Meet a lover of Africa’s tales and terrain

David Bristow, one of South Africa’s most experienced travel writers, will visit Casterbridge near White River on Sunday November 18 to present his latest book, The Game Ranger, the Knife, the Lion and the Sheep: 20 Tales about Curious Characters from Southern Africa.

It offers stories of amazing little-known characters from South Africa which will entertain and enthral readers.

They include Krotoa, the Khoi maiden who is found working in the Van Riebeeck household as both servant and interpreter; Mevrou Maria Mouton who conspired with the slaves on their farm in the Swartland to murder her husband; and the giant Trekboer Coenraad de Buys – rebel, renegade, a man with a price on his head who married many women and fathered a small nation.

Then there are the men of learning and insight, such as Raymond Dart and Adrian Boshier, who opened up the world of myth and ancient artefacts so we now better understand the ancients and the world they left for us to inherit.

Or James Kitching, who broke open rocks in the Karoo to reveal creatures that inhabited this region long before even Africa was born.

These stories will excite the reader.

Bristow is the author of more than 20 books on South Africa and the continent.

He has an abiding passion for all things pertaining to nature, culture, travel, history, Africa and just about anything else that is interesting.

Colleagues at Getaway Magazine, where he was editor for 14 years, dubbed him the walking enviro-pedia. With degrees in journalism and environmental sciences, he has a well-rounded grasp on most things that do not involve rocket science.

His titles include Riding the Dragon’s Spine: Beitbridge to Cape Town – SA’s Ultimate MTB Trail; Best Walks of the Drakensberg; Been There, Done That and Mountains of Southern Africa.

At 12:00 on November 18 Bristow will give a talk in the Magnolia Courtyard at the White River Gallery at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre.

He will be available to chat about and sign his book from 11:00 to 13:00. Customers who buy an autographed book will receive a free drinks voucher with any meal purchased at either Magnolia Courtyard Café or Gum Treez Pub and Grill.

Enquiries: Marlize Meyer on 083-675-8833.