Happy New Year

I have chosen to spend the evening in quiet reflection, I have much to be grateful for.

Thank you to friends and family for being there when I have needed you.

I hope to spend more time in Durban next year. The machines are out and I will know how they perform by mid January.

I wish you inner joy and a very Happy New Year.

Happy Birthday Zoë

My first Grandchild celebrated her 5th birthday today. Jenny was her usual hospitable self and chose a supurb venue. She had ballooons down the pathway, a fancy cake, party packs, hot dogs for the kids and a braai for the adults. Happy Birthday Zoë and Well Done Jenny!!!

Christmas Day

My day started by going to mass at a small church in St Lucia then coming back to an air conditioned room and a free breakfast of sausages, bacon & eggs, muesli and yogurt. I then had a swim in the warm rock pool here. The fish you see me holding was done on the braai for supper. After a fruit snack I set out for the Cape Vidal Lighthouse. I have been there before and recall a 3 km walk along the beach and a trek up a hill. To get to it one has to drive through a game reserve. Rhinos got in the way again. I took a chance by taking a No Entry road to where I thought the lighthouse was. It paid off. One of the staff members, full of the Christmas spirit gave me the key to the lighthouse gate (A chain across the road) and I drove to the lighthouse. This saved a long walk in the boiling sun. I took numerous photo's of it, some at high resolution as the camera I had on the previous trip was not as good as the one I have now. The warning sign about crocodiles should be taken seriously!!! I saw one 3 metres away from me.

I hope that you have had a good Christmas day.

Merry Christmas All

To all my close family and friends I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I find myself in St. Lucia for a few days. The aim is to re-photograph the Cape Vidal Lighthouse and get away from the "madding crowd." I will post how I feel on my other blog "Walk with Me" soon. If you can't get into that blog let me know and I will send you an invite.

Durban Again

I moved back to Durban and now rent a loft in Durban North. I started off by ordering 8 more machines. This will now bring the total to 22. (minus 4 that Jenny has taken) I hope to have 30 of my own and would expect to make between R300 - R800 per machine. I know a lot more work must be done buy I am getting there. The photo was taken in my lounge.

Bessie

I had the privilege of having Bessie for a the day last weekend. She is now a frail 70 year old who cannot dress herself. Even eating is a battle due to the lack of mobility to her arms. She is mentally alert. She is a diabetic but loves sweet things. I took her to lunch then did a little shopping and finished off with tea and cream cake. ( Her blood sugar levels rose somewhat and she needed extra insulin.)

A new blog

I have started a new blog which will soon be about ME and not my activities. I will build up to the present quickly but it will give you a little background as to how I view myself.
http://walkwithmetoo.blogspot.com/
I have decided not to have this blog made public. If you want to read it let me know and I'll send you an invite.

Update

I am back in Jhb doing medical examinations for Life Healthcare. I only recieved 5 machines last month so am boosting the Christmas fund. I will be in Dbn over weekends to place more machines. I know I have not blogged regularly lately but I haven't done many exciting things. I will soon start another blog that will tell you more about myself rather than my activities. Thanks for the SMS's and e mails.

Webb Ellis Trophy

Ian has asked me to keep the Webb Ellis Trophy safely as he wants it back in 2011.

It is referred to as “Bill” and was named after the “inventor” of rugby William Webb Ellis. It was crafted in 1906 by Garrhard's (Regent Street) and is a Victorian version of a cup made in 1740 by Carrington & Co. of London. Queen Victoria appointed Garrhard's as the Crown Jeweler (and they still are)
It was used for the first time in 1987 for the world rugby champions. New Zealand was the first country to win it and hasn’t won it since. Australia won it in 1991 and South Africa in 1995 (the first time they competed for it) due to apartheid, sanctions restricted SA from competing in previous years.
In 1999 Australia became the first country to win it twice.
England was first Northern hemisphere country to win it in 2003.
South Africa won it for the second time in 2007.

The country that wins it 3 times keeps it for good.
Yes Ian it will be kept safely.

Happy Birthday Ian

It's Ian's birthday Again. We wish you a very happy day and many more to come. South Africa was out on the razzle last night and today there is an eery quietness while they slumber.

World Champs

I have just watched England being defeated. The look on the English players faces after the game looked like mine when I left England a few years ago. They will also get over it in a few years time.

Do not put all your eggs in one basket

Lately it feels as though I have eggs coming out of my ears. Here are photos of the first delivery, me taking stock, assembled machines and finally a placement in a shop. I did not have my phone key locked while installing a machine today and while I was busy it dialled Angela in England. Well Ang you were part of the installation.

Egg Machines

I received the first batch of vending machines as well as over a thousand little eggs. This is my new venture in KZN. (More to follow) This is a first for Natal. I believe they will be in Ballito soon!!!

Happy Birthday Angela

Today my eldest daughter turns..................wait for it...................Twenty Eight!!!!!

I have many happy memories of her growing up. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many more.

Virginia Friends

What would a visit to Virginia be without connecting with a few friends. I saw Christo Kleynhans. He still has Oranje Apteek. Phillip still has Avenue Pharmacy. He is 60 now and still looks 40!!! Temm Yazbek has retired to the coast. Johnny still has the Dry Cleaners but has closed the Bakery and Willy and Hermien are well. I spoke to Costa on the phone and wants to make contact with Angela.

Viginia Homes

I passed through Theunnisen. The hotel has closed and the flavour of the town is unrecognisable. Joel Mine now only employ just over 1000 people. The medical station is quiet and still has some of the staff that I employed. Here are 3 of the homes we stayed in. 10 Drakensburg (big pool) Valley Drive (Comrades hill) and Avalon Circle (small pool)

I spent a few days in Bloemfontein. Here is a photo of Gerrit who is a fellow pharologist. He is also an astronomer. He set up a massive telescope and I looked at the moon and stars. (the best views I have ever had) The "Twee Toring Kerk" and the "Klip Kerk" are big tourist attractions. The photo of me is at "Oliewen Huis" (because of the abundance of olives in the area) It was built for the Governor General of The Union of S Africa in 1942. In 1961 it became the official residence of the State Presidents of S Africa. PW Botha handed it over to the National Museum in 1985. It is now used as an art gallery.

My Crown

This poor quality photo was taken with the timer facing the sun and without a tripod. Passing motorists must have had a laugh seeing me taking a photo of myself in the wind, balancing the camera on a map book.

My Birthday

I spent my birthday quietly at Shelly Beach. Thank you to all who called and sent messages. I finished the cake from the weekend. Fred and Rika took me out for supper at a German Restaurant and I had an Eis Bein. My staple diet was of course Bunny Chows. Most beaches are in bad shape and the one at Shelly boat club is no exception. Jimmy and Sheree have retired from Virginia and have bought a house in Ramsgate. They are pretty happy there.
The Riverbend Crocodile farm is well worth a visit. I had a fight with this croc. I also had a Crocodile Kebab. They breed them here. This little one is 5 months old.

Weekend at Shelly Beach

I had a good weekend sight seeing around the South Coast. These photo's are for all those in Gauteng to see what they are missing. The only reason I had the track suit top on was for the photo as Jenny gave it to me for a birthday present. We visited the Gorge, leopard rock, suspension bridge, game reserve, caves, saw S Africa's own "Stonehenge", fished, watched a band in Margate, had a drink at Pistols where a donkey came to our table, ate sugar cane and chocolate cake, had a braai. I also got fishing tackle from Dionne.

Humpback Whale

This mature carcass washed up at Margate yesterday. Humpbacks strain sea water through a series of plates on the upper jaws to get plankton and crustaceans as food. They grow to 15 meters and weigh about 45 tons. These whales are known for their acrobatic skills (leaping and rolling) and underwater vocalisations (whale songs)

I went to Jenny's home early this morning and said Hi to all. Dionne took me to his workshop where he did some welding for me then he took me to Wimpy for breakfast. He gave me a brand new all purpose fishing rod which I will use at Shelly Beach. I'm glad it comes apart so I can transport it easily. I felt a bit of an idiot posing for this photo as I was by myself and used the tripod and timer.

Gentlemen of the Road

I met "Okkie" today. He hails from Welkom and is in Durban for the winter. He tells me he is a Boiler Maker by trade. He gets by from folding palm leaves and selling them. I was impressed by his sculptures. He is very talented. We had a laugh about the headache he will have after spending the money he just earned!!!

More Road People

I met Wayne when his child was 3 months old. Well Crystal had her first birthday 2 months ago. They earn their money by selling cracker shrimps (highly illegal) to fisherman as bait. He has been on the road for 10 years now. He works near the Maritime Museum so if you are in his area say "Hi"

Another Car!!!

I may buy this car soon. The owner leaves for Scotland tomorrow and has given me a fair price. I will use it to get to Shelly Beach soon. Thanks for offereing me the use of the fishing rod Dionne, I will be in Ballito on Tuesday morning to fetch it. Hey Jenny ....... what about a breakfast somewhere??? I miss the breakfasts we had when I used to do "MySchool" calls in Ballito.

Happy Birthday Neville

Neville turns 20 today. We wish you a great day and even better year ahead. I arrived in Durban yesterday. The weather is great.

Durban tomorrow!!!!

I spent Monday to Wednesday at a Geecom doing medical examinations. The caravan was parked right outside the workshop. I went to Neville for supper on Thursday and got ready for my Durban trip today. I leave early tomorrow morning. I hope to get to Shelly Beach sometime during next week to get a bit of a tan and a little fitter than I am now. If Dionne reads this.....I need a fishing rod!!!! I am also thinking about buying another motorbike. If anyone hears of one going please let me know.

Happy Birthday Fran

The family has a few birthdays in July. Fran (my sister-in-law) celebrates her 53rd birthday today. Happy birthday Fran. We wish you many more.

Another weeked in Jhb

I planned to be at Shelly Beach a month ago. For different reasons I have been kept in Jhb. My car's radiator has a leak and I can't travel far. It went for repairs on Friday but still leaks, so it will go in again on Monday. I will also do some work in Honeydew. I saw some of the heats of the Strong Man competition today.

Hillfox

Here are some photo's from Hillfox flea market. There was a snake exhibition with S Africa's "Deadly 12". The two Buskers are there every weekend.

Another Milestone

There comes a stage in life when the support you are used to is taken away. Maybe this is one of those times, when the supporting wheels are removed from your bicycle. Zoe has learnt how to do without them and can now ride a bicycle by herself.

Clones

I recently recieved this picture from Angela. These children are definitely clones of Ian.

Chilly Day

I took these photos on the way to work today. I gave back the Citroen today and hope to sell my BMW this week. I will then buy a more econmical car.

This little trailer/caravan is the mobile unit that medical examinations are done in. I have worked in it for the last week. The client is charged R320 per exam. I do between 25 - 35 a day. I get paid an hourly rate!!! The other photo was taken at the botanical gardens in Krugersdorp.

Comrades Weekend

I leave Durban in less than an hours time for Jhb. I spent the day with Jenny yesterday and watching the Comrades Marathon this morning. I took this photo of the Twins at the 18 km to go mark. They took 1st and 2nd positions.

Fathers Day

I was lucky enough to get to Ballito to visit Jenny for a braai to celebrate Fathers Day. Thanks for all Jenny. I love you!!!

My Little Baby

While I was in cold Jhb (The Old Waterfront) Jenny was on the beach in Durban. Some people have all the luck. The waterfront is now called Brightwater Common. Most of the water has been removed. It still has a viby atmosphere.

Outskirts of Pretoria

I visited Pretoria, Cullinan and Irene today. First stop was at Paul Krugers house then on to Cullinan. I saw the "Great Star of Africa" on the sceptre and the "Lesser Star of Africa" on the Crown at the Tower of London. They were made from the largest diamond found at Cullinan (over 3106 crts) Cullinan is a quaint town that has a working steam train seen in action here. It cost me R10 to have a personalised tour of the museum there. This welsh woman was my guide. She is holding a replica of the Cullinan Diamond. The hole is 4 times bigger than Kimberly's (about 1km long and half km wide) but was not hand made so is not as famous. The Italian Prisoners of war painted murals on the walls at the club during the 2nd world war.

At Irene I visited the diary farm and watched the cows being milked then visited Jan Smuts house. On the way home I decided to get a local modern photo of this graffitti coach and its passenges. They were delighted to pose for me. I will try getting more "local" folk photos.

The Kid and I

Ireally have nothing interesting to tell!!! Sounds sad. The traffic in Jhb is still a nightmare and the current cold weather is not pleasant. I ask myself again "What am I doing here?" I wonder why these animals are born in winter?

Recent photo from England

Thank you Angela. I received this photo today. Looks like there is one unhappy face!!! Nowthat she is getting big send a pic of her by herself.

Pretoria

I visited the Klapperkop Fort in Pretoria today. It is one of 4 forts that were built in the area during the Anglo Boer War. It was completed in 1897. I published a picture of one of the other forts in a previous blog. It was cold today, the icicles are from a leaking water tank. I took this photo at 11h15.

Man Eaters

I saw the lions but not the owner. Not really funny!!! These lions were in the news last month for killing and eating their owner.
They are on a nature reserve in Krugersdorp. Only a wire fence separated me from them.

Mothers Day

I was lucky enough to have a brief visit to Durban/Shelly Beach this weekend. I met up with Jenny for a "Mothers Day" breakfast. Here is evidence of what a good mother she is.

Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker monument is situated on Proclamation Hill in Pretoria. It was built to commemorate the "Groot Trek" of 1835 - 1854. Building started in 1937 and it was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 by DF Malan. 250 000 people were there for the opening!! The amphitheatre is close to the monument. The design allows a ray of sunlight from an opening of the dome above to land on the cenotaph (empty grave) on the 16th December. The last picture is of Fort Schanskop.

My English Grand Children

Baby Jake

Just to give an idea of how short Baby Jakes the Boxer is. With us is Japan the TV2 soap star.