NEWS FROM WINTERY WILDS AT OLD VIC

Well we bid you a hearty Hello from the our depths of our snuggly woollie blankets, with all our winter gear on, keeping us snug as bugs, and perfectly completed with a homely fire crackling in the fireplace! Winter is definitely upon us here in the Lowveld.

We are all great though. Thankful for the warm wintery woolies we are fortunate enough to kit us out .

Comrades 2009 is done and dusted and filed in the “Achieved” file. This was my 7th comrades. Comrades is world renowned and has participants from across the globe. It really is one of the most incredible sporting events in the world. A run that is from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, or visa versa – a distance that covers 89km’s of running whilst the rainbow nation of SA definitely comes out and supports all of us in true comradie spirit. Every year a bunch of us local Nelspruit runners travel to Durban together and eagerly run the distance. My trade mark is most definitely my “Crazy Dave Hairstyle” – for weeks before, I grow my hair and on race day spray it with all the colours in the rainbow! All part of the fun of the race and the day! This year I was so chuffed as Bella and little Dylan were side by side with me as myself and my good friend ran – they followed us on the route and were the most awesome support any dad and hubby could wish for . Thanks to you two very precious people in my life. Hey, hopefully one day Dylan will be by my side as him and his Old man – “Crazy Dave aka Crazy Dad” run the distance together !

The other Hot off the press news, hot on the heels of the Comrades marathon….is The Busschau Family is on the move ………….that alone is going to be a HUGE Marathron to “run” as a family …..lots to pack up and lots to keep us busy in the next weeks. We moving up the road so will still be a within a stone’s throw of the Backpackers. We are delighted to say we have added to our already perfectly "home from home" environment …and now boast a 3 bedroom house, fully fitted kitchen, lounge which includes DSTV as well as your own private Jacuzzi. The perfect pad for a team of travellers as it sleeps up to 10!

Never a dull moment with Crazy Dave and his family…..Theo had the unfortunate experience of coming across a cranky night adder who bit him. Very scarey for mom and dad as Theo ever the snake charmer, confidently and calmly walked into the lounge and announced his mishap with the charmless snake. Needless to say we rushed him off for medical assistance. After a 5 day hospital stay Theo was back in the bundies exploring the bush and its (sometimes) cranky critters!

Teenagers ….most definitely invented to keep us on our toes at all times.

Talking about keeping us on our toes….little Dylan is like a machine these days, the speed with which he crawls around is incredible – move over Jenson Button !!!!! Here comes Dynamo Dylan!

It truly is such a joy and pleasure to watch as everyday is a new adventure and learning curve for him as he explores the world around him. When it comes to Dinner time, we have a Dynamo Dylan the Drummer! Bella gives

him a pot and the wooden spoon and away we go!!Move over Ringo Star!

 

AS THE HOME FIRES BURN AT OLD VIC....

Life is great at our home away from home. We have had a quiet May & June and so have taken full advantage of this by renovating, painting, and repairing all that needed repairing.

Plus, as I mentioned earlier we are very pleased and proud to boast about our new “house” at Old Vic – 3 bedroom complete with fully fitted kitchen, DSTV and Jacuzzi. Or can be used as a “dorm house” and the 3 bedrooms used as such. This home away from home is available asof July 2009 so don’t delay – book today!

Its been a really great full steam ahead year, we really are having a busy one – thanks to all of you currently reading this ….thanks thanks thanks and we look forward to seeing you sooner than soon and meeting your friends too!

A big thanks goes out to all our Bowlers, the Dutch student teachers who crept into the local kiddies hearts as they taught at our local schools.

We looking very forward to the return of Tenteleni in July ….yes you read correctly its already that time of the year! Good times ahead with this stunning group for sure! As together we learn and share experiences over the 8 week period that we are privileged to share with them.

The Motley crew of Animals is also great. Colin at the healm getting greyier and greyier each month.

If you havn’t already….you must take a sec or two to go and check out our stunning website! Well worth the visit! Also, check out the specials ….2010 bookings have already opened …don’t lose out! This is most definitely going to be a “memories are made of this” time in SA!

KRUGER CALLING.....

As always Kruger is busy. The tours are as awesome as ever . Jam packed with the most incredible memory making experiences! Always happy smiley faces as our Guests seek out the big and small 5 of Kruger!

Good sightings are a firm favourite in Kruger, even with the dry long grass – the golden rule….yip you guessed right…..early to bed ..early to rise and there we will find the animals!

Most guests go away bragging of spotting the Big five. On one of our recent tours the highlight was a lion charging our car! Wow! Wild! Wild! Wild! ……even I, Crazy Dave had to take a deep breathe once this experience was over….. the reason? We were intruding on a romantically, besotted pair of mating lions.

The birdlife is abundant and as always filled with a wide variety of birds. There are over 500 birds that can be spotted in Kruger. The following is a Purple Crested Roller which we were fortunate enough to spot. No sooner had we watched this little beauty when we came upon a leopard. Very exciting.

On another tour by 6.30am we had already spotted the Big 5!! Within a half an hour….we had taken the most incredible pics and witnessed the most stunning sights of a leopard at the gate not to mention the awesome sighting of the lion 2km from the gate at Malelane. Wow! Wow! Wow!!!!

Special mention must be made at this time …..Thanks Mick Pearce – this will be your 3rd visit with us come August! As always we look very forward to the time you will be spending with us and welcome you with open arms.

When we totally Bundu bashed and our cameras are filled to capacity with images of the big and small 5.

We move on to a few lazy, hazy days on the golden sands and sparkling sea of Mozambique.

As we tuck into a delicious prawn and fresh fish feast we share our all awesome holiday experiences.

I attended the annual Backpackers AGM in St Lucia which was a great success. We really pleased to say we going places in our industry also it really is an ideal time to net work and meet the others in the great industry.

A TRUE STORY OF INSPIRATION

Theo on a visit to Bettie’s sharing a snake story with the kids.

We are most privileged to be huge supporters of Betties Haven.

Bettie Mandlazi is the founder and totally committed life member of Betties’ Haven. All of the children that have been fortunate enough to find their way to Bettie’s haven are truly Blessed children. Bettie has the hugest of hearts and is the most humble, salt of the earth woman, one could ever have the absolute privilege of meeting.

Bettie helps between twenty to twenty-four children. All these children have become orphans due to a variety of happenings in their unfortunate little lives. Some lost their parents to AIDS and they themselves battle with the disease on a daily basis.

We are privileged to say that we hold Bettie and all her children very close to our heart. We visit the kiddies on a regular basis. Trying to bring a little more sunshine and laughter into their already hard lives.

We would be most happy should any of our guests and loyal patrons wish to take a visit out to meet Bettie and her kiddies. We would arrange the tour there and back without the slightest hesitation. Should you be wanting to donate anything, from clothing, to food, to blankets or simply a cash donation Bettie, the kids and myself, Crazy Dave would be most delighted.

For more info check out our website!

AND NOW FOR THE LAST LAUGH

I was having trouble with my computer so I called Richard, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over.
Richard clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?'
He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'
Richard grinned. 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?'
'No,' I replied.
'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T

I used to like the little brat.

SO TO WRAP UP

Remember these important handy hints:
Always travel safe.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Fondest regards to each and everyone of you from:
Crazy Dave, Bella, Theo, Sherese, Little Dylan and all the staff at Old Vic.