Thursday, February 28, 2019

Peter Giddy Guided Tours.... February 2019, Addo Elephant Park and Combo tours.

February 2019
Peter Giddy Guided Tours
Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

For tours and bookings.. email me at.    peter.giddy@gmail.com

Contact me on Whatsup....  +27 (0) 825503174


Peter meets up with Gia the Cheetah; who really makes a great companion. Daniel Cheetah Project Tour.

Peter Giddy Guided Tours....

  • Addo Elephant Park (Elephants; Buffalo; Zebra; Antelope and Lions) -- Departing Daily. 
  • Combo Tour --Addo and Kragga Kamma (Giraffe; Rhino; Cheetah)  -- Departing Daily
  • Combo Tour -- Addo and Daniel Cheetah Project (Cheetah; Lions; Leopard; Caracal) -- Departing Daily
  • Combo Tour -- City -- Cultural and Historical Tour and Kragga Kamma --- Departing daily
  • Tsitsikamma Adventures  (Zip Line; Bungy Jump; Coastal walks: Forest Segway: Canoe Trail; Monkey Land; Birds of Eden; Jukani Big Cats; Walk with Elephants) -- Advance booking required
  • Garden Route Tours (Tsitsikamma; Plettenbergbay; Knysna; Oudtshoorn) -- Advance booking required
  • Namaqualand Flower Tour -- (7day Historical and Nature Discoveries) Departs 27th August 2019  -- Bookings now open. 
  • Airport and Hotel Transfers -- Departing Daily
  • Passenger Ships -- Shore excursions on request. 
  • Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth.  2 to 3 hour easy walk with a local group.  Exploring nature and surrounding areas.  Wednesday; Thursday and Saturdays. 

peter.giddy@gmail.com

+27 (0) 82 550 3174 (WhatsApp)
petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com



Friday 1st February
Barbara is in Cape Town on her way to Canada for a month.
Jacqui is off to Venice for the weekend (Without children for the first time ever)
Lene is packing to go to Israel with Jessica
We find this small herd of Female Buffalo with new born calves... Some of the Calves can hardly walk so me think that they were born within the last day or two.
 Karien and Peter from Germany.   Spending 6 weeks in SA.  They are Golfers and are presently in St Francis Bay having a really good time relaxing and golfing.
 Barbara had a bird cage built.  It now houses the two parrots.
The parrots have a good home with lots of toys and things to keep them occupied.
I swim 2000m with Megan at the Newton Park Pool.
I have an Addo Tour with Peter and Karien.
 Lindi and Susan point out the magnificent sunrise over the beach promenade this morning.
Our small running group of Mike; Jenna; Lindi and Susan.
 Jacqui and Michael living a single couple life for a weekend away.
 Jacqui and Michael took a weekend opportunity to visit the unique city of Venice in Italy.
 Barbara at the CT Airport leaving for Canada on Friday at Midnight.
Aaron and Zara are going to do Rock Climbing (Lead and Bouldering) this weekend
Daniel... He goes to spend his Saturday at school learning to be a First Aider for school events such as Rugby and others.
Saturday morning.  I pick up Jenna and Lindi.  We meet Susan and Mike at the beach and run to the beacon; up Admiralty and then back down 2nd Ave.  An easy 7 or 8kay run.  There is a bit of an east wind blowing.  The water is warm for a swim after the run.  Barbara is flying to Amsterdam and on to Calgary today.
Peter and Kim cycle through the William Moffet to Buffelsfontein.  Up to Boundary road and then down to Grassroof where we turn and return the same route.  Kim has a distance meter which records 45km.
Daniela with the Cheetah Gia.
Nico really wanted to meet a Cheetah in person so this is a great day for him.
Sunday... Kim and I do a cycle of about 45km to Grassroof and back.
Later I have a Daniel Cheetah project tour with Daniela and Nico IT specialists from Switzerland .  This is a great outing for this Swiss couple.  Our guide is Marinus who will be moving to work with Lions at a sanctuary in Johannesburg.  Also with us is his trainee -- Julia.
This evening I make a Spanish Omelette or a Tortilla.  And I make a video of it.  Turned out well.

Monday 4th... Raining and a bit of wind.  Megan and I swim 1500m.  Stuart Brown comes for a coffee. I have an appointment with Dr Brummer.  Eurologist.  He gives me an all clear with instructions to visit again in 6 months.  Evening cell group at the Cronje's. Jessica and Lene leave for Israel.
Kim and I cycle from Grassroof to the top of Mount Pleasant and then down the Old Seaview Road which has some short tough hills.  We then get back onto the new Seaview Road and ride to the Kini Bay turn off.
 Back from Kini Bay all the way to Grassroof is a long pull.  Kim is fit and tough and manages well.
At the end of our 2 hour; 40k cycle I am pretty much exhausted so the Bacon and Spinach Quiche with a large Cappuccino goes down well. 
Tuesday 5th,,, Running 7kay with Mike; Liesl and Chris.  Others in the group... Andrea, Kelly, John, JoAnne, Cindy; Adrienne; Amanda. And there are a group training for Comrades.
Kim and I meet at Grassroof.  We cycle back up the hill to Boundary Road and then down on the Old Seaview Road.  These are firsts for Kim who does not know this area. In a couple of weeks we will be cycling the Herald 55k on these roads, so good practice.  We continue down the new Seaview road to the Kini Bay turn off.  Then back all the way up to Grass Roof again.  This is a little over 40km and I am pretty much stuffed at the end of it. Kim has been doing real long rides, sometimes over 80km.  She has a strong staying power and did not look at all tired. She has a Driving Lesson with Kerrin and so leaves immediately.  I stay for a coffee and quiche.  It has been a hot morning.  An easterly breeze helped to cool us down but was also in our faces going up the Seaview Road. Meanwhile in Canada, Barbara is literally freezing her pants off.

Wednesday morning.  My Combi is in the Garage for the 4th time in as many weeks.  Something to do with the Shock Absorbers.  I have a dentist appointment for extractions. I attempt to swim but my knee keeps clicking out after yesterdays cycle.  So I manage just 500m. \

Thursday 7th.  I pick up Anette; Alexia and Arist at the airport . They are regular visitors to SA and stay in Plett playing golf and relaxing during their winter.  Also in the group is Stefan and Katharina also Germans ... I pick them up at Kududu.  A good day with excellent sightings.
Friday... Kirsten and mother Bridget stay over on Thursday and come to Addo with me today.  This morning I swim 1300m with Megan... My left knee still giving me trouble so I have to avoid kicking off from the sides.
 Saturday 9th with Mark; Christina and Sue.  A wonderful day in Addo.
 I make myself a Macaroni Cheese with all the fillings. Frozen Veg; Green and Red peppers; Spinach and porkers.
 Beachfront run with Lindi; Mike and Chris.
We have this real close up of Lions in Addo today.. They had caught a Kudu.
Saturday 9th Feb.... Running 7km with Mike; Chris and Lindi on the beachfront.  Mike and I have a freezing cold Dip.  Not a swim.  A quick in and out.
I have an Addo with Christina and Mark from Hacklewoods and Sue from Boardwalk.. Everyone is from the UK.
Elephant on Ngulube up close and personal.
Sunday ... Run 5k around Mill Park.  Pick up Saskia Pregnant and Robert from Charihandra.  Great day in Addo.
Joe and Zelia at the Donkin Memorial.... This afternoon turned out to be a real treat with this Portuguese couple from Bermuda.
Monday... No Swimming.  Went to GrassRoof for a cycle with Kim; Kate and Andrea.  In the rain.  Then had a puncture on the old Seaview Road so turned back.
Dentist and then a City Tour with Joe and Zelia from Cuba.  They invite me to dinner.. We start at Fusion with Sushi and then on to Chicangas in 6th ave Walmer for a second helping.  A really great afternoon and wonderful people.

Tuesday... Running 7kay with Michael; Andrea; Liesl; Susan and Stefany.  Chris is going to hospital to have some Melanoma removed from his chest. This evening I receive an invitation from Michael and Megan Holden to a braai and supper.  Nice evening with their family.
Wednesday 13th.  Cycling with Andrea at Grassroof.  We manage 27k of hills.
Thursday..14th... Valentines day.  Barbara and Dawn are going horse Sledding near to Calgary. I have the Colonoscopy with Dr Fredricks. No food for nearly 48 hours and only water to drink... I was feeling quite whoozy before I even got there.  Stefany gave me a ride there and back.
Saturday 16th.  I have an Addo Tour with Deborah from  Canada staying with Elmarie; Clara and Joren  who are from the Netherlands and staying at Addo Dungbeetle Lodge; And Bruno and Anna who were in Madagascar for four years -- she working in Aliance Frances and he as a Dive Instructor.
We have a reasonably good day with some excellent sightings including a sleeping Lion which was not very exciting but at least we saw her.
Saturday 16th Addo Tour with Deborah; Clara and Joren; Bruno and Anna.
Sunday -- Herald MTB 30k with Kim and River Mile with Megan.  Both events I love to be part of and happy to have someone as company. 
Monday morning  Andrea; Kim and I cycle from Grassroof this morning.  Up to Boundary Road and down the Old Seaview road including the Long Barn and other hills.  Good training
 for our Road Bike event coming up on Sunday.  Kim estimates 22km which sounds right. Unfortunately my "easy gears" are not working ... I only need them on two of the hills during this event so have decided to leave it alone for now.
I have a new cycling shirt that Megan gave me. It was made for their Corp IM team event but Megan is doing the Swim.
Tuesday 19th.  Running 7km with Mike and Susan.  And cycling 22k from Kings Beach to the lighthouse with Kim.
 at Kragga kamma with Alex... It was his secretary, Alina who booked the two days with me.  Maria; Oleg; Dimitri and Takastani.
What I wonder is if the sign writer's mind was wandering when he set up this wonderful poster.
Wednesday 20th. I have an afternoon Airport pick up of the four Russian Cyclists who will be cycling to Cape Town starting on Friday morning.  I pick up Maria first and then we wait at the airport for about an hour as their flight is delayed.. Probably due to strong westerly winds.
Each has a huge bike bag so I do the pick up in two trips.  I then take everyone to Kragga Kamma but first we stop to buy SA Sim cards and routers.
Kragga Kamma is first class with close ups of the animals including one of the Lionesses with a mock charge at an Ostrich.
Chris; Elmarie; Elmarie; Grace; Peter and Maria join me for a braai this evening
Addo with Oleg; Stephanie; Alex; Dimitri and Takastani
We have this awesome sighting of three Lions.  And this poor baby Pumba being chased on Two Occasions.  First was separated from its mother then came back to look for Mom and was chased again.  This little animal can run like the wind and in both cases completely out ran the Lions and lived to tell the tale.
Thursday After a short 7k morning run -- we go to Addo with Maria; Alex; Dimitri; Oleg and Takastani.
Friday.  I Take Stephanie for a City Tour.

Addo Algoa lookout with Michael; Corina; Jurgen; Ulla and Stephanie
Bobby with James and Lauren who is at Lydia Residence with Ally.
Charles and Ingrid.  So good to catch up with them.  They came from Bushmans River 150km.  Especially for this evening with Bobby.
Sue and Gary Hageman ... Long time friends of Bobby... Arranged the formalities including a Slide show and the speeches.
Saturday I pick up Stephanie; Ulla; Jurgen; Michael and Corina for Addo
This evening I join Bobby to celebrate his 60th.  I walk there.  A wonderful evening with Charles and Ingrid.
 Seabourn Sojourn in PE Harbour on Sunday 24th
Peter and Romy Brown from the ship at Kragga Kamma being introduced to Monty the Cheetah.
Sunday I have the Herald Cycle 55k with Andrea and Kim.  Then I do a quick change with the bike in the car and am able to find some passengers from the Seabourn Sojourn for a Kragga Kamma Tour. .  Peter and Romy Brown from Glasgow.
 My group of Swedes transfer from Ocean Bay to Hlosi... Amakhala.
Hlosi... I have been here before.  It is a great lodge in Amakhala
Monday 25th.... Running 7k with Susan.
Amakhala Transfer for Mark Heck from Ocean bay. 
Tuesday... I seem to have a lot of Dole stuff recently.. Di Nelson is helping me with this as Barbara is still in Canada.
 Lions at Peasland
 Buffalo at Arizona
 Close up Elephant at Waynes Valley
Manu and Stephan -- German students on holiday in SA.
Today I pick up Stefan and Manu from Addo Afrique where they are staying in Tipi's ... comfortable tents with kitchen facilities.  We have a wonderful day in Addo despite the strong winds and dust.
Wednesday 27th... Barbara's Birthday... She is flying from Calgary to Amsterdam and then to Cape Town. Arriving 10.40pm.
Elephants crossing the road at Hapoor.
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of these two ladies; Nicole and Johanna from Germany.  Working at MAN trucks and Busses they are on Holiday in South Africa and today we did a safari in Addo Elephant Park where we saw many Elephants, Buffalo and a few sleeping lions in the distance.
I have an Addo Tour with Nicole and Johanna.  We have a wonderful day with huge sightings of Elephant.
Thursday 28th  -- Running 7km with Chris; Mike; Adrienne and Susan.  At the end we notice that Kelly; Jo Anne and I all have the same running shirt.
I fetch a sick Barbara from the Airport.  She arrived late on Wednesday night due to a problem with the Airplane in Amsterdam and almost missed this mornings flight from Cape Town.

Friday 1st March .... Two for Addo ... Di and Theresa.  Malcom in my combi.
I have a City / Township tour for NMU with Alan in their quantums.






This month Zara exceeded her normal Creative Self.   She has recently upgraded a back room and made herself a "Studio".
Zara had to write a Poem (At School) using:  Alliteration;  Assonance and Personification.

  • Alliteration -- The use of the same letter (or sound) at the beginning of connected words. 
  • Assonance -- Normally associated with Vowels with similar sounds used in connected words
  • Personification -- Normally associated with the use of giving human characteristics to non human objects

This is Zara's Poem
I am not so bright now, I have to write a poem that means nothing to me. 
I don't mean it like that but it is a fact personification is a sensation that I have never felt before, such as the Trees dance in the wind.  How much fun that would be to dance all day but stay in a place you never leave. 

And alliteration causes so much frustration such as "She sells sea shells on the sea shore".
And because of my lisp; just like a crisp, the words tumble to the ground. 

Last of all assonance I never found interesting before, it's just like ... quite a bore.  All you have to do is "clap your hands and stamp your feet" and there you are following the beat. 

I wanted to write about a ferret, but I wrote this, so please don't give me a demerit. 

and then later in the month Zara produces this Self Portrait.
I am so fortunate to live in a world of instant communication with Whatsup and other forms of media that enables my family to connect and tell us about their family activities.
A School Project.  Zara is certainly showing off some of her Creativity.

Barbara is in Canada and receives a family welcome
 Back to her true love... Horses
 Barbara and Dawn do Horse Sledding
 This is Not South Africa.... Here there is Snow to play in
And enjoying amazing views like this one of the clear sky; hills in the background; real pine trees and a fresh fall of snow.


Meiringspoort...  They have a heavy rainfall that results in a flash flood.
Some Facebook pics that come up for Barbara.  Michael with Josh and Daniel.
Chris... Does not just donate blood which is on its own a meaningful way of being a positive role model to his peers;  He also signed up as a Peer Supporter which means he will support other blood drives; helping people keep calm as well as giving out stickers.
Nicky finds this 20 year old pic of Barbara and Ally as they walk her down the PE Promenade.