JUNE 2012 GERALD SCHEEPERS, BAAKENS VALLEY TRAIL RUNS, RUGBY IN PE, FAIS EXAM, NICKY IN SPAIN AND BARBARA IN CT.

June 2012
GERALD SCHEEPERS TURNS 70
ALLY HOCKEY MATCHES AND PRACTICES
ALLY WATER POLO PRACTICE
BARBARA IS IN CAPE TOWN WHEN NICKY GOES OFF TO SPAIN
FAIS AND FICA EXAMS AT WORK
BEACH FRONT RUNS AND SWIMS
BAAKENS VALLEY TRAIL RUNS
HEAVY RAINS AND THE BACK WALL COLLAPSES
21KM HEART BREAK HILL
SPINATHON AT VIRGIN ACTIVE
FAIS TRAINING AND EXAM 82%
NILS BRAATVEDT IN PE
JULIA, BRENDA and CHARLES to SPRINGBOK RUGBY
ENGLAND PLAY THREE TESTS IN DURBAN, PRETORIA AND PE
NICKY AND HER FAMILY DRIVE TO PE IN THEIR NEW HYUNDAI H1
MY COMPUTER IS STOLEN FROM MY CAR.
VWSA 10km IN UITENHAGE WITH MARGIE SAUNDERS
ENA TURNS 96. BORN 29 JUNE 1916 in DUMFRISHIRE SCOTLAND
JULIA, ISABELLE and FRIEND CRYSTAL HAVE BREAKFAST AT PLETT

 ALLY AT PLAY AGAINST ARGENTINA VS PEARSON

ALLY AND HER OLD GREY HOCKEY TEAM PLAY AGAINST AN ENGLISH CLUB TOURNING IN SA

The month of June starts off with Gerald Scheepers 70th birthday party. Barbara and attend the celebration at Old Austria Restaurant on Friday evening. His son John and pregnant wife Lisa are there to celebrate with him.

PEARSON ASTRO: ALLY AT PRACTICE ON THE ASTRO FOR THE FIRST TIME.

BOYS IN THE BACKGROUND

CKY

THE PEARSON ASTRO COMPLETED IN JUNE 2012. STLL HAS A LOT OF SAND AND IS VERY NEW TO THE HOCKEY PLAYERS. A WHOLE LOT BETTER FOR THEM THAN PLAYING ON THE GRASS ON THE BOTTOM FIELD. THE NEXT THING WILL BE TO ADD LIGHTS.
Saturday morning Ally has a Pearson game which they lose to a better team from Graaff Reinet. I have a trail run through the Baakens Valley this afternoon. The run starts on the grassy area in the Valley. There is an immediate bottleneck going up the dirt road. Then over the other side we make a right turn up a pathway which only allows for single runners. So now there is a really serious blockage and if you started at the back you have no chance of catching anyone. Up to the car park next to Hallack Road and down over theother side on the tar pathway to the stream below. I never bother to walk the blocks, rather choosing to run through the water. Another steep hill to the left means the westart to walk again.

Some of the faster runners seem to have taken a wrong turn and have to make their way past us. At last we reach the top ofthis hill and make our way down to the valley again. Past the electric fence and across Target Kloof. We see Markus Burri on the other side of the road. Susan is in C T for tests as she will need a Kidney transplant. We cross the stream a number of times. Andre also took a wrong turn and passed us. At this stage I am running with Nicky Roote and Almarie. Andre, Svenje, Andrew Barton, Lettia who had run with us at the Addo race earlier this year, and Ronel have pushed on ahead.

Rob Ermes is doing some marshaling. We cross the weir and reach Dodds Farm where there is a water station. Up the 9th ave dirt road and a bit more ups. A man enquiries from Almarie who gave us passion to run in the valley. Not sure who he was but he seemed to be important. After the next little climb we were tuning to go back home. The route was a circular one and earlier I had seen John Scheepers leading the pack.

I later found out that he had taken a tumble and finished in 4th position. Seems like the seed does not fall far from the tree. We cross the road where Paul Johnson is marshaling. Back on the pathways there are still a number of steep climbs before we finally are below the parking are and on a straight flat run back to the start finsih area. Lizelle, I have met her before at the MPRG is not feeling well and stops at the Taarget Kloof crossing, Nicky and I are by now almost at the very back of the field. There may be others behind us but we are not sure sow hence pass a young girl I ask her to stay with us. Turns out that she plays polo and trains with Ally. Ashleigh Johnson. Daughter of Paul who I have known for many years. Small town PE!

CRAIG AND THE REST OF THE GROUP WAIT FOR THE PRIZE GIVING

NOW JUST LOOK AT HENNIE -- HE WINS A PRIZE AND THEN TAKES ANOTHER FROM JANE.

There is an awesome vibe at the finish and as much as i would have liked to stay for a beer and social, Ally had a hockey match at NMMU with the Old Grey Academy team. It turned out to be quite a little social gathering there as well with the sherry and beers that had been brought along.

Andre drops me off at NMMU for the Ally Old Grey match. Nicky meanwhile organizes a walk up Lions Head as a fund raiser for Michael. Nicky later reports that this was a successful activity: super Heros day. Children walked almost the whole way. Nicky now plays a super hero 10 pin bowling activity.

Sunday morning Comrades day. We watch quite a bit of the first bit and then later on when a Charlo Club member runs in with a banner for Michael. Benita 8 54: Eadelene 9, 51 and Marilyn 10 45. Well done to our Mill Park running girls! This afternoon I buy a new pair of Hitek walking shoes. And a hair clipper set. My head is long overdue. And pack for the three days of JHB ahead. I enter myself and Charles for the Spinathon at Virgin Active in Lorraine.

Monday the 4th fly to JHB for FAIS training. Three days at the Tropicana hotel at the Vaal river. Miserable resort hotel with poor meals and poor service. We spend the three days being taught by Chris v d Walt. He teaches us the FAIS ACT  as well As FICA. Both are compulsory for the FSGMs as Key Individuals selling insurance in RSA.

Thursday back in PE and I have a run in the morning. First run this week and I enjoy being back home and able to run. Wednesday Barbara leaves for CT where Cathy has a scan. She finds out that she is going to have a boy: and the planned names are Noah or Blake. Barbara moves in with Nicky to prepare her for a week of babysitting while Nicky and Stefan go toSpain for a wedding shoot.  I was able to return some shoes that I had bought but immediately spent the refund on groceries.

I had planned a longer run for Saturday morning but Friday afternoon the rain started to fall. It rained solidly through the night and cancelled any runs for the following morning.  I had spent the past two days doing FAIS study and was now stuck at home for another two days of study. Ally's hockey game against collegiate had also been cancelled. Much to her. Disappointment as this is an important match between. Pearson and Collegiate.

Sunday we are able to go to NMMU for a league match between Old Grey Academy and another Old Grey team. Ally's team won 4 to 0. Ally herself played well and nothing got past her.we had Kirsty Engelke with us. She also played well. Sunday evening church saw the end of the week.

I had advertised the caravan onGum Tree and received three enquiries. The last one offered me R6500 and I accepted. R3000 to pay school fees and the other half for the swimpool account.

Monday 11th. With all the rain and cold weather i seem to be developing the first symptoms of flu and start to dose myself heavily with immune boosters. This morning i have one of my best runs in a while. I run with Svenje. We do the full Monday morning bottle store route. She has a cell phone GPS that is strapped to her arm. It tells us that we had run 9.4km at average of 6.20kph which seems slow. But the machine appears to be accurate. Earl and Michelle Stevenson join the group at 6th ave. kobus runs from home first. Also in the group is  Natalie (duncans wife), claire, Suzanne,dale. Suzannes daughter Emma,leaves  for London to join sister Jessica today.

I had to go to the office for a short visit.the Brian Bands to enter a race. Swimpool centre to pay an account then home to find that outback wall had collapsed overnight with the heavy rains.  Ally was writing exams so I fetched her early. This afternoon I continued with the study. Ally had water polo training at Newton Park. We did a bit of shopping and then back home for the evening. Cell group was cancelled.

                                       WITH ALL THE WEEKEND RAIN OUR BACK WALL COLLAPSES

 THERE IS A STONE WALL BEHIND THE BRICK WALL. THIS STANDS BUT THE BRICK WALL COMPLETELY COLLAPSES

Tuesday morning off to JHB again for the last session of FAIS training.

I have kind of enjoyed the week of not going to work in the normal way. Relaxed, although I continued to make and take calls and emails.  But it is not the same pressure as when you are at work. Feel able to do a number of home life stuff while still remaining on top of work.

I spend the next three days with this FAIS / FICA exams. Tuesday and Wednesday are spent revising old exam questions. We stay the first night at a B & B in Roodepoort. Leon takes us out for supper where we watch the Junior Boks Rugby. They beat England and score 4 tries which allows them into the next round of this tournament.

Next morning we leave for V D Bjyl Park again. It is really chilly at this hotel on the Vaal river. We spend today revising and getting ready for the next day. 

Thursday 14th June. Finally it is the D day for these exams. The Exam is a Legislated exam that all senior financial service industry people have to write. It is a multiple answer type paper and we find a number of questions that are outside of what we have studied and outside of the Legislation that we have been given to read. The feeling after we have written the exam is not a positive one. The results should be available in 10 days and will be SMS'd to us.

We fly home this evening.

Friday morning: I take my MTB to a shop in Charlo: Recycle. The gears do not change correctly which is frustrating when climbing hills with rough surface and where all three front cogs are required. The owner is Mark and he is very helpful. A day in the office and collecting Ally. This evening we go to the Church Food Fair. Michael and Lene are there with the two boys. They stay with me a little longer. I sit with Liesl and Philip Nienaber and another young couple. Ally has a couple of Boerrie Rolls. 

This evening I make Crunchies for the first time in a long while.

Saturday 16th. This morning the temperature has warmed considerably. There is a cloud cover and this retains the warm air. No wind and no rain makes a perfect morning for a Beach Front run. Adrian Smith, Annie, Laurence, Pat, Ben, Andre and John join me for a  stunning run. We do the loop West towards town, along the promenade, up Walmer Boulevard, Left at the top and then down to Strandfontien road. We stop at 2nd ave for water and then head along Strandfontein to Admiralty. Down Admiralty and then left along the promenade to the Pier. It has been a great run. I have to push to stay in the group but really enjoy this morning.

                                        ALLY HAD AN ACTION PACKED FIRST HALF

                                    NOTHING GETS PAST ALLY WHEN SHE IS FOCUSSED

Andre, Ben and I have a swim. The water is cold but not too bad. I use this as my shower after the run and rub myself a bit in the water. We buy ourselves a KFC Coffee and then I drop Ben and Andre off. Ally has Hockey so I take her to Pearson. We watch the first game and then it is Ally's Team. They play Riebeek High from Uitenhage. Ally's team dominate the game and are in the opponents half most of the time. In the first half Ally has a good game but in the second half she hardly sees the ball.

The game remains 0-0 until a few minutes to go. Finally Ally's team scores a goal and then with only minutes remaining Anke picks up the ball at half way, skills and dodges the Uitenhage girls, takes the ball into the D and scores goal number two. That is how the game ends. Ally stays to watch the first team play Grey. I am tired and fall asleep in the car.

                                           ALLY IN ACTION FOR PEARSON U16

                                  ALLY TAKES THE LINE BALLS

I collect my bike, Ally buys some grub at Woolies and we head home for the afternoon.

This afternoon is the second of the England vs SA rugby tests. It is played at Ellis Park (now known as Coca Cola Park in JHB. It is a tense match and after a substantial lead at half time the Springboks have to work hard to maintain their lead. Morne Steyn is again not in form and misses a number of conversion attempts which we would have expected him to convert.

Sunday morning 17th June. It is Fathers Day and Michael greets me with a book on MTB trail rides of SA. I am getting ready for the second of the Baakens River Valley Trail runs. I leave home shortly after 7am. It is still chilly and when I park I keep my jersey on. I meet up with John Nelson and Ronel Scheepers. Almarie, Adel (doing her first trail run), Sian (Sheena is injured and hoping to recover in time for Knysna), Hennie who comments how the face of running is changing with the advent and popularity of trail runs, Craig, Chris, Andrew, Jane and Dallas who are the organising team.
JOHN AND RONEL ON A CHILLY FATHERS DAY MORNING AT THE BOTTOM OF BRICKMAKERS KLOOF BEFORE THE BAAKENS RIVER TRAIL RUN.

JANE LOOKING QUITE SERIOUS AS SHE ARRANGES THE REGISTRATION AREA.
After Registering we take off our warm tops and walk down to the old quarry. Here Dallas gives us a race briefing. Last time there were a number of people who said that they had missed the trail. I am not sure how they did this as the trail is well marked and there were marshalls along the route. Dallas assures us that the trail is so well marked this time that you have to be blind to miss the markers. One of John's friends brings his dog along just in case.

THIS WILL BE A FIRST TRAIL RUN EVER FOR ADEL

RONEL IS READY FOR THE RUN

The run starts at 8;00am. There are far fewer runners this morning than was the case two weeks ago. Last weekend there were severe rains and so the river is flowing strongly. Dallas reminded us that there was no point in trying to stay dry as we would be knee deep in water after a short while. I think that a number of runners thought that he was joking.

SIAN AT THE START OF THE SECOND BAAKENS RIVER TRAIL RUN.

DALLAS GIVE PRE RACE INSTRUCTIONS

Immediately after starting we run in mud and slush. Then up the first hill. Last time there had been a congestion of runners here. This morning I am able to jog up the hill. Up and over and down the other side in the shade which can make seeing your footing a little difficult. From there we run up the main pathway to the parking area in Settlers Park. I have now jogged up both the first two hills. I am puffing and panting. Down the other side and across the river. I see a number of runners stepping carefully across the stepping stones. But I am proud to see Ronel has no such ideas. She wades through the fast flowing river. I follow her and we come out on the other side ahead of five or six other athletes. Up the steep hill to 5th Avenue Walmer side. This is a long pull and most of us walk at a reasonably brisk pace.

Then at the top we track along for a while before a steep slippery descent down towards Target Kloof crossing. We avoid touching the electric fence. At Target Kloof Paul Johnson is again marshalling the runners across this busy intersection. This is not an easy task as motorists can become impatient and runners are negligent. We cross and then down to the river for a second crossing. Here we feel the pull of the stream and there are two men assisting us as we cross. Shortly thereafter we cross again and again are assisted.

CROSSING IS QUITE AN ADVENTURE


Now we make our way to Dodds Farm where we carry on straight and up the set of steps. Anton is walking along this path with his camera. Down the other side of the steps and again we cross the stream. We carry on and turn right this time. Here there is another tough climb up to the cycle path and near the houses that border the valley. There is a watering station here. I have brought my camel pack and am drinking all the time so do not stop for water. I meet up with Kelly whose husband is up ahead. She has an armband strap for her phone. Ronel also uses one of these. Perhaps a must for me as I tend to keep mine in the backpack. Not easy to access the camera when you are on the trail. Down another slippery hill and up the other side. Each time we climb I walk. These hills are just too tough and steep for me to even think of running.

 ARMS OUTSTRETCHED TO BALANCE AGAINST THE FLOW OF THE RIVER AND THE ROCKS ON THE RIVER BED

Down the other side again and along a slippery path. The rain has made the pathways very muddy in sections. I run with Jacqui for a while. At the next crossing she steps into the stream and slips almost falling completely into the water. I press on. We are now well on our way back to the finish area. We cross the river again where the men are assisting runners and then back over the Target Kloof intersection. From here there is only one major climb. We contour the pathways and up the steep section before descending onto the main Settlers Park pathway. Cross the river twice more and then where I think that we will turn up the path we cross the river again. A sharp right turn along the muddiest and slipperiest section of the whole trail. It is all I can do to not fall into the mud.

At the end of this section I wash my shoes off in the river before climbing the final hill, down the other side and slosh through the mud. Then it is only a short way to under the Brickmakers Kloof Bridge and up to the finish.

I have enjoyed this run even more than I did the shorter distance. Two weeks ago the distance was around 10kays. Today the plan was for an 18km route but the wet conditions forced Dallas to change this to around 14km. I really enjoyed the route. I am sure that it is not easy to design this route as Dallas and Jane must have done a lot of searching and planning to be able to find a pathway that is so varied and interesting.

At the finish Dianne, Brad and Megan are waiting for John. I had planned to leave immediately for Allys hockey but I realise that I have plenty of time so I sit and chat for a while. I put my name down for the Luck Draws and am fortunate to win a voucher for R250 for the Bridge Street Brewery. This is a restaurant adjacent to the one where the run starts and finishes. Chris Gedye wins a position prize as well as a luck draw. Craig Wilson and Hennie van Eck are sitting together and Hennie also wins a prize.

IT IS CLEAR THAT THE NELSON FAMILY IS IN A WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM AND DO NOW WANT TO BE RECOGNISED AS BEING AT THE BAAKENS RIVER EVENT THIS MORNING. I PROMISE NOT TO SAY A WORD JOHN.


After the prize giving, Sharon Jessup introduces herself to me. I ran with Sharon many years ago at an Addo Trail Run near to Colchester. She heads up a fitness program called Boot Camp. Barbara and Lene met her there and since then she has been working to raise funds for Michael's trip to Michigan where he must have treatment for his cancer. Sharon is married to the son of Gilbert who married Jenny Goldman who used to work with me.

After the event I head home for a shower and clean up of my clothing. Ally and I drive out to Woodridge where she plays hockey for Old Grey against a Woodridge league team. The game starts off early with a goal against OG and then the scores seasaw until with just seconds to go before half time Woodridge score to level at 3all. After half time Woodridge score a quick goal and we trail for most of the second half 4-3 until with only minutes remaining we score from a short corner to level the score at 4 all.

Ally has a plan to make Chicken Wraps with Cream Cheese and Rocket Salad. As soon as we get home she gets stuck into this recipe and we enjoy a bit of a treat for lunch. This is my Fathers Day Present from her.

Ally is in the middle of exams and must still study for History and Geography this evening so gives Church a miss.

Monday morning I sleep a bit late. Still tired from the weekend. Cell group this evening. Tuesday back on the road. Run with Pat and Ronel. Drop Ally at school and the meeting in Port Alfred. Back home and take Ally back to school to watch her teams play hockey. Then it is water polo league evening before finally home for the evening and sleep.
Wednesday. Running again this morning. Have a good run with Pat.
Thursday .. Supposed to meet Pat and Ronel. It is cold and they woosie out. Nicky, Svenje and Georgie start off slow group. It rains as we run but we have a good turn out of over 15 runners. This evening I go to Spar on my way home. And my computer is stolen from the boot of my car. Big upset!

Friday 22nd. I start off this morning at the police station to report the compuuter theft. Then after dropping Ally at school I drive through to GRAHAMSTOWN where I spend the morning at work before collecting Nils Braatvedt. We drive back to PE. Drop Ally at church for Holiday Club training. I spend a couple of hours at work, Nils and I share some time together before I drop him at the airport.

TIM, PAT AND RONEL AT THE START OF THE 21KAY HEARTBREAK HILL EVENT.

Saturday 23rd morning. 21km race at MOFFET on Main. I register, meet up with Tim, Pat and Ronel.we start together but Tim and Ronel are too fast for me. This course is very tough. Lots of hills. Up Constance road, up Glendor road, pass the 7km marker.we turn right into the Sardinia Bay road. I meet a Barbara and Jason, who comments on the age of my running vest, we run together for a while. Cathy Ives is just ahead. I pass Bob Stedman, Gerald Hoxley and Bernard, Achilleans. We turn right again at the 12km marker.

SHARON JESSUP IS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP THE WHOLE BENEFIT EVENTS FOR MICHAEL

 Now with 7km to go we head uphill past the golf course and then right up what gives this race it's name ...Heart Break Hill. In totalit is around a 5km hill before you reach Boundary Road. From here it is 4km to go. But not all down hill. There is still the little up to the top ofConstance road. The final. Two kmis down Constance rd and back to the. Shopping center. At the end of the run Michael and family are. Waiting to greet finishers. Sharon Jessup has arranged for more publicity for fund raising for Michaels treatment. Ronel had run 2:05 and I was five minutes behind her, Barbara who I had met on the road was a few minutes ahead of me. I had not been able to keep up with her on the final climb and then never caught up on the downs. Coming down Constance, everyone seems to try their hardest.

AFTER THE 21KAY MICHAEL, JESSICA, JOSHUA AND DANIEL WERE THERE TO GREET US.
From here I drove home for a shower and the straight to the Virgin Active Gym for the Spinathon. Sharon had gone straight there and would do a three hour session after her 1:50 half marathon. Also supporting us today: Eckhart Shuman who did the 21earlier, Adrienne Wilson and Paula who was doing instructing, CRONJE, Claudine and Joshua; Maryna Baard, Tracey Meistre and friend, Rob And Jason Ermes, Charles also came down for a session. I ended up doing two sessions of an hour each. Sharon Jessup and a few of her fellow Charlo Runners. Some people who could not make it to the event had contributed anyway, Ant A and Christoff, Percy D and other Achilleans. Darryl Smith and Blind Spots.

Doing Spinning is not easy. My first hour I was nowhere. But in the second hour I started to get the feel of how to do the spinning. At first every time I stod up I would get thrown out of the cleats, but then I started to get the hang of how to stand as well as the settings and the level of difficulty. My second hour went a lot better. Paula handled the first and Theo the second hour that I did. Gail was doing the admin, Karen also did some spinning. Michael, LENE, Jessica, Joshua ... All helped getting the flow going and Josh even did some spinning as well.

Being my first ever spinning session I had gone ill equipped. No towel and no change of shirt. I was saturated and the gym is air conditioned. I am always afraid of colds, so left immediately for home. A second shower and ready for Rugby.

Months ago I had bought seven tickets for the game between England and SA. It was the third in a series of three games. We had won the first two in Durban and JHB. Charles, Ingrid and Ian; Julia and Brenda met at our house and we left together for the game. Fortunately we found easy parking, walked to the stadium and enjoyed a tough game of rugby. For spectators the tough part was beer buying and toilet queues. We had seats in the very back row. It is very windy and cold up there. But we were dressed warmly and were out of the rain so enjoyed the evening. This is an amazing stadium. No bad seats. We could see clearly and identify the players. Isabelle was visiting Julia but I did not have an extra ticket so she went home to do some studies. The game ended up with each side scoring just one try and three penalties. Final score was 14 all. A tie. We. Had won the series but on this final occasion the English team had come back with some attacking play both in the front line as well as their backs. They defended well and could have been the stronger team on the day.

ALLY AND BRENDA AT NM STADIUM. ENGLAND PLAY SPRINGBOKS. WE ARE IN THE BACK OF THE BACK ROWS BUT ENJOY THE RUGBY JUST AS MUCH.

IAN AND INGRID AT RUGBY

THE ENGLISH TEAM BEAT THE SPRINGBOKS TODAY.

We walked back to the cars in the rain. Dropped Julia at her home and,with a cold wet night outside Ally and I were in bed shortly there after. It had been an active and busy Saturday. Barbara is still in CTand will drive home with Nicky on Sunday.

FRIDAY 29TH
I take the day off to be with Ena on her birthday

It is Ena's 96th birthday today. Nicky, Barbara and I drive through to Plett where we meet Julia, Isabelle and Friend.  We have a lunch with Ena and a friend of hers before driving back to PE

ENA 96 YEARS OLD ON 29TH JUNE 2012.
BORN ON THIS DAY 1916. STILL GOING STRONG.

ENA LOOKING GOOD. JULIA HAS BEEN WORKING AT STORMS RIVER WITH INTERVIEWS FOR A MASTERS DISSERTATION.

ISABELLE AND FRIEND CRYSTAL

NICKY AT ENA'S BIRTHDAY. HAVING LUNCH ON THE BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE PLETT LAGOON AND BEACHES.



Sunday morning.
Ally and I have a lazy morning. Then later I am up and working on a whole lot of household chores. Cleaning, sorting, fixing. Nicky and Barbara drive from CT and arrive home around 6.30 pm. I am at church and see them after church. We now have 7 children and 5 dogs running around the house. Stefan is in Berlin for a photo shoot there.

Monday morning I try to run but am still very stiff and sore from Saturdays marathon exercise. Pat and Andrew keep me company. Tuesday morning I am starting to feel better. I skip Wednesday as a rest day. Also it is cold, windy and miserable. Thursday I run again with Andrew and Georgie. Andrew and I cut short but we are trying to build again.

This week Nicky and Barbara are out and phone me to join them at a shore front restaurant. Brooks Pavilion is a wonderful setting for a warm winters evening.

We sit outside on the deck.evening lights and colors sat the sun sets to the West. Children running around make their own pizzas. A pod of dolphins delights the patrons as they swim past us. We enjoy a drink and relaxed conversations together with a good meal of ___ Nicky has Salmon, Barbara chicken liver and pasta, Ally has a large pizza and I have seafood pasta. I drop Ally off at church where she is taking part in Holiday Club preparations. Se and a few of her friends have signed up as leaders at the holiday club.


Saturday 30 th June.
I have gotten used to the morning races and events routine: what I do is to make myself some Future Life Porridge. And a Banana if I can find one. A cup of coffee which I take in the car. An anti inflammatory dissolved in water and immune booster / energy pill. Ciplaton which I try to remember to take every morning as a way of keeping colds and flu at bay.

Margie Saundrs met me at 5:30 am. We left for Uitenhage. In Uitenhage we found Brandwag school. And a good parking close to the entrance of the fields. Once we had registered we stayed in our. Track tops. It was really cold at 6 degrees C. We did a short warm up jog around the suburb and then back to the car where we stripped for the event.
It was a 10km.

We found the start area and lined up with the rest of the athletes. There is a strong contingent of Achilles runners. Paddy Hoginson chats for a short while. He is a lot quicker than I am. The race starts with a whistle.

Sprinters go off at high speed. I jog on as fast as I am able. Trying to keep up with Bob Stedman.
 Graham Nel is with us. My hands and ars feel the biting cold of the morning which drops again as we run down into the valley. At around two or three Kim's, on a slight up hill Bob starts to pull away. Graham is already ahread of me. I am puffing and panting. Hills tend to get to me recently. I have to bring up them. We run past Ajays house on the outskirts of Uitenhage. Finally we reach rhe 5km marker board. The Kim's seem to be coming slowly. A right urn and slight uphill. Bob is now well ahead, Graham and I are trading positions. Then another right turn up a hill and Graham walks. I had thought for while that he had the legs to catch Bob.

I carry on up and past Graham. Now with 7km past us I work as hard as I am able. I have no idea of time but the pace feels like I should be able to break one hour. With around two Kim's to go we take a sharp right turn and I can see Bob is now around 500meters ahead of me.

I put my head down and press on with all my strength and determination that I have. It always helps to have someone to chase. A short down hill and then a couple of climbs. Now it is the final km which ends in a sharp climb to the field where the finish awaits us. I have managed to close the gap to around 100meters. And Bob is battling up this hill. Margie(my personal trainer) comes back to fetch me. And starts goading me up the hill, telling me that Bob is just ahead and that he is slowing down and that I can catch him.

 Now to anyone on the outskirts of running this chase is worthless. We are way back in the field of runners and one or two positions will make absolutely no difference at all. But to Bob and myself there is a great friendly rivalry. I am sure that he knows that I am trying to catch him. So I work up the final climb, turn right to see that Bob is now only around 50 meters in front of me. I give it one last surge, turn left up onto the field, run past a few other competitors. Bob is just too strong for me. We finish about ten meters apart at about 55minutes. My lungs are burning but I had a great race and an hour of good exercise.

Margie collects her prizes and her Gold Medal. After a short rest we head back to PE.

I shower and spend the rest of te morning at work. It is the company financial year end. I lost my lap top computer recently so my out of town trips are quite difficult to arrange with no communication format as I am used.

I stop off at Ben Carver and he agrees to come to Knysna next week to ride the MTB event there. Andre was going to be with me but has had an injury.
This afternoon Tour de France starts off at Liege Belgium. I love watching this event.

MAY 2012 EP COMMAND 21KM RACE? KENTON EXTREME TRI ATHLON? PUCK WOODS. ALEXANDRIA FOREST MTB EVENT WITH THE E!

MAY 2012

BOYS SOCCER MATCH AT CALLIES
LADIES SPAR 5KM -- ENTERED BUT NOT WALKED.
ALEXANDRIA FOREST MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE
ALLY HAS TWO GAMES OF HOCKEY AT WOODRIDGE
FLYING DOG HITS PORT ELIZABETH
21KM RUN FROM EP COMMAND
ALLY PLAYS HOCKEY FOR PEARSON SCHOOL AND OLD GREY
KENTON EXTREME TRIATHLON AND BEACH RUN 2012
JESSICA PLAYS HOCKEY FOR CLARENDON PARK AND IS A PROLIFIC GOAL SCORER FOR HER TEAM.
I WIN AN I PAD FROM WORK
PUCK WOODS DIES AT 91 YEARS OF AGE.

Monday 1 May 2012. Public Holiday.
I attempt to go for a run but when there are no people except Liz and Rianna who are to fast for me I turn around and go back to bed for a second read and sleep.
Michael's two boys: Joshua and Daniel have their first Soccer Match today at Callies. They wear their shirts and are looking well on the field.
Daniel's match is first. He is enthusiastic and runs around but makes little contact with the ball. They play against a team that outclasses the Callies boys and the game is totally one sided.
Joshua then plays two games in a row. In both he is the Goal Keeper for half of the game. Joshua has a long way to go before he is competent in this game. The U9 team is also beaten by both opponents but in both games there is a huge amount of fun and action.

Barbara and I go to Builders to buy a few electrical items and some Mint Herb for the garden. We also drop Gerald's camping cooker off with him . He kindly lent it to me for the Outeniqua hike. Ally has Hockey practice at NMMU. I collect the Bike that Ben has fixed for me.

Wednesday morning I am up very early and take the 6am flight to JHB for a meeting. This evening I fly to East London for the following two days working there. This will save me the driving.

Thursday and Friday morning I am in East London. Friday evening I fly back to PE; I stupidly forget my wallet on the airplane and only late in the evening do they call me to say that they have found the wallet. 

We drop Ally off at her friend Cameron and then I take my MTB to Andre to load on his Bike Rack for the morning drive to Alexandria.

WE SEE 6 ELEPHANTS IN ENCLOSED AREAS AROUND THE START OF THE EVENT.

Saturday morning 5.5.2012. Alexandria MTB race and trail run.

Andre and I leave at around 6.30am for Alexandria. It is just as well that we were early as the parking was not easy. We had a look at the Elephants in the enclosures and the holding bay. We registered for our event and clipped our numbers onto the front of the Bikes. As we waited for our event to start we were able to greet the familiar faces: Rob and Michelle Elfick; Mike Webb; Dallas and Jane Barnardo; Jonti and Trish Daniels; Sian and Sheena Okeefe; Tessa and Alex; Andrew Barton (Benita was doing her Big Tree run in preparation for Comrades next month), Peter Stockwell from Grahamstown; Trevor Hawkins and Dave Saker; Nina and Anja Bodish;

  

ELEPHANT HOLDING PENS AND HANDLING AREA.

There is an amazing vibe at the event. THis is a group of people who enjoy outdoors and exploring new places and are prepared to take a chance with the unknown. Adventure people. Few if any of us have been here before. None of us know what to expect. Maybe some tough up or tough down hills. Michael Z give a Race Briefing that makes the 55kay MTB event sound quite scary. He talks about a downhill that is dangerous and has an ambulance at the bottom.

Andre and I have entered for the 18km event. At this stage of our fitness and overall ability this is what we feel that we are capable of doing.

THERE ARE BUNGALOWS TO RENT AT THE START OF THIS EVENT.

The longer distance cyclists go off. I am so pleased that we have not committed ourselves to the tough experience that these athletes are going to put themselves to . I am able to take a pic of Trish Daniels as she leaves. She looks great. I know that this lady is a real athlete but this morning I am not thinking of her athletic abilities; I am feeling that I am so pleased that it is Jonti and her that are doing this long event and not me.

TRISH DANIELS STARTS THE LONG 55KM MTB EVENT.

The 18km event starts at 09,30. I feel that this is what I am capable of. The ride start off with a bit of a climb. I took my bike to Ben this week to see if he was able to reset the gear changers. Both front and back were giving me trouble. Unfortunately I was not able to check the bike as I was away during the week. So now I give it a try and find that the back changer is working fine but that I am not able to use the front :"Granny Gear". That is fine. I will use the middle gear in the front and then adust the back gears when required.

ELEPHANTS OF EDEN. I BELIEVE THAT VISITORS ARE ABLE TO RIDE THESE ELEPHANTS

Andre and I had started at the back. He is a stronger MTB rider than I am and he dropped me within 300meters. I worked my way up the start hill and then down. Our first bit of field work started once we turned off this dirt road. We worked our way up hill on a grassy track and then down on the other side. There were some scary down hill sections where I am not able to ride without braking. Then we hit some major bumpy sections where I saw a lot of water bottles scattered around. I ride with a back pack and bladder and do not have a water bottle in a cage. I nearly fell here as Dave skidded to a stop in front of me.

START OF THE 18KM MTB EVENT AT ELEPHANTS OF EDEN GAME PARK

There was a young boy who I later learn is Joshua Daniel ( 10 years old) ahead of me. I am able to cycle with him for a short while. We are cycling into a breeze and I go a little faster as I felt that I could not let him get ahead of me. But he does. We ride along a fairly flat farm road passing what I first think are buffalo and then realise that they are just very large breeding bulls (not of the Blue variety).

 BROWN BULLS LIE SLEEPING IN THE FIELDS

Then there is a bit of dirt road again before the next major soft sand climb. I tried to cycle as far as I was able but finally had to dismount and walk. The road consists of soft sand and makes peddling for us quite impossible. I am not sure if the front riders are able to peddle. Probably a lot more than us I am sure. Here I passed two young ladies who we found at the end of the event had not received Medals. Andre and I handed our medals to them as they really deserved the recognition.

TARYN van ROOYEN AND ALISON KERNOHAN PUSH THEIR BIKES UP THIS REALLY STEEP SECTION WHICH IS MADE EVEN TOUGHER BY THE FACT THAT THE SAND IS SOFT

By now the front runners were starting to pass us. The push up was long and tough. Finally at the top we were on a grassy track again. I looked back and saw what Michael had told us to look for: Views of the dunes and ocean behind us. We can see the PE bay and a perfect Eastern Cape morning. No Chance that you are at the top of the hill yet. There is still a long push to where there is a runners watering station. A lady with a clip board is taking down our numbers -- I suppose to make sure that we have not collapsed in a heap somewhere along the trail.

 THIS WONDERFUL VISTA IS ONLY APPRECIATED IF YOU TAKE TIME TO STOP AND LOOK BACK AS YOU REACH THE TOP OF THE FIRST MAJOR CLIMB ON THE TRAIL RUN / MTB RIDE

WOODY CAPE SAND DUNES ARE SAID TO BE THE LARGEST DUNE FIELD IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

Still more pushing., Imran Moesagie (Nippers dad) was ahead of me and I was able to catch up to him. We rode together for a while and into the bushy section before he assisted a rider with a flat. I often see Imran at these events. He is one of a few Muslim men who take part. It is quite tough for them as they must wear long shorts despite the hot weather. They must also wear long shorts when running and swimming. Once you are at the top of this very long pushing section there is a nice steep downhill which ends up (of course) with another steep up hill. I try to ride as far up as I am able but finally have to dismount before I fall off and push again.  

IMRAN MOOSAGIE

I met up with Maryka van Rooyen from Alexandria, who was simply too tired to even push her bike up the hills. Exhaustion was making her feel quite ill. My trail running kicked in and I was able to assist her up the hills. There are lots of tough (pushing) hills towards the end of this ride.  I helped her get through this difficult part. As I walk and push up these hills I start to really sweat. My eyes are stinging from the salt. There is a bit o relief from the sun as we cycle through a forest area. Still more up hills until finally we see the vehicles at the end. It was not an easy descent and for the first time on the way down I had to get off the bike and push. Rocky and uneven descents are not my best part of the MTB events. I am just too scared that I am about to fall. There is quite a bit of down hill at the end of the 18km but also lots of soft sand . So you have to continue to work even though you can see the end in sight. Finally we make it to the last section. And just to make the end fun, Michael adds the last uphill to the finish banner.

I ride to Andre's car where I load the bike onto the rack. Then walk back to the grassy finish area where I am delighted to see Anja Bodish who I have not run with for many years. She is with Tessa and Andre.

ELEPHANTS OF EDEN GAME FARM NEAR TO WOODY CAPE; ALEXANSDRIA

Andre suggests that we "Hit the road". I am more than happy to do so as the company is doing a new computer download which requires a number of tasks to be done and controlled. I am able to do much of this as Andre makes his way back to PE.  We pass Benita. They had stayed over at Bokness and Benita had gone into town to run a 25km Big Tree as preparation for Comrades. I saw on the BBM that Theresa and Justin had also done this long run this morning.

MICHELLE TRYING TO CATCH ROB BUT HE HAS A LONG LONG RIDE AHEAD.

WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO RIDE WITH THE ELEPHANTS

 BEFORE THE MTB RIDE I AM STILL LOOKING QUITE CHIPPER

 PETER STOCKWELL AND MIKE WEBB HEAD OFF FOR A TOUGH 18KM TRAIL RUN

START OF 18KM MTB EVENT

RESULTS

86 cyclists finished the 55km; 68 finished the 18km; 58 runners finished the 18km run and 33 took part in the 5km event. Total participants 250 athletes.

Joshua; Louise and Ashliegh Daniels all finished the 18km MTB ride. Not an easy task. Joshua was only minutes behind me. The two girls were part of 16 lady cyclists while Tricia was one of 10 doing the 55km ride.

Andre finished in 1;39 and I was home in 1;50 minutes.

The published results show that this is the second time that this event has been set up.

Barbara's running partner pulled out of the Ladies Spar event so she skipped it. Robyn met up with some friends and they did the 5km. Ally had two matches at Woodridge. Hockey against Woodridge: Barbara reported went well with Ally playing a strong game winning 4-0 and then later being beaten in the Grey Acadamy match against the Woodridge Teachers they lost 3-4. But still Ally had a strong game. For her troubles Ally was rewarded with a Hockey Ball hitting her forehead. She ended up with a nasty bump on her head and had a headache for the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday Morning. Summerstrand are having a swim from Pollock to Humewood. I had half planned to go to this swim and to do a bit of it but laziness takes me down. Barbara and I have a relaxed morning before going to the shops for some groceries. We have ourselves Spatchcock Chicked, roast potatoes and couscous for lunch.

I spend some time cleaning my bike. I know that I should do this after every MTB ride I do. But am often lazy after the ride. Our friend Steve who has our bakkie, collects loads of soil and fills in the trampoline for us.

Monday morning as I return from dropping Ally at Pearson School is see this dog in the air. It is a hot air balloon suspended over the Donkin Reserve. I drive up to get a closer look and find this amazing spectacle of this promotional dog suspended just above us. It is simply huge measuring around 30m high and 30m long. It is promoting the adoption of a pet.

 HOT AIR BALLOON SUSPENDED ABOVE THE DONKIN RESERVE. PRESTIGE ADOPT A PET PROMOTION.

BELOW THE DOG IS A BASKET WITH THREE PEOPLE. THE ALGOA FM RADIO STATION IS PROMOTING THE EVENT AND OFFERING RIDES TO SPECTATORS.

This week I manage to run each morning from Monday to Thursday. By then I am starting to feel a little foot weary. I persuade Ben; Ronel and Andre to join me running a 21km event on Saturday morning. Ben fetches us from my house. We leave at around 5;30am. Ronel and I have pre entered. Ben drives us to the start at the EP command Base. This is near to the airport and probably the last time that I was here was 35 years ago when I reported for three months military duty. Barbara and I had just got married. She was pregnant with Nicky. And I was sent off to the army in Namibia for a three month camp. I remember being so frustrated with the lack of communication. Everything was a secret: when we would leave, where we were going etc. We were on the train for two days and then ended up in Ochivarongo which was a main camp. Here we did a whole lot of running around and received some more basic training before being sent off to the Border of Uganda in the North. I was so unfit at that time. But it helped me give up smoking as my lungs burnt from the effort of running.

Back to Saturday morning: We found the main hall and registered for the run. It was a chilly morning with a cool breeze and mist. We stood around chatting to the various people who were on their way to register. John Nelson and Andrew Jonas -- both are fit and running well. Tommy Satchwell who reminded us that the last time we were allowed in this base we would have had to register and show identification. The start of the event was a hive of activity. I joined some of the Achilles chaps as they gathered near to the start. Achilles tries to field as many runners as they are able as this makes a difference to the Participation League between the various PE running clubs. I am introduced to a couple of members who I have not met as yet.

The whistle goes off. We are not sure why it is not a gun that starts us as there must surely be some guns on a military base? I run out of the base with Billy Emslie and Bob Stedman. They are too fast for me. I am continually overtaken by faster runners. What I normally do is to start at the back and then I am able to overtake some people. But this morning as I started at the front I am the one being overtaken. We run in an Easterly direction and onto Strandfontein road next to the old Rugby stadium. Then all the way down Strandfontein road to the Gomery turn off which leads to the University.

We run into University Way and past the security Boom. By now the front runners are coming back at us. I am running with Paddy Cloete who tells me that she has not yet missed an Ironman event. This year with the wind she just put her head down for a finish. She is a psychologist and knew Michael and Jacqui when they were studying at UPE (NMMU). Paul Wolf passes us. He is the leading Achillean.

Graham Channon is running incredibly well. Bruce Mc Ewan is in the leading group. Margie Saunders later tells me that she started off with a group of ladies who were all running too fast (10km pace). Margie would win her category and also a voucher for a pair of shoes. As we turn into the University my little group of runners comes up to catch me. Ben, Ronel and Andre. From here Andre and I run together around the  back of the University and out past the security Boom again. We pass the 14km to go marker.

The hill leading back up to Strandfontein road is a gradual incline as is the road back to the Rugby Stadium. All the time we are running in Mist. We are able to hear the Foghorn of the PE harbour and lighthouse. Andre remembers a time when he was on a paddle ski in the bay on his own. The mist came down and he was totally isolated and no idea where the beach was. It was only by reading the direction of the swells that he was able to make it back to shore. Being on the ocean on your own is never a good idea.

MARGIE SAUNDERS RUNNING FLAT OUT. BRIAN IN ON HIS MTB IN SUPPORT.
Back into Forest Hill and by now Andre is having to wait for me. I urge him to go on and finally he does that. I am a little relaxed and taking pics with  my phone. We run at the back of Forest Hill and towards the back of the Airport. Another Gradual uphill. As this is a loop I am again able to see a number of familiar runners ahead of me. I quite enjoy this greeting one another as they head home and I head out towards the loop. Jane Barnardo comes running past. At the loop I see Diane Emslie. It is good to see this familiar face back supporting a really talented athlete like Billy. We do the loop around and pass the Police Station that is located there. I am amazed at how many derilict vehicles there are in this compound. Police vehicles which must all be scrap standing and rotting. We return to the start of the Loop and there Clarendon Park Primary has a group of children doing seconding. They are the Clarries Cares group. A couple of teachers and scholars are up early on a Saturday morning to do duty. Amoung them is Jessica Giddy. She seems excited and pleased to see her Grandad running: Go Grandad she shouts at me as she hands me some magic coke that enables me to run at a much improved pace for the final four KM of the event.

As we head back towards the Military Base I pass Ronel who is not having her best day ever. Good to see Gerald Bouwers and Sue Bayliss having a bit of a tussle for position. And then we run the final few kays back into the base. I battle to maintain the pace as I am really starting to tire. But at last we reach the field where the finish banner is. We are handed a medal and coke. Andre is waiting and we swap stories before Ben and Ronel come in shortly after us. Ben seems happy that he is out and taking part in an event.

We walk back to Ben's car and take a drive down to the Hobie beach were we have a short swim. For me this is my wash as I must now be dropped off at Pearson where Ally  has a hockey match. I change into shorts and Tshirt and look reasonably presentable when I find Barbara on the Pearson Fields. I meet up with Thomas Spies. His daughter Anke is in the same team as Ally. He came mountain biking with us a while ago and is now keen to purchase a bike for himself. He plans a three or four day Baviaanskloof trail ride.

ALLY PLAYING HOCKEY FOR PEARSON ON THE FIELDS ON SATURDAY MORNING. THIS GAME THE PEARSON GIRLS LOST TO ALEX 0-1.

 ALLY PLAYS A STRONG DEFENCE GAME

STICKS DOWN ALLY!
Barbara and I have a coffee and sandwich on the side of the field where where Ally is playing on grass. They are not used to grass having been on Astro for the past two seasons. Pearson lose to Alex 1;0. We drive home for a short wash and then leave for Gelvandale Astro where Ally has her second game of the morning. Here is is playing for the Old Grey Academy team. Dean Gow is their coach. He knows Ally as he is also a teacher at Clarendon. This afternoon the game is a far better one for our team and Ally herself has an action packed game. Old Grey beat the Pirates team 4-0 through some skillful attaching play and good defence.

ALLY IS PLAYING HER  SECOND GAME OF THE DAY. THIS TIME IT IS AT GELVANDALE WHERE SHE PLAYS FOR OLD GREY ACADEMY. THEY PLAY PIRATES AND WIN 4-0

 ALLY RUNS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE BALL

ALLY TAKES A FOUL.
After the  second hockey match of the day I leave for Grey School to watch some rugby. Grey is playing Wynberg. I meet up with Bob Stedman; Tremaine Wesson; Bradley Joubert and then Charles meets me at the game. We watch the second team getting beaten by Wynberg and then the First team match is preceded by a great deal of fanfare: drums, singing and chanting. Wynberg take an early lead with a converted try. The Grey boys manage to score two penalties and the score is 10; 6 in favour of Wynberg at half time.

The Wynberg boys are exceptionally fast in the back line and are overall a strong team. In the second half the Grey boys start to close down the game: working the front line phases and playing on their strengths. This is rewarded by an early try and the Grey boys finally take the lead. The game is played at a fierce pace with a lot of pushing and shoving off the ball. The referee has a reasonable control over the game and does not allow this nastiness to interfere with the flow.

Towards the end of the game Grey had been hanging on to their lead of 21-15 and with just two minutes to go the Wynberg boys managed to force the game into the Grey 22. It was now in the dying seconds that the referee seemed to lose control. The Wynberg boys made a number of errors which deserved to be blown but he just ignored them and this allowed the visitors to score the try that won them the game 22-21. It had been a thrilling, edge of the seat game from start to finish. It was the general opinion of the men around me that the better team had won but it was unfortunate for Grey that it happened in the way it did.

PUCK WOODS DIES ON MOTHERS DAY SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2012

Sunday morning 13th May. It is Mothers day today. Barbara recieves gifts from Michael's family and many wishes on the phone. It is sad news that Puck Woods died in her sleep last night. Puck was my father's sister. There were three of them: David was the youngest. He lives in Australia where his children moved. Puck married Martin who was a farmer in Moor River. He developed Arthritis and died many years ago. Puck was a strong woman who qualified as a doctor and then continued studying even in her later years. Puck was a pig farmer and was chairman of the Escourt pig breeders association for some years. Her daughter Judy continued their legacy of farming when she married Lloyd Emmanuel and moved onto a neighbouring farm. Puck was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a great grandmother: She was an inspiration to so many people and an example of the strength of a real woman. Climbing in the Himalayas; hicking with grandchildren; setting the standard for self esteem and ethics. It was fitting and appropriate that when she died at the age of 91 she died on Mothers day.

This afternoon Ally had her third Hockey match of the weekend as Old Grey played another old Grey team. Unfortunately the opposition team were short of three players. This made the match uneven and Ally's team won a realatively easy 5-0. The light was fading and the game called off early. I had to go straight to the airport to board a plane to JHB for business.

Monday 14TH:
I leave for JHB and then two days in EL. Thursday morning I am able to run in the morning.
Friday it is cold and miserable. I have to be in Port Alfred for a meeting and drive in wind and rain.

KENTON EXTREME TRIATHLON; MTB AND BEACH RUN
Saturday morning Ally has a Hockey match at NMMU against the Kingswood girls. Pearson scores an  early goal and Kingswood returns the favour. Pearson have a really tough second half and are fortunate to have a strong defence which means the score ends on 1;1.

We take Ally home for a quick shower, I load my bike and we drop Ally off at her friend Meldon Clark for the weekend.  We collect the keys from Charles' house. They are not at home so we have to burgle the house: I climb over the spikey gate and enter in the back door, find the keys and then we head off to Bushmans. The drive takes 90minutes. We off load our stuff and Barbara elects to stay in the house.

There is a cold west wind blowing and it would be miserable on the beach front. I drive to Kenton where the Kenton eXtreme weekend is in progress. I have entered the Off Road Triathlon.  The event starts on the beach. Once I have put all my stuff right for the race I put on my wetsuite. The swim is going to be the quickest and easiest of the legs. The water is really not at all cold.  We jump in next to the mouth and are pushed into the stream by a strong current. I soon realise that people all around me are wading. I know that we are not supposed to do this so I carry on swimming. In fact I think that swimming is quicker than wading. I am enjoying the swim and make it around the buoy and then up stream back to the beack. I am the only competitor that runs around the flag that we are supposed to run. Into Transition and I shuck my wetsuite, put on my tackies with sandy feet. I should not worry about this as we are going to have sandy feet pretty soon anyway.

The Cycle let takes us up the Tow Path (Promenade) towards the Main Road. We reach the main road and have to walk across the bridge. Then down a steep descent on the other side  and along a soft sea sand beach, a rocky section before being able to push our bikes up a steep sandy pathway. At the top of the path we start the bumpiest of all sections. It is a narrow path and a deep groove which makes me bump from side to side and I only just manage to stay myself from falling. We again reach the main road and ride into a game farm / housing estate. Up along the perimiter where there is electric fencing to the side of us. I meet up with two ladies from Port Alfred: Lynette and Avril. I am glad to have company at the back end of the field. There are only around 30 competitors and I soon realise that I am last.

We ride past the first check point. Then there are some tough sections up and down including one section where there is a sign (Caution Needed) before we reach the steep paved road where I simply do not have the strength to ride. We regroup at the top and then ride an easy down hill. There is a sign (compulsory dismount) we ride down the grassy hill and at the end there are three poles that we have to walk across. But just as we reach the bottom, two of the fast riders come hurtling past us, skid to a halt and run up the other side. I try my best to push the bike but the sand is slippery and I battle. Fortunately Lynette is a strong biker and she assists myself and Avril. We are now back at the entrance to the estate and now have to do this section all over again. Lynette has cleats and has fallen a couple of times as she was not able to uncleat in time. When we reach the entrance to the estate for the second time we are all starting to feel quite tired. We have to cycle up along the perimiter again and then down to the checkpoint. We now follow a different route and are soon on a dirt track leading back to the path way that takes us back to the beach.

We cycle down the path and then push the bikes over the rocks and along the soft sand section. Back up to the R72, over the bridge and down back to the promenade. Lynette takes a last fall of the day as some boisterous young locals are on the pathway. Fortunately she falls into the bush and not to the left hand side which would have caused some damage. We cycle the final section and onto the beach and into transition.

A quick rack of the bikes and we head into a westerly direction along the beach, up and onto the pathway through a suburb and along a path and back to the beach. A short (wind assisted) run to the finish and we are finally home. 3hours and ten minutes of tough riding and running.
We all finish in just around 3 hours and 10minutes:
Lynette Harbrecht
Avril Beyleveld
Meggan and Shaun Spires who had some bike trouble with a hired bike and we were able to assist him.
Eldie and Riegard J v Rensburg

I head back to Bushmans and straight into the shower. I am really exhausted and shakey. Barbara and I take a drive into the village and find a  Pizza place to order a supper.  A couple of drinks and short period of reading and my eyes start to close. I think that it is not more than 8pm.

Sunday morning. I have entered for the Ten Kay Beach Run. The west wind is still blowing strongly. But after a plate of porrige and a wash I am ready for the next event. Barbara again elects to stay in the house and continues to read. It is a really cosy house as the morning sun comes into the glass doors.

I drive back to Kenton and register for the event. I again take my water pack as I know water will be limited and I know how thirsty I become. Yesterday I had filled my bladder with around 2 liters and had finished that. At the start I meet up with Brian and Laura who both did the Addo trail run. As had Lynette as well. They are all from Albany Road Runners and know each other. I also see Tracey (one hour and 51minute finish and Adrian Meistre (4Hour 21minutes for the 55km event) and Philip Nienaber (one hour and 21 minute finish) who are doing the 20km MTB ride this morning. I am glad that I decided to do the beach run as I really have had enough of the bike for the weekend.

The run this morning is not going to be a race for me. I have tired legs from yesterday and am out here for the fun of it. We again run up the promenade and over the bridge. Down on the east side and up the pathway once more. Along the gravel road and then down to the beach. We run along the beach for a further about three kays before turning and heading back --- into a strong west wind -- towards Kenton. It is a real slog as the sand is often soft and the wind makes going tough. I manage to run almost the whole way, down the path and back to the beach, onto the main road and then finally, for the last time this weekend, along the promenade to the finish.
Lynette and Avril finish in 1;05 and I am 8 minutes behind them in 1;13.

I greet the people that I have met: Lynette, Avril, Brian and Laura and head back to Bushmans for a shower. I pack up our stuff and load it in the car. We relax and read for a while before heading home. On the way we stop at a Padstal -- TamJazi -- for a breakfast of Omlette with Peri Peri Livers, coffee and lots of tummy space. This breakfast is a real treat and is good medicine for the drive home. We off load and drive to Seaview to collect Ally from her friend Muldon.

LETTER FROM PATRICK TO JENNY FOLLOWING A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PUCK WOODS WHO DIED ON MOTHERS DAY SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2012 AT AGE 91.

Hi Jenny Just to keep you in touch with family stuff. Mainly, thedeath

of aunt Puck last Sunday. She had had cancer (first on her spine)
abouttwo years ago, had had an operation, recovered, was still very good
company.Marianne and I had seen her on the Thursday – she was being
looked after byvarious Zulu ladies, and her daughter Judy moving between
her farm and Puck’scottage. “I’ve had a lovely last day” she said to
Judy on Wednesday evening.
What a star. She was buried on Judy’s farm (family only) andthe memorial
service yesterday at the village. Her cottage, said one of thevillage
ladies, always had a visitor, because “to be in the company of Puck
wasmost agreeable”, and everyone knew this.
Met various cousins I hadn’t seen for twenty years or so.Robert Ingles,
the son of the son of her very good friend (who has also been tothe
Antarctic, like Isabelle) sang – Bridge over Troubled Waters, which
broughttears to everyone, and other suchlike songs. Shauna messed up and
didn’t arrive– she’d booked the wrong airticket. I congratulated the
daughter-in-law ofJudy, her son Colin’s wife, for getting Puck’s memoirs
into book form (Lis, M’stwin, did that for their grandmother Diana). St
John chatted to their childrenwho attend his old school Notties up
there. Puck’s other child, problematicTim, continued to be problematic.
Where the others said how amazing it was tobe taken horseriding up the
Drakensberg by Puck in the freezing cold when theywere in their early
teens, Tim said it was completely miserable. The Midlandsmen continued
to be the midlands men and huddled together drinking and talkingabout
Michaelhouse and the farms. Marianne got into a long conversation
withJack Goldsmith, 90, who then decided he wants to come to the
conference I’m organizingfor the beginning of November on: Religion,
Values, and a Secular Culture.
Meanwhile, we’re all doing stuff. St John is having hisannual trip to
Boston in June/July. We’re – yay! – heading off for a two-weekvisit to
the cousins in Barcelona (I’ve found a conference there… so my
ticketgets paid) and a w/end in Paris with Carmen. Marianne is back and
forth to CapeTown quite often. And I’m off next week to China for ten
days unfortunately bymyself, for three conferences in Wuhan and Beijing.
love, and see you in Wildcliffe don't know when.
Patrick

LETTER FROM PATRICK TO JENNY AND FAMILY REGARDING HIS DECEMBER 2011 TRIP TO EASTERN EUROPE.

Dear Jenny and Charles and James and Jovi and Richard, and Julia and Laura, and Unknown Entity

Hope you are all doing well, in New York and Rhinecliff, and have a great Christmas. Here, in Sofia, it snowed heavily night before last and I went out without my thermal underwear to town, to the Weihnachtsfest open air and my legs froze, minus 5, Alex said.

The day before we'd gone up to the ski resort Borowitz, an hour and twenty minutes, very pretty, and Thomas and I tried skiing (Alex has his own skis and boots), I liked it but the boots, clomp, clomp, took a bit of getting used to: we've booked for two nights when Isabelle and St John come, beginning of Jan, and when all the others have gone off somewhere - brother Simon and family are arriving from Canada at the same time as Is and StJ. We're off to Istanbul day after Christmas for a few days, that's quite exciting, staying at the Spectra in the old city, advice courtesy of Augustine and Acelia Shutte, and agreed to by Sheila when she saw the price difference between that and the hotels in the new part of the city.

I managed to negotiate the taxis to get me to and from the university for my talk to the philosophers on African philosophy, but not much response so for the next talk I roped in: wife; mother-in-law; Bulgarian/Australian couple I met on the plane coming from London (well Thomas, nearly 4, met their Caspar, nearly 4), and it went much better. Then out for supper with our new friends at the Armenian restuarant nearby, great food, and it helped having a Bulgarian-speaker in our group.

Marianne and I loved staying the weekend coming over from SA, with Peter Spence and Anna and the two kids Alexander and Cassandra, and they loved Thomas so sent M and I off to do tourism - the Gallery and stuff - and pubs, great for us! How nice to chat to cousins out of the context of large extended family Plett events. Christine gave us Sunday breakfast at her house with her housemates, rather overly concerned with the doings of Fergie and other royalty, it seemed to me, and looking forward to the Maggie Thatcher film.

If the baby's arrived, congratulations to all.

I'll ask M to send some photos - St John and I attended Isabelle's graduation in Cape Town, to my surprise I enjoyed it, surrounded by a group of ullulating family of Zimbabwean science graduates. The night before Marianne had to give the speech at her mom's 70th, we dressed up St John and he couldn't believe how smart he looked!

lots of love to all
Patrick - and Marianne and Thomas
Have to try our hand at a snowman this morning on the lawn outside - (where are Julia and Laura when we need them?)and then we're going to see how the skiing is at the nearby Vitosha slopes, only 30 min. away, which didn't have enough snow but now does of course.

Monday 21st May 2012

I am able to do a short walk run this morning. Not feeling like the running. still tired from the weeekend past. This evening we have our fellowship group meeting at Bobby as he had a knee op and not able to walk. Alice Spence has gone to Germany to visit her family for a month or two. Nicky Holliday will stay with her Dad (Ian Spence) for a while in Plett. 

Tuesday: much better run this morning. 

Wednesday: Jhb for the day for a meeting. 

Come home with an I Pad which the GM's won as a result of a sales competition.
Thursday: I have a good run with Svenje through target and into Walmer. Run up and down both sides of Target Kloof.
Bought myself a new pair of Asics Cumulus R800 special at Brian Bands.
Friday: joshua doore greenacres;
Saturday: Beach run; Boys rugby; Ally hockey at school and at NMMU; rugby Grey play St Andrews. Supper at Angelo's.



This mornings beach run is one of my better runs. Ben, Andre and I have an amazing Run together. After the run we have a short swim and the Ben drops me off at VP High where Ally is playing hockey. THe Pearson team Has a tough game and Ally plays well. Later this afternoon Ally plays for the Old Grey team against the PEgs team? Àlly,s Old Grey team really work well together and they win most of their games.
My best activity of the week: watching Grey play St Andrews at Rugby, I was not able to watch the whole game as Ally had a hockey match at NMMU later this afternoon. This evening straight after hockey we stop off at Angelo's restaurant for a quick supper. Barbara has steak and Ally and I have Thai curry chicken. Quick tastes and not too expensive.

Sunday morning we have a bit of a late sleep. I spend the day studying for a FAISAL exam that I must write in a few weeks time. This week I am at home. Michael has a benefit program for the cancer treatment. We attend a function at Charlo running club and they will be trying to raise funds when running Comrades on Sunday. I am able to run three days this week. I apply for my passport and am happy with the service that I receive at home affairs. In an hour have my application in and just a few days later receive an SMS to say I can collect the passport.

May 2012 was a hectic month with so many activities.