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Legendery Stories of The Seventeenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament (2023)

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The Twentieth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament is just two days away, and Struisbaai is waiting in excited anticipation. While the organisers fine‑tune every last detail, and I have my camera charged and ready for action. I am that grey‑haired lady with a camera and far too much enthusiasm chasing the anglers for the perfect photo. By the time the boats return from a gruelling day at sea, the anglers are exhausted and focused on docking… and there I am, an unavoidable apparition in their path, hoping for one good shot before they escape. This is not the only scary part about me. Beware if your boat is lucky enough to do battle with the dragon-marlin – will hunt you down for your story. If it’s not in my inbox within a day, I’ll nag without shame.! So come prepared, dear anglers. Struisbaai — and its resident paparazza — are waiting.

In the meantime, read on about the amazing stories from The Seventeenth Marlin Tournament of 2023!

Wayne Cooke of John Graeme tells the story of how he bagged his first marlin and the first one of TOMT 2023
It is Day One and we are lines‑in for my fifth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament in Struisbaai. I must admit, I do not have high expectations, as I have yet to catch a marlin—or even be part of our team catching one. As usual, the Bonnies are set and ready for action. As has happened over the years, the boat grows quiet as the day drifts on.
Then I’m told that it’s my turn for the next hour to watch the rods. Around midday, one reel starts to slowly give line, and there is definitely something eating my Bonnie. The next minute, our other rod also goes stiff and starts giving line.
“Shark!” one of the crew calls, as surely it’s not possible to hook two marlin—especially as I have never even seen one live.
Hylton Goatley takes charge of one rod and I take the other. I promise myself that I am going to give whatever is on the other end time to swallow the bait, and I free‑spool for about two minutes.
At the same time, Hylton goes tight on the drag, and a big black marlin jumps clean out of the water. There is now total chaos on the John Graeme. Some run for the Black Magic, and others just run from sheer excitement.
I then decide to tighten up the drag on my reel, still not believing what is happening. I am happily looking out the back of the John Graeme, expecting whatever is on my line to show itself, as not too much line is being taken. Well—if I bother to look ninety degrees to my left—I will see a massive marlin jumping and going crazy.

All attention is now on me as I hear skipper Chris Goatley radioing that we have not only hooked the first marlin of the day, but are still tight on the second. I have never had so much attention from the crew before. I’m offered water and asked if I’m feeling okay. The doctor on board even offers to inject me if I need a boost at any stage.
I am pumped with excitement as I realise it’s up to me to catch this one for the team. This fact is mentioned to me more than once by my teammates. “Don’t f**k it up, Cookie,” I hear one of them warn.
With great skill from our skipper, Chris Goatley, and fifty‑five minutes of hard fighting, my first marlin finally shows itself next to the John Graeme. With all the crew’s skill — and plenty of shouting — the fish is measured and released to fight another day.
It is a day I will always remember, but most importantly, the pleasure it gives us all to see it swim away is just magical. John Graeme proudly flies the “Caught a Marlin” flag.

John Graeme proudly flies the “Caught a Marlin” flag.

Serge’s Story

I was on the boat Indigo, skippered by Gawie Bruwer. Being a novice to marlin fishing, I did not realise what a team activity it truly is, nor how much experience is required from the rest of the crew. Without the skipper keeping the fish correctly positioned in relation to the boat, the crew member pulling in the leader and grabbing the bill, the person removing the hook, and—importantly—the camera operator confirming the catch, there would be very little chance of successfully catching and releasing such a magnificent fish.

I was fortunate to catch a striped marlin and to be part of the crew that caught a black marlin, allowing me to witness the glorious colours of both excited fish as they lit up close to the boat. The black marlin gave us a fantastic aerial display, making for truly memorable moments.

Stripey caught by Serge of Indigo

Jacque’s Fifth species of Marlin – Story by Grant van der Westhuizen

From zero to complete pandemonium is the only way to describe the sensation of raising a marlin and enticing it to strike in the 2023 Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. The hours of preparation, maintenance, planning, research, and money that go into catching one of these beautiful creatures of the deep all become worth it the moment you see the silhouette of one of these majestic beasts appear in the spread.
The skipper and crew of Mojo had managed to raise a couple of striped marlin on Day One and Day Two of the tournament, and to the frustration of all aboard, the fish simply wouldn’t commit to what we had to offer. They seemed well‑fed, lethargic, and hesitant to strike. After careful deliberation, we decided to stick to our guns and fish the same area as the previous day — after all, we had seen the fish.
Let me paint the scene of a typical day in the 2023 TOMT. Generally, the day starts out full of optimism, but as the hours grind on without any result — or worse, disappointing results — the mood can shift. Combined with sun, wind, salt, and doubt, it becomes a mental marathon.
At the start of Day Three, we reached our fishing grounds and began setting the spread: two teasers short (starboard and port) with a flasher between them, two short Konners, two long, and the Japan running way back. The usual tweaking to get the Konners running at their optimum — and the continual adjusting required to keep them there in ever‑changing conditions — is a responsibility shared between Mojo’s fishing master, Gareth Beaumont, and me.
It had been pre‑arranged that if we raised a striped marlin, skipper Jacques “Mojo” van Niekerk would be on the rod. After all, the man already has a Pacific blue, an Atlantic blue, a black, and a white marlin under his belt, and it would be fitting for him to catch his fifth species in his home waters.
We had been trolling for half an hour when one of the competing boats, barely five hundred metres away, went tight on a marlin. In the spirit of the 2023 TOMT, we were happy for them — but it was disheartening nonetheless. Not long after, Indigo, with skipper Gawie Bruwer and crew, successfully caught and released a healthy striped marlin. The pressure was on.
We kept grinding away, and at 12h00, under the watchful eyes of Beaumont and me, we spotted the dorsal fin and shoulders of a marlin breaking the beautiful purple‑blue surface behind the long. As usual, the adrenaline shot through my veins just in time to see the fish disappear — and just before disappointment could set in, it was back. The anticipation of a screaming ratchet was short‑lived as the fish vanished again, only to reappear behind the same Konner for a third time. Surely this was the moment. But again, it disappeared… only to return once more — and this time, it committed. Within milliseconds, the unmistakable scream of a marlin reel’s ratchet shattered the silence.
The well‑oiled crew of Mojo sprang into action, each manning his designated station. Skipper Jacques van Niekerk stayed at the wheel while fishing master Beaumont carefully and patiently set the hook. As the fish took off, Beaumont moved to the wheel, and Hannes Schreuder — leader man and vocals — along with cameraman Anthony Tait and myself, scrambled to bring in the lines, clear the deck, and get the skipper into the fighting chair. This was it — the moment we had all been waiting for.
A few minutes into the fight, a beautiful striped marlin breached, showing herself in all her majestic glory. From there, it’s hard to say how long the fight lasted, but after what always feels like an eternity, the fish was leadered by Hannes Schreuder. After a quick measurement, a tag, and the hook removed, she was released to fight another day. High fives and congratulations all around — and the Konners were back in the mix.
What an absolute privilege to witness the speed, strength, and agility of these animals.

First Stripey for Mojo!

First Fish of the Fourth Day by Chris Hepworth Brown (John Graeme)
Wednesday, the 15 February, was a day I will never forget. We got onto a bumpy sea early, and we were all well aware of what we had to do.   At the 12-mile bank, the colour of the sea was a deep gunmetal, and the temperature was close to 23 degrees C. After catching some Bonita, which we put out as live bait, the action started. Just after 8 am out the first line went. It was my turn on the rod, and I settled in with a big black marlin. Being my first marlin, this was a daunting fight ahead. The fish jumped early in the fight and then went deep. After 30 minutes, we brought the fish to the side and managed to measure and successfully release  

 This was probably one of the best experiences I have had. Catching this magnificent fish and then successfully releasing was a moment of extreme joy. I thank our skipper, Chris Goatly and the crew for making this possible. Long live the marlin.

Werner Kotze tells Indigo’s story in both English and Afrikaans

A Day I will never forget/ ‘n Dag ek sal nooit vergeet nie – Werner Kotze (Indigo)
Ek kry n uitnodinging vroeër die jaar van Eugene om met hom op die boot Indigo wat deur die legendariese Gawie Bruwer besit en geskip word te kan gaan deelneem aan die TOMT. Die vierde dag se besluit was gemaak, nadat Serge Wessel ons eerste gestreepte Marlyn die vorige dag suskesvol gevang het om weer ver te ry op soek na n suksesstorie.
Radio calls came in of several Marlin being fought and even successfully released from the complete opposite direction from where we found ourselves. Although our water looks great and we lost hours to reach our GPS coordinates, it feels like the Marlin gods have turned yet again against us. Could it be true…absolutely not!
Ek draai na Eugene en vra vir hom ; “Het jy dit ook nou gesien?”
Terwyl ons na die “spread” kyk sien ons hoe n Stripey die starboard outrigger slaan en vas is ons. Met die knip van n oog slaan daar nog n Stripey die portside outrigger en dit verander in ‘n malhuis op die boot. Ongelukkig verloor ons altwee visse, maar ons weet ons besluit om ver te hardloop was reg. Vinnig is al die stokke sommer weer in die water en ons bespreek wat moontlik verkeerd kon loop, bad luck is die gevoel en fokus skuif na die mooi water en so paar verdwaalde voëls. Elke persoon op sy pos in afwagting op die volgende strike.
And so it happened – sitting on a beanbag next to the portside outrigger (aka the ugly one) a similar sound to a .22 gunshot broke the silence. The tagline’s elastic band broke off, a Penn International starts screaming insanely and a black Marlin starts jumping and dancing off the stern of Indigo. Teamwork is the key! Clear the rods, clear the deck, get in the chair, and start filming! Twelve years of trying and even losing marlin, I could only think of one thing, ‘DON’T F… THIS ONE UP! ‘
With precision skippering and excellent crew members, we managed to release a beautiful black Marlin that lives to fight another day. The fight and release lasted about 40 minutes, and with Lourens Odendal filming everything, I will always remember 15 February 2023 as a day full of excitement, adrenaline, and conquering my nemesis. Thanks, team Indigo!!!

Third Fish of the Fourth Day by John Leppan (John Graeme)
Having boated the first fish on the 4th day our skipper nominated me to be next in the chair.  After locating the bonnies we set about catching two fresh baits and getting them rigged.  All the while we were listening to the radio as Indigo had just hooked their second fish.  Our job at hand was clear, we needed that third fish!
Fifteen minutes after setting our baits the ratchet on the starboard reel brought us all back into focus.  No sooner had it started than it abruptly stopped.  As the realisation of this lost opportunity sank in, silence befell the crew.  Fortunately, this didn’t last as a portside rig exploded into life and brought us all back to our senses. 
Turning off the ratchet to calm the situation we allowed the fish to peel off the line whilst I got into the harness.  Still not knowing what we were dealing with, I tightened up the drag and on cue, a beautiful black marlin surfaced 200 metres off the stern and walked in search of freedom.  Having set the hook I then got as comfortable as possible and tried to concentrate on the job at hand. 
The John Graeme crew have always been generous with their advice.  Knowing that we needed to boat this fish to get back pole position we all set about our jobs working hand in hand with our very able and calm skipper Chris.  We tried to subdue a fish that was having none of it.  Spending more time in the air than in the water this majestic beast tried every trick in the book to throw the hook.  At times I had brief thoughts about being the guy who lost the fish.  During this epic battle, and knowing the fleet was listening closely, we finally got hands on the leader and brought the fish alongside.   As we were getting ready to bill and measure, the line parted, allowing the fish to swim away strongly back to freedom. 

The celebration ensued with high fives all around and with man hugs that could be disturbing in different circumstances! I would just like to thank the crew and especially our skipper, Chris for his kindness and generosity.

My First Malin by Willem Skein (John Graeme)
As was our usual custom, we were taking hourly turns to be on rod duty.
All three of my crewmates had caught their first marlins ever in this tournament. The last two were caught a mere four hours before it was my turn. And the pressure was on to try to catch my first marlin and complete an unthinkable hat trick of three blackies in a day for John Graeme.
As we set out from the harbour earlier that morning for what was to be the last day of fishing, I told  Hepburn-Brown confidently that we were going to catch 3 fish today.
At that time we were neck to neck with Indigo, and the competition could still go either way. Everyone on board could sense the tension of the possibility of getting pipped at the post,  as had happened to John Graeme two years ago.
The two earlier fish took line around 8h00 and 10h00 respectively.
Shortly after noon, I quickly brushed thoughts of doubting my own prediction out of my mind.
At 12h25,  my heart rate instantaneously skyrocketed to the urgent sound of my reel’s screaming ratchet.
Excited shouts of, “Come on Doc, your fish is on,” urged me into action.
The fish stripped 200 m of line in no time, entertaining us with several impressive acrobatic aerials.
Thankfully, I saw it was not such a heavyweight as my crewmates had to deal with. And by this time our skipper had advanced to the next level of marlin skippering, making me look even better on the rod.
Twenty minutes later a beautiful black was craftily ushered to the side of the boat.

I felt a kind of humble gratitude towards this beautiful fish when I stroked it before it was eloquently released to reign the oceans again.
Then the relieving and joyous thought that this fish had given us a likely unsurpassable lead started to descend on all of us.
What a privilege it was to have been part of this incredible crew and to continue the legacy of love for the ocean and fishing.

An Amazing Team with a love for fishing and the ocean

The last marlin of the tournament was fought on Bayswater and Hannes Smuts tells the story.

Last Fish of the Fourth Day by Hannes Smuts (Bayswater)
On Wednesday, 15th February 2023 at 14:45 we had the first strike on the boat. Piet called it in and we got extra time. I was the angler on the rod. The fish jumped out of the water at least six times which was the most beautiful site ever! I had it on the line for one hour and forty-five minutes. This was the strongest fish I ever had on a line and probably the biggest! I had the fish right next to the boat and Kokkie was on the leader and according to him, this was at least a 300 kg fish.

Hopefully these stories are already stirring the competitive spirit for the upcoming Twentieth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. Keep an eye out — the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Anglers’ Tales will be dropping over the next two days, and they’re well worth the wait.

Legendery Stories of The Sixteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament (2022)

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I’ve been blogging about TOMT since 2016, and the style has evolved quite a bit over the years. In the early days I simply snapped a few photos and wrote a short summary of the event. As time went on, I found myself taking more pictures and writing far more detailed accounts.
But of course, I’m not the one out there on the water. By 2022, I wanted my readers to feel the thrill and adrenaline of catching such an incredible fish. So I began asking—well, insisting—that the anglers send me their own stories.
There was plenty of resistance at first. Every one of them protested that they “can’t write”… and then proceeded to give me the most fantastic stories (which just required a tiny bit of editing).
In the final lead‑up to the 20th Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, I’ll be sharing anglers’ stories from 2022 through to 2025—one each day until the tournament begins

The Catitude Story As Told By Uncle Ted
Sunday 13 February 2022

The first day of the TOMT started with the team being in a high state of excitement as they anticipated a great day at sea.  But as the day wore on very little occurred. We considered throwing in the towel and heading back to shore but being at sea is always better than being at home.  Just half an hour, we said to each other and then another and another until the lines-up hour drew closer. Suddenly with one hour’s fishing time left, all hell broke loose when Mike spotted a black fin behind Catitude and yelled, “Marlin!” Ted was at the wheel and turned the boat and the boredom of the last few hours disappeared in an instant.   Adrenalin coursed through our bodies as we all sprang into action, Colin and Mike grabbing the spare rods, Michel struggled into the fighting harness and reeling in the aggressive fish.   The four other experienced fishermen yelled instructions in language that would make a pirate blush! 

All this swearing must have helped because soon a 60kg marlin was brought to the side, handled with the utmost care, and after being filmed and photographed by Ted and Mike allowed to swim away, none the worse for his little adventure with a very excited Frenchman.
By Ted Horn

Multi’s Story by Roger Barret
Sunday 13 February 2022

It was the first day of TOMT 2022. Team Multi went out to sea targeting the very elusive Marlin species and dream sport fish for many an angler.
Having a very quiet morning session changed to a very exciting late afternoon. At about 14:45, Team Multi hooked up on the Japan lure and things got interesting on the boat. The fish never showed itself and didn’t behave in any way like a Marlin usually does.
The skipper, Vleis Visagie, decided to back up the boat to the fish because we thought it was a Mako shark. When the fish showed itself at the boat and Darius Steyn touched the leader we all saw it was a Black Marlin. Then all demeanour changed. The Marlin lit up at the boat and for the first time, fought back.
The fish wasn’t tired at all. Luckily for us, Darius got hold of the leader again, and he just held on. Darius got some battle scars for grabbing and holding on to the bill. Everything happened so fast, but in the end, the fish was landed, measured, hook removed and the marlin was safely, and still full of energy, released. It wasn’t Andre Pawson’s first Marlin, but it was his first Black Marlin.
Thanks to the crew of Multi, who worked together extremely well to catch this awesome fish, and the unforgettable memories that were made that day. Thank goodness we landed and safely released the fish. And thank God for the privilege.

The Mighty Multi

Lega Sea’s Story By Crew Member Daniel
Tuesday 15 February 2022

Spykertjie the Marlin
Angler: Ruben Burger (Aged 18 years)

On our first day of fishing in the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, we did not get a fish to stick. When we set out on the second fishing day, we were all positive and super excited as we had a good feeling about it this time. Throughout the day, we worked hard and listened to the reports on the radio of other boats hooking up and losing. Eventually, a fish was landed. Over the radio, they said it was on a Lumo Green Kona. We brought in the portside long and changed Konas. We put the Lumo Green Kona on and sent it back out. We watched the Kona to see if it was smoking properly.
JP even turned and said, “Check that thing, it’s smoking like a champ!” As we looked away to walk to the cabin, Julian said, “JP, there’s a marlin mark at 20m.”
JP looked on the sounder and said, ‘No, that’s not him. You are looking for a big red sausage.”
As JP said that, all we heard was a snap and a screaming reel. The fish screamed off at a rate of knots!
And JP yelled, “That’s him! That’s him! That’s him!”
We cleared the deck as fast as possible and just like that – fish on. Ruben had just hooked into his first-ever Marlin. After chasing this fish for 10 years, he finally had it on the line. After 40 minutes of intense and technical fighting with complex boat manoeuvres and a calm, collected angler, the fish came up next to the boat and was leadered, and the bill was grabbed. Ruben had done it! He had just landed the fish of his dreams! After a quick high five on the fin from Ruben, and the hooks removed, the Marlin swam off beautifully, completely lit up, showing off its magnificence before disappearing back into the depths. Hands were shaken, congratulations were given, and a tear of joy was shed by Ruben. He had done it! And we were back in the competition! All in all, it turned out to be a perfect day with a memory that will last a lifetime!

His face says it all
What a beauty! Black Marlin about 220 kg.

Mojo’s Story by Gareth Beaumont
Tuesday 15 February 2022

Marlin Mojo
After three days of not raising a fish, the mood on Mojo was a bit glum. The skipper even threatened to sell the boat and find a new hobby.
We had changed lures countless times, and with the sea being a bit short I was not happy with the way one of the lures were swimming. I decided to revert back to one of my old faithful Konas (even though it hadn’t raised a fish in 2 years). About 20 minutes later, I was checking the spread and as I looked at my old faithful there was a fin and a flash and a screaming reel, then the pandemonium ensued!
Rods cleared, teasers out, rigger up, some shouting and swearing and Hannes got in the chair. We were finally on a fish. The fish never jumped, and we were unsure whether it was a marlin or a mako, so we radioed in the hookup as such.
A few minutes into the fight, we were blessed with the sight of a beautiful marlin jumping out of the water a few hundred metres away. Now knowing it was a marlin, everyone settled down and focused on the task at hand, as calmly as one can in that situation. I cannot stress how critical good communication between the skipper and angler is while fighting a marlin. Fortunately, Hannes was very vocal and kept all of us well informed of every move the fish made! After about 20 minutes, I had the leader in hand, and as I put pressure on the fish, it lit up as only a stripey can, absolutely beautiful! We got her alongside and got the hook out quickly.
After a few photos, it was time to release the fish, and it swam away strongly back into the big blue. High fives all around on a job well done. It was back to work, now even hungrier for another bite. We had another strike about 2 hours later, but it didn’t stick. However, we were still happy and grateful for the one we had released.
Hannes got his first marlin in sixteen years of fishing in the TOMT. Jacques got his first marlin on Mojo and his first stripey ever, and most importantly, team Mojo got their mojo back.

Bad Company’s Story by Mike Broderick
Tuesday 15 February 2022

We were trolling near the 100m contour when the middle starboard rigger clip exploded with a bang that woke up the entire crew, including the skipper.
Stuart Campbell was the designated angler, and this would be his first Marlin. He had tried for years, all over the place, but always missed the magic time slot.
It sounded straight down for the first 20 minutes. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt crept in. Suddenly, the sea behind the boat exploded, and a beautiful black jumped completely clear of the water.
After another 20 minutes, the fish was safely released.
Stuart said, “This is the only other, first time I did it, that I will remember forever.” (If you know what I mean) 😉

Releasing the Marlin

And the winner of The Sixteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament was Bayswater. Their story appears in both Afrikaans and English.

Bayswater se Storie deur Piet Wessels
Donderdag 17 Februarie 2022

Die derde dag van visvang het ons geweet dit sal die laaste dag wees wat ons iets kan vang in die kompetisie. Ons het reeds twee visse veloor, een op dag 1 na amper ‘n uur en half 20 meter van boot af wat ons hom aangehad het en nog een op dag 2.
Ons het besluit om dieselfde Konas te sleep aangesien dit al drie visse geraise het vir ons die week sover. Ons het maar dieselfde area gewerk wat ons Dinsdag gewerk het, volgens my was dit die beste kleur water en temperatuur was goed. Die see was rof en dit het maar moelik gegaan om die Konas reg te laat swem.
Ons het nog getrol toe sien Kokkie ‘n vis wat swem agter ons right long. Dit was dieselfde lure waarop ons twee ander visse gehak het vroeer die week. Die vis het ‘n hele ruk agter die lure geswem maar wou nie byt nie.
Kokkie sê, “Toe kom ons maak ‘n lang draai en bly op die area.”
Ons was so halfpad gedraai toe klap die ourigger en die vis was aan. Hy het soos ‘n mal ding agter die boot gespring. Oupa Dawie was in die stoel. Ons het die vis mooi rustig baklei met die rowwe see. Vyf-en- twintig minute later was hy langs die boot en Kokkie het hom geleader. Dis was ‘n swart marlyn van ongeveer 100-120kg. Ons het die vis se hoeke uitgehaal, hom mooi laat swem langs die boot en toe laat gaan. Dit was n voorreg om weer ‘n vis te vang in die kompetisie.

Mooi Een!
Swart Marlyn

English translation

On the third fishing day of the tournament, we knew that it would be our last chance to get a marlin. We had already lost two, one on the first day after fighting it for an hour and a half, then losing it within 20 metres of the boat, and on the second fishing day, we also lost one.
We decided to use the same Konas, seeing that they had worked well for us thus far. We worked in the same area as on Tuesday, and I believed the water was the best colour and temperature for marlin. The sea was rough, and it was difficult to get the Kona to swim.
We trolled, and then Kokkie saw a fish swimming behind right long. We were using the same lure that we had the previous two fish on earlier in the week. The fish followed the lure for quite a while but would not bite.
Kokkie said, “Let’s make a wide turn and stay in the area.”
We had turned halfway when the outrigger was hit, and the fish was on. The fish went wild and jumped behind the boat. Oupa Dawie was in the chair. We calmly fought the fish in the rough sea. Twenty-five minutes later, he was beside the boat and Kokkie leadered him. It was a Black Marlin of about 100 to 120 kilograms. We took out the hook, and let him swim away next to the boat. It was a privilege to once again catch such a fish in the competition.

Watch this space for more exciting man vs malin stories.

The Heart Behind The Two Oceans Tournament

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The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament isn’t only about the thrill of the chase out on the water — it’s equally about the magic that unfolds when the weary and hungry anglers stumble into the Suidpunt Diepsesshengleklub’s clubhouse. Here, they find a calm haven where camaraderie, laughter, and shared stories of the one that got away come together as they raise a glass to each other.
Grant, our unflappable Tournament Manager, keeps every detail running smoothly, ensuring that the nights are as much fun as the daytime angling. And then there’s Andrew, whose quick wit and effortless rapport turn every gathering into a fun occasion. Under his guidance, spirits stay high, jokes fly, and the anglers find themselves revived.

But at the centre of it all is Marinda. Her catering skills have become legendary. After gruelling days at sea, hungry anglers return to feasts that are not only plentiful but crafted with care. The flavours are comforting and the portions satisfying. Her loyal helpers return year after year and provide service with pride, consistency, and good humour.

An Early Photo of Marinda and her Team

Every year, without fail, Marinda, manageress of Suidpunt Diepseehengelkub, and her staff pour themselves fully into the spirit of the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament.  Whether the theme calls for pirates, Valentine’s romance, tropical flair, or something entirely unexpected, they transform the club into a vibrant world of colour, décor, and atmosphere. Their creativity becomes part of the tournament’s identity — an experience anglers look forward to almost as much as the fishing itself.

What makes this team truly unforgettable goes far beyond the décor. The young women behind the bar greet every competitor with warmth, patience, and professionalism, even when the queues get long and the demands get high. In spite of the pressure, their smiles never falter as they calmly handle the needs of each thirsty angler.

The meals are delicious, the company is warm, and the atmosphere is merry. Auctions spark friendly rivalry, and pirates might even make an appearance. But beware – if you have misbehaved or done something dumb, you will have to sniff some snuff or take a strafdop! After all, my hearties, discipline must be maintained to run a tight ship!

There is another quiet anchor in the background of the Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub. Dahlene is the club’s bookkeeper, and she is dedicated to doing her bit for TOMT. She is the custodian of accuracy and order. Every entry, every set of accounts, every financial detail that keeps the club functioning smoothly passes through her hands. Her records are immaculate, and she ensures that nothing is out of place.

Dahlene

Both she and Marinda have an encyclopaedic grasp of the event’s inner workings. They organise sponsorship, deal with the applications and know which anglers are competing, who skippers which boat along with other small details that others might forget. They are both deeply committed to the club, and the competition and competitors and organisers know they can rely on their calm professionalism.

These evenings are where stories are shared, friendships deepen, and the true heart of the tournament shines. Thanks to all involved for making it all so much fun!

2013 -A Legendary Year 0f The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament

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Some years are simply ordinary, with good and bad things happening, and nothing spectacular occurs to have you rushing to write home about. But 2013 was not one of those years for the anglers of The Seventh Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. This one was a truly bumper year when Thirty-eight boats took part and no fewer than thirty-nine malin were caught and released.
I would love to share all the stories of those who wrestled with the mighty giants of the ocean, but I was not involved in TOMT in those early days. However, James Taylor, a crew member of Gwaza skippered by Andrew van Zyl, has sent me the tale of how Gwaza won the day! This story also appeared in Ski-boat magazine that year.

Gwaza

Gwaza’s formula for effective marlin catching  – James Taylor shares the formula: Gentle ladies and generally rather vrot fisher-men.  As a loyal member of the crew of the good boat Gwaza, I am honoured to address you on this auspicious occasion.
On Gwaza, the 1st day was one of distraction, confusion and conflict. The yellowtail were biting on the Alphard Banks. Our skipper was distracted by this and got the radio channels wrong. As a result, the crew was unaware that the circling boats were catching and releasing the first ten marlin of the tournament. The conflict arose on the return journey when the crew reminded the skipper that they had parted with their hard-earned entry fee in order to participate in a marlin tournament, not to catch yellowtail. 
On the 2nd day, the unimaginable happened. After being worked on mercilessly by the crew in the clubhouse the night before, the skipper eventually allowed marlin lures to be put out.  On arriving back in the harbour at the end of the day, 2 light blue flags were flying from the makeshift mast. Completely against the run of play and all expectations (particularly those of the crew), the good boat Gwaza had been struck by extreme good fortune, catching and releasing 2 marlin (50% of the fish caught on the 2nd day).
Seemingly, fishermen do not believe in good fortune, convinced that those who make successful catches have superior knowledge or tackle – or both. In the clubhouse, the crew were plied with drinks and interrogated for the secrets of Gwaza’s success. In order to keep the free drinks flowing, they frantically tried to remember where they had been and what lures they had been using.
On the 3rd day good fortune turned to a miracle. Another 2 marlin were caught and successfully released (40% of the day’s tally). On the punishing 44 miles back to port, the question – what the hell are we going to tell them in the clubhouse tonight – was raised. At this point, the skipper and loyal crew decided to pull together the Gwaza formula for effective marlin catching.
 Rule 1 – Drink till the lights go out. This rule was submitted by Henk van Niekerk after an in-depth experiential investigation. All research was undertaken by the full crew in the clubhouse every night before fishing, ending only when the staff switched off the lights. The impact on the crew’s ability to iron out tensions and engage in creative strategising is evident in the results. This rule does, however, come with a warning. This activity can adversely affect the ability to judge levels in fuel tanks. Henk himself suffered this side-effect, resulting in the boat limping into port on 1 engine on day 3.
Rule 2 – Sleep like the dead. The second rule is submitted by the skipper, Andrew van Zyl after many hours of solitary reflection behind the controls, the inert and gently snoring bodies of his crew littering the deck. Having studied the statistics of the tournament he noted with concern the number of ‘on–offs’ suffered by other boats in the fleet. After detailed analysis of the performance of his crew he incontrovertibly deduced that the problem lies in the area of response time.
Using the fish caught and released by crew member, Andre Vlok, as an example, the skipper offers a short case study to elucidate his findings. So deep and coma-like was Vlok’s recovery sleep that it took 1 minute and 7 seconds of pummelling to get him to open his eyes. He remained in a prone position because he could not hear any evidence of a strike (he had forgotten to engage the ratchet!).  To roll over and focus sufficiently to see his line being stripped from his silent reel took another 47 seconds. Struggling slowly to his feet, he confidently announced that he was not a “poepol” and knew when a bucket had been tied to the end of his line. It was only when the marlin leapt high into the air that Vlok came fully to his senses, grabbing his rod from the holder.
The 3 minutes and 13 seconds taken before starting to play the fish provides sufficient time to set the hook soundly and take a good bit of fight out of the fish. This rule posits that a semi-comatose recovery sleep is the best precaution against over-eager response times and the resulting “on-offs”.
Rule 3 – Practice disciplined disorganisation. Complying with this rule can be a painful and costly process.  It is informed by the behavioural psychology background of yours truly, supported by the analytical acumen of Vlok. In this rule, the focus shifts from the role of the angler to the preferences of the fish. This research is based on the most cutting-edge, new scientific field of ‘chaos theory’ (Google if you want to know more).
After a thorough process of eliminating all other reasons for more marlin engaging with Gwaza than with any other boat, one variable presents itself as the determining factor…chaos and disorganisation! It is evident that marlin are not drawn to high levels of organisation and order. A clear preference is displayed for rusted hooks, slightly dysfunctional equipment, regular bird-nesting of lures behind the boat, and a general but rather distinct boat aura from the accumulated detritus of years of snoek and yellowtail fishing.
A paradigm shift is required. Away with those ordered rows of gleaming golden reels. Clearly, the elegance of gently bowed outriggers irritates marlin, and any more than 4 lines simply confuse them. The clinical whiteness of decks smelling of detergent turns out to be a fatal deterrent. To diminish some of the financial pain, we recommend using the eclectic range of occasionally functioning yet reasonably priced equipment carried by pawn shops.
In the spirit of this wonderful tournament, we share with you the benefits of our research. We especially hope the expert marlin fishermen up north might benefit from these previously well-guarded secrets. The loyal crew and the scientific, yet ever enigmatic, skipper of the good boat Gwaza wish you stywe lyne. Remember – keep it good and loose and sommer lekker deurmekaar!”
Last word from the skipper. “Not possessing a suitable reel of his own, James removed an old Penn Senator from its display at my house. He returned with it shiny, oiled and loaded with new line. I gave the strike on my rod to James to catch his first marlin. When the old Penn sprang to life – sounding like a Harley-Davidson – it was my turn. Knowing that the star drag tends to overheat and sometimes freeze after a strong run, I had to focus clearly. Fortunately, as a black-powder rifle hunter, I am used to staying calm under pressure, knowing you only have one chance!  I got burned a couple of times by the reel but eventually succeeded in getting the 100kg fish next to the boat for a textbook release”.


The next year, 2014, Makaira skippered by Mike Broderick, won the Eighth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. James wrote an ode to the tournament with a congratulatory note to Team Makaira.

Ode to Two Oceans Marlin Tournament 2014
At sacred point where oceans meet
a tournament of old
not for riches or reward
in spirit of camaraderie
taming marlin – dragons of the sea
and so they came
those gallant knights of rod and reel.

Four days they gather in clubhouse
libations to Auster and Neptune
appeasing gods of wind and sea
blessings for the quest
to put fishing talents to the test
and so they drank
those legless knights of rod and reel.

At last the weather wizards speak
the long awaited call rings out
drink dazed knights board chariots
that hundreds of thirsty horses propel
onto a crazed and windswept hell
and so they jousted
those intrepid knights of rod and reel.

On bucking craft they battled on
trolling aft their gaudy baits
to lure great dragons from the deep
returning with stories of many that came
but in final tally only ten are tamed
and so they fished
those canny knights of rod and reel.

When dance nor drink can still the wind
the tournament is ended
three of the ten and all honour
to them upon whose bow was blazoned
the dragon’s name – Makaira
and so they parted
those undaunted knights of rod and reel.

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I extend sincere thanks to James for contributing this story and poem from the tournament’s earlier years. His willingness to share these memories adds depth to this 20th‑year celebration.


The Essential Role of Sponsors in The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament

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For two decades, the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament has stood as one of Struisbaai’s most cherished annual events. What began as a small, passionate initiative has grown into a milestone tournament that brings together anglers from across South Africa. And it is the sponsors that are the power behind its long-running success.

Year after year, these incredible businesses have fuelled the heart of the tournament. Many have stood with us since the very beginning, believing in what the tournament represents—community, integrity, sportsmanship, and the preservation of big‑game angling in the Agulhas waters. Their loyalty is not just appreciated; it is foundational to the event’s sustainability and spirit.

Mercury Representative Gareth Dreyer and his wife Delicia at one of our functions Suidpunt Marine are our local Mercury agents
Grant Crighton from Airmar – a loyal sponsor at one of our functions,

A competition of this scale simply cannot happen without sponsors. Their contributions support everything from logistics, safety, and infrastructure to prizes, hospitality, and the overall experience that anglers look forward to every February/March.   Today, we proudly acknowledge and thank the businesses who have walked this 20‑year journey with us—some since the very first marlin was measured and released.

To every sponsor listed here: thank you. Your belief in this tournament, your steady support, and your contribution to Struisbaai’s angling community have helped shape twenty years of unforgettable moments on and off the water. Apologies if I have left any sponsor out. You are all truly appreciated.

AARBEIDSVREUGD
AQUILA GAME RESERVE
ADDIS
AIRMAR
AIRWISE
ANCHOR BOAT SHOP
ANDREW VAN ZYL
ARNISTON HOTEL
BALLYHOO MARINE
BILTONG & JAVA
BIG CATCH
BIG T LURES
BLENCO
B&D TEGNIESE DIENSTE
BON COURAGE WINES
BRECO SEAFOODS
BUFFELSFONTEIN/HALEWOOD
BUILT IT FRANSCHOEK
COFFEE. (FULL STOP) FISH & MORE
CEMSTONE
CENTRAL FORKLIFT
CERTAINTY CHARTERS
CHAS EVERITT CAPE AGULHAS (Previously Realty 1)
CORNELIS HAM
DIRK ODENDAAL
DISTELL
ELIZNA EN JOHAN THEUNISSEN
FIREBUSTER
FPM SUPPLIERS
GARMIN SA
GLENWOOD WINES
GRAHAM BECK WINES
GREENFISH
HEINEKEN
HEINRICH TRIPS
 JACITA TACKLE & OUTDOOR
JEBO CONNECT
HENK AGGENBACH
KIDO STAAL
LOURENS ODENDAAL
MALAGAS HOTEL
NICO ALBERTS INTERIORS
NINA’S DELI
OK GROCER, STRUISBAAI
PAUL DRYER
PENINSULA BEVERAGES
PENN FISHING
PICK N PAY STRUISBAAI
PULSATOR LURES
RAYMARINE AVION
ROBERTSON TOYOTA
RUTHERFORD / MERCURY
M‑RAD / SIMRAD
SEAPORT SUPPLIES
SKI‑BOAT MAGAZINE
SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES
SOUTH SEA SUZUKI
SPRINGFIELD WINES
STRUISBAAI HENGELWINKEL
STRUISBAAI SPECIALIST ANGLING
SUIDPUNT SECURITY
SUIDPUNT MARINE
TILETORIA
VAN LOVEREN FAMILY WINES
VILJOENSDRIFT WINES
WALKER BAY FIRE ENGINEERING
ZULU OVERLAND

Here’s to the next twenty—and to the partners who help make it all possible.

The Two Ocean Marlin Tournament – The Legends

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As mentioned in our introductory post, The Two Oceans Marlin Competition splashed into life back in February 2007 with just seven brave boats on the starting line. One name has been there from the very beginning — Gawie Bruwer — who has shown up every single year, rain, shine, or sea spray.

Gawie has always skippered a boat named Indigo, even though this name has gone through three incarnations. And in 2009, Indigo took first prize in the tournament.

While many people contributed to the early vision, it was Gawie who drove the practical organisation that transformed the idea into the first official tournament. When others were still talking about possibilities, Gawie stepped up and turned the tournament from an idea into a reality. He crafted the very first credo, laid the foundation for how the tournament would run, and set the standard that is still followed today.

The thing everyone should know about Gawie Bruwer is that this isn’t just someone who excels as an angler and skipper — this is someone who makes big things happen. We are genuinely grateful for everything he has done for TOMT.

A Recent Indigo
Gawie Bruwer, Skipper of Indigo – Winner in 2009

Other legendary skippers are Andrew van Zyl (Gwaza) who has participated in 18 tournaments, (A Legendery Story about their win will appear in a later post this week) Rikus de Beer (Marco Polo) also has 18 under the belt, Mike Broderick (first with Makaira and later Bad Company) has done 15.  

Gwaza Winner in 2013
Winner in 2014

Another amazing legend is Andrew Perrins, who wasn’t just part of the team that kicked off the competition, but ever since day one, he has been the voice over the radio waves, keeping everyone afloat both navigationally and emotionally. At sea, his steady stream of witty commentary has done more for morale than calm waters and good weather combined.   Andrew lives and works in the United Kingdom, where, even while there under his call sign, Skiboat Mobile, he can do radio control for competitions back in South African waters. When Andrew returns to South Africa for R&R, he does not hesitate to dedicate his time to safety at sea, and TOMT is closest to his heart.
Andrew, who speaks fluent Doganese, has always had a dog helping him keep things under control. For the 10th TOMT, Oak Valley wines created a Shanga Label and several bottles were auctioned at one of the evening functions.

Shanga – a legend in her own right
A rare vintage
Later on, Marlin Control was ably assisted by Rue, the German Shepherd [RIP)

At the evening functions, he transforms into a master of ceremonies dishing out strafdoppe for nautical “misdemeanours,” or running fund‑raiser auctions with the flair of a show host.   Andrew is the tournament’s unofficial entertainment department.

Entertaining at the evening function

In 2022, Gawie Bruwer, convinced that certain TOMT stalwarts deserved formal recognition for their contributions to the competition and to angling, introduced a special annual Appreciation Award. Since then, one has been presented at each tournament’s opening function.

2022 Johan van der Walt one of the initiators of TOMT
2023 Over 80 years old and still fishing! Uncle Ted Horn who has fished many TOMTs on Mike Riley’s Cattitude
2024 Mike Broderick – involved since the early days of TOMT, Skippered the 2014 winner, Makaira
2025 Koos Pretorius – a loyal supporter of TOMT, Skippered the winner Osprey in 2012

Safety at sea is of the utmost importance to Koos Pretorious, and it is thanks to his generous sponsorship of the current radio control system developed by Andrew Perrins, Trevor Brinch and Earl Fenwick that has resulted in VHD communications beyond our expectations. This ranges up to more than a 100 nautical mile radius. This system is owned by Suidpunt Diepseehengelklub and has a maritime coast station licence. The resident operator is Trever Brinch – call sign – Spotter One!

The system is linked via Zello, enabling backup to be done anywhere in the world, allowing Andrew Perrins to stand by Spotter One when needed to control operations from abroad. This is the first time this has been done in the world.

The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – How It All Began

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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.

This February, Struisbaai will once again host one of its most cherished traditions—the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, now celebrating its 20th year! From 21 to 27 February, anglers from across South Africa will gather for a week of excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments on the water.

What makes this tournament truly special is its independent spirit. Unlike most competitions, the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament is not affiliated with Western Province or SADSSA. Instead, it’s run by the anglers themselves, with rules and decisions shaped by those who participate year after year. This unique approach has fostered a close-knit community, with many of the same boats and teams returning annually, building friendships and traditions that last well beyond the final function.

The tournament’s roots trace back to the late Meirion Williams of Huckfin fame, who, inspired by a conversation with local fisherman Trail Whitthuhn, envisioned an event to study and celebrate the marlin population in the Agulhas area. Thanks to the dedication of contributors like Gawie Bruwer, Hannes Schreuder, Gerard De Kock, Johan Jooste, Andrew Perrins and Johan van der Walt, the idea became a reality.
Safety has always been central to the event, with Andrew returning from the UK each year and working alongside local experts such as Trevor Brinch and Earl Fenwick to keep operations running smoothly and radio communications firmly under control.

Before a permanent aerial was installed on the high site, Realty 1 Agulhas (now Chas Everitt) sponsored a caravan on the Agulhas mountain, where Andrew managed the Marlin Control operations. Temporary aerials were used in the years that followed, but a permanent installation has now been in place for some time.

The original Marlin Control
Abdrew’s first sponsored vehicle 2007
Andrew’s Second Sponsored Vehicle 2015
2017 Paul van Niekerk from Salti assisting with temporary aerial instalation
Jebo owner Willem Steenkamp (I think) helping with aerial installation of a permanent aerial – 2021
The aerial High Site 2022
Andrew @ Work
With his dog Shanga lending a paw

The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament is an invitational, no-kill, measure-and-release event. Anglers present video evidence of their catches, and points are awarded. In 2021, there was a tie. The rule now states that if the points are even, the boat that catches the last marlin of the week will be declared the winner.

The first tournament was held in 2007 and began modestly with just seven boats taking part: Gawie Bruwer’s Indiogo, Andrew van Zyl’s Gwaza, Meirion Williams’s Huckfin, Hannes Schreider’s Jumbo-Jumbo, The Rawbone‑Viljoen brothers’ Midnight Blue, Johan Jooste’s Three Js, and Nico Schmidt’s Monique.

Fittingly, the inaugural winner was Huckfin, owned by the tournament’s founder, the late Meirion Williams. In 2009, Indigo claimed victory, and Gawie has entered the tournament every year since 2007. After the initial fleet of seven boats, entries jumped to 23 in 2008. Participation peaked at 39 boats in both 2011 and 2014, though most years see between 18 and 25 entrants. As we count down to this year’s milestone event, we’ll be sharing stories, photos, and memorable moments from the past two decades.

Meirion Williams (RIP)
TOMT Shirts 2007 to 2017
Four of the original founders of TOMT Hannes Schreider, Gawie Bruwer, Andrew Perrins, Johan van der Walt

Each year, Amanda Bruwer designs a playful TOMT flag, and the previous year’s flag is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Here are three examples from past tournaments.

This is the first in a series of posts counting down to this year’s tournament. The next instalment will appear on Monday, followed by daily posts until 21 February. After that, you can look forward to regular updates as the Twentieth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament unfolds.

Share Your World 2 February 2025 – Animal Memories and Adventures

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Here are my answers to this week’s SYW questions from Di

1. Are you a dog or cat person, or do you prefer no pets, or are you unable to have one for some reason?
I’ve always been an animal person. Every creature has been welcome in our home. Throughout the years of raising our children and grandchildren, we always had pets — dogs, cats, hamsters and often all three at the same time.
When we retired and moved to Struisbaai, we still had three cats in the family. They stayed with our daughter, who is very much a cat person, and we’ve love that we can to visit them regularly.
Because of our gypsey lifestyle when we retired, we decided not to take on pets of our own. Even so, as I’ve mentioned on my blog before, we have four neighbourhood cats who visit us regularly — and we adore every one of them. Mike and Alan live next door. Mimi lives over the road, and Charlie comes from a house in a street parallel to ours. When the cats decide to visit at the same time there can be chaos. Alan won’t tolerate competition. He and Mike think they own our house as they were the first to claim our affections. Mike is more tolerant of the others but he has to be loyal to his brother! Mimi is a little more tolerated than Charlie so if the going gets really tough, we gently ask Charlie to leave. He obliges but only after he’s given Alan a playful smack!
Their parents worry that they might decide to stay permanently, but we won’t allow that to happen and they seem to know when it’s home time and usually don’t have to be sent home at the end of a visit.

Alan keeping his distance from Charlie
Alan and Mike coming over the fence from next door
Alan giving great pleasure to The Earl
Mimi hiding from Alan


2. Did you have a pet as a child?
My first pet memories are of the animals my grandparents had. We lived in a flat and no pets were allowed. Granny and Grandpa had a very big garden and lots of pets. The two dogs were fox terriers named Sparky and Atom. Atom was Sparky’s puppy and we thought he was the cleverest dog in the world. There were also the cats, Kitsy, Sylvester and Tibby. Kitsy and Silvester were white. Tibby was a tortoiseshell.

Sylvester and Kitsy
Big Brother with Atom

I only remember having one cat, and after he died, my mother refused to let me have another. She was convinced I was allergic to cats, and to be fair, there were times when my eyes streamed whenever I was near them. These days, my allergies are clearly seasonal, so I often wonder whether I was truly allergic to cats back then or whether it was just an unfortunate coincidence. None of my own cats in later years has affected me much at all.

I also remember getting a dog when we finally moved into a house after spending the first few years of my life in a flat. He was a little pavement special named Buster — a big name for a small dog — but he was feisty and fiercely protective of the people he loved. His one great flaw was his obsession with chasing bicycles. We got Buster when I was about nine, and he stayed with us until I was in my early twenties.
The best dog I ever owned was a medium-sized black mongrel hat looked like it could have had some labrador and spaniel ancestry. Her name was Tammy and she loved to go running with me. I had to be careful not to mention the words, run, takkies, beach, or Chantal (my running partner) until I was absolutely ready to leave or she would go crazy with excitement!

Chantal’s youngest, Beth, teaching Tammy to beg.

3. Have you ever ridden a horse?
Yes, I have ridden a horse. Growing up, I had a horse‑mad friend who lived on a smallholding and always had a few horses ready to go. She was a fearless, tomboyish sort who thought nothing of taking me bareback at full speed through tree‑lined paths where you had to duck unless you fancied losing your head. It was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.

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As an adult, I married a man with two horse‑mad daughters, and every year we holidayed on their uncle’s farm in KZN. Their cousins were just as besotted with horses, and they insisted I join them on their rides. I did—right up until the day the supposedly “gentle” pony bucked me off and left me with a very unhappy back. I declared “never again” with great conviction.

But, of course, many years later, another horse‑crazy friend talked me into a long beach ride on the Wild Coast. And it was fun. She was thoroughly impressed that, after years out of the saddle and at the age of 50, I galloped along like I actually knew what I was doing. And that was definitely the end of my horse-riding days!

4.  What was your favourite animal in either a zoo or circus?
I live in Africa, so you won’t catch me dead in a zoo or a circus. The idea of animals in captivity just doesn’t sit comfortably with me. That said, I do understand that many wildlife sanctuaries — the genuine ones, not the tourist traps — do important work. They’re educational, and for some people, they’re the only chance they’ll ever have to see a wild animal up close.

I, on the other hand, count myself lucky to have seen so many creatures in their natural habitat. The SANParks reserves are extraordinary, and nothing compares to watching wildlife where it truly belongs.

Choosing a favourite animal is nearly impossible, but the giraffe comes very close. There’s something so elegant and unmistakably African about them. It is breathtaking seeing them decorate the African landscape. And when one looks you straight in the eye, it’s almost a spiritual moment — as if they’re quietly evaluating your soul.

I could go on for pages about the wild animals I love, but I’ve already poured all of that into my travel blogs, and I’ll spare you the full version today.

Gratitude:

Today’s questions have allowed me to reflect on some great things in my early life as well as the privileges I have had as an adult. There have certainly been some tough things to deal with over the years but altogether Life has treated me well even if I haven’t always paused to appreciate that fact. Now that I am in my golden years I am so grateful for the pets that have enriched my life, the fun and freedom I had as a child and the joy that my adult adventures have brought me.
Recently I received the heartbreaking news that a very dear friend is terminally ill and I am grateful for the role that she has played in my life and the gentle friendship that has lasted between us since our college days.

Share You World Monday 19 January 2026 – Dreaming of Private Jets and Luxury Travel

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Here are my answers to this week’s fun questions from Di

Would you like to have your own private jet?
I was absolutely meant to have my own private jet but unfortunately, something went wrong and I have found myself travelling steerage along with the lesser mortals of this world. I have not even had the good luck to be upgraded for no reason whatsoever like a few of my luckier friends who tell me it was an awesome experience. If I had my own jet as the gods intended, it would be on standby to take me on urgent missions like seeking out where hostages are hidden and rescuing them from their evil captors!

Would you like a chauffeur to drive you everywhere?
Oh, without hesitation. I want a chauffeur who glides through traffic like a Zen master. Someone who can reverse‑park into a space the size of a shoebox while I sit in the back pretending to be extremely important. Ideally, the car would also have heated seats, a bottomless supply of biltong and champagne, and the ability to magically avoid every pothole on the South African roads.

Would you like to live on your own desert island?
A desert island? Absolutely not. I’ve seen enough survival shows to know I’d last about 14 minutes before trying to befriend a coconut. But a tropical island with warm breezes, turquoise water, and luxury accommodation — now that I could work with. I wouldn’t want to live there alone, though. I’d bring the people I love, plus a small staff who’d be treated like royalty and get plenty of time off to enjoy the island, too.

Have you ever had anything made to measure (suit, dress, shoes etc)
Oh yes — growing up, my mother made most of my clothes. She could look at a pattern, raise one eyebrow, and somehow produce a perfectly fitted outfit as if by sorcery. Later on, I made clothes for myself and my children, following the pattern instructions to the letter. I even made my middle daughter’s matric dance dress – with my mother’s expert guidance! I no longer do dress making!

In 1996, I paid a professional dressmaker R600 (£26) to custom-make a green silk dress for my daughter’s wedding. I have worn it to many glamorous functions, the latest being at my granddaughter’s wedding in 2024. To put things in perspective, today the same dress would cost R2700 (£120). Considering that I have had this dress for 30 years, I’d say I got my money’s worth!

And here are The Earl and me looking like we belong in the world of private jets and chauffeur-driven limousines. But really, we’re just guests at our granddaughter’s wedding!

Gratitude: One from Carolyn this week.

It was fun to fantasise about a different world this week but I love this meme above. It is the little things that matter and make one grateful.

Share Your World Monday 5 January 2026 Striding into 2026

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Here are my answers to this week’s questions from Di

The illustrations in this post are AI-generated

 1. How long did it take you to get back into the normal swing of things after the holidays?
It took me a little while to get back into the normal swing of things. We let our house out on Airbnb over the holidays, which meant quite a bit of preparation beforehand and then just as much sorting out afterwards. My cleaner came in the day before we returned, so we walked into a lovely clean house, but there was still plenty to do. The beds had been remade, but all the used linen still needed washing and ironing. Things we’d packed away for guests had to be unpacked again, sorted, and put back in their proper places.
All those little chores added up, but today I’m happy to say the house is finally back to normal — and I feel like I’m back in my routine again.



2.  Are you looking forward to 2026 with
optimism?
I usually look on the bright side, so yes — I am optimistic about 2026. There will be quite a few changes to our lifestyle, and some of them have already begun. Our camping days are behind us now, and we won’t be doing any major travelling anymore. But there are new projects on the horizon, and I’m hopeful that I’ll find real fulfilment in those. It feels like a different season of life, but a good one.

Looking forward to an interesting 2026

3.  Are you taking part in any of the January WP challenges/prompts?
I hadn’t planned to, but maybe I will change my mind.

4. 


If I could wish one thing for 2026, it would be that everything works out well for each member of our family. Everyone seems to be facing some kind of change this year. Our oldest daughter is in a new relationship, the youngest is navigating changes at work, and the middle one is adjusting to an empty nest while her youngest steps into new career plans. One grandson is preparing to leave the country, while his brother abroad is planning a move to yet another foreign destination. Our married granddaughter has just completed her teaching degree, and although she’s currently working in her husband’s family business, she may decide to pursue a teaching post.
So yes — 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year, and my wish is simply that each of them finds stability, happiness, and a sense of direction in all these new beginnings.

Gratitude:

I am grateful that everyone in my family is in good health and ready to embrace 2026 with optimism and hope.