Uniondale Launch, Tuesday 22nd November 2011

We all waited in anticipation for the Uniondale launch of die oervlakte book. The event took place in the Jewish Synagogue which is run by The Lions, who kindly allowed us to use the venue.

This building was completed in 1906 and it was important to have the launch here as it is one of the historic buildings of the town that features in the book. We were all delighted when our guest list topped 75 people! We started the talk by Dr Chris Lee on Iconic Landscapes a bit later to accommodate the farmers who find it very difficult to get anywhere by 6 o’clock and are proud of the fact that we were the only town that had farmers attending the launch, not just one or two, but a good representation. A good evening was had by all and the last launch was truly a successful event.

Dr. Chris Lee talking on Iconic Landscapes

die oervlakte team had all worked hard and given generously of their time and expertise, travelling to three different venues on three different occasions to launch this book, with oervlakte stones, equipment and at times an overnight bag to sleep over to avoid kudus on the road on the way home in the dark.

Cheese and wine before the talk

I was pleased to speak to a geologist from the Wilderness area this morning who was testing out the geological route to take out tours and hopefully as more people explore the routes it will have a positive effect on die oervlakte, this magical ancient African Surface!

The Willowmore Launch 15 November 2011

Niekie from The Village Trading Post, de Rust in front of The Old Jail, Willowmore

The Willowmore launch of die oervlakte book took place on Tuesday, 15th November at the Old Jail in Willowmore. The hosts, Oleg and Karen von Loeper-Dyatschenko, have renovated this magnificent historical building beautifully and we were delighted to be able to use it as a venue as it is featured in the book. Twenty-eight people from the surrounding area and town attended the function and Dr. Chris Lee again enthused and inspired everybody with his talk on Iconic Landscapes.

Judy Jörgenson and Leon Nell, the co-author

The audience listening attentively to Dr. Chris Lee

Jane Zaayman from Baviaans Tourism, thanking the community for attending

de Rust Launch of die oervlakte book

die oervlakte team arrived early to get the venue ready for the launch. Niekie from The Village Trading Post confirmed that he had 75 people booked for the evening, which, in this part of the Karoo, where people drive long distances to get anywhere, was heart warming and very encouraging.

The media who attended also arrived early.
Elsabe Olivier from Suid-Kaap Radio interviewed the team first and the interview will be broadcast on Suid Kaap fm 104.1 on Wednesday, 16th November, at 16.10pm. Louise Olivier freelance journalist for Country and Life, Tisha Steyn from die Burger and Liesel le Roux from die Hoorn, Oudtshoorn also attended and interviewed the team. Die Hoorn published an informative article (http://www.diehoorn.co.za/2011/11/03/excitement-about-oervlakte/) prior to the launch.

The cheese, wine, bread and accompaniments of caramalized onions, figs and olives went down well with all!

die oervlakte team was introduced and thank you’s to the authors, Leon Nell and Dr Chris Lee was done  by Franzu Badenhorst, the presenter. A special thank you to Mr. Cobus van Rensburg from the farm Vleiplaas in Uniondale as he gave the team access to his farm over the two years this project has taken and allowed Louise Heckl, who did the branding, conceptualization and design, use of the photographs of the mesas on his farm for publication in die oervlakte book.

Dr Chris Lee talked on Iconic Landscapes which had the audience riveted in their seats and left them inspired and enthusiastic about the landscape of this region and enlightened about GeoParks.

We thank all for attending and the tremendous generosity from the people in de Rust and Oudtshoorn!

Franzu Badenhorst presenting die oervlakte

Leon Nell and Dr. Chris Lee

 

An attentive audience inspired by Dr. Chris Lee's talk on Iconic Landscapes

die oervlakte book has arrived!

die oervlakte book has arrived from the printers in Johannesburg! The printing and binding is superb and we are ready for the de Rust launch on Thursday, 10th November.  It has taken a great effort from many people to get this little book to this stage of publication and we look forward to launching a new book about the magnificent area that we live in!

 We thank the following sponsors of the cheese from Prince Alfred and the bread from George.