TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL 26TH SEPTEMBER 2007
Peter, Barbara, Ally & Mark
Ian and Jenny from New York
Patrick, Patti, Dominic, Isabelle & St John from Durban
Gerald & Pat
Robin
Dawn from East London
Engela, Natasha, Lauren & Tamaryn
We began this hike by making the booking shortly after completing the Otter Trail in September of 2004. As it happened Ian was able to join the hike and so too was Patrick. It was the first time in many years that the three Giddy Boys were able to be together for any length of time while taking part in a common activity.
I had heard that there was a portage service available, which meant that the very young and the not so fit could also take part. For the rest of us it meant that we could do this hike in luxury. The cost of the hike including the bag carrying service was R500 pp. We booked it as a six-day hike starting at Natures Valley and ending at the Storms River Bridge. The total distance is about 61 kays. I also purchased a hike T-shirt for each of the hikers, which I had embroidered with the name of the hike and the individual's name as well. These will be a useful souvenir for each of us to keep.
Jenny arrived from Jhb on the Wednesday afternoon and left for Plettenbergbay the following morning, Ian arrived on Friday afternoon, hired a car and after spending a night with us drove through to Plett on Saturday morning. Patrick had left Westville on Friday afternoon, slept over in Ladybrand on the way through and then drove straight through to Plett on Saturday. So the hike gave both families time to visit Ena and to do some shopping for the hike in Plett. Dawn came through from East London on Saturday and spent a few days with Gail. Dawn agreed that I should do most of the catering as we normally do when on a hike. So I bought provisions that should be sufficient for five people. I found that I had to think and rethink the catering a number of times as I did not want to be ridiculous with the amount of food and luxuries but also did not want to be too Spartan either. I had given blood the previous week and they had given me a little flask as reward. I was looking forward to using this and the two cooler bags that they had previously given me. One was a wine cooler and the other a six pack cooler.
We were also able to arrange that Mark come on the hike with us. Mark is presently at school in Vryheid in KZN and spends weekends in Saldana Bay. His home is in Pretoria (Tshwane I think that it is now called). Mark took the bus from Vryheid to Pretoria and then to Port Elizabeth. A long trip for him but he was really looking forward to the hike and it was a pleasure to have him with us. Mark arrived in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon and was able to spend a few days with us before the hike started. It was good to have him back.
We spent a good part of the weekend packing and planning our meals. I had taken leave from the Friday afternoon. Engela had offered to lend me her fancy video camera so I would not have to lug the big bag that I am familiar with. I had run on Saturday morning and had somehow developed a stiff neck. This troubled me the whole weekend but fortunately by Monday morning was hardly noticeable. During the period leading up to the hike Michael had secured himself an Assistant Managers position at the FurnCity branch of Ellerines about a month previously. Cathy had just landed a job at FlightCenter in Cape Town and was due to start on the same day that the hike started. This meant that we had a whole positive vibe in our lives at the time.
Monday morning 26th September 2005.
Day one. Finally Monday morning arrived and we did a last bit of arranging and were ready to leave shortly after 09.30. Engela phoned to say that she would meet us at Storms River Bridge, as she still had to go to Greenacres for some more shopping. Gerald had leant me his trailer. This was a blessing to us as there was no way that we would have been able to fit all our stuff in the boot of my car. We took a slow drive through to the bridge and soon after we got there Engela and Trips arrived. More shopping of course and we were on our way to Natures Valley.
I contacted Graeme and the others that we were due to meet and confirmed that we would be there shortly. After the Toll Bridge we took the turn off to Natures Valley and were soon looking down on the splendour of the valley. We do not travel this road often any more and so enjoyed the forest road. At the rest camp, De Vaselot, we unpacked and began to separate our stuff. Graeme met us there and we explained the various fridge and freezer arrangements. He would be delivering our daily requirements so that we could have fresh foods every day. We had five cars altogether and had decided that we should transfer the cars to the Storms River Bridge while leaving just one car at Natures Valley.
Once this transfer was complete we were finally ready to start the first day’s hike which was a short 3kay walk to Kalander hut. We all had our daypacks so at least looked like hikers but our huge pile of baggage had been loaded into the truck and would be waiting for us at the hut. Tracey (From our church fellowship group) had phoned to wish us a good hike and had described their weekend at the Kudu Kaya at the Baviaans Kloof. It seems that they had waded and walked to the pool where Tim had slipped when we did the YsRivier kloofing trail earlier in the year. It sounded like they had an incredible weekend.
The first day starts along the old main road and after crossing the Groot Rivier turns off into the forest. They were in the process of building a boardwalk and so this part of the trail was made even easier. Our first hazard was a little stretch of water but after that it was an easy walk and we were soon at the hut and setting up camp at the Kalander Hut. The hut is crowded with bunks but there are four rooms so the younger group immediately declared their independence by claiming the room with 8 beds. Ian and Jenny had a room to themselves; Barbara, Dawn & I had the front room while the others shared the fourth room. The hut is located very close to the beach where the Otter trail ends. So we spent some time on the beach fooling around and getting to know each other. I don’t think that anyone was brave or foolish enough to go for a swim.
We decided that 16.00 was about the right time to get the fire going and in no time a feast of meat was being grilled with Patti doing most of the cooking. After the meal Robin had the youngsters playing cards. This was a real highlight as I often heard them asking later on the trail whether they could play cards again. They had great fun with much laughter. As is normal on the trail most of the group would be in bed between 20.00 to 21.00.
Tuesday Morning
Day two. We had agreed to leave fairly early the next morning as we did not know how every one would cope with the walk and so by just after 07.00 we were all packed and ready to go. We left this huge pile of bags for the truck crew to collect, locked the door and set off up the hill to the lookout point. Today our first adventure was a chain, which we could use to abseil down a short section of the pathway. There was also a set of steps but most of the group preferred the abseiling. The trail took us into the forest and a number of tea and lunch breaks. The trips set a precedent or standard; almost each stop meant that we would have to look upwards as one or more of them would be straddling a branch above us.
It was interesting to see the variety of trail food that had been prepared. And was clear that this was not to be a trail where people would lose weight. The trail first crosses the old main road connecting Port Elizabeth to Plett and then passes through a tunnel that is beneath the toll road (N2) just West of the Toll Gate. After about 5kays we reached the waterfall. This is a good picnic spot and we were walking at a rate of between two to three kays an hour. Over the whole hike we would average something like two kays an hour, this included a multitude of stops, breaks, swims etc. The faster youngsters could have set a much faster pace but they had strict instructions to regroup at suitable intervals. Nobody swam at the waterfall but there was a lot of tree and rock climbing. The weather had been cool for most of the day and was ideal hiking weather.
We still had about eight kays to go and so set off once everybody was fed and rested. Along this path we came across a group of people who were harvesting the ferns. It seems that they worked for the Forest Fern Nursery, which is located on the East Side of the Storms River Bridge. They explained that they would harvest a variety of flora which would be sold to local and overseas markets.
As we walked we could see the Indian Ocean through the trees. We saw that the seas were looking quite rough due to strong winds but where we were, in the forest, we hardly noticed the wind strength. Today we were also able to see the Blaauwkrans Bridge from the trail. The last section of this day’s hike is a jeep track and quickly leads to hiker to the Blaauwkrans hut which over looks the valley and the stream below where there are a number of pools that can be used for swimming. We reached the Blaauwkrans Hut at about 14.00. We had walked for between six to seven hours. I think that we would have been a lot slower if we had been carrying full backpacks.
Our baggage was safely stored in the hut and the fresh and frozen foods were intact and accurately delivered. We had marked the daily requirements with the day of the week. I carry trail soap and prefer to wash in the streams. Others used the showers that are provided. This hut has two rooms. The youngsters again claimed their territory while the snorers bunked in the second room. In the middle of the night Jenny, Ian and Patti decided that the volume of snoring was getting out of control so evacuated the adult room and moved to the youngster’s room. Strangely enough there was almost no snoring once they had gone but the youngsters reported an increased level of snoring in their room that night!
This evening I had planned for a supper of mince and rice. The mince was left over from Wednesday evening when Jenny had been at our house. I had frozen the leftovers and this provided a delicious supper for us. The huts are equipped with a separate kitchen or Lapa area, which is well stocked with firewood as well as braai grids, heavy cast iron pots and kettles. There is a separate shower and toilet area. The showers can be made warm if the hiker is prepared to boil the water in a kettle and to use the bucket system provided. I think that the buckets in this hut were leaking and so it was either cold showers or bath in the stream below.
Graeme had said that we could order additional foods if required and so I decided to try this out. I had packed six rolls for each day but decided to order bread and also realised that there was a possibility that Barbara and Dawn may become increasingly more thirsty as the trail progressed, ordered an extra bottle of Sherry as well. Ian realised that he had left his glasses and Jenny’s hot water bottle at the Kalander hut so left a note for the truck crew. These items were returned to him later.
We had been had warned that we could expect rain during the first day or two. We had had some rain during the night but had taken most of the towels and baggage into the hut for the night. For the rest of the hike we had perfect weather. At no stage, except perhaps Friday afternoon, was it particularly hot. The evenings were cool but bearable.
Wednesday morning.
Day three. Our breakfast was planned for coffee, hot chocolate and rusks. Ena had promised to send a container of those delicious rusks that she makes. But it seems that Patrick had been remiss and forgotten them in his car. I then decided to make the most of this and use this as a blackmailing tool against him. If Ena was to discover that he had not brought the rusks for us; and that we had gone hungry as a result; the consequences would be too horrific to bear thinking about! This morning we left at about 08.00am. The air was crisp but most of us required only shorts and a T-Shirt, while Gerald needed double layers including his “Moffie Broek”.
The days walk starts with a short descent and then a fairly long ascent. Walking uphill in the early morning is not difficult although the heat means that the hiker should remain well hydrated. Looking back from the hill that we climbed that morning we could see across the valley. I always marvel at how quickly we walk uphill to the most magnificent views. This morning was no exception. The morning sun on the valley, the dew on the fynbos, Erica, Watsonia and variety of Protea bush created a breathtaking experience.
After about five Kays we reached the young group. They had found a stream where we relaxed for a snack and enjoyed the fresh sound of the stream as it rushed over the rocks. When everyone was fully rested and ready to press on we had to cross the stream. The trail provides a chain to assist the hiker. The youngsters went on first and I was amazed to see how the level of the water rose in the short while between them leaving and the rest of the group. The second group had to remove their boots or else would have to walk in wet boots for the remaining eight kays.
From here there was a steady climb with undulating pathways for most of the rest of the day. As the trail nears the Keurbos hut there is a section of jeep track and then just before the hut is the Twin Tubs. These are two rock pools just off the pathway, which we walked back to after off loading our packs. Isabelle was first to jump in with Dominic and Ally following shortly afterwards. Others seemed to be willing to get their feet wet but not much more. The mountain streams are fairly chilly at this time of year. After they had all left, Patrick, St John and I had our evening bath. Meanwhile back at the hut, Patti was busy boiling water in all three kettles so that the group could enjoy a hot shower. I never found out whether she was doing this because she is such a good considerate person or if it was that she could no longer stand the odour that goes with hiking for four days.
Each evening would start off with the happy hour, pre-dinner snacks and fire building. I think that it was Bill Corkill who had once declared that happy hour may not begin before 17.00 until the second night on the trail when it was permissible to have a pre-happy hour beverage at 16.00. Robin set this standard for this hike and I was able to open the first of my ration of two Millers Draught Beers at that time.
Just before the hike I had visited the local Solly Kramers intending to purchase the Windhoek draught that had been so successful on previous hikes but had been conned into buying Millers beer with the offer of a free six pack. Let me not complain. The Millers went down very well on the hike. The pre-dinner snacks were probably the highlight of each evening. They varied between cauliflower, carrots and other fresh vegetables with dip to oysters and muscles on Crackers. But the most indulgent of all was when, on their last night, Ian and Jenny brought out the caviar on crackers!
The Keurbos Hut evening was to be our Pootjiekos evening. Patti had brought Pork Fillet and we had a pack of drumsticks. There was also a variety of vegetables, which was cooked in the cast iron “Drie Poot Pot” and we had a most delicious supper. I tried to make a custard and peaches for pudding but strangely enough this was not as popular with Ally and Mark as I had thought it would be. I think that they were too much in a hurry to get back to the “teenagers room” after supper each evening. That was where the real fun was to be had.
Thursday morning.
Day four. This was to be the last day of hiking far Ian and Jenny who had to catch a flight to Port Elizabeth on Friday afternoon. The bread, which I had asked the truck crew to buy, had been waiting for us in the hut the previous evening. This was fantastic as we now had two loaves of fresh sliced bread to make sandwiches and I was able to make a good pile of pastrami, cheese, lettuce, and ham and mayonnaise sandwiches for the day’s hike. It was going to be “another tough day in Africa”! Today’s hike begins with a climb, which is easily manageable in the morning cool and provides the hiker with splendid views of the valley, the Indian ocean and even views of Plettenbergbay and the Robberg. After this climb there are some fairly steep descents down to the Elandsbos river at the six Kay mark. A mistake that we, as hikers, often make is that we do not take time to look back on where we have come. These views may be the best that we will have.
The Elandsbos stream, like most on the hike, provides the hiker with an ideal opportunity to take boots off and to soak tired feet. It is quite amazing how soaking feet and legs in the icy water of the stream can refresh legs that were previously aching. At this point the river is suitable for a swim and many of us took full advantage of the opportunity. While others used this as an excuse for a bit of sun tanning and snacking. Patrick was last to arrive with St John and provided Ally with her most amusing moment of the hike as he changed to his swimming costume.
Shortly after the swimming hole is the narrow bridge crossing. This is a 30meter swing bridge where there is a 20cm board to walk across and the handholds are ideally suited to adults. Ally and St John were stretched to their limit, as they had to cross the bridge with arms fully extended to try to reach the rope. But along with everybody else they took this in their stride and were soon on the other side of the river and walking strongly up the next hill. I had tried to film this but realised that the battery of the camera was flat despite the fact that Engela had provided two batteries and that she had fully charged them prior to the hike.
I think that it was about here that we started the spelling and maths exercises. Between Isabelle and myself we set both Ally and St John spelling and maths tests which helped them to keep their minds off their tired legs. Up to this time they had been coping incredibly well and often leading some of the more senior of the hikers. As often happened at this time of day we would rest often as the heat became quite stifling particularly when we were in the tall fynbos that cut out all breeze but failed to provide any shade. This hike is one, which I would not like to tackle during the summer months, as I do not enjoy walking in the heat. The days would be longer and the river water warmer but I find the afternoon heat energy sapping.
The walk to Heuningbos Hut took us about seven hours and was well worth the effort. As we were hiking I had this thought that I was kind of in a training mode. Tim and I had this idea that we could complete the BAFER ultra. This is a 100kay two-day event along the Amatola hiking trail. What worried me is that I had forgotten just how tough a hiking trail can be and the extent to which your feet take a pounding. Oh well, that will have to be another story. The Heuningbos hut faces the West and has some cool pools just below the hut. When we got there we went straight down to the pools and were able to enjoy a swim while the sun warmed us up as we got out the water and sat on the warm rocks. This evening was the last evening for Ian and Jenny so we had the compulsory photo shoots of the Giddy families and the Giddy boys.
Each hut has a set of “Rules”. Barbara & I remember this hut well; as we had once walked to the hut and had to share with others who had come there with the sole purpose of adding to the profits of S.A.Breweries. One of the rules of this hut was “No Vulgarities” I cannot remember for certain, but perhaps we had complained to the hike management at the time and this was their response.
We were able to get cell phone reception and we were able to chat to Ena and assure her of our safety. The evening was much warmer than the previous three evenings and Patti decided to move her sleeping accommodation to the kitchen area. Between her and Engela (assisting with the placing of firewood to seal the area against draughts) they set up a cosy boudoir in a corner of the kitchen.
This evening was warm and the sky was clear so we were able to do a little stargazing and even saw a satellite. Satellites are only visible in the early evening as they reflect the sun. Once the evening meal was finished and most of the hikers had gone to bed I was able to sit at the fireside with some of the youngsters and tell stories which others have long become bored with.
Friday Morning.
Day five. I had again ordered two loaves of fresh bread and so was able to use left over pork sausages together with a variety of cheese, lettuce, ham and pastrami to make the days sandwiches. Ian and Jenny had planned to walk some of the way to the main road but before we left the truck crew were there to collect them and all of our baggage. They would be dropped off at the Storms River Bridge where their hired car was parked. We said our good byes and left them to make their way to Port Elizabeth and then back to America. They phoned on Sunday to say that they had reached their home in NY safely despite delayed flights.
Ian had been talking of a combined trip to Cloudbridge, their farm in Costa Rica. It is a farm that they are in the process of converting from a cattle ranch to a nature conservation area. They are trying to clear out the thorn and dense brush that has been left over from the cattle farming and to replant indigenous trees. One of the main problems that they encounter is that the young trees that they plant will soon become covered with the dense thorn bush if it is not cleared every few months. Ian tells me that it is purely a conservation effort and that there is no commercial venture planned, even though they are also creating trails and that a variety of people enjoy the trails. They are also considering building a hut along one of the trails. Ian tells me that the farm adjoins a national park and that the trails are very mountainous and difficult.
The hike from Heuningbos to Sleepkloof is fairly well known to both Robin and myself. We instructed everyone to fill as many water bottles as possible. As happened on most mornings, we started off with a climb and then a steep descent. These descents are normally tiring on the feet and when we reached the stream at the bottom we gladly took our boots off and had a soak in the cold water. We also had a snack here and I again urged everyone to fill their water bottles to capacity. What we did not know is that just a few meters further on the trail crossed the stream for a second time. Here it was wider and deeper. The heat was already quite intense and Engela & Pat decided to dip themselves fully into the water, clothes and all!
Finally we set off for the toughest section of the whole hike. It is particularly tough because of the time of day as well as the fact that the trail is through tall fynbos and so there is no cooling breeze. Halfway up this section there is a spring which must be used to refill water bottles again. If the hiker does not use every opportunity to drink and drink regularly there is a real chance of dehydration but in any event the heat is energy sapping. I was walking with Isabelle and Robin and we had to stop often to take advantage of tiny bits of shade and to try to recover our strength. Fortunately we had sufficient water.
After we reached the neck we saw Barbara, Ally and Dawn coming up behind us. We waved and they waved back. What we did not realise is that they were short of water and were trying to attract our attention. Eventually they did reach the neck and Barbara told me that Dawn was suffering even worse than they were. As it turned out everyone got to the top and after a short period of relaxation and a snack we began the long descent to the river below. I went a little ahead and filled the water bottle so that I could provide Barbara & Dawn with water if they should require it. But they were fine and we were soon all enjoying the shade of the forest and the cool water below. Patti made some Ginger tea and I heard Barbara & Dawn raving about how good it tasted.
From the river it is another 2kays to the Sleepkloof Hut but an easy forest walk. We reached the hut as the tail enders at about 16.00 this having been the toughest day. Showers and clothes washing on the trail does not really take the dirt from the hiker but it gave us a sense that we were at least acceptable. The Smoke and Sweat of the trail takes some really deep cleaning which only comes in the form of Skip, OMO, Sunlight and similar detergents. As happens on the last night of any trail there was a festive mood and a sense of achievement. However much we tried we could not eat as much as we had brought so there was a fair amount of left over food. The supply of beverages was not as plentiful and by the end of the evening of telling the same stories as we tell on any trail and pretending that we find each other incredibly funny, we were all ready for bed. By now the young group had become quite firm friends and seemed to have an even better evening than the older group of hikers.
Saturday morning.
The last day. I was up early as usual and chopped wood for the morning fire. Having hot water available in the morning makes life a little easier as there is often washing to be done and coffee to be made. This morning Robin, Gerald & I left a little early, as we were still to fetch Robin’s car at Natures Valley. This is a very easy forest walk and within 40mins we were at the Storms River Bridge. We had passed Graeme and the Truck crew along the pathway and so we knew that they would be back soon with the baggage. We immediately set off for Natures Valley where we picked up Robin’s car and drove back to the bridge. The rest of the group had started just after us but we heard later that they had set a cracking pace and walked the final three kays in about 37 mins. We decided to have a breakfast on the deck at Storms River Restaurant before heading back home. The service was prompt and we were soon taking last photos and ready for the last lap.
Patrick would meet us at our house and then carry on to East London where they stayed the night with Dawn in East London, before heading off to Durban on Sunday. I spent Saturday afternoon cleaning up and trying to cross tape the video that I had taken along the trail. It was only then that I discovered why the battery had not lasted as long as expected. What I had done on the second day was to film us reaching the top of the first hill and then put the camera into the carry bag, Still Recording! So I have about 40 mins of film of the inside of a carry bag with the sounds of my puffing and panting as I walk through the forest. I have not listened to the whole tape but hopefully I did not say anything that could be construed as vulgarities or insulting. This is just another example of my being lazy to use my reading glasses when I should be reading instructions.
The drive back to Port Elizabeth was easy with Mark and Ally asleep for most of the time and Barbara & Dawn completing a crossword puzzle with clues which leave me baffled.
Mark and Ally enjoyed the afternoon sun in the pool and in each other’s company. At about 16.15 we took Mark to the Greyhound bus and provided him with a few snacks for the road. He would have to travel to Pretoria and then on Sunday to Vryheid to be back at school on Monday. The weather on Saturday had begun with a really hot day of about 30 degrees and then in the late afternoon the wind came up and the temperature dropped considerably. It seemed that we had had the very best of the holiday weather on our hike. The next week was going to be a busy one for us as Michael’s wife, Lene, was due to have their third baby on Monday morning (Daniel) and Nicci (also pregnant) was due to fly in from London this week with her two children, Christian and Aaron.
Finally thanks to everyone on the hike for your company and the wonderful fellowship that we enjoyed together. Also thanks to the Gendalls for the loan of their sleeping bags and the McGillivrays for the loan of their gas cooker. I have managed to put together about 40 mins of the hike (Highlights of the first three days) onto video and have this available should you wish to see it.
Peter Giddy
2 October 2005.
Contact Details for the hike:
044 874 4363 (Ivy)
ivy@cyberperk.co.za
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Thursday, August 3, 2006
THE TRIPLE FILTER TEST BY SOCRATES
The Triple Filter Test
In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high
esteem.
One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Socrates,
do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything, I'd
like you to pass a little test. It's called the 'Triple Filter Test.'"
"Triple Filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my
friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going
to say.
The first filter is 'Truth' Have you made absolutely sure that what
you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually, I just heard about it and ... "
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or
not.
Now let's try the second filter, the filter of 'Goodness' Is what you
are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary ... "
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about
him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though,
because there's one filter left: the filter of 'Usefulness' Is what you want
to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither
true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
The acquaintance was silent.
In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high
esteem.
One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Socrates,
do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything, I'd
like you to pass a little test. It's called the 'Triple Filter Test.'"
"Triple Filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my
friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going
to say.
The first filter is 'Truth' Have you made absolutely sure that what
you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually, I just heard about it and ... "
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or
not.
Now let's try the second filter, the filter of 'Goodness' Is what you
are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary ... "
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about
him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though,
because there's one filter left: the filter of 'Usefulness' Is what you want
to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither
true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
The acquaintance was silent.
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
ENA GIDDY 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY AUGUST 2006.
AUGUST 2006
The Month of August 2006 started off with a bit of a disaster as heavy rains caused flooding in the city. For ourselves we lost the tree in front of the house. This tree had been a haven for bird life, including a pair of nesting Knysna Loeires. It had also provided us with privacy in our front lounge.
The winds and rain caused the tree to fall across the whole of Eaton road and Barbara & I had to saw the top branches off to allow cars to pass by the house. I took the day off from work and phoned into the office and advised the rest of the staff to do the same. The following day schools were cancelled as the citizens of PE tried to deal with the extent of the flooding. Barbara, Ally & I took a drive down to the Zwartkops River. It was flowing fast and we saw how the river had overflowed onto the road. The bottom of Brickmakers Kloof had been washed away as had the section of Kragga Kamma road callled Linga Longa.
This was to be an interesting month. We had planned a Dinner for Ena’s 90th Birthday in Johannesburg. Ian and Jenny would be there for a Lecturing assignment. Ian & Alice drove Ena from Plettenberg Bay to Franschoek, Clanwilliam, Pata Nostra and up the West Coast to see the Namaqualand Dasies which by all accounts were the best in years. They spent a good week or more touring and having a great time. Ian Spence was battling with his hips but seemed to manage okay despite that. They stopped off at Augrabies to see the Falls. Due to heavy rains the falls were at their best. There was a new addition to the sightseeing in that there is now a boardwalk that the viewers have to obtain the best vantage points. They then went to Uppington and finally to Johannesburg.
Ian had some work to do in Jhb and Barbara & I had booked a flight ages ago. Patrick met up with a friend of his in Jhb. On the Saturday morning I was able to do a 15kay run with Tim in the morning. Then Ally had a Hockey Derby at the Erica school. Nicci, Jacqui and Cathy had gone to Erica Primary school when they were at that age. Ally’s team did very well. They seemed to be finally achieving some rythym in their play and it is now almost the end of the season.
They have another match at the Westering primary school on Tuesday 22 August. There is a great deal of support from parents and teachers for these games. Ally’s team consisted of Megan Derry, Lara Swanepoel, Nicci, Emma (who had also payed in the B team earlier), ANO and Ally. They won the game something like 4 / nil. After the game, Barbara dropped me at work and she & Ally went off shopping.
I had a fairly busy morning but was able to write a short speech as Ian had suggested that he, Patrick & I should say something at the dinner. I have added a transcript at the bottom. Barbara & I left the car at the airport and were fortunate to be checked in by Simone Hauft – an ex friend of Jacqui from her school days. She made sure that we had good seats on the plane and also booked our return seats for the next days return flight. On this trip I learned how to play Sidoku. It was my first attempt. Barabra & Ally love the game. We cleaned up a few games in the 90 minutes we were in the air. I had a book to read but the Sidoku is quite addictive and I never even started my book.
When we arrived in Jhb, Keith was waiting for us. Suzanne had gone off to Holland for her annual visit to the family. It was Edmund’s turn to accompany her. Julia was on the Natal coast and Nills had just returned from a trip to Bolita bay with a friend of his. We collected Nills and then Keith showed us the route that we would take to the Linger Longer restaurant that evening. A little later we sat in the cool transvaal Gauteng evening chatting in Keith’s garden. They have a special interset in Trees. Keith had been for a 17 kay walk in a game park that morning. He is training for a climb in the Andes next year. Barbara had a lie down before going to dinner. I can fall fast asleep very easily but Barbara sat and played more Sidoku. The drive to Linger Longer was made easy by the fact that we had been there earlier with Keith. But just as we were approaching the restaurant, crossing Rivonia Road, a maniac in a sports car came screaming past us. I chose to drive at a slow speed due to the fact that we were in Keiths car and we were in unfamiliar territory.
We met up with all the family. Nicci Spence, Ian and Jenny had gone to a great deal of trouble to make the table special. Balloons, petals and shiny stuff on the table, small flower bowls all made for a stunning table setting. Ian & Jenny had their laptop computers there. They were switched on and playing a series of photographs. They had also made up a collage of photo’s that they displayed on the wall. We had the use of a semi private room for our celebrations.
At the table were: Ena, Barbara & I, Ian & Jenny, Ian Spence & Alice, Patrick, Nicci Holliday, and Ena’s friends; Jennifer, Natalie & Betty. 12 in all. Ian ordered wine, we were offered bottled water and then introduced to a long list of starters. Barbara & I declined the starters. The prices were horrific. Others had some interesting stuff like a Firecracker, Scallops, Avocado soup etc.
The main course came quite some time later. Barabra ordered a rack of lamb. It was excellent. I had the Kingklip. It was a minature helping and really not cooked that well. I saw that others had ordered Langoustines, and other fancy dishes. Fortunately for me; Betty was sitting next to me. She had ordered the Salmon and exclaimed how they had dished her enough for an army. Mmmm! though I. I was in the army once and I determined that any leftovers would be mine. Sure enough, she hardly had any and I was able to have good dinner due to Betty leaving more than half of her dinner.
At these family dinners of Giddy’s and Spences it is quite common to share your plate of food with all and sundry around you. Barbara was offered Scallops from Jennifer. I saw Langoustines being passed around. I wondered why order 6 if you only eat 4. But nothing went to waste as the sharing of dinner ensures that the small helpings that a fancy restaurant like this serves, enables the less hungry to pass on their leftovers to gluttons like myself.
Ian made a speech. He remined us of how we had moved into our caravan at Brookes hill overlooking the Humewood beach. And how Ena had managed to feed three ravenous boys plus all their mates with pancakes and an array of other specialities. Patrick was next to talk. He had prepared a speech but he speaks so well that he was able to relate a number of very funny stories of Ena’s past such as the Mayonaise that she made. While most of the modern moms whould never dream of making Mayo at home, Ena painstakingly adds drop by drop of oil to ensure the perfect texture. He did not mention it that evening, but Ena also makes her own Ice Cream as well as Marmalade.
My own speech was also quite well received. After the speeches we had dessert. Fortunately I had not brought my reading glasses. I had borrowed Alices’ to read my poem. And so could not see the prices of the dessert but was horrified later as we stole a menu and I saw that we had paid the earth for only a small helping of pudding. I had a pair of Crepes and Barbara had a Crème Brulet. The time went so fast that I was amazed to see that it was already 23.00. Anyone who knows me knows that I can hardly stay awake past 20.00 so this was very late for me. We had had a fantastic evening and looked forward to climbing into bed back at Keith’s house. Fortunately I had very little to drink and was confident to drive home. As we made our way along the William Nicole drive, a second madman came rushing past us at a traffic light. Crazy these Joburg drivers!
The next morning, Barbara was not feeling her best. She made us some coffee and I went through to see if Keith was awake. We decided to go for a early morning run and made our way up and down the Bryanston hills for the next 100 minutes. It was good to be able to spend some time chatting and catching up on his news. Keith told me about his morning run the previous day. He goes to a game park where he puts on a back pack and spends over two hours walking and running over some tough terrain.
He tells us that there is also a cylce track in the game park. Cyclists pay R10 or R20 and then have a circular route of about 67kays that they can safely ride without having to worry about the cars & trucks that we find on normal routes. After the run, Keith treated us to Mug & Bean breakfast and then dropped us off at the airport in penty of time for our 11.00am flight back home.
Back home that afternoon the weather was totally different to the warm morning that we had experienced in Jhb. It was chilly, wet and windy. Barbara spent most of the afternoon at home. On Monday afternoon I went for a short cycle with Ally. We passed a young boy running around the Grey. He is a std 9 pupil and tells me that he is hoping to make next year’s first rugby team. Xolani Facu. I will be watching the Grey rugby teams with interest next year.
I have been attending meetings for Addicts with Tim recently. This has been a real eye opener for me. All kinds of people have this problem and are trying to get over it. These meetings are run by John Preller. They are for recovering Addicts and Alcoholics. Real tough for a person who has to completely abstain and who interacts with others who can control their intake of alcohol.
Tuesday 22nd. It was Kerry Bryans birthday. This couple used to be in our cell group but left at the beginning of this year. Recently they sold their home in Wares Road and moved to near the old Polocrosse field near to Lovemore heights. They now live on a game reserve type of plot where six units have been built. They have a stunning house with all the fittings and have buck running around the property. We met Chris Lovemore there. Herman tells me that this man has made huge amounts of money in property development on the west side of the Lovemore Heights area. Ron and Lynne have remained friends with Rhoda and Kerry and were there as well.
This Wednesday, Barbara & Lene went off to Knysna. Michael had been offered a job in Knysna. It was with Furn City where he was currently employed. The company was due to open a new branch and had offered Michael the job of branch manager. Barbara & Lene were an advance party in the quest for accommodation, Schools and work for Lene.
Thursday 24th. We missed Cell Group last week due to others being out of town. So despite the fact that Charles & Ingrid could not be there as they were sick and Elize being overseas, we decided to go ahead and the Brinks came over. Tracey is about to leave for Luzanne to take part in the international Triathlon competition. She showed us her outfit. A Green and gold tracksuite that most of us would love to be able to wear. As well as the cycle pants and top that she will wear for the event. Right now Elize is in Turkey touring with her mother. Tracey tells us that Tracy Holliway is in the process of looking for a new job that does nto take her out of town as much. Dale is apparently very happy in his new job as HR executive for the African region.
On Monday morning, during the run, Mike Dean had made an interresting comment about how people in modern society are so wrapped up with their own lives that they coccoon themselves and do not meet new people. This is quite true for Barbara & I and I heard Andy agreeing as he said that their Sunday lunches with family are all the entertaining that they do. I then and there determined that I would change this for us and so this Friday we invited some people, who we met at school, (100 club and Hockey) for supper.
I also invited Mike as he was the one who put the idea into my mind. Desire Young was a friend of the Polo playing family of the Giddy’s. Desire knew Wayne, Charlotte and Mike Giddy. Desire, Kenny and their two children; Kate and Allison, Mike Dean joined us for supper and a game of Cranium. Then on Saturday morning I enjoyed an 18kay run with the group from Mill Park. That after noon, Barbara & ally went to see some of Ally’s friends in a Ballet at the Opera House.
Then later Barbara & I attended the Saturday evening service and the Braai at Nick and Audrey afterwards. This was a first for us as we knew about this braai after the Saturday evening service but had never been able to attend before.
Sunday morning I was supposed to go running with Tim but overslept. I spent most of the day cleaning the pool that had become thick with algae and the car which was filthy after Brabara’s trip to Knysna and the rains that we had had in PE.
ENA GIDDY 19 August 2006.
90 years have past
The deed is done, the die is cast
Our old Nene and Wilfred Lionel
First made Ian; and Ena was the final
Born in Scotland, schooled in Paris, and then Spain
Walked, & cycled through snow, sleet and rain.
Mourgat; Brittanny North of France
College in Edinburgh left nothing to chance.
Back and forth moved her dad.
A ladies man sure was this lad.
An inventor too, this engineering man
The conveyor belt was truly his plan.
Then as Ian moved to a career in Mining
Nene & Ena followed to the land of shining
Land on the Vaal was what they bought
Find a good man her mother taught.
Allan’s friend was John Pike
Ria’s friend Ena seemed a Good Strike.
The farm now too much to hold
Nene followed Ena to the City of Gold
The next move was the Avenue of Jan Smuts
The Cape Town move took some Guts
Modern Appliances worked out right for Dad
And the move to Port Elizabeth seemed quite mad
Kids in tow the move they made
Furniture and Appliances was Allan’s trade.
Finally back to Jo’burg they came
The life in PE far too tame.
Plett was next on the list
A house on the coast just seemed best
Plettenberg bay was a great place in the sun
Ena and Allan, family, friends. Just having fun.
Now it’s Ena: Parties, Bridge and Dinners
Never mind who are this days winners
Enjoy your life and make it the best
And put the younger people to the test.
Ena has certainly made the best of a life at the coast
Lets all rise and drink a toast
To Ena, our Mom, Sister and friend to All
A wonderful person to those who recall.
The Month of August 2006 started off with a bit of a disaster as heavy rains caused flooding in the city. For ourselves we lost the tree in front of the house. This tree had been a haven for bird life, including a pair of nesting Knysna Loeires. It had also provided us with privacy in our front lounge.
The winds and rain caused the tree to fall across the whole of Eaton road and Barbara & I had to saw the top branches off to allow cars to pass by the house. I took the day off from work and phoned into the office and advised the rest of the staff to do the same. The following day schools were cancelled as the citizens of PE tried to deal with the extent of the flooding. Barbara, Ally & I took a drive down to the Zwartkops River. It was flowing fast and we saw how the river had overflowed onto the road. The bottom of Brickmakers Kloof had been washed away as had the section of Kragga Kamma road callled Linga Longa.
This was to be an interesting month. We had planned a Dinner for Ena’s 90th Birthday in Johannesburg. Ian and Jenny would be there for a Lecturing assignment. Ian & Alice drove Ena from Plettenberg Bay to Franschoek, Clanwilliam, Pata Nostra and up the West Coast to see the Namaqualand Dasies which by all accounts were the best in years. They spent a good week or more touring and having a great time. Ian Spence was battling with his hips but seemed to manage okay despite that. They stopped off at Augrabies to see the Falls. Due to heavy rains the falls were at their best. There was a new addition to the sightseeing in that there is now a boardwalk that the viewers have to obtain the best vantage points. They then went to Uppington and finally to Johannesburg.
Ian had some work to do in Jhb and Barbara & I had booked a flight ages ago. Patrick met up with a friend of his in Jhb. On the Saturday morning I was able to do a 15kay run with Tim in the morning. Then Ally had a Hockey Derby at the Erica school. Nicci, Jacqui and Cathy had gone to Erica Primary school when they were at that age. Ally’s team did very well. They seemed to be finally achieving some rythym in their play and it is now almost the end of the season.
They have another match at the Westering primary school on Tuesday 22 August. There is a great deal of support from parents and teachers for these games. Ally’s team consisted of Megan Derry, Lara Swanepoel, Nicci, Emma (who had also payed in the B team earlier), ANO and Ally. They won the game something like 4 / nil. After the game, Barbara dropped me at work and she & Ally went off shopping.
I had a fairly busy morning but was able to write a short speech as Ian had suggested that he, Patrick & I should say something at the dinner. I have added a transcript at the bottom. Barbara & I left the car at the airport and were fortunate to be checked in by Simone Hauft – an ex friend of Jacqui from her school days. She made sure that we had good seats on the plane and also booked our return seats for the next days return flight. On this trip I learned how to play Sidoku. It was my first attempt. Barabra & Ally love the game. We cleaned up a few games in the 90 minutes we were in the air. I had a book to read but the Sidoku is quite addictive and I never even started my book.
When we arrived in Jhb, Keith was waiting for us. Suzanne had gone off to Holland for her annual visit to the family. It was Edmund’s turn to accompany her. Julia was on the Natal coast and Nills had just returned from a trip to Bolita bay with a friend of his. We collected Nills and then Keith showed us the route that we would take to the Linger Longer restaurant that evening. A little later we sat in the cool transvaal Gauteng evening chatting in Keith’s garden. They have a special interset in Trees. Keith had been for a 17 kay walk in a game park that morning. He is training for a climb in the Andes next year. Barbara had a lie down before going to dinner. I can fall fast asleep very easily but Barbara sat and played more Sidoku. The drive to Linger Longer was made easy by the fact that we had been there earlier with Keith. But just as we were approaching the restaurant, crossing Rivonia Road, a maniac in a sports car came screaming past us. I chose to drive at a slow speed due to the fact that we were in Keiths car and we were in unfamiliar territory.
We met up with all the family. Nicci Spence, Ian and Jenny had gone to a great deal of trouble to make the table special. Balloons, petals and shiny stuff on the table, small flower bowls all made for a stunning table setting. Ian & Jenny had their laptop computers there. They were switched on and playing a series of photographs. They had also made up a collage of photo’s that they displayed on the wall. We had the use of a semi private room for our celebrations.
At the table were: Ena, Barbara & I, Ian & Jenny, Ian Spence & Alice, Patrick, Nicci Holliday, and Ena’s friends; Jennifer, Natalie & Betty. 12 in all. Ian ordered wine, we were offered bottled water and then introduced to a long list of starters. Barbara & I declined the starters. The prices were horrific. Others had some interesting stuff like a Firecracker, Scallops, Avocado soup etc.
The main course came quite some time later. Barabra ordered a rack of lamb. It was excellent. I had the Kingklip. It was a minature helping and really not cooked that well. I saw that others had ordered Langoustines, and other fancy dishes. Fortunately for me; Betty was sitting next to me. She had ordered the Salmon and exclaimed how they had dished her enough for an army. Mmmm! though I. I was in the army once and I determined that any leftovers would be mine. Sure enough, she hardly had any and I was able to have good dinner due to Betty leaving more than half of her dinner.
At these family dinners of Giddy’s and Spences it is quite common to share your plate of food with all and sundry around you. Barbara was offered Scallops from Jennifer. I saw Langoustines being passed around. I wondered why order 6 if you only eat 4. But nothing went to waste as the sharing of dinner ensures that the small helpings that a fancy restaurant like this serves, enables the less hungry to pass on their leftovers to gluttons like myself.
Ian made a speech. He remined us of how we had moved into our caravan at Brookes hill overlooking the Humewood beach. And how Ena had managed to feed three ravenous boys plus all their mates with pancakes and an array of other specialities. Patrick was next to talk. He had prepared a speech but he speaks so well that he was able to relate a number of very funny stories of Ena’s past such as the Mayonaise that she made. While most of the modern moms whould never dream of making Mayo at home, Ena painstakingly adds drop by drop of oil to ensure the perfect texture. He did not mention it that evening, but Ena also makes her own Ice Cream as well as Marmalade.
My own speech was also quite well received. After the speeches we had dessert. Fortunately I had not brought my reading glasses. I had borrowed Alices’ to read my poem. And so could not see the prices of the dessert but was horrified later as we stole a menu and I saw that we had paid the earth for only a small helping of pudding. I had a pair of Crepes and Barbara had a Crème Brulet. The time went so fast that I was amazed to see that it was already 23.00. Anyone who knows me knows that I can hardly stay awake past 20.00 so this was very late for me. We had had a fantastic evening and looked forward to climbing into bed back at Keith’s house. Fortunately I had very little to drink and was confident to drive home. As we made our way along the William Nicole drive, a second madman came rushing past us at a traffic light. Crazy these Joburg drivers!
The next morning, Barbara was not feeling her best. She made us some coffee and I went through to see if Keith was awake. We decided to go for a early morning run and made our way up and down the Bryanston hills for the next 100 minutes. It was good to be able to spend some time chatting and catching up on his news. Keith told me about his morning run the previous day. He goes to a game park where he puts on a back pack and spends over two hours walking and running over some tough terrain.
He tells us that there is also a cylce track in the game park. Cyclists pay R10 or R20 and then have a circular route of about 67kays that they can safely ride without having to worry about the cars & trucks that we find on normal routes. After the run, Keith treated us to Mug & Bean breakfast and then dropped us off at the airport in penty of time for our 11.00am flight back home.
Back home that afternoon the weather was totally different to the warm morning that we had experienced in Jhb. It was chilly, wet and windy. Barbara spent most of the afternoon at home. On Monday afternoon I went for a short cycle with Ally. We passed a young boy running around the Grey. He is a std 9 pupil and tells me that he is hoping to make next year’s first rugby team. Xolani Facu. I will be watching the Grey rugby teams with interest next year.
I have been attending meetings for Addicts with Tim recently. This has been a real eye opener for me. All kinds of people have this problem and are trying to get over it. These meetings are run by John Preller. They are for recovering Addicts and Alcoholics. Real tough for a person who has to completely abstain and who interacts with others who can control their intake of alcohol.
Tuesday 22nd. It was Kerry Bryans birthday. This couple used to be in our cell group but left at the beginning of this year. Recently they sold their home in Wares Road and moved to near the old Polocrosse field near to Lovemore heights. They now live on a game reserve type of plot where six units have been built. They have a stunning house with all the fittings and have buck running around the property. We met Chris Lovemore there. Herman tells me that this man has made huge amounts of money in property development on the west side of the Lovemore Heights area. Ron and Lynne have remained friends with Rhoda and Kerry and were there as well.
This Wednesday, Barbara & Lene went off to Knysna. Michael had been offered a job in Knysna. It was with Furn City where he was currently employed. The company was due to open a new branch and had offered Michael the job of branch manager. Barbara & Lene were an advance party in the quest for accommodation, Schools and work for Lene.
Thursday 24th. We missed Cell Group last week due to others being out of town. So despite the fact that Charles & Ingrid could not be there as they were sick and Elize being overseas, we decided to go ahead and the Brinks came over. Tracey is about to leave for Luzanne to take part in the international Triathlon competition. She showed us her outfit. A Green and gold tracksuite that most of us would love to be able to wear. As well as the cycle pants and top that she will wear for the event. Right now Elize is in Turkey touring with her mother. Tracey tells us that Tracy Holliway is in the process of looking for a new job that does nto take her out of town as much. Dale is apparently very happy in his new job as HR executive for the African region.
On Monday morning, during the run, Mike Dean had made an interresting comment about how people in modern society are so wrapped up with their own lives that they coccoon themselves and do not meet new people. This is quite true for Barbara & I and I heard Andy agreeing as he said that their Sunday lunches with family are all the entertaining that they do. I then and there determined that I would change this for us and so this Friday we invited some people, who we met at school, (100 club and Hockey) for supper.
I also invited Mike as he was the one who put the idea into my mind. Desire Young was a friend of the Polo playing family of the Giddy’s. Desire knew Wayne, Charlotte and Mike Giddy. Desire, Kenny and their two children; Kate and Allison, Mike Dean joined us for supper and a game of Cranium. Then on Saturday morning I enjoyed an 18kay run with the group from Mill Park. That after noon, Barbara & ally went to see some of Ally’s friends in a Ballet at the Opera House.
Then later Barbara & I attended the Saturday evening service and the Braai at Nick and Audrey afterwards. This was a first for us as we knew about this braai after the Saturday evening service but had never been able to attend before.
Sunday morning I was supposed to go running with Tim but overslept. I spent most of the day cleaning the pool that had become thick with algae and the car which was filthy after Brabara’s trip to Knysna and the rains that we had had in PE.
ENA GIDDY 19 August 2006.
90 years have past
The deed is done, the die is cast
Our old Nene and Wilfred Lionel
First made Ian; and Ena was the final
Born in Scotland, schooled in Paris, and then Spain
Walked, & cycled through snow, sleet and rain.
Mourgat; Brittanny North of France
College in Edinburgh left nothing to chance.
Back and forth moved her dad.
A ladies man sure was this lad.
An inventor too, this engineering man
The conveyor belt was truly his plan.
Then as Ian moved to a career in Mining
Nene & Ena followed to the land of shining
Land on the Vaal was what they bought
Find a good man her mother taught.
Allan’s friend was John Pike
Ria’s friend Ena seemed a Good Strike.
The farm now too much to hold
Nene followed Ena to the City of Gold
The next move was the Avenue of Jan Smuts
The Cape Town move took some Guts
Modern Appliances worked out right for Dad
And the move to Port Elizabeth seemed quite mad
Kids in tow the move they made
Furniture and Appliances was Allan’s trade.
Finally back to Jo’burg they came
The life in PE far too tame.
Plett was next on the list
A house on the coast just seemed best
Plettenberg bay was a great place in the sun
Ena and Allan, family, friends. Just having fun.
Now it’s Ena: Parties, Bridge and Dinners
Never mind who are this days winners
Enjoy your life and make it the best
And put the younger people to the test.
Ena has certainly made the best of a life at the coast
Lets all rise and drink a toast
To Ena, our Mom, Sister and friend to All
A wonderful person to those who recall.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
WALKING WITH JESUS: COSTA STATHAKIS MAY 2006
COSTA STATHAKIS
WALMER METHODIST
MAY 2006.
Costa is a Methodist Minister from Plettenbergbay and before that from Bryanston. He came to Walmer for a four-day mission to talk about Walking with Jesus. The four themes were:
Walking in Grace
Walking in Forgiveness
Walking on Water
Walking in Radical Unity
Walking in Grace (Amazing Grace)
Sunday morning 28th May 2006. The church was, as always, full. The music group led with some well-known songs that seemed to be enjoyed by all. I had a Biathle that I had to rush off to immediately after the service and had suggested to Ally that she may like to join me. While I respected her decision to not do his event I suggested that she wear her costume under her clothing as I was doing. Just in case she changed her mind. This seemed to put her in a negative frame of mind and we were worried that we were pressuring her into doing these events. So the first part of the service had a little tension in the Giddy family.
The main message of this section was that “My God, In His loving kindness will meet me in every corner”. God is at every corner of your life to meet you there. He is already there in anticipation of your arrival.
Costa then went on to describe the scene when Jesus was trying to have a nap in the boat. The lake became rough in a storm that developed in the night. His disciples woke him up and he calmed the waters. He then goes on to ask: Mark 4:40. Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? Jesus is asking the Disciples to trust him. He is saying that they should by now, after all they have been through, be able to trust in Jesus just as an experienced airplane passenger trusts the Pilot to carry them safely to the planned destination. Faith is built over a period of time and though experiences.
God seeks you and wants you to respond. It is not you who are seeking God but God who is seeking you. You have the choice to acknowledge God or not. Romans 3:20. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them and they with me.
Costa ended the service with the signing of Amazing Grace. He asked us to sit through the first verse, then those who wanted to make a commitment to Jesus to stand in the second verse, those who wanted to Recommit to stand in the third verse and then all stand for the fourth verse. This was a different kind of Alter Call but worked very well.
Unfortunately we could not stay as I had this Biathle after church. Biathle is a run, swim, run; short distance event. As it turned out I was the only one in my age group. And Ally, (predictably), decided that this looked like fun and also took part. She did particularly well except when it came to putting her shoes back on after the swim. She just could not manage this and ended up running with her heels pressed down like slippers. It seems that we both may be selected for the team to represent EP at the SA National Competition in East London in July.
Walking in forgiveness
We do not often go to church on a Sunday evening. We had been visiting Tim & Suzanne on Saturday evening after a wonderful short period of prayer between 6 & 7 where Bronwyn led us through the thoughts of Jesus on his last night. She told us how Jesus had prayed for three blessings on mankind: Joy, Protection and Sanctification (See the last page of this story for an explanation of the word Sanctification) and had led prayer in these three areas.
Tim had mentioned that his daughter Jessica (17) enjoys the Sunday evening services at Walmer Methodist but that he did not think that she was going for the right reasons. That this was merely a social gathering and that it had little spiritual motivation. So on Sunday I invited Tim to join us. Tim is an Anglican, I was too and he has all my sympathies (Joking of course). Anyway I picked him up, Jessica went with her friends and as it happened she sat in front of us. This was an eye opener for Tim. He later reported how much he had enjoyed the service, the music and the message. The message that Costa had for us this evening was one of Forgiveness.
Have you been forgiven by God?
Psalm 102:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
You are already forgiven by God.
Have you forgiven your neighbour?
Have you forgiven others? Your family, your friends, your political leaders, your work colleagues and any others with whom you have had contact or have heard about. To bear a grudge is far worse for the person holding the grudge than for the person who you have not yet been able to forgive. The release of forgiveness is a weight off your shoulders. Matthew 18:21&22. Peter asked Jesus how many times should he forgive another. Jesus replied that you should forgive an “infinite number of times”. In other words there should be no limit or conditions for your forgiveness. Costa went on to advise that we should approach the person who we need to forgive and verbalise our forgiveness.
Have you forgiven your self?
If you are able to forgive others and you have complete certainty in the forgiveness of God. Then you should be able to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself. Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Walking on Water
After we had heard the first two discussions Barbara & I felt that we had to “complete the course”. And so we went on the Monday evening as well.
I was not at all surprised to see that there were a fair number of people in the church. Geoff Evans was leading the Music group that evening. I really enjoy his style.
Mathew 14. 22 & 23. Jesus has gone to the shore to pray. He then wants to return to the boat where the Disciples are and He walks on water. Peter is amazed and when Jesus suggests that he should walk towards him, Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk.
The Message that Costa presented is that:
You have to get out of the boat to grow.
Leave your comfort zone and stretch yourself and you will grow.
A storm is a way of God getting our attention.
Failure does not shape you: It is your response to failure that shapes you. Illustration of Jonas Salk who invented the Polio Vaccination: Tried 200 times before success. See the note at the end of this for more on the Polio Vaccine.
You have to get out of the boat to be able to walk on water.
Remember that the boat may also sink. Your boat is that which keeps you from Jesus. Fear will tell you what your boat is. Getting out of the boat is the start of a great adventure.
You have to get out of your boat to deepen your relationship with God.
If you think that you are getting a call from God and then you think, “Okay, I should be able to do that” then the call is not from God. God calls you to do things that are bigger than you. God wants you to rely on him.
Take risks.
It will grow you
Do not lose the focus on God.
Now I had a really interesting encounter on Friday morning after the series. I had arranged to run at 05.15 from Mill Park where we normally meet. Here I met up with a “newcomer”, Gordon. He seemed to know me but I could not remember where we had met before so I asked him. As it turned out we had met at Kerry and Rhoda’s house. He also knew me from the Mini Hockey and the church. We go to chatting and it turned out that he was a member of Bryanston when Costa was there and Costa had given the same presentation on Walking on Water. IN particular the message about getting out of your boat to grow seemed to have impressed Gordon and his family. So much so that they got out of their boat and moved to Port Elizabeth.
Walking in Radical Unity
On the final evening (Tuesday) Barbara was not feeling her best so I went on my own (not really possible in a church like ours) and was very pleased that I did not miss this message. I sat with Gaynor, who knew Costa from Bryanston and who has a child (Danielle) at Nippers, Pierre and Bronwyn. This evening Costa was very complementary about our church. He pointed out how fortunate we were to have a vibrant youth contingent such as he had seen on Sunday evening. We also have a number of music groups and a committed leadership. He is, of course, so right. We are truly a blessed community. Theo was on the organ and Costa acknowledged him as well.
During this week our good friend and running partner, Susan Burri, had been admitted to hospital and was in High Care. We heard that she was very ill with high blood pressure and kidney problems and that she had lost sight in one eye. Susan was studying for exams and I was sure that this was one of the causes of her illness as Barbara had been very stressed last year and had suffered similar symptoms. Later in the week we heard the good news that Susan was out of High Care and responding to treatment.
Her sister is a doctor and had apparently said that a probable cause was a boat cruise that they had been on. Susan had become ill and may have dehydrated. This combined with a rigorous training regime for Two Oceans Marathon and the stress of the studies may have led to her system not coping. I like to introduce Susan as only the second woman in the World to have completed over 20 Two Oceans Marathons. I am inclined to believe that at least part of the reason for Susan’s recovery was the outpouring of love and prayers that came from her family and friends.
The Basis of Christian Unity
United we stand. Divided we fall. We have a common enemy and need to stand together in this regard.
This evening he spoke about Unity in the church and read the following passage: (Just note how many times the word “one” appears). Ephesians 4: 5 & 6. ‘There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called--One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.’
The behaviour of Christian Unity.
‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.’ 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
Costa advised us against judging other churches, don’t run another Christian church down. There are two groups: those who love one another and who live in unity…..and those who do not. As an example of Unity Costa reminded us of the Braveheart Movie where William Wallace united the Scots to fight the tyranny of the English.
The benefits of Christian Unity
In discussing the Benefits of Christian Unity the following passages are so clear and almost obvious that it would seem absolutely ridiculous to be aware of these benefits and yet to not become a Christian.
The Disciples (as do we) Experienced the Power of God “…and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” Acts 2 : 43
The Disciples (as do we) Experienced Caring.
“And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other…” Acts 2 : 44
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2 47
They (the disciples and us) experienced Joy.
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people” Acts 2 : 46
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13 : 35
(Yes they will know we are Christians by our love)
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”
John 17 : 23
At the end of this evening I was able to talk to Costa. My Mother lives in Plett and is “unchurched”. Costa agreed to visit her and to encourage her to visit their church in Plett. I may go there on a Sunday specifically to take Ena along.
Polio Vaccine. Invented by Jonas Salk (1914-1995).
The following text is “Copy & Paste from the Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
While attending NY Medical College, Jonas Salk heard two lectures that would change his life forever:
“In the first lecture, we were told that it was possible to immunize against diphtheria and tetanus by the use of a chemically treated toxin [to kill it]... In the very next lecture, we were told that in order to immunize against a virus disease it was necessary to go through the experience of infection. It was not possible to kill the virus... The light went on at that point. I said that those two statements can’t possibly both be true. One has to be false.”
The polio virus initially attacks the nervous system and within a few hours of infection, paralysis can occur. The death rate of the disease is about 5-10%. Death usually occurs when the breathing muscles become paralyzed. Polio was sometimes hard to diagnose because of its flu-like symptoms, which include stiff neck, fever, and headache.
At that time, it was believed that immunity can come only after the body has survived at least a mild infection by live virus. In contrast, Salk observed that it is possible to acquire immunity through contact with inactivated (killed) virus. Using formaldehyde, Salk killed the poliovirus, but kept it intact enough to trigger the necessary immune response.
The vaccine was first tested in monkeys, and then in patients. After successful tests, in 1952, Salk tested his vaccine on volunteering parties, including himself, the laboratory staff, his wife, and his children. In 1954, national testing began on one million children, On April 12, 1955, the results were announced: the vaccine was safe and effective. The patient would develop immunity to the live disease due to the body's earlier reaction to the killed virus.
The vaccine was instrumental in the near eradication of a once widely-feared disease. Polio’s outbreak in 1916 left 6000 dead and 27,000 paralyzed. In 1952, 57,628 cases were recorded. After the vaccine became available, polio cases in the U.S. dropped by 85-90 percent in only two years. In 1979, only 10 cases were reported.
Dr. Salk's last years were spent searching for a vaccine against AIDS. Jonas Salk died on June 23, 1995. He was 80 years old.
The following explanation of Sanctification is from an internet source.
Sanctification - Biblical Meaning --- Set Apart
Sanctification is a biblical doctrine that is emphasized a great deal in Christian teaching. Yet despite its importance, it is often perceived as a religious notion too complex to comprehend. Though sanctification may at first seem to be a foreign concept, it is one of the greatest things that has and is happening to every believer in Jesus Christ. Here we will explore the basic biblical doctrine of sanctification and discuss the key
role it plays in a Christian's spiritual growth.
Sanctification comes from the verb sanctify. Sanctify originates from the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be "separate" or to be "set apart." In the Bible, sanctification generally relates to a sovereign act of God whereby He "sets apart" a person, place, or thing in order that His purposes may be accomplished.
Similarly, when a person is sanctified he or she is being set apart by God for a specific divine purpose. The very moment we are saved in Christ we are also immediately sanctified and begin the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. As God's children we are "set apart" from that moment to carry out His divine purposes unto eternity.
Sanctification - Different Than Salvation
It is important to differentiate between justification and sanctification.
But what is the work of sanctification? What does it practically mean to be "set apart"? Sanctification can be described as an inward spiritual process whereby God brings about holiness and change in the life of a
Christian by means of the Holy Spirit.
Note that sanctification has nothing to do with living in sinless perfection. We will never be sinless in this life. In fact, the Bible warns against such false teachings in 1 John 1:8: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Sanctification is not about trying to be sinless in order to earn the favor of God. Rather, sanctification is for our own benefit. God commands us to pursue sanctification so that through it we may be blessed.
Peter Giddy
1 June 2006.
Thanks to Robyn for the use of her AV presentation and notes.
On 14 June 2009: My brother Ian died. Having met Costa and also having been to his church with Ena, I felt comfortable to ask him to provide the facitlty for a Memorial Service for Ian at the Plett Methodist Church. He conducted a wonderful service and I have Blogged this as Eulogy to Ian Giddy.
WALMER METHODIST
MAY 2006.
Costa is a Methodist Minister from Plettenbergbay and before that from Bryanston. He came to Walmer for a four-day mission to talk about Walking with Jesus. The four themes were:
Walking in Grace
Walking in Forgiveness
Walking on Water
Walking in Radical Unity
Walking in Grace (Amazing Grace)
Sunday morning 28th May 2006. The church was, as always, full. The music group led with some well-known songs that seemed to be enjoyed by all. I had a Biathle that I had to rush off to immediately after the service and had suggested to Ally that she may like to join me. While I respected her decision to not do his event I suggested that she wear her costume under her clothing as I was doing. Just in case she changed her mind. This seemed to put her in a negative frame of mind and we were worried that we were pressuring her into doing these events. So the first part of the service had a little tension in the Giddy family.
The main message of this section was that “My God, In His loving kindness will meet me in every corner”. God is at every corner of your life to meet you there. He is already there in anticipation of your arrival.
Costa then went on to describe the scene when Jesus was trying to have a nap in the boat. The lake became rough in a storm that developed in the night. His disciples woke him up and he calmed the waters. He then goes on to ask: Mark 4:40. Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? Jesus is asking the Disciples to trust him. He is saying that they should by now, after all they have been through, be able to trust in Jesus just as an experienced airplane passenger trusts the Pilot to carry them safely to the planned destination. Faith is built over a period of time and though experiences.
God seeks you and wants you to respond. It is not you who are seeking God but God who is seeking you. You have the choice to acknowledge God or not. Romans 3:20. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them and they with me.
Costa ended the service with the signing of Amazing Grace. He asked us to sit through the first verse, then those who wanted to make a commitment to Jesus to stand in the second verse, those who wanted to Recommit to stand in the third verse and then all stand for the fourth verse. This was a different kind of Alter Call but worked very well.
Unfortunately we could not stay as I had this Biathle after church. Biathle is a run, swim, run; short distance event. As it turned out I was the only one in my age group. And Ally, (predictably), decided that this looked like fun and also took part. She did particularly well except when it came to putting her shoes back on after the swim. She just could not manage this and ended up running with her heels pressed down like slippers. It seems that we both may be selected for the team to represent EP at the SA National Competition in East London in July.
Walking in forgiveness
We do not often go to church on a Sunday evening. We had been visiting Tim & Suzanne on Saturday evening after a wonderful short period of prayer between 6 & 7 where Bronwyn led us through the thoughts of Jesus on his last night. She told us how Jesus had prayed for three blessings on mankind: Joy, Protection and Sanctification (See the last page of this story for an explanation of the word Sanctification) and had led prayer in these three areas.
Tim had mentioned that his daughter Jessica (17) enjoys the Sunday evening services at Walmer Methodist but that he did not think that she was going for the right reasons. That this was merely a social gathering and that it had little spiritual motivation. So on Sunday I invited Tim to join us. Tim is an Anglican, I was too and he has all my sympathies (Joking of course). Anyway I picked him up, Jessica went with her friends and as it happened she sat in front of us. This was an eye opener for Tim. He later reported how much he had enjoyed the service, the music and the message. The message that Costa had for us this evening was one of Forgiveness.
Have you been forgiven by God?
Psalm 102:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
You are already forgiven by God.
Have you forgiven your neighbour?
Have you forgiven others? Your family, your friends, your political leaders, your work colleagues and any others with whom you have had contact or have heard about. To bear a grudge is far worse for the person holding the grudge than for the person who you have not yet been able to forgive. The release of forgiveness is a weight off your shoulders. Matthew 18:21&22. Peter asked Jesus how many times should he forgive another. Jesus replied that you should forgive an “infinite number of times”. In other words there should be no limit or conditions for your forgiveness. Costa went on to advise that we should approach the person who we need to forgive and verbalise our forgiveness.
Have you forgiven your self?
If you are able to forgive others and you have complete certainty in the forgiveness of God. Then you should be able to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself. Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Walking on Water
After we had heard the first two discussions Barbara & I felt that we had to “complete the course”. And so we went on the Monday evening as well.
I was not at all surprised to see that there were a fair number of people in the church. Geoff Evans was leading the Music group that evening. I really enjoy his style.
Mathew 14. 22 & 23. Jesus has gone to the shore to pray. He then wants to return to the boat where the Disciples are and He walks on water. Peter is amazed and when Jesus suggests that he should walk towards him, Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk.
The Message that Costa presented is that:
You have to get out of the boat to grow.
Leave your comfort zone and stretch yourself and you will grow.
A storm is a way of God getting our attention.
Failure does not shape you: It is your response to failure that shapes you. Illustration of Jonas Salk who invented the Polio Vaccination: Tried 200 times before success. See the note at the end of this for more on the Polio Vaccine.
You have to get out of the boat to be able to walk on water.
Remember that the boat may also sink. Your boat is that which keeps you from Jesus. Fear will tell you what your boat is. Getting out of the boat is the start of a great adventure.
You have to get out of your boat to deepen your relationship with God.
If you think that you are getting a call from God and then you think, “Okay, I should be able to do that” then the call is not from God. God calls you to do things that are bigger than you. God wants you to rely on him.
Take risks.
It will grow you
Do not lose the focus on God.
Now I had a really interesting encounter on Friday morning after the series. I had arranged to run at 05.15 from Mill Park where we normally meet. Here I met up with a “newcomer”, Gordon. He seemed to know me but I could not remember where we had met before so I asked him. As it turned out we had met at Kerry and Rhoda’s house. He also knew me from the Mini Hockey and the church. We go to chatting and it turned out that he was a member of Bryanston when Costa was there and Costa had given the same presentation on Walking on Water. IN particular the message about getting out of your boat to grow seemed to have impressed Gordon and his family. So much so that they got out of their boat and moved to Port Elizabeth.
Walking in Radical Unity
On the final evening (Tuesday) Barbara was not feeling her best so I went on my own (not really possible in a church like ours) and was very pleased that I did not miss this message. I sat with Gaynor, who knew Costa from Bryanston and who has a child (Danielle) at Nippers, Pierre and Bronwyn. This evening Costa was very complementary about our church. He pointed out how fortunate we were to have a vibrant youth contingent such as he had seen on Sunday evening. We also have a number of music groups and a committed leadership. He is, of course, so right. We are truly a blessed community. Theo was on the organ and Costa acknowledged him as well.
During this week our good friend and running partner, Susan Burri, had been admitted to hospital and was in High Care. We heard that she was very ill with high blood pressure and kidney problems and that she had lost sight in one eye. Susan was studying for exams and I was sure that this was one of the causes of her illness as Barbara had been very stressed last year and had suffered similar symptoms. Later in the week we heard the good news that Susan was out of High Care and responding to treatment.
Her sister is a doctor and had apparently said that a probable cause was a boat cruise that they had been on. Susan had become ill and may have dehydrated. This combined with a rigorous training regime for Two Oceans Marathon and the stress of the studies may have led to her system not coping. I like to introduce Susan as only the second woman in the World to have completed over 20 Two Oceans Marathons. I am inclined to believe that at least part of the reason for Susan’s recovery was the outpouring of love and prayers that came from her family and friends.
The Basis of Christian Unity
United we stand. Divided we fall. We have a common enemy and need to stand together in this regard.
This evening he spoke about Unity in the church and read the following passage: (Just note how many times the word “one” appears). Ephesians 4: 5 & 6. ‘There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called--One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.’
The behaviour of Christian Unity.
‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.’ 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
Costa advised us against judging other churches, don’t run another Christian church down. There are two groups: those who love one another and who live in unity…..and those who do not. As an example of Unity Costa reminded us of the Braveheart Movie where William Wallace united the Scots to fight the tyranny of the English.
The benefits of Christian Unity
In discussing the Benefits of Christian Unity the following passages are so clear and almost obvious that it would seem absolutely ridiculous to be aware of these benefits and yet to not become a Christian.
The Disciples (as do we) Experienced the Power of God “…and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” Acts 2 : 43
The Disciples (as do we) Experienced Caring.
“And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other…” Acts 2 : 44
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2 47
They (the disciples and us) experienced Joy.
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people” Acts 2 : 46
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13 : 35
(Yes they will know we are Christians by our love)
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”
John 17 : 23
At the end of this evening I was able to talk to Costa. My Mother lives in Plett and is “unchurched”. Costa agreed to visit her and to encourage her to visit their church in Plett. I may go there on a Sunday specifically to take Ena along.
Polio Vaccine. Invented by Jonas Salk (1914-1995).
The following text is “Copy & Paste from the Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
While attending NY Medical College, Jonas Salk heard two lectures that would change his life forever:
“In the first lecture, we were told that it was possible to immunize against diphtheria and tetanus by the use of a chemically treated toxin [to kill it]... In the very next lecture, we were told that in order to immunize against a virus disease it was necessary to go through the experience of infection. It was not possible to kill the virus... The light went on at that point. I said that those two statements can’t possibly both be true. One has to be false.”
The polio virus initially attacks the nervous system and within a few hours of infection, paralysis can occur. The death rate of the disease is about 5-10%. Death usually occurs when the breathing muscles become paralyzed. Polio was sometimes hard to diagnose because of its flu-like symptoms, which include stiff neck, fever, and headache.
At that time, it was believed that immunity can come only after the body has survived at least a mild infection by live virus. In contrast, Salk observed that it is possible to acquire immunity through contact with inactivated (killed) virus. Using formaldehyde, Salk killed the poliovirus, but kept it intact enough to trigger the necessary immune response.
The vaccine was first tested in monkeys, and then in patients. After successful tests, in 1952, Salk tested his vaccine on volunteering parties, including himself, the laboratory staff, his wife, and his children. In 1954, national testing began on one million children, On April 12, 1955, the results were announced: the vaccine was safe and effective. The patient would develop immunity to the live disease due to the body's earlier reaction to the killed virus.
The vaccine was instrumental in the near eradication of a once widely-feared disease. Polio’s outbreak in 1916 left 6000 dead and 27,000 paralyzed. In 1952, 57,628 cases were recorded. After the vaccine became available, polio cases in the U.S. dropped by 85-90 percent in only two years. In 1979, only 10 cases were reported.
Dr. Salk's last years were spent searching for a vaccine against AIDS. Jonas Salk died on June 23, 1995. He was 80 years old.
The following explanation of Sanctification is from an internet source.
Sanctification - Biblical Meaning --- Set Apart
Sanctification is a biblical doctrine that is emphasized a great deal in Christian teaching. Yet despite its importance, it is often perceived as a religious notion too complex to comprehend. Though sanctification may at first seem to be a foreign concept, it is one of the greatest things that has and is happening to every believer in Jesus Christ. Here we will explore the basic biblical doctrine of sanctification and discuss the key
role it plays in a Christian's spiritual growth.
Sanctification comes from the verb sanctify. Sanctify originates from the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be "separate" or to be "set apart." In the Bible, sanctification generally relates to a sovereign act of God whereby He "sets apart" a person, place, or thing in order that His purposes may be accomplished.
Similarly, when a person is sanctified he or she is being set apart by God for a specific divine purpose. The very moment we are saved in Christ we are also immediately sanctified and begin the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. As God's children we are "set apart" from that moment to carry out His divine purposes unto eternity.
Sanctification - Different Than Salvation
It is important to differentiate between justification and sanctification.
But what is the work of sanctification? What does it practically mean to be "set apart"? Sanctification can be described as an inward spiritual process whereby God brings about holiness and change in the life of a
Christian by means of the Holy Spirit.
Note that sanctification has nothing to do with living in sinless perfection. We will never be sinless in this life. In fact, the Bible warns against such false teachings in 1 John 1:8: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Sanctification is not about trying to be sinless in order to earn the favor of God. Rather, sanctification is for our own benefit. God commands us to pursue sanctification so that through it we may be blessed.
Peter Giddy
1 June 2006.
Thanks to Robyn for the use of her AV presentation and notes.
On 14 June 2009: My brother Ian died. Having met Costa and also having been to his church with Ena, I felt comfortable to ask him to provide the facitlty for a Memorial Service for Ian at the Plett Methodist Church. He conducted a wonderful service and I have Blogged this as Eulogy to Ian Giddy.
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Orange River canoe trail
4 to 9 April 2006
Peter & Ally Giddy
Hannes, Jacqui, Calvin, Jordan & Amber Zeelie
Terry, Jenny, Jared and Bradley Laubscher
Rob & Jason Ermes
Caroline Dalton
Mandy Perks
Mike, Barbie and Andy Perks
Mark Verral
Derryk & Linda Le Roux
Gerald & Pat Scheepers
Charles & Ian DuToit
We started the Plans for this trip in the middle of 2005. Originally we had asked Rob McLean to lead the trip but he had other commitments. Gravity was the touring company we used and we booked what is known as the Orange River Gorge from Onseepkans on the Namibian Border. Then, just a week before we were due to leave, heavy rainfall in the Lesotho Mountains and the Gauteng area caused to level of the river to rise. The river would have been too dangerous for us to go down the Gorge area so we decided we would do the Richtersveld area at Vioolsdrif on the Namibian Border. This meant that we would need passports. So those who did not have valid passports had a frantic rush to obtain emergency passports.
The week had started with the Nippers National finals at the Kings Beach in PE. This was hosted by the Sardinia Bay Club. The tournament started on the Saturday morning with inter provincial championships and then moved on to the team and individual events. I found this whole tournament to be quite stressful for both the competitors and the adults from Marshals to coaches and parents. If a child was a potential winner there was a huge amount of pressure on the child as he or she had to compete at a number of disciplines often in the heats, quarterfinals, semi finals and then the finals. Then there was the variety of events that the ch8ild was expected to take part in from swim, body board, Malibu board, running and flags as well as combinations of the disciplines. Saturday afternoon the West wind blew, Sunday was a reasonable day for the surf but by the time Monday afternoon came along the East wind had blown the surf up to a washing machine condition with hundreds of blue bottles in the sea. And then even in these horrific conditions the Under 10’s had to do their body board final.
The Summerstrand Club did very well in the competition with a fourth place overall. I personally did not like the way that we played the game. In the U 10’s we had “imported” a number of good swimmers and runners who had not been to any of the practice sessions during the season but who won the events for us. Hannes made a suggestion that I particularly liked: “We should make a huge fuss of the local tournaments, particularly the Provincial Carnival. Make these into the fun and less formal events. Then make it clear that the Nationals would be an “exclusive” competition with only the elite competitors taking part. Participation and all inclusiveness would not be the focus.” This would reduce the number of disappointed children who do not make the first round and reduce the cost of the tournament to the club. It would enable the coaches to focus on winning and not on rounding up Nippers who are either disinterested or do not have the ability to compete at this level. A uniform and kit was handed to each of the Nippers at minimal cost and yet we had some Nippers who did not attend any of the three days. The kit was quite amazing as it consisted of a Tog Bag, a Scull Cap, a Chafe Vest, a cap, a towel, an anorak, a T-shirt and a bathing costume. And all of this for a R150 contribution!
This was my first National Nippers Competition and so I am hardly in a position to make definitive comment. However I learned a great deal at the Carnival and during the past season and if I am still on a coaching team next season, I will make a number of changes to the way we organise the U10’s. Overall the Carnival was a huge success. We all know that the organisation of such a big event is a massive responsibility and Sardinia bay can give themselves a pat on the back. On Monday evening the prize giving and awards ceremony was a great success with Summerstrand in full spirit. Ally & I were not able to attend as Barbara had just left for London and we still had packing to do for our Orange River Trip.
After we had left the beach, Ally & I did our last bit of shopping and sorting out stuff for the trip. We packed the stuff that Charles was going to take on the back of his truck and off loaded everything with him. We then packed as much as we could in the car and were asleep early. We had planned that we would leave at 02.00am and I hardly slept that night. By 01.00am I had the car ready and waited for the others to join us. Then at 2am I piled Ally in to the car and with Charles, Hannes and Derryk following we picked up Pat & Gerald and were out of PE before 02.30am. Our little convoy consisted of Derryk & Linda, Charles, Ian and Caroline and in the combi was Hannes and his family.
Day one. Tuesday.
The drive took us through Graaff Reinett (where we predictably got lost on our way out of town), Victoria West and Calvinia. In Calvinia we stopped to buy some Biltong and Droe Wors at the butchery. I will recommend that if you are passing through Calvinia that you stop for this reason as well as to try their vet koek, which has aniseed, added for flavour. Then on to Van Rhynsdorp, Springbok and finally to Vioolsdrif. At the Border post of Vioolsdrif we had to go through the SA passport control, then the police control then the customs control. This seems such a long process for a simple cross border trip. It made me think of the arrangement that Canada and America have where if you are a citizen of either of these two countries cross border trips are made as easy as possible for the officials and the travelers. We crossed the Orange River bridge to the Namibian side where we had our passports stamped so that we could return on Saturday. Then back to the SA side where we drove the final 12kays to the Overbos Camp.
The total distance to the camp was 1342kays and we had driven for about 15 hours. Particularly in the early morning in the dark the drive was very tiring. Fortunately we were able to swap drivers and have a rest in between. We were the last to arrive. Rob and Jason had been to the Augrabies falls where the river was flowing at its strongest and then on to Ais Ais where they had spent a day in the heated pools. Mike and family had also been up to Augrabies. Terry and family had a relatively short drive from Cape Town.
It is interesting to note that the name of the Orange River has nothing to do with its colour. The river was named Oranjerivier to honour Prince William of the Royal Dutch house of Orange. At this time the Dutch claimed ownership of the Cape. The river has its origins in the Lesotho Mountains where it is known as the Senqu River. The river was known to the indigenous people as the Gariep (great) River. The two main tributaries of the Orange river are the Caledon and the Vaal rivers.
Anthony was the main Guide and he met us there. We also met up with Brett, Lefty and Izalda (Zollie). I later learned that Anthony is the son of a very good friend of Pierre Bester. Small world! That evening we set up our tents and after supper were all asleep pretty early.
First day on the River. Wednesday.
The next day Ant’ gave us the instructions required. We were each allocated a waterproof bag, which would contain clothes and sleeping bags for the next four days. We had to put our stuff into black bags and then roll the top of the waterproof bag over four times before clipping it closed. This system worked okay for most of us. I know that Rob had a leaky bag but still managed okay. After breakfast we set off across the river to the Felix Unite office where we filled our cooler boxes with ice.
Jenny and Jared did not make it across the river and after a while we could see that they were going to struggle. So Jared and I swapped places and I spent the day in Jenny’s boat. Brett was in charge of a Raft as was Zollie. These two rafts were to be the main meeting place of the younger group over the next four days. The two man Crocodiles would be used by couples and some of the more capable or energetic pairs.
The river was at a very high level after heavy rainfalls in the Lesotho Mountains as well as in Gauteng. Water was being released from the dams and were not going to experience the rapids that we had in 2002. However the character of the trip was completely different. The fast flowing river meant that we hardly had to paddle and the temperature of the water enabled us to swim all day.
Our first day was easy. At lunchtime the temperature had risen and the sand was hot to walk on. By the time we reached our overnight camping spot I realised just how much the river level had risen. We had no grass to camp on. The place where we camped the previous time was a few meters under water. There were no rapids and no weir to contend with.
Most of us campers made our first mistake in that as soon as we beached our craft we claimed our campsite and set up tents etc in the blazing sun. What we should have done was to relax in the water, leave our stuff until later in the afternoon and then find a good campsite of which there were many. We saw many troops of baboons both at this campsite and along the riverside. Fortunately, unlike the Baviaans Kloof, these baboons left us alone. We all learned how to use the Boom Boom Box. A garden Trowel, A small packet and the roll of toilet paper sent each one of us for a walk to a secluded spot. A huge problem in the outdoors is the toilet paper that litters the countryside. This problem is solved here as all toilet paper is place in the small packets and burned the next morning.
We took an exploratory walk up the hillside. While the hills look barren from afar, they have a variety of scrub and cactus that is seen only from close up. This afternoon many of us discovered the thrill of walking upstream a little and then, with our life jackets secure, allowing the force of the water to drift us downstream with a final frantic swim to avoid being swept away in the current. Then finally as dusk settled one or two scares brought the swimming to an end. All of us ate too much on this trip. The meals were more than substantial and there was always enough for second helpings.
This evening, as Ally and I lay on the ground sheet looking at the stars, Anthony brought us a Chocolate Brownie! The moon was half full but still provided enough light that we hardly needed torches. The moonlight seemed to reflect on the river sand. This kind of camping does not guarantee a really deep sleep. I had started off in the tent but during the night decided to move outside and slept under the stars. I generally found that I had enough sleep despite being restless in the night. This was the only night we set up the tent on the river. It really was not necessary, as the weather was perfect for a night under the stars.
Day two on the river. Thursday.
At this stage we were still deep in the mountains. The river was wide and we had an easy short paddle to the mine where the green stone is found. We spent a good hour or more picking up the stones. Those with cameras took photos of the scenery and people. Anthony had a video camera and he promised us that we could purchase a copy of the DVD that he would make. I had made a very amateur video of our last trip and was looking forward to a second momento. We came across number of other groups at this point. We were able to refuel with their leftover ice.
Lunch was served and we again played in the water, walking up high and floating down to the lunch stop. Anthony went ahead, hoping to be able to give some direction and take some photos but the river was simply too wide. We had a bit of excitement as we went through the waves but nothing like the real “shambok”. Terry and Pat, had involuntary swims in this section as they were ejected from their seats on the Crocodiles.
Brett was concerned that the afternoon paddle may be long but with the force of the river carrying us we were soon at the campsite known as Crystal Pools. We had passed what he refers to as Divorce Section. It seems that there is often a head wind to contend with that causes strained relationships. We also passed the Witches Rock formation as well as a number of mines, which may be diamond mines but we are not sure.
At the campsite some of us walked up the valley to a point where the first of the crystal pools may have been, but everything was dry. Mike carried on to see if he could find any water in the pools. He later told me that he had found some stunning rock formations where water had been in the pools fairly recently. We discovered that this was an area for collecting Tigers Eye Stones. These were added to the already growing rock collections.
This evening Charles, Rob & I had camped on the other side of a small gully. The children (and adults) had great fun in the water. At the campfire we all sat around in a semi circle and chatted. We tried to get Derryk to relate some of his famous fireside stories but he seemed to be reluctant. Some of us decided that he was much better behaved when Linda was around! Zollie showed us the Paddle Trick. Bradley was the first to try it out and then a number of others tried to master this acrobatic act. I think that Jacqui got it right. We saw Amber and Ally practicing in the background until they too had mastered the trick and were ready to give us a display. If you remember, please ask Ally to give you a demonstration and then you should also attempt this contortionist trick.
Later that evening, Anthony crushed some of the green stone and we had a display of the “Fairy Dust” in the fire. After this he gave us a display of fire rings as he lit the ends of two chains and twirled these around to the great delight of children and adults alike. Our little group had decided to sleep in the open this night and we did not put our tent up but had a wonderful night under the stars. I know little of the stars and the various configurations. All I know is the Southern Star.
Day three on the river. Friday.
This morning I found a little gully and was able to have a bath in the river. Rob was pulling down his tent when he realised that he had two friendly scorpions as bedfellows that night. Cameras were quickly pulled out before they scuttled away. We had found a variety of bugs and beetles on this trip. Birds that we encountered were the Goliath Heron, the Darter, the Pied and the Malachite Kingfishers and the spectacular Fish Eagle. On one occasion we saw, to everyone’s amusement, a Darter hitching a ride on a branch that was floating down river. Watching the Kingfishers hovering and then diving into the water became quite commonplace.
Anthony was keen to get going before the morning sun hit us. By now most of the youngsters were either with Zollie or with Brett on the two large rafts. Charles & I shared a Crocodile today. With Charles doing all the work, I had a relaxed morning in the front as we left the mountainous area and came to the farms and roads. We hear that the farms on the Namibian side of the Orange River produce one of the largest crops of table grapes in the world. Huge volumes of water must be pumped from the river to irrigate these farms.
After a brief stop at the point where we had ended our last trip we headed down river to our final campsite. This was an area where none of us was familiar. Our campsite this evening may not have been the very best possible but we all made the best of it and there were soon a variety of rock hunting expeditions led by Barbie and route marches being led by Mike. I really enjoyed these walks but not like Mike did. He continued to the top of a hill where we heard him Whooping in excitement. We had a long stay at this campsite and I was able to read Ally her Mary-Kate & Ashley storybook.
Rob pulled out his Boule Balls and as soon as one or two throws were demonstrated there was a rush to get in line as the next challenger. A version of the French game, Jeu de Boule, is recorded as being played by Romans in 300AD. It seems that soldiers of the Roman Empire played the game for entertainment and exercise. Rob’s Boule set consisted of six steel balls. Each Boule is identified by one, two or three rings. A small wooden ball, known as the cochonnet or jack, is thrown some distance away in the sand. The two players have three attempts each to try to land their Boule as close to the cochonnet as possible. Fair play is unheard of! Jared seemed to make his mark as did Ally and Amber. Charles has a number of good action shots of this on camera.
Ally & I again slept under the stars. This was for me one of the most comfortable nights. I had brought our self-inflating mattresses, which are actually not self-inflating but with a few puffs are quite hard and comfortable to sleep on. One of them was losing air in the night but fortunately not going completely flat. The next morning Derryk showed me how his Lilo had been punctured and was due to be trashed.
Day four on the river. Saturday.
We had debated how we would spend the evening but it was general consensus that we had a very long drive home with school and work commitments on Monday morning. So Anthony set us off for our last stretch. Ally had said that she would like to be with me on a Crocodile. We were unlucky that one or two small spiders had decided to camp on our boat that night and these unsettled Ally. Also I am a lazy paddler and quite happy to be at the back of the group. Ally become nervous and when we got to the exciting part of the river and a spider decided to crawl around her, this was just too much for her and she was really unhappy. We made it through the waves without incident and came across Charles and Ian who had flipped their craft. Ally decided that Charles looked like a safer bet so Ian climbed in with me and we cruised down stream to where the bus was waiting for us on the Namibian side of the river.
The bus and trailer were soon loaded and we collected our passports to be able to return to RSA. The desolate nature of this countryside was brought to harsh reality as we traveled this section of the trip. Unfortunately the tyre of the trailer shredded and Brett was left to wait for Lefty who returned with a spare. Meanwhile we had all offloaded and were packing our vehicles. It was great to see Yango from our last trip. He is looking well and just as adventurous and naughty as when we last saw him. Hannes and Derryk decided to return via the Augrabies Falls and we finally left at 14.30. Mike had to purchase a new tyre in Springbok. We filled up in Springbok and then headed off to Van Rhynsdorp where we waited for Charles and Rob. I realised that we had made a mistake in thinking that we could do route planning on the road via cell phones. This sounds fine in theory but there are long stretches of no signal that makes communication very difficult.
In the end we decided to press on to Calvinia where we found a caravan park. We asked directions from two local lads on bicycles who politely said “follow us” and they literally led us to the camp as well as opening the gate for us. We reached Calvinia at about 19.00 and soon had the owner of the campsite switching on lights and we were able to negotiate a very favourable rate of R300 for all 14 of us. Mike was still on his way so we drove to the local Café where we purchased burgers and cold drinks for our supper. We had 830 kays to go in the morning so after we had sorted out the sleeping arrangements we all headed for bed pretty early.
Sunday Morning.
Up at 05.00am and with little fuss, but doing a tour of the town as we tried to find the road out, we managed to leave by 06.00. I had to fill up at the next town (Williston). We seemed to congregate at the center of Carnavon here we purchased some coffee and then tried to leave this tiny village but got lost twice much to the amusement of Rob.
A negative feature of this journey was the carnage of wild life that we saw on the road. Rabbits, foxes or jackals and a variety of small creatures and birds fall prey to our speeding vehicles. I am not sure how this could be prevented but I became quite nauseated by the number of dead animals on the road. In Victoria West we found the café with the Mannetjies Roux Museum. Service was not that fast but we managed to have a breakfast and then, with only 450kay to go, left for Graaff Reinett. Along this road we encountered swarms of locusts which caused the front of the vehicles to become yellow and clogged up. We cleaned up a bit in Graaff Reinett. Later I realised that we had left this mess on the driveway of the BP filling station and I felt guilty about this. Ally had transferred herself to Rob’s car so as we reached Uitenhage we swapped back again. By the time we reached home we had traveled 2690kays.
I love the adventure of this kind of trip. I enjoy putting myself out of my normal comfort zone. But I also love returning home to hot water, electricity and my bed! The next day I had my car washed at a car wash in Russell Road and for a mere R20 my car once again looked acceptable. They also changed my front passenger side wheel as I had a flat tyre. I had my car serviced and had two new tyres fitted as Ally & I were leaving for Cape Town on Thursday. I planned to run Two Oceans Marathon on the Easter Saturday.
We slept in Plettenberg bay on Thursday night. I had contacted the Plett Primary school and got hold of Herman who was the father of Alexandra. Ally had met Alexandra at the Nippers Carnival and so we met up with them in Plett where Ally spent the evening. Ena had made Butternut soup and Pasta with sauce. When I say Ena made Pasta, she is the only person I know who makes her own Pasta from flour and the various ingredients. For desert we had home made ice cream and chocolate sauce. The next morning Ally & I drove through to CT where I registered for the race. We met Stuart and then Cathy showed Stuart and family where they could stay in Woodstock. When we left them we found the Montreaux Flat in Queen Victoria road. The tenant had abandoned the flat so we had to have a spare key made and Cathy offered to clean the place up.
We then drove to Fish Hoek where I had rented a self-catering flat @ R300 per night. It was perfect for our needs. I readied myself for the race then next day and at about 06.00am hitched a ride to the start. I handed my tog bag to Milka Boshoff and met up with some of the Achilleans in the Blue Number section. At 07.00 the race got underway and I knew that I was going to have a bad run. I had a sore left calf muscle and had no motivation.
I jogged through the 21kay mark in a little over 2 hours and then at 28kay tried to bail. Peter Pholman stopped me but he was soon out of sight and before going up little Chappies I again tried to bail but Neil from Muirites dragged me on. Then half was up Chappies I lost him and finally did bail just after reaching the 32kay mark. I took a combi bus to Hout bay where we were transferred to a big bus. Here I was joined by Basil Tyler, Keith and Sue Bayliss. I heard that Josiah Thungwane was also on this bus!
I must confess that I am sorry that I did not finish. But I have done Oceans 18times and will in all probability be back for yet another attempt. Someone said to me that I will have to give up some of the other events to concentrate on Oceans. But I feel the opposite. I would like to try to do more of the adventure events with less hype and more for the fun and unknown aspects.
At the UCT field we joined up with the Achilleans at the tent and I phoned Cathy to find that she had collected Barbara at the Airport and was almost at the field. They collected me and we drove to Fish Hoek where we had a relaxed evening. Ally & I watched TV till late.
Sunday after Two Oceans we had our traditional Boschendal lunch. I am not sure if I will continue to attend this lunch. The lunch cost us R500 for the four of us. A bottle of wine and cold drink is R100. More than a little steep I feel! I think that I was feeling the pinch of the Orange River and all the various travel costs. Kobus was awarded a certificate for running his 100th marathon. Back at home there had been a very unfortunate accident as Hooch, Barbara’s favourite little dog, had died in a car accident. After the lunch we drove to the Century City where we watched Ice Age 2. The family enjoyed the movie. I thought that it was a loosely concocted mishmash of animated garbage and certainly not worth the R38pp that is charged for movies these days. Little wonder that I go to movies less than once a year.
On Monday morning we left Cathy and, after a few stops (in Albertina we found a good Biltong shop & a church bazaar selling Pannekoek and fudge) and a brief visit to Ena in Plettenberg bay were back in PE by 14.30. From Fish Hoek to PE is 765kays.
Peter Giddy
17 April 2006.
Regarding an Orange River Onseepkans Gorge trip - attached are a number of documents to look at - kit list,
The prices are R1845 p.p.
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BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURE
Essentially, you are ‘pre-booking’ yourself through the SA and Namibian borders so that when you re-enter SA at the end of your trip, you will have the correct stamps in your passport.
Make sure that your passport is valid and that you have the correct visas and endorsements in your passport in good time – this will depend on your citizenship and residency status. SA passport holders require no visas and emergency SA passports are accepted.
On reaching the border, get your passport processed at the SA border post. Tell them that you are doing an Orange River trip and that you are staying at Oewerbos Camp in Vioolsdrif and getting on to the river on the SA side.
Drive across the river to the Namibian border post.
Get your passport processed at the Namibian authorities. Tell them that you are doing an Orange River trip and that you are staying at Oewerbos Camp in Vioolsdrif and getting on to the river on the SA side. You shouldn’t have to pay the R120.00 per vehicle road tax, as your vehicle will not be entering Namibia.
Do a U-turn and drive back across to the South African side.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE BOTH NAMIBIAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN STAMPS IN YOUR PASSPORT.
Proceed to Oewerbos Camp.
ORANGE RIVER GORGE: KIT LIST
On River
q Swimming costume
q Wet shoes – strops (sandals)/takkies (trainers)
q Kikoi or sarong – doubles as protection from the sun
q Long sleeved cotton shirt – ditto
q Hat with brim
q Sun block
q Sunglasses with strings!
q 5 strong black bags for waterproofing
q Camera (we provide dry bucket)
q Book
q Drink bottle with strap
q Light windbreaker (winter trips)
Off River
q One warm change of clothes for the evenings – T-shirt, track pants and top, closed shoes and socks, anorak, beanie. Winter nights are cold and in between seasons nights may still be cool.
q Small Towel
q Sleeping bag – available to hire if necessary
q Roll mat - closed cell foam or similar (‘Therma-rests’ are expensive but worth it!)
q Small pillow (inflatable or ‘stuffable’)
q Toiletries – all biodegradable, please.
q Mess kit: unbreakable plate/bowl, cup, knife and fork
q Your choice of beverages– we recommend that you bring drink mix (eg Game), sufficient for 2l per day as well as 24 soft drinks in cans or decanted into plastic.
q Sweets etc. (hearty meals are provided but you may enjoy a few special extras)
q Insect repellent
q Torch
Gravity River Tours, PO Box 53456, Kenilworth, 7745.
Tel/Fax: 683 3698. Cell: 082 440 6277. e-mail: adventure@gravity.co.za
4 to 9 April 2006
Peter & Ally Giddy
Hannes, Jacqui, Calvin, Jordan & Amber Zeelie
Terry, Jenny, Jared and Bradley Laubscher
Rob & Jason Ermes
Caroline Dalton
Mandy Perks
Mike, Barbie and Andy Perks
Mark Verral
Derryk & Linda Le Roux
Gerald & Pat Scheepers
Charles & Ian DuToit
We started the Plans for this trip in the middle of 2005. Originally we had asked Rob McLean to lead the trip but he had other commitments. Gravity was the touring company we used and we booked what is known as the Orange River Gorge from Onseepkans on the Namibian Border. Then, just a week before we were due to leave, heavy rainfall in the Lesotho Mountains and the Gauteng area caused to level of the river to rise. The river would have been too dangerous for us to go down the Gorge area so we decided we would do the Richtersveld area at Vioolsdrif on the Namibian Border. This meant that we would need passports. So those who did not have valid passports had a frantic rush to obtain emergency passports.
The week had started with the Nippers National finals at the Kings Beach in PE. This was hosted by the Sardinia Bay Club. The tournament started on the Saturday morning with inter provincial championships and then moved on to the team and individual events. I found this whole tournament to be quite stressful for both the competitors and the adults from Marshals to coaches and parents. If a child was a potential winner there was a huge amount of pressure on the child as he or she had to compete at a number of disciplines often in the heats, quarterfinals, semi finals and then the finals. Then there was the variety of events that the ch8ild was expected to take part in from swim, body board, Malibu board, running and flags as well as combinations of the disciplines. Saturday afternoon the West wind blew, Sunday was a reasonable day for the surf but by the time Monday afternoon came along the East wind had blown the surf up to a washing machine condition with hundreds of blue bottles in the sea. And then even in these horrific conditions the Under 10’s had to do their body board final.
The Summerstrand Club did very well in the competition with a fourth place overall. I personally did not like the way that we played the game. In the U 10’s we had “imported” a number of good swimmers and runners who had not been to any of the practice sessions during the season but who won the events for us. Hannes made a suggestion that I particularly liked: “We should make a huge fuss of the local tournaments, particularly the Provincial Carnival. Make these into the fun and less formal events. Then make it clear that the Nationals would be an “exclusive” competition with only the elite competitors taking part. Participation and all inclusiveness would not be the focus.” This would reduce the number of disappointed children who do not make the first round and reduce the cost of the tournament to the club. It would enable the coaches to focus on winning and not on rounding up Nippers who are either disinterested or do not have the ability to compete at this level. A uniform and kit was handed to each of the Nippers at minimal cost and yet we had some Nippers who did not attend any of the three days. The kit was quite amazing as it consisted of a Tog Bag, a Scull Cap, a Chafe Vest, a cap, a towel, an anorak, a T-shirt and a bathing costume. And all of this for a R150 contribution!
This was my first National Nippers Competition and so I am hardly in a position to make definitive comment. However I learned a great deal at the Carnival and during the past season and if I am still on a coaching team next season, I will make a number of changes to the way we organise the U10’s. Overall the Carnival was a huge success. We all know that the organisation of such a big event is a massive responsibility and Sardinia bay can give themselves a pat on the back. On Monday evening the prize giving and awards ceremony was a great success with Summerstrand in full spirit. Ally & I were not able to attend as Barbara had just left for London and we still had packing to do for our Orange River Trip.
After we had left the beach, Ally & I did our last bit of shopping and sorting out stuff for the trip. We packed the stuff that Charles was going to take on the back of his truck and off loaded everything with him. We then packed as much as we could in the car and were asleep early. We had planned that we would leave at 02.00am and I hardly slept that night. By 01.00am I had the car ready and waited for the others to join us. Then at 2am I piled Ally in to the car and with Charles, Hannes and Derryk following we picked up Pat & Gerald and were out of PE before 02.30am. Our little convoy consisted of Derryk & Linda, Charles, Ian and Caroline and in the combi was Hannes and his family.
Day one. Tuesday.
The drive took us through Graaff Reinett (where we predictably got lost on our way out of town), Victoria West and Calvinia. In Calvinia we stopped to buy some Biltong and Droe Wors at the butchery. I will recommend that if you are passing through Calvinia that you stop for this reason as well as to try their vet koek, which has aniseed, added for flavour. Then on to Van Rhynsdorp, Springbok and finally to Vioolsdrif. At the Border post of Vioolsdrif we had to go through the SA passport control, then the police control then the customs control. This seems such a long process for a simple cross border trip. It made me think of the arrangement that Canada and America have where if you are a citizen of either of these two countries cross border trips are made as easy as possible for the officials and the travelers. We crossed the Orange River bridge to the Namibian side where we had our passports stamped so that we could return on Saturday. Then back to the SA side where we drove the final 12kays to the Overbos Camp.
The total distance to the camp was 1342kays and we had driven for about 15 hours. Particularly in the early morning in the dark the drive was very tiring. Fortunately we were able to swap drivers and have a rest in between. We were the last to arrive. Rob and Jason had been to the Augrabies falls where the river was flowing at its strongest and then on to Ais Ais where they had spent a day in the heated pools. Mike and family had also been up to Augrabies. Terry and family had a relatively short drive from Cape Town.
It is interesting to note that the name of the Orange River has nothing to do with its colour. The river was named Oranjerivier to honour Prince William of the Royal Dutch house of Orange. At this time the Dutch claimed ownership of the Cape. The river has its origins in the Lesotho Mountains where it is known as the Senqu River. The river was known to the indigenous people as the Gariep (great) River. The two main tributaries of the Orange river are the Caledon and the Vaal rivers.
Anthony was the main Guide and he met us there. We also met up with Brett, Lefty and Izalda (Zollie). I later learned that Anthony is the son of a very good friend of Pierre Bester. Small world! That evening we set up our tents and after supper were all asleep pretty early.
First day on the River. Wednesday.
The next day Ant’ gave us the instructions required. We were each allocated a waterproof bag, which would contain clothes and sleeping bags for the next four days. We had to put our stuff into black bags and then roll the top of the waterproof bag over four times before clipping it closed. This system worked okay for most of us. I know that Rob had a leaky bag but still managed okay. After breakfast we set off across the river to the Felix Unite office where we filled our cooler boxes with ice.
Jenny and Jared did not make it across the river and after a while we could see that they were going to struggle. So Jared and I swapped places and I spent the day in Jenny’s boat. Brett was in charge of a Raft as was Zollie. These two rafts were to be the main meeting place of the younger group over the next four days. The two man Crocodiles would be used by couples and some of the more capable or energetic pairs.
The river was at a very high level after heavy rainfalls in the Lesotho Mountains as well as in Gauteng. Water was being released from the dams and were not going to experience the rapids that we had in 2002. However the character of the trip was completely different. The fast flowing river meant that we hardly had to paddle and the temperature of the water enabled us to swim all day.
Our first day was easy. At lunchtime the temperature had risen and the sand was hot to walk on. By the time we reached our overnight camping spot I realised just how much the river level had risen. We had no grass to camp on. The place where we camped the previous time was a few meters under water. There were no rapids and no weir to contend with.
Most of us campers made our first mistake in that as soon as we beached our craft we claimed our campsite and set up tents etc in the blazing sun. What we should have done was to relax in the water, leave our stuff until later in the afternoon and then find a good campsite of which there were many. We saw many troops of baboons both at this campsite and along the riverside. Fortunately, unlike the Baviaans Kloof, these baboons left us alone. We all learned how to use the Boom Boom Box. A garden Trowel, A small packet and the roll of toilet paper sent each one of us for a walk to a secluded spot. A huge problem in the outdoors is the toilet paper that litters the countryside. This problem is solved here as all toilet paper is place in the small packets and burned the next morning.
We took an exploratory walk up the hillside. While the hills look barren from afar, they have a variety of scrub and cactus that is seen only from close up. This afternoon many of us discovered the thrill of walking upstream a little and then, with our life jackets secure, allowing the force of the water to drift us downstream with a final frantic swim to avoid being swept away in the current. Then finally as dusk settled one or two scares brought the swimming to an end. All of us ate too much on this trip. The meals were more than substantial and there was always enough for second helpings.
This evening, as Ally and I lay on the ground sheet looking at the stars, Anthony brought us a Chocolate Brownie! The moon was half full but still provided enough light that we hardly needed torches. The moonlight seemed to reflect on the river sand. This kind of camping does not guarantee a really deep sleep. I had started off in the tent but during the night decided to move outside and slept under the stars. I generally found that I had enough sleep despite being restless in the night. This was the only night we set up the tent on the river. It really was not necessary, as the weather was perfect for a night under the stars.
Day two on the river. Thursday.
At this stage we were still deep in the mountains. The river was wide and we had an easy short paddle to the mine where the green stone is found. We spent a good hour or more picking up the stones. Those with cameras took photos of the scenery and people. Anthony had a video camera and he promised us that we could purchase a copy of the DVD that he would make. I had made a very amateur video of our last trip and was looking forward to a second momento. We came across number of other groups at this point. We were able to refuel with their leftover ice.
Lunch was served and we again played in the water, walking up high and floating down to the lunch stop. Anthony went ahead, hoping to be able to give some direction and take some photos but the river was simply too wide. We had a bit of excitement as we went through the waves but nothing like the real “shambok”. Terry and Pat, had involuntary swims in this section as they were ejected from their seats on the Crocodiles.
Brett was concerned that the afternoon paddle may be long but with the force of the river carrying us we were soon at the campsite known as Crystal Pools. We had passed what he refers to as Divorce Section. It seems that there is often a head wind to contend with that causes strained relationships. We also passed the Witches Rock formation as well as a number of mines, which may be diamond mines but we are not sure.
At the campsite some of us walked up the valley to a point where the first of the crystal pools may have been, but everything was dry. Mike carried on to see if he could find any water in the pools. He later told me that he had found some stunning rock formations where water had been in the pools fairly recently. We discovered that this was an area for collecting Tigers Eye Stones. These were added to the already growing rock collections.
This evening Charles, Rob & I had camped on the other side of a small gully. The children (and adults) had great fun in the water. At the campfire we all sat around in a semi circle and chatted. We tried to get Derryk to relate some of his famous fireside stories but he seemed to be reluctant. Some of us decided that he was much better behaved when Linda was around! Zollie showed us the Paddle Trick. Bradley was the first to try it out and then a number of others tried to master this acrobatic act. I think that Jacqui got it right. We saw Amber and Ally practicing in the background until they too had mastered the trick and were ready to give us a display. If you remember, please ask Ally to give you a demonstration and then you should also attempt this contortionist trick.
Later that evening, Anthony crushed some of the green stone and we had a display of the “Fairy Dust” in the fire. After this he gave us a display of fire rings as he lit the ends of two chains and twirled these around to the great delight of children and adults alike. Our little group had decided to sleep in the open this night and we did not put our tent up but had a wonderful night under the stars. I know little of the stars and the various configurations. All I know is the Southern Star.
Day three on the river. Friday.
This morning I found a little gully and was able to have a bath in the river. Rob was pulling down his tent when he realised that he had two friendly scorpions as bedfellows that night. Cameras were quickly pulled out before they scuttled away. We had found a variety of bugs and beetles on this trip. Birds that we encountered were the Goliath Heron, the Darter, the Pied and the Malachite Kingfishers and the spectacular Fish Eagle. On one occasion we saw, to everyone’s amusement, a Darter hitching a ride on a branch that was floating down river. Watching the Kingfishers hovering and then diving into the water became quite commonplace.
Anthony was keen to get going before the morning sun hit us. By now most of the youngsters were either with Zollie or with Brett on the two large rafts. Charles & I shared a Crocodile today. With Charles doing all the work, I had a relaxed morning in the front as we left the mountainous area and came to the farms and roads. We hear that the farms on the Namibian side of the Orange River produce one of the largest crops of table grapes in the world. Huge volumes of water must be pumped from the river to irrigate these farms.
After a brief stop at the point where we had ended our last trip we headed down river to our final campsite. This was an area where none of us was familiar. Our campsite this evening may not have been the very best possible but we all made the best of it and there were soon a variety of rock hunting expeditions led by Barbie and route marches being led by Mike. I really enjoyed these walks but not like Mike did. He continued to the top of a hill where we heard him Whooping in excitement. We had a long stay at this campsite and I was able to read Ally her Mary-Kate & Ashley storybook.
Rob pulled out his Boule Balls and as soon as one or two throws were demonstrated there was a rush to get in line as the next challenger. A version of the French game, Jeu de Boule, is recorded as being played by Romans in 300AD. It seems that soldiers of the Roman Empire played the game for entertainment and exercise. Rob’s Boule set consisted of six steel balls. Each Boule is identified by one, two or three rings. A small wooden ball, known as the cochonnet or jack, is thrown some distance away in the sand. The two players have three attempts each to try to land their Boule as close to the cochonnet as possible. Fair play is unheard of! Jared seemed to make his mark as did Ally and Amber. Charles has a number of good action shots of this on camera.
Ally & I again slept under the stars. This was for me one of the most comfortable nights. I had brought our self-inflating mattresses, which are actually not self-inflating but with a few puffs are quite hard and comfortable to sleep on. One of them was losing air in the night but fortunately not going completely flat. The next morning Derryk showed me how his Lilo had been punctured and was due to be trashed.
Day four on the river. Saturday.
We had debated how we would spend the evening but it was general consensus that we had a very long drive home with school and work commitments on Monday morning. So Anthony set us off for our last stretch. Ally had said that she would like to be with me on a Crocodile. We were unlucky that one or two small spiders had decided to camp on our boat that night and these unsettled Ally. Also I am a lazy paddler and quite happy to be at the back of the group. Ally become nervous and when we got to the exciting part of the river and a spider decided to crawl around her, this was just too much for her and she was really unhappy. We made it through the waves without incident and came across Charles and Ian who had flipped their craft. Ally decided that Charles looked like a safer bet so Ian climbed in with me and we cruised down stream to where the bus was waiting for us on the Namibian side of the river.
The bus and trailer were soon loaded and we collected our passports to be able to return to RSA. The desolate nature of this countryside was brought to harsh reality as we traveled this section of the trip. Unfortunately the tyre of the trailer shredded and Brett was left to wait for Lefty who returned with a spare. Meanwhile we had all offloaded and were packing our vehicles. It was great to see Yango from our last trip. He is looking well and just as adventurous and naughty as when we last saw him. Hannes and Derryk decided to return via the Augrabies Falls and we finally left at 14.30. Mike had to purchase a new tyre in Springbok. We filled up in Springbok and then headed off to Van Rhynsdorp where we waited for Charles and Rob. I realised that we had made a mistake in thinking that we could do route planning on the road via cell phones. This sounds fine in theory but there are long stretches of no signal that makes communication very difficult.
In the end we decided to press on to Calvinia where we found a caravan park. We asked directions from two local lads on bicycles who politely said “follow us” and they literally led us to the camp as well as opening the gate for us. We reached Calvinia at about 19.00 and soon had the owner of the campsite switching on lights and we were able to negotiate a very favourable rate of R300 for all 14 of us. Mike was still on his way so we drove to the local Café where we purchased burgers and cold drinks for our supper. We had 830 kays to go in the morning so after we had sorted out the sleeping arrangements we all headed for bed pretty early.
Sunday Morning.
Up at 05.00am and with little fuss, but doing a tour of the town as we tried to find the road out, we managed to leave by 06.00. I had to fill up at the next town (Williston). We seemed to congregate at the center of Carnavon here we purchased some coffee and then tried to leave this tiny village but got lost twice much to the amusement of Rob.
A negative feature of this journey was the carnage of wild life that we saw on the road. Rabbits, foxes or jackals and a variety of small creatures and birds fall prey to our speeding vehicles. I am not sure how this could be prevented but I became quite nauseated by the number of dead animals on the road. In Victoria West we found the café with the Mannetjies Roux Museum. Service was not that fast but we managed to have a breakfast and then, with only 450kay to go, left for Graaff Reinett. Along this road we encountered swarms of locusts which caused the front of the vehicles to become yellow and clogged up. We cleaned up a bit in Graaff Reinett. Later I realised that we had left this mess on the driveway of the BP filling station and I felt guilty about this. Ally had transferred herself to Rob’s car so as we reached Uitenhage we swapped back again. By the time we reached home we had traveled 2690kays.
I love the adventure of this kind of trip. I enjoy putting myself out of my normal comfort zone. But I also love returning home to hot water, electricity and my bed! The next day I had my car washed at a car wash in Russell Road and for a mere R20 my car once again looked acceptable. They also changed my front passenger side wheel as I had a flat tyre. I had my car serviced and had two new tyres fitted as Ally & I were leaving for Cape Town on Thursday. I planned to run Two Oceans Marathon on the Easter Saturday.
We slept in Plettenberg bay on Thursday night. I had contacted the Plett Primary school and got hold of Herman who was the father of Alexandra. Ally had met Alexandra at the Nippers Carnival and so we met up with them in Plett where Ally spent the evening. Ena had made Butternut soup and Pasta with sauce. When I say Ena made Pasta, she is the only person I know who makes her own Pasta from flour and the various ingredients. For desert we had home made ice cream and chocolate sauce. The next morning Ally & I drove through to CT where I registered for the race. We met Stuart and then Cathy showed Stuart and family where they could stay in Woodstock. When we left them we found the Montreaux Flat in Queen Victoria road. The tenant had abandoned the flat so we had to have a spare key made and Cathy offered to clean the place up.
We then drove to Fish Hoek where I had rented a self-catering flat @ R300 per night. It was perfect for our needs. I readied myself for the race then next day and at about 06.00am hitched a ride to the start. I handed my tog bag to Milka Boshoff and met up with some of the Achilleans in the Blue Number section. At 07.00 the race got underway and I knew that I was going to have a bad run. I had a sore left calf muscle and had no motivation.
I jogged through the 21kay mark in a little over 2 hours and then at 28kay tried to bail. Peter Pholman stopped me but he was soon out of sight and before going up little Chappies I again tried to bail but Neil from Muirites dragged me on. Then half was up Chappies I lost him and finally did bail just after reaching the 32kay mark. I took a combi bus to Hout bay where we were transferred to a big bus. Here I was joined by Basil Tyler, Keith and Sue Bayliss. I heard that Josiah Thungwane was also on this bus!
I must confess that I am sorry that I did not finish. But I have done Oceans 18times and will in all probability be back for yet another attempt. Someone said to me that I will have to give up some of the other events to concentrate on Oceans. But I feel the opposite. I would like to try to do more of the adventure events with less hype and more for the fun and unknown aspects.
At the UCT field we joined up with the Achilleans at the tent and I phoned Cathy to find that she had collected Barbara at the Airport and was almost at the field. They collected me and we drove to Fish Hoek where we had a relaxed evening. Ally & I watched TV till late.
Sunday after Two Oceans we had our traditional Boschendal lunch. I am not sure if I will continue to attend this lunch. The lunch cost us R500 for the four of us. A bottle of wine and cold drink is R100. More than a little steep I feel! I think that I was feeling the pinch of the Orange River and all the various travel costs. Kobus was awarded a certificate for running his 100th marathon. Back at home there had been a very unfortunate accident as Hooch, Barbara’s favourite little dog, had died in a car accident. After the lunch we drove to the Century City where we watched Ice Age 2. The family enjoyed the movie. I thought that it was a loosely concocted mishmash of animated garbage and certainly not worth the R38pp that is charged for movies these days. Little wonder that I go to movies less than once a year.
On Monday morning we left Cathy and, after a few stops (in Albertina we found a good Biltong shop & a church bazaar selling Pannekoek and fudge) and a brief visit to Ena in Plettenberg bay were back in PE by 14.30. From Fish Hoek to PE is 765kays.
Peter Giddy
17 April 2006.
Regarding an Orange River Onseepkans Gorge trip - attached are a number of documents to look at - kit list,
The prices are R1845 p.p.
Price for <13 br="" is="" pp="" r1660="">
BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURE
Essentially, you are ‘pre-booking’ yourself through the SA and Namibian borders so that when you re-enter SA at the end of your trip, you will have the correct stamps in your passport.
Make sure that your passport is valid and that you have the correct visas and endorsements in your passport in good time – this will depend on your citizenship and residency status. SA passport holders require no visas and emergency SA passports are accepted.
On reaching the border, get your passport processed at the SA border post. Tell them that you are doing an Orange River trip and that you are staying at Oewerbos Camp in Vioolsdrif and getting on to the river on the SA side.
Drive across the river to the Namibian border post.
Get your passport processed at the Namibian authorities. Tell them that you are doing an Orange River trip and that you are staying at Oewerbos Camp in Vioolsdrif and getting on to the river on the SA side. You shouldn’t have to pay the R120.00 per vehicle road tax, as your vehicle will not be entering Namibia.
Do a U-turn and drive back across to the South African side.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE BOTH NAMIBIAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN STAMPS IN YOUR PASSPORT.
Proceed to Oewerbos Camp.
ORANGE RIVER GORGE: KIT LIST
On River
q Swimming costume
q Wet shoes – strops (sandals)/takkies (trainers)
q Kikoi or sarong – doubles as protection from the sun
q Long sleeved cotton shirt – ditto
q Hat with brim
q Sun block
q Sunglasses with strings!
q 5 strong black bags for waterproofing
q Camera (we provide dry bucket)
q Book
q Drink bottle with strap
q Light windbreaker (winter trips)
Off River
q One warm change of clothes for the evenings – T-shirt, track pants and top, closed shoes and socks, anorak, beanie. Winter nights are cold and in between seasons nights may still be cool.
q Small Towel
q Sleeping bag – available to hire if necessary
q Roll mat - closed cell foam or similar (‘Therma-rests’ are expensive but worth it!)
q Small pillow (inflatable or ‘stuffable’)
q Toiletries – all biodegradable, please.
q Mess kit: unbreakable plate/bowl, cup, knife and fork
q Your choice of beverages– we recommend that you bring drink mix (eg Game), sufficient for 2l per day as well as 24 soft drinks in cans or decanted into plastic.
q Sweets etc. (hearty meals are provided but you may enjoy a few special extras)
q Insect repellent
q Torch
Gravity River Tours, PO Box 53456, Kenilworth, 7745.
Tel/Fax: 683 3698. Cell: 082 440 6277. e-mail: adventure@gravity.co.za
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
IRONMAN 19 MARCH 2006.
This year I had far less focus on Ironman than I had last year. Tim was now an experienced Ironman and was training with a man far more qualified to keep up with him in Bradley Joubert. However I was a member of the EP Triathlon as I had hoped to be able to compete for the EP team. The events clashed with other commitments so I was unable to focus on triathlon and the training that it demands.
But I still decided to compete in the Corporate Triathlon, which is one tenth of the main event. It was held on the Thursday before Ironman at 16h00. I rushed out of work and put my stuff together. I had one cycle the week before and had trained a bit of swimming for Biathlon so felt that I should be able to do this. Triathlon is a fussy sport with so many rules and regulations and so much stuff required to do the sport so I put everything in the car and we drove down in plenty of time for the event.
As I got to the start I realised that I had left my running shoes at home. Barbara agreed to fetch them for me as I went into the transition area. But what she actually did was to phone Suzanne who was coming down anyway and asked to her go to our house and find them for me. Oops. This allowed her to see what a mess my stuff at home is. How embarrassing!
I walked down to the start of the swim and was chatting there to others doing the event when I saw Sue running down with the shoes so I was able to run back up and put them with my stuff in transition. There were a good number of people doing the event so when the swim started there were legs and arms flying everywhere and as we rounded the first buoy a few were pushed under and there was lot of swearing and moaning. I took a slightly wider berth and pressed on. I had a reasonable swim and was far from last out of the water. I had a good bike ride (18kays). Just as we approached the University it started to rain but this did not last long. I met up with Roz Gerber at the turn. Roz had been off for a few years due to injuries and I had not seen her for ages. So I urged her to stick with me on the way back which she did and we had an excellent return with the wind.
Back at transition I quickly changed into those elusive running shoes and started the 4kay run. This is the part where I feel most comfortable about my ability and was able to overtake a number of people and had a good finish. About 1 hour 13 minutes.
That evening we had cell group at Charles and Ingrid. Being a member of the EP triathlon, I had been asked and agreed to host an out of towner for the Ironman. On Monday I had collected our guest, Gerrit Schellens, from the airport, taken him home and gone back to work. After work on Monday, Barbara, Ally & I took him for a drive around the cycle route and familiarised him with the town and where we lived. He had already been for a bike ride and looked at home. On the way home we agreed that it was to be spaghetti Boglonaise for supper so we stopped at the Spar for groceries and soon cooked up a simple meal with Gerrit doing the vegetables.
This evening I realised how much he was training as he told us that he had been in Potchefstroom for the past three weeks in a training camp. He had done something like 2400kays of cycle, 400kays of running and 100kays of swimming. The amount of supper that he ate confirmed how much he was burning up. I also learned that there is an annual Training camp in Potch. Something like 30 to 50 athletes from all over the world use this facility. This was the fourth year that Gerrit had been there for training. I wondered why they should not use Port Elizabeth, the Triathlon Center of South Africa for their training?
Over the next few days we became friends and Gerrit agreed to come to our cell group. Charles and Ingrid had prepared an appropriate evening with songs of praise as well as talking about how Jesus wanted us to be the best that we can. Gerrit felt quite at home and later commented that he did not realise how Catholic us Africans were. He also said (a few times) how much he had enjoyed the evening. As we left their home Gerrit offered (much to Ally’s delight) to buy Pizzas for supper.
The following day (Friday) we had our own little pasta party at Tim & Suzanne. Before this we had been at Nippers training and I had purchased a few cans of spray paint. So after Nippers we drove to the University back entrance and painted the road with names such as Tim, Bradley, Achilles, Gerrrit, (oops. Three r’s), Paula, Jonty, Alan & Dom. We ran out of paint and time before we could paint all the names that we had planned.
Bradley and Charmaine as well as Alan & Dominique from Durban were at Tim’s for supper. As it turned out they are almost next door neighbours of my brother, Patrick, in Westville. On Saturday morning we did our long run and then later in the afternoon we took Ally down to Nippers training while Gerrit rode down to Bike Check In and met us at Summerstrand. That afternoon the Easterly was blowing the surf up into a Boiling Pot and prospects did not look good for the next day.
We were in bed early but none of us slept well as we heard the wind blowing all night and we had visions of a cancelled swim and horrific bike conditions. But as it turned out the wind had turned in the night and a Westerly was blowing. The sea was relatively calm and the race would proceed as planned. We got to the start at 05.30 and plenty of time for preparations for the event. Here we saw all kinds of people that we were able to greet and give our best wishes. I decided to stay at the water's edge until the last swimmer came out. I met Adrienne there and she was shouting for Paula.
The race started at 07.00 with the guns of the ship at sea. Gerrit, being a professional, was in the front and off they went. It was a two-lap event and by the time the second lap started I was beginning to be hoarse from all the shouting. Incredible how many local athletes were taking part. I felt a sense of pride for all of them. Of course I told everyone that I met that Gerrit was staying with us and that he was going for a top five position. We had arranged to go to breakfast at Elize but the activity and excitement of the morning was just too much for us. It was not long after the last of the swimmers was out of the water than the first of the cyclists was coming round for the first lap. And did we cheer!
And so the day went on. The West wind was blowing quite strongly and this put a lot of strain on the cycle in particular. Lots of cheering and fun. I was on duty in the transition area in the afternoon but could not stay away from the finish as the top athletes were approaching the last lap. Suddenly we started hearing Gerrit’s name. He was closing in on the local hero, Raynard Tissink. Then he passed him! Then he was three hundred meters ahead of him. Then he won the event. Amazing!
Gerrit had this small group of people who he had met over the past few days as his only support group but they made enough noise for all the Raynard supporters. Later, Gerrit told us that he was confident that he could beat Raynard when he realised that there was only 8 minutes separating him from the front runners when he finished the cycle. He has done a 2H37marathon after the cycle and knew that this was his strongest discipline. Gerrit was a little known contender but has been European Ultra Distance Champion for two years and has won a number of these events but never an Ironman. It seems that in Europe there are ultra distance triathlons but these are not know as Ironman events. The name Ironman is a trade name and is a huge investment to stage. He had been 26th at the Hawaii Ironman event but had been ill and his doctor had advised him to take it easy.
Then it was back to cheering our other friends and club members. Some wonderful achievements were recorded that day. Paula, Tracey, Christoph, Mike, John, Deon & Tim friends and family just from the Mill Park Running Group all did well. Tim, as one of the few who were doing their second Ironman, had cut an hour of last years time. Then there were all our Achilles running friends. Paul was the very last man to make the cycle cut off and who wanted to bail. But he had me to contend with and I “forced” him to at least attempt the run. He did and finished! There was Dominique who had told us all how she hated running and walked the entire 42kay in a bit over 5 hours. There was Viv Francis who I have not seen for ages. I was able to run for a few kays with him on the final lap. He also finished the event. Too many people to name but so many heroes. Emotions were high. Spirits were high. What a day!
I had driven Gerrit home. He had hardly got home when the phone started to ring. It was his wife, friends and family from Belgium. They had rented a café and purchased a barrel of beer. It seems that they partied to 5.00am the next day. He also had reporters phoning him at that time. It was clear that he was a national hero back home. In fact from that time onwards, Gerrit could hardly walk anywhere without being stopped for a congratulations, a photo or an autograph.
Monday morning I was too tired to run but Stuart saw me at my desk early in the morning and asked to meet Gerrit later. So when I was able to get a break from work I phoned him, Mike and Tim and we spent some time chatting to him. I also phoned the Algoa radio station and they had an exclusive interview with Gerrit. Later in the day there was a plethora of reporters both on the phone and at our home with interviews and more photo’s. That evening was the gala awards dinner. We went along with Gerrit as his guests. It was great to be together with the people who he had got to know
Many people received awards and recognition that evening. And rightly so. They had achieved what most of us wish for. To be an Ironman! Tracey and Davera were both on the podium as age category winners as was Viv Francis. Standing ovations were accorded to many of these amazing athletes. Finally it was the turn of the winner to be recognized. Gerrit made a great speech where he acknowledged the support that he had received, the organisation and more important to us he acknowledged the table where his new friends were sitting.
The evening was spent with all kinds of admirers chatting to Gerrit, having Photographs taken & books signed. We left at about 11.00pm as I need to be home early. I had planned to go Kloofing in the Groot Rivier in the Tsitsikamma region on Tuesday morning. Tuesday was a holiday.
Fred picked me up just before 6am and we met Mike, Andy, Darryl, Mark & Matthew and set off at about 06.30. We went down in Fred’s Combi. We drove to Natures Valley where we met up with Wayne who was camping there. Interestingly, we had seen a bushbuck crossing the main road near to the Blaukrans River. We left the Combi there and Wayne drove us back to the Highway and the Groot Rivier Bridge on the N2 (just a little West of the Tollgate). He dropped us there at 08.30 and we immediately started our climb down the cliff side. I was wearing an old pair of sandals. These looked like they were going to fall apart. I must remember to wear genuine Rockies the next time I do this type of hike.
Mike seems to be able to find his way wherever we are and soon we were at a cliff face that seemed impossible to descend. But he showed us some webbing that had been left there and we used that to climb down this section. Then it was down to the river. It had been raining quite a bit recently and so the river was flowing fast. The first obstacle was to get into the water. Mike used some rope and we climbed onto a ledge. We had to leap into the water from here. The last time I had been Kloofing with Mike I had been terrified. Now I was determined to overcome this fear and without hesitation jumped. No trouble!
When you go Kloofing, you take a daypack with a few provisions, emergency stuff and something warm to wear. All of this has to be very well double wrapped in plastic bags otherwise everything is saturated and the weight of the backpack becomes unbearable. A wetsuit is a must as the water becomes so cold when you are in the river for long periods. I was wearing Nicci’s small wetsuit. And although I did get cold, it was adequate for the day. The river was very full and we spent most of the day swimming. Mostly I swam on my back, facing upstream, with the pack strapped on securely. There is a lot of buoyancy in the pack and with the water flowing strongly we moved at a good pace. Whenever we got to a rapid I would move into the “cocktail” position and rush down the rapid in what Mike calls a “Bumslide”. What an experience each rapid was. Better that a whole day at the superslides.
As the day wore on we were treated to all kinds of visual experiences: seeing the underside of the Groot Rivier Bridge, Cliff faces and rock formations that were absolutely awesome. We even swam through the spray of a waterfall. At one time the gorge was so narrow that we could almost reach to either side of the cliff face with outstretched arms. It was a tough day in the cold water with long swims, smooth rocks to walk on, heavy packs full of water and very little time to dry out. My backpack is made of some special material that is waterproof. Great if it is raining but it retains the water and I battled to stand up every time we had to walk through a rapid.
We stopped twice for something to eat. I had prepared some ham sandwiches, which I really enjoyed at the first stop but by the time we got to the second stop everything was wet. I also had a Power Gel, which helped me get through the last few hours. Towards the end of the day we were cramping, had sore backs, sore bums, hands were bruised and quite a few cuts and grazes. Eventually we were able to start walking. The walk was probably about 30 minutes and we finished back at camp at Nature’s Valley at 15.00. Of the total of six and a half-hours, we had been in the water for about five hours.
Nature’s Valley has a wonderful shower facility for campers and we made good use of them. Mike and I also saw a second bushbuck in the camp. On our way home we again stopped at the Storms River Bridge and were home before 6.00pm. Thank you Mike for organising a great day. This is a treat that only a very few people ever get to experience. My opinion is that you should be reasonably fit before attempting this. Also know that you are going to have a tough day where all kinds of things are possible. Nothing is certain. This is, by definition, “an adventure”. The activity and the outcome has to be experienced to appreciate what Kloofing is all about. There are no spectators, no awards, no medal and no T-Shirt. But what there is, is a memory that cannot be erased. Sunday had belonged to Ironman but today we were “watermen”! I was stiff and sore when I arrived home but had a good little sleep at the back of the Combi.
This morning Barbara & Suzanne had taken Gerrit to the airport where he had bought them breakfast. He was again swamped by well wishers and left for Belgium at 13.00. He would fly to Johannesburg, London and then home. We anticipated that he would receive a heroes welcome in Brussels and he told us how there were more press conferences and parties planned.
Peter Giddy
22.03.2006.
This year I had far less focus on Ironman than I had last year. Tim was now an experienced Ironman and was training with a man far more qualified to keep up with him in Bradley Joubert. However I was a member of the EP Triathlon as I had hoped to be able to compete for the EP team. The events clashed with other commitments so I was unable to focus on triathlon and the training that it demands.
But I still decided to compete in the Corporate Triathlon, which is one tenth of the main event. It was held on the Thursday before Ironman at 16h00. I rushed out of work and put my stuff together. I had one cycle the week before and had trained a bit of swimming for Biathlon so felt that I should be able to do this. Triathlon is a fussy sport with so many rules and regulations and so much stuff required to do the sport so I put everything in the car and we drove down in plenty of time for the event.
As I got to the start I realised that I had left my running shoes at home. Barbara agreed to fetch them for me as I went into the transition area. But what she actually did was to phone Suzanne who was coming down anyway and asked to her go to our house and find them for me. Oops. This allowed her to see what a mess my stuff at home is. How embarrassing!
I walked down to the start of the swim and was chatting there to others doing the event when I saw Sue running down with the shoes so I was able to run back up and put them with my stuff in transition. There were a good number of people doing the event so when the swim started there were legs and arms flying everywhere and as we rounded the first buoy a few were pushed under and there was lot of swearing and moaning. I took a slightly wider berth and pressed on. I had a reasonable swim and was far from last out of the water. I had a good bike ride (18kays). Just as we approached the University it started to rain but this did not last long. I met up with Roz Gerber at the turn. Roz had been off for a few years due to injuries and I had not seen her for ages. So I urged her to stick with me on the way back which she did and we had an excellent return with the wind.
Back at transition I quickly changed into those elusive running shoes and started the 4kay run. This is the part where I feel most comfortable about my ability and was able to overtake a number of people and had a good finish. About 1 hour 13 minutes.
That evening we had cell group at Charles and Ingrid. Being a member of the EP triathlon, I had been asked and agreed to host an out of towner for the Ironman. On Monday I had collected our guest, Gerrit Schellens, from the airport, taken him home and gone back to work. After work on Monday, Barbara, Ally & I took him for a drive around the cycle route and familiarised him with the town and where we lived. He had already been for a bike ride and looked at home. On the way home we agreed that it was to be spaghetti Boglonaise for supper so we stopped at the Spar for groceries and soon cooked up a simple meal with Gerrit doing the vegetables.
This evening I realised how much he was training as he told us that he had been in Potchefstroom for the past three weeks in a training camp. He had done something like 2400kays of cycle, 400kays of running and 100kays of swimming. The amount of supper that he ate confirmed how much he was burning up. I also learned that there is an annual Training camp in Potch. Something like 30 to 50 athletes from all over the world use this facility. This was the fourth year that Gerrit had been there for training. I wondered why they should not use Port Elizabeth, the Triathlon Center of South Africa for their training?
Over the next few days we became friends and Gerrit agreed to come to our cell group. Charles and Ingrid had prepared an appropriate evening with songs of praise as well as talking about how Jesus wanted us to be the best that we can. Gerrit felt quite at home and later commented that he did not realise how Catholic us Africans were. He also said (a few times) how much he had enjoyed the evening. As we left their home Gerrit offered (much to Ally’s delight) to buy Pizzas for supper.
The following day (Friday) we had our own little pasta party at Tim & Suzanne. Before this we had been at Nippers training and I had purchased a few cans of spray paint. So after Nippers we drove to the University back entrance and painted the road with names such as Tim, Bradley, Achilles, Gerrrit, (oops. Three r’s), Paula, Jonty, Alan & Dom. We ran out of paint and time before we could paint all the names that we had planned.
Bradley and Charmaine as well as Alan & Dominique from Durban were at Tim’s for supper. As it turned out they are almost next door neighbours of my brother, Patrick, in Westville. On Saturday morning we did our long run and then later in the afternoon we took Ally down to Nippers training while Gerrit rode down to Bike Check In and met us at Summerstrand. That afternoon the Easterly was blowing the surf up into a Boiling Pot and prospects did not look good for the next day.
We were in bed early but none of us slept well as we heard the wind blowing all night and we had visions of a cancelled swim and horrific bike conditions. But as it turned out the wind had turned in the night and a Westerly was blowing. The sea was relatively calm and the race would proceed as planned. We got to the start at 05.30 and plenty of time for preparations for the event. Here we saw all kinds of people that we were able to greet and give our best wishes. I decided to stay at the water's edge until the last swimmer came out. I met Adrienne there and she was shouting for Paula.
The race started at 07.00 with the guns of the ship at sea. Gerrit, being a professional, was in the front and off they went. It was a two-lap event and by the time the second lap started I was beginning to be hoarse from all the shouting. Incredible how many local athletes were taking part. I felt a sense of pride for all of them. Of course I told everyone that I met that Gerrit was staying with us and that he was going for a top five position. We had arranged to go to breakfast at Elize but the activity and excitement of the morning was just too much for us. It was not long after the last of the swimmers was out of the water than the first of the cyclists was coming round for the first lap. And did we cheer!
And so the day went on. The West wind was blowing quite strongly and this put a lot of strain on the cycle in particular. Lots of cheering and fun. I was on duty in the transition area in the afternoon but could not stay away from the finish as the top athletes were approaching the last lap. Suddenly we started hearing Gerrit’s name. He was closing in on the local hero, Raynard Tissink. Then he passed him! Then he was three hundred meters ahead of him. Then he won the event. Amazing!
Gerrit had this small group of people who he had met over the past few days as his only support group but they made enough noise for all the Raynard supporters. Later, Gerrit told us that he was confident that he could beat Raynard when he realised that there was only 8 minutes separating him from the front runners when he finished the cycle. He has done a 2H37marathon after the cycle and knew that this was his strongest discipline. Gerrit was a little known contender but has been European Ultra Distance Champion for two years and has won a number of these events but never an Ironman. It seems that in Europe there are ultra distance triathlons but these are not know as Ironman events. The name Ironman is a trade name and is a huge investment to stage. He had been 26th at the Hawaii Ironman event but had been ill and his doctor had advised him to take it easy.
Then it was back to cheering our other friends and club members. Some wonderful achievements were recorded that day. Paula, Tracey, Christoph, Mike, John, Deon & Tim friends and family just from the Mill Park Running Group all did well. Tim, as one of the few who were doing their second Ironman, had cut an hour of last years time. Then there were all our Achilles running friends. Paul was the very last man to make the cycle cut off and who wanted to bail. But he had me to contend with and I “forced” him to at least attempt the run. He did and finished! There was Dominique who had told us all how she hated running and walked the entire 42kay in a bit over 5 hours. There was Viv Francis who I have not seen for ages. I was able to run for a few kays with him on the final lap. He also finished the event. Too many people to name but so many heroes. Emotions were high. Spirits were high. What a day!
I had driven Gerrit home. He had hardly got home when the phone started to ring. It was his wife, friends and family from Belgium. They had rented a café and purchased a barrel of beer. It seems that they partied to 5.00am the next day. He also had reporters phoning him at that time. It was clear that he was a national hero back home. In fact from that time onwards, Gerrit could hardly walk anywhere without being stopped for a congratulations, a photo or an autograph.
Monday morning I was too tired to run but Stuart saw me at my desk early in the morning and asked to meet Gerrit later. So when I was able to get a break from work I phoned him, Mike and Tim and we spent some time chatting to him. I also phoned the Algoa radio station and they had an exclusive interview with Gerrit. Later in the day there was a plethora of reporters both on the phone and at our home with interviews and more photo’s. That evening was the gala awards dinner. We went along with Gerrit as his guests. It was great to be together with the people who he had got to know
Many people received awards and recognition that evening. And rightly so. They had achieved what most of us wish for. To be an Ironman! Tracey and Davera were both on the podium as age category winners as was Viv Francis. Standing ovations were accorded to many of these amazing athletes. Finally it was the turn of the winner to be recognized. Gerrit made a great speech where he acknowledged the support that he had received, the organisation and more important to us he acknowledged the table where his new friends were sitting.
The evening was spent with all kinds of admirers chatting to Gerrit, having Photographs taken & books signed. We left at about 11.00pm as I need to be home early. I had planned to go Kloofing in the Groot Rivier in the Tsitsikamma region on Tuesday morning. Tuesday was a holiday.
Fred picked me up just before 6am and we met Mike, Andy, Darryl, Mark & Matthew and set off at about 06.30. We went down in Fred’s Combi. We drove to Natures Valley where we met up with Wayne who was camping there. Interestingly, we had seen a bushbuck crossing the main road near to the Blaukrans River. We left the Combi there and Wayne drove us back to the Highway and the Groot Rivier Bridge on the N2 (just a little West of the Tollgate). He dropped us there at 08.30 and we immediately started our climb down the cliff side. I was wearing an old pair of sandals. These looked like they were going to fall apart. I must remember to wear genuine Rockies the next time I do this type of hike.
Mike seems to be able to find his way wherever we are and soon we were at a cliff face that seemed impossible to descend. But he showed us some webbing that had been left there and we used that to climb down this section. Then it was down to the river. It had been raining quite a bit recently and so the river was flowing fast. The first obstacle was to get into the water. Mike used some rope and we climbed onto a ledge. We had to leap into the water from here. The last time I had been Kloofing with Mike I had been terrified. Now I was determined to overcome this fear and without hesitation jumped. No trouble!
When you go Kloofing, you take a daypack with a few provisions, emergency stuff and something warm to wear. All of this has to be very well double wrapped in plastic bags otherwise everything is saturated and the weight of the backpack becomes unbearable. A wetsuit is a must as the water becomes so cold when you are in the river for long periods. I was wearing Nicci’s small wetsuit. And although I did get cold, it was adequate for the day. The river was very full and we spent most of the day swimming. Mostly I swam on my back, facing upstream, with the pack strapped on securely. There is a lot of buoyancy in the pack and with the water flowing strongly we moved at a good pace. Whenever we got to a rapid I would move into the “cocktail” position and rush down the rapid in what Mike calls a “Bumslide”. What an experience each rapid was. Better that a whole day at the superslides.
As the day wore on we were treated to all kinds of visual experiences: seeing the underside of the Groot Rivier Bridge, Cliff faces and rock formations that were absolutely awesome. We even swam through the spray of a waterfall. At one time the gorge was so narrow that we could almost reach to either side of the cliff face with outstretched arms. It was a tough day in the cold water with long swims, smooth rocks to walk on, heavy packs full of water and very little time to dry out. My backpack is made of some special material that is waterproof. Great if it is raining but it retains the water and I battled to stand up every time we had to walk through a rapid.
We stopped twice for something to eat. I had prepared some ham sandwiches, which I really enjoyed at the first stop but by the time we got to the second stop everything was wet. I also had a Power Gel, which helped me get through the last few hours. Towards the end of the day we were cramping, had sore backs, sore bums, hands were bruised and quite a few cuts and grazes. Eventually we were able to start walking. The walk was probably about 30 minutes and we finished back at camp at Nature’s Valley at 15.00. Of the total of six and a half-hours, we had been in the water for about five hours.
Nature’s Valley has a wonderful shower facility for campers and we made good use of them. Mike and I also saw a second bushbuck in the camp. On our way home we again stopped at the Storms River Bridge and were home before 6.00pm. Thank you Mike for organising a great day. This is a treat that only a very few people ever get to experience. My opinion is that you should be reasonably fit before attempting this. Also know that you are going to have a tough day where all kinds of things are possible. Nothing is certain. This is, by definition, “an adventure”. The activity and the outcome has to be experienced to appreciate what Kloofing is all about. There are no spectators, no awards, no medal and no T-Shirt. But what there is, is a memory that cannot be erased. Sunday had belonged to Ironman but today we were “watermen”! I was stiff and sore when I arrived home but had a good little sleep at the back of the Combi.
This morning Barbara & Suzanne had taken Gerrit to the airport where he had bought them breakfast. He was again swamped by well wishers and left for Belgium at 13.00. He would fly to Johannesburg, London and then home. We anticipated that he would receive a heroes welcome in Brussels and he told us how there were more press conferences and parties planned.
Peter Giddy
22.03.2006.
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