Table of contents for Feb-16 in go!

Long ago, the wonderfully named running legend and coach Jack Daniels (no doubt the grandson of Jim Beam and brother-in-law of Douglas Green) discovered that most elite marathon runners run at a constant tempo of 180 steps per minute: short, fast strides that enable the runner to finish a race in good shape and without injury. This rhythm, translated into beats per minute, happens to be the same in songs like “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, “Hound Dog” by Elvis, “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and even “Impi” by our own Johnny Clegg. Now you know what to listen to while you’re training for the Comrades! For most of the year the team at go! runs at a pace that would make old Jack proud, but by…

Orion’s Belt is sacred for some At this time of the year, the summer constellation Orion dominates our night sky, with its famous star grouping that most people call Orion’s Belt, in Afrikaans known as “Die Drie Konings” (the Three Kings). It’s also sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Three Sisters, maybe because of the Karoo village Three Sisters, or confusion with the nearby Seven Sisters constellation. In Xhosa, the stars are called Amakroza, which means “to queue in a line”. The grouping is believed to be a resting place of the ancestors, where the spirits of the dead watch over their families and protect them from evil spirits. It’s therefore disrespectful to point at the stars. If you do, you’ll be punished with warts on your face. Something to…

The kudu is one of Africa’s most elegant animals. As a spiral-horned antelope, its closest relatives are the eland, the bushbuck and the rare sitatunga – a diverse set of animals that inhabit everywhere from mountains to waterways. Kudus feed mostly on leaves and they are remarkably adaptable: They occur in habitats ranging from very dry, semi-desert areas to wet, broad-leaved woodlands, provided there is sufficient food available. The kudu isn’t a territorial species. Although a certain animal might frequent one area, it won’t mark or defend that area as its exclusive territory. So why are fights among bulls so common? Well, there are other things to fight over, like dominance and breeding rights. Fights between bulls can last up to 15 minutes and the objective is for one male…

Martjie’s milk tart Makes 2 medium tarts For the puff-pastry crust Here’s how 1 Use an electric mixer or a food processor to combine the butter and flour. There should be pea-sized lumps of butter visible in the flour. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the cream of tartar. 2 Dissolve the salt in the water. Make a hole in the middle of the flour mixture. Pour the water into the hole a little at a time. Use a spatula to cut the water into the flour and butter before adding more water. Repeat until you’ve added all the water. The dough should be firm and you should be able to form a ball. 3 Divide the dough in two and cover…

I think I might be the last person in the world who doesn’t own a dishwasher, which is why I love meals that only require one pan – like a stir-fry. Lots of robust flavours, crunchy veggies, delicious sauces and, of course, some lovely wine to go with it! Many stir-fries call for chilli so you have to be careful when choosing a wine. Kloovenburg Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2014 (R82) is a good wine to pair with a spicy dish – the round, buttery flavours from the oak barrel can handle the heat nicely, while the fresh, creamy lemon notes are a great match for stir-fried chicken or seafood. A rosé is always an interesting pairing option, especially when your dish has summer herb flavours and aromas. Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé…

National Luna recently launched their brand new model, the 60-litre Twin. It’s currently the world’s most powerful 12V fridge/freezer combination, and boasts a number of high-end features, such as: Industry-leading Danfoss design compressor with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty Dual controls for individual temperature adjustment per compartment Battery protection with automatic cut-off and alarm Up to 60 mm of insulation Capable of -18°C at a 43°C ambient temperature (highest international fridge specification) Exclusive use of generous copper-pipe conductors Robust carry handles which double as tie-down points Rigidized stainless-steel construction, and/or the option of aluminium Made entirely in SA, with a complete range of spare parts Priced from R10 500 and available at all leading outdoor and 4x4 stores. Call (011) 452 5438 to find your nearest dealer. Visit www.nationalluna.com…

Pocket Guide: Wild Flowers of South Africa  by Braam van Wyk, Struik Nature When it comes to botanical diversity, we have lots to brag about in South Africa. But with more than 22 000 native plant species, things can get confusing. That’s where this pocket-sized guide comes in: It gives info about 260 of the most common and conspicuous flowers (including naturalised alien species) that you’re likely to encounter on the roadside or on a hike. The species are conveniently grouped into six sections based on general colour. You’ll find the scientific name of each flower, plus its English and Afrikaans common names, its flowering season, distribution map and photographs. You’ll also learn some interesting facts: If you throw the leaves of the large pink Tephrosia into a pool it…

Imagine you could get the great taste of butter in every meal, even when you’re on holiday, without having to worry about keeping it in the fridge. With Butter-flavoured Avocado Oil from Westfalia Fruit, you can! It’s a versatile alternative to real butter and it has a high smoking point, so it’s great for frying and baking. It’s also naturally cholesterol-free; it has the same high vitamin E content as regular avocado oil and it’s endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa. Buttery corn bread 75 ml Butter-flavoured Avocado Oil3 eggs1 cup yoghurt1 cup polenta1 cup flour3 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt1 cup whole-kernel corn1 red pepper, chopped1 onion, finely choppedhandful of herbs, finely chopped1 Preheat the oven to 180° C. Use one tablespoon of the oil to…

NAVIGATION 1 Mapstudio South Africa Road Atlas GPS devices and navigational apps are great, but I don’t go anywhere without this trusty atlas in the cubbyhole. Route planning should be a family affair and it’s just not the same if you’re all squinting at a 4-inch screen in the Karoo sun. What’s more, a paper map book allows you to see the bigger picture. Still not convinced? It’ll never run out of batteries or fail to connect with a satellite and it costs less than a hundred bucks. R85 at bookshops, petrol stations, outdoor stores and mapstudio.co.za  If you’re planning a multinational overlanding trip, get the Mapstudio Africa Road Atlas (R200) as a backup for your GPS. 2 Slingsby Maps Wild Coast Touring Map Peter Slingsby has a…

WESKUSPLEK, JACOBSBAAI Most restaurants are good for an hour or two max – you drink a glass of wine, have a good meal and tip the waiter. But at Weskusplek, you could come for breakfast and stay for dinner, especially if you get one of the tables outside. It’s the kind of place to just watch the day go by… The restaurant is in the northernmost cove of Jacobsbaai on the West Coast. If you sit on the stoep or inside at one of the tables with a sea view you could easily think you’re in Greece: The water is calm and turquoise and whitewashed holiday homes shimmer on the opposite side of the bay. The restaurant is right on the high-tide mark – your kids can build sandcastles on…

I grew up in nearby Uitenhage and my holiday memories of J-Bay consist of VW kombis with surfboards on the roof, soft-serve ice cream and Putt-Putt. In the 1980s the town looked very different: Coming along the N2 from Port Elizabeth, where you catch your first glimpse of the sea, there were only a few beach houses on the spit of land between the Seekoei and Kabeljous rivers. The 1990s was a boom time for J-Bay, and the town became a popular place for retirees. But despite all the new suburbs and malls, J-Bay somehow managed to retain much of its original charm. There’s still only one traffic light in Da Gama Road, known as “Die Robot”. The town is home to the best wave in South Africa, a right-hand…

MARÍ VAN BOSCH from Potchefstroom writes: My parents Vonnie (82) and Nila Lombard (81) first visited the Kruger Park in 1965 with my three older siblings, Herman, Schalk and Ronel, and my late grandmother Nellie – all she wanted was to see a giraffe! They fell in love with the park and my family began visiting the Kruger every June. Since my dad’s retirement in 1995 my parents even go twice a year sometimes. We’ve stayed in all the camps, except Roodewal and Boulders. In the early years my parents preferred Malelane as it was one of the more primitive camps. The toilets were fenced in with wood and thatch grass, and there was no power so lanterns were lit at night. Shortly after Berg-en-Dal opened in 1984, my dad…

At go! we’re all in favour of a good social, whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Go to facebook.com/gomagazineSA  to post your travel-related questions or to share that cute photo of the baby warthog you caught napping in the Kruger. Join the conversation on Twitter @gomagSA, or follow us on Instagram @gomagsa for behind-the-scene photos of our journalists on assignment. You can also tag your own travel shots with #gomagsa and #yourjourneystartshere. We’d love to hear about your journey! Keen on some retail therapy? You can shop at our online store ( winkel.weg.co.za/go-mag ) from the comfort of your camping chair. Or visit mysubs.co.za/magazine/go  to download the latest digital issue for your tablet.…

Get a history lesson in Muizenberg There’s more to Muizenberg than scenic views. Did you know that there were once more than 50 hotels and boarding houses here? Many of the historical buildings in the village and on the beachfront are still standing and you’ll learn all about them on a walking tour with guide Alan Lindner. The tour is fascinating: a fresh take on the history of this corner of the Cape. When? Weekdays for groups of up to 12 people. The tour takes 90 minutes. Cost: R20 per person. Contact: Alan 079 391 2105; awhaleofaheritageroute@gmail.com Or explore on your own… Download the “Old Hotel Trail” map at awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za or get a paper version from the local library in Atlantic Road. Catch a train in the Ceres Valley Ride…

Since 1941, the Jeep® brand has been a symbol of freedom and capability. Designed for peak performance in rugged conditions, Jeep® Footwear is created for living life without limits. We are giving away two pairs of Jeep shoes: one for him and one for her! Prize is valued at R3 000. To enter SMS your name, e-mail address and the word Jeep to 35695. Competition closes on16 February 2016. Jeep Footwear South Africa JeepFootwear_ZA Terms and conditions apply – read them at go-southernafrica.com…

6 – 7 FEBRUARY Magoebaskloof Berry Festival, Haenertsburg Pick berries on participating farms or visit the harvest market in town for berry jams, cakes and second-hand books. When? Saturday and Sunday; 9 am to 4 pm. Entrance: R40 per adult; R20 per child under 12. More info: berryfestival.co.za 10 & 24 FEBRUARY Stellenbosch Street Soirées Head to Stellies after work for a street party! Drostdy Street will be closed to traffic for wine tasting, food stalls and live music. If you can’t make it in February, the event will be repeated on 9 and 23 March. When? 6 pm to 8 pm. Cost: R70 for wine tasting, including a tasting glass. More info: 021 886 4310; wineroute.co.za 11 – 15 FEBRUARY Rhodes Stoepsit Festival Visit various stoeps across town…

It’s early and we’re in the Overberg, having left Cape Town before 9am this morning. The five best milk tarts in the country are blinking like beacons ahead of us, guiding our course. I’m travelling with Martjie Malan, owner of M Pâtisserie bakery in Stellenbosch and first-season runner-up on the Afrikaans baking show Koekedoor. She knows a milk tart inside out and will decide which of the five finalists should be crowned best in South Africa. Our first finalist is on a farm near Dordrecht in the Eastern Cape. It’s a long drive, so today we’re just flattening some kilometres. Tomorrow we’ll start tasting. At Riversdale we turn north over the Garcia Pass, into the Little Karoo. Near Ladismith, we turn off the R62 and take the gravel road into…

Regular readers of this magazine will be familiar with Michael Poliza: His wildlife images have graced these pages – and the cover – many times. Now it’s the turn of his aerial images of Africa to sweep you off your feet. The German-born photographer calls it “geoart”, an apt description for the patterns, shapes and textures of the landscape that become evident when you’re soaring high above. “If something touches you emotionally, hopefully you’ll fight to conserve it,” Michael says. “I try to awaken these feelings in people through my photography.” After 13 years of travelling, he returned to Hamburg in 2009. Bombarded with questions about his favourite places in Africa, he decided to organise tailor-made safaris for friends. The idea was a success and he recently launched the service…

INSULATION While many assume that compressor performance is the key to low power consumption, a more accurate argument could be made in favour of insulation – the very heart of fridge/freezer efficiency. The job of the compressor is comparatively easy: pull the temperature down; but the fridge’s ability to maintain that temperature without having to continuously cycle the compressor on and off is the tall task of the unit’s insulation. CONDUCTIVITY Conduction, possibly the most overlooked quality of 12 V refrigeration, is the effectiveness by which a fridge extracts heat. Sadly, because there’s no way of determining how much conductive material (generally copper pipe) is used in the manufacturing of a fridge, it’s often the easiest way for fridge manufacturers to cut costs - either by substituting the copper (which…

MABALINGWE NATURE RESERVE, BELA-BELA At Mabalingwe you can wake up to a warthog sniffing around your chalet while a hornbill calls its buddies from the canopy of a thorn tree. You’ll breathe that Bushveld smell of dust and grass and sip your coffee with a smile on your face, wondering what you’ll see on the morning game drive. Best of all? You’re only two hours from Johannesburg. There’s a lot going on at Mabalingwe: private holiday homes, a conference centre and various bush camps, but it’s a big place – more than 12 500 ha – so it seldom feels cramped. Once you’re done looking for elephant and buffalo, you can laze around the pool, play some mini golf or tennis, or just snooze on a deck with a view…