LETTER FROM ALLAN HOSKINS GIDDY TO PETER GIDDY DATED 29 SEPT 1980

LETTER FROM ALLAN GIDDY TO PETER GIDDY 29th SEPTEMBER 1980.

Written by my father (Allan Hoskins Giddy) from number 7 Killarney Park flats where the family was staying at the time. I was now married to Barbara and planning a visit to Barclay East to visit some of our family there.

Dear Pete.
As you will be visiting Neville Giddy, I thought that you would like to know about how he fits in and how the Giddy family in Barclay East is connected. I enclose a brief summary of who Reverend Richard Giddy was and a tree showing our connections.

Rev Richard Giddy was a missionary at
Thaba Nchu   1836  to 1844
Platberg near Maclear   1845  to 1859
Colesberg                       1859  to 1871
Witteberg near Herschel  (north of Barclay East)  1871  to 1881

In 1880 Rev Richard Giddy retired and was in process of buying Kelvin grove, a farm in B.E. where two sons were farming. And where his wife had already  moved; when he died in February 1881 on his way there.  His wife, Sarah Jane Sephton (Sephton's are a prominent family in the region) continued to farm at Kelvin Grove and Neville's father eventually took it over and it was later split with a cousin, Paul, getting half. He sold his half a few years ago.
Sarah Jane first lived in a small house (now gone) called Bears Den then built another which still stands. Also on that half is the family graveyard which is quite interesting to see. (Barbara and I did get to see this graveyard when we visited).

The family owned and still own a number of farms in the area including neighbouring Eagles Cragg but most have moved away.  They also own farms at Maclear about 100 miles away (Neville owns three there) and, in spring, take their sheep and cattle there to graze.
I can of course go on and on about the family but I think that this is enough to be able to chat to Neville. He might take you to see the graveyard and farmhouse at Kelvin Grove. Please give them our best wishes. I hope you have a good holiday. Be careful not to overdo it with the children.
I think I forgot to mention that we plan to go to Sun City on Thursday 2nd October 1980 returning about lunch time on Friday - just to see it and have a bit of fun.
Love to Barbara and the children.
Dad.


Allan Hoskins Giddy was born 14 February 1917 Johannesburg and died at age 75 (Cancer) in Plettenbergbay 1992.
Yvonne Ena Giddy was born Dumfrieshire; Scotland
Daughter of Wilfrid Lawson Spence -- B 28.11.1867 and Died 1959 in Leaminton.
Wilfrid was married four times. His second and third marriage was to Yvonne Marie Majorell
The first marriage was in Glasgow: 19.7.1913 and divorced 1922. The second marriage was in Paris: 23.6.1927.  Yvonne Majorell was born Corsica 8.11.1889 and died Johannesburg 14.2.1971.

Wilfrid and Yvonne had two children:
Wilfrid Ian Spence  Born Glasgow 18.1.1915 and enjoyed his 100th Birthday in Plettenberg Bay (SA) on 18.1.2015

Yvonne Ena Giddy:  Born at The Summit; Castle Douglas Road. Maxwelltown near to Dumfries.. 29.6.1916 -- 10am and Ena enjoyed her 99th Birthday in Plettenbergbay on ||Sunday 28th June 2015. The birthday lunch was held at her flat Hill House. With Peter and Barbara Giddy; Julia Giddy; Ian and Alice Spence; Edie Dore who has been a lifelong friend; Anne and Anthony De Wet. Anne -- Catered for by Ena's day companion and carer; Violet and daughter van Heerden. A few other friends as well.


Allan and Ena were married 28 September 1946 in Vereeniging; South Africa.

KNYSNA HALF MARATHON AND GRAHAMSTOWN TO COAST G2C EVENTS JULY 2015 LOMBARDS POST 50KM FROM GRAHAMSTOWN.

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

KNYSNA FOREST HALF MARATHON JULY 2015
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I was fortunate enough to secure an entry for Knysna. You have to be really alert to do this as the demand for the 21 and the 42k events exceeds the available places.

Thursday 9th July 2015..
I have an interview for a job. This was due to a recommendation from Marilyn and I meet up with Laura this afternoon. I chat for around an hour at the airport when Laura and Andy give me a brief overview of what is required from me. I am so excited that I may be successful in this application as it is a perfect fit for me. But more if this works out.

After the interview, Julia and I drive to Plett where we spend the night with Ena. Patrick; St John and Thomas are staying over for the week.
Friday morning I do a couple of chores including setting my Lap Top up for 3G internet connection. I have not had to do this for some time as we have WiFi at home and I rarely use the PC away from home..  Patrick leaves for De Rust where he will stay with a friend on a remote farm.
This afternoon Julia and I drive to Knysna for race registration. We miss Julia's friend and so decide to skip the festivities and head back for Plett where we have Pizza's for supper. In bed early with our Running Stuff all set out for an early morning start.

Saturday 11th.
Julia and I are up in good time for a wash and final preparations. We leave Plett at 6am and find parking easily in Knysna near to the Loerie Park stadium. We join the throngs of people in line for taxis and are soon aboard a really suspect looking taxi. It is not that cold and we have our Tog Bag to put our jackets. At the start of the race we both have a coffee and rusk and load our bag into the Tog Bag truck.
Things are moving well. The whole organisation of this event is slick and we are most impressed. We move into the group of runners waiting for the 21 to start. The 42 started an hour earlier. We have arranged to meet Stef and Andrea on the right hand side of the throng and start our journey to try and find them. I hear Stef's voice and we continue looking for Andrea and Brett. But finally give up. Julia, Stefany and I are about 1/3rd from the start and ready when the gun goes off.

Julia walks and runs alternatively. She does this at a good pace but we soon lose her. Stef and I jog on at a relaxed pace. I know this route and it cannot be taken lightly. The first 2 or three kays is back on the tar road before turning right into the forest. The road is crowded with runners and there is a huge amount of Banter back and forth. From the time we are on the dirt road; the undulations, up and down hills start. There are some hills steeper and longer than others but nothing that we really struggle with. Stefany battles with Asthma and uses her pump on the up hills.

 AT THE START OF THE RUN WITH STEF AND JULIA.

 ANNEKE HAD A REALLY GOOD RUN TODAY AND LOOKED VERY COMFORTABLE ON THE HILLS.

We see a number of people we know and recognise: Anneke De Jager (Nicky's friend from CT); Christy who was at school with Nicky; Male and Female Robin's, Susan Chapman from Achilles; Graham Channon runs in the opposite direction as he is not taking part in the event; Andrew Boshoff who has had some back problems; Stef's friend Melany; Tracey Gouws. Gordon; Brendon. Steve Mc Donald runs with his son in law Mike. Stuart and Maryka. Angela and Nicky from MPRG.

We are not pushing ourselves too hard but we run whenever we are able. With occasional walks. I am not good at walking at these events as I am much slower at walking than most people. My legs tend to seize up.

STEFANY IS RUNNING HER FIRST EVER KNYSNA HALF.

Finally we reach the Simola Arch and start the very steep downhill. I have to go even slower as I know that this can hurt me. At the bottom I catch up with Stefany again and we do as hard as we can over the last 6kays. A slight change on the route takes us onto the N2 heading in a Westerly direction, under the road and back up to finish the final 1500 meters. At this stage I move on as hard as I can and lose touch with Stef. I am greeted by Dean Gow and two of Anrea's friends who assure me that she finished ahead of us.
AD Cole is working in the finish area and greets me. Margie has also finished and tells me that both Brian and Brian Ross are in the event.

I hobble over to the Tog Bag Tent next to the bar area and change my shirt for a clean and dry one. Then I wait for Julia who is finished just a bit after me. We also wait for Kelly and Michelle Mortimer. Julia and I have a bit of lunch (Curry and Rice for me) and a beer. I am getting a lift home with Kelly so we all make our way to the line waiting for a shuttle service to take us back to our cars. The Taxi ride is a bit of fun as the men in the taxi egg the driver on to play the music loud.

Julia and I drive back to Plett, Shower and Kelly is there shortly afterwards. Julia goes off to meet her friend while the rest of us leave for PE.

GRAHAMSTOWN TO COAST  -- G2C
Sunday 12th July 2015, Morning.  Chris is fetching me at 5.15.  I had set my bike up for the trip but forgot that my alarm does not go off on a Sunday. So woke up at 5.00am   Had a quick wash and made coffee and was ready only about 5 minutes late.

WARREN; RONEL; PETER; CHRIS; IVOR.   AT THE START OF THE EVENT.
THIS IS A 58K CYCLE FROM PENNY PINCHERS GRAHAMSTOWN WAREHOUSE ON DIRT ROADS TO THE SHOPPING MALL IN PORT ALFRED.

Pat was due to come with us but not feeling well so stayed at home.  It was Chris; Elmarie and myself in his car and Ivor and Tina took Ronel and Gerald in their car.   We were some of the first to arrive in Grahamstown.  We found the Pennypinchers warehouse and registered.  I relaxed in the car with a second cup of coffee.  The west wind continued to blow and it was chilly. I had not prepared for a start with anything but my Cycling vest so decided to wear my old Comrades sweater.  John Stapleton was one of the race organisers. The event started at 8.30.  Simon was there with his bike with an engine. 

ROB AND MEGAN ERMES IN GRAHAMSTOWN  -- ROB HAS THIS FANCY NEW BIKE. 

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 CHRIS AND PETER AT THE START EARLY MORNING -- OVERCAST WITH A FRESH WESTERLY BLOWING.

 FINALLY HOME. MY REAR END IS SO SORE THAT I DID A LOT OF STANDING ON THE BIKE TOWARDS THE END.

 RONEL APPEARS TO BE HAPPY AT THE FINISH OF THIS DIFFICULT EVENT

CHRIS HAD AN EASY RIDE AND TELLS ME THAT HE REALLY ENJOYED THE OUTING.

The ride starts with us riding onto the N2 and in a westerly direction for 100m then we turn left up the Mountain drive.  I start to warm up  with the wind on our backs.  Over the top of the hill the views are quite spectacular to the west across the city and to the east you can almost see the Sea.

The First Downhill took me quite by surprise. It was steep with loose sand and gravel.  I started to speed wobble. I was so scared that I would fall. I tried to break gently and finally managed to get the bike under control.  The next steep down I got off the bike and pushed down.  from there we ride a section of tar road downhill,  I should have been able to take real advantage of this but the wild ride I had just experienced held me back and I braked down the hill.

 CHRIS AND RONEL WARMING UP BEFORE THE START.

 IVOR AND TINA PASSED ME WITH ABOUT 10K TO GO

 THE BANDIT BICYCE BABE.

 

SORE AND TIRED BUT HAPPY TO BE HOME

 WELL DONE IVOR DERBISHIRE. FINISHED A TOUGH 58K RIDE

 TINA LOOKS FRESH AND TELLS ME THAT SHE HAD A WONDERFUL RIDE.

This first part of the ride has a number of ups and downs.  Nothing too difficult and I seemed to be managing quite well.  I knew that I was at the back of the field but did not let that bother me at all.  I took a drink at the first water station with 36km to go. And pressed on. From the start I never saw Chris and Ronel had passed me earlier. Ivor and Tina came past me in the second half.

AROUND HALF WAY I MEET UP WITH OLIVER AND MATTHEW.  AND STARTING TO TIRE.

I met up with Oliver and Matthew Cartwright. Oliver is a Grahamstown man.  Also retired and does one ride a week of about 40k.  He seemed to be coping well. I continued to eat chocolates and bananas at every opportunity.  The second water table was with about 21k to go.  I see a sign for a Monument -- Lombards  post, a tribute to an early farmer, pioneer and local Boer commander.  The settlers when under attack used these building as a refuge and link in the defense of the colony during various raids and wars. Peter and Helen Keeton with their children, descendents of the original settler family still live and work Lombard’s Post.

The farm roads are soft and muddy and corrugated. This bumpy ride makes riding difficult. The mud clogs every thing up and slows you down.  I am getting tired and sore. The tops of my thighs are sore and I stop regularly to stretch and for a drink.
I see many brave cyclists riding back to Grahamstown.  This impresses me as I simply cannot wait to get to the finish. With just a few kays to go we make a left turn into a single track section. Peter Lessingh is a tall young man who sticks with me over the last grassy section. It seems that he was with someone who could not make it and had to play catch up.  We come over a rise and below us we see the mall where the race ends. Peter goes ahead and I follow....... TOO fast. A sweeping left turn.  Wet and Muddy.  I loose control. Veer onto the grass on the right. Brake with my right hand. MISTAKE. That is my front wheel.

BANG. Over I go.  fall onto the grassy field on the right.  Winded but not hurt badly. (although the following morning I think that I may have a small fracture on one of my left hand  fingers as it swells and is painful)  I pick myself up. No one saw me. Thanks goodness. Get back on the bike and ride the final 500m  to the finish behind the  Mall.  Our group is waiting.  It has taken me 4 hours at an average of 15kmph.  The front riders did it in half the time.  But I had a good ride.  Despite being tired and sore; I am happy to have  completed the event.

EXTREMLY HAPPY TO HAVE COMPLETED THE EVENT.

THANK YOU ELMARIE FOR SECONDING AND SUPPORTING US.

We load up the bikes and Chris drives home with a stop at Nanaga.

Thanks to our support group of Elmarie and Gerald.  

Rob Ermes   2.18
Olivia Read   2.07
Philip Nienaber  2.029
Liesl  Nienaber 2.36
Chris Lovemore  2.39
Kevin Campbell   2.50
Paul Lynch  2.56
Jill Dunlop  2.56
Matthew Petzer  2.59
Chris Botha  3.20
Ronel Scheepers  3.22
Warren Collier  3.34
Tina and Ivor Derbishire  3.41
Peter 3.59
Oliver and Matthew Cartwright   4.01

Around 336 finishers.  There were about 5 or six behind me at the finish.  The Cut off was 4.30h.

Below is some history of the Frontier wars.  Grahamstown  is known as Frontier  Country.  It is also known as the  "City of Saints".   This is nothing to do with the Godly Nature of the citizens.  Early in the 1800's the workmen required tools and submitted a request to their  headquarters.  The response came back that they should purchase tools locally.  To this the reply from the workmen was that "There is no Vice  in Grahamstown"  and hence the title "City of Saints"

Grahamstown forts posts and signal stations THE FRONTIER FORTS,  POSTS AND SIGNAL STATIONS Fort Frederick, Port Elizabeth FORT FREDERICK – Algoa Bay The advantages of Algoa Bay as landing place for the defence of the country up to Graaff-Reinet was realised during the first British Occupation.  In the immense frontier district of Graaff-Reinet that had been established by the Dutch in 1786, the burghers were beginning to exercise that freedom of speech and independence of action which had been spread by the ideals of the French Revolution.  The Black tribes,  pushed southwards by aggressive Zulu impis, had found a sparsely populated land with occasional herds of sleek cattle and flocks of lazy sheep, unprotected by any communal kraals, in fact wealth and inyama spread out for the taking. The English arriving in 1795, inherited both the incipient rebellion of the Graaff-Reinet burghers and the warlike raids of a strange Black land-hungry people. The Blockhouse.  Major-General Francis Dundas, Acting-Governor of the Cape, placed General Vandeleur in command of 200 dragoons and disciplined Hottentots with orders to establish a military post at Algoa Bay.  A prefabricated wooden blockhouse was built in Cape Town and sent round in pieces on board the Camel to Algoa Bay where it arrived in August 1799 with artificers to erect it.  It was placed near the beach so as to command both the fort over the Baakens River and the landing place on the shore.  It was capable of housing sixty men and was armed with two three-pounders mounted on a flat square roof. The Fort.  On the hill behind the blockhouse, a second blockhouse was erected surrounded by a massive, square stone redoubt.  This was named Fort Frederick in honour of the Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army.  It is said that this was the first piece of ‘substantial and permanent building ever erected in the Eastern Province’ and it is still in existence today. The Fort commands a fine view of the whole of Algoa Bay.  Its walls are eighty feet long and nine feet high, the wide arched entrance with double gate being situated on the western side.  Inside the fort was a powder magazine capable of holding 2,000 lbs of gunpowder and to the left of the entrance was a small guardhouse.  Inside the wall was a raised platform for patrol duty and defence.  The heavy armament consisted of eight twelve-pounders and the full complement of the garrison was 350 men, most of whom were housed in barracks near the fort and the first blockhouse. The Batavian Government.  In 1803, the Batavian Government took over the Cape by treaty from the British and in 1804, the new district of Uitenhage was created.  And so the development of a civilian centre around Fort Frederick was for a time delayed although it apparently remained the military headquarters. The Second British Occupation.  This took place in 1806 when Britain’s line of communication with the Far East was being threatened by the ambitious plans of the new French regime and the decline of the Batavian Government. MILITARY HEADQUARTERS AT GRAHAMSTOWN The Fish River Frontier, as seen from a loophole in the gun tower, Trompetter’s Drift. By 1811, a large body of Xhosa had crossed the Fish River, plundering and burning the homes of the farmers who had retreated to Uitenhage and Algoa Bay with their families and cattle.  In October, Sir John Cradock, the Governor, appointed Col. John Graham to clear the frontier.  This he accomplished by March 1812 and established military headquarters nearer the Fish River. The site he chose was De Rietfontein, a loan farm formerly occupied by Lucas Meyer.  In august, 1812 the Governor decreed that it should also become the seat of the Deputy-Landdrost of Uitenhage and should be called Graham’s Town in testimony of Col. Graham’s achievements.  The East Barracks, built to accommodate the Cape Regiment, were later extended and in 1835 re-named Fort England after Col. Richard England the commanding officer at the time. Fort England, GrahamstownThe First Frontier Posts.  Col. Graham instituted a series of posts from which patrols could guard the drifts across the Fish River.  They were first manned by burghers from George and Swellendam, one of the three commandants being Piet Retief.  These posts were either rehabilitated farmhouses of wattle-and-daub or stone built shelters enclosed by primitive earthen redoubts.  Van Aardt’s Post, near the present Longhope siding, was the furthest north and was the recognised crossing place for communication between White and Black.  Three other posts were the abandoned farm of Conraad Buys; Kranz Drift near the present Pigot Bridge; and Old Kaffir Drift Post which was later called Cawood’s Post.  This was about an hour’s ride from Upper Kaffir Drift Post, established about two year’s later on the heights overlooking the actual drift, and is not to be confused with Lower Kaffir Drift about 3km further down the Fish River and about 13km from the mouth. Lombard’s Post, buildings and walls forming a hexagonal farmyard. Lombard’s  Post. Col. Graham recommended that two additional posts be established.  One was to be at Noutoe, a farm 13km west of Graham’s

Town, formerly belonging to the de Lange family and situated on the road between Bruintjies Hooghte and Uitenhage.  It was soon abandoned and the site later developed as Table Farm by the 1820 Settler Major T.C. White.
The other post was established on the loan place of Commandant Piet Lombard, about 48km west of Fish River Mouth.   A few kilometres south-west of it Theopolis, a London Mission Station for Hottentots, was founded in 1814.  Lombard’s Post was a key point in border raids and frontier wars, particularly later on when the area was taken over by settler Benjamin Keeton.  In 1835 he erected a fortified farm house close to the site of the old post.  The stone buildings of the farm, now called Lombard’s Post, were placed so as to enclose a spacious hexagonal farmyard and the outer walls were loopholed.
During the war of 1850-51 Lombard’s Post saw its last action; Whittles laager was formed near it and the farm buildings were filled with refugees.  From it also a patrol was sent out to quell the rebel Hottentots at Theopolis.

JULY 2015 - RIEBEEK KASTEEL; KNYSNA 21K; WEDNESDAY HIKING GROUP; CYCLING WITH CHRIS.

JULY 2015

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

Riebeek Kasteel 
Running with Nicky; New house in the valley; Meeting Chris and Estelle.
Introduction to VISI products; Probita; Rensa and Energi
Cycling with Chris and Gerald.
Morning running group -- Suzanne leaves for UK
Wednesday hiking group - Settlers park. And Cape Recife.
Knysna 21k Forest Marathon
Grahamstown to Coast -- G2C
Start working for Dole Fruit Export Company 15.7.2015
Barbara spends a weekend with Cathy and brings Mia home. 
Nicky's wedding / engagement ring is stolen.
I spend a whole day doing tidying up of documents and certificates.

MY NEW PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. I AM ON A CONTRACT FOR THE CITRUS SEASON WHICH ENDS 15TH OCTOBER AND WILL SEE WHAT TO DO THEREAFTER.

FINISHING G2C IN FOUR HOURS.  STANDING AS MY BUTT WAS TAKING STRAIN. I WILL REALLY HAVE TO DO SOME MORE CYCLING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS KIND OF DISTANCE.


Wednesday 1.7.2015: morning --  I am in Riebeek Kasteel with Nicky; her children and Werner and John.

LOCALLY THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS "THE VALLEY" OR "OUR VALLEY"

THE HOUSE INTO WHICH NICKY AND WERNER WILL BE MOVING IN ABOUT A MONTH.

THE CAR PORT WILL BE BUILT INTO AN ADDITIONAL STUDIO AND RUMPUS ROOM FOR BOTH WERNERR AND FOR CHILDREN.

THE THEATRE IS OPPOSITE WERNER'S HOUSE.

 RUN THIS MORNING WITH NICKY. LOOKING ACROSS TO THE VILLAGE FROM THE EAST.

 IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN SEE THE "GROENBERG"

JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE LAMP POST IS THE BOTHMA'S KLOOF PASS WHERE NICKY AND I RAN ON TUESDAY.

 A FAMILY EVENING OF PIZZA'S

NICKY HAS ESTABLISHED HERSELF IN THIS VILLAGE

WE FIND THIS PUMP ON A VACANT PLOT. MUST BE MANY YEARS OLD

JOHN JAMMING ON THE GUITAR AND USING WERNER'S ELECTRIC DRUMS

 RED TIN ROOF -- JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM WHERE JOHN IS LIVING. JACQUES PAU AND SAM INTRODUCED THEMSELVES.

Nicky and I start the morning with a short run around the village. We have another look at the building that John is preparing for them to move into.  They will be building at studio for Werner and a rumpus room for the children in the area designated as a car port.
The house is a three bed; two bath and huge living area in the centre. John is in the process of building a theatre opposite the cottages. Here there will be an adult and a children's theatre.
Nicky and I have only walked since we arrived in the valley. Not once in two days have we had to get into a car.

WERNER; NICKY; ESTELLE AND CHRIS AT THE HOUSE THEY HAVE BUILT.
Chris and Estelle come to the valley for the evening; they have spent the past 7 years creating this magnificent home complete with garden and vegetables, beautiful furniture and fittings and are now in the process of building an upstairs suite for themselves. They joined us for supper.

NICKY AND WERNER'S HOME -- THE COTTAGE ON THE FARM. THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE SEE THIS AS THEY WILL NOW BE MOVING TO RIEBEEK KASTEEL AT THE END OF JULY.

Thursday morning. Lazing at home; breakfast and then drive to Nicky's farm cottage and then to Airport. Back home this afternoon. I am feeling stiff and sore.. Not sure why but my legs are aching.

Saturday 4th. \Beach front run with our wonderfully supportive group: Neil; Mike; Adrian; Anne; Adrienne; Andrea; Kelly; Joan; Lindie; Stefany; Suzanne who ran her last run with us before heading off to the UK on a one way ticket; Bev; Gerald; Pat;

THE SMALL GROUP WHO LIKE TO TAKE THE SLIGHTLY LONGER ROUTE PAST THE AIRPORT; NEIL; STEFANY AND JOAN

OUR MORNING RUNNING GROUP FROM HOBIE BEACH. IT WILL BE SUZANNE GENDALL'S LAST SATURDAY RUN FOR SOME TIME AS SHE HEADS OFF TO THE UK NEXT FRIDAY. ANNE; ADRIENNE; JOAN; CHRIS; BEV; LINDIE; STEFANY; GERALD; MIKE AND PAT. MISSING FROM THE PIC -- NEIL; ANDREA; ADRIAN; KELLY.

It is a stunning morning and I am feeling a sense of being blessed to have this group to spend an hour or two each week. We run towards town; Up Walmer Boulevard; And on to the airport while some of the group turn off short. Neil; Stefany; Lindie and Suzanne carry on past the airport and then down to Strandfontein road. We fill up with some water and then turn into Erasmus from 2nd Ave. All the way along to 5th Ave where we run down towards the beach and a magnificent sunrise. To the East is the sunrise and to the West is a Full Moon.  These past few evenings has been a bit of a stellar spectacle with Venus and Jupiter shining down on us.

MY ONLY REALLY SUCCESSFUL VEGETABLE GARDEN COMES FROM SEEDLINGS AND WHEN PLANTED IN SOIL PURCHASED AT BUILDERS EXPRESS AND PLANTED IN FULL SUNLIGHT IN THE FRONT YARD.

I am in the process of making a vegetable garden. The seeds that I planted have not really produced much at all. I purchased some seedlings and the ones that have done well are those that are in full sunlight and are planted in "bought soil".  The real issue here is that there is no immediate tap available so I have to bring the hose around or water with a bucket.

Monday 6th. Morning 7k run down Mount Road and up past Collegiate.
Holiday club Registration
Received the first shipment of VISI products.
Party for Suzanne leaving for the UK on Friday at Adrienne's house. At the party: Chris and Elmarie; Anne; Marilyn; Liesl and Danielle; Andrea; Kelly; Gerald, Pat and Ronel; Stuart; Adrienne and Peter; Simon and Lindie; Stefany; Suzanne; Adele; Bev;

 THIS IS THE MILL PARK RUNNING GROUP WHO ENJOY MEETING AT HOBIE BEACH ON A SATURDAY MORNING FOR A TEN OR 15K RUN. ADRIENNE; STEFANY; PETER; AT; RONEL; ELMARIE; KELLY; ANDREA; STUART; CHRIS; MARILYN; LINDIE; SIMON; SUZANNE; BEV; LIESL; ANNE; GERALD; ADEL AND PETER IS BEHIND THE BAR WITH ADRIAN SMITH.

 SUZANNE AND THE GIRLS WITH THE EATS THEY BROUGHT

 ADRIENNE HAD THIS SHIRT SPECIALLY MADE FOR SUZANNE.

 AT THE BACK IS AN SA FLAG AND THE WORDS "HOBIE BEACH RUNNING GROUP"

SUZANNE AND THE MEN ON THE GROUP. GERALD; STUART; SUZANNE; PETER AND CHRIS

Tuesday 7th. Morning 7k run. Submit a CV to Dole -- to be their export clearing admin person for Port Elizabeth.  Helping with registration at the Holiday Club at church.

 CHRIS; GERALD AND I CYCLE TO RECIFE.  A QUICK OUTING.

TONY BOARDMAN SURVEYING IN PREPARATION FOR A PIPELINE TO KINGS BEACH.

Chris; Gerald and I cycle to Recife.   We find Tony Boardman on the route as he is surveying a future pipeline to take water from the Recife Effluent clean water to irrigate Kings Beach and Happy Valley.
Talk with Mike and Pearl with Terry this evening.

WEDNESDAY HIKE AT DODDS FARM WITH STEFANY; ADRIENNE AND SUSAN

Wednesday 8th. Walk to Settlers Park with Adrienne and Stefany and then walk the Settlers Park trail with the Wednesday hiking group.

Thursday 9th.
Off to Plett with Julia. 
Job interview with Laura Lishman and DOLE Export fresh produce company.   I am sooooo excited as it appears that I will be appointed to be their local agent for the handling and processing of documentation; hand delivering to the various departments.  The real bonus for me is that this is a job which I can do from home. There are no other staff members in the area except for Marilyn Bull who is their field rep / agent. It was Marilyn who introduced me to the company.
See Simon regarding the motorised bicycles.
Thursday evening in Plett with Julia; Patrick; St John and Thomas

 AD COLE -- WHO WE MET AT THE FIRST DRYLAND TRAVERSE -- HELPING OUT WITH MEDALS AT KNYSNA HALF.

DANIEL; JOSH AND JESSICA WITH  THEIR COUSIN IN DURBAN

 JACQUI HAD THIS BRILLIANT IDEA TO BUILD A LEGO TABLE FOR THE CHILDREN

 LEGO TABLE IN ACTION

 NICKY TAKES HER CHILDREN ICE SKATING.  MIA AND ZARA -- GOOD FRIENDS.

SIDEWAYS PIC OF SIMON AAT G2C WITH THE BIKE WITH A MOTOR.

Friday morning  -- Walkabout the village with Thomas and their dog; Set my computer up with an internet dongle; Patrick leaves for De Rust where they will stay with friends. 

START OF THE KNYSNA 21K WITH STEF AND JULIA

START OF THE  G2C WITH WARREN, RONEL, CHRIS AND IVOR.  TINA JUST OUT OF THE PICTURE
Saturday 11th. Nicky was to meet us in Knysna but due to logistical problems that was not possible. So Julia and I leave for Knysna at 6am. Get onto Taxis at around 7am and are in good time for the start of the half at 8am. We both have a good run and meet up at the end. I drive home with Kelly and Michelle Mortimer and their friend Juliette. Time for me is 2.18.
Sunday 12th. Cycle Grahamstown to Coast with Chris. My time is 4 hours.

Tuesday 14th. Back to running in the morning. It is COLD and I wear three shirts.  But nothing that a warm shower and hot coffee cannot cure. I spend the day trying to sell Raffle Tickets for the MH Giddy School fund. By the end of the day I have sold 20 @ R100. I also visit Simon and put the BUSHPIG bike on facebook in preparation for the Christmas in July sale on Saturday.
Today I receive an email from Laura at Dole appointing me as the Eastern Cape Administrator for the company. I am thrilled and will start immediately.

Wednesday 15th: Short early morning run First day contracted to work with Dole. I do a field trip with Marilyn to Patensie. We visit the Packhouse and marketing company.  I have a tour through the packhouse where the manager - Frans - shows me around and I also have a bit of an idea what happens regarding the documentation and the various acronyms.
Thursday - 5k; Short morning run - Buy some stuff from Builders and Deon starts with the repairs to the roof of the outside buildings. Visit to the Fresh Produce Terminal (FPT) with Marilyn. 

Friday morning: Janice Giddy (Brett) fetches me and Cherry. We meet Wayne and his group and head off to Queenstown. We all congregate at the Methodist Church where we meet a big gathering of Giddy boys and girls. It is the memorial service for Wayne, Steven and Craig;s dad, Michael. Michael was married to Cherry and they had these three boys. Mike then went on to four more marriages. He died due to a stabbing in what appears to be a Home Invasion. He was living in a simple cottage and appears to have been robbed and stabbed. The person who committed the crime was apprehended.
Wayne and Steven spoke (Craig is in New Zealand). We then adjourned for tea (and Whisky) and eats before the three of us left for PE. Janice drove the whole way and we arrived home at around 5pm.  It was Cold in Queenstown. We saw snow on the mountains and heard on the wireless that some of the passes had been shut down.

Snow on the mountains as you travel to Queenstown. We did not have to drive through snow but the west wind was biting cold as soon as you were away from the sun

 Janice is Bretts wife. Cherry;  Sharon is Neville and Ronnie's daughter and she is married to Ian Turnbull. They live and farm about 4km from Dennis.

Steven; Cherry and Wayne Giddy. Family photo.

Melanie is Dennis' wife. She teaches in Queenstown while Dennis farms and lives in Kelvin Grove on the way to Rhodes.

Meanwhile Barbara had flown off to CT to visit Cathy for the weekend and Ally and her friend Kerry went to Jeffries bay ... Ron drove them there in my car while I was in Queenstown. Ally did a bit of partying and returned home on Saturday afternoon..

Saturday morning -- to the beach with Adrienne; Stefany and Lindie. On the run this morning was Adrienne; Annie; Neil; Ronel; Lindie; Stefany and myself.  It was only Stef and I who did the airport route and back down 7th ave to the beach front. The West wind was quite strong so we had it into our face going out but the return was a Breeze. 

OUR BOOK STALL AT THE CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE. WE DID WELL AND CLEARED A HUGE PILE OF BOOKS. THE LOWER PRICED BOOKS DID NOT SELL. THE R10 BOOKS SOLD WELL AS THEY WERE MOSTLY A REAL BARGAIN.

JESSICA HELPED ME DO THE SALES AND TAKE IN THE CASH. SHE SPENT THE DAY WITH ME KEEPING A TALLY OF THE BOOKS SOLD AND CASH TAKEN IN.

The rest of Saturday was at the Christmas in July Market at the church where I had a book sale. Jacqui Pullen and Adrienne Wilson had donated books and magazines Plus our own from home. It was  a huge pile of books we had for sale at just R10 each. We did not manage to sell many of the R1 books but our sales value was around R1100 in the end. I was quite satisfied with this except we had to take a HUGE pile of books back home.

SUNDAY LOOKING THROUGH OLD PAPERS; CERTIFICATES AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

TREMAIN WESSON AND I FINISH THE FOOT OF AFRICA MARATHON.

 PETER FINISHING COMRADES 1993.

 I USED TO VIDEO OUR TRAILS AND HIKES. ROBIN HOLMES WAS THE SCRIBE ON THIS TRAIL WE DID IN THE FISH RIVER CANYON.

 I FOUND THIS HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARD SENT TO ME FROM MPRG IN 1998 -- KOBUS GERBER; ANDY BOLTON; RON PASK (MOVED TO SUMMERSTRAND AND STOPPED RUNNING WITH OUR GROUP); ANNE (STILL RUNNING WITH US TODAY) AND JOHN DU RAND; PATRICK BILLSON; PATRICK FEAR; CLEM MORRIS (DIED 2013 OF A CYCLING ACCIDENT; GRAHAM BOTHA (MOVED TO DURBAN); JACQUI WILMOT (MARIED, MOVED TO JHB AND HAD A BABY AND DIED OF CANCER AROUND 2005) ROB HOWLET WENT ON TO START THE 6TH AVE RUNNING GROUP. BRETT CUNNINGHAM TOOK UP CYCLING AND WRITTEN BY ADRIENNE WILSON WHO IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST TO A SISTER THAT I WILL EVER HAVE THE HONOUR TO CALL MY FRIEND.

NICCI'S TRIATHLON RACE NUMBER. AT AGE ABOUT 13 NICKY INSPIRED THE REST OF US TO TAKE PART IN TRIATHLON. AT THAT TIME IT WAS SHANE; BRAD AND MYSELF WHO WENT TO GAMTOOS TO RUN A TRIATHLON. IT WAS OUR FIRST OF MANY.

AT THE BACK OF NICCI'S TRIATHLON RACE NUMBER. 300M SWIM; 10KM CYCLE; 3KM RUN. COME STOKKIES LAST; WON TOWEL AND WALLET.

 Sunday. An early morning Load Shedding. So I start tidying up the house. Then decide to start sorting papers. I become so engrossed in this that I spend the rest of the day sorting papers; Certificates; old accounts and photographs. Quite fun. Unknown to me; Ally does the same as she gets herself ready for school on Monday.

Monday morning 20th.. I try to run in the morning but have a bit of knee pain so walk home. Barbara and Mia are back from Cape Town. Ally back to school. I have my first day of training at Dole with Andy. Deon has spent three days last week and this week fixing the roof both of the out buildings and of our main house. Today he fixes tiles, resetting them and sealing with bitumen. It has been raining a lot recently and we will be pleased to NOT have a leaking roof.
Tuesday; Day with Andy learning the ropes of the Dole Assignment.
Wednesday.  Short run in the morning rain. Day with Andy again.
Thursday. Short run again. Pouring with rain. It has been raining All night and all morning. Everything is wet. Except our hallway which is normally wet but since Deon repaired the roof we have had no leaking in the hall or in Ally's room. today is my first day with Dole on my own. Finding my way around. Fun! 

Friday morning. Chris sets up a run this morning as it appears that the weather is going to be wet the whole weekend.

MARSHALLING THE SA 21K CHAMPS - THIS IS THE 5K EVENT.

PAT AND TINA -- I JOINED THEM AT THEIR STATION AS WE WATCHED THE 21K RUNNERS GO BY

 Saturday morning -- I have marshalling duty at the beach for the SA marathon champs 21k. Stand with Pat and Tina. Spend the rest of the day indoors as the heavens open up.  Watch last mountain day of TDF where Chris Vroom wins the tour.  And then we watch the All Blacks beat the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Sunday 26th. Another clear morning -- Stefany; Kelly and I take advantage of the clear sky with an 8k run this morning. Cold but at least it is not wet. I was due to run the Woodridge trail run but that was cancelled due to the heavy rains this past few days.

CHRIS AND I ENJOY OUR CYCLE FROM KINGS BEACH TO THE LIGHTHOUSE - 23K ROUND TRIP.

I HAD RUN IN THE MORNING - STEFANY AND I HAD PUT SOME EFFORT INTO OUR RUN AND SO WAS QUITE TIRED THIS AFTERNOON ON THE CYCLE.

Monday 27th. Morning run with Andrea.  Dole work and then clearing of Charles Du Toit black bags. Tuesday - Run with Stefany; Dole stuff. Cycle with Chris.

TURN OFF FROM THE KIRKWOOD ROAD TO CHARLE'S FARM

 MARISA WAS AT SCHOOL WITH CATHY AT COLLEGIATE.  SHE MOVED TO THE UK WHERE SHE TAUGHT AT A SCHOOL AND HAS NOW MOVED BACK TO THE FARM WHERE SHE APPEARS TO BE TAKING OVER FROM CHARLES.

 ORANGE ORCHARDS FULL OF BRIGHT RIPE ORANGES.

 FROM THE MAIN GRAAFF REINET ROAD IT IS ABOUT 25KM TO CHARLE'S FARM

DANIEL PLAYS RUGBY FOR CLARENDON PARK. TODAY HE IS AT FLYHALF AND HAS A GOOD GAME WITH RUNNING; PASSING AND TACKLING.
Wednesday -- No running. Drive to Kirkwood to collect 8 bags of Seville Oranges from Charles and Bianca Wooley.  Meet their Daughter Marisa who was at school with Cathy. Daniel has rugby at Charlo. He plays well at Flyhalf - Daniel has a good couple of runs with the ball and takes down some of the opposing team with solid tackles. His team beats Charlo 43 - 0.  Later Ally and I go to Pearson to watch the boys first team play Grey.  It is a good game with excellent play on both sides. I sit with Peter and Adrienne Wilson. Matthew plays well.   They are all off to Bloem this weekend for a festival of sport.

GERALD JOINED CHRIS AND MYSELF FOR A SHORT CYCLE THIS AFTERNOON.

THE WEST WIND MADE CYCLING QUITE TOUGH. HERE YOU CAN SEE THE WAVES BREAKING AT FLAT ROCKS.

Thursday. Full 10k morning run with Andrea. Cycle with Chris and Gerald. Cold and windy so we cut short at Flat Rocks and cycled back into a strong west wind.

MY SPINACH AND CABBAGE DOING WELL IN THE FRONT STOEP.

 PETER AND JULIA AT THE END OF THE KNYSNA 21K

 MELANIE AND PETER. MELANIE IS A FRIEND OF STEFANY -- I MET HER AS SHE WORKS AT THE 5 WAYS SPAR.

 JACQUI SEEMS TO HAVE SUCH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE. JUST SO SORRY THAT WE CANNOT BE MORE PART OF HER AND HER FAMILY'S LIVES.

 JACQUI BUILT A CLIMBING WALL FOR TOM.

 BLAKE GOES TO SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS MONTH. HERE IS ALL DRESSED AND READY FOR HIS FIRST DAY IN PLAYSCHOOL.

 SAUL INTRODUCES BLAKE INTO THE WORLD OF EDUCATION.

 CATHY IS SO PLEASED TO HAVE FOUND THIS SCHOOL AND IS HAPPY TO LEAVE BLAKE THERE ON HIS FIRST DAY.

 BARBARA HAS INTRODUCED TWO PARROTS TO THE HOUSE. THESE BIRDS WALK AROUND THE HOUSE, PECKING ON MY SHOE AND WANTING TO BE PICKED UP AND SCRATCHED.

 JACQUI' LEGO TABLE

 NICKY MOVES TO THE NEWLY BUILT HOUSE IN RIEBEEK KASTEEL. JOHN SUPERVISED THE BUILDING. ON THE LEFT WAS THE CAR PORT AND IT IS NOW A STUDIO FOR WERNER.

 THE MAIN LIVING ROOM IS A COMPLETE KITCHEN AND LIVING AREA COMBINATION.

PAT GAVE ME THIS RECIPE FOR RUSKS.

JACQUI AND TOM.