PETER GIDDY.: December 2015

BARBARA RELEASES THE EGRETS THAT SHE SAVED AT THE AIRPORT. SHE WAS ON NATIONAL TV AGAIN ON THURSDAY 2ND WITH AN INTERVIEW ABOUT THESE BIRDS.

JOSHUA AND DANIEL AT THE QUEEN CONCERT

NOVEMBER 2015

ADDO AND OTHER TOUR GUIDING ASSIGNMENTS
SWIMMING WITH MIA; JOSHUA AND DANIEL;
HIKING IN GROENDAL THE BLINDEKLOOF.
MIA SWIMMING GALA -- TWO PODIUM POSITIONS
RUNNING IN THE MORNINGS SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL WITH MINIMUM PAIN AT PRESENT.
WORKING FLAT OUT AT TOUR GUIDING -- HAS OVERTAKEN MY LIFE A BIT AT PRESENT
DEON IS DOING A WHOLE LOT OF MAINTENANCE WORK FOR US
ALLY WRITES FINAL MATRIC EXAMS AND THEN GOES TO PLETT STAYING WITH ENA FOR THE PLETT RAGE.

Monday 2nd. I submit the assignments and complete the written test for the Western Cape. Not feeling my best so skip the swim but Mia; Josh and Daniel seem to be improving their swimming.

BIG HERD OF ELEPHANT AT ADDO TODAY.

Tuesday -- Tour of Addo. I take Craig's Land Rover. It is an old Defender and a hard vehicle to drive. I have 6 backpackers (Simon and Renaud; Daniel: Hanna; Emma and Joris) in the vehicle and we have a fun time. Finally we see a huge herd of about 30 Elephant including tiny calves suckling their mothers. This is the highlight of the tour. A bit later we see a herd of Buffalo but they are quite far off. And then three Cheetah but also far off. The last animal we see today is a small black back jackal who is unusually curious and approaches the vehicle.

THE GROENDAL RESERVE NEAR TO UITENHAGE -- WEDNESDAY HIKING GROUP REST AT THE TAR TREE OR TIERBOOM. ASLO KNOWN AS THE LEOPARD TREE WITH ITS BRANCHES BEING IDEAL FOR A LEOPARD TO RELAX IN.

Wednesday I hike the Groendal -- Blindekloof hiking trail -- with 14 other Wednesday hiking Groupers. This hike takes a bit longer than normal as we hike a total of 11k and only get back to PE at 3pm. It is quite do able with hills that require a reasonable amount of fitness and rock hopping or stream crossing which needs sure footing.

BLINDEKLOOF HIKING TRAIL.

Later this afternoon I take Joshua; Daniel and Mia to swimming and then Kumon Maths.

YOU CANNOT SEE IT BUT HERE IN THE GRASS IS A GOSHAWK AS IT EATS THE PREY IT HAS CAUGHT. PROBABLY A SNAKE OR A RODENT.

THE TEMPERATURE WAS UP TO 43 DEGREES. WE HAD THE AIRCON ON FULL FOR THE WHOLE TRIP.

A HERD OF OVER 100 BUFFALO AT CAROLS REST

WHITE BUTTERFLY --- WHERE EVER WE WERE IN THE PARK WE WOULD SEE HUNDREDS OF THEM. AFRICAN VEIN WHITE IS THE NAME OF THESE BUTTERFLY

Thursday -- Ally has English Paper two and it appears from later reports that it was not as tough as it may have been. I Run Target Kloof and then Tour of Addo. I pick up Valentino at his Backpackers and we drive to Addo Matholweni entrance. We have a good tour today seeing over 60 Elephant in total; Two cheetah; a huge herd of Buffalo plus one really up close; Plenty of Black Back Jackal; a Goshawk on his prey; A Crowned Plover defending it territory; Plus the usual suspects of Zebra; Red Hartebeest; Kudu and many Warthog.
Friday -- catch up with a bit of Admin. Meet with Barry Morris.

SATURDAY MORNING RUN WITH SHANNON AND MARGIE; SUSAN; MIKE; ADRIENNE; BEV; NEIL.

ADDO HALF DAY TOUR WITH DIDIER; BRENDA AND BARBARA
It was previously believed that Zebra were white animals with black stripes, since some zebras have white underbellies. Embryological evidence, however, shows that the animal's background color is black and the white stripes and bellies are additions. It is likely that the stripes are caused by a combination of factors

Saturday -- Run the beach front with Adrienne; Neil; Susan; Mike; Annie; Shannon; Margie and Bev.
Then I have my first Addo Half Day tour. With Didier; Brenda and Barbara. Go in at Matholweni; Up to Hapoor; Back via Mpunzi, Harvey and Vukani; Caracal; Buffalo; Rock Monitor Lizard.

Sunday 8th morning -- Barbara and I drive to Plett; have an early lunch with Ena and then stop off at the Bird Sanctuary to leave a Muisvoel in their care; visit the Elephant Experience; the Kloofing place and the Ziplining place at the Kruis Rivier.
Monday -- I run Langenhoven for the first time in a long while. With Tracy and Gillian (both fairly new to the group). Our man Deon has been working on the house for a week -- fixing windows; roof; painting.

SCRUB HARE AT DOMKRAG -- THERE ARE NO RABBITS IN ADDO.

BLACKSMITH PLOVER AT HAPOOR DAM

BLUE (GLOSSY) STARLINGS PECK AT THE BUFFALO'S SIDE WHERE HE HAS A SMALL WOUND.

GOSHAWK

THE BUFFALO IS SUCH AN ENORMOUS BEAST. SEEMS SO CALM AND ALMOST LIKE CATTLE. BUT THE GIRTH AND HORNS TELL A DIFFERENT STORY.
This week I am on a tour guiding every day. From Township to City and Addo tours. I also have a Wine Estate tour at Theescombe for the first time. Using Craig's Landrover I take 6 people on Monday and 8 people on Saturday. This turned out to be a bit of a squash with some having to sit in the back section. Discomfort led to complaints but apart from giving them a free meal there was not much that I could do about it. However on this day we saw so many Elephant and two lion which helped a bit. The wine tour with Patrick and Dominic turned out to be really interesting. Meeting Sandra and touring her wine estate in Theescombe followed by some Cheese and Wine tasting.
The township tours start off with a visit to the Human Dignity centre with Gugu, we then move over to New Brighton and Red Location; Drive through the townships and end with a visit to a tavern for drinks.

DOMINIC AND PATRICK WINE TASTING.

THE WINE MAKING SECTION WITH THE CRUSHER AND VATS

THEESCOMBE ESTATE WINE AS MADE BY SANDRA AND ROGER

THE VATS -- EVERYTHING IS DONE BY SANDRA HERSELF. PLANTING; PRUNING; WEEDING; COVERING WITH NETS; HARVESTING; CRUSHING AND SEPARATING; BLENDING AND CLEANING.
I have started to develop a City Tour of my own which includes the Fort and Donkin and Light house. Then drive through the City and perhaps St Georges park war memorial. Then get a feel for the city and try to fit in Sacramento and Retha's walk and the Young Family walk in Valley Road.
I had a good running week with no real injury -- Ran every day from Monday to Thursday and Saurday. Monday included Langenhoven but e weeks relatively short and slow. Saturday I managed to run 12k around the airport and down second ave, with Kelly and Joan before having to rush off to collect the Landrover and do my most difficult tour of Addo with the 8 passengers.

CHRISTIAN WINS AN AWARD FOR CHESS.

Sunday 15th. I have tried for the whole week to enter into Two Oceans half marathon. Unless you are sitting onur computer at the time of opening it has now become impossible to get an entry in. I missed the first 1000 blue numbers; the second 5000 club members and then the final 8000 general entries closed before I was able to pay. So 2016 is now a washout for me as far as Two Oceans 21k is concerned. I feel quite sad that an era of over 25 years of going to Cape Town every Easter weekend is now over.

So what can I say?
What can I do?
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

SUMMERSTRAND CLUBHOUSE TAKING SHAPE WITH THE NEW SOCIAL AREA.

I spend the morning at Lifesaving at Summerstrand. The Clubhouse is being renovated to create a "social area". I think that this has the potential to make a difference for all Summies members. Once all the Nippers and retest candidates have left the beach goes dead quiet and then it starts to rain and so I leave the clubhouse at 14.00.

Monday. I run a reasonably short run with Kobus and Adrienne. Addo tour with Paula and Marie.
Tuesday, I had a bad night with knee pains so again run short. Walk / jog with Gay and Angela. Addo Tour for Lungile -- Philip; Noshine from Iran; Sybil and Adona who is spending her life traveling around the world.
Wednesday - I have a township tour in the morning with Raphael and Carol from Switzerland. We visit a house which is very interesting.

ON OUR TUESDAY TOUR WE COME ACROSS THIS HUGE HERD OF BUFFALO CROSSING THE ROAD.

WEDNESDAY MORNING TOWNSHIP TOUR WE VISIT THE HOUSE BELONGING TO BUSI WHO HAS A CHILD AT THE HUMAN DIGNITY CENTER AND WHO ASSISTS WITH CLEANING UP.
That afternoon I pick up Kirsen; Barbara; Sylvia and Antonio from the Language center and we do a City Tour starting with the Young walk and then St Georges Park and the fort and Lighthouse climb. Drive through the city and then to Walmer Township before going to Sacramento where we enjoy the views and a beer at the café.

AMATUNGULU -- CARISSA MACROCARPA

Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum), is a shrub native to South Africa, where it is commonly called the Large Num-Num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called amatungulu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called Noem-Noem, The fruit can be eaten out of hand or made into pies, jams, jellies, and sauces.

THIS BIG BULL ELEPHANT HAS A COLAR AND THE LEFT TUSK IS BROKEN. SO FROM TODAY I WILL CALL IT LEFTY|

Thursday 19th. Full day tour of Addo with Tim; Catherine and Lena. All from Germany. A good day with Many Elephants and a herd of Buffalo. And two Yellow Mongoose really close up. Meanwhile trying to keep up with Garden Refuse collection being done by Deon.

Friday 20th. Full day of tours starting with a Township and City combo with Philip and Linda from UK and then township with Anna and Leane from Australia.

Adrienne; Susan and Mike on the Saturday Morning run

GRAHAM JOINED US THIS MORNING. IT HAS BEEN AGES SINCE HE RAN WITH US BUT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY AT WORK AS WELL AS NOT AS HEALTHY AS HE WOULD LIKE.

GRAHAM AND NEIL AS WE DROP GRAHAM OFF AT HIS HOUSE.

Saturday morning. It rained in the night so I was not sure if we would be running but had committed to Adrienne so picked her up. Met up with Mike; Susan; Graham and later on Neil. We had such a good run up to the church in Walmer Boulevard and then Strandfontein road. Drop Graham off and then Admiralty before going back to Hobie.

WE SAW OUR RHINO UP CLOSE THIS AFTERNOON. JUST ONE HAS A FULL HORN. THE BABY HAS GROWN CONSIDERABLY SINCE I LAST VISITED A MONTH AGO.

THERE ARE OVER 10 GIRAFFE TO BE SEEN. WE WERE FORTUNATE AS THEY CAME RIGHT UP TO THE CAR.

NYALA. LOOK SIMILAR TO KUDU WITH THE WHITE STRIPES AND THE WHITE UNDER THE EYES. BUT MORE SHAGGY, LIGHT COLOURED SHINS AND A DIFFERENTLY SHAPED HORN. WE FOUND THESE DEEP IN THE FOREST AREA. .
Afternoon Kragga Kamma Tour. With Tim; Luca and Sylvia. A rainy and dull afternoon but it worked out well as we saw our animals up close: Rhino; Giraffe; Zebra; Bontebok; Nyala; Buffalo. We ended our tour with some Cough Mixture at Sacramento.
Sunday at home all day.
Monday -- Meeting with Craig; North End Post Office; Dentist; Bank;
Tuesday -- Run; Clothing shop at BKB for new shirt and trousers.

WEDNESDAY WALK FROM SOMETHING GOOD TO NOT QUITE TO THE CAPE RECIFE LIGHTHOUSE.

THE BOARDWALK HAS BECOME A BIT RICKETY.

GROUND ORCHIDS GROWING IN THE SANDUNES NEXT TO THE BOARDWALK

BRIGHT YELLOW GROUND ORCHIDS
Wednesday - Run with Les; Drop Ally at school for final English Paper. Hiking the Something Good to Recife but did not get as far as the lighthouse. A stunning morning for the hike. Fetch Ally and Jessica from school and then go to Bay West Shopping Mall where Ally buys some clothing and I buy a Charger for my phone. Swimming with Mia; Daniel and Joshua and then Kumon Maths for all of them.
Thursday -- Addo tour for Island Vibes. Ally writes her last Matric exam -- Drama theory.

NYALA

I FIRST THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A NYALA BABY BUT LATER REALISED THAT IT IS ANOTHER DEER. I HAVE SINCE IDENTIFIED THIS AS A FEMALE NYALA

CHEETAH BEING FED.

WILL TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS IS --- FEMALE NYALA

Friday 27th. Take Ally and Friends to Plett for the Rage Party. Summies roofwetting for the new extensions. I don't make it as I have a Kragga Kamma tour with Lyn. I learn that Cheetah feeding is on Monday; Wednesday and Fridays after 3pm. We see the Cheetah being fed.

KELLY; LIESL AND SJANI

CHRIS AND LINDI WITH NEIL AND ADRIENNE ON A WARM SATURDAY MORNING RUN

NEIL AND ADRIENNE. ADRIENNE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH RUNNING OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF WEEKS.

SUNSHINE REFLECTS OFF NEILS MOUSTACHE

HEADING BACK DOWN 2ND AVE WITH KELLY; SJANI AND LES

LINDI AND CHRIS

MIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING PARTICULARLY WELL RECENTLY

Saturday 28th --An excellent run this morning. We head towards the Beacon and then along the Boardwalk to Flat Rocks. Back and up Admiralty and back down 2nd Ave. Sjani is back on the run for the first time in a long while and she has been swimming with .... and Linda Patterson. So I have my first swim in a long while. I must start taking my cossie back to the runs on Saturdays. Later I have a tour.
Sunday 29th -- Rock up and Race at Kings Beach. I have to miss this as I have an Addo assignment for Lungile.
Monday 30th... No morning run as I must meet Craig early. Today is my first time to meet a Cruise liner. I am in Craig's 22seater with 10 guests. Pieter is my driver. The ship docs late and so we rush to Addo North Entrance. Drive to Hapoor where we see many elephants. Then back to camp for lunch. Then through the park to South Exit for 5pm to be back at quayside by 6pm.
Tuesday -- A disaster day at home as the Geyser had packed up on Monday leaking in the kitchen and bathroom. Mia has her Gala at school. She swims really well and is placed 3rd in one event and 2nd in another. 2 X Podium places. We are so very proud of her. Makes all the swim lessons worthwhile. I swim the granddad race with her.
Isabelle's friend Carla, arrived this evening for the night. I had a snap afternoon City Tour.
Wednesday. I had my first Recommended Addo tour from the Backpacker groups.
Thursday.
Friday... Collect Ally from Plett.