The West Wind Issue 11

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contents

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PHOTO feature Si Cunneen 24

The Farmyard Nursery

Opens Their Garden Shop 29

Robin Auld at Nevermind

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Rotary News Community 40

Art feature Juliette Godfrey

By Jacquie Jorgensen 48

THE WATER PROBLEM IS REAL

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Environmental Authorisation Granted

For The Long Term Coastal Protection Project.

SFPO Newsletter 54

lEARN TO SUP

Episode Three

BY Melissa Volker

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Seven plants to see in the FOSTER reserves this spring.

By Richard Cowling 69

Cape St Francis surfers

Steal the limelight at the SA Longboard Champs.

EDITORS COMMENT ‘The first whispers of spring.’ It brings to mind flowers (see Prof Cowling’s article) and warmer weather ahead.

Unfortunately, it also means that our chances of restoring any decent amount of water in our dams are getting slimmer by the day. We might get lucky and have a wet late September and October, but the chances are not that good.

PL E A S E DO WHAT YO U CA N T O SAVE WATE R A S W E LL A S CA P T U R E 08

R A IN WATER FOR P E R S O NAL US AGE. .. and now for some more cheerful stuff, that is issue 11 of The West Wind.

It has photos (and cover)

by Si Cuneen, art by Juliette Godfrey, local surfers winning titles and the legendary Robin Auld jamming at Nevermind.

Editor: Craig - editor@thewestwind.co.za Designer: Terri - design@oceanpeakdesign.co.za

A L L PH OT OS © G UMBY

Photo feature SI C U NN E E N

Resting gulls of Cape St Francis.

Simon moved in 2017 to Cape St Francis from Turkey where he lived for 4 years. Prior to this, he had been living and working in London for 31 years until his retirement in 2013.

Originally from France, Si’s childhood memories where he grew up are back in North Devon, England where he see’s many similarities with Cape St Francis and its coastline. His main interests have been travelling, photography, wildlife, surfing, running and fitness.

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He is married with two young children. Si’s photographic portfolio is based on wildlife, surfing and scenic subjects.

African Stonechat on the Wildside.

Wayne Campout At Supers.

Seth Douglas-Jones, Seal Point beach.

Sunrise at Seals.

Seal Point Lighthouse.

Pied Kingfisher, Wildside.

Burchell’s Coucal.

In Si’s garden.

Watching Zebra.

Tightlines at sunrise, Cape St Francis.

Bokmakerie in Si’s Garden.

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Dawn Skies, Seal Point Lighthouse.

The Farmyard Nursery Opens Their Garden Shop CO M MUN I T Y The Farmyard Nursery’s new garden shop has a wide range of decorative indoor pots and plants along with a selection of home décor items.

In addition, they have a ‘Grow Your Own’ selection of seeds, germination trays, pots, and seed growing mediums. They have everything that you need for your garden, patio, indoor and veggie gardens 24

We went to pay them a visit during their opening, and were pleasantly surprised at what we found. Despite all the garden products and décor items, they also have full cream mile from The Farmers Dairy, bread from

Sean at Baker’s Box, and cut flowers from Vidette at The Little Flower Market.

TH E FA RM YA R D N UR S E RY S U P P O R T S LO CA L. In line with their organic philosophy, they will also be stocking organic garden products from well-known brands such as Margaret Roberts, Ludwigs, Bio Grow, Ecobuzz, and many more.

Their outdoor garden decorations have expanded as they have partnered with Sanstone, a locally owned business, that manufactures natural stone and cement pavers, cobbles, pots, and contemporary garden furniture.

T HE IR NURS ERY WIL L CONTI NUE T O O FFER THE WID E S T RANGE OF IN D IGENOUS AND E X O TI C PLANTS AND

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CO LO UR PO T S T O G E T Y O UR G A R D E N ‘ SUM ME R R E A D Y ’ .

A S W E LL A S T HE IR PAS TUR E - R A IS E D CHI CK E N S , E G G S, A N D O R G A N IC VE G E TA BLES .

those chickens.

There are some very interesting items for sale from a Squirrels Tail Fern to a Fairy Bells Erica and an age-old Bonzai or two.

As spring is in the air and everybody wants to start getting their garden looking good and ready for summer, they also have a variety of organic fertilizers and other sustainable plant nutrition options and biological plant protection solutions. https://www.facebook.com/ TheFarmyardNursery clint@thefarmyardsfb.co.za

We went along to visit the 800 or so chickens scurrying around and running freely, and were also stoked to meet Gertie the goat, who is the unofficial caretake of all 26

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Robin Auld at Nevermind

It has been a good couple of years since I last saw Robin Auld play live, but I have been following him ever since I first saw him play at Club Xenon in Cape Town since the late 80’s.

My fondest memory of Robin Auld is meeting him at Kalk Bay Reef carpark many, many years ago for an

interview for SL Magazine.

It just happened to be that there were waves at the reef, and there was no one about. I had a board in my old bakkie, and a wetsuits, and Robin lived around the corner. So we went for a surf.

Kalk Bay is a serious wave.

If you make a mistake and 29

wipe out there, it could lead to injury. I broke my elbow out there in my young days, so we had to both be fairly vigilant when the waves came.

I asked him a bunch of questions in between set

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waves, as we surfed by ourselves and that’s how I conducted my most natural, but most memorable interview ever.

I have done so many interviews with him, watched him perform in London at The Mean Fiddler and we have bumped into each other all over the world, that when I saw he was going to perform at Nevermind, I decided to go along and just enjoy the music.

We booked a large table, and joined the throngs that were already seated on the deck at Nevermind Restaurant.

SHE LTE RE D F R O M TH E W I N D, WAV E S AT S E A L PO IN T W E RE FI R I NG , A N D TH E R E WE R E W H A LE S J U M P IN G A R O UN D I N T HE BA CK G ROU N D , A S RO BI N J A M M E D HIS FA M I LI A R T U N E S. Former number one hit single All Of Women was a popular track, with patrons singing along with their afternoon dops and delicious lunch from Nevermind. In Between his songs, Robin chatted to the audience in

his engaging way, making him such a well-loved entertainer.

S HE LT ERED FROM T HE W ES TERLY B E HIND NEV ERM I ND R E S TAURANT, HE B ELTED OUT O T HE R FI RM FAV OURI TES LI KE S HE SHEKE TOW N, A L L T HE GI RLS C R IE D , PERFECT D AY AND CHARLI E G O C R AZ Y AS W E C HE E RED AND HAD A F E W DRI NKS A N D D I D OUR BES T T O F ORGET OUR T R O U BLES AND C O V ID .

Robin is a keen surfer and a former Western Province Surfing Team member, as well as a big wave surfer and a stand-out at his beloved Kalk bay Reef, but while the waves were fun at The Point, he was too busy entertaining the crowds and having fun at the Seal Point lighthouse.

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There was chat afterwards that Robin might be returning to perform some time soon, and it will be a good thing.

His chilled attitude and rocking surf vibes go down well in our town. Here’s to hoping he returns soon.

Rotary News SAN TA ZE I S S A N D A N G E LA N E WT O N .

A N A MA ZI NG M O T HE R A N D DA UG HT E R A C T. TH A N K Y OU F O R YO UR S E R V IC E !

Santa Zeiss moved to St Francis in 2017 and joined what was then our Satellite Club. She served as chairperson of our Satellite Club for the 2020/2021 36

year, and was the Charter president of the Rotary Club of St Francis within that year.

She served as our President until 1st July 2021.

Santa is also a Paul Harris fellow, being recognized in 2014 for her incredible work within the community of Port Elizabeth.

F R O M CLI V E HA S SELL AS OUR A S SISTANT DI S TRI CT G O V ERNOR.

I N CLUDI N G A L M O S T SIN G LE - H AN D E D LY STA R TI N G A N D RUN N I N G T HE FUN DR A I S IN G EFFO R T FO R SAMA N TH A B U N C E , A L I T TLE G I R L RE Q UI RI N G A L IV E R TRA N S PLA NT IN 1985.

Angela has a remarkable history as a Rotarian having joined the Rotary Sunrise Club in April 1995 as the youngest female Rotarian in South Africa at that time.

In 2001 she moved to the UK and was a member of two Rotary clubs in the UK, the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower and Rotary Club of Maidenhead Thames.

Santa raised hundreds of thousands of Rands until the effort was taken up by the PE Lions club.

CO N G RATU L AT IO N S TO A N G E LA N E W TO N - SA N TA’ S VE R Y LO VELY A N D VE RY SM A R T DA UG H TE R - O F RO TA RY CL U B O F PE W E S T W HO H A S TA K E N O V E R

IN 2 0 10 S HE C L IM B ED K IL IM ANJARO T O R AI S E FUNDS F O R T HREE S O U T H AFRI CAN C HIL DREN ’ S HOM ES / P L A C ES OF S AFETY. She moved back to South Africa in 2011 and joined the Rotary club of PE West. She has served as president twice for PE West (2013/2014) and again 2020-2021.

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W H I CH MUS T H AVE BE E N A R A R E OCCUR R E N C E O F MO TH E R A ND DA UG H TE R B O T H BE I N G PR E SID E N T S OF TH E I R RE S PE CTI VE R O TA R Y CL UBS I N T HE S A M E YEA R !

Angela has served on the district 9370 committee

since 2018 and has also been awarded two Paul Harris Fellows (Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire). We are sure she is going to make a great success of her year as Assistant Governor for Area 11 in D9370.

Santa is going to enjoy her first year as a Granny to her son’s little girl, Michaela but will still be serving on our Board responsible for Vocation.

Sibanye Boys Empowerment Group with Haydn Holmes who is giving his free time to teach these boys life skills in the water

Cape St Francis Artist Juliette Godfrey

BY J A CQUI E JO R G E N S E N

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Well-loved member of our Seals community and permanent resident for over two decades is an abstract artist and photographer Juliette Godfrey.

Her unique ability to find the ‘spirit’ in the inanimate aspects of nature through her lens has led to a series of experimental processes with the brush and ultimately breath-taking outcomes.

“BUT I T I S NE V E R A BOUT TH E OUTCOM E ,”

S AY S GODFREY. “A R T I S ABOUT P R O CES S AND P L AY, AND THI S I S WHY I DON ’ T DO C O M MI S S I ONS .

What my buyers buy is an experience that cannot be repeated if you are in the creative flow”.

H E R OI L ON CR E TE S TO N E S E R IE S I S FOOD FO R T HE CR E ATI VE M IN D O R MEDI TATI V E SO U L A N D CA N K E E P M E CAPTI VATE D F O R H OURS .

But, of course, this is the beauty of abstract art. What it is for the artist is different to what is seen by each member of its audience.

I find a whale plunging into the depths of a kelp forest or the spirits of the trees moving through the mountain forest at daybreak.

In some Jungian way, Juliette Godfrey’s art is the outpouring of the unconscious onto the canvas, with archetypal

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L IK E THE FLOW OF T HE OCEAN, I T I S A L WAY S NEW.

symbolism coming through organically in the play – uncontrived and authentically beautiful.

“Spirit calls, and I go,” she tells me. And I believe her.

I can feel it in her work. Her

exhibitions include her buchu series at the Youngbloods & Arteye in Cape Town.

Buchu is farmed and distilled into oil on the farms where she lived and raised her 43

son for many years. The resin, which is her medium, holds powerful healing and transformative qualities.

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T HIS S ERI ES WAS A N HO NOURI NG O F T HE LI FE, THE L O V E AND THE

LO S S E X PE R IE N C E D I N TH OS E Y E A R S I N TH E A PT LY N A ME D E X HIB IT IO N “ Y E S TE R DAY, T O D AY A N D TOM O R R O W. Her large acrylic abstracts on canvasses as big as 3m x 2.8m are a burst of colour and movement, a joyful dance through the cosmos.

TH E Y S H OW T HAT TH I S A R TI ST C A N GO AS HIGH AS SHE G OE S D E E P I N H E R CR E AT IV E

E X P R ES S I ON. Her latest works, 70cm x 90cm oil on board, are again inspired by her photography.

These range from portraits taken in India to abstract Turner-esque landscapes in shades of sepia and deep earthy hues.

She has sold works locally and has had buyers as far and wide as Mauritius and New York City.

All works printed here are available.

To see more of Juliette Godfrey’s work, the artist can be contacted directly on +27 83 656 4319 or at Juliette699@gmail.com

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The Water Problem Is Real

There is a bit of water around, currently sitting at above 12% for our combined dam totals, but this is not the problem right now.

The big problem is that we are nearing the end of our rainy season, and if we don’t get a couple of serious downpours in September and possibly in early October, it is going to be a problematic summer.

The Kouga Municipality is constantly drilling boreholes to supplement the water supply, but it won’t be enough, and with the added droves coming to our village, we will reach day Zero sooner rather than later.

WATE R S AV IN G S 48

S TA R T AT HOM E, A N D WE ALL NEED T O D O OUR BI T AND S AV E AS M UCH AS WE C AN. There are many ways to save water, but right now you cannot use a hosepipe attached to a municipal tap, nor can you top up your pools.

S O P LEAS E TRY AND S AV E WATER, S O T HAT W E CAN ALL AV O ID DAY Z ERO.

E N V IR ONMENTA L AUTHORISATION GRANTED F O R T HE LONG TE RM C OASTA L PR OT EC TI ON PROJ E CT. SF PO N E W S L E T T E R On 20 August 2021, DEDEAT granted Environmental Authorisation for our Long Term Coastal Protection project.

TH I S I S A SIG N I FI CA NT MILE S TO N E T HAT H A S BE E N R E A C HE D .

The approved project will entail sand sourcing from the Kromme River, using this sand for beach nourishment to create a 40-metre wide beach, and the construction of groynes to retard the loss of sand from the St Francis Bay beach.

More detailed information can be found in four reports prepared by the Coastal

Engineers Advisian. These reports can be found on the SFPO website under SFPO NPC (SRA) Documents https://www.stfrancis propertyowners.com/sfponpc-sra/npc-documents/ towards the bottom of the page.

T HE PROJECT W I LL C O M MENCE AS S O O N AS THERE I S S U F F ICI ENT FUNDS T O D O S O. 49

@ Barry Culligan The project will be phased due to financial constraints.

It is hoped that the construction will commence during the last quarter of 2022. The funding available then will dictate the scope of the first contract (first phase only, or more than one phase simultaneously).

TO DATE , A PPR O X I M AT E LY R1 5 MI LLI O N 50

HA S BEEN A C C UM ULATED FOR T HIS PROJECT, AND T HIS I S EXPECTED T O E XCEED R20 M IL L I ON BY THE E N D O F 2021.

A number of generous individuals have approached the SFPO, offering to contribute financially and to assist with raising funding for the project. To date,

more than R10 million has already been pledged. The SFPO intends to embark on a funding drive soon, and more information will be made available in the near future.

The St Francis Bay Riparian Home Owners Association, the Kromme Joint River Committee and individual Home Owners Associations along the Kromme River pledged to contribute financially to the project.

ST FR A N CI S B AY A E S TH E TI C S G UI DE LI N E S The updated St Francis Bay aesthetics guidelines document is now live on the SFPO website. It is a 16page document that can be downloaded or read online: https://www.stfrancis propertyowners.com/ st-francis-bay-aestheticguidelines/

M E M BERS HI PS Association memberships are due for renewal on 1st October 2021. The annual subscription for a property owner/resident is R500, or R330 for a pensioner.

The SFPO membership runs concurrently with its financial year – from 1st October to 30th September annually.

Payment Options Submit your payment online: https://stfrancisproperty owners.co.za/membership/ Or make an EFT payment: Francis Bay Residents Association Standard Bank, Humansdorp Code: 050015 Account No: 082499276 Please use your Erf number and surname as reference.

ST FR A N CI S PR OPE RTY O WN E R S A S S O CI ATI O N 2 0 2 1 /2 0 2 2 A N N U A L 51

Stand Up Paddleboarding in St Francis Bay EP I S ODE THR E E

BY ME LI S S A V O L K E R

All pics courtesy of Expression On The Beach

BA S I C S UP T E C HN IQ U E You’ve chosen your board and you’re ready to head out onto the Kromme River or the canals.

Here are a few technique tips to get you going.

1.

Adopt a wide stance, with a foot on either side of the handle.

2.

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Bend your knees; not

a deep squat, but a relaxed bend. Your bum should be in line with your heels.

3.

Keep your head and eyes up. You go where you

look. If you look down, you’ll go down.

4.

The most common beginner mistake is holding the paddle backward.

TH E A N G LE O F T HE PADDLE BL A D E SHOULD FAC E AWAY FR O M Y OU, F L A R IN G TOWA RD THE N O S E OF TH E BOAR D .

If it looks like it’s able to scoop water toward you, it’s the wrong way around.

5.

Your top arm should be straight, with your hand over the top of the handle so you can apply downward pressure in the paddle stroke.

The length of the paddle should be roughly one shaka above your head. An adjustable paddle affords

Lizanie Teron, bent knees, A frame, Blade of paddle.

Gaby Nordgard, A Frame technique.

rider height flexibility but can be heavy.

I F Y O U PLAN T O BE AT Y OUR L A P TI ME A R O U N D T HE CAN A LS O N Y O U R FO UR TE E N - F O O T SP E E D M A C HIN E , A CAR BON PAD D L E IS A M US T. You’ll have it cut to your required height and the handle reattached.

6.

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Your paddle should

enter the water at 90 degrees. Apply downward pressure and pull your body toward the paddle.

7.

T H E PADDLE S HO U LD NOT G O P AS T Y OUR F E E T AFTER Y OUR S T R O KE. Paddling past your feet throws you off balance.

When the blade lines up with your feet, lift the paddle from the water and reach forward, top arm straight, and replant the paddle in front.

8.

Y O UR A R M S A N D PA DDL E SHOULD LO O K L IK E A C A P I TA L A WHE N YO U A RE RE A D Y T O DI G TH E BL A D E IN T O TH E WATE R .

9.

Reach your arms forward, plant the paddle in the water, pull yourself toward the paddle with your

core. Repeat a few times, then change sides. It is similar riding in a bike, in that forward momentum keeps you from falling and increased cadence makes you go faster.

10.

When you lift the paddle at the end of the stroke there should be no splashing or scooping of water.

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Evette Terblanche, A frame, knees bent.

11.

Although not motorized, SUPs have a reasonable responsibility to prevent collisions with boats and other craft. Give way to the starboard (right) side.

Now you’re on the move, you might be ready to progress into the ocean. In our next episode will look at a few safety tips so you can SUP on both the river and the sea with confidence.

Melissa Volker is a successful book writer and a keen SUPer. Find out more about her here: https://missmelissawrites.com/ Shadow Flicker: https://amzn.to/3agGhao A Fractured Land: https://amzn.to/2QwxWIF coming soon: The Pool Guy (A novelette in an anthology) 58

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Seven plants to see in the FOSTER reserves this spring.

BY R I CH A R D C O WL IN G Spring is here at last!

It has been a long, cold, covid-stained winter.

But the days are getting longer, a little warmer, and the veld is coming alive.

Sea Satyr Orchid Satyrium princeps To celebrate the revamp of the FOSTER website foster.org.za with the new trail maps, we have selected seven species for you to find this spring.

SO G E T O UT IN T O TH E W I LD AN D G O PL A N T H UN T IN G

BY TA K I N G A F E W 62

R A M B LES THROUGH T HE RES ERV ES .

You won’t be disappointed, and besides, it’s good for your body and mind.

Remember the FOSTER website also includes a gallery with photos of all 400 or so plant species found in the reserves.

TH E S E A S AT Y R OR CH I D S AT Y R IU M PR I N CE P FOSTER’s icon featured on our logo - grows on coastal dunes between Cape Recife and Wilderness. Due to the loss of populations to coastal development, this beautiful, increasingly rare orchid is classified as Vulnerable to extinction.

Fortunately, it is abundant in our reserves, especially the Seal Point and Irma Booysen reserves. The crimson flowers are pollinated by sunbirds which, unlike insects, can withstand the strong winds that whip through its habitat in the spring months.

T HE COM M ON S WO RDLI LY G L A D I OLUS F L O R I BUNDUS grows on sandy soils throughout the Cape Floristic Region, between

The Common Swordlily Gladiolus floribundus

the Cederberg and Port Alfred. However, nowhere else are the flowers more striking than in our area.

This species can be seen adorning the paths in the Irma Booysen reserve.

Long-tongued flies pollinate the long-tubed flowers.

TH E FLUFFY B E A C H I N DI G O I N D IG O F E R A TOM E N TOS A grows on coastal dunes between Cape St Francis and Cape Recife. Due to its restricted distribution and increasing pressures on this species, scientists classify

it as Near Threatened. It is abundant on the Wild Side of the Seal Point reserve, where it forms striking mats of crimson blooms on shell shingle.

T HE GOUKUM OR D E L ICI OUS S OURFI G C A R POBROTUS D E L ICI OS US is common on the coastal strip between Mossel Bay and East London. When the iridescent, deep-pink flowers are in bloom, the plant provides a feast of colour.

The sun-facing blooms attract many different

The Fluffy Beach Indigo Indigofera tomentosa

The Goukum or Delicious Sourfig Carpobrotus deliciosus insects – robbers and pollinators alike – to their warm faces on cool spring days. The sweet fruits are harvested by many animals, including humans. Goukum jam is the tastiest of all the sourfig preserves. Goukum can be seen in all four reserves.

TH E BE A CH L E M O N BUCH U A G AT HO S M A ST E N O PE TAL A

classified as Vulnerable to extinction. Like all buchus – and there are almost 300 of them in the Cape - the crushed leaves of Beach Lemon Buchu are highly aromatic, delivering a lovely scent. Khoi-San people anointed themselves with a concoction of mashed buchu leaves and animal fat to ward off biting insects and ticks. This species can be seen in Irma Booysen and Cape St Francis reserves.

is endemic to coastal dunes between Oyster Bay and Cape Recife. Given its narrow range, it is 65

The Beach Lemon Buchu Agathosma stenopetala

The Algoa Viooltjie Lachenalia algoensis

TH E A LG OA VIO O LTJ I E LACH E N A LI A A LG OE N S I S

T HE S I LV ER DUNE C HA FFLOW ER A C HY RANTHEM UM A R G ENTEUM

is distributed along the coast between Algoa Bay and Swellendam. In the Eastern Cape, the species is restricted to coastal dunes. The scented but dull-coloured flowers are likely pollinated on still nights by moths. The most conspicuous displays can be seen in the southern part of the Irma Booysen reserve, on the path between the tennis courts and De Hoop Crescent.

is a species of coastal dunes between Port Alfred and Plettenberg Bay. It often grows in semi-mobile dunes near the beach and, in our area, can be seen in Seal Bay and Cape St Francis reserves. The furry, silver foliage and the yellow-centred flowers are beautiful; this chafflower would make an excellent coastal garden plant. Like other Everlastings, the blooms and foliage make lovely dried flowers.

The Silver Dune Chafflower Achyranthemum argenteum

Cape St Francis surfers

Joel Dace @ Kody McGregor

ST E A L TH E L IM E L IG HT AT T HE S A LO N G BOA R D C HA M P S .

It was an incredible event in JBay with good vibes and spirit, and the waves at Lower Point were excellent all week.

When there’s a little bit of swell around, a west wind and a few afternoon high tides, Point does tend to get quite good. Combined with some freezing mornings, it was a memorable event,

with some awesome longboarding.

T HE S EAL POI NT C R E W S HOW ED T HE COUNTRY 69

TH E I R S K I LL S B Y WINNING FOUR OF TH E DI VI S I O N S O N FI N A LS DAY.

in each of their divisions by spending most of their heats on the nose, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.

The Dace brothers, Rory and Joel, supplied electrifying entertainment in the Under 16 and Under 18 Boys divisions, respectively. The Daces took out the win

S O O N AFTER, M AKAI K A B OT S TREAKED A HE AD, W I NNI NG T HE HOTLY C O N TES TED U18

Rory Dace @ Kody McGregor

Makai Kabot @ Kody McGregor

BOY S DI VI S IO N WIT H A C O MBI N AT IO N O F N O S E - RI DI NG A N D DR AW N - O U T T U R N S. The Kahunas final was a nail-biter, with Greg Smith (Eastern Province) and Grant Gilmour (KwaZulu Natal) going blow for blow throughout the heat.

Seconds before the heat

came to a close, Smith swooped into his last wave, elegantly gliding his way to a division win.

WE L L DONE, GUY S , F O R KEEP I NG THE S E A L S FLAG FLY I NG HIG H .

All photos Kody McGregor 71