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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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 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.
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