(N.P.O. Registration No. 042-132-NPO)
Dear Members and Friends,
So the World Cup has been and gone with huge success, apart from a hiccough at Durban’s new airport. Everyone associated with it is to be congratulated. We should ponder how we are to make proper use of the facilities we inherited, as we join the queues on our highways once again. John MacQueen sent me information on how the UK Ramblers’ Association were advertising their tours during the World Cup:
We guarantee you'll be blown away by the captivating contrasts and vibrancy of the Rainbow Nation
• Wild Country • Sub-tropical Beaches • Game Viewing • World Heritage Sites • Drakensburg Mountains
• Table Mountain • The Zulu Heartlands • Flowers of Cape province with over 9000 species • Kruger National Park with over 400 species of birds and 120 species of mammals including the big 5
And Hiking Trails offered:
· Trails of the Old Transvaal - An African Adventure in Swaziland & Kruger National Park
· KwaZulu Natal - Exploring nature's wonderland
· Walking the Wild Coasts of South Africa – Hiking the long distance trails of the Eastern & Western Capes
The programme for the coming months is shorter than usual. We need some more leaders to organize hikes or other events. Please can we have some volunteers? – see the appeal below. Editor
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Yvonne is back on line with her new computer and her new telephone number is also in operation, so hopefully everything is back to normal. However, probably as a result of the problems she has had, subscription income is well down from previous years. Would members who have not received their notices (or have not renewed their subscription for other reasons) please do so as soon as possible. The rates are the same as last year, viz: R290 for couples, R195 for singles and R65 for country members.
One subscription for a single person (R195) was received on 24th March 2010 with the reference “Membership RAW”. Would the member concerned please contact Yvonne in order to have the payment correctly allocated.
The committee regret to announce the death, after a prolonged illness, of Campbell Werdmuller and extend their condolences, and those of the Club membership, to his wife Cath on her sad loss. Campbell was a long-standing, stalwart member of the Club, who will be remembered for his love of hiking, particularly in the ‘Berg. He was a hike leader on many occasions and difficult to replace.
We welcome Rolf and Heidi Becher to the Club and hope to see them on some of our future outings. The Committee asks members to encourage any new members known to them, to participate.
We entreat all members to use your best efforts to interest others around you (relations, friends, business associates, etc.) in joining the Club. They could always try us out and attend a couple of events to test themselves – and the existing members – before committing themselves! The Club is not in a position to pay for advertisements inviting new members. Please help keep your Club alive and well!!
Please note that all changes should be advised to Yvonne, who maintains the full, official list of members, and it is only to those on Yvonne’s list that the four-monthly newsletter and activities programme is sent. If your details have changed since you first submitted your membership application (some from many years ago) please inform Yvonne, as problems have been experienced trying to contact members whose particulars have changed.
Geoff Gibson has a restricted list of regular participants in activities, which is used for contact purposes by those on that list. Should you require a copy, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Geoff Gibson, P.O. Box 84352, Greenside, 2034, or he can e-mail it to you.
Your committee and certain other members continue to try to arrange outings, which are of interest to all of you. However, the committee would still be very pleased to hear from you in respect of new and interesting activities. The Club depends on the input of its members to provide ideas and participation. The committee and experienced members are always willing to assist in any way with organization and presentation.
We depend on members to organize and lead. If anyone has any articles or activities for inclusion in the newsletter or programme, let Geoff Gibson have the information at phone/fax 011-888-3249 or e-mail geoffpg@gmail.com or by correspondence as above.
Members are earnestly requested that, when considering participating in any of the Club’s activities/hikes/etc., they PLEASE book with the appropriate person as listed in the programme. (If, for any reason, you are unable to contact Yvonne, please contact the leader, explaining why.) This will enable the leader/organiser to know who to expect at their event. This is very important where the number is shown as “UN” (unlimited) and/or when there is no payment required. We would hate anyone to be left behind because the leader/organiser was not expecting you! We repeat that a booking is only confirmed (where payment is required) once payment has been received by the Club/organiser and bookings will be strictly in the order in which payment is received. A further plea – if you have booked for any event and have to cancel for any reason, please advise the leader/organiser.
To assist members in ensuring that their payments to the Continuity Club are not delayed (or lost!) in the post, payment by direct deposit or internet banking may be made to the following account. BUT please note that CASH DEPOSITS attract a fee at the bank, payable by the Club. On a number of occasions payments made in cash have resulted in a loss for an event, because the cash deposit fee had reduced the income to below the cost. So please try and pay by cheque, or, if paying in cash, at least pay for a number of activities at one time to reduce the negative impact of the bank fee.
Bank: Nedbank, Rissik Street, Johannesburg. Branch Code: 19-68-05
Account name: The Continuity Club. Account number: 2968-446-487 (Savings account)
PLEASE, once you have made a deposit, either e-mail or fax/phone Yvonne to give her details of the amount deposited and for which activities you are paying. Contact information appears at the end of this newsletter. Please note, your name will only be entered onto the booking list when payment has been received
The following conditions will be published annually, to keep members aware that they are still in existence.
A. Booking and payment must be made at least two weeks (or as otherwise specified in the programme) prior to the event.
B. Acceptance on a hike will be at the sole discretion of the leader, and members must accept the leader’s decision.
C. The leader’s arrangements on a hike will be adhered to at all times, i.e. no breaking away in smaller groups, no starting before the times arranged at the beginning of a day, tea breaks and lunch times, etc.
D. The ratings of the grades of hikes and description codes will be as follows:
1. 0 Easy
2. 00 Moderate
3. 000 Strenuous
4. BP Backpacking
5. UN Unlimited numbers
6. 20 Limited to a maximum of twenty (or other number stated).
E. Hiking with the Club is undertaken solely at the risk of the individual concerned who indemnifies The Continuity Club and its leaders from any claim arising from any injury or loss whatsoever sustained as a result of the individuals’ participation.
F. If you have booked and have to cancel for any reason, notify Yvonne or the organizer, as appropriate, as there may be other members on the waiting list. Only if your place can be filled will there be a refund of monies, otherwise you forfeit your payment. The refund must be arranged between the members cancelling and the replacement member.
G. A minimum number of six people is required for all day walks in the programme. If a walk has to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers, those remaining on the list will be notified by Yvonne (or the leader) of such cancellation. A refund of any payment (or transfer of the funds to another event) may be arranged in these circumstances.
Please, if you are participating in any backpacking trails, make sure that you have correctly fitting boots which have been worn in; that you are fit, and have done a reasonable amount of walking prior to the hike. Carry all necessary clothing, e.g. raincoats, jerseys, etc. for any change of weather at all times, be it for day walks or backpacking trails. Ensure that you carry a small first aid kit plus any special medication which you may be taking and inform the leader regarding any special medication or medical condition which may be relevant in an emergency situation. Carry sufficient water at all times on hikes.
It is understood that the law on personal liability has been amended and the committee advise that members should check with their insurance broker whether they are covered for accidents occurring whilst partaking in Club activities, particularly those giving or receiving lifts in motor vehicles. As a reminder, the terms of Club membership include condition (E) above.
Please note that the committee has decided that guests may only join in two outings. Thereafter they must join the Club as members. Since 1 July 2002, any guests have been required to pay a surcharge of 10% above the members’ event fee (with a minimum surcharge of R5).
In an effort to reduce costs and bring our Club more into the 21st Century we request that members who either have their own e-mail addresses, or have easy access to an e-mail address (i.e. through a family member, an office, or a nearby friend), provide the Administrator (Yvonne) with same. Many thanks to those members who have already registered their address. The Club’s e-mail address is: continuity-club@telkomsa.net.
We reported in the last issue of the newsletter that the Blesbok and Springbok huts had been renovated and brought back into use. We understand they have been vandalized again, but are not sure what condition they are now in.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
Fifteen members of the Continuity Club, including Keith and Jane Bartleet from Swellendam, did a trip to Namaqualand. As it was early in the season and the rains were late, the flowers were to be a bonus, not the reason for the trip. Although we never saw the picture-postcard fields of colour, we did see flowers on two farms and in the Skilpad Nature Reserve near Kamieskroon, and in the Naries Private Conservancy near Springbok.
But there were many other highlights. First, the incredible friendliness and hospitality of the Namqualanders themselves: Elizna our lovely hostess and her staff at Sofia’s Guesthouse in Garies, which was our base, catered for all our needs, including special diets and packed lunches, and managed to keep cheerful even when the water ran out; Sidney had a meal waiting for us at his fish restaurant at Hondeklip Baai; the farmer’s wife on a farm near Skilpad prepared lovely snacks for “sundowners” at Picnic Rock on her farm; Koos gave up a day to talk to us about the geology of Namaqualand and finally Lottie, Ina’s good friend, did so much of the organising for us.
Then there were the walks on the farm near Kamieskroon and in Naries; the trip to Hondeklip Baai where the sea pleased my Piscean soul, followed by the delicious fish lunch (although dear Sidney had the numbers wrong and some of us had to wait while he cooked more fish!). There were also the drives through the area’s lovely rock formations and the day in the Springbok area with all the formations and copper mining explained to us so clearly by Koos (one of the most unusual places was Orbicule Kop near O’Kiep where a rock formation looks very like a pyramid of tennis balls surrounded by soil and which was caused by two lots of incompatible magma being thrust out from the centre of the earth and like oil and water did not mix) Finally the delicious three-course meal which Lottie cooked for us on our last night. Namaqualand is a very poor area and depends on the tourist industry, so it was rewarding just to be there. Marjorie Malan
A group of 18 members and friends stayed at the
Rotary-Oord, where we had access to all the facilities of the main Badplaas
Resort across the road. The visit coincided with the very cold snap during the
World Cup but we still had a great time swimming in the hot baths, walking and
visiting a beautiful nursery and game farm. Some also indulged in a pampering
at the beauty salon or tripped to Barberton.
Evenings were spent socialising in front of the fire, playing cards or watching DVD’s. Well worth another visit.
UPCOMING TRAILS AND EVENTS
Day 1: Arrive Elandsbaai and meet your local guide and your host for the evening. Depending on your time of arrival, explore the mountain that overlooks the wetland and beach. Overnight in the Vleihuisie Guesthouse, a beautiful old clay farmhouse that has been renovated into a guesthouse run by a community enterprise
Day 2 (18 kms): Make your way along the wetland to the beach and walk along the beach for 18km adjacent beautiful white dune fields towards Steenboksfontein. En route you will occasionally meander inland to look at interesting features in the Strandveld. At Steenboksfontein you will meet up with your hostess Mrs. Burger and enjoy your meals in the local Farm Kitchen. Overnight in Steenboksfontein Guesthouse.
Day 3 (9 kms): Continue along the beach for 9km to Lambertsbaai for a cultural experience in the local fishing community, with a memorable visit to the well-known Bird Island. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Lambertsbaai, with accommodation at Eureka’s best seafront-chalets, with an awe-inspiring view of the sea. Dinner at Isabella’s Restaurant.
Day 4 (15 kms): A short guided drive (45km) through the Strandveld will bring you to Doringbaai to begin the day’s hiking. Follow a scenic path along the cliff tops to Strandfontein and on the beach to Papendorp. En route you will see unique plants and in winter and spring beautiful wildflowers, whales and dolphins. Overnight in the Papendorp Guesthouse in a relaxed environment overlooking the lovely Olifants River Mouth and wetland.
Day 5 (18 kms): Follow an adventurous path along the Olifants River bank to Ebenhaeser. The river walk is beautiful with plenty of interesting birds and fishing activities, but be prepared to get muddy. Overnight at Ebenhaeser Guesthouse and enjoy the quiet peace of this rural farming and fishing community. Ebenhaeser has many historical old clay buildings that are rapidly deteriorating. The guesthouse is located in a lovely old clay house that has been renovated by the local community (with assistance).
Day 6: Return to Elandsbaai for your vehicle and the trip home.
The price includes all accommodation, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, local guides, hostess, transport of luggage between stops, transport between Lambertsbaai and Doringbaai, transport from Ebenhaeser. The price excludes transport to and from Elandsbaai, personal items, telecommunications, laundry, alcohol and gratuities.
In years past the Club organized an annual weekend social gathering, generally at Suikerbosrand, with daytime hikes and evening entertainment laid on. These events were popular and well-attended with much chatter and laughter. Ina is prepared to organize another similar event around April/May 2011 if there is sufficient interest from the membership. Her contact details are to be found at the end of the Newsletter and the Committee ask that all those interested in attending should notify her as soon as possible (forward planning is very necessary, especially for this type of activity).
With 24 prospective travellers having expressed ‘serious interest,’ Greek Magic 2011 looks set to become a reality. Eighty-five per cent of those on the list are previous travellers. By request, Athens has been excluded from the tour and a fourth island added – Paros. This has been managed without any change to the tour price.
As they have done for the past 28 years, Dawie and Mary Hoets will be on hand to guide the group. The tour caters for all ages and features inter-island voyages, caique cruises, dining together in choice settings, guided tours and visits to archaeological sites, optional hiking and cycling and ample free time on each island. Should any travellers request a visit to Athens, we will add an Athenian excursion as an optional extra at the end of the published tour.
News from Dawie and Mary is that Greece’s unrest notwithstanding, a Grecian summer remains as titillating as ever. The final tour price will depend on numbers, flight costs and exchange rates. At this stage, it is likely to remain between the originally quoted R26 000 and R30 000 per person.
The revised itinerary for Greek Magic 2011 is:
Friday, May 27 : Depart from Oliver Tambo Airport on Turkish Air at 20h00.
May 28 to June 1: Mykonos
June 1 to June 3: Paros
June 3 to June 7: Naxos
June 7 to June 10: Santorini.
Friday, June 10 Fly from Santorini to Athens and transfer to the Turkish Air flight for Istanbul
Saturday, June 11 ETA Oliver Tambo Airport, 08h00.
If you think you may like to join the tour please notify Yvonne Venables (contact details at end of newsletter) who will send a day-by-day itinerary to anyone interested in seeing it.
ACTIVE OCTOGENARIANS
Despite the serious injuries she suffered recently when she had a fall in the Knysna Forest, Pauline Cuzen is determined to participate in the upcoming strenuous Crayfish Hiking Trail. Go well, Pauline. That’s courage!
If all the daily walks that Ian MacRae has done over the past 25 years could be laid end-to-end, they would now stretch around the entire circumference of the earth. Like the man in the well-known whisky adverts, Ian just keeps on walking. That’s an amazing achievement!
As an 86th birthday present, Ken bought himself a new pair of hiking boots, which he was assured, would last at least four years. Ken hopes he too will last that long. That’s optimism! Ken Gannaway
Ken Gannaway - Chairman 011-443-0590 Ina Williams – Vice-Chairman 011-462-7505
John Wakeman 011-795-2534 Jill Olivier – Treasurer 011-678-2607
Dallis Pattle 011-849-2802 Audrey Gordon 011-475-0055
Geoff Gibson – Newsletter/Prog. 011-888-3249 Yvonne Venables – Administrator 011-784-6467
P.O. Box 28629, Kensington, 2101: Tel/fax: 011-784-6467 e-mail: continuity-club@telkomsa.net