I received this update from SAN Parks' Regional Communications Manager Nandi Mgwadlamba last week - what a great opportunity to take advantage of this fantastic public resource.  Picnic anyone?

Free entry into the GRNP

Over 1,500 people last year responded to the call to visit the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) for free. This year, SANParks invites all members of the public to visit various sections of the picturesque Garden Route National Park(GRNP) during SA National Parks Week (08th – 12th September 2014). The 9-year old campaign held every September encourages all members of the public, young and old to visit National Parks.

Activities of interest planned for this campaign week starting from the 08th – 12th September 2014 include an art and pictures exhibition in the Storms River Rest Camp. On Wednesday, the 10th September, the business fraternity and all small, micro and medium businesses (SMMEs) are encouraged to attend a business workshop organized by the SANParks.  This event starts at 10:00am until 13:00pm.

Members of the public are invited to ‘bring their picnic basket to the Park’. This day will be celebrated through music and dance by local artists and bands including the battle of popular local DJs. This event scheduled for Friday, the 12th September 2014 will start at 17:30- until late, Storms River Rest camp, Tsitsikamma (see attached map with GPS coordinates). Braai stands are available and rangers will be on stand- by to assist when necessary. 

In the Knysna section, the public is invited to take a 30-minute stroll in the Garden of Eden guided by rangers between (09:00am and 14:00pm daily during the campaign week). Those interested in seahorses, can visit the SANParks Office on Thesen Island from Monday to Friday (from 10:00am until 12:00am).  Visitors can access the Forest Legends museum in Diepwalle, Knysna forest, for free from Monday- Wednesday between (11:00am – 14:00pm). 

The focus in Wilderness is on the young at heart as they explore the Park’s various activities such as canoeing through indigenous forests on the Touw River. 

Free entry into the Park excludes costs for accommodation and activities. To visit various sections of the Park: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/

Directions: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/get_there.php

Follow us on facebook and twitter or contact Nandi Mgwadlamba, 044 302 5633 or [email protected], 078 702 9663

Looks like a good route... entry form at the bottom of this post.  If you're interested in the Agricultural Show itself, you can find out more about it on their website.

Goeie Naand almal

Net 'n herhinnering aan die fietsry tydens die George Skou op 22 en 23 Augustus 2014.

22 Augustus:

Die aand is daar weer op die stockcar baan lekker baanfietsry.
Ons ry lekker saam op die baan met ons mtb's.
Inskrywings fooi: Volwassenes R 30   Skoliere  R 20

ONTHOU DAARS 'N WISSELTROFEE OP DIE SPEL DIE AAND!! VERLEDE JAAR WAS DIE WENNER DR JAQUES VAN STADEN. KOM ONS KYK OF HY SY TITEL/ TROFEE GAAN SUKSESVOL VERDEDIG HIERDIE JAAR.

Sien plakaat aangeheg vir meer detail.

23 AUGUSTUS:

Pad wedren ( Laaste wedren van die padliga)
Mtb wedren
Sien plakaat aangeheg vir meer info.

Ook aangeheg:

Roete kaarte - mtb
Roete Kaart - pad wedren
Inskrywings vorm pad & mtb

ONTHOU: PRYS GELD OP LANG MTB EN PAD OVERALL 1STE 2DE EN 3DE MAN EN VROU!!!!

SIEN JOU DAAR!!!!

Corne Botha
SWD Cycling: Road & Technichal Commissioner
WCCA: Road Commissioner
CSA: Event Safety & Security Commissioner 
Cell: 073 194 2948

I received the following from the Great Brak River Tourism Initiative earlier today - previous accounts of courses taught by Western Cape Birding have been very good...

Dear Tourism Initiative member

Hope this finds you all well.

Western Cape Birding  presented courses at George and Plett during January and have been requested to do one somewhere between George and Knysna. Details of the course to be presented at Sedgefield on 28 and 29 August can be found at the following link:

http://www.westerncapebirding.co.za/events/438/flight_for_birders_course_at_sedgefield%2C_garden_route

Participants in this course roughly represent three groupings:

• Novice birders wanting to become involved in the hobby
• People from nature conservation agencies wanting to improve career possibilities, or sent on the course by their employers
• People from the tourism industry and these include general tour guides, employees from local and regional tourism offices and product owners of lodges, B&B's, game farms, etc. Most of the latter group attend the course to gain better insight into the growing importance of birding tourism

Please also visit our own website: www.greatbrak.com

Regards
Ina

Mossel Bay Tourism has updated their brochure on cycling routes around Great Brak River.  I can see there are a few I still have to tackle...

Check out the latest brochure & map below:

Looking for things to do, then why not check out the various artists & art galleries in Great Brak River?  The following are found on the "Art Route" - just click on the image or their name for more info.

You can also find Chris Spies Art in the village - Chris has his own website - just click on the image below for details:

Besides the artists listed above, you'll find a couple of Galleries in the village as well (actually, Pink Haus, is located in this hills overlooking the village - well worth a drive or cycle to see it - but call first to make sure they are open).

See this post about an earlier quilting & fibre arts exhibition at the Pink Haus Gallery

Mark your calendar - Great Brak's annual Muse Fest is taking place next month.  It will run from Sept 24 - 28.  

According to the Mossel Bay Advertiser, this year's "festival will include exhibitions, book signings, talks, demonstrations, music and entertainment from some of the Garden Route’s most talented people - as well as a land-art installation by Strijdom van der Merwe - this year’s featured artist. 

The installation will take place on Suiderkruis Beach on the morning of 25 September, and Mr Van der Merwe hopes to involve the whole community in the project.Amongst other things, it will include an outdoor art installation at the Southern Cross beach on Sept 25th."

Check out the Muse Fest's webpage or download the program:

For more to do in the area, download Mossel Bay Tourism's 37-page "Things to Do in Mossel Bay" brochure which was updated in May, 2014 - just click on the image below or download the file at the bottom of this post.