Peter Giddy Guided Tours. Addo Elephant Park; Flowers of Namaqualand; Garden Route -- August 2019

Peter Giddy Guided Tours.   Addo Elephant Park; Flowers of Namaqualand; Garden Route -- August 2019

Elephant family up close as they cross the road in front of the car with guests; Klaus and Martha.

Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

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.
• Mountain Zebra National Park in Cradock. 
• City Historical 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; Knysna Elephant Park; 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

Thursday 1st August.  Barbara is walking with the 6th ave group.  I am struggling to run so Mike and I do our 5k walk around Linkside and Mill Park.

 Regrouping at the Harbour Wall where we stop for a snack break

 Walking with the Thursday hiking group.  Something good to Harbour Wall.

Some of the people on the walk today -- Fedor (Slovakia; Helmut German heritage; Alta; Susan; Liesl; Minna and the group leader is Karen.

A really big thing happened today.... I received a Tourvest Booking ... This is the first time that I have received a booking from them. It is not a big tour but special for me.   I have been working for about 3 years on trying to get them to give me assignments.  So today was an exciting day.

Friday 2nd August 2019.... Feeling good about the swimming.  1500m this morning.  Megan and Armand do about 2000m in the same time. I have started to breath every 4th stroke instead of every 2nd stroke which is what I have always done.  The water is warm -- Had a good week of swimming.

Klaus and Martha --- Mein Kapstad Urlaub -- They have come up with a great strategy to find passengers from the Cruise Ships who want a shore excursion.  Today we spend the day in Addo.  And are fortunate to find a pride of 5 lions.  Sleeping close to the road.  And later, as we are about to leave, we hear the distinct roaring of the lions... Calling each other.  But we were not able to find them this time.
This evening Chris and Elmarie come over for a Braai.  As usual Chris takes over and does the fire.  A lovely relaxed evening.

Saturday 3rd.  I pick up Elmarie and we run the Lady Slipper parkrun.

 Bennie Stadler and his dog are first home this morning

 Johan Steenkamp

 Sarie Steenkamp.  Johan and Sarie -- Retired.  Are using parkrun as an excuse to tour around South Africa and take part in the various parkruns.  Last week they ran the inaugural Addo parkrun and next week their plan is to run at Wells Estate.  They are from Harebeespoort and have run well over 100 parkruns at something like 50 venues.

Bridget and David -- Our organising team.

Peter and Elmarie finishing this tough course
Thanks to Dave and Bridget for organising.  Charmaine for the Jaffels after the run.  Met a couple from UK who ran their third event this morning and a couple from Hartebeespoort who travel around country running various parkruns.  I think that they are at about 50 venues.  Lady Slipper remains a tough route with short sharp hills; eucalyptus leaves lying on the track making it slippery; Roots; sticks and rocks make the track uneven and so a fall is not uncommon.  This is a well worthwhile parkrun. We run in about 44 minutes.

Lady Slipper parkrun results for event #118. Your time was 00:43:01.

Congratulations on completing your 74th parkrun and your 4th at Lady Slipper parkrun today. You finished in 14th place and were the 11th male out of a field of 29 parkrunners and you came 2nd in your age category VM65-69

The Second Team dominate in territory but the Selbourne team is determined and Grey worked hard for their 32 - 7 win with 10 points coming in the final two minutes.

Grey first team have had a strong defense  the whole season and this helped them to victory over a quick Selbourne team this afternoon.
Later today I spend the afternoon watching Rugby at Grey.  In all categories Grey beat Selbourne convincingly ... The games are good to watch and some are close at times.  But all in all a good afternoon of Rugby.  Barbara joins me for the main game.

The myrun this morning at Humewood Golf Course.

 The myrun MUST start at exactly 8am as this is a national standard and this is how results are timed nationally.  Bertus counts down and shows us how we should be stretching.

 Tammy running her first myrun. No longer directing parkrun.  After a nasty motor accident last year where her car rolled she is now trying to get back into running.  Work consuming her days.

 Christien; Peter and Tammy enjoying the sunny morning.

 Christien and Bertus  -- Thanks chaps for being the organising team.

Tammy and I -- had a good catch up chat on the run today.

At the end of our myrun -- Tammy; Lee; Rose; Phil; Christien ___ and Peter
Sunday morning.  I run the myrun at Humewood Golf Course.  The route is sandy and wet with the long grass making it slow going at times.  Bertus and Christien are the faithful organisers.  Others who are there -- Tammy; Phil; Rose; Lee; Vanesh and wife Prada; Rob with his two boys.  A couple of first timers register for the run.  A beautiful sunny morning.  Perfect running conditions.

This afternoon Lene has a Showhouse so she and family plus Brenda come over for lunch.
Monday 5th.  Jessica receives her Visa.  So now whole family have NZ visa's and Lene makes flight reservations to move to NZ.
I am swimming with Megan at 5am.  A good 1500m swim.

Morning walk and run 8k with Chris; Christine and Michelle.  Also in the group:  Mitch; Stefany; Gaye; Nicky and Mike.  It is Chris' birthday today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOZPBUu7Fro

Recently Barbara has been downloading all kinds of music.  And occasionally she comes across a Classic like this one -- Harper Valley PTA.  I simply love the message that Jeannie Riley tells in the lyrics

The Maitlands Forest Hiking trail.  We do the De Stades Route which is 9km.  

 We park on the Maitlands Road and on a Wednesday starting time is 8.30am.

 The walk starts with a 20 minute up hill -- The Old Wagon trail - and then we enter the Forest on the left hand side.

 Today Daniel joins us.  Here he is resting and having a Naartjie during the snack break.

 On the hike today are 21 walkers.  I certainly do not know them all be the people who I recognise are Robin Holmes who is the Hike Leader and who I have known for many years.

 Dennis is a Co - Leader

 Jenny -- also a seasoned hiker and part of the Hike Leadership Team.

 Flo is a regular hiker

 This is Rob and it is his first time to walk in this group.

 Dave is another seasoned hiker.

 Another David and regular on the hike

 Lesley -- Known as the Birding expert on the trail

 Russell is also in the Tourism Industry and does Locum for BnB in particular Geralds Gift in Addo.

 My grandson Daniel.

Danny is a runner and ex lawyer.

 Maria is family of Flo.

 Peter is one of the older hikers... probably over 80 years old.

 Daniel fitted in well with the group.  Walked easily and says he did not feel tired and enjoyed the walk.

We regroup just before exiting the reserve and going home.
Wednesday -- Joined the Hike with Daniel.  Today is 7th August which is both Ally's Birthday as well as our 43rd Wedding Anniversary.

The following day -- Thursday -- I am hike leader for this group and co incidentally we do the same hike as we did yesterday.  The Maitlands Forest walk.. There has been a cold wind blowing and so there are just 10 brave souls walking today.

 On the trail this morning, Regrouping at the top of the first hill.  Brenda; Leisl; Helmut; Jenny (Birthday girl), Annalie, Helen and Sheilah.

 Not a Tough walk but it is a solid hiking trail, in the forest with a number of up and down hills.

 Snack break with Helen in pink; Sheliah in blue and Helmut the with the hat

 Jenny's birthday today is on the immediate left.

From this point we can see the cars in the far distance.
This hike takes us just on 2.5 hours to complete.  We start at 9am and by 11.30 I am back in my car.  I have to move quickly as I have an afternoon City Tour pick up at 13.00.  I quickly give the car a wash, I shower and leave to pick up Rinku and Amed from India.  They are staying at Millbury and Colleen gives me this tour.

Amed and Rinku at the fort.  We have a great afternoon exchanging a lot of thoughts and personal information regarding our different lives.

Friday 9th August.  Womens Day  -- a public holiday.  This morning I meet Lena Reider and her family (Gerald; Brigit and brother Jonas) at Addo Main camp.  We spend a stunning day together with sightings of Lion; Buffalo and plenty of Elephant up close to the car.  Generally a great day with a special family.

Granddad and Daniel at the start of parkrun

 A good crowd at the start.

 Andrew Porter is one of the faster runners.

 Syd Blanford is a regular at this parkrun.

 Svenje Duffield at the parkrun.  Svenje was one of my really good running friends -- But it must be over a year since I last saw her,-- Svenje is a Physiotherapist and has opened her own practice.  And has a big family of her own now.

 Tracey and her daughter Kyra.

 Trisha Daniels with her son David.

Saturday morning.  Daniel and I go to Parkrun at Grassroof.  Daniel struggles a bit.,  But we all meet up for breakfast afterwards which is a great end to the morning. 30.33 is a PB for me on this parkrun.

Sardinia Bay parkrun results for event #121. Your time was 00:30:33.

Congratulations on completing your 75th parkrun and your 11th at Sardinia Bay parkrun today. You finished in 45th place and were the 41st male out of a field of 390 parkrunners and you came 1st in your age category VM65-69.

This afternoon Joshua's friend, Daniel Holmes, has a surprise farewell party for him.  I drop him off there on the pretense of returning a book.
This afternoon SA Springboks play Argentina to a 46 - 13 win and so win the Rugby Championship having beaten Australia and drawn with NZ.

Bertus starts the 5 and 2.5k run.

I finish in a reasonable time of about 32min.  But Doff! I forgot my wristband.
Sunday 11th.  I do the myrun at the Humewood Golf Course.
Tuesday 13th -- Running with the Walking Group -- Chris; Steff; Liesl; Gaye; Mitch and Mike.  I run about 9km. Meanwhile Nicky and Werner go to Gourits River mouth for a short break.
Wednesday ... Swim 1700m with Megan and Armand.  I am now able to swim 100m breathing every 6th stroke.  I think that this is helping me with general breathing and lung capacity.

Wednesday Hiking Group.  Today we walk the Grysbok Trail.  The trail starts at the back of the University. 

 The landscape is simply at its very best.  Flowers and greenery makes the trail quite special.

On the trail today -- Flo takes on the lead with Dennis; Jenny; Jenny; Dave; Dave; Michael; Denise and Patrick; Alwyn and his 5x  family; Andre (Ex PPECB); Dave and Naomi; Danny and Peter; Julian; Lesley; Matie; Jimmy and Di; Cheryl; Debbie; Keiko; Marjorie; In total there are 41 walkers which Julian seems to think is the most that there has ever been on a walk like this.

 At the back is Deon and the two ladies who do promotion work for Pabala

 Frank and I enjoying our outing.

 Peter is up front as we start our drive.

 Sable Antelope.  The dominant male has pipes on his horns to prevent him from hurting others in the herd.

 NK and a Steep downhill which the Landrover takes easily.

 Impala on the horizon.

 We are introduced to a unique breed of Golden Wildebees.  This appears to be a mix of the Black and the Blue Wildebees.

 A herd of Impala.  A couple of Black Impala in the group.

 The bush camp and lapa is our next stop.

 After the drive in the reserve we stop at the Lapa and camping area.

 Wernich in the lapa and kitchen area.

 A two man overnight tent.  Deon and Nadine who is the other ranger for this reserve.

Wednesday 14th afternoon.  Peter J; Frank and I drive to Pabala private reserve where we meet Wernich Cronje.  He shows us around his reserve and explains what he has to offer.  NK is his ranger and he takes us for a drive through the reserve to the Lapa area where we are treated to snacks and beverages.

 Friday 16th August.  We are all up early and drop Lene; Joshua; Jessica and Daniel at the PE Airport.

 Here they are on the international flight leaving Jhb to Aukland.

 On Thursday I take Loni for an Addo Safari.  The masked weaver is at Domkrag.

 Loni at the Cattle Baron Restaurant.

Lene and her side of the family -- Ian; Mother Ria and Sister Mariska.
Thursday -- Running with the group -- 8km.
I have an Addo Tour with Loni from Miami.  She is an expert on Elephants.  Strongly against Elephant back riding.
Friday morning.  Lene leaves for New Zealand.

Saturday 17th.  I meet Bob and Kenny for a 10kay in Uitenhage. We set up the Coffee Tent on the field.  Do a short warm up and the race starts 7am.
I start at the back which is something I try to avoid.  We run out of the VW factory and then left towards Despatch.  We turn left into the village of Despatch and along the straight main road. There are a couple of relatively easy hills on this course.  But out and back means that there is an equal number of downs where you can pick up.  We run past the Stadium and then right into the suburb.  What impresses me about this town is the cleanliness and neat gardens with beautiful succulent and other displays.  And many of the gardens do not have walls.

Before the start of the VW Uitenhage 10kay. With Kenny; Graham; Bob and Tremaine.

 After the race -- Graham had passed me with about 2kay to go.  Tremain was ahead of him.  And I had passed Linda with about 4kay to go

 The VW Pavillion field where we had set up the Achilles Tent.

 The Achilles Coffee Shop.  With Percy; Bob; Tom and Kenny

After prize giving we stop for a breakfast with Graham; Tremaine; Tom; Bob and Kenny.

Ken; Peter; Cindy; Bob; Liz; Michael; Cathy; Robin; Desmond; Percy; Tom; Tremaine; Alan; Bruce; Graham; Anne; Bruce; Roger; Craig.  and some other faces I dont recognise.  In total 27 Achilleans took part today.  This was my first time to run this event.
We turn back towards Uitenhage again.  I pass Tom and Anne.  Then continue back on the main Despatch Road and back towards the VW Factory.  We end on the Pavillion Field.  I have run about 58 minutes which is fine for me.
After the event we relax and chat around the Achilles Coffee Shop.  Ken brings three big flasks; Coffee and Tea; Steri Milk and Cokes .... Also rusks which seem to be a real hit with the group.
By the time the prize giving is half way we start to pack up and load back into Kenny's bakkie.

We head home but unbeknown to me they have planned a breakfast at the Despatch Panarottis.  This is the best part of the social activity of the day.
This afternoon I meet up with an ex Guide (Dick Hills and his wife Merril) who invites me for tea at their home in Cassia Gardens.  Possible future Tours.

 Hats off to these two Achilleans - Paulette and Bruce; -- at the 10kay turn around point.

 Michael and Michael with about 2.5k to go

 At the end Michael and I came in first.  Tremaine and Tom were just behind Graham who is running like a steam train. 

 Bob was a minute behind and had a good run.

 Finishing the 5kay myrun.  about 34 minutes.

Beautiful sun rays on the bay.  It is a chilly wind blowing but there are about 20 of us running.

At the end of the run with Ross; Christine and Bertus.
Sunday morning.  I am preparing for the first of my Flower Tours..
First of all I do the Achilles 10k helpers run with Bob; Tremaine; Tom; Graham and Michael who runs with me the whole distance.
I then go to the Humewood Golf Course for the 5k myrun.  It is my last opportunity to take part in these runs as I will be on tour now for the next 4 weeks

 Belinda Hughes at the Ramskop nature reserve in Clanwilliam.

Cathy Simpson at the Neiuwoudtville Wildflower Reserve.
Monday 18th to Sunday 25th.. Flower Tour A with Cathy Simpson and her friends Neil and Belinda Hughes.  Cathy and Belinda are both disabled as a result of motor accidents. They had booked spur of the moment the previous week and so I agreed to do this tour on short notice.  As it turned out Ron came with me.  We had two wheelchairs in the back and learned a great deal from our three guests.

I manage short runs on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th before taking off on my next tour. I really needed the day on Monday to sort out the car service and various admin stuff including some moderation for NMU.

Tuesday 27th to Monday 2nd September.  Flower Tour with Lionel and Gloria from Port Alfred; Paul and Trish from Kenton;  Ann from EL and Val from Port Alfred. Frank is in his vehicle with 5 people.





























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