GARY FANE'S CLAIM TO FAME

I wrote about Geert and Lucy w-a-y back in January 2009 when they stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C and he entertained us with his guitar-playing on the deck. Classically-trained, Gary Fane - as he is known professionally - now plays and records (as his genre reads) electronic, pop and rock - listen to Horoscope on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSKQgeORp6E This wonderful couple once again have just spent 3 nights as my guest and he presented me with a CD of a piece he composed and recorded specially for "Lucille of Dolphin". They will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary next March and from this photo you can sense the respect and deep love they have for each other.

KISSIN' COUSINS

Five years ago I knew only one cousin - on my mother's side. Then in 2011 I met Debbie and her husband, Graham, for the first time. she being one of two daughters of my father's brother. Next came the meeting up with Lindsay, Debbie's sister, and Gerald. (The count has doubled!) They all live in Zims, but travel to South Africa to attend and support children who are very sporting and represent their country. Then suddenly there was Philip calling to say he and Vicky were coming up to meet me and now two weeks ago brother David (pictured) and Thelma popped up (literally, they came to overnight here) and from being an orphan annie I now am surrounded by a whole bunch of kissin' cousins. How wonderful is that?

WEDDING BELLS

Eric Cloete's award-winning team at Weskaap Delta looks after me and my little Chev Aveo and now it was my turn to be the one to care for his family.

     Daughter Anrich married Eugene Loubser yesterday in Velddrif where they also held a highly successful reception at Riviera Hotel. (Not surprisingly manager Kiewiet Bester gave them a spread to remember; he's something of an institution on the West Coast.)
     I got lucky in that Eric chose Dolphin B&B+S/C's accommodation on the honeymoon night and so it was that I got to meet Ava-Jean this morning - she turns 2 months tomorrow.
     Congratulations, Eugene and Anrich and may your life together as man and wife and parents of this bundle of joy be as happy as your wedding day has been.

SHE WEAVES A MAGIC WEB(SITE)

I have the bestest webmaster in the world and to acknowledge the wonderful work she's put into my website www.dolphinza.com I invited Elise and Stephen Kirsten to spend a weekend at Dolphin B&B+S/C to mark their wedding anniversary as well as her birthday which both fall around the same time.
    
They chose to spend 11-13 May here and weather wise it was great which allowed them to explore locally as well as visit Paternoster, but mainly to chill out and catch up with each other sans their two girls who were being cared for by my dearest friend, Liz. (Judging from the closed eyes, Stephen (sorry about that) you were still half asleep at the breakfast table - but, hey! that's what chilling out's all about!)

I hope you derived as much benefit from the stay here as I have benefited from your IT expertise, Elise.

SYLVAN SETTING

It's been a whirlwind of activity since the opening of the tourism office in St Helena Bay a month ago and I've been remiss in not keeping up my blogging - forgive me, followers.

I got to host another honeymoon couple this week: Johan and Andrea were married in Tokai Forest on March 24 which, if you recall, was a perfect day and even the Chacma baboons behaved themselves.

Having booked six months ago, they spend five nights at Dolphin B&B+S/C sharing their romance and The Big Day with me before heading north to Lambert's Bay and then home in time for the Easter weekend.

I can't wait for the pic of their idyllic wedding setting - watch this space!

LADIES' DAY

Zen (in turquoise top and keeping an eye on Bella) has stayed here a number of times and brought her daughter who is visiting from Newcastle and friends up to Britannia Bay yesterday: Helen (left) who has also stayed here before, Cecile (daughter in cerise top) and Marge (right).

A tad gusty it was, but then in the 17 years I've lived here I've learned to appreciate the wind for what it does; cools the place down and takes rain to the hinterland. So you see ... it has its place.

I was spoiled rotten: Zen brought me a most beautiful vase which Arthur had made and I do look forward to meeting her friend in due course. Maybe I'll get to host their stay one day - I sincerely hope so!

TOURISM OFFICE OPENS IN ST HELENA BAY

It's been a long, hard struggle but perseverance paid off and on Thursday 23 February the doors of a brand-new tourism office opened in St Helena Bay.

Falling under the auspices of Saldanha Bay Tourism Organisation, the office displays all members' promotional leaflet so that visitors can make their choice as to where to stay and dine.

I was proud to have been asked to run with this project and with an amazing team of workers and willing donors we now have an office we're really proud of.

The wall map is a focal feature by which members can be identified along the l-o-n-g coastline that hugs the town.

Come and visit us sometime or call Pieter on 076 661 2046 if you want answers about accommodation and details about dining. You can also email sthelenabay@sbto.co.za