As of this morning (Australian time - last night UK time) I am an Uncle! My parents are GRANDPARENTS! My baby brother is a FATHER!!! Aaaargh! What is the world coming to?
Congratulations to Orly and Adam on the birth of their first (of many?) born.
Saturday, 3 June 2006
Thursday, 4 May 2006
An African Adventure - Part the iii
I've left you waiting long enough. Time for the next instalment.
Tuesday 14th March
We arrived back in Capies around 6pm, strolled along the beach, moved into our temporary abode (our cousin's place), refreshed, then out for dinner to the area of town known as the Waterkant (my mother never gets tired of mispronouncing that word), for a delicious Italian dinner. Then back to the flat, where I made a quick call to Rachel. Yay, I got to speak to Rachel! Great!
Wednesday 15th March
The rest of the family (my baby brother and a-father-to-be Adam, cousins Ben and Anna, and aunt and uncle Rhoda and Baruch) arrived from London (although Anna had only been in London for a day, having come over from Brazil – the jetsetter). After catching up, we went to the supermarket to stock up. After lunch, the cousins went for a coastal drive, followed by a walk and a scramble along Llandudno Beach (not the one in Wales, obviously). In the evening, the family gathered at Arthur(the groom, and the very essence of a mobster don – cigar, belly, husky voice, expensive gadgets, generous to friends)’s very large home. Dinner was delicious, saw a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t quite place (ah, large family gatherings…), Adam fell asleep. That was pretty much that.
Thursday 16th March
Day trip with cousins and parents and aunt and uncle. First stop was Moizenburg (sp?) my mother’s childhood holiday beach. Then onto Kalk Bay for lunch in a restaurant overlooking the sea, before driving on to Boulder to stare at penguins. Hehehehe – they are small and cute! And they get under your car! Then we drove up to Cape Point, where there was many a baboon (bobbejanes in Afrikaans). Caught a funicular up to the top, walked around looking at the picturesque scenery and views, before walking back down to the car park, where a large alpha-male baboon came bolting out of the undergrowth next to me and shot straight over to a car with an open boot. The owner of the car was alert enough to slam the boot shut and jump back before the baboon arrived and jumped up onto the roof of the car. He sat there for a few moments, posing for photos, before dashing off again.
Meanwhile, some Israelis were taking photos of a nearby baboon, and foolishly left their car doors open. The alpha male re-appeared and jumped into their car, rummaging around for food. It drew a large crowd, including us, and at one point, the baboon emerged from the car, made a lunge at Ben and one of the Israelis, before getting back into the car. We took this as a good sign that we should be on our way, so we climbed into our cars and were on our way. We drove back via the stunning Chapman’s Peak Drive (Cape Town’s version of the Great Ocean Road, only shorter), stopping frequently for photo opportunities of the sun setting over the ocean.
We went out for dinner that night to a nearby Kosher restaurant, then for drinks at the Buena Vista Social Café – nice, trendy, cool, smokey.
I’ll save the final 5 days for the next entry. Until then…
Tuesday 14th March
We arrived back in Capies around 6pm, strolled along the beach, moved into our temporary abode (our cousin's place), refreshed, then out for dinner to the area of town known as the Waterkant (my mother never gets tired of mispronouncing that word), for a delicious Italian dinner. Then back to the flat, where I made a quick call to Rachel. Yay, I got to speak to Rachel! Great!
Wednesday 15th March
The rest of the family (my baby brother and a-father-to-be Adam, cousins Ben and Anna, and aunt and uncle Rhoda and Baruch) arrived from London (although Anna had only been in London for a day, having come over from Brazil – the jetsetter). After catching up, we went to the supermarket to stock up. After lunch, the cousins went for a coastal drive, followed by a walk and a scramble along Llandudno Beach (not the one in Wales, obviously). In the evening, the family gathered at Arthur(the groom, and the very essence of a mobster don – cigar, belly, husky voice, expensive gadgets, generous to friends)’s very large home. Dinner was delicious, saw a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t quite place (ah, large family gatherings…), Adam fell asleep. That was pretty much that.
Thursday 16th March
Day trip with cousins and parents and aunt and uncle. First stop was Moizenburg (sp?) my mother’s childhood holiday beach. Then onto Kalk Bay for lunch in a restaurant overlooking the sea, before driving on to Boulder to stare at penguins. Hehehehe – they are small and cute! And they get under your car! Then we drove up to Cape Point, where there was many a baboon (bobbejanes in Afrikaans). Caught a funicular up to the top, walked around looking at the picturesque scenery and views, before walking back down to the car park, where a large alpha-male baboon came bolting out of the undergrowth next to me and shot straight over to a car with an open boot. The owner of the car was alert enough to slam the boot shut and jump back before the baboon arrived and jumped up onto the roof of the car. He sat there for a few moments, posing for photos, before dashing off again.
Meanwhile, some Israelis were taking photos of a nearby baboon, and foolishly left their car doors open. The alpha male re-appeared and jumped into their car, rummaging around for food. It drew a large crowd, including us, and at one point, the baboon emerged from the car, made a lunge at Ben and one of the Israelis, before getting back into the car. We took this as a good sign that we should be on our way, so we climbed into our cars and were on our way. We drove back via the stunning Chapman’s Peak Drive (Cape Town’s version of the Great Ocean Road, only shorter), stopping frequently for photo opportunities of the sun setting over the ocean.
We went out for dinner that night to a nearby Kosher restaurant, then for drinks at the Buena Vista Social Café – nice, trendy, cool, smokey.
I’ll save the final 5 days for the next entry. Until then…
Wednesday, 12 April 2006
An African Adventure - Part the B
Saturday, 11th March
We stayed in Knysna for 4 nights, using it as a base to visit various sites around the area. The first day, however, was spent exploring Knysna itself, which was small, uninspiring, full of Brits, but pleasant enough. In the evening, we headed out to the Phantom Forest Eco Restaurant, which, aside from having a cool name, was what their brochure would probably call a 'dining experience'. We drove into the car park and talked to reception, where we were told that a car would be down in a moment to take us up. Sure enough, a moment later, a jeep emerged at the foot of the hill. We climbed in, were drivin up the small, bumpy, windy and steep path up to the restaurant waiting area. Here we sat, chatted, ordered drinks, drank drinks (mineral water for me - I was the designated driver), ordered our food, sat a bit more, until we were fetched by a waiter who took us on a little walk along wooden walkways amidst the treetops, not unlike an Ewok village. The setting was nice, the food was fancy. After the meal, we were taken outside to sit by the fire (the bushmen's TV, they called it - much better than the rubbish on Channel 9) where we were served coffee and sweets. Then we reversed the journey we had made on the way up, and headed back to Pleasure Isle.
Next day (Sunday 12th March - one month ago today), we went to visit the famous Cango Caves. On the drive up through the mountains, we listened on the radio to Australia demolishing South Africa in the final one-dayer (breaking all records they came across in the proess). Arrived, had a tea and scone, then headed into the caves for the 2 o'clock tour. The group was too large to all go in together, so it was split into 2 groups - one tour was led in German, the other in English. The caves were big and old and dark and dank, and full of impressive stalactites and stalagmites, with all sorts of odd and creepy shapes and patterns - like walking through the mind of HR Geiger. After emerging into the daylight, we headed back in the car through the mountains, listening on the radio to South Africa demolishing Australia in the final one-dayer (breaking all records they came across in the process). Back in Knysna, went to a pub, where we saw South Africa win the match (and thereby the series) by one wicket, then watched a game of football (not the Australian variety) - Arsenal Liverpool. Then back to base. While struggling to sleep that night, I half watched the utterly appaling-and-therefore-wonderful programme known as Walker, Texas Ranger, 'starring' Chuck Norris. If you've never seen it, then you really cannot grasp the appalingness you are missing out on.
Monday, and off to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Arrived, sat and had a drink, did a 1km walk to see a suspension bridge (which was closed for maintenance). Walked back again, had a light lunch, then headed off on a much nicer, quieter, more secluded 4km walk through forest terrain. I will try to get some pictures on-line for you to ogle. Then drove back towards Knysna, stopping of for dinner at Pletenburg Bay, eating at a place called The Lookout (I guess because it was 'looking out' over the sea - imaginative), where the food was good, but our table was next to rabble of rowdy and drunk English lawyers, which was not so good. Then back for our last night on Pleasure Isle. We never did get to explore much of the Isle, so I have no idea if the name is justly given.
Tuesday involved a long drive back to Cape Town, and you will have to wait until next time for more...
We stayed in Knysna for 4 nights, using it as a base to visit various sites around the area. The first day, however, was spent exploring Knysna itself, which was small, uninspiring, full of Brits, but pleasant enough. In the evening, we headed out to the Phantom Forest Eco Restaurant, which, aside from having a cool name, was what their brochure would probably call a 'dining experience'. We drove into the car park and talked to reception, where we were told that a car would be down in a moment to take us up. Sure enough, a moment later, a jeep emerged at the foot of the hill. We climbed in, were drivin up the small, bumpy, windy and steep path up to the restaurant waiting area. Here we sat, chatted, ordered drinks, drank drinks (mineral water for me - I was the designated driver), ordered our food, sat a bit more, until we were fetched by a waiter who took us on a little walk along wooden walkways amidst the treetops, not unlike an Ewok village. The setting was nice, the food was fancy. After the meal, we were taken outside to sit by the fire (the bushmen's TV, they called it - much better than the rubbish on Channel 9) where we were served coffee and sweets. Then we reversed the journey we had made on the way up, and headed back to Pleasure Isle.
Next day (Sunday 12th March - one month ago today), we went to visit the famous Cango Caves. On the drive up through the mountains, we listened on the radio to Australia demolishing South Africa in the final one-dayer (breaking all records they came across in the proess). Arrived, had a tea and scone, then headed into the caves for the 2 o'clock tour. The group was too large to all go in together, so it was split into 2 groups - one tour was led in German, the other in English. The caves were big and old and dark and dank, and full of impressive stalactites and stalagmites, with all sorts of odd and creepy shapes and patterns - like walking through the mind of HR Geiger. After emerging into the daylight, we headed back in the car through the mountains, listening on the radio to South Africa demolishing Australia in the final one-dayer (breaking all records they came across in the process). Back in Knysna, went to a pub, where we saw South Africa win the match (and thereby the series) by one wicket, then watched a game of football (not the Australian variety) - Arsenal Liverpool. Then back to base. While struggling to sleep that night, I half watched the utterly appaling-and-therefore-wonderful programme known as Walker, Texas Ranger, 'starring' Chuck Norris. If you've never seen it, then you really cannot grasp the appalingness you are missing out on.
Monday, and off to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Arrived, sat and had a drink, did a 1km walk to see a suspension bridge (which was closed for maintenance). Walked back again, had a light lunch, then headed off on a much nicer, quieter, more secluded 4km walk through forest terrain. I will try to get some pictures on-line for you to ogle. Then drove back towards Knysna, stopping of for dinner at Pletenburg Bay, eating at a place called The Lookout (I guess because it was 'looking out' over the sea - imaginative), where the food was good, but our table was next to rabble of rowdy and drunk English lawyers, which was not so good. Then back for our last night on Pleasure Isle. We never did get to explore much of the Isle, so I have no idea if the name is justly given.
Tuesday involved a long drive back to Cape Town, and you will have to wait until next time for more...
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
An African Adventure - Part the First
There now follows a brief recap of my adventures in South Africa earlier this month. (Also, check out the new links on the right).
R had gone to Bairnsdale to play a gig with EJ on saturday (4th), so I spent that night alone, and set my alarm to wake me up at 4.40am on Sunday morning - ouch. Taxi arrived at 4.55 (5 minutes early) and I was painfully tired. Flew to Sydney (the pilot's name was Captain Roothouse), then flew from Sydney back over Melbourne on route to Jo'burg (?) and then rushed through customs (I think Pele was standing in the customs queue next to me) to make my connecting flight to Cape Town - I had no sitting-around time at any of the airports (except Tullamarine) - I was rushing from one plane to another. When I descended the steps out of the plane and onto the tarmac of Cape Town airport, I was greeted by the spectacular sight of the sun setting behind Table Mountain. Met by my parents and my uncle, who drove us back to his house (past my first glimpses of the almost ubiquitous - and utterly disconcerting for the uninitiated - South African townships), where, after a delightful dinner with cousins, aunt, uncle and parents, I collapsed into my bed-for-the-night, utterly exhausted (having had almost no sleep on the flights), only to be woken shortly after midnight by my brother, returning from a friend's wedding. I gave him a tired greeting hug, then went straight back to sleep - the end of my 33 hour day.
Most of the next day was taken up by the long drive (we also took the scenic route, which made us slightly late) from Cape Town to Mosselbaai. On the way, we saw many mountainous mountains, ostrichy ostriches, and a babboon or two sitting by the road side. I was suprisingly unaffected by jet lag, considering how utterly exhausted I had been the day before. But I was relieved when we arrived at our destination, because it meant the end of 3 days of sitting very still in vehicles. Checked in with the tour organiser, had dinner out (all included in the cost of the hike) and went to bed.
Up early for the first day of out hike (15km). Met our guide, Willie, over breakfast. Then we set off on our 4-day walk. Along the beach front, past a lighthouse, and into a shallow cave, where we saw many a Dassie (small littel rodenty type creatures that sort of look a bit like tailless beavers, but sort of not). We walked up and down, following a rocky trail under a scorching sun (it was very hot - mid 30s - not ideal walking weather), stopping every now and then so that Willie could point out plants to us and tell us about their herbal (or poisonous) properties. Stopped for lunch on a little plateau overlooking the ocean. Up until this point, the walk had been stunning, but towards the end of the day's trail, the path cut across a construction site (they were constructing a golf course) which was less attractive. We could have taken a coastal path which cut out the coarse and took in some caves, but it meant a very steep climb down and up, which we probably would have done if it had been at the start of the walk, but the sun had drained us of all our energy. We were hot and dehydrated and achey. Which is why we were relieved when we came to a road, and Willie announced that we were to be picked up from here and deposited at our place of rest for that night (this was the only time we were picked up - every other day, we walked to where we were staying). We were greeted by copious amounts of food and drink, and then a lecture on the African Black Oystercatcher - a very rare and endangered bird.
Our second day's walk was shorter (12km) but it was all on sand, although we also walked on thousands of beached blue-bottles, which make incredibly satisfying popping noises when stepped on - the ocean's own bubblewrap. We also found an Oystercatcher chick, despite being told yesterday that none had been born at all this year. So I guess that we saw the only African Black Oystercatcher to be born in 2006. We also found an old african midden on top of a dune. The walk itself was hard because it was impossible to guage our progress - the scenery didn't change, our destination didn't seem to be getting any closer, and our starting point wasn't getting any further away. But it was much cooler weather today, and the walk was flat, so I found the going to be quite easy. We arrived at our destination (a place called Boggomsbaai) to find an abundance of thatched cottages. We stayed in a lovely house with a large open fireplace and comfy beds. Which were gratefully occupied by us.
3rd day of walk was our longest - 16km, including some beach walking. We stopped off at a random old lady's house for a toilet break (and so Willie could go to the shops and get some credit for his mobile phone), then hiked up rocky paths to Fransmanshoek, where we stopped for lunch. Then more rocky paths, before embarking on quite a long stretch of beach. At one point, I found out later, Willie turned to my parents and said "I'm going to find out how fit your boys are". He then turned to us, ponted to a huge sand dune, and said "follow me". He then RAN up the side of the dune! Eliot and I attempted to emulate him, but running up a soft sand dune is not easy, and we were soon panting and wheezing away. I kept battling on up (not running - closer to stumbling), but didn't quite make it to the top (it was very windy up there). In the mean time, Willie had made it to the next peak, and had turned around and was running back down past us. We trudged back down with aching limbs and continued on our walk, past Kanon Village and onto our final resting place - an idylically located house right by the sea, with nothing around except rocks, seals and swifts (there was a swift's nest right above the front door).
The last day of our walk was a measly 5km, but it culminated in a boat trip and a champagne brunch. We were driven back to our starting point at Mosselbaai. We then drove towards our next resting place - Knysna - stopping off on the way to pay a visit to a nature reserve, where we saw wilderbeest/gnus, rhinos, giraffes, lions, boks, and some rather touchy-feely elephants (or oliphants, in Africaans). Then to Knysna, where we stayed on a little island called Pleasure Isle. We slept soundly.
The adventure will continue...
R had gone to Bairnsdale to play a gig with EJ on saturday (4th), so I spent that night alone, and set my alarm to wake me up at 4.40am on Sunday morning - ouch. Taxi arrived at 4.55 (5 minutes early) and I was painfully tired. Flew to Sydney (the pilot's name was Captain Roothouse), then flew from Sydney back over Melbourne on route to Jo'burg (?) and then rushed through customs (I think Pele was standing in the customs queue next to me) to make my connecting flight to Cape Town - I had no sitting-around time at any of the airports (except Tullamarine) - I was rushing from one plane to another. When I descended the steps out of the plane and onto the tarmac of Cape Town airport, I was greeted by the spectacular sight of the sun setting behind Table Mountain. Met by my parents and my uncle, who drove us back to his house (past my first glimpses of the almost ubiquitous - and utterly disconcerting for the uninitiated - South African townships), where, after a delightful dinner with cousins, aunt, uncle and parents, I collapsed into my bed-for-the-night, utterly exhausted (having had almost no sleep on the flights), only to be woken shortly after midnight by my brother, returning from a friend's wedding. I gave him a tired greeting hug, then went straight back to sleep - the end of my 33 hour day.
Most of the next day was taken up by the long drive (we also took the scenic route, which made us slightly late) from Cape Town to Mosselbaai. On the way, we saw many mountainous mountains, ostrichy ostriches, and a babboon or two sitting by the road side. I was suprisingly unaffected by jet lag, considering how utterly exhausted I had been the day before. But I was relieved when we arrived at our destination, because it meant the end of 3 days of sitting very still in vehicles. Checked in with the tour organiser, had dinner out (all included in the cost of the hike) and went to bed.
Up early for the first day of out hike (15km). Met our guide, Willie, over breakfast. Then we set off on our 4-day walk. Along the beach front, past a lighthouse, and into a shallow cave, where we saw many a Dassie (small littel rodenty type creatures that sort of look a bit like tailless beavers, but sort of not). We walked up and down, following a rocky trail under a scorching sun (it was very hot - mid 30s - not ideal walking weather), stopping every now and then so that Willie could point out plants to us and tell us about their herbal (or poisonous) properties. Stopped for lunch on a little plateau overlooking the ocean. Up until this point, the walk had been stunning, but towards the end of the day's trail, the path cut across a construction site (they were constructing a golf course) which was less attractive. We could have taken a coastal path which cut out the coarse and took in some caves, but it meant a very steep climb down and up, which we probably would have done if it had been at the start of the walk, but the sun had drained us of all our energy. We were hot and dehydrated and achey. Which is why we were relieved when we came to a road, and Willie announced that we were to be picked up from here and deposited at our place of rest for that night (this was the only time we were picked up - every other day, we walked to where we were staying). We were greeted by copious amounts of food and drink, and then a lecture on the African Black Oystercatcher - a very rare and endangered bird.
Our second day's walk was shorter (12km) but it was all on sand, although we also walked on thousands of beached blue-bottles, which make incredibly satisfying popping noises when stepped on - the ocean's own bubblewrap. We also found an Oystercatcher chick, despite being told yesterday that none had been born at all this year. So I guess that we saw the only African Black Oystercatcher to be born in 2006. We also found an old african midden on top of a dune. The walk itself was hard because it was impossible to guage our progress - the scenery didn't change, our destination didn't seem to be getting any closer, and our starting point wasn't getting any further away. But it was much cooler weather today, and the walk was flat, so I found the going to be quite easy. We arrived at our destination (a place called Boggomsbaai) to find an abundance of thatched cottages. We stayed in a lovely house with a large open fireplace and comfy beds. Which were gratefully occupied by us.
3rd day of walk was our longest - 16km, including some beach walking. We stopped off at a random old lady's house for a toilet break (and so Willie could go to the shops and get some credit for his mobile phone), then hiked up rocky paths to Fransmanshoek, where we stopped for lunch. Then more rocky paths, before embarking on quite a long stretch of beach. At one point, I found out later, Willie turned to my parents and said "I'm going to find out how fit your boys are". He then turned to us, ponted to a huge sand dune, and said "follow me". He then RAN up the side of the dune! Eliot and I attempted to emulate him, but running up a soft sand dune is not easy, and we were soon panting and wheezing away. I kept battling on up (not running - closer to stumbling), but didn't quite make it to the top (it was very windy up there). In the mean time, Willie had made it to the next peak, and had turned around and was running back down past us. We trudged back down with aching limbs and continued on our walk, past Kanon Village and onto our final resting place - an idylically located house right by the sea, with nothing around except rocks, seals and swifts (there was a swift's nest right above the front door).
The last day of our walk was a measly 5km, but it culminated in a boat trip and a champagne brunch. We were driven back to our starting point at Mosselbaai. We then drove towards our next resting place - Knysna - stopping off on the way to pay a visit to a nature reserve, where we saw wilderbeest/gnus, rhinos, giraffes, lions, boks, and some rather touchy-feely elephants (or oliphants, in Africaans). Then to Knysna, where we stayed on a little island called Pleasure Isle. We slept soundly.
The adventure will continue...
Saturday, 4 March 2006
Work In Progress
The more observant among you will notice that this blog looks somewhat different to how it once did. I've fixed the problem with posting comments (should be much easier to do it now), but something's playing with the rest of my formatting. All the links and stuff are now right down at the bottom of the page, instead of where they should be, at the side. I'll try and fix this up, but it probably won't get done until I get back from travelling.
Tomorrow morning, I'm jetting off for 2 and a half weeks in South Africa, for my cousins wedding. I will be seeing all my family again (parents and brothers and cousins and aunts and uncles) which will be great, but R is not joining me, so I shall be busy missing her the whole time.
While I'm away, E+J will be setting off on their travels. They shall be gone indefinitley, so who knows when they'll be back. Take care, guys. See you in Scotland!
Oh, and the other day, I was listening to a song by Bow Wow Wow, called C30, C60, C90, Go. It was great! I love it! Whatever happened to the cassette? Such an 80s format...
I've still got heaps to do to get ready for tomorrow, so I'd best be on my way. Until next time, happy camping
db
xx
Tomorrow morning, I'm jetting off for 2 and a half weeks in South Africa, for my cousins wedding. I will be seeing all my family again (parents and brothers and cousins and aunts and uncles) which will be great, but R is not joining me, so I shall be busy missing her the whole time.
While I'm away, E+J will be setting off on their travels. They shall be gone indefinitley, so who knows when they'll be back. Take care, guys. See you in Scotland!
Oh, and the other day, I was listening to a song by Bow Wow Wow, called C30, C60, C90, Go. It was great! I love it! Whatever happened to the cassette? Such an 80s format...
I've still got heaps to do to get ready for tomorrow, so I'd best be on my way. Until next time, happy camping
db
xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
