cormorants, terns and gulls and a Grey Plover and on their way back to their camp, they spotted a lone whimbrel and a common sandpiper.
On the second day they were off early again and in search for the Clapper Lark and they made several attempts to connect with it. At least a Denham’s Bustard show itself – they are apparently often seen too far from the road to notice all the markings – and it was ticked off. The group was really desperate for the sighting of the Clapper Lark and tried again to connect with it. In the meantime they saw a Zitting Cisticola as well as a Cape Robin Chat, Karoo Scrub Robins, Karoo Prinia, a Jacal Buzzard and Cape Bulbuls. They were surprised about the minimum amount of Larks and pipits on the ground, but saw an African Pipit. A Southern Black Korhaan was heard, but not seen…
At a bridge over the Gouritz River, they saw Saw-wings and swallows, some Horus swift, Pied Starlings and a Pied Kingfisher. They went back to the coast in their search for the Shy Albatros, but had no luck again, despite the presence of a trawler and had to settle for an Osprey that flew in and out of the waves. Looking at their list, they were pleased to have seen 146 birds in total.
Some members headed back the next day while others took on one of the shorter coastal hiking trails before visiting the museum at the Palinggat Homestead and watching the tame freshwater eels being fed. This group was lucky enough to have heard the call and then saw the elusive Knysna Warbler near the start of the trail that leads down to the river mouth.
Read about their bird watching experience on www.capebirdclub.org.za

Knysna Woodpecker
The Knysna woodpecker is endemic to South Africa, being found in woodlands and thickets along the southern coastline. It mainly forages in trees, searching dead branches for invertebrates and gleaning ants from branch and leaves. Both sexes excavate the nest, which is usually a hole in the underside of a branch, often reused over multiple breeding seasons. Here it lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated for roughly 21-13 days (estimated). The chicks are fed by both parents, and stay in the nest for an estimated 25-27 days. (www.biodiversityexplorer.org)

Where to do birding in Stilbaai
Almost anywhere! There is also a bird hide just off the gravel road on the way to the Skulpiesbaai parking area; visit places like Botterkloof Resort (have a look at the list of birds spotted here) and Palinggat Homestead (Stilbaai Tourism and Information Centre where the freshwater eels are being fed daily).

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The Knysna Woodpecker (Photo Per Holmen – www.pers-birding-pages.com)

Recently, while angling at Blombos, local Stilbaai angler, Graeme Forrer and his angling friends came upon an African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) that had fallen into an ecological trap and was too weak to continue. Forrer, together with Vlooi Botha, Bernard Forrer and Cleo Rowe took it home, nursed it, bathed and fed it and walked penguin ‘Winston Churchill’ until they could safely deliver him to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds).
Graeme Forrer – @yo_fishy on Instagram – tells how astounding it was to watch Ozzy, the King Charles Cavalier with his loving nature, as he expressed his concern and even managed to lick the penguin clean without having his tongue pierced! Said Graeme:  “Penguins are certainly not pets and should always be handed to professional care as soon as possible,” – which they did. Marna Smit, Sanccob bird rehabilitator, said to the Cape Argus that although the organisation do not advise keeping a wild animal, the penguin was ina  better state when it arrived there than when the anglers took it in.
“When you find a bird you must bring it in immediately. If it doesn’t run away from you or try to get back into the ocean, that means there is a problem and the bird needs help. In this case the bird was dehydrated, weak and could barely walk.” – Cape Argus. The penguin was taken to the vet and is currently in recovery.
Graeme Forrer, a catch and release angler who recently also competed in the 25th Stilbaai Galjoen Derby where his team scored bronze medals from 71 participating teams (432 anglers), dedicated his Instagram post about the ‘once in a lifetime experience’ to “the good souls who love fishing and make a positive impact on our beaches and the surrounding environment.”

First chapter ?❤️!! @berny437 @vlooi_botha

A post shared by Graeme Forrer (@yo_fishy) on Aug 25, 2017 at 2:11am PDT

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Stilbaai is not only a popular holiday destination, but it is also well-known among surfers as a surfing destination and advanced surfers prefer to tackle the waves especially at Morris Point. Here dolphins and even seals have joined surfers in the action.
Less experienced surfers prefer the softer breakers at Lappiesbaai while those with even more experience are regulars at the rough coast of Jongensfontein.
Here are the various surfing spots in Stilbaai and Jongensfontein according to www.wavescape.co.za, a South African surf forecasting and coastal lifestyle website that has been in existence since 1998. They also provide marine forecasts to the surf industry and the public and run the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival which screens the world’s best surfing and ocean conservation films.
Stilbaai – a grinding right-hand point break with a classic mid-break section, and sometimes a deep, thick outside section for the stout of heart. When big, a strong rip pushes you down the rocks. Like many points along the east coast, Stilbaai likes a lined-up south to southeast swell. A huge west or southwest swell bends around the outside point and reforms a lot smaller on the inside, with much of its energy broken up. As the swell angle moves to southeast, the swell comes in straighter, avoiding the outside reform. Best in glassy seas or light westerlies on a pushing mid tide in clean four- to eight-foot swell.
Dolfines Point – A gnarly, ledging right-hand point reef with some seriously hollow sections deep in wild fynbos. Needs a solid 10-foot-plus south swell before the swell wraps into the bay, or southeast swell of course. Needs light northwest to northeast wind. Only good surfers need apply.
Skulpiesbaai – In the middle of the bay across from Dolfines Point lies a small triangular reef with good right-handers in clean groundswell and light winds. On the eastern side of the bay, which is in effect the reverse side of Stilbaai Point, some good lefts break off the rocks. Best when a powerful five- to eight-foot southeast swell is running.

Jongensfontein – When you’re headed to Stilbaai in the mistaken belief that it will be firing, Jongens might appease you. Jongens prefers a two- to five-foot southwest to south swell, and breaks off a reef running right. The northwest to west wind is offshore, but it needs to be light.
Kakgat (Jongensfontein) – Triangular-shaped reef with right-handers peeling off the top of the reef, sometimes running up to a shore-break close-out. Prefers light west to northwest wind and clean three- to five-foot groundswell. Careful when pulling off the floater at the end. You might get a sand enema you won’t forget. On the scatological theme, Kakgat was named in the 1980s when former Springbok rugby player Rob Louw took a dump into an underground municipal sewage tank at the break.

Surfing action at ‘Kakgat’, Jongensfontein (2016)

Ramyatoolies – A fast, powerful left-hander off some rocks further down the beach. It was first surfed in 1984 but the locals did not have a name for it. Then someone told a derogatory joke – which we decided not to publish. Please visit www.wavescape.co.za for the story… – but the name Ramyatoolies or ‘Toolies’ stuck.
According to www.wannasurf.com the normal length of the waves at Morris Point is 50 to 150 metres and on a good day, the length is 150m to 300 metres. The swell size starts working at 1.0m to 1.5m / 3ft to 5ft and holds up to 4m+ / 12ft. The best tide position is mid and high tide.
Says popular surfer and model, Roxy Louw, who enjoys holidays in Stilbaai with the family: “Whenever I paddle out in Stilbaai, I take a step into my childhood. I still get butterflies and a warm feeling out there. It’s one place I truly feel safe. One having surfed it for years and secondly that I have dived the whole reef and collected “allekrik” and fished the rocks as a child. I know every rip-tide, but it also holds close to my heart as my dad was one of the first guys to surf Stilbaai and named “Kakgat” after a boys trip. My ‘oupa’ Matt who recently passed at 94, was a fond body surfer and his ashes will be thrown into the surf following his wishes. He always called Stilbaai ‘heaven’ and us youngsters have come to have a slice of it too. I will forever spend endless surfs and also teach yoga over the holiday season there at the local health studio.”
Sufer and Kfm surf reporter, Deon Bing, about surfing in Stilbaai: “You’re a little surfer out there in a big ocean…”
The 18th Vintners Surf Classic took place at Stilbaai’s Point earlier in August and despite the wet weather, it was enjoyed by all the winemakers, the marketers, families and supporters.
De Kleine Wijn Koöp was at the event and produced this awesome video that shows spectacular waves and great surfing.

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The whales are back in the Bay of the Sleeping Beauty!
Stilbaai is on the migratory whale route that has the higest gathering of whales in the world every year and the whales have already been spotted on a few occassions this year in Stilbaai. The Southern Right Whales visit annually between June and November to bear their calves. Watch them playing around from Lappiesbaai beach or the whale look-out point above the harbour.
Southern Right Whales are usually approximately 15m long, weigh about 50 to 60 tons and live to about 100 years. They are characterised by their gentle slowness, the lack of a dorsal fin and rought patches of skin called callosities on their heads. These wart-like growths are covered with whale lice and, as each whale has a unique callosity pattern, are often used to identify individual whales.

These drone footage of the whales in Stilbaai was taken on Thursday (13 July 2017) by Piet Jordaan with his Phantom 4 Pro drone about 820 metres from the lighthouse. (Click on the link to view the action and more beautiful photos.)

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Stilbaai angler, Raymond Bloem, had quite an unusual experience when he caught a beautiful St Joseph shark, also known as an Elephant Fish, that weighed about 3.5kg. He caught this fish in the Lappiesbaai surf using Agio baits chokka while fihsing for a kob. Stilbaai anglers are known for safely releasing what they catch and this St Joseph shark was also safely released. His experience was shared on Facebook by Stilbaai’s leading angling shop, Stil Fishing.

More information about the Elephant Fish:
The Elephant Fish, well known in South Africa as the St. Joseph Shark, is a strange saltwater fish species that belongs to the group Cartilaginous Fishes which include other sharks such as the Great White Shark and Ragged Tooth Shark. The St. Joseph Shark looks really strange as it has a digging proboscis on the front of its snout while the first dorsal fin has a large venemous spine in front of it. and is unlike any saltwater fish in the region. The St Joseph Shark (Elephant Fish), which grows to 120cm in total length, can be caught on a wide range of baits, from prawn to sardine. It eats sea urchins, bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods, worms and bony fish and its predators include seals and sharks.
(Information from www.fishthesea.co.za)

For all your angling equipment, outdoor requirements and information about fishing, visit Stil Fishing at 2 Voortrekker Street, Stilbaai (Tel: 028 754 3343) and talk to owner and experienced angler, Stefan van Huysteen.

Stilbaai angler, Raymond Bloem, with his Elephant Fish, caught at Lappiesbaai beach (Stilbaai). Photo from Facebook

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

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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Beautiful coastal hike from Blombos to Jongensfontein #whattodointhegardenhood #gardenroute #outdoors #blog #ontheblog #southafrica #jongensfontein #hike

A post shared by Rhona van Heerden (@rhonavanheerden) on Oct 7, 2016 at 1:56am PDT

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)