Jam Karet and Slowing the Day Down

by | May 5, 2026 | Notes From The Editor, St Francis, Surf Editorial

The year opened at full pace. Deadlines stacked up. Messages came in waves. Each day ran tight, with little space between one task and the next. Then Indonesia introduced a different tempo through jam karet.
You can’t fight time, and you won’t beat it. Arguing with it gets you nowhere. It just keeps moving, steady and indifferent. We have already lost friends and loved ones to time this year, and time is linear. There’s no going back.
That realisation has been sitting with me here, watching time march forward and the days move on. The sun rises, and we walk around, and we surf, and we eat things, and then the sun sets. Accepting time for what it is feels like one of the keys to finding a bit of calm. Stop pushing against it, and things begin to settle.

It is inexorable and impassive, yet in yielding to its rhythm rather than resisting it, the day begins to carry you with a quieter, more deliberate ease.

Time That Stretches

Jam karet translates as “rubber time.” In practice, it means that schedules hold lightly. A ten o’clock start might drift. A plan adjusts as the day unfolds. At first, that approach feels slightly off balance. The instinct is to check the time, to measure, to manage.

However, the longer the days unfold here, the clearer it becomes that everything still happens. It simply happens with less pressure.

Ferry Times and Perspective

Ferry schedules offer a perfect example. A departure listed on paper suggests precision. In reality, timing varies with conditions, loading, and the day’s general rhythm. The ferry leaves when it is ready. Everyone seems to understand this, and the system continues to work.

That small adjustment carries through into everything else. Waiting becomes part of the process rather than a disruption. As a result, the day still flows,  feels less fragmented and more continuous.

jam karet

A Useful Reset

Sitting in a warung with my son, waiting for a meal that arrives when it is ready, the value of this approach becomes clear. The gaps in the day start to feel constructive. Conversations stretch. Meals take their time. The need to optimise every hour fades.

This shift has helped ease the pace after a busy start to the year. The mind settles. Focus returns in a quieter, steadier way. There is still structure, but it feels more flexible and far easier to carry.

A Different Kind of Efficiency

Jam karet does not remove productivity. It reframes it. The day still moves forward, just without constant urgency. That change brings a sense of balance that is easy to appreciate and worth holding onto long after the ferry finally leaves.

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Read more:

 – Cheese Tea and Avocado Cheesecake in Indonesia – Notes From The Editor

 – Long Haul, Light Feet: From St Francis to Lakey Peak via Half the Planet- Notes From The Editor

Get Ready To Celebrate 100 Years Of Pinotage At The Tops Classic Wine Tasting

by | Aug 10, 2025 | St Francis

By Take Note Reputation Management

We all know St Francis Bay for its laid-back charm, ocean breeze and friendly faces. This Heritage Day, 24th September, we’re swapping the beach for finesse of grape-induced nectar. The Tops Classic Wine Tasting is hosted this year by The Riverclub on Wednesday, 24 September 2025.

Presented by SUPERSPAR St Francis, this special tasting is held during the week of the annual St Francis Bay Golf and Bowls Classic. This tradition has been part of village life for nearly three decades.

While the sporting action brings people together, this year’s tasting event offers something just as memorable. It’s a celebration of 100 years of Pinotage, South Africa’s very own wine varietal.

A SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSIC TURNS 100

Back in 1925, Professor Abraham Perold created Pinotage by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsaut. A century later, it’s become a proud symbol of South African winemaking. To honour this milestone, one of the country’s most respected winemakers, Abrie Beeslaar, the man behind Beeslaar Wines and former winemaker at Kanonkop, will be giving a presentation at 5pm. Furthermore, his Pinotage has won awards around the world and his presentation will be a rare opportunity for any wine lover.

AN AFTERNOON OF DISCOVERY

So, this isn’t your typical tasting. Guests can expect a range of carefully selected South African wines, from crisp whites and delicate MCCs to bold reds and, of course, standout Pinotage. The list of estates that is represented by owners reads like a “who is who” in  the South African wine industry and includes:

  • Bartho Eksteen Wines, with their focused Sauvignon Blanc
  • Colmant, known for their elegant Cap Classique
  • David Finlayson Wines, offering top-tier Chardonnay and Cabernet
  • Grangehurst, bringing mature red blends
  • Hogan Wines, with nuanced whites and reds
  • Restless River, recognised for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
  • Trizanne Signature Wines, shaped by coastal terroir
  • La Bri Wine estate represented by owner and winemaker Irene de Fleuriot

Also represented at the tasting are Creation, Gabriëlskloof, Crystallum, Fairview, Fryer’s Cove, Groote Post, Louisvale, Meerlust, Mullineux, Newton Johnson, Reyneke Wines and Vrede & Lust, all well-known names in local wine circles.

With so many winemakers and owners attending in person, be prepared to learn new insights into what has positioned these estates and their wines as some of the best in South Africa.

Thus it’s a laid-back, personal experience, no pretence, just great wine and good conversation.

RELAXED, REFINED, AND RIGHT HERE IN THE VILLAGE

The tasting takes place at the Riverclub, under the tent surrounded by trees, with light canapés and live music in the background. It’s set to be a calm, sociable afternoon, the perfect way to celebrate a public holiday. Also, from 6 pm, the Riverclub restaurant will be open for those who’d like to stay on for dinner.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just enjoy a good glass of wine, this is an easy, enjoyable way to explore some of South Africa’s finest wines without leaving the village.

BOOKING DETAILS

Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 (Heritage Day – public holiday)

Time: 3pm to 8pm

Venue: Riverclub, St Francis Bay

Tickets: R350 per person (includes tastings and canapés)

Tickets are limited, so it’s best to book early. Simply scan the QR code on posters around town and at SUPERSPAR, or pop into the store for more info. Bookings on Quicket Here.

This event is more than just a tasting, it is a celebration of South Africa’s wine heritage, our local community and the people behind these world-class creations.

We’ll see you there – glass in hand.

 

Wines With A Story Worth Sipping – An Intimate Tasting Experience by Newton Johnson

by | Aug 7, 2025 | St Francis

By Take Note Reputation Management

The St Francis Bay Golf Club was filled with the gentle murmur of friends catching up in anticipation of an evening of exploring the nuances some fine wines. A fully booked tasting event brought wine lovers together for an evening hosted by Newton Johnson and presented by none other than Bevan Newton Johnson himself.

An Intimate Tasting Experience by Newton Johnson

The event, sponsored by St Francis Bay SUPERSPAR TOPS as part of their Wine Club initiative, featured a curated selection of Newton Johnson wines. Those who attended had the chance to enjoy the wines and purchase them at exclusive club rates. With limited seats and a personal touch, these tastings have become popular and spaces are snapped up almost as soon as the events are announced.

Texture Over Colour – The Newton Johnson Way

Each pour flowed with wonderful insights. Bevan shared his knowledge of the Newton Johnson’s winemaking philosophy, where texture speaks louder than colour. “We always say the feel of the wine in your mouth should linger long after the sip,” said Bevan. “Whether it’s the creamy Chardonnay or the freshness of our Albariño, it’s about balance and harmony. Texture is what brings the wine to life.”

The range on offer included Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Sandford Chardonnay, Walker Bay Pinot Noir and the Fullstop Rock, a wine that holds a special place in St Francis Bay folklore. Its name, as Bevan explained with a smile, came from a surfing holiday right here in our village. “We stole it from St Francis Bay and bottled the memory.”

A Story Worth Sipping

Jenny van der Merwe, Rish Newton Johnson, Sam Lindsay

A Feast to Complement Every Sip

Guests were treated to a generous harvest table spread, that perfectly complemented the wines. The menu included mini bacon and parmesan quiche, cheese grillers wrapped in smoked bacon with honey mustard sauce, Indian butter chicken wings with mint chutney and teriyaki beef kebabs with sweet Asian flavours. Creamy biltong and blue cheese soup added a comforting local twist, followed by mini vetkoek with curried mince and Mrs Balls chutney. Rounding off the offering were mini caprese skewers with basil and balsamic reduction and golden butternut arancini with a tomato and basil sauce.

Mickey, General Manager of SUPERSPAR Village Square, St Francis Bay, reflected on the evening saying, “We are proud to bring together good wine, good food and good people. The response to these events has been fantastic and it shows there’s a real appetite for authentic experiences here in the Bay.”

A Story Worth Sipping

Chantel James and Gary Gilbult

How to Join the Wine Club

To join the next wine evening, enquire at the SUPERSPAR front desk to be added to the Wine Club WhatsApp group. Seats are limited, so early booking are essential.

Whether you come for the wine, the stories or the good company, these are the evenings that remind us why we love living here.

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