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!!!