Sunday, January 31, 2021

January 2021. Hikes and walks; Transport duties;

 

January 2021.    Hikes and walks;   Transport duties;   

Activities this month.  

Kleinrivier hiking trail .  Friday1st;  Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th January 2021

Bergrivier Hiking trail Sunday 2nd

Heritage trail on Monday 4th

Guinea Fowl Trail from Bridge St.   Wednesday 13th

TsiTsikamma 3 x day hiking trail Friday 15th to Sunday 17th

Guinea Fowl Trail from Glen Hurd Wednesday 20th

Robberg Point hiking trail at Plettenbergbay.  Saturday 23rd

Cape Town -- One week tour with Larry and Sue Begyn (North America -- Iowa)

Table Mountain.   Thursday 28th. 


The first two days of the year.  

Friday 1st January 2021

Saturday 2nd January 2021

I arrange two hikes.   The Kleinrivier and the Bergrivier hiking trails.   

On the trail of the Kleinrivier hike. A reasonably long day of 5 hours hiking.   Includes swims and snack breaks. 
The Bergrivier is a tough hike with long steep hills -- The reward is the waterfall and pool at the end. 

Sunday 3rd January 2021.   Transport the various people to the hospital and back.  Then I stop at the beach for a run.   Hot so I get to about 6km.    Pick up Ally from the Airport.   She was with us when we visited Nicky and Werner for Christmas last year.   Then decided to stay for another week.   

Ally and I stock up with Eggs (Fresh farm eggs) at Grass Roof.   John; Di and Megan come for a visit. 

 Monday 4th January 2021.   I have over 20 people on the Heritage Trail at Schoenmakerskop.    We start walking at 8.30am to try to beat the anticipated heat.   A good decision as it is faily cool with an east breeze and overcast for most of the walk.   On the trail with us today is Bertus and Christein Geldenhuys who I know from Myrun at Humewood Golf Course.  With their two children.  JP and Jana.  Sally and Hebe with her friend Lyn who battles a bit today.   Janny and Gillian two regular hikers;  Naomi and Nadia are with us for the first time;  Loretta brings a friend,  Cindy;  Benny who takes the lead today;  Mark and daughter Dante who was at school with Jessica at Alex with a friend Helena;  Di and Megan Nelson;  Rina who recently retired from her job as a Music Teacher at Clarendon.  Lolo Heydenrich who has walked on a few occasions.   Alta who I have not seen for a long while with her daughter Talita.  Alta was on my very first Flower Tour when Peter Joseph was teaching me the ropes.  

We start our walk from the Schoenies Canon and walk east up the hill behind the village.   We continue behind the Restaurant and Rethas trail towards the Tennis Courts.   At any time when we are close to houses and possibly other people we wear our masks.   We cross the Marine Drive and walk past the Sappershoek and onto the Fynbos Trail.   For many this is a first.   We stop at the Mike Skinner Bench for a break before walking back westwards to the village.   It becomes a little warm as we are now walking with the breeze and the cloud cover is beginning to fade.  

We take the Perriwinkle detour with beautiful views of the rocks and sea below before ending our walk alongside the homes of Schoenmakerskop and finally through Retha's Trail back to the cars.   We end our morning with a tea at the Sacramento Restaurant.   

The Heritage Trail created by Retha Taylor in 2019
On the trail with our group. 
Spectacular clouds giving us a bit of respite from the heat. 
Retha's trail with Mark's friend Helena
Rock pools of Schoenmakerskop. 
Gillian.   A regular and strong hiker. 
l
Grassveld Firelily
Grassveld firelily
A long line of walkers enjoying the beauty of the Fynbos trail. 
In Israel.   Annabell is a seamstress having been given a Sewing Machine for Christmas.  She has designed and made this outfit. 
Blake on a Harbour outing. 
An old Family Pic.   Michael; Lene; Jessica; Joshua and Daniel.   Barbara and Ally;   Mia and Aaron;  Jacqui; Emily and Annabell;   Peter and Christian.   Nicky and Zara.  Cathy and Saul and Stefan.   I think I have it but am open to correction.   Not in Pic....  Blake and Tom.   And Michael Zivor.  

Tuesday 5th January. After dropping the Hospital staff --  I start the day with a 10k run on the beachfront promenade.  I meet up with Steve and Octavia Boschoff.   Marilyn Bull who I run with for a short distance.   Marilyn was the person who, 5 years ago,  introduced me to Dole.  I have now been working on and off for Dole since then.   Marilyn is now exporting fruit for her own account.  She has started a company and is now a Fruit / Fresh Produce agent on her own right.  

Tuesday 5th Jan 2021.   Braai Time.   I get Bruce to do my Transportation duties.   
Lovely group of friends.   Some regular and others occasional.   Bobby; Elmarie;  Ron;  Sally;  John;  Di;  Janny and Hebe 
Moyna and Chris at the Braai. 

This evening we have a small braai with Chris and John as Braai Masters.  also with us is Bobby;  Hebe;  Sally;  Michael Botha (Moff);  Elmarie and Di;  Peter and Moyna;  Janny;  Ron and Lynn.  

Wednesday 6th.   Annother morning of Dropping staff and then my 10k on the beach promenade.  

Thursday.7th Jan 2021.   Transport staff to and from St Georges Hospital and then stop at Hobie beach.   This is my third day in a row to run the 10kay route to the Golf Course and back down to Kings Beach ending back at Hobie Beach.  

Friday 8th.   Meet Stuart Brown at the Beach front for a walk and cold drink.  We last spoke when we walked at the Wedgewood Golf Course.   

Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th January 2021.   Two consecutive days of hiking the Kleinrivier kloof.    Saturday is very hot and Sunday overcast and cool.   Lots of swims and fun.   

Saturday 9th Jan.   Lolo;  Gillian;  Selan;  Andrew Barton with James; Daniel; Kaylee and Kate;   Loes;  Tania;  Emile;  Mila; Luka and Adri.  Bilue with Joseph and Christopher.  
Sunday 10th January.   Bob; Bertus;  Christein; JP;  Jana;  Mark;  Dante; Jordan;  Jeanne;  Dave;  Ally and Kerri;  Lynn Muniz and Gillian Katts;  Heloise.   

Monday 11th Jan. 

Beachfront run.   Hobie to Humewood Golf Course.  Back to Hobie and on to Kings Beach. And back to Hobie beach for a 10kay. 

Beachfront run.  Beaches are deserted and policed.   Promenade is busy with runners; cyclists and walkers.   I am pretty much exhausted and spend the rest of the day on admin (Vehicle Licences & up coming trails).   Ally starts her job with Sara.   Helping to pack and tidy up the house.  

Wednesday 13th Jan 2021

Baakens Valley Hiking trail Start at Bridge St Brewery and walk into the valley past Settlers Park; Target Kloof and on to Dodds Farm.  Back on the top route to Thomas road; Cross Target Kloof and up to 5th ave Walmer area.  Down back to Settlers Park and then back to Bridge St.   With me:   Janny;  Eva;  Maretha;  Noelene;  Alta;  Rina;  Shannon.   

Baby Millipedes
We see big nests of these millipedes
Millipede Assassin Bugs
Millipede Assassin Bugs eating a Millipede
Shannon;.     Noelene;  Rina  and Alta.  

Friday 15th  to Sunday 17th January 2021

I have a group of 8 hiking the TsiTiskamma Forest trails.   Leaving from the Lottering Forest Station to the Keurbos Hut and then on to the Heuningbos Hut.  Finishing three days later at the Boskor Sawmills.   With me.  Faye Turner;  Janny Meijerink;  Janice Weihahn;  Gillian January;   Liz Prins and daughter Tammy with two friends -- Blaise and Blake Rossouw.  

Our first day was reasonably easy 12k or 3.5 hours.    The second day was really tough.   Long climbs;  Uneaven trails;  Multiple stops.  We stayed together as a group for most of the trail.  14km took us nearly 8 hours.  And then the last day to Boskor was an easy flat 5k walk on a jeep track. 

Monday 18th.   I am back doing hospital transport.   Run a 6km at the beach front.   Here i often seem to meet up with Mark Heck.  Also struggling with no tourists.  Our whole income structure is based on the International Tourist coming into South Africa both on Passenger liners and individually.   Mark has a transport business as well and now with restrictions on travel;  Meetings taking place on Video Links;  and the state having closed so many operations,  it is difficult to survive.    Mark is of the opinion that the end of 2021 should see a Tourism boom again.   

Tuesday 19th.   I try to run but end up with a 2km around Grey School.  I have some Admin and some Vehicle Licence renewals to do.  

Wednesday 20th.   Guineafowl Hiking trail from Handsworth St in Glen Hurd to Dodds farm with Alta; Gillian Katts;  Janny Meijerink;  Janneane Ackerman and daughter Jesse;  Eva Warzecha who is on her second Guineafowl trail with us;  Teresa Pressly who is now back in the group after a break;  Pat Scheepers -- Good to have back;  Rina Dippenaar now a firm part of this hiking group;  Dianne and Megan Nelson;  Mark van Heerden and daughter Dante;  Tamzyn and Josh joining the group for the first time.   Tamzyn will soon be introducing us to the Crossways hiking trails which she and Josh do regularly.   

This trail starts near to the Third Avenue Dip /  Continental Butchery.   We walk over to the Walmer side and then contour on an easy pathway.  Crossing the stream on a few occasions.   When we can see the Golf Course we turn left down a reasonably steep hill and then up and over to the Dodds Farm clearning where we have a snack break.  

After the break we walk back next to to the stream (Baakens river) all the way to the 3rd Ave dip and back up to the cars.   This is a reasonably easy walk of about two hours.   Good to be together as a group and to be able to enjoy the valley which is so central to Port Elizabeth.  

Starting the walk on the Guineafowl Trail.  From Glen Hurd side
Alta crossing the stream
Rina .   Bionic knees
Mark on Holiday
Mark's daughter Dante. 
Janny is a fixture
Nice to have Megan and Dianne Nelson on the trail. 
Di took a morning off from work to be on the trail today
Gillian Katts.   Getting fitter. 
Jesse and mother Janeanne
A happy face Janeanne
Pat has not been able to hike for some time.  Now as fit as ever
Tamzyn and her friend Josh are first time on the trail with this group
Eva.   Her second hike.   The last one was when we started at Bridge Street
Teresa is a strong hiker
Relaxing with a snack before turning back. 
We placed this PE Rocks on the trail today
Walking up the stairs as we leave Dodds farm
Megan;  Dianne and Janny
The trail on the return is well marked
A lovely shaded pathway
At Dodds farm.  
Walking down the steps to Dodds
Peter and Jesse on the trail. 
Gillian enjoys these walks
Looks like a huge gang of us.   It is only about 12 hikers today
On of the few uphills on the trail 
Looking down this beautiful pathway

Thursday 21st.   After dropping the Hospital Staff I stop at Hobie beach and run a 10k to the Golf Course and back to Kings Beach and back to Hobie.   A beautiful morning for a run.  Later in the day I have some admin and vehicle licencing to do. 

Pictured here is Ally;  Gay;  Teresa;  Janny;  Faye and Rina;  Also on the hike was Susan and Gillian. 

Saturday 23rd.   A group of 9 of us drive to Plett to hike the Robberg Point trail  What a beautiful day and a wonderful experience.  

Sunday 24th.   I drive to CT leaving early morning.  I am going to be meeting two Guests from Iowa in North America.    We will be spending the week in CT and surrounding areas.   I get into CT early afternoon and meet up with Patrick and Marianne at Nicky;s neighbour house.  Inky.   They invite us for a lunch.   Marianne;s father died a week ago of Covid.   The service was on Friday.  Her mother, Sheila Camerer is at the lunch together with other family and friends. 

Sunday afternoon Nicky and family go for an afternoon walk / jog in neighbouring Kenridge from where you are able to see across to the Table Mountain.  

Monday 25th morning we meet Natalie and run a 10k around the suburbs.    

Tuesday 26th January the wind is blowing strongly.   We skip our morning run.   I meet Sue and Larry at the CT Airport and we drive to Muizenberg and the Kirstenbosch Gardens.   They are staying three nights at the Anna Beulah guestfarm.   After a bit of confusion they find a nice little cottage for the next three nights.   Nicky and Werner invite us for an evening braai.   

Wednesday 27th.   I pick up Sue and Larry and we drive to Stellenbosch and Franschoek for a day of exploring.   We visit the Dorp Museum in Stellenbosch and then La Provence at Franschoek.   They purchase provisions and some Grapes to take home.   It is quite sad to see the neglect of the Grape Vines.   The wine farmers are not allowed to make.  bottle or export or Transport wine at this time.  This evening Nicky takes us out for a walk and jog in her suburb.  

 

Table Mountain from Kenridge where Nicky and Werner regularly walk. Sunday 24th January.   I drive to Cape Town.   Meet up with Nicky and then visit Nicky's Neighbour Inky where Patrick and Marianne are visiting for lunch.  Later this afternoon Werner;  Zara; Mia;  Nicky and I do a 5k walk in the suburb.  
Monday 25th our 10k morning run.  Natalie and Nicky. 
Nicky on the promenade
Nicky at the Dam near their home
Nicky and Natalie
Nicky and Werner.   Enjoy the last remnants of wine. 

Monday 25th.   Nicky and her friend Natalie And I do a 10k suburban run.   

An archived pic of Peter Giddy handing the Booby Prize to Clive Taverner.   We are both Achilleans.   Clive was last Achillean home in the Friendly City Marathon.  The Toilet seat was created by Mark Raubenheimer.   I think about 1997
Werner and Nicky say goodby to the Bus. 
And Werner purchases a Z3 BMW sports car
Goodbye VW Utility van.  
A year ago.   Early 2020.   Nicky and two friends.   Natalie and Lou.   Complete a 30k event. 
Nicky finishing and being cheered in by her friends. 
Zara.   My two guests,  Sue and Larry arrive in CT today and we have a braai at Nicky.   Zara puts on this dress.  
Zara has a school project to do a Self Portrait.   
At home the finishing of the closing of the pool is now happening.  
Zara creates this Bottole Artwork.  
With Sue and Larry we first drive to Muizenberg and then the Kirstenbosch Gardens.  
With Sue and Larry at Nickys house.   Werner puts on steaks for a Braai.  
Wednesday 27th.   My second day with Sue and Larry.   We start the day at the Dorp Museum in Stellenbosch.   
Dorp Street Museum.  
We visit Franschoek and the Grand Provence Wine farm.   Unfortunately Covid Lockdown means no wine may be sold or tasted.   We have a tea in the gardens. 
Wednesday afternoon walk /  jog with Werner and Nicky. 
Our family afternoon walk.   Nicky/   Mia;   Werner;  Zara and myself.  

Thursday 28th Jan 2021.   I pick Larry and Sue up at the Anna Beulah farm where they are staying and we drive to Table Mountain.  It is a lovely day.   Warm with a cool breeze.   Sue takes the Cable Car to the top of the mountain.  Larry and I walk to the Platteklip Gorge trail.   The sign says a 2.5 hour walk and that is almost exactly what it took us to do this hike.   A tough walk with climbing and a difficult rocky trail particularly towards the top of the gorge.  We meet Sue and take the Cable Car down. 

From here we drive to Camps Bay and then Hout bay.  Up Chapmans Peak and on to the Cape Point.   A beautiful drive on the west coastline of the peninsular.   We go into the Natute Reserve and down to Cape of Good Hope.  We continue on to the Lighthouse.   Larry and Sue take the Finicular Rail.  The Flying Dutchman.  To the top.   We are one of very few groups at the Point today.   Our day ends with an early supper at a Kalk Bay street side restaurant.  

Hout bay from Chapmans Peak
False Bay from the Point
Protea at the Table Mountain Nature reserve
Cape of Good Hope parking area.  Waves crashing on the rocks.   Smell of Kelp.   
Rocky beaches of Cape of Good Hope
The Cape Point and lighthouse
Southern most point of the Cape Peninsula
Looking to the South.  You see the end of the Point Reserve.  The lighthouse is just out of sight. 
The Old Lighthouse.  Decommisioned. 

Friday 29th.   We drive all the way to Clanwilliam.  The N7 is a good route to take with wonderful farm lands and interesting views.   We stop at the House of Rooibos tea shop before lunching at the Padstal as you enter Clanwilliam.   On the return trip we take the coastal route past Velddrif.   I miscalculated the time for this drive.   It was too long and we did not have enough time to stop and enjoy some of the sights.   We had to be back at the Hotel at the Waterfront for Sue and Larry to have a Covid Test to allow them to travel home.  A stressful day for me.   

Stop to visit the Rooibos Factory shop.  

This evening Nicky and Werner have Andre and Loumien over for a Braai.  The Curfew of 9pm means that they have to leave early.   

Saturday 30th Jan 2021.   Zara is 15 years old today.   We start the morning with a walk around the dam.  Stopping for a Hot Chocolate at the stall.   Larry and Sue are staying at a Waterfront Hotel and will walk to the Robben Island Launch dock.   They will spend the morning on this cruise.   

Sonstraal Dam.   Sunray dam.   We start the day with a walk around the dam
Nicky and Zara
Chris is oh so cool
Cathy takes Blake to the Beach.   
Zara Pottery and Plants party.   
Making a Clay pot plant
Pottery making.  
Aaron is making something special. 
Zara decides to start again.  
Aaron has a pot with a lip
Carob Tree.   At the Sonstraal Dam with Banana like fruit.  
Zara ..... Pot plant from Andre.  Genus Trichilia. 

Trichilia is a flowering plant genus in the family Meliaceae. These plants are particularly diverse in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.

Several species are used in folk medicine and shamanism – e.g. T. rubescens against malariaT. tocacheana as a hallucinogen, and T. catigua in the aphrodisiac and stimulant catuabaT. emetica wood, also known as Natal mahogany or Cape mahogany is the traditional material of choice for Mozambique's famous psikhelekedana miniature artists. Trichilia dregeana, or forest mahogany also yields timber and is also used in carvings, traditional African musical instruments, household implements, furniture, bats and canoes.

Our Pottery art work
A variety of shapes for the succulents.  

Saturday afternoon Nicky and I run an easy 5k.   We are both flat and lazy.   

Sunday 31st.   Pick up Larry and Sue and the Waterfront Hotel.   We start the day with a walk through the Company Gardens.  We then drive to Gordons Bay and Clarence drive on the east side of False bay.   We stop at Bettys Bay to enjoy the Penguins.   Our final stop of the day and the last time we spend together is at Perrigrines in Grabou before I drop Larry and Sue off at the Cape Town Airport.  At Perrigrines we have a lunch and I am able to purchase some goodies for Nicky's family.  

This evening Nicky and I do a short walk / jog in her suburb.  

Clarence Drive.   On the east side of False bay.   This road is named after Jack Clarence whose vision, faith and determination helped to bring it into being. God speed you to the next milestone and beyond.  1st January 1950.
Stony Point is at Betty's Bay.  
Colony of Penguins.
Larry and Sue on the Stony Point boardwalk. 
Close up of an African Penguin
Lichens. 
Sunday 31st January 2021.   My last day with Nicky and family.   I have spent the past week staying with Nicky as I had a Guided Tour with Sue and Larry.   We visited Muizenberg;  Botanical Gardens;   Anna Beulah farm house where they stayed;  Stellenbosch and Franschoek; Dorp Huis Museum;   la Provence wine farm with no wine sales allowed due to C19 lockdown regulations.   We spent a day Climbing Table Mountain and visiting the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope.  We spent a day on the West Coast exploring the N7 farms and all the way to Clanwilliam where we visited the House of Rooibos.  Velddrif, Laaiplek, returning on the R27 back to the AC Hotel at the waterfront where they had to take a Covid test.  The following day they spent at the Waterfront and Robben Island Tour.   Our last day we walked at the Company Gardens and drove the Clarence drive all the way to Bettys Bay returning through Grabou and Sir Lowrys Pass before I dropped them off at the CT Airport for their return trip to North America.  


  

Contact Peter Giddy (Tour Guide and Hike leader)  to arrange a hike for you and your friends or work teams.    

SA Guided Tours and 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. 
  • 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
  • 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 082 550 3174