Have you heard? Have you heard?

It’s almost that time of year again and running enthusiasts are preparing for one of the most sought-after races of the year. This year, The Pick n’ Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon takes place on the 14th July.

South Africa is a country of geographical contrasts. From a large savanna sub region, to high and lush mountains in the east, to a Mediterranean climate in the west and indigenous forests in the south, South Africa is an ideal country for tourists looking for a varied experience.

As any unique Guesthouse owner will know, there are always the type of guests who book for three nights and end up staying two weeks. Walter from Germany was such a guest; with his striking German looks and worldly well-travelled attitude Walter was such a guest that we wouldn’t have leave for anything in the world.

Another glorious day is coming to its close here in Knysna - glorious and hot! It seems that each day is more or less a repetition of the last. But what do people say about the climate in Knysna? I’ve spoken to a couple of tourists and most of them are of the opinion that there can quite easily be four seasons in a day. From cloudy and humid, to bright and dry, and to rain and mist- Knysna’s climate certainly does range quite widely. But tourists are one thing and long-standing locals are another.

It is often surprising how chance encounters give birth to new insights and new ventures. Jaynie and Gordon, owners of Bamboo, the Guest House in Knysna, recently attended the Getaway Show in Johannesburg where they chanced upon one of Gordon’s long standing friends, whom they had not seen for some six months….let’s call him Dave for the purposes of this blog. Jaynie, for one moment, thought that this was not Dave himself but rather his son, so lean and mean was the man who appeared before her! At their last encounter Dave was just Dave, plump and battling to lose those extra inches.

As spring struggles to shake off the last of the winter chill, a lucky young couple eagerly anticipate another fabulous way in which to celebrate their love for each other………Alan and Yolandi are the proud winners of a stunning Garden Route break courtesy of Bamboo, the Guest House, Stormsriver Adventures, Knysna Charters, Tony Cook Adventures and Cornuti Knysna! This fantastic Garden Route Honeymoon Giveaway was facilitated by SA Weddings, South Africa’s premier online wedding guide.

Bamboo, the Guest House visitors are soon acquainted with George Rex via the name of the access road to the Knysna Heads and, indirectly, to Bamboo itself. The man himself had a profound impact on the founding and development of Knysna. So who was George Rex?

Steeped in history, The Featherbed Company (Featherbed) is one of the largest tourism based companies in the Southern Cape. Relatively recently acquired by businessman Kobus Smit from previous owners William and Jenny Smith, Featherbed remains dedicated to the ‘conservation through education’ philosophy begun by William’s father, the renowned ichthyologist Professor JLB Smith.

The Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area is definitely one of the jewels in the crown of the beautiful Garden Route. The Nature Reserve, straddling the coastline between Buffel’s Baai and Groenvlei Lake near Sedgefield, is some 2500ha in extent with the Marine Reserve extending one nautical mile out to sea.