The All Coastal Bottom Fish Interprovincial Competition

2017-03-27 | puppy1952

The All Coastal Bottom Fish Interprovincial Competition was hosted by Suidpunt Deep Sea Angling Club at Struisbaai from Tuesday 21 March to Saturday 25 March 2017. Thanks to Leander Wiit (Chairman of Western Provence Deep Sea Angling Association), DP Burger (Convener) and Louis Becker (Tournaments Officer) for their organisation of the event.

The three days fished were Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Conditions were superb although the sea was quite rough on Thursday.

There were nine teams, namely

Western Province White – DP Burger (Captain) Iaan Viljoen and Gus Rautmann
Western Province Blue – Morne Marais (Captain) Ron Pennninkhof and Philip van der Walt
Western Province Juniors – Christof Dahl (Captain) Divan Burger and Karla Rautmann
Natal DSSA – Abed Khan (Captain) Heino Meyer and Timothy Munnick
Southern Cape White – Terry Terblanche (Captain) Koos Scholtz and Johan Crouse
Southern Cape Blue – Rod Kieser (Captain) Chris Schorn and Thys Uys
Eastern Province Black – Wayne Gerber (Captain) Christopher Gerber and Sheena Gerber
Eastern Province Red – Kevin Clark (Captain) Peter Dawson and Alie Matthysen
Border Deep Sea – Rory Leonard (Captain) Allan Ford and Everitt van Loggerenberg

Thanks to the skippers who put in their boats for this competition

Kitty Cat – Pietro Cutino
Haven – Colin Joubert
Sea Dodger – Roger Marais
Cavalier – Mark Truter
Men @ Work – Piet Wessels
GT – Patrick Christodoulou
Relentless – Daniel Hughes
S-Catman – Louis Bekker
King Fisher – Erik Dahl

The boats used in the competition. Thanks to the awesome skippers.

All the catering was done by Marinda de Kock and her team. All can attest to the superbness of the breakfasts, lunch boxes and dinners.

A Delicious Spread at the Opening Function

The radio communications were ably controlled by Andrew Perris and assisted by Earl Fenwick who also took most of the photographs.

Thanks too, to the following people, Grant van der Westhuizen, Elize Beukes and Dick le Roux for doing an awesome job as weigh masters at the scales, Mark Westhook for organising the bait and Louis Becker and Patrick Christodoulou for doing the scoring.

At the opening function it was great to see the teams dressed in their colours, newbies were capped and there was an auction to predict and ‘buy’ the winning teams. He/she who predicted the first, second and third winners would win a handsome cash prize.

Leander Wiit and Patrick Christodoulou with the newly capped WP Juniors – Divan Burger, Karla Rautmann and Christof Dahl

Launching time was 7:00 am which meant a chilly and early rising if you wanted to enjoy a good breakfast before setting off to nab your catch. The aim was to get as many bottom species as possible. They had to be measured, photographed and released. However, if it was a pending record fish it had to be brought to the scales to be weighed. Yellowtail could be caught, kept and brought to the scales for points.

Busy at the scales

An awesome catch of yellowtail by Southern Cape White -Terry, Johan and Koos

The Gerber family – Eastern Province Black – did exceptionally well and were a tough team to beat!

Sheena Gerber achieved a SADSA Lady’s 6kg line class record with her beautiful yellowtail

The only juniors fishing and didn’t they have an awesome time – not to mention a three day break from boring old school!

A special word of thanks is due to the skippers of GT, Cavalier and Haven for hosting the Juniors. Thank you guys for your patience with and your guidance and support of these delightful youngsters. Long may they continue with their passion for the sport.

Christof Dahl holding his Red Stompneus which is a pending 6kg line class junior record.

It was a close competition and on Saturday all held a collective breath waiting to hear the final results at the prize-giving function. Roger and Sonja Marais were particularly delighted to hear that Western Province Blue, the team they ‘bought’ were the winners!

Winning Team Western Province Blue 2017-03-25 08-06-06 PM 800x600

Sonja and Roger with the winning team!

Eastern Province Black - Second 2017-03-25 08-00-54 PM 800x600

What an exceptional Eastern Province family in second place

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And Border came an awesome third

Pietro Cutiono Third Skipper Kitty Kat2017-03-25 07-41-38 PM 800x600 2017-03-25 07-41-38 PM 800x600 2017-03-25 07-41-38 PM 800x600

Pietro Cutino (Kitty Cat) was the skipper in third place

Second Skipper Piet Wessels Men @ Work 2017-03-25 07-42-13 PM 800x600

Colin Joubert (Haven) was placed second

Top Skipper Louis Bekker S-Catman 2017-03-25 07-42-40 PM 800x600

And the top skipper was Louis Bekker (S-Catman)

And so ended another awesome Suidpunt Deep Sea angling event!

Share Your World 13 March 2017

2017-03-14 | puppy1952

Here are my answers t0 this weeks Cee’s Share Your World Challenge

Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Where I live there are no elevators but when I’m in a place where there is one I only press once. If it takes too long I use the stairs. It’s usually quicker to use the stairs and as I use a step counting watch it helps my totals. But there are times when going up and down stairs with packages or luggage is not very practical so the lift I will use. I have a friend who avoids lifts at all costs as she is terrified of them. This is phobia that started when we were kids after watching a movie with a scary lift scene in it.

Do you plan out things usually or do you do them more spontaneous (for example if you are visiting a big city you don’t know?)

I do the initial planning for our major holidays – where we will stay, for how long and more or less what we would like to do while there. But we are both spontaneous and would change plans at the drop of a hat. Some of our local trips are decided today, leaving tomorrow. Trips abroad can never be last minute as it takes time to get Visas and most countries require South Africans to have visitors’ visas before entering their borders. This takes time and is fairly expensive – so yes – planning is required well in advance.

Describe yourself in at least four uplifting words.

Loyal, Entertaining, Adventurous, Fun.

If you had a choice which would be your preference salt water beaches, fresh water lakes, ocean cruise, hot tub, ski resort or desert?

All of the above. I have lived near the sea most of my life and can’t imagine my permanent residence being anywhere else. I go to the beach almost daily, my hubby has a fishing boat, we like fresh fish – no – we could not live inland.

Kiora is his pride and joy

Our holiday destinations often include a stay next to fresh water lakes or dams – you’ve guessed it – for freshwater fishing. There is something about being next to a calm body of water that is calming – and I love it.

Sani Valley Lodge at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains

Pictured above is our favourite Freshwater venue – and there you might also find a hot tub!

This one was meant for Granny and Grandpa but the kids decided it was theirs!

I went on a skiing holiday more than 20 years ago and loved it but it’s not top of my list anymore.

The Earl and me about to embark on our first ski lesson – ski instructor on left

I’ve been on two short ocean cruises and thoroughly enjoyed them – but haven’t been tempted to make a habit of it – but now that I’m older I think it might be the best way to see Europe and so a big one is on our bucket list.

On board the Achille Lauro – a four day cruise from Durban to Bazaruto Island and back.

The desert certainly has its own appeal – done it got the photos but not rushing to do it again. However, I would encourage everyone to visit a desert at least once in their lives. Our desert of choice is The Namib and it is awesome.

Climbing a red dune is compulsory

The one thing not on this list is actually at the top of mine – The Bush! I will never grow tired of visiting the wildest parts of Africa. We had to cancel our Kruger National Park trip because the Earl was still recovering from surgery but it won’t be long before we’re back!

Nothing beats coming across a scene like this

or spending a few hours watching birds at Lake Panic

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am always grateful that I live where I do. The weather is changing – it’s cooler in the mornings but I know we will never get the freezing temperatures I have read other bloggers write about. Most are welcoming the Spring and looking forward to being able to go into their gardens! How lucky am I that this is possible for me throughofut the year. I love Winter because the wind seldom blows and that when it’s not raining the days are sunny. I can still walk on the beach and only need to put on a fleece or a jacket.

I am looking forward to having friends to stay this weekend. Next week there is another fishing competition in Struisbaai – The Bottom Fish Nationals – and The Earl and I will be taking photographs for that.

Have a good week everyone.

Sunday visit to Arniston

2017-03-07 | puppy1952

Cara and Shaun cooked us a wonderful breakfast on Sunday morning and we discussed what everyone would like to do on their last day. Swimming and/or body surfing was on the list so we suggested packing cossies and heading off to Arniston where we could also include a visit to The Waenhuiskrans Cave. The Earl and I secretly hoped to stop to see a bird or two but time was of the essence so we didn’t stop for too many.

You can only get into the cave at low tide which Earl said would be at 14h00. We were a bit earlier than that so we explored the area a bit and then went for a swim.

Shaun and Cara with Casper

Be careful Cansu

Lolz and Cansu watching the surfers at Otter Beach

Casper also wanted to swim

Cold – but lovely once you’re in

Fun jumping the waves

Recovering from a dump!

The boys did some body surfing and the girls some tanning and then we dried off and set off to see if the cave was doable.

The last time I did it with friends it was spring low tide and looked like this.

Easy to make your way along these dry rocks

Not so easy when you have to wade through the tide that is not quite out yet

I decided not to risk slipping on the route to the cave just in case I fell and had to deal with weeks of recovery – not a good idea at my ripe old age. But the young ones being more sure-footed bravely went ahead.

Shaun the gallant gentleman giving Cansu a hand

The Earl watched from the top of the cliff and yelled out directions

To get to the cave you have to go through a smaller one and then crawl through a tunnel. The kids missed the way at first but Earl was watching from the cliff and gesticulated frantically until they caught on that they’d gone to far. Cara found the tunnel and in they went. As I wasn’t there I couldn’t take photos but these are some from a past trip.

Inside the cave

The opening to the sea

The crawl through tunnel

Was this Hayley? I called her name but she could not hear me above the crashing waves

She was a braver woman than I – It was indeed Hayley and we had a lovely catch- up when she returned.

Our adventurers returning

The young ones needed to get back to Cape Town so we decided not to have lunch at the motel which was busy and we would have had a long wait to be served.

On the return I had to yell for The Earl to stop as I spotted a Denham’s bustard – a bird I have to see when doing this drive!

IMG_4343-001

We saw very little else in the way of birds but it was still and most enjoyable excursion.

Fishing and Fun in Struisbaai

2017-03-06 | puppy1952

Our daughter, Laurie, brought a group of friends to stay this past weekend. What a great time we had with Cara and Shaun, Dylan and a young girl visiting from Turkey named Cansu – pronounced Yunsue.

They all drove up together after work on Friday evening and we met them at The Michael Collins for dinner. The fun began from there and it was midnight before we got to bed.

In spite of this Dylan, Shaun and Earl were up bright and early and went out on Kiora to try their luck on the five and twelve mile banks. And it all went well – more of that later.

We girls chilled a little longer in bed but when we arose Cansu cooked us a Turkish breakfast. She heated olive oil in the pan, threw in chopped green peppers, tomato and garlic and fried them till soft then mixed in some eggs and then topped it with grated cheese and cooked it slowly. We sat out at the picnic table and enjoyed this delicious feast.

Breakfast was a Turkish Delight – Cansu and Cara

Our mission for the day was to show Cansu what the area had to offer so off we set to climb to the top of the Agulhas lighthouse.

Cara and Laurie stayed down below but I went up too. The last ladder that takes you to the top is the scariest of all. You may only go up one at a time. When I reached the top I found a mom and a very scared little girl refusing to go down. I stopped to encourage her telling her the story of two other little ones I’d recently had in the tower who were just as terrified but very brave. Just hold on tight and don’t let go and you will be fine, I said. I think just hearing a voice other than her mom’s did the trick as the tears dried up and she went straight down.

Dad and Little Sister were waiting to welcome her – what a brave girl!

Cara and Laurie walking Caper the Daschund

Magnificent View from up there

Down the scary ladder she goes

But she was not afraid

It is compulsory for every visitor who comes this far south to stand at the very tip of Africa. As it was the weekend there were a number of visitors but the wait was not too long.

In 982 a Japanese fishing boat, The Meisho Maru 38 wrecked at Cape Agulhas and can still be seen on the rocks today. We took Cansu to see it.

The rocks are rugged – you wouldn’t want to run aground here

Cansu poses with the ill fated Meishu Maru

The threatened Black Oystercatcher

Casper loves the beach

Some fynbos

By this time we were all hanging out for a cup of coffee so the delightful gift shop, Potpourri, was our next port of call. We sat outside as we had Casper and shared a scone – a first for Cansu.

Potpourri

The boys, in the meantime, were having a great time at sea. Soon after we got home, Earl called to say they were on their way in and they had fish for supper.

There was a lot of activity at the harbour and some fishermen were cleaning their catch and throwing the guts into the sea. This attracted about ten stingrays into the shallows.

A stingray swims in the clear water

These creatures have become very tame, will eat from a friendly hand and allow people to stroke them. Cansu was fascinated. She kicked off her shoes and waded in. One of the locals had bits of fish and was feeding them. He told her the stingray was pregnant.

Getting close and personal with a ray

“It feels like a jellyfish with fur,” she said

I yelled to Canu to watch the tail but I was on the jetty and she didn’t hear me.

Ouch – the tail brushed against her leg

Cansu got a fright and there was a small graze on her leg which bled but there was no harm done – the spikes did not penetrate her skin and there was no swelling or pain afterwards. We just treated her with Allergex ointment and she was fine.

The Fishermen returning after a successful day at sea

Shaun has a Santa and a Red Stompneus Dylan has two Red Roman

Laurie made us a lovely spinach salad, Cara made garlic bread and new baby potatoes and Earl fried the fish – we had an amazing feast.

More of this lovely weekend to follow.

Share your world 27 February 2017

2017-03-03 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this weeks Cee’s Share your world

Ever ran out of gas in your vehicle?

I can’t remember ever having run out of fuel in my vehicle. But it’s been close. Sometimes we travel long distances on roads that seem to go on forever but we make sure that we fuel when we can. We have been in wild places where we’ve had to take in our own fuel. That was fun!

Which are better: black or green olives?

I am of Mediterranean ancestry so olives are very important to me. I always have black olives of various types in the fridge but I also like green olives.

If you were a great explorer, what would you explore?

I love exploring and have been to some pretty awesome places. There is nothing I enjoy more than getting close and personal with African wildlife.

001-giraffe-in-the-sunrise-namutoni-etosha

Sunrise in Africa

This Etosha Elephant tried to charge us

I imagine, though, that a great explorer is someone who goes where no man has gone before. Well – I can’t identify with that – I have no desire to go to Mars or the arse end of the world where conditions are inhospitably hot or cold. I don’t mind roughing it but there’s a limit. So I think for this one I’d say anywhere exotic that I’ve never been before so long as I do not have to risk life or limb. And when I’m there I’d like to meet the local people, learn about their lifestyles and explore their fauna and flora.

Quotes List: At least three of your favorite quotes?

I often go on about attitude being the most important thing to get you through life.

This one is probably my favourite because I have had so many moments like that have taken my breath away.

Then there are the more flippant ones that make me laugh

The last one comes from my brother – “I’d rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable!”

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

On Monday The Earl had to go to the dentist as he’d lost a tooth while biting into his spare ribs. (He never did find said tooth!) She referred him to a periodontist in Somerset West – two hours drive from home. He was lucky enough to get an appointment the following day. Fortunately I went along with him as during the hour and a half procedure he was given a sedative and wasn’t allowed to drive back! We were grateful that he was able to get everything done in one session so we don’t have to return. However, the price has been a lot of post procedure pain! We went back to the dentist in Bredasdorp today and she has given him more antibiotic and pain medication. Thankfully he is feeling much better now.

I am looking forward to this weekend as my daughter will be visiting. She is bringing friends too which will be fun.

Share Your World 20 February 2017

2017-02-22 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this week’s Share your world hosted by Cee.

When you cut something with scissors, do you move your jaw (as if you were about to chew)?

No but I was a first grade teacher and many of the kiddies would stick out their tongues in concentration when writing or cutting. It was so cute.

Do you chew your pens and pencils?

Not anymore – ate a lot of pencils at school though. Have taught kids who ate crayons, glue and erasers. A strange species we are!

Are you a collector of anything? If so what?

I don’t collect things as such. I have though, found it difficult to throw out the greetings cards the kids have given us over the years and I have also kept stuff given to me by past pupils and their parents. I can’t bring myself to part with them. I also keep journals, photographs and trip reports. They take up a lot of space!

What size is your bed?

It is a comfortable Queen Sized bed. In the past we shared it with cats – but now we don’t have any pets or grandkids sharing it, so we sleep better than ever.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for the workmen who are paving the front of our house and improving its look. I am looking forward to it being completed next week.

Struisbaai Marlin Competition 2017

2017-02-21 | puppy1952

Last week The Suidpunt Deep Sea Angling club once again hosted the Marlin Competition. This annual event is a great drawcard for deep sea anglers and a wonderful highlight on the Struisbaai calendar. This year 27 teams from all over the country took part and the competition ran for six days of which only two were not fished due to poor conditions.

The club catered all meals for the teams and there was a wonderful vibe at the evening dinners. Earl and I hosted Andrew, who was the communications officer and we were appointed the official photographers for the week!

What a Spread

Hardworking Girls behind the scenes

The rules of the competition were fairly complicated but this is how I understood them. A marlin had to be landed, photographed, a DNA sample taken then released. A video of the fish swimming away also had to be taken. The angler/boat who caught the last fish would be declared the winner – this was so that their enthusiasm would last to the bitter end!

Three fish were landed. Osprey caught the first, Woes Lekke the second and Salti the third.

Crew from Woes Lekke with DNA Sample – second Marlin landed

On one of the evenings Andrew was the Auctioneer and some generous bids were made for the wines donated by some local estates.

Wines on Auction

Sold to that man over there

Should we or shouldn’t we – they did

A special wine bottled in honour of Shanga

Shanga is Andrew’s dog who goes everywhere with him

And what am I bid for last year’s banner? Quite a lot it turned out and this year’s one went too.

The auction raised R39 000 for the club. Thanks to all the bidders this will be put to good use a Suidpunt Deep Angling Club.

On Friday there was a pirate party at The Club which was great fun. Earl and I were the judges and we found it difficult to choose so in the end gave one individual prize and one group prize. There was no female prize and I was the only girl to dress up and the judge can’t win!

Tattooed and scary?

Captain Morgan ready to pillage

Beware of this lot on a dark night

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The organisation of this event was mammoth. The caterers did an amazing job and kept us all well fed.

Hungry anglers enjoying the catering

Struisbaai, I think, thoroughly enjoyed having the anglers visit for a week and each afternoon the harour was a fun place to be as the boats returned from sea.

The winning boat escorted in by the birds

Feast from the fishermen

No fighting please – there’s enough for everyone

The Stingray will not be left out

Second boat to land a Marlin

Team Salti were the winners

Valentine’s Quiz

2017-02-14 | puppy1952

Joey at Joeyfullystated answered some questions posted on her Facebook page and challenged others to answer on their statuses too. I’ve decided to post mine in My Blog.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, all couples: Make this your status for fun and answer honestly.

Who’s older?
He is 8 years older than I am.
Who was interested first?
It was a blind date. He fell for me instantly. I wasn’t far behind.

How long have you been together?
34 years – 30 legal.

Married?
Very happily married. Would not swap him for anything.
More sarcastic?
Probably me. Yes – definitely me.

Who makes the most mess?
He says me – He’s Obsessive Compulsive.

Who has more tattoos?
We don’t do tattoos. He is totally anti tattoos – daughters beware – don’t bring a tatooed man to meet Dad!

Better singer?
Me but neither of us can really sing!
Hogs the remote?

He’s not typical male in that regard – neither of us hog it but I think he prefers me to be in charge of the remote.

Better driver?
I think it’s me. But he won’t let me drive. He thinks my driving stinks. Nobody else complains about my driving – It’s a control thing. He needs to be in charge. It’s a boy thing. He had to let me drive while he was recovering from surgery. It gave me great pleasure that he couldn’t do anything about it. It was very hard for him.
Spends the most?
Did I mention he likes to be in control? He spends the most because he is in charge of the bills. BUT He is a generous man and never denies me anything – so maybe it’s I who makes him spend too much? No that’s not it. We both enjoy the good things in life.

Smarter?
This is an American word for cleverer. Smart in South African means how smartly you dress – in that case – definitely me.

He thought he was cleverer but actually we’re equal. Many years ago we did a General Knowledge test with 100 Trivial Pursuit Cards. We got a dead equal score – But some things I knew, he didn’t and some things he knew, I didn’t. So we have different areas of clever. But don’t tell him – I actually think he is cleverer than I.

Most common sense?
Well – I think probably him – but I also have a good deal. He is just very practical and I am a bit of a dreamer.

What are your middle names?
Mine – Mary Edwina His – Mills
Whose siblings do you see most often?
His – He only has one sister and they’re very close so we see her whenever we are in Cape Town. I keep in touch with mine but don’t see them nearly often enough.

Do you have any children together?
No biological children together. But we both raised his two girls and my one. We also helped his oldest raise her two babies who are now 18 and 19. Nobody is allowed to say they’re not my real kids. Our three girls are sisters – not step-sisters. His grandchildren are my grandchildren – not step-grandchildren. When we told our grandsons the ‘truth’ about their ancestry – Jay said, “Lucky for you, hey Gran!”
Did you go to the same school?
No.

Who is the most sensitive?
I asked him – He said he was because he can’t handle pain. But he says I’m more emotionally sensitive.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Shipwreck Coffee Shop – usually for breakfast because at our age we don’t do late nights! Haha that’s a joke. We also do dinners at Seagulls or other restaurants in the area from time to time. Very occasionally we get a takeaway pizza from Bella Luna – they do gluten free bases.

Where is the farthest you two have traveled together?
We live at the southern tip of Africa – that’s far away. No seriously – Tasmania, Australia in terms of distance. But the distance we’ve travelled in life far exceeds that.

Who has the worst temper?
Me

Who does the cooking?
Both of us. But he will tell you that he does all the cooking. He loves cooking but when he cooks I usually help. But he can cook alone. He does cook breakfast most often. But I have just learned to cook a mean omelette – silly me – I shouldn’t have!

Who is more social?
Him – but I am also quite social. We both have lots of couple friends and own friends.
Who is the neat freak?
He’s OC. But I have to be neat to satisfy his OC

Who is the most stubborn?
He does see reason but he can be stubborn – I try not to be stubborn unless I know I am absolutely right.

Who hogs the bed?
He says it’s me. It must be because I don’t have a problem with him in my space.

Who wakes up earlier?
Me but he doesn’t have a problem getting up early if he has to.

Where was your first date?
The Round House, Camps Bay. It was a blind date. We’ve never been back! We will one day.

Who has the bigger family?
I have a bigger biological family. He only has a sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew besides our own kids and grandkids BUT his late first wife had a huge family who we still keep up with. I am so lucky because they have accepted me as one of the family too. They are the warmest, kindest people on earth. My family are just as warm and kind.
Do you get flowers often?
I used to. Now we grow them in the garden.

Who does the laundry?
Me
Who’s better with the computers?
Me – He is extremely technical but can’t do the day to day stuff on computers. So he yells for me to help him.
Who drives when you are together?
He has to be almost dying before he’ll let me drive.

Who picks where you go to dinner?
Both. He suggests we go out and I always agree. There aren’t too many places we can go around here but whatever we choose is pretty good. We also entertain at home from time to time. And we have weekend visitors quite frequently.

Share your World 13 February

2017-02-14 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this weeks questions in Cee’s Share Your World

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
I have a fitted sheet over the mattress and a duvet on top – no top sheet – so no tucked in sheets or blankets. In the summer I usually sleep, wrapped in a sarong, on top of the duvet. Sometimes when caravanning in the Kgalagadi or Kruger I wet the sarong, lay a towel on the bed and sleep with the wrung out sarong wrapped around me. It’s the only way to keep cool. In winter I sleep in warm pyjamas and have an extra rug on the bed.

Have you stolen a street sign before?
I have no idea how you can steal a street sign.

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
I have done in the past thinking that I might use them. I realised early on in life that I’m not that thrifty. I forget the coupons are there and just buy as I need. I am not a bargain hunter and hate sales. I just don’t like rummaging through a mess of products trying to find something cheaper than usual. Presentation is important for me. If I spot something I like on a shelf or rail then I buy it if I want it. I never go looking for stuff to buy just because it’s cheap. Black Friday doesn’t do it for me.

Do you have freckles?
There are some brown speckles on my arms and legs and just two that I can see on my face. But mainly I see laughter lines and wrinkles.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for the rain that has fallen giving some relief to the drought. We need more so bring it on.

I am looking forward to The Marlin Competition which started yesterday and goes on until the end of this weekend. There are 27 boats, some independent and some from different clubs competing. They are creating quite a vibe here in Struisbaai.

This is how men like to be “@Work”

Share your world 6 February 2017

2017-02-06 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World 6 February 2017

Regarding your fridge, is it organized or a mess inside?

Funny you should ask because if I’d read this question this morning my answer might have been quite different.

Of course I like my fridge to be neat and organized but for the past few days it has been in a bit of a state so today I sorted out the chaos! I threw out left over food from last Monday’s anniversary party, poured mayonnaise from an almost empty jar into an almost full one, checked to see that the milk wasn’t past its use by date and put veggies into containers instead of leaving them in their punnets and plastic wrappings. I didn’t know this was going to be a question today so don’t have a before photograph – but here is what my refrigerator looks like after its clean out this morning!

Well the above is how my fridge looked when I started this post but then my adopted grandson, Sam and his friend, Daniel who are staying with us for a few days, came back from a night time fishing trip with four geelbek and a skipjack so they now have pride of place till tomorrow morning when they can be cleaned. Guess what we will be having for dinner tomorrow!

Sam (left) and Daniel had a great evening out on Sam’s boat Red Head

Lovely fresh fish

Do you prefer your food separated or mixed together?

Depending on what the meal is – I like each vegetable to have its own place on the plate but I eat them together with the meat or fish – a bit of fish and a bit of veggie on one fork is the proper way to eat isn’t it? I do not eat one food group at a time – first the peas, then the carrots and leave the best till last – that’s crazy. I like mixing the flavours.

Sushi of course is fish, vegetable and rice rolled together in a sheet of seaweed and I love that.

Do you prefer reading coffee table books (picture), biographies, fiction, non-fiction, educational?

If it is printed I read it. But if the first few pages don’t grab me I have no qualms about setting it aside. I like well written fiction. My favourite authors are Anne Tyler, Chaim Potok, Bryce Courtenay, Barbara Trapido, Mavis Cheek,Maeve Binchy, Anita Shreve. I also love books by South African authors about South African life. Michael Heyns, Rayda Jacobs, Pamela Jooste and Maire Fischer have written some amazing fiction. I am reading a book by Deon Meyer’s Icarus at the moment.

I have/had a huge collection of coffee table/reference books. I had to give most of them away when we sold our big house in Cape Town – it broke my heart but there’s no room for them in Struisbaai. I still have too many.

Close your eyes. Listen to your body. What part of your body is seeking attention? What is it telling you?

I’m thirsty – time to have a lovely cold glass of water. If I don’t drink enough water my blood pressure drops and then I wonder why I’m so exhausted.

The Sunshine Blogger Award

2017-02-01 | puppy1952

Thank you Fiona and Dan for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. It has taken me a while to respond as I can’t think of 11 people to nominate so I’ll just post my answers for now and try to nominate later.

sunshine-blog-award

Fiona and Dan are an adventurous young couple who make the most of life and write about their amazing adventures. Fiona and Dan’s Blog

Rules of the Sunshine Blogger Award:

Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
Answer the eleven questions set by the person who nominated you.
Nominate eleven other blogs and give them eleven questions to answer.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post.

What made you start blogging?

I have kept a diary on and off for many years and when I heard about blogging I thought it was a good way of sharing my writing.

If money was no object, what would you do?

I would travel even more than I do now and I would give huge support to conservation projects.

What do you prefer Marine or Terrestrial environments?

I am very concerned about Marine environments and find marine life fascinating but I do not like boats and so prefer my eco touring to be terrestrial. I love birds and wildlife.

If you were kind and you knew then what you know now. Would you have chosen a different profession and what would it be?

I have been so rewarded in my profession that I can’t think of anything else I would have done besides teach. Once I joked in the staffroom – “In my next life, I will teach in an all girls’ school.” And a colleague exclaimed – In your next life you want to teach??? And the answer is YES – go figure.

Do you prefer sweet or savory?

I guess I would have to say savoury. But I do like a bit of sweetness now and then – I avoid sugar as much as possible but when I indulge in a treat it’s usually something with chocolate in it. Lemon Meringue pie and cheesecake are also good.

If you could save one animal on the planet which animal would it be?

The creature I would definitely choose is the Bee because if she were not saved all life on the planet would end.

Favourite music genre and/or band?

I have a few favourites – music that is easy to dance to and music that is pleasant to listen to in the background. I do not like ‘intrusive’ music.

My favourites are – Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Chris de Burgh,

If you could earn a salary from blogging, would you do it?

No, because then I would have to commit to a regular contribution, I think. I am at the stage of my life when I want to be flexible and spontaneous.

What are your views and thoughts on global population numbers

There are too many people in the world and we need to educate people to plan their families carefully.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to a foreign country where would you go to?

I live in Stuisbaai at the Southern Tip of Africa. It is a small town, removed from the hustle and bustle of city life and all the dangers associated with most South African urban areas. It is like living in a different country. If I had to move I would choose Australia as I think I could adapt to their lifestyle. But I would rather stay here as I could not bear to be too far from the African bush.

When was the last time you spent the entire day without your cellphone and/or iPad?

In most parts of the Kgalagadi it is impossible to get cell phone signal and connecting to the internet is impossible. I was there in March 2016 and spent many days without cell/iPad. The only other time I separate myself from my devices is if I’m too sick to care and that’s almost never.

Share Your World 30 January

2017-01-31 | puppy1952

Here are my answer’s to Cee’s Share your world 30 January 2017

What is the most incredible natural venue that you’ve ever seen in person?

I am privileged enough to be able to visit many incredible natural venues in my own country and neighbouring African countries. It’s the birds and wildlife that attract us to visit over and over again. But the most unusual natural venue I visited in 2015 was Sossusvlei which is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. Those magnificent Red Dune are mind boggling.

We climbed to the top of this one

We took an hour and a half flight over the dunes and looked down on our lodgings – our hut is the first one in the row this side of the main buildings.

How many siblings do you have? What’s your birth order?

I have two brothers and a sister. I am number two. Big Brother is three years older than I am. My sister is two years younger and Baby Brother is seven years younger than I.

If you were a shoe, what kind would you be and why?

Well I would not choose to be a shoe! But I love boots – so that’s what I’ll choose as long as they’re made from real leather and don’t have killer heels.

What is the strangest/weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

Several years ago we stayed at Lokotula Lodge, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – another phenomenal natural venue.

Earl and Me with The Victoria Falls thundering behind us – September 2002.

On our first evening we ate at The Boma which is an area enclosing guests under the glittering African sky. There were sumptuous braaied (barbequed) meats to choose from the buffet and we tried a whole variety including warthog – you can read my story about that here.

As we were wandering around choosing our dishes one of the servers said, “Would you like some mopani worm?” “No thank you,” I replied. “But you must,”he insisted and not wanting to offend him both my hubby and I swallowed one each. It really wasn’t bad but not something I’d rush back to have any time soon! Well, we continued with our meal and when one of the hostesses came to enquire how we’d enjoyed the food, we told her that it had all been delicious. “Did you have mopani worms?”she asked. We replied proudly that we had and she promptly wrote out a certificate for each of us. So we have proof!

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

This week I am grateful for my precious husband, the wonderful friends we have made in our new home, Struisbaai and of course for the family and friends in Cape Town and the rest of the world too.

Young and in love – On our Wedding Day – 1987-01-30

Still in love thirty years later – 2017-01-30

We don’t have many friends in Struisbaai but last night we invited them all to help us celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Looking back on our years together brought home to us how much we have survived and how much we have been blessed. They have certainly been dramatic, exciting and adventurous years and we would not have changed a thing.

We don’t plan ahead so I am just looking forward to the surprises that are bound to happen in the coming week.