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Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Story Continues . . . Arrive; Aquila

So as I said we were still in the air when in actual fact we should have boarded our plane already . . . .

We basically had to run (not easy with 2 x 80+ members of the group) from where we landed to where we had to board . . . Schipol is a big airport - and along the way I tried to get a golf cart for my Mum & Cathie - but to no avail - these things have to be booked in advance - they do not believe in responding reactively . . . We eventually made it and we were not that late - as we approached we were ushered into a shorter queue - we made it on board and Maureen; Mum & Cathie were together - whereas I was miles away - that cost me a lot of money . . . lol - not at all - they have 3 seats next to each other - so I was excess baggage really - they were in 3 D, E & F or something like that - I was 41 B - yes the sought after middle seat (not) . . . ended up sitting next to an Opera singer - Edmondo - quite an interesting character - whenever the trolley came past he would ask "Cognac Andrew" and I would smile and nod my head . . .

It was a day flight - we left early morning and arrived in Cape Town at about 22h30 . . . It wasn't bad at all actually - found the return flight (a night flight) was a lot worse . . . .

We arrived on time and because of my permanent residence in South Africa - I am allowed to stand in the SA passport holders queue - which was much shorter than all those tourist types . . lol (like me) - so I was through in no time . . . however, I was no sooner through than I heard my name being announced and being told to report to lost property - and I thought I know what this is about - it will be the luggage - we just made it in time for the plane but guaranteed our luggage did not make it - and true enough it was the luggage - we were told they would be on the next KLM flight . . but that was only the following evening - and of course they would only be delivered the following day - so we landed Monday evening - all going well - we should get it on Wednesday morning . . . . Now I don't know about you, but, I consider myself to be a fairly seasoned traveller, however, I do not carry spare speedo's in my hand luggage - a laptop yes . . . and I had had toothpaste / deodorant confiscated - anything over 100ml - not allowed / verboten in your hand luggage . . . . We were told we could spend up to 100 Euro's on basic toiletries and some clothes etc., We had a taxi / shuttle service waiting to take Mum; Cathie & myself through to Milnerton - we left Maureen with Graeme as she was staying with him. We arrived at our accommodation at approximately 00h15

I was in the pool first thing the following morning . . . . shortly afterwards we hit Centre Point (local shopping centre) and bought a number of things - I went to Mr Price (SA Primark) and bought some shorts / t-shirts / sandals and then went to Clicks and stocked up on the toiletries
as did Mum & Cathie. On way back to 12 Bells - our accommodation - I was describing Stoffel's jeep and lo and behold I saw a jeep parked nearby and I said just like that one - with that I saw Stoffel crossing the road . . . I shouted but he never heard me - I stood next his jeep and waited for him . . . met him and went home with him to pick up the BMW - which he gave me for the duration of my stay . . . .

Had a braai the first evening (Tuesday) Jessila, Arran and Elaine popped round . . . visited Graeme and Maureen / Kyra-Lee; went to Spur; had some more braai's - generally just chilled - weather was absolutely stunning ; could not have asked for more; wind blew a bit - the old Cape Doctor - the South Easter was blowing by the time Samantha arrived on the following Monday morning. The Sunday went to 'Riverside' in Franschoek on the Sunday for lunch - they had a musician playing popular songs - food was good - service was terrible . . . . and loads of flies all over the place - an idyllic setting.

Sam and Hud arrived early Monday morning - and Tuesday we left for Aquila - private game reserve . . . I had my reservations as I didn't quite know what to expect . . . was also not sure that they would have what one normally associates with a safari . . . . I was soon to realise it was the real thing - it is about 100km from Cape Town - 10km before Touwsrivier - take the R46 for Ceres and it is about 2km down that road - all very well organised and a success story as Touwsrivier has no real industry and this employs most of its staff from here . . . it has identified a niche market as a lot of people only come to Cape Town and do not venture inland in South Africa. Now I am not saying this is a mini Kruger national park - but it does have everything you are looking for . . . the big five: Lions; Elephant; Rhino; Buffalo; Hippo; Giraffe etc., - so it was very impressive. The accommodation was outstanding as was the catering . . . .

We went on an evening game drive and then 06h00 the next morning - I have to safe it was freezing the evening - and I am talking about 17h00 - Sam sat with 2 blankets around her - I even had a blanket for the morning 06h00 game drive and that was the better of the two as most of the animals seemed more active at this time . . . .

We had dinner; breakfast and lunch - all a buffet and the selection was outstanding and the food exquisite - a sea food potjie; meats everything you could dream of - and lovely dessert . . . my only regret - I didn't have a swim . . .

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Silence - no more! Work - Cape Town South Africa March 2008

Photo's - all mine - 1 & 2 Table Mountain from Table View - (Sam & Hud) 3 - a gorge from on top of Table Mountain (CPT harbour in background) - 4 Canal Walk



Wow! It has been quite some time since I posted - my humble apologies . . . a lot has happened since I wrote to you last - I want to get back into the swing of writing / maintaining my Blog . . . this will start with a posting and may in fact instead of 1 massive posting may evolve into a series of postings . . . let us see how it evolves . . .

A quick update then - what have I been up to - working hard - I can tell you - but that was all for a specific goal and culminated in a night out with Kirsteen; Trish; Ian & Linda - this was followed shortly there after with my trip to Cape Town to celebrate my 50 years on this planet. Who all went along - My Mum & Cathie (her friend) Sam & Hud - we hired a house in Milnerton (near Centre Point . . . .) but as usual I am getting ahead of my self . . . .

So how did the work go - I hear you ask . . . well numerous Teams / different Processes and IT Systems - at times it was impossible to get everything to talk to each other . . . which made end to end examples and walk through's virtually impossible - it then became a case of explaining this is how it will work - with a few raised eyebrows as in 'so you say' but where is the proof. I ended up following UAT (user acceptance testing) scripts so that I could get a complete and integrated picture of how it all works - this enabled me to document the whole process including actual screen dumps / captures - so that we had step-by-step dummy guides . . .

How would I rate the Training - it was problematic because of integration problems and everything being so dynamic - IT were still developing and ironing things out whilst we approached launch date . . . . all very challenging but exciting times . . . right up my street - I love nothing better than being faced with the unknown - and diving in and sorting it out for myself and then attempting to impart that knowledge to others . . . I can be very critical of myself . . . I have been in the game long enough to know when I have done well and when I could have done better . . . . and on some occasions I could have done better . . . .

Well as I said everything worked itself up into a nice little frenzy - with even myself having to work 7 days a week towards those crucial deadlines . . . . everything - for me peeked the end of February - as I had come into the project with my South Africa trip booked - so it was non negotiable . . .

The Friday 29 Feb - don't get them every year - lol - we went out for a few drinks - for me it was the beginning of my holiday - had spent the day in Edinburgh - met my SA mytjie - doing Training - in attempt to tick another few boxes - managed to do about 60 percent but just couldn't do it all - so somewhat frustrating - but we can only do what we can do . . . . not so? Anyway had a good night out . . . champagne right at the end of the evening - I think is worse than shooters - if you ask me . . . .Trish & I shared a taxi home - I got her home safe and I slept over at my Mum's - left my car at work and picked it up on the Sat morning . . .

So it was now all systems GO! for the South African tour . . . I ended up deciding to park my car at the airport - NCP - flightpath - cost a bit of money as it was almost 3 weeks - but benefit is it is right at the airport - could of got cheaper parking - but then its at least 20 minutes away and you have to give them your keys and they move the car - etc., and HEY! I only just bought my car (a Nissan Micra tjie) the middle of Feb - so I didn't like the idea of Tom Dick and Harry driving around in my car - and the difference over the 3 weeks was something like £4 ???? so it was really a no brainer which one I was going to opt for . . .

Well 3 March arrived - departure date - and would we not have a blizzard . . . the worst weather we have had in the last year . . . I mean what is that about - the country throws a damn site more than a hissy fit . . . . what a confusing set up Maureen (my sister) stays just round the corner from my Mum - gets her own taxi - I drive by myself - leaving the two old yins ( my Mum & Cathie) both over 80 to see to themselves . . . quirky - to say the least - I got their first and booked everyone in (kind of) - woman told me they are old enough to look after themselves - but she did group everyone together - or so I thought . . .

When I arrived at the flightpath (had to circle the airport twice before I found it) as I had said the weather was terrible - so the shuttle bus arrived just as I was parking so I kinda hurried to catch it . . .made it no problem - but as we drove off I realised that in my haste I had forgot to lock my car - what now - we were already driving away . . . took a chance and pressed the lock on my keys and in the distance saw the car indicators respond - just before we turned the corner . . . lol. Arrived in the departure hall - flying KLM - too early - desks not even open - what time was it you are saying - this was 03h45 - I think - flight was 05h55 or something . . . my suitcase was overweight and had get a heavy tag - no problem though - I can vouch for it it was damn heavy - don't talk about hand luggage - it was dfficult to lift . . . anyway done and hauled out the names of the rest of my party . . . .and pre-booked them all in . . . they arrived in drips and drabs . . . .

When we got on to the plane it was still snowing heavily - they ended up having to clear the runway (this is the first plane out in the morning) and hose the ice off the plane - to cut a long story short we only left somewhere around 06h30 . . . we were still in the air approaching Amsterdam when we were supposed to have boarded our plane for Cape Town . . . .