PETER GIDDY.: DECEMBER 2015 -- TOURS AND CRUISE LINERS; ALLY DOES DRIVING LESSONS; BARBARA AND CHRISTIAN FLY TO ISRAEL; LOSS OF TREVOR VAUGHAN; ALLY AT ST FRANCI; LENE CAR BREAKS DOWN IN MOUNT FRERE; VISITING ENA IN PLETT; MIA BACK TO CAPE TOWN.

This old tusker ist known as Valli Moosa -- Minister of Environment and Tourism in 1999.

DECEMBER 2015
Continue with guiding including meeting the Cruise Liner.
A whole week of one guiding assignment from Amakhala to Cape Town.
Mia returns to Cape Town to live with Nicky.
Nicky and family visit Ena and we visit in Plett for lunch.
Ally starts with Driving Lessons
Lene car breaks down in Mount Frere and I fetch her and the family there.
Trevor Vaughan collapses after a paddling event in St Francis.
Ally spends time in St Francis with friends
Barbara leaves for Israel.
I complete my final tour for the month with an Addo tour with 10 people who are entertainers on the Europa 2

Joy to the World.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

1ST -- Tuesday -- I was originally planning to go to East London but the poor arrangements and lack of communication made me hesitant -- I ended up doing a half day city tour. And I was able to be with Mia for her swimming gala where she achieved two podium positions.

MARTIN AND CHRISTOFF. GERMAN GUESTS. WE HAD BEEN SO CLOSE TO THE ELEPHANT BATHING THAT OUR CAR HAD BEEN SPRAYED.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE KUDU IS NOT EASY AS HE TENDS TO MOVE AWAY AS SOON AS WE APPROACH. HERE IS A FULLY GROWN BULL DISPLAYING HIS MAGNIFICENT HORNS

ON THE MORNING WHEN WE WERE DUE TO FETCH OUR GUESTS FROM THE CRUISE LINER NAUTICA THERE WAS A DA MEETING AT THE BAYWORLD CENTER. HELEN ZILLE, FORMER LEADER OF THE DA, ARRIVED AND WAS LITERALLY WHISKED TO THE DA VEHICLE FOR A PIC AND THEN RUSHED INTO THE CENTER.

THE CRUISE LINER DOCKED AN HOUR LATE AND SO WE WERE ALL PUSHED FOR TIME

TOUR GUIDES WAITING FOR PASSENGERS TO DISEMBARK

SETTING UP THE GANGWAY IS A HUGE PROCEDURE WITH A SAFETY NET AND RAILINGS AND A SANITISED MAT.

AS EACH PASSENGER DISEMBARKS THEY MUST SWIPE A CARD TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF PASSENGERS

MY GROUP: JOHN; SUE; JOHN; ANWELL; CAROL; DAN; TED; HILARY AND OTHERS. 10 PASSENGERS, PIETER THE DRIVER AND MYSELF.

THE NAUTICA

2nd -- Wednesday -- I had been booked to do a City Tour but was only contacted late on Tuesday afternoon and after many attempts to find a guide and rearranging my own schedule -- I was not able to get hold of Akorn in CT until late this morning. At which time they told me that they had found another guide so I went back to my original plan and did a full day tour with three guests. All of this has made me quite exhausted. Barbara goes to a farm where the Egrets that she saved last month are released. this is again on TV and she is interviewed again. Later she interviews someone who is planning to buy her horse.

MIA'S FIRST GALA. CLARENDON PARK RUN A SLIK AND ORGANISED ACTIVITY FOR BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN

MY TUESDAY CITY TOUR GROUP; MONIKA; PETRA AND MAT FROM CANADA. WALK IN GUESTS. TAKEN FROM THE HALF WAY POINT ON THE DONKIN LIGHTHOUSE

MIA IS PLACED THIRD IN THE KIKKER BOARD EVENT. WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF HER AND THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE SWIM LESSONS GIVEN TO HER BY MANDY AT NEWTON PARK

WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A PODIUM POSITION IN THE DAD'S SWIM.

GRANDAD TRYING HIS HARDEST TO GET TO THE SIDE. NO SWIMMING JUST WALKING WITH THE TENNIS BALL UNDER THE CHIN AND MIA HANGING ON. THE REASON WE DID WELL WAS DUE TO MIA'S EXCELLENT SWIM.

IN THE RUSH OF THINGS I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE THAT WE HAD BEEN IN THE RUNNING FOR A POSITION.

ON THE TOUR WITH AURORE; PAULINE AND GORIK WE FIND THESE CHEETAH

JACQUI CAUSED QUITE A STIR IN ISRAEL WITHIN THE LOCAL LADIES AS SHE DECORATES HER BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE. WELL DONE JAX!

AURORE AND PAULINE ARE PARISIANS TRAVELLING FOR 9 MONTHS -- AFRICA AND ASIA. FROM HERE THEY WILL GO DOWN THE GARDEN ROUTE AND THEN FROM CAPE TOWN TO INDIA; MIAMAR; THAILAND ETC.

I HAD BEEN ON MY WAY TO DO A NIPPERS LEVEL TEST WHEN I MET UP WITH PAULINE; AURORE AND GORIK WHO IS BELGIAN, THEY JOINED US FOR A BEER AT BARNEYS.

GORIK; JULIA AND MIA AT BARNEYS

ISABELLE IS ON HER WAY TO TRANSKEI TO MEET UP WITH HER FRIEND CARLA. THEY WILL BE BACK IN PE IN TWO WEEKS. IT WAS SO GOOD TO BE ABLE TO SPEND A LITTLE WHILE WITH MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

3rd -- Thursday -- thank goodness for my morning runs -- keeps me sane!. This morning I run with Les and then catch the others to finish together. Then a bit of confusion as I had planned to go to Plett but that changed and then was called to do a City Tour but that too was cancelled. So ended up doing some Admin and running around -- Tiles; trying to return a faulty item to Celucity who claim that I abused the product; then to a Vet to buy some Horse injection stuff; Then Hardware; Then some supplies; then affidavit for CT muni; then recycle stuff; then Pearson to return some books; Then Nippers Level tests at Hobie Beach. It is a strong easterly so the Nippers do all of the routines except the water. I join Ant Cox for the U10 group. I had met Aurore; Pauline and Goric as tour guests and saw them at the beach -- so they joined Julia; Isabelle and myself for a beer at Barneys.

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This evening Ally is at the final concert at Plett Rage. She appears to be doing all the fun stuff. Getting home in the late hours of the morning. But has been safe and enjoyed most of her time there.

WARTHOGS AND BABIES. WE SEE BABY WARTHOGS RUNNING AROUND IN BOTH THE KRAGGA KAMMA AND THE ADDO PARKS

GRADING OF ROADS BEING DONE IN ADDO THIS WEEK. SOME OF THE ROADS ARE TERRIBLE AND I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING THEM. THIS WILL HELP.

4th. Friday Barbara fetches Ally from Plett and I have an Addo tour. Almost fall asleep after lunch. Today we are not that successful apart from birds and elephant which are really up close. With Elias; Florian and Thomas -- all Germans.

SATURDAY MORNING RUN FROM HOBIE TO THE BEACON AND ALONG THE BOARDWALK TO FLAT ROCKS, THEN ADMIRALTY AND THE BACK OF SUMMERSTRAND TO SECOND AVE AND THEN DOWN LA ROCHE BEFORE GOING BACK TO HOBIE FOR A SWIM.

SJANI AND ANDREA ON THE RUN

I WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM THIS DEER

5th Saturday what a stunning morning at the beach. Easterly and we run to Flat Rocks up Admiralty and back down La Roche. Andrea is feeling perky after a lay off and she takes her group to Driftsands and then past the pier and back. Meanwhile I swim out to the end of the pier and around the buoy. Barbara has an increasing supply of birds -- Today I release one into the Kragga Game park where I do a tour with Vanessa.
Sunday. Barbara and I go to African Dawn to release some of the birds that she has; an egret and a couple of pigeons. Then we stop off at Matthews previous farm for tea. The new owners have smartened an area up and made some changes to make this a good venue for a lunch. Julia visits us later and I have made a couple of batches of Crunchies for her trip home.
Monday; I run Langenhoven. This is always a tough morning and I am pretty much exhausted after that. I arrange for Ally's police clearance to be collected; pay the insurance for her 2016 trip to Australia; Make bookings for her driving school and obtain a quotation for her flight. I collect the Kosher foods and greet the tourist family before they are taken to Amakhala -- Woodbury lodge.
Tuesday: Try to run but my knee is too sore. This morning Mia and I fly to Cape Town. I drop Mia off with Stefan and his children and then Adrian takes me to collect the Hyundai H1 which I then drive to PE. I stop in Riviersonderend to drop off some keys for the son of a friend who has locked his keys in his car. The drive takes me about 8 1/2 hours.

HYUNDAI H1 THAT I DROVE BACK FROM CAPE TOWN AND THEN USED FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK FOR THE BREIBART FAMILY TOUR.

Wednesday morning I collect Eyal; Nechama; Daniel and Eitam from Amakhala. We pack up all their clothing and food and then drive to Tsitsikamma Adventures on the Kruis River where we all do the Zip Lining over the river adventure.

CANDICE AND WELCOME ARE OUR GUIDES

THE HARNESS AND BRAKING SYSTEM ARE UNIQUE TO THIS COMPANY

LOOKING ACROSS THE RIVER TO THE START OF THE NEXT LINE.

ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE EVENT ARE THE WATERFALLS. THERE ARE 8 SECTIONS ACROSS

STORMS RIVER MOUTH SWING BRIDGES

DANIEL AND EITAM OVER THE STORMS RIVER

BIRDS OF EDEN ALSO HAVE A SWING BRIDGE.

AT THE "GAP" ON THE ROBBERG WALK. LOOK CAREFULLY AND YOU SEE THE BEACON ISLAND HOTEL WHERE THE SCUBA DIVING TAKES PLACE

EYAL AND DANIEL AT THE SEAL LOOKOUT POINT.

ON THE WAY TO CAPE TOWN WE STOP AT THE TOP OF THE HUISRIVIER PASS. WE HAD SEEN BABOONS BELOW.
From the Zip Lining at Tsitsikamma we stop at the Storms River bridge for a brief visit and then make our way to the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. We walk to the Swing Bridges. There are now a series of three bridges; one across the mouth and two more that take you back towards the parking area. Things to do here include Swimming; Diving; walk to the waterfall; paddling in canoes up river. And we saw a group ending their Black Water Tubing adventure; this can be done as a full or half day activity.
We then drive to the Monkey Land for an interesting walk in the forest with our guide Clive who explains each of the species of the monkeys which have been brought here for rehabilitation.
Our last stop of the day is at Plett Woolworths to top up on supplies before I drop them off at the B & B. I stay over at Ena.
Thursday; The morning is spent at the BI where Daniel and Eitam do scuba diving. Daniel is qualified as Advanced. Eitam has an introductory lesson with Robyn. Ian is the duty manager and puts both of the dives on the "Paddy" system which is an international record of dives and divers.
We do a bit of shopping and then we all drive to the Birds of Eden for an interesting (unguided) walk in the forest. We investigate the Cheetah adventure but decide to not do this but rather walk the Robberg.
Nechama and Eitam walk as far as the Gap where they spend the next hour on the beach. Daniel, Eyal and I continue to the Seal Lookout point and then to Witsand and down to the Island. We explore the Island and then walk back to join the others. From the Gap we see a huge number of Dolphins swim past us in the bay.
Finally Friday 11th. We attempt to get to Cango Caves in time for a tour but are just too late for the 10am tour. We had spent a bit of time in George looking for Nechama's Mother's home in town which we found is now shops and offices.
We drive through to Cape Town to get there in time for 5pm and Synagogue this evening. After dropping off the family I continue to drop off the H1 where Reynard meets me and drops me off at Cathy to spend the night.
Saturday morning I fly home and then later this afternoon bus to East London with driver Morne; Terry; Deon; Nadia and Allan. We stay at the Holiday Inn.
Sunday morning we meet the Nautica at the EL harbour and take groups of passengers to various tours. Mine and Terry is the Khaya La Bantu which is an Xhosa Village experience run by Mike Corbett. The passengers in my bus have mixed feelings about the activity. It was windy and cold and so not quite as much fun as it may have been.
After dropping our guests off back at the quayside we drive back to PE.
Monday morning -- a short run for me and then pick up Philip from Island Vibe for a dusty dry Addo Tour. We see plenty Elephant which makes Philip happy. Also a Spoonbill at Domkrag which is a first for me. And we find at Lion near to Rooidam.

OUR LION AT ROOIDAM DOES WHAT CATS DO BEST -- SLEEPING --
Tuesday morning I have a hard run and I think that this puts my back out. I am in pain for the rest of the day. Barbara, Ally and I drive to Plett to visit Nicky and her family who are spending four days with Ena. This evening we all go to a Carol Service at Walmer.
Wednesday morning -- Public Holiday so Adrienne organises us to run from the beach front with the traditional champagne, muffins and coffee. I have had a sore back for the past two days so I walk while the others run. Then John joins me.
We have to run from Millers as it is Opening of the season this evening. As always this is a wonderful little celebration of the dynamics of the group.

BEST FRIENDS -- ANNE AND ADRIENNE

STEFANIE IS BACK WITH THE GROUP AFTER A LONG LAY OFF -- RONEL IS ALSO KEEN TO GET GOING AGAIN.

JOHN, DANIEL AND KELLY AT THE CHRISTMAS BEACH RUN

JOHN CHATTING TO DANIEL WHILE ALEX IS WITH BRETT TAKING A SURFING LESSON

CHAMPAGNE, ORANGE JUICE AND MUFFINS ON THE BEACH FRONT

LINDI AND ADRIENNE -- SUNRISE AT MILLERS BEACH.

PAT, RONEL -- BEACHES OF PORT ELIZABETH ARE JUST SO AMAZING.

MIA HAS A FAREWELL PARTY BEFORE LEAVING FOR CAPE TOWN. .

Thursday
Friday
Saturday Morning run.
Sunday. Tour of Addo with Nick and Lisa. == Nothing much to see at all. Hardly any elephant and game is really scarce. I feel almost embarresed.

MIA HAS A FAREWELL PARTY BEFORE LEAVING FOR CAPE TOWN. .

Thursday
Friday
Saturday Morning run.
Sunday. Tour of Addo with Nick and Lisa. == Nothing much to see at all. Hardly any elephant and game is really scarce. I feel almost ashamed
This strange looking grass has sprung up and makes for good camouflage for the animals.

TALL WHITE SQUILL. BULBOUS. WRITTEN ABOUT THIS SINCE ANCIENT TIMES (EGYPT USED AS A MEDCINE IN 16C BC) AND USED AS A LAXATIVE AS WELL AS A POISON. BITTER IN TASTE SO ANIMALS AVOID IT.. RATS EAT IT AND THIS HAS BEEN USED AS RAT POISON.

This TALL WHITE SQUILL (DRIMA) has sprung up all around the Northern Section on the Grasslands. It is very dry in the park at present making it quite unpleasant with the dust everywhere.

INGRID; MELISSA AND BENITA. FAST GROUPERS ON THE WAY HOME.

WE COULD NOT RESIST A SHORT CHAT TIME

SJANI AND BENITA SHARING A MOMENT.

MELISSA AND INGRID ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AT THEIR MORMAL FAST PACE

CHRIS; RONEL; LINDI AND SJANI RUN DOWN SECOND AVE

ANNIE AND ADRIAN ON THE RUN

Monday 21st. Lene and her family are in Durban for a week holiday. On the return trip their car gives trouble in Mount Frere so I drive to Mount Frere; Collect Lene; her mother; Tannie; Niece; Jessica; Josh and Daniel and trailer and we drive back to PE. An 18 hour day for me and 1200km.. Took me from 3.30am to 11am to get there and I dropped them off at 9pm. The drive home had been slowed down by the congestion in the towns of Mount Frere; Qumbu; Mthatha; Idutywa and Butterworth. In each town we encountered unreasonably slow and backed up traffic taking us up to 45 minutes to pass through the town. The worst were Mthatha and Butterworth. Plus the Traffic on the roads in the Transkei was heavy.
Tuesday 22nd. I was due to Guide an Addo tour for a family but tragically they lost their child in a drowning. Do some Dole work; Get the Decoder working and dump some rubbish.
Wednesday 23rd: morning run with Kelly and other slow groupers. Tour of Addo with Martin and Evelyn from Cape Town.

THE ACACIA TREES IN BLOOM
Acacia trees also have an unusual defence against grazing giraffes; as the trees are being fed on, they release a chemical that alerts nearby trees that they are in danger of being eaten as well. The trees that receive the chemical message exude toxic tannins into their leaves to ward off snacking giraffes. For this reason, giraffes typically graze upwind to stay ahead of the chemical messages being released.

THIS ELEPHANT HAS A BROKEN LEFT TUSK AND WEARS A COLLAR. IT SEEMS THAT HE IS AN IMPORTANT POLITIAN IN THE HERD AS EVERYONE MOVED ASIDE FOR HIM AT THE HAPOOR DAM. I FIND OUT THAT HE IS NAMED VALLI MOOSA.

MARTIN AND EVELYN NORTJE AT SPEKBOOM HIDE -- WE HAD A GREAT OUTING TODAY WITH A VARIETY OF SIGHTINGS AND LOTS OF CONVERSATION.

FOUND IN THE SOUTH SECTION OF ADDO. MAKES THE FIELDS LOOK GREEN BUT SEEMS THAT THE ANIMALS DO NOT EAT THIS WEED.

Mohammed Valli Moosa (born 8 February 1957 in Johannesburg) is a South African politician who was active in the United Democratic Front. In the early 1990s, he participated for the ANC in the Negotiations to end Apartheid. In the government of national unity, he was Deputy Minister for Provincial and Constitutional Affairs (1994 - 1996), after the exodus of the National Party he became Minister in this department.
In 1999, he took office as the Environment and Tourism Minister of South Africa. In this position, he has worked to raise the awareness of the problem of litter, jokingly naming plastic shopping bags the "national flower" and pushing to introduce a minimum legal thickness of 30 micrometres to increase their cost, reusability, and recyclability. He was elected President of IUCN — the World Conservation Union at the 3rd World Conservation Congress in Bangkok in November 2004. He was also non-executive Chairman of Eskom and Sun International.
In April 2013,he was appointed the Independent Non-executive Chairman of Anglo American Platinum company.

Thursday morning run through Target Kloof. Drive to St Francis to fetch Ally. No tours. do a bit of rubbish collection and a couple of other chores. Barbara and Lene are cooking for the lunch at Delene. This evening I am on Church Duty at the 11pm service. Then again on Christmas Morning at 7am and then finally Barbara; Ally; Lene; Jessica; Joshua and Daniel join us at the 9am service. Then it is the Presents Parade. Barbara has been very generous and gave me a set of Binoculars for my Tour Guiding.
After Lene and family leave we go to lunch at the barn in Thornhill.

BARBARA AND ALLY -- WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE GIVEN THE COUCHES TO SIT ON FOR LUNCH.

THE BARN AT THORNHILL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH. AN AMAZING MEAL WITH THREE MEATS; LOADS OF VEGGIES; PUMPKIN FRITTERS; A CHEESE CAKE OR MALVA PUDDING AND A WAGON LOAD TO TAKE HOME WITH US FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS OF MEALS.
Saturday 26th. Boxing day. I have a transfer tour. Pick up at Kariega -- 13 Finnish people and take to the airport. We pass the Karel Landman monument; Amakhala; Nanaga; Donkin and a bit of a mix up Sophia referring to the Pier as the Docks. What she wanted was a walk on the beach and what I understood was a drive past the harbour area. Anyway -- arrived at the airport in time for 13.00 drop off.

AT KARIEGA -- DRIVER KOKO .

AT KARIEGA TO PICK UP 13 FINNISH GUESTS AND TAKE THEM TO -- KAREL LANDMAN; AMAKHALA; NANAGA; DONKIN RESERVE AND MISTAKENLY MISSED OUT ON SHARK ROCK PIER AS I THOUGHT THAT THE TOUR LEADER WANTED TO VISIT THE PE DOCKS -- MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE WORDS PIER AND DOCKS.

PEPPER TREE AT KARIEGA WITH YELLOW FLOWERS AND WEAVERS NESTS.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning --- two days of nothing. I was simply too tired and had a sniffle and sneezing cold. Read the James Patterson book that Lene had given me "Burn" Michael Bennet -- detective story.
Bought suitcases for Ally and Barbara various flights and journeys.
Monday Morning 28th -- Back on the run. Yay~! Managed a slow ten kay with Kelly; Andrea and Ross; Charlie; Liesl and Stefanie. And an amazing swim in warm water after the run. I LOVE this city..

Kelly and Andrea (who suggested this beach front run this morning) at Flat rocks.

Liesl and Stefany. This is Stefany's third run since she fell ill a few months ago and managed to run a solid 10k with just a few walks this morning.

Charlie and Ross joinjed to our group this morning. We started at Hobie and ran to the Beacon then along the boardwalk to Flat Rocks. Back to Admiralty and along Erasmus before finishing down second ave.
Tuesday 29th. Another amazing run on the beach. And an equally stunning swim at Hobie beach after that. Wow and I a luck man. I have an Addo Tour with Felix; Conrad and Leah.

SUNRISE AS I DRIVE TO HOBIE BEACH FOR MY RUN AND SWIM.

ANDREA; KELLY AND LIESL JOIN ME FOR A SUBSTANTIAL RUN UP WALMER BOULEVARD AND ALONG STRANDFONTEIN TO 5TH AVE AND BACK TO HOBIE FOR A NICE LONG SWIM.

CONRAD PEERS THROUGH THE EYE SLIT AT SPEKBOOM WITH LEAH AND FELIX SEATED

BARBARA BOUGHT ME THE BINOCULARS FOR CHRISTMAS AND THEY ARE BEING PUT TO GOOD USE TODAY

I do a Hop On township tour with Craig to show me how he conducts his tours. Very interesting and I learned a lot but must do this a number of times to be able to carry on on my own. Complete some Dole Work. Getting ready for Barbara's trip to Israel.
Wednesday 30th. No tours. We drive out to St Francis where Ally will be spending New Years Eve with her friends. There is a Memorial Service for Trevor Vaughan. It comprises a Swim/ paddle / water polo player past the jetty at St Francis canals. Then a service and eulogy by Paul Lynch.
We Drop Ally off with Lara and then finally get home for a snack -- Barbara has to do final packing as I must be ready for my last tour of the month -- meeting a Cruise Liner and taking 10 people on an Addo tour.

LAST DAY OF THE YEAR.
Thursday 31ST morning. My final tour of 2015: the Europa 2 with 10 guests. Barbara does final packing. I prepare for my Addo Tour. Drop Barbara off and she flies to JHB and waits the whole day for Christian. They then fly to Israel.
I have 10 delightful people in a bus -- they are entertainers on the Europa 2. We are really fortunate to see Lion at Domkrag and a Buffalo Kill at Carols Rest.
We then go to Hapoor where we see around 100 to 200 elephant from babies to old bulls. Lots of activity and goings on. We then move on to Rooidam where we encounter two bull elephant up close so that you can almost touch them.

EUROPA 2 -- 10 GUESTS FROM THIS LINER CAME WITH ME TO ADDO TODAY

WE SEE A BUFFALO KILL AT CAROLS REST. AND JACKAL EATING FROM THIS CARCAS. LOTS OF ZEBRA ALL AROUND. WE ALSO SAW A LIONESS AT DOMKRAG DAM.

EUROPA 2. OFF TO CAPE TOWN FROM HERE. I HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL GROUP FROM THIS SHIP.

Lunch and then we drive straight through the park to the Matholweni entrance. From there we visit the Donkin reserve; Spar ATMs and buy some biltong before dropping back at the ship. It was an excellent and interesting day with plenty of sightings.
Back home after a shower I am ready for a relaxing evening with no party or other fancy activity.

AND SO ENDS 2015 -- I AM EXHAUSTED AND CANNOT KEEP MY EYES OPEN; ALLY IN ST FRANCIS AT AN ALL NIGHT PARTY; BARBARA IN THE AIR ON THE WAY TO ISRAEL WITH CHRISTIAN; NICKY IN RIEBEEK KASTEEL AT A WEDDING WITH WERNER PLAYING; CATHY AND SAUL AT HOME IN CAPE TOWN WITH BLAKE; LENE IN PE; VISITS FAMILY WITH ALL THREE CHILDREN; JACQUI IN ISRAEL TRIES TO GET SOME SLEEP AFTER THE HARROWING EXPERIENCE OF TRYING TO GET CHRISTIAN ON THE FLIGHT; MICHAEL LEAVES EARLY TO FETCH BARBARA AND CHRIS FROM TEL AVIV AIRPORT.

ALLY SHOWS OFF HER AIRPLANE SLEEP MASK AND CUSHION

ALLY HANDED OUT THE GIFTS TODAY. THIS HAS BECOME HER THING.

DANIEL WAS PLEASED AS PUNCH WITH THE GIFTS HE RECEIVED.

BARBARA CLUTCHES HER AMARULA CREAM

CHOKKIES FOR LENE PUTS HER IN GOOD SPIRITS

JACQUI MANAGED TO SET UP AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN ISRAEL

PAULO AND ISABELLE AT AGHULAS

PATRICK AND MARIANNE AT THEIR AGULLAS HOUSE.

CATHY TAKES BLAKE TO THE CYCLE PARK

WE ALL RECEIVED LILO'S FOR CHRISTMAS

TOM AND FRIEND ARE NINJA TURTLES

CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY WITH JOSH; LENE; DANIEL; JESSIE AND ALLY

BLAKE AS A CAR RACE TRACK THINGIE

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE... SPECIALLY MADE FOR BARBARA THIS YEAR.

SMILES IN ANTICIPATION OF PRESENTS TO BE OPENED

CATHY AND NICKY ON CHRISTMAS DAY. NICKY TOOK CATHY THE PILE OF PRESSIES THAT BARBARA HAD SENT FOR EACH OF THEM

AT CATHY'S POOLSIDE

BARBARA GIVES ME A DIARY -- TO HELP ME PLAN OUR TOURS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR 2016

MORE PRESSIES

WOW! A GO PRO CAMERA

CHRISTMAS TREES WITH PRESENTS -- IF ONLY WE COULD HAVE BEEN ONE FAMILY; ONE TREE AND ONE PILE.

YORUM AND JACQUI

JACQUI WITH FRIENDS VISITING

LOVELY GIRLS

GREEN STOCKINGS WERE JACQUI'S COLOUR THIS YEAR

A CHRISTMAS TABLE IN ISRAEL

SUPER GIRLS...

LOVELY FACES IN JACQUI'S HOME

JOSHUA AND PILES OF GIFTS

FAMILY AND FRIENDS ENJOY CHRISTMAS IN ISRAEL

TOM THE TEENAGE NINJA TURTLE

ENA AND MIA IN PLETT

CHRISTIAN; ENA; ZARA; AARON AND MIA IN PLETT

FAMILY COLLAGE

ROCK CLIMBING IN ISRAEL

TOM GETS A LESSON ON DRIVING A FRONT END LOADER FROM MICHAEL

OH COME ALL YEE FAITHFUL -- JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT --

THIS IS THE DONKEY FROM SHREK.

SPARKLY COOKIES?

DECORATIONS ON JACQUI'S CHRISTMAS TABLE

MIA RECEIVES A WARM WELCOME HOME

NICKY TAKES HER FAMILY TUBING ON THE RIVER

MIA IS FEARLESS

WERNER KEEPS A SHARP EYE ON THE ACTIVITY

TWO BIG FAMILY TUBES FOR AN ADVENTURE ON THE WATER

I CANT WAIT TO MY NEXT CAPE TOWN VISIT TO TRY THIS OUT

TREVOR VAUGHAN - RIP -- SHERREL LEE STANDS ON THE JETTY WHILE OVER 100 POLO PLAYERS; SWIMMERS; PADDLERS ETC HAVE A SWIM PAST, FORM A CIRCLE AND GENERALLY GIVE A FAREWELL AND SIGN OF RECOGNITION TO HIS FAMILY AND TO THE MAN WHO HE WAS.

PROBABLY WELL OVER 100 PEOPLE TOOK TO THE WATER IN HONOUR OF TREVOR. ALL AGES; RACES; SWIMMERS AND PADDLERS AND POLO PLAYERS. WELL DONE TO PAUL LYNCH AND CHRIS FOR SETTING THIS UP.

CHRISTIAN IS ON HIS WAY TO ISRAEL

FAREWELL MY BROTHER SAYS HIS SIBLINGS

AT THE CAPE TOWN AIRPORT LOOKING SO DAPPER

AFTER A NIGHTMARE OF WORRIES AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE QUESTIONS WHILE NICKY WAS BUSY TRYING TO ORGANISE A WEDDING AND HAD JUST COMPLETED THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL FUNCTION EARLIER IN THE DAY. BARBARA WAS AT THE JHB AIRPORT TRYING TO GET CHRISTIAN THROUGH EMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES; I WAS ON TOUR IN ADDO AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS UNTIL THAT EVENING. WELL DONE TO EVERYONE AS IT ALL TURNED OUT FINE IN THE END AND THEY MADE THE FLIGHT CONNECTION WITH MINUTES TO SPARE.