Struisbaai Holiday Day 22 Fishing Running Swimming

2013-01-05 | puppy1952

Oh boy – it was an early wake-up call for me this morning. The weather was perfect for fishing and I went with Earl and Yasin to launch the boat so I could bring the car home. I needed to go to Agulhas to fetch the laundry before early closing on a Saturday. So I just put a jacket over my pyjamas and tagged along! I didn’t go back to sleep on my return but fiddled on the computer and then a welcome Skype call from my best friend in England. We chatted on-line for an hour.

I didn’t go for a road run, planning to rather to do one on the beach at low tide later in the afternoon. After collecting the Laundry Shahieda (Mrs Yasin) and I went to Potpourri for a delicious ‘health’ breakfast and an excellent cup of coffee. We browsed around the shop then went back and put the linen back on the beds and cleaned the house to Yassin standards!

The men returned at about 11:30 and a good catch to brag about. Earl complained about not being able to get good crew these days but Yasin caught all the fish – 15 yellowtail and a Santa as well as some small red fish which were released.

Shahieda on on the jetty next to Kiora

Yasin on Kiora

Earl steering Kiora toward the trailer

Driving Kiora onto the trailer

Bak-load of fish

Proud fishermen

Earl said the only reason he didn’t catch was because he had to find the fish and steer the boat – that’s his excuse and he’s sticking to it.

Well to Shahieda and me it didn’t matter – we just enjoyed the fruits of their labour. Shahieda had never eaten Sushimi before – but now she’s a convert.

After lunch I went to lie on the bed to read my book but before long I was fast asleep. Everybody else, I found out later, also napped for a couple of hours. We woke up at 4 and Earl and I went to the beach – I did a low tide beach run and then we swam in the wonderfully warm sea. The wind had come up and the sea was rough – it was like swimming in a washing machine – but great fun.

Shahieda fried some samoosas to have with our pre-dinner sun-downers and the men braaied a yellow-tail for supper.

Preparing to braai the fish

Enjoying the spoils of the day

So ended another glorious day in the Paradise called Struisbaai!

Struisbaai Day 7 – Agulhas and Arniston

2012-12-21 | puppy1952

I got to bed after midnight last night – due to having consumed too many cups of strong coffee, all the excitement of the day and blogging till late! However, I finally fell asleep but was wide awake by 5:30 and 6:30 found Earl and me on the beach. I wanted to run while the tide was still low enough not to have too much soft sand. Earl does not do running but enjoyed a brisk walk.

When we returned the Vet Viets Vriende started emerging in stages until all were up and eating and ‘Early’ breakfast by 8 o’clock. They were super appreciative and a pleasure to feed.

We then headed to Cape Agulhas to do the touristy things – like stand at the Southern Most Tip of Africa and climbing to the top of the light house. We created a special seat for our extra passenger.

Princess Kate in her exclusive part of the vehicle

Please note there is controversy as to where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet – We Cape Townians sincerely believe it’s at Cape Point. But the purists believe it’s here at Agulhas. The sea is the sea – Man gives the ocean names – so I stick proudly to it being Cape Point – and proudly to the fact that Cape Agulhas is the most southerly point – no argument there!

The Vroeg, Vriendelik, Vet, Viets Vriende at the southern tip of Africa

Die Mees Suidelik Egpaar

We then took a drive to Suiderstrand, had a quick look and history lesson about the wreck and spotted a bird or two.

Rock Kestrel

Then it was back to the lighthouse. I decided not to do the climb for the umpteenth time and Earl quickly went to collect the laundry. The kids, however, enjoyed the experience.

The southern most Lighthouse

VVV at the top of Agulhas Lighthouse

Next we made our way along the dirt road route to Arniston. We handed out binoculars and bored our guests silly by stopping for every little birds. They were too polite to complain though.

Capped Wheatear

Red Bishop

We also detoured to Die Mond but were not allowed to go onto the suspension bridge without paying the entrance fee – silly really we would only have been in the reserve for 10 minutes.

At Arniston we visited the original Fishermen’s village and popped into Kassiesbaai Crafts. Here local crafts are sold from the front room of a private home.

The original Fisherfolk village

It was now lunch time and we tried to get a table at the hotel – no chance but they took our cell number and said they would call us when a table became available. The VVV bought us ice creams and soaked up some sun until the call came through.

It was very busy and they did not bring all the food at the same time – but it was good and reasonably priced. The meals were ordered were calamari, burgers, Gypsy Ham club sandwiches, toasted sandwiches and everyone seemed to enjoy what was presented.

Me Katy Tim (hidden) Nico, Francois, Marianda, Riaan

Katie, Tim, Nico

Our next adventure was to Die Grot – The Cave! It required a short walk from the dunes and then a descent to the beach – a sign warned that the embankment was dangerous and that we should take the steps – so of course the boys went down the embankment. Earl the girls and I were more cautious. The tide was not quite out so we had to negotiate incoming waves and slippery rocks until we entered the first cave and crawled through a low hole into the bigger cave that looked out to the sea. It was awesome. I would love to bring the grandchildren again next week – hopefully when the tide decides to be low at a more reasonable time.

The adventurous boys take the tricky route

The sensible ones take the safe steps

Gingerly negotiating the rocks and surf

Looking at the VVV from the tunnel into the cave toward the sea

Enjoying the cave

The whole gang

An oyster catcher we spotted outside the cave

Nico

Katie

Marianda

Francois

We were pretty whacked and ready to take the trip back to Struisbaai but when we got to the car Tim, Francois and Riaan found some sand surfing boards and dashed up the sand dune like they were doing a 100m flat sprint. Their aim was to ski down but the boards did not work that well!

We stopped at Bredasdorp to pick up supplies and while we prepared dinner the kids went off to the beach for a swim. The girls tried to make a peppermint crisp tart but as I lacked the correct utensils the cream did failed to do what it had to so had to be discarded. Instead they got creative and made us a chocolate mousse/peppermint crisp/tennis biscuit dessert. We named it VVV Pudding.

We enjoyed a dinner of Weber roasted chicken, stuffed butternut, sweet potato and salad followed of course by the VVV pudding.

What a stunning two days we have spent with these 6 fantastic young people. Francois you are an amazing young husband – its great to see how much you love and appreciate your wife – good luck with your future in civil engineering and with your Masters next year. Marianda – Francois is right – you are a wonderful wife – a go for it kind of girl – not many non-cycling wives would have agreed to a holiday of this nature – without fluffy white towels and comfortable beds – you are going to be a stunning teacher – good luck with the rest of your studies and your future career and may all your problems be gorgeous tiny ones like you and your husband. . Nico – the quiet, mysterious, creative one. You have born that aching knee with such fortitude. I’m glad you had a chance to rest it today. Good luck enjoy Greyton and your career in architecture – I would love you to design a home for me! Riaan – My name is Cloete – Riaan Cloete – You are an amazing James Bond – You are the number cruncher with a difference – All the best for your future too! Tim – Marketing Engelsman – what an adventure on a borrowed bike – to undertake all those kilometres – wow – you are super impressive. Good luck to you too with your future studies. Katie – the princess who just take everything in her stride – that smile tells it all – you just love life. What a gem you are! Well done for taking on this amazing challenge and giving it everything you’ve got. The memories will last you a life time! I know you are going to be fabulous in your career – you will be fabulous in whatever you do!

To all of you – Earl and I have so enjoyed the privilege of meeting you and sharing two days of this adventure with you. Sterkte – Go well our new friends.

Struisbaai Day 5 – Fishing, Blisters and Sushimi

2012-12-19 | puppy1952

Today was a fishing day for Earl so once again he was up at the proverbial Sparrow’s F&*t. I lingered on in bed until 7 then went for a run on the road as the tide forbade a beach jog and running later would be too hot.. Well …. If I thought soft sand was difficult, I’d forgotten about uphill in new takkies! I started from the front door and jogged toward L’Agulhas feeling great as it was overcast and cool. There wasn’t much traffic on the road but when a car came toward me I had to hop onto the gravel side path and take care not to stumble over pebbles. After 15 minutes I turned around and then had the cool breeze in my face – lovely – but hey now it was the up run! The backs of my legs were aching slightly from the soft sand jog and this incline was not helping! But I soldiered on – I am at the stage of one foot in front of the other – just keep going – you can do it and not at the wow I could go on for ever, runner’s high stage – My body was not exactly yelling – hey stop this is enough now but there was a whisper of “what the hell are you doing, the legs are hating this”. Not until 10 minutes before reaching home, that it – when suddenly I became aware of a strange burning on the side of my right foot. Oh no – not a blister. Yes a blister – it’s ages since I’ve worn takkies. I always train bare foot at the gym and only use my takkies to go on gentle bird walks. These particular takkies are quite new too. I stopped and walked for a minute then thought no way – I’m just going to run through the burn. I’d started at 7:10 and got back home at 7:40 – exactly half an hour. Now I was huffing, puffing and sweating – so into my cossie and off to the beach I went – enjoyed a 15 minutes frolic in the waves then came back for a leisurely shower and breakfast – what a stunning way to start the day!

There were a few visitors to my garden this morning – some birds and this tortoise

A wild visitor to my garden

And this juvenile Cape Robin-chat

Where’s your mom, Rob?

On Earl’s boat, Kiora, this morning were Clive, Pierre, Bernard and young Kyron (14). They returned at about 11:30 with a lovely catch of yellowtail. Kyron got the biggest, about 4kg, on his spinning rod.

Cleaning Kiora

Kyron de Stadler with his 4kg Yellow-tail

The Heroes with their catch

I had an enjoyable afternoon shopping, reading and doing mind Fair Lady mind puzzles while Earl had an afternoon nap – after such an early start to the day it was necessary. He was not in the mood for a swim when he woke up so we just went for a walk before supper and watched how all the holiday makers were having fun. The weather today cleared into a bright sunny day with pleasantly warm temperatures. Struisbaai was a perfect picture of summer activities.

The boats gently bobbing in the harbour

Fishing from the jetty

Surfing the reef

Paddling

Earlier when the guys came home with yellow tail my first words were – Sushimi. And that is exactly what we had for supper tonight.

Fresh from the Sea

Struisbaai Holiday Day 3 Beach, Bonding and Shopping

2012-12-17 | puppy1952

Last night I received the sad news that my last surviving uncle, Stanley, passed away suddenly and peacefully sitting in his chair at home. He was 77. It struck my cousins, siblings and me that my father and his three amazing brothers have ended a chapter in our lives. Their strong influence will always be with us and we will remember them all with great fondness and love. Farewell Uncle Stanley – I will always remember being your little flower girl, your charm and your amazing stories. Rest in Peace.

The Original Greeks – Gerry (Dad) Johhny, Neoklis, Stanley – 1967

Another indecently early wake-up for the fishermen this morning while Lollz and I dozed on. But it was too good a day to laze too long. I thought my legs would be feeling a bit stiff after running yesterday – but they were fine. However, my smugness did not last long. Yesterday I was able to run on hard sand but the tide was not yet far out enough this morning, forcing me to run through water or on the softer sand higher up the beach! My calves are going to catch it I thought but in fact the backs of my thighs are killing me! Still it was a glorious morning and I loved every step of the way. I was wondering where I should hide my keys and when I heard a little voice call, “Hi Mr Fenwick” and there was Caitlyn who was in my class last year. She was with her cousin and they were staying at the Caravan Park. I chatted to the little girls for a while and then asked them to look after my things while I went in for a quick dip.

It is Lollz’s last day today and she was going to cook breakfast but I decided it would be nice to have a final mother and daughter bonding at one of the local eateries instead. We had just ordered when my cell rang. The guys were back and wanted the keys to the house. I dashed back and they decided to join us for brekkie.

My Fishing Hero with a lovely Rock Cod – caught and released

Mother and Daughter bonding

The fishermen arrived just as I was having my last cup of coffee. We left them to enjoy themselves and went to do some shopping. A lovely gift shop here, South Bound, owned by our friends Glyn and Lynn is a must to visit. I found some lovely hooks for each bedroom – so that towels etc. can be hung neatly!

Bunk Room Hooks

I was lucky too as I didn’t have to nag to get my darling husband to put them up!

Because it was such a lovely day today Lollz and I could not resist the call of the beach. I am not a sun worshipper – fair-skinned and need to prevent the wrinkled face from burning – but we decided to go for an hour or so. I exposed my legs and kept my face covered. Lollz has the Greek complexion and can stand it better than I!

The inviting beach

Feisty, fun, fearless, female – Catching those rays

Lollz after a swim in the azure waves

And now we are back at the house. Earl is sorting his tackle, Greg is napping, Lollz is doing a Sudoku and I am blogging/facebooking/reading – but not all at the same time!