Durban View

Welcome Couchsurfers

2012-02-10T18:31:00.000+02:00

It's great to be able to host Couchsurfers from across the world. Usually we take turns cooking the different national dishes - last night was Shay's turn (from Israel) and tonight Christoffer and Simon from Denmark will show us their stuff. Everyone pitched in to help though including my daughter Kate-Lynn. We had meatballs (Shay's mom's recipe) with lentil rice, a vegetable stew and hummus, with Fatoosh salad. Very yummy and we all ate too much. Welcome to Durban guys!!

Christoffer, Mayan, Llewellyn, Dave, Simon and Shay

Poor Emirates Service

2012-02-06T14:24:00.001+02:00

We never got an upgrade and NO REPLIES

Emblazoned across a full page advert of the Sunday Times Emirates advertised ... "Fly Emirates and get an upgrade" from economy to business class on a leg of the journey if booked by the 30^th November 2011. This prompted me to book a seat for a party of 4 of us to go skiing in Bulgaria in January 2012, having just returned from that trip.Despite the advert and the booking, I never heard from Emirates regarding the upgrade promised and so logged an online query on their website shortly before departing. NO REPLY. Further queries and NO REPLY. Contacting their local office I eventually was given an email address of their Customer Complaints department in Johannesburg... customeraffairs.jnb@emirates.com NO REPLY. 2^nd email NO REPLY.

I get to the check-in for our flight from Cape Town to Dubai on the 25^th January and was booked in to economy.. No one at the check-in had heard of the advert and said that sales department usually handle these promotions and check-in could not help. She gave me the email address of sales at Emirates.. anja.meadon@emirates.com whose reply was to the effect that "my hands are tied and I am unable to assist" as "this is a customer complaint and needs to be handled by that department".

What kind of a sales campaign is this and what kind of service or after-sales service is this?

As you will have guessed we continued on economy for the forward and return journeys and have never heard further from Emirates!!!

Is this really the way Emirates wants to do business in South Africa?

Some scenes from our Dubai and then Borovets Ski holiday

2012-02-03T22:58:00.001+02:00

After settling Mark in his new digs in Cape Town, he and I jetted off on an Emirates flight via Dubai to Athens and Bulgaria for snowboarding and skiing.

When Emirates re-scheduled their flights we got to spend a day and a night in Dubai and a chance to take some pics around the world's tallest building. Pretty awesome and the monorail, built since I was last there a few years back, is now fully operational and the best way to get around Dubai.

After that we landed in Sofia, Bulgaria, via Athens, in heavy snow and our taxi took us to Borovets.. the most snow seen there in 10 years and with temperatures plummeting to -18c and with wind factor on the top of the mountain -40c... incredible and sooooo cold!!

Staying in our ski-apartment on the slopes of the Borovets Ski Village, we were warm and cosy and even did some cooking in. Shopping was in the nearby village of Samokov where I ventured down for groceries a couple of time. The first day we tried snowboarding again, and managed to stay on the board of. mark did well but Llewellyn and I migfrated back to skis.. we are more capable and faster on these and even managed the red slopes.. although the blue cross country route was the more enjoyable.

Meeting the Stellies mates

2012-01-25T08:39:00.000+02:00

Getting back to Stellenbosch Mark invited his mates around for a braai at his new digs last night. Today Mark and I fly out of Cape Town to Dubai and the next day on to Athens and Bulgaria for snowboarding.

Round Trip to Cape Town in the planning

2012-01-18T19:47:00.001+02:00

Flying has had to take a back seat this month as we plunge headlong through a busy period... first off the office recovery after the few days Christmas break, then the office New Year Party which kicks off on Friday night and with our PRO Bobby off sick, we have had to put it together ourselves. Then my son Mark's car got stolen and with Lynn's car in for repairs we were down to sharing 2 cars between 4. This Saturday I am off with Mark to get his car back to Cape Town for the new Varsity term, and Wednesday Mark and I fly off to Bulgaria to snowboard for a few days. Emirates cancelled one of their flights so we also get stuck in Dubai for 1 day arriving at 2am!

So our poor Sling Airplane "Red Rocket" is waiting for it's pilot. In the meantime though we are planning a trip to Cape Town, up the west coast and to Sutherland for the stars in April. Here's what our EasyPlan route is looking like. And our friend Marc in his yellow submarine will be joining. Wow. Going to be exciting.

New Year a family affair

2012-01-03T06:19:00.000+02:00

New Year started off with a braai at the guesthouse on New Year's Eve, followed by a full roast dinner on New Year's day with my mom and the kids and the afternoon with the Galway cousins at their Westbrooke Beach holiday home. The next day we flew off to Margate and San Lameer where Llewellyn's sister picked us up for morning breakfast on the beach and a lazy morning in the sea and around the pool. Awesome re-charge of batteries before I head off to work today.

2011 in pics - January to December

2011-12-31T15:44:00.002+02:00

1st January 2011 - New Years Day lunch at home

January - a quick trip up to Phuthaditjhaba and Witsieshoek top of the Berg

January - Kate-Lynn flies out to Trondheim, Norway on a 3-month student exchange

January - Mark returns to Cape Town for his 2nd-year engineering

February - we visit Shisa farm and Mark for his 19th Birthday

7th February - Mark's 19th Birthday in Stellenbosch

March - We do some renovations and decor changes at the Guesthouse

March - Dave executes his first Notarial document as a Notary Public

March - Dave runs a Consumer Protection Act Seminar at his Toti law office

March - visiting Port Elizabeth for Llewellyn's SpecSavers Conference

April - Vinnie and Erland from Norway visit Durban

April - Kate-Lynn returns from her Norway exchange

April - My friend Ralphs pays us a visit in Durban

April - We visit Gold-Reef City, Johannesburg, with the kids

May - the guesthouse is full with the annual Indaba Travel Show in Durban

May - We go to Battlefields, Dundee, for the weekend and to view an RV we were considering buying.. scene of the Blood River battle and museum

21 May - Dave has his first flying lesson in a Foxbat at Light Flight Cato Ridge with instructor Brad

June - Comrades Marathon in Durban.. cheering the runners on

June - reminder of what not to do when flying an aeroplane. Wreckage of a Light Flight pilot killed with his dad on the day he got his licence.

June - Mark returns for his Varsity Winter vacation

June 19 - Father's Day lunch with my mom and kids

June - first dual cross-country to Margate, Richmond, Ixopo and Cato Ridge

June - Mc Naught and Co wins Best Legal Services award

June - we visit Johannesburg Tedderfield Airfield to meet Mike Blyth of The Airplane Factory and see our Sling airplane in production

30 June - Dave's first Solo Flight

July - we dress up for the July Handicap Races at Greyville Race Course

July - the kids chilling and soaking up Durban's glorious winter sun

July - on Mark's return to studies in Cape Town we pay him a visit and enjoy the Cape, the wines and the song..

July - Cape Town rocks!

August - Llewellyn turns 41 and the twins 11

August - the Phoenix runs around just north of Durban

August - Llewellyn organises a table at the Madame Zingara spectacular and dinner in Durban

24 August - Dave gets spoilt on his 53rd birthday

31 August - we jet off on Emirates from Durban to Jordan and Syria

September - Amman, the capital of Jordan

September - we met some awesome guys on our desert safari and enjoyed too many beers on the shores of the Red Sea

September 15 - Dave takes delivery of our new Sling Airplane from James of The Airplane Factory in Johannesburg, flying up with Instructor Brad to fly the plane back to Durban together.

September - Dave gets to fly this cute helicopter at Light Flight

September - A welcome braai for the Sling - ZDL Red Rocket at Light Flight

October - during the year we host several Couchsurfing guests at the Guesthouse

Where did the year go....

2011-12-31T12:58:00.000+02:00

Some more highlights of 2011 in pics ...

Dave floating in the Dead Sea on a Jordan and Syria trip Sept 2011

Incredible Petra Jordan Sept 2011

Coldplay Concert in Johannesburg with Brad, Kate, Llewellyn and cousin Josh October 2011

Taking delivery of the Red Rocket Sept 2011 and getting my wings at Light Flight

Kate-Lynn gets her graduation results B.Ed degree as we fetch Mark's car in Cape Town and head back down the N2 to Durban November 2011

Stopping at uBuntu Backpackers Jeffreys Bay en route to Durban November 2011

Taking the kids for a flight in the Red Rocket ZDL December 2011

Kate-Lynn turns 23 and we have some fun around the COP17 Climate Change Conference in Durban on her birthday 8 December

It's a Santa Sling as we fly around in good spirits December 2011

Christmas Day at home with the kids

Boxing Day fly-in to Alverstone where Llewellyn's Dad and Karin joined the Galways

Boxing Day flight and lunch at Alverstone

2011-12-29T08:45:00.000+02:00

Christmas Day we make merry at home. Boxing Day we usually go out to visit family. This time there were 9 of us with Llewellyn's kids and Dad, my kids and my mom, all visiting the Galways on their farm at Alverstone. There is a little airstrip which ends right at their gate on the farm across the road, so we decided to fly in while our kids drove up there with the eats and drinks. But the left-over Christmas food was aplenty and what a feast we had.

Christmas at home with the brats 2011

2011-12-25T16:04:00.000+02:00

Some Christmas Day photos

2011-12-25T15:57:00.000+02:00

I have awesome kids and a wonderful family and Christmas is the one day we get together for a feast. We kept it simple this year - tried my hand at cooking a smoked gammon which turned out excellently (as a side dish) and for mains we had a braai and salads with potatoe bake, finishing off with an incredible Lemon Merangue Pie that Lynn baked and loads of sweets and things the kids spoiled me with. After lunch the kids coaxed me into the pool - what is wrong with our water that it's still on the cilled side at the end of December. Thanks Llewellyn, the kids and my brats for all making this an awesome day.

Taking my kids in the Red Rocket

2011-12-03T14:38:00.000+02:00

Now that the kids are on holiday and home, now was the chance to take them with me in the Red Rocket. Kate-Lynn and Mark and their friends each took a short flight and felt the controls and saw Durban from the air.

Jeffreys Bay

2011-11-30T13:00:00.002+02:00

Bringing Mark's car back to Durban for his holidays proved a challenge.. flying to Cape Town to fetch it, then driving back over 2 days, via Jeffreys Bay. The uBuntu backpackers we stayed in was awesome then we battled the rain, mist and dark the next day - 13 1/2 hours to Durban from Jbay arriving past midnight.

1st stop Stellenbosch to Durban - Jeffreys Bay

2011-11-26T17:55:00.000+02:00

This is the first time I have driven in a car the whole day and not been the driver. We left Stellenbosch this morning at 7.30am with my daughter kate-Lynn driving and ended in Jeffreys bay with Mark at the wheel for opur first stop on the 2-day trip in Mark's car back to Durban after finishing his 2nd year at Stellenbosch University. Kate-Lynn also got her final year B.Ed results in Stellenbosch shortly before we left... completing her degreee with a 91% aggregate. Wow!! Well done Kate-Lynn.

Exams over !! and it's holiday

2011-11-20T17:47:00.000+02:00

Both my kids have finished their exams for the year - Kate-Lynn her final year B.Ed degree and Mark his 2nd year Engineering. Wow, well done brats!! So Kate-Lynn is snapped here jetting off to Cape Town for a few days to join Mark. I will then fly in on Thursday and we will all drive Mark's car back to Durban over the weekend so he will have it here for the holidays. We're going to try and make it back in 2 days so will stop over at Plettenberg Bay, Storm's River or Jefferies Bay, depending how the road goes. Should be a fun road trip again.

Into the Blue Sky

2011-11-03T06:57:00.000+02:00

Durban's blue skies yesterday was an opportunity to get a clear photo of our World Cup Football Stadium from the air, while on a breakfast flight to Pietermaritzburg before work.

Awarded my Wings today

2011-10-21T20:06:00.000+02:00

Today was an awesome day as I completed my flight test and was awarded my wings - National Pilot's Licence in our Sling airplane. My instructors Brad (left) and Noel (right) congratulate me on the achievement. Thanks guys for your guidance and great training. Check more photos on my flying blog here.

Mom turns 79

2011-10-18T19:57:00.000+02:00

Congratulations to my mom on reaching the ripe old age of 79!! Next year it's the big one! Here she is with her brothers and sisters-in-law and good friend Jean at the Durban Country Club where we enjoyed a spectacular dinner.

40 year Reunion - Kloof High School Matric 1975

2011-09-21T18:17:00.001+02:00

So I started another Facebook group today.. this time for our School Matric 40th reunion intended for a date to be arranged in 2015. Can we be planning so far ahead, and can it really be so many years in the past since we left school!! I have looked over the past few years for school friends on Facebook with little success. The only ones I have some contact with are my friends Greg and Ingrid Boothe over in New Zealand and Linda Peterson (now Rethman) I bump into at our local Spar from time to time. So I have found Shelley Cooke today - both she and Linda helped organise the 1990 - 15th year reunion which was a huge success, and I will delve into old records and see if I can recreate the class lists again. I was in Form VI A (Standard 10) which would now be called Grade 12 and I think there was up to a D class.... a huge project, particularly as it seems my generation don't seem to be particularly computer literate or on Facebook. So if you know anyone from Kloof High School in the 1970s, they are all welcome to attend and they may have brothers or sisters who were in Matric in 1975. Click on the link to the Facebook group here, join and let's chat and make this happen. I'm also on cell 083-7033329.

Kate-Lynn's first job

2011-09-21T18:03:00.000+02:00

We were out celebrating with a sushi-feast last night as Kate-Lynn scooped her first job for when she completes her teacher training B.Ed at the end of this year- and it's a lecturing post at her training college. Wow that's awesome and a great achiement!! Well done big girl and another milestone.

So we were out celebrating the big news.

New life in Durban for our Sling

2011-09-21T17:54:00.000+02:00

Our new baby has arrived (well my instructor Brad and I actually flew it back to Durban from the factory at Tedderfield Airfield in Johannesburg). Here Llewellyn, Kate-Lynn and I welcome the plane to Light Flight School where I will complete my NPL training in our plane.

Come check it out!!

2011-09-15T09:50:00.000+02:00

You're invited to a bring-and-braai on Sunday at my Flying School, Light Flight in Cato Ridge to check out our new plane. Will be flying in the am but the plane can be seen any time from 10am and I will light fires from 12.30.. so please come and be part of the excitement.

Petra - incredible temples in the rockface

2011-09-04T16:20:00.000+02:00

Red Sea at Aqaba

2011-09-03T15:14:00.001+02:00

We met a great bunch of people on our tour to Wadi Rum and then together on to Aqaba where we stayed at the Bedouin Gardens (hostel) for 8JD each sleeping on the rooftop under the stars overlooking the Red Sea, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Sunset over Egypt seen from Jordan across the Red Sea

Desert safari in Wadi Rum, south Jordan

2011-09-02T21:18:00.001+02:00

What an experience - cruising the desert with a group of foreigners and our Bedouin hosts, climbing rocky mountains and dunes and bedding down in a desert tent camp; finding a hedgehog in the sands and enjoying a feast (braai cooked underground)... and meeting our host Tyseer in Wadi Rum.

First views of the Jordan desert and Amman

2011-09-01T19:55:00.000+02:00

First view of the Amman residences from the Citadel

Work is in the street

Hole in the Roman wall

Desert everywhere en route to Amman

Stopover in Dubai - Emirates everywhere

Misk Hotel, Amman - one of the better Hotels we stayed at

A culture experience describes our first glimpses of Jordan and it's capital city Amman.. house/boxes everywhere and not a blade of grass/flowers anywhere.

Journey begins on Emirates to Dubai and Amman

2011-08-31T18:55:00.000+02:00

Drinks on board our direct flight from Durban to Dubai then connecting flight on Emirates to Amman, Jordan. The adventure begins.

The Road to Damascus

2011-08-27T16:20:00.000+02:00

Next week we fly to Amman, Jordan, via Dubai and will spend a week in Jordan and the Dead Sea and then travel up on the road to Damascus for another week. Exciting stuff. We were going to Beirut but the embassy savages don't want South Africans there so you have to either have a familymember or friend there who will vouch for you before they will consider giving a "general security" approval. So we switched airtickets to Jordan and the people have been amazing and friendly. Through the website Couchsurfing we have free accommodation and will even be picked up at the airport. Amazing hospitality thanks.

Another Birthday!!!

2011-08-26T18:48:00.000+02:00

oh dear, another birthday gone!! You can see the flying.. cool headsets for the plane as well as aviation related magnets and magazine. We all enjoyed a great family dinner.. just missing Markie boy... but got some super cards from the kids... love you brats.. all made my day so special, even D-Tox was there!!

Twins turn 11

2011-08-10T19:24:00.000+02:00

We enjoyed a great morning at Giba Gorge yesterday for the twins' 11th birthday. Here's Kate-Lynn, Calvin, Caitlin, and Llewellyn having fun while I snapped the pics.

Calvin (right) with his friend Chris

Caitlin and Teddy

Llewellyn shows he can do it

The Phoenix hasn't risen

2011-08-04T13:34:00.000+02:00

It is not often that a ship of the size of the Phoenix is wrecked on our coast. The last I recall was the Aimie Lykes in 1970 when I was still a schoolboy. The latest is the Phoenix which ran aground this week just up the road (or should I say beach) from Durban. Brad took the day picture and we all took a drive up last night to have a look. Amazing sight! The ship was en route to being scrapped, but made it's own way to an early graveyard after breaking anchor and drifting ashore. It seems like they will be pulling her off the rocks and sinking her offshore.

Birthday dinner for Llewellyn

2011-07-31T20:14:00.000+02:00

Enjoying a 41st birthday dinner with the kids, then tucking into a birthday cake, Llewellyn enjoys his Sunday treats.

Cape Town weekend

2011-07-20T20:32:00.001+02:00

We had an awesome weekend in Cape Town checking up on Mark before his new varsity term starts. Kate-Lynn, Brad and Llewellyn joined the adventure as we visited some favourite haunts, drank wine and made merry. See more photos by clicking on this link here.

Dave getting some more flying lessons in

Back to Cape Town

2011-07-12T13:13:00.000+02:00

We caught some last rays of Durban sunshine for Mark before he jetted back to Cape Town and Stellenbosch for the new term.

Kate-Lynn, Brad, Llewellyn and I will be meeting up in Cape Town on Thursday where we have rented a 3-bed flat for the weekend so Mark can join us for the last few days of his holiday before starting the slog again on Monday. Yay!!!

A day at the Races

2011-07-03T17:35:00.000+02:00

Hey it was "A Right Royal Affair" at Durban's famous July Handicap and we dressed up for the occasion. Mark parked Kate-Lynn's car on the grounds earlier so we had a home base on the grounds, whilst Llewellyn organised a ticket and free sunglasses with POLICE so we had a tented area and drinks arranged. We had some matching waistcoasts made and Llewellyn tried his handiwork putting a crown together on the backs of the waitcoats. Pretty neat. Awesome sunny day too.

First Solo flights today

2011-06-30T22:38:00.000+02:00

Sjoe, was landing perfectly on Monday but the paperwork and insurance was not in place for my solo, so managed my first flights on my ace today after work and shortly before the beautiful sun was ready to set after a stunning day in Durban.

Was pretty awesome.. not the most perfect landings on runway 19 but I did ok, the second circuit better than the first. Thanks Noel and Brad for the patience and effort you have put in to getting me to this point. Can only get better. Had to rush off to Pietermaritzburg as the sun did set for the second part of my Radio Course with Sakkie, the ATC at the Pietermaritzburg Airport. So will have to postpone the regulation celebration drinks to the weekend....!!

To Johannesburg for the weekend

2011-06-27T18:47:00.001+02:00

We flew up to an icy Johannesburg at the weekend to have a look at our new Sling aircraft in production at The Airplane Factory at Tedderfield Airfield. Ice glazed over the water features in the morrning as we felt the Joburg chill.

Some excitement as I flew from Lanseria airport to Tedderfield in a Sling, being collected by the designer and factory CEO Mike Blythe.

Llewellyn and I enjoy a drink at the Airport

Kulula flew us to Lanseria

Check out the photos of our Sling in production at The Airplane Factory on my separate Flying blog by clicking on the link here.

Watering the frost-bitten garden in a dry Johannesburg

In the air over Scottburgh

2011-06-21T16:58:00.000+02:00

On my first dual cross-country with instructor Noel over the sea off Scottburgh. I did a 3 hour flight from Cato Ridge to Richmond, Ixopo, Fredenheim, Margate and Scottburgh before heading back to Light Flight.

Next week I should be handling my first solo flight.

Fathers' Day

2011-06-20T07:24:00.000+02:00

Thank you kids for an awesome Fathers' Day. I got spoilt in the morning with breakfast in bed and a full lunch cooked by Kate-Lynn and mom.

And a photo tray, braai light, soaps and socks... thanks brats. We walked on the beach and later used our Shark's casino vouchers to notch up R400,00.

Awesome day! Lucky Dad!

Mates on study vacation

2011-06-16T20:46:00.000+02:00

Mark (MC), Jarred, Mark (MB), Tim and Kate-Lynn meet up for a bite to eat and probably all-night computer games

Kate-Lynn spoils Mark with a head massage

It's great when the kids are on holiday as we get to see more of them and their mates. We also managed to capture some shots last night of the awesome eclipse of the moon - a red moon, only to be seen again in 4 years.

Durban Rainbow

2011-06-10T16:38:00.000+02:00

Mark looking for the pot of gold

There was an awesome full rainbow in the sky over Durban today - 180 degrees ending in the middle of the new Stadium. Only seen a 180 degrees rainbow once before. Incredible and a full spectrum of the colours visible.

Mark home for Winter

2011-06-06T21:40:00.000+02:00

This is the longest Mark has grown his hair and arrived home looking like a hobo. Kate-Lynn and I fetched him from the Airport for the winter holidays away from the cold and wet of Stellenbosch in the Cape. It was great to see my boy after our last visit there on his birthday in February.

Durban send-off for Comrades

2011-05-29T07:35:00.000+02:00

We were up at 4am this morning to see our guests Zander, Richard, Matt and Gary off for the start of the Comrades Marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

There was a jubilant, excited atmosphere as the 15 000 runners jostled for position and a huge roar as the gun boomed at the Start on a slightly chilly, dark but clear Durban morning.

This was followed by a spectacular dawn break seen from the Berea with the Moses Mabhida Stadium breaking the shoreline and horizon.

Comrades Weekend in Durban

2011-05-28T08:38:00.000+02:00

We're having a Comrades Weekend at the Guesthouse this weekend in support of the runners taking part in this year's uprun from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. We have runners from Johannesburg and New York including 2 guys who have run the Antarctic Marathon and are now up for the Comrades challenge. In the photos are Jaco, Kate, Debbie, Matt, Gary and Llewellyn. The New Yorkers didn't join us for customary pasta which we enjoyed at Mamas.

First Flying Lesson

2011-05-21T07:57:00.000+02:00

Brad (right) from Light Flight School took me on my first formal lesson today in the School's Foxbat.

The lesson was great and felt quite different with more resonsibility than when I went on my demo flight two years ago. We covered lessons/exercises 1-8 and at the end I was given the PPL Pilots' Manual which I spent the rest of the day wading through to bring me up to speed with the exercises we covered in the lesson.

I have chosen to do my National Pilots Licence (NPL) instead of PPL as Light Flight School seems the most cost-efficient and fun way to get my licence and the Sling Aircraft we have bought needs only an NPL Licence. So I'll be taking to the skies on a regular basis now to see if I can get my licence in the next few months.

The Sling it is!

2011-05-18T07:15:00.002+02:00

Today we bought an aeroplane... and the Sling it is. It will be a partnership venture with Llewellyn sharing ownership with me and we finalised the order from The Airplane Factory in South Africa today.

The Sling is a locally made plane with an imported Rotax 912uls engine with a cruising speed of 110 knots (200 kmh). The specs are impressive and the plane has proved itself on an around the world and a trans-Africa trip.

Exciting times ahead.!!! Thanks to Neville, Marc, Michel and Mike for the guidance and input in reaching this decision. Thanks also to the offers and flights from the other contenders... all are great planes and the choice was difficult.

Dave does Battle

2011-05-15T15:35:00.001+02:00

The Battlefields aircraft fly-in where we stayed Sat night

I flew this RV12

Kate-Lynn points out the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battlesites

The Voortrekker monument at the Blood River battlesite

Dave and Kate-Lynn on the wagon

Kate-Lynn, Llewellyn and the kids with the Russian YAK aircraft

Our beautiful KZN countryside around Dundee

Kate-Lynn poses at the Battle of Blood River site

The Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal bring tourists from afar and we were tourists in our Province on Saturday when we took a drive up to the Battlefields area and stayed the night in Dundee.

Arriving at 8.30am after a 4-hour drive, we were just in time to see the start of droves of little aeroplanes flying in for the annual Fly-in at Battlefields Country Lodge. I took to the skies in an RV12 and we checked out the various planes with a view to possibly buying one and going for flying lessons.

In the afternoon we drove to the site of the Anglo-Boer Battle of Blood River which commemorates the victory of the Voortrekkers on Dec 16th 1838. We went on to Isandlwana, the scene of a Anglo-Zulu battle later that century and circled back to Dundee after a drive over dusty roads through beautiful countryside for our overnight stay.

Researching for flight

2011-05-11T21:52:00.000+02:00

I passed my Aviation medical today which means that I am fit to fly. I have spent the last week on intensive research to find a suitable new or second hand aeroplane to buy.

There are plenty of magazines and websites out there and a whole community of friendly guys willing to give you their time and experience in negotiating the minefield of choices. Most are migrating to a "glass cockpit" and moving away from the analogue dials that made up the cockpit of old.

Here is a pic of what I would see as an optimal glass cockpit allowing the plane to be flown by either the pilot or passenger with equal instrumentation before him.

Have you checked out my new Flying blog - Do Eagles Dare?

Baking for the Guesthouse

2011-05-11T20:23:00.000+02:00

Hey we've been trying some baking for the guesthouse. Here Llewellyn turns out some pineapple bran muffins and I baked an egg soufle' for breakfast. The guesthouse was full over the Indaba Tourism Show these past few days.

A few days in Johannesburg

2011-05-02T17:59:00.002+02:00

Down a Gold Mine while Dave holds up the roof

Lauren and Dave on the Anaconda

We spent a great few days in Johannesburg using the Wednesday Freedom Day public holiday to break away. Here we are - Llewellyn and the kids and I - at Gold Reef City where we went down a gold mine for the first time and went on a few crazy rides... the Anaconda, my favourite. We also went to the Johannesburg Zoo, Rand Airport to check aeroplanes and a little shopping. Click here to see more pics.

Does this really hold up the roof? 3000 m mine shafts!

See more pics of the holiday break here.

First Couchsurfing guests

2011-04-26T17:03:00.003+02:00

Meet Patrick and Clothilda from Germany - our first Couchsurfing guests since we joined the voluntary network of people who are prepared to share their homes. Patrick is working on a contract in Johannesburg and Clothilda flew out from Germany to tour South Africa with Patrick and take a break from the ships she sails in as Engineer.

Ralph comes to Durban

2011-04-25T17:03:00.000+02:00

Great to see my friend Ralph (right) and Jackie again. Can you have been in Gauteng so long?

Kate-Lynn looking swish!

2011-04-25T17:00:00.000+02:00

Dave takes to the skies

2011-04-23T13:21:00.000+02:00

Climbing into an aeroplane and lifting off into the skies is not as easy as it looks, but pretty cool.

I went for a demo flight lesson today and am considering getting my licence. No pics of me flying the plane though as I was concentrating heavily while I zoomed over Tala game reserve while clutching the flight controls.

Good Friday holidays

2011-04-22T14:41:00.001+02:00

It' s a welcome break for the Easter public holidays... and the beachfront in Durban is glorious... hot autumn sun, beautiful sand and yummy cocktails on the Moyo Pier at uShaka.

Out and About in Durban

2011-04-17T14:24:00.000+02:00

Enjoying dinner out with friends in Durban and sipping Martinis and "Dutch Slappers" cocktails at the Guesthouse - myself - Dave, Ian, Claude and Llewellyn. (if you havn't tasted one of my signature Martinis, then you havn't experienced the best).

Rooftop party

2011-04-10T17:00:00.000+02:00

Dave sets up the rooftop bar for the Sundowners Party

It was rooftop Sundowners at the Guesthouse. I was up on the roof getting it ready for the party at the Guesthouse on Saturday and we watched the sun go down with twinkling party lights glowing in the gathering darkness. Awesome stuff.

The morning after

2011-04-10T15:08:00.000+02:00

Kate-Lynn catching up on her beauty sleep after the long haul from Norway

Homecoming dinner

2011-04-08T07:19:00.001+02:00

It was a welcome home dinner for Kate-Lynn after her travels to Norway. In the background are her paintings I had framed and put up while she was away.

Kate-Lynn home

2011-04-07T13:48:00.001+02:00

Yay, I'm home

Kate-Lynn's new "everyday" jumpsuit

Kate-Lynn flies in to King Shaka International in Durban after a 3-month student exchange in Trondheim, Norway. Excited to meet her at the Airport are "countdown-Brad", mom Lynn, dad Dave as well as Meg's parents also there to meet the jubilant travellers.

Goodbye dear Norway, hello Durban

Unpacking with Brad

Meet Øyvind and Erlend

2011-04-07T07:35:00.003+02:00

Meet Øyvind and Erlend from Norway, who call themselves "two dashy dudes in Kenya!" on their blog about their adventures on their 3-month student exchange.

While Kate-Lynn has been visiting Norway, the Norwegians studying teacher training in Trondheim have also been posted around the world on a similar student exchange. Taking time out from Kenya, Erlend and Øyvind are in Durban for a few days and it was great to get a chance to meet up with them. In the pics we are enjoying a braai at our guesthouse and shooters, with Gabby, Brad, Llewellyn, Ian and I.

Kate-Lynn flies in

2011-04-07T07:22:00.000+02:00

My daughter Kate-Lynn flew back in to South Africa last night after a 3-month student exchange in Norway. She has been missing the stunning sunrises over Durban and this morning I was awake to catch it. She had to stay overnight in Johannesburg and we will be meeting her at the airport a little later this morning.

Camping at Bulwer

2011-04-03T21:23:00.000+02:00

OutinKzn group organised a camping outing at Ken's farm outside Bulwer near the southern Berg. We pitched out little tent late on Friday night after a function at the guesthouse. There was much drinking, wine and laughter and on Saturday Andrew dropped us off at the river for a lazy 2 hour ride down to the bakkie we left earlier 7lms downstream. The lazy ride turned into a 4-hour exhausting battle to scrape our bums over the rocks on the slow gentle flowing river. Thanks Andrew for the superb meals and to Ken for the attention to our needs - hot water, yay!!

Prawn and Chicken wok

2011-03-28T21:06:00.000+02:00

Brad joins us for a wok braai at The Terrace. yummy

Dave clears the family grave

2011-03-28T17:59:00.001+02:00

Dave and Hein's sister Shirley took time to travel to East London to fix her brother Hein's grave at the West Bank Cemetary there. Hein's memorial plaque is fixed to his brother's grave which is alongside that of her mother Josephine. Buks was killed in a car accident in which she (at 18 months old) her brother Hein and two sisters were travelling on the way back from her own mother's funeral that day.

South Africa tourism tips

2011-03-28T08:19:00.010+02:00

Durban beachfront on the warm east coast of South Africa

The big 5 animals of South Africa

Table Mountain Cape Town

I was asked some advice for a tourist to South Africa, so I thought I would write a blog post and extend it to a wider audience.

Most tourists imagine that they can drive around the country in 2-3 weeks and see it all. This would not be adviseable as South Africa is a big country. If you did want to see parts to the north, south, east and west, you would need to fly to some and drive between other parts as I will recommend. An itinerary also depends on how much time you have and your budget.

TIME OF YEAR

April is the best time of year to visit South Africa. This is because the weather is generally the best... the heat of summer is over and winter is not yet upon us. Peak season would be summer when the schools are on holiday, but I personally prefer it off-peak when the crowds have thinned out and it is not so hot. Durban is best all year as our winters are never less than 15c and no rain. Cape Town is worst in winter as it is cold, windy and rainy.. best for Cape Town would be October/November and March/April. Cape Town is on the Atlantic Ocean so swimming is generally out, whereas Durban is on the warm east coast so August to end of April is good with best swimming/beaches December to March.

AIRLINE ROUTES

Emirates fly to Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg via Dubai, so best would be to fly in to one city and fly back out of another city, travelling between cities by car, train or bus. Most of the other airlines fly in to either Johannesburg or Cape Town, which means a stop in Durban and the east coast means additional flights or travel. I would even avoid Johannesburg completely and fly into Durban and then out of Cape Town home. My favourite Airline to Africa is SAA of course, but their routes are not the best and sometimes the prices are over the top. Check them out and compare.

WHAT TO SEE

Your routing may depend on what you want to see. The Kruger National Park a few hours drive from Johannesburg is probably the best but requires getting to Johannesburg and a few hours drive each way. I personally would avoid that as there are many excellent game parks around South Africa. If you have loads of time you could include the Kruger Park.

So suggestions could be... fly to Johannesburg, hire a car and drive to the Kruger Park. Stay 3 - 4 nights and drive back to Johannesburg to return the car. Fly to Durban and stay for 3 - 5 nights. Fly to Port Elizabeth (2/3rds of the way to Cape Town), hire a car and drive along the coastal Garden route to Cape Town stopping off en-route for 2- 3 nights. Spend 5 nights in Cape Town and fly home direct.

The Drakensberg Amphitheatre

Beach sculptures in Durban

Alternatively fly direct to Durban and stay 3- 4 nights. Drive up to the Hluhluwe Game reserve and stay 3 nights. Drive back to Durban and fly to Port Elizabeth following the same suggestion above ie cut out Jhb and the Kruger park.

As an extension to either route, you could drive to the Amphitheatre in the Drakensburg Mountains which are half-way between Durban and Johannesburg (2 1/2 hours drive), or you could drive from Jhb to Durban intead of flying. Another option is the train from Johannesburg to Durban which I believe is good.

Wine lovers would love Cape Town as the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franshoek wine routes are within 40 mins drive of the city. I personally love Stellenbosch where my son goes to University at the moment, so I can visit him and drink loads of wine. There must be at least 200 wine farms in a few kilometres radius.

If you have a shorter or longer visit planned and want to come at an odd time of year or have any other queries, feel free to email me at durbanstadiumview@gmail.com and I will try and help out with my recommendations. Enjoy!

PE and EL

2011-03-26T06:55:00.002+02:00

We spent a few days in Port Elizabeth while Llewellyn was attending an Opthalmology and SpecSavers conference and on Saturday I drove down to East London, stopping in Grahamstown to fetch Hein's sister Shirley. I hired a weedeater and some tools and we spent the afternoon at the West Bank Cemetary fixing up Hein's and her mother's grave.

The rest of the time in PE was spent acquainting myself with the little city - very neat, tidy and litter free and on the Friday we enjoyed a superb beach party under the freeway bridge with an Arabian theme. Good trip!

Hong Kong 7s

2011-03-17T06:51:00.000+02:00

We shared our Hong Kong experiences with Jaco who jets off there this weekend to take part in the Hong Kong 10s rugby tournament which takes place in conjunction with the Hong Kong 7s. Jaco was talent-scouted to join an International Invitation team for the 10-a-side tournament which runs alongside the famous 7s tournament. Players of the likes of Jonah Lomu will be playing in the 10s.

Good luck Jaco.. it's going to be an awesome trip and we hope you get some good international exposure and possibly a new contract for 2012.

Dave presents Seminars

2011-03-16T18:45:00.001+02:00

It's been a tough few weeks presenting Seminars on the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act on the 1st April 2011. The Act requires contracts and documentation of suppliers of goods and services in South Africa to be compliant with the Act and I have been helping Agents in the property industry prepare for the imminent commencement of the Act.

Durban to Lebanon and Damascus

2011-03-11T15:54:00.002+02:00

Co-incidentally the day after booking our tickets to Beirut and Damascus on direct Emirates flights from Durban -- woo hoo!!! no Johannesburg stop-over and wait-- this story appeared of a guy who hitch-hiked from Durban to Damascus. Our trip won't be so hectic, but am looking forward to see the world's oldest city - and ancient Mesopotamia with the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers of Babylon I learned about in history so many years ago.

Read more about Damascus here.

Dave's First Notarial Deed

2011-03-11T15:40:00.000+02:00

Dave puts the seal on the first Notarial Deed he has executed as a Notary Public. It was a Notarial Deed of Encroachment - some buildings on one property encroached slightly into another and the Deed established a new title deed condition on both adjacent properties authorising the encroachment. This was a pre-requisite to regularise the buildings and obtain plans approval.

Once executed, Dave sends the Deed with the title deeds of the properties to the Deeds Office in Pietermaritzburg and the Notarial Deed gets registered and the new condition is endorsed on the properties' title deeds.

New house for Shawn

2011-03-06T20:02:00.000+02:00

It's great to see my friends moving to the next level. Congratulations to Shawn and Michael on the purchase of their first home in Westville. Large split-level house with loads of storage space to enable Shawn to operate his business from home. The house has a lovely outlook over the Paradise Valley hills.

Favourite monument in Rome

2011-03-01T10:03:00.000+02:00

This is my favourite monument in Rome where Kate-Lynn has been for the last week. I think I liked it particularly as we had been at the incredible Colosseum and then after walking through the Roman ruins en route to the Vatican, we turned a conrner and this giant building suddenly came into view and was so impressive.

Russian in the house

2011-02-28T07:36:00.000+02:00

It is not too often we have Russians in the guesthouse, but (middle) Lee's parents are from Latvia, a little country which used to form part of the USSR and is now independent.

Co-incidentally my daughter flew into Riga, the capital of Latvia last week en-route from Oslo to Rome. Lee, an industrial psychologist, now works in Johannesburg and is fluent in Russian.

The end of 27 years

2011-02-26T11:37:00.001+02:00

It's our 27th birthday at Mc Naught and Co and 1st March we go forward into our 28th year.

Thanks to all for the tremendous support over the years. Here's staff Tracey-Lee and Val in the top pic - Val says she has been with us 18 years, but it seems forever ha ha. Also in the photos are friends Jaco and Gail from Re/Max.

Making Guesthouse improvements

2011-02-25T06:58:00.000+02:00

The Guesthouse Lounge

Taking the plunge to change all room TVs to new flatscreens, Dave and Llewellyn have been making some improvements to the Guesthouse putting Top TV and individual TV decoders in some rooms and DSTV with hotel suite in others, DVD players and new shelving and tables.

Hard at Work

2011-02-24T14:16:00.000+02:00

Not much happening on the home front.. mark is back in Stellenbosch, kate-Lynn is having an awesome time in Norway and has just got to Rome for a few days break before heading back to the snow and her next month in Trondheim.

At work, I have been running Seminars for Estate Agents, and today just released my new Seminar on the Consumer Protection Act as well as our Newsletter dealing with the Transfer Duty cuts announced in the Budget yesterday. Check out my company blog for more details.

A few days away in Cape Town

2011-02-09T20:55:00.002+02:00

Was great to escape for a few days to Cape Town and catch up with friends in Tullbach, visit Ceres and join Mark for his 19th birthday in Stellenbosh.

Here's a few more pics.

Mark turns 19

2011-02-07T21:16:00.000+02:00

My "little" boy turned 19 today and we were there to celebrate with his mates in Stellenbosch.

We had lunch with Mark on Sunday and visited his mate MB at his res nearby and also took the opportunty to register Mark to vote in his first election which happens in a few months.

On his birthday on Monday we did some shopping for a braai and his housemates shared a few beers with us while we cooked till late, then returned back to Cape Town to the guesthouse we were staying at. We also shopped for some shirts and socks for Mark.

Mark takes to the road...

2011-02-06T21:36:00.000+02:00

So do you learn from your mistakes? let's hope so as this is a little costly... Mark's car in hospital in Somerset-West.

Bluff office party

2011-02-02T21:58:00.000+02:00

It was the Bluff office party and an opportunity for staff to socialise and meet with some of our "old" friends and associates... it's been a while since we have had a party at the Bluff, preferring our new Toti offices for this purpose. But Bluff is our main office so it was great to see our local friends.

In the top photo are our staff complement Molly, Val, Bobby, Patrick, myself (Dave), Sharon, Mark and Tracey-Lee. We are joined (second photo) by Ronel and Llewellyn, and 3rd photo by Rob and his girls from Seeff. In the 4th photo Lorraine and Dee from Eagle Estates join Dave's Mom Molly who works part-time at the Bluff office since she retired from her full-time job there several years ago.

Mirror Mirror on the wall

2011-01-30T15:04:00.000+02:00

It's taken an age to decide on an appropriate spot but we fnally decided and thought that Kate-Lynn really needed the full length mirror in her room - so I got off the Sunday slothing bed and have put up the mirror at last.

Sprucing up the office

2011-01-29T11:54:00.001+02:00

No it's not me growing plants in my car. We have our Bluff office party on Wednesday and I'm sprucing up the Atrium.. scuse the pun. I love green plants as most of you know and the Atrium will look awesome again with some lush leaves amongst the rocks and stones.

Kids so far away

2011-01-24T17:30:00.000+02:00

Mark and his mate Rob at King Shaka Airport

For the first time both of my kids are far away simultaneously - Mark back at Stellenbosh in his 2nd year Engineering (dropped him at the Airport today) and Kate-Lynn in 4th year teacher training but presently in Norway for a 3-month student exchange.

Go well my precious savages... missing you loads. Study well and will see you x Dad

This one's for Kate-Lynn

2011-01-24T16:36:00.000+02:00

Kate-Lynn, this is yours. Mark was unpacking your Mc Naught bag to take it to Cape Town and there in the corner was this most disgusting unimaginable thing.. he took it out and I had to scrub the yukky black stuff off the bag... so, so much for complaining about the dirty cleanup after the Norwegian guy in your digs.. we had to contend with some of your muck.... aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

Deputy Mayor of Durban 1994/1995

2011-01-22T20:26:00.001+02:00

My son Mark and his mates are at an age where they are growing stubble/beard tufts and looking at my weekend stubble they suggested I should grow a beard. None of them seemed to know that I grew one for 10 years and during my time as Deputy Mayor of Durban in 1994/5.

So I found one of my old photos for you, including the big glasses!! I think this photo was taken at my inaugural acceptance speech at the City Hall in 1994. This was before digital photography so I scanned it and uploaded. I shaved it off when the little white patches started to spread wildly.

The Crazy Ones

2011-01-21T20:57:00.000+02:00

A farewell dinner for Mark before he returns to study at Stellenbosch brought the CRAZY ones to the house.

They have almost grown up with us - Mark Bird (MB) - left and Dain - right, and in the top picture Brad joins the boys and I for a beer and dinner.

Kate-Lynn arrives

2011-01-10T07:25:00.000+02:00

They've arrived safely in Tronheim, Norway and settled into their digs. Here is Kate-Lynn's story so far.

They're off to Norway

2011-01-10T07:20:00.000+02:00

The shopping, the planning and the packing is over as Kate-Lynn and fellow college student Meg, chosen for a student exchange to Tronheim Queen Maud College of Education leave Durban for their epic adventure.

We're Berg climbing

2011-01-07T17:43:00.001+02:00

A collage of our trip to the Berg. More photos here.

Quick trip to the Berg

2011-01-07T17:12:00.002+02:00

Kate-Lynn is off to Norway tomorrow, so we did a quick trip to my favourite part of the Berg - a reminder of the beauty of our own country... The top of the Drakensberg at the Sentinel Peak which overlooks the Amphitheatre.

Unfortunately it was rainy and misty both days so visibility was reduced... except for a brief half hour but still not enough to get up the misty path to the higher view spot.

You can see more photos here.

New baking skills

2011-01-02T21:08:00.000+02:00

Trying my hand at an egg and cheese souffle' for the first time for guesthouse breakfast - impressive if I say so myself.

Great start to 2011

2011-01-01T21:40:00.000+02:00

Dave, Llewellyn, Mark and Kate-Lynn on New Year's Day

My son Mark sings us a song

Getting off to a great start to 2011, we had a little braai, relaxed, played guitar and look forward to a great year ahead.

Welcoming in the New Year

2010-12-31T20:51:00.000+02:00

Proposing a toast to the New Year are guesthouse visitors Andrew, Mias, Louis, Charl and Michael with myself (left) and Llewellyn (right).

Day at Albert Falls dam

2010-12-29T07:12:00.003+02:00

A day at Albert Falls dam to relax after Christmas. We all tried the tube behind Brad's family's boat and Mark and Llew tried the wakeboard and slalem.

See all the pics here.

Family Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T21:19:00.001+02:00

We enjoyed a wonderfull Christmas day with the kids at The Terrace. Kate-Lynn played Mother Christmas and dished out the prezzies followed by a scrumptious gammon and lamb roast with pudding by Lynn.

Dr Marc to the rescue

2010-12-20T22:09:00.000+02:00

My dentist died on the morning of my appointment, but paramedic and guest Marc came to the rescue with a temporary filling. Working on a ship as the doctor on board in the Gulf of Mexico, Marc is used to stop-gap measures to tend to the sailors far from shore.

Durban's first Pink Parade

2010-12-19T17:59:00.000+02:00

We took part in Durban's first Pink Parade down Florida Road on Saturday. Nothing spectacular but a bit of fun and the beer at BeanBag at the end of the parade was good. Next year I want to organise our own Guesthouse float and have a floatbuilding party the night before. Who is in?

Out at Zach's

2010-12-16T11:07:00.000+02:00

A great pic of the kids out at Zach's for Brad's music gig.

Quad biking

2010-12-12T20:24:00.000+02:00

Dave waits for his turn

Mark

Dave with his quad

Kate-Lynn and Brad