I had my first swim of the year today and flew my kite for the first time in years. I also juggled with balls that were given to me recently and blew my miniture pipes!!!

December Holiday

I have completed my aim of seeing all the working lighthouses in S Africa.
Take a look at my Lighthouse blog.
http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com/
Some pics of where I've been.

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.)