DO IT NOW Magazine #36

ADVENTURE | SPORT | LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

VOL 6•4 2014 #36

An interview with

Alex Salvini 2013 Enduro World Champion Class E2

HAGGLING

FOR HAGGIS

WHAT SHOULD A REAL COACH DO PLUS

BARKING

AT BABOONS

COMPETITION P. 5 FACEBOOK & TWITTER WWW.DOITNOW.CO.ZA

On the Cover - Alex Salvini in action.

Photo by - Cristiano Morello.

DO IT NOW Team CEO / FOUNDER Francois Flamengo

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

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Alan Hobson Nature

Greg Gearing Motorbiking

Chris Hitchcock Bicycling

Peter Fairbanks Finance

Hannele Steyn MTB / Nutrition

Tori Leckie Multi Sports

Zygmund Brodalka Motorbiking

Sam Bradley Travel

Ico Schutte Multi Sports

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CALENDAR JUNE 2014 S

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dinFO Here are some great activities and events to look out for in June.

Running // Comrades Marathon, Pietermaritzburg (KZN): 1 June Climbing // Black Diamond Tradathon, Monteseel, Durban (KZN): 3-16 June Surfing // Durban Surf Carnival, New Pier, Durban (KZN): 6-8 June Trail Running // Spur Gauteng Trail Series 1, Broederstroom (NW): 8 June Bicycling // Victoria Falls Mountain Bike Challenge, Zimbabwe: 11-15 June Bicycling // MTN National MTB Series #6, Van Gaalen, Pretoria (Gauteng): 14 June Trail Running // Nedbank Save The Rhino Trail Run (Limpopo): 14-15 June Trail Running // Spur Gauteng Trail Series 2, Hennops River (Gauteng): 15 June Trail Running // Grootvadersbosch Trail, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve (Boland): 21-22 June Festival // Top Gear Festival, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban (KZN): 21-22 June Bicycling // MTN National MTB Series #7, Hilton (KZN): 22 June Trail Running // Spur Gauteng Trail Series 3, Hartbeespoort (NW): 22 June Bicycling // Rhino River Run Mountain Bike Series #4, Inloop Game Farm (FS): 28 June Multi Sports //Jump City Challenge, Moses Madhiba Stadium, Durban (KZN): 28 June Obstacle Sports // GI Joe Colour Mudness Obstacle Run, Odendaalsrus (FS): 28 June Drifting // Autotrader.co.za Supadrift National Series SD05, Port Shepstone (KZN): 28 June

FIND OUT MORE For a more comprehensive list of events and activities taking place for the remainder of 2014, refer to the Calendar on www.doitnow. co.za/events

www.doitnow.co.za • 3

Index

Vol 6•4 2014 #36 | www.doitnow.co.za

// Team & Contributors: p. 2 DO IT NOW Magazine’s team and regular contributors. // Calendar: p. 3 Calendar featuring adventure, sport and lifestyle events. // Enter & Win: p. 5 Enter our website competition and stand to win great prizes.

Articles CLIMBING 7

Alone in the world

RUNNING 23 29 41

With running comes reason My desert dream Touching the Ingeli Sky

BICYCLING 50 57

11 Epic memories Barking at the baboons

MOTORBIKING 68 76 82

An interview with Alex Salvini, 2013 Enduro World Champion Class E2 Ladies Quad and Bike Champions team up for Namaqua African Rally Monster Energy Motocross Nationals #2 - Through the lens

41

MULTI SPORTS 95

Happy 10th birthday IRONMAN SA

WATER SPORTS

109 Riding the oceans' waves - 8 South Africans making a difference

TRAVEL

116 Injisuthi – exploring the place of the well fed dog 127 Haggling for haggis 137 Livigno, a winter wonderland

68

NATURE

149 Fly fishing for beginners

HEALTH FITNESS

157 What should a real coach do?

161 The 2014/2015 budget and you

ENTERTAINMENT

167 The ABC of Chardonnay 170 Winter warmers 173 Entertainment review KEY:

ADVENTURE

SPORT

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LIFESTYLE

INVOLVED

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Intoducing the BDV Jacket

Available mid Feb exclusively at:

JHB & CPT

CLIMBING

Words: Garrreth Bird ǀ Photos: Garrreth Bird & Leonard le Roux

ALONE ANOTHER WORLD

IN

AN ASCENT OF THE SPECTACULAR

‘A PRIVATE UNIVERSE’

Blood pumps thickly through our veins as we balance and thrust our way up the viciously loose boulder field below the base of the wall. In the cavernous silence of this place you can hear the thud of it passing by your ears. We emerge from the dark ravine, where we spent the night, to find ourselves facing a gigantic buttress of bright orange overhanging rock, folded back on itself until it almost touches again: the Western Cape’s Slanghoek Amphitheatre.

An absence of footholds means smearing one’s feet up a hanging corner, with hundreds of metres clear to the ground. Heavenly rock on pitch 13.

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Looking up from the base of the wall, the scale of the adventure ahead becomes blatantly apparent. A healthy apprehension begins to cloud our enthusiasm.

I AM HERE WITH LEO, MY CLIMBING PARTNER, A STRAPPING LAD IN HIS MID 20S. I AM 15 YEARS OLDER THAN HIM, BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE A VERY SMALL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US,

SHARING AS WE DO A TEMPERAMENT, SENSE OF HUMOUR, AND AN UNBRIDLED ENTHUSIASM FOR EXPLORING HIGH AND WILD PLACES. We are not the best climbers around, but our general fitness, mutual respect, and love of the game gives our pairing a solid grounding in difficult situations. Each outing together has advanced our symbiosis, and as I stare up at our looming objective, it’s comforting to know that I implicitly trust the person who will watch over the other side of my rope.

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The wall’s magnetism has diverted my concentration just as the ground shifts beneath my feet. A big, sharp boulder suddenly ripples in the stack, then stabs sideways into my ankle.

Thankfully, it just nicks me. I am reminded that someone had to be rescued from this forbidding venue a few years back after being trapped under just such a boulder. The rescue involved a big chopper, which at one stage descended into this cauldron to deposit those who came to help. The very idea sends a shiver down my spine. It is now just our minds and bodies in a fight against gravity, in a place where one does not easily recover from mistakes.

Excitement now firmly tempered with trepidation, at last we dump our bags at the base of the wall.

We must carry everything up with us as we hope not to come back this way: climbing gear, sleeping bags, food, a stove, and 14 litres of water, enough for two days on the wall with a little to spare.

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This wall did not yield easily to the attentions of those bent on its first ascent. After many attempts by various legends of the South African climbing scene, each petering out midway up the cliff, brothers David and Hilton Davies, along with Mathew Sim eventually committed to the idea, leaving a tent and gear at the base for almost a year before a route through the roofs finally offered itself up in late 2002. Their familiarity with the place must account for the complacency of the route guide, which doesn’t seem to match what we now see in front of us. Things don’t start well. The first three pitches are vegetated and uncertain, and as I head up an unexpectedly tricky grove, pulling out reeds and moss to try and gain better purchase, I realise that I'm off the route.

Everything is loose and slippery and there isn’t much gear. The tiny nuts I wiggle in seem like psychological protection, a fact confirmed when one of them pops out and rattles a long way down the rope to rest at my previous gear. I am now facing a long, potentially damaging fall, and it all feels a little desperate for first thing in the morning. I gather my nerves and push through, treating the creaking holds as little time bombs, to be handled with kid gloves.

A landmark or two gets us back on the route and as the wall steepens the vegetation disappears and rock improves. The route guide, however, still seems to have a mind of its own: move left at the roof along a rail, then up. Errr … ok. Above the rail is a bulge of rock jutting out over exposed ground, a perfect crack formed between it and the wall. As I move up it, it's smooth and steep. Counterbalancing off little nicks in the crack’s façade delivers incredible climbing. The bulge is undercut and even at this relatively low altitude, the exposure is omnipresent. The angle mellows as I crest the crack system, heading out into wildly hanging rock. I feel like I’m floating as I warble down to Leo about how awesome the climbing is.

Analysing the way forward, the rock is smooth and bullet hard, but all the seams close out, making it very hard to climb, let alone protect. Man, that is really awesome … but I ain’t going out there! I call down to Leo, "Where the hell are we? Hallelujah!" The struggles of the route pioneers spring back into mind.

ONCE AGAIN WE INTERROGATE THE ROUTE GUIDE, PERTURBED BY HOW LITTLE THERE IS AVAILABLE TO BE SEMANTIC ABOUT. THE LINE PROBABLY CONTINUES ALONG THE LOWER RAIL INSTEAD, SO I REVERSE THE CRACK, A LITTLE SPICY HEADING DOWN, AND THEN CONTINUE OUT LEFT TO EASIER GROUND.

Busting through the upper wall.

The rock passed me not long after this. P17

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Turning the first set of roofs with the help of a few points of aid. The ropes to my right were left behind by a climber attempting a new route a few years previous who had to retreat in a hurry after taking a nasty fall. It says something of the magnitude of the cliff that he hasn’t managed to retrieve them yet! We cleared the badly weathered lines from the wall.

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AT THE STANCE, I SET ABOUT HAULING UP THE BAG TO MY LEDGE. AS

LEO STARTS UP TO JOIN ME, I SHOUT DOWN HOW SAD I AM THAT HE WON’T GET TO CLIMB THAT BEAUTIFUL FEATURE, BUT THEN I CHECK MYSELF.

What is one little ripple in this ocean of rock? We aren’t even a third of the way up yet, and looking at the roofs just above me I see that it’s time for the gloves to come off.

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Leo tests out the sleeping arrangements. Not too shabby!

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Soaking up some magical quiet time during last light.

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IT IS LATE AFTERNOON AS WE COMPLETE THE EXPOSED TRAVERSE THAT LEADS TO A COMFORTABLE LEDGE AND OUR HOME FOR THE NIGHT. WITH THE HEIGHT GAINED, WE CAN NOW SEE THE FARMLANDS THAT STRETCH OUT BEYOND. In the

beautiful glow of last light we feel blessed to be spending time in a place as incredibly unique as is this. My bed is narrow, with only a small, loose boulder between me and the precipitous drop below, but the ledge is relatively smooth and I feel surprisingly comfortable as I climb into my bivy bag. I still wear my harness and I'm still tied to the wall, just in case I decide to do a little more rolling around in the dark than might be considered best for my health.

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A selfie on the upper part of the wall. It's 450 metres straight down to the ground.

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MY ALARM BEEPS IN THE GLOOM. THE BACK OF MY SHOULDERS AND ARMS BITE AT ME AS I MOVE THEM, A LOVE LETTER

FROM YESTERDAY'S HAULING ROUTINE. GINGERLY, WE BREW COFFEE AND EAT BREAKFAST. Having acclimatised to the wall somewhat we are now raring to go, and having used a fair bit of water on supper and breakfast the bag should be easier on us today.

The next three pitches are good quality. We use a few points of aid to overcome serious difficulty: a short blank seam and then a bulging off-width roof crack, but otherwise the climbing is stellar and surprisingly mild considering the angle of the wall. We keep up a steady pace as we negotiate the upper sections of the cliff, our minds and bodies focused by the drop in temperature, courtesy of the swirls of cloud slithering down from above.

'A Private Universe' is a brilliant name for a route in this place. Not only is the whole wall secluded from the rest of the world but the size of it, and the silence of its volume, allows one to roam within oneself as you slowly navigate its domain.

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You become accustomed to the hundreds of empty metres below. By now, the dinky architecture of the enclosed base of the wall half a kilometre away seems like a trick on the eye. But then you might follow the rope down to make sure it doesn't catch on anything. BOOM, suddenly the chasm jolts something ancient within you and your instincts scold the part of you that allowed you to assume a position as precarious as this. Ho–ly–shee–ut, that’s a long way down!

Stepping outside myself again, I squint up into the light. The unsettled sky is cloudy and bright as I try to watch Leo, as he leads somewhere just out of my line of sight. The tag line he trails momentarily catches on something and like a slow-motion replay, I witness a black football-sized rock emerge from the white. As it hurtles down towards me I take action without conscious thought, swinging on the slings of my hanging belay to make myself flush with the face.

The air throbs as the rock hurtles harmlessly by me, with about a metre to spare. That was pretty close! And it was big enough to do serious damage. There is no use in making a big deal of it, but I take it as yet another reminder that you are only successful on an outing once safely back at home. As always in the mountains, steady concentration and a lack of ego is the best defense against the unpredictable dangers that may lie in store.

On top! Amidst deteriorating weather we scoffed down some sustenance for the long and adventurous walk back down.

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As I lead off on the final pitch, our conversation becomes a little incoherent as we channel our fatigue into laughter. Soon we clamber wearily out of the cauldron, escaping the sucking void to become reacquainted with our long lost friend: solid ground.

We both feel a sense of great accomplishment at having safely ascended so magnificent a feature. Our euphoria is tinged with an undeniable feeling of sadness that such an intense adventure has begun to wind down. As the wind whips at our scuffed skin, we are thirsty, hungry and cold, but ordinary life suddenly seems to pale in comparison with the adventure of the past 30 hours in this amazing place.

The route guide’s description of the way down sets us adrift and we do our best to decipher the line as we slide and scuttle through the ragged gorges of yet another awesome Western Cape mountainside.

We ponder the possibility of being caught out by darkness as clouds darken the steep valley sides, but eventually we drop down from the final ridge line to safely reconnect with the vegetated river course.

We arrive back at our car just as the light begins to fade. Having just enjoyed a well-deserved sip of beer from the first pub we passed on the way home, we hear the sound of rain on the solid thatch roof.

WE DID WELL, BUT LUCK WAS ALSO ON OUR SIDE. WE GIVE THANKS TO THE UNIVERSE,

BOTH INSIDE AND OUT. •

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Some of the epic scenery during the decent. The very left-hand side of the Private Universe amphitheatre is visible behind the free-standing turret in the distance.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Words: Tori Leckie / www.fitchicksandfastwomen.com | Photos: © Anthony Grote

With a gaping hole in my foot remaining from the recent Dube races, time on the trails was minimal last week, so the chance to watch them on the big screen came as a fitting compromise. You see, it

www.shutterstock.com

was Durban’s turn for the 2014 rendition of the Trails in Motion Film Fest and with that came two glorious evenings of tales from the trails.

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DAY 1 We absorbed the beauty of tree-lined trails in Trails and Tribulations before watching a further two short films; Emilie Lecomte’s GR20 Record and Race Across The Sky, about Leadville. Leadville is pretty much an Ivy League race in the world of trail events. It's a hundred miler with relentless ascents and levels of altitude that can only be likened to running with a sock in your mouth.

Trails in Motion is a little like the world-renowned Banff Film Festival (BFF), but still in its infancy and focused only on trail running. BFF now tours in more than 30 countries so watch this space, perhaps Trails in Motion will follow suit. I was at BFF last

year in France (the tour timed perfectly with running a gorgeous 65 km trail race between vineyards in the Beaujolais region) and both festivals share the same unquenchable spirit for adventure.

The idea behind Trails in Motion is to capture the true spirit of trail running and showcase a collection of the best trail running movie content from our global playground of trails.

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A break from the big screen came with a guest appearance by Iain Don Wauchope. Before moving to these parts, I didn’t know of Iain, but it didn’t take long to see why he’s an athlete of note, with some impressive victories behind him and a refreshingly real approach to juggling the demands of training, life, work, play and family. I reckon every trail runner could benefit from his insight, experience and wisdom.

Finally, we watched JB Benna’s Unbreakable, a truly awesome feature film about the iconic Western States race in 2010. Featuring the world’s true greats when it comes to ultra running, Anton Krupicka, Kilian Jornet, Goeff Roes and Hal Koerner, the film chronicles the race, the runners and their lives. It beautifully captures the physical and emotional roller coaster that goes hand in hand with long-distance races and demonstrates the sheer mental strength required to pull you through when the going gets tough. Having just finished reading Jornet’s book, Run or Die, it was great to see him in action.

www.shutterstock.com

Iain Don Wauchope, an athlete of note with some impressive victories behind him.

DAY 2 Same, same but different; more incredible trails shot in different corners of our planet. The highlights for me were these: Running the Edge was about Scott Jaime’s epic 2013 traversing of the 486-mile Colorado Trail. Setting a new FKT, the film conveyed the harsh realities of such pursuits and the brutal determination required to get through them. If I remember only one section of the film, it will be when Scott talks about how such huge challenges don’t change us, but they sure as hell allow us to discover who we really are.

In the High Country stars the iconic Anton Krupicka. Beyond his absurd weekly mileage, precision approach to training and resulting awe-inspiring achievements, Anton has a beautiful mind with an aspirational philosophy towards life, motivation and personal growth.

When he spoke of how long days in the mountains are nothing if not an intense self-examination, it resonated.

When he talked about how the trails inspire us to look closely at ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses and where we belong, I’ve no doubt every one in the room connected. www.doitnow.co.za • 25

With running comes reason And last but not least, The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBF), a stunning race in Borneo, which I ran in its inaugural year in 2012. Based on Mount Kinabalu (13,435 ft / 4,095 m), my last visit, when I was 11, had been to embark on a grand mountain adventure with my dad, so it was great to return and reminisce! The route was stunning - think villages and fields, rice paddies and cabbage crops, rivers and bridges, red dirt tracks and lush green jungle. The entire course swung between insanely vertical climbs and technically steep descents, with the mighty Kinabalu summit never far from eyeshot.

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Events like Trails in Motion are so uplifting. They bring together all those with a shared love for running in beautiful places, those who understand how much dedication, commitment and focus it has taken just to get to the start line. They unite those who might otherwise be divided by cultures, countries, creeds or colour. In a world sometimes driven by exclusion, the trail community embodies inclusion, and in a world where we increasingly suffer from disconnection, the trail community brings us total connection.

I think many first take to the trails in a quest for physical fitness, but soon after discover that the physical benefits are just the tip of the iceberg.

They are our playgrounds for self-discovery. In fulfilling our passions we discover our purpose. With running comes reason!

Next stop on the tour is Joburg, in April, so get hold of your tickets whilst places remain. •

For more information on Trails in Motion, visit trailsinmotion.co.za

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RUNNING

Words & Photos: Amanda de Kock

Very narrow canyons on day two.

I STARTED TO RUN WHEN I WAS 6 YEARS OLD AND SOMEWHERE OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, RUNNING BECAME MY PASSION. WHEN I TURNED 40 IN 2012, I decided to treat myself

with an entry to an event that would fulfil my desert dream; the Atacama Crossing. Despite it being the toughest race I have ever participated in, I successfully completed this gruelling 250 km desert race, held in Chile, South America, in March 2013. But what had started out as a one-off desert race dream soon turned into a much bigger goal; to complete the remaining three races in the 4 Desert Series before I turn 50.

MY

DESERT

DREAM

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THE ANNUAL 4 DESERTS SERIES IS WIDELY RECOGNISED AS THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS OUTDOOR FOOTRACE SERIES IN THE WORLD. TIME MAGAZINE RANKED THE 4 DESERTS SERIES AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN ENDURANCE EVENTS IN THE WORLD FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS. These events

require competitors to traverse 250 km of rough country terrain over seven days, with only a place in a tent and water provided each day. For the rest, it is completely self-supported.

So on 16 February 2014, I lined up with 190 competitors from all over the world to start the 4 Deserts Sahara Race.

Due to the political unrest in Egypt, the race was hosted in Jordan, which lies in the centre of the Middle East. The capital is Amman and our host town was the beautiful Petra, a World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO and described as 'one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage'. In 2007, Petra was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The 250 km course took us across four distinct deserts in Jordan: Wadi Rum, Kharaza, Humaima, and Wadi Arabia, to the finish in the ancient city of Petra, right in front of the Treasury. The stunning desert terrain varied between soft sand, sand dunes, and dirt/rock track, along with serious canyons, riverbeds, valleys, and beautiful local villages.

The first four days (stages) were about 40 km each, with checkpoints roughly 10 km apart. Stage five is known as The Long March in all the 4 Desert events, and here we covered 86 km of relentless terrain, but I loved every moment of it. I finished the Long March, together with a fellow South African, in just over 14 hours. Even though the last 4 hours were in the dark, with tired legs and lots of pain, we finished in good spirits.

Stage six was pretty much a spectacular 5 km victory run to the finish at the ancient city of Petra. Of the 190 competitors that started the race, 170 finished the race successfully. I achieved a personal best coming in second overall in the Ladies category, and thirtieth out of all the competitors. Sandy Suckling, a very humble athlete from Australia, won the Ladies race by far, with Kristinet van der Westhuizen, from South Africa, in third. We South African girls really kicked some butt out there in the foreign desert.

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Looking fresh on day one.

MY

DESERT

DREAM

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MY

DESERT

DREAM 32 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #36

The first four days (stages) were about 40 km each, with checkpoints roughly 10 km apart. Stage five is known as The Long March in all the 4 Desert events, and here we covered 86 km of terrain was relentless, but I loved every moment of it. I finished the Long March, together with a fellow South African, in just over 14 hours. Even though the last 4 hours were in the dark, with tired legs and lots of pain, we finished in good spirits.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA

It was incredibly hot on day three.

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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? I am a very ordinary 42-year-old woman who is happily married to a wonderful man and we’ve got two beautiful boys, aged 10 and 8. I work half day as a Payroll Manager at a fast-growing payroll and finance company and spend the afternoons with my boys and all their school activities.

Cross-training, like swimming and weight training, was a vital part of my programme, even if it was just one session per week. I also focused on a lot of core-strengthening exercises and regular sessions with my physio to prevent injuries.

WITH SUCH A BUSY LIFESTYLE, WHEN DO YOU GET THE TIME TO TRAIN?

WAS NUTRITION A BIG PART OF YOUR PREPARATION FOR THE RACE?

Well, I am very fortunate to have a group of loyal and supportive training partners, who are talented athletes in their different fields. Most of my training takes place between 04h45 and 06h15, as I need to get back home in time to get my boys ready for school and myself ready for work. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, we try to fit in some longer runs.

WHEN DID YOU START TRAINING FOR THE SAHARA RACE? About three months prior to the Sahara Race, I started training with my backpack. Initially, it was very light to carry on my back, but I gradually built it up to about 8 kg closer to the event. A backpack, the heat and terrain (altitude was not a factor in Jordan) are the main factors to take into account when training for a desert race. I seldom managed to fit more than 100 km per week into my schedule as a working mom, but it seemed to work just fine for me.

Apart from the training, nutrition was another important part of my preparation. When I increased my mileage, I tried to eat more ‘oily’ foods, like avos, nuts, fish, peanut butter, full cream dairy products, and the like.

Five smaller meals per day worked better for me, so I always tried to keep healthy/high energy snacks handy. During long runs, I enjoyed snacking on dates, nuts, dried berries, and sometimes even the odd Bovril sandwich.

Futurelife breakfast cereal on race days worked fantastically, as it was really gentle my stomach.

But my golden rule was to increase my intake of healthier food so that I only needed to take minimal supplements.

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The Bedouin tents were very basic and camp life was not easy due to very little space and no privacy at all. But we kept our sense of humour and made the best of it.

Up the Turkish Road.

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Standing proudly with my medal.

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BALANCING ALL THIS WITH A FULL AND BUSY FAMILY LIFE, CAREER, AND SOCIAL LIFE IS NOT EASY. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT WORK? Although my family is always very supportive, my husband and kids are my first priority. So it takes a lot of discipline to keep everything and everybody together, but it is definitely possible. My husband is a cyclist and we often do trail runs or duathlons with the boys. Funnily enough, those are usually the happiest times we spend together. The children are very aware that practice makes perfect and you need to train to achieve your goals. I believe this will help them later in life.

WHAT’S NEXT? I am currently training for the 2014 Comrades Marathon.

Then there’s the Namib Desert Challenge that I would love to do in 2015 and hopefully, sooner rather than later, the Gobi Desert and Antarctica to wrap up the 4 Desert Series.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR OTHER ATHLETES, MOTHERS, AND NORMAL PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR? • Never say there’s no time, you can always make a plan if you really want to.

• Dream big.

• Believe in yourself.

• Sleep enough and eat good food (trust me, this will keep you healthy).

• Always be thankful for every step that you can run and walk, it is indeed a great privilege.

Happy running.

DO IT NOW WISHES AMANDA MUCH SUCCESS IN HER INCREDIBLE QUEST TO COMPLETE THE 4 DESERT SERIES SUCCESSFULLY. • For more information about the 4Desert Series, visit www.4deserts.com

The finish line day four.

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RUNNING

Words: Tori Leckie, www.fitchicksandfastwomen.com ǀ Photos: Anthony Grote, www.anthonygrote.com

Touching

Ingeli Sky

the

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The lowdown This past weekend was the inaugural Ingeli Skymarathon®, a 42 km trail run through the Ingeli Mountain range with 2,100 m vertical ascent.

There were 20 km, 12 km and 5 km distances also on offer.

Not terribly well known, the Ingeli Mountain range, sitting just 30 km from Kokstad in southern KwaZulu-Natal, proved to be one of the most spectacular routes I’ve run in a long time.

I am aware I’ve said this a few times since moving to this wonderful country, but this one truly took my breath away.

Even as I type this now, I find an enormous smile emerging on my face as I transport myself back to those spectacular views.

The night before We arrived at the host venue for the race, the Ingeli Forest Lodge, late afternoon. More about the hotel later, but for the record, this is one fabulous weekend getaway for the runners, hikers and bikers amongst us. Registration and the race briefing followed, which made for a packed room full of bracing anticipation, nervous excitement and animated chatter.

I laughed when Race Director Andrew Booth told us that his stated race distances rarely correlate with the actual. I suppose this just throws into the mix some added adventure. He then went through the usual briefing stuff but to be honest, I don’t rate myself terribly highly at listening to instructions, never mind following them. Instead, I found myself looking around the room, sizing up my fellow participants and feeling like everyone looked stronger, leaner, fitter and faster than me.

And I wondered whether we’re all sometimes guilty of this.

It’s silly really. We sign up to these events to run our own race and our performance comes entirely from within. Add to this the fact that at any one time, every participant is at a different stage of their game; virgin trail runner, weekend warrior or seasoned pro … running to train for their A race or this is their A race, fresh out of injury or at their peak … there’s no end to the variables.

I also thought how funny it is that on the night prior, regardless of the race or our experience, we find ourselves discussing incessantly what we’re wearing, what we’re taking, what we’re going to eat, drink and think, as if we were all newbies to these races. I know it’s great to share thoughts and ideas, but only we know ourselves and what we can stomach to eat, how hot we get or how we feel the cold.

And one man’s mound is another man’s mountain. At least here, we’re all talking the same language. I’ve found myself in some pretty remote countries having the same pre-race conversations around a table with a multitude of languages.

For the record, you normally end up more confused at the end of the conversation than you did at the start.

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Touching

Ingeli Sky

the

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The day of reckoning Breakfast at the lodge held the same enthusiasm and chatter as the night before, as we filled our bellies from a wonderful buffet to power us through the race. It was still dark outside but by the time we started the race at 06h00, daylight was creeping in.

The first few kilometres were through an enchanted forest on pretty technical trails. The shading from the towering trees left little to be seen below, so you had to remain vigilant every moment to avoid falling on rocks and roots. You could see the sun start to filter through the trees and it looked truly stunning.

When we eventually left the forest and came to wide-open hillside fields, it was like a shaded oyster had opened to reveal the perfect pearl.

From there, we had some pretty steep climbs that at times felt long and quite relentless. But with the sun shining and the sky a brilliant blue, it was difficult not to actually enjoy and embrace every lung-bursting moment (easy to say that in hindsight!).

The route had a mix of purpose-cut paths and rough terrain, you know the sort of trail that has been designed specifically to torture your ankles. Up and down we went, running, walking, fast pacing. On reaching the highest point at 2,130 m, the temperature dropped and mist engulfed us, but you felt on top of the world with views as far as the eye can see and the sort of wind in your hair that makes you feel so free and alive. I imagined myself floating along, like Maria running in the meadows in The Sound of Music, however, I can safely state that what I looked like was far from this; rather a pair of tired legs plodding along without style or grace!

On the way up, I stopped a few times (not only to catch my breath) to marvel at the 360-degree beauty.

It struck me that too often, when climbing up a mountain, we focus only on the next step without looking behind and absorbing how far we’ve come. And how perfectly this translates into our lives. We can get so blinkered, striving constantly towards our goals without enough thought about the journey we’ve taken before and how much we’ve achieved already. Note to self. And note to readers.

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Touching

Ingeli Sky

the

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Dropping back down the mountain was, for me, the toughest part of the course.

It was steep with a wicked camber, giant tufts of grass to continue the ankle torturing and some slippery sections just to throw in the odd muddy slide. On terrain like this, you can’t help but question whether these races would be better named trail-less races.

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The final 20 km was far easier; a pretty leisurely amble through some stunning forest on undulating trails. The forests just seemed to go on forever with their endless switchbacks revealing more and more simple, rugged beauty.

Nature at its best!

My final thought on finishing the race was the 100% lack of rubbish I saw on the route. Not one single GU wrapper.

This, I think, was a first in my history of races. And so it was in keeping with our love for enjoying and taking care of the outdoors that every finisher was given a gorgeous little fever tree to plant at home.

The rest of the afternoon was spent basking in the sunshine on the lush lawns in front of the lodge eating, drinking, chatting and laughing. This was followed by prize-giving, where every marathon finisher was called up to collect a certificate.

The day after The course, as I think I’ve stressed enough, was wonderful; just total raw, picture-perfect beauty. But beyond that, the race organisation, briefing, route markings and aid stations were all faultless. As for the Ingeli Forest Lodge, what we called home for the weekend, the team was fantastic and accommodating. Meals were magic and the bar was the perfect spot to rehydrate post race, with a roaring fire and giant screen to keep the boys happy. I shall definitely return in future just to enjoy their fantastic network of trails at leisure. You can even pitch up just for the day, grab a map, design your own adventure and then chill out back at the lodge to share tales of the trail. You can certainly tell that it’s a family business with owners who share our passion for the great outdoors.

My enormous thanks to Andew Booth at KZN Trail Running for putting on such a phenomenal event. And to Anthony Grote for capturing so many wonderful images. And last but not least, to Ingeli Forest Lodge for sharing your fantastic hotel and its spectacular trails with us. You may have once been a well-guarded secret, but I doubt that will remain. • KZN Trail Running - www.kzntrailrunning.co.za Ingeli Trail Run - www.ingelitrail.co.za Ingeli Forest Lodge - www.ingeliforestlodge.com

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BICYCING

Words: Hannele Steyn | Photos: Mark Sampson, Twitter – MarkSampsonCT

EPIC MEMORIES

THE ABSA CAPE EPIC IS AN INCREDIBLE RACE TO TAKE PART IN. Not only is it the 'Tour

de France' of mountain biking, it is the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race and attracts leading mountain bikers from around the world, including previous World and Olympic Champions. Now into its eleventh year, the 2014 edition was made all the more memorable for me as it was also my 11th Cape Epic. In 2013, I shared this epic journey with seven other men, who had completed all 10.

But as with all Epics, there will always be a few twists.

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THIS YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT AND THE FIRST CHALLENGE THROWN MY WAY WAS WHEN MY VERY YOUNG PARTNER GOT SICK A WEEK BEFORE THE START AND I HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO TAKE HER PLACE AT SUCH SHORT NOTICE. My preparation for the event

had been centred on helping her get some UCI points, so I had to be very fit and strong because at 48 years of age, I wasn’t that fast anymore J. My 2013 partner, Kenny, agreed to take her place, but made it abundantly clear that he was not prepared for such a long event. All of a sudden, I had to change my whole mindset as the pressure to race was off now and we would tackle the race according to our capabilities.

The Epic is an amazing event in every single aspect, from the correspondence before the event, right up to the registration at the Waterfront, our lovely goodie bags, and the incredible organisation over the eight days.

This year, the organisers outdid themselves once again with things such as top-quality race kit gift bags and tuk-tuks to transport the riders to and from the registration marquee. There were internet cafes, a laundry service, three meals a day, food at the water points, coffee shops, and chill tents. We had everything you could possibly want on a five star, TOUGH, cycling holiday.

With everything taken care of, all we had to do was prepare mentally for the race and hope that the weather prediction for rain, for almost the whole event, were wrong. Rain can cause a lot of mechanical problems with the mud and this race was challenging enough already.

The Prologue started at one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, Meerendal, in Durbanville, and thankfully, we only had to contend with a slight drizzle. My partner and I finished sixth in the Mixed teams, an unexpected and pleasing result.

By Monday, the start of stage one in Robertson, the rain was bucketing down. We all battled through mud, and sadly passed some of the hot favourites to win, who were having mechanical issues. As a result, the top spots were wide open and it was anyone's game to win. 

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Surrounded by beautiful scenery, Hannele Steyn powers on with a smile on her face or is that a grimace?

EPIC MEMORIES

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With 1,4850 m of climbing, covered over eight days, riders seldom get a chance to take in the picturesque settings. Stage 5, from Greyton to Oak Valley in Elgin, saw riders passing by part of the Riviersonderend Mountain range seen in the distance.

THE AMOUNT OF PUNCTURES AND OTHER MECHANICALS' RIDERS EXPERIENED WERE THE MOST I HAVE EVER SEEN IN AN EPIC. THEN ON DAY THREE, DURING THE STAGE FROM ROBERTSON TO ROBERTSON AND WITH JUST 85 KM TO GO, KENNY'S BACK HUB BROKE AND HE WAS LEFT WITH NO GEARS. 54 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #36

At that point, we were lying in fourth place in the Mixed teams. There was nothing we could do, so we broke some wire off a fence and tied the cluster body to the spokes. Our bush mechanics meant that he at least had a fixed gear, but could only pedal very slowly to the next water point.

The mechanics there did the best they could, but the reality of being cut from the race started to set in and this meant that I wouldn’t be an 11-time finisher and there would be no more females to keep the legacy going! Kenny could pull out and I could ride as an Outcast and still get a finish, but that was the last thing I wanted.

Onwards we went, but we had to stop on several occassions to retie the cluster body, eventually having to break off some of his spokes to use. I had to push a 1,98 m man for the last few kilometres, but we made it

MORE INFORMATION Some of my race stats: I finished second in the Mixed teams in my first Epic; won the Ladies category in the second Epic; finished second Ladies team in 2010; won 11 stages all together; finished it solo on 3 occasions when my partners dropped out; chased a cut-off time once; rode with 10 different partners; and fell 3 times.

Did you know? The first entry fee was R3,750 and the 11th one was R48,900. I could have owned a small plot by now, but prefer the memories J.

in a time of nine hours, one hour before the cut-off time. The possibility of finishing with a good place had ended, but we were far from giving up.

The next few days went better and we managed to climb up the leader board from 43rd to 12th in the Mixed teams. However, in the last two days the distance got to Kenny and we had to ride within his comfort zone. What a great partner not to give up!

The finish at Lourensford Wine Estate was very emotional, but worth every minute of the pain and stress. I am now one of just six people, and still the only female, to have completed all 11 Absa Cape Epics.

"The distance between love and hate is a thin line, but in the end love will conquer!" This sums up the feeling you develop for the Epic, as well as the feeling between partners, sometimes. But in the end, love wins because as soon as you cross that finish line, you only feel love!

WELL DONE TO EACH AND EVERY RIDER, THE WINNERS, FINISHERS, ORGANISERS AND SPONSORS. LAST

BUT NOT LEAST, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR 11 YEARS OF BLESSINGS. •

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BICYCING

Words & Photos: Sean Fraenkel

‘Wannabe’ adventure man, Sean Fraenkel, is at it again. This time with his biggest challenge to date - Barking Mad: an unsupported cycle across South Africa and Lesotho with his two dogs for charity.

Barking Baobabs

at

A mountain bike tour in Limpopo with two dogs

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“Oh no! What have I got myself into?”

I ruminated under my breath, as sweat dripped from my furrowed brow and I pushed my bicycle, loaded with more than 50 kg of gear, up yet another loose, gravel gradient. Besides the personal gear in my panniers, I lugged a custom-built trailer (courtesy of Holdfast) so my two Jack Russells (Turbo and Tequila) could join me on my latest, crazy adventure.

As the reality of my daunting task set in and my legs screamed in protest and a spittle-flecked whimper escaped my lips, I prayed for malaria, hijacking, anything as an excuse to go home - and this was only day one. I cringed at the thought of what lay ahead!

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Starting from Musina, I followed a gravel road that runs parallel to the Limpopo; wet earth, washboard surfaces and rolling hills tested my fitness to the max. My body’s dissent was occasionally forgotten, as I watched my dogs chase after baboons, vervets and strange six-legged critters that were completely alien to us city boys from Cape Town.

Fortunately, the day was cool. Grey clouds loomed overhead as I focused on my pedal strokes - push, pull, push, pull! Signs of recent flooding were evident.

I had been keeping an eye on the news up until then, “Limpopo, 80% chance of rain, flooding and closed roads can be expected,” the weatherman said nonchalantly as he skipped to the next slide.

On two occasions I had to find alternative routes, as the low-lying sections were completely washed away, but fortunately, the heavens held back their sluices for the day.

During one of my frequent pit stops, while making a brew along the banks of the Sand River, a tributary of the Limpopo, I contemplated a dip to cool down. Thankfully, a farmer warned me from his bakkie’s window, “Pasop!

There are groot crocs in that river.” Fair to say, I kept my dogs and myself far from the muddy banks after that.

A little later, a close encounter with the four-legged, flea-bearing kind really freaked me out. A pack of dogs, two of which were pit bulls, joined me for a couple of kilometres as I ground along. They seemed friendly enough, until the big, white male turned on my dogs, who were fortunately resting (albeit yapping incessantly) in their box. He attacked the trailer so violently that he left spatters of his own blood on the side of my pet carrier. Luckily, I was able to chase him away without having to resort to my only protection; a small canister of pepper spray. Imagine if my pooches weren’t in their mobile home at that particular time? My girlfriend, Tracy Breeze, gave me strict instructions: “Don't even think of coming home if anything happens to our dogs!”

I was planning on camping most nights, but when I arrived at the veritable oasis that is Popallin Ranch, ten hours after leaving Musina, it took little coaxing into taking out my credit card and spending a night in luxury. Monique did give me a discounted rate in support of my trip, for which I am exceptionally grateful for.

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Barking Baobabs

at

A mountain bike tour in Limpopo with two dogs

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Barking Baobabs

at

A mountain bike tour in Limpopo with two dogs

The four white lions patrolling the road from their enclosure, on the way to reception from the gate, are an amazing sight. I did notice a lioness lick her chops as my dogs scampered passed rather sheepishly. Even Turbo shut his trap for once! The lodge’s restaurant hugs the bank of the Nwanedi River; a flowing brown waterway that's filled with crocodiles and hippo. I made sure I kept my dogs close, which was now becoming a habit on this trip with all these predators about. After a delicious meal of true boere proportions and a healthy dose of carbohydrates in liquid form (i.e. a beer), I crashed on my bed under a thatch roof, with the sound of the overhead fan, chirping insects and the roar of lions lulling me to sleep.

The following morning’s silence was shattered by vervets chattering above my chalet. Turbo and Tequila were highly agitated by these noisy creatures, barking frantically as the monkeys mocked my mutts with their high-pitched chatter and aerial antics.

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Day two was another cry of anguish and fear, “How am I going to reach Cape Town?” The terrain started off relatively easy, with only a few undulating hills. But as my dogs had run so much the first day, I had to rest their paws and let them ride in their mini chariot most of the way. In true African spirit, I moved at a snail's pace, as I headed south towards my ultimate goal - Cape Point.

The 'Big Tree' or Sagole Baobab is definitely worth a stop. Regarded as one of SA’s biggest indigenous trees, measuring 10.47 x 22 x 38.2 m, it truly is spectacular. Being about as religious as a brick, even I found the place to be spiritual.

A raw, natural energy filled me after I clambered up her knotty, elephant-sized limbs and rested in her branches, while enjoying my packed lunch. Even my fury companions were able to saunter up her arched bows.

Run by the local municipality, it costs R21 to get through the gate to see this mighty baobab. As with most municipal officials, you will be lucky to find them at their post doing their job (if the state of our roads are anything to go by). So if you are passing through, there is a chance no one will be there to let you in.

My day ended with a three-hour slog up a gradual 10 km climb. Despite being on a busy road, I had to let my dogs out of their box, as I had to push my loaded steed most of the way up. I tethered my little friends to the front of my bike and repeatedly said, “Right doggies on the count of three, one, two, three, now pull!” to no avail.

Broken, I reached the village of Gundani. My goal was to leave the tar road and travel another 5 km on a 4x4 track to the community campsite of Gundani Mutsiwa. According to my guide book, you have to arrange your booking in advance. So instead, I decided to knock on the door of a Venda lady’s (Angelica) home and asked if I could camp in her garden. What a humbling and peaceful experience. Angelica welcomed me onto her land. She gave me water from her 25-litre drum, which she had to go and pump from a well some distance away.

Feeling guilty (as I am too lazy to refill the water jug at home from a running tap), I apologised profusely as she repeated, “No problem, no problem,” and filled my bottles to the brim. Amazing!

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Thanks to a full moon, my little green tent glowed inside. The surrounding village’s small homes, with misty, orange halos, reminded me of fireflies as the light from cheap, single incandescent bulbs marked their location. African drumming vibrated from a neighbour's yard, dogs barked in the distance, cows mooed and their bells clunked as I snored deeply on my inflatable mattress.

Much to my relief, the next three days were far easier going and I finished my mileage by lunchtime. My dogs and I had found our rhythm; I would alternate between focusing on my pedalling and yelling, “Turbo! Please … Shut … Up!” every few minutes, as he is an extremely vocal mutt. If he’s not whining, he’s barking for no particular reason.

It is days like these that draw me to cycle touring; the hum of tyres on tar, controlled breathing and miles of flat road. The hills in-between make the easier parts even sweeter.

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All locals en-route proved to be super friendly. I would wave and greet them

as I cycled past. At first, a look of utter disbelief would cross their face, as they tried to make sense of my rig, then big smiles and cheers would follow.

When I was quizzed about my destination, “Hey, you are lying,” with jaws agape, was a frequent response when I replied, “Cape Town,” with a fat smile on my face.

Fig Tree Lodge's owner and manager, Rudi, was kind enough to offer me a discount in support of my cause. The rooms here are basic, but clean.

The food is not extravagant, but big portions are served. Perfect for the cycle tourist passing through Thohoyandou.

Middle Letaba Dam Resort, where I spent my fourth night, is far from a luxury establishment, but the chalets did have electricity to charge my gadgets and air conditioning to cool me down. It's definitely a 'room by the hour' kind of place; there were more free condoms handed out than even Tiger Woods would know what to do with. I saw four vehicles leave with happy customers an hour after arriving. I slept in my own sleeping bag that night, for obvious reasons. Another warning: this is army ant HQ. These little buggers are everywhere. They did leave me alone in the chalet, but maybe it had something to do with two days of cycling and no shower in-between.

Day five was a big push of 80 km, so I left Fig Tree Lodge early to avoid the midday heat. My breakfast comprised of half a packet of lemon creams, plus some bananas and crisps along the way. By the time I reach Sunland Farm, I was famished. I had been imagining a green salad, potato and a fat steak for the last couple of hours only to find out that there was absolutely no food available, except for beer.

Drowning my sorrows by the bucket load, I had to settle for pasta and sauce mixed with baked beans until I could scavenge some food from the owner's son, Dean, who only returned later that evening.

The Sunland ‘Big Baobab’ is in Modjadjiskloof, near Tzaneen, and famous internationally for being the widest of its species in the world at 22 m high, with a circumference of 47 m. It is carbon dated to be around 6,000 years old. This tree has even made the front page of the Wall Street Journal! After chatting to Dean that evening, more modern testing can only accurately pinpoint the tree as not being younger than 1,700 years.

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When baobabs become a thousand years old, they begin to hollow inside as the core rots away and that’s why dating this particular species is fairly inaccurate. In the ‘Big

Baobab’, this has resulted in wonderful caverns and caves, and is also where you will find the world-famous Tree Bar. The owners have squared off a natural vent to make a door and installed a railway sleeper pub inside the trunk, complete with draft beer, seats and a music system.

One party managed to fit 60 people inside her bark walls! A wine cellar was installed in a second hollow, with a constant temperature of 22°C, and is ventilated by natural vents. In 1993, when the family cleared out the hollow centre of the tree to uncover the floor, they found evidence of both Bushmen and Voortrekkers about a metre below ground level, attesting to the historical importance of the tree.

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One easily forgets how wild and untamed South Africa can be when living in the city.

Travelling so far north through Limpopo, I could easily have been in another African country. The generosity of strangers was absolutely overwhelming. A security guard gave me some of his pap when I had no food and refused payment. A hardware store owner assisted me with some technical issues. An elderly couple and Americans gave me money in support of my cause. Three out of the five places I stayed at gave me a substantial discount.

The only time I felt in any danger was walking close to the lion cages and when I found spiders under my pillow. •

Know before you go: 1.

The Baobab Trail is stage one of the Dragon's Spine; a mountain bike tour from Beitbridge to Cape Point through Lesotho. The guide book ‘Riding The Dragon's Spine’ (by David Bristow and Steve Thomas) is an essential read if you are planning to do the trip yourself.

2.

GPS and laptop make planning your daily route far easier. You can download the suggested GPS tracks from www.dragontrax.co.za. I use an 11” Mac Book Air loaded with BaseCamp and Tracks-for-Africa in conjunction with my Garmin Orgeon handheld device.

3.

There are loads of creepy critters and mozzies in this part of the world. After getting two mosquito bites under those plastic-type bracelets, I now stick to Tabard only. Malaria is a concern so take precautions.

4.

Topeak make awesome cycle touring equipment.

Take care though when doing off-road touring because although the Pannier DryBag DX is waterproof and durable, you need to make sure the metal clips are bolted onto the rack. This prevents quick removal, but I was going nuts as my bags kept on bouncing off on rutted roads.

Topeak gear is available from Trail and Tar in Tokai (www.trailandtar.co.za)

Baobab Trail Day 1: Musina (Baobab Inn) to Popallin Ranch - 69.7 km Day 2: Popallin Ranch to Gundani - 58.4 km Day 3: Gundani to Thohoyandou (Fig Tree Lodge) - 57 km Day 4: Thohoyandou (Fig Tree Lodge) to Middle Letaba Dam - 53.1 km Day 5: Middle Letaba Dam to Sunland Farm - 76.6 km Total distance travelled in five days - 314.8 km

5.

When travelling with dogs, make sure you carry ample water and try and keep them on their usual diet. Rest often! Graze and Weeping Wound Powder, from Herbaforce, is gentle enough to use on the navel of infants and works wonders on dogs paws. Make sure you inspect them every day, as their pads can wear down quickly.

I hope to use this unique experience to raise funds for the animal welfare group Pet Empowerment in Townships (www.pets.org.za). You can find out more about my 'Barking Mad charity cycle' on #BarkingMadSA or visiting www.seanfraenkel.com/ barking-mad/ •

Contact info

Holdfast - www.holdfast.co.za Poppallin Ranch - www.popallin.co.za Gundani Mutsiwa - www.krm.co.za Fig Tree Lodge - www.thefigtreelodge.com Sunland ‘Big Baobab’ - www.bigbaobab.co.za

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MOTORBIKING

Compiled: Shaun Graham │Photos: Cristiano Morello

An interview with

Alex Salvini 2013 Enduro World Champion Class E2

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Alex Salvini may

have only been racing enduro for three years, but the 28-year-old Italian had an outstanding season in 2013 after signing up to ride with THE Honda Zanardo Team on a Honda machine, and at the final E2 Enduro World Championship event in St Flour, France, he took the title on the opening day in difficult conditions.

DO IT NOW caught up with Alex Salvini, to find out more about the man behind the visor.

At what age did you start riding?

I start riding in 1996 when I was 10 years old.

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What was your preferred discipline in your earlier riding days?

When I started, Motocross was my preferred discipline. This is how I started, first for fun and then it became my profession.

How are you finding the bike setup for the season ahead?

Fortunately we can start the coming season from a good base. Regarding the bike setup we have data and information gathered during last season, but of course we are still working hard to improve the suspension setting and the fuel injection maps. Soon we will also get some new HRC parts.

We had scheduled to test it before round 1 but unfortunately I will test them after the first GP because now I'm out for a thumb injury and I'll be back on the bike only for the first round of world championship.

Being the current E2 World Champion, how have you prepared for the season ahead?

Last year I trained alone but this year I want to make a step forward, training with the support of a professional trainer. In December I started to work with my new trainer David Morelli. Besides the work in the gym, I’m used to train a lot with the bike. In January we tested in Sardinia, using the same venue as during last ISDE and then in February we flew to Chile where I had the opportunity to test the new parts and practice with better weather and track conditions. 

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This year, the E2 class is looking highly competitive. How do you feel about the season ahead?

We know that it will be a tough season with many competitors like Meo, Renet and Aubert.

Unfortunately I have recently had a surgery at my left thumb, and for sure the first two GP will not be easy, but the championship is long and I'm confident about my winter training and for the rest of the season.

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Starting as World Champion I don’t think that it will put extra pressure as I always put myself under pressure, because if you want to be the best you must ask to yourself the best. I don’t think that this season it will be more stressful, maybe it will be different compared to last year and the previous years, because I have never been a World Champion, but anyway I will go into the season focusing on doing my best in every race.

An interview with

Alex Salvini 2013 Enduro World Champion Class E2

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Switching over from MX to enduro a few years ago, and the immediate success you've had, what would you attribute YOUR success to?

What would be your typical training regime?

And is there anything you feel could still be focused on?

Yes it's been a quick escalation.

I think my success comes from hard work and my determination to make always a step forward. For example where I live I built artificial extreme test, supercross, motocross and enduro tracks to train and improve my riding skills. Beside that I also think that it’s absolutely crucial to be in the best shape with your head. I will also add the experience that plays a huge part in our sport.

Basically in winter time I make two training sessions every day: I spend the morning in the gym and in the afternoon cardio exercises. I start to ride the bike from the end of January. From that moment I train with the bike almost every day, but I keep on going in the gym and cycling for the rest of the season. I think there is always something to improve, that’s why I have a new trainer and I try to find always some new things to improve my preparation.

With your hectic race/ travel schedule, do you travel home to Italy in-between races?

It depends. If there is two GPs in a row, I prefer not to come back home and to fly straight to the next race, otherwise I fly back home on Monday after the race. We spend a lot of time around the world and when is possible, I try to stay home as much as possible.

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What would you say has been the highlight of your career to date?

There are a few key moments.

These are the highlights of my career so far: when I won the European Supercross in 2004, my first Italian Overall 450cc victory in 2005, the Motocross of Nation 2004 and of course last year in France when I become World Champion.

What do you do to relax in your downtime and off season?

The first thing I do in off season is to take one week holiday with my girlfriend Michela, somewhere but rigorously on the beach, I also like to relax in some nice spa.

In my free time I'm a fanatic of all kind of sport so I play golf, squash, jet-ski and I like to do sport with my friends!

The DO IT NOW team wishes Alex all the best for his 2014 season. •

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MOTORBIKING

Words: Michelle Smith ǀ Photos: Various

Toni leading the pack.

Photo credit: Toni Jardine PR

LADIES QUAD AND BIKE CHAMPIONS TEAM UP FOR

NAMAQUA AFRICAN RALLY

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TAKING A PAGE OUT OF THE EVER-POPULAR DAKAR RALLY EVENT, THE NAMAQUA AFRICAN RALLY IS A FIRST FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA. Offering both bikes and quads the opportunity to compete in a multistage rally, which is taking place from 25 April to 3 May 2014, it is fast becoming one of the biggest events of the year.

Liezel in action.

Photo credit: Elza Thiart-Botes

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THE RALLY KICKS OFF IN CAPE TOWN AND

RIDERS WILL MAKE THEIR WAY TO VREDENDAL, TO START RACING ON THE AFTERNOON OF 27 APRIL. They will cover all types of terrain as they race through the picturesque Namaqua West Coast region of southern Africa, testing both skill and endurance, before completing the race on 2 May and then heading back to Cape Town.

Riders will cover approximately 3,500 km over seven days, so there is no surprise that it has attracted some of the best in the business. Many other riders will be participating purely to experience the thrill of competing over so many days and to put their limits to the test.

As part of this exciting event, Liezel Barnard, the current Ladies Quad Champion, and Toni Jardine, the current Ladies Bike Champion, will be racing as part of the same team under Barnard Vervoer, the company that Liezel owns with her husband Banie. Whilst the ladies will be racing in different classes at the Namaqua African Rally, it is great to see the top two ladies in South Africa join forces and take on this incredible event.

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Photo credit: Elza Thiart-Botes

LIEZEL BARNARD 2013 LADIES QUAD CHAMPION

#L969

At first glance, no one would guess that Carletonville-resident Liezel, who is a wife, business woman and mother to three very busy kids, is the current Ladies Quad Class Champion. Her ability to balance such an incredible life is a clear sign of why, in only five years, she went from getting on a 200 cc Blaster for the first time to winning not one but multiple quad championships in various series and classes in 2013.

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Liezel has achieved so much already and has decided to race the Namaqua African Rally for the experience, with a goal to finish and have an incredible amount of fun doing it. She will be racing on her Barnard Vervoer sponsored Can-Am 1,000 cc Renegade. Liezel is unsure how many more years she will be racing, but says she is nervous and excited and can’t wait to start the race.

Photo credit: Toni Jardine PR

TONI JARDINE

2013 LADIES BIKE CHAMPION

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Toni is South Africa’s two-wheeled rising star and has already made history in several ways. She was the first lady to enter and complete the ever-challenging Roof of Africa in the Bronze class in 2011, at only 19 years of age. She then repeated her success in 2012 by completing it in the more challenging Silver class. Toni’s list of achievements since then has grown each year and is testament to the fact that she is actively competing in the FIM Women’s World Enduro Championships in 2014, at just 21. The future for this young woman is extremely bright.

Not only are events like this rare but having such talented women competing in them is even more so, with only a handful willing to accept the challenge. Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of development in the female off-road riding sectors and we hope to see the number of female competitors grow drastically in the coming years. Women like Liezel and Toni are paving the way for these future riders and will always be ladies to look up to.

Toni comes from a very close and supportive family environment and has worked hard to earn the support of some great companies that also see a bright future for this young woman. The Namaqua African Rally is a dream come true for Toni, who is striving towards her goal of one day racing in the Dakar Rally. Toni will be racing on her Roost/Mr. Move sponsored KTM 250 XCW-F.

SO IF YOU ARE MAKING YOUR WAY OUT TO THE RALLY, LOOK OUT FOR THE BARNARD VERVOER PITS AND COME SAY HI TO THE LADIES. •

Thanks to Motorsport South Africa (MSA), Women in Motorsport (WIM) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) for their continued support.

For more information about the Namaqua African Rally, go to www.namaquaafricanrally.com

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MOTORBIKING

Photos: Zygmund Brodalka

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Dirco van der Westhuizen in the 125 cc High School class.

THROUGH THE LENS

MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS NATIONALS

ROUND 2

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Kerim Fitzgerald has a great weekend in both the MX1 and MX2.

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Monster Full Throttle Yamaha pilot Sacha Naude in MX1.

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Local CT rider Brian Carstens in MX2.

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Botswana rider Ross Branch on his Brother Link KTM in MX1.

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Anthony Raynard in MX2 had a great weekend with a second overall.

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MULTI SPORTS

IT’S AN EVENT THAT IS SO BIG, SO POPULAR AND SO SPECIAL THAT THE ENTIRE WORD IS CAPITALISED.

And while the word iconic is overused and has become hopelessly clichéd, it’s surely permissible, just this once, to use it to describe IRONMAN South Africa.

Words & Photos: Chris Hitchcock

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY IRONMAN SA

One of the highlights of IRONMAN South Africa is the traditional dancing and drums in the predawn light at the start.

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The athletes started the race in three separate waves. This is the start of wave three.

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Sometimes at the start of IRONMAN, a little divine help can come in handy. It certainly doesn’t do any harm to send a request upstairs.

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I AM SURE THAT WHEN THE ORGANISERS OF THE FIRST IRONMAN EVENT ON AFRICAN SOIL FIRST SAT DOWN TO PLAN THEIR INAUGURAL RACE, WAY BACK IN 2005, THEY FULLY EXPECTED IT TO BE A SUCCESS AND TO STILL BE AN ANNUAL EVENT TEN YEARS LATER. I’m also pretty

certain that in their wildest and most ambitious dreams, they didn’t have a clue how massive IRONMAN South Africa would become. Massive not only in the number of competitors entered but also how big the IRONMAN brand and sport of long distance triathlon would become in our country.

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To give you an idea of the scale of this event, ten years ago there were 786 competitors. This year there were 2,371. And there could have been plenty more had entries not been capped for the sake of safety and sanity. Of those entrants, 519 (22%) were international visitors. And a massive 2,085 (88%) were from outside the Port Elizabeth area. It’s small wonder then that given the massive cash injection the event gives to the area that the Nelson Mandela Bay authorities give such great support to this race.

For the uninitiated, an IRONMAN distance triathlon comprises a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and 42 km marathon distance run. While other major South African sporting events may have more competitors to deal with, they don’t have three disciplines spread over a 226 km route, some of it in the sea. It’s a logistical nightmare and requires the kind of planning and attention to detail that would scare NASA mission planners.

There is a group of 21 athletes who have travelled the ten-year path with the race, having entered and finished all ten events. Most IRONMAN athletes ‘do’ one or two events. Some even enter five or six. To do ten is very special. The amount of training and dedication required to achieve that is simply astonishing. Being a lover of stats, let me share these numbers with you.

Four-time winner of IRONMAN South Africa, Switzerland's Natascha Badman at speed.

She would later withdraw from the race.

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IN THE TEN EVENTS TO DATE, THE TEN-YEAR ATHLETES WOULD HAVE EACH COVERED THE FOLLOWING DISTANCES: SWIM - 38 km BIKE - 1,802 km RUN - 422 km TOTAL - 2,262 km To give this some context, these distances are equivalent to: • Swimming, cycling and running from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back.

• Swimming, cycling and running from London to Barcelona and back.

• Jumping down the Bloukrans Bungy 10,472 times in a row.

• Scaling 5,937 Empire State Buildings.

And that’s just the race distances. Training for an IRONMAN is where the real distance and time is put in, and you can safely multiply those distances by 50. It truly is exceptional.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, IRONMAN South Africa shuffled things around a bit to safely accommodate the number of competitors on the course. The swim went from two laps to a single, big 3.8 km slog around Nelson Mandela Bay. The big change though was to the bike leg, where it went from being three relatively flat laps in the past, to two longer laps that included the very hilly new section out to Maitlands and Seaview.

The new course may have been jaw-droppingly beautiful, but the combination of the newly introduced elevation gain and a strong headwind, which is now famously known as the ‘beasterly easterly’, would combine to turn many a racer's day into a localised version of hell on earth. Athletes who previously had planned to return a personal best in their race were now changing their goal to finishing before the dreaded psychological moment; when light turns to dark and the organisers hand out glowsticks to those still left on the course. When the glowsticks come out, there are still 5 hours left for athletes to beat the final 17-hour cut-off.

It’s a very long day out on the road for the athletes. It’s been an equally long ten-year road for the race organisers. For both, there can surely be very little to beat the feeling of satisfaction and achievement that they must feel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRONMAN SOUTH AFRICA. MAY YOU LIVE TO BE A HUNDRED YEARS WITH ONE EXTRA YEAR TO REPENT. - IRISH

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The steep climbs on the new bike course added a new dynamic to the race.

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Germany's Nils Frommhold led from start to finish, to win by over 6 minutes.

RESULTS MEN

1 Nils 2 Kyle 3 Faris

FROMMHOLD BUCKINGHAM AL-SULTAN

WOMEN

1 Simone BRANDLI 2 Lucy GOSSAGE 3 Jodie Ann SWALLOW

Germany South Africa Germany Switzerland United Kingdom United Kingdom

For the full results, visit www.ironmansouthafrica.com

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WATER SPORTS

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is all about ordinary people achieving something extraordinary.

Words: Amy Martindale ǀ Photos: Clipper Ventures & Wembley to Soweto

Competing in the world’s longest ocean race is an intimidating prospect. Imagine being removed from your daily routine, with no contact with friends and family for weeks at a time; often suffering extreme fatigue and exhaustion while tackling Mother Nature’s toughest conditions.

Riding oceans' waves

the

8 South Africans making a difference

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Riding oceans' waves

the

Six young South Africans have now conquered four of the world’s five oceans, overcoming storms, hurricane winds and 10-metre waves during their life-changing adventure.

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Created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-9, the race features twelve 70-foot ocean racing yachts that circumnavigate 40,000 miles of the world’s oceans, visiting 16 ports and 12 countries over 11 months. Paying crew members can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more of the eight legs available. The only qualification for the race is the minimum age of 18, there is no upper age limit. The overall race is divided into individual stages and points are accumulated in a Formula 1-style scoring system. The yacht with the highest total points at the finish wins the coveted Clipper Race Trophy.

Although lifting the Clipper Race Trophy will always remain the common goal that unites the 650 international amateur crew taking part, the Clipper Race has always been about far more than just winning. Taking part in the 2013-14 edition of the race is a group of young South Africans hoping to make a difference. This time last year, the Sapinda Rainbow Project was launched to find and develop eight young community leaders aged 18-23 from across the country. The aim was to encourage them to become a catalyst and role model within their own respective communities and act as future and global ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) while competing in the race.

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Riding oceans' waves

the

Local communities from all nine provinces were encouraged to nominate young candidates to create a tag team for the race. A shortlist of 30 young

people were chosen to participate in a tough selection process over a three-day period, hosted by Sail Africa in Durban, where the candidates were whittled down to eight ambassadors.

The youths taking part came from different backgrounds, some living in the townships after dropping out of school early to try and get a job, yet struggling to find employment.

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Mpaki Pule, donor relations manager with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, was present when the final eight ambassadors were chosen.

She said, "All the young people who participated in the weekend demonstrated the strength of the youth of this country. I think it could make a huge contribution towards achieving Nelson Mandela’s legacy of a world-class specialist medical facility for South Africa’s children."

Since the Race Start in London, back in September last year, five Sapinda Rainbow Project Ambassadors have taken part in the five individual legs that make up the eight-leg race, including a stopover in Cape Town in October. For some of the ambassadors joining the race, this was the first time they had ever seen a boat.

In Cape Town, the ambassadors were reunited for the first time since the summer. They spent a week in the city visiting Robben Island, going shark diving and celebrating the project on Sapinda Rainbow Day at the V&A Waterfront, whilst preparing for the next leg of the race to Australia.

The sixth ambassador to represent South Africa is Nqoba Mswazi, a 22-year-old from Umbilo in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Nqoba joined the race on 16 March on board the Invest Africa entry, to race 5,800 miles of the world’s largest ocean; the notorious North Pacific from Qingdao, China, to San Francisco, USA, spending more than three weeks at sea.

Nqoba is a part-time sailing instructor at Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation and part-time sail maker, and he has crewed in teams participating in professional regattas, including the prestigious Lipton Cup. Before embarking on his adventure, Nqoba said, "I first heard about the Sapinda Rainbow Project and Clipper Race through Sail Africa, who nominated me to be an ambassador. Other sailors I know inspired me to go for the selections and I have also always wished to do an ocean crossing with MSC Team Shosholoza.

"Living in the townships and doing a white man’s sport, a lot of people treat you differently, but now being part of the Sapinda Rainbow Project and taking part in the race I have the respect from people in my community, as well as from other sailors.

"I first got into sailing when Craig Millar, from Sail Africa and a former Clipper Race crew member, came to my school to talk about sailing and starting a youth development programme, as there was nothing in Durban for youths in sailing. I went along and fell in love with the sport. After my programme, I completed a day skippers course and they offered me an assisting coaching programme so that I could coach for other schools. This was a bonus for me because I could also coach my school. From there, I just kept upgrading my qualifications until I got my Level 1 and became a coach for Sail Africa.

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"When I found out that I had been successful in taking part in the race, I was blown away.

I just couldn’t believe it because the competition was hard and the selection panel were looking for many different qualities in the candidates. And even if you could sail that didn’t score you any extra points. So far, the Sapinda Rainbow Project has been a great learning curve for me and there are still lots of other things that I will learn to improve my seamanship skills during the race."

Crossing the treacherous North Pacific has put Nqoba and his fellow teammates to the test, battling against storms and mountainous waves, thick fog and lightning storms as they cross the International Date Line. And for most of the race, the closest other humans to the teams were those on the International Space Station, highlighting the extreme challenge of Leg 6.

The initiative is funded by the Sapinda Group, an investment holding company with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Sapinda's Executive Committee member and CEO of Anoa Capital, Dirk van Daele, participated in the 2009-10 edition of the Clipper Race and saw how it developed young people from around the world in building their confidence and leadership skills. It inspired him to see how he could offer a similar opportunity to young South Africans who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate.

Arriving in San Francisco in third place, the team’s first podium win since arriving in Cape Town five months ago, Nqoba said, "Crossing the Pacific was rough, cold and miserable. Once I started getting used to the coldness, I started to enjoy the race. It’s been a good race, though tough and hard, with a lot of hours. We had to give it all we have because we had to get a podium place. We didn’t do too great at the start but then we saw ourselves in a podium position and had to keep it.

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"Never give up - that is the main thing I have learnt.

Waking up in a warm bunk to put on cold, wet clothes and go out into the cold was the worst thing, but after a few weeks it was natural. I learnt a lot from the other round-the-world crew members and skipper. It is very different to the sailing I do back home. I take part in round the cans races, so all the boats are very close together. During this one, for 25 days the boats are so far apart, something I am not used too. It was a different environment I had to learn to adapt to and it was a great experience for me.

Nqoba added, "The first thing I want to do when I get back is tell my school and the people in my community about what I have just achieved, and hopefully I will upgrade my skipper’s licence because I want to get my Yachtmasters so that I can apply to become a Clipper Race skipper in the future.

"It is quite a big move for me. The whole Sapinda Rainbow Project group are trying to set up a NGO programme for the youth in South Africa and we are developing our plans at the moment, which is really exciting."

Nqoba will hand the Sapinda Rainbow Project Ambassador baton to Mency Modolo, a 19-year-old from Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal.

Mency will race in the PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup from San Francisco through the Panama Canal to Jamaica, before racing back to New York in the United States. • To find out more, visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com

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NATURE

Words & Photos: Greg Gearing

Contouring our way up to the top of the Little Berg.

I RECENTLY SPENT A FEW DAYS HIKING IN THE CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG AREA KNOWN AS INJISUTHI AND WAS STRUCK BY THE REALISATION OF WHAT A GREAT PRIVILEGE IT IS TO LIVE IN KWAZULU-NATAL. We are blessed with such an amazing variety of landscapes, which all offer a unique experience. Over the past three weekends, I have body surfed in the wonderful warm waters of the Indian Ocean, hiked in the cool air of the Drakensberg and paddled down the mighty Tugela River. And I could do all this within a 200 km radius of my home!

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Greg (left) and Gavin (right) ready for day two of the hike.

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THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO RIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP, WE STILL DON’T MAKE THE MOST OF IT. There

are a number of reasons for this, but I think often it’s because we get so caught up in the day-to-day madness of modern life that we don’t make the effort to get out and explore our surroundings. The fact that my latest hike in the Drakensberg was the first in two years was proof of this phenomenon.

A good friend of mine, Gavin Mathews, and I set out for what was meant to be a three-day hike in the remote area of the Drakensberg. The name Injisuthi, which means 'place of the well fed dog', was given to the area by the Zulus who, in the early days, claimed that there was so much game in the area that the dogs were always well fed. It’s not hard to understand why the game loved the area so much, simply put it is wild.

A couple of years earlier, Gavin and I had gone on a hike in the Berg totally unprepared and we starved. Eager not to repeat our former blunder, we stopped off in Estcourt to stock up with supplies before making our way up to Injisuthi.

Judging by the weight of our backpacks we may have over compensated, but we weren’t going to complain.

Having negotiated the rather poor road to Injisuthi (there is a 30 km stretch from the main Loskop Road that is fairly narrow and has plenty of potholes) we arrived at the beautiful main campsite. Nestled far up into the Little Berg, it offers great camping and chalet facilities for those less inclined to sleep high in the mountains.

Owing to the limited amount of hiking we had done in the last couple of years, we had planned to do a moderate round trip, sleeping in two well-known caves; Marble Baths Cave and Grindstone Cave. The route would take us to the top of Little Berg, which boasts spectacular views of the escarpment. Some advice if you are planning to stay in a cave during a hike; make sure you book them in advance, especially in season.

Unfortunately, we had not, which meant we would have to camp in a tent.

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Gavin and Greg waiting patiently for their first cup of coffee for the morning.

WE EVENTUALLY GOT GOING IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON. THE HIKE UP TO MARBLE BATHS IS A RELATIVELY SHORT TREK OF AROUND 6 KM, ALTHOUGH WITH A FULL PACK IT STILL MAKES FOR A GOOD WORK OUT. We began by meandering up the right-hand side of the Njesuthi River before crossing over. There's a cable that has been placed across the river to assist crossing when the river level is higher.

For most of the walk we were in awe of the magnificent views of indigenous forests, which are fairly unique to the Injisuthi area.

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Halfway up to Marble Baths, we stopped in a ravine under the shade of some old yellowwood trees to enjoy a late lunch of fresh bread and chips.

After lunch, we continued up the valley until we rounded a corner and came upon the cascading tributaries that make up the Marble Baths. The river cuts its way through the sandstone and bedrock to create a number of crystal-clear pools and chutes. This is a fantastic spot to spend a day sunbathing and bum sliding. Marble Baths is situated close enough to the main campsite to make it a viable day hike option, but this also means it’s one of the more popular spots in the area.

On of the many pools that make up the Marble Baths.

Our awesome campsite in the Marble Baths valley.

We had hoped that we may get lucky and the cave would be free, but sadly it was taken. With the light fading, we set about finding a campsite for the evening. After exploring the surrounding bush for a short while, we stumbled across a clear patch. Once we had set up camp, we made our way to the pools for an evening swim/bath. There is nothing quite like the cool waters of the Drakensberg to refresh you after a day’s hike.

The beauty of hiking is that the simplest things become great.

For example, a basic meal of couscous and viennas mixed in with a Tomato Cup a Soup tasted like a gourmet meal.

Once we had polished off our delicious dinner we sat under a blanket of stars, shared a whiskey and cigar and became quite philosophical in the process.

Greg crossing the Njesuthi River on day one of the hike.

The next morning we awoke to a clear, bright and sunny day. We spent most of the morning trying out the countless pools and bum slides until a hole in my underpants signalled that we needed to get going. The day began with us climbing steadily as we contoured our way up and into the next valley. The stunning views of the escarpment are extremely distracting and that coupled with the fact that the path is pretty overgrown meant we were soon lost. Having a good map with you while hiking in the Berg is essential, even if you think you know the area well enough, because a slight change in the weather or a wrong turn can get you completely disorientated.

After much bush whacking through the thick indigenous forest, we eventually made it back to the stream and found the path once again.

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A QUICK SNACK BREAK WAS NEEDED TO RE-ENERGISE AND SOAK UP OUR SURROUNDINGS BEFORE WE TACKLED THE STEEPEST SECTION OF THE HIKE, WHICH WOULD TAKE US OUT OF THE VALLEY AND UP TO THE TOP OF THE LITTLE BERG. It was rather tough work and Gavin was definitely feeling the strain because at one stage, he turned to me and asked, “Do you think this hike is tougher than the Comrades?” As tired as I was, I had to respect all those thousands of people who have put themselves through such pain to complete the gruelling marathon, so I politely replied, “No.”

Once we reached the top, we rewarded ourselves with a lunch of cheese, biscuits and biltong - a meal I am sure would motivate most people to climb a mountain.

For most of the hike we had been out of cell phone reception and now, standing on top of the Little Berg, the messages started to come though. Unfortunately it was not all good news; Gavin received a message from his wife to say that four of his cattle had died of Red Water.

We had two options; either hike a little further and spend another night in the Berg, like we had originally planned, or push on and try to make it home later that evening. Being a farmer cattle is Gavin’s livelihood, so the decision was simple. We would try to get back home as soon as possible, to ensure no more cattle died.

Fortunately, from this point on it was all downhill (although going downhill with a full pack is still tough) and we soon breezed past Grindstone Cave on our way to the main camp.

We arrived back at camp in the late afternoon with enough time to take one last dip in the cool mountain river before packing the bakkie and heading to the farm. Although the hike had been cut short, it was still a fantastic opportunity to get out and enjoy yet another wonderful area of our country and I felt as content as a well fed dog! •

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The scenery is spectacular all the way to the top of Little Berg.

NEED TO KNOW

• Booking of caves in advance is recommended.

• A good map of the area you are hiking is essential (these can be obtained from the reception of most of the Drakensberg Parks).

• Always pack warm clothes, even when hiking in summer, and wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes or boots.

• Pack at least one day’s food rations extra.

• The best time to visit is April and May, although June through to September are also good months for hiking if you don't mind the cold.

• Remember to pack sunscreen, a hat and drinking water. Take binoculars if you plan to do a spot of twitching.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The uKhahlamba/Drakensberg was the first site in South Africa to be recognised as both a Cultural and Natural World Heritage Site. When you go hiking in the Little Berg you’ll find out why.

• The Little Berg describes the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg - South Africa’s highest and most spectacular mountain range.

• The Kamberg Nature Reserve in the Little Berg is also home to superb rock paintings.

For more information on the caves and hikes in the Drakensberg, visit www.berg.co.za

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TRAVEL

Words: Sam Bradley ǀ Photos: VisitScotland/ScottishViewpoint

Haggling for haggis

In my mind, Scotland is the land of cruel misconceptions and nasty national clichés. All my life I've Over the summer months sunsets can last a very long time, as can be seen by this picture of daylight slowly fading over Loch Ness.

been told that Scots were stingy, unfriendly, ugly and hard to understand.

So one day I decided to pack my bags and go find out for myself, and hopefully come across William Wallace, bagpipes, kilts, haggis, whisky and all things Scottish along the way.

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Edinburgh city on a beautiful summers day, with the park and castle in the background.

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With lots of enthusiasm, but not much cash, we (being myself, an Englishman, and an Aussie girl) decided to begin our merry adventure in Edinburgh, without doubt the heart of Scotland. Right from the

start, what really blew us away about the city is its history. It’s not confined to museums and dusty old encyclopaedias; it literally knocks you over as you arrive in the city! The buildings are grey and imposing, as if they’ve been there for 1,000s of years (which most of them have).

The graveyard we walked past had a sign telling us this is where the original grave robbers stole bodies for medical research, while our evening pub had originally been used as a place for hanging people 500 years ago. While it’s true that most of these events do have a sort of gruesomeness to them, if you are willing to relax and soak up the atmosphere, Edinburgh really is an amazing city.

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Haggis and whisky: a meal any true Scot would relish.

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The Scottish countryside is beautifully green and lush all year round. Travelling by car is a great way to get off the tourist track and find some of the unique spots.

That being said, there’s a lot more to Scotland than just one ageing and rickety city, so it’s worth taking the trouble to see a bit of the countryside. There are many whisky distilleries

close to Edinburgh, most of which offer tours at a very reasonable price. A proper whisky fan could well be tempted to tour Scotland with a constant hangover, stumbling from one distillery to the next. However, there are plenty of other distractions. For example, St Andrews Golf Course is well worth a visit, even if just to say that you’ve been to the oldest golf course in the world. As you travel further up country the days seem to blend together, which is always a sign of a good, relaxing holiday. Meandering along, in no particular hurry, we passed the most beautiful loch with a whole lot of canoes tied to a jetty. On the spur of the moment, and despite the rain (yes there is one rumour that can be confirmed, even in the middle of summer it rains just about every day!), we piled into the boats for a paddle through the pretty-near-freezing water.

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Further up country, the solitude, beauty and greenery of Scotland starts to take a hold of you. There are many amazing old castles scattered around, seemingly there to remind you that this is somewhere special. We decided to spend a night at the famous Loch Ness, although not because we seriously expected to find its famous monster. Travelling during July definitely has its advantages. One of the highlights of the trip was spending an evening overlooking Urquhart Castle (in reality not much more than ruins) and enjoying a sunset over Loch Ness that carried on until almost midnight.

The town of Inverness, also close to Loch Ness, was where I plucked up the courage to eat my first meal of haggis. The content of this meal is too gruesome to not explain, so allow me to dissect this dish of culinary delights. Haggis consists of the stomach bag of a sheep, into which the heart, liver and intestines are placed. Everything is then mixed together and cut up very fine, leaving a meat that tastes remarkably like boerewors. Served with mashed potato, and without too much thought as to the contents, it makes a very good meal.

From Loch Ness we slowly cruised across to the Isle of Skye. The only reason why I had heard about the Isle of Skye is because it boasts the most expensive toll road in the world, so we were all pretty eager to hand over a ridiculous sum of money and see what was so special about this place. As it turned out, the speciality was in the nothingness. We drove around the whole island looking for something of interest, anything really, and only managed to find a sheep farmer with an accent so broad that he really was impossible to understand (another cliché confirmed some Scottish accents really are unintelligible). That evening in the local pub, we discovered that the locals were really friendly and more than happy to have a drink with us. Finally, some clichés proved false: Scots are not stingy or unfriendly, and they don’t hate the English (at least not the one with us).

The next day we drove down towards the English border, stopping off for a last night in Loch Lomond. A castle had been converted into a backpacker lodge, and the chance to finish off the trip with a night in a proper castle, with turrets and all, was the perfect way to end our Scottish adventure.

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St Andrews Golf Course, the home of the great game.

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Urquhart Castle on the shores of the Loch Ness.

Quick info

Flights: SAA and Virgin Atlantic both fly directly from Johannesburg to Edinburgh.

Must pack items: An umbrella and warm jacket, no matter which season you are in Scotland.

Scotland by car Driving around Scotland is a wonderful way to see more of the country during your trip, and allows you flexibility to come and go as you wish. But before you head out to explore by car, there are a few rules and regulations you should be aware of.

• Visitors from countries outside of the EU can drive in Scotland for up to 12 months - provided their license is still valid in the country it was issued.

• All drivers using roads in Scotland must have at least third-party insurance cover. Non EU drivers must be able to produce evidence of having the necessary insurance cover.

• In Scotland, driving is always on the left-hand side of the road.

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• Seatbelts are compulsory for all drivers and passengers, regardless of where they are sitting. All children under 12, who are under 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) tall, must use a child seat appropriate for their weight.

• Drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol is taken very seriously and there can be heavy penalties for those found to be above the legal blood/alcohol limit.

• Using a cell phone, or similar device, is illegal when driving a vehicle in Scotland. source: www.visitscotland.com

10 things about Scotland 1.

The official animal of Scotland is the unicorn.

2. The shortest scheduled flight in the world is one-and-a-half miles long from Westray to Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.

The journey takes

1 minute 14 seconds to complete.

3. Edinburgh was the first city in the world to have its own fire brigade.

4. St Andrews Links is considered the 'home of golf'. The sport has been played there since the 15th century.

5. Edinburgh was home to Skye terrier Grey Friar’s Bobby, who captured the hearts of the nation by sitting on the grave of his dead owner for 14 years.

6.

The highest point in Scotland is Ben Nevis at 4,406 ft (1,343 m).

7. The very first recorded appearance of the elusive Loch Ness monster occurred in 565 AD, when a 'water beast' attacked one of St. Columba's followers in the loch.

8. Scotland has three officially recognised languages: English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic, with just one percent of the population using the last.

9. The most infamous Scottish dish is haggis. It is not known where it originated, but a similar dish was mentioned in Greece 2,500 years ago.

10. Scotland has the highest proportion of redheads in the world. • source: www.telegraph.co.uk

www.doitnow.co.za • 135

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TRAVEL

Words: Greg Taylor ǀ Photos: Tourism Bureau Livigno

LIVIGNO,

a winter wonderland A BIG PART OF MY ADULT LIFE HAS REVOLVED AROUND SKIING AND HAVING DONE SIX WINTER SEASONS IN THE EUROPEAN ALPS, I’VE HAD THE CHANCE TO VISIT SOME OF EUROPE’S BEST SKI RESORTS. Now I'm the type of

person that has a new favourite ski resort after the first visit, as each place has its own unique character that makes it so special.

But I have to admit though that I have had a bit of a crush on one specific village since 2011.

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LIVIGNO IS SITUATED IN THE ITALIAN ALPS, NEAR THE SWISS BORDER IN THE REGION OF LOMBARDY, AND IS KNOW BY THE LOCALS AS THE ‘LITTLE TIBET’. This

charming resort sits at an altitude of 1,816 m, with a top station of 2,797 m, and enjoys an excellent snow record for skiers and boarders throughout winter due to its position. The resort is known as one of the best-value-for-money ski destinations in Europe because of its duty-free status, but it can be difficult to reach. Three roads lead to the town, one of which is often closed during winter as a result of snow. The best airports to access Livigno are Malpensa and Zurich, where transfer times are from three to six hours. But this is a small price to pay for the many wonderful attributes that Livigno can offer holidaymakers.

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LIVIGNO,

a winter wonderland

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AS A SKI RESORT, LIVIGNO IS PERFECT FOR SKIERS AND NON-SKIERS. BOASTING

115 KM OF MARKED PISTE, WITH MORE THAN 63 RUNS (BLUE - 32; RED - 25; AND BLACK - 6), LIVIGNO CAN BE APPRECIATED BY ALL ABILITY LEVELS. IT'S ALSO VERY CHILD FRIENDLY. The village stretches along a 14 km drag and has two ski

areas on either side that can be reached by a short stroll or by bus, definitely the better option if ski shoes are involved. Both mountains are individually owned, so there is fierce competition to constantly out do the other in terms of more modern lift systems and unique features. Both Mottilino and Carosello have done well to not only compete with each other but stay up to date with modern lifts, with the exception of one or two that are due for an upgrade. The lifts are reasonably fast and don’t have the long queues you find at many other resorts.

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LIVIGNO,

a winter wonderland

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LIVIGNO ALSO FEATURES A NUMBER OF SNOW PARKS RANGING IN DIFFICULTY FROM BEGINNER KIDS TO EXPERT, OF WHICH ONE IS RATED IN

THE TOP FIVE IN EUROPE. WITH WIDE, WELL-GROOMED RUNS, OF WHICH THE MAJORITY ARE BLUE AND RED, THE SKI AREA IS BEST SUITED TOWARDS BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE SKIERS.

And with the growing popularity of free-ride skiing and boarding, the designated free-ride areas, as well as constantly updated snow reports and off-piste guides, are available to thrillseekers wanting to try the more extreme side of skiing.

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While the skiers are carving it up on the mountains, non-skiers can indulge in some retail therapy. Thanks to its duty-free status, this bustling, traffic-free centre offers good value stores and designer boutiques, as well as a variety of vibrant cafes, rustic bars, and good restaurants that provide après-ski options. Husky sledding, snowshoe walking, ice climbing, ice karting, and horse riding, or a visit to the impressive Aquagranda Spa centre or a day trip to the town of St. Moritz are just a few other non-ski activities on offer.

With plenty to keep the adults busy and entertained, this winter wonderland caters for the kids too. Livigno has gone the extra mile to establish play areas, snow tubing, devil carting (snow racers on designated track), drift go carts, ice driving, snow mobiles, and a husky sled dog village, to mention a few. It’s a destination that has something for everyone.

Although the après-ski scene here is not quite the same as in Austria, there are still good times to be had at Alegra and Starlet, situated at the bottom of the Carosello 3000 gondola.

Dancing on tables is encouraged, thus making it hard to pass by without stopping for a Bombardino or glühwein. And as this is an Italian resort, the selection of restaurants is vast and sitting down for a three-hour meal is encouraged. As they say, "Do as the Romans do when in Rome."

The entertainment does not end there, as the nightlife is awesome for all ages. With such an infectious holiday atmosphere, you will struggle to find yourself not visiting Club Bivio, Micky’s Pub or Birrificio 1816 for a drink at the highest brewery in Europe.

Every time I return to Livigno, the experience is so different, constantly changing and evolving, and leaving is always hard. All and all, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze when it comes to this resort and I can highly recommend it to anyone. Whether it’s your first or fifth ski trip, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. •

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about planning a trip to Livigno, visit www.pureskiing.co.za

QUICK FACTS

• Flights: Lufthansa, Swiss or Emirates airlines • Accommodation: Contact Pure Skiing • Best times: From December to April • Beginner’s skiing: Very good • Intermediate skiing: Excellent • Advanced skiing: Good • Food and drinks: A soft drink or hot chocolate will cost you approximately EUR2.50, while a medium pizza costs EUR6.00 and a two-course meal EUR12.00.

• Night life: Very good • Family friendly: Yes • Kids’ club: Yes • Ski lessons: Yes

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NATURE

Words: Alan Hobson ǀ Photos: Courtesy of Angler & Antelope

All the equipment mentioned in this article.

FLY FISHING FOR BEGINNERS WHEN ANYONE TAKES UP A NEW HOBBY IT IS ALWAYS A TOUGH DECISION AS TO WHAT EQUIPMENT YOU SHOULD BUY WITHOUT BLOWING THE BUDGET, JUST IN CASE YOU DON’T GET INTO THE SPORT. WITH SO MUCH

INFORMATION AND AS MANY POINTS OF VIEW ON THE INTERNET, IT IS EASY TO BECOME CONFUSED. SO WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Aspiring fishermen are usually apprehensive about signing up for lessons or a clinic in case they make a fool of themselves. Well, the good news is that in fly fishing, there is no such thing as a bad cast. As long as you get your fly in the water, you have a chance of catching a fish. Children hold very few inhibitions in experimenting with new things, a lesson adults should adopt because old dogs can be taught new tricks.

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Fly fishing equipment.

FLY FISHING FOR BEGINNERS FLY FISHING IS ALL ABOUT SCIENCE AND NATURE, AND THE SKILLS OF CASTING WITH A FLY ROD ARE COMPLICATED WHEN WE ADD OURSELVES TO THE EQUATION. The principles of transferring energy by

using a flimsy fly rod to cast a fly, mostly made of fur and feathers that weigh very little, is easy to understand. However, when you are standing with the rod in your hand and there's a vast expanse of water in front of you and bush behind you, your hand-eye coordination somehow disconnects. The thought that a fly, which looks like a 'little gogga', when presented onto the water and twitched can fool a fish, sounds like a plot for an alien movie.

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EQUIPMENT

Visions of goggas and aliens aside, the art of fly fishing is simple, really.

To enjoy this wonderful sport, all you need to get started is a fly rod, a reel spooled with backing (extra line), and some insect-looking things called flies that are connected by your tippet to the leader.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ENTRY-LEVEL COMBINATION SETS (CONSISTS OF ROD, REEL WITH BACKING, LINE AND LEADER, AND A FEW FLIES) AVAILABLE, WHICH ARE NO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A PREMIUM BRAND OF SNEAKERS OR JEANS. Although

fly fishing also boasts a range of very desirable brands, countries in the East produce very functional equipment at good prices. When deciding what

combination set is right for you and fits your budget, my best advice would be to visit a fly fishing speciality shop and ask the salesman to supply you with a starter kit based on your specific needs. To give you some idea of what you are in for, you can pick up an entry-level kit from as little as R500. But your money, roughly R1 500, would be better spent on equipment good enough to last several years.

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HERE ARE SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES

TO HELP YOU MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

RODS

The equipment used to fly fish is scientifically based. For example, rods are generally made from carbon fibre, the same material used to build the cockpits of aeroplanes, which is very strong and flexible. An all-purpose rod would be a #5 weight rod. This describes the rating of the rod to be able to cast a specific weight of fly line. Rods are weighted from 000 weight, being extremely light, up to 14 weight, being very heavy and strong. The lighter the rod, the smaller the fly you can present and the lighter the tippet to be used, with a diameter the same thickness as your hair.

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LEADER AND TIPPET

The leader and tippet are a strong, durable, transparent material between the end of the fly line and your fly, usually monofilament, and essential for catching fish. They allow for a smooth, invisible presentation of your fly, yet are strong enough to bring in that large fish you have been trying to catch. Using the correct leader and tippet is just as important as using the correct fly.

Fly selection.

ROD WEIGHT

The weight of a rod also has a bearing on the strength of the rod, as it determines the size and weight of fly you can cast. The lighter the rod, the less pressure you can exert on the fish, which means you will usually use a light rod to catch smaller fish. The heavier the rod, the bigger the fish one targets using a thicker diameter line with a much greater breaking strain. For example, you would use a #12 to #14 weight rod to catch a sailfish. Therefore, a #5 weight rod will allow you to target most fresh-water species in our waters.

REEL

The reel usually matches the rating of the rod, and it determines the size and diameter of the reel. A reel is not simply a device to store line; it has a drag, and a breaking system that allows you to put pressure on a fish to stop it from swimming away when fighting it. Normally, we have some backing, called Dacron, on the reel for the odd occasion your catch-of-a-life-time tears off into the deep.

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FLY FISHING FOR BEGINNERS FLY LINE

Your fly line also has a specific rating, usually matching the weight of the rod, so that the rod is capable of casting that weight of line. You can use either a floating, intermediate, or sinking line. The fly line is made of Dacron, which is coated with plastic and either impregnated with air bubbles to make it float or tiny chips of tungsten to make it sink. The amount/weight of tungsten chips determines how fast the line sinks.

Usually, an intermediate line will sink at a rate of 1-2 inches per second, and the sinking line up to 7 inches per second. Whilst fishing, it is always a good idea to count your line down to determine at what level the fish are feeding.

COACHING

When starting out, it is advisable to engage the services of a professional to teach you the correct way to cast, as old habits are always the most difficult to change. Having said that, it is more important just to give it a try. The satisfaction of being able to present your fly where you intended

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it to go, fooling the fish in its own environment, feeling the adrenalin rush of the fight, and having the privilege of releasing the fish for someone else to catch is indescribably rewarding.

ACCESSORIES

In addition to the equipment mentioned above, there are a few other items you should think about purchasing to make your fishing experience more enjoyable.

SUNGLASSES

Sunglasses provide UV protection for your eyes, but just as importantly, they will stop that fly from hooking in your eye. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, ensure they are polarised because this will reduce the sun's glare off the water.

Still water in Somerset East.

NET

A net not only makes landing your fish easier but when used correctly, it is actually better for the fish as well, as you can keep the fish in the water when removing your fly, thus reducing the stress on the fish.

FLY BOX

Store and organise all your flies in a fly box. There are various styles to choose from that offer either individual compartments to hold several flies or they come with a soft styrofoam-type material that you can hook your flies on. The choice is yours.

HAT

Don't leave home without a good quality, wide brimmed hat. When it's hot, it will protect you from those killer rays and when it is cold, it will help keep the head and ears a bit warmer. A hat can also keep that errant fly from snagging your head.

EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

Visit www.completeflyfisherman.co.za or www.africanangler.com, two world-class local fly fishing magazines that feature most of the speciality stores countrywide, as well as a range of specialist and services available.

These magazines are available online or at a variety of outlets that sell magazines.

WITH THESE TIPS, YOU ARE NOW READY TO TAKE YOUR FLY FISHING EXPERIENCE TO A NEW AND EXHILARATING LEVEL. • www.doitnow.co.za • 155

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Words: Andre Bekker

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MULTI SPORTS

WHAT DOES A REAL COACH LOOK LIKE, WHAT SHOULD HE DO AND WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT OF HIM? IF THESE QUESTIONS HAVE CROSSED YOUR MIND, THEN READ ON. A real coach is someone who has a deep rooted, intrinsic understanding of sport. In most cases, this doesn’t mean that for a coach to be good he has to have many titles behind his name. Take Rafael Nadal’s uncle as an example. He hasn’t won any French Open titles, yet Rafael has won many. Why? His uncle has a great understanding of what is required to be a champion.

So, behind every champion is a good coach that can identify and work with the athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, without forcing their own strengths and weaknesses onto the athlete. Therefore, my first point is this, find a coach that makes you, your needs and strengths a priority!

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SECOND: a coach will be

able to guide and assist you with setting your goals.

Short-, medium- and long-term goals are all there as stepping stones to help you reach your ultimate goal. If you don’t have an ultimate goal, then don’t bother with a coach because you are aimless.

THIRD: make sure the

coach is an expert on the subject matter. The legendary Brownlee brothers run with runners, cycle with cyclists and swim with swimmers. Therefore, a triathlon coach will assist you to find these experts, as I have never seen a tri coach that is an expert on all the disciplines.

Most tri coaches I know of, know one sport and wing it on the others.

FOURTH: clearly distinguish

between a coach and programme writer. A coach is actively involved with the athlete. See him regularly so he can monitor your training, running style, cycling positions, swimming strokes and so on.

Depending on which sport he is an expert on, don’t be afraid to communicate with other expert coaches if more than one sport is involved. Triathlon is not one sport! It is three sports combined to make one whole.

Make sure you get expert advice for each discipline, otherwise you will find yourself surrounded by mediocrity.

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FIFTH: a real coach is performance

driven, not outcome driven. Performance coaches are people that focus on execution at all times. The better you execute, the more you will improve and the more you will enjoy what you do. If you are outcome driven, such as socially inspired, you need a coach that puts training groups together. These are people and coaches that will, for example, congratulate you (outcome) on finishing third in your age category when there were only five participants, while in reality you were substantially off the pace. In this equation, there is no mention of execution; the focus is on the position. How often have you seen an interview with a top-class winner and he says that he could have played better or that he made mistakes? He focuses on execution at all times and the fact that he won is secondary. So make sure you find a coach, not a social group to stroke your misplaced ego. Socialise all you want, but you don’t need a coach for that.

that will drive improvement at all times. This could be improving your 15h00 IRONMAN time or your 8h00 Comrades’ time. If you don’t want to improve, then don’t get a coach as you will be wasting his time. A good coach will send you on your merry way very quickly. If you are a participant and think you are a winner just for pitching up at the race, you don’t need a coach! It’s a two way street; a good coach needs and thrives on your successes.

SEVENTH: a coach should

have a range of experts he can refer you to, such as physios, dieticians, bike setups, swim, run and cycle experts and so on. Who else will guide you?

Surround yourself with experts, it rubs off on you.

EIGHTH: a coach is someone that can

analyse and put improvements and results into perspective. Look for places to improve and pat your back when you have done well.

CAN YOUR COACH DO THE ABOVE? • If you have any questions or need advice on coaching, please email Andre Bekker on a.bekker@mweb.co.za or visit http://5thdimensioncoaching.co.za

www.shutterstock.com

SIXTH: a coach is someone

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HEALTH | FITNESS

Words: Peter Fairbanks

THE 2014/2015

budget and you The first quarter of 2014 has passed by in a flash

and if you still haven’t had time to digest what the 2014/2015 budget means to you and what effect it will have your daily life, here are some of the highlights.

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THE 2014/2015

budget and you

INCOME TAX:

INDIVIDUALS AND SPECIAL TRUSTS TAXABLE INCOME 0 - 174,550 174,551 - 272,700 272,701 - 377,450 377,451 - 528,000 528,001 - 673,100 673,101 and above

(R) RATES OF TAX 18% of taxable income R31,419 + 25% of taxable income above R174,550 R55,957 + 30% of taxable income above R272,700 R87,382 + 35% of taxable income above R377,450 R140,074 + 38% of taxable income above R528,000 R195,212 + 40% of taxable income above R673,100

• The tax-free portion of annual income received is as follows: • Under 65 years: R70,700 (previously R67,111) • 65 to 74 years: R110,200 (previously R104,611) • 75 years and older: R123,350 (previously R117,111) • The basic interest income exemption remains unchanged at R23,800 and SARS is in the process of implementing the ‘tax-preferred savings account’ system, which I understand will be tax free if invested in it.

More details are to follow, to give us a clearer understanding of what was proposed.

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• If you withdraw from a Retirement-, Pension- or Provident Fund before retirement age, the first R25,000 will be tax exempt.

Thereafter, the current scales will apply. What’s also in the pipeline is the fact that you will have to preserve all or a portion of Provident Fund monies at withdrawal stage. This could be a saving grace for many South Africans because in the past, you were able to withdraw all the cash from any of the funds listed above prior to retirement, and this ‘early access’ has been a large contributor to our nation’s elderly people living in poverty.

• The good news for everyone who has been diligently saving for their golden years is that when retiring from the abovementioned funds, as of 1 March 2014, the first R500,000 will be tax exempt. This once again shows how committed government is about building and supporting citizens to provide for themselves.

If you haven’t picked up on this in the last five years, then you are missing some great opportunities to invest and need to see a broker a.s.a.p.

• From next year, you will no longer be able to claim your income protection contributions as a tax deduction. However, if you do claim, the benefit will be tax free.

• From 1 March 2015, the tax dispensation for Pension-, Provident- and Retirement Funds will be aligned as follows: You will be able to deduct an amount equal to 27.5% of

taxable monthly income, to the maximum of R350,000 per annum, in total, from all of these funds.

Your employer’s contribution will be deemed a fringe benefit

as from next year.

If you have any questions concerning the above, as always, I encourage you to contact your Financial Advisor. •

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MAKES HOT COOL. LITERALLY.

© 2013 Columbia Sportswear Company. All rights reserved.

SWEAT-ACTIVATED COOLING Sweat smarter with Omni-Freeze® ZERO. Sweat reacts with blue rings to lower the temperature of the material.

Others will feel heat. You’ll feel an arctic blast.

CO LU M B I AS P O R TS W E A R . CO. Z A

ENTERTAINMENT

Words: Johlene Lehnberg ǀ Photos: Courtesy of Danie de Wet, OBiKWA, Fleur du Cap, Paul Cluver, Simonsig

THE ABC OF CHARDONNAY IT'S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS WINE AGAIN

www.shutterstock.com

Chardonnay might have originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, but today it is one of the most widely planted varieties in the world.

In South Africa, it has had its ups and downs with over-wooded examples a decade or more ago spawning the ABC (anything but Chardonnay) brigade. With winemakers applying more gentle oaking to this marvellous grape variety, this is thankfully all in the past now and Chardonnay is most certainly making a comeback.

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MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE CHARDONNAY WITH DELICIOUSLY OPULENT, DRY WHITE WINES, BUT IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE NOBLE VARIETIES USED IN THE MAKING OF CHAMPAGNE, OR MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE AS BOTTLE-FERMENTED SPARKLING WINE IS CALLED IN SOUTH AFRICA. Even though white wines are usually not aged in wooden barrels, this gorgeous grape loves a touch of oak. Wooded Chardonnays are buttery and fuller on the palate with plenty of vanilla, smoky, and toasty flavours. A great wooded Chardonnay will always be balanced with a lovely acidity.

Wooded Chardonnays are usually rich and full-bodied and do not have to be served ice cold, making it a great alternative to red wines during the chilly months.

On the flip side, Chardonnay can also be unwooded, which basically means that the wine is not aged in barrels. The result is a refreshing, crisp wine with lots of fruit flavours that can include anything from apples and pears, to citrus and melon.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

CHARDONNAY IS THE IDEAL FOOD PAIRING WINE, BUT THERE ARE THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND FOR A PERFECT MATCH. CHARDONNAY IS NOT A GREAT FAN OF HOT, SPICY DISHES OR SHARP INGREDIENTS, SUCH AS VINEGAR, SO BEST TO AVOID THIS COMBO. Try your unwooded Chardonnay with gently flavoured risottos and pastas, such as spaghetti drizzled with olive oil and pesto, fresh oysters, light salads, and freshwater fish.

Wooded Chardonnay can stand up to richer dishes in creamy sauces, such as shellfish stews, snails in garlic butter, or even mild coconut curries. •

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HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES TO GET YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND WHO KNOWS, PERHAPS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LOVE AFFAIR WITH CHARDONNAY: FLEUR DU CAP BERGKELDER SELECTION CHARDONNAY This medium-bodied Chardonnay is highly fruit driven, whilst the wood adds to the fullness without dominating it. Beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity is complemented by a lingering finish. Try it with rich fish dishes, especially shellfish and geelbek (Cape salmon) or a creamy curry.

Cellardoor price: R55

SIMONSIG CHARDONNAY

PAUL CLUVER CHARDONNAY

On the nose this wine shows complex hints of citrus and butterscotch. The palate is fullbodied with a silky texture that tempts with layers of ripe apple, roasted almonds, and toasty French oak ending in a long, dry finish.

This wine begs to be enjoyed with seafood.

Try it with fresh wild oysters, fish curry, creamy crayfish pasta, or a shellfish salad.

Cellardoor price: R90

This Chardonnay is pure royalty.

Fermented naturally, with no added yeast, it has developed beautifully.

After maturation in French oak barrels for nine months, the wood is perfectly integrated yet the palate remains crisp with ample citrus fruits. Try it with creamy pastas or salmon dishes.

Cellardoor price: R150

OBiKWA CHARDONNAY

DANIE DE WET CHARDONNAY SUR LIE A great example of an unwooded Chardonnay, this wine was matured on the lees (the spent yeast cells after fermentation has been completed). It is a zesty lemon-flavoured wine with a grapefruit, yeasty, nutty aftertaste.

Try it with seafood and salad.

Cellardoor price: R57

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As a pocket-friendly alternative, easy drinking OBiKWA Chardonnay is soft on the palate with ample layers of fresh, fruity pear and peach. It bursts with flavour and is known to encourage lots of laughing, talking, and smiles. If you're looking to crack open a bottle of OBiKWA Chardonnay, try it with salad, poultry, or cured meats.

Recommended price: R30

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Compiled: Sarah Kobal and Marieke Viljoen

Winter warmers Winter has started to extend her icy tentacles, so if you are looking for some great comfort-food recipes, then read on.

STARTER SERVES 6

Asparagus and Bacon Tarts INGREDIENTS: • 1 packet of diced bacon • 1 big onion • 150 g margarine • 140 g flour (5 heaped tablespoons) • 1 tin asparagus • 950 ml milk

• Parsley • Mustard • Salt • Red pepper • 4 eggs (separated)

METHOD: 1. Fry the onions and bacon and keep separate.

2. Melt the butter and fold into flour. Mix in the milk and liquid of asparagus (drain asparagus). Add everything else and the egg yolks. Beat egg whites until they are stiff and fold into the mix.

3. Bake for 40 minutes on 350°C until golden brown.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MAIN

SERVES 4

Muffin-topped Winter Beef Stew INGREDIENTS: For the stew: • 500 g braising steaks, cut into bite-sized chunks • 2 tbsp plain flour, seasoned with pepper and a little salt • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 450 g carrots, cut into chunks • 2 large parsnips, cut into chunks • 1 bay leaf • 2 tbsp sun-dried or regular tomato paste • 300 ml red wine or extra stock • 450 ml vegetable stock For the topping: • 225 g plain flour • 3 tsp baking powder • 140 g cheddar, coarsely grated • 2 tbsp olive oil • 150 ml milk

METHOD: 1. Heat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/gas 2.

2. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole. Toss the beef in seasoned flour and fry over a high heat until browned all over. It’s easiest to do this in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of water and the onion to the pan, stir well over a medium heat, scraping up the crusty bits from the bottom of the pan.

Lower the heat and fry gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions have softened.

4. Tip in the carrots, parsnips and bay leaf, then fry for 2 minutes more.

Return the beef to the pan, stir in the tomato paste, wine if using, and stock, then bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 1¾-2 hours until the meat is tender. This can be made up to 2 days ahead or frozen for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before topping and baking. Take out of the oven and increase the temperature to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas 5.

5. To make the topping, sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl and add half the cheese. Mix the olive oil and milk, then stir into the flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add more milk if necessary. Spoon the dough over the meat and vegetables, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for about 15 minutes until golden, risen, and cooked through.

Source: www.bbcgoodfood.com

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DESSERT SERVES 4

Caramel Apple Crumble INGREDIENTS: • 8 eating apples, peeled, cored and cubed • 6 tbsp Carnation caramel cream • 50 g plain flour • 50 g porridge oats • 50 g cold butter, diced

METHOD: 1. Heat oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.

2. Put the apples into a saucepan with a splash of water, cover, then cook over a high heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring now and then until just soft. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the caramel, then tip into small ovenproof dishes. Dot small spoonfuls of caramel cream over the apples until only 1 tablespoon is left.

3. Mix the flour and oats together, then rub in the butter with your fingers until you have a crumbly mixture. Stir in the remaining caramel and scatter over the apples.

4. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and crisp on top.

Source: www.bbcgoodfood.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za

MOVIE TITLE

SON OF GOD Director: Christopher Spencer Starring: Christopher Spencer, Darwin Shaw and Sebastian Knapp

HIGHLIGHTS

Acting of the support cast.

RECOMMENDED FOR Fans of The Bible series.

VERDICT It is very difficult to criticize a story about God; to criticize a representation of something that will no doubt affect and move millions across the planet. It is something that could make you feel like you are refusing the divine word of God by noting problems with the script, let alone the acting, direction and representation of something that is deemed holy. Son of

God is a feature film that is a collection and a climax of the History Channel’s ambitious and comprehensive 10 hour series simply entitled The Bible produced by the mighty Mark Burnett.

Overall it was aesthetically pleasing, other than Jesus’ hair, the production design, Moroccan setting and make-up made it believable and authentic. Even the obvious computer generated Jerusalem was easy to forgive. On a whole, it was not the most inspiring rendition of the Jesus story that has been created but it is a much better rendition than other biblical films.

Throughout the credits ran sequences of the series and gives the impression that this is much more suited and effective as a miniseries, as opposed to a lengthy feature film that feels more like a trailer to the miniseries.

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MOVIE TITLE

RIO 2

HIGHLIGHTS

Director: Carlos Saldanha Starring: Anne Hathaway, Bruno Mars, Jamie Foxx and Jesse Eisenberg

RECOMMENDED FOR

Extremely entertaining.

Whole family.

VERDICT When we were taken on a journey to Rio back in 2011 to witness the coupling of what was believed to be the last two blue macaws in the world in hopes of keeping the species alive, I would’ve been the first to tell you that a sequel to that movie would probably be a mistake. 3 years later, Rio 2 is released and I‘m so glad the directors and producers of the animation decided to have another go because I have never been so entertained.

This movie was absolutely spectacular! Having been disappointed by the first instalment, I wasn’t expecting much from Rio 2 but was completely blown away. From the happy go lucky celebratory singing to the incredibly colourful 3D animation, Rio 2 was a huge winner in books.

With twists and turns and a host of comedic dialog, I was glued to the screen as the story very creatively unfolded. Being cooped up in a cinema filled with kids is not my idea of fun (you never really get to enjoy the movie because someone is always crying) but the buzz and excitement that was constantly in the atmosphere was enough to convince me that the film had hit the nail on the head in terms of catering for its target audience.

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GAME TITLE

METAL GEAR SOLID V:

GROUND ZEROES Developer: Kojima Productions Publisher: Konami Genre: Action, Adventure, Stealth

HIGHLIGHTS

Gameplay and graphics.

RECOMMENDED FOR Fans of the series.

VERDICT

When Metal Gear Solid 2 was released way back in 2001, it had a short, prologue mission, before the main mission began. This prologue was used as a demo in the time running up to the main games release, and was included on the final product as part of the story. Flash forward to 2014, where the first part of Metal Gear Solid 5, Ground Zeroes, of comparable length to that demo in some areas, is released as a separate product, albeit at a reduced price, but still as its own piece. Is this justifiable? In some ways yes, in some ways no.

Ground Zeroes mostly serves as a hype machine for The Phantom Pain next year, and it does a remarkable job at that, I now cannot wait for more MGS action on the next gen consoles. But its value depends on how much you want to explore every nook and cranny, if you are the type to do so, it is worth its asking price, if you usually just do the campaign, don’t buy it full price.

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GAME TITLE

INFAMOUS: SECOND SON Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Developer: Sucker Punch Productions Genre: Action, Adventure

HIGHLIGHTS

Delsin is a fun character.

RECOMMENDED FOR Fans of the series.

VERDICT

Can it be true? Can the Prophets have spoken true? Has the age come at last where a first-party exclusive title is released for the PS4? Oh yes friends, it has indeed, in the form of a sequel to the best non-DC/non-Marvel superhero videogame franchise ever.

Delsin is a fun character, and is perhaps a bit more dynamic in his approach to life than Cole was, and is quite fun to listen to. However, the downsides of this game are largely that the plot is much weaker, and that there is very little to do after finishing the game, you end up with an almost-ghost world, inhabited only by screaming or cheering pedestrians. Second Son is a worthy inclusion in the franchise, and is a wonderful superhero simulator and a very good exclusive title for the PS4. It just isn’t life changing, but that’s alright too.

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GAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 Genre: Action Developer: Beenox Date: April 2014

BOUND BY FLAME Genre: Action Developer: Ubisoft Date: May 2014

WATCH DOGS Genre: Action Developer: Ubisoft Date: May 2014

MOVIES TO LOOK OUT FOR

3 DAYS TO KILL

Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller Director: McG Starring: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard and Hailee Steinfeld Date: 1 May 2014

THE OTHER WOMAN

Genre: Comedy Director: Nick Cassavetes Starring: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate upton Date: 1 May 2014

DEVIL'S KNOT

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama Director: Atom Egoyan Starring: Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Dane Dehaan Date: 9 May 2014

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READER'S

ALL THESE FINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL NON FICTION

FROM AARDVARK TO ZUMA Alex Latimer

Beginning with 'Aardvark' and ending with 'Zuma' (with all sorts of animals, brands, characters, places and plants in between), this book captures and alphabetises the essence of South Africa. A remarkable achievement for such a small book, don't you think?

R95.00

A HIGHER CALL Adam Makos

Five days before Christmas 1943, a badly damaged American bomber struggled to fly over wartime Germany. At its controls was a twenty-one-year-old pilot. Half his crew lay wounded or dead. Suddenly a German Messerschmitt fighter pulled up on the bomber's tail - the German pilot was an ace, a man able to destroy the American bomber with the squeeze of a trigger.

R190.00

THE DEATH OF MONEY James Rickards

In The Death of Money, Rickards explores the future of the international monetary system.

The international monetary system has collapsed three times in the past hundred years.

Each collapse was followed by a period of war, civil unrest, or damage to the stability of the global economy. Now James Rickards explains why another collapse is rapidly approaching.

R300.00

THE DIVING Helen Walne

Popular columnist Helen Walne tells of her tortuous relationship with her brother, Richard, who couldn't resist the lure of death. Beautifully told, it is an achingly personal account of the inner turmoil of those who are left behind after a loved one's suicide, and of dealing with grief, fear, isolation and depression. But it also tells of hope, recovery, and learning to live without the person who has left them.

R230.00

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S CORNER

L GOOD BOOK STORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BLOODY LIES

Calvin Mollett & Thomas Mollett This book takes head-on one of the highest-profile murder cases in recent South African history. In 2007, Fred van der Vyver was acquitted of the 2005 murder of fellow student Inge Lotz. He then sued the police to the highest court for malicious prosecution – and failed.

R230.00

A HIPPO LOVE STORY Karen Paolillo

In 1992, when her geologist husband was sent to a remote bush camp in Zimbabwe at a time of severe drought, Karen Paolillo stepped in to save the lives of a group of hippos who were going to die. With help from the British animal charity Care for the Wild International, she raised over 26,000 pounds to feed them and give them their own artificial water source as their habitat, the Turgwe River, had completely dried up.

R230.00

CHILDREN

HELLO KITTY’S BIG ADVENTURE: MY FIRST STICKER BOOK (Age 0+3)

Come and explore the magical world of Hello Kitty! Are you ready to join Hello Kitty on her amazing adventure in this fun sticker scene book? Follow her journey from the park to the farm, funfair, beach - and more!

R115.00

W.A.R.P: THE RELUCTANT ASSASSIN Eoin Colfer (Age 9+)

It all began with the FBI and WARP (Witness Anonymous Relocation Programme). Hiding witnesses in the past to protect the future - until now. Riley is a Victorian orphan, hurtled into the twenty-first century and on the run from his evil master... Albert Garrick, the terrifying assassin-for-hire pursuing Riley through time, along with... Chevie Savano, the FBI's youngest and most impulsive special agent.

R140.00

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