NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
HAPPY 2008!!
First Quarter of 2008 Finished!
Mid Year Already
As we spring into Spring!
All will be fine in 2009
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 First
Quarter of 2008 Finished!
And on that note, a warm and hearty hello to all you reading
this our second newsletter right now! Hope the sun has shone
plentiful on you, and that you so far 2008 has been all you
wished for and more!! We most certainly have had our greatest
wish granted. We are very happy to announce that Bella is 21
weeks pregnant – and looking absolutely beautiful. The due date
is 29th August and the doc reckons we can start preparing for a
bouncing baby boy!
Easter bounced in and out with the Easter Bunny filling the
kids’ tummies with yummy chocs (not to mention mom and dad!).
 Although
the Chocolates definitely were not top of the list for Theo, he
has a new hobby, I hate to admit this but ….. I am battling to
take an interest in this one, and who can blame me ? Unless you
a snake charmer – which I sure aint! He is currently housing 5
snakes – Yikes! I keep asking him to ensure that they stay well
away from me …… Although I have to give him credit, as he really
is incredibly talented when it comes to the caring and nurturing
of these little critters and keeps an eye on them 24/7 so I
guess it’s a case of …………Hey whatever blows your hair back!
The rest of the Motley crew are 200% great – as always. Living
at Old Vic – who can blame them!
Comrades training is on track! I completed the 56km race from
Sabie to Lydenburg which was pretty hard work as its 1000m climb
but will be well worth it when I am cruising the street at a
casual and comfortable pace on Comrades day.
It’s been quite a feat, as the family have been literally man
down with the flu and I was ducking and dodging ,felt fit as a
fiddle, until that one little germ managed to sneak up when I
had my guard down – and Whamo was man down for a couple of days.
But made sure I doctored myself and was soon as fit as a fiddle
as Sherese and I had booked and went to an all day concert –
which I am sure is world renowned by now – it was the Coke Fest
…. And I am sure we all well aware the biggest excitement was
having Paris Hilton on our shores – together with some really
excellent bands, namely Good Charlotte, Kaiser Chief, Muse, Korn
……….was truly an amazing time although I seriously hope that my
13 year old daughter never intends to dress the way some of the
people there were dressed - just gotta wonder who dared them!
Bella and I are still enjoying our Yoga, it’s a great time, that
we enjoy – time for ourselves.
NEWS ON OLD VIC.....
The Easter break was very busy for us as we had the Easter
bowlers with us, which was great – we were all very proud of
Nigel Barr(and his team), still a youngster, and he beat all the
old guys which was a real winner for him and I’m sure the older
guys are gonna reassess their game before next year! Although as
always fun was had by all!
 Old
Vic has been busy, and interestingly enough we did a informal
survey of our own, and have noticed our Top Old Vic visitors are
as follows………….our fellow folk, yip, South Africans, RSA
followed closely behind, by firstly, the UK, Germany, Dutch, and
then the Good Old USA! Interesting hey?
We are very proud to say that the folks keep coming back for
more of Bella’s scrumptious 3 course meals, which are still
excellent value, even though the petrol and everything else
keeps rising!
Also we have Elize, who will be with us for the next six months.
She is studying tourism, we welcome her and wish her well in her
studies as well as her stay in Sunny South Africa.
Although it’s Sunny South Africa, the winter day’s are slowly
creeping up on us.There is most definitely a slight chill in the
mornings allowing us to snuggle an extra five minutes in our
warm woolie blankets. The day’s are generally warm and the chill
returns as evening approaches which is always an excellent
excuse to light the fireplace and relax as you contemplate the
day.
Before we know it the “J” months will be upon us …yip June and
July….
With June comes the very renowned Nelspruit “In die Bos” that
literally envelopes every crevice of Nelspruit, it is the most
amazing vibe, with the city been filled with many different
people of every walk of life. All here to experience and
literally live the Music – its excellent fun and a definite on
Nelspruits calendar each year!
Followed straight after with July where we look forward to once
again welcoming the Tenteleni group, which is a group of plus
minus 20 English university students that will teach in the
local township schools. It truly is always so great to have them
and we certainly miss them when they go!
And lastly on the Old Vic news, the Dutch school students have
just returned from a well derserved 3 week holiday. We delighted
to have them back as they settle into the routine of welcoming
them “home to Old Vic” every weekend.
KRUGER FLEXI TOURS
 Our
tours have been really awesome. Although April/Easter was a tad
quiet which we have learnt, is always the calm before the storm
as July rolls on we are most certainly kept on our feet. We are
still very proud to announce that we still brag the best sitings
on most of our tours, with all of the Big Five been seen.
On our one tour we were privilged to spot the endangered Wild
Dogs – not once but twice! Which was really great if your
consider there are only 300 of these incredible animals left,
and we all know just how vastly spread out Kruger is.
Another major win for our visitors was seeing 500 Elephants
running full speed across the road, right in front of our eyes!
Although our guests managed to capture this on camera (I
wouldn’t be surprised if the pics were blurry) this experience
will forever remain a highlight in their memories too !
On the tour I returned from yesterday, we were fortunate to see
four different leopards in twenty five hours, with the bonus
been the Zebra that was been chased by the leopard, who decided
that no way was it going to end like this, and before our eyes,
we witnessed him do an about turn and chase the leopard away.
Our Dutch students were also lucky enough to see a cheetah and
her 3 cubs, as they ambled the veld entertaining the group for
20 minutes!!!
We generally stay at Lower Sabie, which is the top camp, this is
really an ideal spot as from this camp we are able to
comfortably travel in all directions.
 An
extra option which is very advisable as it really can be an
incredible experience is to do the morning walk, which is about
3-4 hours. Irwin and a guide with a gun ensure this walk is most
informative and safe. Although it’s definitely advisable to book
this experience early as understandably only 8 people are
allowed on the walk at a time. It makes such a difference, you
don’t realize how much you miss been in the car, you tend to
miss the smaller creatures of Kruger. On our last walk we were
blown away as we came fairly close to not only Rhinos, but
elephants and Buffalo;s too.
As winter approaches the gates at Kruger open later – which
allows our guest to sneak another 5 minutes in their cosy beds
before we head out into the wilderness. Where we will most
certainly do our utmost to fulfill everyone’s dream to see their
favourite animal or animals as well as the tiny creatures too!
Have to say my absolute favourite is the cheetah. Interestingly,
most guests say their favourites are the Giraffe and the lion.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
 DID
YOU KNOW ………………..
• Giraffes only sleep 20 minutes a day ….While the lion sleeps
up to 20 hours a day!!!! Mmmm……… sure is the life of a lion !
• A Giraffe has 7 vertebrates in their neck, as do we!
• Also a giraffe can kick in all directions and has even been
known to kick a lion to death – perhaps the lion should cut down
on some sleeping hours ………
• Although……………….lion’s can do 100 meters in four and a half
seconds – Olympic officials start allowing a race for the Lions!
• But then again, I reckon the lions wouldn’t have time for
Olympics as they mate up to 40 times a day, although each of
these interludes are short and sweet.
ON A SERIOUS NOTE:
Safety tips while in SA…
 It’s
a very sad reality that I have lost 2 friends due to car
accidents in the last couple of months. My condolences to their
families at this senseless tragedy. It is really sad to note
that over 1500 people die on South African roads in the December
– Christmas period alone.
Always remember :
• Never ever drive fast. SPEED KILLS
• Always anticipate what the other driver will do next – never
take for granted the fact they will stop at robots,
intersections etc.,
• If possible do not drive at night – it is a real fact that
there are plenty of cars out there with no headlights, also
always bear in mind the animals and people that wander into the
street.
• If possible plan your trip, and if it’s a long distance trip –
buy a map and keep it close at hand.
NEVER NEVER stop on the side of the road and never pick up hitch
hikers.
DRIVE SAFELY AND REACH YOUR DESTINATION HAPPILY AND SAFE.
AND NOW FOR THE LAST LAUGH
A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked
the Priest beside her, "Father, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course. What may I do for you?
"Well, I bought an expensive woman's electronic hair dryer for
my mother's birthday that is unopened and well over the Customs
limits, and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way
you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes
perhaps?"
"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not
lie." "With your honest face, Father, no one will question you.”
When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her.
The official asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?"
"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to
declare."
The official thought this answer strange, so asked, "And what do
you have to declare from your waist to the floor?" I have a
marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which
is, to date, unused." Roaring with laughter, the official said,
"Go ahead, Father!
Thank You
Regards Dave
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