MARCH 2011

MARCH 2011

MICHAEL MOVES TO CAPE TOWN
BARBARA JOINS THE HONORARY RANGERS AT ADDO
BARBARA DOING WALK FOR LIFE
BARBARA REGULAR AT HORSE RIDING
FULL DAY OF HONORARY RANGER TRAINING AT ADDO
NIPPERS TRAINING ON SUNDAY
ALLY CHOSEN FOR THE FIRST HOCKEY TEAM U14 AT COLLEGIATE
ALLY FULL INTO WATER POLO
BUSINESS TRIP TO STERKSPRUIT AND MIDDELBURG
ADDO TRAIL RUN KIRKWOOD TO ZUURBERG 50KAY
ALLY INTO 2011 EP WATER POLO TRAINING SQUAD
LENE WALK FOR CANCER
SA TRIATHLON IN PORT ELIZABETH
MONDAY 22ND PUBLIC HOLIDAY
BARBARA DIKKOP AND BABY PIGEON



March starts off with me going off to Aliwal North and Sterkspruit for a business trip. I take the GPS and the route that the machine sends me on is different to that which I have taken in the past. I would previously have driven to Grahamstown, Fort Beaufort, Queenstown and then taken the N6 to Aliwal. This time the machine takes me to Cradock

On my way home I stopped off at Middelburg where we planned to open a new shop the following week. It was fortunate that I had done so as the following day we had all kinds of problems. Computer connectivity being the biggest. I left late went via Cradock and had about 10 stop and go's makeing my arrival home on Friday evening at around 8pm.
Saturday morning was stunning. I was able to get out for the normal Beach Run and swim. Then Barbara and I got a lift to Addo with Roger Hewitt in his diesel Jeep. We spent the whole morning in a class room learing some of the most basic stuff regarding how to be an honorary Ranger. Then Pam, the leader took us to see the huts where the HR's would stay and then along the fence where she taught us to read the Eletricity charge in the wires of the fence. THis is a major part of the HR work load.
It was a long hard day. Ally had been at Water Polo Practice and then at Lene for the day. We collected her and then dropped her off at her friend in RIver Road for a party.
Sunday morning I had to do the Nippers List for Nationals before going to the beach. Ally and Barbara went to the Ocean Series but Ally pulled out of the swim. Jessica did the beach run.
Nippers today was stunning. We had a good turn out and I and new coach Mara, took the children out for a good paddle on the Malibus. Andrew gave them a hard workout doing IronNipper training.

Sunday evening I was in church for the last of the sessions on the Mission Of Christ. Monday morning Rowena and I left for Middelburg and spent the morning there. But when there was a thunder storm and the rain came into the shop we left for home and I arrived in time for Cell Group.

Tuesday evening Ally had the final set of Hockey trials before being selected for a hockey team to go to East London at the end of the month. We had supper with Lene, Jessica, Joshua and Daniel at Church. Pancake evening.

Wednesday: Ally has her mid-week Water Polo match. This is becoming a regular little outing for us. They do well this evening. Julia makes us a supper: Sustained energy cook book.

Thursday I go to King for the day and Barbara has trouble with the Dog Groomer who cust Bear's leg and has to take Bear to the vet. Friday I get ready for the event on


Saturday; This is the second Addo Trail 50kay that I will be doing. See separate Blog.




Sunday: Delene and family are getting Baptised at her husband's (Matthew) church. Nippers training. Drop of the letter to the Dog Groomer claiming the payment of the cost of the vet. Sunday evening church.

Monday morning off to Butterworth where we are opening a new Bradlows Branch. Tuesday in East London. Julia is off to the Pink Party in CT and has a new dress.




Thursday off to Middelburg for the day. A long day of 740kays there and back but better than staying overnight if I dont have to. On the way there I see an Aardvark dead on the road. It is a big animal with huge claws, a strong body and long tail. It has a pig like snout. Very sad to see it on the road side.

Friday: Uitenhage and office. Lene is organising a team for the walk for Cancer evening. It is at Kemsley park, Her office has a group there. Lene takes the children who enjoy them selves. I do about 90 minutes of walk / run and soon after 9pm Barbara and Ally come. Barbara and I do a few laps together before I leave for home. Barbara and Ally stay to the end. They park the bakkie next to Lene's tent and the children fall asleep in the bakkie. Finally they all pack up at around 3.30am. I was surprised how many people were there and what a big event it was. Each family or group had a Packet filled with sand and a candel. The candel was lit and placed around the field. For ourselves the number of people who we remembered who had had cancer seemed endless: Noelene Stedman; Ena Giddy; Allan Giddy; Ian Giddy; Michael Giddy; Barbara's Cousin Sue; Jacqui Nieberg (Wilmot); Debbie Dean; Roger Gush; Margie Saunders;







Saturday morning I enjoy the morning run at the beach followed with an ocean swim. This afternoon I finally collect the old Mercedes from Dean's house. Then I collect the bakkie from Lene's house. Dump the rubbish and take it home. Saturday evening Ally is out with friends. Here are a couple of pics of the old bakkie and the old Merc.






While I am at it here is a picture of Barbara's Opel Corsa Bakkie as well:





Sunday morning I am up early as I have agreed to assist with the marshalling at the Triathlon. It is SA Champs. Graham Richards is in charge of the Run section of the marshalling and route. The triathlon starts at 07.30; 13- 15Y; then 16 - 19y; then Open Age Groups and finally at 13.30 they start the Elite which is a real eye opener. Tim Don from the UK wins the Mens event.

In between I go to Nippers Training where we have the Hobie Beach Nippers taking part with us. The surf is big and scary for some of them. We do a swim, Body Board, Sprint Relays and Flags. And excellent morning of training. Ally is not feeling her best and leaves early. The Triathlon blocks off traffic and only a handful of Summies Nippers take part.

I do my marshalling with Brian Saunders. Margie is taking part in the Age Group Section. Others who I see down at the beach this morning: Pat and Ronel Scheepers; Heidi and Adrian Jansen; Chris Gedye; Trevor and Shereleen Vaughn - their two daughters are taking part; Alec Riddel and daughter taking part; Rob Ermes who is hoping to qualify to go to China; Adel and Anton V D Venter; Bradley Joubert; Darrel and Evie Raubenheimer as always helping at transition.

Monday is a public holiday and Barbara and I laze at home this morning. We should have gone to the beach for the Ocean Series but when Ally was not feeling well we decided to stay home. I bought a bolt cutter and cut the lock off the trailer spare wheel as I had lost the keys. Two sad happenings at work when a daughter of Berie (Greenacres) and a clerk (Cynthia) both died this weekend. Separate circumstances but both sad.

Tuesday I go off to Queenstown for the week. Back on Thursday evening. Ally goes to Hockey trials on Wednesday evening at Grey Astro. Thursday evening she goes to Grey with some friends for a show. Friday 25th there is a Nippers Cheese and Wine evening as part fundraiser for Nationals. Friday morning we visit Pearson to put Ally on standby for 2012.

Saturday 26th March Morning. I collect Adrienne and Rob Mitchley. We meet up with Andre, Pat, Ronel, Elmarie, Susan and Sjani. We have an awesome run on the beach front. A couple of us run the Admiralty route and end up with a swim. It was Rob's first run with us on the beach front and he thouroughly enjoyed it. Ally had Hockey practice and then later played some more hockey on the Clarendon Fields with some of her friends. Barbara and I look at some cars for sale. Then go to the funeral in Gelvandale of the daughter of Bernie Gysman (Russells Greenacres). Julia is into her Diving course and does a Pool Dive today. Barbara catches a Dikkop and a baby Pigeon.






It appears that the baby pigeon stayed on this branch for a few days and then "Flew off" to its mother. The Dikkop stayed for a couple of days making Dikkop noise throughout the night until one morning I heard the bird as I returned from a run and we never saw the bird again after that. It must have flow off to the golf course.

Sunday morning is our last Nippers Practice this season and the last official practice for Ally who moves out of the U14 category next season.