Zoe's 4th Birthday

Zoë had her 4th birthday party at the boat club in Ballito. Wishing you many happy years ahead.

My Little Baby

Jenny I am proud of you!!!!!
Congratulations on your daughters 4th birthday.
You always go out of your way for me. Thank you for inviting me to Zoë's birthday party and for all the tasty snacks. You also got Dionne to braai me a thick juicy piece of fatty steak (just the way I like it) Thank you too Dionne. I also enjoyed the sweats cold drinks and of course the ice cream. I hope you both continue to have a good day and don't overdo it tonight!!!

New Years Message

The year has ended with all its trials and tribulations. I look forward to a year of hope. I hope for a way to sustain myself (and help others to do the same) I hope to share love with each family member and all my friends. I hope to discover the meaning of life and fulfill my purpose. I hope you have a great year. May God Bless you in abundance.

Back in Natal

I decided to go to Thompson's Bay and see the Natal "Hole in the Wall"

I also visited the famous Chaka's Rock.

SALATO

I've seen more than 30 South African Lighthouses so I guess I deserve the

T - Shirt. Here it is!!!! The emblem is of a lighthouse with a beam shining towards a star. SALATO stands for

" South African Lighthouse Adventure Tours Organisation."

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

This is where the Indian and Atlantic currents meet. I took a tram up to the top as my legs were stiff from all the walking over the last few days. The views were spectacular. It is obviously a popular tourist attraction and many foreign accents were heard.

Africa's Southern Most Point

A few years ago I went to the most Southern Point of England (Lands End). Now I have been to the most Southern point of Africa. I didn't expect to get this far so quickly on this trip. Yes and still moving.

Quoin Point

(Pronounced Kwin Point)
To reach the lighthouse here I parked the car at someone's house (Daniel) as I was told the Perlemoen Poachers could not be trusted, and walked about 6 km's along the beach. The water was ice cold. I did try cooling off and got ankle deep and splashed my face. I was dive bombed by seagulls along the way. This was an easy lighthouse to get into and the first that I have gone under the gate. Usually it is over razor wire. It was worth it as I got to the top and hugged the light.

Mossel Bay

This was the original destination of the trip to see the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse. Well I saw it. I also went to a few museums. The views from the lighthouse are great. This photo shows an exact replica of the "Caravel" which was used by Bartolomeu Dias on his voyage around Southern Africa in 1488. It was made in Portugal and sailed to Mossel Bay exactly 500 after the original voyage. There are many things in the museum that were made by the Chance Brothers. (Hey Toby........ have you been there??) The other picture was taken at the Shell Museum where I discovered that Ash Tray Shells were actually Perlemoen Shells. (Abalone)

Robberg Nature Trail

I had to do this walk to get to the Cape Seal Lighthouse. A long and steep hike in high temperatures. I must admit the beautiful views and barking seals below made it a pleasant trip. The last 200m was absolute bundu bashing to reach the lighthouse which is normally accessed by helicopter. I attempted to cool down on the beach after 4 hours of walking in the sun and a big wave nearly took me out. My cell phone has not yet recovered and is in for repairs.

Hot Day

It was a hot day today so I went to a few air conditioned museums in and around Durban. I ended my outing with an ice cream cone on North Beach. (Bought at my favourite spot from when I used to live at Grosvenor Court.)

Klein Karoo

Driving through the Klein Karoo towards Cape Infanta tortoises and bales of hay were a common sight. A museum had an old lighthouse keepers jacket on display................ I couldn't resist it............when no one was around I put in on!!! Did I mention I saw Penquins

Ash Tray Shells

This lighthouse is a few kilometres from P Elizabeth and had many of these shells lying on the beach. When I got to Mossel Bay I visited the Shell Museum and found out that they are Abalone Shells. (Perlemoen) I did bring a few home but as a non -smoker they won't be used as ash trays.

Port Shepstone

I have travelled through Port Shepstone on the way to Shelly Beach dozens of times but only noticed this miniature replica recently.

Pont

This is the only man (hand) pulled pont in South Africa. It crosses the Breede river. The workers have a strap with a chain on it that they wrap around a cable then by shear force actually pull the pont loaded with people and three cars.

Christmas Day 2006

Jenny was her usual hospitable self - Thanks Jen. I like the photo of me sporting my brand new Christmas clothes. I have not worn blue jeans for a number of years. (Jenny's choice) Zoë obviously enjoyed all the glamour and presents and attention and obviously likes her new tent.

Port Alfred

I acted like a real lighthouse keeper on the Cape trip. This lighthouse has all the old fashioned equipment that winds up weights that descend and turns the light. For more info see my lighthouse blog. http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com

My visit to PE

I passed through P.E. and visited a few lighthouses. This one is no longer used and is a tourist attraction now. The pyrimid is in honour of Elizabeth Donkin daughter of Dr. George Markham Dean of York. Like you care!!!! Anyway she died of a fever at 28 years of age. Hope you noticed that I had keys.

Merry Christmas

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Cape and see a few more lighthouses. I will blog them when I have a chance. This time there was NO MUD!!! But I am sun burned and every muscle aches. I got the job for 6 months so will be doing some travelling again.

Little Lulu

Just in case Jenny feels left out I went to Eshowe today to get some pictures of the church where she was baptised. The font has been moved due to a Bishops burial in the church. But it is the same font. I also went to the house we lived in and took a few pics of it. There are now shopping malls in Eshowe and they have direct dial phones now!!! Even Traffic lights in the main road. Well I guess it was a quarter of a centaury ago!!!

A Nostalgic Day

After three KFC's this morning I visited the Natural Science museum in Durban. Something I have not done in 20 odd years. Feeling a little nostalgic I went to the Cathedral where Angela was baptised and rekindled a few memories. So here's to you Ang!!!! Tomorrow is the start of Advent (Preparation for Christmas)

Same Game - Different Generation

Zoë being a typical little girl stood like this when asked to pose as I wanted to take a photo of her with her jeans. I did a little trip again eating my way around Natal with KFC. For those who remember playing "Landmine Landmine" here is the next generation learning it!!!!
I'm not sure who acts the best Jenny or Zoe.

Where am I ???

Use this photo as a hint. R10 to the first person that sends me a text with the correct answer. The sea is choppy, the wind is blowing, the water is cold and there a few blue bottles about. I will be off to Spar soon for a bunny. I am taking advantage of the next few days as this place will be crowded with holiday makers from next week. The first lot have booked in from Saturday.

Another Grand Daughter

Angela has had a scan and has let me know that she is expecting a daughter in March. I borrowed Angela's sunglasses so I could blend in with the boys. This is from the movie " The Good The Bad & The Ugly " I'll leave you to decide which is which..............I know!!!

Zoe's Concert

Jenny once again excelled and earned herself a yellow certificate. Well done Jenny!!! You did say if I put that photo on the blog I should put the one of me with the elephant mask on too. Thanks for the text Ang.... we missed you. Dionne gave me a tripod for my camera and I used it to shoot the Bluff Tower at night. This is how it turned out. (My best night shot yet!!!)

Relaxing at Shelly Beach

I thought this was a clever way to paint a lamp.
It is sunny so will take a walk to St Michaels on Sea now.
Zoe's concert is on Saturday.
I will try to be there.
I have the family DVD's which I picked up at Shelly Centre this morning. I went to the RCC in Margate this morning and was welcomed "home".

Return to Natal

Many will recognise this photo of Shelly Beach taken some months ago. And that's where I am now. I left East London at 06h30 and arrived here at 13h30. I did the obligatory stop at the Spar to pick up a few supplies and of course a Bunny Chow. This is the best "value for money" bunny in the country. I took a walk to the rock pool. It is high tide and the water is so warm. Angela and Jenny would have loved to be in the pool with the waves breaking into the pool. Fred greeted me like a long lost friend. He has "acquired" another digital camera - a gift from his kids. He will be coming around soon to show me a few things. Well what can I say.......its a bit like being back home........
The DVD's from the family video's have been done and I will pick them up tomorrow. I have met so many foreigners travelling around S Africa. They all have different perceptions and think this country is beautiful. I forget about the rest of this country when I am in a city. It is well worth exploring places in SA. If you haven't seen my lighthouse blog recently take a look. http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com/

Ok my exploring has ended. I hope to have an early night and head back to Natal early tomorrow. Just a quick photo of the wreck of the Safmarine Agulhas that pranged at the mouth of the harbour in June this year. Nobody died but I was at the cemetry at the time!!! When I arrived in E London I asked a teenage guy where the lighthouse was. In all earnesty he gave me directions to the one in the picture. It is a popular Roadhouse called the "Lighthouse". The 3rd picture is me taking a picture of my reflection in the window at the aquarium. Sad Huh!!

End of trip

I hopefully will be allowed into this little lighthouse tomorrow. I'm still shacked up at the backpackers here in East London. There was a beautiful rainbow here earlier so took a snap of it. I may head back to Durban tomorrow...........I will avoid ALL gravel roads.

East London

I have left the mud and animals in the road and am in East London. I did get to see the lighthouse but will only be allowed into it on Monday. Then to decide where to from here!!!! Any ideas??? The wind is picking up here and it looks like rain again. Her you can see the wreck at E London and the blowhole at Port St Johns and evidence of the mud and cattle on the roads.

MUD and More MUD !!!!!!

I survived the night and have discovered a small hotel near by. Will be spending tonight here as the rain is still around and the roads are not great. 

Mud and more Mud

Today was not fun. I left Port St Johns at 7.I went to take photos of the Hole in the wall and Coffee Bay.Then came the problems.Mud and more mud........I got bogged down and was prepared to stay on the side of the road till tomorrow.4 drunks from a local tavern were bugging me and then helped me to get out of the mud. However they all had their muddy feet in my car and I battled to get rid of them. I am now at the M'bashe lighthouse. I will sleep in my car and feel safe here. I hope to get some photographs in the morning. Tomorrow the challenge will be navigating the road out of here. Hold thumbs and pray that the rain will stop. Sleep well.

Second day of my trip

Today I visited Cape Hermes lighthouse in Port St Johns. Tomorrow I will travel to Coffee Bay, Hole in the Wall and see the next lighthouse. The plan is then to get to Kei Mouth and the Cape Morgan Lighthouse and a bit of a beach hike before moving on to last lighthouse in East London. Its' raining again.!!!!!

South Sand Bluff

I woke up early and washed my car.First stop Port Edward to take some pictures of the lighthouse there.Then I entered the Transkei and dodged cattle and potholes for ages.After miles and miles of dirt road I found the lighthouse.A pitiful speciman.It started to rain so got the hell out of there before I had to contend with lowlevel bridges washing away.I am at the backpackers in St Johns tonight.The light house is not far from here and I will check it out tomorrow.
Keep well. Another adventure tomorrow.

Fame at Last

Hi All. I have decided to take the car to E London. This will give me a chance to visit places I haven't been to before. The idea is to photograph lighthouses along the way. I am heading to King Williams Town where there is an old run down hospital that serves the very poor. I hope to help out there for a while before heading back.

Happy Birthday Ian

Ian celebrated his***th birthday 2 days ago!!!
Hope you had a good one in Africa.
Enjoy your Flight back to England tomorrow and look after your family.
To Nic ......... tbese are my daughters and grand children and sons in law .............and look how young I am!!!!!!!

A Proud Grand Dad

Ok............... I will do a second entry.
Because I am a proud Dad & Grand Dad.
Look at my Sons in Law!!!

The Modern Way to Stay in Touch

Thank you all for coming to Durban to see me.
It has been a while since we were all together.
Although it was only for a short while I was happy to see you all looking so well and happy.
Lets use this blog to keep in touch the modern way. Let any family know of this site and GO FOR IT!!!!!