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| BINOCULARS USED AT ZUURKOP |
Barbara and Christian in Israel.
Tour guiding assignments
Dole work continues Stone Fruit (Grapes; Apricots; Plums)
Lifeguard duty at Summerstrand
Birthday at the beach front.
Barbara back from Israel
Ally passes her driving licence first time in Kirkwood.
Tour assignment to Cape Town and back.
Ally leaves for Australia. Much heartache at home.
Back to Nippers Coaching.... This is something I love to do.
Queen Elizabeth 2 -- Cruise liner in Port Elizabeth.
Nippers Carnival in Plett.
Cycling on few mornings a week.
1st January -- Friday morning I have lifeguard duty.. Main issue is alcohol. There is a brief but unfounded shark alarm. The sea is perfect for a day on the beach. No wind and no waves. John and I are able to restore a baby to the mother. I leave for a tour assignment and pick Mawande and Hlubi up and we do a short city tour. I then drive out to St Francis where I collect Ally.
2nd Jan.
Start the morning and the year with our first run of the year. Adrienne takes us through the Golf Course; Around st Georges Park; into Settlers Park and end up Target for a solid 10k run. I have an airport Transfer for Tourism that cares -- Erwin and Secil going to Shamwari after missing the first flight due to poor weather in Europe.
 NICOLE -- MY FIRST TIME OUT IN MONTHS AND LOOK HOW HAPPY I AM |
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Fetched Erwin and Secil at the airport, then Cape Union and then out to Shamwari. Airport to Eagles Crag; Shamwari is about 80k of tar and 15k of dirt road.
After dropping them off I move a load of black bags for Jenny Voster (Ryder) (who was at school with Jacqui). Martin is her husband who also knew Jax at school / University and Martin's father Chris) was a Lecturer who taught me at University. So one big happy family.
Sunday 3rd. I respond to a call for assistance at Summerstrand and spend most of the day doing duty.
Monday 4th. Skip the morning run. Ally and I spend two hours on a driving lesson. I will be most surprised if she does not pass her driving test later this month. If that does happen it will be due to minor technical issues as her overall driving ability is sound. This afternoon I do a Kragga Kamma tour with Bjorn and Hullar from Iceland. It is the best day to do this tour as it is feeding day.
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| Cheetah being fed at Kragga Kamma wild life farm. |
We run along the beach front to the beacon and then along the boardwalk. Back along Marine Drive.
We are just so fortunate to have this route to run. A swim after the run and then out comes the Muffins, Juice and Champagne. What a combination. Ron and Lyn are on the beach as usual. Ken and Linda are there. Steve and Bev are running on their own.
ALLY VISITED JACQUI IN 2015 -- HERE WITH TOM
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| EAGLES CRAG IN SHAMWARI |
Ally and I do a bit of a driving lesson including a bit of traffic in 6th Ave and some turns and hill starting. This afternoon Joshua and Daniel and I go to the beach for a swim. I have a good swim while they play in the waves. I meet up with Isaac Rubin and his friend Michael who owned the well known PE Record Shop in town (Michaels) which I would often visit as a boy. This evening Ally goes out with friends to the beach front Beershack.
Thursday morning 7th. At last it rains in PE. We have had some really hot and dry weather over the past 6 or more weeks making our gardens and the Addo drives quite dusty. I have an Addo tour today.
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| ADRIENNE; KELLY; LIESL; MIKE; PAT AND ANNIE ON THE RUN THIS MORNING |
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AT MARION BAREE WE SEE A BUFFALO WALLOWING IN THE MUD. GIVING HIMSELF A REAL MUD BATH.  |
Saturday morning -- Adrienne; Mike; Kelly; Annie and Liesl run the beach front from Hobie to Walmer Boulevard and Strandfontein 12k. I have a full day Addo Tour with 6 guests and Pieter the driver in Craigs 22 seater. I shower at Island Vibe and then we head off to Addo where we have a good day with plenty of sightings. This evening Ally and I have a take out pasta supper.
Sunday -- a complete day off for both Ally and I.
Monday -- Dole work to do. Plus a number of home chores. My car in for 211 000km service.
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| BOARDWALK HOTEL -- STEVE AND CHRISTINE (AND REG) FOR A CITY TOUR |
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| DANIEL GOES TO GRADE 5 AND JOSHUA WILL BE IN GRADE 6 THIS YEAR. |
Friday 15th. Jacqui takes Barbara and Christian to the Tel Aviv airport to leave for RSA. Seems to go smoothly. Ally and her instructor, Sean, drive to Kirkwood for her driving test. Ally has Xray done for her medical test for visa application.
PASSED ---- PASSED -- PASSED. WHOOO HOOO!!!!
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| LOOKING FRESH AS THESE TWO ATHLETES RUN UP TIPPERS CREEK. |
Saturday morning -- Andrea and Kelly fetch me and we drive to Bluewaterbay for the annual 15k event. There is a huge turnout of Achilles members (32 I think). We line up in front and within a few meters of the start are at the back. The run starts at the shopping center and goes down Tippers, Left at the river and around the block, Back past Tippers and under the Settlers Bridge. Past the Lifeguard clubhouse and then into the Suburb again. A few short ups and downs but mainly flat. Then the loop back home starts. And finally back up Tippers and back to the start. We have a reasonable time of 95minutes.
Back home -- I have hardly showered when I receive a call to assist with a tour guiding assignment to Cape Town. The Agean Odessy is in the harbour and the passengers need to be taken to Cape Town. The ship is unable to dock in CT and the passengers have flights to catch. I am in the Yellow Bus with Joey and Rumneer. We have stops in Jeffreys; Storms; Mossel Bay; Riviersonderend and then at Bot Rivier we are turned around due to the mountain being on fire. We drive to Hermanus before realising we are lost. Back to Kleinmond and Betty's bay. We drive around the mountain in extremely strong winds which nearly toss us into the sea below. Finally into Gordons bay. One last stop before we arrive in Cape Town at the Cullinan. It is 2am.
We leave from CT on Sunday morning after breakfast. Again around past Gordons Bay and Kleinmond before getting back on the N2. Funny thing happens in Knysna where I go to buy some beer and the bus leaves without me. I am able to Phone Barbara who gets hold of the bus owner and they have to turn around in Plett to fetch me.
We get back to PE at 9pm.
Cathy was in PE with Blake for the weekend. I missed them except for a short while on Monday Morning. I run the Mount road and up to Collegiate route of 7km. This morning Megan and her two friends who are running the Corp IM join us: Bridgett and Lara.
City tour this afternoon.
Tuesday -- Cycle with Megan; Melinda and Gillian; Swim at Newton Park -- Corp IM training group. Addo Tour with Regina and Anita. Cell Group at Mike Perks.
Wednesday run around St Georges Park with Adrienne; Adrian; Carla; Bridgett.
Two city tours: Abdul; Frans and Monica. Such a great group of fun people. today I received a wonderful compliment as I was invited to dinner with one of the guests. Later: Claudia; Franciska and Josephine from language school. A good day all round. Later Kelsey and Ally out for drinks and friendships.
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| MIKE HAS A NEW CROQUET SET AND WE ALL GOT STUCK IN ON TUESDAY EVENING AT CELL GROUP. |
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| TAYLA; HANNA; ALLY; KIRSTEN; IMKE; SARAH; KELSEY; JESSICA. ALL THERE TO SUPPORT ALLY ON HER FIRST LEG TO AUSTRALIA. SHE FLIES TO JHB AND THEN ON TO ABU DABHI; SYDNEY AND FINALLY GOLD COAST WHERE SHE TAKES A BUS TO THE BEACH AND WILL BE MET WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP DOING STOOGING IN AUSTRALIA. |
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| CONYZA WEED. |
We take her to the airport where her friends have congregated to see her off. Much emotion. I am feeling really worried and sick about this trip. It is so long -- From PE to JHB and later today.... Off to Dubai and then tomorrow fly to Sydney and finally to Gold Coast where she takes a bus. She is going to be exhausted with stress and emotion.
I have a full day Addo tour with Lucas and Ann-Katherin today. It is a successful day of game viewing. Then I receive a call to fetch some garden refuse so only get home after 7pm.
Friday morning cycle with Megan; Gillian; Carla and Melinda. IM training group. Drop off garden refuse and then pick up from Millbury for a township tour.
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Saturday morning. Ally has been on the move since 9am on Thursday. From JHB to Abu Dhabi and then on to Sydney. But the flight was an hour late and she missed her connecting flight to Gold Coast. Then secured a later flight but missed the bus to the beach and her accommodation. Then found an alternative bus but her luggage was still in Sydney. Eventually arrived safely at the beach and found the group. Went surfing. Suitcase was delivered to the accommodation. Braai this evening and then much deserved sleep.
Meanwhile I was running the forest hill 21k. With Tremaine; Sallie; Maryke; Margie; Amanda; Geoff; Graham. The course is fairly flat but there was almost no wind and plenty of heat. Starting behind the airport. Then along some loop where you are able to see the front runners 5k ahead of us. Then behind Forest Hill and onto Strandfontein road. This section was the toughest with no shade and blazing sun. And it goes on forever past the Spar in Admiralty and then turn right up Gomery before finally turning to head back. Now the slight easterly is behind us and the sun on our backs. Too Hot. Sallie catches me and I run with her for a bit. Turn back into Forest Hill and a bit of shade and breeze but she is like her dad (Malcolm Marsh) and takes off like a bullet over the last 4k. I had a non stop run (except to take some pics and chat to people) of 2.07. Came home very tired and sore legs. A bit of a relaxed morning and a Kragga Kamma tour in the afternoon. Today was the Achilles Marathon Helpers run. Not for me!. Kelly and Andrea ran the 10k 57 min.
Andrew Jonas -- at the moment he is super fit.
Sunday morning. Rained in the night -- Yay!. We have not had any rain in months. At least the grass would have received some relief. David and I cycle around the Moffet and a bit more to make it about 25k. In two weeks we have the Herald MTB and Road events. With little to no training. Ally seems to be going on okay in Brisbane. Nippers at Summerstrand. It is a perfect morning. I am with the U12's. We have a stunning morning out on Malibu boards and swimming.
Julia is back and comes over for a short visit.
Monday morning -- Mount Road; with Carla and Almarie up to Collegiate. Meeting with Craig. Discovering Southern Africa a(reference book that I ordered) arrives -- I ordered it a few days ago. Good Service. Julia gives me her Samsung as mine is giving me uphill.
Tuesday Run the full Tuesday route with Jackie Strydom and then cycle in the golf course with Darryl Smith. I have two tours (City and Township combo) Interesting stuff for me and a continuous learning curve. Cathy resigns from working at Go to Africa. .
Wednesday 27th. Run St Georges park. Addo tour. Resigned from Tuesday night Cell Group.
Addo tour with Enrico who is doing a world tour in a year. Not without complications but is so positive and enthusiastic for his trip.
PATRICIA (ARGENTINA) AND YVONNE AND TANYA FROM HOLLAND
MONITOR LIZZARD (LIKKEWAAN) NEAR TO ZUURKOP.
Thursday. I had Patricia from Argentina and Tanya & Yvonne from Holland with me for the day. They were a great group; patient and enthusiastic. we arrive at Hapoor just as all the ellies come in from all directions. Then watched the interactions between themselves and the Zebra and Pumba for over an hour. Time well spent. After lunch we get up to Zuurkop where we see a Leguaan (Afrikaans is Likkewaan and otherwise known as a Monitor Lizard) and then later we take the road to Arizona where we see both a buffalo and three lionesses. Overall a wonderful day at Addo.
Friday start with a cycle -- Join up with the ladies training for IM. Andrea has a new bike which she tries out. Do some Nature studies. Do some bags removal. Assist with marshalling X terra.
Saturday 30th. Start the morning with a run from the beach front. QE2 is in the Harbour. I am doing guiding for Akorn for a bus going to Kariega Park for the day. Barbara drives to Plett with Lene for a Nippers Carnival. I drive through later with Julia.
Sunday. In Plett for Nippers Carnival. Spend much of the morning in the water on a Malibu -- it was very misty and I was doing some safety, checking that the buoy was correctly rounded by the swimmers and boarders. And helping the people on the beach to see where the buoys were.
OUR FRIENDKLY LION AT KARIEGA. THEY HAVE FOUR LION.
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