Interesting people I meet at Sedgefield market (South Africa)

We trade at Sedgefield  Island market every Saturday morning (the middle market) and meet so many interesting people.  Its a joy to talk to people from all walks of life and to hear their stories.

Many are from overseas, visiting on holiday or working or studying in South Africa. 

 We meet young people from the USA and Canada who are here to help in the townships with teaching or lunches for school children.

There are also those young guys and girls who are working at the different wild life and game farms helping to feed animals etc.

So many interesting stories from around the world.

Last week I met a proud dad of  one of the guys in Cape Town who is part of the Nodangerdiaries group of friends, who seem to have a lot of fun and do a lot of good deeds for others. Check out their website and read all about them.

Thats the fun of trading at the market -   

Our weather was good in Sedgefield this weekend.   A lovely sunny morning and warm for a winters day.
I met a teacher from South Africa who is now teaching in Doha, Qatar - says its interesting teaching children from around the world and loves it.
An Italian girl was out here on a tour of the Garden Route, Cape Town and going to a game farm to see Elephants before heading home to Italy.
A very friendly couple who live in Mali, West Africa and  work for a big earth moving company. I looked up Mali on google and its the land of the Tuareg tribe. It is a huge producer of gold in Africa and has an interesting and ongoing history. Have a look for yourself.

Last weekend the sun came out and dried up all the drips from the previous weeks rain. (We had had a flood warning for the Garden Route) Still very cold though.
I met a lady from Port Elizabeth who s husband is renovating an old 1960 VW combi and was looking for spare parts in George.  Going to make a project of the renovation and then take it and the family on camping weekends. Sounds like fun.
Another guy was so happy to find my Canvas bags and bought one for his hobby of Fly Fishing.
A police woman put together two of my tops - a long T shirt top with a waistcoat over it and looked so wonderful in it. She walked out of the stall wearing it and then came back later to say she was getting so many compliments for the outfit.  This is what I enjoy
Also met a couple who run the Brylin private school in Port Elizabeth.  What an interesting morning.

Saturday started out rainy and overcast and then cleared at about ten o'clock and we had a lovely winters morning at the market.  

 

Julie and Brian Norton from Uitenhage plus mom came in to chat and showed me pictures of their parrot  'Avo' -  he is loved by the family, talks a lot and calls the dogs.  They were kind enough to send a picture of 'Avo' so that we can all see him.

 

 

 

 

Head bands at Sedgefield are always popular.  Here s a girl who knows how to put her colours together with our headband - looks good!

 

 

 August 24th
Sedgefield middle market is now called the Mosaic market - great name and we look forward to the new stalls being built. Will be up by December and be nice and rain proof as well. This market draws people from across South Africa and tourists from around the world.
We have our stall at the market every Saturday morning and trade under our label   Masala textiles and (www.headbands4africa.blogspot.com)  and enjoy every minute of it and all the interesting people we meet there.
This week I met this interesting couple who have unusual jobs to say the least.
Who would think that anyone can have such dream jobs -
Husband Rob Thomas and wife Sonja are on a working trip to the Garden Route and Plettenburg Bay.
Rob is teaching Kloof guides in Plett  next week and also  runs The School of Mountain Leadership
This is his web site www.sml.co.za
I had a look and such an interesting site:- they offer Activities and courses such as Rock climbing, Abseiling, Canyoneering, Construction Site Rescue. and much more.
and Sonja is a Facilitator in Adventure Based Learning - her web site is www.inkwenkwezi.biz
Inkwenkwezi Adventure Camps offers leadership training and teem building for school children. Theres lots more to read about in this site as well.

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Being at the market is never boring and always interesting

Lisha Allers, Marietjie Coetzee and husband enjoying the market - That BLUE HEADBAND LOOKS GOOD

Mione from George, Western Cape and Verne (the surfer) 

SEPTEMBER 2013

    Lyle from Afrovibe Adventure Lodge at Myoli Beach, Sedgefield (www.afrovibe.co.za) check this site - it looks great - Our headband also looking good                                                                                                                                                                                       September  at the market - and the weather is warming up - feels like summer is on its way -xxxxxxxxxx

 

 The end of September and our weather varies between lovely hot days and remnants of winter with gale-force winds and cold. Even a bit of snow on the Outeniqua mountains.

We braved the cold and wind on Saturday and were surprised at the many tourists from Germany. All very friendly and enjoying their tour through the Western Cape and finally to end their holiday in South Africa in Cape Town and then home again.   Also met some jolly people from Botswana. They just love the life there and say the children just have to be careful when riding out into the countryside as lots of wild animals, lions etc.

 

  Roxy Botha is a hairdresser from East London - having fun at the market on Saturday. The crochet headband looks good!

October has arrived!

Tourists from other countries are always interesting and its lovely to have them visit us on the Garden Route in South Africa.   However, a mention must be made about our local tourists and holiday makers to this area.   They are always cheerful and determined to have a good time.   South Africans are a tough group of people, speaking one of our many languages and warmly hospitable.  One of our South African  idioms is "to make a plan" . and this is an ability to adjust to adversity and make our way around any obstacle in our path, having fun at the same time.

Saturday morning was nice and warm with a few clouds blowing in from the sea, then  later a mist from the Swartvlei lake.   The new stalls are being built and we should be moving into our new and spiffy stall in a week or two. I will post some pics when we have moved in.

Interesting people at Sedgefield this week was a guy from the UK buying his sister a hoody - and a friendly lady from Tanzania, Dar-es-salaam - she says its lovely to live in Tanzania and has convinced me to put it on my holiday wish-list.  Also a girl from Holland visiting her mom and dad who live in Knysna - she looked great in our hoody.   Every week brings new people and interesting stories to our stall at Sedgefield market.
                                                     xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

We really do brave the storms in Sedgefield!  Saturday was so windy - above gale-force by the end of the day and all our clothing blowing about on the hangers.  This didn't deter the visitors and they braved the weather to come out and enjoy the stalls and have fun.  Here is Michaela Cross from Sedgefield in her new hoody! doesn't she look great!!

Suzanne Cilliers - very elegant in grey headband

Next week, we break down our old stall and move into our new, and very smart stall in the new buildings being put up at the market.  This will make us more weather proof and cut out some of the dramas that we and our customers have to put up with at the moment.   One very good natured customer on Saturday had a drenching of water which funnelled its way along the roof and with the wind lifting the plastic, just poured down a litre of rain on her head.  She looked shocked and then laughed it off.   Its never boring at Sedgefield market!  See you there!

New Stall at Sedgefield Mosaic market - October 2013

It was lovely to be in our new stall on Saturday morning.  Lots of hard work to sort it all out and still tweaking the details - but overall very happy with the solid new stall.  

The sun shone and the wind was not too bad - so lots of visitors and interesting people from USA.  I also talked to a friendly couple from Switzerland who were enjoying South Africa very much.  They say we smile a lot! Its true! we do. 

All the new structures should be up by Xmas and we look forward to a new and spiffy market.  xoxoxoxoxoxo

End of October at Sedgefield market.   The rain was pouring down in George as we drove through early on Saturday morning, but as we neared Sedgefield the weather improved.  A lovely vista from the top of Keimans pass of the sea, the beaches and early morning mist - and for the rest of the day we had beautiful sunny skies.
Some interesting visitors from Germany  enjoying this stretch of coast before the xmas, December visitors arrive and the area becomes very busy.
Here's a pic of Terry Mack from the Backpacker, Beach Hostel at Victoria Bay (web. www.backpackerbeachhostel.co.za ) wearing one of our handprinted bandanas

November 2013

The weather was beautiful on Saturday morning at Sedgefield.  The day started out a bit misty and drizzley and then cleared mid morning.  Our new structures and new stalls are lovely and the customers are enjoying the new spaciousness of it all.  We met some wonderful people - Some on business and wishing they had extended their stay for a few days longer - many travellers from Switzerland, Germany etc and one lovely calm lady who had just been on a course in Meditation in this area.  So many come to this area for the natural beauty of the mountains, lakes and beaches plus there is so much to do.  The Hangliders at Keimans were floating over our heads as we drove up to Dolphin point and on to George in the late afternoon. 

 Three girls from Hermanus High enjoying Sedgefield morning market on Saturday. Bianca , Ray-anne, and Simone -

 

All enjoying their new Headbands

Two Capetonians at Sedgefield market - Casey Elizabeth and Stacey-Lee - thanks girls - a lovely pic.

NOVEMBER MARKETS -
We always have to dodge the rain in November and last weekend was thoroughly rained out.
So this week we were glad to have a lovely sunny morning and lots of visitors thought so too as the market was buzzing with activity.  The new stalls all look so smart and I can see that the visitors enjoy the new layout as well. We chatted to tourists from Germany, France and Spain.  A young German couple were going canoeing at Wilderness this weekend before flying home next week - and one of our hoodies was taken as a present to an Opera singer in Canada. Hope she likes it and sure she will. - A touch of Africa.

Megan Borrett and Bernitia Kemp of Sedgefield

 

Bea Wilson from Mossel Bay
Local visitors all looking great in their new Headbands

NOVEMBER 30TH 2013

Alex and Tamara McDermid in Sedgefield

 

Sune Victor and Ronell Heunis from Jeffreys Bay - just love those smiles!!

 

Sune Victor and Ronell Heunis from Jeffreys Bay

 

 

 

 

  We had a lovely sunny morning and then just before lunch time and packing up time the rain just swept in from the sea. We were all caught off guard and had to rush to pack away and cover up.  It was all good and a little rain will not hurt us.

We had a busy and buzzy morning with lots of lovely visitors.  Our pics show the happy faces and everyone enjoying themselves.

The first Saturday in December 2013.   The sun was shining but we all mourn the loss of Madiba, Nelson Mandela died this week and we are all so sad.  Words cannot describe this loss.

December 2013 -  

 

These three girls were enjoying Sedgefield morning market last Saturday. They are Chinone Naude' , Bernedise Farrel and Zandone' Farrel from Vanderbijlpark.
The Xmas holidays are here and the weather is glorious.  After a few drops of rain early in the morning the sun came out and the day was lovely.
The visitors streamed in from early and the car parks were full.   Lots of last minute present buying and the market was kept busy until  lunch time.  I met so many interesting people but all in a hurry and the morning was a blur of talking to so many faces I lost track of who was doing what.  I did meet a lovely lady from Natal who was buying herself  a dress and necklace and then said ;"Oh well, let me take two of everything because my sister is just going to like this and want the same anyway."
Then all the other browsers also joined in and said, yes, their family members also want to 'borrow' all their nice new stuff. So there you have it - buy two of everything and it solves the problem!

HAPPY XMAS TO ALL AROUND THE WORLD - MAY WE AND YOU  HAVE A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AHEAD OF US! and Happy New Year 2014 -

Our Saturday market was very busy with visitors from around South Africa and overseas.  I had lots of conversations with lovely people and all in a festive mood.  A yoga teacher from East London up the coast, with  peaceful attitude who teaches yoga to children and her friendly family.  Some people just stand out as a pleasure to meet and leave a lasting impression.   The weather was warm and sunny and apart from a bit of  wind mid morning, we had a good day.

January 2014 - Last Saturday was the most humid that I can remember on this coast.  So muggy but the crowds were out to enjoy themselves at the market.  The visitors had arrived even before we had finished unpacking and we were busy all morning.  Lots of familiar faces visited the stall from overseas.   They are tourists who come out to South Africa every year and we get to know them.  Its lovely and forms good vibes at the market.  The mood was happy and the hang gliders were in their droves, floating over Sedgefield and looked like big birds.  A good beginning to the year. xxx

January 2014 and the year has begun.   We had pouring rain for the whole week with rivers over their banks in places and lots of thunderstorms. Saturday was sunny and still a bit humid but everyone grateful for the rain and gardens going nice and green again.   In front of our house we have a big pond from the rain and the birds are all enjoying it.

 The main  Christmas visitors have gone back to their inland homes in Johannesburg etc. but there were and are still a number of visitors and lots of  British tourists in this area.One visitor from Cape Town said she just loves this market and its very unique with all hand made goods and not the usual 'sunglasses brigade'     Its all good. Here is a general picture to show the market. Enjoy

 

We have arrived back from our fabric buying trip and back to the market

I was surprised that there were so many overseas visitors at the market and chatted to  Americans, one girl out here to do an Outward bound course. She needed headbands because of all the outdoor training etc. Others were from Germany and Austria. They said they were just loving their trip and wanted to come back again soon.  I met another South African couple who in early retirement had sold their farm and were living the caravan life and loving it. I just love to hear all the stories of peoples lives, what they are doing and what they think. Mostly people are very positive. Lots are very funny, quirky and have a joke or two to tell.   One of my cotton wrap skirts went back as a gift to the USA.      Its all good.  The sun was shining.  The lovely long beaches of Wilderness were busy with bathers and walkers.   Out at sea was a guy on a canoe, riding the swells and a seal was following in his wake.   What a gift to see that!!

On Saturday the weather was 'Rain on, Rain off' .   It was dripping when we arrived early to set up and then stopped and then started again.  So the whole morning was putting up rain covers and then off again.  Despite all this there were lots of tourists from the UK and Germany and a few Australians.

I should polish up my German and although I can understand a lot because of our Afrikaans language in South Africa - I do sometimes get stuck.   Some of our patch pants have gone back to these countries and bags to Australia.    I met a girl from the USA who is volunteering at the Red Cross Childrens hospital in Cape Town. Well done to her!    Another visitor from Germany bought a bright red shirt to wear to the Carnival in Germany.   The world and its people are so interesting and everyone on the go, busy with their own lives.   The rain has been welcome and the Keimans pass is looking lovely with trees, bush all looking. Its a beatiful part of the Cape coast and I never tire of driving through it and on up to George and then home.