Britannia Bay Accommodation West Coast - Dolphin B&B + S/C

THE ABC OF IT

2012-01-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

Want me eating out of your hand? Then show passion for this wonderful town I live in. St Helena Bay (and specifically Britannia Bay) is, to use a hackneyed word but it works here, awesome and not a day goes by that I don't recognise that fact. (Yes, readers, I've gaaned-aan about this before ad nauseum.)

But it takes guests from Gauteng to nudge-remind me that I am indeed blessed to have a view to die for (bestest office on earth: from my PC I get to watch dolphins surfing the shoreline while I "talk" to the real world).
And so it was that the Boyce family arrived on New Year's Day and spent six nights revelling in unseasonally calm West Coast weather (ja, gewoonlik waai dit soos dit bars dié tyd van die jaar,kêrels).
What a great bunch they were, at the ready to explore the seaside towns and coastline and taking in the atmosphere of the area, including the National (Cerebos) Saltworks at Velddrif and a visit to the West Coast Fossil Park.
I call them The ABC family: The(o), A(shley), B(arry and) C(onnie) and in my book they were top of their class! It might be many years before we meet again, but you will be one of the really super guests I welcomed to Dolphin B&B+S/C in St Helena Bay.

TALL TRAVEL TALES

2011-12-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

As most of my friends know, I love to talk, but equally most of them won't listen to me and so I have chosen to commit my thoughts to paper, particularly those gleaned when travelling far and away.

Anyone who is remotely interested is invited to visit http://www.dolphinza.com/travel.html the latest one being on my recent trip to Botswana. (The pic is of us on the Chobe River - Moi is in green in the middle on the left.)

Once the silly season is past (did I wish my fellow Bloggers all blessings this festive season?) I will concentrate on where next to take this bod: will it be Sumatra or Cuba perhaps? What I do know is that I will spend the last couple of weeks of any holiday I take lying horizontal on the beaches of Bali. Bye!

THEY'RE TALKIN' TURKEY

2011-12-26T05:19:00.000-08:00

On contract from Leeds to Pretoria where Matt is working on a coal mine operation for Eskom and Claire is a civil engineering designer, they chose the West Coast as their holiday destination.
"I've always wanted to cook a Christmas meal in a Weber," says Matt and on what was a perfect day weather wise he did just that. Here they partake of a turducken (a chicken in a duck in a turkey ... or whatever it is that Nataniël calls it) with the traditional trimmings (those on the plate and on their heads!) and Claire reports that, "He can do that again anytime" (although I did wonder if there was any inference in the fact that he received a braai recipe book for Christmas).

HARK, THOSE LITTLE ANGELS SANG

2011-12-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

Doug and Julia chose to spend their annual holiday on the West Coast but, he being a thoughtful person and knowing her penchant for animals, booked an overnight at Elandsfontein Game Lodge on the R27 and by so doing they got the best of both worlds: Doug for the sea and Julia for the bushveld.

Every Thursday volunteers work in a soup kitchen in Stompneus Village and by way of recompense the children performed at a carol-singing concert at Shelley Point Hotel on - appropriately - the Day of Reconciliation, some as young as 5 years. Afterwards they were royally treated to the juiciest of hamburgers and the crispiest of chips by the Hotel management and took home gift packs to put under the Christmas tree.

Having driven all the way north to Lambert's Bay to enjoy lunch at the famous Muisbosskerm Open Air Restaurant they still found it in their hearts to hotfoot it back in time to catch the tail-end of the choral refrain.

Generously Doug, whose son suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, made a wholesome contribution to Die Eilandhuis vir Gestremdes and which Jimmy spent on making sure the children under his care will have a brighter and lighter Christmas.
Both these organisations could do with a cash injection and if you feel it in your hearts to do so, please let me know and I'll put you in touch with the right people.

DIE TWEE IS TWEE KEER HIERNA TOE

2011-11-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

I've said it before ad infinitum and ad nauseum: my guests are great; not only do they keep me entertained, they also pay for me to go on holiday! Yes, Blog followers, that's where I am going tomorrow courtesy of Karoo Birding Safaris, headed for the very northern corner of Botswana to look for, inter alia, Carmine Bee-eaters (a dream of Michael and mine from w-a-y back in 2001 when we had to cancel a trip due to his illness) and if I am very lucky Pel's Fishing Owl to boot.

But back to my guests. Having been married on 31 October 2009, Andrew and Yolanda arrived the next day and spent their honeymoon week here at Dolphin B&B+S/C. And so - two years later - they chose to spend their well-deserved annual break on the West Coast with me again. (Check out my earlier Blog "It seems that this is the time for tying the knot" which I posted on November 24, 2009.)

The update is that they're just as in love and happy as two years ago and thanks, you two Lovebirds, for the chokkie hazelnuts. It's your fault I am growing in girth!

Hope the wind drops so that you get to enjoy Britannia Bay in all its glory before leaving for home in Montague next Monday.

THE SWEDES COME TO TOWN

2011-10-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Neil and Ragnhild Crawford who hail from Kärna, Sweden, had stayed with me in September 2006 and toured the southern and western areas of the Cape in search of elusive plant species and were indeed rewarded for their diligence.
It was thanks to their stopover at Dolphin B&B+S/C that good friends Lars and Kerstin Peterson, through referral, spent two nights exploring the West coast and although their sights were set on flora, it extended also to avifauna, Lars being particularly pleased with species he could tick off on his 'life' list.
I was struck by the observations that Lars had made through their travels in South Africa so far: "European Union citizens and white citizens in South Africa are in many cases in a similar situation. Farmer political and economical dominance is broken" He went on to encourage us to "continue to protect the biological diversity" of our country, adding that "Ecotourism is a growing market" and that "managing nature reserves is good investment". I can relate to that, Lars.
From here to Cape Town, then via the southern Cape (Knysna etc.) to Prince Albert where they've been put in touch with Sue Milton-Dean (PhD) who, with her husband Richard Dean (PhD), manage RENU-KAROO Veld Restoration cc and are deeply involved in and committed to Karoo veld assessment, vegetation surveys, indigenous seed and plants for Karoo restoration and landscaping. Three years ago I spent two of the most enlightening hours in Sue's company as she led a small group of us through her 'patch of perfection' - a small holding that she and Richard have left pristine and where lithops compete with gymnosperms and Khoi middens give us a glimse into an era long gone. Highly recommended.

MONKEYING WITH A GOOD WRITE IS PURE MONKEY BUSINESS

2011-10-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you, but trying to follow the Dewani case has been jolly hard work, what with the hype from spin publicist Max Clifford and the surmisations and suspicions voiced by a polarised public. And so it was with delight that I learned that long-time friend Mike Nicol's book, Monkey Business, was to be launched at the Open Book Fair last month.

Personally I think journalist Zelda Venter lost the plot when she wrote (in her review of the book) of ‘being disappointed’. Read the full review at http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/books/no-new-light-shed-on-anni-s-murder-1.1156402

Layman I might be, but I couldn’t but fail to gasp at how Mike has mastered the chain of events – and in the short while it took him to put it all together. Had I the time – or, for that matter, the inclination - I still wouldn’t have known where to search to read about this fascinating case and yet this author has been able to capture the intrigue in brilliant chronological order - and probably from the confines of his office.

I’m sorry the book is only a centimetre thick and, yes, I wait expectantly for the case to come to trial. Who knows that we mere mortals won’t have the benefit of reading the sequel which captures all that. Certainly the book is not ‘premature’; Mike has just been very resourceful in seeing a gap and taking it. It smells of professional jealousy that a journalist didn’t see it first.

DIVINE INTERVENTION OR WHAT?

2011-10-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

My day was touched by the gentle impact of a gentle man in the form of Father Elsey. Knock-knock (or truth be told, ring-ring) at my door and there stood this larger-than-life bearded priest ("I'm of the bell's and smells discipline," he claims) from Devon who has just spent three months filling in for the Calitzdorp ngk Dominee who took a sabbatical allowing Father Ed time to explore the port capital of the world - you got it - in between the 92 recitals he played during that time.

I was to learn so much from him during his 48 hours' sojourn here and, no, he doesn't mind at all that I write openly about his gayness (or is it gaiety?), his having come out six years ago and very comfortable with himself.

I was so comfortable and charmed by this intellectual and his bonhomie, not to mention his zest (dare I say lust?) for life. We spent quality time swapping lifestyles (mine is much more mundane) and sharing a meal at Beira Mar for which Father generously paid - sorry there were no whales!

As he wrote in my visitor's book (under the column of "How did you find us?") 'Chance/Divine'. A bigger and better man knows why ours paths should have crossed and I am all the richer for it.

WORTH TURNING A YEAR OLDER

2011-09-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

Spent my birthday arvie last Saturday with family and the evening with close friends. What better way to celebrate than that?

Deer Park Café in Vredehoek, at the foot of Table Mountain, is a delightful, open-air restaurant that caters primarily for children and spills out onto rolling lawns where the kids can swing, climb and crawl up jumpin' jacks and down foofy slides. Which is exactly what these cousins did while the moms drank lattes, vino bianca and munched on chips and chocs.

The vibe at Mamma Mia in Steenberg is somewhat more adulterous - if you know what I mean Having placed orders for veal all round with attentive Debbi, Keith, Mike, Roy, Jill (with whom I share a birthday, although there's a year's difference between us - in her favour!) Moi and Kevin settled in for an evening of catch-up, having been friends for 30 years.

A great way to spend my (sorry, Jill, our) birthday and ta to all who remembered it by calling, emailing, SMSing and, yes, those luverly pressies Mwah x

THIS POOR CREATURE NOT HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME

2011-09-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

The call went out around midday September 19th to save a stranded Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia sima – identified from photographs by marine expert Mike Meyer - that had beached near the slipway in Britannia Bay.

MCM inspectors and volunteers worked to stabilise the animal, which was still breathing, keeping it upright and cool. Other than a few scratches, caused probably when rolling in over the shallow reef, it appeared to be unharmed. Meyer explains that the so-called pool of blood in which the animal was swimming was in fact a cloud of reddish-brown faeces that the creature releases when frightened at the surface.

It was dragged back into the water where it rolled and floundered for a couple of hours before washing up once more. Again it was pushed back into the sea, but it considered unlikely the creature will survive and anyone coming across the animal is asked to call Bernie Pols on 083 425 7678.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

2011-09-04T07:32:00.001-07:00

Dave and Ena had stayed with me before, but on this occasion Ena's daughter, Cheryl, and friend Matthew also spent two nights at Dolphin B&B+S/C, theIR intention: to see Cheryl's newly built house - all done via email from her career home in Saudi Arabia. Now that's what I call project management and with an excellent architect and local builder Steve Misplon (Pride's Buildings) the result is simply stunning.

Cheryl has every reason to be proud of what she's achieved and says she was like a child under a Christmas tree opening the boxes of personal effects that will adorn the shelves of her new West coast home.

Welcome to this very special part of the world, Cheryl; lovely to have you as a neighbour, which is essence means I also get to see more of the Hiblings too.

LIFE IS ANYTHING BUT A BIND

2011-08-25T04:49:00.000-07:00

Long-time friends Christel Borck and Barbara Meyer, from Germany, enjoyed a surprisingly warm winter's day having brunch on the deck overlooking Britannia Bay.

We talked about their respective careers and agreed that retired life is wonderful, as it allows one to dabble in all manner of interesting pursuits, Christel's being book-binding.

Here she's used the inner tube lining of her bicycle tire to cover her diary and the postcards are simply corrugated cardboard cut to size which she decorates with something indicative of the country she's travelling through. In our case I guess it could have been JuJu's picture adorning the cover, but taste ruled and her friends back home instead will see the Big Five and labels from product bottled at Klein Zalze Wine Estate. Much better than Malema, don't you think?

I TALK TO THE TREES

2011-08-18T22:43:00.001-07:00

John en Teresa Tree (glo my of nie maar hulle is pure Afrikaners) het by my vir ‘n week kom bly en op Saterdag was dit weer die Koffie Kan in St Helenabaai. Dié uitstappie is bedoel vir ons wat oor vyftig is en is ‘n geleentheid om bymekaar te kom, te gesels en lekker te eet. Dis geinspireer en gemotiveer deur Menita Paxton (voor), lid van NG Kerk, maar is bedoel vir almal wat in die dorp woon.

Bo en behalwe die feit dat Teresa ook ‘n prys in Bingo gewen het, het hulle my vriende - insluitend my dierbare vriendin Susan – ontmoet en saam met ons gekuier.

Van daar af was ons tot oo op Britannica Heights om die Uitsig vanaf Elandsbaai tot Cape Columbine buite Paternoster te geniet en waar ek die blomme kan identifiseer om ‘n berig vir toerisme doeleindes te skrywe.

Gawe mense, maar ek sê weer: al my gaste is uitstekend. Lief hulle almal.

BALI ... HI

2011-05-01T21:54:00.001-07:00

It's called Island of the Gods - Bali, that is - and I'm about to find out why.

First I'll spend seven nights at Mediwi Bay Retreat in Negara (north-west of the mainland) after which I join one of Intrepid's adventures (I've used them before and will continue to do so to countries where language and culture can be a barrier) for a 15-day intensive tour ending up on one of the small islands off Lombok: Gili Meno Resort, in the heart of one of the world's biggest natural bird sanctuaries. (I can do bird-watching lying on my back soaking up the sun, binos pinned to my beadies!)

But, no, fellow-bloggers, you'll have to wait for mid-June when I return and write up my travel tales. For now be content with a taste of what's to come.

Bon voyage, I say!

MAN'S INHUMANITY

2011-04-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

I was alerted to the fact that there was a dead dolphin washed up on Golden Mile's stretch of beach in Britannia Bay. What I saw was in fact the evidence of some callous brute who had shot the creature.

I called MCM senior researcher Mike Meyer and, at his behest, had the carcass (of what he told me was a sub-adult common dolphin) moved to the deepfreeze of a friend until he could arrange for it to be collected (for DNA and further study).

This beautiful, innocent creature had likely been targeted by pelagic fishermen as it is wont to rush at the netful of fish being hauled aboard a fishing vessel.

Lee knelt down beside the body and stroking it murmured, "I've never touched a dolphin before".

Sad, eh?

WHO'S HAD A HARD DAY AT THE ORIFICE?

2011-04-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

Robin and Sylvia Gibbs broke their long-standing tradition (seven years in a row) of spending the Easter weekend here at Dolphin B&B+S/C by choosing instead to travel to Kgalagadi National Park, but in their stead I hosted the stay of a most delightful family: Denise and Hannes Meyer and their daughter, Salome Hoogendijk and her husband Frits.
Other than the fact that they were just darned nice people, what made their stay stand out for me was one of these coincidences that is a reminder of how miniscule we are in the greater plan of things.
Having established that Salome is a dentist and Frits a maxilla-facial surgeon, both practising in Pretoria, I asked whether by any chance they knew my cousin Boetie who passed away tragically in 2009. Not only was the response positive but, when chatting to Hannes, who has a dental practice in Thabazimbi - is this keeping it in the family or wot? - Denise chips in to say that she and Boetie were in the same class at school together. You can't talk about anyone and it will get back to them!
Incidentally, I've seen some seriously good camera equipment in my time but their clobber was to-die-for, although let's give credit where it's due: I suspect it's their dedication to get that perfect shot rather than their Nikons that made the results of their work so extraordinary.

GET YOUR TEETH INTO THIS ONE

2011-03-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Last time I tried to explain to, you, my Blog-followers why it is that I do what I do. Probably the paramount reason I gave is the fact that I learn something new every day. I mean, how many of you know that an elk has only two ivory teeth? Come on now ... admit it ... you had absolutely no idea that an elk even had teeth; you thought they only had antlers.
Ignacio and Sarah - he from (Basque) Spain and she from Montana - stayed with me during his research into renewable energy along the West Coast (he's a provider to the industry, not a developer per se). Sarah proudly showed me the antique ring Ignacio had bought for her birthday next Friday - and this is where the elk thingie creeps in.
I couldn't read the carat gold, but knowing the age of the ring, I guess it would be 24ct - as pure as they made it in them thar days - and promptly guessed (wrongly) the stones to be opals of a kind.
That's when I had a lesson in natural history from Sarah who explained that the boreal elk Cervus elaphus has, amongst its other gnashers, these two ivory teeth and as I can't for the life of me think what they could be useful for, I wonder whether they - rather like man's useless appendix - were stubs of a kind of tusk from elks of the Pleistocene Age. Whatever ... it makes for nice cocktail party prattle.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES, REALLY

2011-02-21T01:27:00.000-08:00

Why do I operate a guest house? What's in it for me, you may well ask? Besides the obvious income, there's the joy of knowing you've made visitors content, if not downright happy - something I really strive to do.
But for me it's also the gratification of learning something new every day - and this morning was one of those back-to-school moments.
Siegfried and Trudi, who stayed here with Hansruedi in January, returned with her Mom, Petro and friend Mari-Louise and over breakfast I was taxed with "What's the difference between swallows, swifts and martins?"
Now, I've often been called Mrs Reuter or Mrs Yellow Pages but, trust me, it's not because I have all the answers. Nyet, nay and not at all! It's just that I know where to find the answer. So quicker than you could say boo to a goose I was on the blower to avifaunal ace Trevor Hardaker (Don’t believe me? Go to www.zestforbirds.co.za for a right royal treat.) whose succinct reply was, “Swifts have no back toe so can’t perch”. And there you have it, dear followers of my Blog.
Anymore brain-teasers you want to throw my way this bright Monday morn?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-02-20T06:53:00.000-08:00

An off-the-street enquiry resulted in Pierre and Mireille Klemm from Geneva, Switzerland spending three nights at Dolphin B&B+S/C and I was able to spoil them with a special breakfast on Valentine's Day morning. Mind you, methinks these two celebrate their relationship every day they're together (with Pierre referring to her as The Colonel I think they're set for many happy years yet to come).
This is their fifteenth trip to South Africa, but their first this far up the West Coast; usually they reach only Yzerfontein where they stay with now-friend Angelique at Villa Pescatore and from what they wrote in my visitor's book ("We have fallen in love with the area") I may see more of them in years to come. I certainly hope so!

CARING KID

2011-02-04T21:03:00.001-08:00

I'm a very proud step-grandmother. Young Christian, aged 10, has subscribed to National Geographic Kids for about three years now. Then, lucky lad, he was drawn as subscriber of the month, which won him this drop-dead-fancy PawPaw watch. Last year he submitted a letter about the litter the family collected whilst hiking up Lion's Head - perhaps that went a long way towards his name having been selected. Personally I think it's very responsible of him to show concern regarding the planet he lives on and to have done something about it.

IRON BRU

2011-01-23T01:11:00.001-08:00

I know it in my guts: there's a book to be written about the guests who come to stay at Dolphin B&B+S/C and today cemented that theory.
Eckhard Scholtz and Derek Oehley came specifically to celebrate Chris Dixon's 50th birthday at the home of his parents who live on Golden Mile here in Britannia Bay.
Both are ultra-fit and run a couple of marathons like you and I enjoy Chenin Blanc; they also cycle seriously and the Iron Man competition is a cakewalk for these extreme enthusiasts.
But today's sojourn into Britannia Bay took that slice of cake. Derek donned his wetsuit and dove in undeterred by the icy temperatures of the Benguela Current of around 12°C to swim across to his mates who were enjoying lattes on the eastern side. You better believe it! Makes me tired just thinking about it.

KISSING COUSINS

2011-01-23T01:08:00.000-08:00

You can imagine my surprise when a voice on the other end of the line identified herself as Debbie Pallister, eldest daughter of my father's brother and thus my cousin.
Gerald and Debbie had travelled to Cape Town to attend their younger son Kyle's wedding and took the opportunity of contacting me.
I'd never met my two cousins (LIndsay being her younger sister) and jumped at the chance. So off to the city where we hugged for the first time - and it felt like we'd known each other for yonks.
Gerald is headmaster at the school at the sugar cane plantation known as Hippo Valley Estate in the southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, Chiredzi being the closest identifiable town, where Debbie teaches the little ones ("I spend the day playing", she claims).
The time sped by and we parted company with the promise that I will seriously consider returning to the country of my birth to meet Lindsay and Graham and link up with the Pallisters once again.
My surviving relatives have just swelled to three and as I get older I realise just how important family is. Thank you, Debbie and Gerald, for giving me these two hours of great pleasure ... and, oh yes, congrats. on Kyle's marriage.

GREAT GUESTS!

2011-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share with you the guests who spent their well deserved annual holidays at Dolphin B&B+S/C.

First there was Tommy and Stella who were here for Christmas and New Year's Eve - that's them raising a glass to 2011 and revelling in what turned out to be the mother of all electric thunderstorms - something quite rate on the West Coast - which vied for attention with fireworks displays courtesy of rich locals.

Then came Cape Town-based Siegfried and Trudi with friend from Switzerland, Hansruedi, whom we were hard-pressed to keep out of the chilling waters of the Benguela Current. The weather being what it was this festive season they were able to partake of their evening meal on the patio overlooking the calm waters of Britannia Bay. (Am I lucky to live here or wot?)

Walter and Francheste (to the right of the picture) are spending what he terms "a delayed honeymoon" here, having been married on December 2, 2011. Her family travelled up to see them safely ensconced, although young Navan was a tad tearful to be parted from his Mom. I promise to look after her for you, Navan! Enjoying refreshments on board Groenveld, a converted fishing vessel moored at MCM's pierside in Sandy Point Harbour, was something of a novelty for them and they were kept entertained with the antics of a Cape fur seal fending off opportunistic kelp gulls bent on scavenging for food.

MEDIA ATTENTION

2010-12-31T05:08:00.000-08:00

Exciting news for St Helena Bay ... Tasse en matrasse presenters Ingrid Venter and Monique Strydom from Radio Tygerberg 104.0 FM visited our town on Wednesday. Over coffee at Swiss Deli & Bistro Bernie Pols and I talked to them about matters cetaceans (whales and dolphins, ignoramuses) and the aquaculture (abalone - or perlemoen as it's known in the vernacular) operations springing up along South Africa's West Coast.

Next door Monique and Ingrid met LazyCatz Décor & Art owner Judy Smit and Karin Board who are part of the team that makes up St Helena Bay Arts & Crafts & Food Market.

From there to lunch at the four-star Shelley Point Hotel and a full body and feet treatment in their Wellness Centre. A stop at Oystercatcher Lodge, the town's other four-star establishment, then to Waxit candle factory shop (mmm ... vanilla- and chocolate-scented candles are just the thing for New Year's Eve) then to Groenveld Coffee Shop. This converted old fishing smack is moored in Sandy Point Harbour and a great location from which to watch whales while sipping Caffé Macchiato.

A final stop to meet Don and Connie Loubser, owners of Beira Mar (on the sea, dude) Restaurant and then back to the city with, hopefully, good memories of our wonderful town.

On this the eve of 2011 I wish every one of you who has stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C the compliments of the season; I also wish my friends and family a bumper New Year and I leave you with this thought:

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. Author Unknown

GOT YOU COVERED!

2010-11-22T21:24:00.000-08:00

The patio roof is a new construction and Zak Mkhize, who stayed here over the weekend 20 November, was the first guest to see it complete.
At 05:30 the rains came down - what a welcome respite for our arid West Coast - and with this extension Zak was able to enjoy breakfast in the fresh morning air.
The lekker thing about this is now I don't have the worry of 'do I lay the table inside or out' and once the drop-down canvas blinds are installed, there will be optimum use made of the patio come the cold winter months. Watch this space ...

PASSING THE BUCK

2010-09-23T05:07:00.000-07:00

... in this case it passed me by. I was aware of the Cape Grysbok ewe that lives in the shrubbery in front of my house, but it hasn't been seen for a long time, no doubt because of the development going on in Britannia Bay and which has its terrain shrinking rapidly. So the joy of seeing it on the eve of my birthday is quite the best pressie I could wish for. I know it's a 'she' because of a quite distended midriff, which could well mean she preggies. Now wouldn't that be exciting!

Then I had another lovely surprise ... a Barn Owl landed on the roof in the middle of the day. It clearly doesn't know it's supposed to be sleeping. See! Want wildlife? Come visit the West Coast.

PROOST!

2010-09-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

A retired KLM air hostess, Yvonne Platteel just can't stay away from South Africa and manages to fit in a visit every two years or so. This was her third stay at Dolphin B&B+S/C and on this occasion she travelled with Loes Van der Heijden who also hails from Zoetemeer in The Netherlands.
They brought with them very welcome, albeit short-lived, rain which soon gave way to sunny skies and warm days, pleasant enough for them to enjoy their sundowners on the deck before dinner which they shared with me - and a bottle of very delectable Argentinian Medoc wine.
Now I'm being ever so nicely badgered to come and visit them in Holland and know what? I might just do that one of these fine days.

A PHOTO SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS

2010-09-19T04:55:00.000-07:00

When they booked in on Friday I had little idea of the interesting talks that were to follow over breakfast. Certainly there was an element of déjá vu for me in recalling the Shell Photo Gallery, the Shell Press Pix competition, meeting the World Press Photo team in Amsterdam and bringing the 1984 exhibition South Africa the next year.
A South African at heart - it was here that Brent gained a degree in journalism and sharpened his teeth photographing apartheid issues - he lives in New York with partner, Byba Septikova from Yugoslavia, and travels extensively to the core of conflict to capture on film the crux of the crisis, be it health-related issues or perhaps even the plight of the rhino - something he will be working on while here on a short assignment.
Both are employed by National Geographic, Byba on the technological side where she sifts through thousands of visuals of both Brent's and fellow-photojournalists to match them to whatever theme has been decreed for that month's magazine.
His more recent awards include a gold award from China International photographic awards, as well as from the National Press Photographers Association, Graphis and American Photography. He also received the 2009 ASME magazine publishers award for photojournalism for his work in the Democratic Republic of Congo published in National Geographic magazine.
With these accolades tucked into his camera bag I was particularly chuffed when he agreed to take a pic of me in my new kitchen (see previous Blog). (I wonder whether instead of his using my simple fixed-lens digital camera a Leica would have made a big difference to how I looked?)

TUIS BEGIN IN DIE KOMBUIS

2010-09-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

Why do I do it to myself? Revamp my kitchen, that is. Not content with renovating the B&B en suite (although Clever Dick I did that done whilst I was away in Southeast Asia so all I had to do was sign the cheque when I got home).
Cutesy, cottagey - that was the trend w-a-y back in 1998; now it's pure passé. And so I called for Field Family Cupboards to make miracles happen - and they did. Dale and his team of merrymen moved in - lock, stock and smokin' barrel - the Monday morning and by Tuesday arvie (I kid you not!) they packed up, having created the most marvellous, practical, boootiful kitchen a gal could want.
Now I've just got to learn how to cook!

I MIGHT HAVE MET THEM IN ‘DIE HEL’ BUT THEY WERE HEAVENLY GUESTS

2010-08-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was sitting having coffee with Pieter Mostert at the Shoppe in Gamkaskloof (unaffectionately known as "Die Hel") when a voice claimed, "Jy moet daardie mal tannie wees wat hier op haar eie in ‘n klein, gewone karretjie ingery het". That was my introduction to Gert Haywood who, with Anet, was "kuieiring" in the ‘Kloof (as it is more affectionately known). (Dit was toe eke!)
From that led their booking in at my B&B for two nights middle August with a view to seeing fields and fields of "blomme" but, sadly, hot, easterly winds resulted in an aborted spring flower display this year.
Having said that, they did report good spreads of "reënblommetjies" ((Dimorphotheca pluvialis) in West Coast National Park plus the bonus of two southern right whales off Plankiesbaai in Postberg so their trip was not without rewards.
These two will tie the knot on November 20th to coincide with Gert’s Big Six-O celebration and pics of The Event will follow in due course. For now, it’s go well and good luck in the planning of the first step of the rest of your life.

MY ASIAN ADVENTURE

2010-07-01T02:22:00.001-07:00

I’ve dreamed about visiting China for many years and this determined woman (aka Moi) made it happen in April this year. From Hong Kong to Yangshou to Shanghai to X’ian and finally Beijing and The Great Wall (that’s where I’m standing, not quite believing I’m actually there!).

The next month took me through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and then across into Cambodia from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – and if it wasn’t for the Red Shirts I would have visited Thailand too, but that’s for another time.

You can read at your leisure the story of my adventure and I hope you enjoy sharing with me 60 days spent in search of the true Southeast Asia … and I believe I found it. Go to my website www.dolphinza.com and click on the links page or you can click on http://www.o5demo.com/asianadventure.pdf

MAKING OPTIMUM USE OF

2010-06-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Not being a proponent of any of the social networking sites, I had only seen a thumbnail pic of Riaan and Deon Coetzee, the brother team heading up o5webdesign, the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) company that had done work for me over the years.

Then I received a call from Deon saying that he and Tania would be in Cape Town and he’d very much like to make personal contact with me. Without further ado we agreed to meet at Fraîche Ayres tea garden in the grounds of Stark Ayres Nursery in Rosebank on Wednesday April 7 – the eve of my departure for Asia.

The hour flew by. Tania is a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) with a delightful sense of humour and grasp of Life (with that capital letter). Putting a face to a name has made a big difference in my opinion of their company and it’s going to be much more fun working with Deon from now on.

Oh yes, if you don’t yet know what SEO is all about, they specialise in search engine optimisation of websites and help to increase visibility on the Internet. As Riaan explains, “The Internet has become so vast that merely having yet another website is, quite literally, a waste of time”. He tells me that in 2009 alone 49 million new websites were launched. That means www.dolphinza.com is merely a drop in the ocean and which also means I’ve got to be one step ahead of the pack baying at my heels.

It boils down to this: “If your website isn’t being found in search engines by people looking not for your business name, but for your type of services or products – and often in a certain area – you are effectively handing potential business to your competition,” says Riaan. “It’s a fact that almost 65% of all Internet users do not know the name of a business so they go online to search for what they require and if they’re not finding you – meaning your website isn’t tanking as high as possible under that first 10 search results – you are lost.”

It boils down to this: “If your website isn’t being found in search engines by people looking not for your business name, but for your type of services or products – and often in a certain area – you are effectively handing potential business to your competition,” says Riaan. “It’s a fact that almost 85% of al Internet users do not know the name of a business so they go online to search for what they require and if they’re not finding you – meaning your website isn’t ranking as high as possible under that first 10 search results – you are lost.”

The question you need to ask yourself is: are they finding your website? This makes the difference between merely having the bragging rights to say ‘I have a website’ to ‘I have a potential marketing tool’.

O5webdesign will help you with a potential marketing tool; they will also advise and assist you to go beyond just the website and use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Blogging in conjunction with your correctly optimised website to exponentially increase your overall Internet exposure thereby giving you a much increased Internet footprint in the jungle that’s out there.

Why do I punt these two pundits? Because it’s worked for me – and, oh yes, because they’re just a nice bunch of people!

riaan@o5webdesign.co.za 012-6642545 deon@o5webdesign.co.za

THIS BLOM IS BLOSSOMING BIG TIME

2010-03-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Mention Nedine Blom to a teenager - then close your ears as the shriek is likely to reach 180 decibels and climbing.

This bundle of energy (geen wonder want sy sê “Ek is stapelgek oor Baklava en biltong”)gave generously of her talents to perform in front of 300 primary school children and about 100 adults on Wednesday 24 March in St Helena Bay. I say generously because she reduced the costs substantially, making it possible for those who otherwise would not have been able to attend to do so. The concert was the brainchild of neighbour James de Jager and I was the lucky one to host her and husband/manager Bertie’s stay.

And her pure voice brought the house down. The rafters rang as she sang songs from her hit CD Super Cool vir Jesus which she is planning to turn into a musical hit. That Andrew Lloyd Webber hasn’t discovered her yet is to his disadvantage.

Tonight she’s performing at the Langebaan Lagoonfees and those lucky enough to attend are going to have a right royal time of seeing Nedine on stage.

Oh yes, no trouble to Bertie, he quickly burnt a CD of her repertoire of songs in between breakfast courses and which they presented to me by way of thanks for their two-night stay at Dolphin B&B+S/C. Now who’s the lucky one?

WORKING THE MADIBA MAGIC

2010-02-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Twenty years on and South Africa – nay, the world – celebrated Madiba's release from prison on 11 February 1990.

Julie Murphy, who with husband Malcolm stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C last year (see my blog posted 20/09/09), has emailed me to tell me that she’s promoting the "Nelson Mandela Bangle" project from her home in the USA. She is also hoping to extend her reach into Canada. The 46664 (prisoner number 466, imprisoned ’64) bangle project is the initiative of Robert Coutts and has the approval of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Its aim is to create jobs in South Africa and raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness

Writes Julie, “What’s inspiring to me is that the bangles are made by those affected by the virus and Rob specifically chose to keep it local instead of outsourcing the packaging which is also made in South Africa. Money raised supports the Campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which has provided funds to several charities and HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives, like Khululeka, a play performed at schools to educate children about prevention of the virus. When people wear the 46664 Bangle, they wear the embrace of Nelson Mandela and echo his message of social responsibility. (Pic shows digital imprint of Madiba’s hand.)

“Some of the monies raised is channelled back into creating jobs and building skills and in fact each bangle has a unique serial number, which can be registered online, from which people can see what project their bangle purchase supports.

“I’ve known Rob since the 1990s and when he approached me to become part of the project in 2008, I jumped at the idea. After all, it's a link to and has a positive impact in South Africa. My challenge is to drive awareness in the States of Madiba the man and his legacy.”

With the soccer world cup imminent, Invictus doing the rounds of cinemas worldwide (pic of Julie sporting her 46664 t-shirt at the opening night) and the 20th anniversary news articles of Madiba’s release from prison, focus is once again centred on South Africa which all goes towards promoting the campaign.

“Without a budget it becomes a constant challenge to promote the bangle and encourage people to buy it,” says Julie. “There's a fan page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-46664-Bangle/195529711978 which helps spread the word but, to keep the project going, we really need people to BUY THE BANGLES.” Some of the Montblanc stores stock the silver/gold/plat bangles, but many more retailers are needed and Julie’s aim is to get a large retailer like Starbucks to stock the copper bangle and a smaller jewellery chain to carry the other bangles around the country.

Take a look at some of the videos at various pages on the website www.theBangle.com They're short (max 3 mins each) and give a good indication of the project’s vision. Through this Blog I am hoping to spread the word to the international visitors who might like a little souvenir of SA, which they can buy online at http://www.theBangle.com/buybangle.html . “And,” says Julie, we ship worldwide from the States.”

CELEBRATING AT THE SEA

2010-02-15T02:03:00.000-08:00

Married on my birthday (24 September) two years ago, Martin and Carike celebrated their second Valentine’s Day together as husband and wife with me yesterday.

The weather played its part and they were able to enjoy their breakfast while overlooking the bay – but sadly no dolphins. She writes, “Martin and I love spending time at the beach andyour B & B was just perfect for Valentine's Day.” I, on the other hand, think it’s perfect every day of the year but then I’m biased.

Their marriage ceremony was conducted on the helipad at Granger Bay and what an interesting wedding day they had – as you will see from the photo, from rain to rainbows and then and a lovely sunset.

http://www.dolphinza.com/

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS KING

2010-01-20T01:14:00.000-08:00

… or in my case, queen. That’s how the team at www.have2have.co.za made me feel. This online shopping site is geared to find potential buyers anything their hearts desire – from thermal underwear suitable for scaling Everest to, in my case, an immersion heater, international double adaptor, a 160 GB photo storer - about which my respect for them soared. In trying to fit the battery lid in position, I broke the ‘tits’ off. No problemsch … there in the post came a replacement cover at no charge whatsoever (and I mean postage paid for to boot). Super service. (Now I must just learn to use the darned thing!)

THAT LADY IN RED IS NOW IN THE PINK!

2009-12-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

Wrote up about the Corné and Eurika’s stay here in 2006 and their wedding day in July last year. They were in the area over the festive season and popped into bring me up to speed with their lives and to introduce me to Eurika’s daughter, Amoré whom I am told got top marks in school excelling in maths. Reward comes in the form of a trip to Disney World, Florida next December so that they can also take in a bit of skiing in the Utah Mountains. Way to go, guys!

PEREFECT BLISS

2009-12-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

Marvin and Nirvana (look it up, you'll see I'm right) (she's a neurosurgeon and he's a pathologist), took time off to experience and explore Britannia Bay for two nights. Now, it’s not always simple to meet guests’ needs, especially when it comes to the availability of rock lobster, but on this occasion Lady Luck smiled on them and they were able to enjoy the fruits of the West Coast in the privacy of the main en suite, a bottle of Rosé being an appropriate accompaniment.

I’ve said it ad nauseum, but this planet is w-a-y too tiny. During our farewells this morning, Nirvana mentioned that her parents lived in Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State and something made me ask whether her Dad perhaps ran a restaurant. You see, on holiday back in 2007 a friend and I took shelter there during a cloudburst and – yes, you’ve guessed it! – where did we dine that night? At Dad’s eaterie. I remember it well; he was a most convivial host and chatted to us at length about their lives in this small but thriving town.

THIS ONE'S A NEAT STORY

2009-12-12T03:27:00.000-08:00

I’ve been telling you just how many weddings we’ve had in St Helena Bay. Seems like the town’s becoming marriage destination big time.

Next was the son of Charlene Neat who, with life partner Alf Close, were my guests for the weekend. Byron and Marlene married at Sea Trader on 14 November in a poignant ceremony conducted by the father of Byron’s late girlfriend, which says a great deal about the character of this fine young man and his new bride. I love it when sad occurrences turn belly-up into happy endings such as this.

Here’s Byron with the two women in his life: Marlene, his new wife and his mom, Charlene.

IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS THE TIME FOR TYING THE KNOT

2009-11-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

First were Andrew and Yolanda who got married in Montague on the 31st of October and spent the following week at Dolphin B&B+S/C. They’re with SAPD and, as you can imagine, their recreational time is hard earned. During their time here they sassed out each and every dorp and if they can swing the transfer thing, aim to settle in Vredenburg. I wish them luck.

HERE'S HOPING ...

2009-10-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

Adrian and Joslin returned to their home bases on the west coast to tie the knot on Saturday September 19th and appropriately it was the town of Hopefield that hosted their wedding and where they celebrated the occasion with family and close friends.

The Veotte’s spent part of their honeymoon with me at Dolphin B&B but chose the self-catering option where they could try out their culinary skills in preparation for their married life together back in Potchefstroom.

LOBTAILING TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING

2009-09-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

Julie Murphy from Florida USA took the opportunity of ideal weather conditions to limber up before breakfast on her and Malcolm’s last morning at Dolphin B&B+S/C. Undeterred at not having seen dolphins or whales during their weekend here, Julie easily adopted a yoga position aptly called ‘dolphin’ and you can see why.
The birdlife kept them busy and they ably ID’d many of the 200 species that can be ticked off in front of my house and a sandveld lizard had them fascinated as they watched it kill a scorpion, its favourite food.

CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS

2009-09-16T04:48:00.000-07:00

... or can be read as "We're coming to check up on you!"

Six frontline staff from Cape Town Tourism visited Dolphin B&B+S/C today to experience the product I offered and generally to chew the cud over mutual matters.

On their departure I handed each of them a carrier (sporting cavorting dolphins, of course!) containing items indicative of the unique area I operate in: a candle from Waxit, a sample sachet of Khoisan salt, stroop en beskuit van Susan se Kombuis and promotional literature. But they have to work for their visit! Included is an A5 booklet that I have put together, which covers the west coast and all it offers the traveller. They have promised to send me their comments – indeed criticism – for inclusion in the final version. Thanks, Gretchen, Charlene, Mduduzi, Tarryn, Henry and Phillip – I will appreciate that.

HOOK, LINE AND NEARLY SUNK BY SARS

2009-09-13T04:24:00.000-07:00

I was referred to Postal Tax Services – as it was then called – nearly 20 years ago when Riaan Odendaal got me off the SARS hook that I’d ignorantly and innocently attached myself to and since then he and his staff at First Coast Business Centre have served me admirably.
Have a decko at his website http://www.linkedin.com/in/riaanodendaal to see the range of tax and accounting services he offers.

Giving him and Aneleh a well deserved break was simply my way of saying thank you for his loyal service and friendship and, to boot, at last I got to meet the rest of the family whom I only knew through the annual Christmas cards I received. Luzaan (19) is studying to become an educationist and Riaan (17) who aspires to life in the bush though how he’s going to cope with no surf, heaven only knows. Talking of which, he discovered the two surfing spots in Britannia Bay: heaven (where the waves break over craggy rocks) and hell (where body-surfing is the nature of the game), but conceded that sea temperatures of 13°C are hard to handle.

Ek hoop dis nie so lank voor ons mekaar weer sien nie en dat julle darem heerlik in die Agterbaai gekuier het.

TICK TOCK

2009-08-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Time ran out for the other aspirant entrants who either didn’t know the answer or missed the cut-off gong. Not Clever Dick – or, in my case, Lucille – whose name was drawn to win a copy of writer Margie Orford’s reprinted book Like Clockwork, which features ‘sassy, smart, sensual Dr Clare Hart’ who, to answer the question, lives in a beachfront flat on the Sea Point promenade.

Those of you who thrive on crime fiction should check out http://crimebeat.book.co.za/blog/ Watch out for the forthcoming competition which will win some lucky person a reprint copy of Deon Meyer’s Blood Safari or Mike Nicol’s Payback. This website gives the all on South African crime (or as they would have it, krimi) writers, a regular blogger on which is long-time friend, said Mike Nicol who is featured in this delightful pic with partner-in-crime and editor de luxe Jill Gallimore.

LOGGED ON

2009-08-19T02:39:00.000-07:00

The table on the patio developed a serious hairline crack and I could just imagine it landing in some guest’s lap, leaving me to face a lawsuit. So it was dispatched to the big Scrapyard for Cementworks in the Sky, which left me with the angst of replacing it.

Synthetic wood was a viable option but, because the furniture is produced by mould method, it was too narrow. So back to the drawing-board which in turn led me to Oubaas Ferreira, a local contractor whose opinion I value highly who, on one of his morning cycling trips, had spotted a huge pile of timber in the process of being sawn into planks in Paternoster.

Back in August last year the cargo ship MV Lola off Robbeneiland lost its cargo of giant logs (Aucoumea klaineana -Angouma, Gaboon or Okoumé, of the family Burseraceae) of which 27 were washed up on the west coast. Yes, this was the very same timber that André Kleynhans had salvaged under tender process and was busy cutting down to size.

I was fortunate enough to be allowed (yes, André’s quite possessive of his haul – a slightly different catch to that which he usually pulls out of the sea) to buy in an amount necessary for local master craftsman Owen Osborne to create the table that now adorns my deck and on which guests get to enjoy their breakfasts.

IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

2009-08-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Noel and Janet Ross-Gillespie celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary with me on 9 August 2003 and this year was the fifth time they’ve repeated the exercise (now married for seven years), bringing with them Jamie (now 3) and Erin (turning 1 on the 20th). Congratulations, you two, and happy National Women’s Day to boot.

Which takes me back to that first meeting when we discovered, by pure chance, that we were actually related – second cousins twice removed or something like that. Who says you won’t bump into a fellow countryman in Trafalgar Square?

This hands-on couple take great delight in their offspring (although I suspect a great deal of Noel’s interest is focused on the electronic toys!) and their adept parenting skills are already showing signs of paying off in their two delightful kids.

I’ve also had the pleasure of hosting Noel’s parents to stay (August 2006) when Trevor presented me with a stunning watercolour of a thatch-roofed house across the bay that he rustled up during his and Shirley’s weekend here.

BIRDERS TAKE TO THE RIVER

2009-07-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

Our group of happy twitchers (some do in fact twitter but it’s of another kind) gathered at Kuifkopvisvanger, home of Jan and Malaní Kotzé, on the banks of the Berg River to watch the tail-ender entrants in the annual Berg River Canoe Marathon.

On one of those absolutely picture-perfect winter days that the west coast experiences in winter the members of West Coast Bird Club ticked off a myriad species that they were able to ID from the banks of the river, then repairing to the lush lawns for a bring ‘n braai.

As you have probably read, defending champ Hank McGregor was this year’s winner and fellow member of Team Roamer Rand Lance King was second with third position going to 2001 champ and record-holder Graeme Solomon.

On my way home from a delightful get-together I chanced upon this catamaran moored in the shallow waters off Laingville beach. How the other half live!

HORSE RIDERS IN THE SURF

2009-07-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

This struck me as such a wonderful way in which to explore the west coast shoreline and I marvelled at these two riders and their mounts as they splished and splashed in the rock pools below my house.

We call these winter months the secret season; a guest said he thought it should be termed the champagne season. By this pic you’ll know exactly what we both mean.

MAGICAL MIX-IT

2009-07-17T23:44:00.000-07:00

As Kitty explained to me, “Mix-It isn’t just for the 20-year-olds”. This thoroughly modern mom took to the keypad like the proverbial duck to water and soon had herself a bevy of friends who would swap stories, idealise on issues and generally chew the e-cud.

Her daring-do led her to a new friend, Elize, who flew south for the first time and together they began to explore the wonders of the west coast and the grandeur of the greener Knysna belt.

As I always say, “If you can’t beat them, then join them”. In this instance it’s a case of if you can’t beat ‘em then Mix-It!

FIRM FRIENDS FROM FAR BACK

2009-07-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes one has to put valued friendships before business and I was delighted to be able to do just that this weekend in order to welcome Keith and Roy into my home.
Friends of mine since the late ‘Seventies, these two supported me through my first marriage and then my second to Michael, with Roy acting as his best man at our consecration.
In between much reminiscing and lots of laughter, we shimmied into Vredenburg, sashayed through to Paternoster and then scuttled into See-Plasie for a light lunch.
All too soon Sunday arrived but it did with my promising to visit them in Hout Bay next month. I’ve realised I can’t do without these two dear friends for so long again.

LONG TIME, NO HOLIDAY

2009-07-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

So Jackie and Brian Varney were telling me. It’s been yonks since they spent one-on-one quality time with each other and I was the fortunate one to host their stay on the West Coast where winter weather behaved itself – as you can see from their leisure time on the deck.
I for one hope it’s not going to take another 26 years (the time they’ve been blissfully married) before they get another well deserved break.

ARE THE CETACEANS REALLY HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME?

2009-06-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

That was the theme of the talk given by the senior research manager at the Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria to a capacity crowd at West Coast Fossil Park (both allied to Iziko Museum) on 3 June.

Based in Cape Town (there are no whales and dolphins in Gauteng, guys!), Meredith Thornton dropped everything to keep that appointment as well as the mass strandings workshop that she led the next day. No need to go into the incident that took place at Kommetjie on Saturday May 30th for you to understand that I do mean dropped, such is her dedication to the task at hand and her love for these mammals of the sea.

The workshop had been six months in the planning and its ultimate timing with Saturday’s mass stranding is an unfortunate coincidence, but one where everyone learned a bit more about how to deal with events of this nature, especially in St Helena Bay where Doctor Reef is a notorious ‘hotspot’ for mass strandings.

Oceana (St Helena Bay) hosted the workshop – thank you to site manager Titania Stefanus Zincke - which was attended by some 40-plus delegates representing MCM, SAPS, NSRI, MCS (marine compliance) and the private sector.

In addition to the theoretical side Meredith led the group down to the beach where she put us through a practical simulated exercise using blow-up dolphins. There were crowd controllers (Sgt. van Rooy from MCS Saldanha Harbour and Wally Cockrell from MCM Lambert's Bay) who unceremoniously (but in good fun) tumbled harasser Darryl Hess onto the other side of the cordon while the inevitable heckler shouted, “You don’t know what you’re doing”; and, aided by the Water Wings unit and MCS, NSRI officials carried out their role in trying to cope with well-meaning but ignorant onlookers.

In talking to Meredith, whose stay I had the privilege of hosting at Dolphin B&B+S/C, what has hit home to me personally is the love that she and her co-workers have for the creatures that they study and the pain they will have felt at having to reach the decision that they did. Does anyone stop to think about that? I have me doots.

So, to all - from Nan Rice of DAPG, who so calmly and efficiently handled the call for assistance, to Mike Meyer et al - a round of applause for a terrible job well handled. And, Meredith, the training you gave us will hold us in good stead in the event of yet another mass stranding at Doctor Reef in St Helena Bay. May it never happen.

THOUGHT I WAS IN HEAVEN

2009-06-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

I’ve been quiet. Has anyone missed me? Don’t all shout at once!

For my annual leave this year I travelled Route 62 stopping off in all those delightful towns verging on the Little Karoo: you know, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and then over the Swartberg Pass into Die Hel (aka Gamkaskloof). Described as one of the five most spectacular passes in the world, I don’t quite know what that means because I was far too busy keeping my eyes on the steering wheel and off the sheer drop to my right. Then three days and nights of stillness, broken only by the haa-haa laugh of dassies, with plentsch birding, book-reading and generally doing bugger all.

Here’s Moi with Pieter Joubert (whose Mom, Annatjie, nee Mostert, was born in the ‘Kloof but who now lives in Mossel Bay leaving him to run things, which involves telling 14 000 visitors a year about his corner of heaven (they misnamed the place) and stirring up great meals for the visitors).

Prince Albert on the hinterland side of the escarpment is a quaint town where I re-connected with Elaine Hurford who had so much to do with putting it on the tourist map 15 years ago. I also birded with locals Dawid and Jean Rossouw and Japie and Ralie Claassen and colleagues from Beaufort West. And, hey, guys, Japie’s The Man when it comes to endemic Karoo species; he runs Karoo Birding Safaris (claassen@cybertrade.co.za) I can’t promise you a sighting (like we had) of a Narina Trogan (I kid you not), but you’ll sure see many other exciting avifauna under his guidance.

I also spent two hours of true quality time in the company of Sue Milton-Dean, doctor of botany who now with her husband, Richard Dean, one of the three editors of the new Robert’s tome (yes, I did get his signature), have stepped out of academia to run Renu-Karoo which is about rehabilitating the veld damaged, mainly by ostriches.

Next Sutherland and SALT and, yes, it was perishing at night, reaching 0°C. The days, however, were delightfully temperate.

But, know what? I might well have been to Hell, but coming home again after three weeks was pure Heaven. Now to plan my next journey around this glorious country of ours. Where to from here?

DOIN' IT DIFFERENTLY

2009-04-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

Honeymooners André and Janine Nordier arrived at Dolphin B&B+S/C on Sunday April 5, having been married on Cloof Wine Estate the previous day. Affixed to the back of their vehicle were their offroad bikes, which they used to work off the festivities of the wedding ceremony to good effect.
Now, in my humble experience, most newly-weds either never come out of the main en suite or they laze around on the deck in blissful nuptial harmony. Don’t get me wrong! These two were completely in tandem (no pun intended); they just got their kicks in another way. Each to his own, I say.

567 - YOUR NO. 1 NEWS STATION

2009-03-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Derrick Williams regularly tunes into Cape Talk and in particular likes to listen to John Maytham in his 15:00 to 18:00 slot. Derrick decided to give the general knowledge quiz a shot and in the play-off found himself the winner of “a free night for 2 at a luxurious Guest House, including Breakfast at the Dolphin B&B on the West Coast of Britania (sic) Bay, plus R400,00 cash and 7 bottles of Seven Sisters wine”.
That’s how he and Johanna ended up staying over with me last night during which time he shyly explained the competition and how his question stumped the rest of the team. Having lived at Wingfield Airport during the first quarter of the last century – sounds odd, doesn't it? – he is au fait with aircraft of all kinds and his question was: which four aircraft were used in domestic service prior to the jet engine? De Havilland, I knew was one, and possibly Douglas Skymaster, but the other two names eluded me, which simply stated means that had I entered I would have been knocked out.
Johanna’s a Graafwater girl so this return trip to the West Coast was like coming home and I do hope that their stay with me had that touch of home about it.
Oh yes … he tells me he hasn’t uncorked any bottles yet, so cheers, Derrick!

MUCH IN COMMON

2009-02-25T23:35:00.000-08:00

Jules Bos, from Alphen, a village between Antwerp and Rotterdam, has the best of both worlds: he’s retired but still gets to visit developing countries acting as a consultant for a quasi-government organisation with headquarters in Den Haag.
It was on this basis that I was tasked with looking after his needs for the two weeks that he was visiting South Africa’s West Coast. “Tasked?” I say. Nay, it was indeed a pleasure to host his two-week stay and to talk with him about matters general and more specific, like the derivation of words that our nations share, like the Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé which he enjoyed with his curried kreef, Zandvliet of course translating into Sand River (vliet = flow).
They term it Chambre D’Hote in Europe; we call it Bed & Breakfast -

but hopefully our definition provides the requisite levels of service and personal touch.

MUD, MUD, GLORIOUS MUD

2009-02-25T05:23:00.000-08:00

Wendy Stone of the Dept of Microbiology in the Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, is doing her Masters on the occurrence of anammox bacteria (yes, readers, I also raised my eyebrows at that one) in South Africa. Her Associate Professor Alf Botha and Jan Wilsenach (CSIR), an expert on the anammox process, act as her study leaders on a joint project between the two organisations.
The overall aim of this project, which is largely sponsored by the Water Research Commission, is to search for anammox bacteria in South Africa. Writes Alf, “Under unaerobic conditions, these bacteria use nitrite to oxidize ammonium mainly to nitrogen gas.” He explained to me that this process has the potential to be used by the waste water industry in South Africa.
One of the sampling sites that they identified as a possible natural habitat of anammox bacteria was St Helena Bay – and that’s where Andrew Pascall, laboratory manager at CSIR and colleague Alistair Adonis (who, with his family, stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C) proved invaluable.
So it was that this happy little band spent Valentine’s weekend scraping the proverbial bottom of the barrel, that being the bed of the bay. Follow the red lines in the sketch to trace their route.
Alistair, skipper of Waverider, CSIR’s outsize rubberduck that sports 2X90 4-stroke engines, steered them out to sea in what was one of the gustiest days we’ve experienced this season. In situ the multi-corer was dropped and scooped up the requisite samples, which were then retrieved by the Davit system that operates on the vessel.
I know both Alistair and Andrew from the St Helena Bay Water Quality Trust (when I was manager till November 2008 and now a trustee) and who managed the bacteriological sample collection on behalf of the Trust. Alistair has upgraded his licensing to 40 nautical miles and the group was in excellent hands and the few herbies were not of his doing. As Alf puts it, “Without them sampling in the scientific manner would have been impossible. They could tell the properties of the sea bed and, very importantly, they were able to get us there and back in one piece.”

IF I KNEW YOU WERE COMING ...

2009-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

I’d have baked a cake – so says the song, but in this case good friend George laid on lunch for my guest Lois Kolver and me at his wonderful bed and breakfast establishment, Blue Dolphin, across in Paternoster.
Here they stand with Sarah tucked into George’s arms (”She’s the boss around here,” I am reminded) with the wonderful view of Groot Paternoster bay in the background.
Colleague Courteney missed out on the delicious lunch, as he was manning his equally delightful gift shop in the town’s fish market square. But perhaps I made up for that by spending money on yet another set of earrings for myself (I now own over 200 pairs). “Do you really need more?” he enquired and of course the answer is “No, but I want them!”

MARTA MEETS MOM

2009-01-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

Maxie van der Vyver met her future daughter-in-law only days before Marta and Christiaan were married at her home in Postmasburg, a small town tucked into the corner of the Free State.
Originally from Poland, Marta’s home is now England where she tends customers at The Queensbury in Willesden Green while Christiaan designs computer-animated graphics.
Maxie and Marta took to each other immediately – but then both are warm, opening folk so it was a given – and the three travelled together to South Africa’s West Coast where they celebrated the honeymoon as one happy family - en famille, so to speak.

They spent the balmy days sunbathing on Britannia Bay’s Golden Mile beach and the evenings challenging each other at Trivial Pursuit. (Wonder if Marta let her ma-in-law win?)

From here to Langebaan and then back to Postmasburg for a spell on the family farm before returning to the U.K. on January 26th. Brrr!

You two newly-weds, have a wonderful life.

View my website:

self catering accommodation britannia bay

RAPT UP

2009-01-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

From personal experience I know that if I decide to enjoy a plunge-pot of coffee at See-Plasie local coffee and gift shop and garden nursery where indigenous and endemic plants prevail, the chances are that the Thearts and I will chew the proverbial cud over all things general and affairs tourism in particular for hours on end.
Lucy and Gerry (see “Summer Serenade” below) too were caught up in the charm of co-owners, husband and wife team, Rossouw and Monica and were simply enchanted by all that this very successful little business has to offer.
Determined to find something depicting dolphins with which to present me, the Veens found a stunning fabric-painted shawl, which Monica (left) has draped around her shoulders. (Rossouw’s the wit olifant in the meedle.)

SUMMER SERENADE

2009-01-07T03:44:00.000-08:00

When Gerry and Louise (aka Lucy) came looking for a place to stay I had no idea what pleasure their company would bring me. I guessed correctly that the case contained a classical guitar (“Flamenco”, he gently chided me); I didn't realise that Gary Fane, as he is known inter-nationally, would produce such sweet songs.
In the three days they stayed with me I listened raptly to the words and music and learned about the days when he played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (ja, Bru!) and during those heady days he created a CD entitled Horoscope, an ‘80s musical interpretation of the zodiac (Google his name for the Rapidshare download or go Red Bullet, the recording company’s site).

His rendition of that wonderful John Denver oldie, Annie’s Song, clearly has great meaning for this happily married (“For over forty years now”) couple and as they sung harmoniously, they looked deeply and fondly into each other’s eyes.

I get the feeling I shall be seeing them again - perhaps when they visit South Africa for the fifth time. I hope so because I need to repay them in kind for the exquisite shawl they bought for me at See-Plasie Koffie- en geskenkwinkel: gold dolphins on a black background. The Dutch have always been wonderful visitors; the Veens were exceptional.

SLÁINTE

2009-01-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

... which is cheers in Irish-speak (I'm a Byrnes, after all) and I'm sure you agree that's precisely what Alfred Titus and Judy Ferreira are wishing each other.
A spur-of-the-mo’ thing saw them careering to Britannia Bay, booking in late on Friday, dog-tired from the hustle and bustle of city life. But what a sight met their eyes Saturday morning! It’s as if the weather boffins had pulled out all the stops to paint before them a picture-perfect day. Mind, this season has been exceptional on the West Coast: blow all wind and only sufficient rain to dirty the windscreen of my car. Can’t complain about that then, eh?
Anyway, back to this delightful couple. They’re tying the knot on March 28th and have promised to send pics so that we can all share in their joy. Watch this space!

2009 - A NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T00:14:00.000-08:00

It’s overcast and threatening to rain on sunny South Africa’s West Coast but, you know what? Through the window I can see a Southern Right whale in the channel in front of my house – and I think I even see a group of Heaviside’s dolphins in the distance. Now, what better way to welcome the New Year in than feasting my eyes on these cetaceans of the sea? To everyone I say a joyous and bountiful 2009, with less stress, more time and much, much more of everything good and clean and fresh tra-la-la (I sound like a washing powder commercial, don’t I, but you know what I mean.)

VERY SPECIAL FAMILY

2009-01-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

Thought you’d enjoy seeing what my family looks like. Here Michael Ray gives me a hug, watched by daughters Shannon and Jessica and her friend Mario.
They detoured to spend two hours quality time with me at See-Plasie Coffee Shop and Nursery where cheesecake and coolies were devoured with delight.

Am I the lucky one or what?

NOW'S THE TIME TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER

2009-01-01T00:10:00.000-08:00

Maryke Wiid returned from her six months’ sabbatical where she was caring for the elderly, landing at Cape Town Airport to be met by Jansen Myburgh who, in the meantime, has been slaving away at Maties for his B.Com degree.
They both needed time out to catch up with their respective lives and the deck and a glass of chilled white wine was just the thing to do it. Then a braai (barbeque to you wot don’t know the word) and watching fireworks across the bay as the clock struck midnight on Old Year’s Eve.

May you both achieve your goals this coming year and which hopefully includes time for each other.

A GRAND AFFAIR

2009-01-01T00:07:00.000-08:00

In true Moslem style Ahmad Gallie married Dilshaad Allie (she sure makes life easy only having to make one letter change to her surname) on Sunday November 23 and as tradition would have it, the lady wore red, a most becoming colour to be sure.
They spent the first three nights of their honeymoon with me and in that time I learned a lot about their lifestyles, their career paths, their aspirations and just what lovely, gentle people they were.

Ahmad’s in the admin. department at Children’s Red Cross Hospital whilst Dilshaad recently moved to the economics section of the City of Cape Town. Wonder who is going to look after their kids and who will see to the finances?

HO-HO-HO

2008-12-29T02:12:00.001-08:00

… and all that the festive season stuff. Talking of stuffing, I’m having no luck trying to shove that fat ol’ man decked in red back up the flue! What, pray, did he dump on your parade ground?
I was, however, lucky to have Wimpie and Marli to share Christmas Day with me. From Pretoria, they flew down to attend her sister’s wedding at Draaihoek, a very larney set-up en route to Elandsbaai after which they headed for St Helena Bay stayinng at Dolphin B&B+S/C for fie nights.
On their last evening here the kettle braai threatened to sizzle out as a welcome sprinkle tinkled down, but fortitude – and an appetite sparked by a bottle of Muratie Rosé that they kindly shared with me – had them enjoying their supper of rump steak and accoutrements.
Wimpie’s boet, Coenie, is a tour operator based in Botswana and, D.V, I might just get to visit the Delta this coming year.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

2008-12-01T01:17:00.000-08:00

Yusuf and Gafifa spent mid-week with me early in November and returned at the end of that month, bringing their daughter, Fozia with them leaving Saadia to cope with all the animals back home on her own (Gafifa is the dog walker).
This wonderful family foisted on me (and I am so foistible) all manner of fattening but delectable things: like Yusuf’s home made chocolate biscuits. Yummy! “He’s retired now, so he must also get domesticated,” says Gafifa – and quite rightly so, I say, but with those talents I’d be inclined to want to hire him out.
They also shared with me their personal lives – likes, dislikes, wishes and desires – and I feel privileged to be a part of their story telling.

MOSEYING ALONG

2008-11-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

Go back to my blog posted on September 15, 2007 and read about Martin Moser and Tanya Kästli who were married 14 months ago. On this return trip they brought with them their wedding album that they had so cleverly created themselves (check out http://www.bookdesigner.ch) and so I was able to relive that special day with them – fairytale castle and all. Talk about Heidi, Heidi …
Over breakfast we caught up on each other’s lives with Martin, who is a consultant trainer (you know, negotiating skills courses, etc.) and Tanya who is with a debt-collecting company
based in a town (city?) called Schinenach-Bad in Switzerland.
By now – after all, he’s travelled to the continent a dozen times or so – Martin knows South Africa pretty well and his penchant is to hit the country roads in search of that special little tourist destination and on this occasion it’s to walk the canopy trail up in the Magaliesberg. Great stuff! Glad you two enjoyed the foot-long koeksusters I packed in for your padkos en route to Matjiesfontein and Three Sisters and thanks for calling to tell me you’d arrived safely.

MEN BEHAVIN' BADLY

2008-10-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

It doesn't only happen on BBC Prime; here in Britannia Bay we get 'em yobbos as well.

There are laws in place that preclude one from getting closer than 300m to a cetacean (whale or dolphin), but clearly this windgat hasn’t read that Act (maybe he can’t read!).
Saturday 18 October the owner of this ski-boat actually steered his toy to within 50m of a southern right whale whose calf was submerged at the time. I’m not surprised!
Sadly the Marine and Coastal Management officials no longer respond to calls after hours and it is left to those who care – and are prepared to face the wrath of the perpetrator – to do what they can to prevent future incidents of this nature.

That, fellow readers, is what blogging’s all about!

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

2008-09-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

I hosted Johann and Danielle's stay at Dolphin B&B+S/C exactly a year ago, during which weekend Danielle shared with me her dream: to be married in the little stone church near Rawsonville. Undaunted by all the arrangements that would have to be handled by fax/phone and email, Danielle set her plans in motion and on Saturday 29 March 2008 she became Mrs van Rensburg, the couple having pledged their troth in a lapa at Slanghoek and then repaired to that dream church where they signed the register - something to do with having to be married with a roof over one's head and the door open and facing to the east, I understand - an antiquated but still existant Roman Dutch law.

Not stopping there, Danielle's mother gave her away to Johann who so very willingly accepted this package of beauty into his life.

A honeymoon in Mauritius completed their happy event and they've promised to let me have the details (well, readers, of course not all!) of their time there.

OUR FLORAL KINGDOM PULLS THEM IN

2008-08-29T02:41:00.000-07:00

Anna Pogglioni (remember him of the Fistful of Dollars fame?) and Maud Cross toured the hinterland and coastal zone in search of flowers - from Nieuwoudtville down to St Helena Bay - and find them they did: katsterte, reënblommetjies and a myriad other varieties as far as their eyes could feast.

Today they're headed for the annual Hopefield Fynbos Show - into its 19th year if I am not mistaken - but before they set out, a West Coast breakfast of fruity filled pancakes, haddock and poached eggs and all the preserves that this great area offers: korrelkonfyt, buchu marmalade and makataan. Don't know what these are? Well, you're just going to have to come and find out for yourself!

I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN

2008-08-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

That's what my dearly beloved said when we moved here 14 years ago. Instead I got strandveld in all its glory, particularly pretty at this time of the year when the spring flowers are out. But look at this! I have a slightly different variety of the garden gnome: a southern right whale that came visiting this afternoon at 14:26 whose sudden blows and snorts had me hurtling over the furniture to get a good look.

I love it when city slickers ask me, "So what do you do with yourself here all day?" Folks, this is why I moved ot the West Coast - to gorge myself on gargantuan creatures of the sea, to revel in their exquisite size and to marvel at the adroitness in a bay not know for its depth. I wonder whether that groan, those growls are perhaps the pleasure it gets as it scratches its great underbelly along the seabed. Methinks so.

You may not be here to share it with me; you can certainly do so by enjoying this pic I took from the deck.

NEW WAVE

2008-08-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

I’ve heard of it, of course, but that which rock ‘n rolled on our coastline was of a different variety.
Around 6am on Thursday 21/08/08 a freak wave of some 10 metres swept in, thought to have been the result of seismic activity around the mouth of the Orange River. In the form of a roller rather than a crashing wave, it brought with it debris jettisoned by bulk carriers etc. lying out in the roadstead. There hasn’t been damage per se; in other words, no injury/loss of life but there’s a hell of a lot of plastic rubble to be cleared away and the MCM offices adjacent to the big sheds where they vlek the snoek were completely swamped and two factories had their operations temporarily halted by the flooding.
I got a call from one of the MCM inspectors extending his apologies for not being able to attend a meeting of the Trust that morning, but they were trying to cope with the clean-up operations.
What is interesting is this: the St Helena Bay Water Quality Trust (of which I am manager) was tasked by the High Court w-a-y back in 2001 to look at a contingency plan in the event of an accident in the bay and which we addressed this year. I set up a meeting with Anton Tallie, born in this area 50-plus years back and owner of a very big boat building and repair operation in St Helena Bay. I felt his opinion would be of worth – and it certainly turned out to be prophetic. My notes pertaining to that meeting make for interesting reading and I quote, “Du Toit, Jager and Byrnes met Anton Tallie on 24/06/08 to discuss the above. Tallie is of the firm opinion that the biggest threat to the bay will be through natural causes (i.e. freak wave/s, high seas). He has lived on this coastline for 50-plus years and said that in his experience weather patterns are cyclical. He explained who is responsible for which aspect - e.g. in the event of fire and a chemical spill is reported to SFF in Saldanha - and added that that he did not feel it was necessary for the Trust to involve itself in this aspect, as most of the larger operations had their own plans and equipment in place should an accident occur. Tallie also said that fishing boats carry up to 25 tons of catch, which does not pose any threat to the bay itself.
So there you go, friends. I am well, the area is OK albeit slightly battered and, yes, the South African coastline is just as vulnerable to tsunamis as others but, hey, if it happens to me I ain’t going to know about it, eh?

WHAT GOES ROUND COMES ROUND

2008-08-24T00:35:00.001-07:00

Karma is the belief that good and evil deeds beget their own reward. And my reaction to the Hanette’s comment that she and Theunis can’t stop talking about the warmth and feeling that they experienced at my establishment is a reflection of the guests themselves. You see, what I put into my little establishment is directly attributable to what I get out of it. I feed and thrive on enthusiasm for this exceptional locale and all accolades are placed squarely at the feet of my guests.

Hanette’s remarks are humbling, “Just a short note to say, thank you very much for your hospitality and making us feel at home. Thanks for the warm welcome it was really appreciated.” She wrote in an email that, “Theunis and I can’t stop talking about the warmth feeling you and your place have. We really enjoyed our weekend and will remember you and the lovely place you have there." Methinks I was the one to gain having hosting the stay of such appreciative folk.

TRULY A WOMAN'S DAY

2008-08-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

OK, so Augustine’s birthday was one day later, Sunday the 10th of August if you insist on being picky, but that doesn’t make her any less of a great woman – so thinks David, her friend since school days and now partner. I also think she’s a lovely person, fun loving and yet with a responsible side to her nature that shows when she discusses anything of import. This pic shows an easy-going attitude and being Her Day she has every reason to laugh!
They spent the night here chilling out – not literally, that is, because the winter days in Britannia Bay are quite balmy, although the evenings can be cold – and didn’t even venture out to dine. I think the excitement of the Beijing Olympics caught their attention on the Box and they settled in to watch our manne pitting their skills against the world’s best.
Today it’s back to the city and their lovely, large families who have no doubt set up something traditional by way of birthday kos. Here’s wishing you an awesome birthday, Augustine, and thanks for spending it in my corner of heaven.

A LIFE-CHANGING EVENT

2008-08-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Scrolling down you’ll see the blog that I wrote of the event that was about to change Mark and Simona Bament’s lives. Well, Tiago was born at 15:35 on Thursday 31 July 2008, weighing in at 2,930 kg and an overall length of 56 cm. As befits all new parents, they are justly proud of their first-born child and tell me that he’s the bestest/brightest/brainiest boytjie in the world. I know you join me in wishing that happy little family a wonderful life getting to know each other.

BLUSHING BRIDE (aka LADY IN RED)

2008-07-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

To my mind a June bride somehow seems more beautiful – and Eurika was no exception when she took the vow to marry Corné Steyn on 21 June this year. He writes that she was “so very beautiful and that everything was perfect”.

I had met them when they stayed with me some time ago and felt very privileged to have shared their story, the tale of two lives coming together to meld into one as man and wife.

Gauteng seems a million miles away from the West Coast and I simply couldn’t get away (it wa school holidays too, so things at the B&B were hectic). I would have loved to have been party to their commitment: to make each other happy, never to change the way they are and to love one another unconditionally. All I could do from afar was to ask God to bless this union and I know He will. Congratulations to two beautiful people.

REALLY A CASE OF AMAZING GRACE

2008-07-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Mark and Simona Bament stayed with me for three nights in August 2007 and during that time they confided in me their desire to have children. Her biological clock was ticking away and it was becoming more pressing by the day.
As is so often the case, the minute Simona returned to work – with the Italian Consulate – she found herself indeed in a state of grace: preggies.
Being already booked and therefore not able to host their stay this year, I referred them to a friend, but they took the trouble to detour and join me for coffee on Sunday morning en route home.
Simona tells me that due date is in two weeks’ time. Judging from these pics I’d put my hard-earned moola on sooner than that. If it’s a girl then she will be called Aurora, a boy Tiago (means James – like in Santiago, St James).
Thanks for sharing these last minutes of freedom with me and the readers, Mark and Simona, and for your message, “it has been a pleasure to see you again yesterday!” She concluded her email with, “Tanti baci (many kisses, in Italian)”.
An update in two weeks’ time, folks.

SNOW CLAD CEDERBERG

2008-07-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

At the best of times I reckon I’ve got the greatest workstation in the world. If I’m not gazing down onto waterbirds in the rock pools below then I am looking at the cavorting of Heaviside’s dolphins at play in the bay. In fact, it makes for difficult concentration, especially when out of the corner of my eye I spot this magnificent sight: to the east the Cederberg, wrapped in a blanket of snow.
This wilderness reserve is a rock climber’s delight. The mere names of the formations – Wolfberg Cracks, Maltese Cross and Stadsaal Caves – tell a story, one of the climbers who ventured there and discovered a treasure trove of fynbos, a geological wonder.
This is the view I have today across Britannia Bay and Golden Mile and, you know what? My work for the day has just been stowed away!

A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS

2008-06-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

Often I have said to prospective purchasers of property in this area, “The West Coast doesn’t grow on you; you have got to fall madly in love with it the first time you see it” - and this is precisely what happened to Marcello Pogglioni.
During his annual holiday here in the height of the summer and windy season Marcello lost his heart to this stark but beautiful countryside. Of course the safety and security of life as it should be lived and the inherent friendliness of all whom he met during that time did much to convince him that there is life after Gauteng and so he purchased a piece of land in a new development called Kompanjeskloof. Backed by granite boulders that are synonymous with the West Coast and fronted by wrap-around views of Stompneusbaai and Shell Bay, the foundations have just been laid to what is going to be his dream home.
Plans are afoot to allow for solar energy and wind power and Marcello’s already thinking organic gardening and wise usage of ‘grey’ water. He even purchased a bag of seeds from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden’s Seed Bank and intends to scatter them before next year’s winter rains in the fallow land directly behind his new home. His original order for 2 kg of wild flower seeds was soon tempered to a mere 100 grams when he learned that the price per kilogram is R1 000,00. “I’m scared I’ll sneeze while scattering them,” he quipped.
Next springtime I hope to be able to share the rewards of his not inconsiderable investment with you as gazania and mesembryanthemums show their true colours. Watch this space!

Saying thanks to my first guests

2008-06-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

I'd like very much to offer Dale Simpson, Nicola Fellows and Lars Timmerman a free night's accommodation at Dolphin B&B+S/C, but I have not been able to track them down.
They were the first guests to overnight here 10 years ago and I've often wondered what it was that made them ask over breakfast, "Are we your first visitors?" I didn't burn the toast nor did I scramble what should have been fried eggs so was it perhaps the sheen of perspiration on my brow as I scuttled about?
Unless I can trace them I guess the question will remain unanswered. So if anyone out there knows how to get in touch with these elusive three, I'd really appreciate hearing from them.

Long Distance Love

2008-05-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Dan and Natasha are conducting l'amour from city-to-city, Durbs to Cape Town to be precise - and they spent the recent long weekend stoking up the fires of their romance here in Britannia Bay. As if it needs firing. Catch the smiles of happiness on their dials over a glass of Cabernet from one of the local wineries.

She's with a wellness/spa centre and Dan's into imports/exports so it is possible that they could keep their respective careers and switch cities so as to be closer to each other. I wait for a turn of events that might make this possible and they have my good wishes.

Easter bunny regulars

2008-03-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Robin and Sylvia Gibbs honoured me with their sixth stay (fifth Easter – and the biggest egg I’ve seen in a long time). They had a glorious sighting of a school of some 200 dusky dolphins on Monday morning. Avid walkers, they trailed through Groot Paternoster Private Nature Reserve, marvelling at the eight charming Table Mountain sandstone houses there. Serious money that! Their daughter, Margaret, is married to one of South Africa’s top birders, Trevor Hardaker, and Sylvia and Robin have become quite adept at IDing new avifaunal species. I know this to be a fact because I heard Sylvia shouting, “I’ve just seen a Ruddy Turnstone!” By the way, for a whole new experience I urge you to visit http://www.zestforbirds.co.za/ as well as its many links.

Duxbury takes a duck

2008-03-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Jason's a hard-working investment/asset manager and took a well deserved break at Dolphin B&B+S/C recently. He wrote:

Hi there, Lucille, Many thanks for the excellent hospitality while I was at your place. I really needed this time away and really did relax nicely. I must say I wish I could have those breakfasts every day! Although I would have to run many a mile so as not to put on weight!

Once again, many thanks and take care

Kind regards
Jason

INDIAN SUMMER

2008-02-24T02:16:00.000-08:00

... or, in my case it was an Indian winter with temperatures dropping to 2°C early mornings. I visited the northern area of the subcontinent visiting specifically five of the major national parks: Sariska, Ranthambore, Bharatpur, Kanha and Bandhavgarh and which meant seeing the cities of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur as well.
If I wasn't so dumb as to have left my camera at Indira Gandhi International Airport (I am ever hopeful) I could show you pics of the Royal Bengal tigers. The only word to describe this magnificent creature is awesome but, sadly, the day before my departure home the Hindustan Times ported that the latest five-year census shows their numbers have dropped by 50% and the species per se is doomed to extinction. The impact on the environment is profound: the predated species (antelope and deer) will over-populate and thus over-graze, turning the meadowlands into desert areas.
There’s also great pressure from the abutting villagers for the land, its water resources and wood for fuel. With 1,2 billion people India - let alone the tiger - is hard-pressed to survive.

The West Coast has its own unique cocktail

2008-01-19T05:26:00.000-08:00

A visit to what will soon be the biggest aquaculture farm in South Africa was a ‘must’ on the itinerary of visitors Elsa and Brian van der Spuy and Marlene and Jan Beukes. The operations are run by qualified oceanographer Peter Pesch who nurtures his little babies “from sperm to worm” as he wryly puts it.
The cocktail-sized abalone (“perlemoen”) ultimately will find their way to the tables of the great chefs of the world where they will hold their own alongside such delicacies as truffles and caviar.

From Europe to sunny South Africa

2007-12-28T21:28:00.001-08:00

Holger Grebert and Petra Flassig from Germany landed at Cape Town International Airport on the 25th, which meant a Christmas Eve of a different kind, considering that Europeans celebrate the night before. Exhausted, they indulged in an hour or two’s lie-down before dining by candlelight overlooking Britannia Bay. What more could they ask for than sunny skies their first morning - no wonder Petra’s laughing so much!
Now headed for the Cederberg and then onto De Eike on a wine farm outside Tulbagh where they’ll see the New Year in, this pair spent two days walking the beaches of the West Coast and had much to relate of their estuarine experiences. From there via Beaufort West to Port Elizabeth and then a meander through the Garden Route – if the rain would only stay away!
Thanks for sharing the festive season with my Mom and me and be well in 2008.

Septembers in December

2007-12-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Newly-weds (well, in my book, 14 April makes them still on honeymoon!) Ian and Michelle September spent two nights at Dolphin B&B unwinding from their stressful careers and the build-up to Christmas Eve, returning revived to the hubbub of the city and all it entails. Writes Michelle in the visitor’s book, “It was just what the doctor ordered”. I do hope that you had a truly spiritual time with your respective families and I wish you both well for the New Year.

Seasonal good wishes

2007-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

On this the eve of the Eve of Christmas I would like to wish all guests past and those (hopefully) to visit St Helena Bay on South Africa's West Coast - and me at Dolphin B&B+S/C - all the very best for the festive season, a well earned break (for those of you who get to have one - and I'm not snivelling, see!) and good health and personal happiness in the New Year (Oh yes, Prosperity too if he's not too busy to drop by).

Martin and Tanja marry

2007-12-15T03:43:00.000-08:00

His first trip to the West Coast was in December 2004 and in October 2006 Martin Moser brought fiancé Tanja Kaestli to meet me and to see the sights. They tied the knot on 8/09/07 and say they will be returning to this part of the world next year as a married couple. I look forward to that indeed.

Scientists have a whale of a time

2007-12-08T03:43:00.000-08:00

Colleagues Dawn Grebner, Susan Parks and Sally Mizroch from the USA attended the 17th biennial conference on cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Mother City at the conclusion of which fellow colleague Desray Deeb, who had worked the area as a member of Dr Peter Best’s team some years ago, led the group to the West Coast specifically to see Southern Right whales and the endemic Heaviside’s dolphins.
Experts in their chosen fields, these scientists allowed only 48 hours to locate and delight in the highly social behaviour of the Southern Rights, the dolphins sadly eluding them and a seasonal southerly offshore wind preventing them from taking a boat trip. Perhaps another time.

Proudly South African

2007-11-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Dalene du Preez from Proudly SA and Hannelie Theron from dti (Dept of Trade & Industries) attended an award ceremony and overnighted at my establishment. They had this to say, "A sincere thank you for the great time spent at your B&B. It will only be a pleasure to recommend your facility to other guests. I have already mentioned our stay to my Mom and Dad and they will contact you in due course should they be in the vicinity!" I was interested to learn about some of the projects i.e. wind farms - we've got plenty of that here! Keep me informed and thanks for the chats at breakfast and, yes, I realise only too well what a special corner of paradise I live in and thanks for enjoying it with me.

The Buzz about Birding

2007-11-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

WEST COAST BIRD CLUB INTO ITS NINTH YEAR

The West Coast Bird Club (of which I am a founder member) held its ninth annual general meeting on November 24th. Jan Kotzé was voted in as chairman, Jenny Edmond secretary and Anna Dernier the treasurer, all for a second year. Club member Keith Harrison manages the conservation portfolio, acting as watchdog on behalf of the Club on matters developmental. Some of the areas that are being closely monitored are at Trekoskraal en route to Paternoster from Vredenburg and it is disturbing to learn that the numbers of African Black Oystercatcher have declined by 63% since the start of the survey while nationally there has been a 24% increase; also Baja Sardinia, the Saldanha Ore Handling Facility Expansion, Vlaminkevlei “A” (where it is proposed to build a boutique hotel and residences), St Helena Hills, home of 2X 18-hole golf courses and St Helena Heights. In all cases the Club has registered as an Interested and Affected Party. So you can see that our little club is involved in much more than ticking up ‘lifers’ – although that’s important too! – so why not join today? Contact Jan Kotzé, chairman at 022-7830808 email him at kuifkop@telkomsa.net or call secretary Jenny Edmond at 022-7720623 or email her at royce@yebo.co.za

Cornwallians come visiting

2007-11-03T01:46:00.000-07:00

Charlie and Cindy have bought property in Britannia Bay and begin building soon. He and lifetime friend, Perry, spent seven nights here during which time Charlie fine-tuned the strings wot pulls the plumbers and builders into his web. What did Perry do during this time? As little as possible - that's what life on the waterfront is all about. Great meeting you guys. Thanks for the dinner at Sunfish and for the message in the visitor's book, Charlie, which read, "The point of this email is to thank you for all you did for us to make it such a memorable time. You went well beyond they call of duty and I just want you to know how very much both Perry and I appreciated it. All the very best, Charlie….and Perry too, of course." I reciprocate the good wishes and look forward to April 21 next year when you return and I get to meet your better half.