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.
Thursday 6 March 2025 Fueled by their determination to find the elusive marlin, the anglers launched early this morning. The weather started off cool, with overcast skies and a light drizzle, but as the morning progressed, it cleared up, revealing yet another beautiful day out at sea.
Frequent reports of by-catches were received, but it wasn’t until 14:05, when the airwaves came alive, and Dory announced a marlin hook-up. The excitement in my house was palpable as we waited for updates on the progress of the fight. Would this be Dory’s second marlin in this competition?
Shared Excitement as the Marlin Hook-Up Report Comes Through (AI Generated Image)
After fifty-five minutes, we collectively breathed a sigh of relief and erupted in cheers upon hearing that Dory had successfully measured and released a black marlin, estimated to weigh 220kg! Stay tuned for Chris’s story, as well as the tales of other anglers who have triumphantly caught marlin during this tournament. It might take a day or two, as they’ve all been tirelessly out at sea every day and are too exhausted to write their stories at night.
Lines-up was called at 16:00, and the fleet returned on the incoming tide, though it was still slightly low. The accumulation of sand in the harbour remains a troublesome issue, causing one or two trailers to get stuck. However, after a few attempts, their vehicles were able to successfully tow them out.
Note: To view the group of photographs, click on the first one to enlarge it. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow. Press ‘escape’ to return to the blog post. On your phone, swipe to view each photo and tap the ‘x’ to return to the blog post. You may also need to tap the information icon to view the captions.
Adveturous A-Lure Arrives The Bad Boys ReturnThe Brave Boys from Bayswater Eclipse back from exploring the seasJolly good to see Jaunty Layliz sailing inBrothers of John Graeme Home from the Sea’s EmbraceSerene and steadfast: The John Graeme rests in the tranquil embrace of the harbourHarbour harmony: Indigo and Loslappie rest side by sideLovley Ladies of LoslappieMarvelous Explorer of the Sea – Marco PoloMagical Mojo back from the deepProud Piromero in the Placid Waters of Struisbaai HarbourSeagull soaring above the Sensational “She’s all Wet”Striking a pose on StrikerThe Merry Men of MultiDynamic Dory steals the spotlight today, returning triumphant and proudly flying the Black Marlin Flag.Chris Gillit – Hero of the day -Dory in the background
Evening Fun This evening’s dinner was a delicious Beef Bourguignon and Rice which was a gastronomic delight.
Day Three’s Hero, Andrew Davidson, had his lovely wife, Adele, accompany him this evening. Andrew is also known as Davy – still in the navy and probably will be for life!Jayliz Jollers – Jannie, Willie, J.B. ErnieUnder 40s – Angelina, Estian, Marius, Idé, Hylton
Being out at sea solely to catch Marlin can become frustrating so a friendly side competition also took place. Competitors were permitted to weigh one game fish per boat and small prizes would be awarded to the third heaviest, second heaviest and heaviest fish. At this evening’s function the first, second and third day winners received their prizes. As you can see in the video below the sea was bubbling with mackerel so the fishing was good. Thanks to Briers van Rensburg from Loslappie for this footage.
Day 1
Third – Ada from LoslappieAmazing Ada with the Yellow-tail she caughtSecond Hannes from MojoJannie from Jayliz is First
Day 2 –
Third Ernie from JaylizSecond Darius from MultiMatthew from Bad Co was absent so Dad John received his prize for him
Third Day
Third for his Wahoo – Etienne from She’s All WetNice one, Etienne
Second prize-winner was Richard from Bad Co but he was absent this evening.
First – Peter from A-Lure
Then various ‘rule-breakers’ were called up to face the consequences with a sniff of snuff and/or the downing of a ‘strafdop’. (For my non-South African readers – a Strafdop translates to a Punishment Drink.)
Piet -Last Year’s Champion Rule Breaker
All of the strafdoppe and snuff puffs were taken in good humour and Piet, the champion rule-breaker will hand over this honour to someone else tomorrow!
The last day of the tournament is tomorrow (Friday). Lines in is anytime but as the wind will be coming up Lines-up will be 12 noon.
Please note that if you wish to read previous posts, scroll down till just before comments and you will see the arrows. Just click on the arrow and you will be taken to previous or following post
Wednesday, 5 March 2025 Once again, the fleet set out bright and early under overcast skies with a light drizzle. The sea, however, remained calm, making it an ideal day to be out on the water.
The early, faint reports of hook-ups crackling over the radio had us holding our breath and hoping for successful releases. However, our hopes were dashed as we learned they were either maco/marlins or brief on-and-offs, and no marlin were measured and released today.
‘Better luck next time, fellas! I’ve got places to be and hooks to dodge!’ (AI generated image)
The afternoon brought clear skies, transforming the harbor into a stunning scene as we went to welcome the returning fleet.
The boats resting in the tranquil harbour as a gull glides gracefully aboveBayswater, bold and beautiful basking in the sunlightCatitude – The Cat with Attitude back from chasing the elusive marlin.The Dashing Dory ReturnsElegant Eclipse waiting for the trailer in the calm harbourJayliz crew flash the photographer a joyful smileThe lovely crew of Loslappie alongside the jetty
South Africans love to braai and this evening we were all treated to chicken done over the coals and served with baked potato and salad,
From the kitchen to the coals – these skilled cooks took their talents outdoors and braaied up a storm.Anglers enjoying the excellent fareSoo-Ja crew brought their lovely wives – Jo and Marisa, Adriaan and Janien
And so the fleet is fortified and ready to fish another day. May they have tight lines and lots of success in hooking the big one tomorrow!
Today brought warm yet overcast weather with minimal wind—perfect conditions for a day at sea. The boats were granted permission to launch at first light, and lines-up was announced at 16:00.
There were numerous hook-ups reported, but many anglers faced disappointment as their anticipated ‘Maco-Marlins’ turned out to be sharks instead of the prized Black Marlin. Dory, however, had a successful hook-up and measured and released a lovely 181kg Black Marlin. The boats with successful catches will need to share their stories, though they’re all keeping busy with daily fishing adventures. Stay tuned for their thrilling tales in the days to come!”
Dory returning victorious Proudly pointing to the Black Marlin FlagProudly flying the flag of success
With the boats returning earlier than yesterday, the jetty was not yet flooded when the fleet returned. It was a delight to find short-tailed stingrays swimming in the shallows. They glide in eagerly to feast on the scraps from the commercial fishermen as they clean their fish at the water’s edge.
Iaan waiting to greet the anglers.An opportunistic Short-tailed Stingray
Yesterday, I did not get photos of Soo-Ja! and Bayswater so here they are today,
A crew member dropped off to fetch the trailerThe bold and beautiful BayswaterSoo-Ja! Feisty and Fearless returns from the deep
It is always fun to welcome the boats back. Below are a few more pictures of the returning fleet.
She’s All Wet, Eclipse and JaylizBad Co and KiruGwaza sails home in style, with a seagull squadron escorting her to the harbour
Struisbaai Harbour is currently facing a considerable sand build-up, which unfortunately affected poor Multi’s return today. It’s time the harbour entrance fee was put to good use! Thankfully a Roberton’s Toyota vehicle was there and ready to offer assistance.
Oops – she’s stuck!Their vehicle is not strong enough to pull her out on her own so Iaan’s Toyota Hi-Lux is attached,Success! The two vehicles working together manage to pull Multi out.
Dinner tonight was another masterpiece for the record books—Marinda and her team outdid themselves, making sure every hungry angler was catered for! Though, for those of us with smaller appetites, it felt like tackling a buffet built for a marlin.
Lamb neck falling off the bone, mash and veggies – Too much for an old man!Two of our lady anglers, Ada and Idé ready to tuck in.
The boats began launching at various times this morning, but they all needed to be out of the harbor by 09:00 due to the outgoing tide, which would make the water level too low, especially for the larger vessels. Catitude encountered some difficulties and had to be assisted off a sandbank by the crew and others, as the recent strong southeasterly winds had blown sand into the harbour, making it even shallower than usual. Thank you, John Paulse for sending me the following photographs.
A crazy start for Catitude this morning. But it all ended well!
Skipper, Mike Riley handling it with good humour.
The weather, though calm, was cool and foggy this morning, but it cleared up as the day progressed and it was a beautiful day out at sea. Once all the boats were out, Andrew read out The Fisherman’s Prayer and wished all the anglers, Tight Lines.
The Fisherman’s Prayer
First Strike of the Tournament At 11:55 the first excited call sounded on the radio. Skipper of Indigo, Gawie Bruwer, reported that they had a hook-up and had seen the black marlin clearly. Peté after a forty-one minute fight, measured and released the black marlin. Watch this space for the angler’s story.
AI Generated Picture
The Fleet Returns This morning’s launch took place at a very low tide, but by the time lines-up was called at 17h50, the tide had risen significantly, making the harbour somewhat choppy. The jetty was submerged underwater, and at times I found myself standing in knee-deep water as I took the photographs. It was quite challenging for the anglers to come alongside, as jumping off the boat became rather dangerous!
Jetty
Two of the boats, Soo-Ja and Bayswater returned before 16h00 so I did not manage to get photographs of them. Watch this space tomorrow. Note: To view the group of photographs, click on the first one to enlarge it. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow. Press ‘escape’ to return to the blog post. On your phone, swipe to view each photo and tap the ‘x’ to return to the blog post. You may also need to tap the information icon to view the captions.
Amazing A-lureBad Boys on Bad COCalm attitude on CatitudeUndaunted DoryAndrew and Emil on DoryExciting times on EclipseLast home – Gee Spot but absolutely worth the wait – stunning in the sunsetShe is a lovely boatThe great Gwaza had a stab at catching marlin todayWaiting for Indigo She’s in the backgroundThat tide was relentlessIncredible Indigo with the Black Marlin flag flying Well done Team IndigoThe Joyful return of JaylizJaunty John GraemeJohn Graeme – where Dad rules but the kids have fun!Keen Kiru back from sea.Lovely Le Boss 2 Moored outside the harbourLe Boss crew return in the rubber duckNothing to lose on LoslappieLoslappie -breaking gender lines one fish at a time. Marco Polo home from exploring the sea for marlinThe intrepid explorersMagic MojoMojo reels in good vibes and great fishMarvelous MultiWelcome back guys!Nifty NerinaNever gives upProud PiromeroPiromero, perfect in this lightShe’s All Wet makes waves in rain and shine.Stunning Sterling Striker alongside the flooded jettySuperb StrikerThe Gambler – High stakes on the high seas with a lucky lady on boardFeisty Vistrok moors outside the harbour
Due to the later-than-usual lines-up today, dinner was served later, and most of the anglers left the clubhouse immediately after eating. They certainly needed to get a good night’s rest to be out bright and early again in the morning
As we arrived at Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub this evening, it was delightful to see the sponsor banners fluttering in the wind. These vibrant banners, adorned with the names and logos of our generous sponsors, line the pathway, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these sponsors for their invaluable support, making this tournament possible.
Small welcome drinks were served as the anglers arrived and once again we thank the lovely ladies behind the bar for their cheerful service and friendliness.
Patricia, Corne, Karen, Deidre, Lisa
The atmosphere at the clubhouse was filled with laughter and camaraderie as the anglers gathered for the evening’s function. The room buzzed with animated conversations and cheerful banter. Smiles and playful teasing were creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Welcome DrinksPeté, Craig and Gawie (Indigo)August Joe Adrian (Soo-Ja)Christian, Sampie, Gert, Jo, Stefan (Vistrok)New shoes!He swept me off my feet!
Female Anglers
“The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament typically draws a large number of male anglers, but this year, we are thrilled to welcome five female competitors.
Angie Lotter from A-LureLoslappie had three female anglers participating. Ada de Witt, Ide de Witt (Mother and daughter), Monica Botha. Nettie the dog also gets to go along. Hopefully, she brings them luck!Leonie Penninkhof as introduced yesterday. She is on The Gambler
Best of luck to these incredible lady anglers. Your passion and skill inspire us all. May you reel in the biggest catches and create unforgettable memories on the water. Tight lines and happy fishing! 🎣
Tournament Founder It was a privilege to have Trail Witthuhn, one of the founders of TOMT, speak to the anglers. He recounted the story of his first encounter with marlin in the Agulhas area and how an Australian friend taught him the proper technique to catch them. Drawing from his extensive experience, Trail shared that at this time of year, anglers are more likely to catch black marlin, as the stipeys have migrated from the area. Thank you, Trail, for your valuable tips, which we are certain will be immensely helpful to the anglers.
What a legend – Trail Whitthuhn
The Auction This evening, Andrew Perrins, renowned for his sharp wit and humor, stepped into the role of auctioneer at our lively wine auction. Dahlene presented the exquisite wines, ready to go under the hammer, while the anglers had to be cautious with their gestures, as even the smallest wave could lead to a substantial bid.
Note: To view the group of photographs, click on the first one to enlarge it. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow. Press ‘escape’ to return to the blog post. On your phone, swipe to view each photo and tap the ‘x’ to return to the blog post. You may also need to tap the information icon to view the captions.
The amazing winesSafety Officer or Auctioneer?The bidding beginsChris bidsHow much did I bid?!Dahlene shows what’s on offerDarius makes a generous bidI up it to 7 – thousand or hundred?Piet parted with a few randsI’ll bid on that!This is fun!
Following the auction, we were treated to a delectable dinner. Marinda and her team truly outdid themselves as we savored Cordon Bleu Pork, chips, and salad. For dessert, we indulged in irresistible tiny chocolate balls that were simply to die for.
Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub, is once again proud to host the annual Two Oceans Marlin Tournament.
This evening, all the teams gathered at the clubhouse to register, collect their goodie bags, and enjoy a wonderful tapas meal catered by the Club Manageress, Marinda, and her amazing team.
A-Lure Skipper, Pieter Steyn at the registration desk.Are they twins? No but they sure look alike – one of them is Skipper of Bad Co – Mike Broderick – Which one?I’m still confused!
I’m not sure yet how many lady anglers we have in the tournament this year but it was good to see at least one at the registration desk.
Leonie Penninkhof, lady angler fishing the marlin for the first time with hubby, Ron, skipper of GamblerDory’s Skipper Dudley Rosslee signing in.Delicious food for the hungry anglersThe ever-cheerful kitchen staff – Hanelie, Beverley, Genéve, Joseline (Kitchen Manager)Sponsored by Robertson Toyota!
Assisting the anglers in enjoying the evening fully were the lovely bar ladies, who are always patient, friendly, and helpful.
Three of the bar ladies – Patricia, Lisa, and Deidré
Tonight’s event commenced with a series of welcome speeches. Grant van der Westhuyzen, the Tournament Manager, reminded the anglers of the competition’s format, explained the rules, and encouraged everyone to participate with the right spirit. Below, you’ll find a brief history of how the tournament began and an overview of its operation.
History and Rules of The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament
The late Meirion Williams of Huck Finn fame, was instrumental in establishing an annual marlin catch, measure, and release competition.This was after he chatted to local commercial fisherman, TrailWhitthuhn, who twenty years ago, landed a striped marlin. Meirion believed it would be valuable to investigate the population and sizes of marlin in the Agulhas area. It is important to acknowledge that the project was not the work of just one person. Contributors such as Gawie Bruwer, Hannes Schreuder, Gerard De Kock, Johan Jooste, and Johan van der Walt played crucial roles in turning the idea into a reality. Andrew Perrins was approached to take on the role of Safety Officer, and since then, he has been actively involved in setting up aerials and operating the radios. He is supported by his reliable assistants, Trevor Brinch and Earl Fenwick, along with various team members throughout the years—making it a great team effort. For the past several years, Andrew, who now lives and works in the United Kingdom, has returned specifically to participate in this unique competition. He is expertly assisted by Trevor Brinch, also known as Spotter One, a local from Cape Agulhas who manages radio control in the area. The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament belongs to all those who participate and their influence over Tournament matters is proportional to the number of events the Skippers have participated in since 2007. The Tournament is an invitational event and is not associated with organised angling at either Local, Provincial or National levels. In the event of a tie at the end of the tournament, the marlin caught last will be declared the winner. The Tournament is fished as a no-kill, measure and release event with no points being given for a dead fish.
Brief summary of the rules
Upon returning to shore, boats must display a flag indicating what they have caught and released. Additionally, a video must be presented to the judges to verify the catch. In the event of a tie at the end of the tournament, the marlin caught last will be declared the winner.
MARLIN
POINTS
FLAG
Black Marlin
150
White flag with Black Marlin
Striped Marlin
150
White flag with Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
150
Blue Flag with White Marlin
Sailfish
100
Blue Flag with Black Marlin
Other Billfish
100
Two Oceans Flag
The above indicates the basic allocation of points. Bonus points may be given in certain circumstances.
Sponsors The participating anglers acknowledge and appreciate the support of this club, as well as the sponsors, whose generosity makes this tournament possible.
TWO OCEANS MARLIN TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
Please support our Sponsors
AIRMAR BALLYHOO MARINE
BILTONG & JAVA BLENCO
BON COURAGE WINES BUFFELSFONTEIN/HALEWOOD
COFFEE. (FULL STOP) FISH & MORE CEMSTONE
CENTRAL FORKLIFT CHAS EVERITT
CORNELIS HAM FPM SUPPLIERS
GARMIN SA GREENFISH
HEINEKEN HEINRICH TIPS
JACITA TACKLE & OUTDOOR JEBO CONNECT
NICO ALBERTS INTERIORS NINA’S DELI
PAUL DRYER PICK N PAY STRUISBAAI
PULSATOR LURES RAYMARINE AVION
ROBERTSON TOYOTA RUTHERFORD / MERCURY
M-RAD / SIMRAD SKI-BOAT MAGAZINE
SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES SPRINGFIELD WINES
STRUISBAAI SPECIALSIT ANGLING SUIDPUNT SECURITY
SUIDPUNT MARINE VILJOENSDRIFT WINES
WALKER BAY FIRE ENGINEERING
Andrew Perrins (Safety Officer and Radio Controller) with Zach Swingburn – Airmar Representative. Thank you Airmar, for your amazing support.
Mercury Representative Gareth Dreyer and his wife Delicia. Thanks to Mercury for their generous sponsorship.
Below is a list of the participating boats and skippers
Skipper
Boat
PIETER STEYN
A-LURE (First-time entrant)
MIKE BRODERICK
BAD CO
PIET WESSELS
BAYSWATER
MIKE RILEY
CATITUDE
DUDLEY ROSSLEE
DORY
IAN BARNARD
ECLIPSE (First-time entrant)
KOOS PRETORIUS
GEE SPOT
ANDREW VAN ZYL
GWAZA
GAWIE BRUWER
INDIGO
JB SNYMAN
JAYLIZ (First time entrant)
CHRIS GOATLEY
JOHN GRAEME
SAREL JANSE VAN RENSBURG
KIRU (First-time entrant)
JACO JACOBS
LE BOSS 2
PEET BOTHA
LOSLAPPIE
RIKUS DE BEER
MARCO POLO
JACQUES VAN NIEKERK
MOJO
ROELOF VISAGIE (VLEIS)
MULTI
MARIUS LODEWYKS
NERINA (First time entrant)
ROBIN VERMAAK
PIROMERO
ALLAN FIRMANI
SHE’S ALL WET (First time entrant)
JOE VERWEY
SOO-JA (First-time entrant)
JACQUES BRITZ
STRIKER (First-time entrant)
RON PENNINKHOF
THE GAMBLER (First time entrant)
GERT VILJOEN
VISTROK
Listening to the rulesTeam Bayswater got into the spirit of the tournament. Just love those supporters’ t-shirts. Left to right – Ockie holding twin Janko, Henda holding twin Malinke, Piet, Hanicke and in front AnikaDarius ‘Trump’ all the way from the USA made friends with our Airmar Sponsor!
TOMTLegend Award Every year one Two Oceans Marlin ‘legend’ is honoured with special award. This year’s Legend of TOMT is Koos Pretorius A special award honouring him was presented by Gawie Bruwer. Koos generously sponsored the purchase of our Delta 82 radio system, which benefits all anglers around Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. Additionally, Koos was part of the Osprey team that released six striped marlin in one day in 2012, a record that still stands unbroken.
Koos Pretorius receiving his award from Gawie Bruwer
Sunday was originally planned as the first day of fishing. However, due to a weather call, fishing will now commence on Monday. The forecast for the week looks promising!
If money was no object, where in the world would you like to visit? I have traveled to many wonderful places, but my favorite destinations are right here in South Africa. However, if money were no object, I would choose to visit India. Having never been there before, I believe it would be the next best place to my own country. I have always wanted to see a tiger in the wild, and I would hire a personal guide to take me into the jungle to find one. The guide would also know the best spots to observe birds, which I might enjoy even more than seeing the majestic tiger.
Would you like to visit Outer Space? I would, actually. If I were to go into outer space, I think the best thing would be experiencing the awe-inspiring views of Earth from above. Seeing Earth suspended in the vastness of space, would be a magical experience. I would also love to do a space walk. Imagine how awesome it must be to ‘fly’ in the endless universe.
Have you ever been on a cruise? I’ve been on several cruises, each one a delightful experience. The most memorable was in 2019 when my husband and I embarked on a 29-day journey from Port Louis, Mauritius, to Venice, Italy. Along the way, we visited many exotic countries along the coast of Africa, navigated through the Suez Canal, and explored the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean destinations.
The Suez Canal from the Costa Victoria 2019
Would you like to go on an underwater adventure? I believe the mysteries of the deep sea are more thrilling than outer space. There is still so much to uncover in the depths of our oceans. If it were possible, I would love to board a ‘yellow’ submarine and explore the ocean floor. I’ve had a taste of the ocean’s wonders through some snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, which left me in awe of its beauty and diversity.
Gratitude
“To wander is to wonder, and I am forever grateful for the beauty and wisdom each new place imparts. The world is my classroom, and every journey a lesson in gratitude.”
I am not sure where the above quote comes from but I couldn’t put it better myself.
Each year, when Andrew, the main radio controller for Ski-boat Mobile, takes a break from his job as a carer in the UK, he stays with us to handle radio control for the Marlin Tournament in Struisbaai. His vehicle, sponsored by Robertson Toyota, required its annual service, so Andrew suggested we spend the day in Robertson while the car was in the shop, and we had the use of a courtesy car.
The weather in our area has been mostly sunny and hot, but on this particular day, it started off overcast with some wind and occasional showers. Despite this, the four of us—The Earl, Nanna, Ands, and I—set off at 06h00 and enjoyed some bird watching along the way. Well, to be more accurate, The Earl and I enjoyed the bird watching, while Ands and Nanna feigned excitement at each of our exclamations of spotting a jackal buzzard, blue crane, black-winged kite, common buzzard, and more.
Nanna, being new to the Cape, was delighted by the unfamiliar scenery and found the sight of the mountains, which are a rarity in Gauteng, incredibly impressive.
After dropping off the bakkie at Robertson Toyota and picking up the Toyota Vitz, we headed to Four Cousins Restaurant for breakfast. We discovered that it was a delightful eatery, and we were intrigued to learn that the four Retief cousins, aside from being winemakers, also brew beer and make whiskey.
We recently sold our Gecko caravan, and around this time, we would typically join a Gecko rally at Ebb ‘n Flow. What a surprise to run into Colin and Diane, who were on their way there today. Four Cousins is their favourite stop whenever they pass through this area. We enjoyed a lovely chat with them before bidding them farewell and felt somewhat bereft that we would not join them this year.
For the kidsOutside seating where you can watch the kidsAdult outside seatingBeer on tapDelicious breakfastColin and Diane’s Gecko
The plan was to meet up with friends of Ands for lunch later in the day. In the meantime we took the opportunity to show Nanna a bit of the area so we headed to Montague, a picturesque little town which is part of Route 62.
Die Kloof Padstal is a great place to stock up on nuts and dried fruit Dutch Reformed Church in the heart of Montague VillageNana with the beautiful mountains in the backgroundPicnic Site at Cogman’s CreekToyota Vitz parked at Cogman’s Kloof while I took the photos
Cogman’s Kloof, located between Ashton and Montague along the R62, traverses the Langeberg mountains. Named after a Khoi chiefdom, this pass was engineered by the renowned road engineer Thomas Bain from 1873 to 1877. Unfortunately, twelve lives were lost due to floods during the construction. The pass traces the path of the Kingna River
“The well-known tunnel was created with the aid of a small amount of dynamite. Originally, the road detoured around the area known as Kalkoenkrantz. The completed tunnel measured 16 meters in length and had a height of 5 meters.”
Andrew’s friends suggested we meet at a new restaurant, Rock ‘n Roll on the River Gold farm. For a place in the middle of nowhere this was quite an experience. The restaurant is a diner with a difference. It has a rock ‘n roll theme but the food is quite exquisite.
Lets Rock!A lovely view from our outdoor table
After a wonderful couple of hours of good food and conversation, we headed to Springfield to buy our favourite wines and to once again meet up with our new lunch date friends. We sat under the trees next to the beautiful dam and enjoyed the ambiance of a fantastic wine farm as we enjoyed some wine, olives, and crackers.
Springfield DamBuying our Life from StoneEgyptian Geese improving the sceneryWine tasting at Springfield
We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of South Africa, and exploring hidden gems within easy reach of our home is always a delight. We plan to make similar excursions more frequently.
Do/did you collect anything (stamps, cards, action figures, etc) now or as a child? I am not a collector. My younger brother is. His home is like a mini museum and his collectibles bring him great pleasure. And if you were to visit him you would be fascinated by his collections too. Click on the link to see what I mean!
I don’t collect things but I do have a huge collection of diaries and photographs – mostly on my computer but some from the distant past, in hard copy too.
What is the silliest thing you’ve ever bought? Probably a pair of zebra-striped braces. I liked them but only wore them once when I taught a lesson on patterns in nature.
When it comes to jewellery, do you prefer gold, silver, or gemstones? I love jewellery – gold, silver, diamonds, pearls – all of it. I even like ‘junk’ jewellery. I own a few good pieces but usually only wear my wedding and engagement rings, pearl earrings and gold bangles regularly. I have two strings of pearls but they both need re-stringing – I will get them done soon!
Do you know what your birthstone is? I had to look it up. Topaz is my birthstone and I don’t own anything made from it. This is what I found out.
Topaz is a birthstone. Its name comes from the Greek word Topazios, which means “to search.” It says, “In my life, I find what I need.” It’s a charm that can help you get good ideas or information. It’s also a good idea if you want to get your confidence and likeability back.
Topaz can be blue, light blue, yellow, orange, or pink. All of these colors are beautiful. No matter what color you use, you will get Topaz’s power.
This sounds like a very good stone – I think I might invest in one!
Gratitude: Today I am feeling both bereft and grateful. I am bereft because I sold my Gecko caravan. I am grateful because of all the exciting and happy adventures I have had in this fantastic home on wheels. Our holidays from now on will be different but I am grateful that we are still in good health and able to have many more adventures even if it means doing it differently.
Here are my answers to this week’s SYW Challenge from Di What can you remember about your last day at school/college? I don’t recall my last day of school, but I vividly remember the final day of college. After three years of community living, were about to scatter across the country and the world, embarking on new careers, getting married, and starting families. On our last night, we pulled an all-nighter, and no one was allowed to sleep! By morning, we were all in high spirits, excited that it was over and eager to head home. Our college had a beautiful chapel where we attended a service every morning before classes. On this final day, there was a farewell service, and it was incredibly emotional. The last hymn was “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” (Jeremiah Eames Ranking). In our sleep-deprived and emotional state, it moved us all to tears. After the chapel service, we wept in each other’s arms before climbing into parents cars or rushing to the train station. Because it was my last term, my dad had bought me an air-ticket home – a rare treat in those days. Someone’s dad gave me a lift from college to the airport and it was all I could do to control my sniffles as we drove the 120 km. He must have breathed a sigh of relief when he dropped my off still red-eyed and teary.
Our Chapel
I had gained a lot of weight during my three years at college but lost it all during the last term. To complete my new look I’d had my hair cut short and wore a cute new mini-dress on the plane home. It had been six months since I’d last seen my family. When I deplaned and walked toward my father who was there to meet me, he did not recognize me until I said, “Hi Dad” His look of amazement set me off in tears again. He thought that I was upset that he hadn’t recognized his own daughter! This got me giggling hysterically. I think it was the lack of sleep, emotional parting from my college friends and surprising my family with my new look that was just too much for me! However, I got over it!
Before and After – AI generated picture
Were you close enough to walk to school or did you need transport? I walked for most of my school career. My last two years were at a school that required me to go by train but I walked from the station to home.
Did you have a favorite teacher I did not like my first teacher but I was only with her for a few months. We then moved to another province and my new teacher was amazing. She remained my favourite forever. I completed my primary school career in that school and she taught me other subjects like Art and Needlework in the higher grades. I was perfectly happy with all my other teachers even the one I punched in the stomach when he got me in a headlock. He never touched me again! In those days we did not complain to our parents about unkind teachers but my mother taught me to fight back if anybody tried to hurt me even if he/she was an adult.
Would you like to go back to school? No – not that I didn’t like it but it’s a part of life that is over. When I retired from teaching I missed it and would have gone back to do relief/supply teaching had I remained in my hometown near schools that I’d previously taught at. But now that I’m used to my freedom I have absolutely no desire to put my foot back into the classroom!
My Classroom back in the day!
Gratitude:
I love today’s Gratitude Quote
Yes – that is true. I have many happy memories of years gone by and I am still happy with the way life is treating me now.
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Adventuring into Retirement 