Table Mountain

Day #41

This morning we woke up early and after a quick weather check we decided today was the day to climb table mountain! (Me and Möritz) 

We took the MyCiti Bus into Civic Cebter then caught a cab to the bottom of table mountain. Our cab driver was a very funny and bubbly lady who was a great laugh to chat with. She was saying how crazy we are to climb up in this heat- and later on we found out the hard way that she had a good point!

It was a beautiful day to hike up with blue skies and not a single cloud on top of the magnificent mountain. 

The hike up was a lot harder than expected! I have been really pretty rubbish all weekend already and Moritz had been out the night before but didn't think it would be as tough. However it was great fun and we enjoyed the sunshine and amazing views. 

We finally got to the peak in under 2 hours. We quickly found a spot and took into some good food- hungry work hiking up! The views were even more incredible at the top!

Some product placement for NailYourColours, my sisters amazing SAVED T-Shirts!

After exploring around the top it was time to pump up the adrenaline levels and abseil down the side of Table Mountain. The 112m abseil is pretty extreme and offers some exciting views over Camps Bay! 

It was such a amazing experience abseiling of the side of this huge beast of a mountain. Made it a bit more exciting my jumping most of the way down. Then there was the surprise and the rock face vanished and you just hung from an overhang in the rock and lowered yourself down. What a way to experience Table Mountain! 

Then we got the cable car down to get the full package of Table Mountain!

 What another great day! Last week now! 

God Bless. 

"Province!!!"

Day #40

Today was Rugby final day! But before we headed to the rugby we had the whole morning and early afternoon to fill. 

So first off we headed to Milnerton Flea Market.

 

It was a long stretch next to the sea full of small market stall selling EVERYTHING!!!! 

It was cool to explore and see all the little bits and bobs from people homes which they're selling. 

I got myself one cool old South Africa coin for memory which I'm pretty happy with. 

After that we headed to The Old Biscuit Mill (yes again!) We loved it and shared some good food for the rugby. 

After we got back from a good lunch trip it was time to head to the rugby. This time the game had sold out in a few hours. 

It was the final of the currie up, the biggest rugby cup in South Africa. The match was between Western Province (the local team) vs The Sharks from Durban. 

The atmosphere was sooooo different compared to last week. The crowds were huge with the final buzz in the air. We got into our favourite standing area and it was packed to the brim. Standing should definitely be brought back to English stadiums, it's soo good! 

Before the players were out the songs had already begun. There was such an electric buzz around the stadium with anticipation for the game. 

As the players came out onto the pitch the stadium shaked with cheers, songs and whatever noise you could make to display your excitement! "WP Jou Lekker Ding" was the main chant which bellowed round the stadium. The volume was amazing. Again the national anthem was the best bit and I could even join in a bit as I've learnt some of it. 

The game was great as these two giants of the sport battled It out for ultimate glory. Last year was exactly the same final where the Sharks won and this season Western Province have been undefeated so we were the favourites going into the final. 

However, the WP couldn't handle the pressure of favourite and they lost. This is a shame as the stadium would of erupted with a WP win! Anyway, the atmosphere was great for the final and was a good game of rugby, just the Sharks were the better team. 

God Bless. 

A whole new strange experience

Day #39

Today was tidy up day after last nights Braai/ pool party! Most of the group had left on a three day tour so that only left a small group of 7 of the lads left to tidy all the houses.

It was a lot of long hard work but with some good laughs and plenty of team spirit we conquered the mess. 

In the afternoon I went to the mall with Möritz as he needed a new pair of flip flops and I need a hair cut. 

I went to a hairdresser in the mall. At first I was a but suspicious as it did look like a girls hairdressers but I was a assured that it was 100% for men! I sat down and waited for my cutter. 

She was really friendly and seemed I know what she was talking about so I left it all in her hands. 

Then a got a whole new experience. After our chat about what I want she asked me to make my way over for my hair to be washed and conditioned... "Pardon?" "We're going to wash and condition your hair"... "Pardon???" 

Never before have I had my hair washed before at a hairdressers. Normally it's up in the chair, shave the sides then scissors in top, simple! 

It was one of the strangest experiences! I couldn't stop laughing and smiling as my hair was washed. Ended up getting a wash twice; before and after. 

However, secretly I did enjoy it. Could get use to it. 

Anyway happy with my cut and then that evening it was a chilled night with just the lads. 

God Bless. 

Ultimate Braai Master

Day #38

Today I was back at Sarah's Crèche in Dunoon because numbers of volunteers was low. And this morning was all about the balloons!

As usual started the morning off with singing songs. The kids love to sing along and they all get stuck in. Old McDonald is a favourite! Then we had lots of balloons which we blew up and drew faces on. Then we all went crazy running around with our balloons chasing each other shouting and singing!

Afternoon. Again I was on surf which I was made up about, really enjoying the surf. Feeling like I'm getting better each time so happy chappy. 

On surf I was with Nathan again. He has really got the hang of standing up on the board with no problem, now he's looking to jumping into waves and travelling along a waves rather than just straight. We had a great time. Ultimate team! 

When we got back it was time to prepare for tonight's Braai and myself and Mark started setting up the seats around the pool and building the fires for the Braai. 

Tonight I was assigned role of Ultimate Braai Master. So after watching and learning from Bruce on National Braai day I went ahead with building the fires and preparing the Braais. I was very happy with my fires and they burnt well. It was a great atmosphere as we sat around the Braais as they burnt away. 

Officially became a Man tonight cooking for around 40 people. The pressure was on but we pulled through and it was a great night. We had chicken, lamb chops and sausage, also there was plenty of salads! Great fun just chilling together around the Braai eating some good fun and having some good conversations. 

Then the pool party started as one by one people were unwillingly thrown into the pool. It was such a great time!! Great fun, loved it! 

Best night so far! Such a great night!

God Bless. 

Just another Wednesday

Day #37

Today (I think) was my last day on computers. Over the last three weeks I have taken not of all the names of the kids who I have had a one-to-one with. 

Lee Ann, Tyron, Benedict, Samone, Simangeliso, Luchiano, Liezel, Bradwon, Gerald, Ashlee, Teri Ann, Lezaan, Angus, Adriano, Deno, Damion, Clinton, Athi, Luzuko, Eselita...

Had a great time at computers and learnt a lot. It's a great project which is necessary for these kids but I'm looking forward to trying something new. 

Afternoon, surfing again which is just great! Wednesday afternoons Im used to be spending my time in St.Margarets study center but now I'm surfing in South Africa with table mountain in the background... Love it!!

After dinner a group of us walked to the beach (5 minutes away) to take a look at the left overs of the sun set! 

Again in the evening we chilled and enjoyed each other's company. Some more great conversations and laughs. 

God Bless.  

German Cards

Day #36

Can't say much about today, just another great day! Had fun at computers in the morning and then had a great surf in the afternoon with Nathan one of the boys! Me and Nathan were the perfect team and he caught some good waves!

In the evening we spent out time playing some German Cards game, it was a German twist on the English game Wist. Great laughs, great competition, great night! We had a great arena for the game as well. 

Really love everyone here! The jokes are great, deep interesting conversations and just a common joy for life! 

God Bless. 

(Oh and did I mention I won the cards game... Did England proud!)

Lions Head

Day #35

Today was the start of my third week with Save. This morning again I was back on Computers as they needed the numbers and a driver. I would prefer to try another project but it's not about me but the kids as I've realised so I'm happy to help where needed. 

Playtime was extra fun today as I played a lot of games with all the boys. We had races around the school, a pull up competition and playing Spider-Man! 

In the afternoon we had out weekly meeting about the week and projects in general.

Then it was chores around the site which involved cleaning the pool, car washing and building. 

Later that afternoon 8 of us headed for Lions Head to watch the sunset at the top. We caught the MyCiti to Civic Center then got a cab to the bottom of lions head. 

The walk up was amazing with views of all Cape Town. We had a great view overlooking Camps Bay as we walked to the top. 

The first half of the walk up was fairly simple with a good rocky path. The later stages got more exciting with ladders and some rock climbing to scramble up. 

Once we got to the top the sight was incredible. 360 degree views around of Cape Town! Plenty of photo opportunity!

Then we waited and watched the sunset. Myself and Stephanie found a great little spot behind a big rock to protect us from the winds then we all watch the sunset. It was incredible. Just beautiful! 

Can't express how good it was!! Wow was the only response I could give and that didn't do it justice! God isn't just good, in the words of Jack Wildsmith he's Flipping awesome! 

The walk back down was also just as cool in the dark! Made it a bit more exciting climbing down and seeing the lights of the city was cool as well! 

Had such a great evening and then we came back to a really good chicken curry (yes aunty Gill more emphasis on food)!

Great day!

God Bless. 

Familiar Sunday

Day #34

The night before I spent the night in Bruce and Louise's after the awards evening so today I joined them to Capricorn Church again. It was good to be back and see all of the children. I've really enjoyed the services at Capricorn and made some good friends. 

Today we brought the trophy to church to celebrate the teams achievement. 

 

After church I headed back with Bruce and Louise and later that afternoon we had a Sunday lunch of Spaghetti and meatballs. It was good to be back with the family, great to catch up and have a good laugh around the dinner table. 

After they dropped me off at the train station and I caught the train into Cape Town then caught the MyCiti bus to Table View. 

Really enjoyed church this morning and spending time with Bruce, Louise and Grace. 

God Bless. 

The Springbok Experience

Day #32

Friday. 

Well this morning started a bit strange. Was woken up to find Peter, the volunteer coordinator, standing in our room. Myself and Moritz were quite surprised to see him as you can imagine! 

He needed me to drive with him to the garage as he was dropping off the volunteer minibus for a service. 

In the afternoon we headed into town then I split off as they went shopping and I headed to the waterfront. 

I had one of the maddest moments ever! 

When I arrived I got myself a chicken baguette and headed out into the sun to find myself a spot to eat. I wandered over to the stage area where a lot of people were gathered and took a seat. 

It was a good baguette, plenty I chicken and salad over flowing from the tasty baguette. I went in for my first bite. Then, suddenly, just as I took that all important first bite a seagul came out of nowhere and took a bite of some of the chicken from the top of the baguette, while I was still biting into the sandwich!! It was mad! Crazy! And everyone saw it and started laughing so I put the sandwich back in the package, had a look on my phone trying to look cool and casual then when I thought everyone had stopped looking I fled the scene. Mad. Kept laughing to myself afterwards. A seagul took a bite of my sandwich whilst I was also in mid bite! 

After that it headed to... The Spirngbok Experience! It's a new interactive museum on the South African National a rugby team which was opened a few weeks ago by the team themselves. 

I loved it! Genuinely the most interested I've been in a museum before. Fascinating to read all about the History of Rugby in South Africa especially involving sport during the apparteid period. 

Had a great time, got a few more cool quotes as well...

It was really modern and very interactive! 

At the end of the experience there is a short film which was really inspiring an then Spirngbok Trials. This involved huge screens with sensitive cameras which copied your body movements that were used to kick a rugby ball through posts for example. There was also the speed hand game which I got hooked on! 

Can't say how interesting it was. I know it's just rugby but really was a good experience. 

That evening was our weekly Braai night for the new volunteers to celebrate their arrival. Again great food and fantastic company with all my new friends from all over the world! 

God Bless. 

Colour Run, Semi Final, CCC Awards Night

Day #33

Saturday.

5:50am alarm! Yes 5:50am alarm!! 

Today was the day of the Colour Run. The Colour Run is an event which is held all over the globe in many different countries. And what better place to do it but South Africa. It's a mix up of a 5k run with a Coulour festival. The happiest 5k on the planet. Lots of people. Lots of energy. Lots of colour. And I was ready!

8 of us from the volunteers house were doing the colorful run. We took the 6.43am MyCity bus to town then caught another bus to Cape Town Stadium. From there we had a long walk to the start line. We weren't alone as loads of people joined the crowd to make their way to the start line. 

Every one was kitted out with a Colour Run T-Shirt, headband, number, tattoo and bag of colour! 

There was a long crowd to the start line. Before the race began the festival atmosphere had already started as colour filled the air. We were loving the pre race celebrations and got covered in colour! 

Go!!!

 We were off and with the help of my whistle we kept in a solid pack (team Save) and made our way through the crowd. Along the course at every 1k mark there was a colour station. Here people covered you in colour as you ran past, great fun! 

It was a great atmosphere!! Lots of fun to run in our group (4 lads, 4 girls) great laugh! Also on the way instead of traditional water stations there was fanta and coke stations, just to be different. At the end we all crossed the finish line linking arms :)

Finished!

After a quick burger we headed over to the festival stage! Some good music and again lots and lots of colour! 

Next was the long walk back to the bus station then home sweet home. Didn't have too long too relax. Had to get straight into the shower and begin the tedious cleaning process, it's not easy to clean off! The reason we were against the clock as at 1pm we were leaving to all go to the Rugby Currie Cup Semi Final; Western Province against the Golden Lions! Peter had managed to get us all WP tops reduced from R700 to R200 so we were all dressed up in the local team colours!

Great match! Had fun having to explain rugby to the girls and the lads, they had a lot of questions but it was good fun explaining the game :) 

Western Province 33-16 Golden Lions 

Victory!

Next I waked to Bruce and Louise's as they don't live too far away, leaving the volunteers to head back to the vol house. Tonight I was going to tag a long to the Capricorn Community Church FC awards evening! 

Really great night to spend with the boys and even I got a champions medal for my two appearances and one man of the match!

Tonight I'm spending the night at Bruce and Louise's before heading back to Sace tomorrow :)

God bless.