JUNE 2009: STEFAN & NICCI; WILDCLIFF; IAN GIDDY DIES 12TH JUNE 2009; ROGER GUSH; ALPHA WEEKEND; PHUKET;

June 2009

JUNE 2009 IN THE GIDDY FAMILY

NICCI AND STEFAN TRAVEL TO PHUKET THAILAND FOR A WEDDING
THE BALCONY COLLAPSES
CHRISTIAN, AARON AND ZARA STAY WITH US FOR A MONTH.
ALPHA COURSE AT WALMER METHODIST CHURCH
IAN GIDDY DIES OF CANCER  18 JANUARY 1948 TO 12 JUNE 20029
WILDCLIFF TRIP AFTER NICCI AND STEFAN RETURN FROM PHUKET
MICHAEL GIDDY AND FAMILY DRIVE THE MERCEDES BENZ TO WILDCLIFF
CATHY AND SAUL SILBERSTEIN JOIN US AT WILDLCIFF
CATHY AND SAUL MOVE TO THE NEW FLAT ABOVE WOODSTOCK
SOUTHERN KINGS PLAY BRITISH LIONS AT THE NEW STADIUM IN PE
NIPPERS AGM AND PRIZE GIVING
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR IAN AT THE METHODIST CHURCH IN PLETT
SPRINGBOKS PLAY BRITISH LIONS



Nicci & Stefan went to Phuket, Thailand for a Wedding photo shoot. The balcony that Nicci was standing on collapsed. They left the children with us and we had a great time looking after them. The children loved attending Barbara's school.
Ally continues to have success with her Sunday Hockey.

Ian takes a turn for the worst as the Cancer in his Pancreas has taken hold. He has Chemo and treatment and looses weight rapidly. On 11.06.2009 he is back in NY after a week at Rheincliff and working hard at a conservation project and report. He collapses in pain and from weakness and is rushed to an intensive care hospital where a "coma" is induced by reducing his temperature.

Roger Gush has Cancer as well and is in pain. The last time we saw him he was weak and uncomfortable at Wildcliff.

I am a leader at an Alpha course and we have the Holy Spirit weekend at Willows: Bev Cox; Rodney Kolbe; Moira Haupt; Cari Mc Lean; Susanna does not make the weekend as she has bad megraines; Regg Kee and THeresa make up the group. We are joined by Reg Haupt and Jennifer. Hugh joins the group discussion one evening. It is a most successful weekend but I find it very draining with all the emotion.
Michael joins us for his first trip to WIldcliff. We have a full family weekend with Cathy & Saul traveling from CT.

rugby: The British Lions are touring SA. They have beaten all the local sides so far and play at the newly built NM Stadium on 16.6.2009.

Wildcliff;
We left PE at about 05.30am on Saturday 13th. We had Gerald's trailer hitched up and stopped over in Plett. Ena is taking the Death of Ian very badly. She cries and then seems okay for a while. Then talks about how close he and I had become recently and how it should not happen that her child leaves this earth before she does. This is a sad time for all of us. Ian had become a very real person to us in the last few years. Also he had so much to contribute. So many people depended on him for their own life.

Patrick left for New York this evening. He arrived in NY at about 16.00 our time and early in the morning their time. Ian has not physically died yet but they now plan to "take him off the life support machines". Jenny says that Ian's life left him on Wednesday when he went into a coma and was taken to hospital.

We left Plett at about 09.30am and drove in convoy with Nicci and Stefan following us. Michael had left earlier and was about 90 minutes ahead of us. We arrived in Hiedelberg. Did some Biltong shopping at the Biltong factory. This biltong is not the same quality as the Albertina Biltong. After a short stop at the Spar I showed Stefan and Michael the Cottage and then we all drove up to WC. This afternoon I had again to climb onto the roof to fix the TV aerial. Finally we managed to get it going and were able to watch the Western Province team play the visiting Lions. The Lions beat the WP team but only just. It was the toughest game that the Lions had since they arrived in SA.

That afternoon we did not do any walks but it was good to be all together at Talari. Cathy and Saul arrived a little later. I felt a kind of sadness that Jacqui and Michael were so far from us. The children had a wonderful time playing in and around the house together. Stefan made us one of his famous Pootjies. And it was only just enough. Normally it feeds us for two days.

I had bought the series "Shield" and had planned to watch this series but I am not sure if it is as good as 24 at any rate everyone was soon fast asleep. I had bought some new mattresses for our strechers as the ones that we used to have I lost when Michael & I returned from MMC. They are a little narrower but thicker and quite comfortable.

Barbara, Ally and I slept in Jenny's study. We had brought our stretchers and we are always very comfortable on them.

Sunday morning: Bob Brown came for a visit. He will be leaving his farm and moving into town where he has bought a house. He will continue to farm cattle on a famr that he is renting. We went for a walk up the Tortoise Head trail. The kids started becoming tired and Cathy, Saul and I decided to press on along the side of the hill towards the Rain Frog Dam. We did some serious Bundu Bashing and so realised that we were not going to reach the dam.

We were now above the stream (Rain Frog Dam Stream) that leads to the Oak Tree Meadow. We had to do some serious Bum Sliding to reach the stream. There were some sheer drops and thick bushes so that you could not see where you were going and could step into the Abyss at any time. When we reached the stream we were at the foot of a waterfall which I immediately names Saul's Falls. The walk down to Oak tree meadow was not easy as the Wattle has fallen across the stream and this makes for a lot of crawling and scratches. Back at Talari the rest of the gang had arrived a lot earlier than us. I had to shower for the second time today as I had a hard work out this morning.

Later today we had a walk down to the Meadow where the children swung on the rope swing and the trees. They played around in the stream as well. The three horses were there and did not seem to like Digby. This had been a really full day for the children and a Bath and Jamies was the next event in their day.

Barbara phoned Jenny who said that Patrick had just arrived and they would be going for a walk in the park and then go to see Ian. Probably for the last time. They plan a memorial service for Ian at Rhinecliff on Saturday 20th.

Cathy and Saul left for Cape Town as they had to be back at work on Monday morning. The rest of us have taken an extra day of leave. I think that Saul may have been unhappy that I suggested that they take the Tradouw Pass as it took them longer than they had expected. Cathy and Saul have moved into a new flat overlooking Table Bay and the harbour. It is much more sunny and bright. Cathy no longer feels the sense of being under constant threat.

This evening we had a couple of roast chickens and vegetables for supper. We had lit a fire each evening although it really was not that cold. Again people seemed to fade early. I have started reading a book on "Spies and Secrets". Interesting stories from the second world war.

Monday morning: Ena phoned early to say that she had spoken to Patrick in NY and that they had now switched off the machines that were keeping Ian alive. THis is going to be a huge gap in all of our lives. We are going to miss him and his influence on so many aspects of our lives. Nicci had spoken to Ena in Plett when she stayed there. Ena had told Nicci of the time that we went to Europe and had stopped over in Kinshasha (Brazzaville).

It was the middle of the night, hot and clammy. there were little or no facilities in the transit lounge and the passengers hung around trying to while away the time. Ian had been led to talking in French to some of the locals, they had showed him some of the local 'secret' buildings and then the soldiers had accused him of being a spy. He and Ena had been detained and the whole airplane had been held up. Ena had screamed and shouted and told them to release him. Ian had told Ena to leave on her own and that he would follow.

Ian was just about 18 at the time. Finally the soldiers or police finished playing their games and released them. I think that was after Ena showed them her Scotish or British passport. The other passengers in the airplane seemed to be disgruntled and accused Ian of messing around with stuff that he should have left alone. Kind of "stirring the pot". That year we spent at Wengen, a ski resort in Switzerland where we learned to ski.

We started off on the nursery slopes and then slowly worked our way up to the ski lift and finally I remember one day with the ski instructor on a cold and windy day having taken the train up to the top. We all got out of the train feeling totally miserable and freezing and skiing down to a tavern type of hut where we had some hot chocolate before continuing this harrowing ski adventure down to the village. I think that was the last of the lessons and from there onwards we would go on our own.

One particular time we found a route that was not one of the "Beaten Trails" and we skied though virgin snow. This was probably the most exciting time of the holiday as we did not know where we were going. Ian was leading us and we finally did make it back to the village but we had to do quite a bit of cross country to get there. This trip must have cost my parents a fortune.

I would go out to the taverns at night, meeting other young skiers. Of course they were mostly Europeans who were able to speak French, German, Spanish and Dutch. I battled on and made shallow friendships over drinks and dance. One day we were on a train going up to the top of the ski hill when Allan met an American man who told us how important Computers would be in the future of business. Allan was impressed by this piece of information and that he would investigate this when back in Port Elizabeth.

Monday morning.
We decided to take the Bushpig up to Ena's Falls. Keith and the crew were doing their Monday Wattle Clearing job and so Keith came down with the Bushpig to fetch us. Michael, Lene, and the three children had walked on ahead. Stefan & I loaded the bakkie with cushions and blankets as it looked like it would be cold at the top. Then he and I followed Michael and caught up with them in the Pine Forest. Keith then loaded us all into the vehicle and we dropped him off where the gang was doing their work.

Stefan took over driving and we went half way up before he off loaded us and we walked the last section. The Mountain hut (Barafu) is coming on nicely. Barafu is the name of the camp that is on the Kilimajaro climb if you take the Machame Route. This was the first time that we see work being done. Jackson has built some of the wall and is in the process of fitting the Door and a window. It is not easy to see how the finished product will look as it is a steep rocky area where it is being built.

From here we walked on up and over Ena's Falls and into the Hidden Valley. We walked a little way into the Fynbos but children soon became tired and we had to return. I was thirsty and welcomed a walk down to the top of the falls for a drink and cool off. The children really enjoyed being here. in minutes they had their shoes and shirts off and were playing on the rocks. What a joy it is to see them having so much fun in the outdoors. Hopefully they will remember these weekends with their cousins.

We drove and walked back with a visit to the rain frog dam on the way down. The kids were starting to get tired and irritable. But seeing the dam seemed to revitalise them. They again took off shirts and shoes and were in the water even though it was cold.

Back at Talari we had a bite to eat and watched some cricket with our eyes closed. Some even went to bedrooms and lay down for a well earned sleep. Stefan and I walked up to Sauls Falls. It is an easy walk from Talari and you enter a little below the Mud Dam and are able to walk all the way up in the stream (this stream is known as Talari Stream). We came to the junction where the West Stream (Which I decided to name as Stefan's Stream but later Jenny told me that Ian had named this Rock Slide Stream) (Now Dry) joins the Rain Frog Dam stream. We had been up to the top of the West stream and this is an exploration for next time. There is a great deal of indigenous trees and plants in these two streams. We exitted in line with the Mud Dam and walked down from there.

A little later Stefan took the boys and Ally to the OT Meadow and started a swinging exercise. Jessie and I followed and were soon swinging back and forth under the oaks. Then came the best of all: Mom and Nicci came and did the same. Both of them seemed to get stuck on the swing which swings over the stream. It is not a good thing to fall as you will get quite wet. I am not sure how it happened but there was almost nobody who ended up wet.

We received a number of calls about Ian. I had not realised that he had actually died last night. But now it is final and there is no further hope. This is very sad for us. I am going to miss him. We all are. It will take us a long time to come to terms with the fact that we will NEVER see Ian again. He played a part in our lives that was important to us. He was able to create a lifestyle not only for us but for our families to come. As Nicci said today when we were up at Barafu: he has left a legacy and this is something that is special and that not many people are able to do.

Back to Port ELizabeth, reality, work, school.
Tuesday we arrived back in PE in time to watch the Southern Kings play rugby against the British Lions team at the new stadium. We walked to Grey school where we met up with some of the other people that we had booked seats for: Jaco Viljoen, Abe Cilliers, Charles, Ingrid, Ian and ourselves all took a Grey school bus to the stadium. We walked the last few hundred meters in a crowd of people. There was still quite a bit of construction going on around the stadium on the roads. We found our seats and then stood in a long queue to buy beers. Sitting with us were: Ron & Lyn; Peter & Elmarie; Anthony & Lana; Andrew, Tristan and Marion. The Game was exciting and while our team was beaten, they were by no means disgraced and played a tough game with a referee who did not seem to make the right decisions in many cases; both for and against us.

Wednesday: another Alpha this evening.
Thursday: we were supposed to be at the Clarendon Park 100 Club but were just too tired to go out this evening.

Friday was the Nippers AGM and Prize GIving.
It was a really successful turn out of Nippers and Parents. We hand out a huge number of prizes and awards this evening. Always quite sad as the U14's will be leaving us. The Junior Lifesavers were there to encourage our U14's to move over to Juniors.

Clint made a wonderful Beef Pootjie. It was really one of the best meals that I have had in a long time. The evening was well supported and a huge success. It looks like we are going to have a successful 2009/2010 season.

Ally won a trophy for her participation in almost every event that was possible. Previous winners of this trophy include: Jason Collier, Giovanni Falco, Quinton van Staden ande Oliver Wiehahn. This trophy acknowledges the fact that Ally participates in a highly competitive age group. The Summies U12's this year are the National Age Group Champions. They were the U10 National Age Group Champions two years ago. While Ally tries hard in every event she will not always win as her competition includes Chrisie Vaughn, Jamie Engelke and Lara Odendal who are all competitive in this age group.

Saturday morning we were joined by Edie Dore (Harris) and drove through to Plett where we held the Memorial Service for Ian. Ron & Lyn came through. The researchers from Wildcliff also joined us. Keith Riggle drove them through. Ann Thomas had told a number of Ena's friends of the Service, the result was that we had a really good support for Ena at the service. Ena has many friends and loyal supporters in Plett. ALice and Ian, Giles Butlin were also there. Keith's team brought a huge Bouquet of wild flowers and protea from Wildcliff. It looked quite stunning in the chapel.

Costa Stathakis is a minister who had come to preach at the Walmer Methodist Church in PE. Fortunately I had made contact with him at that time. He even visited Ena at her home. We attended some of his services in Plett and so had a connection. Costa conducted the service. Barbara prepared a hymn sheet with "Amazing grace" and "How great thou art". I read out a Eulogy, ROn read out a series of comments from students of his Executive Graduate Master of Business (Stern School of Business) in New York University and Edie read out an excerpt from a letter sent from Costa Rica.

After the service we met at Alice for tea. She had prepared a feast. Fortunately the volunteers were there and looked hungry. After the tea we drove home to watch the Springboks play the Lions in the first of three tests held at Kings Park Durban. I did not see much of the match as I had to take two loads of rubbish to the tip. Ron & Lyn stayed to watch. We had an early night after a draining day.

We had missed a hockey game of Ally's. they had played Union from Graaf Reinett in a Derby day. Our Clarendon second team beat Union by 4 goals to nil. I am sorry that we missed this game.

Sunday Morning: Fathers day. I received a number of calls from Nicci, Cathya dn from Jacqui in London. They had just returned from a short holiday in Barcelona. They loved the Spanish People but found the town to be ridiculously expensive. It appears that they had a good holiday overall.

Church: the Daryl, Charles, Ingrid, Vinance, Mike B and Fred Music Group p;ayed the song from the MMC: Lig jou Hande na Bo. A good number of men who were at the MMC came forward and sang the song with Lands lifted. It was a good show of support for Daryl.

A scroll with a description of a Father was handed to the men. Michael gave me a photo of the two of us at the MMC whith our headlamps on our hats. He also gave me a book with 365 things that a Dad should know. For me this morning was quite emotional as I could not stop thinking of Ian and our memories. He should not be gone. It seems absolutely crazy. He was too alive to be dead now.

The following week I kept myself as busy as possible with a trip to Transkei. I left just after 3am and spent the first day in Mthatha, the second day travelling to Flagstaff & Lusikisiki, the third day Julia and I were in Bizana and Mount Frere and the last day we spent back in Mthatha. I arrived home on Thursday evening. Average daily mileage was about 450kays. This had been a particularly cold week. We were due to hike the Mountain Zebra trail but fortunately had postponed the hike for two weeks. It was so wet and cold that it would have been a really miserable hike.

Saturday: Barbara & I did something that we have never done before. Our DVD player had broken down. I had arranged to go running but it was cold. I whimped out and got back into bed with Ally's mini DVD player. We had bought a series called "the Shield" for our trip to WC as we were concerned that it may be wet the whole weekend at our last visit. So Barbara & I settled down to watch the series. And stayed in bed until after 9.00am watching this contraversial series of tough, corrupt cops.

That afternoon we watched a stunning game of Rugby. The Lions were playing the Boks in the second of three matches. Our team were down 5:16 at half time. Just before the half time whistle a penalty was awarded to the springbok team. It was inside the Boks halfway and at an angle but Francois Steyn kicked the ball true and straight and we walked off the field 8:16.

The second half was nail biting. We scored two more tries: one sneaky try by Brian Habanna and a second one on the corner. This put us at 25 points. The British Lions scored 9 points with two penalties and one drop, putting them at 25 points as well and time was up with the score at 25 each.

The Lions kicked an Up & Under and Pietersen caught the ball in the air. One of the Lions caught him with an arm and he went down with a Penalty being awarded to the Boks: Five meters inside our half. Morne Steyn had been sent on to the field as a Substitute. Morne had played for the Super 14 Bulls who had won the 2009 competition and had become known for his prolific Kicking ability.

Morne said to John Smith, the captain: "Give it to me, I know that I can convert this one." These were very brave words. John knew that Francois had been successful with an even more difficult kick earlier on, but gave Morne the opportunity. Morne struck the ball cleanly and while it appeared to hover just before the cross bar, it was over and we won the game in extra time.

The poor Lions Fans were stunned, Shell Shocked, speechless. It was sad for them. They had been in front for almost all of the game with us leveling towards the end and they had tasted victory and a chance to level the series. This loss meant that the Springboks won the game and the series. For the Springbok fans it was an amazing game with proof once more that they really are world champions.

Sunday we again watched some of the Shield Series and I was able to catch up on the Wildcliff Cash Book which I had lost when my computer crashed earlier this year.

Monday 29.06.2009. This day is significant as I went for a run (walk) with the MPRG for the first time in over a month. My knee has been bothering me and I was loathe to test it. The run was no trouble as we went slowly and did a whole lot of walking. But later in the day I felt the pain on the outside of the left knee.