Author Archives: puppy1952

About puppy1952

I am making the most of the South African Lifestyle and hope with my blog to share some of the adventures my husband and I are having in our retirement. We live at the Southern Tip of Africa in the small coastal town of Struisbaai. Earl and I have a Gecko off-road caravan and we travel around South Africa frequently. We are bird and wildlife enthusiasts so are often in game reserves.

My Granddaughter’s Easter Wedding

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My granddaughter, Shannon, and her groom, Jordan, met while on holiday when they were teenagers in Grade 11 and Grade 12 respectively. But there was a problem. He lived in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape and she in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, so they could only see each other during school holidays. But distance did nothing to deter these two from forging a strong and loving relationship. They would move mountains to spend time together while never neglecting their studies. Shan worked on a teaching degree through UNISA while Jordan was apprenticed while studying to become a Millwright. He is now qualified and she has just a few months to go before her final exams. They are now 22 and 23 years old respectively. Young, you might think, but not too young. They both know exactly what they want and are truly committed to each other.

Because the two families are from different towns they decided to get married at The Woods, Humansdorp and all the wedding guests booked accommodation at nearby St Francis Bay.

For us, it was a six-hour road trip but the garden route drive is always beautiful. We stopped for breakfast in Swellendam and then for a leg stretch at Bon Jour Petro Stop just before Mossel Bay.

We shared our awesome accommodation with our two daughters, Lisa and Lollz and our grandson, Josh. Our sister-in-law, Barbara, from Kokstad joined us too.

Friday morning breakfast on our patio – Fig and Berries.

The weather for the whole weekend was awesome. The entire weekend was wonderfully organised with something happening each day.

On Thursday evening we had sundowners at the bride’s accommodation and then walked to the restaurant where the entire wedding party had a section of the restaurant to themselves.

Sundowners – aunts and uncle of the bride – Lisa, Nicoline, Lollz, Sean

Groom’s Family – Ettiene and Charlene (parents) on the left Grandparents on the right

On Friday we all gathered at Sunset Beach with our glasses and drinks. Platters of delicious snacks were provided and we socialised and got to know each other while watching the sun go down. What a perfect evening it was. Not a breath of wind and no need for jackets or jerseys.

Brother and cousin of the bride – Simon and Josh

Bridesmaid, Robyn with some friends from St John’s where Shan spent three years before moving to Glenwood

Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaid’s mother – Best of friends who raised their kids together.

Brother (groomsman) and Father of the Bride

Saturday was Wedding Day and the festivities began at 3 pm and lasted well into the night.

The groom’s uncle is a pastor, and he married the happy couple under the canopy of a Bedouin Tent overlooking a beautiful dam. It was a tad windy and at first, the bride’s veil blew into her face but she cleverly swapped places with the groom, her bridesmaid arranged her train and then all went smoothly. What a beautiful ceremony, with the gentlest, wisest words on love being given by the pastor. The bride and groom wrote their own vows which were sincere and beautiful and most eloquently expressed to each other.

Paster Goosen having a word with his nephew

The mothers waiting to sign the register

As the happy couple emerged from the tent a bell rang out its joyful noise. We all showered the couple with natural leaves and the family members gathered for a group photograph. A drone was involved in this and we all had to look up and say cheese!

While the wedding party was having photographs taken the rest of the guests were treated to snacks and drinks in another Bedouin tent. This was followed by a dinner in a beautifully decorated venue next door.

Jeff the MC ensured everything ran smoothly from getting the guests to the right venues in time to introducing each speaker most eloquently. The Father of the Bride brought tears to our eyes with his excellent speech, the best man and bridesmaid read out messages from absent friends and then both the bride and groom gave heartwarming speeches. I was so proud of them both but especially my granddaughter. Who knew that she was so good at public speaking! The groom, too, said that he had not spoken in public since doing English orals at school, yet they both spoke so confidently.

Lauren (mother of the bride) and Bridget (friend)

And then the dancing began. We just loved watching the littlest members of the guests enjoying the music and dancing together.

You couldn’t get this tot off the dance floor!

The Earl teaching Charlene’s niece to dance

Young cousins of the groom enjoying the dancing

The weekend ended with breakfast at the Lighthouse at a restaurant called Nevermind! We packed up at Fig and Berries, drove to the venue, enjoyed a delicious brekkie on the veranda, and then said our farewells to the other guests.

After breakfast, we made our way to Plettenberg Bay where we spent the night with Lauren and Allan, A few of Shannon’s school friends were also accommodated on mattresses in the family room upstairs. There were in fact 12 of us altogether. The girls left very early the following morning but the rest of us left later that morning.

And the Happy Couple? They flew to an island in Mozambique for a week-long romantic honeymoon!

Share Your World for Monday 18 March 2024

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After a brief absence, I am participating in SYW again, Thanks to pensitivity101 for the questions.

Here are this week’s questions:
1. Did you wake up in a good mood this morning?

I am recovering from a bout of diverticulitis which had me laid low for a week so when I awoke this morning (Friday – not Monday) I felt on top of the world for the first time in a while. I have been living on broth for a week and not missing food at all! This morning I was full of energy and quite hungry but not dumb enough to indulge in a big breakfast! That will have to wait another week. It’s clear liquids, jelly (jello) and mashed food for the next week or so.

2. What was the first thing you thought of when you awoke?

Yay, I’m better in time for Shannon’s wedding! She is getting married on Easter Saturday which involves a six-hour road trip and a weekend in Saint Francis Bay. I need to be well because I am —

3. Tea, coffee, or fruit juice/smoothie for breakfast?

I had my first cup of coffee in a week yesterday! Yes, Coffee is my choice of beverage in the morning. While I was sick it was clear apple juice.

4. What topping do you prefer on your toast?

I don’t eat toast and generally limit processed foods – bad for my above condition. For breakfast I usually have eggs done in various ways with various accompaniments and no toast is required.

Most foods, that are served with carbohydrates such as rice and pasta, can be enjoyed without them. I substitute cauliflower, courgettes (zucchini) eggplant or cabbage.

In the days when I did eat toast, I liked soft fried eggs on top for breakfast. Another favourite was toasted bacon and banana. Melted cheese with apricot jam was another treat I very much enjoyed but I have not eaten that for eight years!

This is what Earl thinks of Opal’s substitutes!

Gratitude:

I am grateful that I have not had an attack of diverticulitis for over a year and that I have recovered well after this bout. It is unknown what brings it on but from experience, I know that if I have not been eating my usual healthy diet, I get sick! It is also stress-related. I felt it coming on during our week in Cape Town to do Visa applications. We were rushing around catching up with friends and family so our diet went south and so did my gut!

Budding Little Birders – An Outing to False Bay Nature Reserve

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While visiting Cape Town last week I had the privilege of guiding a class of Grade Three girls, whose teacher is an ex-colleague of mine, on a bird-watching excursion. Each year she does a theme on birds which includes an outing to The False Bay Nature Reserve formerly the settling ponds of the Strandfontein Sewerage Works. I know this park and its birds very well which is why the teacher asked me to be their guide. Of course, I took my ‘driver’ along with me and he enjoyed it just as much as I did.

He and I visited the park the day before to get an idea of where the various species were likely to be found. The photos posted in the blog are from both days. It was rather windy on our recci day and most of the birds were gathered in large groups on P1 and P2. On the day of the excursion, the wind had dropped but it was overcast with a spit and spot of rain which did not dampen the spirits of the little girls at all. There were seven cars filled with eager little girls and their equally interested parents. We were able to get out of the cars quite frequently and at all the ponds we visited we managed to see a variety of beautiful water birds.

In preparation for the outing, the girls had been assigned a bird to research and then had to present an oral to the rest of the class. This also helped them to remember the names of the birds as they associated the bird with the girl who did the oral.

The girls were delighted to tick off most of the assigned birds. I am sure the girls who didn’t find their bird will see them at another time.

**Arabella’s** Black-winged stilts were seen in many of the ponds.

Aren’t **Nuhaa’s** birds pretty – Cape Teals

**Ava** had Cattle Egret and she saw quite a number of them.

Greater Flamingo was **Nura’s** bird and what a lot there were!

Oh, put your wings down! It’s just a Cape Shoveler passing by!

**Jade’s** bird – A black-headed Heron observing the masses of birds of P1

**Abigail,** I think the Egyptian Geese always improve the scenery.

**Risima** got Pied Avocet and we saw lots.

Look, **Thea** – Lots of your birds! A flotilla of shovelers

**Nuhaa’s** Cape Teal with the pink bills and **Thea’s** Cape Shoveler socialising with them

A gathering of Bianca’s Blacksmith Lapwings with stilts and avocets in attendance

**Kayla** was delighted to find her bird. It’s a dabchick, she said but also knew its new name – Little Grebe.

Lots of **Alia’s** Hartlaub’s Gulls – I wonder what happened to the one in the middle!

It was wonderful to find Lesser Flamingo. They are not as common as Greater Flamingo in this park.

There were lots of Elle’s bird, the Kelp Gull, to be found. Here they are with Olivia’s Sacred Ibis and **Arabella’**s Black-winged Stilts.

**Fatima’s** Bird – Great White Pelicans

**Sara’s** bird appeared from time to time – Glossy Ibis

We were surprised to see large groups of **Talullah’s** Bird, The Common Moorhen

Usually, she is shy and tries to hide away.

**Frances’s** Yellow-billed Duck was at our very first pond.

**Annabelle** was assigned the handsome Spur-winged goose and a number of them were happy to come along to greet the girls.

**Emma** was assigned the Swift Tern now known as a Greater Crested Tern – There were many of them with their yellow bills among the Hartlaub’s Gulls.

Rania Did you see a red-billed teal? I don’t remember seeing one but I believe some of the girls did. So here is a photo from another time.

Some of the girls didn’t get to see their birds on their outing day so the challenge to them is to try to see it in the near future. I am sure they will.

Below are photographs from my archives – not necessarily taken at Strandfontein.

Ann Rose, one day I am sure you will see a shelduck. As you know the male and female are not alike. These two were taken at Addo Elephant Park

Audrey, your bird is the beautiful African Darter. Keep your eyes open for one.

Grace, I was very surprised we didn’t see any cormorants. They usually love visiting Strandfontein.

What a great time we all had on this excursion. For me, it was great to see the enthusiasm of such young children. Their teacher has certainly kindled an interest in birds and wildlife in them. These little girls have been introduced to a hobby they can be involved in for the rest of their lives.

Share Your World 26 January 2024

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Here are my answers to this week’s Share Your World from pensitivity101

1. How many times have you been a patient in hospital?

I have been in hospital four times in my seventy-one years.

2. Did you notice any differences with your experiences?

Yes, but they were years apart and all in different hospitals

I had my tonsils removed at age 7 at Groote Schuur Hospital. I have very little memory of this other than that I was glad to get home to eat jelly and ice cream which was promised in the hospital but was never given! I remember my throat being too sore to eat anything else!

Aged twenty-seven, I was in hospital for seven nights when I gave birth to my daughter in 1979. These days mothers are lucky if they spend one night in a hospital after giving birth. I felt that I learned a lot about caring for my baby while I was in the Mowbray Maternity Hospital.

I am happy to report that I was never admitted to hospital again until 2019 when I was struck down with pneumonia. I was in a private hospital in Hermanus, for five days. The general ward I was in had three other patients. On the first night, one of the elderly patients had a bad reaction to her medication and was hallucinating and screaming all night. The nurses handled her beautifully but the rest of us didn’t get much sleep! After that, she was absolutely fine.

I was also admitted to a Mediclinic in Plettenberg Bay, just before my seventieth birthday in 2022. I was visiting my daughter and went down with an attack of diverticulitis. I did not respond to the antibiotics I was given so had to go on a drip. The nursing care was excellent

Fortunately, other than my tonsillectomy, I have not had to undergo any surgeries.

3. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being good and 1 being poor, how would you rate food choices, and separately on the same scale, quality?

There were no choices in the maternity hospital but the food if I remember correctly was okay except for my first meal which was lunch and who wants to eat curry after giving birth? Not me! I’ll give them a 3.

Hermanus Mediclinic – choices 4 quality 4 – But then again, I had no appetite so didn’t appreciate the food at all. The good thing was that I could just choose soup or something light that I could manage.

Plettenberg Bay Mediclinic – As above.

They wouldn’t give me wine!

4. How long were you in for?

Groote Schuur – 3 days. Maternity – 7 days. Hermanus – 5 days Plettenberg Bay – 3 days.

Gratitude

When I read about the appalling medical care that people receive at government hospitals in First World Countries, I feel immensely grateful for my medical aid which allows me to consult a doctor of my choice and go to a private hospital. However, this does not mean that government hospitals in this country are all bad. Despite the overcrowding and lack of funds, they seem to do pretty well or rather the best they possibly can.

My domestic worker had her baby at a government hospital near us and had excellent care. There are horror stories from the private hospitals too! But because I am paying, I can choose and complain if things don’t go right. Medical Aid is not cheap and it runs out quite quickly too when you’re older and need it more! There is talk of getting something like NHS in this country which I am convinced will not work well. I’m just grateful that right now my hubby and I are in good health and have access to good medical facilities.

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Prize-Giving

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Friday 16 February 2024

It was a chilly and rainy day in Struisbaai today and the boats certainly were not able to go out for a last attempt to catch a marin! But this meant that all were rested and ready for the Prize-Giving function,

First, the Tournament Director, Grant van der Westhuyzen, gave a vote of thanks to all who were involved in the smooth running of this competition. Mention was made of all the catering staff and bar ladies, the scoring committee, the weather committee, Andrew on radio, and of course all our amazing sponsors.

Then a few special awards were made.

Oom Diekie le Roux was thanked for being the Calcutta Weigh Master and Trevor Brinch (Spotter One) for radio communications

Earl and Helen Fenwick received a case of Springfield Life from Stone for photography and blogging

Then the results of the Calcutta were announced and a 19.1kg Dorado was the heaviest fish caught

Well done for winning the pot, Juan Needham from Team Maverick with Tournament Director, Grant.

Special awards were presented to boats who have entered TOMT for many years in a row. Vleis Visagie’s Multi, Nuts Rupert’s Grace, Dudley Rosslee’s Dory, Mike Broderick’s Bad Co, and Iaan Viljoen’s Kinda’ Magic have all entered 10 years in a row. Rikus de Beer’s Marco Polo, Andrew van Zyl’s Gwaza, and Gawie Bruwer’s Indogo have entered 15 years in a row. Some of these anglers were not present but the ones who were are pictured below with the tournament director, Grant van der Westhuyzen.

It is not often that we see ladies participating in TOMT and this year we had three lovely girls among the crew. I have already mentioned Tammy from My Way but our other two are from the new entrant, Loslappie. We hope to see you back here, next year ladies.

Ada de Wit and Monica Botha of Loslappie

The other lady angler, Tammy von Wildenrath with her partner Aaron

Finally, the winners of the tournament were announced. Well done to all the crew of these boats. Catching a marlin requires team involvement and the glory goes to you all. Once again here are the links to the anglers’ stories.

Simon Hipkin

Jean van den Berg

Andrew Pawson

Third place to Multi – Darius Steyn, Andre Pawson, Roelof Visagie, Dawie Theron, Ivaan de Jager, Henk Ackerman

Second place to Maverick Ronald Penninkhof, JP Groenewald, Juan Needham, Jaen van der Berg

Sea Cat. First Place! Simon Hipkin, Smiley Bhungu, Ben Johnson, Chris Steyn

Nobody went home empty handed and each team received a bag of some awesome prizes which they collected at the end of the proceedings.

During the evening there was also another auction for club funds and a beautiful leather travelling bag and a scooter went for a song – or perhaps more than they would ordinarily have paid? But it was all for a very good cause!

Thus ends The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. We hope to see you all again in 2025.

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament Day 5 -Auction

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Angler’s Story – Andrew Pawson

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Thank you to Andrew for his story on how he caught his marlin with the help of Team Multi

We prepared well for this competition and decided to target a striped marlin. Although we did the “Livey” thing, having seen how successful that was for John Graeme last year, we still had no success.

It was almost lines-up, we were in the zone where our skipper had caught marlin before so we changed the size of the lures and looked for a stripey. Luckily the timing was right and the first fish of the day was in my slot on the boat. I was on and quickly realised that if this was a stripey, it would complete the “Slam” for me. Black, blue and a stripey. What a relief when the call came that it was indeed my target fish, Needless to say, I had all the advice from an experienced crew with the normal amount of adjectives!

The fight was tough but worthwhile. We landed the marlin within the extra time. I have to thank my skipper and crew for the privilege. There is really no better feeling for me to land a trophy fish like this. Maybe winning the World Cup, again!

It is always a privilege to be part of this tournament!!

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Angler’s Story – Jaen Van Den Berg

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Thanks to Jaen van den Berg who with the help of the Maverick Team sponsored by Airmar caught a Marlin on Monday 12 February 2024. He tells his story in Afrikaans below which is the loose English translation.

Maandag gedurende hierdie kompetisie het een van my grootste drome gerealiseer -‘n gestreepte marlyn.

Al die lyne was in die water gereed vir aksie terwyl ons besig was om te braai en ek die marlyn in die spread raaksien. Alles is net so gelos en die groot adrenalienloop my beet pak … die marlyn is aan die longrigger!

Die dek word vinnig opgeruim en alles is reg en uit die pad uit terwyl ek die marlyn onder beheer probeer kry.

Die geveg is aanen ek het ongeveer 45min gestoei en getrek met baie raad, bystand en groot opgewondenheid van die crew. Eindelik is die marlyn langs die boot getrek die hoeke verwyder, die marlyn getag en release.

Baie dankie aan die crew JP Groenewald, Ron Penninkoff en Juan Needham wat gehelp het om my bucketlist korter te maak.

Maverick wapper met trots die marlynvlag

English translation

On Monday, the first fishing day of this competition, my biggest dream came true. I caught a striped marlin!

All lines were in and ready for action while we were busy making a braai and I saw the marlin in the spread. We left everything as the adrenalin kicked in. The marlin was on the longrigger.

The deck was quickly rearranged and everything was sorted out while I tried to get the marlin under control.

The fight continued for forty-five minutes with plenty of advice and support coming from the other crew members. The excitement was extreme.

Finally, the marlin was brought next to the boat and the hook was removed. We also tagged him

Thank you to the crew, JP Groenwald, Ron Penninkoff and Juan Needham who helped me to shorten my Bucket List.

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Angler’s Story – Simon Hipkin

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On Tuesday 13 February, Simon Hipkin with the help of his teammates on Sea Cat caught his first-ever Marlin. This is his story

Our day out on Seacat

It’s my third year here, and up until late yesterday afternoon, I’d yet to see a marlin. Yes, we have had strikes and near misses, but that’s not quite the same!

As one of the smallest boats that enter the Two Oceans Annual Marlin comp, we don’t have the ability to run to Alfards and the 45 contour. We’ve had a game plan each year – get live bait and try to keep them alive long enough to get plucked by a marlin.

We’ve stuck to this year on year and only trolled Conas when we were between spots. Yesterday, we tried everything but couldn’t find a single live bait. So, all in on black as they say. We rigged a spread of 5 Conas and that floppy floppy thing. With 30 minutes to go, my two teammates were both suggesting lines up. Fortunately, I declined, and with 5 minutes to go, we hooked into a black marlin. The exhilaration of that beautiful dark body leaping out of the water is all it’s cracked up to be! It’s a memory I hope I’ll carry with me to the day I die!

Chris Steyn, skipper and cameraman, and Ben Johnson, the leader man, you guys were incredible. Neither of them had skippered or leadered a marlin before yesterday. I’ll go to war with you guys at my side any day.

The elation of getting the fish to the boat, Ben grabbing the leader, to the agony of it, to have it swim off again, just adds to the overall satisfaction. We managed to get it to the boat once again, leader it, remove the hook, and watch it swim off.

I’m hard-pressed to remember a better day on the water, and if not the best day of my lifetime, it’s certainly right up there.

The Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Day 4

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Wednesday 14 February – Valentine’s Day

The weather and sea conditions were perfect and the anglers had high expectations of getting their coveted marlin. But it was not to be and all had to be satisfied with catching fish for the Calcutta. I just took a few photos of the boats in the harbour as they came back from sea.

Click on the first photograph to see the slide show.

As it was Valentine’s Day today the staff were dressed in red and a few hearts were decorating the clubhouse. The fishermen were treated to the most delicious fish soup and swordfish for mains. Because it was Valentine’s Day dessert was red velvet cupcakes.

I made Earl wear a red shirt. Dahlene looking gorgeious in red

Those who committed misdemeanors had to take snuff and down a strafdop which gave everybody a good laugh and the guys (and one girl) were great sports about it all.

Naughty Jared from Kinda Magic stole a flag from outside the clubhouse! But he brought it back.

I’m not sure what Grant did but he head to sniff the snuff!

Hannis of Mojo overslept and made his crew late!

Poor Jacques from Mojo was accused by his crew of being a terrible skipper. Sorry Jacques – these guys just don’t appreciate you!

Apparently, Nick from My Way forgot how to fish? I’m not sure what that was all about!

Andrew on Gwaza was reprimanded for his inadequate radio. Perhaps it’s time to visit Suidpunt Marine to order a new one?

Nic from My Way had a lucky escape – he was not present to receive his punishment so Tammy (a girl angler!) took it on the chin for him! How’s that for supporting your teammates!

For some reason, the whole of Team Maverick was made to sniff and down a dop. It was something to do with them all being full of it or talking nonsense?

Apologies if I have the actual crimes wrong – it’s not easy keeping up with the comments while taking photos and keeping pace with what’s going on.

Then there was the presentation of prizes for the daily Calcutta.

Name and Boat	Weight of Fish
Andrew Pawson (Multi)	9.8kg Yellowtail
Eugene Terblanche (Indigo)	7.62kg Yellowtial
Ivaan de Jager (Multi)	7.62kg Yellowtail
Gawie Bruwer (Indigo)	6.46 Yellowtail
Henk Ackerman (Multi)	5.2kg Yellowtail
Serge Wessels (indigo)	5.1kg Yellowtail
Ben Johnson (Sea Cat)	3.6kg Yellowtail
Simon Lowe (My Way)	3.08kg Yellowtail

The weather for the next few days does not look promising so the boats may not be able to go out again. But the fun will continue at the evening functions. Below is a slide show of everybody enjoying the camaraderie.