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FOR MORE INFO: Shannon 082 925 3023; www.africanraptor.co.za
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Meat And More At THE MIDLANDS FOOD MARKET
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Situated on 60 hectares of scenic valley bushveld and just half an hour’s drive inland you’ll find the mesmerising African Bird of Prey Sanctuary. This community conservation facility opened its doors in 2006 and is a safe haven to a wide selection of South Africa’s indigenous raptors. Visitors can experience these magnificent aerial predators in flying displays that take place from Wednesday to Sunday at 10.30am. The demonstrations allow the raptors themselves to become both teachers and ambassadors for their wild counterparts, so we can experience these normally rare and elusive birds first-hand. Behind the scenes is Raptor Rescue, an
onsite hospital dedicated specifically to treat sick, injured or orphaned birds of prey from throughout KZN. The sanctuary is also home to the only captive Bearded vultures in the southern hemisphere, and part of a breeding programme to save this critically endangered species from extinction. It is estimated that only 400 of these magnificent birds remain, living high up in our Maloti-Drakensberg mountains that separate
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Rocky van Rensburg runs a biological farming system at Three Little Pigs farm in Curry’s Post, which practises mixed rotational grazing. That means all animals pass through all the paddocks at some time. Sheep, chickens, pigs and cattle are all on the ground, never inside. “We also don’t use any chemicals to control weeds or pests. This means our animals produce far more natural meat with much higher vitamin, mineral and good fats content than any commercial meat,” explains Rocky’s son Allan – who runs the Midlands Food Market store in Hillcrest. “My mom, Charmaine, prepares our Romesco olives, olive oils, tapenades and pestos – all with local ingredients, and the range is hand processed and packed by an all-lady crew,” adds Allan, explaining that Real Meat Co changed their name to Midlands Food Market to show that they weren’t exclusively a butchery anymore, but now offer a wider variety of products. The Farmyard Cafe is run by 1000 Hills Chef School trained Mienke Labuschagne – famous for her made-from-scratch pies and scones. The coffee is great too, so this is a place to sit down to have a conversation with the staff or catch up with a friend, before you tackle your weekly deli shopping. “We are a full service butchery and will cut, roll, debone and marinate as you need. Kyle Eksteen, our manager, is an experienced cook and can recommend roast sizes and cooking styles and flavours,” says Allan.
FOR MORE INFO: 083 652 9401; 3 Builders Way, Hillcrest; www.realmeatco.co.za
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Beautiful And Educational OUTDOOR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
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the border between Lesotho and South Africa. Breeding just once a year in winter, the elusive pairs lay two eggs, but only raise one chick. The challenging aim of the project is to harvest 20 to 30 second eggs from the cliff-face nests to hatch and raise at the sanctuary. This breeding group will form a genetic reserve, and their progeny will be released back into the wild to supplement the dwindling population. The sanctuary’s tranquil, park-like environment is ideal for family visits, and there’s also a coffee shop, playground and bunny enclosure. Adults R70, kids R40, pensioners R60. Open Tues-Sun 8.30am – 4pm, and vulture feeding takes place on weekends and public holidays at 12.30pm.
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KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
