Trans Agulhas Challenge | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

Allan and Lauren did the early morning walk thing but I decided to lie in today. However, Lauren, Earl and I were all on the beach with the kids by 7:30, to watch the Trans Agulhas departure. A large crowd was gathered to see them off. Lauren and the kids found a spot to park off and watch while Earl and I found good vantage points to take photographs. Just before the start all the competitors knelt down on the sand while prayers were said for their safety at sea.

Praying for safe racing

The boats were all lined up and ready to leave by 8 o’clock.

The Line Up

There was a count down and then the whistle blew and one partner of each crew raced to join his mate and get the boat started.

Dashing for the boats

Then there was a roar as they raced and bounced over the waves toward Cape Agulhas. It was all very exciting.

They’re off

We then jumped back into the Fortuner and drove toward Agulhas. We did not see the boats but we did find one of them had flipped over and had righted himself. We found out later that he was one of the front runners and was bitterly disappointed to have to withdraw from the race.
After breakfast most of the family went to the rock pools to catch klippies again. I could swear that when I went to bed last night the beach had remained in its rightful place but this morning Lisa and I spent quite a bit of time chasing it out of the house again!

Earl and I then went to do some shopping. When I first came to Struisbaai in the early 80s there was but one very bad shop but now the town offers nearly every facility you need – there is a small mall, restaurants, a nursery, small clothing shops – beach-wear mainly – pharmacy, doctor and dentist. For most of the year it is still a fairly sleepy fishing village which wakes up over Easter and Christmas when the stressed out city slickers hit its shores. It is during these times that the locals really have to work overtime in their businesses and they do! The supermarket – OK Grocer – is amazing. They are open from 7 am to 7 pm and tonight being New Year’s eve they are open till 10! The queues in the place are extraordinary, yet you do not wait for more than five minutes before getting to the checkout where extremely efficient cashiers assist you. Service is excellent, the boss is friendly and accommodating and it is clear that his staff are well trained and happy to be working for him.

Queue in Ok Grocer

Entertainment outside the bottle store

The Mall – Entrance to South Bound Gift Store

Inside South Bound

We have had many years of amazing weekends and holidays in this little town and now that we have grandchildren we are delighted to be able to share it with them too. I wonder, though, what they would have thought of the original place with its poky kitchen, tiny two bedrooms and lack of facilities. And yet when it was like that we managed to fit in friends and dogs and still have amazing fun. No – I don’t want the old Struisbaai back – but I love it that I have the memories.

The weather today has not been that great with the north westerly bringing overcast conditions, but after an afternoon of inactivity we decided to take the kids for a swim at 4 o’clock. I’m glad I took a chair and a cardigan because I did not go into the water! The ,kids, however, had the time of their lives. The waves looked pretty terrifying to me but they thought they were just plain fun!

Omigosh – but nothing scares him

Here comes a big one

Cool ride Josh

Here comes Jay

Surfer Girl

New Year’s Eve and we watched a movie till 10 then went to bed! Happy New Year to all of you. May you have an adventurous and awesome 2013.

We usually go to Kokstad for Christmas so when we asked the kids to come to Struisbaai instead this year, I was a little apprehensive. Was it a good idea to change the magical tradition that in the past had always worked so well?

Things can never stay the same so I believe we have done the right thing. We will always have our wonderful memories of big Christmas celebrations with the whole Kokstad Clan. Yes, I missed being with the extended family. The generation that we raised have their own kids now and it is always great to catch up with them, meet the new babies and celebrate with their grandparents. But there are so many of them now all going their own way that it is probably best to see them at other times of the year instead.

This holiday has been a fun, relaxed and a wonderful bonding time with just our own kids and grandchildren. The weather has been marvellous and we couldn’t choose a nicer place to enjoy a summer holiday. It makes sense to be by the sea in summer! Hopefully we can repeat it again next year. But if not, well we go with the flow and enjoy whatever we decide to do.

This morning the wind, which is not quite as strong as it has been, still prevented a trip to sea. Low tide being only at 10:30 meant the beach might not be at its best for running so I decided to do road run instead. At 6:58 I woke Jay and said, ‘I am heading toward Agulhas. I need you to come with me – catch me up in two minutes.’ I didn’t really expect him to oblige but sure enough ten minutes into my run, he caught me up. What a star my first born grandson is! He was bare foot on the tar but insisted he preferred this to running in shoes. He was like a gazelle or rather a giraffe with his long, muscled legs. He ran ahead to my turning point then kept pace and encouraged me to run faster. “I’m walking at your running pace, Gran.” Yes Jay – that’s why you call me Gran!

“Come on, Gran, you can do it. Just lengthen your stride – and breathe.” Then he sprinted ahead. I did my best. He waited and said, “Now, are you tired or do you still have energy left? – run fast, then slow, fast then slow.” His encouragement did help but I was exhausted when we got back – I ran for 34 minutes – I’m not sure how many km that is but I like to think it must be close on 5.

After breakfast the kids went to the rock pools to catch Klipvis. Earl mowed the lawn and I cleaned the beach out of the house.

Later Allan, Lisa, Lauren and I went to Agulhas and did some wine tasting. The Bon Courage Blush – sparkling wine did it for us. Allan bought a few bottles.

Lauren savouring The Blush

We also went to The Southern Wright Art Gallery and Potpourri to browse and have coffee. It was quite pleasant to just have some adult time.

The competitors in the *Trans Agulhas Challenge arrived from Stilbaai today. The beach was overly crowded and had quite a vibe. Sea Rescue had boats, helicopter and vehicles on standby just in case of mishap – but happily all went well.

Wow

Flying

Coming in

Before supper we decided to go for a walk and a swim. Lisa, Lauren and I chickened out on the swim and Earl stayed behind to start the Weber Chicken. The boys, ever-active, raced down the beach and jumped of dunes while the rest of us followed at a more leisurely pace. Then Shan went in with Dad and the boys for a lovely swim.

The boys leaping

Jay

Simon

A border collie got into the picture of Allan and the kids in the sea

While they were all finishing off their swim, I decided to walk back ahead of them to help Earl with supper. A Struisbaai friend popped in for a chat and then we enjoyed a delicious Weber Chicken dinner.

* The Trans Agulhas Challenge is the toughest inflatable boat endurance race in the world. It begins on 28 December at Plettenberg Bay and ends on 1 January at Strand. During the 5 day race inflatable boats visit beaches along the coast and have surf races to entertain the crowds. Over 60 inflatable boats battle it out on the waves in this most prestigious Inflatable boat Racing competition in the world.