Specializing in Addo Elephant Park Safari; Wildlife Safari; Ocean Safari; City and Township Tours; Garden Route adventure tours; Cape and surrounding areas -- Peter will provide you with a memory not to be forgotten.
peter.giddy@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2017
Drought in Port Elizabeth -- No relief.
Annual visit to Mike Dean for a check up
Herald MTB and Road Bike events.
Barbara and Nicky birthdays.
Van Stadens Walking trail
Cassies 15km road race
Springbok rugby player; Joost v d Westhuizen, dies.
Ladies Slipper parkrun
Fat Tracks cycling around the Golf Course.
Read these words (a few times): Amazing Soul medicine
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.
Wednesday 1st February 2017.
Morning run with Adrienne; Anne; Susan and Viv. Chris is in Cape Town for the funeral of his nephew. The PE Drought continues. Hot and windy days lead to an ongoing shortage of water for our garden, Addo and for the city.
van Stadens nature reserve trail walk. There are 20 walkers today. A fine misty rain. Some of the hikers put on ponchos and anoraks. David and I walk in T Shirts as I know that we will warm up shortly. In fact during the entire walk my shorts become a bit damp but my shirt remains fairly dry.
We walk over the N2 bridge and over to the valley where we descend into indigenous forest. Past the Lookout Point where we look back towards the bridge. There is a fair amount of climbing and ups and downs. Slippery footing makes us wary of the downhills. The fine drizzle continues but is pleasant walking conditions.
Finally we emerge out of the forest and back onto the dirt road. It has been a great walk. One of my personal favourites for a Wednesday Walk.
Parkrun at Ladies slipper.
Barbara, Adrienne and I go out to Ladies Slipper for a Trial Run of the parkrun which starts on Saturday 11th. We think that the event starts at 5pm but realise later that it should have been 5.30. So Adrienne and I start off early. We get lost on two occasions and have to back track to try to find the pathway.
It is at Falcon Rock where I have been on a number of occasions before to climb the Slipper. There are arrows but these become confusing as there are Orange Arrows for the Parkrun as well as Green and Pink arrows which I think are for the Slipper climb.
Finally we realise that we are on the right track. The course is not at all easy with lots of short climbs and a narrow pathway. My GPS on my phone cuts out and has to be restarted a couple of times so we have no idea how far we have run / walked.
At last we descend and are startled by Bernt who had started early with Tammy. A couple of others are there -- Craig Bester and his team. We finish and have our bar codes scanned so that the organisers can see what it is like to complete the admin of the event. It is good to see some of the familiar faces from Parkrun. I have not done a parkrun since Lifesaving Nationals in Durban where I did my 50th in about April of 2015.
Adrienne and I are dripping with sweat and don't want to stand around in the cold. So we leave immediately
Thursday 2nd.
Start the morning with a run through Target Kloof with Lindi; Chris; Mike; Inge (who is getting stronger by the day) and Kelly. I have an Addo Tour with Carla and Oliver. Today we have a couple of amazing sightings. We had seen Elephant, Zebra, Kudu, Pumba and other animals when we decide to go up to Carols where I had heard there were lions. We see some people looking intently and ask them what they see. Cheetah! So we park next to them and are rewarded with the Cheetah giving chase to some Zebra and Hartebees. An amazing sighting. We then are able to drive close to the Cheetah and Oliver gets some great pics. We continue along the top and find the Lions. It is the mother and two 4 month old cubs. We watch the cubs playing right next to the car and the mother has a kill but out of sight in the bush. After lunch we see Jackal; Secretary Bird; Mongoose and a family herd of Elephant with babies -- also right next to the car.
Friday morning. I finally get into the pool for a swim. I have been wanting to do this for months but am simply too lazy to go on my own. So when Megan says she needs to train for the Corp IM I am keen to start. We are first in the pool at 5am and swim a Kay. A great start to the morning.
Later Barbara and I are out for supper at the PE Golf Club where we see familiar faces. I have a meeting with Peter Joseph; Also there are Gaynor and Roy; Roy and Linda Devan; Tracey - Guide; Ross Kobus; Dave Summerton; Kaylee's parents; . Today I hear the sad news that Paul who owned Calabash Tours died today.
Saturday 4th morning I pick up Maria and we go to Kabega School for a 15k run. Start at 6am and we run along the Great West way and then up to Old Cape Road. We have a fresh breeze into our face at the start. Maria and I run the whole race together. Up to the 7.5k where we turn around. Ken Barwood is chasing me down. Maria and I are running about as hard as we are able. The course is relatively flat so we must concentrate to keep the same pace going.
As we complete 5km the front runners come past having done 10km. I enjoy an out and back as we are able to see and greet the front of the field.
At the turn the breeze is behind us so we start to heat up. And we are running into the morning sunrise. Kenny comes past me and I try my best to keep up with him. With 2.5k to go I am right behind him and intend to keep it that way but someone calls out my name and Kenny puts his foot on the pedal. In the final Km I am hot on his heels but simply cannot make up the 10m separating us. He is aware of me behind him and is also working hard to maintain his position.
Maria and I have managed to stay together all along the race and finish in about 1.25. Not an easy race despite it being flat with a down hill on the second half.
250 80 1116 PETER GIDDY ACH M 66 65-69M 1.22.55 2 (10th in age group 65-69)
251 495 495 MARIA BENITO TEMP F 44 40-44F 1.22.56
Sunday 5th. I start the morning with a cycle with Andrea; Shara and Natasha. We cycle to Chelsea and back about 90 minutes.
I then have an Addo Tour with Dianna and Rachel Philips from Kent -- Rochester Cathedral.
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PE Golf club. Beginners group. Started two weeks ago -- just three of us. Today we have 18 cyclists -- 9 are Primary School Children. Plus a couple of Grandparents.  |
EMonday morning -- Short run with Adrienne and Annie.
Addo Tour with Mike and Manuela from Germany.
Golf Club cycle with the Fat Tracks. This is the third of the Beginner Groups led by Johan Gerryts and Dee Hayter. The first had three people and this evening there were 18 cyclists.
Evening -- Cell Group
Tuesday 7th. .Morning run with the group.
Then cycling with Chris and Stefany. Out to Cape Recife. It is exceptionally hot today.
Barbara goes out to Alexandria to look at a horse. My car battery is flat so we jump start but none of the Electronics or dials work.
I visit Supaquick as I owe them money for the Qashqai tyres; Then Savoy to have a unit changed. Then the bank to do an international transfer for Ally.
Joost vd Westhuizen dies. Aged 46 Born 1971 he was a legendary South African Springbok Rugby player. He scored 38 tries -- Second only to Bryan Habana who scored 67. Joost scored 89 points and played in 160 games for South Africa. As scrum half he was almost expected to score a try. Very often sneaking past the opposition when close to the try line. Today a Motor Neuron disease overcame his life. He will be remembered by many as a truly great rugby player.
Wednesday. I receive a late call for an Addo Tour. A good tour -- we see huge herds of Elephant and up close to the car which is ideal viewing. Barbara goes sailing with Ron and Lyn.
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| Luba; Peter and Allesandro -- the director of activities on the Silver Cloud. |
Thursday 9th. I have an early morning tour with the Silver Cloud. I am actually just doing a transfer to Addo -- the clients are going on a game drive with the Addo Ranger driver Headman. The guests were impressed.
Friday 10th.
Start the morning with a cycle with Andrea and Shara. Up to Old Seaview road and back along the new Seaview road. We start at 5 but by the time we are on our way back there is already traffic making cycling dangerous.
Later Barbara and I fetch our PDP from the traffic department.
This afternoon I try to do some leaflet drops in Brighton Drive.
Saturday morning. I have marshalling duty for Achilles Adrienne joins me and then we go to the Ladys Slipper Parkrun. Amazingly there are over 400 runners for the first run. Bruce and Gill Fordyce and Bob Norris are there. Tracey who has the most parkruns in SA at about 275 is there. Jabu who has run every parkrun across the country is there.
A very sad bit of news is that Lex Holmes who we first met at the Norm Hudlin Cycle track and who assisted in design and creation of this parkrun route, died recently.
They have a Pipe Band with Roy and Gaynor on Drums. The whole vibe is great. Unfortunately they forget the rule of starting at 8am and eventually we set off at 8.10. Adrienne remains to do time keeping. I am soon out of breath and battling to keep up.
This is either the toughest or second toughest parkrun in SA. The other one is 1000 hills in KZN. Almost immediately we start the first short climb. Then double back and are on the path to the Slipper. Another short climb. And people are already walking. Then we start the climbs. For about 2km we are basically climbing up hills and switchbacks. Past Falcon Rock and then up again. Really this event has so many climbs it is difficult to describe exactly how many hills there are.
Then we reach what I call Adriennes rock. And we start the Descent. It continues down until we reach the Gate. Then we start climbing again. This is called the SARS hill and is at about 3km. I walked this hill but am determined to run it next time.
It is a really hot day. And this is compounded by the closeness of the trees and bushes. No breeze is able to penetrate. And there is no breeze. The earlier cloud cover is gone. At the top of the SARS hill we descend for the last time to the finish.
Lady Slipper parkrun results for event #1. Your time was 00:35:25.
Congratulations on completing your 51st parkrun and your 1st at Lady Slipper parkrun today. You finished in 71st place and were the 63rd male out of a field of 440 parkrunners and you came 2nd in your age category VM65-69
Adrienne completes her duty and I wait with her group. Then we head home.
This morning I have a city tour with Frank and Rene from America and later a Township tour with Caroline and Illias from Switzerland. Both appear to enjoy their tours.
Sunday morning -- I meet up with Mzwake from Blunden Bus company. He drives me towards Grahamstown where I get onto the bus with driver JR. We continue to Kariega on the Alexandria Road and then pick up 25 pax from Finland. Drive them to PE and the airport after a brief City Tour.
Start off by fetching my car from Nissan. I have discovered that it is possible to cure the problem of PRT Place on the screen by disconnecting the battery cables. Barbara googled it. And found the solution to the problem.
Then Doctors visit to Mike Dean. My heart; Blood Pressure and stress Angiogram -- all clear. Had blood tests done as well. On the treadmill for 14 minutes.
Cycle with Chris to Patti and the Lighthouse.
Then later I cycle the Golf Course. I am the only one there as it is drizzling.
So today I managed to work up a sweat on four different occasions.
Cell Group in the evening with Cronje and Claudine; Rob & Vanessa and Bobby. Great group of people. We listen to Andy Stanley as he talks about the Greatest Commandment. When a lawyer asks Jesus what is the most important commandment (Law) of all; Jesus responds: "Love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as you love yourself"
Matthew 22; 37-38
Andy proposes that following this will lead to happiness (peace). He explains that this is a relationship command rather than a "Thou shalt or thou shalt not" instruction.
Tuesday 14th February. Valentines Day. I started off wanting to run but not a good idea with a sore ankle and hip. So Megan fetches me and we swim a 1000m.
Addo Tour with four from Island Vibe. This is a good tour for me as they are really appreciative of everything. Unusually -- just before we come into Matyholweni camp we see an elephant next to the fence so are able to get out of the car and look at it close up. Overall our Elephant sightings are excellent.
Barbara and I meet Ron and Lyn for a Valentines Supper at the Yacht Club for supper.
Wednesday 15th. Run with Adrienne this morning. 7km. Pick up Gary and Pauline for an Addo Tour. Again Successful and ended with a Lion Sighting at Ryans Gate outside of the park.
Thursday. Target Kloof run -- 9km. Hot and humid running at present.
Addo Tour with Kate; Marco and Frauke. A good tour.
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| Barbara off to Amakhala for a transfer and game drive |
Friday morning -- Barbara picks up at Ibahyi Lodge for an Amakhala Tour. I have an Addo tour with Evelin; Caroline and Anna.
Later I register for the 10k and collect registration packs for the Cycle Events on the next two Sundays.
317 4433 4433 KELLY HOLMES TEMP F 40 40-44F 1.03.55282 1613 4514 ANDREA DYER TEMP F 39 35-39F 1.01.56139 4438 4438 MARIA BENITO TEMP F 44 40-44F 0.54.28
152 928 1116 PETER GIDDY ACH M 66 65-69M 0.55.16 1
Saturday morning. 10k run from Pollock Beach towards Cape Recife. Past the back entrance to the University. Out 5kay and back on the same route. There is a strong Westerly blowing. So half the event is into the wind and the other half with the wind. I am with Maria for the first 3k and then she goes on ahead. I try hard to stay within 200-300m of Maria. Other Achilleans at the race -- Bob Stedman; Graham Channon; Rodney & Lesley Maggot; Carol Anne; Christine; Percy; Anche (not feeling well so bailed after 3kay); Dawn and Errol Black; Also a number of Achilleans running the 50k this morning. Some admin stuff to be done and then I receive a call to do a Airport to Lalibela Transfer for four people.
This evening we go to watch Evita Bezuidenhout show at the Boardwalk. Ron and Lyn join us.
Sunday it is raining and I pull out of doing the Addo MTB event. I have a township tour with Maria and Larry from the Virgin Islands.
The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Monday morning -- Run with Chris; Lindi; Maria; Adrienne and Anne. Landrover in to have the window fixed.
City tour with Liza and Vasili from Russia. Lene and family arrive in PE after a three month trial in Ireland.
Tuesday -- Run and later cycle with Chris. Kings Beach to the Lighthouse.
Wednesday - Swim 1200m with Megan; Cycle 40km with Andrea. Meanwhile Barbara does an Ocean Safari with two Russian Clients -- Raggy Charters with Lloyd to Brenton and St Croix Islands.
Barbara sees a huge turtle; seals; dolphins and penguins.
This evening Adrienne and I join a group to test out the new Sardinia Bay Parkrun. It is not an easy run with short sharp hills; switchbacks; soft sand and thick grassy areas. Also lots of thorns and black sand to mess up your running gear. Easy to get mixed up so lots of direction markers and bunting required.
Thursday morning I have a City Tour for Neels and Margriet van Vliet from Naboomspruit. Viator are the booking agents. Meeting with Carryn to talk about Mosaic and how I am able to be part of its future.
Saturday 26th. It is blowing in the morning but that does not stop Adrienne, Anne and Maria from our beach front run and swim. Addo Tour with Xavier (Spain); Shay and Kelly (Americans) and Tilita (Dutch)
Sunday morning. Herald Cycle Tour. I have signed up for the 55k. Joining me this morning is Andrea; Shara and Ron and Neil. I woke up to drizzle and a chilly west wind. But loaded the Landrover and met up with the group in Summerstrand. We are early and standing around the Radisson hotel I pick up a thorn in my tyre and have to change the tube before even starting the ride. I have a Transfer which I am supposed to pick up at 10.30. I have estimated the 55k, which starts at 7.30, will take me 2.30hours and so don't want to wait around too much. But this is not to be my day. I have gear trouble from the first hill. I have not serviced my road bike in ages and the gears start slipping and crunching. I am worried that I am going to break the chain. We reach the top of Mount Pleasant and turn into Old Seaview Road. Andrea goes ahead while I battle on. Finally at the top of the Chelsea hill I realise that I am not able to change gears so am flying down the hill with next to no control over the bike. I pull over and try to adjust the gears. The group try to help but there is little to be done. So I finally am able to put the gears into a middle range and from there on ride with no changing of gears. Fortunately for me I have no completed the hills and have the wind behind for most of the ride. I pass some of the group and they pass me but I press on back along the Marine Drive as hard as I can and finally reach the finish at 10am. Andrea has finished a bit ahead of me and Neil is just behind. Shara and Ron finish shortly afterwards.
I cycle back to the car, Drive to Villiers road where I change clothes and pick up a car and get to my pick up in Humewood just 15minutes late. I take the clients to Shamwari and then receive a call for a Township Tour. I am able to rush home for a quick bite and off load the Bike and gear before rushing back to Humewood for this tour. Finally home at 5pm and church at 6pm.
Monday 27th. Barbara Birthday. .
Afternoon City Tour. Madeleine and Rebecca on a City Tour then later Josh and Daniel on the Golf Course Cycle with me.
Tuesday 28th. Full day Addo Tour.
Overall a busy month in many ways.
Tour Offerings we can assist with are Pumba Day tours and Stampede Ocean Tours
Saul and Blake on a weekend break in New Zealand
Reynard and Lisa visiting Jacqui in Israel.
Kat Flannagan
The pathways are closed in by bush and trees making the hot day even hotter as there is no breeze to cool you off as you run. The day becomes very humid and we are drenched by the time we complete the event.
