Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

I love getting up early on a Saturday morning! Hang on, let me re-phrase that… I love going to the Shongweni Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning! Provide I had a quiet Friday night in with movies and popcorn, that is… It might be somewhat hard for most, including me, to actually get out of bed when the weekend has finally arrived and you’ve had a tough week. And during winter especially, when it’s cold and rather dark, getting up early is not tempting at all. What’s tempting, however, is to stay under those warm blankets just for a little while longer… But luckily my other half is a keen surfer so he gets out of bed early every Satuday morning to head for the beach and catch a few waves. And once he is up, it’s easier for me to get up too.

The colourful Shongweni Farmer’s Market start buzzing at 6am and most people only really start packing up around 10am. Boasting over 90 stall holders proudly presenting their wonderful goodies, you’re guaranteed to find something that tickles your taste buds. Grab yourself a hot cup of Assagay Coffee (perhaps with a shot of Kahlua to warm you up on a cold winter’s morning) and wander around feasting your eyes and nose on everything on offer, before you decide what to have for breakfast. It’s not an easy choice, that’s for sure! Spicy falafels, juicy chicken wraps, greasy bacon and egg rolls, healthy avo sarmies, savoury pancakes, cheesy muffins, crispy sausage rolls, mouth-watering pies and much more… the list is endless! And best of all; everything is homemade.

Do yourself a favour and bring a basket or a shopping bag, as you’ll also be able to get your hands on fresh organic eggs, vegetables, meat and dairy products. But arrive early, because everything sells out pretty fast. Beautiful furniture, paintings, clothes and other great crafts and gifts are also on offer.

And if you love dogs just as much as I do, you’ll take your little mutt with you as well – to meet and greet all sorts of amazing varieties of our loyal canine friends. On Saturday my Sausage sniffed everything from a Pug to a Great Dane, and scored heaps of biltong from distracted dogs, generous stall holders and little kids who more often that not miss their mouths when they are trying to feed themselves.

So come on, lazy bones! Get out of bed early, wrap up and get yourself to the Farmer’s Market on the corner of Alveston and Kassia roads in Shongweni next Saturday – where you can let the warm sun, hot coffee, friendly atmosphere, happy people and cute mutts slowly defrost you and kick-start your weekend!

Tel Christine on 031 777 1554 for more info

An absolutely beautiful resort set in a sheltered coastal bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, previously know as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Cape Vidal has been a popular destination for decades – mainly because of its magnificent, untouched beaches and spectacular fishing and snorkelling opportunities. According to KZN Wildlife, Cape Vidal has the best of both worlds – “with access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including antelope, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals.” The iSimangaliso Wetland Park also offers self-guided trails through the forest dunes, which enable visitors to explore some of the surrounding wetlands and Lake Bhangazi. What’s more, Cape Vidal is perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowds in St Lucia and simply feel the need to unwind and recharge their batteries in peaceful, natural surroundings. So pack your snorkelling equipment, fishing rods and lots of good food and wine, and spend a few leisurely days with family or friends enjoying the spectacular paradise of Cape Vidal.

Interesting fact
According to the Zulani website the ill-fated ship Dorothea ran ashore on the coast of Cape Vidal in 1898. “On her departure, rumours started to circulate that she was carrying some 120 000 ounces of illicit gold – The Kruger Millions. On the strength of this, various salvage teams have attempted to find the wreck and the gold, but to date although quite a few expeditions have been carried out, no gold has ever been reported found.” However, snorkellers may come across a chain in the bay which is said to have come from the wreck.

Accommodation
The Cape Vidal resort offers a variety of accommodation options. All of them are situated within a very short walking distance to the beach – where you can spend the whole day frolicking in the waves or exploring the rock pools.

• For individual parties, the resort offers 29 self-catering private log cabins; 18 five-beds and 11 eight-beds. These charming log cabins, to be found in between massive pine trees, have fully equipped kitchens, outside showers, sundecks and braai facilities.
• For fishing parties, the camp features one eight-bed, two 12-bed, one 14-bed and one 20-bed group accommodation cabins with dormitory rooms, a lounge/ dining room, kitchen, bathroom and braai facilities.
• For those keeping it simple, Cape Vidal also has 50 campsites in the dune forest near the beach.
• Bhangazi Bush Lodge, 10 km from the hutted camp, sleeps eight guests in four self-contained, fully equipped units.

Things to do

• Ski-boat fishing
• Spear fishing
• Surf fishing
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Self-guided trails
• Bird watching
• Turtle tours
• Whale watching

Practical information

• Standard rates apply throughout the year, effective from 1 November to 31 October. Discounted rates apply Sunday to Thursday inclusive, provided it is out of school holidays and not over long weekends.
• Cape Vidal is situated roughly 36 km north of the village of St Lucia and is accessible via a tarred road – through a reserve.
• The Cape Vidal gates are open daily from 5am to 7pm and 5am to 9pm on Friday, public holidays and holiday weekends during the summer; from October through to March, and 6am to 6pm and 6am to 9pm on Friday, public holidays and holiday weekends during the winter; from April through to September.
• The gate fee and conservation and rescue levy are included in the accommodation rate. Day visitors pay a gate fee only.
• Facilities at Cape Vidal include a craft shop with basic supplies, ice and fuel.
• In December the loggerhead and leatherback turtles come onto the beach to lay eggs, so this is a great time to visit if you’re keen to experience these amazing creatures. Turtle tours are conducted from November to January at night and whale watching can be done from the shoreline during the winter months.
• For more information or bookings, tel 033 845 1000 or visit KZN Wildlife’s website.

If you’re wide awake this morning, you’ll be able to guess this object in two ticks. If you’re still half asleep though, wakey wakey, grab 2 cups of coffee, down them and then stare at this image. It’ll come to you, promise. Find the answer in tomorrows photo of the week post.