Eventful evening

Usually we invite friends over on Tuesday nights, yesterday was no different. Just as I arrived home Ursula tell me that her brother has broken down in Johannesburg and wants us to come and help him, possibly tow his car home.

At that moment Gert and Dalené also arrives and Gert volunteers to drive with me to Adriaan. Before we leave Gert calls everyone together and tells us that he and Dalené is as of yesterday engaged! Hugs and kisses are exchanged.

Adriaan actually did us a favor not to have to listen to the smallest details of the engagement. The girls are exited and are laughing at least they have something to talk about and Gert and I head off on our rescue mission.

We found Adriaan next to the highway in Jo-berg feeling very sorry for himself. The bolts on the cars left CV joint is miraculously all loose, leaving the drive shaft disconnected from the gearbox.

This brings me to one of my philosophies in life, a mechanic's car is never in working order and as is a engineers PC. I have made a conscious decision not to fiddle with my PC any more. I buy assembled PCs and don’t touch the insides, I used to buy spares and build up my own system but you end up constantly upgrading and tuning the PC.

Well let me put it this way, I saw Adrian's car on jacks not to long ago with CV's being overhauled.
In any case, Adriaan was able to attach the CV to the gearbox again, so we could at least tow the car. We hooked up the kinetic strap and wanted to extend it with another steel cable. After some arguing it was decided not to use the steel cable. I had to move my car forward but couldn’t find the key.

You get that sinking feeling if you see your car is locked and you don’t have the keys in your pocket. In the boot of the Freelander there is a compartment that is opens with the car's keys. A couple of things must go wrong now. The back door can only be opened if the car is unlocked, but if you by accident press the lock button on the remote while you open the compartment, all the doors of the car lock and if you would close the rear door the keys are locked inside the car. Well it happened. The only thing that saved us is that the rear door did not latch completely. We had 15mm play on the top of the glass to look at the keys in the middle of the car's boot floor. Fortunately we found a piece of wire next to the road and used it to hook the keys, …the keys could not be pulled out ans had to be turned it first, turned it, and pulled it out like an expert car thief. We were saved.

Towing Adriaan was quite uneventful we could even pass some of the slower traffic on the highway. We unhooked him as soon as possible to get to the party at our house.

The rescue mission took around two hours and we were back home and celebrating. Kath was cooking and she invited her new love interest to join us. Unfortunately for him we were already a couple of glasses of champagne strong so it was a bit difficult to speak proper English.

Gert an Dalené, congrats with the engagement, good luck, excellent health and a lot of wealth together!

Christmas party 8 November 2007

Looks like having a Christmas party and inviting friends over for a cookout dinner is becoming a tradition. December is a month filled with social events, so to find a date that suite everybody is difficult; fortunately we were early with our invitations.

We asked the guests to bring salad, starters or pudding and chair to sit outside in the garden since we don’t have a real house yet. Rain started Saturday morning and we hoped that it would clear up by the afternoon, but it rained harder. Looks like we got the 79% of the rain that was for casted.
By the time the guest arrived it was pouring and the party had to move inside, I arranged all the chairs in the house, but I couldn’t see 15 guests sitting in the room. Panic set in!
We moved the TV to the bedroom gave everyone something to drink and all the people started getting to know each other, soon 15 people were talking and laughing together.

For a me as hostess a Christmas party is always nice, because all food is outsourced –and Helgard prepares the meat.
Starter was seafood munchies and cream cheese with biscuits. For the main course Helgard had 4 chickens in the Weber braai with potatoes and salads. Dessert was ice cream cake and Malva pudding.

Before the party, on Saturday afternoon Helgard got cabin fever and had to go shopping for a Wii game console. After dinner the guys got caught up with the excitement of virtual sport. None of them could believe how tired you get from boxing. Eddie lied on the bed and Nico had a coffee in his hand while playing golf.

By the time everybody was leaving Kath started doing the dishes, she didn’t want to bring a salad but was willing to do the dishes, so everything even doing the dishes was outsourced.

It is nice having to have wonderful friends, thank you all for making the evening memorable and thanks for bring the food.

More photos here

Ine-Marie Birthday Weekend

From 23-26 November we went to a game lodge near Ladysmith in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

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Ine-Marie was celebrating her birthday on the 25th of November with family and friends on her brothers game farm.

The long weekend was highlighted by a lot of bumpy and cold game drives, but it was great. Nature always offers something special and this weekend we saw a lot of game.

The giraffe family came very close to the lodge, so there were a lot of photo opportunities for Helgard.

The 4 rhinos roam between the lodge, river and mountain. We were fortunate to see them every time we went on a game drive.

On the game drive we saw a large herd of Kudu bulls.

Some other game that we saw included reedbucks, waterbucks, impalas, ostrich, blesbucks, warthog, steenbucks, duiker, eland, swartwilde beest, redhartebeest, rheebok, buchbuck

Every evening the table was nicely set for dinner and the food was delicious. Late evening at the camp fire with the sounds of the African bush were very special.

Saturday night we had an impala on the spit. The meat took about 3hours before it was done. Game meat doesn’t have a lot fat and the meat has to be marinade other wise it is very dry.

The campfire stories entertained us. Jerry (Helgard’s dad) mistook quick tan lotion for suntan lotion and walked around the weekend with pumpkin yellow hands and feet.
Johan the farm manager (Ina-Marie’s brother) entertained us with dagga stories of the local people.

It was a memorable weekend and we were happy to share Ina-Marie’s birthday with family and friends.

Ek en die bosvark het langs mekaar op die bank gesit vir ‘n foto geleentheid, klein Johan was die vark se lyf……, lekker lag.

More photos here

Zinkwazi Weekend

The celebration of Gert’s birthday at Zinkwasi beach is becoming a yearly institution. This year we stayed at the First House in Zinkwasi beach, this house was built in 1906. The stately house is perched on a hill that overlooks the lagoon and the main beach .

A lot of toys for the boys were taken on holiday. Gert’s Jeep couldn’t get all the toys on the beach, so help from the local boat club's tractor was called in. As seen in the photo it was a lot of fun.

In the end the toys weren’t just for the boys but every body enjoyed them. The guys enjoyed the jet ski’s and the kids enjoyed the kayaks.

It was also Helgard’s first time on a jet ski on the ocean. I cannot speak for him so his fingers are doing the talking………

Let me put it this way, if you can jet ski on a dam, it does not mean you can jet ski on the ocean. The first time Gert and Rudy told me they were exhausted from jet skis on the ocean I thought these guys are just getting old, but believe me the ocean is a different story. Look at these two pictures, If you have done it yourselves you would understand the rush, otherwise I don't think anyone can appreciate it, no matter how hard I try to explain.

One of the days at Zinkwasi was cloudy and windy, so I got every body to say something about the holiday.

• Rudi couldn’t or didn’t want to say too much, but the word niiiiiiiiiice was coming out of his mouth.
• The house was something special for Charmaine the location of the house is pronominal, but the porch on the second level is freaky.
• Delene was smiling when she said that she had to sit up straight in her bed to sea and appreciate the view.
• Gert didn’t want to say something because he is shy and didn’t feel like talking, but I think he enjoyed the romance that the sea offers.
• Little RJ got a fishing rod so fishing and crab words were coming out of his mouth when I asked him about Zinkwasi.
• Alice baked some sweet cakes and enjoyed the sea view.
• Helgard couldn't stop smiling, kayak in the sea followed by a jet ski, made his day.
  

Once again it was memorable holiday with friends. We all want to thank the Van der Westhuizens who insists on sponsoring the holiday, thanks!

More photos here

Kayak on Vaal river to Groenoewers

Kyaking below the Vaaldam on Saturday 3rd of November

The Vaalriver is one of the borders of Gauteng and the Free State province. The Vaal is mostly wide and flat, unless you are in a rapid, real fun for a "kyaker ". Every season a couple of races are held at the Vaaldam and we started our trip an hour or so after the last guys started. The water level of the Vaal river dependents on the water release of the Vaaldam.

Kayaking is about having a good time, so Gerts' idea of paddling on the Vaaldam after a K1 race sounded like a very good idea. So November the 3rd was kayaking day for Ursula, Helgard, Deléne and Gert. Petro and Abrie joined us with their small rubber duck (inflatable boat). The slues gates were open till 10:00 and we started at 12:00, so the water level was as high as our excitement.

The first 1km was flat and it was easy to carry our kayaks over the first weir. The first major obstacle was the Chute where the whole river is forced into a width of 5 meters. The water makes waves that goes over your head as you paddle through it. After the Chute there were a few small rapids buy mostly open flat water with shallow rocks.

The Visgat rapid made for a memorable day,not because of the enjoyment but because of the pain you would experience the next couple of days.
The Visgat rapid is long and the terrain around it is full of huge boulders that makes portage nearly impossible. Gert was standing on the builders in the middle of the river and showing us the way. Approaching the rapid I saw Helgard's kayak upside down. In the rapid I had to paddle to balance the kayak, everything happened so fast. Towards the end of the rapid the current pushed the kayak to the right, turning me over. It felt like being in a washing machine.
After being washed out the kayaks were recovered and emptied, we also had to gather our thoughts before we could go on.

The rest was smooth sailing. After opening the first beer and the campsite we all started trading stories of our wounds and scares. I thinkGert wins the prize for the best scare of the day.

More photos here

Sylvia’s B-day PARTY – 2 November2007

Sylvia had a party at Cofi in Brooklyn, we went along with a couple of friends for dinner on Friday night. Sylvia looked very nice and her hair was done in a funky way.

Cofi is a very up market bar/restaurant and probably one of the better places I visited this year in South Africa. Guys and girls came dressed to impress and I must say it was difficult not to look around a bit.

The music was a bit too loud to talk to everyone at our table but fortunately I ended up next to Ronel a professional photographer. Well it is always interesting to talk to someone that knows there stuff. See for yourself on her website

More photos here

Jetski on Roodeplaatdam – 1 November 2007

When your phone is ringing at 7:45 in the morning with Gert's name on the screen you now that something social is going to happen later the day. Lateness and business made that I couldn’t pick up the phone, but by 11 o’clock Rudi had phoned to inform me that it is a Roodeplaat Dam day.

Just before 4 o’clock the cooler bag was packed and Helgard and I were on our way to the dam. To do something outside the daily routine always makes for a memorable day. The afternoon and evening was spent on with “braaivlies” and jet ski’s and a lot of aughts. Dalene had her first spin on a jet ski.

What made the evening special is when I used my senses.
The fire made its own cracking noises; friends were laughing and enjoying each other’s company. The croaking of frogs and the sound of crickets can be heard in the background. The water on the dam was “smooth” and one could see the reflection of the moon on the dam. I could smell the damp of the rain; walking bear foot in the dam with pebbles and stones under my feet, made me realized that I was living life again.

Rugby World Cup Final

Wow! The Springboks are in the final!
Throughout the world cup I found myself watching more and more rugby. Even offering my own opinion on some of the games and criticizing some players, like a true coutch rugby expert.
Fortunately the Bokke made it to the final and we had to go BIG for the game.

Gert bought a generator to make sure that we won't miss anything with the load shedding that is crippling our economy. He also upgraded his TV to 50".
I bought a Keg of Heineken and between me and Delené we were ready to finish it.
Ursula prepared snacks for us and we were pitched in front of the TV. Andre also joined us and we were in for a exiting 80 minutes.

Wow the Bokke won the final and we are the World champions for the next four years. (Note that I'm talking in the plural form) The country is taken over by Bok fever. People wore Springbok jersies to church, hair was spry green. We even thought the coach would stay employed...ok only for a day.
It is incredible to see what an effect a successful world cup campaign had on the morale of the country. I'm starting to look forward to the FIFA world cup 2010.

More photos here

My first 21km at Woodlands

My friend Memos has this habit of phoning me on a Friday to talk me into running a race. So Friday the 19th of October he phoned just to tell me on the 20th of October I have to run 21km. Memos doesn’t take “no” for an answer and soon the word “yes” came out of my mouth.

The day before a race it is always easy to say, “yes” but Saturday morning about 4o’clock the “race monster” attacked me. I woke Helgard up to tell him that I’m nervous about my first 21km. Helgard didn’t feel like any conversation, so he said “Do the 10km instead”. I replied “I want to do the 21km!” Helgard didn’t answer again, he was sleeping and snoring, and I also tried to sleep a little more.
At 05h20 my alarm went off, Memos phoned me at 05h25, just to make sure that I’m awake, I just told him that I was up, but not awake.

The race started at 06h00 at the Woodlands Boulevard. In the early stages of the race there were a lot of runners and a lot of “uphills”. All the water points had a good vibe, and at the water points rugby music was playing and people were singing along.
At the 7km mark the race splitted, the 10km turn left and the 21km went on straight. I was still feeling strong because I didn’t go too fast the first few kilometers. Fiscally I was “ok” but my mind told me to turn left. At the split I decided that I want to remember this race for the rest of my life, I didn’t get up at 05h20 for 10km and if the Springboks can play in the World Cup final I can run 21km, so after the “quick conversation” with myself I went on straight.

There were a lot of hills; the hills were tough because they were long. I didn’t walk, I just went on running slowly.
The 15km water point was something special. The Morelletta Nature Reserve was on the one side of the road and some girls were playing violin on the other side of the road. The calmness of the water point took me another 4km, and at 19km I was really tired, but soon after the 19km mark it was a “down”, my legs were hurting, but I knew that the finish line was 2km away.
At the finished line I received a medal, I was proud of myself, my first 21km and my time was 1:50 minutes. I stretched and had some Coke before I met Memos and Erika for breakfast.
Around the breakfast table I was showing off my medal. Memos and Erika told me that I have a gold medal, then I only realized that I was under the first 10 ladies, what a “wow” for me, my first 21km and I ran a gold medal.
I’m not sure if everyone that ran the 21km received a gold medal (will find out on Monday), but I’m so proud of myself that I’m already looking for sponsorships, I want to turn professional.

With pride I would like to thank:
• Thank you God for 2 arms and 2 legs, thank you for protecting me when I go running in the mornings.
• Dad even if you are not with me, your spirits is with me, thank you for teaching me the value of exercising life.
• Fritz, thank you for making running a way of living.
• Memos thank you for supporting me, when I’m lazy.
• And last Helgard – thank you for asking me the same question every morning “How was your run?”

Too much of a good thing

Sunday was kayaking day on the Klip rivier near Meyerton.
Kayaking involves surprisingly a lot of "admin work". The admin work for kayaking are small things that one has to do before you get your boat on the water and it is a little time consuming. The Saturday day we had to find roof rails for the car and the kayaks had to be fitted onto the rails. We also had to pack a "lunch box and snack box", beers also went into the fridge.

Sunday morning at 6o'clock we got up and it was just smiles. We met Gert and Deléne on the R21 highway. At the Klip river there was a K1 race, so we sat and watch some other people rowing. By 10o'clock we launched our boats. It was a scenic route - birds were singing and green Willow trees were hanging into the water. I think the photos are better than words.

We were paddling with the wind but the current of the river were strong and would push us downstream. The suck back of the river is also something to keep in mind, this is quite strange after a bend and you find yourself paddling in the the going direction. We stopped three times to gain our power.

As we were paddling we worked out that the route is 18km and that we will be finishing between 2 and 3o'clock the afternoon.
The route became difficult towards the end because objects like trees blocked the river and made paddling impossible. A few times we had to take our kayaks out of the river and carry it - carrying a kayak is hard work.

All the obstacles didn't make the clock stop ticking, by sunset we were still paddling. I was wet, cold, hungry, tired and I didn't feel like paddling anymore. I wanted to stop and get out, but people built their house near the river and it was dangerous. Helgard and myself had an argument and I realized that to much of a good thing is not nice anymore.

When I saw the car, I was relived that the paddling part was done.
The morning we left one car at the starting point and the other at the finishing point.
Gert and Deléne took the car at the finishing point to get the other car. Helgard and myself were left guarding with the kayaks, I was scared because it was dark and homeless persons was walking around making small fires and trying to catch the last finish of the day.

We got home at 20h30 and we started cleaning the kayaks and everything that we took with us. By 10 o'clock we finish cleaning everything and we both had a shower. As we were having a quick dinner we nearly fell asleep at the table.

Monday morning Gert phoned and told Helgard that we paddled 30km. I was very proud of myself. My sore body reminded me of the turning point where the unpleasant became really unpleasant. I used hard words by saying that I'm not going to paddle again, but I think that I will just make sure that things are better organize, so that we don't paddle that far.

More photos here

Kayak's on Vaal river

The weekend excitement started this week on Thursday already, Gert and Deléne bought two kayaks. Thursday evening Helgard and myself were invited to "test-drive" the kayaks on Rietvleidam. Gert knows Helgard very well and anything that Helgard test-drives he'll probably end up buying. Gert persuaded me with the web site that made the need for kayaks just bigger. (Don't look at the website www.canoekayak.co.za )

Thursday night after the test drive we all had dinner at Mimo's it was just "Kayak-talk".

Friday morning Helgard woke up very excited, he had decided also to buy two kayaks for us. Helgard was on his way to Germany so Gert and Deléne had to do the buying. Friday we were very exited, but we have not seen the kayak's and SMS's and phone calls regarding the Kayaks went back and forth.

Saturday was an early morning, 04h40 the alarm went off. A shower couldn't even wake me up, but at 5h30 we were awake, excited, in the car and on our way to Parys. In Parys we met Gert and Deléne. About 20km outside Parys we stop to put our kayaks in the water. Everybody was laughing and excited. We didn't really know how to put the gear on, but between jokes and laughter we figured it out.

Gert was the first one to get wet, but when Helgard fell into the water twice, Deléne and myself couldn't stop laughing.
Kayaking looks very easy, but it was difficult for me, my kayak was controlling me. Everybody was very kind and nice and gave me some pointers, but it was difficult to start using the pointers, because the water level was very low and there were a lot of rocks.

At one stage fly fisher men took their lines out of the water and said very nicely: "you go"
The day was highlighted with laughter, sore bodies but happy hearts.

Rudi helped with the logistics by picking us up late Saturday afternoon. Saturday night we spent at the Van der Westhuisen's in Potchefstroom. They were very friendly and spoiled us.

After a long day up and on the water, we went to bed just before 12 o'clock, as my head hit the pillow I fell asleep.

SPAR Women's 10km Challenge

Every year the well-known convenience store Spar organizes and sponsors a running race in certain regions. This year the Spar Ladies race for the Pretoria region was held on Saturday the 25 of August at the sporting grounds of LC de Villiers.
The race is famous among ladies, but guys in drag may also enjoy the race with the ladies.




This race was special for me because it was my first 10km under 50 minutes, but let me quickly run the race with my fingers.

Helgard and myself was both working till about 2o'clock. Helgard phoned me before 2o'oclock to wish me luck; I really appreciated it. Like normal I was a little late, so my warm-up was sprinting to the starting point. After the gun short I tried to move forward as quickly as possible, it was impossible because there were a lot of runners and walkers. I did my first kilometer in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. I realized that I had to speed up my pace if I want to finish under 50 minutes. At the 4 kilometer mark a friendly guy said "ladies your average is 5.06", I wanted to take it slower but I was doing math's in my head and I realized that I couldn't slow down. I didn't stop for water I just did maths in my head because I had a goal. At the 9km mark I saw a smiley friendly face, I realized that it was my standard 6 teachers that was running faster than me, she was the last bit of motivation that I needed to keep me going. Big was my smile when I stop my watch at 48 minutes and 38 seconds. There was nobody to take a picture but the one at the bottom will do for my memories.

Francois's 40th Birthday (Re-Run)

The weekend of 26 August was Francois re-run of his 40th birthday party. A re-run is just a nice way to say that you 41. The "age-thing" didn't stop Francois from being the "party-man"

Francios treated the group of friends for a weekend away at Mala Juba Lodge. All the guests had there own rooms with a swimming pool in the middle of all the rooms.

Saturday evening was highlighted by a game drive. Because we were a lot of people there were 2 bakkies a the Landover for the women and kids and the yellow bakkie for the guys. The trip started when we all got a "cup", the cup with your initials on it was filled with Tassenberg.

On the game drive we saw zebra's, bush bucks, kudu's ostriches and some birds. The game drive was relaxing till we got to the rhino's family. The mother walked closer to the Landrover, the baby followed the mother and soon the father was standing a meter a way from me. The Landrover couldn't move because moving would upset the family and they would get aggressive. Rachel the driver and owner of the farm know the animals, so she drove away when she taught they were calm. The yellow bakkie was still behind the laughter and wisdom of the "wise men" quickly changed to quiet when the rhino's walked closer to them. The yellow bakkie is usually the feeding vehicle. Luckily men could drive away without getting hurt/eten.

The evening a big fire was made, we all were sitting around the fire talking and drinking wine. Joleen and Francois made dinner very special by setting the table nicely and cooking good food. The chocolate fountain for dessert was a winner.

Saturday night after dinner we plaid a game called "pass the fire". A finger is dip into red Sambuca. The finger with the Sambuca is lit! With your finger alight you had to light the Sambuca finger of the person sitting on your left. Thus the flame is passed around at considerable speed in a circle. The punishment for letting the flam die is of cause to empty your cup of Sambuca. Everyone who played together had a red finger the next morning.

The night ended with friends sitting in a Jacuzzi and laughing.

Sunday morning was breakfast time, and what a breakfast!
After breakfast we all went for a walk in the bush. Francois, Roché and ___ started running and screaming "rhino's". We (only some) all did the same, because we thought that the rhino's of the previous night wanted to attack us. Luckily it was just a joke.

Sunday afternoon when everybody was saying good-bye, it was with sadness to leave, because the weekend was just to short.

More photos here and here

Francois made a very nice little video of the weekend that he showed us the next week. Wonder if it will make it onto YouTube?

We are engaged!

For a while I was planning to pop the question but was not sure when the occasion would present itself.
Thought of doing it with by birthday party but decided against it since it would be a bit too obvious and we were already celebrating. I new the anniversary of Ursula and my first meeting were coming up and it started to make more and more sense.
These days Ursula is working till 19h00 at night so I prepared dinner to be ready when she gets home. After work a quick trip to the supermarket was all that needed to be done to get all the supplies. I prepared chicken and potatoes in the oven and steamed some veggies.
Ursula arrived and I sent her to enjoy the bath with bubble bath I ran for her.

As we sat down for dinner I took the sparking wine from the fridge and reminded her that it is the anniversary of the day three years ago when we first met. It was good to remains about Taiwan and the good times we had since.
Ursula felt bad that se did not remember the date, but I told her that it is easy to remember since it is also the shortest day, and the longest night for us here in the southern hemisphere.
At the opportune moment I took her hand and told her that I have another way to remember the day, and asked her I she would like to get married…..

Ursula was caught off guard and between the laughter and the tears I was able to make out a YES.

We don’t have a ring yet and we will try and resolve a wedding date also in the near future, don’t want to drag these things out, looking forward to a good party.

We struggled to keep our mouths shut until we got permission from our parents.

The weekend I asked my dad, and before I asked he already told me he knew what I’m going to ask.
Ursula’s mom also was very happy for us and immediately gave her blessing, so it’s official now,

We are engaged!

Father's Day

The preparation for father’s day is always a day earlier. Helgard decided that he wanted to give his father a photo frame with special pictures of the family. I’m going to use the same photos to draw a family tree.

Jerry Ross with Ina-Marie

Helgard with Ursula & Leonard with Munda

Father’s day is a family day, so we spent the day with the Ross family. Munda cooked a real Sunday lunch and we were responsible for dessert.

Helgards’ dad like strawberries so strawberry cheesecake was made Saturday evening. Helgard did the shopping so I had to mix the ingredients. I always thought that cheesecake is difficult to make but “Top 500 Winning recipes” made the mixing easy. Sunday morning Helgard had to help with the gelatin and strawberries that had to be put on the cake. The cake was a little sour but looked nice, whish we took a picture.

Vasity Bakery Fish and Chips

I’m like a real fish shop owner, writing on the brown fish wrapping paper. Monday 11th July was the opening day of Varsity Bakery Fish and Chips. The shop is situated on Lynnwood road close to a well-known bakery –Varsity Bakery. Allan the shop owner of Varsity Bakery and myself are running the business together.

Business on the first day was slow but the opening party with champagne that Helgard organized after closing time made my day.

Tuesday the sales target was reached. I thought it is going to be easy to run the shop. Wednesday the third day I realized that one have to work to get sales. The what, when, how questions to get the sales up are not answered yet, but I will get there...I hope soon.

Please don’t hesitate to phone to place and order – ha-ha-ha

More photos here

Helgard turns 39

This year I decided to have a proper birthday party, since it is the last year I can say I'm in my thirties. Well you need an excuse for a party, even if it is a lame one. Ursula's mother (Ann) volunteered her house so everything was very convenient for us. Adriaan also had an excellent idea to buy outdoor speakers and we hooked it to his amplifier. We used a iTunes play list on my laptop to play music through the evening.

Wilhelm gave me advice on where to buy the sheep and how to organize the braai, he also volenteered to be the chief braaier.

The plan was to put a sheep on a braai and stand around with a beer in the hand and wait until it is done.

I realized that I'm getting old, when the younger party goers did not appreciate my music selection and started playing there own CD's,... fortunately I still like their music.

Midway through the afternoon Ursula served home baked bread, which went down very fast. By 18:30 the sheep was done and the feast started. My father asked blessing for the food but mixed it a bit up with his speech, which was quite funny in a weard way.

It was really good to see my friends together having a good time, some enjoyed it it a bit too much and paid dearly for it on Sunday. Eddy was nursing blisters on his fingers for playing with the fire. Wilhelm had a chest full of palm tree needles that was a bit uncomfortable. Ine-Marie and Munda had burnt boots. Francois had to go back home to get his cool bag....nothing funny there, but he does not drink! Why does he need a cool bag? Heidi only moved 2 meter the whole afternoon and evening. Rudolph was the self appointed shooters-mixer-chief, with tequila and wit-blits as his weapons. Kath was his victim. Mel spent Sunday in bed apparently with 24hour virus. Charmaine also had a virus on Sunday but this was a real one. Adriaan built fires that burnt till Wednesday. Gert was the photographer but I believe he is not sharing all the photos with us. Andorette joined in the spirit very enthusiastically. Eddie dropped the shooter just in time. Rudi found that it took only one and a half hours to get home with the Porsche, his pickup normally does it in two and a bit.

Compliments must go to Ursula for running around and seeing to it that the food was perfect throughout the evening. Ed saw that we were going to run out of wood and volenteered his stash, thanks Ed. Wilhelm was a star braaier, thanks for Adriaan and Ann that cleaned up when we left.

Dont know what Im going to do next year to top it, any suggestions?

More photos here

Ezemvelo Nature Reserve

In the July issue of Weg / Go! magazine the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve was discuss as the Nature Reserve of the month. The reserve is 20km gravel road outside Bronkhorstespruit. So Ezemvelo was an ideal Sunday day trip for Helgard, myself en Gert.

According to the brochure that one receives when entering the 10-000ha reserve, the reserve is naturally divided into grasslands and wetlands. We were visiting the reserve in June so the wetlands was dry, but Helgard and Gert did some birdwatching instead.

The grasslands made it easy to see Kudu’s, Waterbucks, Blesbucks, Zebra’s, Warthog, Black Wildebeest and Blue Wildebeest. We were able to take pictures of black and Blue Wildebeest to highlight the differences between the two species.

Look at the tail and main, the Black Wildebeest has a tail and main like a horse. This is something we did not know, thanks for the Weg/Go! magazine that gave us the clue.




There are varies activities to do, but we spent the day laughing and eating boerewors rolls under trees near the river.



Helgard and Gert could take some nice pictures as we were driving out and the sun was setting.



If you stay close to Pretoria visit the website www.ezemvelo.co.za and do this for a day trip.

More photos here