Struisbaai Easter Weekend

2018-04-02 | puppy1952

Struisbaai at Easter time becomes a hub of activity. Our normally quiet little fishing village is suddenly alive with tourists and events. On a normal weekend it’s busy enough for the peace-loving locals but at Easter the town explodes and there’s traffic on the normally car-empty roads. The beach, which goes on for miles, is often empty of people on a normal day, but at on this weekend it’s the first place the visitors head to.

On Easter Saturday this is exactly what happened as it dawned bright and sunshiny after two days of cloud and rain.

The Earl, our grandson, Jay and friend, Ray were off to sea by 6:00 am. They should have gone yesterday so we could have fish for Good Friday but the rain prevented that so we had to have our Good Friday on Saturday.

Jay loves sharks! He cuddled this dogfish and gave it a kiss before releasing it back into the sea.

The rest of the household rose from their slumbers a lot later and we headed to The Shed for the Food Market. There were lots of goodies to eat but all we bought were some fresh veggies from the farmer’s stall. We decided it best to go for a proper brekkie at Shipwreck Coffee Shop instead.

My gorgeous girls at The Shed’s Food Market

Me buying fresh produce for the weekend

Traffic on the main road was bumper to bumper. The NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) were encouraging folk to part with R 10,00 to boost their coffers. In return you got a marshmallow egg and a chance to photograph them and their vehicles.

I gave them R10,00 – after all my men were out at sea!

Rescue Boat

On Standby

Josh and I walked to the area where the Land Rover Rally was happening. We spent some time admiring the landies both ancient and new. There were time trials too which were fun to watch.

Land Rover Rally

Registration Office

A very old land rover

Land Rover Passion starting young

This one is 71 years old – I was told.

Track Trial

After taking some interesting photographs we went for a long walk on the beach – well, I walked and took photographs and Josh ran on for about 3km. I thought I’d missed his return but soon after I turned around he caught up with me.

Somebody scrawled the date in the sand

And declared her love for Daddy and family

Abandoned Sandcastles

Busy Beach

Fishermen’s Paradise

Watch out for the jellyfish!

Most Beautiful Beach in the Country

Josh running in bottom right corner

Josh returning

We continued our walk along the boardwalk and as we approached the harbour, Lisa and Laurie waved to show they were there with the former’s friends, Margaret and Frans. Their kids were having fun on the beach. Spencer invited Josh to go out with him on the paddle skis. He dashed home to change into his costume while the adults went to Pelicans for a drink.

My girls and Margaret sharing a bottle of Pink

Josh on paddle ski

Josh and Spencer

While we were there we heard the whirring of a helicopter and observed it doing a practice rescue. That was fun too.

It was after three when we finally got back home and I started preparing for the fish supper. I baked a lemon meringue for the first time in my life – and this was a Banting version that I got from a recipe book written by a local of the Overberg, Madelè Burger. Her book is called “Hier’s Die Toortsie Weer” You can see her blog Here Her posts are mainly in Afrikaans but there are some in English too. I am pleased to report that it turned out pretty well. Not a crumb was left after our dinner. I also used her recipes to make a creamy eggplant dish and a butternut salad.

Busy in the kitchen

And it’s done!

Creamy Eggplant Dish

The fishermen returned at 5 pm, sunburned, tired but happy after catching enough fish to feed eight of us for dinner. There is nothing to beat eating fish fresh from the sea.

The Earl cleaning fish

Josh helping the Earl wrap potatoes for the Weber

Fish cooked and ready to serve

Rewards of a day at sea and on the beach – Weber cooked fish for eight!

The 2018 Two Oceans Marlin Tournament

2018-02-20 | puppy1952

The annual Two Oceans Marlin Tournament took place in Struisbaai between 12 and 18 February 2018. As always the success of a tournament such as this is weather dependent. The boats might or might not land a marlin so to make the competition more interesting prizes for the heaviest bi-catch would be awarded.

Twenty Five boats from all over the country took part. Each team was presented with a goody bag at the opening function on Sunday 11 February.

I tried to get as many photographs of the boats as I could but some came in too late and some stayed out overnight. Apologies to those who have been left out!

Boat collage 1

Collage1 Teams Opening Function 1

The competitors only got to sea three out of the six days due to poor weather and sea conditions. However, nothing dampened their spirits and there was a great deal of camaraderie and catching up with old friends.

And as boys will be boys there was some mischief afoot and the deviants had to ‘pay’ for their misdemeanours. Each evening the ‘wrongdoer’ would be named and shamed and called the ‘idiot of the day.’ He would then be subjected to the snuff sniffing punishment followed by downing of a shooter. A fine was also levied upon him!

Preparing for the snuff sniff – a hammer will strike the contraption and snuff will go up the nose – Close your eyes as it can really sting!

You were warned!

Over the six days there were several ‘idiots’ who gave everybody else a good laugh and were great sports about the resultant ragging.

Thanks to Marinda and her team, the most amazing meals were provided to all involved in the tournament. The incredible bar assistants also kept their sense of humour and managed the demanding masses with smiles and kindness. Thanks too, to Elsa for all the record keeping.

Marinda and team

Bar attendants

Elsa our very efficient Club Secretary receiving a bouquet from Club Captain – Hubert

Each evening there was something different happening. On the auction night, money was raised for a past member’s deceased estate, The NSRI and Suidpunt Deep Sea Angling Club. Thanks to all who made such generous bids on the rods, reels, wines and Garmin watches.

Making a bid

Everyone was supposed to dress up for the Hawaii Evening and some did. However, Kosie was the outright winner in his amazing outfit.

He also joined in the spirit of the evening when the dancing girls appeared.

Auction Collage.jpg

All good things come to an end and after a great week of fun and fishing the prizes were handed out on Saturday evening. The Marlin trophy was unfortunately not won but thanks to the incredible sponsors everyone got prizes for their participation, their by catch or team spirit. Well done to all the fishermen for going out there and trying to hook a big one!

Second lot First 15

Prizes were presented as follows:

Andre Swart – Kind of Magic – 10 Year participation in The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament

Met Eish – Last Year’s 10 Year Trophy

Tony Dalton – Camaraderie Trophy

Certificates were presented to:

Trevor Brinch vir sy volgehoue ondersteuning en werk om see veiligheid te handhaaf. (for his continuous support and work in maintaining safety at sea.)

Davy Schemuder for “dedication and hard work towards safety at sea”

Prizes were awared to:

Bi Catch First Prize – Piet Steyn Marias from Multi – vir ‘n Geelvin Tuna van 14.93kg. (An Arniston Voucher plus some oil)

Bi Catch Second Prize – ET – Kuduro – Geelvin Tuna – 11.16kg (Black Oystercatcher Voucher and Oil)

Bi Catch Third Prize – Kobin Koch – True North – Geelstert van 7.45kg (Malgas Hotel Voucher and Oil)

Sunseeker II – Five strikes and 1 Hookup (Big Catch Voucher + Cooler Box)

John Graeme – Hook Up – (Big Catch Voucher and cooler Box)

Hard Luck Prize to Gareth – Team Tyler for out of Comp Fish (Voucher)

Hard Luck Prize to Koos Pretorious – Team Osprey for 1 recorded strike and 1 out of comp striped Marlin. (Big Catch Voucher)

Best Spirit prize of the book Rugby Vasvrae – awarded to Team Capetonian, Team Kuduro and Jac van Niekerk, Dudley Rosslee, Bruce – D’Stress and Team Catitude.

Without the following sponsors The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament would not be possible. A Huge Thank you to them all.

Robertson’s Toyota
Raymarine Navionics
Garmin SA
Tiletoria
FPM
SQM
Aarbeidsvreugd/Unifruit
Simrad
Penn Fishing
Arniston Hotel
Realty 1 Agulhas
Addis
Big Catch
Big T Lures
Black Oyster Catcher
Breco Seafoods
Caltex Struisbaai
Coke
Cornelis Ham
Distell
Henk Aggenbach
Andrew van Zyl
Lourens Odendaal
Malagas Hotel
Maxel Reels
Seaport Supplies
Ski Boat Magazine
South Sea Suzuki
Suidpunt Marine
Van Loveren Family Wines
Zulu Overland
Viljoensdrift
Airwise
B&D Tegniese Dienste
Bon Courage Wine Estate
Build It Franschoek
Certainty Charters
Dirk Odendaal
Glenwood Wines
Rising Wave Accommodation
Johan en Elizna Theunissen
OK Grocer Struisbaai
Paul van Niekerk

Share Your World 30 October 2017

2017-11-01 | puppy1952

Here is my contribution to this week’s Share Your World from Cee

Where do you eat breakfast?

Funny you should ask, because this is my favourite meal of the day and it is usually quite an elaborate affair. I seldom eat breakfast in bed. I like to be up and dressed and seated at the table. Usually my darling husband cooks it for me, at least twice weekly we go to our favourite coffee shop where they don’t even ask what we want as the just know, and on rare occasions I am the chef. Properly brewed coffee is essential and no matter where I am the quality of the breakfast is greatly influenced by the quality of the coffee! If the weather is good I like it al fresco, if it’s in a cold place a roaring fire helps otherwise a lovely ambience indoors will do.

Typical Shipwreck Coffee Shop Breakfast – Fried eggs, bacon, cheese grillers tomato and coffee

Scrambled Eggs Al Fresco at my garden picnic table

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want have a evening with?

My ideal evening is in the bush with friends who enjoy it as much as I do. There is nothing to beat, sitting outside your caravan, watching the flaming sun sink beneath the horizon, listening the sounds of the wild, glass of wine in hand exchanging stories about the day’s adventures. Priceless!

My fantasy companion would be Sir David Attenborough because I would love to chat to him about his lifetime of doing wildlife documentaries. What a fascinating life he has had. How lucky we are to be able to spend any number of evenings watching said documentaries!

If you could be a tree or plant, what would you be?

I would choose to be a Baobab Tree. She is the queen of trees. You cannot miss her standing proud on the African Savannah demanding to be admired. Not only would I be a wonderful sight to behold I would also be permanently among the wildlife that I love so much and I would be a great asset to their lives. Because the baobab has many useful properties, it is widely known as the Tree of Life. How wonderful to be a Life-giving Tree.

Baobab products are useful to mankind as among other stuff soap, rubber, glue, traditional medicine and cream of tartar are made from their products. But best of all it creates it’s own ecosystem and provides food and shelter for animals, birds and insects.

It is a deciduous tree so during the dry winters it has no leaves and its bare branches look like roots hence it’s nickname – the upside down tree.

In Winter it is The Upside Down Tree

In Summer It dons it’s leafy finery

What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

The Earl and I left Struisbaai at 6 am this morning and considering the state of his health one year ago I appreciate how fit and well his is now. He coped well with the driving and we made sure to stop frequently. We are overnighting in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape and will do another day’s drive to Kokstad tomorrow. This is the start of a three month trip away and I will be blogging about our adventures as often as I can during this time.

Share Your World 2 October 2017

2017-10-03 | puppy1952

Some great questions again from Cee’s Share Your World

Here are my answers

If you were given the opportunity to ride in a helicopter you would go?

For many years I suffered from aviophobia so even getting onto a Boeing was a challenge. So in 1999 when the opportunity to take a ride over The Great Barrier Reef arose I was most reluctant. But my FOMO (fear of missing out) won out in the end and I boarded that scary craft and have never regretted it.

When I saw the copter coming in to land on a floating platform in the middle of the Pacific I nearly backed out. So glad I didn’t because it’s the perfect way to fly – far less frightening than an airbus.

The Scary Helicopter

The view was certainly worth it

What are some of your favorite types of proteins to eat? (meat, seafood, eggs, soy, cheese, nuts)

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so I’d have to say egg and bacon! Also I am a South African and The Braai (barbeque) is part of our culture – there is nothing nicer than chops and boerewors grilled over the coals!

Fried eggs on a bed of home grown spinach and served with bacon and grilled cherry tomatoes. I live with a wonderful chef!

010 Braai 2014-01-26 03-31-08 AM 4000x3000

The braai ritual in progress

What would be your preference, awake before dawn, at dawn, or awake before noon?

Most of my life I was an Early to Bed, Early to Rise kind of girl. I never had any trouble getting up at six o’clock or earlier be it weekend or not. Now that I’m retired and not following a proper routine I find I go to bed later and therefore rise later too. However, when in the bush – it’s back to early to rise! Nothing nicer than sunrise in the game reserve.

001 Giraffe in the sunrise Namutoni Etosha

One wouldn’t want to oversleep and miss this

What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

This week I have appreciated the place where I live. Our harbour is so pretty and the spring weather is getting me outdoors more often.

On my walk on Sunday I went along the main road then along the board walk to the beach and back to the harbour. When I looked out to sea I thought I spotted a seal in the shallows but when I got closer it had disappeared. I chatted to my friend Earnest who is always hanging out at the harbour and he said yes indeed my eyes were not playing tricks on me. There had been one swimming around for a while. We haven’t seen a seal in the harbour for some time. As I continued toward the next boardwalk I heard a splash and there was Sealy coming up onto the rocks in front of the restaurant car park. I yelled for Earnest and he was thrilled to get this excellent view of this lovely sea creature too. It wasn’t long before a small crowd gathered and were snapping away with cameras and cell phones. I only had my phone but rang Hubby to bring my Canon which he did. Two young guys were trying to take a selfie so I offered and they were thrilled to have themselves with a seal in the background. It was such fun.

He wasn’t shy at all

He think he enjoyed the attention

This is a good scratching rock

Post a Day Weekly Photo Challenge Satisfaction

2017-07-28 | puppy1952

The theme for the Weekly Photo Challenge is Satisfaction.

What a lovely prompt this week. There are so many photos I could choose as I really find many things in my life satisfying. I’ve chosen a few that I think reflect the meaning of the word.

My grandson – satisfied with his catch at Sani Valley Lodge, KZN

Surrounded by my last class of Grade Ones at the last day of school in my last year of teaching. Most satisfied that it was a good career.

My Hubby – Content with his four grandchildren

Satisfied with the retired lifestyle – caravanning at Ebb and Flow – Garden Route National Park Western Cape

Photo a Week Challenge 26 July 2017

2017-07-26 | puppy1952

Here is my contribution to Nancy’s challenge – Edge

On the edge of a waterfall – Chinese Gardens, Sydney

Living on the Edge – Amalfi Coast, Italy

On the edge of the shore – Struisbaai Harbour Beach

If we were having coffee

2017-05-19 | puppy1952

This challenge is hosted by Nerd in the Brain

I have a specific person in mind as I write my post.

If we were having coffee together it would probably be before breakfast at our favourite restaurant, Bistro Sixteen82, overlooking the vineyards. The weather would be sunny and we’d choose to sit close to the open sliding doors. I would say, Isn’t it a perfectly gorgeous morning and you would agree. Or that was how it used to be before you went away.

Bistro Sixteen82

If we could have coffee now because you came to visit, I would take you to Shipwreck Coffee Shop here in Struisbaai. It’s not as fancy as The Bistro but I’d tell you that here you can get the best cappuccino outside of Italy. I would have loved you to join my friend Meg and me there yesterday – but maybe one day soon …….

Best breakfasts, Americanos and Cappuccinos ever

We’d sit beneath the umbrellas and smile at the sunny weather. We’d sip our coffees while we waited for our breakfast or perhaps a slice of chocolate cake.

P1090484-002

You’d say – “So are you happy here in Struisbaai?” but of course you’d know the answer to be yes. And I would say and how is Perth? And you would tell me all the news of Margo and her kids and Robert and his and how you try to get to see them as much as you can between juggling your teaching and keeping your pretty new home and garden ship shape. And I would say how I’d love to come and visit. You’d tell me that would be great but we would not be able to go out for coffee because it’s so expensive in Australia so you would make if for me yourself and I would assure you that would be just great.

If we were having coffee together we would reminisce about the wonderful weekend we had here in Struisbaai five years ago – just us five girls. We’d remind each other of what we did and where we went and how much fun we had fighting over who would get that scarf from Potpourri.

Scarf fight

And you would say that every time you look at the paintings you bought you think of us.

paintings

And I would say how much we miss you and that I admired you for uprooting yourself to be close to your kids and grandkids. And you would say you miss us too and reassure me that even though it’s been hard you have enough part time teaching jobs and you’re doing fine. And I would say has it all been worth it and you would reply – “It has!”

And then Rachel would come and give us an omelette that rivals any that The Bistro could produce and we’d laugh and chat and enjoy our food and order another black coffee and cappuccino.

Share Your World 10 April 2017

2017-04-10 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Share Your World 10 April 2017

Have you ever participated in a distance walking, swimming, running, or biking event? Tell your story.

My first fun run was 5 km which I ran with my friend Chantal (She features later in this post too) – I was in my forties and she was in her thirties. Then in my fifties I ran an 8km fun run with my grandsons who were about 8 and 9 at the time. They were both fun events but like Cee I was not ever a competitive runner but enjoyed jogging for exercise. The last time I ran more than 1 km was when I was 60. I’ve decided it’s time to slow down to a walk.

Name one thing not many people know about you.

My life is an open book. Most of my friends have known me for a very long time and I can’t think of anything they might not know about me. I lived in my home town most of my life before retiring to Struisbaai but some people may not know that from the age of 2 to 5 I lived in Johannesburg and started my formal schooling there.

What is your favorite flower?

My favourite flower is the South African National Flower – The Protea

Things I want to have in my home (paintings, hot tubs, book cases, big screen tv etc)

I am very happy with everything I have in my house (all of the above except the hot tub) l’d only change one thing – the floors. I’d like either wood laminate flooring throughout or tiles that look like wood laminate.

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

As much as I love living here at the southern tip of Africa, I do miss my Cape Town friends and family. So I’m always grateful when they come to visit for a few days. After much re-scheduling Chantal and Jeremy made it here this past weekend. How wonderful it was to have a good catch up and not have to try and get all the news in during a quick dinner date fitted in when we go to Cape Town.

The placemats at Potpourri in Cape Agulhas suited each of us appropriately

Chanty certaily loves her songs

Translation for overseas readers – That what we have is enough! Definitely The Earl’s Motto

And everyone knows how much I love my coffee

Jeremy wants all those gorgeous girls out there to know that he is taken!

The sky was amazing at the Southern Tip on Sunday

A yellow mongoose or six greeted us on the way to Arniston

This morning we had breakfast at the harbour

The gang waiting for service

Next week I am looking forward to Easter. The kids will be coming in large numbers!

Delightful Weekend with Good Friends

2017-03-31 | puppy1952

We love having our Cape Town friends to visit us in Struisbaai from time to time and last weekend Tony and Sharon came up to spend Saturday and Sunday night with us. The weather couldn’t have been nicer.

During our many years of friendship, Sharon and I have waked many miles together so it was great to have her company on my daily strolls. Of course we did the mall, the harbour and the beach but on Sunday we headed toward Cape Agulhas where we planned to meet the guys for coffee at Potpourri.

It’s compulsory to visit the harbour

We didn’t make it to Potpourri as we bumped into our mutual friend Sheryl who was working in the garden in front of her B&B. She was delighted to see Sharon and invited us in for coffee. So we rang the guys to join us and spent a few hours with Sheryl and Alan instead

Sheryl showed us round her beautiful B&B, Agulhas Ocean House

Each room has stunning sea views

The en suites are so luxurious

On Monday we drove to Arniston and looked for birds and wildlife on the way.

We saw a few birds including blue crane, bokmakierie, pied starlings, sparrows and canaries but I’m always delighted to find the Denham’s Bustard

Also a little bokkie resting in the veld.

This rock kestrel at the car park overlooking Otter Beach

View of Otter Beach

Tony and Sharon enjoying the view

It was an amazing day

View from the deck of The Arniston Hotel

The cake and coffee was to die for

Not the Banting Diet!

Sadly our friends had to leave when we got back to Struisbaai but it was so good to spend those two days with them.

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

Border - Third 2017-03-25 07-57-43 PM 800x628.JPG

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.

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.