The Lighthouse at Cape Recife. One of the many hikes and walks we do in the Port Elizabeth area
Monday 1st Feb. I drive brack from Cape Town where I have been for a week. Staying with Nicky and her family. And with American Tourists... Larry and Sue Begyn for a week. I immediately get back into the transportation of agency staff for St Georges Hospital.
Tuesday 2nd. I am doing Vehicle Licence renewal for people who are unable to do this for themselves as they are too busy. I transport Kate North and some Students to the Baakens Valley for a hiking trail that she takes them on.
Wednesday 3rd. I have a hike with Peter Joseph; Janny Meijerink; Pat Scheepers; Seelan January; Gillian Katts and Mark v Heerden. We meet at the back of the University and walk in the Nature Reserve. This is known as the Grysbok Trail. It is pretty flat and easy. At the time that I set it up we were not allowed to walk on the beaches.
On Monday 1st our President informed us that the Beaches are now open and we are now allowed to purchase alcohol. The spread of the Corona virus has been contained to some extent although it remains a real threat to health and life in SA. It seems that a Vaccine is now going to become available. 1 Million vaccines have been procured for the country with a population of nearly 60 million people. Hardly cause for celebration but at least a start.
The start of the Grysbok trail is at the back of the University.
After signing the register we climb over the turnstyle and begin our 2 hour / 9km walk.
Peter Joseph, although a golfer, claims that he is not a Hiker. Good to have him join us.
Our group of 7 on the trail.
The second half of the trail is along the fence and towards the University buildings seen here in the background
Pat places this PE Rocks on the trail .
We stop for a short snack break at halfway.
Mark; Pat; Seelan and Janny.
Thursday 4th February. Hospital Staff transportation; Meet Matt Thompson to assist with his vehicle ownership transfer.
Friday 5th. Start the day with a short run and swim at Hobie beach. Pick up staff; Running around with documents for Licencing.
Saturday 6th Feb. Start with a beachfront 5km and a swim. Rushed but made it in time to pick up staff. I have a Roseate Tern Trail from Pine Lodge through the Nature reserve; Bird Hide; Military observation post and onto the beach where we do a whole lot of cleaning up and then to the Cape Recife Lighthouse. Meet up with Sue; Tracey; Hannelie Bakkes and Shaun v Eck. Megan Holden. This beach is busy -- Fishermen and others simply enjoying the outdoors.
Cape Recife Bird Hide
Cape Recife Beaches
Cape Recife Dune climb
Cape Recife Fisherman
Cape Recife Gillian
Cape Recife Lighthouse
Cape Recife . Wetlands
Cape Recife. Lolo; Gillian and Rina
Cape Recife .. Peter
Cape Recife . Rina and Gillian
Cape Recife . Start of the hike
Cape Recife. Bertus; JP; Christein and Jana
Cape Recife. Military Observation post
Cape Recife Saturday 6th Feb. SANCCOB. Sea Bird Rescue
Sunday 7th Feb. Day outing at Mountain Zebra Park.
Monday 8th Feb. Running 10km at the Beach front. Dolphins off the Pier. Various Vehicle Licences.
Tuesday 9th Feb. Running 5kay at the beach with Pat. Pick up for Kate. Vehicle licence stuff.
Tom surfing
Promenade has been cleared of sand after the strong easterly winds.
Monday morning run.
Tuesday morning run with Pat.
Wednesday 10th. Pick ups; 8k run at the beach front. Transport for Kate. Students hiking in the Baakens Valley. One vehicle Licence done.
Thursday 11th. Blue Horizon Bay hiking trail with Janny; Liz Prins; Tracy Cockroft and Karin Fouie. We drive to the start in my vehicle; start walking at about 9am. Up the steep hill from the Parking lot and into the Conservancy at the Shops and tennis court. Some climbing in conservancy forest and then out back to the shops. Along the pathway and onto the tar road leading to V Stadens River Mouth resort where we stop for a picnic. The hike ends with a 3km beach walk in the mist.
Die Sottepad. A trail for the Crazy.
Lis hikes up the Conservancy hills
Tracy Cockroft . another first time hiker with us although I have known Tracy for many years from Parkruns at Hobie beach.
Karin Fourie is a first time hiker with out group.
Difficult to make out this beautiful spider in her web.
Common Garden Orbweb SpiderA
Needlefish on the beach
Tracy and Karin on the beach.
At the end of the beach we find a group of Windsurfers.
The hike ends with a Dune Climb.
Friday 12.2.2021. Pick ups for St Georges Hospital. Beachfront 15km run. Working to generate future business. Vehicle Licences.
I run up the beach and onto Admiralty. Up Admiralty to the Circle, Back down and to the Golf Course. Back to Hobie, Fill up with water, to Kings Beach and back along the beach to Shark Rock Pier. 15km. Pretty exhausted. The swim afterwards is the best.
Jessica work. Sneak pic taken by Lene
Jessica at work with her Uniform. She says that she enjoys her work and the people at the work place.
Zara apparition
Jacqui outdoor living during lockdown Israel.
Saturday 13th Feb 2021. Kabeljous Hiking trail. We drive out to the hike near to Jeffreys Bay. Our Group today -- Gerhard and Linda -- Meet us there; Carryn and Brad with Luke and Sarah; Bertus and Christein with JP and Jana; Dominique with Saverene and Eden; Teresa and Rina; Janny; Susan; Ingrid and Jeanne. Twenty alltogether. A warm day which we end with Tea and Pancakes at the Suikerbossie
Kabeljous Hiking trail . Saturday 13th. We are a group of 20 hikers on the trail.
Saturday 13th Evening. We meet at the Penguin Sanctuary for a Sunset Walk. Barbara and Janny chatting
Janny and Barbara and the Beacon at Cape Recife. We use the time on the beach walk to assist with beach clean up. I meet up with Craig Wilson who is with his two girls. They are out in the waves surfing
A big group of about 100 people are on the beach despite the overcast weather.
We stop at the Lighthouse at about 7pm.
We come across Gillian (Katts) and Faye on the hike.
Saturday 13th evening -- at the Penguin Sunset walk. The Idea is to see the sunset. However there is a heavy cloud cover and we really do not see much of a sunset at all.
We leave our Dune Spot at 7.30 (Sunset was 7.11pm) and begin our walk back the the Penguin Place. It is soon dark and we walk with torches. I have a bright beam and pick up a Puffadder lying on the road. I think it was Barbara who first spotted it. The snake takes its time, enjoying the warmth of the tar, before finally moving off into the bush to give us a clear passage to continue our walk.
From there on I am vigilant and on the lookout for any other slithering snakes which may interrupt our leisurely walk.
Sunday 14th. I have a group of people for the Mountain Zebra Park. It is a full day outing with total driving time about 6 hours and in the reserve about 5 hours. Total distance for the day is 600km.
The group at the Mountain Zebra Park (Cradock) on Sunday 14th Feb. Margie; Seelan; Gillian; Sally; Gay; Sheila; Janny.
Monday 15th. I do my pickups and then take the Combi in for Service. From there I run home going up Main Rd Walmer to Walmer Park and then back down Church rd and Target Kloof. 12km run.
Monday evening -- I meet up with Bobby and we meet our Cell Group at the Outsource Offices. With Cronje; Claudine; Rob; Suna O'Kennedy; Gary and Sue Hagemann.
Tuesday 16th Feb 2021. After my pickups I park at Hobie beach and go for a longer run. Along the promenade to the Beacon; Up Admiralty and a loop in the University; then to the top of Admiralty; turn back down to the beach and back to Hobie; pick up a fresh water bottle and then continue to Kings Beach and back to the Pier. 17.6km. Took me two hours.
17.5k Tuesday 16th run. Feeling good about running at present. Not fast but I feel that I can enter up to 21k event now. After the run I am alone in the sea. Catching waves and enjoying the cool water on tired muscles. My feet in particular are tired.
Jacqui; Michael; Emil; Annabell and Tom at a picnic in Israel after a strict lockdown.
Wednesday 17th Feb 2021
I have a contract to pick up and take to the St Georges Hospital the out of town agency staff who have been brought to PE for a limited period. These staff have accommodation and transportation provided for them. And this is where I am able to provide a service in providing the Transport Service.
It is an onerous contract as I have to be at their lodges between 6 and 6.30 every morning. Take them to the Hospital and then wait for the Night Duty staff to come off their shirt. I return them to their lodges. And so the cycle starts again at 6pm in the evening. The two hours between 6 and 8 morning and afternoon are taken up by this assignment.
In some ways it is a really good time as I then have the rest of the day free to undertake other tasks such as the hIking and the vehicle licence renewal.
Should I need it, I have a friend, Bruce, who fills in for me. However that means that I lose out on the income from those trips as I am paid by the number of trips that I do.
This morning is no different. After dropping off the Night Staff, I drive to the Pier at Hobie beach and run from there. Today my route is along the promenade then onto Polock Beach to the Pipe where I get onto the Boardwalk that goes as far as the Golf Course at Flat Rocks. Unfortunately this promenade has not been maintained and is collapsing in places. When I reach a point where it is completely colapesed I turn around and return to the Beacon.
I run back along the promenade to Something Good where I get back onto the beach. It is high tide so I have to get back onto the promenade and then I run past the Pier to Kings Beach. Back to the Pier and then, to make up 12k I run to Something good and back. A good morning except the East wind has been blowing for two days now and there are hundreds of Blue Bottles on the beach so I decide to skip the swim afterwards.
This morning I visit the Eye Specialist, Philip Finestone as my eyes have deteriorated since he replaced my lenses in a Cataract Operation last year. He diagnoses the issue being a foggyness on the membrance next to the lenses. He is able to quickly perform lazer treatment which he is convinced will rectify the problem of blurred vision.
The boardwalk from the Beacon to Flat Rock is collapsing and at this point it would be dangerous for me to attempt to cross. So I turn around and run back to the Beacon.
Two days of East Winds have brought Blue Bottles onto the beach. This discourages me from swimming after my run.
The Shark Rock Pier and Boardwalk hotel at the back. I tend to end my runs with a loop up to the end of the Pier.
Just as much as we have warm sunny weather in PE; Jacqui in Israel is experiencing hail and stormy weather
Life is exciting in Stormy weather. Michael takes the family to the sea to experience a real storm.
Thursday 18th Feb 2021.
Once I have done with the Hospital pick ups; I have a group for the Kini Bay Hiking trail. We meet at Kini Bay at 9am and walk in an Easterly Direction for 4km. Stop for a break and then on the way back Mark; Janny and I take a swim in the cove. A westerly wind is blowing but that is just enough to cool us down. On the way home we stop for a coffee at the Grassroof restaurant.
Janny; Mark and I have a swim on the Kini Bay trail
Swimming in crystal clear water.
I have a bag full of rubbish that we have picked up.
Our Group. Karin; Rina; Tracy; Brenda; Carin; Mark; Peter and Alethia. Chris is taking the pic.
On the Kini Bay trail
A perfect day for a walk.
The beaches were just right. Low tide and a clear day.
The coves and rocks make this a really good hike
We walk on the fynbos pathways as well as on the beaches.
After the break we stop here for a swim. Rina realises that she left her phone on a rock so she and Brenda run back to find it. It was exactly where she had left it.
Contemplating life?
A millipede Assassin Bug. Duisenpoort Sluipmoordenaar Gogga.
Koppie Foam Grasshopper
Our area for the snack break.
Kini Bay is a good hike. Anything from 6 to 8km out and back route. Plenty of swim opportunities. Clear water ideal for snorkeling or just swimming. The west wind was exactly what we needed to cool down on the return walk.
Nicky and friends run hills. Lou. Nicky. Someone and Natalie.
Friday 19th. Morning Pick ups; 5 kay run -- Hobie Beach Parkrun route. Pick up for UNIA -- Kate.
Saturday 20th. Morning Pick ups and then I have a group of 25 hikers on the Maitland Forest trail.
I love it when Ally joins me on these walks
Sunday 21st Feb 2021. Pick ups and then Myrun at the Humewood Golf Course.
Thank you for joining us at myrun Humewood Golf Club today. Your time for completing the 5 km is 00:29:44 with an average pace of 5:56 min/km.
Christein and Bertus Geldenhuys at the Myrun. They run after everyone else has finished running. After the run we had a breakfast at the Golf Course restaurant. Christein's previous boss , Carol Hall and her family (Courtney was at school with Ally both Clarendon Park and Pearson and who now has her own clothing line in CT).
Myrun Marker Boards donated by Signarama -- Rob Ermes.
Myrun finish line. All electronically controlled timing devices. Scan as you leave and when you return.
Finishing my first of three loops.
This week has been my longest running week in a while.
Monday Walmer 12k. Tuesday University loop 17k; Wednesday 12k. Thursday Kini Bay hike 8k; Friday Hobie Parkrun 5k; Saturday 7km Maitlands hike; Sunday 3x Myrun 15k. Total running = 61km
Monday 22nd Feb 2021
After pickups for the hospital I park the vehicle at Hobie beach and start my run. Along the Promenade and onto Pollock beach to the pipe when I get onto the boardwalk at the Beacon Here I slip and fall on my hip. I continue up Admiralty and into the University where I run a loop. Back up Admiralty and then all the way down to Marine Drive where I turn Right to the Golf Course. Back to Hobie beach on the promenade and beach. Past the Pier and to the entrance of Kings Beach. Back to Hobie. I have run 20k. Tired but not finished.
I recieve a call to say that I must register with TSA (Triathlon) as my application to take part in the SA Tri champs has been approved. So excited
Tuesday 23rd. Running up the Promenade and onto Pollock where I meet Pat. She turns around and runs to the Pipe with me. I continue back to the Pier and Kings Beach and back to Hobie beach. 12k.
After the run I do some Swim training. Time for me to start swimming and cycling now. I have a number of Vehicle licence renewals and a roadworthy to attend to. Later I meet up with Sally; Sally; Ronel; Tracey; Brenda at Grassroof for a walk / run on the parkrun course. I see a number of others on this trail -- Barbara; Odette; Wayne; Chris and others.
Meeting up with Pat on Polock beach run.
It is Nicky's birthday 23rd February 1977. She looks good for her 44 years of age.
Wednesday 24th Feb. I take my bike out for the first time since the Herald Cycle Tour in February 2020. Dusty and flat tyres. Pumped up the tyres. Dusted off the bike and drove to Grassroof. From there I cycled 20k. Injured my knee in the process. Damn.
Saw Mike Dean. He did all the tests including Bloods. Seems like I am fit for another two years. But who knows?
Thursday 25th Feb. I have a small group of Alethia; Benny; Hebe; Jono; Robert; Anita and Roy for a City Heritage Trail We meet at Bridge St Brewery; walk into the Valley and out at Settlers Park. Into St Georges Park; Conservatory; Prince Alfred Guard (Maqoma) memorial; Horse Memorial; Cenotaph; Fort; Donkin and Heritage Coffee shop. Back behind the Tramways building and back to Bridge St. 3 hours.
Donkin Heritage Trail. Part of my Historical / City walk
Our group at the end. Benny; Hebe; Gillian; Alethia. The others returned by car.
Horse Memorial
Prince Alfred Guard Memorial (Maqoma Guard)
Start at Bridge St Brewery
Conservatory
Fort and Harbour
Lighthouse
Atheneum
Crossing the Unity Bridge at the Tramways.
Friday 26th Feb. This morning I swim. Reasonably far out and across towards bird Rock. Probably only about 500m. But in and out and across. The water is perfect. Warm and flat. It is drizzling. And I simply love this swim. This afternoon I cycle 20k at Grassroof.
Nicky's family going off to School.
Jessica is 21 today
Tom is dressed up to Celebrate Purim.
PURIM. What is it? Purim translated as 'lot' in the Book of Esther, also called the Festival of Lots) is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, a Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews, as recounted in the Book of Esther usually dated to the 5th century BC).
Haman was the royal vizier to King Xerxes of Persia, and he planned to kill all the Jews in the empire. His plans were foiled by Mordecai and Esther, his cousin and adopted daughter who had become Queen of Persia. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing.
According to the Scroll of Esther,[8] "they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor." Purim is celebrated among Jews by:
Exchanging gifts of food and drink known as mishloach manot
Donating charity to the poor known as mattanot la-evyonim[9]
Eating a celebratory meal known as a se'udat Purim
Public recitation ("reading of the megillah") of the Scroll of Esther, known as kriat ha-megillah, usually in synagogue
Reciting additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim
Jessica's 21st birthday present from Cathy (Oh Goodie)
Cathy N Z: I have been working on a new business for a wee while. Just a little side thing for now to build into oh goodie. The name is My Kiwi Box. I have the website domain but still building the site. It will be a subscription box where I monthly send out NZ small business products. Inside the subscriber will get a sample or product plus a little booklet which each supplier will have a full page to advertise themselves, give their details etc. Its still about a month away from launching (while I build the site and get things sorted for launch) but super excited to get it going. The look and feel will be completely different to Oh goodie. It will be a far more natural, rustic feels. Home grown sort of feel. I am still sourcing suppliers etc... a bit of ground work but been dabbling for a while and starting to all come together now.
Name: My Kiwi Box... Slogan... Discover Local
Saturday 27th February 2021. Barbara is 69 today. I have a hiking trail for over 25 people at Van Stadens Flower Reserve. River trail and Forest trails. On the trail today: Ally with friends Kerri; Steven and dad Myles; Janny and Gillian; Jeanne and Glynette; Babalo and Faye; Susan; Theresa; Alison and Kirsten; Brenda; Jen Voster; Elizabeth; Matt; Robert; Loretta and Val; Billie and Michelle; Dominque; Saverne and Eden;.Candi; Gerhard and Linda from J Bay. = 29 hikers.
Van Stadens Flower Reserve. Hiking with our group
On the River Trail . Magnificent views.
Protea?
At the fork to the Boulder Trail
Jen Voster and Ally on the trail.
Sunday 28th February 2021. Last day of Hospital Pick ups in the Hired Quantum. I will be using my own VW Microbus for this assignment for the next month.
It is Sunday so there is the 5km Myrun at Humewood Golf Course.
Hi Peter
Thank you for joining us at myrun Humewood Golf Club today.
Your time for completing the 5 km is 00:29:58 with an average pace of 5:59 min/km.
You now have completed 20 myrun events. Well done!
My run is done for the day.
I decide to run a second loop. There is a damaged km marker board that needs to be repaired.
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
I really enjoy the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve hiking trail. This trail has a bit of everything. Open fields; Deep Valley with a stream below; Mountains surrounding us; Rocky trails and even pathways; An array of wildflowers and natural phenomenon not seen elsewhere; Option to take the exciting Boulder trail; The Bridge which adds something special to the walk; The Secret Forest walk which has two options -- the more difficult lower trail and the less strenuous upper trail; And the bird hide at the end.
Some of the wildflowers we see:
Cinnabar Bracket
Fynbos Blombos
Oleander Leaf Protea
Common Sugarbush.
