Shelley Point News - November 2017

SHELLEY POINT NEWS

November 2017 2017

A community newsletter dedicated to fostering a sense of community and the free flow of information at Shelley Point

FROM THE EDITOR your mind which you would like to share with other homeowners.

FROM THE EDITOR:

Hi All

Terry - shelleypointnews@gmail.com

Isn’t it incredible that 2017 is almost done and dusted and that in only a few weeks time, we will be singing Auld Lang Syne and counting down the seconds to 2018.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN: As reported in previous issues of Shelley Point News, the Developer is at present, busy with plans to re-open the hotel and establish an entertainment venue in the area commonly known as the “small craft harbor”. Judging from the number of enquiries I have received and the various letters to the editor of Shelley Point News, there is a great deal of interest (and concern) in these plans.

Next month is also a very busy time for Shelley Point as we welcome our non-resident homeowners, many of whom will be making the annual pilgrimage to spend time in this unique and beautiful spot. Of course, we will also have many visitors and guests and once again, we implore homeowners who are letting their properties, to please ensure that their tenants and guests are aware of the code of conduct. A copy of this is available on our website www.sphoa.co.za

I have been in regular communication with Mr. Joubert regarding his plans and we have agreed to meet regularly and to keep communication channels open such that I am able to keep the members of the HOA accurately informed. At present, the projects are still in the concept stage and as such, final format and timelines are still very fluid. It is therefore premature to judge the impact that they will have on the estate at this stage.

As mentioned last month, we are presently updating our list of recommended service providers. Thank you to those of you who provided updated information regarding this.

Please check the updated list on the last page of the newsletter and let us know if there are any omissions that need to be added. Also, let us know if there are any that need to be deleted – either because they are no longer operational or because their service is not up to scratch.

I am very aware of the concerns that have been raised by property owners and residents regarding access control and security as well as the effect on the peace and quiet of the estate. Rest assured that I will be doing all I can to ensure that these concerns are adequately addressed during planning and implementation. In the meantime, I urge us all to remain objective and to refrain from activating the well-known Shelley Point rumour mill. If you have any questions,

Have a wonderful month and as usual, feel free to drop us a line if you have anything on

1

comments or suggestions please feel free to phone or e-mail me and I will do my best to answer you as honestly as I can. I will also continue to update everyone as and when further details become known.

municipal region (and hence, Shelley Point), is the Misverstand Dam situated in the Porterville area. According to the website, www.westerncape.gov.za/generalpublication/latest-western-cape-dam-levels, which reports on current water levels in the 44 dams situated in the Western Cape, the Misverstand Dam is 100% full. If this is true, why are there such severe restrictions in place?

Secondly, the average of all 44 dams on 20 September 2017, was reported to be 37.3%. If one looks at the individual dam levels listed on the website, one can see some relationship between a dam level and the water restrictions imposed in the geographical area which that dam supplies. So, there appears to be a correlation which one would expect.

However, Basil want to know, why is that not the case with SBM?

Meanwhile, enjoy the lovely early summer weather and please remember to watch your water consumption.

Cheers, Ian Mac HOMEOWNERS HAVE THEIR SAY: Tortoises and speed limits: Chris wrote to say that over the last month while walking his dog around Shelley Point, he came across four instances where tortoises had been killed on the roads by motor vehicles. The first three cases were apparently new-born babies, about 4-5cm long, with relatively soft shells. Chris believes it likely that the drivers didn’t see them or if they did, possibly thought that they were stones in the road. However, the fourth dead tortoise he found would have been hard for a motorist to miss. It was an adult 15-20 cm long and was run over on 31st street – a quiet cul de sac with only three houses, none of which are occupied on a permanent basis.

Since there is no building taking place on this road and as such, no trucks and very few cars are using this road, Chris surmises that perhaps this was a deliberate act, as in children driving a golf cart. Or, it was a case of speeding, though he has no idea why anyone would be speeding on this road. Chris has appealed to homeowners and visitors to Shelley Point to restrict themselves to the speed limit of 40km/h and to look out for our wildlife

The Chairman of the SPHOA has replied to this query as follows: ‘Thanks for your enquiry regarding the water situation in the Western Cape. I am no expert on the situation but please read the article from the link below. This is the source that I have been using for most of my information on the status of our dams and reservoirs http://showme.co.za/paarl/lifestyle/natureoutdoors/dams-latest-levels-winelands-andcape-town-72/ From this, it seems that the entire water supply system is interlinked by way of pipelines and pumping stations and that the status of a particular water source does not necessarily reflect the status of water restrictions in a particular town or area. At present within the Saldanha Bay municipal area, we are under level 4B restrictions while the Cape Town Metro and some other municipalities are under level 5 restrictions.’

Water restrictions: Basil, a homeowner who resides in Johannesburg has been extremely concerned about the drought we are currently experiencing and has been researching the issue extensively. Some of the information he has received is confusing and he has asked if someone ‘in the know’ can help to clarify a few things. Firstly, he has been lead to believe that the dam which feeds the Saldanha Bay

Concerns over development of Beach Club and “Pirates Cove” at Shelley Point: In response to the recently announced plans by the developer, Gert Joubert, to reopen the hotel and establish a beach club and bar at the socalled Small Craft Harbour (see October newsletter), Frik and Magda sent an email to

2

thrill when he allowed me to touch him for the first time.

Shelley Point News expressing their concerns.

The following is a brief translation of their letter. The original letter can be found in the Afrikaans edition…

The feral cats may be a nuisance but it gives me a lovely warm feeling when I think that I have increased the number of baby birds who will survive and that I have at least given Tommy Cat a reason to purr”.

Since this part of Stompneus Bay is situated within the Shelley Point estate but belongs to the developer, Frik is concerned that SPHOA have no jurisdiction over it and as such, the developer can do what he wants with it (obviously in accordance with municipal regulations.)

What Frik and Magda find particularly worrisome, is the fact that these facilities will be open to hotel guests as well as to the general public. The developer’s proposed provision of transport to and from the hotel will mean that Shelley Point roads will need to be used as there are no alternative roads to reach the Small Craft Harbour. This will have a negative influence on our quiet and peaceful village. They have proposed that: • The Developer’s property on the southern border of SP should be fenced to prevent unrestricted movement of visitors throughout the estate.

• The Developer must establish an alternative entry point for admission to Pirates Cove and not make use of Shelley Point infrastructure.

• Hotel guests wanting to make use of the facilities at Pirates Cove should be prepared to use the alternative entrance.

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: • No progress has been made in respect of the rehabilitation of the desalination plant.

It has proven to be rather difficult to identify the correct “agency” to discuss this with but efforts will continue as this is deemed a very important project in the light of the current water crisis.

• Discussions with Residentia Trust to update our service contract have been successfully concluded and the revised service agreement will come into effect in January 2018. Savings of approximately R 120 000 per annum will be realized under this new agreement and it is confidently expected that service levels will improve substantially as well.

• While audited financial statements are not yet available, it appears that the HOA finished the year in a healthy financial position with expenditure being well controlled and cash reserves up slightly on last year.

• Budgets for the new financial year have been prepared and will be presented at the AGM for ratification.

Please see the message from the chairman for further information - Editor Feral cat adoption: Yvonne writes, “I know the feral cat project has become a bit of a headache but, adopting Tommy Cat has been one of the most rewarding and pleasurable experiences of my life. When we first started adopting feral cats, Tommy was terrified of me and would abandon his food and bolt if he even saw me moving in the house. It took a long time before he would even watch me from a distance and many weeks before he would eat while I sat near him. It was a real

3

•

There has recently been disagreement with some owners regarding the requirement for thatched homes to be provided with appropriate fire protection systems. After discussions with municipal officials, clarity has been obtained and owners of thatched homes are reminded that municipal bye laws in this regard apply. It is strongly recommended that steps are taken to ensure your home complies.

Britannia Bay sunset by Ian

SECURITY REPORT: (Chris Sivertsen) From a security point of view, “no news is good news!” This month has been absolutely quiet and there is nothing of interest to report.

SPORT AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Monthly ‘Sundowners’ Get Together

LEAPFROG PROPERTIES PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Only one more month left in which you can submit photos for the Leapfrog Properties Photo of the Year Competition. There is a total of R1 000 prize money up for grabs! The monthly winning photos from 2017 will be circulated to all and you will be asked to vote for your favourite ones. The three photos receiving the most votes will receive cash prizes from Leapfrog Properties. There will also be a lucky draw prize.

This months’ Sundowners is on Friday 24th November. Hope to see many of you there from 5.30-7.30 pm. The event is open to all owners and residents and it would be great to see a good turnout.

Golf: (Anne Ainsworth) The usual Monday, Wednesday & Saturday competitions continue and the numbers have been good. On Saturdays, we usually have more than 20 players. The Tommie Bosch tournament went off very well with 40 players and surprise, surprise on 9th September, we had 27 visitors from Clovelly Golf Club joining in our competition… Another great event.

This month, we have two winning photos as follows:

We will be hosting the St Helena Bay NGK fundraiser on 4 November. This will be an allday event with a “shot gun start” at 9am.

Entry fee is R300 which includes green fees and a meal afterwards.

The course was closed for four days during October for spring treatment. It will be a bit rough for a couple of weeks but after that, I’ve been assured by the Greenkeeper that it will bounce back reasonably quickly. Having said that, the water situation will retard any work done since the application for relief to continue watering the course was declined.

Because the spring treatment was carried out later than planned (to accommodate the

Family dog on the beach by Sam

4

school holiday visitors), we will not be holding the Octoberfest this year as the course will not be up to speed.

wildcats are quite rare, are only found in remote areas and should be protected.

I have several times, seen them in bright sunlight on both sides of our home as close as 10 meters from our windows. They’ve also been spotted on the beach side of Don and Val Dick’s home, in the beach garden of the Gould’s in 13th Street and at Dr. van Zyl’s home on the corner of 2nd and 3rd Avenue.

We’ve even watched them catch a hare in the street close to our house. Both males and females mark their territory and are solitary except when mating and raising kittens.

Because they are solitary and difficult to identify, it is tricky to determine how many of these cats live here in Shelley Point.

Invoices for club membership renewal and pre-paid green fees will be sent out towards the end of October.

Membership numbers remain unchanged.

Bowls, Tennis and Bridge: If you are interested in any of these activities, please consult the information table in the September edition where you will find contact details and other information.

LIFE AT SHELLEY POINT:

In one of the photos I took, he is well camouflaged in the Goulds’ beach garden but fled when I approached so I couldn’t take a good photo of him in the open. I could, however, observe him plainly when he walked away and clearly saw how he “sprayed” against plants and walls.

African Wildcat spotted at SP. Henri Roux sent Shelley Point News two photos of an African Wildcat which he encountered in a seafront garden in 13th street.

Unfortunately, the photos were quite blurry so we were unable to print them and have had to borrow an online photo. Like the honey badgers that Henri photographed last month as proof that these animals do in fact live here, so it is with the African Wild Cat – many people have claimed that they inhabit the estate but they are rarely seen. However now, thanks to Henri, we have the photographic evidence. Henri has also kindly provided some additional information about these cats in the article below which he wrote in Afrikaans and which has been translated by Yvonne Collett.

We, here at Shelley Point, must therefore be careful, especially now during the feral cat project, not to catch an African Wildcat. If one is trapped in a carrier box, it should be released immediately as it is definitely not a cat to “handle without gloves”. Rather, help with the sterilization of female feral cats so that no breeding or interbreeding can take place.

African wildcat: This cat species lives naturally in this area – including Shelley Point – and should not be disturbed or caught. Because they are closely related to domestic cats, interbreeding occurs, which is a serious problem for the species.

It is generally accepted that the present domestic cats are descendants of the wildcats which were tamed by the Egyptians more than 4000 years ago for the purpose of controlling rats and mice. Genetically pure

Apart from the obvious characteristics such as the colour of their ears (lighter on the tips than the rest of their fur) and their longer legs, this species can also be identified by their sandybrown to ginger-grey colour with distinctive

5

black stripes or rings on the tail.

Unfortunately, they are still often confused with domestic cats.

which they took from the aircraft in which they were flying following their visit here.

Rainfall statistics for 2017: According to Henri Roux who is recording our rainfall here at Shelley Point, we had a total of 8.0mm which fell in the reporting period of 15 September to 14 October. This now brings the total rainfall so far for 2017 to 92.5mm - still significantly less than the 214mm received for 2016.

Water shortage

Food review: Paternoster

Don sent this picture that he took on a nearby road, with the following caption: ‘Looks like the water shortage is even worse than we thought!’

No further information on this. There is cash available in the kitty (no pun intended!) for sterilizations of feral cats at Wesland Animal Hospital and a special file has been opened for Shelley Point. Cats can be dropped off and collected the same day – ensure that you have made the necessary booking first by phoning Wesland. There is a carrier available should you require one – just contact Shelley Point News. This is a service provided only for feral cats, not for domestic cats.

The Voorstrandt is renowned for its fresh and tasty seafood so one of the Foodies ordered the calamari strips served with salad (R73) and which were pronounced to be “absolutely heavenly”. The second Foodie decided to forego the seafood specialities and ordered a beef burger with chips. This was claimed to be a winner - moist and juicy beef patty and a

View of Shelley Point and Stompneus Bay from the air.

Recent visitors to Shelley Point, Paul and Marlies Bohlen, sent this beautiful photo

Restaurant-

Special circumstances this month saw the Famished Foodies going to Paternoster and as such, they decided that they may as well have lunch there and do a restaurant review at the same time. So, this month, we take a look at their culinary experiences at Voorstrandt Restaurant – a very popular seafood restaurant situated right on the spectacular Paternoster beachfront. Upon arrival, the Foodies were directed to a table overlooking the beach where they promptly ordered a bottle of wine from the small but more than adequate wine list. They then checked out the starters which were mainly seafood orientedmussels, calamari, oysters, prawns etc. - as well as a few other non-fishy appetizers such as soup, samosas and snails. Most of the starters were in the R50-R90 price range but the Foodies decided to opt for the breadbasket (R31) to enjoy with the wine while waiting for mains to be prepared. The breadbasket consisted of four freshly baked breadrolls still hot from the oven and accompanied by a delicious herb and garlic butter. Highly recommended.

Feral Cat Update

Voorstrandt

6

fresh gourmet bread-roll accompanied by great-tasting chips and sauce. The mains varied from around R70 to around R185 for a ‘Surf and Turf’ (prawns and fillet steak) or seafood platter (prawns, calamari, mussels etc.). There were also hake and calamari or prawn and calamari combos. Salad and vegetable curries also available for vegetarians as well as a kiddies menu.

South Africa and the world economies were in recovery mode.

In 2015 however, we started seeing a reversal of the muted property market with the sale of 28 freehold properties and 81 vacant erven.

We have seen the slight recovery continuing throughout 2016, and the first 9 months of 2017 already registering 21 freehold- and 83 vacant erven stand sales.

Desserts were mostly around R40 and included cake of the day, bake of the day and the usual ice cream & chocolate sauce or waffles. The Foodies shared a Malva Pudding (R44) which both agreed was sublime. The bill plus gratuity came to around R350.

Next month we will have a look at median values of property sales over the period 2007 to 2017. *Source: Lightstone

Local Service Providers

Service was excellent, the meal simple but extremely tasty and the view glorious. Both Foodies unanimously awarded the Voorstrandt a well-deserved five stars.

Booking is essential as the restaurant is very popular, particularly over weekends and holidays. For reservations, call 0227522038 and when booking, don’t forget to request a beachfront table.

The following is an updated version of the list that appeared in the October 2016 edition of Shelley Point News and is based only on recommendations from Shelley Point residents and homeowners. Shelley Point News cannot be held responsible for any problems that may occur should you engage the services of any of the individuals mentioned below. Some names have been dropped from last years’ list as they are either no longer providing the service or because they could not be contacted. If there are any other names that you feel should be added to the list, please email shelleypointnews@gmail.com with the details. The final list for 2017/18 will then appear in the November edition.

Property Overview for Shelley Point by Maurits Marnewick of Leapfrog Properties – Growth and Market Activity: To continue with Maurits’s excellent series of property-related articles, this month we have a look at trends for the number of property sales, covering the 10-year period between 2007 and September 2017…

For those of you who have been longtime owners of property in Shelley Point, you will no doubt recall the property boom that Shelley Point experienced in the early 2000’s up to the financial crisis of 2008, when sales activity dropped substantially.

• Handyman/General repairs: o Pieter: 079 607 2127 (incl.electrics) o Kat: 083 468 5107

As an example, in 2007 which was the year before the financial crisis, 52 freehold properties (homes) were sold and transferred to new owners and 160 vacant erven changed hands. This number dropped dramatically in 2008 to 26 freehold and 64 vacant erven changing ownership. This downward trend continued for the next number of years whilst

7

•

Air Conditioning: o Daneo 083 660 0756

•

Electricians: o CM Electricians 022 713 4807 (After hours 083 284 2669 / 083 284 2668)

•

House cleaning: o Carina: 078 140 9642 o Dot & Linkie: 0837613584

•

Garden services: o Barney: 082 379 1718 o Roy: 082 466 1071

• o o o o o •

VASCO SAYS:

House painting: Carina: 078 140 9642 Kat: 083 468 5107 Robert: 076 402 4322 Ricco: 060 688 3225 Keppies Painter: 071 782 5624

Window cleaning: o Christo: 082 560 1053 o Carina: 078 140 9642

•

Plumbing: o D & L Plumbers 083 287 9815 o Freddie and Laguna 084 250 8337 / 022 772 0418

•

Pet/house sitting o Charmaine 0826116688

•

Home Appliance Repairs o Werner 082 433 5652 o Debbie 072 556 6351

Five hundred and twenty long years ago On 7 November ‘round midday or so We set foot in this Bay On a bright summers day And thanked Pater Noster for watching us go.

8