TOURS OF PORT ELIZABETH AND GARDEN ROUTE. JUNE 2017 ;; ADDO ELEPHANT PARK -- PETER GIDDY TOUR GUIDING.

Guided tours and Safaris.  Things to do in Port Elizabeth.  Peter will take you on Safari in Addo or for a gentle walk adventure for you to experience some of the outdoors in the Port Elizabeth area. Township and City tours; Garden Route adventures; Peter Giddy Guided Tours is for you.
peter.giddy@gmail.com


JUNE 2017
SAFARIS AND TOURS OF PORT ELIZABETH AND GARDEN ROUTE
Comrades Marathon 4th June
Horseback riding
Addo Elephant Park
Cycling and running
Fires in Sedgefield; Knysna; Robberg; Plett; Thornhill.
Schools; Hospital; Homes; Businesses and scores of fields are burnt to the ground.
Coordinated Arson
Nicky and Werner have been working hard to complete the Montreux Flat renovations.  New tiles; complete painting; new shelves; floors redone; bathroom looks spanking new; new hob and fitting of blinds.
10kay beach front race.  With Maria; Ronel; Pat; Robin; Chris; Graham Channon; Graham Nel; Gino Fabbri; Bruce; Sinzinzo; Anche;
Hiking the Springs Hiking Trail
Hiking the Nanaga Farm Trail
Susan Burri in Spain for international transplant games.  Runs the 5kay in 28 minutes.

Thursday 1st June.   Back and forth with Dole work.  Success in the end as I get documents off to Head Office. Evening rugby practice with Daniel as we cycle to Grey and he does some practising of his place kicking.

 

Mia plays hockey.  Today she is playing for her school Eversdal and she scores the only two goals for her team.  Makes me proud the hear Nicky talking about her successes

 Andrea goes zooming downhill on the golf course cycle track

Shara, Andrea and I cycle two rounds of the Golf Course Track. 
Friday 2nd.  Cycling with Shara and Andrea around the Golf Course.. Airport pick up and City tour with Edward Seto and family (Twin daughters - 22 -- Samantha and Sarah).
We start off at Pick'nPay where they purchase a huge amount of school supplies. We then visit the Airport Valley location and the Creche and soup kitchen there.  They donate the school supplies as well as cash donation. 

 Samantha and Sarah playing with the children of the Airport Valley Creche

Sarah; Edward and Samantha with some of the school supplies that they donated.
Again we go to Pick'nPay for more school supplies and then to Walmer Location where we find the HDC closed so go to John Maziza primary school.  Wonga is the principal and she allows us to take a look around the school  They donate school supplies to this school as well.
Samantha is not feeling well so we do a brief historical tour of the Donkin and city areas.  
Today I also managed to clear all outstanding Dole documents.

 Edward about to start his Heavenly Stables horse riding experience.  Edward is a professor at an University in Washington and has brought his two daughters to SA for a two week safari type holiday including Addo and KNP.

 Always smiling and cheerful is Sarah on her horse.  Sarah has recently completed her degree in Psychology.

Samanha.  Twin to Sarah;  it was Samantha (fondly know as Nia) who decided on this activity.
Saturday morning.  We run about 10k from Grey -- Neil; Maria; Chris; Mike; Lindi and Stefany. I have an Addo Safari and Heavenly stables horse riding with the family. We have a successful morning of Elephant viewing and more importantly "up close".  Stop off at Jacks for a picnic lunch and then make our way to Heavenly Stables for a Trail Ride with Kelsey.

 In Cape Town Nickys children are busy with a project.  Aaron. Zara and Chris painting.

and the outcome  with colours of the SA flag.
Meanwhile the Proteas Cricket team are in England to play in the World Champions ICC One Day internationals.  Today they play Sri Lanka and end with a comfortable win.

Made copies of Michaels dissertation at the University Library

Great day for a Recife cycle with Chris.

Chris and I cycle to Recife on this perfect June afternoon.  Not too warm, Just a slight chill in the air as the sea breeze comes from the east.
Sunday 4th --- Comrades Marathon. An up run.  It is now 30 years since I ran my first Comrades.  In 1987 I ran a 10 hour Comrades.  I was 36 years old. I had run my first Two Oceans earlier this year in 5.15 and completed my first ever standard Marathon in Four Hours.  I had joined Achilles in 1987 and had started running with the Mill Park Running Group in 1987.  In May 1987 I ran my first 21k in 96 minutes.
Today I watch the runners and am still able to identify with the struggle that they have as well as the places that are shown on TV.  The only person (who I know) I see is Gareth Jacobson, presently the deputy head at Clarendon Park.  Also on the run are Claire Breedske and Ingrid of MPRG. 
Monday 5th.  Running with the group -- Chris; Lindi; Stefany; Michelle; Maria and Adel. About 8km. Then sorting out documents for Jacqui at the University.  They need academic results to be able to apply to move to Australia. 
Then Cycling with Chris to Pati and Recife.  A perfect day for being out as we smell the sea with the gentle easterly breeze. 

Tuesday.  And early chilly morning cycle with Chris and Stefany to Recife.   My knee is giving me trouble and I am left behind a couple of times.
Meet with Sarah at New Mosaic.  Sort out the repair to the Bakkie Mirror; Some Dole stuff.  Ally is home and chilling.

Lene bought a Braai Drum so this evening we have our first braai in over four years.   I eat and drink too much. 

 Kitchen cupboards replaced with shelving.

 A really neat looking bathroom

 The Kitchen has a complete revamp and with a new stove is something to be proud of.

 Wardrobes upgraded and neat.

Bedroom repainted and floor shining.  Now Nicky is having Blinds fitted before finding a tenant.  Blinds will be a permanent fixture and prevents a shabby curtain which sometimes happens when you rent.
Meanwhile in Cape Town Nicky, Werner and friend Chris have been fixing up the Montreux flat.  Just a few touch ups to be done and then we are ready, after two months, to rent the flat again.

Pam (Biokineticist from Jhb; Andrea and Shara at the Kini Bay turn off.
Wednesday morning.  Cycling the Yellow Lines from Grassroof to Kini Bay.  There are many reports of gale force winds and bad weather coming to Cape Town and then PE.  Fortunately we are able to fit in a cycle this morning.  I am lucky to have a friend like Andrea who invites me to join her friends on these rides.

Daniel practicing his place and drop kicking at Grey.  He is continually improving as he is now able to convert about 50% of his attempts. 
In Cape Town storms hit the area; huge waves and strong winds batter the town.  Roofs are torn off and cars overturned.  And in Knysna the town burns; The hospital and a school is burnt as well as a number of homes destroyed in fires that are out of control in strong winds.
On Thursday morning, I think more in anticipation rather than due to actual poor weather, There is a chilly wind blowing but it is not icy cold. Only Mike; Chris; Lindi and myself from the slow group run.  And then it is just around Grey.  The fast group are a bit better supported with Kobus; John; Andy; Merissa; Natalie; Almarie (Birthday)
Friday -- Full day for me as I have a continuous flow of Admin Work as well as Shamwari Transfer. I receive a phone call to say I have won two tickets to a show on Saturday evening.

Saturday -- Barbara goes out to Thornhill to rescue animals and horses. Meanwhile the fires rage on threatening Hebron where Matthew and Delene are living. Their friend Ken locks himself in a room despite the threat of the buildings burning to the ground.  Barbara is in the thick of the fires and is unable to return to PE.

In the morning I have a bit of a scrappy run -- Chris; Mike; Marilyn; Annie; Adrienne; Liesl; Elmarie; Pat; Lindi; Ronel.  I feel that I have not worked up a real sweat in a couple of weeks. Elmarie Mc Ewan gives us a couple of Series to watch.

Morning sunrise with Elmarie and Stefany.  They are dressed for cold but it was really not that cold this morning.

After the run; Pat treats us to coffee and rusks. With Elmarie; Pat; Annie; Marilyn; Liesl; Ronel and Chris.

A magic morning at Hobie beach.

Barbara and others with horse boxes rescue horses and other animals from certain death as the flames engulf the surrounding farms at Woodridge.

Barbara; Delene and Matthew are trapped for hours before they are able to make a dash through smoke and flames for PE -- home and safety.

 The extent of the fires can be seen in this image.  This is near to the Van Stadens Bridge and Woodridge School.

 Barbara, Delene and Matthew were fortunate to have escaped

 Searing heat and meters high flames on the N2

The fires and smoke make driving on the N2 difficult and in some cases, impossible.
Barbara spends the day at Thornhill.  Rescuing horses and other animals; Delene and Matthew Hebron home is under threat as Woodridge school burns and then jumps across the N2 freeway and next to Hebron.  Barbara and the others are trapped.  They cannot go back towards Jeffreys bay; they cannot cross the van Stadens Bridge due to the fires; strong winds and flames meters high. They shelter under a bridge until late afternoon when they are finally able to make a dash through the choking smoke and flames towards PE and safety.

 When doing a Shamwari transfer it is important to know which lodge and the best option for the transfer. 

All is not as it seems with this sign which is at the main gate. Easgles Crag is not best accessed from the main gate.  Best to continue on the N2 pas the Amakhala entrance to the Kwantu turn off.
Today I am fetching from Longlee Manor which is right next to the main gate.
Sunday morning... I have a Shamwari to Airport Transfer while Barbara is back at Thornhill to assist Delene to clean up their home.  Smoke and ash invade homes after fires like this.  I bit later I also go there with some provisions but as important -- water.  For a while they have no water and no power.  They are called to the community hall to assist with people who have to be billeted in a hall and at Hebron.  But with no power they really do not know who is there and what is going on as evening sets.

 Trying to drive through the smoke was not easy and was dangerous

 Barbara takes bales of wire to farmers in need in the Van Stadens disaster area

In Cape Town Aaron and Zara display their artworks at a school exhibition.  Well done to both of them for their original and creative handiwork.
Barbara continues to support both animals and family who are battling to recover.  Fires flare up and there is a continuing smell of smoke and fire. 
Back home I keep myself busy with some Dole admin; helping Jacqui with University results & Ally buying a new phone.  I have taken a break from Running and Cycling this week. 
Thursday -- Township tour for New Mosaic with Troy and Monique.

Shannon Bradford.  A school friend of Ally from days at Clarendon.  She is now at Varsity College studying for a B Com. Shannon is running well and it was all that I could do to keep her in sight over the final kay.  57minutes.

Maria outpaces all of us.  Fortunately she has found running partners in Robin and Chris -- They finish in about 51 minutes. 
Saturday morning.  After a week of no running or cycling; I fetch Maria and we register for the 10k at Summerstrand Lifesaving; The race starts 7am so Maria and I do a 2k warm up before lining up at the start.  As usual we try to find a place near to the front of the bunch.  Walkers start first, Then the gun goes off for the runners and we charge down Marine Drive past the Raddison and on towards the Summerstrand Inn.  Past the old Flat Rocks and Golf course and then left towards Recife. 
The wind is a fairly strong westerly and is mainly behind us for the first half.  Chris; Robin and Maria go off as I am not able to maintain their pace. 
We turn just about where the Patti Turn off is and head back towards Summerstrand.  This out and back gives me an opportunity to see (and greet) runners who I recognise on the road.  Not many Achilleans this morning. The strong winds may have put people off. As we are running I don't find the wind much of an obstacle. It is there but I am able to maintain a pace of just over 5 minutes a kay.
Knocking off the kays as we follow the same route back.  Shannon Bradford comes past me and I try to stay with her.  Having someone to chase is always good for me as it keeps me focussed.
We run past the beacon and with one kay to go, Shannon picks up the pace.  And I run as hard as I am able to stay with her.  The last kay is along the promenade and I am able to keep her in sight so that I finish just behind Shannon.

218

450

3450

MARIA     52.07

BENITO

TEMP

F

44

40-44F

0.52.07

0

247

565

1112

ROBIN

COYLE-DOWLING

ACH

M

51

50-54M

0.53.32

1

317

258

3258

SHANNON  56.39

BRADFORD

TEMP

F

20

SF

0.56.39

0

319

403

1116

PETER        56.45

GIDDY

ACH

M

66

65-69M

0.56.45

1

369

272

3272

PHILIP

KARP

TEMP

M

21

SM

0.58.47

0

382

605

44

RONEL  59.16

SCHEEPERS

PEAAC

F

42

40-44F

0.59.16

1

At Bridge Street Brewery with Joshua; Daniel; Barbara; Ally; Jessica and Lene.
This afternoon the family goes to Bridge Street Brewery for a supper and to watch the Springbok Rugby team play France.  last weekend the Boks beat the French 37-14. 
Today the French start off the game with a quick try notching up 7 points.  Throughout the game both teams attack and the defence is excellent.  At one time the French are hovering around our try line for an extended period but the defence is so strong that they are unable to penetrate.  The tension is high even though we are leading.  By half time the score is 23-7 so it is a fairly comfortable lead.  Then in the second half it appears that neither teams are going to be able to score.  Finally in the last quarter both teams add points to the scoreboard and the game ends 38-15.  A fun evening with some excellent snacks of Calamari; Fried sweet potato chips; Chicken kebabs on a platter. 
Sunday morning City Tour with Christoff from Poland.  He is working at Royal Baking Powder in Dias road where his company has installed a Packaging Machine.
Monday morning run with -- Chris; Lindi; Maria; Ingrid; Stefany; Liesl; Nicky; Ursula; Michelle; Nicky; Joan; Joan; Lynne; Kobus; Andy; Michael; Johan; Claire; Almarie; Adele; Angela; Gaye; Susan;

Springs Hiking trail with Dave; Robin and Dave.

Daniel tackling practice -- Josh is in another team in the background.  Later they both do some kicking practice with coach van Zyl.
Wednesday.  21st .... I meet up with the Hiking Group.  It is just four of us who hike the Springs Hiking Trail near to Uitenhage.
Later I am watch Joshua and Daniel at Rugby Practice.  I meet the Kicking Coach and he gives them a bit of kicking coaching. 
Thursday. 22nd... Run with Chris; Mike; Stefany; Lindi.  Others running in the faster group were Andrea; Kelly; Michelle and Maria. 

Thursday hiking group at Nanaga Farm trails.

 We are 15 in the Long Walk group.  The long walk is just 7km and not at all tough; especially on this warm winters day.
I am with the Thursday Hiking group for a Nanaga Farm trail with Allan; Dave; Carol and 20 others. It is an easy 7kay walk along Jeep Tracks and pathways.  Wonderful views and history

Susan Burri in the News.  She is taking part in a tournament for Transplant athletes.

Saturday 24th June.  SA half marathon champs. 
I run the race in 2.02.  Afterwards I am pretty much shattered; limping; sore tummy; exhausted.  I should do more training.  I climb under the blankets for over an hour and wake up a lot chipper.

Running the SA Half Marathon Champs.  From Pollock Beach, to Kings Beach, Turn around and back to Pollock and then on to the Golf Course where we U turn and do the same route all over again.

I watch both Grey first and Second teams.  Both win their matches convincingly. Joshua; Daniel and I walk to Grey where we watch Grey play Daniel Pienaar (Uitenhage).  DP take the lead with two tries 10;0.  Then a bit later Grey score to take the lead 15;10.   I am sitting with Chris; Elmarie and Ronel.  Chris comments that DP have seen the last of being in front.  It turns out he is correct as the final score is 43;25 despite some last minute tries by both sides.  It is a cold afternoon as a freezing westerly breeze chills the air.  They leave before the final whistle to watch SA vs France at Rugby.  After the match I "invite" myself to join them. So Barbara and I spend the evening watching Rugy and Braaiing with Chris. A treat for us to spend time with wonderful, hospitable friends like these.

 We are at the beach before sunrise on this cold morning

 Chris is our catalyst for these morning rides. I only went as far as the Pine Lodge.  They went all the way to the Lighthouse.

Steff & Chris had a good workout this morning without me to hold them back.
Thursday 29th.  Run about 6kay in the early morning with Adrienne; Mike; Chris; Stefanie; Lindi. Then Chris fetches Stefanie and myself for a cycle on the beachfront.  We see both Pat and Elmarie on their morning run.  And Lyn Pask swims on this very chilly morning.
Then I have an interview with the Lilizela Awards Judges.  Funny because I first of all nominate myself (Nobody else will) and then I am notified that I have been shortlisted.  And I never even knew that there was a long list.  Judges: Nicole who was a runner with MPRG; Eddie who was there last year; Pinkie who is also someone who I have met in the industry before and I think it was LouAnne.  I also meet Cheryl who assisted me with the opening of facilities when the ships docked on Sundays and who is also a runner.
I have two interviews -- a separate one for Culture and then for Nature Guiding.  But the questions and basically my answers are much the same for each interview.

 Snack pack for my guests on the Township Tour

At Airport Valley.  With Birgit; Samina; Osaka and Christina
Thursay 29th.  Afternoon Township Tour with Christina; Osaka; Birgit and Samina from Language School.

 Susan trains with the Mill Park Running Group (MPRG) at 5am in the mornings.

She also uses the Hobie Beach Park Run as her weekly 5km time trial.

At these parkruns, Susan has been battling to run under 30 minutes for the 5km.

At the games in Spain:

Susan reports that she run 28 minutes for the 5km.

Susan writes as follows:

"My time for the road race was a National Record for transplant sports and a Personal Best for 5km since my transplant.  In Table Tennis we were in 2 groups, playing round robin.  I won three and lost 2.  An amazing experience."

Pic of Susan (middle).  Susan has completed 3 Comrades Marathons. And 21 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons.

Her son Emilio (left)

Fellow SA Athlete Donovan Wright (on the right hand side of the pic) Donovan has completed 8 Comrades Marathons between 1996 and 2003.  He has 2 gold medals and 6 silver at Comrades.  His best was in 2000 when he was placed 4th overall.

Susan plays Table Tennis in Spain.
Susan Burri is running overseas in the "Transplant international games" in a 5kay and does her best time at 28.10.  And plays Table Tennis where she wins two out of five games.


Peter Giddy Guided Tours in Port Elizabeth and Garden Route. Wildlife Safari; Ocean Safari; Hikes; Walks and Trails; City and Township Tours
peter.giddy@gmail.com