This was the first ‘In conversation with’… of 2025, recorded in December of 2024.
Currently, ‘In Conversation with’ is still on a break, and the new season will begin in March 2025.
I chatted with Wilfred Mole and Dave Richardson about Sandstone Estates and what guests can expect.
The Sandstone Heritage Trust is a private Preservation initiative established on a commercial farm in the Eastern Free State in South Africa. The present owners purchased the farm from the Wille family in 1995.
The Willes have continuously owned the farm since the 1840s, which means it has only had two owners in 170 years. The arable farmland along the little Caledon River, which constitutes the official border between South Africa and Lesotho, is rich in agricultural potential.
It is a particularly beautiful part of South Africa with sandstone outcrops nestling under the towering Maluti Mountains which sit high above the Drakensberg range. It is an area where farming has proceeded quietly using traditional methods for centuries. To find out more, use this link: https://www.sandstone-estates.com/index.php/about-us
In conversation with Ben Molotsi. General Manager of Tau Game Lodge.
I have returned to this lodge more times than any other I have visited in my years as a travel writer and wildlife photographer. And why? Because it is the epitome of a home away from home.
Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what Ben has to share about this spectacular property in arguably the best game reserve in South Africa.
In conversation with guide, tracker and author extraordinaire, Lee Gutteridge
Droppings, Dung & Scats is Lee’s 4th book, published by Jacana, in a series of ‘must-have’ books if you are in any way connected with the bush. Seeing that the book is about dung, we tried to use up every shitty joke we could think of. Not easy to photograph, Lee is now the proud owner of almost every crap image available in South Africa. A worthy addition to the series.
BREAKING NEWS: The next book in the series should be out in March 2025.
In conversation with mountaineer Sibusiso Velani.
Sibusiso is one of a handful of South Africans and the first black African to climb each of the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks on each of the seven continents. This is a great achievement by any standard.
In 2023 he returned to Everest to celebrate 20 years since his first successful summit attempt. Aside from climbing mountains, he is also an ultra-distance runner of note, having completed the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon on several occasions.
We have chatted before and we will be chatting again about his Polar expeditions.
He is, without a doubt, one of the most motivational people I know and a pleasure to chat with.
To find out who is currently in my ‘In Conversation With’… archive, use this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC388F-0Eg2f8DQmd9hmMXzA
Travel is the proud winner of this prestigious award from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife. The award is for Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa.
A new platform where I chat with authors of books that have crossed my desk.
Click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHlnIOSmJVkbaDWvseKUqbw
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
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