Argus Part 2...

Our weekend was full of cycling.  On Sunday morning, Danie was up with the birds to take part in the Main Argus Cycle Tour.  It's 109 scenic, gruelling kilometers around our beautiful Cape Peninsula.  It wrecks havoc with the traffic and road closures and results in about 30,000 people suffering with extremely sore legs and bottoms.

Needless to say, after having taken part in the Junior Tour, Jake was very excited about the main race.  We packed a picnic, made a flask of hot chocolate (aren't the mornings starting to get cool - the idea of winter just about kills me), then stopped in at Danie's to grabbed some blankets and a spare tyre tube for Danie that he'd left at home.  We had planned to watch the riders along Boyes Drive, which is very near to Danie's house and Danie knew to look out for us along there too, which meant we had a pretty good chance of seeing him.  We ended up having to hike up steep Old Boyes Drive to get to our view point.  We spread out our blanket and poured our hot chocolate, clapping and cheering as the cyclists passed us.  It was THE perfect morning for cycling, not a breath of wind, which is highly unusual for this time of year in the Cape.

Sunrise halfway along our hike, looking out over Marina da Gama...

Jake, excited to see the main riders...

The first bunch of cyclists we saw coming past, was Group A.  There were 3 or 4 groups that went ahead of Group A, but we missed them.  Still, these guys are the professionals, they are serious about their cycling and they are fast.  The wind propulsion that follows the bunch is incredible.  One of the most interesting things for me about watching the race up close like this, was seeing the different groups go by.  The serious riders stick together in a bunch, like in the picture below.  As the groups get less and less professional, the distances between the groups becomes less.  Eventually, by the time we got down to about Group S, they were all kind of merged into one continuous stream.  Danie rode in Group H, which was a really good starting place, amongst the seeded riders.

Group A...

One of the Group A stragglers, with Group B closing in quickly behind him...

This was Group H - Danie's in there somewhere.  Amazingly, he did spot us and since they were riding up hill, he slowed a little extra and I was able to pop the spare tube into his hand and he high-fived Jake as he rode past...

There he goes...

One of the highlights was definitely the riders themselves.  I was overwhelmed by how many people bothered to wave, smile or say a few words as they passed by.  It was amazing to see people in fancy dress, to see the many charities being supported by the cyclists, to see the different modes of bicycles, to hear the cyclists chatting and laughing as they encouraged one another to the end, to see blind men riding on the backs of tandems and disabled men peddling with their arms.  Although I'm not sure that all the people riding these bikes were disabled, some definitely were...

By the time most people got to us and I'd realised that they were worth taking a picture of, they'd gone past already.  It was fun trying to capture a few moments.  So many riders were already so exhausted by the time they got to us (about 25km into the race).  The next couple of pictures are just a few of individual riders...

I would definitely fall off this bike.  I mean how do you actually get on there in the first place?

Ummm... I'm sure that this man's bottom was sore in more ways than one.  Here's hoping he remembered his sun block...

I was also amazed by how many elderly folks were riding...

A fairy of sorts.  And another one with a sore bottom on the way...

Jake liked this lady.  She was wearing the same cycling top that he'd raced in the day before...

There were a lot of teams riding together too, always good to see team support...

This is looking back up the hill.  We sat below the road sign on the left.  It was the 84km to go mark, not very encouraging, in my opinion...

By 9am, we were ready to go.  There was still a steady stream of cyclists coming through, but we'd been there since about 7am.  Danie passed us at 7:40 and we'd seen a few other friends, including Danie's brother.  We headed back down Old Boyes Drive and home again. Now that the sun's up, you can see a little more.  This is part of the Marina (Danie's house is quite a bit further to the left of this picture) and Muizenberg Beach is in the background.  So pretty...

Happy chappie, still wearing his medal and new cycling T-shirt...

All in all, it was a fun morning for Jake and I.  He loved seeing the people in fancy dress and so many people spoke to him and high-fived him along the way.  They also tried to steal his breakfast roll, which he thought was very funny.  As for Danie, considering that he hasn't done as much training as he would've liked to, he did really, really well, finishing in less than 3 1/2 hours.  I am very impressed!!

Secretly, I'm also more than a little  jealous that I haven't done the ride before.  Besides the cycling part, it looks like so much fun!  My running partner, Sueann, did her first ride this year too and also did really well.  She's convinced that she can get me to train and ride with her next year - we'll see.  I quite enjoyed sitting on the side of the road eating breakfast, drinking hot chocolate and watching the passing parade of cyclists.  Also, my legs were tired from walking up Old Boyes Drive (it's steep), so I would really need to get a lot fitter.  Anyone keen to join me?

Sue XXX

Argus Part 1...

Saturday morning was the Junior Argus Cycle Tour.  Jake was adamant that he'd be doing the 10km ride this year, after having done the 5km last year.  We have spent quite a bit of time on our bicycles this year, just doing short trips to the local shopping centre and to visit family nearby.  We definitely haven't done 10kms!!  On one slightly longer trip (probably about 5km), Jake had to stop 3 times for water, so I wasn't holding my breath for a great ride on Saturday and was secretly quite relieved that he had Danie to ride with him.  Before the race, I made Jake promise that he wouldn't whine and moan about being thirsty and tired, that it wasn't a race (it always is when it comes to boys though) and that he just needed to go out there and have fun.  Needless to say, he did stop for water plenty of times en route, but he had a great time and he is so, so proud of the medal he "won".  Well done, Jake!  And thank you, Danie, for riding with him, you're the best!

At Danie's house the morning of the ride...

An excited little man.  That's Laila's snout on the right...

Arriving at the race track (Youngsfield Military Base, which is just around the corner from where my mom grew up)...

Jake & Jamie, Danie's brother's son.  Jake adores Jamie.  They were hoping to win the PS3 that was being given away...

There was lots of entertainment for the kids, including magic and snake shows before the ride.  The boys are watching the snake show here...

Jake with his cousins, as he calls them, Kira and Jamie, all ready to go...

As a surprise, Jake's Granny and Grandpa came through to watch his ride...

My boys all set for action...

Looking cool after lap one...

This guy was super good.  The commentators kept calling him Michael Schumacher...

All done - well done, Jake!!  And I think well done Danie!  It's crazy out there, the kids are all over the show, which is why I'm glad I could stand on the sidelines and take photos.  I would've fallen, or crashed into a kid.  Probably my own...

Coming through to collect his medal and goodie bag...

I'm super proud of you, my beautiful (naughty) boy...

Happy cyclists...

And one last one with his proud mommy.  Shew - I know where Jake gets his white pins from now...

To those of you with kids, this is such a lovely, fun day out as a family.  The tricycle tour is only 2.5km, then there's the 5km and the 10km rides.  They all get medals (if they finish), a cool drink and a goodie bag, which had a packet of crisps, a cereal bar, a bucket & spade, a canal walk voucher, a spur voucher, a lollipop and a few other odds and ends in it.  There are water points along the road for them too.  It was not expensive either - I paid R135 to register Jake to ride with one adult rider, plus paid for an extra adult rider and bought him a gorgeous T-shirt.  All for R135??  Join us next year, it'll be fun!!

Once again, well done Jake, you're my super star!!

Sue X

March 10th...

is finally over... It's always a sad day on my calendar and one I never look forward to, always feeling "happy" when I can turn out my lights at the end of the day and know that it's over for another year.

You see, yesterday would've been my 10 year wedding anniversary.  And no matter where life takes me, it'll always be a day full of memories.  Happy memories, that make me sad.  It's unbelievable how things have changed in the last decade, how I've changed.  I am not the carefree, worry-free girl I was back then, life has moulded me into someone very different from that.

In 10 years, I have aged 10 years.  I have moved house 3 times.  I have bought a house, which we live in now, I have learnt and I am still learning, how to cope as a single parent, both financially and emotionally.  It's tough and there are a lot of decisions to be made, but Jake and I have an incredible bond and he really is the light of my life.  I don't know where I'd be today (if here at all) if I hadn't had him to force me through the difficult days.  I have become independent.  I am not scared to live alone and drive around town alone.  Jake and I travel to amazing destinations, something I have come to love doing.  I love travelling and exploring the world.  I have made a ton of really incredible friends, who are all like angels to me.  I have seen both my sisters marrying the men of their dreams.  I have become an auntie to Connor and soon to Bianca as well (I also have two gorgeous nieces, who are growing up faaaaaar too quickly). 

This time of year is always a strong reminder of the things that we've been through as a family.  March 11th marks the anniversary of my dad's transplant (in 1998), so today is another emotional one for us all.  We've ordered a special bottle of champagne and a cake for them as a surprise on the boat today.  Having them away yesterday was also tough.  My mom is so good at distracting me when I'm feeling down, but we all know that we are thinking about one another no matter the distance.

Anyway... before I have my sister's in tears again, I just wanted to say thank you to my many friends and family who helped me pass the day with phone calls, sms's and supper.  A special thanks to Rose, it was awesome having company last night, but my head is a little sore this morning and I did forget to set my alarm for my run...  You are all amazing, thank you!!

Aside from that, we have another busy weekend coming up.  Jake's doing the 10km Junior Argus tomorrow- he's very excited about it - he gets a goodie bag and medal if he finishes, which he can take to school and have handed to him during next week's assembly.  I just hope he can actually finish it, we've done very little training.  Danie does the main Argus on Sunday, which will take up most of the day for him.  Jake & I might go watch for a while from the top of Boyes Drive, but it depends largely on the weather and traffic.  If I can convince Jake, we might opt to do something a little more exciting than watching bikes whizz past...

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend with your nearest and dearest!!

Love,
Sue XXX

Wish Me Luck...

As you wave me goodbye.  What an emotional day!!  Watching a boat set sail out of Cape Town Harbour is NOT for sissies and both Jake and I were left feeling exhausted and very emotional yesterday.  Added to the emotions that go with saying goodbye, the ONLY thing I can remember from Jacques' funeral is a story about a boat getting smaller on one side, but getting bigger and closer on the other. Added to that, I have a wedding anniversary (who knew life could change so much in 10 years) coming up this week, so I am just a little over-emotional at the moment.  Seeing a boat, carrying my parents, was saaaaaaaaad...

Melody with our beautiful mountain in the background.  It was a perfect, calm day for a boat trip...

Mom and Dad had a great send off, with a few friends coming down to the harbour to say their goodbyes.  Mom had bought balloons for herself and Jake - green, white and red, the colours of the Italian flag.  The plan was that as Mom let each colour off, Jake was to follow, but we missed her white one and her green one popped, so he let all three of his off when she let go of her last one.  The last balloon was the red one, which she'd told Jake meant love.

Jake with his balloons...

Mom and Dad on the deck...

 The boat getting ready for it's big journey...

 The tug coming to fetch the boat from the quayside...

Mom and sharing a kiss with her sister, Christine.  Alongside are my Uncle Bill, Mr & Mrs Sharpe and Dad checking out his camera/phone...

Pulling up the gang plank.  Bins are full of rubbish from cleaning up after the previous voyage.  The boat only came into port on Monday morning and guests were allowed on board from 1:30pm again...

Someone should've told that guy that he'd had an accident in his pants before he bent over to let the ropes loose...

The tug in place and ready for action.  Signal Hill in the background...

The boat begins to move and the crowds cheer...

It's unbelievable how they manoeuvre that huge ship in such a small space...

Turning right around with Cape Town's CBD in the background...

Coming out of the basin...

Moving through the harbour...

Not the best photo, but if you look carefully on the top deck, you'll be able to see a red balloon - that's Mom...

Passing the harbour wall and heading out into open waters...

Turning...

Saying farewell to the tug and she's off...

Needless to say, I tried to be brave, but shed more than a few tears.  When we got home, Jake collapsed in floods of tears on the front stoep - he just wanted to speak to his Nini and Pa and was already missing them.  My poor baby...  Fortunately, they had cell phone reception till just after 6pm, so he was able to phone them.  Mom and Dad seemed very excited to finally be on the boat and ready to go. Their cabin sounds lovely with plenty of space.  I know that it is going to be a very happy time for them!!

Love,
Sue xxx

Bon Voyage...

Today my mom and dad embark on an adventure of a life time, as they board the "Melody" and set sail for ITALY!!!  They have a few friends and family members going with, including my mom's sister and her husband.  Their cruise will be 18 days long and they stop at many interesting spots along the way.  Because I am who I am, I will bore you with their itinerary: -

07-03-2011 - Depart Cape Town Harbour at 16h00
08-03-2011 - At Sea
09-03-2011 - Arrive in Walvis Bay, Namibia, at 08:00, depart at 17:00
10-03-2011 - At Sea
11-03-2011 - At Sea
12-03-2011 - Arrive in Jamestown, St Helena, at 13:00, depart at 19:00.  My uncle has a friend living on St Helena, who will pick them up at the harbour and who is going to take them on a quick tour of the island
13-03-2011 - At Sea
14-03-2011 - At Sea
15-03-2011 - At Sea
16-03-2011 - At Sea
17-03-2011 - Arrive Dakar, Senegal at 10:00, depart 18:00
18-03-2011 - At Sea
19-03-2011 - At Sea
20-03-2011 - Arrive Arrecife de Lanzarote, Canary Island/Spain, at 08:00, depart 18:00
21-03-2011 - At Sea
22-03-2011 - Arrive Cadiz, Spain, at 08:00, depart 19:00
23-03-2011 - At Sea
24-03-2011 - Arrive Barcelona, Spain, at 07:00, depart 13:00
25-03-2011 - Arrive Genoa, Italy at10:00

Once they disembark, they have another 3 nights in Italy, before flying home.  All in all, a 3 week holiday.  The first half of 2011 has been a very stressful, roller coaster type of year and I think that this trip is just what Mom and Dad need.  No cooking, no cleaning, just relaxing on the deck and being pampered from morning till night.  I'm pretty sure on 5 meals a day, including afternoon tea and midnight snacks, they're both going to come back slightly rounder than they're leaving, but that's also a sign of a great time away. 

I'm feeling quite emotional about them going, as are my sisters, but we all know that it's going to be such a happy time for Mom and Dad and we wish them everything of the very best.  What an adventure!!  We will miss having them around the corner and will miss being able to pop in for a quick swim or a chat.  Jake and I are going down to the harbour for 3:30 this afternoon, so that we can watch them getting the boat ready and wave goodbye.  I think that's the part that's choking me up the most - seeing the boat pull away and getting smaller and smaller.  Needless to say, I will have my camera with me and Jake holding my hand tightly - both of which provide some distraction.  I've also promised Jake that we can go to the aquarium afterwards for a little while and get something to eat in the Waterfront.

Mom and Dad - have an amazing time, you deserve it so much.  Probably more than anyone else we know.  Enjoy every moment and enjoy not having a care in the world.  Relax as much as possible.  We love you so much and will miss you stacks while you're away.  We already can't wait for you to come home and share your adventures with us.  Dad, take lots of photos, even if mom gets annoyed...

With lots of love,
Sue XXX

Bitch & Wine...

That's the name of our book club - don't laugh, if you knew us well enough, you'd understand that it's very apt.  Our book club's been running for 8 years this year.  We've had our differences along the way and members have come and gone. 

 From left to right: Amanda, Lauren, Becks, Christina, Lee-Anne, me, Ciska and Joanne.  Belinda's taking the picture and her sister, Wendy, is off on maternity leave after just having her first baby.

Last night, while chatting to the girls, I got thinking about the demographics of our club.  We are officially 10 members now.  Out of the 10, 3 are very single, 3 are married, 3 are divorced, 1 is widowed, 3 have kids, 2 are engaged, 2 have boyfriends, 1 is pregnant, 1 has just given birth, 1 has just gotten married, 1 just divorced 2 are foreigners (incidentally, they're the 2 that are engaged, both to South African men), 1 is just home from a long stint overseas, 1 is about to embark on a 6-week journey to Paris (lucky cow).  At nearly 34, I'm the oldest in our group and often feel like a bit of a wall flower.  Let me say, that this is a wild, crazy group of girls.  I have never lived life the way some of them do.   Not that I regret it, but it is fun seeing and hearing how the other half live. 

Over the 8 years that we've been running, we've seen each other through some pretty hectic stuff.  Breakups and makeups, deaths, divorce, babies and weddings.  For me, when I lost Jacques, hanging out with girlfriends was fabulous.  I didn't feel like the odd one out, I wasn't missing a partner, because he wouldn't have been invited anyway. We all come from very different walks of life, but that's what makes it so interesting.  We have a very strict policy of what happens in book club, stays in book club, so I can't go into more detail about what gets said and done, but it is always interesting.  There are just some things that girls get, that guys don't.  We speak to each other and listen, we empathise without trying to fix things.  It's good to get things in perspective and get other women's opinions.  Women just know women so well and it's always good spending time together. 


I really didn't feel like going out last night, I had a headache and was very tired, but, I had a really lovely evening with the girls.  Even though I got very little sleep last night, hanging out with the girls did me the world of good!!

Till next time,
Cheers! XXX

PS.  So much for book club - I forgot the books at home last night!!

Finally...

A little while ago, you might remember me writing about the Office Bitch.  Well, as of Monday, my office is officially Bitch-free!!!  Yep, our dear little misery has been dismissed and gone off to "greener pastures".  Do I feel sorry for him - heck ja!  He will never find another job where he can slack off like he has here and earn the fat salary that he had the potential to, if he'd been prepared to go out and look for clients.  I think he's a very sad, lonely, miserable person and I do feel very sorry for him for that.  I can't comment on what he's like outside the office these days, but for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, he's been like a little black cloud in the office. And it's not only me that feels this way, everybody else in the office has passed comment at some stage or another.

But, selfishly, for me, I'm ECSTATIC that I never have to be ignored by him every morning.  As much as I tried to be friendly, over the last month I caved and have just given up my politeness towards him.  I even snapped at him over not completing his one bit of work that he did incorrectly.  It was affecting my job and I can honestly say that can't and don't want "friends" who are prepared to treat others that way.  It was totally childish and uncalled for.  I can only guess that he was jealous of my relationship with my wonderful, amazing, lovely, sweet boyfriend and it was his way of getting back at me.  Tosser.  Oh, I forgot to mention, the cherry on top of the rudeness cake was that he didn't even have the courtesy to say a simple goodbye.  After 3 years of working together, he just left.  It irritates me, but I'll get over it very quickly (just hand me a glass of champagne to celebrate!!) Anyway, work is a much happier place for me right now and everyone seems more cheerful.  Danie wisely told me that I should be nicer about this, but I can't.  It's all about making choices about your mental state and the O.B. chose to be a little black rain cloud, instead of a bright yellow ray of sunshine.  I choose otherwise for myself.

Here's to many more happy days in the office...

Sue X