the Muse - Jun 2015 by the Muse magazine by Pinelands Directory

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PINELANDS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE issue

52 | June 2015

L A I C E P S UR E FEAT E &

H O M EN G AR D

PETER EDGE

FREE SPIRITED TRAVELLER

THE COST OF CONVENIENCE

MONEY MATTERS

SPICEY Heleen BAKED PEARS Meyer

DIVING IN THE Community MALDIVES Travellers

LOURENSFORD Out and ROASTERY About

WELCOME Readers Are Leaders Day with Class 2E at Pinelands North Primary School. Thank you for the wonderful cards you made for us! You took so much time and even drew our magazine cover on the card and you said such kind things about us. Above: Greater Flamingo

WHERE DID ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE GO?

BIRDS IN PINELANDS

The chorus of the Jack Johnson song goes…

One of the more glamourous birds to grace Pinelands is the Greater Flamingo, which can be see along the Black River when the water levels are just right. These pink and white birds are especially distracting when taking the Pinelands / N2 offramp off Raapenberg Road. They feed on tiny crustaceans in the water and travel far to arrive here: the only place they breed regularly in Southern Africa is the Makgadigadi salt pans in Botswana! The smaller Lesser Flamingo sometimes occurs among them but has an all-dark bill and is pinker in colour.

Where’d all the good people go? I've been changing channels, I don't see them on the TV shows. Where’d all the good people go? We got heaps and heaps of what we sow.. We are fed such a rich diet of gloomy news and opinions by the media and people around us that it is easy to believe that the world is becoming darker by the day when that is not necessarily so. (Load Shedding excepted). Things seem worse than they really are because of the constant and extended coverage of any sensational or horrific event. The many, many simple, inspiring, interesting and kind things done by good people every day, everywhere, are not seen as 'newsworthy' so they get little coverage, but they do happen. To answer the question then – I don't think that all the good people went anywhere – they are still here, all around us, but we just don't hear enough about them. From the start of the Muse we have always had a firm determination that it would be a positive publication to help build the village spirit and introduce people to each other. There is an over-supply of high society, sensational and hard-hitting media and we don't think we need to add to it. Picking up on the ending of the chorus, we prefer to sow the small, undervalued news and stories which can grow into heaps and heaps of better things. So, If you know of people whose lives, interests or travels everyone should hear about, please do tell us about them. You could even tell us about yourself! We are always keen to feature positive stories about the wonderful people of our suburb, but we rely on all of you out there to make us aware of them. I hope you enjoy this edition!

Max Schutte Editor Max Schutte Photographer and Writer Glynnis Schutte Regular Contributors Heleen Meyer Freelance Food Consultant Callan Cohen FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology Carol Booth Cannons Creek Independent School Sue Torr Crue Consulting

Next Muse Edition: July 2015 Content Deadline: 19 June 2015

Contact Us tel • 021 531 3324 cell • 073 644 1288 email • muse@pinelandsdirectory.co.za post • The Muse, 12 Rhone, Pinelands, 7450 News, photographs, stories and ideas can be submitted to The Muse Magazine by email at muse@pinelandsdirectory.co.za. The Muse reserves the right to select articles for inclusion and to make alterations to submitted contributions. Our Rate Card contains advertising and circulation details, publication schedules and deadlines and artwork requirements. View our Rate Card on our website: www.pinelandsdirectory.co.za.

© Copyright reserved. All editorial content and graphics are copyright and may not be copied, republished or re-used without the express permission of The Muse Magazine, which reserves all rights. Parts of this publication may also be subject to separate copyright by other parties.

June 2015 | the muse | 1

Text and image by Dr Callan Cohen, research associate at UCT's FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, bird book author, and director of Birding Africa tours: www.birdingafrica.com.

Buying, Selling or Letting Property?

CALL US TODAY!

Harcourts Maynard Burgoyne Pinelands 021 531 3041 Southern Suburbs 021 531 0993

Now in Howard Centre

www.harcourts.co.za

June Special

SERVED UNTIL 11am

Goodys Breakfast

was R29.90

Now R25.00

Come on

When We’re still in for our the power COOKING! tasty food goes off with gas We are

open

Millside Park, FREE DELIVERIES TO Morningside, Ndabeni SURROUNDING AREAS

021 531 6398

for orders over R30 Mon - Fri • 9am - 3pm

Tony’s

052.indd 1

18/05/2015

DONATE BLOOD AT ST STEPHENS

The WPBTS will run a blood donation clinic at St Stephens Church Hall from 3pm to 7:15pm. Allow 30 minutes. Eat a balanced meal beforehand. Date subject to change. The July clinic will be on 2 July. 1:53Call PM 021 507 6300.

RONDEBOSCH PARK MARKET

I will offer you cash for any of these items:

GOLD (even scrap gold) remember when you lost that

earring and buried the other in your jewellery box? SILVER from scrap jewellery to silver teasets MEDALS Boer War, WW1, WW2 inc badges & buttons. COINS remember the old tickey, sixpence, shilling, 5 shilling and R1 coin from the 60’s? POSTCARDS up to 1945 (1900-1920 are best) CUPS & SAUCERS duos & trios (plate, cup & saucer) OLD TOYS Schuco, Dinky, Meccano etc. BRASS & COPPER who still wants to clean it?

Call me… my number is 083 775 00 55 … you stand to earn some cash for those old trinkets, bits & pieces that no longer serve you.

email: destony@telkomsa.net

PINELANDS

TENNIS CLUB

Come to the corner of Campground and Sandown Roads, Rondebosch, between 9am and 2pm where you can buy a selection of crafts, clothing, jewellery, food and much more.

24 June 2015

PINELANDS STAMP CIRCLE

Meet at 7:15pm in the activities hall of the Pinelands Library. The main event will be exhibits by members of material relating to the 2nd World War. An exhibit of post marks by John Horner will also be displayed. One page exhibits will be anything starting with the letter D. Visitors and those interested in stamp collecting are always most welcome at any of our meetings. Call John 021 531 1954 or Martin 021 689 5050.

24 June 2015 STEEL MAGNOLIAS

The 12/05/2014 10:25 AM

Beginners to top league players. 7 to 70 years

GREAT 8 courts, change rooms, FACILITIES clubhouse, licenced pub, resident physiotherapist for juniors to adults

COACHING A SOCIAL Social tennis and leagues SPORT Midweek and weekends CONTACT

4 June 2015

13 June 2015

TREASURES

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Regular social functions

Secretary Merle Blakey-Milner 083 270 4115 Coach Norman McCarthy 083 593 1385

www.pinelandstennisclub.co.za

cancer support group for ladies is hosted by cancer survivors Catherine and Yolandi, at Peak Inn Guest House, 20 Peak Drive, at 7pm. Call 073 207 7022 or 072 040 7563.

22 June - 27 July 2015 'READING BEARS FRUIT' AT PINELANDS LIBRARY

Pinelands Library is running its much anticipated annual Reading Programme from Monday 22 June to Monday 27 July.

This year the theme is “Reading bears fruit”. The 5-week programme enables children from 6 to 13 years of age to discover the wide range of wonderful books freely available in the Library and to develop a love for reading. All entrants will be required to have a library membership card to register at the start of the programme. A prize-giving event will take place in August. For more information, please visit the Library or phone 021 530 7160.

PINELANDS STREET CAMERA PROJECT The Section 21 Company Registration: NPC 2015/091736/08 is now complete and has a new bank account. Residents who have been waiting for this arrangement to be finalised now have what they need to contribute to this worthy project. The new banking details at Standard Bank are Account Name: Pinelands Street Camera Project NPC. Account Style: Business Current Account 271 774 738. Generic BC: 051001. Swift: SBZA ZA JJ. Peter Anders says "We have had a few contractual delays with regards to the placement of poles, but are back on track and with a bit of luck we should see the first two camera positions up and running by the end of May, with Morningside, Sunrise Circle, and the rest of the 1st phase being erected in the coming weeks. The mast on Garden City Heights is up and ready, which will relay the Wi Fi to the Pinewatch control room." For more details contact the PSCP secretary at info@pscp.co.za.

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! email muse@pinelandsdirectory.co.za.

Send content for the July 2015 edition by 19 June 2015. R100 will ensure placement in the calendar.

June 2015 | the muse | 2 48 Forest Drive Service Road, Pinelands

Positively Pinelands Average Property Prices in Pinelands Escalate Dramatically

Pinelands

R3.150m

Pinelands

R2.450m

Pinelands

R4.395m

Thornton

R795 000

Thornton

R750 000

Pinelands

R2.550m

UNDER OFFER

The longer a home stays on the market, the bigger the difference between the asking and selling price. Do not price your home out of the market, and remember the old adage of “the first offer is often the best”. How often have we seen sellers reject early offers only to be sorry at a later stage!

R750 000

RENTALS

UNDER OFFER

If one looks at online portals such as Property24 and Private Property you will notice a lack of homes available in the affordable segment of the Pinelands market, those between R2m

Correct pricing is the single most important thing to get right if you are a serious seller. It is a given that every seller will want a price higher than most buyers will want to pay.

Thornton

SALES

RECENTLY SOLD

The number of visitors to our show-houses when a property first comes on the market has more than doubled and the amount of enquiries, depending on asking price, via our online portals have increased threefold over that of a year ago. Homes correctly priced and those under R2.5m very seldom go on show or stay on the market for more than 30 days.

and R3m. Last Sunday there were 11 houses on show in Pinelands of which only three were priced below R3m. Some of those above R3m have been on the market for more than 3 months with no takers. So the question that I am asking myself is whether the sellers-market is starting to run out of steam. I hope not, but only time will tell!

Mandy Butler

079 499 3351 RECENTLY SOLD

The price of the average home in Pinelands, now at R2.5m, has shown a remarkable increase of more than 17.5% since the beginning of 2014 and a staggering 8.8% in the last 5 months. It is now almost impossible to find a basic 3 bedroom family home for under R2m.

Pat Peat

083 290 1331

Should you be considering selling please contact us. Our agents are only a phone-call away.

Featured Property: Pinelands

UNDER OFFER

Julie Meyer

083 288 8481 Office 021 531 7507

083 987 7673 Office 021 531 7507

*R2.995m

4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

This sunny and bright 4 bedroom home offers plenty of space and accommodation. Large lounge with inter leading dining room. Good flow from the living areas and bedrooms. 2 Bathrooms. Updated spacious kitchen with access to the garage. Lovely back garden. Wendy house with electricity. Priced to sell. A must see for the serious buyer. WEB REF 352981

NEW LISTING

Perfectly priced in Olde Pinelands

UNDER OFFER

Kathy Anderson

Second Floor︱Howard Centre︱Pinelands︱Phone: 021 531 7507︱pinelands@seeff.com ︱

SeeffPinelands

An owner managed beauty escape

HAIR NAILS FACIALS WAXING EYELASH EXTENSIONS SPRAY TANNING

JUNE SPECIALS

VISTA NOVA PASSION FOR SPORT

VITADERM FACIAL book any facial and receive a free one for a friend. HAIR SPECIAL wash, cut & blow for R200 DELUXE PEDICURE including Gelish for R220

phone: 021 531 5327

www.urbantherapy.co.za Sunrise Park, Prestige Drive, Maitland

Dr Louise Wigens Dr Ryan Cholwill

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COMMUNITY NEWS

20/05/2015

Finding joy through engaging the body and mind energetically is the ultimate goal of Vista Nova Sport. The dynamic and driven students are offered a wide range of sport opportunities including cricket, soccer, athletics, archery, tennis, swimming, table tennis, athletics, PC sport, chess and Cross Country Athletics – competing against schools from near and far. Cross Country Athletics is a popular sport at Vista Nova Primary and High Schools. Annually we have approximately 15 athletes who participate in the Southern and Central zone of Cape Town. The venues range from the reasonably flat terrain of Pinelands to the ‘mountainous’ Jan Van Riebeeck High School track on Signal Hill. We have a number of athletes who have progressed in the LSEN division to Western 2:37 PM Province and national competitions.

June 2015 | the muse | 4 Our soccer Derby Matches against Tafelberg High kick-started in 1998 when Mr Glen Birtles initiated the soccer program at Vista Nova and the two special schools established a cross league fixture. Tafelberg had the upper hand in the early days but Vista Nova steadily developed to become admirable adversaries. The crosstown rivalry did not let up, even when the WP LSEN Soccer league was established in 2003 or when Tafelberg moved from Sea Point to Bothasig in 2010. The 2015 Derby was held on Friday 15 May at Phillipi Football Stadium for the first time, adding prestige to the performance of our young champions. Load shedding during the early under 14 game and a light drizzle did not put a damper on the enjoyment or quality of the football. The under 14 team scored 1-0 to Vista Nova. The under 16 team scored 2-3 to Tafelberg. The girls team and the under 19s each drew with one and two all respectively. By Lauren Bates, Glen Birtles and Petra Anderson.

The Vista Nova Cross Country Team

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

Medical Aid Rates CareCross Approved PRACTICE HOURS

Mon - Fri 08:30 - 17:00 Saturday 09:00 - 12:00

Phone 021 531 4111

Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands www.westendmedicalsuite.co.za

HelenKeller

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15/06/2013 6:24 PM

S O C I E T Y

E S T. 1 9 5 8

A Retirement Centre and Low Vision Services

Retirement Centre Community Services Resource Centre Low Vision Service Full Nursing in Care Centre (temporary or permanent) Assisted Living in Home & Askew Suites Independent Living in Cottages Links Drive, Pinelands, Cape Town, 7405 Private Bag X25, Howard Place, 7450 Phone +27 21 531 5311 Fax +27 21 531 8275 E-mail management@helenkeller.org.za Web www.helenkeller.org.za

Pinelands & Thornton

021 531 0773

PRINCIPALS' ARTICLE

WHAT MAKES OUR CHILDREN FEEL SAFE?

No matter what our social or financial standing, the most important thing that makes our children feel safe is to be loved.

By Carol Booth Principal of Cannons Creek Independent School

PROPERTIES

Thinking of selling or WE DO IT renting your property? ALL THE TIME! SALES AGENTS

Richard Smith 083 557 7515 Linette Smith 082 466 1825

SHOW YOUR CHILDREN YOU LOVE THEM

Our behaviour towards them will illustrate this. We should strive to be cheerful, happy and make their environment a positive one. We need to give them hugs as such a small act is very precious. We need to smile at what they do. We need to react positively to their attempts as even the smallest of tasks is worthy of praise. Constant praise makes them feel good. It gives them the concept of self-worth and that will give them confidence.

Central Square | Pinelands www.jawitz.co.za

* asking price

UNDER OFFER

DISCIPLINE QUIETLY AND FIRMLY

When they do something wrong, we should not scream at them or use a ‘nasty’ tone to our voice. We should endeavour to keep calm and quietly and slowly explain that it is their behaviour that is unacceptable and not them. So many times parents admonish their children when their behaviour in public is unacceptable by smacking or pulling them by their arms. This is embarrassing for them as much as it is for you. I am not condoning incorrect behaviour but one must stop, think and direct one's response to children, quietly and firmly and explain that the behaviour is unacceptable. If you state that you will go home, leave the shopping excursion immediately, even if that means that you have to leave a trolley full of goods, then do that! Show your children that you keep to your word and that they are not just idle threats. Do not promise them something if they will just behave – if this is done then they will have the upper hand when you next go out and the behaviour will be repeated.

Pinelands

*R4.500m

*R4.650m

SOLD BY US

Thornton

Pinelands

*R890,000

TO LET

Thornton

*R1.450m

LET BY US

EXPECTATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES

If poor behaviour happens in a restaurant, remove the child. Yes, it may mean that one of the parents will not eat their supper whilst it is hot but the more important lesson is that you will remove your child from the venue if their behaviour is incorrect, and they too will have to eat cold supper. When you attempt the next outing to the restaurant, go through all the expectations that you require and will insist on, before going out. Explain the consequences so that they know what will happen. There is nothing worse than a badly behaved child at a restaurant where the public are attempting to enjoy a dinner out, even if it is a child friendly restaurant.

SET BOUNDARIES

One always needs to look at the circle of our so-called freedom. It is only our freedom to do as we wish if that circle does not cross the boundary of another person’s freedom. If it does, then we cannot encroach on theirs. Once your child knows the rules and what is expected of them, they will surprise you!

SECURITY ENCOURAGES CONFIDENCE AND GOOD SELF ESTEEM

Contrary to what we think, children need to have boundaries. It makes them feel safe as they know what they are allowed to do. It is also good to have routines and we should try to adhere to them as much as possible. If there is a special event, by all means change the routine but return to it as soon as possible. It gives children a sense of security and when they feel secure and know what to expect whilst receiving the love with hugs, words and praise, we have confident children who have good self-esteem. 

June 2015 | the muse | 5

Pinelands

R18 000 pm

Thornton

R9 200 pm

RENTAL TEAM

Craig Watt 082 410 9720 Annette Mouton

Administrator

Qualified Tenant Database and Profile Network Affiliation

Council Accounts Collection • Legal Process Expertise • Maintenance

PROPERTY POINTERS

FINANACIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS Many home buyers and current new home owners are unaware that first time home buyers may qualify for a housing subsidy under the FLISP grant. FLISP stands for “Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Plan” initiated by the Government to assist first time home owners in acquiring their own homes. It is available to all first time residential home buyers who earn between R3 501 - R15 000 per month and whose home loan has been approved, (as a pre-requisite) as well as current first time new home owners (who have already taken transfer). Current new home owners must apply for the assistance within 12 months of taking ownership. If first time buyers do not investigate and make use of the opportunity they may be losing thousands of rands by not claiming the FLISP subsidy, and also losing out on reducing their bond repayment and term of their bond.

M a c l e od ’s At t or n e y s

ATTORNEYS | CONVEYANCERS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATORS

021 788 1439

COMMUNITY NEWS

June 2015 | the muse | 6

Dr Elri de Villiers Need dental or oral care help?

DENTIST Visit us for some friendly advice or a quote. Surgery Hours Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm

A friendly practice providing a full range of dentistry for young and old

5 Ajax Way, Pinelands

Forest Drive HOWARD CENTRE

call 021 531 3695

Duncan

Ajax Way

Easy access and parking

devillierselri@gmail.com

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READERS ARE LEADERS AT PNPS The annual PNPS Readers are Leaders Day held during Book Week was a complete success, thoroughly enjoyed by the children who were read to by various invited guests from the community. This year the Grade 7's were able to listen to Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille, who read extracts from Nelson Mandela - Long Walk To Freedom. After the readings, the children were given the opportunity to ask the readers about their occupations and favourite books. The emphasis is on the importance of reading and why it is an integral part of their future success. A few of the guests did a lucky draw where some learners won books and other prizes. Max Schutte took the Grade 2's through the construction of a story of their own making, and how illustrating with pictures adds to the story. The school also has a dress up day where children dress up as their favourite book characters; and another day where parents come and read to the classes.

Above - Invited Readers from Left: Candice Botha, Ryan Termorshuizen, Tracey Fraser, Sean Fraser, Lucy O’Connell, Gill Haiden, Brandan Reynolds, Patricia de Lille, Glynnis Schutte, Rose Casserley, Max Schutte, Kosma Von Maltitz, Rustum Fortune and Twala Ngambi. Below - The mayor with school staff From left: Ann Morton, Patricia de Lille, Sarah Holman and Valentine Nefdt.

20/01/2014 9:24 AM

PINELANDS

R2 995 000

PINELANDS

R3 300 000

PLUMSTEAD

R2 175 000

SOLE MANDATE

IMMACULATE FAMILY HOME

4 Beds • 2 Bath • 1 Gar

Glorious wooden floors, 3 beds, 3 baths, lounge, fire place, dining area, TV room, entertainment room with braai & movie screen, huge pool, outside flatlet, garage, wide driveway plus security! Cindy Sarandis 071 081 4413 • Web 302679049

Property Associates Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

OLDE PINELANDS

4 Beds • 2 Baths • 1 Gar

Cottagey 4 bedroom (mes) home. Open plan family lounge/dining room/kitchen with scullery, his and hers office/study, garage, double carport and large back garden. Mary-Anne Venter 082 415 5640 • Web 302697149

FABULOUS MODERN HOME

3 Beds • 2 Baths • 1 Gar

Master bed (es), family bath to relax in. Clean functional kitchen plumbed for appliances, inviting pool, entertainment area, garage, carport + additional parking behind gates. Hugh Smith 072 760 7900 • Web 302694689

Pinelands 021 531 4477 www.remax.co.za

Better Life Home Loans

Harcourts Maynard Burgoyne Southern Suburbs

T 021 531 0993

COMMUNITY NEWS

www.harcourtsmaynardburgoyne.co.za

ANNUAL TEA AT KELVIN GROVE

Celebrating the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital ‘Legacy of Excellence’, guests at the annual Circle of Life morning tea held at Kelvin Grove on 12 May were treated to more than tea and cake. Legacy supporters were entertained by three esteemed speakers: Georgina Harwood, who celebrated her 100th birthday in March, kicked off proceedings with a video showing her jumping out of a plane to mark her turn of the century. She described growing up during World War II and witnessing the war veterans dedicating their salaries to build the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in 1946. She said, “It is a beautiful building, I am proud to be a South African and I am proud to be here.” One of the founding trustees of the Children’s Hospital Trust, Professor David Beatty, spoke to guests about the Trust’s phenomenal track record of completing all projects on time and within budget as well as the fact that 100% of money raised by the Trust goes directly to the projects and programmes that it fundraises for. He also spoke of how the Trust’s inception in 1994 saved the Red Cross Children’s Hospital from shutting its doors, providing much needed funding for building projects and affiliated programmes. One of the world’s most sought-after strategic analysts, Clem Sunter, then took to the stage, describing trends and gamechanging events that could affect all South Africans in the future. He said that in today’s society, ‘pockets of excellence’ were crucial. “This Hospital is a world-class facility and the work that the Children’s Hospital Trust does is an example of excellence,” he said. Sunter added that by supporting causes such as the Trust, people were making a most significant difference. Leaving a Legacy: The aim of the Annual Circle of Life morning tea, this year, was to truly celebrate the Red Cross Children’s Hospital’s ‘Legacy of Excellence’. Head of the Circle of Life Legacy programme, Liz Linsell, invited guests to be a part of the Circle of Life programme so that they too could leave a legacy of excellence. Special Guests: A crowd of over 100 steadfast supporters joined the Children’s Hospital Trust at the Annual Circle of Life morning tea this year. Guests were entered into a special raffle, with the first prize consisting of a two-night stay at the Rovos Rail St James Guesthouse worth R8 000. Marilyn and Martin Crawford, who have raised over R250 000 for the Trust, walked away with the main prize. If you wish to donate or would like further information call 021 686 7860 or email cht@chtrust.org.za.

FOR SALE

Mowbray

FOR SALE

*R3,500,000

Observatory

*R900,000

Large home in leafy surrounds.

Great returns or investment.

Mike 073 220 1553 WMS2226

Mike 073 220 1553 WMS2224

5 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, separate guest cottage. Lush garden with great views. Large loft storage room, entertainment braai room and offstreet parking.

FOR SALE

Rondebosch

Currently earning a rental of R7 900pm with minimal costs. The property could be improved to increase returns for long term rental income or resold for a healthy profit.

SOLD BY US

*R1,095,000

Thornton

*R1,110,000

1 Bedroom Apartment

Lovely Longboat living

Firoza 082 676 3575 WMS2245

Quentin 082 864 8708

Prime location, close to amenities. 3rd Floor in secure block. 1 bed (bic), 1 bath, o/p kitchen, lounge, garage. Mountain views from balcony. Perfect for investors, Tenanted until end Aug 2015 at monthly rental of R6,600pm.

TO LET

Bishopscourt

Townhouse in security complex. 2 Bedrooms downstairs and large mezzanine bedroom upstairs. Family bathroom. Open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge opening onto back garden.

TO LET

R30,000pm

Claremont

R26,000pm

Furnished family home.

Family home in secure complex.

Roxy 079 066 3716 WMP4393

Roxy 079 066 3716 WMS2253

Large o/p kitchen, TV room, laundry, patio & pool. Large formal lounge, fireplace o/p to dining room. 3 Bedrooms (bics), main (es) onto garden & patio. Secure parking. Additional expenses: maid & gardener R4 350 pm.

Spacious o/p lounge / dining room, onto garden. Kitchen o/p to TV room or dining room. 3 Double bedrooms (mes) & family bathroom. 4th Guest bedroom, bathroom & study. Double garage with space for laundry.

Image by Regine Lord who also captures the essence of the day perfectly in a post on her blog: namibsands.wordpress.com. Follow the Children’s Hospital Trust www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za

June 2015 | the muse | 7

childrenshospitaltrust @chtrust1

Pauline Hareb

Mike Turner

Roxy Pugh

c 082 490 0344

c 073 220 1553

c 079 066 3716

Sales Manager

*asking price

Property Consultant

Rental Consultant

Getaway car hire

COMMUNITY NEWS

June 2015 | the muse | 8

LITNUM AWARDS FOR PINEHURST PRIMARY SCHOOL From left to right are: Mrs C Gleeson-Baird

(Head of English and Intermediate Senior Phase)

Mrs D Berndt

(Head of Foundation Phase)

Mr C Poyo

(Head of Mathematics)

Call 021 531 7592

www.getawaycarhire.com email: greenside@saol.com We are situated at:

GREENSIDE SERVICE STATION

On Wednesday 22 of April the awards ceremony, hosted by the Western Cape Education Department was held at Oaklands High School. At this ceremony schools who received outstanding results in the systemic tests were honoured. Pinehurst Primary School was awarded certificates of excellence in literacy and numeracy for Grades 3 and 6. They were one of only two schools in the Central District to receive this accolade and came among the top 3 schools in both grades. Congratulations to the teachers and pupils of Pinehurst, who work with dedication throughout the year in order to receive such outstanding awards.

PINEHURST WINS FACETS AGAIN IN 2015

43 Morningside, Ndabeni, Cape Town

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ADVICE REGULAR SERVICE It is important to have a safe vehicle inside and out. By servicing your vehicle regularly, at least once a year, you will know which items need attention. More importantly, your vehicle will be checked by a professional who can tell you if the vehicle is roadworthy. This is paramount for insurance, as in the event of an accident, insurance companies will only pay out if your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. As part of our wide range of services we can also provide insurance reports for the vehicle. ENGINE OILS No matter how good, they only last a certain time before the oil quality deteriorates and your engine is subjected to more wear. Left longer, a sludge builds up which reduces oil flow in the motor leading to engine failure. Changing the oil every 10 000 km is essential for petrol engines and even more regularly, 7 500 km, for diesel engines. PUNCTURES It is essential to keep a tin of puncture seal in your vehicle to quickly and easily get out of a dangerous situation. The sealant allows you to repair the puncture and inflate the tyre long enough to get to a garage for a full repair. This security costs just R69 for a tin of puncture seal. WINTER Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just around the corner so make sure that your tyre tread is substantial and that your windscreen wipers and lights are 100% operational. Get your battery tested with the correct equipment to ensure you are not stranded with a flat battery.

021 531 7592

For any motor vehicle questions please call or visit us at Greenside Service Station for help and advice.

On Tuesday evening, 21 April, the annual FACETS (Festival of Arts, Culture, Exhibitions, Technology and Science) competition took place at Sans Souci Girls High School. The Pinehurst Primary School senior choir took part in the category for primary school choirs. This year they competed against the choirs of Rhenish Girls (Stellenbosch), St Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Zwaanswyk Academy and Rondebosch Boys Junior School. The adjudication was done by Mr Louis Fouche who, with very good feedback, announced Pinehurst Primary Senior Choir the winners of the evening.

June 2015 | the muse | 8

Roseberry Asian Cuisine

COMMUNITY NEWS

June 2015 | the muse | 9

SUSHI & AUTHENTIC CHINESE CUISINE

PINELANDS HIGH LITNUM AWARDS - GRADE 9 Pinelands High School received two awards for excellence at the Metro Central Litnum Awards. They were for Excellence in English and Mathematics in Grade 9 (2014). These results are taken from the WCED's Systemic Tests that were written near the end of last year. PHS staff – Litnum awards: Mrs Fiona Autagavaia (Cohead of GET English), Mrs Joanna Reynolds (Co-head of GET English) and Mrs Jessica Ballantyne (Head of GET Maths).

Buy one, get one free Delicious Sushi Specials Asian Food R119 Asian Buffet Stir Fries • Soups Reasonable Prices Dim Sum

75 Durban Road, Mowbray | 021 685 4084

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Cape Town Office Pinelands Branch Office

3rd Floor, Vunani Chambers 17 Mountbatten Avenue 33 Church Street, Pinelands Cape Town Cape Town

To schedule an appointment contact Andre Snyman on 021 422 1241 or email info@lamprecht-attorneys.co.za

Website: www.lamprecht-attorneys.co.za

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19/11/2014

Rondebosch - Listed at R11,995,000

Mowbray - R3,500,000

Pinelands - R2,795,000

Pinelands - R20,000 per month

Jeanne Cowan Zanny Muller 083 443 8108 072 805 4669 rondebosch@res.za.knightfrank.com

Angela Magner 082 468 5550 mowbray@res.za.knightfrank.com

David Sims Christina van Schoor 082 495 5581 082 897 0251 pinelands@res.za.knightfrank.com

Lyn Brophy 082 782 1928 lyn.brophy@res.za.knightfrank.com

Creating and protecting your wealth

Independent, fee-based advice from a team of legal and financial experts

021 530 8500 | info@crue.co.za At Crue Invest we are passionate about planning financial futures: not because we love money, but because we love people. We treasure the personal trust relationships that we have with all our clients. We believe in a people-centred approach to financial planning, placing the client at the centre of engagement and ensuring that each and every financial plan is delivered at a completely human and understandable level.

Through experience, we know that financial planning is less about numbers, and more about understanding people and their relationship with money.

Our areas of speciality include: FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR COUPLES We believe whole-heartedly that joint financial planning for couples is the foundation of a successful relationship and a more secure financial future together. Nothing works against a family’s financial soundness as effectively as keeping money matters separate from each other. We know that when couples share their finances and commit to the financial planning process together, firmer futures are built and financial magic happens.

MULTI-GENERATION FINANCIAL PLANNING Even the best laid financial plans can be blindsided by the unexpected realisation that one’s aged parents have run out of retirement funding. Funding your children’s education whilst supporting your parents financially can disastrously affect your own retirement funding. We encourage engagement across the generations to ensure that your financial plan recognises your financial responsibilities to all generations in your family.

PRE-RETIREMENT PLANNING Knowing when to retire and whether you have enough invested is a source of anxiety for many people approaching retirement. Also, navigating the legislative and tax implications is confusing. We offer pre-retirement counselling to calculate exactly how much you have invested, when you can retire and how long your capital will last.

Financial planning begins with an open and honest discussion about you, your loved ones and your money. Let’s chat.

“The best time to plant a

tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” CHINESE PROVERB

Crue Invest (Pty) Ltd is a licensed Financial Service Provider No. 19025

MONEY MATTERS

The cost of convenience By Sue Torr Director at Crue Invest

THE NEITHER NOR GENERATION

Pope Francis has once again been urging financiers and economists to help reverse the current “throw away” culture by putting people at the centre of monetary strategies. In our market-driven economy, too many people are forced to work in unbearable conditions because they are perceived to be both dispensable and replaceable. High unemployment rates for young adults have created a “neither-nor” generation of young people who neither study nor work, and are considered a burden to society in what should be their most productive years. The baby boomer generation, the most hard-working and productive of the 20th century, now poses America with a retirement crisis characterised by too many people being too old to work, but too poor to retire.

THE THROW AWAY GENERATION

Through our obsession with “best before” and “sell by” dates, we have been powerfully persuaded by retailers to trade our money for convenience, resulting in people who want everything, but keep nothing and value little. Manufacturers have traded product longevity for product innovation, with the latter being packaged as convenient ‘time-savers’. Creating products that aren’t meant to last is a viable business strategy that is toxic by design – most significantly to our environment, but also to our ability to save. Everything from razors to radios, pantihose to play stations, cell phones to snap-chat, is designed to be discarded and replaced. Even the gaming industry is built on the theory of “planned obsolescence” dependent on buying the next instalment.

THE INFORMATION TRADE OFF

Sadly, shortened longevity appears not only to be confined to the shelf-life of products. Our attention spans, too, have become limited to sound-bytes of information drip–fed by the likes of Twitter and Instagram, forcing us to trade the substance of information for instant information.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DISPOSABLE

The amount of waste that we produce characterises our market-driven economy, and our “throw away” economy is

tiresomely challenging our earth’s geological limits. Recognising that “what we do to our earth, we do to ourselves”, this generation is thankfully abuzz by renewed and far-reaching efforts to protect and preserve the earth’s bounty – so much so that it appears the “throw away” economy will soon be relegated to the trash heap of history. There are frantic global efforts to deal with the fall-out of a generation insisting on everything disposable – from cameras to contact lenses to coffee pods. The financial implications for hard-working individuals are huge – with land-fill dumps and rubbish heaps standing as monuments to our inability to save.

THE COST OF CONVENIENCE

In a “throw-away” economy, our limited supply of money is expected to keep up with an endless supply of upgrades – a nonsensical mathematical equation designed to quietly erode our retirement savings. While we’re busy buying convenience - which is sold to us on the hypothesis that our time is either too precious or too scarce or both – we’re short-changing the comfort of our own retirement for the ease of ‘heat-and-eat’ meals. The treadmill that is the disposable economy is both cyclical and unforgiving: we work hard to earn money, and therefore have less time. Because we have less time, we buy convenience, which costs us more money. We then need to work harder to pay for the increasing number of conveniences we require, which results in even less time, more purchased conveniences and even less money. Pause and repeat.

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

The “throw-away” economy is the breeding ground of instant gratification and the greatest enemy of long-term investing. It blurs our ability to discern what we want now as opposed to what we want more. It is the harbinger of an under-invested, over-indebted society with poorly funded retirement plans. Let’s collectively refuse to compromise our long-term savings in futile pursuit of the next must-have convenience under the pre-text that “our time is money”. It’s not. Our time is far more precious than that. 

June 2015 | the muse | 10

HOME & GARDEN

BALANCING SECURITY AND HOME SAFETY The prime concern in most people's minds is to keep their families and homes safe from dangerous intruders. The security market offers a plethora of alarms, burglar bars, and security gates, strong enough to keep the toughest criminal out.

FIRE IN THE HOME

What happens though if there is a fire within your home and you need to get out in a hurry? Follow the advice recommended by fire departments and home safety organisations around the world. Be prepared – finding your way out through smoke can be confusing and lessen your chance of escape.

FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

Make sure you, your family, and guests in your home know how to evacuate if there is a fire within the house.

community magazine pg 11

There should be two exits from every room. If one of the exits is an outside door, the keys for the safety gate and the door should be kept in an accessible place near the door. If possible there should be a master key that can open all doors and lockable window bars. Make sure the security solution on your windows can be opened for quick escape. Have a torch handy if the electricity is out and if there is a lot of smoke, try and crawl as low down as possible underneath it. If there are elderly or disabled members in the house install good hand rails at exits, and apply non stick strips on the steps. Smoke alarms are invaluable as an early warning system.

GAS SAFETY

Do you have the necessary compliance certificates for the gas installation, and the recommended safety blankets or fire extinguishers? Know how to use them.

IS YOUR HOUSE NUMBER VISIBLE?

Outside lights are a good intruder deterrent and in the time of a fire could help you to see where you are going - have your glasses handy and invest in garden solar

SPECIAL FEATURE

lamps in case the electricity is out. Have the fire station numbers handy and make sure that your house number is visible day and night!  In the case of fire get out first and then call the fire department.

Call emergency services on 107. From a mobile 021 480 7700 or 112 (toll free). Alternatively, call the Fire Control Centre at 021 590 1900.

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• 082 920 3060 office hours • nathan@secura.co.za

AGENTS FOR

INCORPORATING

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THE ULTIMATE BURGLAR BARS BY SECURAWINDOW OVER 20 YEARS OF QUALITY SECURITY PRODUCTS

HOME & GARDEN

community magazine pg 12

SPECIAL FEATURE

TIPS FOR WINTER POOL MAINTENANCE

APEX

PERFORM A MONTHLY SERVICE

BUILDING SERVICES

Enhance your outdoor living area with a cosy pergola! Carport looking tired ? Time to revamp!

SALT CHLORINATORS

Remember to turn down the output for winter if your model is fitted with this feature. If you are covering the pool during winter turn it right down. The additional rain water will dilute the salt more rapidly and you might need to add salt more regularly. When the water is very cold the salt water chlorinator cannot produce an accurate reading. Do have the water professionally checked before adding salt based on the chlorinator unit indicators.

DISPOSABLE CHLORINE FLOATER

ALL PROJECTS ARE OWNER SUPERVISED

A disposable chlorine floater will last up to six weeks during winter and is a good way to maintain the pool and save the chlorinator electrode (expensive to replace).

Contact Henry on 084 551 3695 and prepare to be delighted!

LIGHT POWER

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During summer a weekly maintenance program is required, but in winter this can be reduced to fortnightly or even monthly. Periodically check the skimmer basket and remove leaves and debris as needed. Also, make sure to check and clean your pool pump basket to keep it free of leaves and debris as well. The pool may overfill with rainwater so it is important to keep a watchful eye and to reduce the level as required. Use this water for a really good backwash and then skip the next maintenance backwash.

Peninsula

19/05/2015 8:50 AM

Light when the power goes off THE SIMPLE ECONOMICAL SOLUTION

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A small rechargeable battery box with 4 LED strip lights to mount where light is needed.

IDEAL homes and medium to FOR small shops and offices DIY price: R2 495 until end June 2015

Call Clive • 082 963 3992

Remove leaves, dirt, branches and other contaminants, run your automatic pool cleaner regularly and scrub the walls and floor periodically to prevent algae forming and attaching to the pool surfaces.

WATER CHEMISTRY

Abnormal pH due to rain and debris entering the pool can facilitate the growth of algae and bacteria. Maintain your pH between 7.2 and 7.6 and a free available chlorine level of 1-2ppm.

RUNNING TIME

Run the pump for around 4 hours a day. Water circulation helps keep pool water free of algae, bacteria, mosquito breeding and other harmful occurrences when pool water is left stagnant.

COVER UP FOR WINTER

Consider a pool cover; it will reduce your cleaning time, chemical usage and filtering demands even further. Be sure to have a way of removing the water that collects on the cover if you opt for a solid cover and keep the cover clean. Keeping your swimming pool in great condition over the winter months is not only easy but will protect your investment and make start-up for summer a breeze!  Article by Tom Botha of Peninsula Pool Renovations and Mantenance

POOL RENOVATIONS AND MAINTENANCE www.poolrenovation.co.za Tom Botha 079 845 4445 THE PINELANDS POOL EXPERT 021 532 2774 ONLINE POOL SHOP www.poolrenovation.co.za

Lighting Installation at Dinner Genie Cafe

TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY !

CLEAN YOUR POOL AND SURROUNDING POOL AREA REGULARLY

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We install & repair pumps, filters & chlorinators. We clean pools, repair leaks and change sand.

We do essential pool cleaning and maintenance to keep your pool sparkling all year round.

Approved stockists, installers & applicators of these quality brands

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RENOVATIONS

We renovate and service Gunite & fibreglass pools.

June 2015 | the muse | 12

WE ALSO DO • Gate Motors Intercoms • Electric Fencing

HOME & GARDEN

community magazine pg 13

GENERATORS VS INVERTERS LOAD SHEDDING IS HERE TO STAY

As time goes by and we have invested in rechargeable lights, powerbanks for our cell phones and gas in the kitchen the realisation dawns that load shedding is becoming a way of life and not just a transient nuisance. Households or home businesses may want to look at being able to keep certain appliances functional during a power cut.

LOAD SHEDDING KEEP YOUR TV • COMPUTER • LOW ENERGY LIGHTS ON WHEN THE POWER GOES OFF

POWERMATE 1000 WATT UPS INVERTER UNIT

The simple plug & play solution!

POWER BACKUP IN THE HOME

A walk taken during a power cut near the Howard Centre last weekend was greeted with the roaring rumble of a couple of generators in the area and the question arises "what can we do at home".

WE ARE NOT ALONE

Natural disasters such as hurricanes and severe weather storms have prompted people in the United States to install inverters to run small appliances such as fridges or televisions, computers, modems, and microwave ovens – for short periods of time. So it is not uncommon in the world to have to look after yourself when you cannot get power off the national grid.

GENERATORS VS INVERTERS

What exactly are the differences between generators and inverters? A generator uses fossil fuel such as gas or petrol to propel a rotary shaft to produce AC power much like an hydroelectric dam would. An inverter transforms stored DC power (which is stored in deep cycle batteries) into AC power that can be used by the appliance.

PROS AND CONS

Both systems have their strong points. A big generator can run a much heavier load for a long time, but it is noisy, produces

ding From load shed rd braai, to your backya t of gas. we are never ou

pollution and requires constant top-ups with fuel. The inverter is able to run light to medium loads for a set period which is determined by the size of the load as well as the size of the battery – and then the batteries are regenerated when the national power returns. Generally the appliances are attached to the inverter which is constantly on the main line. It will start supplying power to the various units when the grid goes down - a "connect and forget" arrangement. Inverters use deep cycle batteries which are well suited for this application. The type of equipment that you can run depends on the Wattage capability of the Inverter. On a 1000W Inverter you cannot exceed a 1000W output or the inverter will overload and shut down. The amount of time the Inverter will supply power to the connected appliances is determined by the size of the battery connected to the inverter. If one battery does not last long enough then a second battery or a bank of batteries can be connected to extend the time required. 

1000W UPS Inverter plus internal 10Amp battery charger 105Ah Deep Cycle Battery Heavy duty battery cables and connectors Double plug socket rear mounted on unit External intelligent maintenance charger Epoxy coated metal enclosure on wheels

SEEMLESS SWITCH OVER EVERYTIME We can also offer a full range of Samlex power inverters and the world renowned OptiMate battery chargers and accessories range. DEALERS WELCOME

Universal USB Charger

REEDWORTH POOL RENOVATORS 12V LED Flashlight

Our building division undertakes building, tiling and paving for patio & pool surrounds.

To date we have renovated over 500 pools throughout the Southern Suburbs.

Professional battery chargers and testers

We also service pools on either a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Supplied by TecMate South Africa WE DELIVER

CALL

021 593 0311

Cylinder refills and exchanges Gas installations www.thegasboys.co.za Gas appliances maitland@thegasboys.co.za Corner 8th Ave and Mon to Fri 8:00 - 17:30 Voortrekker Road Sat and Sun 8:30 - 13:00 Kensington • A registered LPGSASA supplier of LP Gas

SPEAK TO 083 521 8271 MALCOLM 021 712 3011

info@reedworthpools.co.za

www.reedworthpools.co.za

With over 20 years in existence, service & back-up is guaranteed. CONTACT

Kevin Lewis 021 531 6045/87 083 777 9783

Unit A6 Pinelands Business Park New Mill Road, Pinelands kevinlewis@tecmate.com

HOME & GARDEN

community magazine pg 14

SPECIAL FEATURE

WINTER TIME FOR PRUNING Ask the GARDEN COACH for advice and hands-on help with water-wise, indigenous gardens, pruning and installing organic veggie gardens. Reasonable rates. Phone Marion on

021 689 9331 • 082 574 6687 www.facebook.com/Garden2Coach

Let me protect & enhance your1 most valuable asset 15/05/2015 ch-S7-052.indd

11:55 PM

Gerhard van Rensburg Pinelander since 1994

The winter chill slows down growth in the garden and leaves turn beautiful colours and then fall, signalling that it’s time to prepare to prune fruit and nut trees.

House Painting Interior and Exterior

TRAIN INTO SHAPE WHEN THE PLANT IS YOUNG

A team of well trained and screened workers No job too big or small Personal supervision

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18/05/2015

Pruning is quite a good metaphor for life, because we prune to get rid of dead and diseased wood that no longer serves the tree, and to create a strong, healthy base for new growth capable of bearing a good crop next season. Like a child, a tree that is well trained into a good shape when young needs minimal pruning when older, so it’s worth putting in the effort in the beginning. This is when you decide which 9:34 AM shape to go for: the open bowl or vase shape; or allowing a strong central leader to develop; or to espalier branches onto a supporting trellis.

KEEP YOUR TRIMMERS CLEAN

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We offer weekly and fortnightly pool maintenance contracts at a reasonable price.

Lionel Berman

021 558 7910 · 079 368 4493

We install & repair pumps, filters, chlorinators and solar heating panels.

info@mvpools.co.za We also repair leaks,

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without damaging the bark. Buy a good tree sealer so that disease doesn’t gain entry through the fresh cuts. Have a strong solution of vinegar and water (or bleach) handy in which to dip your tools and wipe them down in between pruning each tree so that you don’t transmit diseases from one plant to the next.

REMOVE DEAD BRANCHES FIRST

Start by taking a good look at your tree to see what it needs to promote the desired shape. First cut out the dead and diseased wood (this must be burned, not composted), then remove branches growing into each other. Take another look and prune selectively for shape. Always cut back to no more than 5cm above a growth bud.

SEALING AND FEEDING

Seal the cuts with tree sealer. Feed and mulch well in time for spring’s growth spurt. Roses will need similar treatment, but wait until July.  By Garden Coach Marion Whitehead.

Victor Renovations & Design For the personal touch in home renovations Kitchens | Bathrooms | Construction Contact Annette Victor annette@victorrenovations.co.za www.victorrenovations.co.za | 074 924 9333

PINELANDERS

June 2015 | the muse | 15

Pinelander Peter Edge is a free spirit who can safely say that he has 'been there and done that', having fulfilled his love of travel and seeing new places. He shares a few memories with us. THE AERIAL SURVEY TEAM – AGED 9

When Peter was a year old his family left Port Sunlight, where he was born, to find 'a place of sunshine' in Africa. They lived in a large house in the countryside of Chingola (Northern Rhodesia), and one day when Peter came home from school he saw a DC3 aeroplane parked in the field next door. After befriending the pilot he obtained permission from his parents to accompany the crew on one of their survey flights – to Ndola, followed by a few more trips that he arranged for school pals as well!

BOAT TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

The travel bug, however, was ignited when the family moved to Peru. Peter enjoyed the boat trip on the Reina Del Pacifico, but the experience in Peru was not ideal for the family who found living at 12 000 feet above sea level in a barren mountainside disappointing. So they returned to Northern Rhodesia and subsequently moved to Cape Town in 1964.

MERCHANT NAVY IN PORT SUNLIGHT.

After joining the HMS Conway in the UK, Peter moved on to the British Merchant Navy. On his return to South Africa he worked for the Marine Diamond Corporation mining diamonds south of Luderitz – a dangerous job as the barge worked in the surf of the rough Skeleton Coast seas. In the 70's he took up a position at the Caltex refinery and lived in a beach house at Clifton – 1st beach for R32/month!

LET'S GO HIKING.

Peter's next adventure was the brainchild of his German girlfriend who managed to persuade the captain of a ship to give them passage from Cape Town to Santos in South America. They arrived with sleeping

Peter with his heavy duty rig.

PETER EDGE

bags and tent and much to Peter's chagrin camped the first night on a school field. Their ambition was to make it from Ushuaia, a resort town on Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America, to Alaska. "It was freezing," says Peter. Once back in Germany they planned to hike to Australia, but Christine became ill at Chang Mai. For her, the trip ended, but Peter continued to Kathmandu.

NEPAL - KATHMANDU

He spent the winter months driving for Encounter Overland from London to Kathmandu, passing through Salzburg, Greece, Turkey, Istanbul, over the Hindu Kush Mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran, India and finally Kathmandu in Nepal. He was a river raft guide on the Sun Koshi River, and a trekking guide to Annapurna Base Camp. The area was sparsely populated as compared to today. It was clean, there were no drug problems or interference from the Kurdish Nationalists. Peter's thoughts go out to the Nepalese who are currently struggling with the devastation of the recent earthquakes.

TRUCKING

While in Germany Peter hitch-hiked with a truck driver travelling from Istanbul to

The Thorpe Park Roller coaster

Tehran. He recognised that driving big trucks was a wonderful way to travel and see places. It provided a place to sleep and was well paid. So he obtained his licence to drive heavy rigs and experienced the sights and sounds of Europe including glaciers in Switzerland, beautiful cities along the Rhine in France, Switzerland and Germany, and the erection of the Swiss built roller coaster at Thorpe Park, west of London.

SEMI RETIREMENT AND HOME LIFE

He realised when he met his wife Ann that he could no longer live on his boat called Mayet in St Martin, in the Caribbean (yes he did that too!) He sold his boat and settled down with Anne and as he says "we are still together 22 years later!" Nowadays trucking is a thing of the past. He recently sold the motorcycle that he rode from the UK to Cape Town – but he still satisfies his need to be out and about by leading tour groups around the Peninsula and the Cape winelands. His favourite tour guide experience is the overland trip in a 10 seater Land Cruiser to Victoria Falls, stopping at Chobe and Okavango on the way. As much as Peter loves travel he admits that there is nothing as sweet as being back in your own bed at night. 

The Corinth Canal connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea

TRAVELLERS

June 2015 | the muse | 16

MALDIVES Left: Turtle swimming along the reef. Right: Toks Viviers in the warm water of the Maldives. A smaller boat called a dhoni takes the divers and the compression equipment to the dive site where scouts know there are beautiful tropical fish, coral reefs or turtles to be seen. The owner of the Ocean Divine, David Mesnard has been in the Maldives since 1989 - and the story of owner building his boat which survived the 2004 Tsunami is interesting. He now lives on the boat with his wife Gaëlle and 4 year old daughter Dune, running diving tours from November to May. Every day there are two more dives – one before lunch and another before dinner. "Can you imagine 29 dives in ten days? Fantastic!" says Jackie! "It's like swimming in a huge aquarium, getting close to fish you can only imagine in your dreams". Because the water is so lovely and warm at 30 0C there is no need for wetsuits. One can do a Padi open water diving course on board too. During the boat trip back to Malé, there are a variety of dives including free diving without tanks. Both Toks and Jackie found that they could hold their breath underwater for a lot longer by the end of the holiday. On one of the channel dives Magnificent whale shark

Jackie Tosh on the lounge deck of the Ocean Divine

Jackie notes how they could see a sailfish floating by above them. The channels connect the lagoons around the island to the Indian Ocean and the larger fish will use the channels to feed on the plankton which is funnelled through the channels by the local currents. Here, there is the opportunity to see stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, tuna, and barracuda. "We didn't see many dolphins", says Jackie, "but we enjoyed seeing the surgeonfish playing in the bubbles from our diving equipment". On the shallow dives around the thila one can see sweet lips, parrotfish, groupers, snappers and turtles. The colours of the coral and tropical fish are amazing, and it is a wonderful experience to be in the sea with them. Meals on board are prepared by a local Maldivian chef - often fresh fish from the ocean. Evenings are your own to relax on the lounge deck, socialise, marvel at the day's photography - or simply to get an early night. Jackie has been 6 times – obviously a fan. Would Toks go again? "Definitely!" 

Stingray

www.pinelandsdirectory.co.za

June 2015 | the muse | 16

Whale shark, turtle and stingray: Geoff Spiby Underwater image Toks Viviers: Jackie Tosh

Toks Viviers, the Pinelander renowned for his ice water swims, shares his experience in the warmer water of the Maldives. Persuaded by underwater hockey enthusiast Jackie Tosh, they joined 12 South African friends on a ten day "live-a-board" diving trip in April this year. Their flight to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, was followed by a shorter flight to Ghaafu atoll where they boarded the luxury Ocean Divine which would be their home for the next ten days, exploring the southernmost atolls of the Maldives. Shoes were packed away and they looked forward to the three dives a day among the islands and channels of the Maldives - a country made up of 1 192 islands, of which only 192 are inhabited, and the highest point only 2.4 meters above sea level. The first night the divers were rewarded with a visit from some magnificent whale sharks. Spotlights from the boat lit up the sea where the huge fish drank in the plankton from the surrounding water. Jackie explains that the whale shark does not pose any danger to the divers who were floating in the water with them. The first dive of each day is at 7:30am.

OUT AND ABOUT

June 2015 | the muse | 17