Local is lekker

LOWVELD

ISSUE 74 | DESIGN 19R30.00 (incl VAT)

L I V I N G

THE DESIGN EDITION

9 771813 621003

explore your backyard

Hazyview is a lush, green sub-tropical farming town famous for its banana and macadamia nut plantations. It gets its name from the shimmering haze that occurs during the heat of Lowveld summers

Hazyview is home to numerous lodges, restaurants and activities and is the gateway to the Kruger National Park, being home to Numbi Gate, Phabeni Gate and Paul Kruger Gate. Lowveld Living gives you the low-down of top spots you must visit and explore.

Skyway Trails, located in Perry’s Bridge Centre, offers the aerial cable trail and the rope adventure park. www.skywaytrails.com

Numbi Airfield is home to the Aviation Adventures Flying Club. Become a member and enjoy scenic flights in a microlight. wallydaveen@mweb.co.za

There are two destinations that allow elephant interactions in Hazyview. These are the Elephant Sanctuary and Elephant Whispers. www.elephantsanctuary.co.za, www.seasonsinafrica.com

Artefunto Art Gallery sells contemporary art and furniture. They are renowned for using a 1000-year-old traditional method of manipulating wood to create their canvases. www.artefunto.com

Skyway Trails, located in Perry’s Bridge Centre, offers the aerial cable trail and the rope adventure park. www.skywaytrails.com

Shangana Cultural Village Tours: The beautiful traditional villages of Shangana are owned by the Mapulana community, who present their traditional way of life. There are various tours available. reservations@shangana.co.za

The Lowveld Reptile Centre is made up of Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park and Lowveld Venom Suppliers. It boasts a varied selection of reptiles from across the globe, as well as a fascinating display of amphibians and arachnids. These include crocodiles, pythons, anacondas, mambas, rattle snakes, cobras, tarantulas, toads and lizards. Facebook/Perrysbridgereptilepark

Summerfield Rose Retreat & Spa is a 5-star luxury retreat on the Sabie River. It comprises secluded tented suites, two award-winning restaurants, a luxury spa, macadamia and litchee orchards and more. Booking is essential. www.summerfields.co.za

Lood Wentzel’s Environmental Walks on Waterberry: Lood offers ecowalks to the public in Hazyview. There are specially selected trails, which are easily accessible with unspoilt natural surroundings. The walks are easy, relaxing and informative and take about two hours. Lood Wentzel: 078 225 9260, www.ecowalking.co.za. www.waterberryhill.co.za

Induna Adventures is for the adrenaline junkie. Think white water rafting, geckoing, quad biking, zip lining, paintball and more. www.indunaadventures.com

There are great walking trails in the area such as the Matumi Trail from the confluence of the MacMac, Sabaan and Sabi Rivers.

Jeremy Wostenholm’s Seronera Crocodile Farm Tours: Seronera Crocodile Farm is a working farm that offers the opportunity to view thousands of crocodiles on a farm, which is beautifully treed and has abundant birdlife. They run a 90-min tour which starts at 09:30am. Booking essential. Jeremy 083 459 0733, www.seronera.co.za

8 LOWVELDLIVING #74

eat & drink

100% Lowveld

Mosquito Coast (the drink, not the book) is the very first tonic homegrown in the Lowveld. We chat to producers Andre Okes and Claire Ellis Words Nicky Manson

After being schooled in the Lowveld and exploring the big wide world, Andre and Claire have come full circle back to the Lowveld. They have travelled extensively and Andre spent some time in the Champagne region of France, learning to make champagne. Here he learnt the importance of bubbles in your drink. The famous Dom Perignon coined the phrase, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars”, and according to Andre, so should every tonic have the right amount of bubbles. “Therefore every bottle is 200ml to ensure each portion is consistent, he explains. “And we have used glass as plastic is polluting our world.” Why produce a tonic? We wanted to create something unique to the Lowveld. We live right next door to one of the greatest

attractions in the world, the Kruger National Park. What do we do there? Sundowners at a watering hole. The current gin boom has also created a market so we decided to create a complementary tonic. After many tastings with neighbours, friends and family, we believe we have created a well-rounded tonic, suitable for all hand-crafted gins. Everyone has a Mozambican memory that includes RnR and Tipo Tinto tales; we hope that Mosquito Coast mixers will create similar memories in this region. What’s in the name? Given our geographical location and proximity to Mozambique, Mosquito Coast was always going to be the only name. This heritage dates back to 1852 when English soldiers in India were administered quinine to cure malaria. They added sugar and

alcohol to make it more palatable and so mosquitos and tonic have always gone hand in hand. What’s inside it? This is a fun product, which is available in pink, blue for the brave and of course the original. It has its very own luminescent glow which is synonymous with a natural quinine from the Cinchona Officinalis Tree. Our tonic is very well balanced on the sugar /acidity ratio with a little punch of bitterness (quinine), making it the perfect mixer for a memorable sundowner. We have added natural colourants for effect but not taste. Where can we buy it? Mosquito Coast is available at most Tops and Liquor City in Mbombela, as well as several restaurants and various private lodges and the Kruger National Park main camp shops. We are proudly Mpumalangan and Proudly South African. Our slogan is “Taste the adventure” and we hope the Mosquito Coast mixers will not only be part of your next adventure but also help you to create new memories. INFO 079 942 1899, andre@mosquitocoast.co.za, Facebook/Mosquito Coast Beverage Co

Photo Jolians Photography

WIN a case of multi-coloured Mosquito Coast tonics. Email your contact details to info@ lowveldlivingmagazine.com and put “ Mosquito” in the subject box. Closing date is May 31, 2019. Ts & Cs apply.

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drink

TrendsetterThis month we are drinking Vriesenhof Chardonnay. Trend forecasts strongly suggest that Chardonnay will soon replace Sauvignon Blanc as South Africa’s favourite white wine. Winemaker Nicky Claasens has been tasked to take Vriesenhof into the future. “We see ourselves as caretakers of the vines and believe that if our grapes are at home in the land, they will tell their own story.” Vriesenhof Unwooded Chardonnay 2017 spent 10 months in French oak barrels, and as a result has aromas of dried pear and peach. Hints of green apple and gooseberries hover on the palate with a lingering minerality on the finish. Vriesenhof Chardonnay 2015 is lighter and bursting with fruit. www.vriesenhof.co.za

eat & drink

Favourite pairing Nederburg’s Heritage Heroes The Young Airhawk barrelfermented Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is described by white-winemaker, Elmarie Botes, as having, “layered flavours of gooseberries, green figs and minerality, coupled with complexity and slight creaminess. It provides an apt counterpoint to slightly spicy dishes.” The Heritage Heroes is a gourmet collection of handmade, ultra-premium wines, each individually named to honour legends who have shaped the winery. The Young Airhawk honours the late son of Johann and Ilse Graue: talented young winemaker, Arnold Graue. He loved speed, action and adventure and showed his bravery from an early age. Absolutely delish with chef Pete Goffe-Wood’s SALT AND PEPPER SQUID SQUID.

Ingredients: 360g squid | Flour seasoned with salt and pepper | 20g rocket Method: Dredge the squid in the seasoned flour and drop into the deep fryer until crisp and golden brown. Arrange the rocket on the side of the plate. Place the fried squid in a pile next to it.

Jalapeno & coriander dipping sauce Ingredients: 4 egg yolks | 2 tblsp pure honey | 2 tblsp Dijon mustard | 500ml canola oil | 50ml lemon juice | 6 finely chopped chillies | 1 handful roughly chopped coriander | salt & pepper Method: Put the egg yolks and mustard in the mixer. Slowly add the oil and honey, and as it begins to thicken, add a little of the lemon juice. If the mixture is still a little thick then thin it out with a dash of water. Add all of the chopped ingredients and season to taste.

style

the brains behindcalvary skulls

Yolandi Diesel, 33, is the talent behind the intricate and extraordinary designs of the animal skull. She studied Human Resources and Labour Law and is a self-taught bone artist. Lowveld Living learns more

Words Nicky Manson

Tell us about your business. I create hand carved and engraved animal skulls, bones and horns. How did you get your name? I thought it to be very fitting, calling myself Calvary, as it is the place where Jesus was crucified. Calvary typically means “place of the skull”. I see my art as a second chance for these beautiful animals. Skulls are, after all, nature’s sculptures, and then I give them a new “skin” and a story because in the end when we die, we all become stories. Who is behind the company? My husband Warwick Diesel and I. He creates the steel stands, displays and brackets for my skulls. How did you get into this line of work? I have always had a natural urge to craft and create, experimenting with different mediums like paint, mosaics and polymer clay. I have an obsession with skulls so about five years ago I decided to carve an animal skull, and from there my inspiration and love for these bones just grew into this burning passion. I actually believe they rather chose me. What is your process? I acquire my skulls from taxidermists, or clients send their own skulls to me to be carved. I will then sketch out the design onto the skull, and start carving. A medium sized skull takes around 40 to 50 hours to complete. The finished product will then have the horns treated and polished, and the skull will be sealed with a dustproof solution. And to client preference, I like to add real metal leaf in gold, silver or copper. How do you choose your designs? My designs are based on the size and form and texture of the skull. I also like the owner to tell me about their interests for inspiration for the design, sometimes it’s even a family name or company logo. Other than that, I let the skull guide the design. What is your favourite item in your range? I’d have to say the American Indian design I did on a Sable antelope. The only brief I got was, “I’ve always loved American Indians” and I carved the whole skull into howling wolves in the full moon, bear paws, Indian tribal designs and feathers. That’s what I love. For the skull to tell a story! Are you planning on extending your range? I am always coming up with new designs, and have only been busy fulfilling custom orders. I am planning on carving a whole new collection of pieces that will be available for purchase. How can we buy your stuff? My workshop and gallery are based at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre.

INFO 072 665 7041,Facebook & Instagram/Calvary Skulls, calvaryskulls@gmail.com

DESIGNISSUE | 2019 41

Local is lekker

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