Pancake Day

I had the pressure of entertaining my grand children yesterday. They came for pancakes. Zoe and Matthew both wanted to be in charge - so both of them were. Zoe took the record - she ate 7 pancakes.

Last Trip

I travelled down the East Coast from East London to Port Elizabeth yesterday in this California. Fish River Lighthouse is the only Lighthouse in South Africa that still has all the manual working mechanisms of days gone by. It is automated but the original design has been preserved.

Basie & Bern Cloete

I had the pleasure of having lunch with Basie and Bernie at - (listen to this) One of their homes - in East London today. The view from their house is far better than from the house they had over looking at the Sand River in Virginia.
They have been married for 38 years!!!
Basie was the Head Master at the primary school that Angela and Jenny went to.

Fear and Fun

Cheetah's differ from the leopard as they are smaller and have black tear markings from the eyes to the mouth.
They run at a speed of 114 km/ph.
They make various sounds, this one was purring............as a way of communication not as a sign of being happy like a cat!!!
The skins were worn as a sign of wealth. There are only 10-15000 left in the world.

Technology

I watched Stan lead the parade for the commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in Port Elizabeth today. 3000 young South African volunteers died there in the First World War.
After the parade I squeezed out a tune and met some of the band members.
I bought my pipes in 1984.
It had (still has) a sheepskin bag which was sealed with a thick syrupy substance. The cane reeds were kept moist.
Nowadays the bag is made with an airtight material and zips closed. Inside is a contraption to absorb vapours from the air breathed into the bag. The reeds are now plastic. The advantage of this latest technology is that the pipes are easier to tune and the reeds last longer.

Grahamstown Festival

I went to the Festival in Grahamstown recently but did not go to any shows for various reasons.

I met Stan and Harriet in 1982 in Welkom in the then Orange Free State. Stan taught me to play the bagpipes. Today I went to their home in Port Elizabeth for a braai and saw what the "new" pipes are like. They have come a long way since 1982!!!!

Reflection Day

Today was a great reflection day.
The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful with beautiful surroundings.
I was introduced to the labyrinth a few years ago at a Catholic retreat centre in Hibberdene and had the privilege of walking the largest one in the world today.
(1.4 km)
The oldest one discovered was in Sardinia 2500BC and another in Egypt near the pyramid of Pharaoh dating back to 1800BC.
The path symbolizes life’s journey.
The circle = unity.
The idea as you walk towards the center is to “Leave Behind” relinquishing and forgiving.
The center is love, the point where reason meets imagination, mystical transformation into spiritual liberation. An old practice was for couples to marry in the center.
The turns are change, discovery and spiritual evolution.
Coming back is empowerment, finding, healing and renewal.
I have added a picture, one of many, of the reflection in a nearby dam.
I then had coffee and scOnes which reminded me of Cornwall with the real clotted cream that I enjoyed so often when I lived there. I learnt that the cream goes on the scOne first then the strawberry jam on top. It is impossible to spread the clotted cream on top of the jam. A waitress took this pic of me before the scones arrived.
This area of Hogsback is called THE EDGE and is renowned for the spectacular views.

I stayed in Cathcart last night. My first stop was at the Country Club. (Ask the locals - theory)
I bought one coke and then had people buying me drinks for the rest of the night. It's a typical small town. Everyone knows everyone. The barman went to the same school as I did on the Bluff. I was invited to stay at a few places and the camper van was a big hit.
Brad, a quail egg farmer gave me a bottle of pickled quail eggs.

I went to mass at this little church this morning there were 5 congregants, 2 of them being German Nuns from an order I have not heard of. The church was built in 1856. I then drove 50 km on a dirt road to Hogsback and went to a few waterfalls before settling into my cottage for the night. I came across a dam where the mountains were reflected in the water so took a few snaps. Supper will be served at 7 pm and then I will soak in a HOT bath. It gets chilly here when the sun goes down.
The direction board shows Seymour........... I chuckled as I usually drive to "See More"

Farewell My Friends

Wayne and Crystal died in a car accident recently. His main source of income was collecting mud prawns and selling them as bait to the local fisherman in Durban. Crystal was 6 months old when I first photograghed her. Her little life was plaqued by alcohol, TB and the down and outs of Durban. She was 1 year and 9 months old when she died.

Jeffrey's Bay

This pic was taken where I parked for my first day at work with the mobile. It beats an office.

Michael Hill

I met Mike as a school friend in the early 70's. After not seeing each for many years we spent a few days together doing "touristy" things. It's amazing how after so many years one just picks up where one has left off and continue as though the gap was never there.

Happy Birthday John

John reached a milestone today. A half a centuary old!!!! This picture was taken today. Tall, dark and handsome and hardly a grey hair. Happy 50th Birthday John. We all wish you many more.

Zoë's Visit

Zoë visited me today and we played hard. I helped her make a Jan Ellis (Malva) Pudding and then after lunch she sampled it before sharing. Her mother did not notice her jumping on the bed!!!!

Port St Johns

I was a little naughty today and purchased some seafood which I had for lunch. I am at port St Johns and will move further North tomorrow.

Cintza East

Misty Background

Quite an unusual Pic!!!
(I'm wearing blue jeans)
I left PE this morning and am at Cintsa East for the night. Tomorrow head for ? Port St. Johns.

Bathurst

I visited a little agricultural town 15 km inland from Port Alfred. The main produce is pineapples. This is the largest man made pineapple in the world. (Australia has the 2nd largest.)

My Dad's Ship

My Dad always said he would be rich when his ship comes in. It was laden with treasures.

Well he died poor and I think this was his ship. I found it at Cannon Rocks between PE and Port Alfred. I have not researched it yet but I think it is the "Volo".

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

I went for a little drive on Saturday and ended up staying over at Tsitsikamma for the night. I did a canopy tour on Sunday morning. It consisted of 10 "foofie" slides acoss a gorge.

Seal Point Revisited

I visited the Lighthouse at Cape St. Francis. The ultimate for me is getting to the top.

Jenny's Birthday

I blogged Angela's little baby on her birthday earlier this month - Well my little baby also had a birthday in March. Jenny you have been a daughter to be proud of. Thank you for always being so hospitable. Sounds like "Hospital" It actually comes from a Greek word meaning ' Freedom of the Guest'. We can relate better to it in Afrikaans - Gasvryheid.
You are now 27 , a mother of a school going child and a bread winner but will always be "My little Baby"

Apple Express

I boarded the Apple Express at 09h30 this morning at Humewood Station in Port Elizabeth. It is the longest narrow gauge railway in the world. (285km)
It used to bring fruit to PE from the Langkloof farms - hence the name - and was constructed between 1899-1906.
It crossed the Van Stadens Bridge which is the 2nd highest railway bridge in S Africa and the highest narrow gauge bridge te Wereld! (156m long, 77m high.)
There were 3 compartments to a coach (I had one to myself)
The one I was in was made in 1902 and was in excellent condition. The service is run by volunteers.
(Unable to upload a photo - will try another time)

Happy Birthday Abigail Jo

My youngest Grand-child turns One tomorrow. I don't think she will be reading this though. Congrats Ian and Angela.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth

I’ve been in Port Elizabeth for a week now. The city was named after Elizabeth Donkin, the wife of the acting Governor who died in India. (Remember British Rule)
It is a clean well kept city. There are 3 lighthouses here which I have visited and been to the top of 2 of them. I managed to catch a baby African Oyster Catcher much to the parent’s disgust. They behave like the Kiwit – fly away to distract you from the chick and send signals to the young one on what to do. It was very obedient and played dead. I also went to “BayWorld” and saw the museum, Snake Park, Croc’s and aquarium. The dolphin show was good.
Work is doing audio grams and spirometry tests on industrial workers. It is in an office block and makes a change from the mobile units. There is another Lighthouse on Bird Island which I will try to get to while here. Not an easy one to get to as it is about 8 kms out to sea and protected by the National Ports Authority and various Environmental Organisations.

Harties

I am at Hartebeespoort Dam house sitting for the weekend.

I woke up at 10am today as all the early mornings in Jo'burg are getting to me, took a slow drive around the dam and of course shopped at "Jasmyn."

The dam is full and the sluices were open. (Pity I didn't have a camera with me)

I will be back in Durban in 2 weeks time to get more machines out and grow the business. Meanwhile I heard today that "They are making money"

My First Grandchild at School

Zoe started "Big School" at Umhlali Primary this week. I saw her last week, she is losing her "Babyness" and becoming a little lady. Thanks for the photo's Jen.

Back in Jhb

After a successful business month in Durban of setting up vending machines I have returned to Jhb to do some more medical work for Life Occupational Healthcare. The machines brought in R30 000 of which my share was R9000. The Ballito agent had a small share of this. I will also attend a Just Fun Operators meeting on the 29th to investigate further possibilities. Charmaine will look after the vending while I am away. Its raining here and the traffic is still crazy.