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!

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.

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

p1100254

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

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.

A Whale of a Time in Struisbaai

2015-10-04 | puppy1952

There are two things my darling husband knows I don’t do. I don’t fly in light aircrafts and I don’t go out to sea in small boats! Yet this year found me flying not once but twice in a light aircraft and today, wait for it, I went out to sea in Kiora – his small fishing boat!’

And why was I persuaded to do this mad thing? Well as I’ve mentioned in this Blog before, I’ve decided to retire adventurously and to do things I wouldn’t in my saner days do. A little bit of madness in one’s old age goes a long way to make one move out of one’s comfort zone. Megan was keen to go so I decided – oh well why not!

So up we were before 7 this morning and out to sea we went! I was not a happy camper for the first half an hour it’s the speed and bumping over the waves that scares me silly, but then I got into the flow and decided I’d better just enjoy it.

To be honest it is beautiful out at that time of the morning which is actually late for most fishermen.

In the middle of the ocean

This trawler is from Cape Town and on her way to Gaansbaai

Earl spotted some whales

My super zoom camera did not let me down

I even caught a fish – red stump

We changed Kiora’s name to Love Boat

Megan’s Blue Hottentot

Earl was thrilled to get a beautiful cob

The pyjama shark had to be released

The red roman was released too

Phoning and Fishing – After all we girls can multi-task

We moved from reefs to wrecks looking for the best fishing grounds but there was not really much happening today. The scarcity of birds told us that we could try but our luck would be limited so at 11:00 we headed back to shore.

Nice to take photos from the other side

Our beautiful harbour

Happy Fishers

Everybody was pretty tired after all the fresh sea air so after cleaning fish we all had an afternoon nap. Tonight we are going to Tommy and Megan’s friend’s farm for a braai.

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations – Swimming, Shopping and Fishing

2014-12-17 | puppy1952

A perfect fishing day dawned again. Earl, Allan and Lauren got up at a very rude hour and quietly slunk off to sea, the latter two having dosed on sea-sick medication the night before!

My rising time, though not as bad mannered as theirs, might have seemed a little extreme to some. The young ones groaned when I cheerfully encouraged them to join me on the beach for a walk and swim. “Meet me there,” I called and left them to dawdle over bowls of Otees and debate as to whether or not it was worth the effort.

Once again it was a blissful morning made better that the masses had not yet arrived. I left my camera behind and regretted it when I spotted a rock kestrel on top of a “Christmas Tree” and then an oystercatcher on the shore line. By the time I was on my return lap down the beach, Simon and Josh appeared to look after my towel and glasses while I went in for a dip. Heavenly – the sea was calm and clear with hardly a ripple. A mom and daughter started chatting to me and asked if I were local. It was their first visit and they were delighted that they’d decided to camp here this year.

Struisbaai is indeed an idyllic place for a holiday. It’s off the beaten track and still a fairly well-kept secret although it’s grown tremendously since my introduction to it in 1982.

It was about quarter past nine when the boys and I returned home with croissants from OK Grocer’s bakery for breakfast(This has got to stop before I gain a ton!) An hour later the fisherfolk pulled in. Lauren had the biggest and best fish!

Lauren’s Fish

The females of the family decided to bond before lunch and how better to do that than to go shopping! Yes in Struisbaai! A new clothing store, Beach Bliss, opened just a week ago and is superbly stocked for men, women and children.

Beach Bliss

Wanien is the owner and there is something for everybody

What do you think, Gran?

This one …..

Or this?

We got quite a few items for Shannon – Christmas presents – so she’ll have to wait to wear them! Lisa and Lauren also got one or two things and I bought a beach bag.

We were almost done when Earl phoned to find out where we were. Not to be outdone we got him some new stuff too – from another lovely shop in the mall.

Earl in his new shorts and shirt

All that shopping is thirsty work so we stopped at Cafe dul Sud for coffee/milkshakes.

Two Strawberry milkshakes, one chocolate a Cappuccino and black for me please!

The girls headed home while Earl and I went to chat to our friends Lynn and Glyn who have a gift shop, Due South, in the mall. We also popped into the nursery coffee shop to get a Christmas loaf for tea.

Friendly Girl in the nursery/coffee shop

Nursery

Coffee shop

South Bound – a wonderful place to browse

We’ve been looking for a suitable bird feeder and found one a quaint little craft shop which sells all kinds of locally made stuff.

We love it’s name and the notice outside – Not made in China – Buy from your own people.

What a surprise to arrive home to the smell of fresh fish frying in the pan. Lauren has taken on the mantle from her dad! It was delicious – the young ones had the nerve to say – Even better than yours, Grandpa! Well equally as good anyway!

What a super star – She caught it – She cooked it

The beach was our next port of call – after 3:30 to avoid the harmful UV rays. And wow – the water was divine – I usually don’t stay in for more than 10 minutes but I just didn’t want to get out this afternoon and the kids were even worse.

The sea was extra blue today

Kites were flying

It’s amazing, Gran!

Shannon got busy with my bird stickers when we got back and they are a-ma-zing. Thanks you Leah for a wonderful gift.

Difficult to photograph but this one came out quite well!

So ended another lousy day in Africa! Tomorrow Earl and I are making an early start to go bird watching with a local expert. Watch this space!

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations Day 6

2014-12-16 | puppy1952

Abrie suggested a cure for my hand – sleep with an “Asyn Lap” and when you wake up all the bruising and swelling will have disappeared. Well I thought it was worth a try so Earl bound me up in a crepe bandage and poured brown vinegar over it and finally my hand was taped into a plastic bag. But in the middle of the night I woke up with an excruciating itch under the bandage which I ripped off to scratch. My hand looked pickled and I washed off the vinegar and went straight back to sleep! Admittedly the swelling has reduced and there is no bruising but it is not completely better yet!

Here are some pictures that Joshua took last night.

Laurie

Simon learning the art of tablet photography from an expert

Simon learning the art of phone photography from an expert

The Gang

Fooling around

Cuzzies

Shan and Annie

Chilled

This morning early Grandpa and I gathered the grandkids and headed to the beach. There was much moaning about the ridiculously early hour but they forced themselves and were glad of it later! As far as I am concerned the best time to be on the beach is early in the morning before it gets too hot or too windy.

Looking out to perfection on from the boardwalk

Miles of soft sand

A jellyfish being devoured by sea snails

Into the cool, blue sea

Chilly at first

The kids stayed in for ages

Simon

Walking back

Fishing boat returning

We returned at quarter to ten for a lovely breakfast and then chilled till later when the kids returned to the beach. Jay and Shan are a bit too sunburned for my liking! Earl did some chores around the house, I chilled doing very little for most of the days and Allan cooked an awesome curry for dinner. Laurie and Annie left for Cape Town just after 6 but they will join us at home next Monday – the house will be bursting at the seams till the New Year! What a pleasure to have everyone together – family bonding at its best.

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations Day 4

2014-12-14 | puppy1952

My eyes sting with the saltiness of the sea water, and I reel against the sudden chill as a wave crashes over my shoulders. But soon I am revelling in a refreshing swim as I become accustomed to the temperature. I frolic in the breakers feeling like a kid again. It is 8:00 a.m. and Josh, Simon and I have walked and run along the most beautiful beach in Africa for half an hour. How amazing to start the day in the delicious Indian Ocean at the Southern Tip of Africa. A more idyllic place would be hard to find.

First stop – the harbour

Interesting Vehicle

Simon intrigued by the barble washed ashore

Simon intrigued by the barbel washed ashore

The boardwalk connects the harbour beach to the long beach

A Kelp Gull sheltering among the rocks

The boys brave the cool waves

Wrapping up after

Life guards coming on duty

Back home we found a daughter cooking breakfast

Grandpa and Jay, in the meantime, were enjoying a perfect morning at sea – the seasick ones remained at home today!

Jay’s Catch

After breakfast – croissants – the boys and I managed to get the last 10 from the OK Grocer’s bakery – and egg and bacon cooked by Laurie – we headed back to the beach. This time we decided to enjoy the calmer waters of the harbour.

It’s a safe family beach

Even the dogs are having fun

After we all enjoyed a swim in the safe waters we enjoyed soft serve ice creams and then spotted Kiora racing into to the harbour.

The boat to match the vehicle we saw earlier!

Getting Kiora onto the trailer

The Champions – a lovely catch of cob

Shannon and I had a little mishap while watching the hitching of the boat. Shan wanted to climb up onto the boat and walked down the slipway which was covered with green, slimy sea moss. Oops she slipped and slid down on her back, hitting her head to boot. She lay unable to get up and I instinctively went to her aid and yes you guessed it slipped in the same way myself! In my effort to save myself I hurt my wrist but no other damage done – I might, though, have a small broken bone in my hand! I will only find out tomorrow when I go to Bredasdorp for an x-ray! Shan has grazes on her back and a bit of a headache but otherwise – no harm done!

Annie is suffering from torn ligaments in her ankle and had a spare brace that is perfect for my hand which has a rather suspicious looking swollen lump on it- I am managing to type so it can’t be too serious – fortunately it’s my left hand.

Annie and Shannon creating a delicious salad

Grandpa braaing the cob

Jay and Simon getting digital

Lovely fish

Helping the daughter

Fab meal

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations – Day 3

2014-12-13 | puppy1952

Yes – Today dawned bright and still, heralding good fishing conditions. Earl, Lauren, Jay, Josh and Simon were on the sea by 7 o’clock and were lucky enough to spot dolphins and flying fish! I could be persuaded to board a boat to see that! The fishing was not too shabby either. Grandpa got a lovely red roman and the others were happy to get a few silver fish. The bad news – they were all sea-sick except for Jay and Gramps! But they did not suffer long and were back on land by 9:30.

Red Roman

Some of the silver fish

Jay, Simon, Lauren and Josh (looking a bit green about the gills)

After the fishing excursion the wind got up but the kids went off to the beach and spent some time there. Lolz, Annie and I went down for a while but were soon blown back home.

For lunch we enjoyed Earlie’s fabulous fried fish and later in the day the kids headed back to the beach for a swim.

Master Chef of Struisbaai

Finger food

We had a little mishap with a little sugarbird today. It flew against a closed window and stunned itself. Jay picked it up with a dish towel and rubbed it a bit. It just lay in a stupor but slowly started to flick its wings and eventually flew onto some washing hanging on the line. Eventually it felt strong enough to take shelter at the top of the milkwood tree. I do hope its headache is over soon! We must put those lovely stickers I received as a gift onto those windows soon.

Concussed female sugarbird

Let me rest a while

What just happened?

A malachite sunbird in transitional plumage looks on

Struisbaai – A week with three generations – Day 1 and 2

2014-12-12 | puppy1952

Thursday 11 December 2014

Today began a new chapter of my life – RETIREMENT! Well I have had a chequered on and off career of teaching but with Earl’s retirement I know that the time has now come for me to call an end to my career too. I bade farewell to my principal and colleagues just after 9 0’clock yesterday morning no regrets as the last three and half years have been very happy and I’ve left on a high note!

It was just an hour or so later than Earl and I along with our two teenaged grandsons hit the road to our holiday house in Struisbaai.

The Kokstad Clan – Daughter Lauren and Son-in-law Allan travelled up with the kids Shan 12 and Simon 10 overnighted in Graaff Reinet and arrived an hour after us at 3:30 this afternoon.

Simon, Earl, Josh, Jay, Shannon

Proud Grandfather with his brood of grandchildren

Josh and Simon play fighting

UNO – A favourite of our youngsters

Friday 12 December 2014

This morning we were horrified to wake to rain and wind. Not a fishing day! But this did not dampen our spirits and it wasn’t long before it cleared up. A trip to the local supermarket produced freshly baked break and croissants which accompanied Grandpa’s famous Earlie Brekkie.

Bonding over an “Earlie” Breakfast

The adults went off to the Wine Boutique in Agulhas while the kids went to explore the rock pools. Earl and I also popped into Potpourri a favourite gift/coffee shop that I love to browse in. Grandpa spotted a poster that he just had to have. Most appropriate don’t you think?

Excursion to the Rock Pools

My favourite granddaughter – (I’m your only granddaughter, Granny!)

Gathering the family together is far from peaceful. It is full of noise, attention seeking, teasing, laughter, bantering, chatter and fun, fun, fun.

Our older grandsons are amazing with their younger cousins. Jay 17 and Josh 16, always relate well to them and make sure they have a good time. They include them in the board games, take them off to the beach without the adults and make sure everyone does their fair share of the chores!

Our other two daughters had to work till lunch time today so only joined us at 3:30 this afternoon. Laurie brought her friend, Annie, visiting from London along too. So we now have a household of 11!

Laurie and Annie

Lisa and Earl – Allan braaing in the background

Annie, Shannon, Laurie

Simon, Shan and Jay

Playing Clue

Good old S.A. Braai

Back in Struisbaai – A weekend with friends

2013-02-02 | puppy1952

Last weekend found us back in Struisbaai mainly so that Earl could fix the irrigation system. Our friends Peter and Heather joined us.

As I had sport duty and a training course to attend at school we only managed to leave at quarter to four and arrived just before 7 p.m. Heather and Peter were already enjoying sundowners on the stoep:-) Earl did a superb braai – chicken wings, steak and chops accompanied by Mediterranean veggies and rye bread. After catching up with our friends we only got to bed after 11 o’clock.

Gus and his little girl Karla drove up early on Saturday morning and were out at sea with Earl by 7 o’clock.

The rest of household emerged from their cocoons at 9 ish had a cup of coffee and then headed for the beach where we enjoyed a delicious swim in a calm sea at Spring Low Tide – and there was hardly another soul around! Th

The fishermen had a wonderfully successful morning and returned with a superb catch of yellowtail. Karla (7) said, “I didn’t catch any – they weren’t in my class!” But she did catch some small ones on other species and released them for another day. We went to watch them come in at the harbour.

Struisbaai Harbour Beach

Kiora coming in

After enjoying a lunch of yellowtail sashimi, Gus and Karla headed back to Cape Town. Earl had a nap and Peter, Heather and I went to do a spot of bird watching. I wanted to find a Denham’s Bustard for them. We drove down the dirt road that takes us to Arniston and then turned toward Die Mond Nature Reserve.

We saw lots of birds. After the winter rains a lot of water was still lying in the farmlands and many waterbirds were enjoying it while it lasted – lots of greater flamingos, a variety of ducks and teals, stilts, spurwing geese, spoonbills, ibises and herons. The distance didn’t make photography worthwhile. Closer to the road we found an African pipit who obligingly posed

African Pipit

A Steppe Buzzard kept flying from fence post to fence post but I finally got a good shot of him.

Steppe Buzzard

I had promised my guests Denham Bustards – but they were being conspicuous by their absence. We came to the turn off to Die Mond and still nothing. I could sense the disappointment. “I saw them down this road in this field in the holidays,” I declared; but still they didn’t appear. The sun was sinking and it was time to turn around. We stopped to look at other birds but still no Denham’s. Some half joking half grumpy comments were made and I just had to find those birds. There was a speck some distance off – moving quickly – I stopped – lifted my binoculars and Bingo – Two gorgeous Denham’s striding across the veld. My guests were thrilled. They were far off but easy to see with binoculars. We even managed some ‘record shot” photography. We observed the birds for some time hoping they would come towards the car but they had other plans so reluctantly we returned home.

The Elusive Denham’s Bustards

It was almost 7 o’clock and still hot. Heather and I had to go for a swim. The men declined the offer! We were the only two people in the sea on a perfect evening.

Struisbaai Beach

Peter and Heather had to leave to at 9 to attend a function back in Cape Town. Before they left we had a last swim in the sea. After breakfast Earl completed the irrigation installation and I caught up with school work. We left at 3 o’clock. Having a weekend a way always makes you feel like you’ve been gone for a week. It was divine.

Struisbaai Holiday Last Day – Cooking up a Storm

2013-01-06 | puppy1952

I was pleased that this our last day in Struisbaai produced good fishing weather. Earl and Yasin were up early and gone. Shahieda and I slept in late. In the early hours of this morning their daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren had arrived but I had not heard a thing.

They were all up and about by 9 and we enjoyed getting to know each other. Today is Yasin’s birthday and his kids just needed to be here to wish him.

The baby – Imaan – is so cute

Yasin’s birthday wish was to catch a big yellow-tail – not a tiddly little one like those he got yesterday – and yes – he got 12, the biggest being quite to his satisfaction at about 7kg.

Yasin on Kiora with his biggest yellow tail

He thought it hilarious that Earl once again caught very little.

Early with ‘very little’

While the men were at sea Shahieda had already begun to prepare for Yasin’s birthday lunch. She was cooking up a storm and I didn’t like to interfere! After all there is years of training in producing a good Cape Malay meal – they girls learn at their mother’s knee, and then perfect the art!

Shahieda performing her miracle

The rooties are ready for rolling but we don’t have a rolling pin!

Muslims don’t drink but Shahieda found a good use for this cold bottle of wine

Yasin flipping rooties

Before lunch was served Earl and I took Nilfah and the girls, Amirah and Ayesha to the beach for a swim. Amirah loves the water but the sea was like a washing machine again today and she found the the waves a little scary. She rushed out after a few minutes but her cousin encouraged her back in and then she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Grandpa Earl encouraging the girls to come in deeper

Ayesha (9) enjoying the sea

Amirah (7) running from the waves

We returned in time to be served an amazing meal – there was lamb currie, rooties, braaied chicken, potato salad and garlic bread – enough to feed four families!

A Laden Table

Whaheed with little Imaan

We just tucked in – after my third helping I said, ‘I think I’m going to convert,’ You’ll need a scarf, joked Shahieda.

I am a convert – My sarong will do.

Wow what a meal. And that was not all – There is trifle to follow but we’re all too full to indulge now so are watching TV, playing computer games or sleeping.