talesofknysnaforest Archives - Forest Edge Knysna Forest cottages

What to bring when Visiting Forest Edge Nature Lover’s retreat, Knysna?

You don’t need to pack everything but the kitchen sink when visiting Forest Edge, Nature Lover’s Retreat, Knysna!

What to bring when visiting Forest Edge Nature Lover’s Retreat, Knysna?

read in the hammock at forest edge nature lovers retreat

Our guests often comment, wow you have everything here. We way overpacked for this trip. We love this!!

If you’re staying with us you can be rest assured that packing will be a breeze. People who travel a lot always pack way too much, as they never know what to expect for the first time when visiting new places. Nothing worse than travelling to your destination especially isolated places for hours and wanting to settle in and put your feet up and realizing that you are missing something preventing you from settling in.

Forest edge cottages are fully equipped cottages with everything you would expect from an establishment, including some special touches and things you normally not expect to see.

We have decided to list some of our unique items to help you plan your trip to us in future:

* Torches – great for night time exploring or taking a dip in the splash pool

* Playing cards and colouring books – to keep both the adults and the kids busy at night

* Umbrellas – You never know what the weather is doing, but should not stop you from enjoying the great outdoors.

* Ice-trays and Water bottle – one often forgets the ice if you do not have the means to transport it with you until you can get somewhere to get ice, this will keep you going.

* All crockery and cutlery including some storage containers – for keeping some braai meat for lunch the next day.

* Coffee Plunger – for the die-hard coffee lovers that enjoy the aroma of fresh coffee in the morning overlooking the forest and enjoying the peace.

* Juicer – for making some fresh juice

* Tea strainer – for those who enjoy their tea the proper way

* Sosatie sticks – for making some great braai meat alternatives

* Egg cups – enjoy a boiled egg for breakfast?

* Picnic blanket and basket – pack your food for the day of exploring the Garden route

* Hot water bottles/Electric blankets – cuddle up to a cozy hot water bottle in the winter

* Fans for those hot summer days

* Braai grids, brushes and tongs

* Hammock and cushions – nothing like enjoying a cuppa or reading a book in a hammock in our surroundings.

* DVD’s and books – we have a selection of DVDs for the kiddies and adults to enjoy. We even have some of Daleen Matthee’s stories on DVD and books for those who want to learn more about the forest and the early woodcutters.

If you have any questions upon booking please don’t hesitate to ask, we love making your stay a pleasurable, hassle-free and relaxing one.

We hope to see you visit us soon

Forest Greetings

A tribute to Hennie Zeelie, the woodcutter who was one of the last remaining woodcutters and our neighbour here at Forest Edge Nature Lover’s Retreat.

If only the Knysna forest could talk, it would tell tales of early woodcutters and ox wagons, of how people grew their own food and lived in peace in the forest. Each tree telling his version of how they coexisted with the woodcutters, like Hennie Zeelie, and the animals.

Daleen Matthee well-known Author who produced many books in her lifetime, amongst those Fiela’s Child, Dreamforest, Circles in the Forest, as most South Africans have got to know as they were also prescribed as school literature, many of her stories were inspired by the lives of the Zeelie descendants and will now serve as a tribute to Hennie Zeelie, the woodcutter and those before him.

Michiel and Hendrik (Hennie) Zeelie worked many years in the Goudveld Forests. They did hard labour, from planting veg to fixing ox wagons, chopping down trees and transporting them. The decades of hard manual labour etched on their faces. Two of the most humble people you could have ever met. They would walk up to 20km each day and not bother a soul while going about their daily business. They have great stories to tell about their history, and the history of the area, which takes you on a journey you would not soon forget, infused with a twist of humour.

They could show you spoor and listen to bird noises and identity each one flawlessly while telling you the facts about them. They know the area like the back of their hands every nook and cranny of this beautiful forest we call home. Listing to their stories with a little bit of each of their memories poured into the tale, you can see the fond memories of a time gone by but still lives on in their hearts and minds, each story so captivating, heartfelt and interesting leaving you wanting more.

The Zeelie brothers have become such a great part of our community and their presence…. priceless. We are honoured to be part of their lives and being able to write this tribute to Hennie Zeelie.

Hennie will be sorely missed by everyone who’s lives he touched.

Forest Greetings

What to bring when Visiting Forest Edge Nature Lover’s retreat

What to bring when Visiting Forest Edge Nature Lover’s retreat, Knysna?

A Tribute to Hennie Zeelie, the woodcutter

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