BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 653

On a lovely early Spring morning, we continued with the clearing of the Public open space on Vlei Road of Rooikrans and Myrtle. Some of the troops tackled the verge of Porter drive that we did not get to when we were working there. Some large Myrtle bit the dust! There are still some isolated enemies here and there on both sites but these will have to wait a bit. Betsey Joubert provided the sandwiches and Jane Fearnhead the tea, thank you ladies. The hackers were: John Benn, Martin Bench with sons Sean and Michael,Tom…
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BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 652

Hackers: It was as if there had been a message sent round 'bring a friend'. Merrilee Berrisford swelled the number of hackers with her son Jeremy,  his wife Jean and children Sam and Kate. Kate brought her school friend  Molly Perkin and Sam his friend Trento Lambrecht. Molly's parents Karen  & Gary were also hacking. Willem Stiglingh a regular Wednesday and  Pringle Bay hacker came with Jano Nortje from George. John & Sue Weaver  brought Megan Conrad with them. The regulars included Maarten & Hilary  Mauve, Tom Dreyer, Rosemary Fowkes, Jan & Betsey Joubert, Jeannie …
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SNAKE SHOW AT PIKKEWYNTJIES PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL, BETTY’S BAY

-Rea Borcherds The Committee of the Betty’s Bay Botsoc Branch supports Pikkewyntjies Pre-Primary school at Mooiuitsig in a variety of ways, whether by material or financial support, or by environmental outings and suitable educational experiences for the children. The latest event was a hugely successful Snake Show on Tuesday 21 February, given by well-known local snake expert, Francois van Zyl of Pringle Bay. The show was timed for 6 pm so that parents and members of the community could also attend, and it had clearly attracted an enthusiastic crowd because the school hall filled rapidly.…
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THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: REPORT ON HACK NO 639

- Frik Potgieter, Convenor On a lovely, if somewhat windy day, we had a very good turnout, mainly due to the efforts of Betsey Joubert (who brought all the people who attended her birthday party), and John and Andrea Benn who commandeered their neighbours. The combined effort of all the attendees resulted in the plot being cleared of all the myrtle. A great achievement! Di Knott provided the sandwiches but could not attend due to her geyser bursting at a very inopportune time, and Merran Silberbauer provided the tea (as well as fetching the sandwiches…
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THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: REPORT ON HACK NO 638

Thank you all for coming out on a lovely day. Good progress was made and it really looks good to drive along Porter Drive where we cleared the verges. Di Knott provided the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer the tea. Thank you ladies! Those attending were: Barbara Jenman, Jan Joubert with son Francois and grandchildren Jacques and Alé, Maarten and Hilary Mauve, Barry Manicom, Carole Roberts, John Whitehead, new hacker Sue Weaver, Frik Potgieter, Ed and Lewis Silberbauer with Lewis' friend Ian McBride from New Zealand. Next Hack: Sunday 2 October 2016 at the top of…
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THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: REPORT ON HACK NO 640

- Ed Silberbauer, standing in for Frik Potgieter, the Convenor In unsettled, cold and uncertain weather it was certainly a joy to find a settled, warm and enthusiastic gathering for an early Spring hack. The scene of action, along Porter Drive between Vlei and Agapanthus roads – an area notorious for terrible infestations of invasives over many years – was given a thorough going over. Dead carcases of these awful trees were left lying to the left and right of the highway – a sight for sore eyes! The enthusiastic young hackers, Xavier and Zara…
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LEOPARD IN MY GARDEN!

You will no doubt already have heard about the leopard spotted in a Betty’s Bay garden last month. The leopard also visited the penguin colony at Stony Point where it killed (but did not eat!) a number of penguins. Take a look at the video on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeInBettysBay/
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WALKS PLANNED FOR 2016

February - Explore the Hangklip Ecological Corridor and hear its story with Allan Heydor Saturday 20 February Meet at the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens at 09h00. Explore breathtaking views and outstanding natural beauty in the Hangklip Ecological Corridor. Hear its rich human story from Allan Heydorn, the role of the WWF-SA, the vision and generosity of the donors who made it possible, the dreams and sorrows that make this area special and visit the memorials that quietly commemorate their vision. To join this February walk in the mountains between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay,…
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 BETTY’S BRAND!

Anli Theron Met die brandseisoen op hande gaan ons gedagtes terug na die verwoestende brand in Bettysbaai in Maart vanjaar. Ter herinnering daaraan publiseer ons hiermee deel  Bettysbaaiveldbrand 2 – Johan se storie Meer as Johan se kriptiese kommentaar van die ‘tuin het beter dae geken’ kon ek nie uit hom kry nie. Hy bevestig net die brand is uiteindelik later die oggend vasgekeer en alles is onder beheer. Intussen was dit duidelik dat ons net ‘n klein deel van die tragedie was. Teen Maandag kon ek daar uit die noorde op Faceboek sien dat…
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BETTY’S BRAND!

Anli Theron Met die brandseisoen op hande gaan ons gedagtes terug na die verwoestende brand in Bettysbaai in Maart vanjaar. Ter herinnering daaraan publiseer ons hiermee deel een van Anli Theron se vertelling wat in drie aflewerings sal verskyn. Fynbos brand. Dit brand flippin maklik en sonder veel omhaal. Die ou Portugese Seevaarders het van die Kaap gepraat as ‘die mooiste Kaap waar die berge brand’. Die ongelooflike blomspesiediversiteit is volkome afhanklik van die veld wat van tyd tot tyd brand en die meeste fynbos verkies brandtussenposes van sewe tot vyftien jaar. Die gewone proteas…
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