Report from Greyton lock down Day 12

 

Today seems to the quietest day in town, it is in no short measure probably because of the rain and the cold weather. This morning these photos were taken between 8 & 9. Usually the streets would be much busier with trucks, workmen and residents going about their business.

This is however a good sign today as it shows that residents and business are complying with the order that if not obey is a criminal offense that could lead to a fine or imprisonment. Unconfirmed initial reports at the beginning of the lock down had some residents taking a chance. But this seems to have come to an end.

As we have just passed the halfway mark there is still a fair way to go. National figures of Covid 19 still are increasing on average of 6% per day meaning that the number of nationally infected could double every 10 days. Fortunately, at the time of writing this article the number of confirmed Covid 19 cases in the Overberg is 0.

 

Dirty surprise for Greyton Residents

Just after lunch yesterday reports started to emerge of the water turning muddy brown and by 5pm it was all over town. Apparently they had sucked a whole lot of mud and other nasties from the river and pumped it into  the main storage tank and then it ran into the whole system.

Residents are very angry and situation is not that much better today. Here is a statement form the municipality.

WATER SITUATION: The Wolwekloof supply is currently very brown. It has therefore been switched off, the dam was emptied & TWK are now filling it with borehole & Gobos water.

Greyton’s water is supplied from 3 reservoirs. Due to the situation, currently only one is being used. The other two will be flushed today.

A team will also be going out to check what the issue with Wolwekloof is. They will be “bleeding the system” which means they will open up the hydrants & let the water run out to try & clear it.

We have confirmed with TWK that the water is safe to drink.

Good rains for GREYTON.

The past week has seen a little Christmas magic. Well a little after all the holidays to be exact but Greyton and the surrounding area could not have wished for more. Soft soaking rain has refilled the dams and rivers and its going to be an unseasonably green February.

For years the dams on the way to Caledon have been almost dry and now they are full. Throughout the area rainfall seems to have varied considerably with the most being 278 mm recorded at Rusty Gate farm near Helderstroom by Bokkie Fourie. Greyton had a much more modest but never the less still impressive 180mm in the same period. Farms towards Riviersondend recorded 120- 140mm so it seems that there was definitely more up this end.

Most of the rain in Greyton was light but over a long period allowing it to soak in rather than just run off. Most residents were caught off guard by the extend of the rain as forecasts have in the past been notoriously inaccurate. That being said more is forecast for Sunday.

 

Greyton Firestorm almost results in major losses.

This afternoon in one of the worst firestorms Greyton has seen in years several houses at the end of main road narrowly escaped completed destruction. In fact several did catch on fire in the high winds and catastrophic conditions and had it not been for some exceptional flying by Pilot Mike Bothma in his little yellow machine water bombing the already burning properties things could have ended very differently.

In fact fire services were stretched to breaking point and had do dash between three fronts. High winds from multiple directions complicated an already very difficult situation. As it now stands much of the Greyton Mountains are completely burned and only a small section remains.

WOW A REAL FIRE POOL CHECK THIS OUT: Click for Video

In Mike’s words on the Pool Run.

Fire approaches end of Vlei Street

Fire crews in action at the top of main road.

Mike makes a another dash to a burning house at the top of main road.

Fire jumped the river and threatened Vlei Street Houses.

Saved by the Rain! Well almost!

Sadly after fire appeared to have completely died down with Saturdays rain it has flared up again is in the mountains towards Mc Gregor. At first yesterday afternoon it was just a single spot but by late afternoon had spread again. With all the resources at hand one would have thought that it this could have been prevented.

First few drops of saving rain start falling just before six.

Just before six last night the first few drops of rain fell putting out the fire which has kept a vast amount of firefighting assets occupied since Wednesday out. The rain was no more than a few mm, but as luck would have it, it seems to have been just enough.

With the rain there was a noticeable drop in temperature as a very late cold front had just enough go to get the job done. It is noticeable this morning that some firefighters seemed to have left during the night although the odd vehicle is still in the area. No doubt making a final inspection.

Once again, the residents of Greyton showed their appreciation with large amounts of food and drinks being donated. This was co ordinate via a single drop off point at the Moravian Hall. This seemed to have worked well and residents can keep this in mind for the next time. Sadly, with changing weather patterns and hotter summers a next time is almost guaranteed.

 

Was the fire in Greyton and malicious act?

Without warning and out of the blue just after 16h00 on Wednesday the gorge caught alight and has left most of the Greyton Mountains charred. Reports have been surfacing since the start of several youths leaving the scene at speed as the fire started to take hold. SAPS and the Overberg fire chief are investigating and several communications to the effect have been made by regional services.

Sadly, we tend to forget that other living things as affected. For example, in the picture attached the local baboons have lost thousands of ha use as a source of food and shelter. This will no doubt force them later in the season into Greyton again as competition for resources increases.

Mountain residents look on at their home just turned to ashes.

On the good news front winds remain light and fire fighting efforts continue making some progress this Friday morning.

VIDEO OF THE FIRE>

 

Wet start to the 2019 Greyton Artwalk

Kids art underway with plenty of professional help at hand.

 

November is turning out to be a very wet month indeed. In fact, the average for this time of year is 44mm and we have already received between 90 and 115mm depending where you live in town. Of course this is going to be fantastic for the gardens and grantee the Lei Water until well into the new year.

Sadly a fair portion of this rain seems to have arrived yesterday, the Saturday of the Art Walk. In spite of this Art Centers 1 & 2 were very well patronized all day. Of especial note was the Kids Art exhibition and open painting session feature adove. All supplies were supplied by the Artwalk and there was plenty of professional help on hand to help our budding artist

Douglas Legg from Pam Golding being interviewed by Rudi Massyn of GAW

On the sales front officials reported just before the close yesterday that sales are substantially up on last year. Not surprising since the Greyton Artwalk is unique offering artists and the public an event to interact without hefty commissions. The rain has stopped and so far, this morning there have been brief glimpses of sun. So, things are definitely looking up.

 

Pam Golding Greyton Art Walk 2019 is ready for you!

Douglas Legg from Pam Golding accepts the first brochure from Chris Cloete of the GAW.

Greyton is ready and waiting with much anticipation for next weekends Art Festival. This year a new format with many of last year’s favorites are standing by to dazzle. Plenty for the whole family is on the go. The art walk allows you to meander around town visiting artists in their studios and at the main display site interspersed with our 10 restaurants and many shops.

The start and finish to the art walk will again take place from the main display center at the DRC hall near the tennis courts. There will be over 500 works from 50 artist on display and you know that all the money goes to the artist no middle men, no commissions. There will also be LIVE demo’s on Saturday at the Art Center 1 if you are looking to see how the professionals do it or just touch up on the latest techniques.

For the kids there is even more this year with over 200 works on show. Prizes for different age categories are on the go and judging is by some of our local award winners. Don’t forget to be at the Art for Kids from 10-1200 on Saturday at ART Center 2. All paint and equipment will be supplied by GAW.

For more info please contact Chris on 0824954019 or Rethea on 0712256163.

 

The Sun shines through on the Greyton Rose Festival 2019

Miss Greyton Rose Festival 2019 and her 1st Princess.

The timing could not have been better with rain yesterday and rain tomorrow Greyton Rose Festival 2019 escaped by a hair! The festival was started again this year by a parade, headed by a fine old lady transporting the miss rosebuds. It was followed closely by miss Rose Fair and her first princess in the picture above.

This fine old lady headed the parade and conveyed Miss Rose Bud and her two princess. It was piloted by its owner Hubertus Sauma Jeltsch from Vigne Lane.

The rain from yesterday has left Greyton spit and polished for all of todays activities. Gardens around town are open from 1000 – 1600 and there plenty of interested lookers.

 

 

Greyton Land Rover News

17^th of October was the official book launch of The Landy Life. A book written by Greyton swallow, Martin Smithson, a well-known resident. The launch was held at 1854 Restaurant and was well supported by locals and visitors alike. The author was on hand to sign books and give everyone an outline of his extensive travels over the last 40 years.

The book is about his love for land rovers and considerable travels across Africa. If you have a get up and go anywhere appreciation of travel then this humorous book is for you. Valuable insights on the do’s and don’ts of travel across the continent can be gleamed from this informative and entertaining book.

If you are looking get hold of a copy in SA you can contact Morne on 082 929 0938 or if you are outside SA email the author nitram188@gmail.com.