Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route. Flowers of Namaqualand -- June 2019
0027 (0) 82 55 03 714 Whatsup
peter.giddy@gmail.com
- Addo Elephant Park
- Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
- Daniel Cheetah Project
- Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
- City and Cultural Tours
- Horse riding for both experienced and inexperienced riders
- Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
- Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway in the Forest; Adventure Quad Biking; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Walking with Elephants; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
- Shore Excursions from Passengers ships
- Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve transfers.
- Volkswagen Factory visits.
- Golfing in Port Elizabeth -- where everything is supplied.
- Flowers of Namaqualand. Seven days of adventure and exploring places and sights you never even knew existed. History and natural beauty of the South West of South Africa
Website -- petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com
For tours and bookings.. email me at. peter.giddy@gmail.com
Contact me on Whatsup.... +27 (0) 825503174
Blue is the colour of my running shorts; at the parkrun, mm, at the parkrun, mm. Green is the colour of my parkrun shirt in the morning; ah ha. Thats the time I love the best.
Saturday 1st June 2019
I start the day with an 8km run with Chris and Lindi. Unfortunately I trip and take a fall.
Later Barbara and I drive through to Ladys Slipper where we do this really tough parkrun.
Lady Slipper parkrun results for event #110. Your time was 01:11:10. Congratulations on completing your 6th parkrun and your 1st at Lady Slipper parkrun today. You finished in 44th place and were the 17th female out of a field of 51 parkrunners and you came 1st in your age category VW65-69.
| Lady Slipper parkrun results for event #110. Your time was 00:45:31. |
| Congratulations on completing your 67th parkrun and your 3rd at Lady Slipper parkrun today. You finished in 21st place and were the 15th male out of a field of 51 parkrunners and you came 1st in your age category VM65-69. |
I receive a call for an Addo tour and take David and Tiger to Addo. They are in PE toA try to buy Citrus for export to China. Overall this was a good start to the month.
Intle... Beautiful is the name of the lodge where I pick up my guests this morning. This is on the R331 from N2 to Hankey. And it really lives up to its name with a beautiful setting and views
Intle is looking at its best right now with the aloes in bloom.
Our group today -- Tommy; Ding; Andy; Dan is the grand dad; Lilly is the grand Daughter; son Austin and wife Kristen.
Monday 3rd June 2019
Another last minute call for an Addo Tour today. Pick up at Intle Game Lodge near to Thornhill 7 people.
Tuesday I manage to fit in a 10kay run with the walking group; fetching and adding on a bit to make up the 10.
Wednesday 5th. I join the Wednesday walkers for a windy 10k beach walk at Kini Bay.
This afternoon I work on Website and connecting direct bookings to the Website; Get your Guide and Trip Advisor.
Soup evening with Lindi; Susan; Javier; Adrienne; Javier junior and Elmarie. Javier is Maria's husband and they came to SA to visit J Junior's school friends. They are now all out of school and on their way to adulthood. Javier is joining the military and will study Engineering as well as continue with his music.
Peter; Chris and Mitch who is seeing Adel ... She had a concert and only able to come a little later.
Barbara was not feeling her best but still looks gorgeous with Peter horning in the pic.
We just stood or sat in the kitchen -- a casual evening.
The three soup cooks.
I made a chicken soup; Susan made a delicious minestrone soup.
Elmarie made a Bean and lamb soup to die for. She also brings a bowl of Samp which you pour the bean soup over.
Friday 7th. We have a Soup Evening to bid farewell to Chris and Elmarie who are going to Vancouver Canada to see Sasha .... They will be gone six weeks and it is Chris' first time to go overseas. Adrienne will be leaving for the UK for three months at the end of July so this was a good excuse to have a little get together.
By the end of the evening we were all stuffed and a little shaky -- nearly four bottles sherry as well as wine and beer were consumed.
Parkrun at Hobie beach high tide.
Allan and Werner... Both serious runners. Werner ran his 249th parkrun today.
Saturday afternoon I am at Framesby with Peet to watch them play Kingswood. Both the First and Second teams have good games.... They win against Kingswood but the game is solid to the end.
Saturday morning. I meet Joanne and her group of friends -- Kelly; Jamie; Catherine; Evie; Cindy and David. The girls all went off ahead and I never saw them again,,,, Basically I was completely outclassed. David waited for me a couple of times and we did a 10kay together. The rest did about 16k.
After the run I rushed down to Hobie Beach parkrun and get there about 5 minutes late and find that they still have not started the run. I take off with the group. This morning I am happy to have done 15k of running. Good training for Knysna and for Hearbreak hill 21k in a few weeks.
Monday 3rd June 2019
Another last minute call for an Addo Tour today. Pick up at Intle Game Lodge near to Thornhill 7 people.
Tuesday I manage to fit in a 10kay run with the walking group; fetching and adding on a bit to make up the 10.
This afternoon I work on Website and connecting direct bookings to the Website; Get your Guide and Trip Advisor.
Friday 7th. We have a Soup Evening to bid farewell to Chris and Elmarie who are going to Vancouver Canada to see Sasha .... They will be gone six weeks and it is Chris' first time to go overseas. Adrienne will be leaving for the UK for three months at the end of July so this was a good excuse to have a little get together.
By the end of the evening we were all stuffed and a little shaky -- nearly four bottles sherry as well as wine and beer were consumed.
Saturday morning. I meet Joanne and her group of friends -- Kelly; Jamie; Catherine; Evie; Cindy and David. The girls all went off ahead and I never saw them again,,,, Basically I was completely outclassed. David waited for me a couple of times and we did a 10kay together. The rest did about 16k.
After the run I rushed down to Hobie Beach parkrun and get there about 5 minutes late and find that they still have not started the run. I take off with the group. This morning I am happy to have done 15k of running. Good training for Knysna and for Hearbreak hill 21k in a few weeks.
| PE Hobie Beach parkrun results for event #289. Your time was 00:30:20. |
| Congratulations on completing your 68th parkrun and your 52nd at PE Hobie Beach parkrun today. You finished in 132nd place and were the 102nd male out of a field of 530 parkrunners and you came 4th in your age category VM65-69. Take a look at this week's full set of results on our website. Your PB at PE Hobie Beach parkrun remains 00:26:20. Congratulations on your fastest time this year. |
Sunday 9th. Comrades. I spend some time watching. The best part for me is Gerda Steyn winning the Ladies event in a record up run .... sub 6 hours.
Monday 10th June 2019, The Newton Park Swimming pool has been closed for the past two months. Tiles had come loose so they renovated the tiles and other fittings. Today the pool opens for the first time and Megan I and I are there at 5am for our swim.. The water is cold. Rob jumps in and out in a flash. Armand continues swimming. I am able to swim 1000m. Megan manages a few lengths and then gets out.
Monday 10th June 2019, The Newton Park Swimming pool has been closed for the past two months. Tiles had come loose so they renovated the tiles and other fittings. Today the pool opens for the first time and Megan I and I are there at 5am for our swim.. The water is cold. Rob jumps in and out in a flash. Armand continues swimming. I am able to swim 1000m. Megan manages a few lengths and then gets out.
Later I cycle at Grassroof with Andrea. My knee starts to hurt so I pull out while Andrea continues to about 20km. This is her first cycle after the Durban Ironman.
Tuesday. I run 8km with Mike; Chris and Liesl. Chris and Elmarie leave for Canada to visit Sasha in Vancouver. Barbara walks with the 6th ave group.
Dennis leads the Wednesday walkers in Robin's absence. Robin is in the UK on a Barge Tour.
Yellow Pansy Butterfly on the sunny side of Bakens Valley
Wednesday. Back into the Pool. Megan wears a wetsuit. We swim 1200m. The water is reasonably warm.
Barbara continues her Art work and Gardening. Both have become her focus during the day.
I walk Settlers Park with the Wednesday walkers.
It is now ten years since Ian died. Here we are ... Happy days at Wildcliff with Peter; Laura; Ian and Julia.
Nicky has some friends at her home in Cape Town. Here they are singing and jamming. Nicky; Henrietta; Stefan; Werner; Margaret and Chris. `
This is the first time that we run the parkrun in Durbanville.
A popular venue for the parkrun. Today probably about 700 runners. And everyone leaves immediately they finish the run
Ally comes storming in to the finish
Barbara surprised me coming in at just 45 minutes. About 20 minutes faster than the Grassroof or Lady Slipper parkruns.
A family affair with Ally; Barbara and Nicky.
Thursday 13th. Barbara and I leave PE for Cape Town. Peter and Moyna Joseph travel with us. We spend the weekend with Nicky and Werner. They had a really nasty experience when one of their friends' parents were attacked in their home. The mother died and the father was severely injured. This evening Chris, Henrietta and Margaret (friends of Werner) visit them for supper.
Friday -- I have a meeting with Dole. And then with Reinardt at TTC. I make some Vetkoek and Werner makes a mince which is our supper. Ally is also spending the weekend with Nicky.
Saturday 15. We are all in Durbanville for the Rock Climbing and so Nicky; Ally; Barbara and I go to the local 5km parkrun. I was really proud of Barbara and Nicky who walked / ran one of her fastest times at 48 minutes. Ally ran a solid 35 mintues. But neither Ally nor Nicky had their barcodes with them.
Zara has no trouble climbing up this upside down course
And then she makes this wall look like an easy beach walk while other girls could simply not see the way around the first obstacle. They may only use the Green hand and foot holds on this wall.
This is a really tough course which Zara was not able to complete but she did get to the Green Strip which earns her one point.
We go for a Mug and Bean lunch after Zara's events.
Nice full meals at Mug And Bean.
Aaron; Mia; Nicky and Ally; Chris and Barbara all order a substantial meal.
After lunch it is Aaron's turn and he has some really tough courses. On this one he too gets to the Green strip for a one pointer.
Monday -- We drive from CT to PE with two cars. I have Chris; Aaron; Zara and Mia in my car. When we get home it is a beautiful evening so I cannot resist a braai even though it is basically only me who has supper. The rest of the meal is eaten the following day.
Sunday 16th... Aaron and Zara are in the Western Province Rock Climbing team. This is our first time to watch the sport and a real eye opener for me.
Zara goes last in the U13 age group and where other girls really struggled, Zara zooms up the side of the wall like she is running on the beach. I was shocked after seeing others not getting past the first few obstacles.
Each competitor has to complete four different walls with increasing levels of difficulty. On the second wall I thought that there was no chance that Zara would be able to climb this upside down wall. But again she is up and down in a flash.
The third one is really tough and it is only one other girl in her group who makes it to the top. Zara makes it to the Green Rock where she gets one point. Then the final wall is again easy peasy to Zara where other girls could simply not see the solution as Zara sees it.
As a result she and two other girls are tie for first place. And they have a sudden death climb.... None of them make it but Zara is second best and so achieves second place in SA. We are all so very proud of her achievement. Unfortunately she does not get to wear SA colours until there is an international competition.
Aaron also takes part -- but the competition at his level is much tougher and so he gets to two of the Green Rocks and achieves a 7th place overall in this National Competition. Not bad for his first Nationals.
Tower Bridge... Made by Christian and Aaron
Westminister Abbey... Made by Christian and Aaron from a kit that Barbara bought for them
This is a real masterpiece. Schooner with three masts and a whole lot of sails.
Tuesday morning.... Running with Mitch; Viv and Stefany who has just returned from a holiday in Croatia. She gives us the full story of her holiday.
This morning we hike the Destades Trail. Starting with a one km climb before turning left into the forest single track. Danny; Deliah and Peter arrive late so I fetch them and walk with them until we catch up at the break.
This morning we are 10 in the combi going to Maitlands. Bev Brennan leaves her child David and friend Frank with us. Plus they have two German girls -- Vivian and Mika with us. Also Daniel; Christian; Aaron and Zara ... And Adrienne comes along for the hike.
Butterfly
Butterfly
Views from the trail... Across to Ladys Slipper.
Regrouping... Today we are probably about 30 walkers. The 10 from our group plus Robin just back from a Barge Holiday in the UK. Di; Dennis; Flo; Russell; Keiko; Jim; Steve; Margaret; Keith; Peter; Dave; Danny; Dehiah;
View from the second half of the walk across to the Maitlands River Mouth.
Wednesday. Hiking the Maitlands Forest Trails.
Adrienne mapped out the walking trail
The erection of this swimming bath was made possible by the magnificent bequest to the City of Port Elizabeth by the late Alfred Herbert Brookes; Mayor of the city from August 1927 to September 1929. Opened November 1953. this is what we know as Mc Arthur Baths.
Thursday 20th. Running 10kay. Mainly on my own as I do not have anyone else who runs at my pace right now. The walkers are there but I go off and then find them later. Run a bit with them and then continue running. At least in this way I am motivated to get up and get going.
I have a 9am, at Kwantu Towers in Town, interview for Mandarin Language Training. And 11am tourism meeting at the Kelway. An informative and helpful meeting.
Jean Paulo and Naezo both work in a Brazillian Hospital.
We were so lucky to find Zebra right close to the car at the end of the day.
Mid winter in Addo at 31.5 degrees.
Friday 21st. Addo with Neuza and Jean Paulo from Brazil. They could not have said more how they enjoyed the day.
Saturday morning. Aaron joins me for a parkrun at Wells Estate. He runs 28.51 and is first in his age category; his best parkrun time and the first time he runs under 30 minutes. This parkrun struggles to get runners to participate and today there were only 36 runners.
Aaron and I before the start of the event.
I come running in at the finish of the 5km parkrun
Wells Estate is on the North East side of Port Elizabeth. This was initiated a year ago in an attempt to stimulate participation by people living in the area.
Aaron; Zara; Mia and Christian on the Hobie Beach Pier. Followed by Soft Serve and a Flake.
Saturday afternoon. I take the Four Children to the beach ... walk on the pier and Ice Cream with a Flake. Ally and I sort out a Router. I get a new bank card for my Business banking account. Clean the car and get myself ready for the Garden Route tour which starts on Sunday. Nicky and Werner leave Cape Town to stay for a few days.
This evening Nicky and Werner arrive at 6.30pm after a day of driving from CT. Chris and Zara had helped me make a Spanish Omlette and Amagwenya for supper
Garden Route Tour with the Hackmann family from Maryland USA. Make a Wish Tour.
Sunday morning 23rd. I pick up a family for a Garden route tour. We spend the next four days in Plett at the Tsala Lodge doing all kinds of nice stuff. Zip Lines; Segway; Storms River Mouth; Mungo Linen; Beach walks. Supper at Toby's; Bungy Jump; Featherbed Cruise and Hike; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden. We end our last day with a walk to the Big Tree.
Thursday morning I start the day with a 8km run. I am with the Walkers. Mike and I start off together but he cuts short so I continue a Run kind of with the walkers. Later I take Nicky and her family for An Addo Tour.. Morning only. We have a great 2 and a half hours of Safari seeing all kinds of animals; Antelope; Buffalo and at the end of the day we have close encounters with Elephants.
Our Combi is full with Nicky; Chris; Aaron; Zara and Mia. Werner is up front with me.
Werner has some interesting sightings of Elephant even one which almost throws a thorn tree into the window.
We find families of elephant including some babies.
Friday 28th. I have a REAL FUNNY THING HAPPEN TO ME THIS MORNING. ... I arrange to swim with Megan this morning. She will be picking me up at 4.50am to go to the Newton Park Swimming Pool. I am up early, wash and put on my Cossie, Goggles around my neck, Cap stuck into my cossie. T- shirt and towels.. All ready to swim. So I walk out to Mill Park Road. Some of the walking group drive past and wave.
And here I am standing waiting for Megan. And I see headlights of a car coming slowly down the road towards me. And a car behind it equally slowly. Then the front car swings into Eaton Road and I see it is a Police Van. And the car behind it swings in next to it.
I then realise the car is Megan (she is driving Michaels Car). And she calls out to the Police that we are going swimming. And there is laughter as I climb into the car.
This all happens in a short time but as I gather my thoughts I have this image of the Police seeing an old white man standing in the road wearing nothing but a T Shirt. He probably has dementia and is lost. So they are about to stop next to me and make enquiries when Megan pulls up next to them. Even more confusing! Until she announces that we are off to Swim. And all is back to normal.
So as I was swimming I have this quiet chuckle to myself -- and think what these policemen will be telling their colleagues later this morning. I manage 1500m swim.
A garden display made by one of the ladies in the meeting.
This morning I attend a Garden Meeting with Glenda Adams; Lyn Le Roux and a few other ladies who I know. They have a Petite Arrangement Competition and a Bonsai Demonstration. Barbara misses out as she takes Aaron to look for Snares. I do a Flower Tour Presentation.
Barbara and Aaron hunting for Snares.
Saturday morning. Nicky and I take Christian; Aaron and Zara to Graasroof for the 5km parkrun. This is not an easy course with many twists and turns and ups & downs.
Aaron stuck with me for the whole run. The two of us puffing and panting at the start. Then after about one kay we start to relax and run with the group. We do not stop at all and run continuously from start to finish. There are a couple of short sharp hills which beckon us to walk -- But we persevere and manage to top each crest even if it is a miserable shuffle. The last two kays we meet Bennie who ran the Knysna 21kay with me last year. We met in the taxi going up to the start and have kept in touch since. He finished in 31.56minutes and fourth in age category
At this stage it is the three of us keeping up the pace as much as we are able. Aaron kind of hanging back a little. We run the final short downhill to the finish and at this time Aaron comes charging past us and finishes seconds ahead of us. What a great way to start the morning.
Nicky took Star and had to either be dragged by her or to drag Star at times. Nicky was 39.12 and 7th in age category.
Zara managed to keep going and had a strong finish to this parkrun. Time 43.17 and third in age category
Christian walked most of the way. Here he has a running finish. Time 46.22min and third in age category. He was 151 of 270 runners.
After the run we buy some nice stuff for breakfast. Egg; cheese and bacon rolls; coffee and I buy some Quiches which I like to take home and freeze for use during the week ahead.
Other people at this run: At Schoeman; Tom Proudlock first time parkrunner; Fran Stone and her two children; Bennie Heynike who ran with us; Cheryl Witte from Tourism; Ivor and Tina Derbishire; Syd Blandford who used to be an Achillean.
Saturday evening -- Pictionary with family.
Sardinia bay. A perfect morning but our cardboard was too soft and sank into the sand.
Even a flying leap did not stop the boards jamming up in the wet sand. The top layer was dry but a few centimeters down and the sand was soft and damp.
In the end we decided to go for a short walk. Unfortunately what goes down must go up.
Sunday... Failed attempt at Sandboarding at Maitlands Beaches.
This afternoon we make some Amagwenya. Vet Koek. With left over cottage pie or strawberry jam.
Later we make some Smash Burgers for supper.
And another round of Pictionary.
Barbara has been working on this painting for over a month. This is how it looks at the end of June 2019
Barbara with a Morocco Street painting
The Painting continues to evolve.
Ally buys some shoes for a girl at University.
Ally writes this lovely letter to the girl. She gave the shoes anonymously
Cathy buys some new furniture for her house in Aukland. They have been reluctant to do so until now. But now they have legal citizenship
Jacqui's children are full of colour with this painting
Michael and Jacqui enjoying a Greek Outing.
Andrea 2499; is in Durban for the Ironman there. Clearly there are huge numbers of entries.
Cathy is in Aukland NZ and has a function to bring awareness to Cancer.
Michael and Jacqui in Vienna
Raylene; Dawn and Tracy.. . Tracy has just achieved her Medical Doctors degree. So now she is in Private Practice. She says that everything is invoiced to the state as the state provides medical assistance to all citizens.
This group of girls from the MPRG is in Durban for Comrades marathon on 9th June 2019. Claire is doing her 10th Comrades and the group has spent the year to now training and supporting her. Robyn; Maryka; Michelle; Almarie; Ronel and Claire.
'Three brothers. Ian born 1948 and died 2009. Patrick born 1952. Peter born 1951. Father was Allan born in SA 1921 and died 1996 age 75 in Plettenbergbay from Cancer. Mother was Yvonne Ena born 1917 died in Plettenbergbay 2017 age 100 and 45 days.
Ian and Rachel -- Father and mother of Julia and Rachel. Rachel presently living in Florida USA; Julia lives in Johannesburg and will be moving to Nelspruit RSA soon as she has just accepted a job there. Laura will be getting married shortly and lives in Washington USA
Happy days with, from the left Ian died 2009 age 61 from Cancer of the Adrenal Gland. Julia, Michael died 2013 age 33 from Cancer of the Adrenal Gland, Patrick, Peter, Barbara. Jacqui with Isabelle and Dominic Died approximately 2010 age 21 from a mugging attack at the CT University, Patty who was Patricks wife at the time and the mother of Isabelle and Dominic, Cathy, Brad who was Nicky's boyfriend at the time; Nicky with Laura.
Tuesday. I run 8km with Mike; Chris and Liesl. Chris and Elmarie leave for Canada to visit Sasha in Vancouver. Barbara walks with the 6th ave group.
Wednesday. Back into the Pool. Megan wears a wetsuit. We swim 1200m. The water is reasonably warm.
Barbara continues her Art work and Gardening. Both have become her focus during the day.
I walk Settlers Park with the Wednesday walkers.
Thursday 13th. Barbara and I leave PE for Cape Town. Peter and Moyna Joseph travel with us. We spend the weekend with Nicky and Werner. They had a really nasty experience when one of their friends' parents were attacked in their home. The mother died and the father was severely injured. This evening Chris, Henrietta and Margaret (friends of Werner) visit them for supper.
Friday -- I have a meeting with Dole. And then with Reinardt at TTC. I make some Vetkoek and Werner makes a mince which is our supper. Ally is also spending the weekend with Nicky.
Saturday 15. We are all in Durbanville for the Rock Climbing and so Nicky; Ally; Barbara and I go to the local 5km parkrun. I was really proud of Barbara and Nicky who walked / ran one of her fastest times at 48 minutes. Ally ran a solid 35 mintues. But neither Ally nor Nicky had their barcodes with them.
| Bellville parkrun results for event #234. Your time was 00:30:48. | |||
Congratulations on completing your 69th parkrun and your 1st at Bellville parkrun today. You finished in 224th place and were the 186th male out of a field of 847 parkrunners and you came 4th in your age category VM65-69.
|
Sunday 16th... Aaron and Zara are in the Western Province Rock Climbing team. This is our first time to watch the sport and a real eye opener for me.
Zara goes last in the U13 age group and where other girls really struggled, Zara zooms up the side of the wall like she is running on the beach. I was shocked after seeing others not getting past the first few obstacles.
Each competitor has to complete four different walls with increasing levels of difficulty. On the second wall I thought that there was no chance that Zara would be able to climb this upside down wall. But again she is up and down in a flash.
The third one is really tough and it is only one other girl in her group who makes it to the top. Zara makes it to the Green Rock where she gets one point. Then the final wall is again easy peasy to Zara where other girls could simply not see the solution as Zara sees it.
As a result she and two other girls are tie for first place. And they have a sudden death climb.... None of them make it but Zara is second best and so achieves second place in SA. We are all so very proud of her achievement. Unfortunately she does not get to wear SA colours until there is an international competition.
Aaron also takes part -- but the competition at his level is much tougher and so he gets to two of the Green Rocks and achieves a 7th place overall in this National Competition. Not bad for his first Nationals.
Tuesday morning.... Running with Mitch; Viv and Stefany who has just returned from a holiday in Croatia. She gives us the full story of her holiday.
Wednesday. Hiking the Maitlands Forest Trails.
Sushil Gupta and his wife and Daughter. I take them to the Indian Restaurant above Beershack. The Pier; Pollock Beach; Then High court and the Old PE Club which is now Advocates Chambers and lastly St Georges Cricket Ground. Advocate Dala was most gracious as he took the family for a tour around the Advocates Chambers and they were able to talk about the different legal systems of SA and India.
After the walk I have an Airport Pick up... This is my very first Trip Advisor Direct booking.
Thursday 20th. Running 10kay. Mainly on my own as I do not have anyone else who runs at my pace right now. The walkers are there but I go off and then find them later. Run a bit with them and then continue running. At least in this way I am motivated to get up and get going.
I have a 9am, at Kwantu Towers in Town, interview for Mandarin Language Training. And 11am tourism meeting at the Kelway. An informative and helpful meeting.
Friday 21st. Addo with Neuza and Jean Paulo from Brazil. They could not have said more how they enjoyed the day.
Saturday morning. Aaron joins me for a parkrun at Wells Estate. He runs 28.51 and is first in his age category; his best parkrun time and the first time he runs under 30 minutes. This parkrun struggles to get runners to participate and today there were only 36 runners.
| Wells Estate parkrun results for event #49. Your time was 00:28:23. |
| Congratulations on completing your 70th parkrun and your 2nd at Wells Estate parkrun today. You finished in 11th place and were the 10th male out of a field of 36 parkrunners and you came 1st in your age category VM65-69. Take a look at this week's full set of results on our website. Your PB at Wells Estate parkrun remains 00:28:03 |
Saturday afternoon. I take the Four Children to the beach ... walk on the pier and Ice Cream with a Flake. Ally and I sort out a Router. I get a new bank card for my Business banking account. Clean the car and get myself ready for the Garden Route tour which starts on Sunday. Nicky and Werner leave Cape Town to stay for a few days.
This evening Nicky and Werner arrive at 6.30pm after a day of driving from CT. Chris and Zara had helped me make a Spanish Omlette and Amagwenya for supper
Garden Route Tour with the Hackmann family from Maryland USA. Make a Wish Tour.
Sunday morning 23rd. I pick up a family for a Garden route tour. We spend the next four days in Plett at the Tsala Lodge doing all kinds of nice stuff. Zip Lines; Segway; Storms River Mouth; Mungo Linen; Beach walks. Supper at Toby's; Bungy Jump; Featherbed Cruise and Hike; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden. We end our last day with a walk to the Big Tree.
Thursday morning I start the day with a 8km run. I am with the Walkers. Mike and I start off together but he cuts short so I continue a Run kind of with the walkers. Later I take Nicky and her family for An Addo Tour.. Morning only. We have a great 2 and a half hours of Safari seeing all kinds of animals; Antelope; Buffalo and at the end of the day we have close encounters with Elephants.
Friday 28th. I have a REAL FUNNY THING HAPPEN TO ME THIS MORNING. ... I arrange to swim with Megan this morning. She will be picking me up at 4.50am to go to the Newton Park Swimming Pool. I am up early, wash and put on my Cossie, Goggles around my neck, Cap stuck into my cossie. T- shirt and towels.. All ready to swim. So I walk out to Mill Park Road. Some of the walking group drive past and wave.
And here I am standing waiting for Megan. And I see headlights of a car coming slowly down the road towards me. And a car behind it equally slowly. Then the front car swings into Eaton Road and I see it is a Police Van. And the car behind it swings in next to it.
I then realise the car is Megan (she is driving Michaels Car). And she calls out to the Police that we are going swimming. And there is laughter as I climb into the car.
This all happens in a short time but as I gather my thoughts I have this image of the Police seeing an old white man standing in the road wearing nothing but a T Shirt. He probably has dementia and is lost. So they are about to stop next to me and make enquiries when Megan pulls up next to them. Even more confusing! Until she announces that we are off to Swim. And all is back to normal.
So as I was swimming I have this quiet chuckle to myself -- and think what these policemen will be telling their colleagues later this morning. I manage 1500m swim.
This morning I attend a Garden Meeting with Glenda Adams; Lyn Le Roux and a few other ladies who I know. They have a Petite Arrangement Competition and a Bonsai Demonstration. Barbara misses out as she takes Aaron to look for Snares. I do a Flower Tour Presentation.
Saturday morning. Nicky and I take Christian; Aaron and Zara to Graasroof for the 5km parkrun. This is not an easy course with many twists and turns and ups & downs.
At this stage it is the three of us keeping up the pace as much as we are able. Aaron kind of hanging back a little. We run the final short downhill to the finish and at this time Aaron comes charging past us and finishes seconds ahead of us. What a great way to start the morning.
After the run we buy some nice stuff for breakfast. Egg; cheese and bacon rolls; coffee and I buy some Quiches which I like to take home and freeze for use during the week ahead.
| Sardinia Bay parkrun results for event #116. Your time was 00:32:01. |
| Congratulations on completing your 71st parkrun and your 10th at Sardinia Bay parkrun today. You finished in 42nd place and were the 33rd male out of a field of 270 parkrunners and you came 2nd in your age category VM65-69 |
Sunday... Failed attempt at Sandboarding at Maitlands Beaches.
This afternoon we make some Amagwenya. Vet Koek. With left over cottage pie or strawberry jam.
Later we make some Smash Burgers for supper.
And another round of Pictionary.
