A gastronomical mountain bike race, a tranquil fly fishing competition and a famous painter’s art

Yes, this year at the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival you will be able to participate in three very diverse activities.

16th July
The world’s only biltong-tasting, beskuit-eating mountain bike race.
A 40 km non-technical mountain bike ride with gastronomical pit stops en route.
R80 per entry.
Entries on race day from 08:00 at the Somerset Vliegveld.

Contact: Marti – 082 872 2249 or avatar@eastcape.net

17th July
Fly Fishing Competition.
Catch one of the tagged trout and you could win yourself one of four fantastic weekend getaways valued from R1500 to R8000 each. A fun filled day of fly fishing including a ‘braai’ lunch, your rod fee and a chance at catching “THE” Trout.
R150 per rod.
Start: 08H00 – Finish: 16H00.

Contact: Alan Hobson - 082 4422 884.

17th July
Walter Battiss Art Museum. Meander down one of Somerset East’s most famous streets and pop in to see the spectacular treasure-trove of art from Walter Battiss (a close friend of Pablo Picasso).
Open: 09:00 – 11:00

Contact: Ros Turner - 042 243 1448 or bluecranetourism@telkomsa.net

BUFFET OF SAMA WINNERS TO VISIT EASTERN CAPE

It has been confirmed! Popular kwaito musician, Professor; mellow house music group, Liquideep; and Afrikaans superstar, Kurt Darren will be visiting the Eastern Cape in July. They will be rocking the Karoo with their performances at the 21^st Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival to be held in Somerset East on the 15^th – 16^th of July 2011.

Kurt Darren, who will shortly be seen in the lead role of the upcoming Afrikaans musical comedy Ek Lief Jou, walked away with the 2011 South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Sokkie Dans Album for his album, Die Beste Medisyne.

However, it was Professor and Liquideep who proved their popularity among South African music lovers by walking away with coveted awards at the SAMA ceremony.

Professor won three awards: Best Kwaito Album for University of Kalawa Jazmee; Male Artist of the Year for University of Kalawa Jazmee; and Record of the Year for Imoto. Liquideep won two awards: Duo/Group of the Year for Fabrics of the Heart and Album of the Year for Fabrics of the Heart. They were also nominated for Best Urban Dance Album, Newcomer of the Year, and Record of the Year.

Forming part of a star-studded line up at the 21^st Biltong Festival, the above musicians will certainly assist in driving the winter blues away when they perform on the 15^th and 16^th of July, respectively, in Somerset East. The complete artists' line up can be viewed at www.eastcapebiltongfestival.co.za.

The world’s only biltong-tasting, beskuit-eating mountain bike race!

This year, adventurous festivalgoers can again participate in the world’s only biltong-tasting, tequila-drinking, beskuit-eating mountain bike event.

The non-technical 40 km mountain bike ride will take place on the 16^th July at 09:00. Participants will not only experience the beauty of the countryside, but will also be treated to gastronomical pit stops en route.

Extra information:

R80 per entry.

Entries on race day from 08:00 at the Somerset Vliegveld.

Contact: Marti – 082 872 2249 or avatar@eastcape.net

Festival Officially Launched

On Monday, 23 May 2011, the 21^st Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival was officially launched. South African Breweries’ Bay and Barrel Pub was the venue for this annual event. Attendees included media from across the Eastern Cape; sponsors like Castle Lager, AlgoaFM and the Cacadu District Municipality; various councillors and members of the Blue Crane Route Municipality; as well as members from the business community.

It was a great event and set the mood for the Festival that is only 46 days away!

FLY FISHING COMPETITION

Now that the rain has filled most of Somerset East’s dams and the trout have fattened up for the winter, the Tagged Trout Competition, linked to the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival, on Sunday 16^th of July should be the best yet. Four trout are tagged and released into Mill Dam at Glen Avon Farm in Somerset East.

Come and catch one of these tagged trout and you could win yourself one of four fantastic weekend getaways valued from R1500 to R8000 each.

A fun filled day of fly fishing including a ‘braai’ lunch, your rod fee and a chance at catching “THE” Trout will start at 08H00 and finish at 16H00.

Cost R150 per rod.

Booking essential! Contact Alan Hobson on 082 4422 884 to secure your beat.

PLACES TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE IN SOMERSET EAST DURING THE BILTONG FESTIVAL

While you are here, take the time to enjoy some of Somerset East’s quieter pleasures. Visit the Walter Battiss Art Museum for a dose of culture; art works created by one of South Africa’s most original and controversial artists. Go to the Old Pastorie Museum and gril to see the beam from which the Slachter’s Nek rebels were hung – one by one!

For relaxing and refreshing, try the Blue Crane Restaurant’s great menu, sit on the wide wooden deck and view the Boschberg at Somerset on Main, or have a great cup of coffee at Sally’s Coffee Shop, all easy to find in Nojoli Street.

B-I-L-T-O-N-G

Biltong - a cured meat delicacy made proudly in South Africa. Different meat products are used for biltong: anything from beef to game and even chicken. A little fun fact on the word 'biltong': The Dutch word Bil means rump and tong means strip or tongue; then biltong would mean rump-strip or strip of rump.

Biltong has grown vastly popular around the world in places such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand. There are many different variations of cured and dried meats that bare similarity to biltong, including: Cabanossi, Jerky (a common American meat treat), and the other South African favourite, droewors. It would be of interest to try them all, but none can surpass the pride and love of biltong within South Africa.

Prior to the drying process, biltong goes through a few steps before it becomes the spiced delicacy we all know it to be. First the meat is marinated in a vinegary solution before being rubbed down with preferred spices (most commonly coriander, amongst others). Next, the meat is refrigerated to allow for drainage of excess fluid before being hung out to dry...literally (usually in a built dryer, electric oven, or cool, ventilated storage room).

After this meticulous process, the meat is ready to be sliced and enjoyed to your preference.

Hou bene hou!

During the sultry month of March, the annual Caltex Bruintjieshoogte Cycle Fest takes mountain bike enthusiasts on an adventurous - some might say very challenging - 85-, 60- or 25 km race (or ‘trek’ depending on your fitness level) through a variety of Somerset East’s countryside.

This weekend is filled with ‘pasta parties’, a lot of sun block, thirst quenching beverages, sore legs and a unanimous feeling of camaraderie. To find out more visit: www.bruintjies.co.za.

*Images sourced: www.somerseteasttourism.co.za*

Gregory Da Silva – The Eggman

It is with great sadness that we were informed that South Africa’s beloved Eggman, Gregory Da Silva, was attacked and robbed in Milan, Italy, in March.

He is on the mend in Germany, and we wish him a speedy recovery and a safe return to his friends, family and fans.

Why I love Somerset East

There is a lot to love about Somerset East – our lovely Boschberg Mountain draped in mist, or green and vibrant in the sun; Paulet Street with its history and Heritage roses; the long serene oak or jacaranda lined streets.

I love the vibe in Nojoli Street on Saturdays, the music, the crowds of smiling, friendly people, great restaurants and coffee shops, and when you go into a shop, everybody knows you.

I love Somerset East when it rains, when it is sunny, but best of all on clear, crisp winter days.

I love the idea that maybe the old explorers were right, and there really are unicorns on the Boschberg!

- Ros Turner, BCRM Tourism -

Shopping, sampling ...STALLS!

With winter softly knocking at the door, biltong season seems right around the corner.

The organizers are feverishly coordinating behind the scenes and they are moments away from announcing this year’s musical line up.

They are also accepting stall bookings, and from this year’s entries we can confidently say that there will something for everyone in the dusty lanes criss-crossing the showgrounds.

Of course there will be biltong stalls galore, but you’ll also be able to:

• Take a gastronomical tour from general fair food (chip sticks, pizza, and burgers) to traditional Afrikaans – basaar food like koeksusters, vetkoek, sosaties and pannekoek. For the adventurous there will be Kudu burgers and various other wild game to taste, while the traditionalists can sample roosterkoek, afval, potjiekos, kerrie, and fish and chips.
• For the true shopping enthusiasts there will be a variety of fashion accessories, clothing, children’s toys, jewellery and art to choose from.
• And...

Well you’ll have to come and see for yourself what else you’ll be able to taste, hear, see and experience at this year’s Festival.

Congratulations!

Last week, Regina Matthys walked away with our first Biltong Festival E-mail Competition prize worth R1150. Thank you to our sponsors Castle Lager and Paintball Heaven for their awesome contribution.

If you’d like to enter, please send your e-mail address to studio@designatbay.co.za with Biltong Festival Competition in the subject line.