Israel conference for Mark

One of my son's University research papers has been accepted for an international engineering conference in Israel next year. Pretty neat!! Well done savage!!

Christmas on its way

For the first time in many years, both my kids will be out of the nest this Christmas. Kate is in Korea where the temperatures have plumeted below zero and it has been snowing. The Christmas spirit seems very much alive though and her bunch of mates have been looking after her with her birthday on the 8th and Christmas in a foreign country coming. 

And in East London for Christmas is my son Mark, with Lisa's family, having driven there along the Garden Route from Stellenbosch where Mark has just finished his first year Engineering Masters degree.

Christmas tree in Busan with Leoni, Chelsea, Kate, Erin, Chido

Eskimo Kate looking gorgeous

They even have Christmas giraffes

Street lights in Nampo, Busan

Birthday brunch for Kate's 26th birthday earlier this month in Busan, South Korea

Mark and Lisa with mates en route to East London

Mark and Lisa exploring the Mossel Bay Lighthouse

Lisa enjoying the view from the Lighthouse

Married 1 Dec Bay of Islands, New Zealand

1 December, 10 years anniversary, 100 years combined age, married today in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand to Llewellyn.

What an awesome day and special memories as we traveled so far to tie the knot in terms of the New Zealand legislation as well as a marriage in terms of our own South African Civil Union Act, 2006 in this beautiful spot at Paihia in the Bay of Islands, North island, New Zealand.

The seagulls are chasing the rose petals we threw into the water, them hoping they were something tasty to eat... Dave and Llewellyn

Michael, the New Zealand Marriage Celebrant officiated at the ceremony

The deed is done and we are married on the rocks as the tide came in - hopefully the marriage will not be "on the rocks". The colour of the jeans are "coral" for those inquisitive.

Llewellyn with the Marriage Celebrant Michael and our two witnesses Jess, one of the first same-sex couples to marry when New Zealand legislation allowed it two years ago and Steven.

Mr and Mr

Our kids and family were with us in spirit and remembered on the beach

Traditional Maori memorial at Paihia

We opened some local New Zealand bubbly to celebrate

After changing we took the ferry across to the other side of the mainland to the town of Russell for some time on the beach and lunch

On the Russell pier

The beach at Russell.. the sky was partly cloudy and the water was freezing, but we braved it on our wedding day

Catching bits of sunshine

This electric chair was outside someone's home

After catching the ferry back we took a drive to the nearby Haruru Falls

This was 8.30pm walking to the fabulous restaurant we found the day before and to have dinner on our wedding night

The beef steak was fantastic.. just the NZ prices had us reeling in anguish - 3 times the prices of home

Wedding night dinner at Alfresco's, Paihia, Bay of Islands.. the end to a perfect day!

Everything's changing

For my daughter Kate in South Korea autumn becomes winter and the leaves on the trees are as glorious as the cherry blossoms were in spring. Just a pity the cold and snow is on it's way while we bask in our summer sun in Durban.

For my son Mark, and Lisa, they are both leaving Stellenbosch this week after 5 years in the university town. Here they went on a memory hike up the mountain overlooking the town. Mark becomes housemaster at Sacs School next year while he finishes his final year Masters in Engineering.

Mark and Lisa on top of the koppie overlooking Stellenbosch

And for me, the change is marriage. Llewellyn and I are off to New Zealand this afternoon to get married in the Bay of Islands, North Island on our 10th anniversary next week, 

Dave and Llewellyn with their plane

New Zealand is one of the countries where same-sex marriage is legal and the marriage will be registered as a foreign marriage but in terms of our own Civil Union Act, where same sex marriage has been recognised since 2006. So we're getting away from the madding crowd and will be married on the beach and enjoying a honeymoon at the same time.

Bratwinks doing things

My brats are doing their things aound the world - MC in Stellenbosch and Kate in Busan, South Korea. Here's some recent pics..

Kate and Ed hiking on Jeju island off South Korea (today)

Kate doing what she does best

Friend Kate and Lisa and Mark also hiking, but in the Western cape

Mates in South Korea - with Nadia Moore, Kristen Den Otter, Caroline Jooyoung Park, Leoni Taljard, Kate-Lynn Mc Naught,Aamena Mahomed, Susie Da Camara and Tarryn Rutherfoord.

We did it again!.. Kate on top of the world with Chelsea and Leoni

Ed, visiting from South Africa - with Kate and Leoni at my bridge - Gwangali beach with Gwangam Bridge backdrop

Ed having an amazing time in Busan visiting Kate

10 years

Stunning evening with Matt and Liesl and their family and friends to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in style. Congrats you two.

Llewellyn and I, flanked by Llew's sister Liesl and Matt. It was a black and white themed dinner with professional phtographer, chef and team of event specialists to make it an inspiring occasion with to die-for food

In the meantime I have made application for a marriage licence to get married in New Zealand on the 1st December 2014 - our 10th anniversary. What a simple process dealing with an efficient foreign government. Going to be pretty exciting getting married on the beach in the Bay of Islands, and enjoying our honeymoon rolled into one.

Teaching them to fly

I keep a separate aviation blog for my time in the air, but taking on my first students and teaching them to fly is memorable enough to put on my general blog as well, so here are the first of my guinea pigs.. ha ha.. Thanks for putting your confidence in me guys..

Bob (right) in the pilot seat with flight instructor Dave

Theuns (right) on his first lesson in the air with Dave

Win a flight in our Sling airplane

PropCare have recently launched their mobile app which enables you to find a property specialist in your area.. from plumbers, electricians and maintenance guys to conveyancing attorneys and real estate agents. Durban Skyye Flight School and Mc Naught and Company Durban Attorneys have teamed up with PropCare to offer this competition prize of a flight over Durban in our Sling Aircraft. To enter, click on the link to their webpage here and follow the instructions.

Beautiful Durban View

Although I keep a separate blog and record of my time as a pilot, this family and activities blog Durban View would not be complete without some of the magnificent photos I have been able to take of the view of Durban from the sky. Here are a few I took this weekend. You can see more on my aviation blog Do Eagles Dare.

My City Council Ward Fynnland (1988 - 1996) took in this portion of the Bluff from the harbour to Beacon Road and included Kingsrest and Marlborough Park to the left of the Bluff before the harbour in this photo

The military base still occupies the end of the Bluff 

I did a night flight on Friday and the sparkling lights of Durban were incredible. The huge bank of light to the left upper side of the photo is the night horseracing event at Greyville Racecourse, and the upper middle the lights of Kings Park Rugby Stadium where the Sharks were beating the Lions (26-23)

10th Anniversay for Matt and Liesl

It's not often one gets to dress up these days, so Llew's sister Liesl and Matt's 10th wedding anniversary celebration was a rare oppportunity and what a spectacular evening. It was held at their home in Durban with a Chef and her team arriving the prepare the table and food and serve the meal and drinks in style. The theme was black and white and the guests and table all looked splendid and the food was top-notch. Well done and congratulations guys. May the next 10 years be just as memorable and happy.