Blogs

Biking the Nothern Cape

True grit biking in South Africa's least populated province...


Caption: Mark takign the road less travelled near Tankwa Karoo.


Caption: There's nothing quite like a Verneukpan sunset to warm the soul...


Caption: Can you spot us in this pic? (Hint: two of us near top left corner!)


Caption: Tankwa Karoo raods are curved enough to be a challenge, but straight enough for some serious speed.


Caption: Mark and Dominic enjoying the view from a lookout point in Augrabies National Park


Caption: The great Tankwa Karoo Highway - the hottest road in South Africa.


Caption: The "mini Grand Canyon" just off the Tankwa Karoo National Park


Caption: Presenting... Agugrabies!


Caption: Me, the lone rider on the pan


Caption: Filming interviews and doing area research was an everyday occurance.


Caption: Settling in for a night under the stars, on Verneukpan.


Caption: Quick rest near the Northern Cape Border.


Caption: DIRT! From dawn til dusk, daily.


Caption: Cold beer at the end of the road.

Introductions

Hi. I'm Dominic, but most people call me Dom.

London-born, Cape Town-raised and now living in South Africa's favourite town, Knysna, I thoroughly enjoy my work –  although they say if you do what you love you don't have to work a day in your life! The things that matter most to be are family, my kids (dogs, cats, birds and loads of fish), friends and living life with integrity. My partner, Lucy, is a talented fine artist (painter) adn teaches pre-school kids the joy of art at Pixieland in Rexford. Life is good, Knysna is great and we're blessed with fantastic clients – many of whom have become close friends.

Whether you landed at 2Heads for business or pleasure I hope you enjoy what you experience. Dom out (for now)...

Hobbies gone wild...

I have a tendancy turn normal hobbies
into business...

So last year sometime I bought a fish tank – a fairly simple, innocent and normal purchase I feel. But then the bug bit... well actually it wasn't so much of a bite as a savage maul. I got a second tank, then a third. Before I knew it I found myself sitting in a lecture hall in Grahamstown attending a course in the hopes of becoming proficient in Aquaculture Systems Management...? And yes, I did qualify.

How did it get to this? Well I truly believe that farming (veg, fruit, nuts and now fish) close to home, or at your home, is the way of the future. We're going to need to be more aware of procuring sustinance withing a 100km radius to reduce our individual carbon foot print... But anough green talk, we need some action!

So this is what my double garage at home looks like now.


A view of the recirculating system in the double garage.


A Some of the spawning and grow-out tanks.

It's fundementally a recirculating aquaculture system (or RAS) which supports a wide variety of ornamental species (which I sell to pet shops and fishkeepers), and some good eating Tilapia (O. mozambicus) which should be ready for harvest around Feb 2010. The RAS uses vary little water (evaporation replacement) and power, which makes it the ideal protien farm than can be run indoors and in a very small space. Furthermore, the solid waste collected from the settlement filter is used to fertilise the garden veg and the wife's flower garden. Good green fun!

Anyone interested in Aquaculture can visit www.aquaafrica.co.za - a great, intensive course and well worth the money spent.

Corporate Fishing?

We creatives are a strange bunch...

Yesterday we decided that we need some inspiration, packed up early and hit Portland Manor for a short Bass fishing excursion. I mean, what on earth is the point of living in the paradise of Knysna (and the Garden Route) when you don't take the time to enjoy it... Like when I lived in Cape Town (for over 20 years) I managed to get up table mountain only twice...

When we fish we have a little internal competition - nothing big, a bottle of wine, or somthing to that effect. The 'comp' is based on who catches the most fish... and yesterday it felt like Brett took us for a "fshing lesson". One big fat bass, and two 'peckstons'. Henk and I pulled a Bass each to the boat, but were unable to land them. Urggh. Next time!