Die Kwêvoël, Thabazimbi

THABAZIMBI – The newly established Marakele 4×4 Eco Trail is a three-day (two nights) outdoor adventure spanning the wilderness and primitive zone of Marakele National Park which is the core of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.

Called the “wilderness experience on wheels”, the trail follows the management tracks on the eastern boundary of the Marakele National Park on top of the Waterberg Mountains.

Experienced, professional guides act as trail leaders and will interpret the various eco-zones the trail crosses, at regular intervals.

The trail is strictly a 4×4 challenges and 4×4 driving skills are required. Road conditions vary from reasonably good to places with steep inclines and muddy patches where guests are asked to engage 4×4 and low range. Without 4×4 and low range capabilities, wheels might spin and the road might be damaged. Therefore only 4×4 vehicles with low range are allowed.

There are two trails a week. The one trail departs from Marakele National Park main entrance gate every Friday and the second departs every Tuesday. Both trails end at Moralane exit gate on the following Sunday and Thursday respectively.

The dry season is regarded as from the 1st Sunday in April till the last Sunday in October. Te rest of the time can be regarded as the rainy season and very wet conditions can be expected. The Waterberg definitely did not get its name through lack of water. The route may be closed completely after heavy rains. Marakele front office will contact guests accordingly if this happens.

Only five vehicles plus the guide’s vehicle are allowed on the trail at any one time, with a maximum of 4 people per vehicle. No children under 12 years are allowed, unless arranged prior to departure.

You start off by driving from the main entrance gate to the Northern exclusive entrance gate to the 4×4 Eco trail on the northern boundary of the Park. The trail has two unfenced camps, each with its own unique and natural feel. Two Enviro-toilets are provided at each camp. Each site has its own unique bush character as they have been left as undisturbed as possible.

The departure time from the camping sites varies depending on the season but will be no later than 07:30 in the morning. Each day is filled with a variety of experiences – from seeing different animal spoor, animals, plant species and birds to dense bush.

The trail is quite exceptional, giving participants’ time to explore the unfounded core of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, including the endangered Waterberg Cycad, Eugene marainsii, named after the well known Afrikaans poet and author Eugene Marais, who explored the region for his book “Die siel van die bobbejaan”. The trail’s duration is two nights and three days.

This is not an obstacle course or a testing ground for four-wheel drive vehicles. The participants on this trail will be true bush lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness.

This trail’s difficulty ranges between level 3 and 5 depending on the challenges encountered en route and offers the best scenery route in the Park due to the diversity of the fauna and flora encountered.

Clients are required to drive their own vehicles, cater for themselves and to carry their own equipment. Guests also need to bring their own firewood and water, which can be bought from the main entrance gate. At each of the campsites there is a drum for ash but each vehicle needs to carry their own rubbish until it can be disposed of at one of the camps.

The reason for allowing only five vehicles at a time on the trail is to ensure that the environment is not unduly affected and to afford groups some exclusivity. A ranger from the park, who leads the convoy in his own vehicle, accompanies each group. Regular stops are made by the ranger to interpret aspects within the environment or to share special experiences. Participants should bring enough food and refreshment for the duration of the trail since there is no stop to replenish food supplies.

Each vehicle must be fully equipped with tent, water containers, gas bottles, cooking equipment and what ever you may need to be self sustained as this is a self-catering activity.

The trail leader accompanying trail-goers will offering safety and an unparalleled bush interpretation that covers geology, biology, botany as well as historical and cultural information.

The trail must be booked exclusively through Hester van den Berg on 012 426 5117. The tariff, which is valid until 31 October 2010, is R2 950 per vehicle and excludes conservation fees. If any accommodation is required before or after the trail, please make a separate reservation. Bookings can be made through the SANParks central booking office in Pretoria, reservations@sanparks.org , and Marakele National Park reception at 014 777 6928/9/30/31/ 071 935 7306 or marakele@sanparks.org . The tariff for the trail is for 4 persons or less.

The trail starts at Marakele National Park main entrance gate on Friday or Tuesday at 13:00 and ends at Moralane exit gate on Sunday or Thursday at about 13:00. Please report promptly at Marakele main entrance gate at 13:00 on the day of departure. Please check that your vehicle is ready for the trip and ensure that everyone has signed an indemnity form. The indemnity form can be collected from reception. Ensure that your vehicle is filled with fuel. Trail-goers are present with a short briefing from the trail leader before departure. Delayed departures should be avoided so that more time can be spent enjoying the wilderness.

Om ‘n kersmandjie te vul met spesiale items vir ‘n besonderse persoon in jou lewe wys dat jy omgee, en kan die kosbaarheid van dié liefdefees met hierdie gebaar vasvang.

Gebruik enige van die volgende om die mandjie te vul: Lekkergoed stokkies, Santa sjokolade wat toegedraai is, bondeltjies kaneelstokkies en groenigheid, kersornamente, klein strikkies, gedroogde lemoene, neute in hulle doppe en klein geparfumeerde kerse.

Ouma en oupa Mandjie: Kinders se tekenkuns, geskenke wat deur die kinders gemaak is, fotoraam met die kinders en kleinkinders, video van die hele familie, lang afstand foonkaart, koffie, beskuit en koekies en kersgeskenkies.

Liefdes mandjie: Geskenkies, fotoraam met julle saam, klein botteljie sjampanje en piekniek kombers.

Nuwejaars mandjie: Sjampanje, glase, partytjiehoedjies, geraasmakers, sparkles en konfetti.

Bakkers mandjie: Gebruik ‘n diep pan as mandjie, pothouer, bak resepte, vadoekies en verskeideheid sprinkels.

Kersmandjie: Tuisgebakte koekies, verskeidinheid sjokolades, tuisgemaakte versierings, kersmusiek, soetgoed kieries en sjokolade in kersvadervormpies

Kinder “craft” mandjie: Potlode, viltpenne, tuiswerk boekie, klei, notas en dagboek.

Bron: www.agieinfo.co.za

Hiermee kan die kleinspan gerus ‘n handjie bysit, dit sal hul ten minste vir ‘n tydjie besig hou.

Lysie vir geskenke toe draai: Geskenkpapier, geskenkboksies, geskenksakkies, sneespapier, linte, strikkies, kleefband, geskenk naam kaartjies, pen en skêr.

Toedraai idees: Gebruik gewone bruin papier, maak stempels van aartapples of koop by “craft” winkels, laat die kinders met helder kleure op die papier prentjies teken, knip prentjies uit die koerant of tydskrifte en “decopage” dit op die bruin papier, gebruik gekleurde raffia lyn om die geskenke mee toe te draai, sny kers motiewe uit materiaal en plak dit op of gebruik ou kerskaartjies as geskenk kaartjies, sny die een kant af en gebruik net die kant met die prentjie op.

Om ou geskenkpapier weer te gebruik spuit ‘n bietjie stysel aan en stryk dit mooi, dit haal al die fyn kreukels uit en maak dit weer effe styf.

Speletjie vir presentjies: Gooi almal wat hierdie kersfees by julle gaan bymekaar kom, se name in ‘n hoed. Laat elkeen dan vir hom ‘n naam trek en maak dan vir daardie persoon ‘n geskenk wat minder as ‘n vasgestelde bedrag kos. Op hierdie manier verseker jy dat elkeen ‘n unieke geskenk ontvang én dit het meer waarde omdat dit self gemaak is.

Doen moeite om die present spesiaal vir die persoon uit te soek, want jy wil mos daarmee sê: ‘Jy’s vir my spesiaal’. Wat wil sy/hy hê? Wat pas by hom/ haar? Wat gaan sy/hy nie net passief geniet nie, maar gaan vir hom/haar goed wees? Vermy oorbesteding en oordadigheid. As dit iets is wat jy self gemaak het, sê dit waarskynlik nog die meeste.

Oorweeg dit om iets te skryf wat saamgegee word. Dis ‘n geleentheid wat nie dikwels kom nie.

Vir ‘n interessante geskenkpapier rasper gekleurde stukkies waskryt en sprinkel dit oor wit of bruin papier. Bedek met nog ‘n stuk van dieselfde papier en plaas alles tussen twee velle koerantpapier. Stryk dit met ‘n warm strykyster. Die was smelt en vorm ‘n gekleurde patroon op die papier.

Ten slotte, ontvang met ‘n oop hart sonder om skaam te wees of skuldig te voel. Laat die gewer voel dat jy die gawe en sy boodskap waardeer.

Bron: www.agieinfo.co.za

Kersfeestafeldekor met ‘n kersfokuspunt is maklik om te skep deur die basiese materiale te implimenteer wat alreeds gebruik word om die woning vir die feestyd te versier.

Om ‘n bietjie meer glans en lig by te voeg kan kersliggies op wit of groen draad in verskillende voorwerpe geplaas word. Kersfees blommekranse is sinoniem met voordeur versiering en bokant die kaggel, gebruik ‘n klein tot medium grootte kersfees blommekrans as ‘n fokuspunt op die kerstafel. Gebruik daarmee tesame ‘n ronde-, glas- of silwer opdieningsbord as basis vir die fokuspunt en ‘n string kersliggies in die middel of om die blommekrans gewoel. Voeg kunsblomme, klein ornamente en rooi linte om die finale afronding te bewerkstellig.

Vir ‘n landelike Kersfeestafel fokuspunt, gebruik ‘n hout broodblik, ‘n gereedskapkissie of ‘n stuk hout vir die middel van die tafel. Plaas groenigheid, kunsmatige voëltjies, stukkies hout, dennebolle en kersliggies aan die binnekant.  Maak ‘n paar gate in die stuk hout en plaas kersies in elke gaatjie, draai dan die kersliggies om die hout. Voeg kleur by met rooi linte en groenigheid.

Silwer opdieningsborde met kerse van verskeie hoogtes, groenigheid, elegante kersfees ornamente en kersliggies sal die tafel goed verlig.

Gebruik ‘n groot mandjie of bak, vul die onderkant met skuim of enige ander sagte materiaal. Plaas groenigheid oor die bokant saam met ornament en woel ‘n string kersliggies tussendeur.

Mandjies van verskeie groottes is perfek om as fokuspunt op ‘n kerstafel te gebruik. Enige groenigheid word in die mandjie geplaas en dien as beginpunt vir die pragtige skepping. Stringe krale kan tussendeur die groenigheid gedraai word terwyl een of meer kerse in die middel van die mandjie saam met kersliggies gebruik word om die tafel te verlig.

Bron: www.christmas-light-source.com

Geniet ‘n intieme Kersete saam met jou familie en vriende en bederf hulle met tradisionele gebraaide lamsboud.

Genoeg vir: 8

Bereidingstyd: 45 minute

Gaarmaaktyd: 2 uur

Oondtemperatuur: 160 °C

30 ml olyfolie
100 g swoerdlose strepiespek, gekap
1 ui, gekap
1 selderystingel, gekap
2 knoffelhuisies, gepers
100 g spinasie, skoongemaak, gesny en gestoom
125 g varkworsies
1 sny witbrood, korsies afgesny
50 g feta, gekrummel
30 ml vars gekapte pietersielie
30 ml vars gekapte kruisementblare
5 ml vars gekapte roosmaryn (2 ml gedroog)
10 ml suurlemoenskil, gerasper
1 groot eier, liggies geklop
2-2,5 kg lamsboud, ontbeen en oopgevlek

Verhit olie in ‘n kastrol en voeg spek by. Braai oor matige hitte vir twee minute en voeg dan die ui, seldery en knoffel by. Braai nog twee minute en voeg die spinasie by. Sit ‘n deksel op en haal van die plaat af. Laat dit vir vyf minute stoom sonder om die deksel af te haal.

Druk die worsvleis uit die omhulsel uit. Week die brood in ‘n bietjie water, druk die oortollige water uit, en voeg die brood, kaas, kruie en suurlemoenskil by die worsvleis. Geur goed met sout en vars gemaalde swartpeper.

Roer die worsmengsel en die eier by die afgekoelde spinasiemengsel in. Meng goed.

Sprei die lamsboud op ‘n kerfplank oop en slaan die vleis tot dit oral ewe dik is. Smeer die vulsel oor die vleis, rol dit op en bind dit stewig vas met tou.

Sit die vleis met die naat aan die onderkant op ‘n rak in ‘n roosterpan. Braai in voorverhitte oond vir sowat twee uur. Laat staan 15 minute voordat jy die tou afhaal en die vleis sny.

Probeer dié resep vir ‘n lekker sous saam met die lamsboud:
Kap een ui, een wortel en een selderystingel. Strooi dit onder die rak in die roosterpan en voeg twee takkies vars kruisement en 200 ml biefaftreksel by. Oondrooster die lam volgens die resep hierbo. Skep die vloeistof en groente in ‘n beker ná die gaarmaaktyd verby is. Laat dit ‘n paar minute staan en skep dan die vet af wat na die oppervlak styg. Gooi die aftreksel deur ‘n sif. Verhit 50 ml botter in ‘n kastrol en voeg 45 ml meel by. Roer tot bruin. Voeg gesifte vloeistof bietjies-bietjies op ‘n slag by en roer heeltyd sodat dit nie klonte vorm nie. Voeg 100 ml droë wit wyn en 15 ml kruisementjellie by sodra al die aftreksel bygevoeg is. Roer tot verdik. Sit saam met skywe lamsvleis voor.

Kookwenk
Geroosterde knoffel het ‘n matige soet geur met ‘n bietjie byt! Jy kan dit ook saam met die vleis in die oond rooster en met skywe vleis voorsit. Of smeer dit op melbaroosterbrood en jy het ‘n heerlike voorgereg.

Bron: www.idees.co.za

The good news for Chevrolet fans is there are more great lifestyle products planned for the near future.

First in line is the much anticipated Volt electric concept which is scheduled to be in USA showrooms in 2010. The Volt is essentially an electric car with an innovative rechargeable electric drive system that runs on electricity. It has a small internal combustion engine that powers a generator to charge the batteries for extended range trips – powered by either petrol E85 ethanol or bio diesel. The Volt has the ability to travel 64 kilometres using only electricity as itsenergy source, a range that should be sufficient for the average daily commute to and from work for most people.

Apart from its advanced technology, the Volt’s other attraction is its beautiful exterior design with its muscular coupe shape.

When the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle debuts next year, advanced, fuel-efficient tires by Goodyear and a new sound system by Bose will be among the components helping the Volt to achieve up to 40 miles of electric-only range.

GM announced that the production version of the Chevrolet Volt will include energy-saving Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires and the Energy Efficient Series sound system by Bose. Internal tests show the low rolling resistance Goodyear tires will allow for approximately one mile more of electric-only range under certain driving conditions on a fully charged up battery.

For trips of up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered by electricity from the grid and stored in its lithiumion battery pack. Beyond 40 miles, a small engine-generator creates additional electricity to extend the range of the Volt several hundred additional miles until the driver can plug-in to recharge the battery.

YOKOHAMA – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. revealed the sketch of its global compact car. Planned to be manufactured in 5 countries, including Thailand, China and India, the model will be first launched in Thailand in March 2010 and will be available in more than 150 countries, including South Africa.

“We aim to make an impact on the B-segment, the biggest market for passenger vehicles in South Africa” – says Mike Whitfield, Nissan South Africa, MD. This major segment caters for first time car buyers or as a secondary mode of household transport.  “We are confident that the new Nissan will offer a stylish, yet value for money package,” concludes Whitfield.  Timing for local introduction will be announced in due course.

MINI is celebrating a great birthday: Fifty years ago, on 26 August 1959, the classic Mini was presented to the public for the first time, a unique story of success starting out and today giving MINI the perfect opportunity to look ahead without losing sight of the brand’s great tradition.

Presenting the concept of an uncompromising sporting two-seater to be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show (17–27 September 2009), MINI is unveiling an unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future.

The MINI Coupé Concept brings together a wide range of features for a truly sporting and ambitious style of motoring. Limited to two seats and following a philosophy of consistent lightweight construction, the car clearly meets all the requirements made of a particularly active and dynamic coupé. Compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and a low centre of gravity offer ideal conditions for enhancing the agility typical of MINI to a level never seen before.
And now the MINI Coupé Concept brings out driving pleasure in its most concentrated form, extreme lightweight technology making this two-seater particularly agile and unusually efficient. At the same time the low roofline, the precisely defined spoiler edge at the rear and other aerodynamic features enhance the car’s performance to an even higher standard.

This two-seater is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI Coupé Concept offers truly outstanding performance. Maximum output is 155 kW, peak torque 260 Newton-metres increasing through the Overboost function for a short while to an even more substantial 280 Newton-metres. And now the MINI Coupé Concept, through its unique look, takes up the almost aggressive and extroverted appearance of that former concept car, at the same time providing a new link between the history, the present and the future of the brand.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the most versatile vehicles in its segment, offering superior performance and high levels of comfort. Newly introduced are design and feature updates for the 2010 model year, which are exciting, modern and makes the face-lifted model easily distinguishable from its predecessor.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a capable and aggressive all-wheel-drive vehicle, powered by the proven 2,4 L DOHC 16 valve MIVEC GLS engine, which offers 125 kW of power and 226 Nm of torque.  The transmission is the popular Mitsubishi CVT gearbox with sports mode INVECS III. Further driving versatility, control and safety are assured by the electronically controlled 4WD system, operated by the centrally located drive-mode selector dial, offering 2WD, 4WD or 4WD Lock modes.

The sheer size of the new Mitsubishi Outlander denotes presence and strength with its new jet-fighter look, derived from the stylish chrome finishing around the front grille.  The newly enhanced exterior features are eye catching and bold, with the added chrome side window mouldings and a new chrome tailgate rounding off the classy looks.

The cabin is adorned with a useful array of storage areas, and a family of five can easily be accommodated in the comfortable seating environment, with no shortage of leg, head or elbow room. The addition of an upper glove box with cooling and warming functionality is an innovative feature that enhances the Outlander’s already well-established lifestyle orientation.

A first for Mitsubishi products in safety technology is the standard adaptive front lighting system (AFS), which is a headlamp orientation control system that takes into account both steering angle and vehicle speed to orient the headlamps to an angle that provides better night-time visibility.

Further convenience safety features include the rear-parking sensors, which alert the driver when parking the Outlander. Added to the already feature-packed standard specification list is the popular keyless operating system and start function, cruise control, full automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, full leather interior, an electric tilt-and-slide glass sunroof, integrated roof rails and the trademark privacy glass for the rear windows.

Active and passive safety continues to be a high priority with a total of six airbags (front driver and passenger, as well as front-seat side and curtain airbags), along with Active Stability Control (ASC) and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).