Category Archives: Holidays

They sang and danced

13 May 2015 Piers du Pré 7 Comments

The staff sang and danced — The restaurant and kitchen staff sang and danced a South African Zulu Happy Birthday
*click to enlarge*

I was just about to leave my table after an excellent dinner in the restaurant of the South African Protea Hotel, when I heard singing from behind me.

I turned, and from the kitchen doors came a seemingly endless procession of restaurant staff, chefs and kitchen staff carrying a birthday cake and singing a South African Zulu Happy Birthday.

Harmonies and dancing

This was not your typical British ‘Happy Birthday’ which, more often than not, sounds more like a dirge than a blessing. No way. This South African Zulu singing was beautiful, richly harmonious and sung with such gusto. Deep bass, melodious tenor and wonderful alto and soprano voices, all singing without restraint. With swayings, clappings, smilings, laughings, some took turns to dance for me! Right in front of my table.

My initial embarrassment faded in a fraction of a second as I became caught up with the excitement and reality of this special performance. Taken by surprise, I found I was on my feet clapping with them and loving every single second. For those precious moments, the rest of the world didn’t exist.

It seemed to last forever as verse, after verse, after verse was sung.

Did you have a good birthday?

My luscious birthday cake, dripping with rich chocolate icing
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A quickly as they all appeared they disappeared, still clapping, except for my waitress, Khosi.

‘Did you enjoy your birthday?’ she asked shyly. With tears in my eyes I stammered a feeble reply. ‘Simply stunning.’ With the bright-eyed look of a co-conspirator she whispered, ‘Good,’ and turned to fetch a cake knife, leaving me emotionally exhausted.

Sadly I leave tomorrow, but the sounds will still be echoing in my mind. ‘Did you enjoy your birthday?’ What a crazy question!

How I’d love to learn Zulu. Maybe next time…

The artists

I applaud the staff of the Protea Hotel.

Sfiso (Manager), Carol, Thenji, Khosi (my waitress), Londiwe, Lwazi, Miso, Bongiwe, Vusi (Putsho) and Mthoko. Thank you all so much.

But the question remains – who arranged all this?

Piers
from my special memory banks
soon to be back on
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

Safari to South Africa

6 December 2014 Piers du Pré 9 Comments

Aslan rules over his Kingdom
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What an adventure. All two and half months of it. What a treat – but then we are retired!

In a nutshell

We drove hundreds of kilometres across magnificent mountain ranges, along extensive plateaus, visited a crane sanctuary, saw four of the Big 5 in a private game reserve, sampled some of South Africa’s finest food and wines, met our new family members again and made so many friends. Oh, and I had an infected wisdom tooth pulled out.

The term ‘the Big 5’ refers to the five most dangerous African animals to hunt. The African elephant, African lion, African buffalo, African Leopard, and the rhinocerous. We saw all except for the leopard.

Memories of the ‘Jungle Book’ flooded back as we journeyed through Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mthatha, and saw signs for Lesotho and Swaziland. Did we meet Shere Khan and Mowgli? Sadly, no.

We witnessed the stake out, the chase, and the munching
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Our South African adventure was an overload of wonderment, beauty, friendship, sheer bliss and memories.

Drakensberg mountains

The dramatic Drakensberg mountains enclose the central Southern African plateau, stretching over 700 miles and reaching heavenwards to over 11,400 feet into deep blue skies. We’ll let the photographs speak for themselves.

Lichens Pass

Our return journey from Johannesburg to Durban took us through two villages called Egypt and Bethlehem before driving along the Lichens Pass. Majestic and breath taking are poor words with which to describe the visions laid before us.

One deep sadness

Trinity is taken out for a flight
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On safari, the wildlife was spectacular but declining at an alarming rate. Poaching, coupled with a strong tourist trade paying high money stakes to hunt and kill for pleasure, are diminishing the animal kingdom at an alarming rate. For some animals, it’s already beyond a sustainable level.

The facts on poaching alone speak for themselves. In the last three years alone, 100,000 elephants have been slaughtered for their ivory whilst the desire for rhino horn from far east countries means the Rhino will be extinct by 2020; the birth rate is far, far lower than the slaughter rate.

Our human race has so much to answer for.

Return to Guernsey

Having spent so much time in South Africa we found it really hard to leave. We’d met so many lovely people, seen so many wonders and loved every moment. Yes, it was hard to leave.

Mr Weaver uses strips of reed to build his nest
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We landed late in the evening at Guernsey’s ‘International Airport’. Stepping out into the rain, we asked the taxi driver to take us the long way back to the bungalow we’ve been lent whilst Play d’eau is being repaired.

We were soon being driven along the coast road. A strong onshore wind was hurling the seas against the rocks causing the spray to detonate in all directions. Very different from the hot South African summer we’d left behind. The smell of the sea, the sight of the spray. Yes, it’s good to be back, back home.

Photo album

From nearly 3,000 photos we’ve picked 182 in a slideshow for you. Colonial style hotels, mountain passes, game reserves and drives, lion kills, exotic animals – the list goes on.

Image captions appear below the thumbnails. Arrows on the left and right of the main images allow you to change photos manually and you can pause and play by the icon in the centre of the image.

So let the photo album tell our story. We hope you like it.

Piers and Lin
waiting for the return of our
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

[Show as slideshow]

Holidays

My favourite pics of Lin

1 May 2014 Piers du Pré Leave a comment

I love these two pics of Lin. I sneaked them whilst in South Africa.

Taken at the Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
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Taken at Table Mountain, Cape Town
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Piers
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina

Holidays

Homeward bound

1 May 2014 Piers du Pré 3 Comments

Well, we’re homeward bound. After a magnificent and glorious three weeks in South Africa, we have travelled from Cape Town to Durban to Amsterdam and will shortly leave for Guernsey.

Cape Town

After taking afternoon tea at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel (as a chap and chapess do), we flew to Durban and stayed at the Granny Mouse Country Lodge, some 90 minutes west of the city, for one night before catching an Emirates flight to Amsterdam.

Today, we take a Blue Islands flight back to Guernsey (via the ‘other island’) to be reunited with Play d’eau. In a strange way we know it’s time to go home, yet our hearts have been certainly captured by South Africa.

As Amy’s brother, Kevin, had said to us, ‘South Africa gets in your blood’.

How right he was.

Some last pics

Here are some last pics from the many we took.

Our room at the Tala Private Game Reserve
KwaZulu-Natal
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Our 12m long room at the African Pride, Melrose Arch, J'burg — Our 12m long room at the African Pride,
Melrose Arch, J’burg, with its green and red lighting
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The Queen Victoria Hotel was close to the waterfront which buzzed with life
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These guys were great with their improvisation and rhythms — These guys were great
with their improvisation and rhythms
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"The wheel on the front goes round and round' — “The wheel on the front goes round and round’
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Traditional skills are still being used
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The port and marina were so busy
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Table Mountain was wearing its table cloth
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The cloud disappeared... — The cloud disappeared…
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...and you could see the window cleaners suspended by ropes — …and window cleaners were suspended by ropes
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Sandwiches, cakes, savouries, scones, creams, jams, breads and 'nibbles'
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We indulged in afternoon tea at The Mount Nelson
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Piers' favourite — Piers’ favourite
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We stayed at the Granny Mouse Country Lodge for our last night in SA — We stayed at the Granny Mouse Country Lodge
for our last night in SA
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Our room had a wood burning stove - great because it dropped to -3C overnight — Our room had a wood burning stove – great because it dropped to -3C overnight
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Granny Mouse overlooks the valley and its river
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The fog stayed hovering above the river
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As the sun rose, it was -3C, frosty, and fog steamed off the river — As the sun rose, it was -3C, frosty,
and fog steamed off the river
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A great sign by Reception
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Water taps and corrugated iron made a novel water features — Water taps and corrugated iron
made a novel water features
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Nearby were the stunning 95m (310') Howick Falls — Nearby were the stunning 95m (310′) Howick Falls
*click to enlarge*

Piers and Lin
Granny Mouse Country Lodge
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

A Hippo Story

30 April 2014 Piers du Pré Leave a comment

A wide open mouth is a warning sign
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On our safari around the Tala Private Game Reserve, the ranger took us to the Hippos.

Don’t underestimate a Hippo

He pointed out a Hippo Run, a track that a Hippo uses. Woe betide anything that gets in the way of the run – it will suffer.

Continuing, he told us of someone who had left their Toyota Landcruiser across a Hippo Run in the Kruger game reserve. Three tons of Hippo charged and T-boned it at 30 miles an hour.

The Landcruiser buckled and wedged itself around the Hippo’s head.

Pah! Not a problem. Lifting its head complete with the one and a half ton Landcruiser, the Hippo trotted 150 metres to the side of its run and simply tossed the Landcruiser aside.

Respect!

Piers and Lin
Granny Mouse Country House, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

Plant life

30 April 2014 Piers du Pré 4 Comments

Although it was Autumn, there were still some magnificent flowers in full display whilst leaves and vegetation were showing their vibrant autumnal colours.

Wherever possible, we made use of sunrise and sunset light.

One big problem – we know the names of some, well two or three, but the majority leave us guessing…

Let us know your favourite

If you have a moment, please let us know your favourite pic – thank you.

Piers and Lin
Granny Mouse Country House, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

Animal life

28 April 2014 Piers du Pré 2 Comments

As our visit to South Africa draws to a close, here are some pics of the various animals we saw whilst on our journeys.

Our next South African posts

In our next posts we’ll showcase the vivid colours of the flowering plants we’ve found and finally, a summary of our whole magnificent tour.

Photography

Click on a photograph to enlarge it, and then use the right arrow keys to move on to the next.

Three lenses were used with our Canon 7D: EF 17-40 F4L, 24-70 F2.8L II, and an EF 70-300 F4-5.6L IS.

Background and sky colours vary according to the day and time of day the pic was taken.

Papa Goose becomes 'Mr Angry' to protect his chicks — Papa Goose becomes ‘Mr Angry’ to protect his chicks

The baby waggles his ears to clear them of water

The Lion King's 'Pumbah' - a Warthog — The Lion King’s ‘Pumbah’ – a Warthog

...a gnother Gnu - Wildebeast — …a gnother Gnu – Wildebeast

A Kudu, four years old, taken from 400m away — A camera-shy Kudu, four years old
taken from 400m away

A Vervet monkey jumps around the balcony…

...whilst another lies in ambush — …whilst another lies in ambush

The male, black and sleek... — The male is black and sleek

A male baboon, taken as we passed by in the car

It's child which had a damaged left arm — A baby which had a damaged left arm

And who are you?
The penguin colony in Boulder Bay

Piers and Lin
Tala Private Game Reserve
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

Wedding preparations

26 April 2014 Piers du Pré 2 Comments

A picture postcard story of the wedding preparations.

The wedding venue, Acacia, in the Tala Private Game Reserve.

A beautiful thatched, wooden barn with a large decking area overlooking a waterhole, 150m away. The sun was bright and strong.

The reception area — The grassed reception area.
Wine and beer was kept cool in wheelbarrows
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Welcome to the wedding venue
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The 'bridal aisle' to Acacia — The ‘bridal aisle’ entrance to Acacia
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The ceremony was held on the decking
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Chairs were facing the waterhole and rhinos
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The minister's view — The minister’s view
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Nadine and Colleen prepare the tables
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The staff helped as well
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Amy's sister, Dayna placed decorations in glass vases — Amy’s sister, Dayna placed decorations in glass vases
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The Manager in charge of the event checked everything so carefully
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Rosie, Amy's Godmother, with Amy — Rosie, Amy’s Godmother, with Amy
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Nadine, Amy's cousin, adding touches to decorations — Nadine, Amy’s cousin, adding touches to decorations
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Top table flowers and decorations
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Brigitte, Amy's aunt — Brigitte, Amy’s aunt
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Linda, Amy's step-grandmother — Linda, Amy’s step-grandmother
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The flowers were so gorgeous
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Irene, Mark's partner — Irene, Mark’s partner
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Colleen, Amy's aunt — Colleen, Amy’s aunt
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Chairs were decorated with bows
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Toby, Brigitte's partner — Toby, Brigitte’s partner
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Rhinos were mud bathing
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...with a Vervet monkey scampering across the top — …with a Vervet monkey scampering across the top
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The barman who looked after us all so well
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Mr and Mrs Tobias du Pre; leave for their honeymoon — The next day
Mr and Mrs Tobias du Pré leave for their honeymoon
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We took no photographs during the wedding, leaving that task to Simon Jones, the professional photographer and video team from Heartistic productions. When we receive our copies we’ll post some more.

Piers and Lin
Tala Private Game Reserve
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

The wedding – 19 April 2014

25 April 2014 Piers du Pré 8 Comments

Toby and Amy exchange their vows
*click to enlarge*

The day had arrived. The day Toby and Amy were to wed.

The Venue

The Tala Private Game Reserve was the chosen venue with its 3,000 hectares in KwaZulu-Natal, between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Its various single story accommodation lodges are scattered around the reserve with a central main reception and restaurant complex. There’s no tarmac here, just rough dirt tracks.

Animals include rhino, hippo, kudu, zebra, giraffe, impala, eland, monkeys and ostrich. Bird life is everywhere, some singing beautiful love songs whilst others make ghastly sounds that put crows to shame.

Preparations

The previous afternoon saw many of Amy’s extended family and Tala staff descend on Acacia, a large thatched timber barn standing on the side of a slight incline in front of a waterhole.

Mr and Mrs du Pre with Mr and Mrs Tobias du Pre — Mr and Mrs du Pré with Mr and Mrs Tobias du Pré
*click to enlarge*

Whilst tables, chairs, linen, cutlery, flowers, sashes and labels were being lovingly placed inside the barn, seven rhinos were mud bathing (outside) in the waterhole 150m away whilst zebras strutted their stripes, impala jumped, and bored wildebeest just grunted.

Rather than tables being numbered, Amy had created cards with specific dates or comments, such as ’35 Flights’ – ‘the number of individual flights taken to see each other’.

Wedding Day

Right on cue, the sun rose just after 6am into yet another clear blue sky.

As we opened the veranda doors of our lodge, monkeys scampered across the lawns, jumped into trees and peeped from behind the trunks to see what we might be doing.

After a lazy breakfast, Piers took more photographs whilst Lin relaxed on the veranda.

By 3pm, Piers had donned his locally hired tails whilst Lin wore a beautiful special dress for the day. She looked so gorgeous.

We assembled on the decking in front of the barn and Ron the minister told us what was to happen. The rhino and other animals were still in attendance. It was almost surreal.

The Marriage

Toby was standing at the front when the bridal party appeared. Maid of Honour, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen.

And then Amy, veiled and on her father’s arm, walked around the corner. So elegant, so poised.

Amy looked utterly beautiful in the most lovely white dress and long embroidered train. There were gasps followed by tears and hushed snuffles.

In front of guests, Ron and the rhinos, Toby and Amy said their vows looking intently into each others’ eyes. Ron’s address was a delight and thoroughly scriptural.

Mr and Mrs Tobias du Pré looked radiant and so, so happy. After years of long distance waiting, their dream had come true.

The Reception

Rose petals showered the couple as they made their way onto a grassed area to cut the cake and be toasted.

Tables are identified by dates — Tables were identified by dates
and explanations
*click to enlarge*

Sitting at our tables, dinner was served. Mark, Amy’s father, spoke. His speech was the finest and most heartfelt we’d ever heard, a comment which was to be made to him many times that evening.

Justin, the best man, was hilarious.

We danced late into the evening. Eventually, at 11pm, Toby and Amy left, and the party slowly dispersed.

A truly stunning event, and one which the animals will describe for generations to come.

It had been a long wait for the couple. It had been worth it. Their prayers had been answered.

Piers and Lin
Tala Private Game Reserve
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Holidays

Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay

23 April 2014 Piers du Pré 1 Comment

We see the cloud being heaped up over the mountains — Cloud, created by warm, humid air from
the Indian Ocean being lifted over the mountains
*click to enlarge*

Only three more sleeps until we see Toby and Amy again, and two extra until the wedding – excitement is growing!

Yet again, clear blue skies ruled the start of the day and the 37C temperature and low humidity was simply delightful.

Outeniqua Pass

We climbed into our silver Avis hire car at 11am and headed the 150 miles to Plettenberg Bay to cross the mountain range along the unbelievable Outeniqua Pass before joining the ‘Garden Route’.

As we climbed the pass we ascended into the cloud which was blowing in from the warm seas of the Indian Ocean. Descending to the seaward side the cloud stayed with us to the Tsala Tree Top Lodge. It felt cold. It was. Pullovers came to the fore.

For those who like meteorology, the cloud is created by the Foehn effect.

Tsala Tree Top Lodge

The stunning Outeniqua Pass is just ahead — We were about to enter the stunning
Outeniqua Pass
*click to enlarge*

Tsala Tree Top Lodge is exactly as described on the tin being built in the tree tops on one side of a valley. I say valley but it’s more like a gorge.

Individual tree top villas have a lounge, bedroom, bathroom, terrace and small infinity plunge pool, all supported on long stilts from the ground, with wooden walk ways to connect to the main building.

Again, being the end of the summer season there were few guests. We felt spoiled with the staff only there for us.

Toby and Amy’s wedding

We had three nights at Tsala and spent the days exploring the beautiful Plettenberg Bay area. Now it was time to head for Toby and Amy’s wedding to fulfil the reason we had come to South Africa.

A drive to Port Elizabeth, an airplane to Durban and another drive along severely pot-holed country roads through hectare upon hectare of sugar cane brought us to Amy’s father’s house in Wartberg.