PEREFECT BLISS

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

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

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 ...

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

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

... 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

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.