Cape Boat and Ski-boat Club Old Members Reunion

2016-01-25 | puppy1952

Earl was looking through old Club magazines and the articles and photographs brought back fond memories of the founder members from way back when. “Wouldn’t it be great, he said, to gather all these old friends together again – bring them all for a function at the club.”

Easier said than done! How do you get hold of all these legends? Some, sadly, have passed on, others are overseas and almost all have changed their addresses. Undaunted he got hold of old membership lists and started the search. He emailed, telephoned and coerced people who might know this one or that to find the missing people!

This all started sometime in September with the view of getting 100 oldies together. The response was phenomenal and on Saturday 23 January The Club entertained 140 friends from the past. Photo albums, magazines and memorabilia were brought and great memories were resurrected and spoken about. There was an amazing vibe as friends gathered in groups both inside and out at the beautiful venue at Rumbly Bay.

Thanks to the current members who donated and braaied yellowtail which was served in addition to the spit roast lamb, veggies, salads and chips. Our club manageress, Colleen, excelled herself in organising the staff and helpers in the setting up , preparing and serving of the food. Thanks too, to all those helpers.

Thanks too for all those who attended – you are all legends and the Club appreciates all that you did in those early years to build up the Club. May the current members never forget your legacy.

The wine was generously donated by Springfield Wine Estate, Cowland Wines and Rosberg Wines.

How amazing it was to have Guy Rowe and his band who in their seventies are still doing gigs. And of course we all enjoyed the music of our youth!

The photos will show the joy of the event.

Thanks to the younger members for donating and braaing the yellowtail!

Fun catching up with each other over a one or six beers

Hymie Steyn, a legend of note with Leander Wiit current chairman of Western Province Angling Association

Lyn Shield and Carolyn Fourie catching up

Diana and Ray who came all the way from England having fun with Alan and Evelyn

Stuart and Andrew

Enjoying the Miss Lucy Wine donated by Springfield Estate

For more photographs please look on the Cape Boat and Ski-boat Facebook site.

Share Your World Week 2

2016-01-13 | puppy1952

Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets?

I know some fascinating people who do not fit the bill of human characteristics – but seriously – no – I don’t think they’re aliens. They’re just highly evolved and interesting people who have their own agenda and way of dealing with life on Earth.

It is easy to blame all the unexplained phenomena on Earth to extraterrestrials but just because we don’t know the answers doesn’t mean there are beings with higher intelligence out there is space who come down to Earth to tease us – why would they?

Not to say I don’t think there is life on other planets. Most likely there is and probably very different to what we see here – or maybe very much the same. To me though, it doesn’t matter. There is so much to discover right here on Earth that I couldn’t care if there is something else out there or not. It is fun to think about it though.

How many places have you lived? You can share the number of physical residences and/or the number of cities.

When I count it up it seems that I have lived in many different addresses – 17 at last count but I have lived most of my life in Fish Hoek, Western Cape, South Africa and now I’m in Stuisbaai, Western Cape South Africa. How lucky I am to have found myself in the most beautiful parts of the world.

If you given $22 million tax free dollars (any currency), what is the first thing you would do?

The first thing I would do is buy each of my kids their dream homes or give them the means to pay off what they have and to improve it to their needs.

I would also like to do something charitable but not just to give it away. I would prefer to invest in someone or a group of people to be trained and in some skill that would benefit others when they’re done.

The Never List: What are things you’ve never done? Or things you know you never will do?

I have never Bungee jumped, skydived, paraglided, flown in a hot air balloon, committed murder, arson or grand larceny and hopefully I never will!

Well – I might think about the hot air balloon.

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 that my grandson’s surgery was successful and that nothing serious was found in his MRI. I am looking forward to settling back into my home in Struisbaai. The weather is stunning, the sea is warm and my garden is growing!

Proudly South African Expat Catches Up With Friends

2016-01-09 | puppy1952

After she retired three years ago, my friend Margie, packed for Perth to be near her son, daughter and grandchildren. For her it was a good move but it is not without its challenges. Today our Breakfast Club met so we could all catch up with her.

Our favourite breakfast venue is Bistro Sixteen82 on Steenberg Wine Estate. “The Aussies think their Wine Farms are fabulous,” declared Margie. “They have no idea! There is nothing like this over there. And this is the first time I’ve been out for breakfast for three years as it’s just too expensive!”

Margie enjoying Mushroom Benedict at an affordable price

Margie said she didn’t realise how much she’d missed the mountains till she landed back in Cape Town. “Cape Town,” she said, “is the most beautiful city in the world.”

A wonderful ambience at Bistro Sixteen82

“You’re biased,” I laughed.

“NO!” she insisted. “Really – there isn’t a more beautiful place in the whole, wide world!” A truly proudly South African statement – and just proves how you can take the girl our of Cape Town but you can’t take Cape Town out of the girl.

Emigrating at retirement age is not easy on a South African Teacher’s pension. Margie still has to work and getting employment is not easy. She has done a number of courses to improve her qualifications, mainly to enable her to work with children with special needs. She has had to register a business in order to take on private pupils – even though she does not have many. She also does supply teaching and baby sitting! In order to work with children in any capacity she has had to get Police Clearance!

Studying in your sixties is daunting but Margie has achieved excellent results and has enjoyed the challenge. She embraces every opportunity that comes her way but still it’s not easy to get full time employment.

Yes, it’s tough living away from your homeland and she misses her friends but the rewards are great as she gets to be near her kids and to see her grandchildren growing up.

You’re looking good on it, Margie. We admire you hugely for what you’ve accomplished in three short years away from home. All the best for 2016 and may many good employment opportunities come your way!

Back with the Breakfast Friends

Share Your World Question Week 1

2016-01-04 | puppy1952

I am taking up the challenge from Cee’s Photography Blog

Cee’s Photography

Question 1 – As a child, who was your favorite relative?

My answer. My maternal grandmother. She was so serene and a ‘real’ granny who never grumbled or scolded. Her melktert was the best in the world and nobody can bake scones like hers. All her food was delicious. She told wonderful stories and loved me unconditionally. My childhood was totally wrapped up in my grandmother.

Question 2 – If you could be a tree or plant, (or an animal!) what would you be?

I would choose to be an elephant. Elephants don’t have to worry about getting fat – they’re supposed to get fat. I like the idea of a matriarchal society. What a good idea to have the older sisters and aunts to help care for the babies and only to have the males over by invitation. It makes for a peaceful lifestyle. Elephants are intelligent, have excellent memories and are kind and caring unless there is an extreme need to be aggressive. I like that!

Question 3 – What would be your preference, awake before dawn or awake before noon?

My preference is to wake up with the sun. In summer this is easy and I find myself up and off to the beach very early. OR if I’m in a Game Reserve ready to go off in search of wildlife at an very rude hour which doesn’t make me popular with my travelling companions.

In winter it is harder but I’m still up pretty early and before I do anything I exercise in some way or another. This gets me going for whatever else the day has to offer.

Question 4 – Would you like to sleep in a human size nest in a tree or be snuggled in a burrowed spot underground?

I like the idea of a human-sized nest in a tree. I don’t like the idea of being underground at all. Caves and holes are dark and dank and that would be depressing. I would love to wake up to the sound of nature – birds singing, wind rustling the leaves, the sea crashing or a tinkling stream. I’d like to feel the first sun-rays warming my skin and to be able to breath in the fresh morning air as I am roused from my night’s rest. I’m a morning person and so I identify with the early bird who catches the worm.

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 that my family and I have remained safe during the holiday season. We have not travelled long distances as we often do at this time of year but there have been the odd short excursions on the treacherous roads of South Africa. I pray every day that we are all careful and safe on the roads so full of idiotic drivers who don’t seem to value their own nor the lives of fellow road users.

I look forward to another week with the family before returning to our home in Struisbaai. I look forward to catching up with friends and hearing about their lives since last seeing them. How lucky I am to have a circle of friends that have been part of my life forever.

The good the bad and the beautiful in South Africa

2015-12-31 | puppy1952

My first year of retirement has been great and I’ve loved every moment of my new life. To find myself at this age in good health and in the most beautiful part of the world is a privilege. Some might disagree with the latter statement because of the precarious situation in which my country finds itself but although South Africa is fraught with problems I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Many of my friends and some of my family have left her shores to ‘better’ their lives and to ensure their children have better opportunities. They’re sick of the crime, the unemployment, the falling rand and the destruction of the infrastructure. They complain about the drop in the standard of education, poor health service and a corrupt government. All these are valid reasons to Pack for Perth or some other neat place where there won’t be too much of a culture shock. But many choose to stay right here and struggle on.

Recently one of our most politically correct radio talk show hosts declared that for the first time ever he’d begun to lose hope for our country. His usual positive attitude to working together for a brighter future dimmed horribly. And it was all to do with the many damaging things our president has done and a despondent belief that he still would not be voted out. There is so much to make one despair and oh I wish that there was more building up and less destruction of our new democracy. I wish that Corruption would end and Integrity would reign. The signs are there that the country is heading straight down the drain – going the way of Zimbabwe and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. I am not a particularly political animal. I tend to go with the flow and look on the bright side but I do fear for our future. I’m glad that I’m on the wrong side of youth and know that by the time the country has reached self-destruction I will be on my way to the grave. But what about my grandchildren?

Education statistics in South Africa

Well hasn’t every generation worried about the next? But it is now up to that next generation to make a difference. Is rushing off to seek new horizons the answer – for the individual, maybe. But for the future of this amazing country – no! We need the next generation to make a difference. We need them to vote out the corrupt politicians and get the good ones in. We need them to become entrepreneurs and create the jobs. The brain-drain is real and if they all trek off to other countries will it really be all that much better? I am so relieved to hear about young people returning even when they’ve done well overseas. And why? I hear them saying – they still have faith that things will improve in South Africa. They do want to be here to make a difference. They’re prepared to give it a go and deal with the problems. Education, they tell me, is not so amazing in Australia, England, America and Canada. All these countries have their problems – so they’re prepared to face their indigenous ones rather than battle against the devil the do not know. Welcome back, I say to them. And I understand the deeper reasons why they return.

It’s not only because they miss their families – it’s South Africa itself that they miss. It’s the very fabric of the people, the different cultures

Rainbow Nation

the vibrancy, the weather and the wildness.

They miss The Springboks and The Proteas, the accent, the braaivleis, the boerewors and the biltong.

They miss the sunsets

and the beaches,

P1010842

the mountains

and the bushveld

The rhythms of Africa beat strongly in their hearts.

And when they return and see Table Mountain there is a deep stirring in their emotions and they know they are home where they belong!

Table Mountain

I don’t believe all our expats should return – many have made good overseas and are perfectly happy. They love to come home on holiday and that’s enough. I wish them luck and prosperity and know they will always hold us all in their hearts as we hold them in ours.

And I will continue to adapt as the country changes be it for better or worse. I will continue to enjoy what the country has to offer and make the most of the South African Lifestyle.

006 Imagine Comfort Van at Twee Rivieren 2015-03-27 02-41-09 PM 3069x2304

The Princess has a birthday

2015-12-30 | puppy1952

The most amazing thing I have ever done is give birth to a child. If you knew me thirty-six years ago you’ll know that the birth of my daughter put me on a high from which I have not yet come down! She has been the best thing ever to happen to me. But how can thirty-six years flash by so quickly.

Of course when I think about it and when I look back on past journals that I’ve kept from time to time I realise that – yes – a lot has happened in those thirty-six years. Yet I still call her Baby and she doesn’t object!

My baby has always been a little princess – and when she met her big sisters for the first time at the age of two and a half I think they realised that she was going to be treated like one. To them she became a live doll that they could dress up and play with. They could have been jealous but they weren’t – they immediately adopted her as their baby sister when we all became a blended family. And for that I am eternally grateful.

On Tuesday we celebrated her birthday with an afternoon tea party. We had the cake and candles which she had to blow out and some cousins, aunts and uncles and friends attended. Thank you everyone for making it a special afternoon.

Some lovely gifts

Happy Birthday

Never too old for candles

Ready to tuck in to the snacks

Doug, Vuso and Pippa

The Princess and her dad, Duncan

Ever Changing Sea of Life

2015-12-26 | puppy1952

A haphazard jumble of rocks

Edge the tempestuous sea of life.

I’m tossed about

With a smidgen of indecision,

And a squiggle of frustration.

Ready to break the trend

Of defining lines of limitation.

I clamber over the slippery rocks

And cross the tracks of rumbling trains

To explore a world beyond

And expand my mind.

Then return with a tit-bit of difference

To the ever-changing sea –

So full of drama and delight

Merry Christmas

2015-12-25 | puppy1952

A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all my family and friends and those who read my blog.

christmas-message-for-husband

Earl and I were the first ones up at 7 this morning and we started on the preparations. We set the tone for the day by putting on some Christmas music and by 10 0’clock everybody was up and dressed and ready to open presents.

Grandpa warned the boys that Santa was not going to be too generous this year and that they were now too big for presents. Really? So they decided instead to give him a big surprise. They presented him with the biggest box from under the tree.

He read the note – Dear Earl – From Santa.

He looked somewhat surprised – Who is Santa? he asked. The boys just laughed.

He ripped of the wrapping then opened the box only to find another, then another inside until the final one which looked like it might hold a new cell phone. By now the boys could hardly contain themselves. Then – omigosh what is this – A small piece of black coal! And a note – Dear Earl – You’ve been a naughty boy – Love Santa!

The boys were rolling on the floor laughing and Earl’s face was a picture – we have it all on video – That will teach you for teasing your lads, Grandpa!

Luckily he has a sense of humour and he loved the pressie they finally gave him – biltong and a book – H is for Hawk – which is all about falconry.

I was spoiled with my favourite perfume and some choccies

Laurie did her Christmas shopping in Thailand so we all got Thai pressies

Jay said he looked like Grandpa in his new shorts!

Josh looking pleased with some Man products – Girls beware!

The girls wearing their gifts from each other – With Jay getting in on the scene!

There were 10 of us for a traditional Christmas lunch.

The Turkey just out the oven

Ready to tuck in!

We served turkey stuffed with pork sausage and Smoked Gammon with all the trimmings – gem squash, sweet potato, butternut and a Greek Salad.

Dessert was Carrol’s famous trifle and we had mince pies for afternoon tea.

A wonderful time was had by all.

Pelicans and all at False Bay Ecology Park

2015-12-19 | puppy1952

I’ve missed my Happy Place not having had a visit there for months so Early and I took a drive there on Thursday afternoon. It was a gorgeous day but there was a bit of a South Easterly wind blowing.

As we expected the flamingos were out if full force, scattered across the first two pans.

It’s the best place to find Greater Flamingos

Most of them were in deeper water upending like ducks.

A flamingo impersonating a dabbling duck

There were a few fraternising with geese and ducks on the shore

Of course the Red-knobbed coots were everywhere

One of the many black-winged stilts wading in the shallows

The one at the back is a juvenile

Cape Teal gathered in large numbers

quack quack quack with a feather on his back

Not always seen so commonly is the White-faced duck

Pelican Island

A Flotilla of Pellies

Gliding gracefully across the pond

A real poser is the black-headed heron

The light on the glossy ibises didn’t make photographing them easy!

The highlight of the day was an African Snipe but he the reeds were either in front of his face or he turned his back to us – these were the best I could get!

First he looked one way

And then the other

I think this is my best side?

We know a place where nine times out of ten we find the spotted eagle-owls. Today we found mother, father and the baby who is quite big now. Photography was not good.

The best I could get of the youngster – look carefully and you will see mom in the shade behind him.

Among many others we also had good sightings of purple swamphen, grey and purple heron but they didn’t pose for long enough.

So with a contented feeling we made our way home but I’m sure it won’t be the last visit we make to False Bay Ecology Park while we are here for the holidays.

A running tale dedicated to Chantal

2015-12-18 | puppy1952

My friend Chantal and I, started running together about 25 years ago. It was her idea. She wanted to get fit and thin after having a baby. “No way, Chants,” I said. “I’ll do aerobics, circuit training, modern dance – anything – but run – never!” But my younger friend has strange powers of persuasion and I ended up going along with the plan. We followed the Run/Walk for Life programme – and it worked. Within three months we were running 5km with ease. And we loved it! Over the years we have been eratic in when and how we ran – sometimes together and sometimes alone because of our changing schedules. I hurt my back 7 years ago and this and a dicky tummy made me stop running and turn to other forms of exercise. But Chantal has kept it up faithfully forever. She’s just relocated to Australia and her running route, now among the jetty beauties of Sydney, is on to envy indeed.

But Chantal – you’ll be proud to hear – I’m back on the run – Yes – I know I said this last year too – but when the summer ended so did the running on Struisbaai Beach. But now that Summer is here again and the Beach is calling I’ve decided to resist no longer. I started on Wednesday – Fish Hoek being my beach of choice. Not as glamorous as your neck of the woods where the beach goers are young, fit and gorgeous, and the beaches just too amazing to describe – but it suits me fine to be among peers many of whom I recognise from years of residing in “The Valley!”

Now just in case you think I’m back to my normal stride – don’t be fooled – I jog along at an elderly pace with my grandsons in tow – streaking ahead and doing double the distance there and back, there and back to check on the old girl. Josh is like Bolt and Jay only attempts to be in order to prevent his younger brother from making him look bad. Josh’s pace is too fast for him and he is doubled over with exhaustion in his attempt to keep up. This puts him into deep depression but at least it’s a motivator to get him up in the morning! We’re there just after 7.

This morning Grandpa came along too as he had to pick up staff from the station. The boys thought he’d join us on the run – but that wasn’t going to happen – nor did he venture into the icy sea. However, he was good enough to take some photies.

We have a family of Egyptian Geese who trust the Fish Hoek humans enough to swim amongst them. Usually Egyptian geese prefer fresh water but not so in The Western Cape – there are several seaside places they frequent.

It didn’t bother them at all that I was so close

A seafaring family of geese

The Lads braving the cool waters – note the shark boat taking out the net

I wish you were here to run with me again, Chanti – miss you my friend!

Wine Farm and Beaches

2015-12-16 | puppy1952

On Monday afternoon we went down to say farewell to Struisbaai beach as we the following day we would be heading to Cape Town to spend the Christmas holidays with the kids in Cape Town. The water was stunning. How lucky we are to have this on our doorstep.

The tide was quite high

Abri’s boat on anchor in the background

Holiday Makers having fun on a jet ski

Earl thinks he might like to have one!

We woke up early yesterday, washed the linen and towels and made sure the house was in order for our holiday tenants. While the washing was drying on the line, we decided to try out the new restaurant on the Main Road. It is called 55 Knots and has a magnificent view of the sea. As it was a stunning morning we decided to sit out on the deck.

We made friends with a couple at the neighbouring table and the gentleman kindly took this photograph for us.

The first thing I want to know about a new restaurant: – Is the coffee good? – and I am relieved to say that Yes – 55 Knots has passed the test! Our breakfast – a three egg omelette with a choice of three fillings @ R45 was superb. So they will definitely be seeing us again soon. And the new owners have trained their staff well. Our waitress was wonderful. She was quick, efficient and friendly. The owner also came to check on us and we were pleased to give her positive feedback. They have only been open a week but we are sure they will have an excellent season.

The linen and towels were dry when we got home and so after packing everything away we bidding the house farewell, we dropped the keys off at the agent and set off for Robertson. It was a pleasant drive and we did some high speed birding but didn’t get an impressive list.

Before meeting Abri went to the tasting centre and enjoyed the dam and birds for a while. A white-throated swallow posed and performed beautifully for me.

A lovely place to relax – the dam at Springfield Wine Estate

White-throated swallow at the edge of the jetty

About to fly off

We’d come to Springfield to collect some wine which Abri is generously donating for an old members reunion at Cape Boat and Ski-boat Club next month. But we were also invited to a ‘light’ lunch.

Our host preparing calamari and prawns for lunch

Our lunch was a gastronomic delight served with my favourite Springfield Sauvignon Blanc “Life from Stone” of course

A family of geese have taken over Abri’s Swimming Pool

After our excellent lunch and the wonderful company of Abri and his daughter Emma we made our way to Cape Town. So it is in another holiday town that we find ourselves. I grew up on Fish Hoek Beach so I will always have a soft spot for it but it does tend to get terribly crowded during the season! Although the same can be said for Struisbaai, it is a longer beach and you can always find a place to put your towel!

This morning I decided to beat the crowds and go down to the beach early. I rallied the troops who complained bitterly at having to drag their sleepy bodies out of bed at the rude hour of 7:00 am. Josh was somewhat more enthusiastic than Jay and I am so grateful that they accompanied me on a run down the beach. They decided against the swim afterwards – Jay said he was too exhausted and Josh had a blood nose! He did run faster and further than Jay and I managed so maybe that’s what brought it on.

Initially the water was freezing – far colder than Struisbaai – but once I was in it was glorious. The shark net wasn’t up yet so I kept a close eye out for monsters. I wallowed for ages and chatted to some other Fish Hoekites – there were very few young ones in the water – we were all over 50!

Fish Hoek Beach

It was pretty early

Shark net going out.

Earl was up even earlier and went off fishing but didn’t get too much – It’s calamari for supper tonight!

All creatures wild and wonderful in Struisbaai

2015-12-14 | puppy1952

Having been away for over a week we returned to find the vegetables doing okay in spite of our neglect! The tomatoes had gone wild and we had to set up a trellis to support them. The little rockery was quite overgrown and the poor flowers swamped by the tomatoes and parsley. But now it’s looking a little better! We are still working at getting the lawn into shape and were delighted to find most of the bald patches looking green.

The lawn is beginning to grow at last.

We popped down to the harbour as soon as we arrived

Our picturesque harbour looking at its beautiful best

We were delighted to find the resident stingrays swimming in the shallows but some kids were throwing sand and pebbles into the water. The parents were not saying a word and I wouldn’t mind my own business. Actually I consider that it is my business to educate small boys on how to take care of our wildlife. So I told them the rays would stop visiting if they insisted on abusing them. All I got was a defiant stare from them and a cross look from their parents.

The stingrays fortunately ignored their oppressors

Because we are letting the house we have to pack up all our personal belongings, check the inventory and make sure everything is in order for the tenants. In between doing the chores we have been enjoying the birds in the garden.

In past years we never got sparrows visiting the feeding table but now they are the most frequent diners. We get three species – The Cape Sparrow, The House Sparrow and the Southern Grey Headed Sparrow.

I think the Cape Sparrow is the most striking of the three – this is the male

The female is somewhat duller

Southern Grey-headed sparrow

Speckled pigeons, Red-eyed doves, Cape Turtle doves and Laughing doves also come and take their share but the sparrows rule.

Speckled pigeon

Laughing dove taking a rest

The Cape Weaver used to be our most common visitor but only a few visit these days.

Our new sugar-water feeder is a hit and needs filling twice a day! The witogies and sugarbirds love it the most but there is interspecies tension when the weavers try to get a lookin too.

Mr Sugarbird is the usually boss and even chases Mrs Sugarbird away

But the Cape Weaver is a force to be reckoned with

It’s my turn now!

Well we have a better view from up here while we wait

Another frequent visitor to our garden

We have seen some really interesting creatures in Struisbaai and once even had a steenbok trot down the road a few months ago. But one creature I never expected to see blew me away yesterday. Earl was visiting Abri and came racing back to fetch me – “Bring the camera and come quickly!” but he wouldn’t tell me what he’d seen. I guessed it would be the steenbok but instead

This little creature and his brother on the lawn of Abri’s sister’s holiday house

Quite unconcerned about the attention and behaving like meerkats behave

Jeannette explained: Their mother abandoned them and Abri flew to fetch them from a game farm in The Freestate for me to take care of.

She lives on a farm in Robertson and has raised wild orphans before. The vet is used to her turning up with strange pets. These two do not have cages and roam free in her farm garden although they sleep indoors. Because they don’t have other meerkats to cuddle up to for warmth they have to have blankets and a hot-water-bottle! Her German Shepherd is quite okay with the strange pets and does not try to eat them!

You just never know what you’re going to come across next!

Tomorrow we return to Cape Town for the Christmas Holidays.