by SFT | Aug 14, 2025 | St Francis
Because not all food reviews are about smart restaurants that charge a hundred for a tablespoon of sorbet to cleanse the palate.
Some culinary experiences change you. Others simply make you glad you popped in for milk. The sage and apple sausage rolls at the frozenforyou frozen meal section at our local Spar manage to do both.
On first glance after a quick airfry, they’re unassuming, with golden puff pastry, slightly flaky on the edges, a few crumbs scattered like pixiedust. But take that first bite, and suddenly you’re in another dimension.
Temptation
The sage hits first, warm, herby, and just fragrant enough to whisper of weakness of the flesh. Temptation Then comes the apple: a gentle sweetness that’s neither cloying nor shy, like eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Actually, that may be too much. ‘Like embracing Golden Delicious’ works better. Together, they wrap around the savoury sausage filling like the first little kiss between two people who suddenly realise they’re soulmates. This is not your average sausage roll, I’m sure you have gathered by now.
This is not a stretched-out meat pie you buy at a petrol station at midnight with a pack of Rennies after the pub, and instantly rue. This is the kind you serve at dinner parties.
And here’s the genius: they’re frozen, which means that they’re actually ready whenever you have an airfryer nearby. They fit into any time slot because they’ve transcended the human constraints of mealtimes entirely, and of hunger. You can eat them when you’re full. And you will,
It’s also a small-town thing. These sausage rolls don’t taste like something churned out for a thousand anonymous customers. They might be in the frozen, instant food section of the Spar and a multitude of other retail outlets scattered acorss the country but they taste like someone back there actually cares, someone who knows you by face, if not by name, Does the security camera take photos of people buying them and then maybe send them to the baker to form a subliminal bond? It’s like there’s something bigger happening here, some sort of cosmic sausage connection.
Gloriously Straightforward
In a world obsessed with artisanal-this, deconstructed-that and reduced-jus the other, the sage and apple sausage roll remains gloriously straightforward. No drizzle. Who wants drizzle? Strange word, drizzle. Say it ten times out loud and see where you end up. Not good, is it?
With these sausage rolls there is no foamed garnish, no hippy tie-dyed edible ink markings, no vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian or ayurvedic options. Just pastry, sausage, sage, and apple, combined in a way that feels like a secret you want to tell everyone. But you don’t. Because supplies.
Read more: Oh, Dear, we have to go to Durban – notes from the editor
by SFT | Aug 14, 2025 | Photo Of The Day
by SFT | Aug 14, 2025 | St Francis
Mauritius is the sort of place that makes couples wonder why they ever fly anywhere else. It’s a four-hour hop from Joburg, about the same time it takes to get through OR Tambo security in December, and suddenly you’re in a tropical postcard, holding hands, pretending the Wi-Fi is “too slow” to check work emails
The weather behaves most of the year, which is more than you can say for the Cape in July. Think turquoise lagoons, warm water, and beaches that look like they’ve been Photoshopped by someone with a coconut obsession. Even in “winter” you can still swim, snorkel, and tan without shivering.
For South Africans, the logistics are almost suspiciously easy. No visa for short stays, daily flights, and resorts that don’t blink when you order your first margarita at 11 a.m. (and your second at 11:15). The local currency, the Mauritian rupee, has the good manners to make everything feel just affordable enough to justify that extra couples’ massage or rum tasting.
The food is a glorious mix of French, Indian, Creole, and Chinese influences: curries, seafood, baguettes, and pastries you can enjoy over breakfast before deciding whether today’s sport will be kite surfing or lying very still under an umbrella. You can wander into the resort jewellery shop “just to look” and leave with something shiny, or join the late-night Sega dancing despite zero rhythm and a sarong that keeps betraying you.
Mauritius manages to feel far enough from home to count as an exotic getaway, yet close enough to avoid jet lag, lost luggage in Dubai, or awkward layovers in airports with carpet. You leave on a Friday, and by Saturday morning, you’re debating whether it’s too early for margarita. Spoiler: it’s not.
Because once you’ve had four days in paradise together, popping down to Durban will always feel… just a little underdressed.
Sidebar: Harmless Holiday Mischief for Two in Mauritius
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Starting your first cocktail at 10:15 a.m.
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Sun-tanning while reading a “holiday novel” you’d never read in public at home.
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Saying “yes” to the dessert buffet after already having three plates of seafood.
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“Window shopping” at the resort jewellery store and walking out with a bag.
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Joining the late-night Sega dance show even though neither of you can dance.
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Pretending the slow Wi-Fi means you can’t check work emails… while posting beach selfies.
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Forgetting what day it is — and deciding it doesn’t matter.
by SFT | Aug 14, 2025 | St Francis
September is the awkward stepchild of the calendar — not as smug as January, not as reckless as December, which makes it the perfect time to take a break from alcohol. Not because you “have a problem” (although if your first reaction was I don’t have a problem, you might want to read up on alcohol use disorder). It’s just one month. Think of it as a holiday for your liver.
Take away alcohol for 30 days, and interesting things happen. By the end of week one, you may actually sleep. Not the 3 a.m. stare at the ceiling and relive that thing you said at the braai version. By week two, your skin looks healthier and your eyes less like they belong to a bloodshot pig.
You’ll have more energy too, which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing: You get more done. Curse: you’ve lost “too tired” as an excuse to skip the gym, walk the dog, or finally fix that cupboard door.
Socially, you’ll learn you can hold a conversation without a drink in your hand unless it’s a ginger ale, which is an easy disguise, although enduring the brandy-and-Coke crowd may be harder without the gentle blur of your own brannerwyn. The upside: you’ll remember what you said. The downside: so will everyone else.
Then there’s the money. A month without “just one more round” leaves your wallet heavier. You could buy something useful, like running shoes. Or restock the bar for the month of October’s overindulgence, if you must.
The kicker? Many people finish Sober September and don’t want to drink as much anymore. Others go back to old habits, but at least they’ve had a month of clear-headed mornings, better moods, and fewer Did I really post that? moments.
It’s not a punishment. It’s an experiment. And if it leaves you a less tired, better-looking, richer version of yourself , it’s good to be rich and better looking.
Signs You’re Doing Sober September Right
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You remember people’s names, and the cingeworthy things they confessed once the chardonnay kicked in.
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Mornings are bright, clear, and give you an extra quarter of a day to contemplate drinking.
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Your recycling bin is suddenly light and fluffy.
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Evenings pass without WhatsApp voice-note commentary.
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You buy actual juice, not “mixer” juice.
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The St Francis Bay KFC driver asks after your health.
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The TOPS staff wonder if they’ve offended you.
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You can now afford snacks that come in boxes, not just packets.
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You no longer play the Did I eat dinner? guessing game in the mornings. You know what we mean.
by SFT | Aug 14, 2025 | St Francis
10 Ways to Keep Fit in a Coastal Town (No Equipment or Skills Required)
Summer is on the horizon, and the excuses are running out. The mornings are warmer, the days are longer, and the sea is starting to look more inviting than intimidating. Living in a coastal town like St Francis means you’ve got a natural fitness playground on your doorstep, and you don’t need fancy kit, or even much skill to use it. All you need is a little motivation and a willingness to get outside.
Here are 10 local, low-barrier ways to get active and ready for the season.
1. Beach Walking
Soft sand walking is a calf-and-glute workout disguised as a leisurely stroll. The shifting surface makes each step harder work, boosting muscle tone and improving balance. Plus, walking barefoot massages your feet and connects you to the natural rhythm of the coastline.
2. Rock-Hopping
The Wild Side’s rocky ledges are a natural agility course. Scrambling between boulders works your legs and core while sharpening your balance. As a bonus, the tide pools along the way offer an excuse to pause and look for marine life and watch the tide roll in.
3. Sea Swimming
A brisk swim in the ocean is a full-body workout that strengthens your muscles, lungs, and willpower. The cool water is invigorating, and the salty air can lift your mood in minutes. You’ll come out feeling both exhausted and energised.
4. Wild Side Hike
Stretching from Cape St Francis to Oyster, this rugged coastal walk is part workout, part adventure. Expect dramatic waves, seabird sightings, and a cardio burn without ever stepping on a treadmill. The changing terrain keeps your body and mind engaged.
5. Harbour-to-Harbour Walk
Starting at Port St Francis and ending at Grannies, this route offers ever-changing sea views. The steady pace works your heart and legs, and the route’s length means you’ll clock up noice step counts without even noticing.
6. Sessions in the Pool at Liquid Lines
Liquid Lines in Cape St Francis is ideal for building strength and endurance in a low-impact environment. Swim laps at your own pace or join a group session for extra motivation. The water’s gentle resistance makes every movement count.
7. Game of Padel at the River Club
Padel is fast, fun, and surprisingly addictive. It combines elements of tennis and squash, making it easier for beginners to pick up. Expect short bursts of movement, lots of laughter, and the occasional heroic dive for the ball as well as a few libations afterwards.
8. Game of Golf at The Links
Walking the course is an exercise in itself, especially over 18 holes. Add in the swing mechanics, the fresh air, and the beautiful scenery, and you’ve got a workout that doesn’t feel like one. Golf also improves coordination and focus.
9. Open-Water Swim in the St Francis Canals
The canals offer calm, sheltered waters perfect for building swimming stamina. Without the ocean’s waves, you can focus on technique and endurance. It’s peaceful, safe, and a great way to unwind while staying active.
10. Sunrise or Sunset Stretch on the Shore
Rolling out a towel on the beach for a gentle stretching session is as good for your mind as your muscles. The sound of the waves and the changing light create a natural sense of calm. Even 15 minutes can improve flexibility and posture.
Summer’s Coming So Time to Move
With warmer weather on the way, there’s never been a better time to step outside and make the most of St Francis’ natural assets. Whether you’re splashing in the canals, strolling the shoreline, or chasing a ball on the padel court, every little bit adds up. Come December, you’ll thank yourself.
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