SUMMER SERIES TRIATHLON IN PE. SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2009
MICHAEL ZIVOR (thirty something)
ALLY GIDDY (12)
PETER GIDDY (58)
Before I start this blog; may I say that my favourite swim style is "doggie paddle"? And the three of us came last in this event.
Sunday morning 20.12.2009.
Michael Z, Ally and I entered for the local summer series triathlon. We left home late with children and organising to do. A sport like triathlon is quite fussy and requires more organising than running does. It is not too bad when you are on your own but with a family there is a lot to set up.
We loaded the three bikes into the back of Barbara's opel bakkie and she left first; finding parking and reserving a place for us. Jacqui had to organise the children and we arrived a little later. We were just in time for registration and too late for race briefing. We racked up the bikes and rushed down to the beach. Both Ally and Michael had recently bought wet suites.
I could have borrowed a wet suite from Michael Dean but was not sure if I would be up to a Triathlon this morning after Saturday's disatrous run. I again borrowed goggles from Rob Ermes. Whe I felt the water temperature it was not too cold and I felt that I would be able to do this swim. The Buoys looked to be far out. I cannot think that I have ever swum so far out before.
Gary started the race and we started the swim. I had told Ally to go ahead as I would try to catch her on the Bike Ride. She headed off with all these huge triathletes. I kind of muddled my way out. Past the end of the pier and I was not even half way to the first Buoy. I thought that I was last when a person passed me. As it turned out I later realised that there was one young lady behind me. We must have finished almost together as I saw her setting up her bike later.
Back to the swim. This was a long way out. Finally I rounded the first buoy. The second buoy was not far off. What I do is to swim a little and then look where I am going. Most times I find that I have wandered off course. Then I try a little breast stroke to catch my breath. And start the process again. I so enjoy swimming in the ocean but am more of a Bobber than a Swimmer.
I rounded the second buoy and headed back to the beach. It seemed a very long way. And with my criss cross way of swiming it probably took longer than it should. One of the life guards on a board kept on telling me that I was off course. The water was quite choppy and I seemed to be swallowing a lot of sea water.
I looked up to see how far the beach was away from where I was. And saw the last of the stragglers of the swimmers runing up the stairs to the transition area. And I still had not reached the end of the pier. This was a very long swim. (maybe I mentioned that before?). Finally I was able to stand. I made my way up to the transition. Passing Bian Saunders. And our family of supporters.
Sharon Oakley told me that I had come in on the wrong side but allowed this minor infraction of the rules to be overlooked. Putting on the Cycling shoes seemed to take forever. I wanted to see if I could start before the yound lady who was the only other person in transition. I managed to get going after nearly falling off the bike at the start.
Now I had to try to catch Michael and Ally. Barbara had told me that they were between 8 to 10 minutes ahead of me. As I cycled out I greeted Craig Wilson who was on a training run. Rounding University Corner into the wind I changed down to the easiest gear. I heard this young lady (Megan) come up behind me and she asked if I would work with her. It was a "Draft Legal" event. So the two of us took turns in the wind until I saw Michael ahead and let Megan go.
People were coming in the opposite direction at a fast pace and I was looking forward to cycling back with the wind. Finally Michael and I reached the turn. Peter Marriot was the marshall. Mike and I headed back with the help of the wind at out backs. We had seen Ally heading home and when I saw her ahead with a police escort I decided to try to catch her.
While I had my Road Bike, Michael had the disadvantage of riding my mountain bike and battled to keep the pace. But we regrouped close to the golf club and cycled back together. Once we were in the transition, Ally seemed to become all energetic and started the run just ahead of us. Just as we were leaving the transition we saw Jacqui Zeelie jogging on the promenade.
From here we kind of jogged and walked to the turn where Shane Norris and Peter Marriot were marshalling. On the way back we were now exteremely relaxed and when we reached the finish I was surprised to see that the organisers had waited for us. Barbara, Jacqui and the two children had been in the sun for the past two hours and when the prize giving seemed to be taking a long time we headed off home. We were all pretty frazzled after Saturday afternoon in the sun and then again this morning.
This was Ally's second attempt at a Triathlon. In November she had entered the Energade Triathlon and had a fall on the bike and was not able to finish. Today she went the whole way. And this was a tougher event. And it was Michael's first ever triathlon as well. I have not been doing triathlon for some time now and was glad to be back into it even if it meant a slow day. For us doing this as a family was a really special day for me. As Michael said: Dont mess with the Giddy/Zivor family!" when we passed a man who was rude to us.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
DECEMBER 2009.
DECEMBER 2009
Introduction of Blaze to JDG
Lee Collier takes over as Nippers Chairman
Zeelie cell group Braai
Mill Park Play School year end function.
Running at Sardinia Bay with Ron Pask and group.
Michael Z joins the Beach Running Group on Wednesday morning for a run, Swim and Breakfast.
Nippers join juniors and seniors for a special event at Kings Beach.
Summer series Triathlon. Family event.
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND AT WILDCLIFF
Daily visits to the beach promenade
Champagne and orange juice with the beach running group.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: CHARLES & INGRID PLUS FAMILY AROUND THE WORLD.
After the Energade Triathlon last week I was a bit stiff and not really up to a hard run on Monday morning. We did the Mount Road route at a slow pace with Gerald hanging back a bit. He and Ronel had run the 15kay race on Saturday. Seems like he enjoys being with Alf Zemke as the two of them keep each other company at the back of the field.
This week I spent the week in East London and Transkei. At work we have this new electronic Application for credit form called Blaze. And this is being introduced throughout the company in stages. On my return on Thursday evening I went to visit Lee Collier who has agreed to stand in as Chairman for our Nippers club for the rest of the season after Dianne Nelson has left for Johannesburg with her husband (John) and family (Bradley and Megan).
Friday evening Hannes and Jacqui invited the Cell Group to their home for a Braai. It would be the last session for the year. ROb Ermes, Owen and Patti Biggs were there as well. It was a really good evening: relaxed and easy. ALly had gone to movies with her friends and was dropped off a little later.
Saturday morning I collected Adrienne and met up with Pat and Annie DuRand and we had our normal Saturday morning run from Hobie beach to Walmer boulevard, Strandfontein and down Admiralty way. I had started off feeling very flat but ended up with a good run. Afterwards we enjoyed a swim at Hobie. We had met up with Brian Brunette, Mike and ___ Roote who have a Saturday morning walk and coffee on the beach.
Also the Morning Swimmers had their Christmas Breakfast on the beach. Ron joined us for a swim. Saturday afternoon, Barbara and I did some shopping: HTH, Locks for the school; 24 series 7 dvd and Shield Series 6 & 7 DVD's. It was a relaxed afternoon as we drove around. We stopped off at Dianne Nelson to collect the last of the Nippers stuff as she is moving to JHB with husband John who has taken a job transfer.
Sunday morning Barbara and I did some of the fixing up in the school then I cycled to the beach for Nippers. An east wind had been blowing for some time. The water was warm and I spent most of the morning in the sea fooling around with the children. Catching waves on the Body Board. After the training we had a short Committee meeting standing in the Nippers Cage. Bruce Bailey, Hannes and Jacqui Zeelie, Andrew Jonas, Dianne Nelson, Varrin Karp and I voted Lee Collier to the position of Chairman for the balance of the 2010 season.
Barbara collected me and later that afternoon we took a drive to the Theescombe area where we ahd a look at some properties that are for sale. We saw this huge mountain tortoise at the entrance to Garnet Cantor's game park. As we were wondering what to do with the tortoise (it was in the middle of the road) David Cantor came out of the park and we picked up this Heavy creature and put it into the park. It turns out that Gavin Billson was there recently for his fathers funeral.
Ally was at a Gala in Uitenhage. She had done well on Saturday but reported later that her Sunday swims were not as good as they should have been.
Monday 7th December: Jacqui, Michael, Emily and annabelle arrived in Cape Town. They stayed with Nicci for the week before driving through to PE the following Sunday.
Wednesday 9th: Barbara had her year end function for the school children and parents. It went down very well with the children who are leaving receiving certificates and doing some songs etc that Barbara had taught them. There were probably over 70 parents plus the nearly thirty children makes about 100 people in the garden on that morning. Parents bring some eats and between them and the grandparents they seemed to love the morning.
The following weekend ALly had a Gala in Uitenhage again. The Kotze's took her out each day. It was a three day event. Ally seems to be okay without her parents.
Sunday morning I had a wonderful run with the Ron group at Sardinia Bay. We ran in a Westerly direction up the beach and back. Lynne cycles next to the runners.
Sunday afternoon Ally and I drove down and met Ron and his gang for a short cycle. Ally was preparing the welcome for Jacqui's family and wanted to be home when they arrived. We just made it in time.
Monday I was in Kingwilliamstown, Tuesday I managed to get to some of the shops and Wednesday was a public holiday. Michael & I started off with a Run and Swim and then a Breakfast with a whole group (Adrienne, Jennifer & friend, Jacqui, Michael, EMily and Annabelle, Ron & Lynne, Pat & Ronelle, Barbara & myself; at a restaurant overlooking the beach. There was a triathlon in progress and we watched the runners as they passed below us. This was a really wonderful morning.
I had somehow caught a cold over the past few days and my trip to Grahamstown the following morning was quite miserable. I was home early and slept for hours. Friday 18th was Rons birthday but I was simply not up to going out.
Saturday morning I was not able to do teh run and after about 2kays turned around and walked the rest of the way. We had a swim afterwards. I am sure that this plus the pills that I had bought made me feel a whole lot better. Unfortunately I lost a tooth in the sea. I am fortunate that I met a runner called Divan who is a dentist. He was able to fix me up with a temporary filling so that I did not look quite as terrible.
That afternoon Ally had a Nippers event at Kings beach. The event is for seniors and juniors and by invitation a small group of Nippers were included. From Summerstrand we had Luke Hepburn, Luke Stevenson, Daniel Jones, Tristan Jonas, Anke Spies, Kyla Naude and Ally. They all did very well throughout the morning.
Ally started off with a long surf swim in which she came second in the girls section, then she did the Malibu Board and Body board and in both she was in the top five. Although she was not chosen for Flags, Varrin put her in and she was placed fifth out of 12 starters while Anke was placed 4th.
Ally & I have done a small amount of cycling and she is gaining in confidence. She is now happy to cycle to the shops or for short training around in Mill Park. Michael Z took her for a longer ride up to Newton Park. This week one of Ally's friends, Lara Swanepoel, had an accident at the Bumper Carts at the Boardwalk. She had an accident and cut her leg at the thigh. Barbara thought that she may have severed an artery but it turned out that, while there was a huge blood loss it was not an artery and she will heal with stiches and a skin graft.
Sunday morning 20.12.2009.
Michael Z, Ally and I entered for the local summer series triathlon. We left home late with children and organising to do. A sport like triathlon is quite fussy and requires more organising than running does. It is not too bad when you are on your own but with a family there is a lot to set up.
We loaded the three bikes into the back pf Barbara's opel bakkie and she left first finding parking and reserving a place for us. Jacqui had to organise the children and we arrived a little later. We were just in time for registration and too late for race briefing. We racked up the bikes and rushed down to the beach. Both Ally and Michael had recently bought wet suites.
I could have borrowed a wet suite from Michael Dean but was not sure if I would be up to a Triathlon this morning after Saturday's disatrous run. I again borrowed goggles from Rob Ermes. Whe I felt the water temperature it was not too cold and I felt that I would be able to do this swim. The Buoys looked to be far out. I cannot think that I have ever swum so far out before.
Gary started the race and we started the swim. I had told Ally to go ahead as I would try to catch her on the Bike Ride. She headed off with all these huge triathletes. I kind of muddled my way out. Past the end of the pier and I was not even half way to the first Buouy. I thought that I was last when a person passed me. As it turned out I later realised that there was one young lady behind me. We must have finished almost together as I saw her setting up her bike later.
Back to the swim. This was a long way out. Finally I rounded the first buoy. The second buoy was not far off. What I do is to swim a little and then look where I am going. Most times I find that I have wandered off course. Then I try a little breast stroke to catch my breath. And start the process again. I so enjoy swimming in the ocean but am more of a Bobber than a Swimmer.
I rounded the second buoy and headed back to the beach. It seemed a very long way. And with my criss cross way of swiming it probably took longer than it should. One of the life guards on a board kept on telling me that I was off course. The water was quite choppy and I seemed to be swallowing a lot of sea water.
I looked up to see how far the beach was away from where I was. And saw the last of the stragglers of the swimmers runing up the stairs to the transition area. And I still had not reached the end of the pier. This was a very long swim. (maybe I mentioned that before?). Finally I was able to stand. I made my way up to the transition. Passing Bian Saunders. And our family of supporters.
Sharon Oakley told me that I had come in on the wrong side but allowed this minor infraction of the rules to be overlooked. Putting on the Cycling shoes seemed to take forever. I wanted to see if I could start before the yound lady who was the only other person in transition. I managed to get going after nearly falling off the bike at the start.
Now I had to try to catch Michael and Ally. Barbara had told me that they were between 8 to 10 minutes ahead of me. As I cycled out I greeted Craig Wilson who was on a training run. Rounding University Corner into the wind I changed down to the easyest gear. I heard this young lady (Megan) come up behind me and she asked if I would work with her. It was a "Draft Legal" event. So the two of us took turns in the wind until I saw Michael ahead and let Megan go.
People were coming in the opposite direction at a fast pace and I was looking forward to cycling back with the wind. Finally Michael and I reached the turn. Peter Marriot was the marshall. Mike and I headed back with the help of the wind at out backs. We had seen Ally heading home and when I saw her ahead with a police escort I decided to try to catch her.
While I had my Road Bike, Michael had the disadvantage of riding my mountain bike and battled to keep the pace. But we regrouped close to the golf club and cycled back together. Once we were in the transition, Ally seemed to become all energetic and started the run just ahead of us. Just as we were leaving the transition we saw Jacqui Zeelie jogging on the promenade.
From here we kind of jogged and walked to the turn where Shane Norris and Peter Marriot were marshalling. On the way back we were now exteremely relaxed and when we reached the finish I was surprised to see that the organisers had waited for us. Barbara, Jacqui and the two children had been in the sun for the past two hours and when the prize giving seemed to be taking a long time we headed off home. We were all pretty frazzled after Saturday afternoon in the sun and then again this morning.
This was Ally's second attempt at a Triathlon. In November she had entered the Energade Triathlon and had a fall on the bike and was not able to finish. Today she went the whole way. And this was a tougher event. And it was Michael's first ever triathlon as well. I have not been doing triathlon for some time now and was glad to be back into it even if it meant a slow day. For us doing this as a family was a really special day for me. As Michael said: Dont mess with the Giddy/Zivor family!" when we passed a man who was rude to us.
Sunday afternoon Barbara packed up the Opel Bakkie for the children to sleep and travel the following morning. We did some shopping for their trip. It would be Michael and his three plus Ally in the bakkie. Jacqui and her Michael would be travelling in the Passat which they had brought from CT.
The house looked like a tornado had hit it. With the three families, Barbara's school becoming a playground and every room having a constant flow of people, children, food etc.
Monday Morning 21.12.2009. Nicci and Stefan had been at Bredasdorp at a friend. Barbara, Ally and Michaels Family with Jacqui's family travelled together to Wildcliff. Lene and I would follow on Thursday as neither of us had been able to get leave at this time.
Patrick, Marianne, St John and Isobell passed through Port Elizabeth on their way to Plett and then Bredasdorp. They stayed over in Plett and then made their way to Bredasdorp to the family home of Marianne.
Knysna has had sever water shortages and restrictions. This week was particularly hot and a raging fire started near to Belvedere. This makes me worry about Wildcliff and the possibility of Fires starting there.
Finally Thursday morning arrived. For me it started with a run and swim at the beach. On Wednesday morning we had run along the promenade all the way to Flat Rock. THis was a first for me as the last time I had tried this the walkway had been washed away. Adrienne is always a little nervous of this area as it is a little isolated. We had Liz from Jhb (Providence) running with us. Thursday morning we ran to the Mc Arthur baths and then along Kings Beach to the Harbour wall. The swim after the run is very theraputic and part of our little ritual.
Thursday morning we had completely packed the car and when Lene was able to get off from work we left and were able to leave PE close to 12pm. For us it was not a dificult drive. Stefan phoned us on the road and asked us to purchase some groceries and beers. Stefan sounded quite desperate as the food they had was disppearing fast with usch a big family to feed. Our car was so fully packed up with presents that we had to phone Cathy to fetch the stuff that we purchased. We arrived in Heidleberg and had to stock up at the Spar. We made some purchases and Cathy loaded the stuff up as our car was completely full both in the boot and the back seat with presents.
That evening we were the whole family together for the first time since Cathy's Wedding earlier this year. Friday morning - Christmas day - Barbara, Ally and I slept in the Study, Cathy and Saul stayed at the Weavers Nest and the rest of the gang were at Talari. The house was total Chaos. Children and babies all over the house. They leave a mess wherever they go. Crying, laughing, scolding, eating, playing. What an active house this was.
We started off with the Christmas stockings. The tree had been cut earlier in the week and was nicely decorated. There was a HUGE pile of presents under the tree. Ally had phoned me to remind me of the stocking for Mom. On our way down, Lene and I had found an African Arts and Crafts shop where we had purchased these two figurines made of hard and heavy wood. Made in Zimbabwe. They would make and Ideal christmas stocking for Barbara. The stocking fillers were too big for the old traditional stockings and so we used the big ones that Barbara had bought and had embroidered last year.
Then it was the traditional tea and mince pies before the present opening finally began. Ally and Jessica took charge of handing out the presents. There were so many presents, so many children and a huge amount of fun in the watching of the presents being opened. Barbara and Ally had bought these Blue and White board shorts for me. They looked truly funky (with matching t-shirt) on this 59 year old grandad.
The handing out of gifts does not take long. An hour later and probably about five bags of wrapping paper plus loads of boxes etc took us close to lunch time. Before lunch we went up to Rain Frog Dam. Stefan had bought two inflatable boats. This meant that we had to have a Wildcliff Olympics. Racing up and down the dam in teams dunking each other and children squirting us with their water guns. Although it was mid summer the water was not that warm. But swimming was defintely the best sport of the day.
Lunch called us all back to Talari. Stefan had brought a Gammon while I had supplied a Turkey. Barbara and Cathy made a potato bake and someone else made some green salads. This made a perfect Christmas lunch with minimal fuss. We placed three tables together in the lounge and all 19 of us sat down for lunch. Jessica and Ally read us stories from their Bibles. We did not have much in the way of speeches but Michael Z expressed his feelings about his family and of being part of this supportive group.
After lunch we had our Christmas Pagents: Nicci had arranged that each couple would present a small revue. Michael Giddy started with the Christmas story. He placed a popular song interspered and this was very successful. Barbara Ally and I were next with our rendition of "on the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me". THis too went down well. Next up was Michael and Jacqui who sang their own version of "you say potato and I say potato, you say tomato and I say tomato". This was improvised at the last minute and was a cleverly put together set of words.
Cathy and Saul had dressed for the part. Poor Saul had to wear a Nighty of Cathy's and Cathy came with her nose painted red. This was their Little Red Riding hood story. They had also arranged this at the last minute and were given a solid applause for an entertaining piece.
Nicci and family were last. They had a whole set of pieces including Christian's magic show, Stefan's juggling and their special set of songs.
Everyone so enjoyed this afternoon that it was determined there and then that this would become an annual event.
Stefan was keen to sleep a night out at Barafu so he, Christian and Aaron packed up for a boys night out. Barafu is a really small hut and could not sllep more than this. We loaded up the Bushpig and, while it was still light, drove up the hill to Ena's falls. We passed a fire break that was new. We later learned from Keith that this had been built by hand by Cape Nature. Probably clever to do this by hand as a bull dozer would have taken roots and all out and would have created the possibility of a huge washaway if a heavy rain should fall.
Up at Barafu we unpacked our goodies: Drinks and Chips. Chris Aaron and I filled up the water bottle. Stefan set up the sleeping arrangement for the night. I had brought some mattresses here the last time that Ron & I has slept here. But now there was a thick foam mattress on the top bunk where I would be sleeping. This turned out to be a really comfi sleep for me. We found one or two unwelcome guests in the hut and had to remove them. The Flatties we left alone.
Chris and Aaron took the two chairs while Stefan and I sat on the rocks. A deck here would be perfect as one would like to be able to lie outside of the hut to look up at the stars. This evening was overcast and all that we could see was the half moon. We sat outside chatting for a while before Aaron declared it to be his bedtime and that was the cue for all of us to retire. We boiled up some water for hot chocolate and were soon all fast asleep.
Patrick had phoned from Bredasdorp where he and his family were staying to say that there were some devestating fires raging and heading towards their homes. The women and children had to evacuate the house and the men were called to fight fires. He later told me that they had used every possible method to put out the fires including spades, wet sacks and swiming pool water on the thatch roofs.
Dominic had remained on the thach roof wetting it with swiming pool water in an attempt to save the house. One of the houses that was set a little way off to the side had been burnt down. The area where Marianne has this holiday home is called Springfield and is a National Heritage sight.
The family is compelled to have thatch roofing. The fire had created a huge mess all around. As far off as Arniston where they had spent the night on Saturday night the sky was filled with black ashes. Patrick tells me that the house where they were staying was full of ash. They had no power and no water.
The following day: Sunday, once they had inspected and cleaned up what they could, they all left for Wellington. It would take a long time, with some badly needed rain, to clean up the black ash and fields. Later this week I phoned Patrick and he again spoke of the Mess of the ash. Everything is covered in ash. They have no electricity and no water to assist in a clean up project. His family went to Wellington for the rest of the holiday.
Stefan had the bottom bunk which is too short for an adult and did not sleep as well as the rest of us. He had made a bed for Chris and Aaron on the middle bunk and they seemed very comfortable. It rained that evening but not enough to make any real impact. We slept till about 5am when it was already quite light. Without any breakfast except for a cup of black coffee we packed up and drove back down to Talari. Everything that we had left in the back of the Bushpig was saturated. This had been a good little experience for the four of us.
Back at Talari we found out that Joshua had not had a good night and Michael and Lene would be driving home today. Stefan Saul, Michael and I had decided to do a hike. Michael was on Call and had to have Cell Phone reception so we cancelled plans to walk the WIlderkrans and instead we walked up Fynbos road to the Protea trail. Here we turned left and after a short while made a right turn.
Stefan and I were surprised to see how both the Black Wattle and the Protea had grown where there had been a wide trail. There is a section of the field that Tom Ambrose had completely cleared of Wattle that now has overgrown back and if not sorted out will soon be forrested with this invasive again.
We were able to find the Leopard Trap that we were looking for. We made our way down a little and then back up to the top of the Kloof. I think that Stefan was feeling particularly energetic and would have liked to climb down to see if we can enter the Kloof from here. The rest of us were not quite as strong. We looked up and saw the top of the mountain bekoning us. Michael suggested that we explore this.
We carried on back up to the Fynbos road and then up to Ena's Falls. At the top we turned left into the Hidden Valley and after a short while went up the mountain. The Fynbos is thick and tough to penetrate. Once through the Protea field we had to do some rock climbing which I found quite exhausting and had to ask for a stop to recover some strength.
We enjoyed the sandwiches and snacks that we had brought. Fortunately it was still overcast and the soft West wind kept the day cool for us. Still it was hard work and when we reached the top of the mountain but not the Summit, by vote we decided to turn around and head back home. I think that Stefan would have happily continued up to the very top but I did not have the energy today. A lesson that I have learned today and before is that I should not take on too many hikes at one time. When we again decide to attempt to reach the top I must make this a single task otherwise I become too tired.
Michael phoned Talari and asked the people there to look out for us. We waved. They waved. But niether group could see the other. The climb down was not easy. I descend slowly. eventually Michael and I caught up to Saul and Stefan. And we hiked back down. We stopped off at rain frog dam for a cool off and swim. This would be the last visit to the dam and we carried the inflatable boats back down. Michael and Lene had already left and phoned to say that they were safe home. They had brought the Daewoo home and I had let Cathy & Saul take the Toyota. I wanted to have the Daewoo fixed up of the rust.
We had hiked for about 5 hours and needed a bit of a break. This did not seem possible as there was packing and other stuff to be done. Only at about 8pm was I able to put my feet up and read. I say read but within minutes I was asleep as I could not keep my eyes open. Some of the group played cards till late. I could hear them in the lounge but did not have the strength to join in.
Next morning I was up at 05.00am and spent the next 4 or so hours cleaning. Firstly the dishes then sweeping and finally we cleaned the floors and walls. Everyone did some cleaning and finally at about 9am the house was again looking reasonable. This is not a house that will ever look spotless but at least the next group (Jill) could move in on Monday.
One by one we left. Ally, Jessica and I were last to leave. We would drive to Swellendam where we met up with Patrick, Ena and Isabel. Ena would be going home to Plett and Isabel would spend the night there before continuning with friends on to Coffee bay where she would do some surfing.
Isabel looks the part. Floppy pants, barefoot or sandals, loose fitting top and funny pockets. Braided hair completes the picture. However it is not suprising to hear that underneath this is a really smart person who has achieved distinctions in the subjects that she studies towards her Marine Biology degree. Isabel is going into her third year at UCT in 2010.
We met at the Old Gaol, a restaurant in Swellendam, for something to eat and drink. Patrick brought Isabel and Ena, Stefan brought the Fig Jam that he had made for Ena. Ally had a curry, Jessica had a lasagne and I had Eggs on toast.
We said our goodbyes and headed off to Plett. After just a short while Ena remembered that she had again forgotten the Fig Jam. We turned around only to find that there was not Fig Jam at the table, nor in the office. A little while later we were able to phone Patrick who admitted that it was he who had taken the jam. The roads were busy but we managed an easy drive to Plett.
We would phone Barbara from time to time and realised that she was not far ahead. She had made a wrong turn in Mossel Bay and ended up in the town. From there she had driven over the Robertsons pass to Oudtshoorn. We agreed to meet at the Storms River Bridge for something to eat. It was impossible for her to go and buy something as she had the Pig, the Digby and the bird in the bakkie with her. She found a grassy area at the bridge and waited for us there.
We stopped off at Plett where we off loaded Ena and Isabel and loaded up some Apricot Jam. Isabel would meet up with her gang of friends and they all slept the night at Ena's flat before heading off to Coffee Bay for surfing and fun.
At Storms River Bridge we bought ourselves some hamburgers and coffee and then drove the final leg to PE in Convoy. Michael and family were at home waiting for us. Barbara was totally exhausted after a long day at the wheel and after unpacking we had an evening of unwinding.
Monday morning I had to go to work. I started off the morning with a run on the beach front with Adrienne, Pat and Ronel. We did the promenade run all the way to the old Flat Rock. The Boardwalk has now been repaired and one is able to jog along the beach front for an extra kilometer. That evening we started a series of Bridge evening with Michael and Lene. They have become quite proficient at bridge and Lene in particular has become bold and will call well.
Tuesday morning I had a short (early) visit to Grahamstown and stopped off at Nanaga on my way home I stopped off at the Nanaga Farm stall. This farm stall was established in 1969 as a fresh cabbage stall from the boot of a bakkie by Lynn MacKenzie and is now run by Leigh Anne at the relocated (29 November 2008)shop. As ususal the shop was very busy.
The pies, roosterbrood and bread are delicious. I enquired as to the meaning of the word Nanaga (Nanara - Xhosa) and was told it meant clover leaf or interchange. This evening we went to the beach for a walk and Jessica & ALly did their Jboarding. This is a new experience for Jess but she managed well. We did this a couple of times this week. Jessica improved her J Boarding and Ally makes it look easy despite a fall or two.
Wednesday morning we again did our beach front run and Thursday we had a special run as this was New years eve. We took some champagne and orange juice with Anne DuRand bringing some really delicious cakes. The running group was: Suzanne, Adrienne, Pat, Ronel, Gerald, Adrian, Annie and John for a short while. Adrienne's family joined us later: Jennifer from UK and friend, Danielle and Matthew.
The Hobie beach area was cordoned off so we had our little gathering opposite bird rock. I had a swim and Adrienne's group went to swim at Hobie beach. The morning runs have been a treat for me and I am going to miss them next week when everyone has to be back at work.
31 December 2009. New Year's Eve. Barbara and I spent the evening with Charles and Ingrid. Charles and Ingrid treated us to a cheese platter for starters. We sat outside on this balmy evening. It was really a stunning little get together. We had a Filet Steak braai, potato bake and a Charles famous salad. We played bridge and if Barbara had not been feeling poorly we may even have made Midnight.
Ingrid made us a delicious pudding which we enjoyed before our final coffee. We left an hour before the new year started. Nicky and Stefan had been at a Wedding and would spend the night at Ceres with their family. Michael and Lene, Ally and children spent the evening at Lene's sister Mariska. They arrived home well after Midnight.
And so ended 2009.
This has been and interesting and challenging year for all of us. Barbara had major changes at School with Xoliswa on Maternity leave and then resigning. Suzanne being retrenched and leaving earlier than expected as she found full time employment at the pharmacy where she works. Barbara has now cut her school intake to a manageable number of 18 children.
I had this new job of Financial Services GM at JDG and had a lot more travel than I previously had but have coped and adapted fine. I am now really enjoying the job and feel that I make a positive contribution. While I spent nearly 25 years at Morkels in a variety of positions including Manager, Regional operations, Regional Credit and Regional Personnell manager this move to Cross Chain has opened my eyes to new cultures and new personalities. It has been quite challenging to try to get to know people in 80 shops in the Division.
Jacqui, Michael, Emily and Anabelle spent their final day in London this week and have now moved to their new home in Israel near to Hiafa. Michael had a tough year with a work colleague who accused him of harrassment. Jacqui has had to live within the confines of her flat and the London weather. They now have the opportunity for a fresh start in Israel.
Michael and Lene have had to move from their home in Target Kloof, Walmer when Mike was not feeling that he could cope. He left his job in Russells where he was well respected and liked by the people around him. He joined Furn City and soon realised that this was not for him. He left this company and remained unemployed for the rest of the year. He starts a new job selling insurance with Liberty Life where his good friend, David, works. They will live with us for the next period until they feel that they are again ready and able to be independent.
Cathy and Saul found themselves a new place to live after living in Woodstock since they met. They new flat was much more secure and sunny. They seemed to love this home but have now bought a small house and will be moving there in the new year. The tenant that I had at Montreax left and we have had a period with no tenant and have had to fix the flat up as it had deteriorated both internal and external. Cathy has handled the whole job and has found a tenant for us.
Nicky and Stefan have had their fair share of work and home difficult situations. Christian had an operation to try to cure the drooling that is symtomatic of Distonia. Nicky now has the horse to ride and has taken part in competition. Stefan stays fit and is keen to run half marathons in the new year. The Little Pink Book is a huge project with the Western Cape and the Gauteng editions taking up a big part of their time and focus. The Wedding photography business is their core but they appear to be branching out with other ventures.
Wildcliff has been our common ground in both interest and time spent there. I have been able to visit Wildcliff a good number of times this year. I have had the pleasure of taking friends: Ron twice, Ron and Lynn, Peter and Elmarie, Fred Kohler twice and our family had the priveledge of being there as a whole family (19 people) over the Christmas weekend.
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Introduction of Blaze to JDG
Lee Collier takes over as Nippers Chairman
Zeelie cell group Braai
Mill Park Play School year end function.
Running at Sardinia Bay with Ron Pask and group.
Michael Z joins the Beach Running Group on Wednesday morning for a run, Swim and Breakfast.
Nippers join juniors and seniors for a special event at Kings Beach.
Summer series Triathlon. Family event.
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND AT WILDCLIFF
Daily visits to the beach promenade
Champagne and orange juice with the beach running group.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: CHARLES & INGRID PLUS FAMILY AROUND THE WORLD.
After the Energade Triathlon last week I was a bit stiff and not really up to a hard run on Monday morning. We did the Mount Road route at a slow pace with Gerald hanging back a bit. He and Ronel had run the 15kay race on Saturday. Seems like he enjoys being with Alf Zemke as the two of them keep each other company at the back of the field.
This week I spent the week in East London and Transkei. At work we have this new electronic Application for credit form called Blaze. And this is being introduced throughout the company in stages. On my return on Thursday evening I went to visit Lee Collier who has agreed to stand in as Chairman for our Nippers club for the rest of the season after Dianne Nelson has left for Johannesburg with her husband (John) and family (Bradley and Megan).
Friday evening Hannes and Jacqui invited the Cell Group to their home for a Braai. It would be the last session for the year. ROb Ermes, Owen and Patti Biggs were there as well. It was a really good evening: relaxed and easy. ALly had gone to movies with her friends and was dropped off a little later.
Saturday morning I collected Adrienne and met up with Pat and Annie DuRand and we had our normal Saturday morning run from Hobie beach to Walmer boulevard, Strandfontein and down Admiralty way. I had started off feeling very flat but ended up with a good run. Afterwards we enjoyed a swim at Hobie. We had met up with Brian Brunette, Mike and ___ Roote who have a Saturday morning walk and coffee on the beach.
Also the Morning Swimmers had their Christmas Breakfast on the beach. Ron joined us for a swim. Saturday afternoon, Barbara and I did some shopping: HTH, Locks for the school; 24 series 7 dvd and Shield Series 6 & 7 DVD's. It was a relaxed afternoon as we drove around. We stopped off at Dianne Nelson to collect the last of the Nippers stuff as she is moving to JHB with husband John who has taken a job transfer.
Sunday morning Barbara and I did some of the fixing up in the school then I cycled to the beach for Nippers. An east wind had been blowing for some time. The water was warm and I spent most of the morning in the sea fooling around with the children. Catching waves on the Body Board. After the training we had a short Committee meeting standing in the Nippers Cage. Bruce Bailey, Hannes and Jacqui Zeelie, Andrew Jonas, Dianne Nelson, Varrin Karp and I voted Lee Collier to the position of Chairman for the balance of the 2010 season.
Barbara collected me and later that afternoon we took a drive to the Theescombe area where we ahd a look at some properties that are for sale. We saw this huge mountain tortoise at the entrance to Garnet Cantor's game park. As we were wondering what to do with the tortoise (it was in the middle of the road) David Cantor came out of the park and we picked up this Heavy creature and put it into the park. It turns out that Gavin Billson was there recently for his fathers funeral.
Ally was at a Gala in Uitenhage. She had done well on Saturday but reported later that her Sunday swims were not as good as they should have been.
Monday 7th December: Jacqui, Michael, Emily and annabelle arrived in Cape Town. They stayed with Nicci for the week before driving through to PE the following Sunday.
Wednesday 9th: Barbara had her year end function for the school children and parents. It went down very well with the children who are leaving receiving certificates and doing some songs etc that Barbara had taught them. There were probably over 70 parents plus the nearly thirty children makes about 100 people in the garden on that morning. Parents bring some eats and between them and the grandparents they seemed to love the morning.
The following weekend ALly had a Gala in Uitenhage again. The Kotze's took her out each day. It was a three day event. Ally seems to be okay without her parents.
Sunday morning I had a wonderful run with the Ron group at Sardinia Bay. We ran in a Westerly direction up the beach and back. Lynne cycles next to the runners.
Sunday afternoon Ally and I drove down and met Ron and his gang for a short cycle. Ally was preparing the welcome for Jacqui's family and wanted to be home when they arrived. We just made it in time.
Monday I was in Kingwilliamstown, Tuesday I managed to get to some of the shops and Wednesday was a public holiday. Michael & I started off with a Run and Swim and then a Breakfast with a whole group (Adrienne, Jennifer & friend, Jacqui, Michael, EMily and Annabelle, Ron & Lynne, Pat & Ronelle, Barbara & myself; at a restaurant overlooking the beach. There was a triathlon in progress and we watched the runners as they passed below us. This was a really wonderful morning.
I had somehow caught a cold over the past few days and my trip to Grahamstown the following morning was quite miserable. I was home early and slept for hours. Friday 18th was Rons birthday but I was simply not up to going out.
Saturday morning I was not able to do teh run and after about 2kays turned around and walked the rest of the way. We had a swim afterwards. I am sure that this plus the pills that I had bought made me feel a whole lot better. Unfortunately I lost a tooth in the sea. I am fortunate that I met a runner called Divan who is a dentist. He was able to fix me up with a temporary filling so that I did not look quite as terrible.
That afternoon Ally had a Nippers event at Kings beach. The event is for seniors and juniors and by invitation a small group of Nippers were included. From Summerstrand we had Luke Hepburn, Luke Stevenson, Daniel Jones, Tristan Jonas, Anke Spies, Kyla Naude and Ally. They all did very well throughout the morning.
Ally started off with a long surf swim in which she came second in the girls section, then she did the Malibu Board and Body board and in both she was in the top five. Although she was not chosen for Flags, Varrin put her in and she was placed fifth out of 12 starters while Anke was placed 4th.
Ally & I have done a small amount of cycling and she is gaining in confidence. She is now happy to cycle to the shops or for short training around in Mill Park. Michael Z took her for a longer ride up to Newton Park. This week one of Ally's friends, Lara Swanepoel, had an accident at the Bumper Carts at the Boardwalk. She had an accident and cut her leg at the thigh. Barbara thought that she may have severed an artery but it turned out that, while there was a huge blood loss it was not an artery and she will heal with stiches and a skin graft.
Sunday morning 20.12.2009.
Michael Z, Ally and I entered for the local summer series triathlon. We left home late with children and organising to do. A sport like triathlon is quite fussy and requires more organising than running does. It is not too bad when you are on your own but with a family there is a lot to set up.
We loaded the three bikes into the back pf Barbara's opel bakkie and she left first finding parking and reserving a place for us. Jacqui had to organise the children and we arrived a little later. We were just in time for registration and too late for race briefing. We racked up the bikes and rushed down to the beach. Both Ally and Michael had recently bought wet suites.
I could have borrowed a wet suite from Michael Dean but was not sure if I would be up to a Triathlon this morning after Saturday's disatrous run. I again borrowed goggles from Rob Ermes. Whe I felt the water temperature it was not too cold and I felt that I would be able to do this swim. The Buoys looked to be far out. I cannot think that I have ever swum so far out before.
Gary started the race and we started the swim. I had told Ally to go ahead as I would try to catch her on the Bike Ride. She headed off with all these huge triathletes. I kind of muddled my way out. Past the end of the pier and I was not even half way to the first Buouy. I thought that I was last when a person passed me. As it turned out I later realised that there was one young lady behind me. We must have finished almost together as I saw her setting up her bike later.
Back to the swim. This was a long way out. Finally I rounded the first buoy. The second buoy was not far off. What I do is to swim a little and then look where I am going. Most times I find that I have wandered off course. Then I try a little breast stroke to catch my breath. And start the process again. I so enjoy swimming in the ocean but am more of a Bobber than a Swimmer.
I rounded the second buoy and headed back to the beach. It seemed a very long way. And with my criss cross way of swiming it probably took longer than it should. One of the life guards on a board kept on telling me that I was off course. The water was quite choppy and I seemed to be swallowing a lot of sea water.
I looked up to see how far the beach was away from where I was. And saw the last of the stragglers of the swimmers runing up the stairs to the transition area. And I still had not reached the end of the pier. This was a very long swim. (maybe I mentioned that before?). Finally I was able to stand. I made my way up to the transition. Passing Bian Saunders. And our family of supporters.
Sharon Oakley told me that I had come in on the wrong side but allowed this minor infraction of the rules to be overlooked. Putting on the Cycling shoes seemed to take forever. I wanted to see if I could start before the yound lady who was the only other person in transition. I managed to get going after nearly falling off the bike at the start.
Now I had to try to catch Michael and Ally. Barbara had told me that they were between 8 to 10 minutes ahead of me. As I cycled out I greeted Craig Wilson who was on a training run. Rounding University Corner into the wind I changed down to the easyest gear. I heard this young lady (Megan) come up behind me and she asked if I would work with her. It was a "Draft Legal" event. So the two of us took turns in the wind until I saw Michael ahead and let Megan go.
People were coming in the opposite direction at a fast pace and I was looking forward to cycling back with the wind. Finally Michael and I reached the turn. Peter Marriot was the marshall. Mike and I headed back with the help of the wind at out backs. We had seen Ally heading home and when I saw her ahead with a police escort I decided to try to catch her.
While I had my Road Bike, Michael had the disadvantage of riding my mountain bike and battled to keep the pace. But we regrouped close to the golf club and cycled back together. Once we were in the transition, Ally seemed to become all energetic and started the run just ahead of us. Just as we were leaving the transition we saw Jacqui Zeelie jogging on the promenade.
From here we kind of jogged and walked to the turn where Shane Norris and Peter Marriot were marshalling. On the way back we were now exteremely relaxed and when we reached the finish I was surprised to see that the organisers had waited for us. Barbara, Jacqui and the two children had been in the sun for the past two hours and when the prize giving seemed to be taking a long time we headed off home. We were all pretty frazzled after Saturday afternoon in the sun and then again this morning.
This was Ally's second attempt at a Triathlon. In November she had entered the Energade Triathlon and had a fall on the bike and was not able to finish. Today she went the whole way. And this was a tougher event. And it was Michael's first ever triathlon as well. I have not been doing triathlon for some time now and was glad to be back into it even if it meant a slow day. For us doing this as a family was a really special day for me. As Michael said: Dont mess with the Giddy/Zivor family!" when we passed a man who was rude to us.
Sunday afternoon Barbara packed up the Opel Bakkie for the children to sleep and travel the following morning. We did some shopping for their trip. It would be Michael and his three plus Ally in the bakkie. Jacqui and her Michael would be travelling in the Passat which they had brought from CT.
The house looked like a tornado had hit it. With the three families, Barbara's school becoming a playground and every room having a constant flow of people, children, food etc.
Monday Morning 21.12.2009. Nicci and Stefan had been at Bredasdorp at a friend. Barbara, Ally and Michaels Family with Jacqui's family travelled together to Wildcliff. Lene and I would follow on Thursday as neither of us had been able to get leave at this time.
Patrick, Marianne, St John and Isobell passed through Port Elizabeth on their way to Plett and then Bredasdorp. They stayed over in Plett and then made their way to Bredasdorp to the family home of Marianne.
Knysna has had sever water shortages and restrictions. This week was particularly hot and a raging fire started near to Belvedere. This makes me worry about Wildcliff and the possibility of Fires starting there.
Finally Thursday morning arrived. For me it started with a run and swim at the beach. On Wednesday morning we had run along the promenade all the way to Flat Rock. THis was a first for me as the last time I had tried this the walkway had been washed away. Adrienne is always a little nervous of this area as it is a little isolated. We had Liz from Jhb (Providence) running with us. Thursday morning we ran to the Mc Arthur baths and then along Kings Beach to the Harbour wall. The swim after the run is very theraputic and part of our little ritual.
Thursday morning we had completely packed the car and when Lene was able to get off from work we left and were able to leave PE close to 12pm. For us it was not a dificult drive. Stefan phoned us on the road and asked us to purchase some groceries and beers. Stefan sounded quite desperate as the food they had was disppearing fast with usch a big family to feed. Our car was so fully packed up with presents that we had to phone Cathy to fetch the stuff that we purchased. We arrived in Heidleberg and had to stock up at the Spar. We made some purchases and Cathy loaded the stuff up as our car was completely full both in the boot and the back seat with presents.
That evening we were the whole family together for the first time since Cathy's Wedding earlier this year. Friday morning - Christmas day - Barbara, Ally and I slept in the Study, Cathy and Saul stayed at the Weavers Nest and the rest of the gang were at Talari. The house was total Chaos. Children and babies all over the house. They leave a mess wherever they go. Crying, laughing, scolding, eating, playing. What an active house this was.
We started off with the Christmas stockings. The tree had been cut earlier in the week and was nicely decorated. There was a HUGE pile of presents under the tree. Ally had phoned me to remind me of the stocking for Mom. On our way down, Lene and I had found an African Arts and Crafts shop where we had purchased these two figurines made of hard and heavy wood. Made in Zimbabwe. They would make and Ideal christmas stocking for Barbara. The stocking fillers were too big for the old traditional stockings and so we used the big ones that Barbara had bought and had embroidered last year.
Then it was the traditional tea and mince pies before the present opening finally began. Ally and Jessica took charge of handing out the presents. There were so many presents, so many children and a huge amount of fun in the watching of the presents being opened. Barbara and Ally had bought these Blue and White board shorts for me. They looked truly funky (with matching t-shirt) on this 59 year old grandad.
The handing out of gifts does not take long. An hour later and probably about five bags of wrapping paper plus loads of boxes etc took us close to lunch time. Before lunch we went up to Rain Frog Dam. Stefan had bought two inflatable boats. This meant that we had to have a Wildcliff Olympics. Racing up and down the dam in teams dunking each other and children squirting us with their water guns. Although it was mid summer the water was not that warm. But swimming was defintely the best sport of the day.
Lunch called us all back to Talari. Stefan had brought a Gammon while I had supplied a Turkey. Barbara and Cathy made a potato bake and someone else made some green salads. This made a perfect Christmas lunch with minimal fuss. We placed three tables together in the lounge and all 19 of us sat down for lunch. Jessica and Ally read us stories from their Bibles. We did not have much in the way of speeches but Michael Z expressed his feelings about his family and of being part of this supportive group.
After lunch we had our Christmas Pagents: Nicci had arranged that each couple would present a small revue. Michael Giddy started with the Christmas story. He placed a popular song interspered and this was very successful. Barbara Ally and I were next with our rendition of "on the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me". THis too went down well. Next up was Michael and Jacqui who sang their own version of "you say potato and I say potato, you say tomato and I say tomato". This was improvised at the last minute and was a cleverly put together set of words.
Cathy and Saul had dressed for the part. Poor Saul had to wear a Nighty of Cathy's and Cathy came with her nose painted red. This was their Little Red Riding hood story. They had also arranged this at the last minute and were given a solid applause for an entertaining piece.
Nicci and family were last. They had a whole set of pieces including Christian's magic show, Stefan's juggling and their special set of songs.
Everyone so enjoyed this afternoon that it was determined there and then that this would become an annual event.
Stefan was keen to sleep a night out at Barafu so he, Christian and Aaron packed up for a boys night out. Barafu is a really small hut and could not sllep more than this. We loaded up the Bushpig and, while it was still light, drove up the hill to Ena's falls. We passed a fire break that was new. We later learned from Keith that this had been built by hand by Cape Nature. Probably clever to do this by hand as a bull dozer would have taken roots and all out and would have created the possibility of a huge washaway if a heavy rain should fall.
Up at Barafu we unpacked our goodies: Drinks and Chips. Chris Aaron and I filled up the water bottle. Stefan set up the sleeping arrangement for the night. I had brought some mattresses here the last time that Ron & I has slept here. But now there was a thick foam mattress on the top bunk where I would be sleeping. This turned out to be a really comfi sleep for me. We found one or two unwelcome guests in the hut and had to remove them. The Flatties we left alone.
Chris and Aaron took the two chairs while Stefan and I sat on the rocks. A deck here would be perfect as one would like to be able to lie outside of the hut to look up at the stars. This evening was overcast and all that we could see was the half moon. We sat outside chatting for a while before Aaron declared it to be his bedtime and that was the cue for all of us to retire. We boiled up some water for hot chocolate and were soon all fast asleep.
Patrick had phoned from Bredasdorp where he and his family were staying to say that there were some devestating fires raging and heading towards their homes. The women and children had to evacuate the house and the men were called to fight fires. He later told me that they had used every possible method to put out the fires including spades, wet sacks and swiming pool water on the thatch roofs.
Dominic had remained on the thach roof wetting it with swiming pool water in an attempt to save the house. One of the houses that was set a little way off to the side had been burnt down. The area where Marianne has this holiday home is called Springfield and is a National Heritage sight.
The family is compelled to have thatch roofing. The fire had created a huge mess all around. As far off as Arniston where they had spent the night on Saturday night the sky was filled with black ashes. Patrick tells me that the house where they were staying was full of ash. They had no power and no water.
The following day: Sunday, once they had inspected and cleaned up what they could, they all left for Wellington. It would take a long time, with some badly needed rain, to clean up the black ash and fields. Later this week I phoned Patrick and he again spoke of the Mess of the ash. Everything is covered in ash. They have no electricity and no water to assist in a clean up project. His family went to Wellington for the rest of the holiday.
Stefan had the bottom bunk which is too short for an adult and did not sleep as well as the rest of us. He had made a bed for Chris and Aaron on the middle bunk and they seemed very comfortable. It rained that evening but not enough to make any real impact. We slept till about 5am when it was already quite light. Without any breakfast except for a cup of black coffee we packed up and drove back down to Talari. Everything that we had left in the back of the Bushpig was saturated. This had been a good little experience for the four of us.
Back at Talari we found out that Joshua had not had a good night and Michael and Lene would be driving home today. Stefan Saul, Michael and I had decided to do a hike. Michael was on Call and had to have Cell Phone reception so we cancelled plans to walk the WIlderkrans and instead we walked up Fynbos road to the Protea trail. Here we turned left and after a short while made a right turn.
Stefan and I were surprised to see how both the Black Wattle and the Protea had grown where there had been a wide trail. There is a section of the field that Tom Ambrose had completely cleared of Wattle that now has overgrown back and if not sorted out will soon be forrested with this invasive again.
We were able to find the Leopard Trap that we were looking for. We made our way down a little and then back up to the top of the Kloof. I think that Stefan was feeling particularly energetic and would have liked to climb down to see if we can enter the Kloof from here. The rest of us were not quite as strong. We looked up and saw the top of the mountain bekoning us. Michael suggested that we explore this.
We carried on back up to the Fynbos road and then up to Ena's Falls. At the top we turned left into the Hidden Valley and after a short while went up the mountain. The Fynbos is thick and tough to penetrate. Once through the Protea field we had to do some rock climbing which I found quite exhausting and had to ask for a stop to recover some strength.
We enjoyed the sandwiches and snacks that we had brought. Fortunately it was still overcast and the soft West wind kept the day cool for us. Still it was hard work and when we reached the top of the mountain but not the Summit, by vote we decided to turn around and head back home. I think that Stefan would have happily continued up to the very top but I did not have the energy today. A lesson that I have learned today and before is that I should not take on too many hikes at one time. When we again decide to attempt to reach the top I must make this a single task otherwise I become too tired.
Michael phoned Talari and asked the people there to look out for us. We waved. They waved. But niether group could see the other. The climb down was not easy. I descend slowly. eventually Michael and I caught up to Saul and Stefan. And we hiked back down. We stopped off at rain frog dam for a cool off and swim. This would be the last visit to the dam and we carried the inflatable boats back down. Michael and Lene had already left and phoned to say that they were safe home. They had brought the Daewoo home and I had let Cathy & Saul take the Toyota. I wanted to have the Daewoo fixed up of the rust.
We had hiked for about 5 hours and needed a bit of a break. This did not seem possible as there was packing and other stuff to be done. Only at about 8pm was I able to put my feet up and read. I say read but within minutes I was asleep as I could not keep my eyes open. Some of the group played cards till late. I could hear them in the lounge but did not have the strength to join in.
Next morning I was up at 05.00am and spent the next 4 or so hours cleaning. Firstly the dishes then sweeping and finally we cleaned the floors and walls. Everyone did some cleaning and finally at about 9am the house was again looking reasonable. This is not a house that will ever look spotless but at least the next group (Jill) could move in on Monday.
One by one we left. Ally, Jessica and I were last to leave. We would drive to Swellendam where we met up with Patrick, Ena and Isabel. Ena would be going home to Plett and Isabel would spend the night there before continuning with friends on to Coffee bay where she would do some surfing.
Isabel looks the part. Floppy pants, barefoot or sandals, loose fitting top and funny pockets. Braided hair completes the picture. However it is not suprising to hear that underneath this is a really smart person who has achieved distinctions in the subjects that she studies towards her Marine Biology degree. Isabel is going into her third year at UCT in 2010.
We met at the Old Gaol, a restaurant in Swellendam, for something to eat and drink. Patrick brought Isabel and Ena, Stefan brought the Fig Jam that he had made for Ena. Ally had a curry, Jessica had a lasagne and I had Eggs on toast.
We said our goodbyes and headed off to Plett. After just a short while Ena remembered that she had again forgotten the Fig Jam. We turned around only to find that there was not Fig Jam at the table, nor in the office. A little while later we were able to phone Patrick who admitted that it was he who had taken the jam. The roads were busy but we managed an easy drive to Plett.
We would phone Barbara from time to time and realised that she was not far ahead. She had made a wrong turn in Mossel Bay and ended up in the town. From there she had driven over the Robertsons pass to Oudtshoorn. We agreed to meet at the Storms River Bridge for something to eat. It was impossible for her to go and buy something as she had the Pig, the Digby and the bird in the bakkie with her. She found a grassy area at the bridge and waited for us there.
We stopped off at Plett where we off loaded Ena and Isabel and loaded up some Apricot Jam. Isabel would meet up with her gang of friends and they all slept the night at Ena's flat before heading off to Coffee Bay for surfing and fun.
At Storms River Bridge we bought ourselves some hamburgers and coffee and then drove the final leg to PE in Convoy. Michael and family were at home waiting for us. Barbara was totally exhausted after a long day at the wheel and after unpacking we had an evening of unwinding.
Monday morning I had to go to work. I started off the morning with a run on the beach front with Adrienne, Pat and Ronel. We did the promenade run all the way to the old Flat Rock. The Boardwalk has now been repaired and one is able to jog along the beach front for an extra kilometer. That evening we started a series of Bridge evening with Michael and Lene. They have become quite proficient at bridge and Lene in particular has become bold and will call well.
Tuesday morning I had a short (early) visit to Grahamstown and stopped off at Nanaga on my way home I stopped off at the Nanaga Farm stall. This farm stall was established in 1969 as a fresh cabbage stall from the boot of a bakkie by Lynn MacKenzie and is now run by Leigh Anne at the relocated (29 November 2008)shop. As ususal the shop was very busy.
The pies, roosterbrood and bread are delicious. I enquired as to the meaning of the word Nanaga (Nanara - Xhosa) and was told it meant clover leaf or interchange. This evening we went to the beach for a walk and Jessica & ALly did their Jboarding. This is a new experience for Jess but she managed well. We did this a couple of times this week. Jessica improved her J Boarding and Ally makes it look easy despite a fall or two.
Wednesday morning we again did our beach front run and Thursday we had a special run as this was New years eve. We took some champagne and orange juice with Anne DuRand bringing some really delicious cakes. The running group was: Suzanne, Adrienne, Pat, Ronel, Gerald, Adrian, Annie and John for a short while. Adrienne's family joined us later: Jennifer from UK and friend, Danielle and Matthew.
The Hobie beach area was cordoned off so we had our little gathering opposite bird rock. I had a swim and Adrienne's group went to swim at Hobie beach. The morning runs have been a treat for me and I am going to miss them next week when everyone has to be back at work.
31 December 2009. New Year's Eve. Barbara and I spent the evening with Charles and Ingrid. Charles and Ingrid treated us to a cheese platter for starters. We sat outside on this balmy evening. It was really a stunning little get together. We had a Filet Steak braai, potato bake and a Charles famous salad. We played bridge and if Barbara had not been feeling poorly we may even have made Midnight.
Ingrid made us a delicious pudding which we enjoyed before our final coffee. We left an hour before the new year started. Nicky and Stefan had been at a Wedding and would spend the night at Ceres with their family. Michael and Lene, Ally and children spent the evening at Lene's sister Mariska. They arrived home well after Midnight.
And so ended 2009.
This has been and interesting and challenging year for all of us. Barbara had major changes at School with Xoliswa on Maternity leave and then resigning. Suzanne being retrenched and leaving earlier than expected as she found full time employment at the pharmacy where she works. Barbara has now cut her school intake to a manageable number of 18 children.
I had this new job of Financial Services GM at JDG and had a lot more travel than I previously had but have coped and adapted fine. I am now really enjoying the job and feel that I make a positive contribution. While I spent nearly 25 years at Morkels in a variety of positions including Manager, Regional operations, Regional Credit and Regional Personnell manager this move to Cross Chain has opened my eyes to new cultures and new personalities. It has been quite challenging to try to get to know people in 80 shops in the Division.
Jacqui, Michael, Emily and Anabelle spent their final day in London this week and have now moved to their new home in Israel near to Hiafa. Michael had a tough year with a work colleague who accused him of harrassment. Jacqui has had to live within the confines of her flat and the London weather. They now have the opportunity for a fresh start in Israel.
Michael and Lene have had to move from their home in Target Kloof, Walmer when Mike was not feeling that he could cope. He left his job in Russells where he was well respected and liked by the people around him. He joined Furn City and soon realised that this was not for him. He left this company and remained unemployed for the rest of the year. He starts a new job selling insurance with Liberty Life where his good friend, David, works. They will live with us for the next period until they feel that they are again ready and able to be independent.
Cathy and Saul found themselves a new place to live after living in Woodstock since they met. They new flat was much more secure and sunny. They seemed to love this home but have now bought a small house and will be moving there in the new year. The tenant that I had at Montreax left and we have had a period with no tenant and have had to fix the flat up as it had deteriorated both internal and external. Cathy has handled the whole job and has found a tenant for us.
Nicky and Stefan have had their fair share of work and home difficult situations. Christian had an operation to try to cure the drooling that is symtomatic of Distonia. Nicky now has the horse to ride and has taken part in competition. Stefan stays fit and is keen to run half marathons in the new year. The Little Pink Book is a huge project with the Western Cape and the Gauteng editions taking up a big part of their time and focus. The Wedding photography business is their core but they appear to be branching out with other ventures.
Wildcliff has been our common ground in both interest and time spent there. I have been able to visit Wildcliff a good number of times this year. I have had the pleasure of taking friends: Ron twice, Ron and Lynn, Peter and Elmarie, Fred Kohler twice and our family had the priveledge of being there as a whole family (19 people) over the Christmas weekend.
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