Great start to 2011

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

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

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

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.

Politics revisited

Dave, Nigel and Glenys Wood

Glenys and Nigel Wood - former MP for Berea

We drove up to Howick in the mist and rain today, but it was a great day to visit my good friends Nigel and Glenys Wood. Nigel was my mentor in politics in the early days when I was still studying law at University. Nigel followed in his father's footsteps and was elected Member of Parliament for the Berea constituency in the 1977 General Election in South Africa.

I joined the New Republic Party that election and cast a vote for the first time. In 1981 in my final year of Law the next General Election was called and with the help and guidance of Nigel and Glenys and my good friend Dave Burden I stood for Parliament in the Port Natal Constituency - a government stronghold. It was one of the few seats available to contest as our Party governed the Province of Natal and we had 10 seats in Parliament.. mostly in the Durban area. I was Youth President of the Party at the time and at 21 the youngest to stand for Parliament. In the end out of 10 000 votes, I lost by 600 against the National Party Government Deputy Cabinet Minister. Not too bad for a first attempt.

More pics here.

At sea - Vietnam to Hong Kong Day 4

Leaving Vietnam, we spent the next day at sea on our return trip to Hong Kong whilst the SpecSavers' delegates had a morning conference session on board. The day at sea gave us a chance to relax, enjoy a few cocktails and spend our $10 credit at the casino... we're not gamblers.

Having a bit of fun with fellow SpecSavers Pier 14 PE delegate Dave

See more pics here..

Fun at the Guesthouse

Llewellyn and I congratulate Jared (centre top) winner of the KZN finals of the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 held at the Guesthouse last night, and also say goodbye to our friends Nelson (left) and Les (second from left) who leave shortly to live in Singapore.

Brad turns 24

Kate-Lynn organised and we made Sushi for the first time last night for her boyfriend Brad's 24th Birthday. Was pretty good... with a bit more practice we'll be opening a Sushi-bar next!!

Road trip to Cape Town after the Germany (0) Spain (1) semi-final

After the semi-final in Durban we jumped in Mark's car to drive it to Cape Town for his time at Varsity in Stellenbosch, stopping in Clarens in the Golden Gate National Park area, and Tsitsikamma forest where we did the Canopy Tour, staying at the nearby Storms River Mouth and Big Tree. See the album of photos on Facebook here.

Also see some more selected photos on this blog here.

More Dam Pictures

Calvin and Llewellyn

Llewellyn slalem skis

Mark on the tube

Brad drove the boat

More pics of Hong Kong - day 5



Hong Kong harbour bridge



Sailing into Hong Kong at sunrise

Second time I have been to Hong Kong around Halloween

The Victoria Peak funicular cablecar approaches

Riding up Victoria Peak at a 45degree angle

This was a power substation about 1m high with a picture of buildings on it

The view from Victoria Peak

The Jumbo floating restaurant at Aberdeen

en route from Stanley Market back to the city

Our Panorama Hotel room

Catching the ferry to Hong Kong island

Large, building size adverts

Optometrist station - 1or 2, 2 or 1  lol