Table of contents for March 2020 in go!

Are you young – or old – enough (it’s all relative) to remember the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles? In 1980, it was a favourite at the school dances that were held every Friday night in the Boy Scout Hall in my home town. At the time, the song was a nostalgic lamentation of the uncontrolled pace of technological innovation, but it turns out The Buggles needn’t have worried. Forty years later, radio is alive and flourishing while VHS and Betamax will never be exhumed. It’s the same with books. I recently read that book sales worldwide are increasing, specifically printed books. In 2018 in the USA, book sales generated $26 billion in revenue. The sale of digital books only made up 10% of that figure.…

Dial-a-Picnic this autumn Picnics are great fun, but they can be a hassle to organise. Dial-a-Picnic saves you the trouble and puts together beautiful picnics for you to enjoy with your loved ones. They have picnics for every occasion, from birthday parties to engagements and baby showers. Delivery and setup are on offer within a 25 km radius of Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Johannesburg. Cost? From R130 per person for the Titbit Picnic. Bridal and baby shower packages from R3 300 for 20 people. More information: info@dialapicnic.co.za; dialapicnic.co.za – Kyra Tarr THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT Pack for a Purpose Who doesn’t love travelling and meeting wonderful people from all over our beautiful country and beyond? The app Pack for a Purpose will make your holidays even more meaningful.…

As they jokingly say in Afrikaans, Marnitz is “mar niks”– tiny, in other words – but Henk and Anél Malan’s jolly farm stall (look for the yellow windmill) will help you out if your stomach is growling. Biltong and droëwors cost R240/kg; chilli bites cost R300/kg. Pull over, park next to a baobab and pick your perch on the porch. They have clean bathrooms and plenty of space for the kids to play. The home-made pies (served with chips and salad) are big enough for the hungriest among us. A chicken pie costs R54; venison R52. You can also buy frozen pies to take home. That way you won’t have to cook for a week! A burger (with chips) starts at R58; roosterkoek with mince costs R50; or R25 with…

Where did your interest in wildlife and conservation begin? I grew up in Italy, but we regularly visited family in South Africa and what was then Rhodesia. Each time, I carried back home the fascination for African wild places, nurturing a dream of one day becoming involved in wildlife conservation. My mother had a strong passion for animals; my dad for adventure. My uncle and aunt took me to the Zambezi Valley in their 1973 short-wheelbase Land Rover. We camped and caught tiger fish in the river. I travelled alone to Zimbabwe for the first time when I was a veterinary student. What was Stronghold and how did you become involved as a 21-year-old? Stronghold was a counterinsurgency in Zimbabwe in the 1980s, in reaction to a wave of aggressive,…

WHY? We publish a selection of reader pictures every month. Don’t be shy, haul out those shots you’ve been hoarding on your computer and send them to us! We like just about anything: wildlife, landscapes, portraits, holiday snaps or bugs in your garden. HOW? Send your best photos to takeyourpic@gomag.co.za Don’t send files bigger than 4 MB – if we need a bigger version, we’ll ask for it. Give the name, surname, home town and contact number of the photographer. Also include info about where and how the shot was taken, and what equipment was used. If you manipulated your photo in any way, tell us what you did. THE FINE PRINT We reserve the right to use your photos elsewhere in the magazine, on our digital platforms and marketing material.…

Boerewors, bangers, porkies… Whatever you call them, or whatever they’re made of, everyone loves a good sausage! This incredibly versatile way of combining meat, spices and flavours can be found in cuisines around the world. And whether the sausage is hot, cold, smoked or steamed, there’s always a wine to match. Make sure the wine you choose has good acidity since most sausages are fairly fatty, and the acid helps to balance the richness. Here are a few suggestions. Classic South African boerewors is packed with fragrant, rather than fiery, spices. Match the coriander and black pepper with similar flavours in the Riebeek Cellars Shiraz (R75), which is an excellent partner for pretty much anything on a braai. The soft, smoky, black-fruit flavours are enlivened with a twist of vanilla…

Key ring and pocket gadgets to make your life easier. 1 Ni-Glo Glowstick This tiny self-recharging solar-powered glowstick will make it easier to find your keys in the dark. You can attach it to your backpack, clothing, your dog’s collar, or your tent zip for a little extra illumination. It uses solar or artificial light to recharge. R100 at adventureinc.co.za 2 LED Lenser K4R If you’re looking for a proper key ring torch, this rugged, water-resistant one is perfect. It offers 60 lumens of light with a 10-metre range, and the battery lasts about an hour and a half – impressive considering how small it is. Charge it via USB and you’ll never be left in the dark again. R310 at Cape Union Mart 3 PicQuic Stubby Arguably the best…

VIA FRANCIGENA (FINAL 100 KM) The Via Francigena is Italy’s version of the Camino de Santiago. The entire route is more than 2 000 km long, but this eight-day tour starts in Viterbo and follows the final 112 km – far enough to earn a Testimonium (certificate) from the Vatican in Rome. Dates: Any time in August 2020. Cost: R27500* per person sharing. What’s included? Return flights from Johannesburg to Rome, all accommodation before and on the Via Francigena in en suite hotel rooms, plus breakfast and the transport of your luggage to the next overnight stop. VIA FRANCIGENA (SAN MINIATO TO SIENA) On this section of the Via Francigena, you don’t end your hike in Rome, but you get to see the most beautiful parts of Tuscany. The eight-day…

Where did you hear about the hike? I was baited to run the Grand Raid ultra-marathon on the island years ago. Parts of that crazy 162 km race crisscrossed sections of the GR R1 trail. At the time, I felt that I’d missed a lot of the island’s sights. When you’re running – especially when you’re running at night as we were required to do during some of the longer stretches – you don’t get much time to take in your surroundings. This trip was about going back to “smell the roses”. What was the highlight? On the day we climbed Piton des Neiges, we woke early to reach the summit by sunrise. The views from the island’s highest peak were incredible. At 3 070 m in altitude, it’s also…

Thanks for the dance by Leonard Cohen R70 from Google Play Store; also on streaming services Leonard Cohen died in 2016. Thanks for the dance arrived three years posthumously and delighted his millions of fans around the world. Cohen’s 15th and without doubt final album was completed by his son Adam, who had previously worked with his dad on You Want It Darker (2016). Thanks for the dance might only have nine songs and lasts barely 29 minutes, but it’s an undeniable work of genius. From the opening notes of “What Happens to the Heart” to the final verse of “Listen to the Hummingbird” – Listen to the hummingbird / don’t listen to me – the album feels like a precious gift from the grave. Adam sifted through half-completed musical…

Leatherman Crunch If you need a multi-tool that does well outdoors, but which is also focused on DIY home fixes, then this is your weapon of choice. Even though it’s a compact gadget at only 10 cm long, it comes with 10 locking tools and a pair of foldable pliers, offering 15 functions in total. There are four different screwdrivers, a metal and wood file, wire strippers (hard wires and soft), a wire cutter, two different pliers, and a handy serrated knife. It’s tough, durable, and supremely useful. R2360 at Kloppers Cape Union Mart Scout You won’t find a better multi-tool for 400 bucks. It’s compact and solid and weighs only 235 g, and it offers 10 functions including pliers, cutters, a saw, and most importantly, a decent-sized knife at…

The Kumano Kodo is seen as Japan’s Camino. It’s also an ancient pilgrimage route that has been used since the 10th century, and has an official connection with the pilgrimage in Spain. Hikers who have done the Spanish Way can apply for a special certificate in Japan. But you do not have to hike the Camino before you book your spot. Dates: 28 September to 9 October 2020 Cost: R46 500* per person sharing What’s included? Flights, all accommodation (five nights on the Kumano Kodo, two nights in Kyoto and three nights in Kurashiki), transport of your backpack to the next overnight spot, all breakfasts, and train tickets between the big cities. go! says: Start saving for this epic hike. The entire pilgrimage is “only” 69 km, but don’t underestimate…

Why do certain snakes spit? The answer is simple: self-defence. The snake attempts to get its venom into the attacker’s eyes, causing pain and temporary blindness, giving the snake time to escape. The rinkhals is well known for its ability to spit. When cornered, it will raise its body off the ground and make a hood, which exposes two or three white bands on its chest. Then it rapidly flicks its head forward and spits. Other prolific spitters include zebra spitting cobras, found in Namibia, and black spitting cobras, native to Namaqualand and southern Namibia. The Mozambique spitting cobra (pictured) also makes a hood when threatened, but it has been known to spit from a concealed position without the initial warning. The spitting mechanism is intricate. In other venomous snakes…

Swim Wild by Jack Hudson Yellow Kite, R198 at loot.co.za Jack, Calum and Robbie Hudson are three brothers from the UK whose chosen method of escaping the rat race is to swim in remote and often dangerous places. They’re known as the Wild Swimming Brothers. Swim Wild, written by Jack, with contributions by his brothers, is full of adventure, wisdom and inspiration. It kicks off with a dramatic Arctic expedition as the Hudsons attempt to swim across the Saltstraumen in Norway – the world’s most powerful maelstrom. They only have a window of 12 minutes before the maelstrom builds momentum again, becoming capable of sucking a human being to a depth of 200 metres in three seconds! In the midst of the stress and anxiety, Jack remains calm:…

The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway First published in 1952 R129 at takealot.com He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. In the first forty days a boy had been with him. But after forty days without a fish the boy’s parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky, and the boy had gone at their orders to another boat which caught three good fish the first week. It made the boy sad to see the old man come in each day with his skiff empty and he always went down to help him…

Hot dogs with bacon and jalapeño Makes 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes These gourmet hot dogs are just the thing for a relaxed weekend meal. And the candied jalapeños go with everything so make extra. You need • ¼ cup sugar • ¼ cup boiling water • 4 preserved jalapeño peppers, sliced • 4 good quality Frankfurters • 4 strips of bacon • ½ cup cream cheese • 1 wheel of feta, crumbed • a little milk • 4 hot dog rolls, buttered Here’s how 1 Stir the sugar and boiling water in a pot until the sugar has melted. Bring the mixture to a boil for about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeño slices and cook until syrupy. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool down a little. 2 Wrap a strip of…

iHandy Carpenter Unfortunately this app isn’t free (it costs about R50), but the five digital tools make it worthwhile: surface level, plumb bob, protractor, ruler, and bubble level bar. Available for iOS and Android. IFixIt.com This is a huge, free online manual with thousands of repair recipes for different products and home problems. You can also troubleshoot with the help of experts. WikiHow.com Forget YouTube and head over to the world’s most popular how-to site. You can learn how to do almost anything, and fix whatever is plaguing you at home. Houzz.com Like a grownup, more professional Pinterest, Houzz will inspire you to turn your dilapidated digs into the house of your dreams – or help solve design problems. RoomScan Pro Map out and digitally render your home with this…

CAMINO FRANCÉS (FRENCH WAY) There are seven Camino routes, but the French Way is the most popular by far. The full route starts in Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and runs across northern Spain. This tour starts in Sarria and covers the final 115 km to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela – far enough to qualify for a compostela, a certificate to prove you walked the Camino. It’s an easy route and the daily distances aren’t too taxing (the longest day is 25 km). Beginners are welcome. go! says: You’ll see several authentic Spanish towns along the way, you’ll eat traditional Spanish cuisine and you’ll meet pilgrims from all over the world. The last day, when you cross the Hill of Joy to Santiago, is a highlight. Dates: 3 –…

A palm-studded coastline, warm water, coral reefs, mangrove forest and some interesting sand driving await you on this 10-day tour, which starts in the Kruger Park. We’ll travel east across the lush lowlands of Mozambique, crossing the Limpopo River, to the coastal floodplains. Our route takes us to the village of St Jorge do Limpopo and on to Machaila. We have a light picnic lunch en route before we set up camp on the banks of the Chefu River for our first night. The next morning after breakfast, we continue eastwards until we get to the town of Mabote, and then turn north to Vilanculos. Travelling overland, we drive through savannah woodlands before the landscape changes to a narrow strip of beach at the fishing village of Inhassoro, opposite the…

REDWOODS ROAD, GROOTVADERSBOSCH Grootvadersbosch is a small nature reserve in the folds of the Langeberg, between Heidelberg and Barrydale, home to the last remaining patch of old-growth indigenous forest in that part of the world. The forest might only be 2,5 km² in size but it’s a magical place and it’s easy to lose yourself among the trees on one of the several trails. Our favourite is this circular trail, which includes the so-called Redwoods Road, the Stinkhoutsirkel path and a visit to a bird hide high in the canopy. Walk down from the reception office to the forest and turn right onto the second jeep track where the sign reads: “Bushbuck Trail/Redwoods Road/Bird Hide”. Only three steps from the sign, look for a trail going into the forest on…

THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WRYNECK I was sitting in a sliver of shade somewhere between Philippolis and Springfontein in the Free State. It was about 2.30 pm and so hot that the crows were yawning. A typical Karoo silence rested over the landscape; it was so quiet I imagined I could hear atoms colliding in the air. Next thing, I noticed movement in the sparse branches above and grabbed my binoculars. Ouch! The black rubber rings burnt my face, but only for a moment. A red-throated wryneck glared at me as it clung to the bark. It was being more productive than I was in the heat, busy preening. Every feather was combed, stretched and shaken back into position. The longer I watched the bird, the more beautiful its feathers…

VISCACHA SIZE HEAD 30 – 45 WEIGHT 1,5 – 3 A viscacha lives high in the mountains of South America. It looks like a rabbit, but has legs like a kangaroo and a tail like a squirrel. Thanks to those strong legs, it can easily jump from rock to rock and scale steep cliffs. The thick fur protects it from the icy mountain air. When it needs to warm up, a viscacha will sit for hours in the sun with its eyes closed. QUOKKA SIZE HEAD AND BODY 40 – 54 cm TAIL 25 – 30 cm WEIGHT 2,5 – 5 kg The grinning quokka is a marsupial, like a kangaroo, but it’s the size of a chubby cat. You’ll find quokkas on Rottnest Island, west of Australia. You may…

“My association with the Kgalagadi goes back many years. In the 1970s I did a B.Sc in Zoology and Botany. At that stage, the late Professor Fritz Eloff was dean of the Faculty of Zoology at the University of Pretoria, and our lecturer. He used to talk with such passion about the Kalahari and the research he’d done about the lions there. “This sowed a little seed in my mind, and it’s safe to say that I’ve since become totally besotted with the Kgalagadi. I visit the park each year.”…

Our journey started in mid-2018 when we left Marie’s home town of Valence in France. We arrived in Africa in May 2019. Now it was early October and suddenly a bit surreal to be contemplating our last two months of this epic overland trip. After our ramble through Uganda, we basically made a U-turn and started the southward leg. We crossed into Kenya via the little border post of Malaba. There was a 7 000+km drive between us and Joburg and we planned to be home for Christmas. But despite the promise of gammon and mince pies at the finishing line, we still had a few spots we were keen on exploring as we passed through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Red elephants and man-eating lions Kenya’s Tsavo National…

My two brothers and I went to boarding school in Pietersburg (now Polokwane), a good 350km and a border crossing away. We only went home once every three months, along with a gaggle of cousins. Being away for so long, things were bound to change, and it was easy to feel adrift when I returned. To counteract this, I made mental lists of things that had stayed the same: the shop fronts we passed, the number of foot-and-mouth gates en route, the semausu (tuck shops)… These things rooted me to a sense of home. Years later, as an adult living in Joburg, these rituals still exist when I head home to visit my parents. They start as soon as the Parr’s Halt border crossing. It’s important to stop the car…