July 2020
Hiking and Walking tours in and around Port Elizabeth; the Eastern Cape ; Tsitsikamma and Garden Route.
Hikes done this month:
- City walking tour.
- Van Stadens Flower Reserve. River and Forest trails x 2
- Lady Slipper from the North Side.
- Glen Hurd to Dodds farm.
- Maitland Forest x 2
- Cape Recife -- Roseate Tern trail
- Heritage Trail at Schoenmakerskop
- Lower Guineafowl Trail.
- Kini Bay Past Lauries Bay.
- Kabeljous Nature reserve trail
- Grysbok Trail at the University
Addo, Kragga Kamma, Daniel Cheetah and other Wildlife ReserHisves.
Hiking tours; Day outings & City Tours Historical and local places of interest; TsiTsikamma day visit; Plettenbergbay and Knysna two or three days adventures.
3 to 6 day Karoo to Coast -- Langkloof; Uniondale; Prince Albert; Meiringspoort; Swartberg Pass; Die Hel and TsiTsikamma
Shore Excursions. Passenger ships in Port Elizabeth. Aida Mira; Sun Princess; Azamara Quest; Oceania Nautica; Queen Elizabeth;
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 Day Visit and Night drive.
- Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
- Daniel Cheetah Project
- Pumba; Shamwari; Amakhala; Kariega -- Day trips Private Reserves.
- Three day tour of Mountain Zebra Park. Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Addo.
- Tours: 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.
- Day visit -- Historical City Tour; Beach Front; Penguin Sanctuary; Sacramento; Heritage walking trail; Seafood lunch at Barnacles and end the day with a 2 hour wildlife experience.
- Transfers. Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve.
- 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
- Karoo to Garden Route. Six days of fun and activities. Prince Albert; Swartberg Pass; Die Hell; Oudtshoorn; Prince Alfred pass; Plett and Tsitsikamma.
Website -- petergiddyguidedtours.wordpress.com
For tours and bookings.. email me at. peter.giddy@gmail.com
Contact me on Whatsup.... 0027 82 550 3174
Recent Background and News:
The C19 has caused all kinds of mayhem in South Africa.
The state has tried to introduce laws which are designed to limit the number of infections. However the number of C19 positive cases continues to soar each day.
People line up and cars queue in long lines to be tested.
Many people continue to treat the threat of contracting the virus as something that happens to others while there are people who strictly adhere to lockdown rules and are critical of anyone who does not follow their own "high standards".
Social and other media platforms love this as it means that people have time on their hands to read and contribute all kinds of personal experiences as well as spreading what has become known as Fake News.
There are also Conspiracy Theories of all kinds.
Everyone considers themselves to be a C19 expert as they read an opinion on Social Media and that becomes their frame of reference. An example is the issue of vaccines.
Vax, as it is known, has caused a rift in our family as some believe that it is wrong to to vaccinate children while others believe that a vaccination is the way to curb the spread of both C19 and other diseases such as Polio.
Religion is another cause for dissention and disruption as people believe that they are right. And it is difficult to accept that others have different viewpoints and backgrounds. And that other people are equally right within their own communities and situations.
In America a criminal was killed by a Policeman and this was recorded and spread on social media. It caused a riots as the man killed was black and so Racial Hysteria became the order of the day. Riots erupted giving thugs and criminals the opportunity to burn and loot with impunity.
Countries around the world are either upset or pleased with their governance. In New Zealand the state has managed to (almost) completely contain C19. In South Africa corruption, Murder, Substance abuse, Gangs, Farm attacks, Rape, Gender Abuse and inept governance dominates society.
In America, which is, as a result of international social media access, openly an easy target with a President who some say is the best thing that could have happened to the country while others deride Trump as a buffoon.
So what about us here at home?.
Barbara works hard in the Garden and on the Renovations of our home.
Ally works hard at her assignments for her Honours in Linguistics degree which she is doing through Unisa.
I try to stay reasonably fit with running.
I become lazy. Watching series on my lap top.
Alternatively I try to find ways to earn some kind of income as we continue to delve into savings to both fund the renovations to the house and to maintain our lifestyle.
Thursday 1st July.
I receive a phone call from a local resident who is part of a Social Media group to which I belong and which I have used to try to promote my Hiking Tours. Liam works at the St Georges hospital and we negotiate a service which I can assist with.
The Hospital has employed some Temp Nursing Staff to assist in the Hospital. These staff members need to be transported from their beach front accommodation to the hospital and back each day. There are two shifts. So I will, probably for the next two months, be picking up at 6.30am and taking to the hospital. Drop them off and pick up the Night Shift staff who I will then take to the accommodation at the beach front.
I will be using a Toyota Quantum belonging to the BnB owner Floris Botha. This vehicle will be kept by myself for the duration of this assignment.
The implications of this is that I can no longer run in the early mornings. However I will receive an income from this assignment.
Satruday 4th. I lead a group of 21 on the Maitlands Forest walk. Ally joins me as she takes a break from the assignments she has been working on for her degree at Unisa.
The walk begins with a longish up hill of over one km. We move into the forest and then emerge overlooking the dunes of the Maitlands river mouth. Behind us we can see the entrance to the Silver Mines.
We continue back into the forest and after a short break we walk up again overlooking the Maitlands road. When we see the cars parked we know that we have another half hour of walking to do. This walk takes us nearly 3 hours.
This morning I start a contract picking up temp nurses from their BnB to the St Georges Hospital. I make four trips up and down including taking meals to them. I pick up at 6.45an and do the last drop off at 7.30pm.
Sunday 5th.
Today I have a group of people on the Van Stadens Nature reserve trails. The trails are busy. It is a beautiful morning for a walk. The wind picks up later in the day but does not really affect our walking pleasure at all.
Today is my second day of the Hospital Transport assignment.
The day looks like this: Pick up staff at 6.15 and transport to the Hospital. Do the hiking trail. Back home and pick up meals to deliver to Humewood; Pick up the early group at 4pm; Pick up Night shift at 6.30pm; Pick up the day shift at 7pm to return to Humewood. In all I do 5 trips for the Transport assignment.
My own car is in for repairs so I am picked up by Cherie, Juan and Cara. We drive to Van Stadens where we meet the group and start hiking just before 9am. I make a mistake and forget about Esme who joins us a few minutes later than planned. Brett; Kelly; Daniel and Alex Holmes lead the way. I am at the back as usual. Today I have John and Ren Harrington with me. I have known John for many years since parkrun but although we have greeted each other on the run that is about the sum of it. So today was the first time we really connected. Everyone seems to have enjoyed the outing.
Monday 6th. Pick up at 6.15am. I have four trips to the Hospital and back. This looks like the way it will be for the next two months. When I drop off at the hospital, something that the local staff probably are familiar with, is the Peacocks and Peahens. Their cry and their presence is something unique to St Georges. Staff in and out as the shift changes. Each staff member is measured for temperature and goes through a search and a sanitising procedure.
Tuesday 7th. Daily trips and a receive a booking confirmation for January 2021. My first in 4 months.
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| First time walkers -- Magriet and Carel. |
Wednesday 8th. After doing the transporting of the Hospital staff I pick up Zelda and two grand children... Zaney and Seth and we meet the group for a walk through the Baakens Valley from Handsworth St in Glen Hurd.
With me on this walk today. 16 wonderful people -- Lee; Pat; Janny; Chris and Elmarie; Siobhan and Tristan; Marianna is invited by Siobhan, Zelda and twins, Zaney and Seth; Magriet and Carel are first timers; Ingrid; Hebe another first. And Flo who knows the route and sets me straight when we pass the turn off. Teresa lost her father this week and is too upset to be able to walk.
Friday 10th. I have my first Tour since March. Carel contacts me from Sommerset East. Coming to PE for a day. They are Horse Riding and a Game Drive in Kragga Kamma.
Saturday morning. After doing my rounds of pick ups and drop off at the St Georges Hospital, I meet Janny and Albert and we drive to Maitlands . Here we start our hiking up the hill to the De Stades trail. This walk is about 2.5 hours and while it is not an easy walk, it is quite doable for medium fitness. Some people had been put off by the prospects of strong winds and rain. We had a perfect morning. Sheltered from the wind and sunny skies for the most part. As we got home by about 12.30pm it began to rain. Rain throughout the afternoon and into the evening some heavy downpours.
The herb is stuffed in bedding for both humans and animals to repel insects.
Imphepho is valued by traditional medicine men in Africa who use it as a smudging herb to communicate with ancestors and calm evil spirits. Imphepho is believed to help repel negative energy, and it does the same for insects. Breathing the smoke over time can have a sedating effect, which might actually offer assistance when a shaman enters a trancelike state to perform his work. This is much like the way frankincense is used in Christian practice. Many people do not realize that frankincense too, has sedative properties. Some theorize that the breathing of frankincense has contributed to some of the heightened religious experiences Christians have reported. There are other historical cases of incense plants working this way as well, and in fact, these types of experiences also seem to explain why certain plants or their resins have been chosen to be paired with spiritual practice.
It is a very powerful plant and its medicinal uses are the subject of scientific study. It is the most widely used medicinal plant in South Africa. The word Helicrysum is derived from the Greek “Helios” meaning Sun and “chrysos” meaning gold. Most of the flowers of this plant are a golden yellow colour.
Sunday 12th July. Lady Slipper walking trail. Once I have done my Hospital staff transfers I pick up Albert and we meet the group at 6th Ave NP. We are able to start walking soon after 9am. Today is a PERFECT day for walking. The rains of the previous evening have cleared the skys and we can see from Woody Cape to Cape st Francis. The air is chilly and at the top of the mountain there is a breeze just right to cool us down. The walk takes us a bit over 3 hours. On the trail today -- Rob and Venessa Ermes; Megan and friend Megane; Gareth; Les; Leah; Sean and Bianca; Rob and Grandson Jesse; Albert; Gillian and son David and friend Kirstin; Gerhard; Janice and Athol. 18 Hikers who had a great time. Jesse struggled a bit but was brave and did not complain at all. Megan suffers with a sore hip and was in agony on the way down so got a lift in a car. All in all a successful morning.
Monday 13th to Thursday 16th. A new intake of Agency Nursing staff for St Georges Hospital come into Port Elizabeth from other centers. They have to go through a few days of Orientation. This gives me additional transporter duties. Barbara does two days in a row of Rhino Watch. Ally is getting on top of her assignments but has to go straight into the next round. It is a continuous process for her. I receive some moderation work to do from the University. This keeps my mind active for a short while. We have some really heavy rains which cancel my Wednesday hike.
Chris warns me of the consequences of hiking in a big group. So I rearrage our groups to be multiple smaller groups of just 4 or 5 each. The Combi front passenger side wheel is rubbing against the shocks that were fitted recently.
Saturday 18th. Pick up my Hospital Nurses and then meet a large group for the Roseate Tern Trail at Cape Recife. I tried to fit them into smaller groups but that did not really work as I had planned. Everyone stayed at a distance from each other or from the other families. A perfect morning for a walk. Sunshine, warm and great company. On the walk today about 25 spread out into mini groups -- Pat; Albert; Gillian; Seelan and Asenth who came with me. Lindy and Jacqui; Janny; Leonie; Siobhan; Evan; Aaron and Tristan and friends Gerard and Morgan; Teresa; Shannon and Justine; Ferhan; Vanessa; Sihaan; Ashana and family of 5 chilren; John and Ren
Sunday 19th July 2020
The Schoenmakerskop Heritage Trail / Fynbos trail. With Richie; Kate; Joseph; Reuben; Mosa; Astrid; Cleo; Kaylin; Mason; Leonie; Janny; Albert; Gerhard. Audrey and Dossie cut short. At our halfway mark we find Neil Bissiker; Carol Anne Cash; with Friends - Bruce; Rob Wouter and Alli.
This walk starts at the Canon at Schoenmakerskop. We walk behind the village up the hill to a viewpoint and then down around the tennis courts. Cross the main Marine Drive rd and across to the Fynbos trail. Behind Sappers we turn left past the power lines and up to the top where the pathway takes a right turn. We continue on this path until we see a clearly marked post indicating another right turn, Now we are heading back towards the sea. After a short strech we are at Mike Skinners bench. Here we stop for a snack before continueing back to Sappers and onto the Marine drive for a bit before reaching the village and a Right turn takes us to Rethas trail and back to the vehilces at the Canon. A walk enjoyed by everyone.
Wednesday 22nd. Today was the Lower Guineafowl Trail from Bridge St to Target Kloof and then to Thomas road and on to Dodds Farm. What a stunning day for a walk. Lovely people. Had great feedback later on FB. On the walk today -- Janny; Janice; Leonie; Maria; Chris; Pat; Zelda with Zaley and Seth; Alethia with sister Carin and friend Leonie; Hebe and Lee.
Friday. Chris and I walk a 5km around Linkside.
Thursday. Run 5k with Chris. I unfortunately missed the Memorial Service for Cherie Giddy. Collected Ally's Hairdresser. New tenants -- Andiswa and Babalwa moving into the spare room.
Saturday 25th July. Morning Pick ups. Day shift to work and night shift returns. I have a group of 31 for Van Stadens hiking trail today. It is one of those beautiful winters days in PE. In the Combi going out to the walk is Janny; Albert. Liesl; Dianne and their friend Noeksie. Others in the group: Shannon and Meemz; Teresa; Gerhard; Lindy; Astrid; Clint; Clio; Kaylin and Mason; Reece and Gary with Schuyler; Seth and Shia; Sam; Peter; Daniel; Rebecca; Katherine and 5 year old Luke. Heidi; Olivia; Dustin; Petuna; Lerrigan. As always. There are some who struggle with the hills particularly towards the end. But everyone makes it. The trails are busy. Good to see so many people enjoying the outdoors. Good for the soul and body.
Sunday 26th July. The wind picks up. The temperature drops. Rain threatens. That does not deter our group today. We walk the Kini Bay beach in an easterly direction. On the walk today: 21 hikers. Janny and Albert; Gillian; Seelan and Aseth; John and Ren; Laura; Robyn; Gareth; Lloyd; Bushran; Keegan; Nathan and Samantha. Sandra and Genie Botha; Kat; Chris; Carol and James; Cold wind, Rain towards the end; Chilly morning -- None of this deterred this group. Comments include: Thank you, That was Awesome; Thank you Peter and hikers for a wonderful morning; It was tough; From Kat -- Thank goodness only 5 falls. Thanks Peter and to others who assisted/ What an awesome experience, Thanks again Peter, Looking forward to the next.
Euphorbia. Over 4000 species. Medical Benefits. Anti inflamatory; Prevents viral infections; Controls Asthma; Skin treatment -- skin cancer, sunburn, Burn wounds. Insect repellant.
Tuesday 28th. I learned about a new trail near to J Bay and so Chris; Janny; Robin and I went to scout the trail and to try it out. The trails is in the Kabeljous Nature Reserve near to J Bay. About an hour from PE. We were really pleasantly surprised by the neat and well marked trails. Signposted bush and coastal fynbos. A lovely view of the sea, across to J Bay, A unique Cairn, Dune views, Lagoon side walk, A Euphorbia forest. We walked about 6km but will make the trail into about 7km with a detour. I had spoken to the Tourism Lady of J Bay and she recommended the Coffee shop (Suikerbossie) after the hike. So we took the advice and had a coffee / tea once we had done with the walk.
Wednesday 29th. Grysbok trail at the university. Robin agrees to lead the trail. Not an easy one to lead as there are so many twists and turns on this hike. It is a pretty much flat walk in the University nature reserve. We are fortunate to have Zebra reasonably close to the trail. We are 19 on the walk today with Robin; Lee; Leonie; Pat; Chris; Janean; Jesse; Aidan; Clio; Kaylin; Mason; Kesley; Reece; Jarred; Pat; Elmarie; Hebe; Janny and Shannon.
This month I started the Transportation of Nursing Staff for St Georges Hospital. Out of town / Contract staff needed to be transported from their lodge to the hospital and back each day. Day shift and Night shift. I travelled 1700km. 225lit of petrol. 125 trips.
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