APRIL. 2013. AMAZING GRACE! ALLY HOCKEY IN GEORGE; CORPORATE IRONMAN; LIFEGUARD TRAINING; CYCLING AT CROSSWAYS WITH ANDRE; MICHAEL IS VERY SICK

CORPORATE IRONMAN CHALLENGE -- 10% OF THE MAIN EVENT

DEBBIE DEAN AT THE START --ALL THE ACTIVITY IN THE BACKGROUND AS PEOPLE PUT ON WETSUITS AND SET THEIR GEAR UP FOR THE THREE LEGS OF THE TRIATHLON

STEVE MC DONALD AND ROB ELFICK  -- ENJOY THE SHORT EVENT. QUITE DO-ABLE WITH NOT TOO MUCH TRAINING AND LOTS OF FUN.


APRIL 2013

Back from Cape Town and Two Oceans
Ally School holidays
Hockey practice
Hockey tour at YORK School George
Swimming in the mornings
Old Grey and Old Collegians Hockey -- Premier League
Corporate Ironman Challenge
Start up with MTB again. Also a bit of road bike training in the morning around St Georges park

AMAZING GRACE
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see.

'twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
Tis grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
His will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we've first begun

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am saved
Was blind but now I see.

Monday 1st. April. Barbara, Ally and I leave for PE early. We had been staying with Nicky for the Easter weekend and Two Oceans. We stop off in Plett where Patrick is. Visiting. Stoney's birthday.
I have a nasty calf injury and cannot run.
Tuesday I work in KIRKWOOD and Wednesday in King Williams Town. Ally has hockey practice each day. Thursday the U16 Pearson team leaves for George.

Barbara and I leave for George on Friday afternoon after I do some work in Humansdorp. We book into the Mountain View resort as we did last year. It is a very convenient bungalow resort close to a supermarket, the center of town and the school where Ally is playing her tournament. The team plays well together and Ally seems to enjoy the outing. There are just a few of us Pearson Surporters but we make enough noise for a full stadium. Barbara and I are quite cosy in our bungalow after the matches. Saturday morning the resort has a burst pipe and no water in the Bungalows, they try to tell us to use the Camping facilities but after a short discussion they move us to another section. Although there may be some improvements, the chalet is not as cosy as we were in the bungalow.
Sunday morning we pack up and after the match we leave for Plett and then Home.


Ally playing at the York School Astro for the Pearson U16 team.


Ally plays off the line and gives the ball a good whack. She has learned the skill of ensuring that the ball is received by one of her own players. It is a big problem with the Girls hockey that so often a free hit is intercepted by opposition and the advantage is lost.


Ally flying to tackle from defending a short corner. She wears her face mask. I am battling to get her to keep her stick down. I just feel that she loses a split second of reaction time when she carries the stick in both hands.

I am injured and cannot do much training so stick to Swimming until there is a Water Polo Tournament in PE and at the Newton Park Pool. Julia Braatvedt is part of the Gauteng team that takes the tournament.

Thursday afternoon I collect my Registration Pack from the Boardwalk. Friday 13th Morning I am supposed to fly to JHB but when I try to book in I find that I am booked from East London. So spend the day in PE and am able to take Ally to EP hockey trials at Gelvandale.

Saturday morning It is a Perfect day. I am up early and recheck all my stuff for the Triathlon this morning. It is a bit of a nerve racking affair but I manage to not forget anything. Pack the bike and stuff in the Bakkie and drive to the Boardwalk where I find parking and wheel the bike to the Transition Area on Hobie beach. There are a lot of formalities in a Triathlon.
I rack the bike and put all my stuff ready for the next stages. Here I meet up with Steve Mc Donald and ROb Elfickl and a friend of theirs. I also see Debbie Dean and Letitia Straus.

Debbie Dean before the start of the event

 Steve Mc Donald, Friend, Myself and Rob Elfick. We look cheerful but really are quite nervous after they announced that the water is 14Degrees and that we would need wetsuits, which we dont have.

Mike and Lisa are champions at this kind of thing

This is a First for Lettia. First Triathlon, First Corporate Challenge and first time to do a whole triathlon (not in a team)

After we walk down to the beach there is a period of Race Briefing. The announcer becomes inaudible and no one has any idea what he is saying. There are four groups, the first two are teams then the men and lastly the ladies. Soon it is our turn and we charge off into the water. As I have this calf injury I have been doing some pool swimming so feel a lot more confident than I have on other occasions.

A Perfect day for a Triathlon. There is a Slight Easterly wind at this stage. The water is not too cold at all. There is big crowd of participants (probably around 1500) as well as spectators lining the promenade. On the beach I meet Margie, Dale, Rob, Debbie, Letitia, Steve, Graham and we are all just enjoying a beautiful morning on the beach and feeling good about being able to take part.

I set a steady pace, keeping to the right of the Mob but still am kicked a few times. Around the first Buouy and the short section towards the Harbour and then around the second buouy and head back to the Beach. This is a tough section as the waves seem to be battering us a bit. But all in all the swim is such a quick part of this triathlon and I am soon wading onto the beach.


Run up the sand and the steps to the Pier. Around the clubhouse and to where I have racked the bike.
Everything is in Place. I bring a little stool as I cannot sit on the floor to put socks and shoes on. Helmet, gloves, new clear shades and off I go. Push to the end of the transition and almost slip and fall as I try to mount. But no worries  -- I am on the bike and seem to be flying along Marine Drive.

This seems so easy. No wind and I am feeling really comfortable. I group up with two other chaps and we push on together to the University turn. I lose a meter or two and then cannot climb back onto the small group. So I am kind of on my own all the way to the Noordhoek turn. Back towards the beach again, Past the University and I am still feeling really good about this bike ride. I have to work to stay with the groups that I form and then split when I cannot maintain the pace. There are a couple of people behind me but not too many. And I am passed by lots of people.


Into transition and put on the running shoes. I turn my t shirt around as the Number must now be on the front of the shirt. And start to run. It is only a few hundred meters and I again am in trouble with the calf. Stabbing pain. So from here for the next four kays I have to vasbyt and hobble back to the finish. This is not fun. I am used to catching people on the run. Now everyone is passing me and I have to walk run. UGH!

Finally reach the finish. Debbie Dean passed me. So did a whole herd of people. But I have done the event and am pleased to be able to be part of an activity like this. After the race we have to wait for all the cyclists to come in before we are allowed to collect the bikes. Graham Richards, Steve Mc Donald, Magie Saunders, Anne and John Du Rand all meet up and chat for a while before collecting the bikes and heading back home.

Saturday Afternoon we drive to Grahamstown where Ally plays for Old Grey (Old Collegians) and they lose to Rhodes. Barbara and I enjoy a relaxed afternoon. Ally has her friend; Jana, with her.
Saturday evening we all go down to

Sunday morning I have to leave for Sterkspruit so after collecting Julia Braatvedt I pack up and leave. I am not able to watch the Ironman so miss out on the event run in Perfect weather.

Monday 15th:
This week I am in Sterkspruit where we launch a new computer System in our shops there. I stay in Lady Grey at the Mountain View Hotel. I have Mamiki from Aliwal and Roshe from Queenstown with me to assist the managers with the new system. One evening as we are having supper I get to meet Sakkie van Niekerk also staying in this hotel. He tells me of a Run in Lady Grey.He is from Bloemfontein and reps for a Wine Company. It seems that he is as passionate about running as I am. So if possible I will try to get to Lady Grey for this run later this year.

Wednesday evening I drive back to PE. Ewald points out that one head light is out so I stop in Aliwal to have it replaced. The mechanic is really helpful and I am able to do this at short notice buying a globe @ R60 and he does a quick change for me.

Friday evening I go to Summies where Varrin is starting a Lifeguarding Course. I have decided that it is about time for me to qualify as a Lifeguard. In the class is Samiera, Jessica, Maurice and myself. We learn the signals and first stages of Mouth to Mouth. I find myself enjoying the evening.

Saturday 20th morning I had planned to cycle with the runners but its raining and I decide against it. Instead I load up the piles of rubbish and do a Tip Run. Then to the Post Office where I renew the Bakkie Licence. Ally has a Hockey Match at school against Nico Malan. Ally plays for the U16A team and they win the game playing a really good team game. I chat to Thomas and arrange to meet at Profiles for a MTB ride in the morning.

Back home and there is just time for Ally to have a bite to eat and then we drive back to Summies for a Old Grey match against the Gelvandale team. It rains most of the afternoon and this game is played in the wet. This team turns out to be just too fast and skilled for our girls and they are beaten 5-1.

Back home again and we get ready for Rugby. Barbara has a cold and decides to stay at home.  Brenda and I take Ally and her friend Savannah. The two girls sit on the opposite side of the stadium to us with a group of their friends. Julia is also on that side while Brenda and I sit on the North Side. I park in an easily accessible area which we discovered at the last game. Brenda and I enjoy a beer and a strong game of rugby against the Bulls who overwhelm the Kings 27-0. Doesnt matter. I enjoy the outing.

Sunday morning I pack the bike into the Bakkie and drive to Profiles on the William Moffat. I meet up with Thomas and his friend Pieter. They promise to take it easy as they have done this ride many times. It is my first time to enter the Baakens Valley from this side. I have done it once before from Brickmakers Kloof. This is not a "walk in the park". I am not able to cycle down the steep down nor the up hills. Pieter and Thomas are clearly way ahead of me in strength and skill. But an hour in the valley and I love the trail. They drop me off back at the parking area and carry on for another loop. I have to go home for a meeting with Peter Wade.

Peter Wade contacted me during the week about the Park Runs being organised by Bruce Fordyce. I had also tried to contact Bruce through facebook after reading about the Park Runs around the country and specifically the one organised by Bob Norris in EL. We discuss a number of possible routes and other questions that we may have. I email Peter the details and leave it to him to contact Bruce and Bob whom he met in Cape Town at the Two Oceans Expo.

Later this morning I drive to Summies where I and a small group continue the lifesaving training. Today we have two new trainees; Kristy Vaughan and Alexander. We do a couple of beach rescue simulations and then in the hall we continue with CPR on the dummies.

This evening I am really exhausted and nearly fall asleep in church.

Monday 22nd April morning I leave early for Graaff Reinet. I am dreaming and take the Grahamstown road. It is not that much longer but I end up taking the road to Cradock and turning at Somerset East. Probably about 30kays longer this route. This evening I drop Ally and her friends off at UPE for Hockey practice before going to Cell Group with Claudine van Zyl, Rob Ermes; Christine; Garry; Bobby Stevenson; Jacqui and Hannes Zeelie.

Wednesday I drive to Port Alfred for a staff meeting there before going through to Fort Beaufort where I do some work and the leave for home with the FSM: Carmen who will be assisting us with the opening of a New Morkels shop in PE.

Thursday morning Andre and I cycle MTB's around Newton Park and Linkside. This is the first cycle training I have done in ages. Later today we open the Morkels shop at Kenako Mall in Zwide. Problems but having Carmen there is a huge help.

Friday morning I take the Road Bike and meet Ron for a ride going around the park a number of times. This is fine for me and quite a workout. Drive to Kirkwood where I have a conflict situation to sort out.

I collect Ally as school and see that they are laying out the foundations for the Astro Lights to be installed soon. I meet the husband of the Bursar -- Jean -- and he is a civil engineer and discusses the foudation and layers required for these huge lights. There is a circular ditch, layer of steel mesh and concrete laid to stabalise the housing for the base. Concrete is poured into a cage and then sealed off with metal plates held in place by steel rods wedged against the foundation ditch.

Then the 1200cm bolts are set in place with over a meter sunk into the concrete base. The Electrical wiring is catered for as well as Earthing of the whole unit.
I find the whole process quite fascinating.

FOUNDATIONS FOR THE ASTRO LIGHTS AT PEARSON. DIG THE CIRCULAR DITCH, LAY THE FOUNDATION STEEL MESH AND PLACE THE STEEL CAGE FOR THE BASE OF THE LIGHTS

 THE ELECTRICAL FITTINGS ARE CATERED FOR AND THE EARTH LEAKAGE IS FITTED. 1.2METER STEEL GALVANIZED BOLTS ARE SET IN PLACE WITH 90% BEING SUNK IN THE FOUNDATION BASE.

 THE CAGE IS HELD IN PLACE WITH STEEL RODS

 THE CAGE IS FILLED WITH CONCRETE FOR THE BOLTS TO SETTLE IN

THE FOUNDATION CAGE IS COVERED WITH 400CM OF CONCRETE AS  A SECURE FOUNDATIN FOR THE BASE.


 Then this evening I have Lifesaving training with Brian Saunders. We do some Torpedo Rescue simulations in the sea. Fortunately the water is reasonably warm. It is tough having to keep up with a number of fit youngsters. I find myself puffing and panting after the rescue as well as the Run swim Run. Kneeling down and shifting around on sand on my knees is not easy.

This evening Ally has an Old Grey hockey match at Gelvandale. The Uitenhage girls are just too strong for Ally's Prem B team

Saturday morning 29th April; Ally has a Hockey match at Pearson -- the Pearson U16 team win the match by 11-0 in a shortened match.
Andre collects me and we drive through to Crossways. This is a housing development near to the N2 Van Staadens River Bridge (Near to Woodridge but on the Cape Town side of the bridge.)

STEFAN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EASY AND TECHNICAL SECTIONS

CROSSWAYS SOCIAL RIDE ORGANISED BY FAT TRACKS -- 5KAYS OF TRACK AND THEN 6 KAYS OF TECHNICAL SINGLE TRACK LAY AHEAD.

ANDRE AND I BOUGHT OURSELVES FAT TRACKS CYCLING SHIRTS

We arrive early and get ourselves ready for a Social Ride. Andre is quite a bit stronger than I am on the bike. Stefan sets us off and explains the route. There are two sections -- the first 5km  is less technical and  then there is a tough back section of about 6km. But there is an exit for those who do not want to do the second section. We purchase Fat Tracks cycling shirts.

The first part of the ride is through what will be the housing development on dirt roads which will probably eventually become "paved roads". There are just a few beginnings of houses being built. After a short section of dirt road we head into a Wattle Forest. This path takes the rider along the ridge of the cliff. Interesting to see how the valley falls off into a deep gorge where you would least expect it. Perhaps this is part of the Van Staadens Rive gorge?

THROUGH THE WATTLES THE PATHWAYS ARE NARROW AND YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DONT END ON YOUR BACKSIDE.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FALLS INCLUDING AN OVER THE HANDLEBARS.


We carry on along the pathways between the wattle saplings. The surface is often soft sand, rocks and boulders, bouncy and holed pathways but all doable. There are a number of falls around us. Fortunately neither Andre nor I take a tumble. I have to dismount a number of times as I am uncertain of my strength and ability or I have selected a wrong gear and cannot change quick enough.

AT THIS SECTION YOU COULD MAKE THE MISTAKE OF GOING TOO FAST AND FALL OVER THE CLIFF EDGE.

Under the N2 freeway and again through a forest section until we reach the turn off to the Technical Section. Here I decide to head off while Andre braves this part. Andre has quite an experience along this single track, seeing quite nasty falls. I ride under the freeway again and back up to the Coffee shop. Here I meet up with Kay. We agree to do the first 5 km again. Kay is stronger then I am and soon leaves me. But this time around I am starting to feel a lot more capable. Only once or twice do I have to dismount to navigate a section. As I cycle I meet up with Fred Alabone who did Ironman two weeks ago. He tells me that it was his best. He is strong and has a brand new bike that looks great. Again I take the short cut back to the club house where I meet up with Mark and his father Ron.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE VAN STAADENDS RIVER VALLEY.

We decide to try another time around the short course. By now I am much more confident. It is becoming a bit warm as the sun has burnt off the mist and I begin to sweat heavily. This time around I hardly place a foot on the ground and am able to navigate the sections that I had to push on the first round. I am getting tired but have had a great morning so that when I arrive at the Coffee Shop for the last time I am hungry and enjoy the Breakfast Roll and Juice.

PETER AND ANDRE AT CROSSWAYS SOCIAL RIDE ON SATURDAY 27TH APRIL 2013

Andre has finished the full Technical section and we sit together chatting for a while before purchasing some Banana Bread and Ciabatti bread and head off home. Andre and I buy a Fat Tracks cycle shirt. Now we can really feel like cyclists.

It was a great morning of excersize and I really enjoyed every minute. Barbara & Ally come home
both looking quite tired. Ally had a strong hockey match and Barbara had a successful visit to her horse stables where she keeps her horse.

Sunday 28th
Left early for a cycle with Thomas and Pieter. I did the route 3 times. By the third time I was dismounting less but still do not have the nerve to hurtle myself down the steep hill and also do not have the strength to climb the sharp uphills. They left after two laps as they had a busy morning ahead. The route is a short section of the Baakens Valley. The sport has a high intensity level and you are soon out of breath and sweating.


AT PROFILES THERE IS THIS SHORT LAP WHICH THE THOMAS, PIETER AND I DID ON SUNDAY MORNING


I LOAD THE BIKE INTO THE BACK OF BARBARA'S BAKKIE.

This morning I went to Summies for LIFESAVING training. Varrin took us through signals, board rescue, sea resuscitation and the the way to tie someone on a neck brace board. This morning was also the Pollok to KB swim and run back. Strong West wind blowing made swimming and boarding quite tough.

Monday 29th morning; for the first time in a long while I went for a morning run. Only a short 5kay but that we sufficient to make me feel quite stiff later on in the day. Strangely the parking lot was full at MPRG this morning. With approaching winter and only Helouise, Mornich and Marilyn training for Comrades, you would think that the group would be small. Niel Calder, Jacqui Zeelie, Mike Dean, Svenje Trollip, Adrienne Wilson, Pat Scheepers were part of the slow group. I was slower than the slow group and turned off early.

This afternoon I collected Ally from school and was interested to see the progress made with the bases for the Astro Lights.
This evening Ally has Hockey with another Academy group. Not quite sure who they are but all of this hockey training must be improving her game.


BASE IS NOW FILLED IN AND HARDENING


COMPACTER IS USED TO ENSURE THE BASE AND FOUNDATION IS SOLID


NEARLY READY FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE FITTED

Tuesday morning I did 6 laps of St Georges Park on the road bike. This is not much but gives me around 15kay and better than staying in bed. Also I had to hurry as I had to drop Ally off at Hockey early.

Tuesday evening -- family cell group at Christine's house in Mc Lean Road with Barbara and Ally. Preto Rolls are a speciality of Claudine. Ally was not feeling well today so I fetched her from school early. This evening Ally makes pancakes for desert.

These last few Mornings Michael has not been feeling well. His temperature goes up. feeling sore and feverish. Barbara nurses him with rubs and cooling. Quite exhausting for her. Michael sees the Doctor who explains that he is now just treating pain symptoms. The cancer is now too far spread to try to cure it anymore. Tough for Mike and LENE to cope with this kind of stress and pressure.

MARCH 2013 MICHAEL IN ISRAEL; EAST CAPE NIPPERS; CLARENDON GALA; CLARENDON CRICKET; ALLY HOCKEY; SA LIFESAVING DURBAN; TWO OCEANS 21K;

EP KINGS RUGBY -- BARBARA, JULIA, JESSICA, JOSHUA AND DANIEL HAVE AN EVENING OUT ON SATURDAY NIGHT TO WATCH OUR TEAM PLAY THE SHARKS IN THE SUPER RUGBY LEAGUE.



JULIA AND JESSICA HAVING FUN TOGETHER

MARCH 2013


ADDO TRAIL RUN
BEACH FRONT RUNNING
NIPPERS EAST CAPE
MICHAEL AND LENE IN ISRAEL
ALLY HOCKEY TRIALS for PEARSON TOURING U16 TEAM
BIKING WITH GRANDCHILDREN ON THE PE PROMENADE
NIPPERS PRACTICE AND FUN ON THE BEACH
LIFESAVING SA NATIONAL COMPETITION ADDINGTON BEACH DURBAN
SILVERSANDS HOTEL AND STAY WITH PATRICK AND MARIANNE
PLET AND CT FOR TWO OCEANS 21KAY
MICHAEL AND LENE BACK FROM ISRAEL
SWIMMING IN THE MORNINGS



I was due to run the Addo 44k trail run this Saturday but after the calf injuries and the operation of January, I decided to miss this one.

Saturday 2nd March -- Beach front run with Adrienne, Pat and Ronel and the rest of our little group. We run around the Admiralty route which gives us 13k.
I must collect Ally for her Life Saving duty. It is Nippers East Cape at Kings Beach this morning

JOHAN AND GRANT OVERSEE THEIR TEAM OF NIPPERS AT EAST CAPE CHAMPS, KINGS BEACH. 2 MARCH 2013

AND OFF THE BOYS GO WITH THEIR MALIBU BOARDS IN TO THE KINGS BEACH SURF

Ally does Life Saving duties during the East Cape  Nippers Champs. I kind of hang around encouraging and assisting where I can. Grant has now taken over and is doing an excellent job of being in charge.

Nippers East Cape Champs at Kings Beach with Ally doing lifesaving

Daniel in the ball swim

Sunday morning Ally has a Hockey clinic from 9 to 10am. Daniel and I do a cycle around summerstrand. From there we drop Ally at Summies and head back to Kings Beach. By the time we get there the carnival is over and everyone is packing up. This has been good experience for Summies boys and girsl. In a month's time the National Competition is in Durban. Summerstrand will take a team of around 5 Nippers.

Monday 4th. This week I am able to run every morning. Then comes Saturday and we have a Beach Front run planned. It is pouring with rain when I am ready to leave so I skip the run. But then a short while later the rain stops and the day is a magnificent day. So sad.

DANIEL IS THIRD ON THE PODIUM FOR THE WET T SHIRT SWIM. HE WAS QUICK TO PUT ON HIS WET T SHIRT AND CAPITALISED.

DANIEL DID WILL IN THE BOARD RACE BUT NO PODIUM POSITION

DANNY IS READY TO TAKE OFF WITH HIS KICKER BOARD

I attend Daniels Grade one and Grade two Gala. Daniel swims in every event. Swim; Hold the ball and swim; kikker board Swim; Wet T Shirt swim (he is on the podium in third posisiton); Dad's swim (where I do not cheat suffiently for a podium position). It is a great morning and I love doing this with my grandson. Ron is there for Grace and Guy and Jean are there for his grandchild.

Friday evening there is a Food Fest at church. I take Ally, Jessica, Josh and Daniel. They have a great time with their friends while I sit and chill with a couple of beers. Beth and Grant; Mark and Heidi join me. Susan Burri and Chris Sheesby, Derek and Lyn, Ken and Lyn, Liesl. A nice evening and everyone has plenty to eat.

DANIEL AT DAD'S AND BOYS CRICKET

 DANIEL HITS A SIX

EACH BOY TAKES A TURN AT BATSMAN, BOWLING, KEEPER AND FIELDSMAN

DANIEL HAS A GOOD EYE FOR THE BALL

Saturday Morning: Michael is still in Israel with Lene for Treatment. I take Daniel to Dads and Boys Cricket. This is a great outing for us. Great initiative by the Clarendon Park Head master, Allan Lones. Dads and boys play cricket together and the boys have a chance at batting and bowling in an environment free of criticism and plenty of encouragement.



A little later I take Daniel for a cycle around Grey. He seems to enjoy these short rides and of course I love doing this with him.

DANIEL AND DAD GO CYCLING AROUND GREY

DANNY LOVES HIS CYCLE

 Saturday evening 9th March. Michael and Lene in Israel with Jacqui and Michael. Michael should receive the results of his scan within the next few days. There is quite a bit of tension as he is anxious and nervous for the results.

Ally has made the Pearson U16 team and will travel to George in April for the tournament.

I have tickets for us to see the second game that the EP Kings play agains the Natal Sharks. Barbara, Julia, Jessica, Joshua and Daniel are all coming with me. I have insisted that the youngsters have a sleep before we go. Julia has bought a new car: Nissan Tiida.

Barbara and three grandchildren and I have a wonderful evening out at the Rugby. Sian and Sheena; Suzanne; Pat Clarke; Bradley and many other PE people fill  the stadium -- it is the second game of the EP kings and we hold the Sharks off to 15-3. No disgrace. A wonderful evening and electric vibe.

BARBARA AT EP KINGS RUGBY

BARBARA AND JOSHUA ENJOY A DRINK

JULIA JOINED US FOR THIS EVENING. SHE HAS COME TO BE PART OF THE SA AND EP RUGBY FAN CLUB

JESSICA LOVES TO BE SPOILED BY JULIA. IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH AND JULIA TOOK HER OUT FOR A SUPPER AND MOVIE.

BARBARA AND DANIEL AT THE NELSON MANDELA STADIUM

OUR MEN IN BLACK LEAP FOR THE BALL IN A LINE OUT. THIS WAS A GOOD MATCH AND EVEN THOUGH WE LOST, THE KINGS WERE STRONG AGAINST THE SHARKS AND DEFENDED TO THE FINISH.

This week I Go to Graaff Reinet and Middelburg for branch visits then Thursday I fly to JHB for meetings. Saturday morning is our normal beachfront run with Adrienne, Lou Anne, Svenje and two of their friends; Sarah and Hadri. Our internet connection is down and has been for a week.



Sunday morning I drop stuff off at the tip. Then spend the morning at Summies. I enjoy a long swim on this beautiful PE morning. This is what I love doing.

Ally has Old Grey hockey trials this afternoon. I spend the afternoon with her at Collegiate. Ally plays in a number of games. she plays a strong game and is almost impenetrable as a defender.  And then Church in the evening.

SUNDAY MORNING; ALLY HAS AN HOUR OF HOCKEY ACADEMY PRACTICE AND I TAKE JOSH, DANNY AND JESS FOR A CYCLE. WE RIDE FROM PEARSON DOWN TO SUMMERSTRAND AND THEN ALL THE WAY ALONG THE PROMENADE TO KINGS BEACH AND BACK. IT IS A LONG RIDE FOR THEM -- THE LONGEST EVER -- BUT WE ENJOY THE OUTING.

AFTER OUR CYCLE WE SPEND MOST OF THE MORNING AT THE BEACH DURING NIPPERS AND LIFESAVING PRACTICE. THESE CHILDREN BUILD FORTRESSES AGAINST THE TIDE.

A LONG CYCLE ON THE PE PROMENADE

Meanwhile in Israel, Michael has been visiting doctors to establish if their treatment has a possible cure for him. THey will "debulk the tumors" then give him ongoing Immunotherapy. Very expensive and Barbara is busy trying everything possible to raise funds for this.


Wednesday morning 20th March. Ally and I leave early for Durban. We collect Jordan Zeelie and leave at around 5;30am. We take the route along the Queenstown road via Fort Beaufort, from Queenstown we take the road to Lady Frere at the foot of the Drakensberg. It is a windy road and passes a number of villages such as Elliot and Ugie. The road emerges at Matatiele and then heads towards Kokstad where we fill up with Petrol. From there we drive down to Port Shepstone and take the freeway to Durban.

ADDINTON BEACH DURBAN SA LIFESAVING MARCH 2013 OPENING CEREMONY

OPENING CEREMONY -- ALLY IS HIDDEN INBETWEEN THE GIRLS

I drop Ally at the Silversands hotel where she stays with the rest of the girls from the Summerstrand team: Christie Vaughn; Tarrin Koen; Tara Meintjies and Tara vd Venter, Natalie and Lauren Billson.
I stay over at Patrick and Mariane with their children; St John and Thomas. The next three days are hard and long days at the beach at Addington. Marine LSC is the host club. The wind blows two and a half days of East and brings in FIre Weed and Blue bottles. The surf is huge and tough to lswim or board through. The lifesavers are stung and conditions eventually force the organisers to cancel the surf events until the following day. Our team is not able to get through the surf on a couple of attempts both on the ski, the board and swim.

ALLY LOADS UP A SURF SKI

THE EARLY MORNING SUN REFLECTS ON THE OCEAN. ROUGH SEAS AND BLUE BOTTLES MAKES FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS

However in these tough conditions we still acquit our selves with courage. Jordan wins a gold for the Ski, Lauren and Natalie win the Tube Rescue; Our boys win the Tube resue, the Jones boys; Wayne, Jason and Daniel are top swim and board competitors, Tarrin wins the Beach Sprint and the long run and is a silver medalist in the Flags; Ally achieves a Fifth position in the Beach Relay as well as the Flags.

JORDAN WON A GOLD MEDAL FIRST PLACE IN THE SINGLE SURF SKI

LOADING THE TRAILER AFTER THE EVENT

OUR BOYS SETTING OFF WITH MALIBU BOARDS INTO ROUGH SURF


Overall we are placed 5th for the Juniors section with Kings Beach being placed Second.
I enjoy my stay at Patrick and meet Mariane's brother Simon and wife Christine (Caz). And their twins: Luke and Olivia.


Sunday morning I fetch Ally. On the beach road I hit a curb and split the tyre so have to change the wheel. A young man assists me. He tells me that he is a Policeman, a Sea Rescue volunteer, a German and is returning from a DJ job. I am missing the Jack Lever and am very greatful for the assistance. Meanwhile Jordan climbs onto the Bus, Ally is in the Hotel waiting for me and there is a bit of a period of worry. Once that all settles down we set the Tom Tom and head off to PE. This time we take the Road to Kokstad and Mthatha. The drive from PE took just around 13 hours from the time we left to dropping Ally. The drive home takes 12 hours. There are no stop and Gos being a Sunday. Ally sleeps almost the entire drive.

The following week I swim every morning; I have had a bit of a sore leg -- my Achilles tendon and calf muscle has been sore and I am scared to damage it further so the swim is a way of keeping activity up without aggrevating the injury. I am nervous to cycle in the dark in the early mornings.

Thursday -- Michael and Lene come home. Barbara Ally and I leave for Plett where we overnight and then on Friday morning drive to CT to register and overnight with Nicky.

Good Friday 29th March. Barbara, Ally and I leave around 6 for CT. A bit of rain in the early morning. The road is really busy especially coming from the CT side. There is a constant reminder on the radio to drive carefully and unlike last weekend when I was driving back from Durban, the motorists are reasonably patient. We stop in Mossel Bay for Coffee and a sandwich and again in Riviersonderend before driving on to Houhoek where we buy a few goodies.

In CT we make our way to Cathy's house. I drop Barbara and Ally off and drive to the CTCC to register. It is now past midday and there is no queue. I meet up with Sjani and her friend Cathy. And then Pat & Ronel also make up a little group from PE, before driving back to Cathy.

We spend the night at Nicky who has done renovations to the Kitchen, making an extra room, roving the counter and opening up the back entrance. They now have two indoor fireplaces. And an extra room for Christian where Barbara and I sleep.

STEFAN IS SET FOR A SUB TWO HOUR 21K AT TWO OCEANS THIS YEAR.

Stefan and I leave at 4am for the University. I have had some calf and Achilles' tendon problems so spent the past week swimming to try and set myself up for this 21. There is no traffic and we are able to find a good parking in the University grounds. We sit and relax for a short while before walking down to the start. Stefan did not get himself a good qualifying time and is in D section. I automatically qualify for C.



PETER; PAT AND ADRIAN

ELMARIE JOINED THIS SMALL PE GROUP. AND THEN LATER LYN ROCHE ALSO MET UP WITH US.


STEFAN JUST BEFORE THE START OF TWO OCEANS 21.

SASHA AND ELMARIE BOTHA WITH PETER AND STEFAN  -- ALL HAPPY TO HAVE FINISHED.

I meet up with Pat, Adrian Smith, ELMARIE Botha and Lyn Roche. It is good to find fellow runners from PE at the start. Time goes quickly and soon we start the event. Pat has a fast start. Stefan must have passed us early

The route for the 21has changed again. Immediately after the start we turn right and begin a long climb up to Constantia. We pass under the footbridge which older 56k runners will remember running across when we used to finish on the Villagers rugby field. And then after a bit more the 3k we begin the down hill along the M3. I had, silently, determined to run the whole way but with 18k to go I have stabbing pain in my right Achilles' tendon and calf.

It is going to be a long and painful morning. Kevin greets me. He used to live in PE and we knew him from Round Table. He is now an event Organiser. He presses on and I walk and jog. Downhill is more painful than uphill. I count the kays. This is not fun but if I am able I want to finish the day. Past 7 kays. One third done! Off the M3 and back into the suburbs. Crowds line the route. The seconding is excellent with plenty of water tables.

We reach the 10k. The E group had started 10 mins after us but I am now amoung them. Most of the C and D are long gone. I begin the climb up Forest Drive. Drummers and bands liven the road. Cries of keep it up and you can do it encourage the runners.

At 13k we reach the top. From here there is a section of undulations through Constantia. It has turned out to be a perfect morning for us. There was a bit of an Easterly but overall a good morning for running. I continue to walk, run as best I can. At times the pain is not severe and I make reasonable headway and then a stab brings me back to a walk.

Finally we pass the 5 or 6 Kay to go. Pierre Knoesen is also hobbling. He too has a severe injury. I pass a fellow Achillean, Samantha, who I don't know but recognise the club vest. Earlier on Michael Botha had passed me. And that is the sum total of runners who I recognized this morning. I pass Kevin. He is, selflessly, assisting a fellow athlete. I just want to get this morning over and done with.

I think back to last year when we ran in rain. And I was having fun. Today is just vasbyt for me. Turn left at the traffic lights for the final three kays. Up the hill and along the motorway. This year the fencing separating motorists and runners creates a safe pathway for us. I am head down and oblivious to what is going on around me. There are something like 16 000 21k athletes on the road this morning. Most of them are already finished and I continue to make my way through the final few kays.

Now with the end almost in sight I press on. I feel like I have run the fifty six. I cannot remember ever suffering like this on a 21kay. Up the last climb and onto the field. I still have to walk even though I receive a huge number of jibes from spectators. Up ahead I see PE club colours, it is Saha Botha and we finish together. Her time is 10 min faster than mine as she was in E group.

I hobble my way through the crowds and up the ramp of the sports complex where I arranged to meet Stefan. I tried to phone him but he forgot to charge his phone and the battery is dead. I walk along the road and finally see him looking over the wall. He is searching for me and worried. He had walked back to the car twice and had been waiting for nearly an hour. My time was 2:45 while he had finished in under two hours.

SASHA AND ELMARIE BOTHA -- WE MET UP WITH THEM AFTER THE RACE.

We see Chris, Elmarie and Sasha. I shuffle back to the car and am so happy to be able to take the weight off my legs. On the way home we find a bakery and buy rolls for breakfast. Nicky makes us eggs rolls and after a shower I collapse on the couch. Barbara, Ally, Nicky and children go to Ratanga Junction for the rest of the afternoon. Stefan and I do nothing except watch some (uninspiring) rugby. Stefan makes us a supper but I remain couch bound. And this continues overnight as the couch becomes my bed as well. Barbara passes out when she gets back from Ratanga.

This evening we do an Easter Egg Hunt. Nicky has some eggs with luminous bands and special torches for finding them in the night. What a treat to be searching for eggs in the dark.

Sunday Coenie and his family come for a braai lunch. We met Coenie and Jaco at Dryland last year. Stefan has stayed in touch. Another easy day -- couch and relaxing as I try to get rid of the niggling pain in my calf.

ALLY HAS OLD GREY HOCKEY TRIALS. THIS YEAR THERE ARE MORE GIRLS THAN EVER TRYING OUT FOR THE VARIOUS TEAMS