We just knew that our leaving day would be the sunniest of all and when we woke this morning we all wanted to stay another day.  But it would really not be worth it.   The older boys had projects to work on before Tuesday, Earl didn’t want to fight traffic while towing a boat and I also had to tow a trailer so we stuck to leaving early as planned.   We packed most of the stuff last night. This morning we got the last minute stuff into the car, collected the borrowed linen from the Bakers (who were still asleep after returning from their wedding in De Hoop at 2:00 a.m.) hitched the boat and trailer to the cars and moved the beds and furniture to their correct locations before leaving at 9:20 a.m.  Josh, Leo, Jordan and Daniel rode with me but Jay had to accompany Grandpa as he can’t tow on his own and we all travelled in convoy.

It was a pleasure driving home with so little traffic.  Interestingly we spotted black-headed herons on the side of the road at regular intervals.  They must have been there to enjoy the autumn sunshine.  For several kilometres between Bredasdorp and Caledon we also saw lots of jackal buzzards perched atop the telephone poles but we did not see blue cranes – I have no idea where they were hiding!

The worst of the traffic was closer to home – first at Muizenberg where the congestions was severe.  We decided to come over Ou Kaapse Weg instead of Boye’s Drive or the Main Road and that would have been a good choice except that there was an accident, which caused further delays.   But I always work on three hours and am happy if it’s less.  Today it was exactly three hours!

So a week of fishing and adventure is over.  The boys were amazing.  Their behaviour was impeccable.   They were easy to have and as relaxed with us as we were with them.   For us it was just such a pleasure to see the six bond and do together all the things that boys should do. My first-aid kit is depleted but thankfully no stitches and no broken bones!   Thank you, parents, for entrusting your wonderful sons to our care and for their friendship with our two grandsons.   Jay and Josh would not have had as much fun without them.

Did I say yesterday that we’d be in for an active evening after the tameness of watching the Royal Wedding?  I did and I was right!

“Grandpa, please take us to the rock pools – we need to go fishing,” begged Jay at 5 o’clock.   The rain had gone but the air was chilly but this did not daunt them.  Earl and I dressed up warmly and took them half way to Agulhas where the rock pools are full of small fish and sometimes octopus.   What amazes me is that even though they have the experience of catching big ones at sea, the rock pools with the tiny sea creatures are still an attraction and a place where I suspect they have even more fun.   We parked and watched them for a while then while I was taking photos Earl called for me to tell the boys we needed to go somewhere and would pick them up later.

I left them trying to catch an octopus and went off with Earl who’d just received a cell phone call. Sean and Nicoline Baker and their kids who are our Kokstad daughter’s best friends had just arrived at their accommodation in Struisbaai only to find there was no bed linen. Fortunately we have old and worn, but clean sheets, pillowcases and duvets so we quickly dug them out and handed them over to Sean and Scott who were waiting for us.  It was by this time quite dark but when we returned to pick up the boys, only Joshua would come – so we left them and went to have a drink with The Bakers. They were supposed to go to a dinner at De Hoop Nature Reserve but it was already half past six and we told them that it was a long drive, partly on a dark dirt road, so they decided to ditch that idea.

Earl had just got up to fetch the other boys but as luck would have it they’d started to walk and were right outside The Baker’s place.  A minute later and he would have missed them!    We decided that pizzas would be our best bet for supper and Sean, Nicoline and their kids Scott and Robyn joined us.   Scott is nine and he thoroughly enjoyed the attention of five big boys while 6-year-old Robyn gave me the girlie attention that I was now badly craving.   The Baker kids and our Kokstad grandchildren are the same age and the best of friends too.  It was really great sharing the evening with these special people.

We hoped that it would be a fishing day today but although it dawned with brilliant sunshine there was a huge swell running and it was too dangerous to go to sea.  Instead we had a quick cereal breakfast, packed snacks, cameras and binoculars and headed for Arniston.  We birded on the way and found the usual blue crane, canaries, larks and pied starlings as well as the bird special to this area – the Denham’s Bustard.  But what an uncooperative model – whenever we stopped to one close enough for a decent portrait he flew off before I could click my camera.   The only ones I got were really too far away for good photography.  On the way back thought we had a good sighting of a jackal buzzard on prey.

The dune in Ariniston is the attraction and we dropped the boys there to play while Earl and I went to have coffee at the beautiful beach front hotel.

Of course we can never go anywhere without checking out the boat life and this one satisfied this need in my husband.

After the boys had had their fill of running down dunes and burying each other in sand we returned to Struisbaai for lunch and then dropped the boys at the rock pools.  When they’ve had enough they will walk the 2 or so kilometres home.

The day started looking like the sun would shine and then it rained!   We left the boys to lie snugly in bed till 9:00 a.m. then fed them Coco Pops, made two of them take a bath, told the rest to wash up the breakfast dishes and then left them to fend for themselves for an hour.   Grandpa and I found a little place called Bistro on Main and indulged in a scrambled egg and salmon breakfast in front of a cosy fire!    We then did a bit of shopping and returned to the gang some of whom had gone off on their bikes while the rest lounged around.   Jaryd was packed and ready to leave – his parents were on their way to collect him as he has a couple of projects to work on before he returns to school and becomes involved in a  heavy week of entertaining a touring team from Grey College.

Sue had told me that she just needed to see the Royal Bride’s wedding dress and she would be happy.   I on the other hand, after a week of male activities, needed more than a girlie moment – I wanted the whole wedding!   So dear parents, I am afraid your sons were sorely neglected while I indulged myself to the pomp and ceremony.  It was the only television that they’ve been allowed all holiday!

Sue and Craig arrived just in time to see Catherine arrive at The Abbey and before they were even offered a cup of tea Sue and I glued ourselves to the screen and oohed and aahed over the beautiful bride.   We insisted on silence during the nuptials and shushed the rude comments from the men in our presence.   The boys were quite intrigued and although Josh thought that he was just as special as any prince and wanted his own royal wedding one day, he watched to proceedings with great interest.  Somebody once told him that he had the blood of Mary, Queen of Scots, in his veins.   “Yes, boy – that may be – but by now it’s very diluted and I haven’t yet seen any evidence of princely behaviour in you!”

Finally the Philps got their cup of tea and a little later, while enjoying Earl’s fried fish for lunch, we had different reactions to the Royal kiss(es) on the balcony.   “Not long enough,” yelled one of the boys, “Do it again,” said another and when he did – “that’s more like it”

“I bet he can’t wait to get to Clarence House,” was Craig’s remark.   Then the fly-past, which I think for the boys was the best part of the wedding.

In between all the pomp and ceremony, the boys popped in and out of the house, biking and skating, but today has been their quietest day.  They’re all off somewhere now but my guess is that we’re in for an active evening after so little excitement today.

Weather is such an issue for adults but for young male teenagers it seems not to matter at all. This morning the air was still chilly and the rain came and went but all the boys saw was the long intervals of sunshine.  However, getting them up in the morning is not easy and only the smell of bacon and eggs got them roused at 8:30 this morning!

Earl and I needed to go to Bredasdorp to get a few things for the house and so left the boys for two hours with strict instructions as to what to do should they decide to leave the house.   Just outside Struisbaai we found this beautiful rock kestrel perched on the stop sign.

On our return we found that the boys had gone to the harbour to fish and only returned at lunch time.  After hot dogs and juice they set off again and Earl and I got down to some much needed household chores.

In the late afternoon we set off for Agulhas where we did the obligatory photo shoot at the Southern-most point of Africa.  A flock of yellow canaries greeted us in the parking lot, flew off then returned for a snack. This one allowed me to snap its portrait.

The boys  enjoyed scrambling over rocks and exploring the pools then we visited the Chinese wreck – I forget its name but I remember when it happened in the eighties.  The crew managed to come ashore but had no idea where they were.  Fortunately, they chose to walk toward Agulhas and not the other way otherwise they might never have found civilisation!  The boys went down to the wreck and had fun throwing stones at it – go figure!

We drove on to the Agulhas National Park rest camp but it was a bit too late to explore.  Earl spoke to the gate man who explained what facilities were available.  We’ll probably explore further another day.

The evening air was cold but Earl is a die hard for braaing and braved the elements to make steaks and kebabs for supper.   The boys toasted marshmallows when the flames were right.

After supper the boys played one of their crime-fighting games then went on a night walk to the harbour.  They have just returned and I’ve given them their hot chocolate and rusks.This is the latest they’ve stayed up and all is reasonably quiet. Josh declared that it was an awesome night!

The rain continued on and off today and the chill stayed freezingly in the air.   We were up and about by 8 o’clock, the boys had milo cereal for breakfast and played board games, helped tidy up and then  braved the cold and headed off to the harbour where they played for most of the morning.

Our new bed was delivered and Earl attached the headboard and I made it up and wow – what a difference.  At first, it looked sooo high compared to the old one and Earl wanted to take its feet off – but I persuaded him to leave it as it was.

The boys came in starving and I served up mielies, slices of cheese and salad for lunch.  They helped Earl with boat and garage chores and then we set off for the Lighthouse.   There was at first horror at the suggestion that they should ride on their bikes while we would follow in the HiLux but once the idea settled in there was great enthusiasm.    It is only 10 km – a bit of an uphill climb there but downhill on the return.   Danny found it a bit tough going on the way there, so we put his bike in the back and let him ride half way in the car, but he managed beautifully on the way back.  Jordan did well on the way there but his back was taking strain so he rode in the bakkie on the way back.

Once there Earl stayed below to look after the bikes and I took the lads to climb to the top of Agulhas lighthouse.   The cashier recognised me straight away – “You’re the granny with the six boys aren’t you.  They’re all under 11 aren’t they?  Okay – kids prices for youJ”

Jaryd’s palms were sweaty (he’s the one with the fear of hights) and of course the monsters teased and made light of it.  “Look down, Jaryd!”

I nearly freaked out at the top as the wind was strong (and cold) but the boys thought nothing of it.   I allowed them the minimum of time and then insisted we go back down before someone was blown off the top!

It started to rain just as we got to the car and then beautiful full rainbow appeared.

The boys got onto their bikes and rode home for bikkies and juice.

For supper Earl is braaing chicken kebabs – brrr – at least the fire will keep him warm.   The boys have just come in from playing SWAT and are now quietly journalling.  Hopefully they are warmed up and tired out for a good night’s rest later on.   So far this holiday the noise has died down by 10 o’clock and we don’t hear them till we rouse them each morning.

TUESDAY 26 APRIL 2011
If we thought, yesterday was cold and windy, we didn’t know what a nasty surprise we were in for today. Early this morning I heard the howling wind and then the rain pelting against the windowpanes. Uh oh – and we thought a trip to Agulhas Light House would be on the cards today. With the wind and the rain, this would not be a pleasant option. Instead, we lay in till 9 and then had an enjoyable “Early Breakfast”.
Inactivity is not a good thing for six lively boys and they became restless, disobeying the golden rules of no running, no shouting, no wrestling, no ball games in the house! Earl tried to instil a bit of discipline, which resulted in a wrestling match with his oldest grandson. The other boys egged them on shouting instructions and not one paid the slightest attention to my pleas of “take this outside, you guys!” There were grunts, yells and plenty of laughter but I feared my ‘old man’ would have a heart attack and was relieved when he finally said – Okay – I give up. Jay reigned triumphant.

This of course led to more challenges and so I gave in on condition that the fights were refereed. Josh and Jaryd challenged each other and we had to remind of them of the rules more than once as the older boys separated them – not kicking, no biting, no punching! The intensity of the competition was frightening and neither would give up – so we called a draw before someone got hurt! They were truly a perfect match!

Jordan then challenge Jay and again there was intense competition as they got each other into locks and grappled away their pent up energy. Finally, Jordan conceded that Jay was the champion – for now anyway! Of course he has the advantage of having done three years of mixed martial arts with Steve Bazzea and has just recently returned to it after a years’ break.

I don’t quite understand why boys find it necessary to indulge in these contact sports but it seems to bond them and there are no hard feelings after the grappling. But I made it clear that such games would not be tolerated without adult supervision and refereeing, and weather permitting, it would be outdoors!
After the pent up energy was released we set off for the Maritime Museum in Bredasdorp. I took the boys in while Earl went shopping for a new bed – we were both suffering from backache and thought the time had come to get a decent bed for Struisbaai if we were to be spending more time there in the future! Old age is definitely setting in.
Wondering around a stuffy museum can be a boring pastime so (being the eternal teacher that I am) I set them tasks. They had to find the answers to certain questions and come and whisper the answers to me when they discovered the answers. This element of competition (although there were no prizes) kept them seeking and I hope they learnt more than they might have. Of course, I had to speed read and my dull brain had to retain the information. I sent them off looking for an answer while I quickly gleaned more facts before they could see where I’d found them myself. It was really quite amusing seeing them dart around the exhibits reading like fury to find the relevant facts.
The museum is full of artefacts about sailing ships, early diving gear, lighthouses, figure-heads and ships that have wrecked along the Agulhas Coast and the tit-bits of information we gained were quite interesting. For example, one ship had on board a group of Mandarin noblemen who when they were wrecked near Struisbaai suffered such hunger and thirst that they had to resort to eating their shoes!
After our exploration of the museum, we took the boys to the Wimpy and got them settled at a table while Earl and I popped in to sheet street to get some bed linen.  When the owner saw us coming, she said, “I’ll have to charge you extra for this lot!”   We laughed but not for long. When we came back the kids’ order still hadn’t been taken. We waited another 20 minutes and still no service – so we left.   We couldn’t find a suitable place in either Struisbaai or Agulhas so we got take away pizzas from Pizza World at Struisbaai Mall, and enjoyed these at home instead.

It is now 4 o’clock. The rail held off for a while but it has now started again and it is bitterly cold so the boys are playing Clue while Earl is doing some home maintenance, Jordan is drawing and I am blogging and will soon be reading my book! What am I reading? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – as if I can’t get enough of this sport!

Later:

The weather continued its chilly path but the boys seemed not to notice.  After playing Clue they headed outdoors again and only returned to eat supper after which they decided to play a raucous game of what I call “scare, shoot and kill” in the dark.  Fortunately our grumpy elderly neighbours have become so frail that they’ve left Struisbaai to be closer to medical attention otherwise we might have had some complaints!

I must add that it was freezing and wet out there – but that made it all the more exciting!

It was a relief when they finally came in for hot chocolate and to quietly do the journals before bed!

MONDAY 25 APRIL 2011 Younger Group At Sea
Well today started out surprisingly well. The air was still and the sea was calm. There was a bit of movement in the trees and I thought mmm I wonder if this is such a good idea – but the sea-dog thought it worth going out and so we roused the younger group who dressed up warmly, ate some Milo cereal and Josh and Jaryd swallowed Avomine to prevent possible sea-sickness. With great expectations of landing the big one they set off at 7:45 a.m. with an extra child, Jed and his Uncle Arend on board.
I gave the big boys half an hour to have breakfast and tidy the sleeping area and then sent them off to do the things that boys do – ride, skate, fish at the harbour and then gave the house lick and a promise of better things to come in a weeks’ time! Once all was reasonably clean I went to the shop to get the milk and water and one or two essentials. And then the wind got up. Uh oh – I doubt they’ll stay long at sea I thought to myself.
The boys returned for biscuits and juice and then Jay and Leo went to the harbour. Jordan decided that it was to chilly so sat in a sunny spot to read for a bit. He’d just said – I wonder how long they’ll stay out at sea when we heard them return. Jay and Leo had hitched a ride back too. The boys were very excited because they’d caught some fish – a barble and some small dassies – but nothing that we could cook and most was returned to the sea. They’d seen great whites and smaller sharks had been hooked too.
Jed was not there and I asked – hey – where’s Jed? He’d been met at the harbour and taken home by his parents. Our boys on the other hand did duty along with having fun and helped with the cleaning of the boat! They willingly did their bit and took the barked orders in good spirit. Believe me Grampy can be grumpy!

The rest of the day has been quiet and not many photographs today – we didn’t go out or do anything exciting. The boys of course did their usual thing and went down to the harbour but more time than usual was spent indoors playing Monopoly and Clue because the wind really is not pleasant right now.

Tonight its spaghetti bolognaise for supper.

Saturday 23 April – Later
The walk down the beach was long and hard but the boys had a ball. On the way back Earl left them on the sand dunes and they walked back in their own time. They were worn out when they returned at six o’clock. Their fatigue lasted five minutes and then they were out on their skate boards again.
There were squeals of delight when Earl lit a braai and announced that there would be no fish for supper tonight! Instead they tucked into spare ribs, steak, sweet potatoes and salad followed by chocolate ice cream.

As usual the evening ended with hot chocolate and rusks and the hi jinks finally died down just after 10 o’clock.
SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2011 De Hoop Nature Reserve
Grandpa is almost 67 but doesn’t realise that he can’t keep up the pace he did 10 years ago! I was first awake this morning and it was already quarter to 8. I checked the weather and it was still with just a few clouds coming over. “Are you taking the younger boys fishing today,” I asked. “I should,” he said “but I’m just too tired.”
I snuck out of the house and he passed the Easter Eggs through the window for me to hide. Yesterday I’d told the kids that the Easter Bunny had met with an unfortunate accident on the busy N2 so wouldn’t be delivering eggs. “We’d better get some road kill then,” piped up one of the smarter ones.
The lads were snug in their beds when I roused them with “Hey guys – I’ve just seen a bandaged bunny hopping away – perhaps he’s hidden some eggs.” They were out like a shot and in no time at all had found their treats. I don’t think you ever grow out of the thrill of finding chocolate on Easter Morning.
But these were not the only eggs we had for Easter – Earl cooked us one his famous breakfasts and then we tidied up and headed for De Hoop Nature Reserve.
We insisted that the six lively boys quieten down and keep their eyes open for birds and beasts on the journey there. They were all equipped with binoculars and some had cameras. There were the usual crows, hadedas, fiscals and starlings. They found the blue cranes and were thrilled to see a Denhams’s bustard although it was quite far from the road. The little capped wheatear posed beautifully and when we stopped to look at pack of yellow mongoose and a tiny lark, Josh called – look an eagle. And right there next to us climbing on the rocks was a lovely steppe buzzard. Perhaps he was finding lizards or mice but I’d never seen one hunt in this way before.

We arrived at De Hoop at about 11 o’clock and drove around slowly looking for wild life. We found baboons, bontebok and lots of ostriches.
Before lunch we went to Koppie Alleen and the boys had fun scrambling over rocks, exploring their cave and skimming stones on the water. Grandpa was sleepy and lay on a towel on the beach and dozed off!
A young mother came to chat to me and said her 5-year old son was intrigued by the six boys and wished he could join them. She couldn’t believe that all six were staying with us for 10 days!
Although we’d told the boys to bring bathing costumes, towels and warm tops we really didn’t expect them to swim! Yes – rock pools, perhaps they’d catch a klip fish or two – but walk to the end of the rocks and allow waves to splash over them – NEVER. Unfortunately Leo took his towel across the rocks with him and it too became drenched. When I saw the waves splashing over them I was convinced they’d be washed out to sea and ran to yell at them to come back – but Earl opened one eye and said – Leave them – they’re boys!
Eventually they did come back to the beach and then all headed straight into the sea. Brrrrr They seemed not to realise that sane people do not enter the sea if it’s below 18⁰C! They splashed and played and swam and dived and there was no getting them out for at least an hour.

Daniel gave me his spectacles to take care of and I put them in my pocket. But when he asked me for them later they were gone! Then followed a half hour combing of the beach and lots of hard praying and just as I was about to give up hope I found them – at the edge of the beach where the tide was coming in to wash them away!
That whole experience aged me 10 years and we’d all built up a good appetite so headed to the restaurant for lunch. The waiter was cute and oh so camp and ushered us to a table with a flourish.
“We’ve just finished a big lunch group. Will you be joining us for lunch too?” We were a bit late – it was almost 3 o’clock but he handed us menus and took our orders with great aplomb. Earl and the boys had gourmet burgers and I settled for a toasted temazinini with feta, tomato and basil. The meal was excellent and the boys ate with relish.

We arrived home after 5 o’clock and the boys went straight to the harbour on their bikes. The younger ones returned quickly as Jaryd had another puncture. They then decided to do a quiet activity indoors but not before Daniel had fallen off his skate board!
Nobody was hungry so I gave them some juice and crisps and I will see if anybody is in the mood for soup and rolls later on. Otherwise I think it will just be hot chocolate and rusks before bed.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2011
Well by 10 o’clock last night the boys actually did go to sleep! And there wasn’t a stir until 6:30 a.m. this morning. Earl nipped down to the harbour to check the sea condition and returned to rouse the late sleepers. The three older boys wolfed down some Milo cereal, grabbed the snack pack and you could taste the excitement as they set off aboard Kiora in the chill of the early morning.

It wasn’t long before the other three were up and about too though they dawdled over breakfast, played a game of monopoly then set off to the harbour. While they were gone I nipped to the shops, bought a soccer ball as Daniel’s had a puncture and got a few groceries. The house was locked up but when I returned I noticed the bikes were back but no sign of the boys. Clearly they’d gone off somewhere on foot. I opened up and nearly leapt out of my skin when three small bodies leapt from hiding and gave me a fright! Josh had found the bathroom window slightly ajar, climbed in and opened the front door for the others.
After some small refreshment I took them to the beach front where there is also a lovely field of grass where they spent some time playing soccer before walking back home. Then it was in and out – playing monopoly, off on skateboards, riding bikes, cricket in the garden until the others returned.
At sea the conditions were superb and they had fun catching red fish, mackerel, katonkel and skipjack. Red fish are on the orange list and it would not be right to take too many out of the sea – and strict rules control this too so most of what was caught was released.
Poor Jordon was hit by seasickness and vomited 10 times during the morning but this did not prevent him from landing a lovely katonkel.


Leo fared somewhat better and only fed the fish once. However, they enjoyed the day and seem not have been put off by their maladies. Next time I will dose them with Avomine!








We ate skipjack sashimi for lunch – some had left over fried fish and peanut butter sandwiches. Tonight, we will have meat!
I am now relaxing alone in a quiet house and will soon lie down and read my book. The gang have headed off with Grandpa – down the long beach to the Mond – where hopefully more fun will be had. They didn’t take a camera for fear of it becoming contaminated with sea and sand – so I will have only to rely on their oral reports. More later perhaps.