MAY 2015 -- MIA TO PE; BIATHLE LOCAL TOURNAMENTS; SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE 15K; RUGBY AT GREY.

Travelling to Port Elizabeth? Would you like to contact me regarding an Addo Game Drive; hiking or cycling half day tour? I am a qualified and licenced tour guide for the Eastern Cape and would love to show you some of the Port Elizabeth activities.

portelizabethtours

        

http://petergiddy.wix.com/portelizabethtours

MAY 2015
BIATHLE WITH DANIEL  -- QUALIFED FOR EAST CAPE CHAMPS.
RUGBY -- JOSHUA AND DANIEL U11 TEAMS FOR CLARENDON.
I BECOME THE LINESMAN FOR THE VARIOUS TEAMS.
RUNNING IN THE MORNINGS AND BEACH FRONT RUNS
MIA MOVES TO PORT ELIZABETH AND CLARENDON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL.
SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE 15K
CYCLING WITH CHRIS BOTHA -- NORM HUDLIN AND CAPE RECIFE.
WEDNESDAY WALKS -- TO KINI BAY AND VAN STADENS NATURE RESERVE.
ZUURBERG NATIONAL PARK WALK AND ADDO PARK VISIT.
VEGETABLE GARDEN -- FIRST WITH SEEDS AND THEN SEEDLINGS.
WORKING TO COMPLETE THE TOUR GUIDING COURSE.
BIATHLE IN EAST LONDON WITH DANIEL.  QUALIFIED FOR SA CHAMPS IN EL
WEDNESDAY HIKE -- ZUURBERG AND ADDO PARK DRIVE
RUGBY AT KINGSWOOD AND ST ANDREWS

FROM KINGS BEACH AND BACK -- 20KM. RECIFE LIGHTHOUSE.

 BEACH AT RECIFE WITH POOLS AND PLENT OF PLACE TO SURF AND SNORKEL.

 AN INTERESTING BEACH BUSH NEXT TO THE ALOE AT RECIFE.

 NAME OF BUSH?

 ANOTHER HARDY PLANT THAT IS ABLE TO SURVIVE ON SAND DUNES.  THIS MAY BE BLOMBOS BUT HAS NO FLOWERS.

 CHRIS AND I CYCLED TO RECIFE THIS MORNING.

 WE STOP AT SANREC -- PENGUIN RESCUE NEXT TO PINE LODGE.

COST IS R25 OR R15 TO VISIT SANREC. R52 FOR THE PERMIT FOR A VEHICLE IS PURCHAED AT PINE LODGE.  041 583 1830


Friday 1st May. A public Holiday.
We start the day with a Beach front run; Stefany; Chris and Elmarie.
Then Chris picks me up for a cycle to Cape Recife Lighthouse. Not hectic; just fun. Meet many of our friends along the way.

FRIDAY 1.5.2015 -- GREY PLAY DANIEL PIENAAR. IT TURNS OUT TO BE A DAY FOR GREY AS WE HEAR AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT AROUND 15 POINTS IS ALL THAT DANIEL PIENAAR COULD SCORE AGAINST GREY IN ALL THE GAMES PLAYED TODAY.

Rugby to watch Brad Nelson and other boys playing rugby at Grey.  We find our normal spot on the stand and sit with a whole group of friends from Achilles; Lifesaving and generally nice PE people. Josh; Daniel and Jessica join me.


Saturday 2nd.
I collect Elmarie and we drive to Sportsmans warehouse for the 15k event. Register and
meet up with fellow Achilleans ad Ronel.
I start running with Graham Channon who I have not run with for so long. He is much faster than I am but has been on a month holiday and is not as fit as he would like. I stay with him for the first 5k as we cross Circular drive he announces 29min. We are not breaking any records but are not slouching either. We jog on and along the rail line. I want to slow down but Graham pushes me. It has been up hill for the first 8k when we meet Chavonne (Warren Barwood's girlfriend). She tells us that Kenny is just ahead. This is a red flag to a bull to Graham.
We spend the next 2 kays scheming on how we are going to catch and pass Kenny. As we approach 10k there is a slight uphill. No talking! I push and give Kenny the Bruce tap on the shoulder and then run on as hard as possible so that he loses any thought of staying with me. Graham is right behind me and does the same with a greeting: "Good Running Kenny!".  Adri is with Kenny. I see Robin ahead and press on to catch him.
Robin is naturally stronger then I am and he helps to motivate me over the next few kays. Graham is right behind us. What we don't know is that Adri has now left Kenny and is trying to stay ahead of him and trying to catch the three of us.
With one Kay to go I am tiring. So is Robin and Graham. We grab a water and push on. There is a short sharp down and then up over the final 500m. We run as hard as we are able and finish in 82mins. I had planned for 90 and Graham for 85min. That is what running races does for you. You can never think that you will run an easy pace when you meet up with friends.
Adri and Kenny come in a minute behind us.
Elamrie and Ronel are there.

ALLY PLAYS FOR PEARSON 1ST TEAM -- SHE IS FEELLING MISERABLE WITH A COLD. PEARSON HAVE TO WORK REALLY HARD TO BEAT DSG 2;1

PEARSON VS ST ANDREWS (MY OLD SCHOOL). IT IS 15ALL AT HALF TIME AND THE GAME ENDS AT 34;24 WITH PEARSON SCORING THE FINAL TRY.  PEARSON LOST THE GAME BUT IT WAS NO WALK OVER FOR ST ANDREWS.

Barbara; Ally and I drive to Grahamstown for Hockey where Pearson beat DSG 2;1 and then St Andrews beat Pearson at Rugby 34;27. It was an excellent day for the outdoors and sport.

Sunday 3rd.
Barbara goes off to Horse Riding. I spend the morning helping Ally (who has a nasty cold) with her business project.

Biathle at NMMU. Today is the District (Nelson Mandela bay) champs. It is a qualifying event to allow the athletes to go to EP Champs at the end of May. I get there early with Herman to assist with set up. Gives me time to swim and run a short warm up. I have done just one swim on 30th April and need a lot more training.
It is a perfect afternoon for the event. The afternoon is full of activity with the various age group events. For us there is a youngster; Herman and Peter and myself. They all run much faster than I do. Even Herman who is over 70. Also I seem to have hurt my hips at the 15k yesterday;.
But the event is over in just 13 minutes and I qualify for the EL event. I assist with marshalling and then it is Daniel's turn to run. He comes out of the blocks first. Running hard. His swim lets him down a bit but with courage and effort he scrapes in with just one second to spare and also qualifies to take part in the EP champs.

Danny has to run 500m Swim 50m and Run 500m

To qualify to attend the EP champs later this month he had to do this distance in 5:59 and his time was 5;57.68. So he made the cut off with ONE second to spare.  

To qualify to represent EP at the National Champs in June; he must have a time of 5;31.

Grandad has to run 1000m; Swim 100m and run 1000m.

To qualify for the EP champs I had to do 13.44 -- and for SA champs 12.38.

My time on Sunday was 12.30.84.  

 

GRANDAD AT BIATHLE AT NMMU TO QUALIFY FOR EP CHAMPS

DANIEL RUNS HARD TO FINISH WITH JUST ONE SECOND TO SPARE FOR HIS QUALIFIER. WELL DONE DANNY!

So Danny and I will travel to EL later this month to see if we can make the cut off for SA's

Monday morning -- Run with Adrienne and Adele up Trichard Road to avoid the long Langenhoven. My hips and joints are still sore. Drop Ally and Jessica off at school; Drop Barbara off at the airport -- she fly's to CT to fetch Mia. Do a couple of chores. Afternoon is spent at Rugby with Joshua who plays for Clarendon U11A's. They are at Charlo who beat them soundly. Joshua plays a good game with Running and makes two solid tackles.

Tuesday -- Barbara is still in CT. I run the School Route with Andrea; Kelly; Adrienne; Chris; Lindi and Susan Burrie. Also on the run this morning is Stefany; Angela; Stuart; John; John; Lisa; Joan; Joan; Kobus; Andy; Rianna; Melissa; Nicky; Amanda; Benita and Claire who are both training for Comrades.  Elmarie walks with Gay.
Elmarie is training for her Portugese walk. She will hike 240k over about 10 days. She will undertake this entirely on her own. Leaves for Lisbon on Saturday and visits Oporto for one day and starts the hike on Tuesday. She follows Yellow painted shells on the road and stays in B & B's for the whole route. No guides and no walking companions unless she meets up with another walker. She carries a back pack of 6kg for the full 2 weeks and that is all she has. Meals on the road. This takes courage.

BARBARA'S BAKKIE IS STILL GOING STRONG.

VEGETABLE GARDEN. CABBAGES; BROCCOL0; ZUKINNI; SPINACH; CARROTS. IF THIS PRODUCES IT WILL BE A FIRST FOR ME IN A VERY LONG TIME.

 FIXED THIS BIKE FOR MIA. LOOKS BETTER IN THIS PIC THAN REALITY.

BAKKIE CANOPY WINDOW WAS SMASHED BY GARDEN SERVICES SO I HAD IT REPAIRED TODAY.
Today -- get Bakkie window fixed; Collect Barbara's Ipad from fixing; _Plant vegetable garden; Fix bicycle for Mia; arrange Job Interview with Andrea's company; Cell group at Tim and Angela.

Wednesday 6th
This morning is chilly and so no running. I meet Susan Burri and we join Robin and Dave for our morning hike. Drive to Kini Bay, turn off is just before Seaview. There is a parking area and we are a total of 13 this morning.
Walk in an easterly direction with the west wind behind us. This is a mixed beach and pathway walk with the coves and rocks on our right as we go out. An easy walk in cold weather. We pass Lawries Bay where Mike owns a house and where Patrick and I would visit and play over weekends as boys.

At 4k we stop for a snack. There is an old disused cattle reservoir. Robin tells me that we could walk just over the next ridge to find the next cove. Maybe next time.
Heading back into a strong westerly we pass Mike's house again. Bringing back memories. We see bones of the whale that beached itself some years ago.

THE WEDNESDAY HIKING GROUP AT KINI BAY. TIME TO REGROUP SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.

 COVES AND POOLS ALONG THE WALK

 BLOMBOS HAS MORE THAN JUST THE WHITE FLOWERS. I AM NO GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF THE LOCAL COSTAL BUSH.

 WHALE BONE ON THE TRAIL

 ROBIN -- CHEERFUL AS ALWAYS.

 SUSAN JOINED THE HIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY.

 LAWRIES BAY AND MIKE'S HOUSE.

 WALKING PAST THESE OLD STONE WALLS WITH JIMMY.

 THE HIKE IS ANYTHING BUT ONE DIMENSIONAL AS IT INCLUDES BEACH; PATHWAYS AND HOMES.

 INA; ? DI; SUSAN AND HENNA ON THE WALK.

JOSHUA PLAYS FOR CLARENDON U11A AND BEATS KABEGA; DANIEL IS IN THE U11C TEAM AND ARE BEATEN BY GREY THIS AFTERNOON

The hike takes us just over two hours. I have to fetch Ally from school and then Barbara with Mia from the airport. Then off to Clarendon with Mia to collect Joshua who has a rugby match vs Kabega. Today Clarendon are the better team and they score a number of tries. Josh plays a part in the success. Back home and walk to Grey where Daniel is playing Grey in the U11 C team. Grey are the stronger team and Clarendon do not manage to score a try. Daniel is Flyhalf and the designated kicker.

This evening I am, after two days of struggling, finally able to complete the Meiringspoort entry for Nicky; Lene and myself. Just as well as the entries have sold out within 24 hours of opening.

Thursday 7th. Morning run through Target Kloof with Stuart; Stefany; Adrienne; Chris; Lindi and the usual fast group. Drop my car for 183 000km Service. This afternoon I cycle (Norm Hudlin 7k) with Chris and his work assistant, Nadine and his brother Cronje. Collect my car from Nissan and go to a Rugby Meeting at Clarendon Park with Lene. Interesting thoughts as presented by Allan Lones.  Objectives: Win 25 to 50% of all games; Each player to make 5 tackles per game.

Friday 8th. 7k run with Joan and Kathleen. Drop Jessica at school. Meeting with Masa for possible contract employment. Grahamstown with Joshua for Hockey.  I get a lift there with Grant Hechter and then back with Mrs Ah Hing mother of James. Joshua's shoes break and Lene rushes to buy him a new pair.

JOSHUA PLAYS HOCKEY FOR CLARENDON U11A ON THE ST ANDREWS ASTRO. THEIR FIRST TIME ON ASTRO. JOSH HAS A BRAND NEW PAIR OF SHOES FOR THIS GAME.

Saturday 9th. Morning Beach front run
Rugby at Clarendon first with Daniel in U11C and then Joshua U11A. I volunteer to be Lines Man. From 10 to 14.00. None stop linesman duty for 5 matches. Exhausted in the end.
Daniel (captain of his team) had a stormer of a game of tackling. His team was 3 tries behind when, in the second half, Daniel scored the opening try for Clarendon and this turned the tide as they ended up down by 3 tries to 4. Josh was never in his game. He knew it and was furious with himself.
All Clarendon games ended in substantial losses except the main game of U13\s where, with 4 minutes to go, we were 16 to 10 ahead. Then St Andrews scored a converted try making it 16 to 17 behind. And then amazingly Clarendon touched down in the final seconds to take the lead. 21-17 final score.

Sunday 10th. Mothers Day.
Work the garden -- plant more vegetables; take Daniel; Josh and Mia for a cycle to the shops and then to the park. Scary with them going into the road. I bought Daniel some running shoes for his Biathle. He tried them out at Grey. He is quite a bit faster than Joshua when sprinting.

Monday morning: Langenhoven. With Joan; Joan; Maryka; Stuart; Stuart; John; John; Kobus; Andy; Lynn; Amanda; Nicky; Benita; Melissa; Adele; Michelle; Riana; Chris; Lindi. - 20 of us altogether. I learn a new Afrikaans word _-- Breier. Coach or Tutor.
Sort out Pension Payout with Garth.
Register Jessica as a Holiday Club Leader.


Chris and Lindi fetch me for a cycle Kings Beach to Cape Recife and back. around 18k.   From this point, at low tide,  you are able to see the remains of the Kapodistrias -- a Greek Bulk Carrier wrecked in 1985 in calm weather.

Cycling back towards Pine Lodge the Boiler of another wreck can be seen. Not sure of the name of this vessel as there are so many wrecks off this coastline. 

You are able to turn off towards Noordhoek on the Patti Route. The Patti was a Cypriot vessel sailing from the Ivory Coast to the Persian Gulf when it ran aground in 1976. The wreck is no longer visible from the shore but serves as a diving spot for scuba divers.

The Beacon and Lighthouse at Cape Recife.
As early as 1835, the need was discussed for some sort of warning to protect ships from the shallow reefs at Cape Recife, which marks the end point of Algoa Bay. A beacon was erected there until a lighthouse could be built.In 1851 a 24 m high octagonal masonry tower was built under supervision of GW Pilkington. This lighthouse predates that on the Donkin, which was built in 1861.

HOW DID CAPE RECIFE GET ITS NAME?

The steam ship SS Cape Recife was built in Britain in 1898 and, in foggy weather, wrecked off the coast line of Cape St Francis in February 1929.

In 1488, Bartholomew Diaz rounded a rocky point into Algoa Bay. He named it Cape of the Rocks “Cabo da Roca.” In 1498, Diaz was followed by Da Gama, who had on board ship a cartographer. On the map he drew of the coast, he corrupted the name Cabo da Roca to “Cabo de Arreciffe” or cape of the reef. Over the years, this became Cape Recife

Tuesday 12th.
School 10k with 28 runners: Suzanne; Susan; Joan; Joan; Melany; Melissa; Heather and Nicole and Claire and Benita (five training for Comrades); Stuart; Stuart; Mike; Adrienne; Kelly; John; Andy; Lisa; Lynn; Chris and Lindi; Amanda; Nicky.

MIA FIRST DAY IN CLARENDON PARK -- GRADE ONE WITH PIXIE ANDERSON.

Mia first day in school. We drop her off with Pixie Anderson. She is reluctant at first but we leave her there and hope that she adapts.  Later when we collect Mia we are told that she soon settled in and has made friends. It seems that her reading ability is not up to standard so this will be a project. It is Joshua's birthday. I drop off some Garbage collection flyers in the suburb.

Wednesday 12th. Run 6k with Chris; Lindi and Maryka. I turn short with Lizette.
The hike today is at the Van Stadens Nature reserve. I meet Susan; Stefany and Gillian. We are first to arrive at the reserve. Robin and Dave are right behind us. The rest of the group arrive and we estimate 25 hikers today. A couple of people who I have not seen before.

JENNY DESCRIBES THIS AS WILD DAGGA. FOUND NEXT TO THE ROADS IN THIS AREA.

 SHORTLY AFTER WE START WALKING WE TURN TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE RIVER PATH.

 TODAY WE HAVE A HUGE GROUP OF AROUND 25 HIKERS.

 THE FIRST SECTION OF THE HIKE IS ALONG A CONTOUR PATHWAY WITH THE VAN STADENS RIVER TO THE RIGHT BELOW US.

 YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FOOTING ALONG THIS ROCKY PATHWAY.

 SUSAN AND STEFANY. IT IS STEFANY'S FIRST TIME TO HIKE WITH OUR GROUP

 PROTEA ALONG THE PATHWAY.

 UNDER THE YELLOW WOOD TREE FOR THE MID HIKE BREAK AND A SNACK

 BELOW US IS THE BRIDGE WHICH IS NOTORIOUS FOR SUICIDE ATTEMPTS. THE CONCAVE FENCE HAS PREVENTED THIS

 FROM THE FOREST WALK YOU CAN LOOK BACK TO THE BRIDGE

 PERDEBOS WITH THE YELLOW FLOWERS  SINECIO LINIFOLIUS

 PERDEBOS WITH A DISTINCTIVE DROOPY GREEN LEAF.

 THE ROUTES AND PATHWAYS ARE SET OUT FOR THE HIKERS.

ENTRANCE TO THE RESERVE OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE TO WOODRIDGE SCHOOL.

The hike takes us on The River trail. It is all single track and we overlook the van Stadens river below. After a while we can see the bridge. After a 90 min walk we stop for our snack. Some of the hikers choose to take a short cut and head back to their cars. .

 UNDER THE VAN STADENS BRIDGE

 TAKE A BREAK WITH A SNACK UNDER THE YELLOW WOOD TREE.

PETER AND STEFANY WITH THE BRIDGE AND IF YOU LOOK PAST THE BRIDGE YOU CAN SEE THE CROSS ACROSS THE VALLEY.
17 of us continue on the Forest Walk. Again it is single track with a rocky underfoot and we have to watch our feet all the time. The walk has a lot of up and down hills and we work up quite a sweat. I imagine that this route will be tough in Summer. I take a litre of water and normally this is sufficient. I think that I may need an extra 500ml in Summer. We hike underneath the bridge. Then along a path that eventually leads us back up the hill to where we walk back to the cars.

COASTAL FYNBOS

 BITOU DUNE BUSH

 COASTAL DUNE RESTORATION WITH BRACHALENA. SEE THE UNWANTED PATHWAY AND EROSION OF THE DUNE.

 BRACHALENA WITH A LEATHERY DARK GREEN LEAVE AND A SILVER UNDER LEAF.

 BRACHALENA TO BE PLANTED

 BITOU BUSH WITH YELLOW FLOWERS.

 ILITA KRUGER WORKS FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT AT NELSON MANDELA MUNICIPALITY.

Later this afternoon Chris and I cycle from KB to Recife. It is a cool afternoon with a strong west wind -- but with gears this makes little impact on our enjoyment. As we cycle in the Recife reserve we meet Ilita Kruger who works for the Coastal Conservation department of the municipality. She explains that any movement on the dunes will erode them and allow them to shift across the road (as is the case at Sardinia Bay or they could be obliterated altogether. Ilita has a colleague who is planting Brachylaena discolor -- Coastal Oak. -- a hardy dune bush which will assist the recovery of the dunes. Ilita points out the Bietou bush with the Yellow flowers which is also a solid dune plant.

ALLY HELPS MIA WITH HER HOMEWORK

 Today is Ascencion day -- Afrikaans is Hemelvaartsdag. I attend the evening service with Soup and Rolls and some songs and then testaments and discussion by members of the congregation. An interesting evening.  Two of the songs we sing -- How Great is our God and I see your face; your beautiful.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD.
The splendour of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice
And trembles at his voice
How great is our God
sing with me
How great is our God
And all who sing
How great, How great
Is our God


Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
And My heart will sing how great
Is our God  

I SEE YOUR FACE == YOUR BEAUTIFUL
I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful

 I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful

I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You're beautiful
You're beautiful

Friday 15th.
Chris collects me and we cycle the Norm Hudlin 7k. We do this non stop in just under 35min. My problem is that I still am not able to cycle the ramps. I must make an effort to overcome this fear.

DANIEL IS NOW PLAYING FOR U11B AT FULL BACK. HIS TEAM WON CONVINCINGLY AGAINST WOODRIDGE; UNFORTUNATELY THE FULL BACK DID NOT GET MUCH BALL AT ALL.

JOSH HAD A GREAT GAME AGAINST WOODRIDGE FOR THE U11A TEAM. HE PLAYS CENTER. DRAW 12;12.  HERE IS IN THE THICK OF THINGS AFTER A GOOD RUN WITH THE BALL.

DANIEL AND JOSH IN A PRE GAME PEP TALK WITH COACH STEVE PEDERSON.

Saturday morning -- Run with the beachfront group: Mike & Adrienne; Suzanne, Andrea, Kelly, Natasha, Neil, Stefany. A beautiful morning for the run. Had to leave immediately for Josh and Daniel games at Woodridge where I am linesman for four games this morning. Then back home for John Allen (Summerstrand Barman) funeral. I went with Di Nelson; Nicky Roote; Natalie; Brian Saunders; Dave Rainer;  Dave Collins all from Summies. It was so interesting to hear about this man's life. He had six children including Yon Allen who used to be a member of WMC. His daughter and eldest Grand daughter both spoke about this man in such an amazing way and with so much affection and love and respect for all that he had been to them and to the world at large.

Tracey in Canada has completed her Medical Doctor Degree and is now qualified as a GP. AMAZING! 

Sunday -- Ally has a breakfast birthday party with Lara S and then a Drama project at school. Daniel slept over and so he and Mia play together all day.

Monday 18th. 
Run the full Langenhoven and Linkside route.  11k
Meeting with Shirley to progress with Tour Guide Training.
Dentist appointment for Ally.
Josh and Daniel have a Rugby Coaching session with Steven at Lont Park.
More planting of vegetables
Cell Group at Claudine... Pentecost.  50 days after the Crucifiction of Christ.

Tuesday 19th. Run School route 8k
Wednesday 20th -- Run around the school with Chris - 6km
Cycle the Norm Hudlin 7k route with Chris, Nadine and Gerald. Load shedding so I cycle home from Gerald.

PETER; GERALD AND CHRIS ON NORM HUDLIN 7K

 GERALD NEGOTIATES THE TRAIL.

 NADINE JOINS US FOR THE CYCLE. SHE LEADS THE GROUP.

Wednesday 20th.  Start off with a 6km run with Chris and then hike the Settlers Park Route with 20 hikers including: Susan; Robin; Flo; Lucy; Keith; Ron; Jimmy; Andrew; Henna; Di; Jenny;
Afternoon at Clarendon with the boys rugby. b

CAPE FIG WITH THE WILD FIGS

 THIS TREE IS LOCATED IN SETTLERS PARK JUST AS YOU CROSS THE STREAM.

 FIDDLE TREE -- HAS A STONG AROMA ON THE FLOWERS. FOUND ON THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER EMERGING FROM THE PARK ON THE ROAD TO TARGET KLOOF.

 BENCH NEAR TO DODDS FARM

 IN HAPPY MEMORY OF SCOTT 1969 - 1994 AND JOHN  1932 - 1994 AYTON

RON IS THE FRIEND OF JANE BARNARDO'S MOTHER. STOPPING AT THE DODDS FARM AMPHITHEATER FOR A SNACK.

 A QUICK CHAT AS ROBIN EXPLAINS THE ROUTE AND PATH BACK TO THE CARS IN SETTLERS PARK.

A BIG GROUP OF 20 HIKERS IN SINGLE FILE MEANS SLOW CROSSINGS OF THE STREAM
 
 SUSAN CROSSING THE BAAKENS RIVER. DI AND ROBIN IN THE BACKGROUND

 ROBIN BRINGS UP THE REAR CROSSING AS HE ASSISTS THOSE IN NEED OF IT

ON TOP OF THE RIDGE ON THE 7TH AVE SIDE. SPLIT THE GROUP AS SOME PREFERRED TO TAKE THE EASIER ROUTE WITH LESS CLIMBING TO BE DONE.

Thursday morning -- My knee has been hurting and I was only able to walk around Grey once. Adrienne birthday today. Deliver Crunchies to Clarendon tuck shop.  Chris and I fetch Mike and cycle the Norm Hudlin. We do the 7k route twice. This is Mike's first cycle in many years. His bike is like new and just needed to be loosened up and tyres pumped. 

CHRIS AND MIKE - WATER BREAK

IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY YOU CAN SEE THE BLESBOK IN THE CENTER OF THE CATTLE
Friday evening -- I take the boys to Hockey practice at Crusaders then Ally and I  watch Grey vs Queens Hockey. .

ALLY IN DEFENCE AGAINST KINGSWOOD GIRLS. THEY WIN 4-1 IN A CHALLENGING GAME.

 GREY VS  QUEENS COLLEGE.  GREY PROVE TO BE TOO STRONG AND WIN MOST OF THE DAYS MATCHES CONVINCINGLY.

GREY WITH THEIR PRESENTATION BY THE BOYS.

Saturday morning -- no running -- sore knee and don't want to irritate it before Sunday's Biathle. Then Hockey at Pearson vs Kingswood. Ally's team work  hard for their 4-1 win. 
 Rugby -- Afternoon at Grey with  Wayne; Boston; John; Dianne; and two Queenstown parents; Jan and Marlene van Huysteen I think.  Plans for a beer after the game does not work out.

Sunday morning;  We (Lene and Ria; Josh and Daniel) leave at 7am for East London. Get there at 11am in time for registration and a warm up run. Each age group has their turn .  Daniel battles with the course and his  inner sole comes out. He still does well to finish. My event is last and I am last man home. . The course is at Stirling school. Once around the field then out into the street and down the hill turn around and then back up the hill. Into the pool - swim four lengths - out the pool and do the run in reverse.  Fortunately it is an East Wind which pushes us up the hill. To qualify I have to run under 5 min a kay and swim the 100m in two minutes. 
We stay for the medal presentation and then KFC before heading home. . Home at about 6.30pm. 

DANIEL AND GRANDAD IN EAST LONDON  - STIRLING SCHOOL - FOR BIATHLE.

DANIEL HAS TO WORK HARD AT THIS SPORT.  WELL DONE ON FINISHING STRONGLY.

Later we learn that Daniel missed the cut by just 17 seconds. Grandad made the time to qualify for East Cape at Nationals in June. There were two runners in my category. The qualifying time was 12.38 and I ran 12.15 minutes. The previous event I ran in 12.30 min. If I can cut off 15 seconds for the EL event then I should be able to cut a further 15 seconds and get below 12 minutes for the National event at the end of June.

Monday -- Rugby with Daniel and Josh. For Clarendon U11 team.

 EARLY MORNING CYCLE  WITH CHRIS AND GERALD TO CAPE  RECIFE.

LITHA AND RUSSELL AT THE PATTI TURN AROUND.
Tuesday -- Morning walk / run with Almarie -- stories of her El Camino walk in Portugal and Spain. Then cycle to Cape
Recife with Chris and Gerald. Meet up with Litha and Russell the coastal conservationists at the Patti Wreck site. Chris knows this coastline well from his many days of fishing along this area. Chat to Erica who is in training for the Knysna 21k.

 A BUNCH OF THE OLDIES ABOUT  TO START.

 DANIEL PUTTING HIS SHOES ON AFTER THE SWIM.

 GRANDAD CAME SECOND IN HIS HEAT. HE ALSO CAME LAST.

DANIEL TRIES HARD TO RUN HIS HEAT.

Tuesday afternoon. Norm Hudlin cycle. Chris, Gerald. Cronje. Nadine and Paula and Ivor.
This evening Mike and Barbie Perks show us pictures of their South American trip.
,,

Wednesday morning
On the hike today: Robin; Jenny; Jenny Levy; Lindsay who has also recently completed the Camino trail from  Porto in Portugal... ; Lucy; Mike; Flo; Martie; Rencia;
Susan; Stefany and Anton meet the hiking group. Drive out to  Suurberg where we hike a 12k trail. Registration is R55pp. We take water and a small snack. It is a perfect  autumn  morning. Cool at first but we soon warm up as we hike, We start off  in  a Westerly direction. There are 14 hikers this morning. Looking across the hills we appreciate  where we are and what we  are able to do. . The trail continues along the hill tops before we turn north and down hill.  This is a long and steep descent to the stream below. We picnic at the pool. Here it is quite chilly with no sun. 
.




ZUURBERG TRAILS. TODAY WE WILL HIKE THE 12K DOWN TO THE STREAM

PICNIC LUNCH AFTER THE HIKE.

 INDIGENOUS FOREST WALK

 STUNNING STREAMS

 A GROUP OF 14 WALKERS THIS MORNING

 SNACK BREAK

 WALKING DOWN TO THE STEAM.

 ALONG THE TOP WAS SEE ACROSS THE VAST ADDO PARK  AND ROLLING HILLS.

 ANTON'S FIRST HIKE WITH  THIS GROUP.

 WATSONIA I THINK.

 HIKING DOWN IS A SLOW PROCESS. PERSONALLY I PREFER NO STICK.

 WE STOP AT THE BLOU GAT POOL FOR A SNACK.

 RALAXING AT BLOU GAT POOL.

 ANTON AND STEFANY HAVE ENJOYED THE HIKE THIS MORNING.
.

 IN THE GAME PARK WE SEE THESE ELEPHANT UP CLOSE.

PLENTY OF MOTHER AND CALF ZEBRA.
After the break at the Blou Gat Pool we make our way back up stream. The trail contours following the stream before the steep ascent.
The climb back up to the cars is not nearly as steep as the descent was. At the fork, some of the group turn right while  Jenny Levy; Mike and I turn left. For me this is a slightly nicer route with less of the long climb and maybe a slightly steeper sharp climb.
Back at the cars we enjoy a picnic lunch. Anton, Stefany, Susan and I leave for the main Addo gate. . We have already paid the entrance fee and so continue for a game drive. On the road we see: Elephant; Two Buffalo; Many Kudu; Many Red Hartebees; Many warthogs and many Zebra. We see a Jackal running across the road,
We decide to exit near to Colchester at the Matholweni camp. And drive home via the N2.  We had left home at 6.30; Started the hike just before 9am. hiked until 12.30 and back home by 16.30.
.

 Gerald; Chris and Ivor on the Norm Hudlin trail.

Ivor took a tumble and scratched his arm.
Thursday morning.  short run 5km.  Spend the morning Road worthy the Qashqai and then licencing it.  Afternoon cycle with Chris; Gerald and Ivor. Barbara bought herself a scooter. drove it home from 6th Ave. Filled with Petrol. Five Liters = R63.00

Friday 29th. Mia's Birthday.  Nicky and Zara arrive from Cape Town.
Afternoon. Nicky and I run the Newton Park 5k..  Ally takes her first ride  on the Scooter.

Dad and Nicky run around the First Ave route for a 5k.

ALLY ON THE BIKE.

Saturday morning. Run 10k with Ronel and Stefany. Then off to Grahamstown with Lene and the boys. They play Kingswood and win in both games -- U11 A and B. I am linesman for four different games including the Clarendon First team who lose 22 to 14. It was an eventful morning of rugby. I then move over to St Andrews where I meet John and Di Nelson. We watch the afternoon of Grey vs St Andrews where Grey consistently win all the games including Hockey. It is a Reunion Weekend for St Andrews and there are a number of "old boys" there. Peter Long and Ian Pringle are two and so is Anthony De Wet who is there for his 70th Reunion with niece Ruth. At the game are Stefany and Anton supporting Stefan; Chris supporting Craig and Andrew; Gary and Joy; Terry Hepburn supporting Mattew; Grant -- daughter Brittany;

 

  

BABOON OR TRAPDOOR SPIDER ON THE TRAIL THIS WEDNESDAY AT SUURBERG.

EUPHORBIA POLYGONA -- CACTUS FOUND ON THE ZUURBERG TRAIL.
ALSO KNOWN AS BOBBEJAANNOORS

Sunday 31st. Nicky and I run 5k beach run. She and Zara leave for Cape Town. It is a chilly morning and I spend the whole day setting up a Website for Hiking trails and tour guiding.