France - Combloux

Mont Blanc From Our Apartment

At The Foot Hills Of Mont Blanc

A week of competition has come and gone.
Richard really battled but I am so proud of him and from here he can only do better. It was 20 years since his last international competition so now he has a taste for it again.

The Mountain Lake

We have moved from Megeve to Combloux where we have this apartment that looks onto Mont Blanc.
It is a mountain with a personality that changes every half hour. It is
one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
We haven't been eating out much as our exchange is still dreadful but as we have a kitchen we have really good meals.

Combloux

We can buy salmon do die for and the fruit and veg are good.

My French Connection

We sit around like the locals doing the good food and good wine.
We have been to Mont Blanc and drove the 11 km tunnel to Italy and today we visited the first man made mountain lake.
Love the life style. So relaxed in the country.

France - Megeve

I can't believe we have been here in the south east of France for more than a week now.
We started off very organized.
Richard did all his practices and was shooting really good scores - 24s and 25s.
We had packed and when we Ubered to the Airport at OR Tambo we were quite relaxed. No last minutes fusses.
The shotgun went through with no hassle and it even helped us get to the front of the queue at the check in and off we

went.
We had fabulous seats but a two hour delay in the plane in Johannesburg.
Off to Abu Dhabi  and a quick change over to Geneva.
Then it started - the shotgun came through fine but our luggage was at Abu Dhabi.
Richard could not put in any practice as he had no kit, no glasses. Not a good start. For two days we just made do

with what we had as hand luggage.
First day of competition was an uphill for Richard and that put him way back.
We stayed in a beautiful chalet in Megeve with all the comforts of home.
Each day we would take the road winding to the top of the mountain in Megeve to the Ball Trap Club which was breath taking each time we drove.

Leopard's Lair - Middelburg

What I Remember

For a very long time I did not want to return to the Farm but I am past that and a while back we decided to take Christoffel up on his invitation.

The whole week I was excited as a kid to get to the weekend.

That Early Morning Quiet

Friday morning we packed, hooked up the quads and took a leisurely drive out. We took in the scenery and the new developments along the way. A new garage here and a house done up there, but the memories that we have are all good ones and slowly the familiar drifted back.

That BIG Pig

Friday afternoon Dirk, Harry and Richard went off to hunt and not even an hour later they were back with the bounty. A warthog when skinned and gutted of over 50 kg. Smiles on their faces and talk of how it stood and where it was hit. That's what Richard was looking to do for a very long time.

We had supper at the main house with a fire going, good wine and even better conversation.

The Impala

Saturday I was up before the crack of dawn. I could get to my quiet time and sit in the perfect spot waiting for the sun to appear on the horizon. What a beautiful sight.

We spend the day going back on to our old farm. We went through the first gate, took the center road and when we reached the second gate there was some trepidation. Should we or shouldn't we? I am not sure what that feeling was but we decided to go further.

Happy Chappies

I am so pleased we did. The farm is very run down - weed have taken over the pathways,fittings have been removed, ceilings have been damaged - but I did realize that my joy lies in where I am now and I have only happy memories that I have taken from the farm.

Richard and Harry went off to shoot an Impala in the afternoon, so we are now well stocked with biltong for quite some time.

Everything about this weekend was absolutely perfect.

South African National Champs In Paarl

Nelson Wine Farm

How we love the Cape - especially Paarl.

Richard is on point with his shooting and we are staying at Nelson Wine Farm not too far from the shooting range.

It is quiet and not a sole to disturb us.

We went out to Franschoek with Orazio and Val for lunch and then found a local place near our accommodation where the chef was a Harley rider but has since been banned by a wife, Now he cooks but still has his Harley bandanna.

Shooting was good with Richard winning his section.

I was first lad on day one but that soon fizzled to third position on day two.

We Left a day early and got a refund because there was a wedding and the drinking started in the morning and we were not going to wait for the evening celebrations.

Loved it all. 

Will be back next year

Eastern Cape and Natal Clay Target Championships.

16 March - 20 March 2017

Mother Goose

We had a few days to get washing done and the house cleaned up and are all ready to make the trip

Dinner On The Rocks

down to Port Elizabeth.

It is a really long drive but we stayed - Granny Goose - on a farm where we had a beautiful view of the valley and the ocean

Our hosts were absolutely fabulous and really looked after us.

Both nights eating out were good - Calamari at Barnacles, with a view of the ocean - one night and the next night at Elephant Walk Restaurant where we had delightful Fillet steak with pepper sauce.

Shooting was good - trip was good.

6 April - 10 April 2017

Looked forward to going to the Natal Open.

On the way down we took the back road just after Pietermaritzburg, through the rural area.

Natal Open

It was suggested to stay at the Bush Lodge in Umkomaas but after one night there we decided to move. Dirty shower, old thread bare linen - not good at all.

We then booked into La Paradis where we had a view of the ocean and a huge, clean bed.

The shoot was a battle for all but as always we loved the shooting.

Australia - Sydney

Friday and Saturday 3rd and 4th March was spend at sea again.

Manly Wharf

It is just eating and lazing around.

Sunday 5th March we were up on deck at 5:30 to see the Sydney Harbour as we sailed in.

A beautiful sight and well worth getting up so early.

A train ride into the city took us to our Hotel and oh-oh hiccup.

I had one of my blond moments and the date was wrong so we were off to another hotel.

A quaint little hotel across the Road Call Hotel Harry. Built in late 1800. A bit of a tight fir but clean and homey.

On The Water Bus

Sydney was not our cup of tea but we did try and get in as much as we could.

We bought an Opal ticket and for $15 dollars you can ride as many ferries, buses and trains as you
wish in a day.

So Tuesday 7th March we saw that we got to Manly and also to Bondi Beach which everyone said was a must.

Bondi Beach

I will take you up on that thought as it can not compare with some of our South African beaches.

It is very expensive to eat out in Sydney and the majority of the restaurants are Asian.

Really good to be going back home.

Australia - Voyager of the Seas

Tuesday – 21 Feb -  was a sad day to say goodbye to the kids for who knows how long.

Voyager of the Sea

Ryan and Hugh took us to Adelaide airport for our two-hour flight to Sydney.

Sydney Opera House

A twenty-minute train ride took us right to Circular Quay where this huge “Voyager of the Seas” was docked. Gigantic ship and awesome to see.

We went through customs – no problem. We checked in – no problem. Then through security – oh-oh problem. The official kept on scanning the kitbag – again and again. Eventually we were told to stand one side and then the drama began. To cut a long two-hour story short. I had not unpacked the kitbag, which is actually my shooting kitbag, properly and the was a live round in one of the pockets. Funny thing is that we had been scanned by so many authorities at the different airports and not one had found it. All ended well though and we set sail.

Sydney Bridge

Fine Dining

We have the next three days at sea. We eat and read our books - go to the live shows - eat – eat – and then also we sleep late.

Food is fabulous – Breakfast will be Eggs Benedict – Lunch is either Salmon or pastas the most delectable Sauces – Dinner is a 3 Course fine dining affair each night. Guess what we will be doing when we get back.

Saturday – 25 Feb – we docked in Lautoka, Fiji. Lautoka is the sugar hub of Fiji. On the western side of the island is a sugar mill that has been in use since 1903 and is one of the largest mills in the southern hemisphere. Sugar is the main export

A Busy Voyager of The Sea

here.

We needed a walk so saved our $8 each for a shuttle and took in the local town.

Port of Lautoko

The veggie market was packed with locals and the streets are just a hive of activity.

It was hot, sticky and busy and felt like one of our Natal coastal towns – but we were going to have a beer or two so we searched until we found the “3Hungry Bears” Here they call them wine and dines and not a restaurant.

Setting Sail from Lautoko

It was down a little street, had air con and the local Fiji Gold Beer. The owner even let us connect to his Wi-Fi so that we could check our emails.

Sunday – 26^th Feb – arrived in Suva the Capital of Fiji early this morning. Suva is on the island of Viti Levu.

Fire Walkers in Suva

We are booked on an excursion and on the dock boarded one of the local buses. We sometimes thought the bus was going to stop on us but this is the way the locals do it. We followed the highway (Tar road) along the west coast and an hour trip brought us to Pacific Harbour. At the Cultural Village, we were entertained by the fire walkers and the tribal dancers.

Fire Walkers In Suva

It was a good trip and really different.

Mystery Island - Vanuatu

Monday – 27^th Feb – Today we are at sea again. This is really a resting and relaxing time. The food is still fabulous and we are eating way too much and each night we have a live show.

Shows so far were:

The Fab Four singing Beatles music – terrible we left half way through. Adam Mada –  Magician – Stayed but will not go back. Danny McMaster – the Impressionist – Good. Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme – Okay, just so load you couldn’t enjoy the music. Caitlynn Carr singing Celtic – Good.

Isle Of Pines - New Caledonia

Mystery Island - Vanuatu

Tuesday – 28 Feb – Vanuatu awaits us today. We anchored just off Mystery Island and were shuttled to shore. It is the southern most point of the Vanuatu archipelago and completely uninhabited.

We lay on the white sands of the beach and swam in the Pacific. Beautiful.

After a beautiful meal our live show was Comedian Ricki Jay – Very good.

Wednesday – 1 March – We anchored at 0800 again today and this is the Isle of Pines and we are now at the French Islands that fall under New Caledonia.

Isle of Pines - New Caledonia

Bistro Impala - Noumea

We have to be shuttled out to the island again today but this is far bigger than Mystery Island. It has shops and restaurants and even a

hotel. We swam in a bay among schools of fish and strolled through the island.

There is a major difference here in comparison to the previous islands and you can feel the French influence.

Thursday – 2 March – Our last island to visit on this trip is Noumea, Capital of New Caladedonia.

The Marina in Noumea

We docked on the industrial side of the harbor and were amazed at the number of containers that were stored in the port. We cannot believe that this small island has such a thriving economy.

Sydney Harbour Last Morning

On shore, we made our way to the Marina of course but here the boats are mainly catamans and nothing like we are looking for.

It was extreeeemly hot and just to get a Wi-Fi connection we paid $11 for a beer at a quay side restaurant – Bistro Impala. They will only speak French to you and communication is a hit or miss.

We didn’t spend much time on the island and rather boarded the ship again to get some lunch.

Our show tonight was Hypnotist Anthony Laffan – Okay.

Australia - Adelaide

Adelaide From Mount Lofty

It is lazy time with the kids in Adelaide.

We do great meals and wine with them and chat late into the night - sometimes we feel like zombies in the morning but it is just good family time.

Tasting at "Bird In Hand"

Yesterday - Sunday 19th Feb - we went back up to Adelaide Hills and this time to Mount Lofty.

Through beautiful woods with hiking trails and up to the lookout points.

We arrived with some cloud and within minutes it lifted and we could see all the way to the ocean.

Kate knows the wine farms well and took us to "Bird In Hand"

The Family

We went through all the wines in a tasting session and landed up with a few bottles to take with.

I don't think they will last too long.

Richard and I spent the day on our own getting ready for tomorrows trip to Sydney and onto the cruiser.

We did spend a good amount of time at Henley Beach having a few beers and reading our books.

Australia - Adelaide

After loads of shooting the weekend we were all packed and ready to set off on Monday.

The Slow Lounge

I am always worried that all the dates are right, that all the visas are right, that all tickets are right.

Each time we travel we learn a bit more. 

Our New Luggage

This time we made use of the Slow Lounge at Johannesburg International and felt like International Jet-setters.

It is quiet and you can use the WiFi while lounging in very comfortable surroundings. You may help yourself to the buffet and enjoy coffee or wine - all on the house.

Adelaide Marina

Why did we not know about this before!!!!!!!!

Henley Beach Front with the Family

We flew Qantus - and boy oh boy - the seats are real close to each other with no leg room. Lets just say it was a very loooong flight.

Hahndorf

Sydney Airport was a breeze. We went through custom in two tics,then straight on to Adelaide were Ryan and the kids met us. Down at Henley Beachfront we had some beers and wine and Kate put on a delicious platter of cheese and meat. Not that we were hungry but after the plane food this was needed.

We lost Wednesday somewhere along the way with jet lag and somehow only woke at 1.30 pm. With the day gone we just stayed home, and relaxed.

Some History

Today, Thursday, we went up to the Adelaide Hills, to a little town called Hahndorf for lunch with Ryan. This is where the German originally settle and most of the buildings are still in tact and used as cafes and shops. It is so beautiful and restful with nobody rushing or speeding. It is so pleasant on the roads you can actually enjoy the scenery and not just clutch your arm rest and hope you get to where you want to go safely, as we do back home.

This is a very good start to our holiday.