Two Oceans Marathon 2018 .. Cape Town ..... I am running the Half for the tenth time this year.

Two Oceans Half Marathon
Peter Giddy  31st March 2018

If you are visiting Port Elizabeth and would like Tours.  Anything from Cape to Garden Route; Wildlife to Cultural and Adventure Tours.  I am a Registered Guide and enjoy meeting people and showing them some of the places you would not normally be able to enjoy.
Contact me at peter.giddy@gmail.com
Peter Giddy Guided Tours.


Thursday 29th
Barbara and I are on our way to walk the Camino from Porto; Portugal to Santiago de Compestella in Spain.
So we are packed and ready to leave and at 5.30am we leave our house in Port Elizabeth.  It is dark when we leave and minimal traffic.  We stop at Jeffreys Bay for a Milo but the Coffee Shop is not yet open at 6.30.  We continue our journey to Storms River where we stop at the Mug and Bean.  Here we meet up with Brett and Kelly.  Kelly is part of the MPRG and also running the half as is Brett.

On the way we were listening to the news. On the way we had come across a Road Accident where a truck with a load of concrete bricks had been involved in a collision with another vehicle on the Van Stadens Bridge.  This had slowed traffic but nothing serious.  But soon after we passed this area, a group of protesters had blockaded the road with tyres and anyone leaving later than about 6am would not have been able to pass on their way towards Cape Town.  We later hear that this disruption to traffic flow was eventually cleared at about 11am.

At Storms River Bridge I met Garreth Jacobson and he told me that he had just managed to edge pass the tyres and that he had left PE at 6am.  Also there was Philip. A man who lives in Jeffreys and who used to run with Justin Strydom.  He is attempting his 27th Oceans.

I have had a period of six weeks of no beverages except water.  So this morning I have my first Milo since starting this discipline.  We continue towards CT and as we reach Plettenberg Bay it begins to rain.  There is a steady rain from here right through to Somerset West.  Our next stop is Mossel Bay where I have a sandwich and Milo again.

And then on to Riviersonderend.  All the way we are listening to the drama unfold in the PE Municipality where there are political forces in play as there are supposed to be motions to unseat our Mayor. Athol Trollip of the DA.  Anyway the council meeting is disrupted with shouting and singing and eventually the meeting is abandoned and no vote of No Confidence takes place.

When we get to Sir Lowrys Pass there is such heavy mist that driving becomes a really dangerous thing to be doing.  Trucks and other vehicles are driving too fast for these conditions.  Thousands of people are leaving Cape Town and the road is a nightmare.  Finally we reach Somerset West and then Cape Town.  We drive directly to the CTICC where I find my way to the Registration area.  I think that this is the first year where Race Numbers are being printed as we request them.  Previously we would stand in lines of Alphabetical Order.  So I stand in a line and start chatting to a lady. her husband joins us and he is running his 20th half so registered in the Blue Number club area.  He explains that we can do the same.

 The CTICC is a hub of activity at the Registration area

 Fortunately I am able to Register at the Blue Number Club area. On the Computer is Kirsten who was so friendly and helpful to me.

Thousands of runners registering today.  And there will be even greater numbers on Friday.
So I walk across to the shorter line of the Blue Number Club and am soon being helped by Kristen.  I explain to her the situation of Stefany (MPRG) who entered and could not come due to an injury.  Kristen is very helpful and once I give her Stefany's ID, she allows me to take a Goody Bag and a T shirt for Steff.

2013.... That year I finished side by side with Sasha Botha.  Stefan and Elmarie had finished a bit ahead of us.

Ronel puts this pic of Kathleen finishing the St Albans 10k ...  This will be Kat's first attempt at the 56 Ultra.

Barbara and I drive through to Nicky in the 16.30 traffic.  Today it has taken us nearly 12 hours ... Four stops on the road, Rainy driving conditions and fairly heavy traffic on an Easter Weekend and the Registration make up the long day.  Fortunately Werner is a cook and he makes a delicious Supper of Potato and  Leek Soup.

Fri Bday -- Children to the Movies.  Barbara and Nicky to the shops.  Werner and I chill at home.
Later Ally and I drive to Patricks home.  He is in Plett.  We collect the keys from the Neighbour Paul.

 Michael (Mof) Botha and I meet up at the start of the run.

 Cindy; Joanne and Peter at the start of the 21k.  These two girls had a really good run today.

 I think that there are something like 15 000 runners starting the 21 this morning.

I understand that there were
Saturday 31st.  I have not slept well but am ready to start my walk to the start of the run at 4.50.  As my experience is from previous years -- it is a very easy walk to the start.  I simply follow everyone else and am soon in the starting area.
I meet up with Cindy and Joanne and Michael (Mof) Botha.  And those are the only people from PE who I recognise on the run today.  The wait at the start moves along quite quickly. Patricia Delille (Cape Town Mayor) welcomes everyone. The national anthem is played (And I think of how Trevor Noah talks about the National Anthem) and then, at 5.50, at the sound of the gun and Fish Horn the first group goes off.

I determine to run the whole way.  No walking. I hear some people talking about congestion but for me, there is easy enough space for us to run at the pace we set for ourselves.  After a short while we start the first climb up to the top (4km) of the "Ladies Mile" or the M3.
Its great to look down in the early morning light (full moon, but it sets in the west behind the mountains) towards Muizenberg. The lights of the suburbs and the mountains make a wonderful view.  Down we run until we turn off the M3 at 7km.  After just one more Km we do the turn around where we can see fellow runners -- Again I see Cindy, Joanne and Michael.

From here it is a short run to the 10km (65 minutes) which is the start of the Southern Cross 3km hill.  I continue to shuffle just above a walk.  Runners all around are chatting and encouraging each other.  The Band in Green plays for the runners.  Not exactly winners of America's got Talent but a real pleasure for us to hear the music as we run up this hill.
At the top of Southern Cross we are at 13km and now have the tough 3km ahead of us with sharp undulations and a camber that makes it difficult to maintain a pace.

The band at 16km.  Not America's got Talent.  But I love the music and the beat.
At 16km we find the second of the two musical interludes as the men in Green play for us.  Sharp down hill and working hard to try to maintain a steady running pace.  Finally we are at 18km and just three kays to go.  At this time we can also see the marker boards for the 56km Ultra.  I think about our running friends from PE who are on this run.  And am so glad that I have made the decision to not attempt such a grueling event again.

Up towards the University and counting off the last few kays.  I pass Herman (Biathle in PE) and am determined that he will not pass me.  So I am running as hard as my tired legs will allow.  At last ... Just one kay to go.  First there is the last of the hills.  Over the last three kays I have been passing others with very few people passing me.  I had an initial goal of 2.10 but when I went through 10k at 65min I knew that I would not make that time.  So now I am trying for 2.15 -- I dont look at a watch nor do I ask others for the time.  Just run as hard as you can at the time.

 Just scraped in under 2.16 for the 21 this morning.  Not that it makes any difference as it is the experience of the run that makes Two Oceans a special day.

I have finished -- and am thinking of the runners who, running the 56kay, have something like 4 hours of running to do before they too are at the University Grounds.
Finally into the University Grounds and I hear the announcer saying something about 2.15 so I put me head down and run to the last timing mat.  Then I look up and see that I have finished just under 2.16.  Yay..  I have, today, run my 10th X 21k at Two Oceans.  This means that I receive a second Blue Number.  Not the double that you receive for running 20 X Ultras but at least I have a second Blue Number 1267.  My 56k blue number is 1044.

I am tired and foot sore.  After the formalities of having my photo taken with Anne Margolin (Issy is running the 56) I make my way up the stairs to the road above the field and there I find the Shuttle Bus that will take us back to the Start Area.  In the bus I meet Mahir and he offers to give me a lift to Patricks house.

Kelly Holmes who struggled with an injury today and her group of friends from PE

Nicky sets out an Easter Table.

Ally and I shower and then drive back to Nicky's home in Durbell.  Barbara and Nicky are arranging a lunch and Braai with the Easter Eggs.

Geoff; Graham; Peter Pholman; Kenny; Tremaine and Liz Prins.

Other results that I receive.
Kobus 6.47
Andy  6.59
Stuart and Maryka both finish.
Graham Channon and Kenny Barwood DNF
Roger Trader; Alan Taylor and Geoff Roberts; Tremaine Wesson all finish.
Liz Prins and Katie Morris; Garreth Jacobson and Christine Claasen all Finish.
Samantha Douglas 21k -- 2.24
Kathleen Flannagan finished her first attempt at the Ultra in 6.54.

I have been following Kat recently as she does Ironman; Triathlons and local runs.  Kay has one Oceans Half and this year attempted the Ultra.
This is her comment after the run:
Sjoe.. That was a tough race.  Never experienced anything like that before. And not sure if I want to again.  
I finished in 6.54 and honestly wasnt sure if I would make it.  I lost my friends along the way and then the 6.40 bus passed me. Then the 6.50 Bus. Then the 7 Hour Bus and I knew I was screwed.  And it was difficult running alone.  But anyway.  I eventually managed to pass the 7 hour bus on the Constantia downhill.  .. What a relief. 
Fortunately I have no injuries to report. Except sore muscles, a slightly blistered foot and a major headache.   

Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Hiking Trails of Port Elizabeth.

Peter Giddy Guided Tours

peter.giddy@gmail.com

Hiking Trails in Port Elizabeth

Would you like to spend a couple of hours with a group of South Africans? Come hiking.  Each week we have a different route.  We hike on Wednesdays; Thursdays and Saturdays.
I pick you up at your hotel, We spend the time walking -- usually around 2-3 hours of nature.  Included is a Sling Bag; Water and a snack.
This is for all ages and not an extreme sport at all.

Wednesday 21st March 2018.
It is a Public Holiday in PE today.  So a good day for a hike.
A bit overcast and cool.... A great day for a hike at the Hopewell Nature Reserve.

 Early morning sun rays as we group together at the start of the walk.

excuse my finger.... Robin groups us together to explain the route.  After which we are none the wiser as to where we will be walking.
I fetch Iuan Souza from the Marine Hotel at 7.00am.  Iuan is from Brazil and on holiday for three weeks in South Africa.  He has opted to join the Hike today.
We drive through to Hopewell where we meet the rest of the group.  Robin does the registration and we all sign the register.

Today there are 34 hikers in the group.  A varied mix of people from the youthful to us oldies.  Robin tries to explain the route but we have no idea of what he is trying to explain.  Robin has this GPS Gadget which he used to record a previous walk that he did. He uses this to track the route of today which alternates between pathways and crossing the grasslands.

 The cool overcast day makes this hike tolerable today.  On another day with no cloud cover and no cool breeze -- we would need over 1.5 liters of water each.

We regroup and then continue up the next hill.
As we walk we see a variety of animals from Zebra to Eland.  Hopewell is a vast reserve with a variety of plant life.  We seem to see it all from tiny everlastings to hardy thorn bush and spekboom.  The trail is a tough one -- Uneven surfaces; long up hills and plenty of down hills; Walking on grassy plains and then along the river bed in a valley.

We stop for a break after about 5 or 6km.  I am used to hiking around 8km on a Wednesday.  Today it will clearly be a longer hike.  Fortunately I have two water bottles as one is already empty.
After the break we continue on towards the Tented Camp which we reach at about 9km.  From here the final section is through a valley and then we end with a short climb to the office block at about 12km.  We have been hiking for about 3.5 hours and mostly pretty tired.
I had not planned to stay for lunch but some of the group relax for a lunch or coffee at the end.

 We look across the field at the herd of Eland.

Iuan and Robin after a river crossing.
Iuan has met a number of the hikers and has really enjoyed this outing..

On the hike today are 34 walkers.
Robin our hike leader; Ferdie, Val and Arinda who are generally Saturday Hikers; Jurgen; Chandre and Robert; Rose and Paul; David; Jim on the motorbike; Victoria and Mike in the Landrover; Ralf; Reg; Ian Andrews; Jimmy and Di; Lyn Zoetmulder; and Flo; Sheila and Jenny also Thursday walkers; Lydia; Jenny; Dennis; Lesley who works for Alan Fogarty; Lisa; Des who is another Santiago Pilgrim; Manny and Yogi; Rencia; Naomi who reminds me that I have her in my Black Book; Iuan and Peter

To arrange a group or even a single person wanting to hike trails or beaches of Port Elizabeth -- Contact Peter Giddy Guided Tours.

Peter also arranges Wildlife Safaris; Canoe Trails; Garden Route Tours; Sandboarding;  Quad Biking; Horse trails and beach rides; City Tours; Historical and Culture Tours; Township Tours.

Contact Peter at peter.giddy@gmail.com
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Fibonacci sequence
The number is equal to the sum of the previous two numbers
0;1;1;2;3;5;8;13;21;34;55;89;144 .......

Grahamstown Settler Tour -- March 2018

Grahamstown Settler Tour of March 2018

Today I do the Grahamstown Settler and Historical tour as a One Day outing but this can also be done as a Two or Three day tour

Peter Giddy Guided Tours
peter.giddy@gmail.com

• Addo Elephant Park; 
• City, historical and cultural Tours; 
• Township Tours; 
• Adventure Tours; -- Canoe trails; Walking and Hiking; Horse Riding; Sandboarding; Quad biking; Surfing; Zip Lines; 
• Garden Route Tours.  Monkey Land; Birds of Eden; Big Cats; Ocean Safari; Beach Walks. 
• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Wildlife Reserves
• Transfers -- Airport; Wildlife and Hotel 

Find me on Trip Advisor --- Google -- Peter Giddy Guided tours - Trip Advisor

Contact me on peter.giddy@gmail.com
Or +27 82 550 3174 (Whatsup)

I have Maureen as my guest today.  Maureen is here from Australia and is following the Cricket team for all four tests.  Last week it was Durban where Australia beat the Proteas convincingly.

On the way to Grahamstown we stop to view the Carel Landman Monument which celebrates the Voortrekker movement of the 1800's

Fort Selwyn.  Planned during 1836/36 as part of the Cape Colony Military defences and was built under the supervision of Major Selwyn.

Canon overlooking Grahamstown below.

The 1820 Settler monument.  Built as a tribute to the influence that the 1820 British settlers had on Grahamstown and the Albany District.  Now known as the Makana district.  Makana was a Xhosa chief who fought the British in a battle in 1819.  He was captured and sent to Robbin Island.  Here he, on Christmas day 1819, attempted escape and drowned. He is remembered by the community as this district is now called Makana.

Astronomical Stones ... From the centre of the circle standing tones can be seen which mark:
The four points of the compass. Sunrise and Sunset at the winter and summer equinoxes.
The appearance of the xxxxxxx or XXXXX a dawn of the marking of the new year of Africa
Unfortunately I cannot make out the lettering in this pic.
I will have to revisit to copy the exact text.

Summer Solstice;  North and Winter Solstice.

Rising of the Pleiades or Izilimela.   East - Impumulanga.

North -- Emntia

Canopus or Canzibe.   South.  Umzantsi.

Rising of the Pleiades or Izilimela. Before Dawn in June marking the new year in Africa slightly to the north of winter Solstice sunrise 21 June.

East Impumalanga  -- Autumn equinox.  Sunrise March 21.  Spring equinox. Sunrise September 22

West. Intshonalanga.   Spring equinox.  Sunset September 22.  Autumn equinox.  Sunset March 21
Orions Belt or Amakroza sets early June at dusk.

Settler Family situated at the entrance to the 1820 Settler Monument.

The Cathedral Entrance.  Today there is a funeral service on the go.

The Cathedral is in the Center of Grahamstown.  Cathedral of St Michael and St George.

To the rear of the Cathedral is the monument to remember the people who lost their lives in WW2 1914 to 1919.  The foundation stone was laid by Mrs LL Giddy.  MBE and founder of the War Suffers Society in 1919

The Cenotaph at the back of the Cathedral.

One of the people remembered is Giddy N.

The Town Hall .  The Clock tower was first built and then the two wings were built later to create a town hall.

The Observatory museum was undergoing renovations so we could not go into it.

The commemoration church. A Methodist Church.

Inside the church.  This man tells us that attendance is poor.  I am standing on the lecturn from where the pastor can survey the congregation below.

Inside the church there are a number of stain glass windows.

The Shaw hall is looking run down and is being used as a childrens school. or Creche.  It was here that the parliament met when the Eastern Cape wanted to divorce itself from the West.

The Provost Tower from where the guard can see the prison cells below.

Inside the Provost is the Coffee Shop.  Worth a stop -- Coffee smells amazing.  Unfortunately -- right now, I am on a Water only diet for lent. So no coffee for me.

A Military Prison is now in the University campus and a coffee shop is housed in the prison.

The oldest postbox in South Africa.  It is possible to post a letter in this box which is in Somerset Road next to Armstrong House at St Andrews high school.

We left Port Elizabeth at 8am. Our first stop was the Carel Landman Monument.  We continued on to Grahamstown where we stop at the 1820 Settler Monument.  Today is the first day of the Science Festival and the building is full of school children. We see Fort Selwyn and the Settler family as well as the stones marking the points of the compass.
We park in town and from here we walk around the center of the city visiting the Cathedral; The War Memorial; The City Hall; The Observatory Museum; The commemoration Church; The Shaw Hall.
We drive to the Provost in the University, The Albany museum is a real treat. We then visit the two schools -- St Andrews where we see the oldest postbox in SA and end our tour in Kingswood college where I meet Jason -- Ally's school day hockey coach and Tim Marshall who is the pastor here and was a pastor at Walmer Methodist.

A full day of walking and exploring with a great deal of interesting places to visit and stories of history.
Something that we noticed -- The roads of Grahamstown are in shocking condition.  This city has an abundance of business and schools and should be proud of its infrastructure.  The roads are a poor reflection of the ability of the city management.

February 2018 ... Peter Giddy Guided Tours. Garden Route; Addo Elephant park; Kragga Kamma; City; Historical and Township Tours; Shore Excursions; Airport and Hotel Transfers

Peter Giddy  -- February 2018

peter.giddy@gmail.com
Peter Giddy Guided Tours  --- Find me on Trip Advisor.

• Shore Excursions
• Hotel and Airport Transfers
• Addo Elephant Park
• Kragga Kamma wildlife Reserve
• City; Historical; Cultural and Township
• Garden Route Specialist
• Adventures -- Ocean Safari; Quad Bikes; Canoe River trails; Zip Lines.

Scary and aggressive looking elephant at Algoa Lookout.

Find me on Trip Advisor --- Google "Peter Giddy Trip Advisor"

Thursday 1st February
Barbara and I drive home from Cape Town where I had a business meeting with Reynard -- Tourism that Cares
Cape Town is in a serious water shortage situation and Nicky has her water cut off so they are "adapting and making plans" for their water supply.

Friday 2nd February.
Start the morning with a 1600m swim with Megan.
I have an Ilios Addo tour for Strachmann couple off the Europa in a Fortuner.  This goes well. It is the first time in a long while that I last ate at the Cattle Baron.

 Caitlin with Zebra in the background

Caitlin at Domkrag Dam.  She will be working in Cape Town next week.  Caitlin works for a company in America who arrange donations and subsidies for disadvantaged organisations locally.
Saturday 3rd... I have an early pick up -- Caitlin Mitchell from America is here for work -- I pick up at Forest Hall at 6am.
We have a really successful day with great sightings.

Once we have collected our guests from Kariega we stop off at the beach for a walk -- Its a perfect afternoon for beach goers

The bike fits in to the back of the Combi that it makes going for a ride so much simpler
Sunday 4th.   I have a Kariega Park Transfer for Mosaic.  Meet JR at the PE Airport and we pick up at Kariega to take to the Airport.  I cycle for an hour at Grassroof.  I realise that I am now able to load the bike up easily and so taking the bike to Grassroof is really a pleasure -- quick in and out.
Monday 5th.  I have no assignments this morning.  So I have a chore list.  Start the day with a 1200m swim with Megan. Then I am back at Grassroof for a cycle with Andrea. And I get through a whole lot of admin. Productive day.  Cell Group in the evening rounds the day off quite nicely.
Tuesday -- I run with Mike; Adrienne; Angela; Gaye; Steff and Liesl.  This is a 7k walk run.  More social than real tough running. Later I spend the morning on Dole Admin before Barbara and I drive out to see Matthew and the foundations of the house he is building.
Then this evening I run 9k with Achilles from Walmer Golf Course.

 Percy Dalton -- Reading the notices about events and other matters for Achilles Members

 We listen to the notices and instructions for the run

 This evening I run with Chris; Robin and Cristin.  Chris and Robin were two of the people who supported Maria when we ran races.

I go up to the front to receive my Participation Award from Geoff and Percy.  A voucher for Brian Bands of R218.

This is an Achilles Article that I write for Carol Anne Cash.

Tuesday 6^th Feb.  

Today I experienced Achilles as I remember from some years ago.  I have not been running in the evening for a long while, as I find it convenient to do the little training that I do, in the mornings.  But this evening Percy had called me to say that I was in the Top 30 for the Brian Bands Participation League and that I was due to be awarded a prize.

I had no idea that I was in the top 30 nor did I know that the Top 30 on the log would each be receiving an award.  So I looked back to 2017 and thought of how it came about that I had qualified for this.

Some of you may have met my Spanish friend. Maria --- Her husband works for a company contracted to VW and he was asked to work at VW SA.  They arrived in Port Elizabeth in 2016 and Maria had met Adrienne at the Collegiate School Shop.  Adrienne invited Maria to join our running group.  And so it came about that I met Maria and suggested that she take part in an official race.  Prior to that Maria had, in Spain, never run and official race before. 

Maria loved our local events and her enthusiasm was infectious.  So at every possible opportunity I would run an event with Maria.   I very often have to work over weekends so cannot participate as much as I would like; but with Maria’s love for running I did as many as I was able. Maria progressed from 10 to 15 and finally to running a 21k and was thrilled at being able to complete here in Port Elizabeth.  She loved the acceptance and friendship from those Achilleans who greeted and ran with her.  So thanks everyone for that.  

Sadly, Maria and her family, returned to Spain at the end of 2017.  But thank you Maria.  If it had not been for your saying “Yes” at every opportunity to run a race, I would not have been in the Top 30 of the Brian Bands Participation League in Achilles. 

The Yellow Lines on the Seaview Road make it reasonably safe to cycle this road. The Old Seaview road remains a hazardous section but I feel I must ride it to gain confidence for the cycle at the end of February.
Wednesday -- Swimming with Megan  1600m.  Cycle from Grassroof up to Boundary and then along the Herald Route.  About 20km.  Warm conditions.
Afternoon spend working on a Dole Phyto that was giving problems. Solved before 4pm and forwarded to HO

 Hot in Addo today... The warmest we had on the guage was 43 Degrees

 Michelle; Julie;  Marie;  Caroline and Sonja

 At Algoa Lookout... Michelle is German and Sonja is Spanish. They work together in the Netherlands.  Julie; Belgium and is a traveler and does part time work.  Marie is also German  as is Caroline who is studying to be a junior school teacher.

We had heard that there were Lions at Peasland.  We started there in the morning but only saw Zebra.. On our way out we though to have a slow drive past.  And were rewarded when this Lioness came to the water hole to drink.
Thursday -- Too tired to run.  Slept in.  No electricity.  I have an Addo Tour with Caroline; Julie; Sonja; Michelle and Marie.  Great sightings including a lion at the end of the day.

The Drought in Port Elizabeth leaves the Golf Course looking brown and dry.
Friday 9th.  Up early for swimming with Megan and Chantalay.  One thing that I miss right now is the feeling of the sun as it streams through the windows in the morning.  That was earlier in the year.  Now the sun only starts to shine into the pool area after we have left. I swim one mile.
Later -- Cycling around the Golf Course -- about 18km.  By now it is hot and I get home drenched in sweat. I see a group of boys and girls in the bushes smoking. I just glare at them.  On my second circuit there is an adult with them -- clearly admonishing them. I also come across a man sleeping.  Her remains asleep for my second and third circuit.

Barbara takes Joshua to the doctor.  I get ready for my weekend Garden Route Tour.  Barbara has two transfers this weekend for Pembury.

Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. ... I fetch Theresa; Florian and Alex and we drive to Plett for the Weekend.
Zip Lines;  Mobys for supper;  Run to Robberg 12k in the rain.  Farmers Market for breakfast; Knysna Heads; Knysna Elephant Walk; Beach walk; Fat Fish for dinner; Run 12k to Robberg;  Breakfast in the Marrakesh Flat; Bungy Jump watching; Tsitsikamma park Storms River Mouth; Kayaking and then back to PE.

 We Find four Lions about 50m from the car on the Peasland Road.

 Zebra make one of the very best pictures

On Tour with me today -- Priya; Shannon and Bagi.
Monday 12th.  Swim 1500m with Megan and Chantalay.  Three for Addo.  Baji -- Banker from Canada -- Here to watch India play cricket;  Shannon -- Nurse from Canada on Holiday;  Priya -- teacher from UK on holiday.

 Josie passes right next to the car

Josie and her two older cubs plus the three Cubs of 2017  making it a group of 6 lions being sighted today.
Tuesday -- Running in the morning with Mike.
I fetch Colin from the airport.  He is just from the KNP and had a great Safari there. Jess and Sonja are both Canadians on Holiday in RSA and looking forward a Day in Addo.
Amazingly we are in our first hour of Safari and we find SIX lions.  Some of them come right up close to the car. There are three little cubs which are such fun to watch as they follow their mother "Josie".  Josie is named after the daughter of the head of Addo NP, John Adendorf.

Wednesday 14th ... Valentines Day.
Swimming with Megan and Chantalay.  I swim 1600m.  And then later cycling with Andrea.
Grassroof.  Barbara and I try to find a place to have dinner but I, foolishly, did not think to book. Restaurants are all full, so we end up with a seafood platter at home.

Seabourn Soujorn in PE Harbour.

 Lions at Lismore water hole.  We saw 6 lions including them catching a baby warthog.

Picnic lunch at Jacks.
Thursday Run Target Kloof with Adrienne; Jenna and Michael. ... Seabourn Sourjorn in the PE Harbour this week.
I pick up Shannon; Fred; Peter and Cathy for an Addo Safari.  We are really lucky to see a variety of animals up close including the lions and Elephant.  Barbara does a Lalibela Transfer.

Friday... Swimming with Megan.  My last 1600m swim before the River Mile on Sunday.
Shamwari (Eagles Crag) pick up at 11.00am and return to the ship in Africa 4 Real vehicle.

 Saturday morning run with Pat.

On the run with Anne; Adrienne; Chris and Mike.   Elmarie; Ronel and Anton took a slightly different route.

Addo picnic with Ruth; Rachel; Jurgen; Anna; Sophie and Alex.
Our Saturday Addo Safari was a real treat -- At one watering hole we watched for nearly an hour as Elephants; warthogs and Zebra came and went.
Saturday evening we have supper at Bobby with Estelle; Charles and Ingrid. His son James joins us. Bobby makes us a real treat of a supper with Filet; Sliced potato, corgettes and Pumpkin.

 Barbara banged her finger in the gate and it seems has cracked a bone. Agony every time she touches anything.

 Jacqui and Michael -- Painting the wall at school.

 This is the wall that Jacqui and children painted at the school in Zicron Yaakov.

Saul and Cathy -- Happy times in Aukland.

 Ronel and Chris all kitted up for the Herald MTB Tour 30km

 Baatjies (Friend of Chris); Ronel; Peter and Chris -- Addo Polo club early morning on Sunday 18th

The 30km group is huge.  Most of the people behind us will pass me in the first half of the event today.

 Huge number of people gather at the Addo Polo Club for this annual event

 Chris finishes ... He had cramps over the last 10k as well as a puncture that splatters slime everywhere.

Ronel at the start of the event.
Official Race Results.
Ronel   Time 1 hour 34 Min.  Position 285 and average speed 19kmph.
Chris   Time 1hour 52 min.  Position 432 of  524 Average Speed 16kmph.
Peter.  Time 1hour 52min.  Position 433 average speed 16kmph
Herald MTB and Sundays River Mile events -- Sunday 18th Feb.
Sunday I am up early and leave for Addo at 4.30am.  It takes me just over an hour, at 80kph, to get to the Polo Club. I had packed the bike and stuff for the Herald Cycle MTB event the previous evening so was really relaxed when I arrived.  Sorted out my stuff, met up with Chris, Elmarie and Ronel and their friend, Baatjies.  The 80 and 60kay event riders go off first and then at last it is our turn. We leave at about 6.30.  Ronel goes off ahead.  Chris and Baatjies are behind me but soon pass me and I plod on at my own pace.  The route is slightly different from my last ride but the long hill is still there.  I am only drinking water so have no coke or powerade on the ride.  I stop for a banana at the first (12km mark) table after the steep downhill. The next section is fairly flat and at the 20km there is another table but nothing to eat.  I have passed a number of people with flat tyres but simply cannot stop for everyone.  I have slime in my tyres -- I had them all replaced and sorted after a cycle in January when I had two flats.
Chris and I have hardly trained at all for this event.  I have done some road bike cycling but nothing on the MTB.  Today I had started off at a steady pace and was feeling strong over the last 10kay.  The announcer had spoken about the Pack house and some wooden steps but there were none.  The last kay seemed to be the longest.  I think that they had made a mistake when they put up the marker boards over the last 3km.
Chris had finished just a minute ahead of me. He was suffering from cramps.  Chris had flu a short while before todays event. Ronel had a great ride and had completed the 30kay in just 90 minutes. Chris and I rode for about 2 hours.

Megan at the start of the Ladies Swim -- A new experience for Megan as this is her first ever River Mile despite being a good swimmer at School.

 This is what you see from the side of the water.  A lot of splashing but no identification possible at this stage

 Jacques and I are just about to move into the Mens Mile group at the start.

Jacques finishing his Mile. It was his first.

 Vanessa; Rob and Peter getting some shade from the extreme heat on Sunday afternoon

We have registered and are now set to walk to the River Mile Start area.
Megan -- 95 out of 198 finishers;  6/16 in age category 42 minutes.
Peter --- 199 / 242 finishers;  7/13 in age category 40 minutes.
After the cycle I had to immediately pack the bike away and drive home.  After a short rest I fetched Megan and we met with her friend Jacques, Irene and Estelle. We drove out to Colchester together.  Registered and did our Body Marking.  We found a place in the shade at the end of the swim. Rob and Vanessa were there.
I walked with Megan to the start and then Jacques and Irene joined me to wait first for the Ladies Mile to start at 13.30.  Once they had gone off, Jacques and I went through the entrance chute and waited for our start.
I had thought that the ladies were noisy but  the men were so vocal when we  were in the water waiting for the hooter.  At last it blasted and off we went.  As usual I swam at my own steady pace and as usual I headed in the wrong direction towards the left hand side of the river.  This slows me down as I cover extra distance but I tend to get mixed up when swimming.
There were 110 ladies and 267 men in the water this afternoon.  It had gone from searing heat to a strong wind but when we started there was hardly any wind at all.  The pushing current was not really there at all for the ladies and may have been very slightly in the mens favour.
There were three big yellow buoys in the water.  They divided the course into four quarters.  The first quarter took forever and then the next two buoys seemed to come quickly.  The final quarter was over in minutes and I was soon swimming to the finish.
Probably not my best time but I had enjoyed the swim and the outing. Jacques was just behind me.  Also in the water today -- Craig and Sharon Wilson; Emelio Burri; Dalen, Andrew, Gordon.
Rob and Vanessa had done the off road triathlon earlier in the day.
Results for this event:
Megan -- 42min;  Position 95 / 198 finishers.  6/16 in age category.
Peter -- 40 min ( I must have been tide assisted):  199 / 242 finishers. Position 7/13 in age category.  And now I know I AM old.  The age category is 65-99.  There are no older people than the 13 in this category! That is it!

Later I make an attempt to attend church but with the Extra Loud Singing and the messages and calls I receive for tours -- I eventually abandon church.

On Safari with Lisa and Cara from the UK.  Cara is about to open a Pub & grub.  Jonas;  Nacho;  Claudia and Bianca (an event organiser) from Germany.
Monday 19th.  Start the day with a 1000m swim and then I have an Addo Tour for the day.
This evening we have cell group at Rob and Vanessa's home overlooking the bay.

 Henry Nginza School where Peter J and Frank have taken tourists in the past.

Nomakwezi is the contact teacher who, today, receives the Freezer.
Tuesday 20th
Run / Walk 7kay with Chris; Adrienne; Liesl; Gaye; Steff and Mike.
Take the Combi to the Garage.  It is rattling since I had the brakes fixed.
Frank took a group to the township school yesterday and they have bought the school a freezer.  He and I are there to hand it over to the school.
Later I get the Combi back.  They have fixed the metal rattle where the mechanic failed to connect some parts correctly.  I Cycle the Grassroof Yellow Lines 20k.

 An unusual sighting is this adult male Kudu with just one horn.

Michael (Austria) and Dennis (Ireland) on tour with me today.
Wednesday 21st.  Swimming 1200m  with Megan and Liesl.
Addo with Dennis Kennedy from Hub Botique Hotel and Lungile -- Michael. We have a good day in a Misty Addo. The South of Addo looks amazing after a few days of rain and mist. The north is still grey and dry.

Barbara and I meet at this house where the Braai is going to be after the walk.

 Walking down to the beach at Sardinia bay.  I walked with Dave; Alan; Bennie; Graham; Gary and Anton.

 The pathways have been named... Valeries Boulevard is the main path that runs above the beach.

One of the main pathways is called the M1.  It is this route that we choose as our return trail.

 Walking through the Fynbos.  In our group we were 18.  There must have been about 35 in the group that Barbara joined.

Bernards Path seems to be the main path from Sardinia Bay road to the beach.  There is another pathway we used called the M1.
Thursday.  Running (8kay) target Kloof with Mike; Steff; Adrienne and Chris.
Then Chris fetches me and we do a short (12k) cycle at the beach front on our MTBs.  Back by 8am and in time for Barbara and I to join the Hiking Group SAARP for the Sardinia Bay Bridal Path walk.
There are over 50 walkers today.  Barbara joins the group doing a 5kay walk and I am with Alan Hancock and we do the 8kay loop.
The walk that Barabra does is from this house in Hoepoe Road off Sardinia Bay road and onto the Sardinia Bay road towards the beach. After 2.5kay, at the Pylon, they turn around and back to the house where they wait for the second group.
We take a horse trail (Bridal Path) .... Soft sand for part of the way. Not too bad. Some short hills but it is not hot today.  A cool breeze and overcast makes walking comfortable.  These pathways have names and I think that this is designed to help not getting lost when riding.
We continue over some of the Coastal Fynbos and down to the Sardinia bay beach to where the Lifesaving Clubhouse used to be.
Here we stop for a short break and then head back up and make our way on the M1 to the house where we had started.
Barbara and I have a list of chores ... Stop to buy some dog food ... I find a book store and end up with four books.
We then do some shopping and finally make a purchase of Two smallish backpacks for our Camino in April.
We also try to buy some hiking shoes or sandals but nowhere do we find exactly what we are looking for.

From home it is about 75kay to the turn off and from here to Zuurberg it is about 20kay of really rough, corrugated and pot holed roads with some narrow bends where there are sheer drops to the east.

 None of the gauges work

 No windscreen wipers nor any drivers side rear view mirror

 When we leave from the Main Camp the sun is shining and I dont worry about the condition of this vehicle.

Despite the rain we find two male lions.
Friday 23rd.
Nicky's Birthday.  She buys herself a new Lounge Suite.
I swim 1000m with Megan at the Newton Park Swimming Pool.  This morning we have some chores in preparation for our April trip to Spain.
This afternoon I have a Zuurberg Guiding assignment in their open vehicle. The drive to Zuurberg Inn is just under 100kay from home and takes me about an hour and a half.  When I arrive it is really hot.
I load up the cooler boxes with drinks and a picnic.  I then meet the couple who will be with me -- Yannik and Eliza from Germany.  Both medical doctors doing their Residency.  Drive to the main camp and then through into the park.  Storm clouds are starting to build up.  We see lots of Kudu and Elephants in the distance.  At Hapoor we meet up with the rest of the Zuurberg Guides and here we find Buffalo.  I continue trying to find Elephant but no luck.  So we stop for Lunch and it starts to rain.  Thunder and Lightning.  Hail and wind.
My guests are great sports and no complaints.  After our lunch we continue but by now it is pouring.  My seat and clothes are drenched.  Fortunately we had all brought waterproof jackets.
My vehicle has no windscreen wipers and no rear view mirror and no lights that I can find. So I am kind of driving blind in this pouring rain.  Fortunately it is not cold so we are actually quite okay.
We decide to continue a circuit and then by chance we come across the Lions.  Wonderful sightings just close to the road.  But after a while, when I want to start the vehicle, the battery is dead and it will not start. And here we are next to the Lions.  I phone Zuurberg and they offer to send a rescue vehicle.  The one of the other guides sees our dilemma and offers to push.  I ask Yannik to help and we get the vehicle started.
We then find excellent sightings of Elephant.  Firstly a big bull and then a family of about 20 females with baby elephant.
We have now had a good afternoon of game viewing despite the rain and other setbacks.  Today's Addo Elephant park Safari was a day to remember.

Lioness -- One of the senior female lions with a collar at Bus Stop

 The three lions were really close to the car.

Dirk and Christiana;  Ava -- Vet student and Gabriella from Brazil.  She had a banana in the car and we ragged her about this banana and how she must be careful when the Elephants are close.

Saturday morning.  I run 7kay with Susan.  Steff and Liesl are walking so we kind of run and fetch.
I have an Addo Tour for Gabriella (Gabby) from Brazil - Lungile. Dirk and Christiana from Germany (sells containers) and staying at Millbury and as a last minute booking -- Ava from Italy; a Vet student internship with 9th Ave Vets from Kings Beach.
After the heavy rains I was not sure we would see much.  But as luck has it we see a bit herd of Buffalo; they Elephants and finally we see three Lionesses to top it all. A great day with good company and good sightings.
This afternoon I pack my bike and kit into the car so that I can leave early on Sunday morning.

Andrea and I meet in Summerstrand.  We Cycle to the start where we meet up with all kinds of people.

 A real festive atmosphere at the start of the Herald 55k cycle tour

 Kevin has not been well.  We passed him on the ride and he seemed to say that he had a problem with his pedal of his bike.

 Sallie (Summies Nippers) is there taking part

 Pieter and Theresa are doing the 55k.

 Rob and Jenny with Claire who is Marshaling.  Trevor is doing the long distance.

Finished and glad to be off the bike.
Our Official time was 2.28.  177 of 260 riders.  And 44 of 90 in our start group. Our Average Speed was 22kmph. 
Sunday 25th.
Cycling the Herald 55kay with Andrea.  We meet at Summerstrand just after 7am.  Cycle to the start and try to get a bit of shelter from the cold wind. The west wind is not very strong but enough to make a difference. Andrea and I have decided to cycle together as we need the moral support. So we ride up to Walmer Boulevard and are passed by a number of people from the next group.
Andrea is always strong on the up hill -- in fact generally a stronger rider than I am.
So we try to slip various people and small groups as we ride up Heugh Road to Buffelsfontein.
Finally we get to the top of Boundary Road and turn left into Old Seaview Road.  Here we have the toughest single hill to Langbaan where there is a refreshment station.
I dont know what I am thinking as I dont even have to stop here (not drinking any of the energy drinks) but I stop and cannot uncleat so fall onto my right hand side and bruise me hand and knee.
No serious injury and we press on.
Fortunately Andrea and I have cycled this route twice in the past few weeks so we both have confidence in climbing the hills and chasing on the down hills.
Back onto New Seaview Road and now we have the Westerly behind us.  We pass the refreshment station where I am greeted by Bianca who works at Fedex where I often visit.  I grab a Bar One.
We cycle past Grassroof and down to Sardinia Bay road. When we get to the Schoenmakerskop Road we are cycling into the wind again. But most of this is downhill so we are okay.
Onto Marine drive and now I am starting to get tired legs. The final 20kay is going to be hard for me as I have to keep up with Andrea who is still strong.  We cycle as hard as we can without being ridiculous.  And finally we see a 10k to go sign.  We are now approaching the University and as I predicted the final 5kay is back into the Westerly.
We know that we are nearly home and continue to ride reasonably hard.  I have to stand and stretch fairly frequently to ease my legs and body.
At last we arrive back at the Radisson Hotel.  We have taken about two hours and thirty minutes for our cycle. We are quite happy with the result and glad to be able to get off the saddle.
I feel fortunate to have Andrea to cycle with as I am motivated to get going when other people join me in an event like today.

Later this afternoon I have a Transfer for Mark Heck.  I take a group of 7 people from their PE Hotel to Alexandria; Port Alfred and Grahamstown.

Lauri; Deun; Toby; Anna; Felix; Luc and Arthur. at Zuurkop Lookout.
Monday 26th.  Swimming with Chantalay 1200m.
Addo Safari with Luc; Arthur; Anna from Netherlands;  Deun from Netherlands; Toby from Germany; Lauri from France and Felix from Austria
Tuesday 27th.  Barbara's Birthday.  Lene and family come to give gifts and with her.  I do my first tryout with the Backpack that I bought last week from Outdoor Warehouse.  I fill it with about 6kg of stuff.  Not easy walking and difficult  to run with it on my back.  I am with Mike and Adrienne who survived a motor accident last week after being rearended by a sleepy driver near to Walmer Park early on Saturday morning.

I have an Addo Tour today -- Tuesday 27th.

 Hot in Addo today. Glad to have some shade to enjoy our lunch at Jacks. With Norberto; Anna (Argentina -- Norberto only speaks Spanish).  Lisa is from Germany.  Marie Louisa (Luus) from the Netherlands.  Andrew Melbourne Australia and Matheus is from Germany.

Our group today at Zuurkop Lookout with Lisa; Luus; Andrew; Matheus; Norberto and Anna.
From here we see huge herds of Elephant below on Green fields after the recent rains.

Terrapin seen in the grass near to Woodlands Water Hole

 Blood Lily -- Can be found all over Addo after recent rains.

Ho;  Leo and Rondolvo at the Algoa Lookout in Addo.
Wednesday 28th Feb 2018
End of the second month of the year already! And in less than one month Barbara and I leave for Portugal and Spain to walk the Camino from Porto to Santiago de Compestela
I swim 1200m with Megan this morning.
I have an Addo Safari with Rondolvo; Leo (Two Italian men on a Surfing Holiday) and Ho who is from the UK

Gails Birthday.  Johnny; Barbara; Liz; Karen; Delene; Matthew and Gail.

Barbara has a really tough transfer to Kwandwe Game Reserve.  Taking a long way around on tough dirt roads in the Grahamstown area.

Micheal is interviewed on Israeli TV about the stress that soldiers in Israel undergo.