Nature’s Valley is a feast of forest, sea and lagoon scapes.  Situated at the mouth of the Salt River it has a sheltered lagoon for those unpleasant windy days but you still want to take out your canoe. This beach haven lies within the De Vasselot Nature Reserve, which forms part of SANParks, and has a shady campsite under indigenous tree frequented by a lot of birds. There is only one access road that brings the visitors to this sleepy village. To appreciate Nature’s you need to appreciate the bush, the sea and be able to entertain yourself.

SEDGEFIELD

The fossilised sand dunes are what makes Sedgefield so special. For centuries already  they keep guard over the residents and visitors of this “slow town.” Beach walks and Saturday markets – my favourite is the Wild Oats market – bring this town alive over weekends and holidays.

You can read more about the “slow town” concept and the mosaic project in a post called “Going Slow” – just follow the link – http://travelbucket.co.za/go-slow/

PATERNOSTER

The village of Paternoster has become a favourite weekend mecca for Capetonians who wants to escape city life. The long sandy and boulder beaches edged with whitewashed cottages of friendly locals has a real West Coast feel about it. After long beach walks you can feast on some good food in a small, but sophisticated restaurant or enjoy some freshly baked fish and chips from the street vendor near the harbour.  Please do not promote the illegal crayfish trade by supporting the fishmongers roaming the streets of Paternoster.

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This is not what Sedgefield is about.  Take your time, because you are in a slow town.  A town does not choose to be a slow town randomly; you need to meet certain criteria as set out by the Cittaslow movement in Italy, before you can adopt the name “slow town”.

Sedgefield earned this name in 2010 and was the first town (and thus far the only town) in South Africa to be awarded with that title.  South African now joins the list of slow towns of the world.  These towns can be found in some unexpected countries like Japan and South Korea in the East to Denmark and Finland in the North and USA and Canada in the West and even Down Under boasts with three slow towns.

A very apt symbol was chosen as the slow town emblem – the angulated tortoise.  In front of the tourism office you will find a mosaic tortoise, a project which was implemented by an NGO to develop job creation and skills training for unemployed local people.  These mosaic art works gives Sedgefield a unique identity.  When you stroll through town and The Island (a suburb of Sedgefield) you will stumble across some of these mosaic features.

Take your time (like a tortoise) and explore Sedgefield!

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DID YOU KNOW?

Sedgefield has a Tortoise Rescue Squad of Island Conservancy volunteers. A building contractor can contact one of them at Sedgefield Island Conservancy on Tel: 044-343 2448 48 hours before clearing a plot for development so that a team can be assembled to comb the area and remove any residing tortoises to a safe location. They can also be contacted about any tortoise needing help.

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Be not afraid to go slow, be afraid to stand still

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I think we were a bit early as we were the first patrons to pay a visit, but the wooden stove with the kettles already simmering radiated its warmth and welcomed us.  Nice, as the sun was not out yet and it was still a bit chilly next to the river.

Today was not the type of weather for canoes and peddle boats, however as I have observed during the past summer months this is a favourite spot for families with kids and the young ones to laze around on a hot day.

They also offer diverse kinds of accommodation varying from pitched tents to A-frames or maybe you can pitch your own tent.  The backpackers’ Bazz Bus also stops a stone’s throw from here – so not too far to carry your backpack.

I peeked into the campers’ kitchen (as this to me is always a good indication of the type of guests who visits) and it was spotless.  I will be able to prepare my food here …

River Deck reminds me of a lot of places that you find throughout Africa.  This is a laid-back place.  No fancy stuff, but you will definitely find friendly staff here!

“There are a lot of stories out there, waiting for you to live them”

— Unknown

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Take the easy walk to the point along the beach and marvel at all the patterns that the wind has carved over years in to the sand dunes.  If you have an artistic eye there are really a couple of spots along the walk where you can spend a while taking really great pictures!  Every time I go there  I see some new patterns in mother nature that I have not noticed before – even a dragon if you use your imagination …….…

Also keep an eye open for the endangered Black Oyster Catchers at the waters edge with their startling red beaks.  Years ago when our children were small this was a favourite spot to have a picnic after the short beach drive, but after beach driving has been banned altogether in South Africa (due to irresponsible people not adhering to the basic rules) the numbers of Black Oyster Catchers has also increased dramatically.  Another species saved from vanishing off the face of the earth.

And if there are no birds be on the look out for colourful starfish and shells that litter the beach at certain times of the year.  You will certainly make some interesting finds, but please do not take them home.  Starfish are strictly saltwater creatures and will not survive in fresh water.

I am happy to share and show MY world, post by post with you!

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INTERESTING FACTS ON STARFISH:

Sea stars (starfish) can change sex back and forth from male to female as needed. There are several species of animal that can change sex if needed, such as when there is an abundance of females but no males during breeding season. Sea stars are one such creature, but what makes them even more amazing is they can switch sex back and forth if necessary. If a sea star starts life as a female but needs to switch to being male, it can still switch back to female again if the need arises.

Sea stars do not have blood in their bodies. Instead, they have a water vascular system where they pump sea water through its sift plate or majoporite into their tube feet. Their tube feet are full of sea water and give strength to them. They then use their tube feet to move and to hold their prey.

They have an eye (anae spot) and the end of each of their arms which is a very simple eye that looks like a red spot. The eye can sense dark and light but not a lot of detail.

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