Thursday, November 17, 2016

NOVEMBER 2016 -- LENE MOVES TO IRELAND; GARDEN ROUTE TOUR; CRUISE SHIPS TOURS; TOUR 'D ADDO; LANDROVER;

NOVEMBER 2016

Lene moves to Ireland  -- Resigns from her work; boys and Jessica out of school until the move to Ireland.  I try to spend some time with the boys.
Cape to Garden Route and Port Elizabeth tour
Tour 'd Addo -- a Weekend of about 120km of off road biking.
Jacqui starts to sell her drawings. 
Nicky's promotions and event companies are thriving
Cathy is now working in a recruitment company in New Zealand and trying to establish herself.
Ally's last month in Australia and looking forward to returning home.
Purchase of Landrover Discovery TD5 XS 2.5L Diesel Manual 2002 model with 209 000km.
Back to a bit of slow running and cycling.
Start doing some Touring with Cruise Liner passengers for Mark Heck.
November is the month for a huge moon.
Craig's health is not good, he has gall bladder and hernia procedures and then at the end of the month falls desperately ill with a Pancreas problem. Critical in ICU.

LANDROVER TD 5 DISCOVERY 2  -- 2002 MODEL 110043KM.
THIS MONTH THERE IS A PARTICULARLY LARGE MOON.  AND WE SEE VERY HIGH TIDES WITH WAVES CRASHING ON THE DOLOSSE.
ADLAM IS THE LIONESS IN ADDO.  SHE GIVES BIRTH TO TWO CUBS.  THE OTHER TWO "CUBS" WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR MUST HAVE NOW MOVED ON AS WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM WITH ADLAM FOR SOME TIME.
 SAMUEL AND PASCAL FROM GERMANY ON A TOWNSHIP TOUR
MAURO AND MARIE -- ITALIAN SWISS -- ARTS AND ANTIQUES TOUR
Tuesday 1st.  I have an early morning jog with the group -- Gaye; Adrienne; Lindi; Chris; Elmarie; Sjani; John; Mike; Rod; Johan; Ingrid; Merissa; Benita; Nicky; Helen; Lynne; Joan; Joan; Riana; Liesl; Michelle;  -- I run just 5km.  Trying to heal.
Later I have a township tour with Samuel and Pascal and then an Arts and Antiques Tour with Mauro and Marie.
After that I am pretty much exhausted. But after a snooze I am ready for action -- I collected my bike from the workshop and it is looking sleek. So Daniel; Joshua and I go for a cycle around the Golf Course.
 DANIEL AND JOSHUA CYCLING AROUND THE GOLF COURSE WITH GRANDAD

 JACQUI IS GOING COMMERCIAL WITH HER ARTWORK.  GALERY PRESENTATION.
 DANIEL AND JOSH AT THE BEACH. LOW TIDE ON THE ROCKS LOOKING FOR THE CREATURES THAT WE CAN FIND.
Wednesday morning -- Take my car in to Nissan.  It has been rattling and I have not been able to find the problem. Later they return it and it is sounding a lot quieter. I have done some research recently and today make the move to the purchase of the Landrover.  I buy it from Knysna at R85 000 with 209 000km -- 2002 model. TD5 XS Diesel Manual.  I also purchase a 2 year repair insurance to take the "sting" out of any major future repairs. This vehicle is specifically for me to be able to do Game Drives in Addo and others.  It is slightly higher than the Qashqai. And will handle the bumpy roads better. 
Later I take Joshua and Daniel to the beach -- the wind is howling but the tide is low and we are able to walk on the rocks looking for all kinds of sea creatures.  And end off with an ice cream with a flake. Our favourite. 
Thursday 3rd.  Early morning slow run with the group.  We are just doing about 5k at present. We have a couple of injuries.  I have to jog to keep up as I am not able to walk at the pace that they walk.


 LINDI; CHRIS AND STEFANY ON THE RUN
ADRIENNE AND GAYE.  GAYE IS A WALKER WHO JOGS.
So our morning run is in Perfect Weather.  But soon after breakfast the wind starts to pick up.  This morning I hand in my Application for Prior Learning forms to be qualified as an adventure Guide -- Hikes and walks.
Mia has a Market Day at Riebeek Primary.  Play Dough is always going to be a hit with children and is sure to sell out.
 Thursday morning... the Westerly is blowing strong again today.  But the boys are keen for a cycle so off we go around the Golf Course.  Does not sound like much but each time we do this it is a high for me.
 Daniel was not feeling at his best. But he still charges out in front.  Great company -- always keen for anything.
Friday morning.  I have an Addo Tour with Manfred and Jana from Germany.  First I take Lene and Daniel for a Golf Course cycle.  This is Lene's first bike ride in about 15 years.  She copes well and enjoys the ride. Maybe should have started with an easier ride like around Grey but the Golf Course ride is so much more fun.
I forget my phone at home for this Addo Tour so cannot photograph any of it. But we have great up close sightings of elephant.
 LENE'S FIRST CYCLE IN 15 YEARS TURNS OUT TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS AS WE CYCLE AROUND THE GOLF COURSE.  FOR ME IT IS A BIT OF TRAINING FOR TOUR D ADDO; EVEN IF ONLY 5K.
JUST ONE PUSH UP THE HILL AND WE ARE GOING AGAIN.
Saturday Morning..... Yay at last comes the day for our Tour d Addo.  Kevin has been working hard at this for months and finally it is here.
FRED AND PETER AT AVOCA..... TOUR D ADDO DAY TWO ABOUT TO START.
Barbara drops me off at Bluewater bay. We cycle around to Despatch, Up Prayer Mountain and then to the R75. From here we cycle on the Addo / Kirkwood Road.  Stay over at Avoca.
Sunday morning we cycle back up the Hill from Avoca and then around about until we reach the Addo Road.  Here I climb into the Vehicle until the top of Dog Farm Mountain. Then back into the saddle and Barbara picks me up at 3 this afternoon. 
VIEW FROM THE TOP OF SIR LOWRY'S PASS.  TODAY I DROVE FROM PE WITH JUST ONE STOP AT HEIDELBERG. BUT ADDED AN EXTRA HUNDRED KAYS WHEN I DECIDED TO TURN OFF TO RIEBEEK KASTEEL INSTEAD OF GOING STRAIGHT TO CLAREMONT.
AT SIR LOWRY'S PASS I CALL NICKY AND ARRANGE TO STAY WITH HER THIS EVENING.
ARRIVING AT RIEBEEK KASTEEL
MIA TAKES HER CHANCE TO BOWL. EACH CHILD HAD A CHANCE TO BOWL 6 BALLS AND EACH CHILD FACED 6 BALLS WHILE BATTING
Monday morning -- I drive to Cape Town for a Garden Route Tour. As I approach the city I decide to stay over with Nicky so add an extra 100k to the drive and end up in Riebeek Kasteel.  Watch Mia playing Cricket and then back to Nicky's house where Werner and John make a braai. Werner has fitted his new Transporter to take all the equipment and enable them to sleep in the back.  John has made some amazing cases to take some of the equipment in neat compartments without all the wiring and stuff lying around. Nicky sets up my computer so that I now have whatsup on my laptop.  Great for when I am working. 

GRANDAD AND MIA AT RIEBEEK KASTEEL.  MIA OFF TO SCHOOL AND I HAVE A GARDEN ROUTE TOUR TO PICK UP TODAY
 THIS ROAD WAS NAMED FOR JACK CLARENCE WHOSE TIME ON EARTH AND DETERMINATION HELPED MAKE THIS ROAD COME TO BEING.
 CLARENCE DRIVE IS THE ROAD FROM GORDONS BAY TO ROOIELS BAAI.  A BEAUTIFUL COASTAL ROAD THAT ALLOWS MOTORISTS TO ENJOY VIEWS AND SOMETIMES SEE WHALES.
 THE UPGRADE OF THE ROAD OPENED BY GERALD MORKEL WHO WAS THE PREMIER OF THE WESTERN CAPE IN 1998.  THE NAME ROOIELS REFERS TO THE FLOWERING BUSH THAT COATS THE MOUNTAIN SIDES IN SPRING
 
Tuesday.  Nicky makes me a yummy breakfast.  I drop Mia at her school and then drive 95k to Seapoint 2h15min in morning traffic.  Here I pick up Yoshua and Henriette and we take a slow drive to Hermanus.  There is a strong wind blowing.  We try to spot whales but no luck.  They check into the Marine Hotel and I am in the Hermanus Backpackers.  We wander around the village, walking to the Old Harbour, the Point, Looking down to the bay below and kelp filled ocean; drive to the New Harbour and look out points along the promenade.  Waves and Swells are huge. And no whales to be spotted.  There are some people who sit on the benches for hours with binoculars trying to spot a Whale Blowing.  But no success.
VIEW FROM THE PROMENADE TO THE BAY WHERE THE WAVES AND SWELLS ARE IMPRESSIVE
 
Wednesday.
During the night in SA the US elections taking place.  Hilary Clinton Democrat vs Donald Trump Republican.  By early morning it appears that Trump will win the presidency.
 Morning -- No wind. I had a good night at the backpackers. No noise and good bed. Clear and strong wifi. Pick up at 8.45 to drive to Gans Baai where they plan to do Shark Cage Diving.  I pray that the swells are not too big and that they are not sea sick. Henriette is pregnant and was sick in the car as we drove around the Clarence Drive from Gordons bay to Rooiels Bay.

HEADING OUT OF THE KLEINBAAI HARBOUR
The Shark Cage Diving at Marine Dynamics proves to be successful.  There are 3meter swells but this is considered a moderate swell.  We find the place in Klein Baai which is on the East side of Gans Baai.  There are 8 different shark cage operators in this small harbour. 
We are given a breakfast and a talk about what to expect. Everyone is kitted out and they board the Slash Fin Catamaran.  They leave for Dyer Island while I remain in the Restaurant area and try to catch up on Blogging and admin. The outing takes from 11am to about 2.30pm.  They are then given a soup and a second talk about the sharks. After this we drive the 420km to Knysna (over 5 hours driving).  They are staying at a B n B in Leisure Isle.  I drop them and then move on to Plett where I spend the next two nights.


 STORMS RIVER MOUTH AND THE SUSPENSION BRIDGES
Thursday -- The day starts with a Whale Watching boat trip. They do not see any whales but report seeing a huge pod of Dolphins and seals.
We then continue to Storms River Mouth.  At this time it is raining but this does not stop us from enjoying the walk to the suspension bridges at the river mouth. Finally the day ends with a visit to Tenikwa Wildlife Sanctuary.  They have to walk in the rain but enjoy seeing the Cheetah, Lion, Leopard and other "cats".
Friday is our final day together -- an early pick up sees us making it in time to the Blaukraans River bridge in time for the first Bungy Jump of the day.  Fortunately there are only 3 in this group and we are able to leave by just before 10am and make it in time for 12pm airport check in in Port Elizabeth.  Overall a successful Garden Route Tour.


SATURDAY ADDO TOUR WITH BRID; MARCUS; FRANCES AND OLIVER.
As soon as I get back to Port Elizabeth on Friday afternoon, I have to go to the Dentist. I spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing while summarising the tour and sorting out the paper work. And I am back touring again Saturday morning.  This means I miss the running which I love so much but as Craig is recovering from some serious hospitalization and surgical procedures, he needs me to take over where he is not able.
I use Craig's Discovery Landrover.  Pick up Frances and Oliver at Island Vibe and then Marcus and Brid (pronounced Bridge) at Sir Roy.  The day is reasonably successful except for the vehicle which stops charging the battery.  This means I have to keep the engine running when stopped.  There is one time when we are faced down by this huge Elephant which takes a close inspection of the car. His enormous left tusk and his trunk are almost in Marcus' front window.
Later we stop for a sundowner and I forget about the engine and so the passengers have to push to get the vehicle running again. I get back to PE in the dusk and rush to Craigs house only just making it before dark.  I was not able to put on the lights of the Discovery otherwise it would have cut out.
 
 LUNCH AT CATTLE BARON WITH MICHELLE; IVANA; AMANDA; LEA; LIZANNE; KATHLEEN AND YVONNE.
LEA; LIZANNE; MICHELLE; CORRINA; IVANA; AMANDA; YVONNE AND KATHLEEN. SUNDOWNERS AT NDLOVU LOOKOUT.
Sunday 13th.  Another Addo tour for Mosaic.  This time there are 5 on the tour so Craig hires a Quantum.  We have a good tour with wonderful close up of Elephant.
Monday 14th.  I have an early pick up at Jeffreys Bay and then hand over to Malcolm Bean who continues the Addo Tour.  Later I do a transfer to Amakhala for Mark Heck. I meet up with Lizl; Shirley;  Deon and Allan.  I am driving Deon's Quantum with 8 people to the Amakhala Bush Lodge.

Tuesday 15th..... Running in the group this morning - Mike; Chris; Elmarie; Sjani;  Adrienne; Gaye; Andrea; Kelly; Liesl; Michelle; Maria; Lindi; Andy; Kobus; John; Duncan; Mike; Marissa; Benita; Angela; Joan; Lisa; Amanda; Lynne and Lynne; Kim; Davera; --- ; Olivia ; Ingrid; Rodney; Stuart; Michelle; Claire and Almarie; Stefany; Helen; Nicky and Joan & Peter.  I think that this is 41 runners in total.  Must be one of the biggest groups in PE (apart from Club Runs). 

 TUESDAY ADDO TOUR WITH RAMONA & ANNALENA (FRIENDS SINCE PRE SCHOOL NOW COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL AND TRAVELING FOR FOUR MONTHS); AGATHA AND PAVEL (AGATHA IS A MOTOR MECHANIC AND WAITRESS WHILE PAVEL DRIVES BIG TRUCKS -- BOTH POLISH)
 FOOLING AROUND AT THE ALGOA LOOKOUT
 ALGOA LOOKOUT WITH HOT CHOCOLATE
 TUESDAY MORNING RUN WITH INGRID AND RODNEY
 DAVERA AND JANE BARNARDO RUNNING WITH OLIVIA
 MELISSA; BENITA AND ANGELA BRINGING UP THE REAR OF THE FAST GROUP.
 WILD HAIR -- GAYE AND ADRIENNE  -- FAST WALKERS -- I HAVE TO JOG NEXT TO THEM TO KEEP UP.
 ADRIENNE HAS A LONG STRIDE WHILE GAYE AS A FAST WALK
 STUART ON FIRST AVENUE
 JOHN; DUNCAN AND MIKE STRIDING IT OUT ON THE TUESDAY RUN
 MICHELLE
 MARIA AND STEFANY.
 STEFANY
 MICHELLE; CLAIRE AND ALMARIE
 LYNNE AND LISA
 AMANDA; LYNNE; LISA; KIM
LIESL; CHRIS AND LINDI
LYNNE WOODS; AND KIM ARE TEACHERS AT CLARENDON PARK.

Addo Tour -- Hippo Backbackers.
I have four tourists -- two from Germany and two from Poland with me today.  We have an amazing start to the tour with three huge bull elephant at the Matyholweni camp.  And from there the tour continues to be filled with sightings of a good variety of animals. 
Wednesday morning -- I am up very early and Deon Spies collects me to take his Quantum bus.  I collect 8 pax in Amakhala and take them to the airport. Then in the afternoon I take another group of 10 people to Amakhala bush lodge.
Lene receives notice that her work permit has been issued and will be couriered to be here by Monday.  So she immediately books flights for Wednesday 23rd evening. Much excitement and much sadness at home.
 SARAH & YONNA FROM SWEDEN AND NIENKE & NATALIE FROM NETHERLANDS
 A PAIR OF SECRETARY BIRDS ON THE HARVEYS LOOP ROAD
 VALI MOOSA; NAMED AFTER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM; ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND OLDEST (BORN 1968) HE WAS TRANSLOCATED FROM KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
SARAH; NATALIE; YONNA AND NIENKE -- SUNDOWNERS AT THE END OF A SUCCESSFFUL ADDO TOUR.
Thursday -- My second run of the week.... Target Kloof to 9th ave.  Just over 5k. 
I have an Addo Tour with the four ladies in the picture. Natalie is a graduating primary school teacher studying in Port Alfred. Sarah is an optometrist in Sweden. Yonna is completing her studies as a speech therapist and Nienke studied hotel management in Port Alfred and is now managing a Restaurant (200 seats) in Netherlands.
 RONEL, SJANI; MARIA AND ELMARIE RUN THE AIRPORT AND ADMIRALTY.
 DANNY JOINS US FOR THE FIRST TIME
 VIV IS THE BIRTHDAY GIRL WITH LINDI WHO JUST HAD A HAIRCUT AND PAT WITH THEM
 
 MARGIE; STEFANY AND ADRIENNE
ANDREA AND KELLY MAKING HARD WORK OF THE RUNNING
Friday -- I have a pick up of 10 guests of the Regency Cruise Liner at Amakhala.  I meet Rod and Mike Weeks who are owners of two of the Amakhala lodges. I use Mark Heck's Quantum.
Saturday morning -- Running group (15 of us) at the beach front with Adrienne; Maria (Spanish lady whose husband is at VW on contract for a year), Lindi; Stefany; Liesl; Pat and Ronel; Sjani; Elmarie; Viv (birthday girl today); Margie; Danny (friends of Adrienne); Andrea and Kelly.  After the run Adrienne, Pat and I brave the chilly water.  Fortunately Pat has some hot coffee and Adrienne brought some biscuits.
This afternoon I receive a call to conduct a Township tour.  I am expecting the Landrover to arrive and so do this a bit reluctantly. But it turns out to be a successful tour and the Discovery only arrives after I am back home.
NICOLE & BERNADETTE FROM FRANCE AND BETTINA AND SANDRA FROM SWITZERLAND ON ADDO TOUR I am now excited to try the Landrover out with customers; and  Craig phones me as I am filling it up to do an Addo tour on Sunday morning.  But as the tour progresses the vehicle becomes sluggish and eventually as I am dropping them off it dies on me. I have to have it towed to Savoy where I leave it to be fixed.
ANGELINE IS THE OWNER OF URBAN WITH HER HUSBAN WHO TAKES CARE OF THE WALMER BRANCH. SHE IS A SCHOOL FRIEND OF NICKY AND A FRIEND OF STUART.
Monday... Meeting with Craig; Then meeting with Eastern Cape Tourism to try to be certified as an adventure guide for hikes and trails.  Then meeting with Stuart Brown and end the afternoon with a meeting with Tax Consultant Kobus.
ON THE ADDO SAFARI WITH ME TODAY: DINIKE; EMMA; SIMON; WILHELMEIN; TILDA; JASMINE; ALINE; MARTIN; MICHAEL; HEATHER.
Tuesday morning -- Run with the group.  Pick up a Quantum from v Rensburg in Kempston road. Take 10 Tourists on an Addo Tour. Scotland; Sweden; Germany and Netherlands.
 JOSH ZOOMING DOWN THE RAMP ON THE GOLF COURSE TRAIL
MY TWO FRIENDS WILL BE LEAVING ME THIS EVENING. SAD; SAD; SAD!
Wednesday morning.  I use the Huawei Wear ap to measure distance, time and calories for the first time today.  I have nothing special on for today so spend the day catching up.  Cycle the Golf Course for the last time with Daniel and Joshua this afternoon.
Then later we all load up to send Lene and family off to Ireland.  So sad for us but that is life.
 ALICE AND GORDON WERE DELIGHTFUL PEOPLE TO HAVE ON TOUR WITH ME TODAY.
WHITE RHINO ON SCHOTIA RESERVE WITH CHRISTO.
Thursday 24th.  An Addo Schotia tour combo with Gordon and Alice. I  make sandwiches and fruit salad for lunch rather than going to the Restaurant. This proves to be a success despite the wind and dust. We have good sightings both in Addo and Schotia. Our Schotia guide is Christo and we end the evening with a great meal joined by Raphael and Adrianna who were with Malcolm.
Meanwhile; Lene and her family arrive safely in Dublin, Spend the night in an Hotel before heading off to Cork on Friday.
 SOPHIE AND STEFFEN AT THE MAIN CAMP HIDE.
TUBBY -- VAN RENSBURG TRANSPORT -- DRIVING TO KARIEGA FOR A TRANSFER.
Friday I have an Addo Tour with Steffen and Sophie.  Later I collect the Landrover which has been in for repair since Monday.  Fuel Pump they say?

Saturday I have a Transfer from Kariega to PE Airport with Tubby the Driver.  All of a sudden things start to go pear shaped..... I go to the shops for some supplies and leave my phone at home. Barbara receives calls from Craig and Carryn that Craig is critically ill and is with people in Addo. So Barbara gets hold of the ambulance and they rush there. Other guides start to get involved -- Ruan rushes to take the clients back to PE.  Malcolm takes Ruan home, A helicopter fetches Craig who is diagnosed with Pancreas rupture. He is in agony and in a serious condition.  Carryn meets him at Greenacres hospital and has a long wait before she receives any meaningful news.  And the specialist can only see him on Sunday.  Craig has recently had Micro Surgery to remove Gall Stones as well as peptic ulcers.  All of this has led to his condition this afternoon.

Monday 28th.  Full day Addo Tour with Andy and Jenny from Switzerland. 
Tuesday.  Landrover in to Auto Electrician for the seats; do a whole lot of admin work. Meet Melindi from JHB Municipal assn to talk about a hiking tour in October 2017. Transfer of 16 people for Mark to Lalibela.
 CRICKET AT ST GEORGES PARK -- WARRIORS VS KNIGHTS.  WARRIORS BOWL THEM OUT FOR 93 IN LESS THAN THE 20 OVERS AND THEN GO ON TO SCORE 94 IN 11 OVERS.
 BASIL AND I SAT CLOSE TO THE BAND.
AT CRICKET WITH BASIL ERASMUS.
Wednesday 30th.  Meeting with Andre Mouton -- Sundays River Citrus Coop -- to talk about doing their Phyto's in PE. At the offices of SRCC in Addo. Register the Landrover into my name HWC088EC.  Fetch a painter (Sidwell Peter) to finish off painting one of the rooms. Buy some more paint stuff. Then later I go to Cricket with Basil Erasmus who is a friend of Peter Mc Ewan.

 JOSH; LENE AND DANIEL AT THE AIRPORT WAITING FOR CONNECTIONS
 LARGE MOON THIS MONTH
 OUTWARD BOUND --- LEAVING ON A JET PLANE FOR DUBAI.
 JESSICA IN CORK
 COFFEE AT A RESTAURANT IN CORK
 LOOKING OUT FROM THE HOTEL IN CORK
 LENE HAS CHOSEN THIS HOUSE TO LIVE -- IN CORK; IRELAND
PINK FLOWERING SPEKBOOM.

 CATTLE BARON RESTAURANT AT STORMS RIVER MOUTH BURNS DOWN
 TOM PLAYING DRAUGHTS
 JOSH AND DANIEL IN NEW SCHOOL UNIFORMS
 OFF TO SCHOOL
 ALL DRESSED UP WARMLY FOR A COLD WINTERS DAY IN SCHOOL
 READY FOR THEIR FIRST DAY IN SCHOOL IN CORK
 BARBARA CONTINUES TO RESCUE BIRDS.  HERE SHE HAS A CLUTCH OF EGYPTIAN GEESE
 JACQUI PUTS UP A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE
BLAKE DOING WHAT HE LOVES MOST -- PLAYING WITH CARS IN NEW ZEALAND