LOGGED ON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.