APRIL 2016
Clarendon Park U11A rugby festival -- Daniel plays full back.
Wednesday walks -- Blue Horizon Bay.
Corporate Ironman and Ironman Volunteering
Joshua and Daniel take part in Ironkids.
Port Elizabeth Addo and Schotia Tour Guiding
City and Township Port Elizabeth Tour Guiding.
Julia Graduates PHD and Rachel comes to visit.
Rugby Grey at Daniel Pienaar with Daniel. & Rugby at Grey.
Ally is in Perth and flies to Sydney to visit her cousins - Jono and Leigh Giddy.
Queen Victoria comes to Port Elizabeth.
15k Road race -- Sportsmans warehouse
MSC Symphony is in PE due to high winds and storm damage
Trip to Cape Town to visit Cathy and Nicky
Friday 1st April. Swim 1200m at Newton Park Pool. Do some admin work at home. Schotia Tour -- Evening till 9pm includes Boma style dinner.
Saturday morning - 10k run with Neil. Afternoon Township tour with Martin who works at WTO and was in Grahamstown to assist with Judging of a legal competition. St John arrives from Cape Town stays over before continuing on to Grahamstown for his second semester. Lene gives the two boys a number one haircut.
ROSE OF SHARON
At church this evening we sing a song which includes the words "Rose of Sharon" -- I have looked for this on previous occasions and have not found an answer to the question: Why is this used in a Christian song?. There seems to be little evidence to think that this is a reference to God or to Christ. The term Rose of Sharon was used by Solomon -- Song of Solomon 2I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
In this song Solomon refers to himself as the Rose of Sharon and to God in the third person. So I don't think that Rose of Sharon should be used as a biblical term for God or Christ?
Monday -- Short run with Chris and Lindi -- Stefany is back after a long lay off from running. Cycle the Route for Saturday's Triathlon with Megan Holden.
Tuesday - Waited at dockside for the Aurora to dock but strong winds put them off. So did a three person Addo tour instead.
Wednesday -- short run with Joan around the park and back. Just 5k.
Wednesday Walk is Blue Horizon Bay. I meet Jenny at Fig Tree; Keiko, Dennis and Flo are in the car with us. We drive to Blue Horizon Bay where we meet up with Paul, Julian, Lynne and Dave. Sheena joins us later. The walk is up the road and back to the main Van Stadens Resort road. Walk down to the resort for a snack and then back along the beach and into a chilly breeze. A good 8k walk. We are back at the cars before 11am.
Some Pics sent on the family Whatsup Group: when you look at these pics you see just what an amazing family this has turned out to be.
Friday. I have a great tour with Joon, Ethan and Cameron from Chicago. He is doing Ironman. We walk the Sacremento, visit SAMREC and Kragga Kamma for lunch and a drive.
Saturday -- Corporate Ironman and Ironkids Water Safety duty.
This Is Amazing Grace"
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, the King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Oh
Monday -- Half day Addo Tour with James (Canada) and Kana (Singapore). Then city tour with Juan Carlos and Gloria (Spain).
Tuesday. Short 5k run with Kelly. Full day Addo tour in a bus with 12 people. 6 Japanese Ironman competitors. One Swiss Ironman who bailed on the run. Four from Lungile and one from Island Vibe. We had a particularly good sightings day: Elephant; Rhino at Hapoor; Lion at Domkrag; Buffalo at Arizona, Puff Adder on the road and Jackal next to the vehicle.
Thursday - solid run with Kelly -- 6th Ave NP and back. Chores -- Bank; Gas; Recycle; Clarendon. Julia; Rachel and Ruan are here for the Graduation today.
Later this evening we all go to Stanley Street -- For the Love of Wine. Upstairs from the Ya Ya's restaurant. Here we meet up with Jenny and Charles; Julia and Ruan; Andrew and Lara and Ben. A great place for a small gathering -- Order two bottles of wine, a couple of Cheese platters and you are able to order meals from a number of neighbouring restaurants. Barbara and I had the Fish and Salad for R60 each. The Fish was either Salmon or Tuna. It was so very delicious and filling.
Friday morning -- Fetch Sam and Linda (Ireland) from the Boardwalk. City and Township Combo. Walmer; HDC; Red Loc; NB and Zwide; Gelvandale; Malabar; City and Historical points ending with Donkin Reserve with Lighthouse and tea at the end.
's 
Rugby at Daniel Pienaar. Bradley Nelson is the scrumhalf for the third team. He also the captain. They won their game as did all other teams except the first team who did not have a kicker and lost the game -- a bit of a wake up call for the first team. 
Daniel came through to Uitenhage with me and had a great time at the rugby with other boys he met there.
Saturday morning. Run from Hobie at 6am. We run from Hobie and up Walmer Boulevard. Then along Strandfontein and Erasmus to Admiralty. Neil and Joan join me for the last bit. I then pick up Daniel and we go to Uitenhage for Rugby at Daniel Pienaar. This evening Julia has a Graduation Party while we go to a Church function.
Sunday ... I have an Addo tour with 3 youngsters. And Church duty this evening
Monday. Rachel and Julia attend Ruan's Graduation and then Rachel leaves for USA. Florida. Keys; branch loper; HTH; Gas; Supplies and R2000 spent. Yuk.
Tuesday 19th. Start the morning with a short run around Linkside. I like to be prepared when I have an early pick up. Seem to be getting back into more regular Dole work. Barbara doing most of it as I have tours to take care of. Today I have the Queen Victoria guests to collect. 7.30 at dockside I collect Malcolm and Linda Ginsberg from UK. He is a travel writer and so I try my best to provide a good experience of Port Elizabeth. The weather does not play its part as we start the day with mist. We visit Kragga Kamma but cannot see very well in the mist. Then on to the City Tour and around the Marine Drive. They seem to be satisfied at the end and I hope they will take some good memories home.
Wednesday morning -- short run around St Georges park and then later I join the group for the Wednesday Hike. This morning on the hike -- Robin is back after a bit of a lay off; Jenny; Dennis; Susan; Sheena; Paul; Peter Thorpe; David and David; Marjorie; Jimmy and Di; Steve. We walk from Glen Hurd down the dip and up on the other side to the West side of Baakens Valley. Along the contour road until we walk down to the steps and the Dodds Farm picnic spot. We walk back along the same way on the return hike.
This afternoon Barbara and I fetch Josh and then watch Daniel (U11A) playing rugby (Fullback) at Rowallan Park. Our team wins. As does Clarendon first team (U13A).
Thursday evening Barbara and I are invited to watch an Elton John Show at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre.
Some of the results: 575 Runners
- Tracey 1.24 Pos 238
- Sam 1.15 Pos 131
- Amanda (MPRG) 1.21 Pos 192
- Doris Gerber - Mother of Jason who does our lawn. 1.32 Pos 352
- Riana and Malcolm Figg 1.33 Pos 368
- Shannon vd Putte (Beachfront group) 1.36
- Ayanda Mji who runs the pottery business near to Red Location 1.41
- Erica Erasmus -- Mother of a friend of Ally -- 1.49 pos 497 (The amazing thing about Erica, who I stood at the start of the run this morning, is that she remembers stuff. I probably last saw Erica on 15th Nov 2014 when she was running a 21k in the howling wind at the beach front. I had been marshalling and rode back with her on my bike. And Erica remembered me from that time. And that I had spoken about doing tour guiding. And that Ally and I had lifeguard duty that afternoon. How do you remember stuff like that?)
- I ran a 1.21 Pos 194. Was 3rd in age category 65-69 (Percy was first)
Sunday. Addo Tour. Today I have my best sighting yet of Lion. We see a pride of 6 lion feeding on the Buffalo Kill at Arizona. Others include two families of Meerkat & Elephant up close.
This Elephant is John Kruger. One of the original elephant brought from the Kruger park.
He is about 40 years old. Has a Rectangular cut on Left ear. And a Triangular cut on Right ear.
Monday 25th. Another Addo Tour. Four young Germans: Florian; Anna; Jacqueline and Lisa. A successful day with happy and fun loving people. Monday evening -- Group Leaders meeting at church.
Tuesday 26th. Some Dole work, rubbish clean up; and a City Tour Timone; Rosi; Korri and Sarah. Were doing some volunteer teaching in Swaziland and now touring around SA.
Wednesday is a public Holiday. Remembering the day on which the franchise in SA was open and everyone had the opportunity to vote for the first time.
I fetch Adrienne and Lindi and we meet up at the beachfront for our run. The morning starts off a bit chilly but soon warms up. We run up Walmer Boulevard, Along Strandfontein and then the back of Summerstrand to Admiralty. Down to the beach and back to the car park. By now the sun warms everyone up and it is a beautiful day.
 |
| TODAY WE HAVE OVER 20 WALKERS IN THE GROUP. ROBIN; STEFF (KELLY MORTIMER'S MOTHER); TILLY (BEV BRENNAN MOTHER); SHEILA (TASHA PAXTON MOTHER); DAVID; DENNIS; CHANDRE; JIMMY; JOHN; MARGARET; DAVE; RENCIA; LYNN; |
Thursday 28th. 5k run in the morning; chores around the house. Drive to Plett and stay over with Ena. Complete moderation work for the University.
Friday - drive to CT and stay over with Cathy.
Saturday 30th. In Cathy's house Milnerton. A late and lazy morning followed by a drive to Tokai and a food market. Later we play Put Put with Blake.
Cathy is an innovative cook and makes us Mushroom Burgers for supper.
Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin
The life of Sir Rufane Donkin is a remarkable and honourable one. Sir Rufane Donkin was born in 1773 and died in Southampton England in 1841. He was born of a military family, his father Robert Donkin was a greatly respected General.
Sir Rufane Donkin Joined the army at the age of five under his father's command and later served in the 11th Light Foot and the 44th Light Foot Regiment. In 1793 he received the rank of Captain, 1776 Major and at the age of 25 was promoted to the rank of Lt General.
He lead a Battalion with distinction and received the KCB. Later the British government deployed him in India. He was in active service in the West Indies in 1794 and in the Ostand expedition. He honoured his country and served wherever they required him.
His life is also one of romance and undying love. He married Elizabeth Markham in Yorkshire under a traditional organised marriage which was the custom in those times for the social upper classes. But Sir Rufane Donkin truly fell in love with his beautiful young wife. In most cases the wives of high ranking military officials stayed at home while their husbands were abroad. However Elizabeth Donkin chose to be with her husband and traveled with him to India where she was to become seriously ill, and died in August 1818 after their first son George David was born.
The effect on Sir Rufane Donkin after her death was immense, and to such an extent was placed on leave from his post, however he was given the task of organising the 1820 Settlers in Port Elizabeth. He was officially the first governor of PE from the 6 June 1820 - 1821. His wife Elizabeth was buried in Meerut in India but her heart was embalmed at his request.
On his return to England he married Anna Maria Elliot in 1832, but the loss of his first love lay heavily on his soul, and in August 1841 he committed suicide. His father died the same year in March just before the death of his son. Sir Rufane Donkin was buried along with the embalmed heart of his wife. Love it is said is as strong as death!
Sir Rufane Donkin built a memorial to his wife Elizabeth known as the Donkin Memorial atop a hill above the city center and named the city, Port Elizabeth, in her memory.
The Donkin Reserve is open to all in perpetuity according to his will.
At the end of his military career he spent his life in political and literary work. He became a member of the Royal Society and other learned bodies. He became a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society to name just a few of his achievments. Port Elizabeth is proud of the heritage passed on to us by Sir Rufane Donkin from which all PE's citizens have benefited.
Elizabeth Donkin
The Christian life of Elizabeth Donkin is no less exceptional than that of Sir Rufan Donkin, leaving the safety and comfort of her homeland to be with her husband, and for the greater good of England.
QUOTE: "Elizabeth Frances Markham was born on 28 August 1790 to a clerical family. Her grandfather had been the Archbishop of York (The Rt. Rev. Dr. William Markham) and her father (Richard) was the Dean of York. 1815 was the year of the Battle of Waterloo, and it was in this year - on May Day - that she married Rufane at Stokesley in Yorkshire
GREAT ARE YOU LORD.
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout
Your praise
Our hearts will cry
These bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
My uncle David is in Perth Australia.
He writes as follows:
Dear Hermine and Pam,
Thank you very much for your welcome letters. As soon as Alison told me about Jenny's visit I decided it was time for me to update you on our situation. And then you pre-emptied me by writing first. Congratulations on your two great grandchildren Hannah is fortunate to have Pam close enough to help. I wonder if we will ever have great grandchildren before I'm dead and Zoe is no longer able to comprehend. I am sorry to hear about Jack's leg. I've come to realise how important it is to remain mobile. I gave my Toyota to Jonathan's daughter, Laura, but I don't miss it very much as I can do the few longer trips by taxi, but my 'gopher' is essential for getting me to bridge, my friends, the medical centre and even the local shops.
You must really have enjoyed having the family for your birthday. It is many years since we made anything special of birthdays, but as it's surprising to last this long I'm arranging cakes for 80 at the bridge club.
It is Anzac Day in Australia and there are many functions on the go. They say there were 7000 at the Dawn Service, in the rain, at Kings Park Memorial. It is a big event in Australia, centred around the disasterous invasion at Gallipoli. Although the Australians were also involved, most have not even heard of Delville Wood. Mark was contacted by Walter Giddy of Berkley East whose great grandfather kept a diary of the battle. He sent Mark a book titled The Epic Battle of Delville Wood 1916, by Ian Uys, which I am now reading. There are many mentions of Walter Giddy and Major H.H.A. Gee.
Peter GiddyMark visits every week and both Jonathan and Hugh have paid brief visits to Perth.Alison and Sasha will be visiting us for three days from 12th May after which Bruce will join them for a week's holiday at Ningaloo Reef. Three days is sufficient because Zoe will not know who they are and Alison will help me sort out my belongings and purchase a couple of items I need. We plan a dinner and a couple of tea parties to catch up with family and friends. Alison phones me at least twice a week and is wonderful about helping with all my problems.On the downside, I realise now that I should never have followed the cardiologist's instruction to move into the nursing home. I imagined that my health was deteriorating and I would need the care. Instead I am now healthier than I have been for some time. No breathing or heart problems and even my walking (hobbling) has improved. I am sure I could have managed on my own, but cannot move back because everything has gone and costly refurbishment carried out to achieve a quick sale. Although it's fine to have everything done for you, most residents in the home become helpless vegetables. I attend the exercise classes, quizzes, concerts etc. but find the others who attend, just fall asleep. The fees are about $3600 per month for the two of us but I am hopeful that we are going to get a pension from the Human Services Department to subsidise this. My biggest worry is the failure to sell our villa on which we are still paying rental. Many people have come to view the property but fail to make an offer. The Estate Agent says that interested buyers can't make offers because they can't sell their own houses in this depressed property market.A single room in our section of the nursing home, came available and they offered it to my roommate because he has just turned 100. He turned it down because he said he liked being with me. They then couldn't very well offer it to me! This arrangement I can tolerate as he is a nice old bloke and I've become quite friendly with his family who visit. I have the front half of a large room separated by a curtain. My desk is in a bow window which looks out over a lawn with five large trees, parked cars, and several of the villas in the background. The worst thing is having to share the bathroom. He retires to bed at 6.15pm and I watch television programmes that I have recorded, because once he has removed his aids he can't hear a thing. I then read until about eleven. I have disturbed nights because, when he steps on his alarm mat, the night staff have to shout at him to get back into bed, and if he can't sleep he shouts at me for the time.My gopher is parked in one of the villas' garages belonging to a kind friend. I still join in the functions in the village clubhouse. When I play bridge ( between 3 and 5 times per week) I visit Zoe for a glass of wine before her supper. Other days I have lunch with her and take her to the activities room if there is a musical event. She welcomes me as someone who pays her attention (and gives her chocolates) but doesn't understand our relationship or remember my name. We had our 56th wedding anniversary on Saturday and Mark took us out for morning tea, but she didn't understand the significance. It is very sad since she has just had her 83rd birthday and remains fit and healthy. I am enclosing the birthday pictures.I send you lots of love and best wishes.David
April 2016
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