APRIL 2014 -- IRONMAN; TWO OCEANS 21K; BABYLONSTOREN; NIPPER NATIONALS AT KINGS BEACH

APRIL 2014
JULIA GIDDY GRADUATION
CORPORATE IRONMAN TRIATHLON
TWO OCEANS 21K.
PARKRUN AT HOBIE BEACH
BABYLONSTOREN (TOWER OF BABYLON) WINE FARM IN STELLENBOSCH
NIPPER NATIONALS AT KINGS BEACH IN PORT ELIZABETH
ALLY INJURES HERSELF AT A HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AT ST MARY'S JHB

WALKING AROUND THE DAM WITH NICKY; CHRISTIAN; AARON; ZARA; MIA AND BARBARA AND ALLY.

THE DUCKS IN THE DAM ARE QUITE A FEATURE. I TRIED TO COMPARE THE DUCKS ON THIS PICTURE TO THOSE IN THE DAM AND FOUND THEM ALL TO LOOK ALIKE EXCEPT THE WHITE ONES.

ISRAELI FAMILY PICNIC IN THE LOUNGE

CAPE TOWN FAMILY -- RAINY DAY AND CARDS

JACQUI HAS TAKEN TO CHARCOAL SKETCHING

JACQUI HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TOUCH

IMAGE OF TOM SLEEPING

PARKRUN TEAM - BRUCE IS WEARING HIS 100 PARKRUN T SHIRT AND GILL IN HER 50. AT THIS STAGE I HAVE ABOUT 30 MORE TO DO TO REACH MY FIRST 50

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JULIA AT GRADUATION AT THE NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY APRIL 2014


April in PE means Ironman. I have entered the Corporate Ironman and have a number of friends who will be doing the full Ironman (Craig Wilson and Bernd) (Lisa and Michael) (Rob Ermes)
I have done this Corporate Ironman a number of times since it started and always find it to be a completely doable event. Three years ago I did it with Ally. She has not yet caught on to the idea of Triathlons.
I started my first Triathlon around 45 years ago when Nicky took part in her first ever. She was a teenager and took part in a triathlon. I had not been aware of the sport before then.

Friday 4th. I register at the Boardwalk and this evening (after Nicky and her friend from Cape Town, Madri, had left (they were in PE for a Team Builing event that they put together in St Francis Bay) I pack the bike in the car and get all my stuff ready for the morning. You have to prepare and think things out well for Triathlons. There are so many safety rules for each discipline.

Saturday I leave just after 6am. Find my normal parking at the Boardwalk and check in at Registration. I meet up with Andrea Dyer and her friend Monique. Andrea has become a firm friend at the MPRG. She was at University with Michael and Jacqui. This will be their first Triathlon.
The swim is a bit of a bun fight with legs and arms thrashing around. But it is short and easy to cope with. Then the Bike is out to before Noordhoek and back. I am able to tuck in to some other riders and we make a good team on the way back. The run is a short 4kay and in around 90 minutes we are all finished.

This afternoon Barbara and I visit her horse Stella that she has recently swapped for her other horse which became too big and strong to handle. Meanwhile Ally is in JHB for a Hockey tournament at St Mary's where she is hit in the eye and on the hand on the first day. So she only plays in the first three games and then is not able to take part again.

Sunday 6th. Ironman in PE.

STEVE MC DONALD AND PETER AT CORPORATE IRONMAN PE

SWIMMERS CHARGE OFF -- THE WATER IS WARM AND NO WETSUITE IS REQUIRED.

PETER AND ANDREA SHOWING OFF MEDALS AT THE FINISH.

MONDAY 7TH -- Langenhoven drive -- then Fetch Ally from the airport. She was in JHB for the St Marys hockey tour where she was hit by a Hockey stick on the finger and was not able to take part in the rest of the tournament. her team was placed 10 out of 32 teams. Best ever we hear.

Tuesday 8th == Susan's route. With Svenje, Ronel, Elmarie and Riana. Riana has a set back as she blacks out. Fortunately we are at Patti and Owen Biggs home and they assist us to phone. Martin comes to fetch Riana who is still shakey but on her feet later this morning.
Wednesday 8th. I run the Moffet with Helouise.

ALLYS THUMB RECEIVED A NASTY KNOCK AND THIS PUT HER OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT.

STELLA

BARBARA ENJOYING HER HORSE -- STELLA.

Friday 11th April. Julia Giddy Graduation number three as she is awarded a Masters Degree for the research project that she has undertaken over the past two years. The Project revolved around the impact that Eco And Adventure Tourism has on the Tsitsikamma area.


Friday evening Julia has a Braai with her friends to celebrate the occasion.

PE HOBIE BEACH PARKRUN. BRUCE HAS NOW DONE 100 PARKRUNS AND HAS THE T-SHIRT TO PROVE IT

PARKRUN TEAM; GILL FORDYCE; ADRIENNE WILSON; RAY; ROZ WILSON; DABIE BESSINGER FROM EL; PAULINE WILSON; BRUCE FORDYCE; WERNER; PETER GIDDY; GRAHAM TING CHONG; ROLF CATHERINE SWEETNAM.

POLLOCK ROCKS ON THE PARKRUN ROUTE

SUNRISE AT PE HOBIE BEACH PARKRUN

LOW TIDE MEANS WE SEE THE ROCKS

PETER AND DANIE BESSINGER BRING UP THE TAIL. I HAD BEEN MARSHALLING AT THE BEACON AND DANIE IS THE SWEEPER TODAY

PARKRUN TEAM

BERND SPRINTING

BRUCE SHOWING OFF THE 100 T SHIRT

Saturday morning -- We do our normal Beach front route up Walmer Boulevard; Strandfontein; Admiralty. Then it is the parkrun and a bit later I am at Pearson for Hockey and Rugby. Grey are away to Paul Roos and make this a memorable Saturday afternoon as they turn a 0-26 half time loss into a 27-26 win with a final penalty after full time.

Sunday Morning I am at Summerstrand with Daniel and Joshua and Nippers Training.

FRIDAY 11TH APRIL 2014. JULIA GIDDY GRADUATION AT NELSON MANDELA  UNIVERSITY -- MASTERS IN SCIENCE.

PARKRUN TEAM. CATHERINE SWEETNAM AND BABY; JILL FORDYCE; ADRIENNE; BERND; ROSALIND; PAULINE; DANIE BESSINGER FROM EL. WERNER; GRAEME; BRUCE FORDYCE; PETER; ROLF. WE ARE NOW REGULARLY OVER 400 PARKRUNNERS ON A SATURDAY MORNING.

DANIEL AT SUMMERSTRAND

DANIEL ENJOYING THE SURF

JOSH AND DANIEL AT SUMMIES

SATURDAY AFTERNOON NAP

TOM LOVES HIS GRUB

MY ISRAELI FAMILY

AARON DROPPED SOMETHING ON HIS FOOT

ALLY IS STILL OFF HOCKEY WITH A SORE THUMB

JULIA IS NOW OFFICIALLY A MASTER OF SCIENCE.

Thursday 18th April. I have been taking it easy with running this week. Monday we did an easy Newton Park route; Tuesday was raining so I stayed in bed; Wednesday an easy St Georges Park route and Thursday - no running. Today we leave for Plett and then Friday for Cape Town.

Had two interesting talks by AFRIKA MHLOPE at church this week.
He based his talk on an article he wrote for the Gateway Magazine:
The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles in the Bible are named such because they chronicle the history of the kings of Israel. Each king’s reign was measured against the standard that was left by his predecessor. For instance King Solomon’s reign had to be contrasted against that of his much-loved and revered father, King David. Although it is not always possible to emulate a person’s personality and charisma it is however possible to follow his values.

2 Chronicles chapter 14 tells us of King Abijah who died and was succeeded by King Asa. Abijah was a God-fearing man and a warrior. Regarding King Asa his reign is summed up in this verse, “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). In other words King Asa was not judged by factors outside of his control but by his own moral aptitude.

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy we are forced to reflect on its short democratic history. The period of 1994-1999 was when we were governed by the late president Nelson Mandela and most of us felt as if we were dreaming during this time. We were the darling of the world, a paragon of virtue and offered hope to the hopeless. Mandela made us famous and taught us to love each other.

1999-2009 we saw the entrance of a philosopher in former President Thabo Mbeki. Mr Mbeki was a realist and under his tenure the dream was tempered with the realization that we have to work hard in order to achieve greatness. He once delivered a State of the Nation address under the theme ‘Business Unusual’ to drive home the point that we still have a lot of work to do. His ‘I am an African’ speech showed us that being an African was not a curse.

He pioneered African Renaissance and made Africans believe that they can be equal with other citizens of the world. Mbeki sought to correct misconceptions about Africa and perhaps was overzealous in this regard. His distrust for the West is perhaps the reason why he dragged his feet in approving the use of life-prolonging ARV’s and many HIV positive people needlessly died as a result. He was a hands-on leader who often got accused of being a control freak.

President Thabo Mbeki never finished his term because he was recalled (to use the euphemistic term) under dubious circumstances. To this day we are yet to be made privy to the spy tapes that were instrumental in his dismissal from office. After Mbeki’s was ‘frog marched’ from office we saw a brief stint of Kgalema Motlanthe who was a caretaker president until the rightful heir took his place.

Now we are under the presidency of Jacob Zuma and he continues the narrative that is the history of a democratic South Africa. For me the dream has now turned into a nightmare. The leader of the UDM, Bantu Holomisa recently made the point that Jacob Zuma is embroiled in almost every scandal that has engulfed South Africa. Even ANC veterans like Trevor Manuel and Pallo Jordan are beginning to raise a caution about the country’s current course under Zuma.

When in 20 years time we read the history of South Africa we will read about Mandela and his connection to reconciliation, Mbeki and his belief in the potential of Africa, and Zuma and the many scandals that dogged him. Our history will not be read without mentioning the Arms Deal issue, Guptas, Marikana, Nkandla, and much aberration that characterises the presidency of Jacob Zuma. We look at this time in history to remind ourselves of when we lost our bearings.

We will have to remind ourselves that never again shall we allow ourselves to sink this low. Personally I am dejected and consider that God is our only hope now. This is despite the fact that even He is being denigrated in the desperation to garner votes. Under Zuma we have seen the spectre of blasphemy raised up and also superstition and many things that are uncharacteristic of a head of state.

Look Mandela and Mbeki had their own flaws just like the different kings who led the nation of Israel but today we are seeing the refusal to take personal responsibility for mishaps. President Zuma’s ready answer for anything is ‘I don’t know or it is not my fault.’ 2 Chronicles 13:22 says, “Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings are written in the annals of the prophet Iddo.” So are President Jacob Zuma’s.

AFRIKA MHLOPE
The talk that Afrika gave on the second evening was based on the following article

The general elections to be held on May 7, 2014 are probably the most contentious since the advent of democracy and there are divisions that are also beginning to show in the Church. These became evident after the release of the Public Protector’s report into security upgrades in the President’s private residence. There are sections of the Church who surprised many of us by maligning the Public Protector and accusing her of reversing the gains of democracy.

Politics are about the governance of the nation and as the Church we are called to disciple the nation. The question then is: can we effectively disciple the nation without paying attention to how it is governed? I do not think so. When we become silent on issues of governance the country ends up being misgoverned. We can participate in the governance of the nation and influence its trajectory through voting into public office those who will carry a righteous agenda into government.

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy we are told that we have much to be proud about but do we? In the last 18 years we have lost R650 billion through corruption and in fact our country has now become synonymous with corruption. Our murder rate is one of the highest in the world with 16 000 people killed every year. As if this is not enough we also kill those yet to be born because since the Termination of Pregnancy bill was passed in 1996 we have killed over a million unborn babies.

Lately we have seen blasphemy rising with politicians vainly using God’s name to gain votes. Superstition has also entered the fray with people being told that if they vote in a certain manner the dead will haunt them. Should Christians ignore these pronouncements and misdemeanours when they cast their votes? If we do not align our values with our vote do we have the right to complain about moral decline?
I believe voting gives us the opportunity to hold our public representatives accountable. If we do not hold them accountable then they rule with impunity. Voting for me is not about WHO but about WHAT a person votes for. Who governs is less important than what governs them. We cannot expect a party that is driving a humanistic agenda to act in a manner that honours God. Jesus said an evil tree produces an evil fruit.

The laws that have passed in South Africa in the last 20 years have clearly demonstrated that we are not governed with a Biblical worldview. We cannot change the legislation framework without changing the system that underpins that framework. We cannot just remain a voting fodder for corrupt leaders but we must stand up to them. We must be sensible instead of being sentimental when we enter the ballot box.
We must think about the future and not only the past. Ask yourself about the kind of a country you want to leave for your children and as well as whether or not your vote honours God. The light of SA is becoming dark and as Christians we are complicit in this. We have enabled this through our passivity and by creating a dichotomy between what we profess and how we act. We have also contributed by allowing ourselves to be seduced into race-based politics.

Are we not hypocrites when we choose a person based on the colour of his skin instead of his values and principles? Why do we preach that in God’s eyes a person’s race does not matter and yet it is at the forefront of our minds? It is because we carry so much baggage and prejudice that I think we should ask God to guide us in these upcoming elections. He must be present with all of us in that voting booth.

Afrika Mhlope is a young pastor of a church in Kwazakhele in Port Elizabeth.

THURSDAY 17TH APRIL 2014
I have a day off work in anticipation of leaving for Cape Town this afternoon.
I have to try to DeRegister the old Mercedes that I sold a year ago but which the buyer never registered. Post office; Get forms; Police Station where I have to sign two affidavits; EP Herald office to put a notice in the newspaper; back home to complete the forms; back to the Post Office to submit the forms. Now I have to wait for a few weeks before I go back to the Post Office to pay for the new vehicle certificate and only then can the vehicle be scrapped.

WHERE DOES THE WORD "EASTER" ORIGINATE FROM?

EASTER?

We leave for Cape Town at about 3.30; Drive to Plett where we stay the night with Ena. We leave7.30am on Friday -- Drive to Nicky where I fetch her for Registration. Stefan and the boys are at Golf.
Saturday morning we leave at 4.15am; find parking and walk to the start. In Pen D we start the event at 6am. Stefan and Garreth go ahead while Nicky; Anneke and I are together off and on. Nicky and I finish together in 2.13 while Garreth and Stefan did a Sub 2hour.

ANNEKE AND NICKY CHARGING UP SOUTHERN CROSS DRIVE -- PAST HALF WAY AND LOOKING REALLY STRONG

NICKY ON SOUTHERN CROSS DRIVE -- NOTICE THE HEARING AID

NICKY AND HER DAD -- THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE RUN THIS 21K AS A TEAM.

ANNEKE AND NICKY -- BOTH PLEASED WITH THE DAY

GARRETH AND STEFAN CLIMBING THE STAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY

NOW I AM TIRED SAYS ANNEKE AND NICKY IN UNISON

BLAKE HAVING FUN IN THE PARK

AFTER GOLF -- STEFAN TREATS CHRISTIAN; CHRISTIAN AND AARON TO A "BEER". TODAY STEFAN HAD AN EXCELLENT ROUND OF GOLF DOING THE BACK NINE IN 37 SHOTS. HE HAS BEEN DOING BETTER AND BETTER RECENTLY.

START OF  THE 2014 TWO OCEANS 21K WITH GARRETH; STEFAN; ANNEKE; NICKY AND PETER

Saturday 19th April -- afternoon we drive to the dam in Stellenberg and a bit of a walk -- This is where Nicky and Zara like to do their trail running. There is a park here where the children enjoy the roundabout. Walking around the dam, with all the ducks, makes for a relaxing destress for any day.

This evening -- Stefan and Reinard are at a wedding in Hermanus and we are in bed early.

Sunday 20th;; We had planned to walk up Lions head but this plan changes to visiting a wine farm called BABYLONTOREN. This is a wine farm with a difference. There are all kinds of vegetables and fruit growing everywhere. We first stop for a bit of wine tasting and Stefan treats himself to a bottle of white. We are able to wander through the gardens and pick some beans, guavas and a fruit which is a mixture between a Granedella and banana.
Amazingly we are lucky enough to come across a bunch of easter eggs hidden in the grasses and bushes. Christian; Aaron; Zara and Mia have a great time searching for all these delicous treats. We walk across to the Outdoor Restaurant. It has been a perfect day. The sun is a little hot but we find some shade and order ciabatta bread with various fillings; Goat cheese and biltong; Chicken and I have Trout. Simply scrumptious. Salads to go with the sandwiches makes for a filling meal.

THE STORY OF CLIVIAS IN BABYONSTOREN

CHRISTIAN AND MIA IN THE GIANT NEST

ZARA IN A GAINT BIRDS NEST

BABYLONSTOREN -- TOWER OF BABYLON -- NEAR TO STELLENBOSCH.

Later this afternoon we do a drive through Stellenbosch and than Barbara and I visit Cathy, Saul, Blake and their friend Vanessa. They are all braaing but we are too stuffed to join in the meal.

NICKY AND ALLY RELAXING DURING OUR BABYLONSTOREN MEAL

THE SETTING IN THIS OUTDOOR RESTUARANT IS QUITE SPECIAL. THE CHILDREN HAVE SO MUCH FREEDOM  TO PLAY AND HAVE FUN AND WE CAN TAKE OUT TIME OVER A REALLY GOOD FILLING SANDWICH.

BARBARA; BLAKE AND CATHY HAVING FUN IN THEIR BACK YARD

YOU WOULD NOT MISTAKEN TO THINK THAT CATHY LOVES HER SON.

MEANWHILE BACK IN ISRAEL -- MICHAEL AND TOM RELAX IN BINYAMINA.

WE HAVE SUNRISE OVER THE OCEAN IN PE WHILE CATHY HAS SUNSET AT THE BEACH IN MILNERTON.

 BARBARA; SAUL; CATHY; BLAKE AND VANESSA IN THE RESTAURANT ON THE BEACH-- SUSHI AND WINE.

SUNSET AT MILNERTON -- EASTER WEEKEND

Little Blake loved this outing. Playing with Vanessa; running around and hiding from the adults. He found a little friend to play with. I am sure that he will have slept well this evening after all the excitement.

Monday morning -- leave early for PE
Tuesday 22nd -- off to East London via Port Alfred for a week of work. Spent the week in El. Stay with Ben. Extreme rainy conditions. Ben had a bike fall and cracked ribs so no running for him.
Friday 26th.....home at last! Barbara and I have an unsuccessful attempt at Braai at the Old Grey Hockey function. We have to fetch Ally and they braai too late.

SVENJE; KELLY AND CATHY RUN ON SATURDAY MORNING

A SET OF RESULTS -- SA MARATHON CHAMPS -- EERSTE RIVIER -- 11 OCTOBER 1980

Thompson Magawana 2.12; Johnny Halberstadt 2.13; Willie Farrell 2.13; Hosea Tjale 2.18; Geoff Bacon  2.19; Mark Plaatjies  2.19; Bruce fordyce 2.20; Danny Biggs 2.22

everyone on this list is Sub 2.30. Amazing times.

Bruce wrote: "SA marathon champs 1980 ! Have a look at the times ! Hardly anyone is running that quickly nowadays. An unknown youngster called Plaatjies broke the World Junior record. Sprinted past me in the last km.

Saturday 27th.. Start the day with a Beach front run of 15k that ends with the 5k parkrun. Then Parkrun, then straight to Nippers Nationals at Kings Beach. THe first day is the Interprovincial and then the rest of the afternoon is Flags. There are three arena's for the various age groups. THis morning started off cool and then warmed up. THe early west wind turned to East and then back to west. The cool breeze then became a warm afternoon ending with a squall and rain. We all had our jackets on this afternoon. John Nelson and I were in charge of the group. We seemed to lose our contenders some in the early stage and then some we lost in the final 10. By 5pm the day was over and so were we. I was in bed by around 8pm.

Sunday morning; Back on the beach early. Ally was on water safety duty. Today most of the day was spent in the water. Fortunately the sea was not Freezing cold. It was chilly but not icy. Probably around 16 to 18 degrees for most of the day. I had a couple of swims. Mainly because I needed the toilet. The U14 group consisted of Luke Smuts who had been eliminated in Flags on Friday through an unfortunate "twitch". That is flags! Then he had to go off to a Rugby tournament in Kimberly. The rest of the team stayed for the next two days: Sabira Abrahams; Lexi Vaughn; Megan Nelson; Luke Parker; Russell Human; Jenny Du Toit; Erica van Rooyen. We had two sea event teams and only One team of four for the beach relay. And although we were doing really well in our heat, we were disqualified for passing the baton across the line.

SUMMERSTRAND LIFESAVING AND NIPPERS APRIL 2014

THE SUMMIES TENT AT NIPPER NATIONALS KINGS BEACH 27TH APRIL 2014

THE CLIFTON CHALLENGE; COACHES AND PARENTS TAKE PART IN A SWIM AND PADDLE.

A BUSY BEACH

PARENTS; SUPPORTERS AND COACHES ON THE BEACH

ALLY DID WATER SAFETY LIFEGUARD DUTY FOR TWO DAYS OF 5 HOURS IN THE WATER EACH DAY. NOT FOR SISSIES!

JOHAN; JOHN AND GRANT IN A PLANNING AND STRATEGY MEETING

KEITH AND LYN TAKING CARE OF THE YOUNGER GROUP OF NIPPERS

THE U14 TEAM CONSISTED OF MEGAN; ERICA; LUKE; JENNY; LEXI; SIBIRA (AND RUSSELL WHO ARRIVED LATE) AND COACH JOHN NELSON

JOHAN; JOHN AND GRANT

THE SUMMIES TENT AT NIPPER NATIONALS; KINGS BEACH 27.4.2014

THE PINK VESTS ARE COMPULSORY FOR ALL NIPPERS FOR ALL WATER EVENTS

THE SUMMIES TEAM OF 2014

Monday 28th; much the same as the previous days; Lexi has a Bronze medal for the swim event. Our U14 team have an excellent team spirit and have blended well together. John is a great coach and has made sure that the team members are ready and prepared for each event. The U 14 team is not the most successful from a medals point of view but we have such a great attitude and spirit which makes up for us not winning events. Our Nippers take part in all of the events. Even the Iron Nipper sees Lexi and Jenny in the finals.

As the day draws to a close there is the CLIFTON CHALLENGE; This is a fun event for the Parents and coaches to take to the water. Dalen and Shuaib do the Swim and hand over to John and Peter who do the Malibu board. The competition is fierce and we are nowhere but have fun taking part. Finally the Iron Nipper takes the U14 arena to a close and we are able to get home by around 5pm. Our Summies team is places 14/23 teams and we have won 6 Medals in the competition. We are all very pleased with the outcome and proud of the team.

Well done to the Nippers; Parents; Coaches; Supporters and most of all to Grant and Trudy who have carried us throughout the tournament.

CLIFTON CHALLENGE -- PETER TAKES TO THE SEA

JOHN FINISHES STRONGLY ON A WAVE

TRIUMPHANT - JOHN LIFTS HIS ARMS IN A VICTORY SALUTE (EXCEPT THAT HE DID NOT WIN)

A TIRED PETER DRAGS HIS BOARD UP THE BEACH

PETER IS OFF ON THE MALIBU BOARD. CHILDREN IN THE BACKGROUND ARE OBLIVIOUS OF THE COACHES HAMMERING IT OUT FOR A SWIM AND BOARD EVENT.

Meanwhile in Israel -- Jacqui and her family are prospering: they have outings and hiking trips as shown in the pics below. Jacqui is also producing these wonderful chalk drawings -- Michael and Lene and Ally.

A 6 YEAR OLD ALLY GIDDY -- BY JACQUI ZIVOR

EMILY AND ANNABELLA HAVE FUN IN THE PARK

MICHAEL AND LENE -- APRIL 2013 -- PORT ELIZABETH

ANABELL AND EMILY LOVE THESE OUTINGS

MICHAEL MAKES A BIIIIIIG BUBBLE

HIKING IN ISRAEL -- JACQUI; TOM AND MICHAEL

MICHAEL; TOM AND FRIENDS GO HIKING IN ISRAEL

TOM -- RIDING HIS HORSE IN THE WILD PRARIE

After the final day of Nippers Nationals; Back to work and running. Tuesday I drive through to Somerset east with Rowena; Nicky and her family come to PE for a visit during the school holidays; John and I run the Moffet circuit on 30.5.2014.