Biathlon interprovincial in Oudtshoorn. Saturday 2nd February 2008.
Friday afternoon Barbara, Ally & I left for Oudtshoorn. IN separate cars were; Debby & Meghan Derry & Jacqui and Amber Zeelie. John & Cheryl Kotze followed with Mike and Greg. Rianna Green was also due to be travelling to the Biathlon as her daughter Wendy had qualified for the interprovincial, but had developed a Cyst on the Brain and had been operated on that week. Markus and Susan Burri brought their two children MC and Emilio.
It was the Interprovincial Biathlon Meeting in Oudtshoorn. The drive from PE was not fun as we left PE in traffic all the way to Humansdorp. There were road works and we had foolishly failed to take the alternative route. From the Langkloof road turnoff it was easy going. We had made bookings at B&B’s and arrived at Attakwas in Van Riebeek road to find the Derry’s and Zeelie’s were already there.
The following morning we chat to the host of the cottage. Katot is a colourful man who appears to be a 4X4 enthusiast. He tells us that Katot translates into English as “Billycan”. He tells us how the name Attakwas came to be:
The Attakwa people are the remnants of a tribe of Khoi/San people who lived near the beaches of Cape Town when the first Dutch Sailors landed in the 1600s. The Khoi/San were a pastoral people who used oxen as pack animals and for the transportation of women and children.
Their dome shaped houses were made out of reed mats laid over a framework of sticks.
The Attakwas were well known for showing early settlers the passes over the Outeniqua Mountains to Cannaland (Oudtshoorn) as many of them dwelt and harvested honey along Attakwas Kloof, now a famous hiking trail.
It turned out to be an excellent house with a view over a green valley and park below. It was early evening and time for a sundowner as we waited for the Kotze’s to arrive. What a wonderful evening it turned out to be. It was warm and breathless and we had plenty to chat about as Ally, Amber and Meghan played in the park below.
When John and Cheryl arrived they joined us for an evening drink. Their two sons soon mixed in with the three girls and when we went to supper at a road side restaurant called Headlines they youngsters all sat together and had a wonderful evening as old friends. The Adults also had a stunning evening chatting and enjoying Ostrich Steaks, Calamari and Lasagne. The children had huge Pizza’s which they could not finish and were used to feed them on the way home the following day.
When we finished our meal it was already 20.00 and our bed was calling. Barbara, Ally and I shared a King-sized bed and watched the end of the ODI against the West Indies. It was Shaun Pollock’s last game in front of his home crowd in Durban. Quite emotional as he hit the winning runs!
We were up early the following morning and made our way to the athletic track.
The biathlon starts with a parade of the athletes in their uniforms. It was already hot and a tracksuit was not the coolest of outfits. After the parade (Optog), we all sit in the sun while speeches are made to welcome us. First it is the organiser, then the Dominee, then the organiser again, then the Burgermeester who is a lady, Mrs. De Jager who is the wife of the late Mr. De Jager after whom the sports stadium is named.
Then Chris Jansen makes a speech. Chris is Die Voorsitter of Biathlon SA. Finally we are dismissed and the running begins with the U9’s. Emilio is our representative and he does not do as well as he did in the trials but finishes strongly. Then in the U11’s we first have Amber who has a good run. These children have to run twice around the track (800m).
The competition is fierce but they all have fun and are trying hard. In the next U11 heat we have Ally and Meghan. These two are great friends but also strong rivals. Barbara bought Ally a pair of spikes just before we left PE and this will be her first time to run in them. At first they seemed uncomfortable but then she loosened the laces and she was fine. Their heat starts at a strong pace and the two girls are soon a way back from the front runners. Meghan is able to pick up the pace in the second lap and does fairly well. Ally chases her and also has a good finish.
The U11 boys start their run and Greg & MC are in the same heat. They start off together and stay that way throughout the run. MC is stays just behind Greg until he sees the finish line when he makes a break and just manages to beat Greg to the tape. There are not many competitors in the masters Ladies and it is soon the turn of the Senior Vets (that is us) and the Masters (Chris and Herman). We have to run 1000m.
I have done a bit of warming up in the sun and am feeling good so when the gun goes off I make a break for the front of the group. This is not like me as I normally fool around at the back. However I find my self as front runner of the EP team and wonder how long I will be able to keep up this pace. There is a Western Province athlete ahead of me and I try to focus on him and to stay with his pace.
We come to the end of the first lap and I hear 1.31 being called out and I know that I am running faster than I normally do and again wonder when I am going to start fading. Then the bell rings for the last lap. I have been hearing heavy puffing behind me and Chris passes me. They only do 800m and I know he is surging to his finish so while I try to keep up with him he is not my focus. I remain just behind the WP runner. Chris pulls off.
We reach the final 100m and I decide to try to pass the WP runner. I can hear the cheers from our group in the stands including the youngsters who are all very supportive. He hears me coming and surges. But I stay focussed and push as hard as I can and pass him in the final few meters. He had a watch and announces that we did a 3.53. This is my best time for the distance and I am delighted.
It is a very hot sun and our little group decides to pack up and find a café for breakfast. After driving around we discover a restaurant with shade and umbrellas. Here we all sit and order a small feast. Again there is a great deal of laughter from both the children’s and the adult’s tables. We try to get the children to behave but when they start throwing chips across the table we decide to let them have fun.
After breakfast we head for the swimming pool where there are already a number of people. The runners were still taking part on the track as we drove past so we are able to have a bit of a swim. The water is a bit green, not surprising as the temperature is 29 degrees and almost bath warm. There is not a breath of wind and the sun bakes down on us. We have found a nice shady spot and the Burri’s join us. I am able to have a short nap in my beach armchair.
Mike decides he has had enough of his cast and John cuts it off with a wire cutter. Mike had broken his arm in a fall from a horse. The swim goes off well enough. Emilio is first off, then Amber, Ally and Meghan. All of them do well and we are proud of our group. Greg and MC compete again but it is MC who steals the show with a 34 second 50m which is one of his best times ever. Markus has a good swim of 66seconds while I look like a dredger in the water arms flailing about, splash splash, gasp gasp and finally end up with 1min52.
After the adults have swum we head off home. The Burris will stay for the weekend and do some sight seeing on Sunday. John and family head off to Calitzdorp to visit Boplaas wine farm. I ask John to buy me a case. I am not a connoisseur of wines but will enjoy whatever he buys for us.
As we leave town we buy ourselves an ice cream & a Curry Bunny. We still have some grapes and cold drink in the car so we have plenty of sustenance for the drive home. The road is fairly clear and after 100kays we are on the Langkloof road.
We pass Krakeel where the heavy rains of December has washed to bridge away and the road has been filled in with Gravel. A sign announces Diesel at R7.42. There is a stall selling Biltong and Dry Wors. We pass other stalls selling fresh produce. Local people walk along the road with big smiles as they enjoy each other’s company and the weekend activities. Krakeel is the name of a village where I took part in a run many years ago.
We drive through Louterwater where the local industry is apple farming and pack houses. Then we come to Joubertina. We recall that a year ago, Ian had phoned to tell us about a farm near to Uniondale, he was considering buying, high up in a mountain called Mannetjiesberg. In the end he did not buy that farm but a 100hectare property now known as Wildcliff near to Heidelberg.
I glance down towards the village of Joubertina and see that they have some kind of activity on a field. They are having as much fun and sporting activity as we have just left in Oudtshoorn. There are apple orchards all along the road. Thousands of trees laden with fruit which will be harvested and used for export as well as sold to juice companies.
We make a pit stop in Kareedow. From there it is less than 150kays home. We remember to take the alternative route across the Gamtoos River and avoid the road works and traffic. We arrive safely in PE. I phone John and he tells me that he has a case of wine for us. Half red and half white.
I receive and SMS from Adrienne to say that Rianna is out of intensive care. I phone Rianna and she says that while she still has headaches she is on the mend.
That afternoon was the start of the Six Nations Rugby in Europe. Ireland beat a strong Italian team coached by Nick Mallet. And in a real upset, Wales beat England in Twykenham for the first time in 20years. The English had led 16;3 at half time and had really dominated the game with lineouts, turnovers and possession. Then there was a short period in the second half where they lost concentration altogether and Wales took over with a couple of breaks and some excellent defence that won the game for them.
Showing posts with label biathlon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biathlon. Show all posts
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
MARATHON BIATHLON NIPPERS AND BIATHLE 19 JANUARY 2008.
Marathon, Biathlon, Nippers and Biathle. 19 January 2008.
Friday evening I met up with Peter Pohlmann at Homely Farms where our Marathon race was due to start the following morning. Peter had already set up most of the start and finish but I was able to be of some assistance.
On Saturday morning I was first to the venue just after 03.00am. I sat and enjoyed the solitude of the morning with a hot chocolate and rusk. Others started arriving and it was my duty to direct traffic and assist with parking. This went off particularly well and soon the marathon runners had left and the 10 and 5 kay events started with out any complications. I had to leave the event immediately as we had a Biathlon on that morning in Gelvandale.
Ally had an excellent run and was catching her age group rival as they were completing their 8oom. I had a poor run of about 4.15 for the 1000m. We then went off to swim and Ally won her age group while I had a second slow event for the day doing 1.54 for 100m swim. We were both chosen for the EP team to go to Oudtshoorn in February but to our delight, Ally was top competitor for the U11’s and was chosen as “captain” of the A team.
The next day was Sunday and we had a Nippers Carnival at Kings beach. We were there early to help set up our tent. Ally took part in the swim, the body board and the Malibu board events. They then ran the beach sprints where Ally moved from heat to heat until she was eliminated. She did reasonably well in all of these activities.
Donald & Matthew McGillivray and our family then rushed off to Theodore Hertzel School where we all took part in the Biathle. (Run-swim-run). Matthew and Ally did well enough but it would be Donald’s first such event and he took off like a bullet and did exceptionally well.
We then drove back to the beach where both of the youngsters had to take part in the Iron Nippers event which combines four disciplines into one event. It would be the first time that Ally would attempt this gruelling event. Swim, Body board, Malibu board and running in between. She completed the event and while it was tough she did not seem at all phased by the enormity of what she had just accomplished. It had been a really tough sporting weekend for her.
Friday evening I met up with Peter Pohlmann at Homely Farms where our Marathon race was due to start the following morning. Peter had already set up most of the start and finish but I was able to be of some assistance.
On Saturday morning I was first to the venue just after 03.00am. I sat and enjoyed the solitude of the morning with a hot chocolate and rusk. Others started arriving and it was my duty to direct traffic and assist with parking. This went off particularly well and soon the marathon runners had left and the 10 and 5 kay events started with out any complications. I had to leave the event immediately as we had a Biathlon on that morning in Gelvandale.
Ally had an excellent run and was catching her age group rival as they were completing their 8oom. I had a poor run of about 4.15 for the 1000m. We then went off to swim and Ally won her age group while I had a second slow event for the day doing 1.54 for 100m swim. We were both chosen for the EP team to go to Oudtshoorn in February but to our delight, Ally was top competitor for the U11’s and was chosen as “captain” of the A team.
The next day was Sunday and we had a Nippers Carnival at Kings beach. We were there early to help set up our tent. Ally took part in the swim, the body board and the Malibu board events. They then ran the beach sprints where Ally moved from heat to heat until she was eliminated. She did reasonably well in all of these activities.
Donald & Matthew McGillivray and our family then rushed off to Theodore Hertzel School where we all took part in the Biathle. (Run-swim-run). Matthew and Ally did well enough but it would be Donald’s first such event and he took off like a bullet and did exceptionally well.
We then drove back to the beach where both of the youngsters had to take part in the Iron Nippers event which combines four disciplines into one event. It would be the first time that Ally would attempt this gruelling event. Swim, Body board, Malibu board and running in between. She completed the event and while it was tough she did not seem at all phased by the enormity of what she had just accomplished. It had been a really tough sporting weekend for her.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
EP BIATHLON CHAMPS 27 OCTOBER 2007 ALLY GIDDY
EP Biathlon Champs in Port Elizabeth
Saturday 27th October. Ally & I had managed to be part of the EP Biathlon team at the Westbourne Oval and the Newton Park swimming pool. The Biathlon started with a March Past. The teams competing included SWD, Border, Free State and Western Cape. Mark Derry said a prayer for the opening of the ceremony. Then it was the turn of Chris Jansen who spoke about the Springbok win at rugby and opened the Biathlon.
Ally competes in the U11 group and did very well in her 800m run with a 3min 16 secs. John Kotze was also there and his son Greg managed under 3 minutes. Also competing were friends of Ally: Lara Odendaal, Meghan Derry and Amber Zeelie.
I was with the Old Ballies and managed to sneak under 4 minutes for 1000m. Fortunately I had an ally in the officials in Debby Derry who made sure that my time was recorded as 3.59! I had been chasing Chris. It is good for me to chase as it tends to improve my times. Marcus Burri also takes part in Biathlon together with his two boys, MC and Emilio. Marcus ran a 3.40 100m.
After the run we all moved over to the Newton Park Swim pool where Ally swam a very credible 38secs and Greg 37secs for their 50m swim. The senior vets (this is a polite way of saying the U60’s) swam 100m. The first length is not the problem but once we are into the second length it is all I can do to stay afloat. Marcus Burri swims in the same heat as us and he did 65secs while I was almost double that time in 1min & 52secs. After a day in the sun we were all pretty tired and home seemed like a good place to be.
The next morning (Sunday we had to be at Happy Valley at 07.30 for the Biathlo. This is a run, swim, run along the pathway, beach and a sea swim. The tide was exceptionally low and we could almost walk out to the buoy. In her event Ally came fourth in a strong field of competitors and I managed a third place. Unfortunately this was also last in a field of three. Davera and Michael were there with their niece and I agreed to forward her the Biathlon Program.
Biathlon is good not only for my athletic side of life but it also improves my Afrikaans. Die mees van die administrasie is in Afrikaans en n’ groot gedeelte van die deelneemers is Afrikaans spreekend. Ek moet in Afrikaans hardloop, swem en praat. Die volgende Biathlon vang plaas op die 19 Januarie 2008 op Gelvandale Stadium. Dit sal die proef (trials) wees vir die Interprovincial Byeenkoms in Oudtshoorn op die 2de Februarie 2008.
Saturday 27th October. Ally & I had managed to be part of the EP Biathlon team at the Westbourne Oval and the Newton Park swimming pool. The Biathlon started with a March Past. The teams competing included SWD, Border, Free State and Western Cape. Mark Derry said a prayer for the opening of the ceremony. Then it was the turn of Chris Jansen who spoke about the Springbok win at rugby and opened the Biathlon.
Ally competes in the U11 group and did very well in her 800m run with a 3min 16 secs. John Kotze was also there and his son Greg managed under 3 minutes. Also competing were friends of Ally: Lara Odendaal, Meghan Derry and Amber Zeelie.
I was with the Old Ballies and managed to sneak under 4 minutes for 1000m. Fortunately I had an ally in the officials in Debby Derry who made sure that my time was recorded as 3.59! I had been chasing Chris. It is good for me to chase as it tends to improve my times. Marcus Burri also takes part in Biathlon together with his two boys, MC and Emilio. Marcus ran a 3.40 100m.
After the run we all moved over to the Newton Park Swim pool where Ally swam a very credible 38secs and Greg 37secs for their 50m swim. The senior vets (this is a polite way of saying the U60’s) swam 100m. The first length is not the problem but once we are into the second length it is all I can do to stay afloat. Marcus Burri swims in the same heat as us and he did 65secs while I was almost double that time in 1min & 52secs. After a day in the sun we were all pretty tired and home seemed like a good place to be.
The next morning (Sunday we had to be at Happy Valley at 07.30 for the Biathlo. This is a run, swim, run along the pathway, beach and a sea swim. The tide was exceptionally low and we could almost walk out to the buoy. In her event Ally came fourth in a strong field of competitors and I managed a third place. Unfortunately this was also last in a field of three. Davera and Michael were there with their niece and I agreed to forward her the Biathlon Program.
Biathlon is good not only for my athletic side of life but it also improves my Afrikaans. Die mees van die administrasie is in Afrikaans en n’ groot gedeelte van die deelneemers is Afrikaans spreekend. Ek moet in Afrikaans hardloop, swem en praat. Die volgende Biathlon vang plaas op die 19 Januarie 2008 op Gelvandale Stadium. Dit sal die proef (trials) wees vir die Interprovincial Byeenkoms in Oudtshoorn op die 2de Februarie 2008.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
GIDDY FAMILY JANUARY 2007 BIATHLON, EMILY DEDICATION, NIPPERS CARNIVALJANUARY 2007
JANUARY 2007
New Year’s Day, January first 2007. We had had a quiet evening at home with Pat & Gerald and Jacqui, Nicci & Stefan & Mike’s family. This morning I woke up feeling miserable with a cold. Over the next few days this developed into a nasty chest cold, coughing and took the first two days of the week off work to try to recover. Michael went back to Knysna where he was working. Jacqui had her baby, Emily’s Dedication. It was done by Jonathan. His wife was there as well as Jacqui’s friends: Debbie, and another friend, Michelle & Werner, Michael De Koning, Charles & Ingrid, Ron and our family. ON Sunday we visited Charles & Ingrid at their holiday shack in Kabeljous in Jeffries bay. I was still feeling pretty low and the weather was not perfect so we ended up playing Bridge until late in the afternoon. Charles suggested that we come again during the week and we accepted. On Monday after work, Barbara & I drove through to Kabeljous again and we ended up playing bridge until 10.00pm, getting home at 11.00pm. Which is very late for us.
The following Wednesday we drove through to Cape Town. We left at about 03.30am, picked up Jessica in Knysna and took the route through Swellendam, where we stopped for breakfast. It was an interesting little stop on a farmyard with goats, an ostrich, pigs, ducks and some fancy looking bird life. There are also two huge pythons in a glassed off little room. We turned right on the West side of Swellendam to Ashton. The road takes you through a pass where we stopped at Spanspek Plek and bought a few spanspek and a bottle of Lemonade Concentrate. In retrospect we should also have bought some meilies and a few more spanspek. The road turns right again at a T-Junction near to Ashton and then through to Robertson and on to Worster. This is the Robertson Wine Route and time should be taken to visit at least one Wine Farm. We will try to visit Nuy the next time we take this route. Drive all the way through Worster, Turning Right again just as the town ends and then back on to the N1, through the Huguenot Tunnel at Du Toit's Kloof. The Toll is R18.00. The Tunnel is just short of 4kays long and takes three minutes to drive through it. Once through the Tunnel you pass Paarl and are soon at the Exit number 28 where we turn off to Durban road and then up Old Oak Road to Sterrenberg. For us this route is about 20kays shorter and cuts out the stretch between Swellendam and Somerset west which we find quite tiresome.
While we were in CT we really did no activity. I did a great deal of sleeping and was able to recover from the cold that I had picked up at the beginning of the year. We spent time with Nicci and Jacqui. Cathy came to visit; she brought Fudge who was very unhappy in her flat. She also came all the way through the one evening to take Ally and Jessica out to movies. We played bridge two evenings.
On Saturday morning Nicci had Zara’s birthday party. It was two weeks early as she is born on 30th of Jan 2006. She had some of her school friends there: Christina, Lisa Fizmer, Jo-Ann (Josie). Sue Maxton came through. Christina brought a friend, Danielle who she is busy Studying OT with at Stellenbosch University. Other family: Maria & Willie’s two daughters plus children came as well as a friend Michael from London were there. Nicci baked a butterfly cake and had a whole lot of goodies for the children.
After the party we had to say our goodbyes. We would not be seeing Jacqui for some time as she would return to London on Monday. We had grown used to having her and Emily with us and it was a sad parting for us. We took the road through the pass again, Wooster, Robertson, Ashton and Swellendam. We stopped off at Heidelberg for something to eat and drink and then off to Knysna where we dropped Jessica. I had a short nap and was soon ready for the last 250kays of the trip. We got home just after 10.00pm to find that we had a terrible smell in the kitchen. Eventually we found a dead rat under the fridge and had to clean this up. That done we had a good night sleep.
I had battled to get over a cold but was now ready to start training again. I went out on Monday morning and took my backpack that I had bought for the Wild Coast run. It did not work as I could not seem to suck any water out. It was only the following weekend that I discovered that I had the bladder upside down. That afternoon I discovered that the Wild Coast event had been cancelled due to lack of entries. I continued to run the whole week albeit very slowly and taking short cuts.
This week on Thursday we would normally have our Cell Group Meeting. However due to a number of reasons we had decided to Disband the group so we invited Ingrid and Charles over for supper on Friday evening and played a few hands of Bridge. The Brinks will be joining up with Kobus Gerber’s group. Elize will hold off for a while. Charles and ourselves will continue to meet as friends and for prayer. We seem to be meeting in any event for meals and bridge.
Saturday morning I ran the Big Tree. Gerald & I had planned to cut short so we turned at the Thesecombe road. We probably did about 24kays. This being my first week of running this year I had run about 55 to 60kays. On Saturday morning we had a Biathlon. This was the trials for Oudtshoorn in the first week of February. Ally & I made the EP Team. Ally has fierce competition as she has to compete in a higher age group. The age categorisation starts on 1 September and she is born in August. Lara and Meghan were there as well. That afternoon we went to Summerstrand to help set up for the carnival the next morning.
On Sunday morning we were there early to set up the tent and the Arena’s. The wind was blowing a strong Easterly and there were Blue Bottles all over. After attempting to do a Malibu event and a number of Nippers coming out Stung, it was decided to cancel all water events for the day.
The U10’s started off with Sprints. It is a 50 Meter sprint and as the tide was low the sand was fairly firm and the Nippers recorded good times. We then moved over to the Flags events and it became clear that some of the other U10 teams had been practicing this discipline. Sardinia bay, Seagulls and East London all did well.
We then moved over to the Sprint arena again where we held the sprint relays. Summerstrand were able to hold their own but again it was clear that there was strong opposition from our close rivals; Plett, Sardinia Bay, Seagulls and East London. The Bluewater Bay U10 team consisted of one boy.
It was a hot and sticky day. We had been in the wind and sun for a good number of hours without the respite of being able to swim. A number of the nippers did venture into the sea and were stung and needed treatment. The support and encouragement from Parents and friends was good to see.
After the Relays we had a long break before it was the time for U10’s to compete in Semi-Finals and Finals for the Sprints and the Finals of the Relays. Again Summerstrand did well with excellent participation and a great spirit.
The last event was the Long Run. Almost all the U10 Nippers took part despite a lot of Moaning and complaining from some of the reluctant participants. This took us to close to 14.00 and I think that it was with great relief that parents were able to pack up and leave.
It seems that Sardinia Bay had won the overall First Place for the Carnival. However in the U10 section; your team won by 12 points over a strong Sardinia Bay team. While some of you did particularly well I want to commend each one of you for the spirit in which you took part. Nippers is a Team Sport. While individuals win events, it is the participation of a whole team such as yours, that wins the day.
Somehow we will have to generate enough enthusiasm to get parents and Nippers to stay on for a few minutes after the final event has been run. We would like to say a few words of encouragement and provide some indication of results. Perhaps we should have a short break just before the final event. This would allow us to talk about the day and leave just enough time for a team photograph.
New Year’s Day, January first 2007. We had had a quiet evening at home with Pat & Gerald and Jacqui, Nicci & Stefan & Mike’s family. This morning I woke up feeling miserable with a cold. Over the next few days this developed into a nasty chest cold, coughing and took the first two days of the week off work to try to recover. Michael went back to Knysna where he was working. Jacqui had her baby, Emily’s Dedication. It was done by Jonathan. His wife was there as well as Jacqui’s friends: Debbie, and another friend, Michelle & Werner, Michael De Koning, Charles & Ingrid, Ron and our family. ON Sunday we visited Charles & Ingrid at their holiday shack in Kabeljous in Jeffries bay. I was still feeling pretty low and the weather was not perfect so we ended up playing Bridge until late in the afternoon. Charles suggested that we come again during the week and we accepted. On Monday after work, Barbara & I drove through to Kabeljous again and we ended up playing bridge until 10.00pm, getting home at 11.00pm. Which is very late for us.
The following Wednesday we drove through to Cape Town. We left at about 03.30am, picked up Jessica in Knysna and took the route through Swellendam, where we stopped for breakfast. It was an interesting little stop on a farmyard with goats, an ostrich, pigs, ducks and some fancy looking bird life. There are also two huge pythons in a glassed off little room. We turned right on the West side of Swellendam to Ashton. The road takes you through a pass where we stopped at Spanspek Plek and bought a few spanspek and a bottle of Lemonade Concentrate. In retrospect we should also have bought some meilies and a few more spanspek. The road turns right again at a T-Junction near to Ashton and then through to Robertson and on to Worster. This is the Robertson Wine Route and time should be taken to visit at least one Wine Farm. We will try to visit Nuy the next time we take this route. Drive all the way through Worster, Turning Right again just as the town ends and then back on to the N1, through the Huguenot Tunnel at Du Toit's Kloof. The Toll is R18.00. The Tunnel is just short of 4kays long and takes three minutes to drive through it. Once through the Tunnel you pass Paarl and are soon at the Exit number 28 where we turn off to Durban road and then up Old Oak Road to Sterrenberg. For us this route is about 20kays shorter and cuts out the stretch between Swellendam and Somerset west which we find quite tiresome.
While we were in CT we really did no activity. I did a great deal of sleeping and was able to recover from the cold that I had picked up at the beginning of the year. We spent time with Nicci and Jacqui. Cathy came to visit; she brought Fudge who was very unhappy in her flat. She also came all the way through the one evening to take Ally and Jessica out to movies. We played bridge two evenings.
On Saturday morning Nicci had Zara’s birthday party. It was two weeks early as she is born on 30th of Jan 2006. She had some of her school friends there: Christina, Lisa Fizmer, Jo-Ann (Josie). Sue Maxton came through. Christina brought a friend, Danielle who she is busy Studying OT with at Stellenbosch University. Other family: Maria & Willie’s two daughters plus children came as well as a friend Michael from London were there. Nicci baked a butterfly cake and had a whole lot of goodies for the children.
After the party we had to say our goodbyes. We would not be seeing Jacqui for some time as she would return to London on Monday. We had grown used to having her and Emily with us and it was a sad parting for us. We took the road through the pass again, Wooster, Robertson, Ashton and Swellendam. We stopped off at Heidelberg for something to eat and drink and then off to Knysna where we dropped Jessica. I had a short nap and was soon ready for the last 250kays of the trip. We got home just after 10.00pm to find that we had a terrible smell in the kitchen. Eventually we found a dead rat under the fridge and had to clean this up. That done we had a good night sleep.
I had battled to get over a cold but was now ready to start training again. I went out on Monday morning and took my backpack that I had bought for the Wild Coast run. It did not work as I could not seem to suck any water out. It was only the following weekend that I discovered that I had the bladder upside down. That afternoon I discovered that the Wild Coast event had been cancelled due to lack of entries. I continued to run the whole week albeit very slowly and taking short cuts.
This week on Thursday we would normally have our Cell Group Meeting. However due to a number of reasons we had decided to Disband the group so we invited Ingrid and Charles over for supper on Friday evening and played a few hands of Bridge. The Brinks will be joining up with Kobus Gerber’s group. Elize will hold off for a while. Charles and ourselves will continue to meet as friends and for prayer. We seem to be meeting in any event for meals and bridge.
Saturday morning I ran the Big Tree. Gerald & I had planned to cut short so we turned at the Thesecombe road. We probably did about 24kays. This being my first week of running this year I had run about 55 to 60kays. On Saturday morning we had a Biathlon. This was the trials for Oudtshoorn in the first week of February. Ally & I made the EP Team. Ally has fierce competition as she has to compete in a higher age group. The age categorisation starts on 1 September and she is born in August. Lara and Meghan were there as well. That afternoon we went to Summerstrand to help set up for the carnival the next morning.
On Sunday morning we were there early to set up the tent and the Arena’s. The wind was blowing a strong Easterly and there were Blue Bottles all over. After attempting to do a Malibu event and a number of Nippers coming out Stung, it was decided to cancel all water events for the day.
The U10’s started off with Sprints. It is a 50 Meter sprint and as the tide was low the sand was fairly firm and the Nippers recorded good times. We then moved over to the Flags events and it became clear that some of the other U10 teams had been practicing this discipline. Sardinia bay, Seagulls and East London all did well.
We then moved over to the Sprint arena again where we held the sprint relays. Summerstrand were able to hold their own but again it was clear that there was strong opposition from our close rivals; Plett, Sardinia Bay, Seagulls and East London. The Bluewater Bay U10 team consisted of one boy.
It was a hot and sticky day. We had been in the wind and sun for a good number of hours without the respite of being able to swim. A number of the nippers did venture into the sea and were stung and needed treatment. The support and encouragement from Parents and friends was good to see.
After the Relays we had a long break before it was the time for U10’s to compete in Semi-Finals and Finals for the Sprints and the Finals of the Relays. Again Summerstrand did well with excellent participation and a great spirit.
The last event was the Long Run. Almost all the U10 Nippers took part despite a lot of Moaning and complaining from some of the reluctant participants. This took us to close to 14.00 and I think that it was with great relief that parents were able to pack up and leave.
It seems that Sardinia Bay had won the overall First Place for the Carnival. However in the U10 section; your team won by 12 points over a strong Sardinia Bay team. While some of you did particularly well I want to commend each one of you for the spirit in which you took part. Nippers is a Team Sport. While individuals win events, it is the participation of a whole team such as yours, that wins the day.
Somehow we will have to generate enough enthusiasm to get parents and Nippers to stay on for a few minutes after the final event has been run. We would like to say a few words of encouragement and provide some indication of results. Perhaps we should have a short break just before the final event. This would allow us to talk about the day and leave just enough time for a team photograph.
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