Watch out we are rarin' to go - Wednesday ABC

I probably look like the Cheshire Cat at the moment.

Anyone who has read some of my earlier posts on crime will know that I have a very jaundiced view of the ability of our law enforcement and justice systems. This has not been without justification - just click on the link to "crime" on the side bar if you want to read more about our experiences.

Today is closure time on the foiled burglary attempt and a stabbing that happened in October 2006. ... v.......
Nice to know that this fellow will be languishing in the St Albans Prison for the next few years.

We read in today's paper that the thief that Suzi-k and I were instrumental in apprehending has finally been convicted:

Repeat offender guilty
A REPEAT offender was found guilty in
the Port Elizabeth magistrate‘s court yesterday on four counts, including
stabbing a couple with a screwdriver.
Ayanda Sheshega, 24, of Victoria Road,
Central, was found guilty of stabbing the husband and wife in a foiled
house-breaking at their Central home in 2006 and other offences. He was
sentenced to three years‘ imprisonment for housebreaking, 18 months for stabbing
the couple and an additional three years for theft. – Gareth Wilson (The Herald, 24 June 2008)

I am delighted with the outcome - the system can work. We have had to endure the trauma after the event; battle to get the police to take statements; spend time at court; listen to his lies and now finally after 20 months we have a conviction. All it requires is for the "victims" to stand up and be counted.

Footnote:
A few nights ago the motor to the gate into our complex was broken and the gate would not close. This of course is an open invitation to opportunistic thieves, especailly in the early hours of the morning. At 3 am Suzi-k woke me to say that she was sure she had heard noises at the garages. So up we leapt - obviously recovered from the previous trauma - and armed with Harry, pepper spray and handcuffs - we went off to investigate. We were so disappointed that there was no one there. The moral of the story - we are not intimidated by criminals and are raring to catch the next one.

For more Wednesday ABC's go to Mrs Nesbitts Place

Team Work - ABC Wednesday

I really enjoy watching a good aerobatic team in action, as they go through their different manouevres. This is the Control Instruments' team in action, in their Pitts Specials at the Port Elizabeth Air Show two years ago.

Remember, I said I enjoy watching them. I would not like to be in one, when they go through these manouevres. This where you have to really work together and rely 100% on your team mates to do the right thing.

Up, up they go and then.................................

..................... over they go. This is about where I would probably start losing my lunch. But imagine what concentration it takes to keep this formation. In these situations, I believe the pilots in the planes at the back focus their attention on some point on the leading aircraft and then follow their every move. No place for individualists here.

And finally a belly churning dive. I wont even go on a roller coaster.

Many of us could learn a lot about working as a team from these guys. It is all about commitment and working together; and trust - knowing that you can rely on your team mate not to let you down; and putting aside all self interest for the benefit of all; and just having fun.

Whay not join in the fun of Wednesday ABC by going over to Mrs Nesbitts Place

Super Women - Wednesday ABC

A tribute to the women of Africa

In today's Wednesday ABC I pay tribute to the women of rural Africa.



To all those women who eke out a subsistence living in harsh environmment. They till the fields; very often do the laundry in a stream; and they collect the wood for cooking.



Many walk miles to draw water and so often they prepare their family meals on an open fire.



Many are the glue who hold the family together and who despite all the hardships still maintain a cheerful countenance and show a pride in their children.



THESE ARE TRULY THE SUPER WOMEN OF AFRICA

For more on Wednesday's ABC go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place

Reflections and red sky - Wednesday ABC

This picture comes from one of my favourite sunset series, when the family went on a fishing excursion to the Maitland River mouth and were treated to a magnificent sunset. Maitland also has one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. It is wide and stretches foe miles down the coast.

By the way, no one caught any fish, but it was still a fun evening - until I discovered I had locked my keys in my car.

Queen Victoria

I seem to have a thing about Queen Victoria, whose statues seem to grace many a city around the world. In fact my last Q post was also on her.

On our recent trip to Lesotho, our guide Jerry, who had just taken us up Mt Moorosi and on a long trek to see bushman art, pointed to this mountain with a smile and informed us it was Queen Victoria sitting on her throne. If you look carefully, you will see some huts on the side of the hill in the foreground.

I immediately saw a resemblance. Do you?

F for Ford

Henry Ford is reputed to have said something along the lines that buyers could have any colour Ford they wanted, as long as it was black. I wonder what he would have thought of blue?

Fords have also come a long way since the Model T, but no fancy Fords will be featured here.



My poor little Ford Bantam "bakkie" braving the road out of the Elands River Valley. For the uninitiated a "bakkie" is a small truck in South Africa. If you are an Australian it would be a "ute". The literal translation of "bakkie" from Afrikaans is a small bowl.

Looking out towards the Groot Winterhoek Mountains and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, with my "bakkie" enhancing the view.

This old Ford truck is parked in front of the Padstal Restaurant, at Patensie, in the Gamtoos River Valley. It does not qualify for "bakkie" status by today's standards - it is too big - but in its hey day it probably was.

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It must have presented quite a jaunty sight on the roads, with its blue livery and yellow wheel rims. It is a partner to the Chevrolet featured several weeks back.

Enjoy the Everlastings in the Elands River Valley

This week is just about stopping in and enjoying the beauty of the Elands River Valley

Stopping to photograph the Cocks Comb Mountain

Everlasting flowers grow in profusion in the valley and surrounding hills. They are attractive and popular in flower arrangements

A view of the valley with a profusion of "fynbos" in the foreground

Looking back on the road just travelled

D for Derelict houses

One of the characteristics of the Elands River Valley is the number of derelict labourers cottages dotting the countryside. Many look as though they are staring at the world around them through unseeing eyes.



The reasons for this are many. The need for a large labour declined when wheat production stopped due to the drastic drop in rainfall in the past 20 years; many farmers prefer not to have people staying on their properties, because legislation makes it almost impossible to evict tenants and many people have simply moved on to a "better life" in the cities.
We nearly drove past this one, but then stopped for a closer look.



I thought it would be a nice "fixer-upper" for weekend getaways, but Suzi-k was not too keen. I can't understand why.



Nice finish to the front door



So the back door may need replacing, but that is not the end of the world



The inside door panels possibly need a bit of work - and the floors need sanding - no problem



The windows need some glass, but that can be arranged



It even has a bed



And a fireplace



One distinct advantage though, Eskom can't cut the power - it has none.

C is for Cockscomb and a Chevy

Decisions, decisions, decisions. So many topics for C this week, but I decided to settle on the Cockscomb Mountain and a Chevrolet. As it happens they were both photographed on the same day and I had to drive past the Cockscomb to get to the Chev.

Panoramic view of the Cockscomb Mountain, seen from the Elands River Valley


It all started with a spontaneous suggestion by Suzi-k on Sunday morning, for us to drive through the Elands River Valley to Patensie. After plotting the 127 kilometre journey on my GPS, I estimated that it would take us about 2 hours to complete the journey. It ended up being a 5 hour trip. There was just too much to see and photograph. In fact I have enough material from the trip to take me through to G.

Close up of the Cockscomb Mountain from near (relatively speaking) its base


The Cockscomb Mountain is a very prominent feature that is visible from many miles around, but to get there is quite another story. At 1,759 m above sea level it is one of the highest mountain peaks in the Eastern Cape. Apparently it was known to some of the earlier indigenous tribes as "T'numkwa" (Mountain of the clouds).

Saying farewell to the Cockscomb Mountain from the Winterhoek Mountains near Patensie. Some of the Leucospermums (Pin Cushion Protea) like the one in the foregroundwere are still flowering.


When we arrived at Patensie it was 3 pm and we both felt like lunch was long overdue. Fat chance of that I said. I had been in the area some years before and did not recall seeing any restaurants. “Well, let’s try that one”, suggested Suzi-k pointing to the sign on the side of the road, which said the Padlangs Country Restaurant and Shop (Padlangs = Roadside) was 2 kilometres up the road.

A rare site in South Africa. Bicycles don't hang about for too long, before they go "walk about".


I dubiously agreed and we were pleasantly surprised to find the most delightful restaurant and shop, where I was able to select an excellent heart friendly lunch. There was the added bonus of finding this old Chevrolet truck, which I thought was very photogenic.



I have no idea of its vintage, but would guess late 40’s early 50’s. Not exactly built for comfort, but I guess it served its purpose..



Anyone for pumpkins. From their condition I do not think there have been many buyers this season.



For more insights and pictures on our trip down the Elands River Valley you can visit Suzi-k.

A is for Agapanthus

The name Agapanthus comes from the Greek agape (love) and anthos (flower). Quite appropriate isn't it?

The Agapanthus is a purely South African plant and was first cultivated in England in about 1692, with plants taken from the Cape. Today you will probably find them in gardens all around the world.

According to the book, Wild Flowers of the Eastern Cape Province, the roots are sought after by African herbalists. Traditionally a Xhosa bride will wear the roots around her neck, as it is believed that they will provide many children and make childbirth easy. Young mothers and children also wear necklaces of the roots to find find health and happiness. The roots are also ground up and used as medicine.

Y is yellow cars and petrol pumps

This week I want to have a look at a couple of yellow cars I have come across in my travels. I like yellow cars.


On one of my outings with Ethan ,my grandson (he can be seen in the back of my bakkie*), this beautifully restored VW bus pulled up behind us the beach front. I was not able to get any details, but judging from the split wind screen and the hinged side door, I imagine it would be a late 1950's model.


We came across this old Renault at the museum in Matjiesfontein, a historical village in the Karoo, a fews years ago. Matjiesfontein is about 240 kilometres north of Cape Town on the N1. The village is in fact a declared national monument and a must see destination.


The local filling station with the old and new petrol pumps. Who knows, but these two cars could well have been filled up at these old pumps at some stage.

* For the unenlightened a bakkie is the South African term for a small truck, a van or a ute, depending on which part of the world you are from. A bakkie is also the Afrikaans term for a small bowl.

X for support struts

For a while I was under the impression that this was the remains of an old pier at old Humewood. It is in fact the the remains of an old slipway that was used to remove boats from the sea. The boats were secured between the pylons and then drawn out on the slipway.

I am not sure from what date the slipway was decommissioned. The earliest picture I managed to find of it was taken around 1912.


Some entrepreneur wanted to use pylonns to build a pier back in the 1980's and applied for permission to do so. The plans were firmly squashed by a bureaucrat in the old South African Railways and Harbours, claiming it was their property because it was below the high water mark. Needless to say the project never proceeded.

The pylons have now become a roosting place for the local cormorants, which I suppose means they still serve a useful purpose