OCTOBER 2009
THIS MONTH
PATRICK, MARIANNE AND THOMAS VISIT ENA AND DRIVES TO PLETT IN THE OLD MERCEDES
EP LADIES RUGBY IN UITENHAGE WITH RON PASK
MPRG RUNNING TO THE BEACH AND THE STRANDFONTEIN LOOP.
NIPPERS IS BACK AT SUMMERSTRAND ON SUNDAYS
ALLY GIDDY MARKET DAY
ALLY GIDDY GALA IN UITENHAGE.
CATHY & SAUL SILBERSTEIN TRIP TO KENYA
MICHAEL & LENE GIDDY MOVE BACK TO OUR HOUSE
MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON.
BARBARA, ALLY AND I PURCHASE MOUNTAIN BIKES FROM CYCLO PRO ROB RUDMAN.
LENE LOSES HER BABY.
NIPPERS LEVEL TESTS.
ARE YOU IN CONTROL OF YOUR OWN DESTINY? OR IS THERE ANOTHER IN YOUR LIFE WHO "CONTROLS" YOU?
ARE YOU ABLE TO VALUE WHAT YOU HAVE OR DO YOU WISH FOR THINGS THAT ARE A MERE PIPE DREAM?
DO YOU "WISH" FOR WHAT OTHERS HAVE OR WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE BEYOND YOUR REACH?
READ ON:
There's an old saying: "The grass is always greener on the other side." At some point in life, everyone looks at their circumstances and thinks, "If only... If only I had a better job. If only my spouse were like so-and-so. If only I had gone to college. If only I had the opportunities so-and-so had." We look around and think everyone else has it better than we do. But I believe comparison is just a trick of the enemy to get us off course and keep us from God's best. Comparison is the thief of joy, and if the enemy can steal our joy, he has stolen our source of strength.
See, I don't believe the grass is greener on the other side; I believe the grass is greener where you water it. In other words, we have to tend to the things that are important to us if we want to see those areas of our lives blossom and grow. If you want better relationships, you have to invest in the people around you. If you want a better job, you have to invest in your skill set to qualify for that job and then go after it.
We all have the capacity to come up higher. God has given us all tremendous opportunities, but if we are focused on what everyone else has, we'll miss out on what God has especially for us!
Today, instead of comparing, decide to cultivate the dry, fallow areas of your life. Begin to water and invest in the areas in which you want to see change. Get a vision and dedicate it to the Lord. As you take responsibility and tend to what the Lord has given you, I believe He'll pour out His blessing and favor, and you'll see your life flourish beyond anything you could have ever hoped or dreamed.
This is one of those emails that are forwarded. I hardly ever forward this kind of thing but today felt that this was meaningful in so many of our lives. This is worth saving to re-read.
October has now begun. Just three months in this year are still to be played out.
We have had so many things happen this year. Both great and some not so wonderful. Ian died, since then Barbara's cousin Sue died, then Michael De Koning (a man who was injured in a rugby accident and who was confined to a wheelchair but who became a good friend to Michael and Jacqui Zivor) died and now Roger Gush has died. These four deaths all seem to be premature.
I am not really sure what a premature death is: perhaps death is premature when it is not due to old age. But to some old age is 75. Barbara's parents died in this age bracket as did my father, Allan. But then a young person may consider 60 to be old age.
While I, in my late fifty's now, think that my Mother, who is 93, has reached old age. However we describe death, it is sad for those left behind and a big gap is created and we wonder how we will carry on without those who are no longer with us. I know time will heal but right now I am feeling a great sense of loss as a result of these four great people who have left us.
But enought of morbid thoughts. We have a wonderful and fulfilled life and should, as the writing above says, be celebrating every moment.
Sunday 4th October 2009.
This week: After a lay off and a bit of leave I went back to work on Thursday 1st. I also went for a run this morning for the first time in over a week. I am not really sure if I should be calling it running as I am barely able to walk jog the route out. We did the Town Run where I have been cutting short but this morning headed all the way down Bird street and past the Edward hotel. It had begun raining so we ended the run sopping wet but I felt good to be back on the road and doing a little longer than I had anticipated.
Back to work I had to appoint a FSAM to the position of RIana Nel who had left JDG last week. I discussed the applications with Corrie and we decided to appoint Rowena van Eck who was a regional Credit manager for Russells, then moved to the George area with JDG FS and who will now move back to PE where she has a daughter and grandaughter.
Other than this it was a time to catch up with work and to deal with all of the problems of staff with no Riana and Nicky (on leave) to field the questions. Friday evening on my way home, I wondered what to have for supper. I was not in the mood for cooking so stopped off at the Spar and went to the Deli bar. As I browsed I saw a Sushi tray for R30 and decided that we would have a fish supper. I bought the Sushi, some pickled fish and some calamari. It turned out to be an excellent supper that everyone enjoyed.
Saturday morning I was up early and Gerald, Ronel and I ran to Hobie beach where we met up with the rest of the group for a run. This morning it was: Adrienne and son Matthew, Maryna, Adrienne Smith and Anne duRandt were surprise visitors who joined us for the first time; Margie Saunders was there to show us how to really train for an event; Peter Mc Ewan was also a first timer in this group; Pat Scheepers & Suzanne Gendall also met us at Hobie for the run. So we had a merry band of about 12 runners stretched out along the route for a run.
It started off misty with an East wind but the sun soon burned the mist away and we had an excellent morning of jogging. I was in my normal place at the back but when we reached 2nd ave for water at the garage it was only Gerald, Peter, Maryna and I who continued on to Admiralty Way. Tony Button (shirtless) had passed us going the other direction and was oohed and aaahed at by the girls with his magnificent physique. So I decided to run shirtless for the last section but receieved no swooning from anyone. Ce La Vie!
Maryna and Peter decided to include the University in their run and turned right while Gerald I continued down to Beach Road and headed back to Hobie. We met Charmaine as she was coming from her home to start her run. And Judy Blumberg who is looking a little older but still running well. As we finished we were treated to a dolphin swimpast. It had been a good run and despite that fact that my legs were starting to cramp and I was really tired, this is a highlite of my week. Pat and Ronel were waiting for us and they gave me a lift home.
I arrived at home exhausted. Barbara was still in bed and I lay down still wet and sweaty and promptly fell asleep. I think that this was a first for me. I would never normally lie down after a run nor would I do anything before I have had a shower. But I was so weary that I "passed out" there and then.
Barbara had to buy some clothes for Ally for the new term starting Monday and headed off to Clarendon school shop. It was Daniel's Birthday and they went to visit there. Michael had not been feeling well and was also home. I went to work to do some catching up as I knew we would be in meetings on Monday and Tuesday next week.
I collected Barbara and the two of us went to Flight Center where we did some enquiries about the flights to Calgary as Barbara and Gail plan to be there in June 2010.
Later this afternoon I again did "something completely different". Ron and I went to watch Ladies Rugby in Uitenhage. Eastern Province Ladies rugby was, according to the news paper report on the up and they would be playing the Blue Bulls ladies team in a provincial final.
We paid R30 to drive into the stadium at the bottom end of Uitenhage. There were mainly black and coloured people there with a lot of drinking going on. Casks of wine, glass bottles of beer were surprising to see as at all the stadiums that we normally go to all forms of alcohol are controlled and only plastic mugs are allowed. But that having been said there were no problems today.
I had visions of a game that Barbara and I had been to many years ago where there were two local teams playing. The popular coloured team was losing and this was, in the opinion of the spectators, due to bad refereeing. The result was that glass bottles were flung at people on the field and Barbara and I had to flee for our lives as the crowd became totally uncontrolled and we had some near misses with big bottles smashing around us.
Today's game was a treat. The Eastern Province girls (all black and coloured) at first seemed to be out weighed by a big Blue Bulls (many white girls) pack. But the skill of the EP girls was soon evident as they totally dominated the game both in line outs and the back line where there were some unlikely looking girls with speed and agility that could be a lesson to many male teams.
We were delighted to see a half time score of three tries (one converted) to nil. The first two tries were scored by a very agile and capable scrumhalf and the third was scored by a center after a long breakaway run. In the second half the EP side had most of the territory and possession but stuggled to score but then in two excellent moves moved the score up by scoring two more tries (one converted) and preventing the Blue Bulls from scoring with some excellent tacking and defence that did our local team proud.
Niether side had a girl who was a really good kicker. This kept the ball in hand as the only kicks were short stabs and grubber kicks. Even penalties were often taken as though they were "short arm" penalties. Passing out to the centers and wings was the norm and not something to be rarely seen as it is in the mens version. Running with ball in hand, dodging and darting through traffic was often a tactic that proved successful.
The heavy charges of the Blue Bulls big girls was totally unsuccessful as the ball was often lost forward. The final score was 29-0 with the Mighty Elephants scoring 5 tries (two converted). Ron and I had been treated to some excellent rugby despite some really poor refereeing. Interestingly the referee, the linesmen and teams were all female. But the coaches and organisers seemed to be all men. EP had deservedly won the provincial trophy.
Sunday morning
Ally had spent the night at Michael's house. It was Daniels birthday. M & L have gone out to a batchelor party for a family member of Lene's. I collected her and we just had time to get to church. Mike Perks spoke and had an excellent sermon on the chorus: God is so good; He took my Sin; Now I am free.
After church it was down to Nippers where we had a great time with all age groups on a slightly cooler morning doing swimming and boarding. After Nippers we went to Michaels house where we spent the afternoon having lunch and playing bridge.
Sunday 11.10.2009.
Charles is battling with Jamie right now. Jamie appears to be a bit out of control and needs constant attention. We were due to meet Charles and Ingrid for supper but they had to cancel. I am sure that this is a phase and that Jamie will come through it but meanwhile it is tough for this family.
Ally had her Market day on Friday. She and her friend Hanna OBrie have been hard at work making necklaces, braclets, door signs, popcorn, crunchies, brownies and set up a table in the Clarendon Hall. When I collected Ally from her firend's party at the Ten Pin Bowling on Friday evening, Ally was not looking as bright as normal and I established that the Market Day had not gone as they had hoped. There are a number of lessons that they learned from this experience. It was a really good learning tool.
Saturday Morning. I was up early and met Gerald and Ronel and we ran down to Hobie beach where we met: Colin Mc Call, Suzanne, Susan, Anne DuRand, Adrienne Smith, Adrienne Wilson, Maryna Baard. We did the Strandfontein circuit. Passed Bob Stedman en route. Deryck LeRoux passed us as he drove to golf.
As we were finishing along the beach walk we met a young mother and child in a pram: Anja and daughter Johanna. They are a German family who are moving to PE as the Dad has a job here. After this run of around 20kays I am now feeling good for the Meiringspoort 21kay that we plan to run next week.
Ally had a Gala in Uitenhage. It was cold and I think that everyone: Parents and swimmers were freezing cold. I went to a Coaching session run by Anthony Skinner (brian Saunders and Harry) at Summies. We had an excellent turnout: Dianne, John, Varrin, Andrew, Clint, Bruce, Thomas, Roger, Hannes, Alex, Shareen, Lynne, Marius and Peter.
I planned to cycle with John on Sunday morning but the cold and wet put us off. It was still cold, misty and wet when we got down to Nippers on Sunday morning. But there was a good turnout of Nippers and Coaches there. We had some time to start Sprint Coaching as well as doing some In's and Out's of the water. The wind was Easterly and the waves were a mess.
This week at work we had to do a lot of training of a new system that is being introduced. I ran most mornings except Tuesday as it was raining. Gerald and I have been running extremely slowly with lots of walking interspersed. This does not bother me as I am now feeling good for Meiringspoort.
Silver Oak Trees
The silver Oak Trees in Walmer are now at their best with the golden blossoms flowering. I looked up this tree and found out that the tree is known as the Australian Silver-Oak or the Southern Silky Oak tree. Grevillea robusta: It is native to Eastern Australia but does well in South Africa. It is an evergreen, grows fast and suits the South African climate. I saw one of these trees in Jacqui Zeelie's house when I visited Joshua on Grandparents Day. She complains that it makes a big mess with the golden blossoms falling on the playground.
The South African Silver Oak Tree is more like a shrub or bush. It is a dense bush with leathery leaves which are green on the top but have silver coloured hairs on the bottom of the leave which give it a shiny appearance. The South African Silver Oak is also evergreen and fast growing. Brachylaena discolor: It is found in the Coastal Woodlands of the Eastern Cape. The name Discolour refers to the two colours of the leaf.
Saturday 17th October 2009.
This weekend we ran the Meiringspoort half marathon. I have written a separate blog on Meiringspoort.
Sunday 18.10.2009.
Sunday morning: Michael had not been feeling well and we stopped off to see him before going off to Nippers.
At Summerstrand the wind had flattened the waves and we had a wonderful session of which most was in the water. We had the U14's do about 5 times on their Malibu boards out and back. Tough but necessary training. There were a group of about 22 U14's and similar numbers of the other age groups.
All the coaches were able to spend quality time with the Nippers in the water as well as doing Flags.
Jacqui had finally got the clothing back from being branded with ADT who are now our new sponsors. She handed clothing out to parents who have paid subs. Dianne has a wonderful tuck shop going and was selling potjie rolls at R5 and hamburgers at R10. They do a roaring trade and this is a big success at Summerstrand now.
The ADT sponsorship was finalised late on Friday afternoon. Hannes had been working hard to reach an understanding with the management of ADT as to what they would require from us. There is a certain amount of clothing stock that has now been branded with the ADT logo and this will be the new uniform of Summerstrand.
Now that we have this very generous sponsorship finalised we will order and print clothing for our Nippers. Please be a little patient. We will let you know as soon as the clothing is available. Meanwhile; if you have paid your annual subs please talk to Jacqui on Sunday. Jacqui will be at the Nippers cage.
Once a Nipper's annual Subscription has been paid the Nipper will receive a Scull Cap, a chafe vest and a bathing costume. Other clothing will be sold to cover the costs. The Nippers committee has not put any “mark up” on clothing in the past but merely tried to recover the cost price of the uniform. This year will be the first that Nippers will have the uniform included in the Subscription.
It is important to note that we should make an effort to honour the substantial sponsorship that ADT has given to Summerstrand. Please make every effort to wear the ADT branded clothing as soon as you have received it. We would like to phase out the Equisweet branded clothing. The committee has found a suitable and needy outlet for clothing and beach wear that has the Equisweet label.
Micro Nippers: The Annual Subscription for a Micro Nipper is R100. The Micro Nipper will receive an ADT branded scull cap which they should wear on Sundays at practice.
Level Tests: we are now trying to arrange a level test for all Nippers who have moved up an age group or who are first timer's. Rob Mitchley is working tirelessly to set up level tests for Saturday 31st October at Hobie beach: time to be confirmed. YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE ROB WITH A SWIM LETTER. This letter can be signed by you, a swim coach or any other suitable adult. Please make his life easy: don't make him phone you: fax a copy of the letter on Monday.
Robert Mitchley Attorney
Tel: 041 373 1956
Fax: 086 623 0290
Mobile: 082 929 1648
robert.mitchley@vodamail.co.za
Nippers Practice for Sunday 25th: we had thought to arrange a practice at Redhouse but for a number of reasons we will meet at Summerstrand as usual.
Monday morning I was quite stiff and Mike Dean & I decided to do a very short walk run. We chatted about all kinds of stuff: His daughter, Catherine is also not well. She is at University in Cape Town and struggling with health. Debra has completed a degree in property management and is now studying a Post Grad Law degree.
His Medical Technologist is going off on Maternity leave and he is concerned that he will not cope without her specialist knowledge. Mike had done the Ocean Swim on Sunday in a wet suite for the first time. He described what it was to wear a wet suite and how this had changed the dynamics of the swim.
Tuesday and Wednesday we did our slow runs in the morning. Tuesday, Barbara, Ally and I went to Cyclo Pro Rob Rudman and bought ourselves three mountain bikes for R20 750 in total including all the stuff such as slick tyres etc.
Thursday and Friday I was in East London and then Friday evening we had an evening with Charles and Ingrid. They made these Borrito's (chicken and beef wraps) with lettuce, tomato, spring onion, mushroom etc chopped and wrapped in pancakes. A very nice and easy supper. We played a bit of bridge and then collected Ally who had been at Lara O's party at the boardwalk. They had a Survivor party doing all kinds of activities.
Michael and Lene had decided that it would ease some of their tensions and stress if they moved back home with us. So this week they packed up all of their furniture, moved some to our house and then rest to my office basement.
Saturday morning I walked to Adrienne where Pat collected us. We drove down to the beach where we met the gang: Susan, Suzanne, Maryna (piepie Lang Kous), Gerald, Pat, Ronel, Anne Du Rand, Adrienne and myself. We ran along the beach and up Admiralty to Strandfontien. Back to the beach after an hour of running. Then Ronel had wanted to do a Triathlon so we went for a short swim around the buoys. I think that Maryna was a little disappointed as she had wanted a longer run.
Cathy had been to Kenya at the invitation of her work. Saul and her had a luxury holiday of about two weeks in the most wonderful settings in the Serengetti, in craters of old volcano's. They watched the migration of the Wilderbees and Zebra. They saw the RIver Crossing that we see on Nationial Geographic. They witnessed a Zebra being taken out by a crocodile. They did game viewing from Horse back and were able to go right up to the animals. And during all of this they stayed in Luxury accommodation.
When Cathy heard that Michael was struggling with his situation and health she decided that she had to see for herself and give him support. So she flew into PE on Friday immediately on her return from holiday. All of this travel made her system a little weak and she was not feeling her best.
After our run on Saturday morning we drove to Cyclo Pro to collect the Bikes but unfortunately they were not yet ready. The day was cold, windy and overcast so after work that was the end of activity for me. Kevin the gardener and I cleared out some stuff and took it to the tip. But apart from that I did not do anything that Saturday afternoon.
Sunday morning with Cathy and the rest of the family at our home, we took the morning off and started a leisurely day. Barbara dropped Cathy off at the airport and Ally & I went to Nippers:
To all the new Nippers and Parents: Welcome to Nippers. Thank you for choosing Summerstrand.
Please understand that we are all parents just like you who have become involved with our children's activities.
This is not an exclusive bunch of coaches and administrators. We invite you to put on your shorts or bathing costumes and to join us. Either on the beach or assisting at the club house.
I am sure that many Nippers or Parents would have asked the question: "Is there Nippers today?" on Sunday morning.
The answer is that, unless we have told you prior to Sunday, there will be Nippers every Sunday 11am to 13.00. Your coaches will be there.
This Sunday we had an amazing turnout despite the seemingly chilly, windy, wet weather.
The conditions for training have never been better than we have had this season so far.
We have never (in the past few years) had so much time to train Malibu, body board and swimming as we have had this season.
I am pretty sure that we are not the only family who is arriving home on Sunday afternoon completely exhausted.
And, while we have had a few hiccups with Clothing, we have had an amazing group of people doing the admin and tuckshop.
There have been Hot Dogs and Hamburgers for sale each weekend. And everything has been sold out.
The coaches are busy sorting out teams for Plett Carnival. We will send out the program for Plett as soon as we receive it.
U12 and U14's: Please remember that you have to have competed in Carnivals as well as East Cape (Plett next year) to be able to qualify for selection to represent EC as a province.
Energade Triathlon:
The very popular Energade Triathlon is held on Sunday 29th November, at Pollock Beach.
Ally & I have entered for this event. Will you please think about joining us?
It is an event that can be completed by everyone either as a team or as individuals.
Peter
082 550 3174
26.10.2009.
Once we were home, Barbara & I went to the Indigenous Nursery off Kragga Kamma Road. I had done a little research on the Australian and the South African Silver Oak. So we decided to purchase a SA Silver Oak to plant in the garden. We will plant it on the East Wall next to Mill Park Road.
I also purchased a Real Yellowood Tree. I had bought one of these trees about 2 years ago and after digging a hole for this tree for about a week or two I planted it (with lots of ceremony) and it promptly died. So I will pull the old stump out and plant my second attempt this week.
This evening I tried out the Tortilla type wrap (taco, burrito, enchiladas) with chicken and salad. Healthy and filling. Easy to make. Ally loves it and I had to make her one for her lunch the next day.
Monday morning I tried to run but had to stop as my leg was in agony.
Tuesday afternoon: It had been blowing a gale and a number of trees and roofs were blown off. Some people even lost boats in the PE harbour.
It had rained on Monday to Barbara & I went to collect the Bikes from Rob Rudman this afternoon. We phoned first to ensure that they were ready only to be disappointed when we arrived there and they were still not ready. I told Rob how I felt and cleared the air. On our way home we stopped off at Cell C to renew Barbara's cell phone contract. We received excellent service from the young man who was there and Barbara will now have a really snazzy phone.
Wednesday afternoon we finally collected the bikes after having them set up and made ready to cycle. Rob gave us some instructions as to maintenance and the use of the bikes. I really cannot wait to have us cycyle as a family.
This week Lene and Michael went to see how the baby was doing. Lene was able to perform the ultra sound herself but found no heart beat. They then discovered that the baby was going to be stillborn. Very sad for them. Lene had the operation performed during the week and took the rest of the week off to recover.
Hannes and I met up with ADT on Monday morning. We had a really good discussion regarding their sponsorship and what they hope to achieve and how we could benefit from the relationship.
This week I have been battling with a calf muscle injury. I have a prescription for anti inflamatory pills and these work if I take them for about three days in a row. But I am reluctant to take it too regularly. But on Thursday & Friday I took the pills and then on Saturday morning we had a stunning run from Hobie with a swim afterwards. It was Adrienne, Susan, Anne Du Rand and myself. Gerald was running a 27kay race. We swam afterwards. Maryna was not well and brought us a coffee and rusk to the finish.
I went home and after a shower went back to the beach where we had our first round of Level Tests for the season. THe water was cold but the Nippers all passed. Today I had the Gardener plant the Yellow Wood tree that I had bought. I also started a second attempt at a vegetable garden with some tyres that I filled with compost and planted some SPinach, Lettuce, Beans and Cabbage. So we will see what happens.
This afternoon was the Currie Cup final between Blue Bulls and Cheetahs. A good game but was not of that much interest to me. A number of springboks in both teams but the Blie Bulls were favourites and ultimate winners. Ally and friend Lara Swanepoel went to watch a Hip Hop dance competition at Clarendon. It was too long and lasted from around 6.30pm to after ten pm.
And so ended the tenth month of 2009. Busy as always, fulfilling, sad, family drama, work activity, Barbara's school takes a beating, I battle with running injury but also have one of the best runs that I have had in ages, Nippers is in full swing with our first level test of the season completed and Rugby is over for this season. We buy some Mountain bikes but I have trouble on the first day that I use mine as the rear wheel falls off and the brakes jam up.
Peter Giddy
31.10.2009.
Showing posts with label CATHY AND SAUL SILBERSTEIN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CATHY AND SAUL SILBERSTEIN. Show all posts
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
JUNE 2009: STEFAN & NICCI; WILDCLIFF; IAN GIDDY DIES 12TH JUNE 2009; ROGER GUSH; ALPHA WEEKEND; PHUKET;
June 2009
JUNE 2009 IN THE GIDDY FAMILY
NICCI AND STEFAN TRAVEL TO PHUKET THAILAND FOR A WEDDING
THE BALCONY COLLAPSES
CHRISTIAN, AARON AND ZARA STAY WITH US FOR A MONTH.
ALPHA COURSE AT WALMER METHODIST CHURCH
IAN GIDDY DIES OF CANCER 18 JANUARY 1948 TO 12 JUNE 20029
WILDCLIFF TRIP AFTER NICCI AND STEFAN RETURN FROM PHUKET
MICHAEL GIDDY AND FAMILY DRIVE THE MERCEDES BENZ TO WILDCLIFF
CATHY AND SAUL SILBERSTEIN JOIN US AT WILDLCIFF
CATHY AND SAUL MOVE TO THE NEW FLAT ABOVE WOODSTOCK
SOUTHERN KINGS PLAY BRITISH LIONS AT THE NEW STADIUM IN PE
NIPPERS AGM AND PRIZE GIVING
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR IAN AT THE METHODIST CHURCH IN PLETT
SPRINGBOKS PLAY BRITISH LIONS
Nicci & Stefan went to Phuket, Thailand for a Wedding photo shoot. The balcony that Nicci was standing on collapsed. They left the children with us and we had a great time looking after them. The children loved attending Barbara's school.
Ally continues to have success with her Sunday Hockey.
Ian takes a turn for the worst as the Cancer in his Pancreas has taken hold. He has Chemo and treatment and looses weight rapidly. On 11.06.2009 he is back in NY after a week at Rheincliff and working hard at a conservation project and report. He collapses in pain and from weakness and is rushed to an intensive care hospital where a "coma" is induced by reducing his temperature.
Roger Gush has Cancer as well and is in pain. The last time we saw him he was weak and uncomfortable at Wildcliff.
I am a leader at an Alpha course and we have the Holy Spirit weekend at Willows: Bev Cox; Rodney Kolbe; Moira Haupt; Cari Mc Lean; Susanna does not make the weekend as she has bad megraines; Regg Kee and THeresa make up the group. We are joined by Reg Haupt and Jennifer. Hugh joins the group discussion one evening. It is a most successful weekend but I find it very draining with all the emotion.
Michael joins us for his first trip to WIldcliff. We have a full family weekend with Cathy & Saul traveling from CT.
rugby: The British Lions are touring SA. They have beaten all the local sides so far and play at the newly built NM Stadium on 16.6.2009.
Wildcliff;
We left PE at about 05.30am on Saturday 13th. We had Gerald's trailer hitched up and stopped over in Plett. Ena is taking the Death of Ian very badly. She cries and then seems okay for a while. Then talks about how close he and I had become recently and how it should not happen that her child leaves this earth before she does. This is a sad time for all of us. Ian had become a very real person to us in the last few years. Also he had so much to contribute. So many people depended on him for their own life.
Patrick left for New York this evening. He arrived in NY at about 16.00 our time and early in the morning their time. Ian has not physically died yet but they now plan to "take him off the life support machines". Jenny says that Ian's life left him on Wednesday when he went into a coma and was taken to hospital.
We left Plett at about 09.30am and drove in convoy with Nicci and Stefan following us. Michael had left earlier and was about 90 minutes ahead of us. We arrived in Hiedelberg. Did some Biltong shopping at the Biltong factory. This biltong is not the same quality as the Albertina Biltong. After a short stop at the Spar I showed Stefan and Michael the Cottage and then we all drove up to WC. This afternoon I had again to climb onto the roof to fix the TV aerial. Finally we managed to get it going and were able to watch the Western Province team play the visiting Lions. The Lions beat the WP team but only just. It was the toughest game that the Lions had since they arrived in SA.
That afternoon we did not do any walks but it was good to be all together at Talari. Cathy and Saul arrived a little later. I felt a kind of sadness that Jacqui and Michael were so far from us. The children had a wonderful time playing in and around the house together. Stefan made us one of his famous Pootjies. And it was only just enough. Normally it feeds us for two days.
I had bought the series "Shield" and had planned to watch this series but I am not sure if it is as good as 24 at any rate everyone was soon fast asleep. I had bought some new mattresses for our strechers as the ones that we used to have I lost when Michael & I returned from MMC. They are a little narrower but thicker and quite comfortable.
Barbara, Ally and I slept in Jenny's study. We had brought our stretchers and we are always very comfortable on them.
Sunday morning: Bob Brown came for a visit. He will be leaving his farm and moving into town where he has bought a house. He will continue to farm cattle on a famr that he is renting. We went for a walk up the Tortoise Head trail. The kids started becoming tired and Cathy, Saul and I decided to press on along the side of the hill towards the Rain Frog Dam. We did some serious Bundu Bashing and so realised that we were not going to reach the dam.
We were now above the stream (Rain Frog Dam Stream) that leads to the Oak Tree Meadow. We had to do some serious Bum Sliding to reach the stream. There were some sheer drops and thick bushes so that you could not see where you were going and could step into the Abyss at any time. When we reached the stream we were at the foot of a waterfall which I immediately names Saul's Falls. The walk down to Oak tree meadow was not easy as the Wattle has fallen across the stream and this makes for a lot of crawling and scratches. Back at Talari the rest of the gang had arrived a lot earlier than us. I had to shower for the second time today as I had a hard work out this morning.
Later today we had a walk down to the Meadow where the children swung on the rope swing and the trees. They played around in the stream as well. The three horses were there and did not seem to like Digby. This had been a really full day for the children and a Bath and Jamies was the next event in their day.
Barbara phoned Jenny who said that Patrick had just arrived and they would be going for a walk in the park and then go to see Ian. Probably for the last time. They plan a memorial service for Ian at Rhinecliff on Saturday 20th.
Cathy and Saul left for Cape Town as they had to be back at work on Monday morning. The rest of us have taken an extra day of leave. I think that Saul may have been unhappy that I suggested that they take the Tradouw Pass as it took them longer than they had expected. Cathy and Saul have moved into a new flat overlooking Table Bay and the harbour. It is much more sunny and bright. Cathy no longer feels the sense of being under constant threat.
This evening we had a couple of roast chickens and vegetables for supper. We had lit a fire each evening although it really was not that cold. Again people seemed to fade early. I have started reading a book on "Spies and Secrets". Interesting stories from the second world war.
Monday morning: Ena phoned early to say that she had spoken to Patrick in NY and that they had now switched off the machines that were keeping Ian alive. THis is going to be a huge gap in all of our lives. We are going to miss him and his influence on so many aspects of our lives. Nicci had spoken to Ena in Plett when she stayed there. Ena had told Nicci of the time that we went to Europe and had stopped over in Kinshasha (Brazzaville).
It was the middle of the night, hot and clammy. there were little or no facilities in the transit lounge and the passengers hung around trying to while away the time. Ian had been led to talking in French to some of the locals, they had showed him some of the local 'secret' buildings and then the soldiers had accused him of being a spy. He and Ena had been detained and the whole airplane had been held up. Ena had screamed and shouted and told them to release him. Ian had told Ena to leave on her own and that he would follow.
Ian was just about 18 at the time. Finally the soldiers or police finished playing their games and released them. I think that was after Ena showed them her Scotish or British passport. The other passengers in the airplane seemed to be disgruntled and accused Ian of messing around with stuff that he should have left alone. Kind of "stirring the pot". That year we spent at Wengen, a ski resort in Switzerland where we learned to ski.
We started off on the nursery slopes and then slowly worked our way up to the ski lift and finally I remember one day with the ski instructor on a cold and windy day having taken the train up to the top. We all got out of the train feeling totally miserable and freezing and skiing down to a tavern type of hut where we had some hot chocolate before continuing this harrowing ski adventure down to the village. I think that was the last of the lessons and from there onwards we would go on our own.
One particular time we found a route that was not one of the "Beaten Trails" and we skied though virgin snow. This was probably the most exciting time of the holiday as we did not know where we were going. Ian was leading us and we finally did make it back to the village but we had to do quite a bit of cross country to get there. This trip must have cost my parents a fortune.
I would go out to the taverns at night, meeting other young skiers. Of course they were mostly Europeans who were able to speak French, German, Spanish and Dutch. I battled on and made shallow friendships over drinks and dance. One day we were on a train going up to the top of the ski hill when Allan met an American man who told us how important Computers would be in the future of business. Allan was impressed by this piece of information and that he would investigate this when back in Port Elizabeth.
Monday morning.
We decided to take the Bushpig up to Ena's Falls. Keith and the crew were doing their Monday Wattle Clearing job and so Keith came down with the Bushpig to fetch us. Michael, Lene, and the three children had walked on ahead. Stefan & I loaded the bakkie with cushions and blankets as it looked like it would be cold at the top. Then he and I followed Michael and caught up with them in the Pine Forest. Keith then loaded us all into the vehicle and we dropped him off where the gang was doing their work.
Stefan took over driving and we went half way up before he off loaded us and we walked the last section. The Mountain hut (Barafu) is coming on nicely. Barafu is the name of the camp that is on the Kilimajaro climb if you take the Machame Route. This was the first time that we see work being done. Jackson has built some of the wall and is in the process of fitting the Door and a window. It is not easy to see how the finished product will look as it is a steep rocky area where it is being built.
From here we walked on up and over Ena's Falls and into the Hidden Valley. We walked a little way into the Fynbos but children soon became tired and we had to return. I was thirsty and welcomed a walk down to the top of the falls for a drink and cool off. The children really enjoyed being here. in minutes they had their shoes and shirts off and were playing on the rocks. What a joy it is to see them having so much fun in the outdoors. Hopefully they will remember these weekends with their cousins.
We drove and walked back with a visit to the rain frog dam on the way down. The kids were starting to get tired and irritable. But seeing the dam seemed to revitalise them. They again took off shirts and shoes and were in the water even though it was cold.
Back at Talari we had a bite to eat and watched some cricket with our eyes closed. Some even went to bedrooms and lay down for a well earned sleep. Stefan and I walked up to Sauls Falls. It is an easy walk from Talari and you enter a little below the Mud Dam and are able to walk all the way up in the stream (this stream is known as Talari Stream). We came to the junction where the West Stream (Which I decided to name as Stefan's Stream but later Jenny told me that Ian had named this Rock Slide Stream) (Now Dry) joins the Rain Frog Dam stream. We had been up to the top of the West stream and this is an exploration for next time. There is a great deal of indigenous trees and plants in these two streams. We exitted in line with the Mud Dam and walked down from there.
A little later Stefan took the boys and Ally to the OT Meadow and started a swinging exercise. Jessie and I followed and were soon swinging back and forth under the oaks. Then came the best of all: Mom and Nicci came and did the same. Both of them seemed to get stuck on the swing which swings over the stream. It is not a good thing to fall as you will get quite wet. I am not sure how it happened but there was almost nobody who ended up wet.
We received a number of calls about Ian. I had not realised that he had actually died last night. But now it is final and there is no further hope. This is very sad for us. I am going to miss him. We all are. It will take us a long time to come to terms with the fact that we will NEVER see Ian again. He played a part in our lives that was important to us. He was able to create a lifestyle not only for us but for our families to come. As Nicci said today when we were up at Barafu: he has left a legacy and this is something that is special and that not many people are able to do.
Back to Port ELizabeth, reality, work, school.
Tuesday we arrived back in PE in time to watch the Southern Kings play rugby against the British Lions team at the new stadium. We walked to Grey school where we met up with some of the other people that we had booked seats for: Jaco Viljoen, Abe Cilliers, Charles, Ingrid, Ian and ourselves all took a Grey school bus to the stadium. We walked the last few hundred meters in a crowd of people. There was still quite a bit of construction going on around the stadium on the roads. We found our seats and then stood in a long queue to buy beers. Sitting with us were: Ron & Lyn; Peter & Elmarie; Anthony & Lana; Andrew, Tristan and Marion. The Game was exciting and while our team was beaten, they were by no means disgraced and played a tough game with a referee who did not seem to make the right decisions in many cases; both for and against us.
Wednesday: another Alpha this evening.
Thursday: we were supposed to be at the Clarendon Park 100 Club but were just too tired to go out this evening.
Friday was the Nippers AGM and Prize GIving.
It was a really successful turn out of Nippers and Parents. We hand out a huge number of prizes and awards this evening. Always quite sad as the U14's will be leaving us. The Junior Lifesavers were there to encourage our U14's to move over to Juniors.
Clint made a wonderful Beef Pootjie. It was really one of the best meals that I have had in a long time. The evening was well supported and a huge success. It looks like we are going to have a successful 2009/2010 season.
Ally won a trophy for her participation in almost every event that was possible. Previous winners of this trophy include: Jason Collier, Giovanni Falco, Quinton van Staden ande Oliver Wiehahn. This trophy acknowledges the fact that Ally participates in a highly competitive age group. The Summies U12's this year are the National Age Group Champions. They were the U10 National Age Group Champions two years ago. While Ally tries hard in every event she will not always win as her competition includes Chrisie Vaughn, Jamie Engelke and Lara Odendal who are all competitive in this age group.
Saturday morning we were joined by Edie Dore (Harris) and drove through to Plett where we held the Memorial Service for Ian. Ron & Lyn came through. The researchers from Wildcliff also joined us. Keith Riggle drove them through. Ann Thomas had told a number of Ena's friends of the Service, the result was that we had a really good support for Ena at the service. Ena has many friends and loyal supporters in Plett. ALice and Ian, Giles Butlin were also there. Keith's team brought a huge Bouquet of wild flowers and protea from Wildcliff. It looked quite stunning in the chapel.
Costa Stathakis is a minister who had come to preach at the Walmer Methodist Church in PE. Fortunately I had made contact with him at that time. He even visited Ena at her home. We attended some of his services in Plett and so had a connection. Costa conducted the service. Barbara prepared a hymn sheet with "Amazing grace" and "How great thou art". I read out a Eulogy, ROn read out a series of comments from students of his Executive Graduate Master of Business (Stern School of Business) in New York University and Edie read out an excerpt from a letter sent from Costa Rica.
After the service we met at Alice for tea. She had prepared a feast. Fortunately the volunteers were there and looked hungry. After the tea we drove home to watch the Springboks play the Lions in the first of three tests held at Kings Park Durban. I did not see much of the match as I had to take two loads of rubbish to the tip. Ron & Lyn stayed to watch. We had an early night after a draining day.
We had missed a hockey game of Ally's. they had played Union from Graaf Reinett in a Derby day. Our Clarendon second team beat Union by 4 goals to nil. I am sorry that we missed this game.
Sunday Morning: Fathers day. I received a number of calls from Nicci, Cathya dn from Jacqui in London. They had just returned from a short holiday in Barcelona. They loved the Spanish People but found the town to be ridiculously expensive. It appears that they had a good holiday overall.
Church: the Daryl, Charles, Ingrid, Vinance, Mike B and Fred Music Group p;ayed the song from the MMC: Lig jou Hande na Bo. A good number of men who were at the MMC came forward and sang the song with Lands lifted. It was a good show of support for Daryl.
A scroll with a description of a Father was handed to the men. Michael gave me a photo of the two of us at the MMC whith our headlamps on our hats. He also gave me a book with 365 things that a Dad should know. For me this morning was quite emotional as I could not stop thinking of Ian and our memories. He should not be gone. It seems absolutely crazy. He was too alive to be dead now.
The following week I kept myself as busy as possible with a trip to Transkei. I left just after 3am and spent the first day in Mthatha, the second day travelling to Flagstaff & Lusikisiki, the third day Julia and I were in Bizana and Mount Frere and the last day we spent back in Mthatha. I arrived home on Thursday evening. Average daily mileage was about 450kays. This had been a particularly cold week. We were due to hike the Mountain Zebra trail but fortunately had postponed the hike for two weeks. It was so wet and cold that it would have been a really miserable hike.
Saturday: Barbara & I did something that we have never done before. Our DVD player had broken down. I had arranged to go running but it was cold. I whimped out and got back into bed with Ally's mini DVD player. We had bought a series called "the Shield" for our trip to WC as we were concerned that it may be wet the whole weekend at our last visit. So Barbara & I settled down to watch the series. And stayed in bed until after 9.00am watching this contraversial series of tough, corrupt cops.
That afternoon we watched a stunning game of Rugby. The Lions were playing the Boks in the second of three matches. Our team were down 5:16 at half time. Just before the half time whistle a penalty was awarded to the springbok team. It was inside the Boks halfway and at an angle but Francois Steyn kicked the ball true and straight and we walked off the field 8:16.
The second half was nail biting. We scored two more tries: one sneaky try by Brian Habanna and a second one on the corner. This put us at 25 points. The British Lions scored 9 points with two penalties and one drop, putting them at 25 points as well and time was up with the score at 25 each.
The Lions kicked an Up & Under and Pietersen caught the ball in the air. One of the Lions caught him with an arm and he went down with a Penalty being awarded to the Boks: Five meters inside our half. Morne Steyn had been sent on to the field as a Substitute. Morne had played for the Super 14 Bulls who had won the 2009 competition and had become known for his prolific Kicking ability.
Morne said to John Smith, the captain: "Give it to me, I know that I can convert this one." These were very brave words. John knew that Francois had been successful with an even more difficult kick earlier on, but gave Morne the opportunity. Morne struck the ball cleanly and while it appeared to hover just before the cross bar, it was over and we won the game in extra time.
The poor Lions Fans were stunned, Shell Shocked, speechless. It was sad for them. They had been in front for almost all of the game with us leveling towards the end and they had tasted victory and a chance to level the series. This loss meant that the Springboks won the game and the series. For the Springbok fans it was an amazing game with proof once more that they really are world champions.
Sunday we again watched some of the Shield Series and I was able to catch up on the Wildcliff Cash Book which I had lost when my computer crashed earlier this year.
Monday 29.06.2009. This day is significant as I went for a run (walk) with the MPRG for the first time in over a month. My knee has been bothering me and I was loathe to test it. The run was no trouble as we went slowly and did a whole lot of walking. But later in the day I felt the pain on the outside of the left knee.
JUNE 2009 IN THE GIDDY FAMILY
NICCI AND STEFAN TRAVEL TO PHUKET THAILAND FOR A WEDDING
THE BALCONY COLLAPSES
CHRISTIAN, AARON AND ZARA STAY WITH US FOR A MONTH.
ALPHA COURSE AT WALMER METHODIST CHURCH
IAN GIDDY DIES OF CANCER 18 JANUARY 1948 TO 12 JUNE 20029
WILDCLIFF TRIP AFTER NICCI AND STEFAN RETURN FROM PHUKET
MICHAEL GIDDY AND FAMILY DRIVE THE MERCEDES BENZ TO WILDCLIFF
CATHY AND SAUL SILBERSTEIN JOIN US AT WILDLCIFF
CATHY AND SAUL MOVE TO THE NEW FLAT ABOVE WOODSTOCK
SOUTHERN KINGS PLAY BRITISH LIONS AT THE NEW STADIUM IN PE
NIPPERS AGM AND PRIZE GIVING
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR IAN AT THE METHODIST CHURCH IN PLETT
SPRINGBOKS PLAY BRITISH LIONS
Nicci & Stefan went to Phuket, Thailand for a Wedding photo shoot. The balcony that Nicci was standing on collapsed. They left the children with us and we had a great time looking after them. The children loved attending Barbara's school.
Ally continues to have success with her Sunday Hockey.
Ian takes a turn for the worst as the Cancer in his Pancreas has taken hold. He has Chemo and treatment and looses weight rapidly. On 11.06.2009 he is back in NY after a week at Rheincliff and working hard at a conservation project and report. He collapses in pain and from weakness and is rushed to an intensive care hospital where a "coma" is induced by reducing his temperature.
Roger Gush has Cancer as well and is in pain. The last time we saw him he was weak and uncomfortable at Wildcliff.
I am a leader at an Alpha course and we have the Holy Spirit weekend at Willows: Bev Cox; Rodney Kolbe; Moira Haupt; Cari Mc Lean; Susanna does not make the weekend as she has bad megraines; Regg Kee and THeresa make up the group. We are joined by Reg Haupt and Jennifer. Hugh joins the group discussion one evening. It is a most successful weekend but I find it very draining with all the emotion.
Michael joins us for his first trip to WIldcliff. We have a full family weekend with Cathy & Saul traveling from CT.
rugby: The British Lions are touring SA. They have beaten all the local sides so far and play at the newly built NM Stadium on 16.6.2009.
Wildcliff;
We left PE at about 05.30am on Saturday 13th. We had Gerald's trailer hitched up and stopped over in Plett. Ena is taking the Death of Ian very badly. She cries and then seems okay for a while. Then talks about how close he and I had become recently and how it should not happen that her child leaves this earth before she does. This is a sad time for all of us. Ian had become a very real person to us in the last few years. Also he had so much to contribute. So many people depended on him for their own life.
Patrick left for New York this evening. He arrived in NY at about 16.00 our time and early in the morning their time. Ian has not physically died yet but they now plan to "take him off the life support machines". Jenny says that Ian's life left him on Wednesday when he went into a coma and was taken to hospital.
We left Plett at about 09.30am and drove in convoy with Nicci and Stefan following us. Michael had left earlier and was about 90 minutes ahead of us. We arrived in Hiedelberg. Did some Biltong shopping at the Biltong factory. This biltong is not the same quality as the Albertina Biltong. After a short stop at the Spar I showed Stefan and Michael the Cottage and then we all drove up to WC. This afternoon I had again to climb onto the roof to fix the TV aerial. Finally we managed to get it going and were able to watch the Western Province team play the visiting Lions. The Lions beat the WP team but only just. It was the toughest game that the Lions had since they arrived in SA.
That afternoon we did not do any walks but it was good to be all together at Talari. Cathy and Saul arrived a little later. I felt a kind of sadness that Jacqui and Michael were so far from us. The children had a wonderful time playing in and around the house together. Stefan made us one of his famous Pootjies. And it was only just enough. Normally it feeds us for two days.
I had bought the series "Shield" and had planned to watch this series but I am not sure if it is as good as 24 at any rate everyone was soon fast asleep. I had bought some new mattresses for our strechers as the ones that we used to have I lost when Michael & I returned from MMC. They are a little narrower but thicker and quite comfortable.
Barbara, Ally and I slept in Jenny's study. We had brought our stretchers and we are always very comfortable on them.
Sunday morning: Bob Brown came for a visit. He will be leaving his farm and moving into town where he has bought a house. He will continue to farm cattle on a famr that he is renting. We went for a walk up the Tortoise Head trail. The kids started becoming tired and Cathy, Saul and I decided to press on along the side of the hill towards the Rain Frog Dam. We did some serious Bundu Bashing and so realised that we were not going to reach the dam.
We were now above the stream (Rain Frog Dam Stream) that leads to the Oak Tree Meadow. We had to do some serious Bum Sliding to reach the stream. There were some sheer drops and thick bushes so that you could not see where you were going and could step into the Abyss at any time. When we reached the stream we were at the foot of a waterfall which I immediately names Saul's Falls. The walk down to Oak tree meadow was not easy as the Wattle has fallen across the stream and this makes for a lot of crawling and scratches. Back at Talari the rest of the gang had arrived a lot earlier than us. I had to shower for the second time today as I had a hard work out this morning.
Later today we had a walk down to the Meadow where the children swung on the rope swing and the trees. They played around in the stream as well. The three horses were there and did not seem to like Digby. This had been a really full day for the children and a Bath and Jamies was the next event in their day.
Barbara phoned Jenny who said that Patrick had just arrived and they would be going for a walk in the park and then go to see Ian. Probably for the last time. They plan a memorial service for Ian at Rhinecliff on Saturday 20th.
Cathy and Saul left for Cape Town as they had to be back at work on Monday morning. The rest of us have taken an extra day of leave. I think that Saul may have been unhappy that I suggested that they take the Tradouw Pass as it took them longer than they had expected. Cathy and Saul have moved into a new flat overlooking Table Bay and the harbour. It is much more sunny and bright. Cathy no longer feels the sense of being under constant threat.
This evening we had a couple of roast chickens and vegetables for supper. We had lit a fire each evening although it really was not that cold. Again people seemed to fade early. I have started reading a book on "Spies and Secrets". Interesting stories from the second world war.
Monday morning: Ena phoned early to say that she had spoken to Patrick in NY and that they had now switched off the machines that were keeping Ian alive. THis is going to be a huge gap in all of our lives. We are going to miss him and his influence on so many aspects of our lives. Nicci had spoken to Ena in Plett when she stayed there. Ena had told Nicci of the time that we went to Europe and had stopped over in Kinshasha (Brazzaville).
It was the middle of the night, hot and clammy. there were little or no facilities in the transit lounge and the passengers hung around trying to while away the time. Ian had been led to talking in French to some of the locals, they had showed him some of the local 'secret' buildings and then the soldiers had accused him of being a spy. He and Ena had been detained and the whole airplane had been held up. Ena had screamed and shouted and told them to release him. Ian had told Ena to leave on her own and that he would follow.
Ian was just about 18 at the time. Finally the soldiers or police finished playing their games and released them. I think that was after Ena showed them her Scotish or British passport. The other passengers in the airplane seemed to be disgruntled and accused Ian of messing around with stuff that he should have left alone. Kind of "stirring the pot". That year we spent at Wengen, a ski resort in Switzerland where we learned to ski.
We started off on the nursery slopes and then slowly worked our way up to the ski lift and finally I remember one day with the ski instructor on a cold and windy day having taken the train up to the top. We all got out of the train feeling totally miserable and freezing and skiing down to a tavern type of hut where we had some hot chocolate before continuing this harrowing ski adventure down to the village. I think that was the last of the lessons and from there onwards we would go on our own.
One particular time we found a route that was not one of the "Beaten Trails" and we skied though virgin snow. This was probably the most exciting time of the holiday as we did not know where we were going. Ian was leading us and we finally did make it back to the village but we had to do quite a bit of cross country to get there. This trip must have cost my parents a fortune.
I would go out to the taverns at night, meeting other young skiers. Of course they were mostly Europeans who were able to speak French, German, Spanish and Dutch. I battled on and made shallow friendships over drinks and dance. One day we were on a train going up to the top of the ski hill when Allan met an American man who told us how important Computers would be in the future of business. Allan was impressed by this piece of information and that he would investigate this when back in Port Elizabeth.
Monday morning.
We decided to take the Bushpig up to Ena's Falls. Keith and the crew were doing their Monday Wattle Clearing job and so Keith came down with the Bushpig to fetch us. Michael, Lene, and the three children had walked on ahead. Stefan & I loaded the bakkie with cushions and blankets as it looked like it would be cold at the top. Then he and I followed Michael and caught up with them in the Pine Forest. Keith then loaded us all into the vehicle and we dropped him off where the gang was doing their work.
Stefan took over driving and we went half way up before he off loaded us and we walked the last section. The Mountain hut (Barafu) is coming on nicely. Barafu is the name of the camp that is on the Kilimajaro climb if you take the Machame Route. This was the first time that we see work being done. Jackson has built some of the wall and is in the process of fitting the Door and a window. It is not easy to see how the finished product will look as it is a steep rocky area where it is being built.
From here we walked on up and over Ena's Falls and into the Hidden Valley. We walked a little way into the Fynbos but children soon became tired and we had to return. I was thirsty and welcomed a walk down to the top of the falls for a drink and cool off. The children really enjoyed being here. in minutes they had their shoes and shirts off and were playing on the rocks. What a joy it is to see them having so much fun in the outdoors. Hopefully they will remember these weekends with their cousins.
We drove and walked back with a visit to the rain frog dam on the way down. The kids were starting to get tired and irritable. But seeing the dam seemed to revitalise them. They again took off shirts and shoes and were in the water even though it was cold.
Back at Talari we had a bite to eat and watched some cricket with our eyes closed. Some even went to bedrooms and lay down for a well earned sleep. Stefan and I walked up to Sauls Falls. It is an easy walk from Talari and you enter a little below the Mud Dam and are able to walk all the way up in the stream (this stream is known as Talari Stream). We came to the junction where the West Stream (Which I decided to name as Stefan's Stream but later Jenny told me that Ian had named this Rock Slide Stream) (Now Dry) joins the Rain Frog Dam stream. We had been up to the top of the West stream and this is an exploration for next time. There is a great deal of indigenous trees and plants in these two streams. We exitted in line with the Mud Dam and walked down from there.
A little later Stefan took the boys and Ally to the OT Meadow and started a swinging exercise. Jessie and I followed and were soon swinging back and forth under the oaks. Then came the best of all: Mom and Nicci came and did the same. Both of them seemed to get stuck on the swing which swings over the stream. It is not a good thing to fall as you will get quite wet. I am not sure how it happened but there was almost nobody who ended up wet.
We received a number of calls about Ian. I had not realised that he had actually died last night. But now it is final and there is no further hope. This is very sad for us. I am going to miss him. We all are. It will take us a long time to come to terms with the fact that we will NEVER see Ian again. He played a part in our lives that was important to us. He was able to create a lifestyle not only for us but for our families to come. As Nicci said today when we were up at Barafu: he has left a legacy and this is something that is special and that not many people are able to do.
Back to Port ELizabeth, reality, work, school.
Tuesday we arrived back in PE in time to watch the Southern Kings play rugby against the British Lions team at the new stadium. We walked to Grey school where we met up with some of the other people that we had booked seats for: Jaco Viljoen, Abe Cilliers, Charles, Ingrid, Ian and ourselves all took a Grey school bus to the stadium. We walked the last few hundred meters in a crowd of people. There was still quite a bit of construction going on around the stadium on the roads. We found our seats and then stood in a long queue to buy beers. Sitting with us were: Ron & Lyn; Peter & Elmarie; Anthony & Lana; Andrew, Tristan and Marion. The Game was exciting and while our team was beaten, they were by no means disgraced and played a tough game with a referee who did not seem to make the right decisions in many cases; both for and against us.
Wednesday: another Alpha this evening.
Thursday: we were supposed to be at the Clarendon Park 100 Club but were just too tired to go out this evening.
Friday was the Nippers AGM and Prize GIving.
It was a really successful turn out of Nippers and Parents. We hand out a huge number of prizes and awards this evening. Always quite sad as the U14's will be leaving us. The Junior Lifesavers were there to encourage our U14's to move over to Juniors.
Clint made a wonderful Beef Pootjie. It was really one of the best meals that I have had in a long time. The evening was well supported and a huge success. It looks like we are going to have a successful 2009/2010 season.
Ally won a trophy for her participation in almost every event that was possible. Previous winners of this trophy include: Jason Collier, Giovanni Falco, Quinton van Staden ande Oliver Wiehahn. This trophy acknowledges the fact that Ally participates in a highly competitive age group. The Summies U12's this year are the National Age Group Champions. They were the U10 National Age Group Champions two years ago. While Ally tries hard in every event she will not always win as her competition includes Chrisie Vaughn, Jamie Engelke and Lara Odendal who are all competitive in this age group.
Saturday morning we were joined by Edie Dore (Harris) and drove through to Plett where we held the Memorial Service for Ian. Ron & Lyn came through. The researchers from Wildcliff also joined us. Keith Riggle drove them through. Ann Thomas had told a number of Ena's friends of the Service, the result was that we had a really good support for Ena at the service. Ena has many friends and loyal supporters in Plett. ALice and Ian, Giles Butlin were also there. Keith's team brought a huge Bouquet of wild flowers and protea from Wildcliff. It looked quite stunning in the chapel.
Costa Stathakis is a minister who had come to preach at the Walmer Methodist Church in PE. Fortunately I had made contact with him at that time. He even visited Ena at her home. We attended some of his services in Plett and so had a connection. Costa conducted the service. Barbara prepared a hymn sheet with "Amazing grace" and "How great thou art". I read out a Eulogy, ROn read out a series of comments from students of his Executive Graduate Master of Business (Stern School of Business) in New York University and Edie read out an excerpt from a letter sent from Costa Rica.
After the service we met at Alice for tea. She had prepared a feast. Fortunately the volunteers were there and looked hungry. After the tea we drove home to watch the Springboks play the Lions in the first of three tests held at Kings Park Durban. I did not see much of the match as I had to take two loads of rubbish to the tip. Ron & Lyn stayed to watch. We had an early night after a draining day.
We had missed a hockey game of Ally's. they had played Union from Graaf Reinett in a Derby day. Our Clarendon second team beat Union by 4 goals to nil. I am sorry that we missed this game.
Sunday Morning: Fathers day. I received a number of calls from Nicci, Cathya dn from Jacqui in London. They had just returned from a short holiday in Barcelona. They loved the Spanish People but found the town to be ridiculously expensive. It appears that they had a good holiday overall.
Church: the Daryl, Charles, Ingrid, Vinance, Mike B and Fred Music Group p;ayed the song from the MMC: Lig jou Hande na Bo. A good number of men who were at the MMC came forward and sang the song with Lands lifted. It was a good show of support for Daryl.
A scroll with a description of a Father was handed to the men. Michael gave me a photo of the two of us at the MMC whith our headlamps on our hats. He also gave me a book with 365 things that a Dad should know. For me this morning was quite emotional as I could not stop thinking of Ian and our memories. He should not be gone. It seems absolutely crazy. He was too alive to be dead now.
The following week I kept myself as busy as possible with a trip to Transkei. I left just after 3am and spent the first day in Mthatha, the second day travelling to Flagstaff & Lusikisiki, the third day Julia and I were in Bizana and Mount Frere and the last day we spent back in Mthatha. I arrived home on Thursday evening. Average daily mileage was about 450kays. This had been a particularly cold week. We were due to hike the Mountain Zebra trail but fortunately had postponed the hike for two weeks. It was so wet and cold that it would have been a really miserable hike.
Saturday: Barbara & I did something that we have never done before. Our DVD player had broken down. I had arranged to go running but it was cold. I whimped out and got back into bed with Ally's mini DVD player. We had bought a series called "the Shield" for our trip to WC as we were concerned that it may be wet the whole weekend at our last visit. So Barbara & I settled down to watch the series. And stayed in bed until after 9.00am watching this contraversial series of tough, corrupt cops.
That afternoon we watched a stunning game of Rugby. The Lions were playing the Boks in the second of three matches. Our team were down 5:16 at half time. Just before the half time whistle a penalty was awarded to the springbok team. It was inside the Boks halfway and at an angle but Francois Steyn kicked the ball true and straight and we walked off the field 8:16.
The second half was nail biting. We scored two more tries: one sneaky try by Brian Habanna and a second one on the corner. This put us at 25 points. The British Lions scored 9 points with two penalties and one drop, putting them at 25 points as well and time was up with the score at 25 each.
The Lions kicked an Up & Under and Pietersen caught the ball in the air. One of the Lions caught him with an arm and he went down with a Penalty being awarded to the Boks: Five meters inside our half. Morne Steyn had been sent on to the field as a Substitute. Morne had played for the Super 14 Bulls who had won the 2009 competition and had become known for his prolific Kicking ability.
Morne said to John Smith, the captain: "Give it to me, I know that I can convert this one." These were very brave words. John knew that Francois had been successful with an even more difficult kick earlier on, but gave Morne the opportunity. Morne struck the ball cleanly and while it appeared to hover just before the cross bar, it was over and we won the game in extra time.
The poor Lions Fans were stunned, Shell Shocked, speechless. It was sad for them. They had been in front for almost all of the game with us leveling towards the end and they had tasted victory and a chance to level the series. This loss meant that the Springboks won the game and the series. For the Springbok fans it was an amazing game with proof once more that they really are world champions.
Sunday we again watched some of the Shield Series and I was able to catch up on the Wildcliff Cash Book which I had lost when my computer crashed earlier this year.
Monday 29.06.2009. This day is significant as I went for a run (walk) with the MPRG for the first time in over a month. My knee has been bothering me and I was loathe to test it. The run was no trouble as we went slowly and did a whole lot of walking. But later in the day I felt the pain on the outside of the left knee.
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