April 2019. Peter Giddy guided tours -- Hiking; Addo Elephant Park; Kragga Kamma and Daniel Cheetah; Tsitsikamma and Garden Roure.

Peter Giddy Guided Tours of Addo Elephant Park and others.

April 2019

+ 27 (0) 82 55 03 714    Whatsup

peter.giddy@gmail.com

• Addo Elephant Park
• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• City and Cultural Tours
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway in the Forest; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Walking with Elephants; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve transfers. 
• Volkswagen Factory visits.  
• Golfing Tours where everything is supplied. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

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

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

Cycling on Sunday 31st March seems to have put my knee out.  So I now have a Swollen Knee and am battling to walk.  Monday and Tuesday all day at home. Admin and other stuff.

Thursday 4th.   Swim with Andrea in the Newton Park Pool.  My first attempt at exercise since Sundays cycle.  We start at 6.30 and swim for an hour. Andrea is training for the Durban 1/2 Ironman and has a schedule of training that she is trying to keep to.

 

Sadly Lindsay Pillay died last month  ...... He was a member of Achilles .... Here he is pictured as part of the Annual Relay team that we put together with Graham Nel; Geoff Roberts and myself.
Thursday 4th.  Hakan and his Swedish Friends arrive.... Per and Minna; Petter and Bjorn.  They will be staying with us for the next week over Ironman.

Addo  with Denise from Netherlands; Patricia and her two sons; Nicholas and Franco from Argentina.  The father is doing Ironman on his sixth and last continent.  With us... Julian and Florence who currently live in Reunion ... They are French and travel extensively.

 

Beatrix.... Stayed over for a night last September when Hakan was here.  She was at Addo and recognised me. Beatrix is also here for Ironman.
Friday... I have a group for Addo... We have a wonderful day and they simply love it.

Saturday morning.  I finally make up my mind and decide to give the Corp Triathlon a go. My Knee seems to be holding up after last weeks MTB event where I came back in agony.  I load everything up and drive to the beach... I have to careful that I have taken absolutely everything and miss nothing that I could need .... But end up traveling light with just the absolute necessary stuff.

 CTC ..... Last time was 2017 as Barbara and I were in Spain in 2018.  I love this event.  Such a wonderful vibe.  Amazing support.  A real community event.

Sunrise at Hobie Beach.  The Canon signals the start of the Pro Men and then the Pro Ladies... And after a while the amateurs go off 10 every 10 seconds -- Self Seeding.
Sunday 7th April 2019.  Ironman Day!  Clear Skies with a light easterly which makes the sea choppy and the swim is cut to just 1.6k
I spend the morning watching the swim and then the start of the bike event.

Michel from Germany.. Studying Mechanical Engineering; is my guest today.

Zebras make for such amazing photography.
Monday 8th. Run four times around Grey...  First lap on my own. Met Philip whose wife is in Hospital.  Then around and met Chris and Lindi.  Turned to run with them.  Then met Kate.  Turned to run with her.  Then continued on and met Adrienne; Mitch and Gaye.  Turned around to run with them and ended up with 8kay run.
Pick up Michel from Island Vibe. Addo Safari.  A good day.

 Addo Elephant Park at Jacks Picnic Site.  With ; Minna; Per; Petter; Hakan and Bjorn -- Ironmen.

 Kragga Kamma where we find this magnificent Cheetah

 Coffee Break in Kragga Kamma... They make a delicious Cappucino

 Giraffe are one of the most spectacular animals  to see

Bontebok in Kragga Kamma.
Tuesday 9th.  Start the day with an 8km run with Mike; Chris and Adrienne.
Addo Safari and then Kragga Kamma with Hakan; Per; Minna; Petter and Bjorn who are staying with us for the Ironman period.  They all had a successful day on Sunday completing their challenges.
Wednesday 10th.  Hakan and Bjorn join me for our morning run.  Hakan stays with the faster group while Bjorn joins Chris and myself for a short 6km once around the park.

 The Queen Victoria in Port Elizabeth for the day.

In Addo at Jacks for lunch with Anne; Martin; Polin and Steve;  Henry and Stephanie.  They used to run a Take Away fish and chips shop and are now retired.
The Queen Victoria is in PE and I am fortunate to have a private tour with Polin and her family who live in Bristol in the UK but were visiting family in Hong Kong and then took the ship back to Southhampton.

Ayanda and Petter in Red Location

 Lungi does the intricate painting.

Everyone bought something from Ayanda.   Minna; Per; Lungi; Hakan; Ayanda and Petter.
Thursday 11th.   I start the day with Hakan for a morning run.  We run through Target Kloof to 10th Ave.  About 9km.  Unfortunately, Bjorn is not feeling well after a nasty incident yesterday at Sardinia Bay where he got into trouble in the sea and ended up on some rocks.
This morning I take the group for a short Township Tour of Red Location; New Brighton; Zwide and Kwa Dwesi where we stop at Ayanda's Pottery and CD's & Sam's Spaza Shop.  Petter in particular is interested in her artwork as he has, in the past two years, also being doing Pottery work.

Elmarie; Per; Bjorn and Minna.

 Chris is at work on the Braai while Hakan and Barbara share thoughts.

 Chris is a real Braai Master and makes the fire just right for grilling.

 A Perfect Fire.

 Sitting in conversation with a great group of people who soon become friends. Bjorn; Barbara; Chris; Hakan; Elmarie; Ron and Lyn; Petter; Minna and Per. Charlotte was in there somewhere.

Per; Minna; Chris; Elmarie; Barbara and Lyn say goodbye to the evening.
This is the group's last day in South Africa after their Ironman so we invite a few friends for an early Braai.

Grassroof for a 20kay cycle with Andrea.

Cathy is in Cape Town with Blake ... They visit the aquarium.

Jacqui is on the beaches of Israel.

 Barbara has an extension built onto her bird cage.

 Youart is in Wilderness training for the Outeniqua 21k in a month.

Per; Hakan; Minna and Petter say goodbye on their way home to Sweden.
Friday 12th.   I drop the group off at the Airport.  They leave for Sweden.
Meet Andrea at Grassroof for an hour of cycling which is part of her training schedule for the Durban IM.
I meet Sarah to discuss the Garden Route tour and then meet Stuart to talk about his plans for getting back on the road... Running and cycling. And maybe CTC 2020?

Looking a little blue in the face before the St Albans 10k race with Andrea.

 A big crowd gather for this event.  It is a fast and reasonably flat out and back route. You have to work all the time to maintain a pace.

Andrew will be running his 10th Two Oceans this year.  He ran an amazing 42.40 today
Saturday morning.  Andrea fetches me and we register for the St Albans 10kay.  Andrea wants to run an extra 3km but although we left at 5.30am for a 6.30am start; we still do not have enough time for the additional distance before the start of the race.  We run together for the first 6km and then Andrea is feeling strong so she surges ahead.  I am not going to try to keep up to her pace as I want to "Save my legs"for the 21k in Cape Town next week.
There is a Saturday Market at St Albans Church and after the run I wander around a bit; tempted to buy some nice stuff to eat.  But I resist and spend a few minutes talking to fellow Achilleans and other people.  It has been perfect conditions -- nice and cool with a threatening drizzle.  However as 8am comes so does the heat.  And the day turns out to be a really still, hot day.
Andrea ran a fast second half after staying with me for the first half to achieve 53.34
Last year I ran 55.45 for two points and this year  55.53 for just one point

Grey plays Paul Roos and loses miserably

Saturday evening Braai after Rugby

After a shower I walk across to Grey where Josh is on the bench for the U15d and E teams playing Paul Roos.  They are, unfortunately. completely outclassed and Paul Roos run away with the game.  Lene and Daniel are supporting him.
Sunday 14th April.... I meet Michael and his family at Addo Main camp and we have a wonderful day in Addo with great sightings.

William and Pauline demonstrate the strength of the Termite Hill at Algoa Lookout.

A herd of Elephants at Peasland

A day in Addo Elephant park with Diedrick; William; Geertrui; Pauline and Michael.

Monday 15th
A day tour of the Garden Route with Gershon and Yair turns out to be quite spectacular.

Tuesday 16th.. .A morning run with Antoinette who is new to the group; Chris; Michael; Adrienne and Stephanie.   Steff and I are winding down for Two Oceans 21k at the end of the week,

To get to Inzolo -- take the N2 from PE to Grahamstown (Makana) and pass the last turn into Amakhala __ Woodbury Lodge.  A further 1km up the hill turn left to Sidbury and Eagles Crag.  From here it is about 6km to the entrance to Inzolo. (Meaning Silence).

 I arrive in Grahamstown.

 Take the first left onto Somerset Road -- Past Rhodes and past St Andrews college to the R350.  Just outside of town is a Tar Road to a Military base.  Take this road and look for the Red Buildings.  This is the Aerodrome.

 This is the sign of the Aerodrome.

When I arrive at the Aerodrome I see this administration building.  Walk through to see if I can establish any information about the incoming flight.  The building is deserted except for a lonely garden maintenance man who accepts some of my left over sandwiches.

 The private plane arrives from Cape Town with my 6 guests -- Paul; Catherine; Gavin and <<<< and Olivia and Claudia ... Paul is a farmer and fruit exporter to the UK from where they come.  Gavin and his wife are from Australia.  They chartered this private plane to bring them here.

 A small amount of luggage for just three nights.

I take the group to Inzolo for their safari holiday.
Tuesday 16th.  I have a simple pick up at the Grahamstown (Makana) Aerodrome and take to Inzolo.  I have never been to either place so it is interesting for me to discover new things.  And meeting new people is the best of all.
Wednesday 17th.   Run 4km with Chris. My last outing before Oceans 21k on Saturday.
My car is in for service for the day.   I attend a PPECB Meeting and give feedback to Head Office Dole.  I also complete some University Moderation tasks.

Braai at Nicky with Cathy and friends... Piet and Anne Louise.

 First time with Cathy in Three Years.

 Deep Conversations all the way around.

A full moon this evening.
Thursday 18th.  Barbara and I drive to Cape Town.   We leave around 6.30 and arrive in CT at about 4pm.  The traffic was hectic and going through Somerset West takes for ever.  We met will Claire at Veritas in Newlands.
Then to Nicky where Cathy and Blake have been staying for the past week.  Nicky and Werner have friends -- Piet and Marie Louise over for drinks.  And Werner cooks us a delicious Braai of Mushrooms and Chicken.

Good Friday 19th.  Cathy leaves early for a Table Mountain excursion.  She is first in line for the Cable Car.  Werner sets up a Badminton Court with a net and 4 rackets we attempt to play.  Two Oceans Marathon.  The 56k is being diverted to Ou Kaapse Weg for the 6th time.  2000 to 2003 we ran the alternate route due to closure of Chapmans Peak.  Then 2015, I was by then running the 21k.  This diversion was due to fires.  And now this year, there have been protest actions in Hout Bay and so the route is again being diverted to Ou Kaapse Weg.  The alternate route means a bit more climbing than Chapmans Peak and the downhill from Silvermine is steep and could lead to injury.  Then the 56k marathoners have to contend with a 3km hill called Southern cross Drive which we will have run up earlier in the morning. I think that Constantia Neck climb is tougher than Southern Cross.

Saturday.  Nicky and I run the 21k in about 2.30.  We run the first 10 together and then become split up at the start of Southern Cross Drive but still finish within minutes of each other.
The rest of the day is spent relaxing and recovering.  Nicky and I have loads to eat and sleep exceptionally well on Saturday night.

Quad Bikes in Wilderness where Nicky and her family did Segway last month.

 Action pic with Cathy; Blake with the Guide and Barbara in front.

 Rocking and Rolling on quads

 Barbara is zooming up front.

 Blake says --- Look Mom. No hands.

 Cathy is hot on his heals and instructs Blake to hold tight.

 Fun in the forest at Wilderness.

 A good looking biker.

 Hell's Angel in the making.

Cathy is loving it.

Easter Sunday;;  Cathy and Blake drive back to PE with Barbara and myself.  We leave at 8am and have a total of 10 hours traveling to PE.  This includes 5 stops. One stop is for the Quad Bike Adventure in Wilderness.  This turns out to be a real success.  We do the 4km loop which is not a mere dirt road.  The trail that we do is full of twists and turns on soft sand.  It had rained for most of the drive home and so the sand was wet on the surface. Barbara got stuck a couple of times and Cathy almost turned over on the one occasion.  Blake rode with one of the guides.  We arrive home at 6pm.  Just before dark.  We are all in bed by 7pm.

 Daniell Cheetah Project with Oksana and Rowland.  Our guide is ....

 Oksana and the Cheetah.

Rowland really enjoyed the experience of being up close to the Cheetah.

It seems that there are now 10 Giraffe in Kragga Kamma.  We were really fortunate to be able to see them close to the car.
Easter Monday,  Family day.   I meet Chris and Lindi at 5am. They run a fast 4kay and then I continue twice around Grey for a 10 000 step 7km run.

I have a Tour with Oksana and Roland from Zurich Germany.  She works for Lufthansa and he is in the storage business.    We first of all look for a Cobra Car in a car dealership in William Moffet and then a brief Township tour before visiting Daniell Cheetah run by Richard Daniell who is on the property.  He breeds and exchanges Cheetah.  We drive back to PE and after a coffee we do a tour of Kragga Kamma which also turns out to be quite successful with most of the animals up close.  It was  just the Rhino which we saw from a distance.

 Roland and Oksana -- On holiday from Germany.  Car enthusiasts (Cobra made in PE at Hi Tech Automotive) The Owner, Jimmy Price, has a real winner in his replica Sports Cars.  500 people are employed and only the highest standards of manufacture are acceptable for the international markets they serve.

Newton Park swimming pool.  Tiles being stripped and replaced. This is supposed to be ready by end May 2019.  But there is still a huge amount of work to be done including a 2 week drying period before water can be added to the pool.  Swimming was stopped on 6th April.  And the water took a long while to empty.  Then the stripping began and as they worked they found more and more places where the tiles were coming loose and, to do a thorough job, they needed to replace now while they had an empty pool.
The rain continues to fall on Tuesday morning so I skip the run this morning. Catch up on some Admin. After a short Township Tour; I drop Oksana and Roland at the Airport.
Wednesday..... 9km run basically on my own.  Meet Adrienne and Gaye at the end of the run.  We were so lucky to pick a gap in the rain.  As soon as I got home it started to rain again. This morning I have a couple of Admin Chores including the Bank; Supa Quick for two new tyres and a look at the Newton Park swim pool which is being renovated.  The Tiles had started to fall off so the pool was emptied and 150 sq meters of tiling replaced.

Wednesday afternoon.  Kim; Johan and I meet for a cycle through the PE Golf Club.  I again hurt my knee.

Barbara; Lene; Daniel; Blake and Cathy working on the Jigsaw (Wasgij)

 In Addo we find an injured young Zebra.  He has clearly been clawed. His mother was also limping.

 Irene (Works at the University) and Christian (Nurse) from Germany.

Sabrina; Theresa and Irene travelling together.   And Malcolm and Annette from UK.
Thursday 25th.  I have a planned Addo Tour for two with Christian and Irene from Kudu Ridge.  And receive a last minute request from Leigh for three from the Formula One Hotel.  As I get to pick up the three, I meet Malcolm who also wants to join us so I end up with 7 guests. Tough tour as we are really fortunate to see Elephants in Harveys Loop and those are the only Elephants that we see today.

Cathy is staying with us for a 2 week holiday and we have a Braai to introduce her to some of our friends. Here is Peter'; Graham and Bobby sitting with her.  Bobby has an interest in Aukland as his brother lives there.

Bobby; Chris who is, as always, our Braai Master.  Lene is not holding his leg as it appears here.  And Barbara is not asleep.

Adrienne has just resigned from her job a the Collegiate School Shop where she has been working for many years.  She has now applied to be a "Carer" in the UK.  Elmarie is a faithful at these Braai's of ours.  Always willing, bringing additional meat and a salad.

Cathy stands around the fire with the men; Bobby; Chris and Peter.

The following morning I take Cathy and Blake with Barbara driving and Daniel to Addo.  We are fortunate to see some Elephants as after the recent rains they have been a bit elusive.  Here there is a bit of a stand off between the Buffalo crossing the road and the Elephants walking past us.  The two tolerate each other.

Daniel and Blake who loved the first hour or so, asking all kinds of questions and happy to spot animals.
This week is my first after Two Oceans 21k.  And having driven back on Sunday, Monday I run and then have a full day tour. Tuesday at home and Wednesday I start the day with a 9k run and end with a two loop cycle around the Golf Course.  That was a mistake.  By Thursday I have an Addo Tour and on Friday my knee is swollen and painful. That night we invite some friends over for a Braai to celebrate Cathy being home for a short visit.
Friday night: I cannot sleep due to the pain and on Saturday Barbara has to drive. I am ice-ing the knee and taking anti inflammatory pills.

So on Sunday 28th I am able to do an Addo Tour with Jorgen and his wife Lisa from Norway, who are staying in St Francis and drive through this morning.  I also pick up Simon.  Although I am uncomfortable I am not suffering like I was a few days earlier. I am able to hobble around with a stick. Unfortunately I leave my phone at home so have no pics to show for the day.

Tuesday 30th I receive a late call to take Gert and Susan Van Wyk from Alberton for an Addo Safari.  We have a reasonably successful day.  The best part is being able to be really close to some of these Giants of Africa.  What I love about this particular pic is the contrasting Blue of the sky; Brown of the mud covered Elephant and the green background.
This morning we say goodbye to Cathy and Blake who board a flight for CT and will leave for NZ at the end of the week.
This evening Peter Joseph; Frank, Alan and I share some of our thoughts at the month end meeting.
My left knee continues to give me trouble as I am struggling to walk, especially as I get out the car.  I am Icing; Resting and taking anti inflammatory pills and hopefully it will soon begin to heal.

Blake receives an award for Rock Climbing

 Kim is on the bike at the Baywest event.  She is in Pink at the back.

Jacqui takes Tom; Jessica; Emily and Anabelle to the movies... Dumbo. Apparently a better finish to the movie than the original.

Two Oceans Marathon April 2019 with Peter Giddy Guided Tours

Saturday 20th April 2019
Two Oceans Marathon --- 21kay and 56 kay events.

Barbara and I drive to Cape Town from Port Elizabeth on the Thursday.
We stay with Nicky and Werner with Christian; Aaron; Zara and Mia in their house in Durbell.  Also there is Cathy and Blake from Aukland; New Zealand and Ally who is studying in Stellenbosch. ..

In the lounge on Friday night with Ally; Christian and Barbara

Werner makes the most amazing Prawn Stir Fry
Friday evening Werner makes us a wonderful Prawn Stir Fry and we are in bed early.  We hear the rain pouring down but there is nothing we can do about that so I am asleep early.

In the bus going to the start.  We are all a little nervous.  I meet and chat to Chris from Durban doing his first 56k

 In the start chutes.  Thousands and Thousands of competitors lining up.

Nicky and I have black bags to try and keep us dry.
Saturday morning.  Nicky and I leave her home at 3.30am.  We drive to Tygervalley where we park and take the bus from there to the start.  The plan is to catch the bus back after the run.

The bus drops us at the University and we walk to the start.  It is only after the run do we realise that we have no cooking clue where the bus dropped us.  It is a substantial walk to the start.  We are early and it does not worry us. There are thousands of people at the start and long lines for the toilets. We stand in line... more just in case we should need it.
Then we move into the F section.  This is the last section of the 21k line up.  Ahead of us are many thousands of runners.  I think that there are something like 15000 entrants for the 21k.

Nicky and I see the AB and C group leave at 5.50;  Then the D at 6.00.  Then the E at 6.10 before we finally leave at 6.20am.  But the crowds are unbearable.  We really cannot move through them.  Both sides of the roads are being used but we still feel a sense of being blocked down due to the huge number of runners.
The first 3km takes us to the top of the first hill and we have been playing dodgems all the way.  It takes us 25 minutes for 3km.  Down the Ladies Mile freeway it opens up a bit but at 7km we leave the freeway and the bottleneck begins again.  Then comes the switchback and the crowds block our way again.  We started the morning "holding Hands"by means of a black bag.  This works okay for a while until we discard it and then at 9km we see the family who have been there for a couple of hours waiting for us.

 Cathy set up the Gas Braai and makes some Pancakes with Coffee for the willing spectators.

Yummy looking pancakes.

 Going up Southern Cross drive with the band behind us.

I find Stefany on the road with just a kay to go.  She is so strong despite worries of a bad back.
Cathy made pancakes and coffee.  And they give us a fine welcome as we pass by.  Immediately after we leave them there is the 9km watering table and this is where Nicky and I get separated.  I wait for her but when I dont see her passing by I wonder if she is ahead.... So I press on and up Southern Cross drive as hard as I can.
At the top of Southern Cross I wait again but no Nicky so again I now think that I had better really try to catch up with her.  It had happened a couple of years ago that Nicky passed me at the 13km mark and I had to run hard to catch her. But today I cannot find her.... So I continue, running past others and greeting people as I do so.  When we are at 3km to go and up the hill, the road narrows so that only about 4 or five runners can run abreast.
I decide to use the right hand lane and pass people asking them to move to the left if they are walking or running slowly.  Most people oblige, I just receive a negative from one particular lady ... But I understand that she has run 19km and Grumpy is acceptable. Around this time I see two names that I would later encounter -- Kriek and Beulah.  As usual I greet / congratulate them and politely pass by on the right hand side.  They, like others who see what I am trying to do, follow me on the right as I carve a bit of a gap for us to run in.
With about a Km to go I see Stefany from the MPRG.  She was really worried about her back and so would be taking it easy today.  However here she was looking as strong and happy as every.  She finished strongly and very pleased to have completed her first Oceans 21k.

Finally we arrive at the University and onto the fields where we run the final few hundred meters.  Once in I begin to look for Nicky.  I am pretty exhausted and my legs are sore.  The weather has been fantastic.  A little rain to start the morning and then off an on a bit of misty rain.  Now, standing on the field, I am a little chilly and not sure if I should go to find the Tog Bag where we have some dry clothing. Or if I should wait a little longer to see if Nicky is there.

 Nicky and I finish within minutes of each other.

We find Cindy; Joanne and David looking for the bus.
I see Nicky; we take some Selfies and then get our clothes.  Nicky is feeling exhausted and a bit nauseous.  We walk to try to find the Busses to take us back to Tygervalley.  No luck -- But somehow we meet up with Kriek and Beulah.. .. Mother and Daughter.  Parents now living in Perth Australia and Beulah, a MD now studying to be a Radiologist intends to move there as well.  We walk from the finish banner.  To the tog Bags area. Then up to the top of the University. Then down and under the bridge. No Uber.  Then we walk down to Main Road where we are finally picked up by the Uber driver..... I check my phone and today I have taken 35 000 steps and run / walked 25k in total.

Beulah and her mother -- Kriek.

Nicky is in front with the Uber Driver Marlon from Zimbabwe with me; Kriek and Beulah in the back.

Easter Egg hunt with the clues and a treasure hunt.
We share an Uber home.  The first Uber driver gets confused and does not find us.  The second driver finds us in a few minutes and we head home for a shower and Easter Egg Hunt.

The 56kay event was diverted to Ou Kaapse Weg due to protests in Hout Bay.

Graham and Kenny finished in about 7.24.  The cut off for the 56kay is now 7.30 and this makes the distance a lot more achievable for the more experienced runners.   I think that all the Achilleans who started, completed the distance.  This must be a first in many years.
Meanwhile the 56kay runners still have hours more to run.  Thank goodness we do the 21k.


0027 (0) 82 55 03 714    Whatsup

peter.giddy@gmail.com

• Addo Elephant Park
• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• City and Cultural Tours
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway in the Forest; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Walking with Elephants; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve transfers. 
• Volkswagen Factory visits. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

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

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

Garden Route Day tour. Mosaic Tourism with Peter Giddy Guided Tours. April 2019

Peter Giddy Guided Tours
April 2019

An adventure that few people can enjoy is being really close to the largest land mammal in the world.

Garden Route Day tour  --- Monday 15th April 2019

I meet up with Gershon and Yair Peleg at 7am at the Beach Hotel.  Gershon is taking his grandson for an adventure holiday in South Africa.  They are from Israel and it is Yair's Barmitzva year.  Shaun and Sarah (Mosaic Tours)  have arranged our meeting and the first thing that Gershon wants to clear up is the time of arrival in George which cannot be later than 5pm for a 6.20pm flight departure for Cape Town.

Prior to meeting me they have spent a few days at Kariega Game Reserve.
Today we will do a flash Garden Route Tour -- Starting in Port Elizabeth and ending in George

We drive to Jeffreys Bay where Yair hires a wetsuite and surfboard and he does an hour of surfing.  He also tried a bit of surfing in Muizenburg (Cape Town) earlier this month.  The waves are big and tough to plough them. It is exhausting for Yair but he manages to paddle out and catch a number of waves.  He is quick to stand and it appears that through his fatigue he has enjoyed the morning.

From Jeffreys bay and after a Coffee Break, We continue on Westwards to TsiTsikamma where we sign up for the Adventure Falls Zip Line.   Gershon is a little apprehensive at the thought of the long climb back up.  But we all take part and have a great adventure.   There are 8 sections.  There are no mishaps and we all manage the long walk back up to the top.

From the Zip Lines we make a brief stop at the Storms River Bridge and then at the Bloukrans River bridge to watch the Bungy Jumpers.  Unfortunately, despite there being many people; there are no jumpers when we are there so we see the venue but no jumping.

Back onto the N2 and continuing westwards we pass through the Toll Road and over the Groot Rivier and the Baviaans Rivier Gorges.  Then to Plettenberg Bay.
In Plett we stop at the Beach Front.   We had hoped to do a Boat ride to see some Dolphins and Seals.  But today was not to be.  There was a strong wind and almost continuous rain.
It is lunch time so we choose Moby's for a Hake and Chips lunch.  As always the quality is excellent and the views across the beach and the bay make this a special venue.

After our lunch we leave Plett and stop at the KEP -- Knysna Elephant Park.  Yair had a bad experience with Elephants on a previous encounter when he felt threatened when the Elephant charged their group.  However today he decides to push aside his fears and makes the decision to enjoy a close encounter with these giants.

After the short instructional video we climb onto the "Shosholoza" Tractor and trailer and onto the open fields where the guides and elephants are wandering around.  It is important to note that KEP is a sanctuary and not a show..... 45 Elephants have been relocated from KEP and it is through Tourism that the vision of saving and restoring Elephants is able to continue.

We start with feeding of the Elephants and then we enjoy a walk and close encounter with these beautiful animals. Yair simply loved the touch and feel of their skin as well as the strange sensation of the trunk picking out fruit and vegetables from his hand.   This turned out to be something memorable for both Gershon and his grandson.

We now have just 90 minutes to get to George Airport;  The rain continues and traffic slows us down but in the end I drop them off at the George Airport at 5pm which was our goal from the start.

Something that made today really special was the weather.   Each time we got into the car, the rain would start to fall.  But not just a light rain -- heavy, lashing rain that threatened to wash our day away.  BUT each time we exited the car for some activity or stop of any kind -- the rain would stop and we were able to fully partake in all our planned activities of the day.

And my 4 hour drive home from George to PE was almost entirely in dry conditions.

Gershon and Yair at the Jeffreys Bay Surf shop.

 Yair catches waves and stands up surfing to the shore line.

 Gershon Zooming down the cable with ease.

 Our guides today are Charles and Bonga.  Both competent and experts in the Zip Lining they are great instructors and considerate towards their guests.

 Storms River bridge is always a good stop.  Looking down this amazing gorge is something not to be missed.

 Plettenberg Bay .. The main beach .... It has been raining most of the day and there are only a few walkers on the beach.

 Moby's for a Hake and Chips (rice) lunch .... a filling and satisfying meal .

 Feeding Elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park.

At the end of the day we were swapping phone numbers and pics.  It was a really successful day.



To enjoy this and other Garden Route or Wildlife Tours.  Contact Peter at peter.giddy@gmail.com

0027 82 55 03 714    Whatsup

peter.giddy@gmail.com

• Addo Elephant Park
• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
• Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
• City and Cultural Tours
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway in the Forest; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Walking with Elephants; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
• Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
• Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve transfers. 
• Volkswagen Factory visits. 

Website --   petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com

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

Contact me on Whatsup....  0027 82 55 03 174

Ironman April 2019. Peter Giddy Guided tours and fun events.

Ironman 6th and 7th April 2019.   Peter Giddy Guided tours and fun events.

Ironman 2019
This year I have 5 x Swedish Guests.   Hakan who stayed with me last year for the international half Ironman event. Per and Minna;  Petter and Bjorn.  They are a great group of people and we really enjoyed having them stay with us.

Thursday 4th.....Barbara and I have a few chores to do and during the afternoon we go to the Boardwalk to register for the Corp Tri.  I get the race stuff and a red band on my wrist.
 I meet them at the airport.  They off load their stuff and walk to Arkenstone for a pizza supper.
Friday 5th... I have a tour so do not see them for the day.  But they make their way to the Beach Boardwalk area and have a bike ride and do the registration.

Saturday 6th.  Corporate Triathlon Challenge.  CTC... I have done this event on a number of occasions. I missed 2018 as Barbara and I were in Spain walking the Camino from Porto to Santiago de Compestella.

This morning is a perfect day... There is an Easterly breeze.. Not too strong but this makes the water reasonably warm.
I have a sore left knee after the MTB event of last weekend.  But I have decided that a slow race today is better than not taking part at all.

The waiting in the morning is probably the toughest part of the whole day.  I leave home at 6.30am.  The bike check in closes at 7.30 so I have plenty of time.  I meet up with Simon Clark and rack my bike next to him.  I think that Simon used to be an EP Triathlete.

I wear my race vest to swim.  I am never sure if I will be stopped but asked a few officials and they did not seem to mind. First of all there is the Race briefing.  Paul Kay stands on the top with his microphone.  The competitors on the beach.  All chatting.  So we really cannot hear a word he says.
I ask others what he said -- No one has a cooking clue!

We line up on the promenade.  All squashed together.  Finally the first (red cap) wave of relay swimmers get into the water.  It seems an age but then the next group of (green cap) relay swimmers go off.  At last it is our turn -- We are the Red Cap individual competitors.  In our Group is Reynard Tissink.  I dont tell him that I am competing as I dont want to add to his pressure.  Later I hear he swam the 380m in just 3 minutes.
The water is quite choppy as a result of the east wind.  But nice an warm (About 17 degrees I hear).  Swim out to the end of the pier where the first buoy is and then left turn to the next Buoy.  within a minute we are rounding the last buoy and I see the Ladies Individual (Green Cap) go off.  A couple of strokes and a wave and I am able to wade in.  I prefer to swim and take a wave before putting my feed down.

 With Simon and Kevin.

I love my bike... It does me so well for the cycling that I do.
Run into transition.  Say hello to John Durant who is a regular supporter on this event.  And run to my bike.... I see that Simon has already left.  Put shoes and helmet on and push my bike to the start line with a number of Girls passing me even before I get on the bike... And they started 5 minutes after us.

Once on the bike I test my knee.  I feel a few twinges and so start reasonably slowly to warm it up.  The Out Leg is so easy with the wind behind us.  Many of the relay competitors are not cyclists at all and it is these people who I pass.  The we reach the turn at 9km.  This part always worries me as I battle to make the sharp U turn. But no trouble and I now have the wind to contend with.  So when a group of ladies comes past me I try to jump onto the bus.
It becomes a bit disjointed and we dont really form a group.  So I take the lead and it ends up just myself and another lady who I later learn is Janine.  A Teacher at Herbert Hurd and Priory.

The bike is riding so well and I feel confident on it. Janine and I ride in almost together except at the end she goes ahead.  Transition.... Change shoes. Remember to remove my goggles which have been around my neck for the cycle. Take of the helmet.  Grab a drink of water and start the run.

One of the things I love about this event is the support from friends and from people who I dont even know.  On the run.. Down the Beach Road towards Kings Beach.  Around the parking area.  Reminds me of the loop that Chris and I do when we cycle to the Lighthouse and back.   Then along the promenade where Janine greets me again.  I press on.  See Elaine Verreyne.  And finally run hard to the finish area.

 Happy to have done this event today.

Janine; Jeanette and myself at the finish.
I have loved the morning (Except for the waiting at the start).  Find Alan Campbell and Bernd at the end. Catherine took part.  Am so happy that I made the effort to get to the start.

Megan was in a team with her Property Company and did the swim and run.  Here she strides into the finish area.

Ronel and Viv put together a Team for Remax.  Seems that they had a blast.
I meet up with Simon and Kevin at the start.  And then many other PE People who are taking part this morning. Peter and his daughter O'Kennedy; Megan Holmes who will swim and run for her company; Tracey and Daryl Meistre who I used to know at Nippers; Alan Campbell; Bernt and Catherine; Jacques who is Megan's friend.

Saturday at the CTC was a huge success.
This afternoon Hakan and his group go down to the beach for a swim and bike check in.

This year there were 355 finishers.  175 men and 180 Ladies.   There were also 393 teams which finished. Looking at results ... A few DNF and many did not start.

Results of the 2019 CTC   355 finishers.  175 men and 180 ladies.
Raynard Tissink  49 min
Anche Shubart    58 min  23rd overall and 6th female.
Alan Campbell   1.02
Peter OKennedy  1.06
Natalie Tissink  1.08
Simon Clark  1.09
Janette Crusius  1.10
Janine v Rooyen  1.12
Shaun Lloyd  1.13
Catherine Sweetnam  1.16
Peter Giddy  1.17  Swim 6min.  T1 4 min; Cycle 42... T2 2 min.  Run 21 min.  Pos 152 (91 of 175 men.)
Sandy Stock  1.22
Gillian Mcainsh 1.24
Chantelle OKennedy  1.25
Brett Holmes  1.26
Judith Campbell  1.29
Eliane Verreyne  1.35
Eusentha Pillay (Charlo) 1.36
Jacques Bekker  1.42


2017 results. Positions and overall individual Results
1      Keegan Cooke   .46
5      Jarryd Cooke     .50
8      Michael Kingston   .51
68    Rodney Dold Chapman  1.06
122  Simon Clark  1.10     (Last Year  1.10)
111  Warren Collier  1.10
137  Allan Verreyne  1.11   (Last year 1.07)
179  Peter Giddy   1.15   Swim 8.24.  Cycle 43.0  Transition  2min.  Run  21min.  (Last year 1.10)
284  Kevin Campbell  1.25   (Last year  1.23)
333  Imraan Moosagie  1.29
403  Bilue Moolman   1.40
Total number of individuals  448

Ladies results (Position in the ladies)
4      Liza Kingston  56
34    Kathleen Flanagan  1.12
66    Andrea Dyer  1.17  (Last Year  1.16)  (2015  Shara and Andrea 1.38)
75    Shara Cape   1.20
103  Kelly Mortimer  1.25
116  Elaine Verrynne  1.27  (Last year  1.27)
138  Lee Kemp  1.32
134  Sharon Wilson   1.34  (Last year 1.29)
148  Sandy Stock   1.36   (Last year  1.32)
190  Elsabe Boschoff   1.58

Our Swedish Guests... Bjorn; Petter; Minna; Per and Hakan.  All come to PE for this years Ironman.
Sunday morning 7th April 2019.
Its Ironman day in Port Elizabeth.
Hakan and his group left at 4.45 to be at the start area at 5am.
I followed about 6.15 and was in time to see the start of the Pro Men and Ladies at 6.30am... Sunrise.

The swim start at 6.30am

The bike started early due to a shortened swim.  The leaders probably swam the 1.6km in under 20 minutes.
A big crowd gathered to watch the swim start and then the Bike Start.  The swim was shortened to 1.6km as the sea was choppy due to the continuous easterly blowing. At the start I see Shoaib; Sheena; Andrew Jonas and Tracey Cockroft also Lynne Roach when I go to buy myself a Coffee. Herman and his Grand daughter; Simone are there to cheer on the athletes.
I am able to shout for Bjorn; Petter and Minna.  I dont see Hakan and Per but it is so easy to miss them in the cycle group.

We hear that two swimmers got into difficulty and died.  One of Convulsions and another of a Heart Attack..... So very sad when everything around you is this positive vibe.

Per; Hakan; Minna and Petter at the Johannesburg airport waiting to board their flight back home to Sweden. 

; 

Beatrix has a podium position and so qualifies to go to Kona Hawai.

Hakan and Beatrix at the Gala Dinner for the finishers of 2019 Ironman.