Swellendam celebrations

So on Thursday the 19th of November Benedikt and I flew down to Swellendam... and believe it or not we managed to get our 2 big bike bags, 3 luggage bags, 4 wheels and ourselves into a golf chico for the 2 hour drive from George to Swellendam... I couldn’t stop laughing at Benedikt who was squashed up like a dwarf against the steering wheel :-)))
We LOVE going to Swellendam. Its just so peaceful and beautiful and my parents always spoil us rotten in their lovely home. So immediately we had a big lunch, followed by a nap and then a ride. And that evening we celebrated my dad’s one year anniversary since his triple by pass. His health and general energy levels are just SOOoooooo much better since the op. So good times for him.
The next morning we went for another ride....fighting the wind. Then the four of us drove the route of the 200km race that we were doing the following day. My parents were the support crew for my girls team and they wanted to prepare themselves!
Then we went to registration, then to Benedikt’s team meeting where we also collected my sister and then to my teams’ meeting. 2 VERY different sessions! Us girls were so organised and thourough compared to his casual group.
So the next day myself and the 11 other girls set off at 6:20am in the 200km team event, the Double Century. We immediately had a technical problem as one girl broke her chain...it was not a good start. We lost our first girl soon afterwards, I think the hills were a bit too much for her. Then we all got into a good rhythm after that and quickly went through the first support zone where mum and dad fed and watered us. Mandy lasted until 105kms which was a really good effort from her.... she is the least cyclisty out of all of us. Then we had our next casualty at about 120kms – Nikki had to pullover to vomit poor girl! The rule of the race is that a minimum of 6 have to finish... so it was fine to lose a couple along the way, we started with a full team. Nolly and Carmen were the next to go, they lasted until 150kms or so. I had a real dip around the the 165km mark I think from downing 2 litres of water at the stop and eating a whole bar at once.... but managed to hang in and actually felt really strong in the end. Jenny almost made it... but just wasn’t having a good day and dropped off. So then we were 6 left for the last 30kms which was fine, we all felt ok-ish. We got a puncture but it didn’t take long to fix. So Linda (from Zim), Sharon, Juantia (my second favourite riding buddy ever!), Karlien, Kobie and myself were the final six in our Survivor race! NOT that we were trying to kick the others out I promise!
We didn’t do as well as we hoped – we finished 4th overall amongst the ladies teams. Last year we finished second. But it was a really really good fun day on our bikes. There is something so special about riding on a girls team like that. I think because we are all used to riding with men all the time. And because we were so thankful, motivating and boosting towards each other. Eg whenever 2 girls peeled off from the front, every other girl would thank them as they moved to the back! Quite funny and corny really compared to some of the grumpy, rude mens teams we heard about.
My mum and dad were the best support team EVER! They ran circles around us catering to our every need at all the designated stops... and they picked up all the stray girls and looked after them so well too. I think they really enjoyed being involved too.
That evening we had a visit from my teammates before heading off to Benedikts’ team braai. Sean and Ron came with us as they were staying with mum and dad that night too... I think we all had a good laugh hearing all the stories and sharing all the scary team fights that went on.

The next day we went for a little 40km ride just to spin our legs. Even Mandy made it! Wow! And miraculously none of our bums were sore! Sean and Ron headed off for the airport and Benedikt, Mandy and I headed for the wine farms. What a session that turned out to be! Van Lovern bought us entire bottles of whatever we wanted to taste.... so taste we did! And as we’d finished all 26 bottles, friends arrived, so we had to start all over again. We then headed to Robertson for some more tasting and then to a farm stall for lunch. I cannot remember the lunch very well ;-)

That evening my family celebrated Christmas. Collin, my sisters husband, (I love saying that) was missing though. And so were Mark and Nic. But we spoke nonsense to Mark, who is in Afghanistan maintaining world peace, on skype for ages. And we had a great family Christmas – lots of food, lots of beautiful singing and lots of presents!
We met up with another school friend of mine, Lauren Collier, at the George airport before our flight to Johannesburg and then Nairobi.
What a fantastic holiday. I miss Sowf Efrika!!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

SA Trip - Jhb and Pretoria shenanigans

Wow, returning to SA felt like I’d been transported to the future! I couldn’t believe the difference when I arrived. The smart, renovated Jhb airport is SOoooooooooo futuristic compared to Nairobi’s little brown hole. And the roads! Wow, SA’s road quality is good. Even with all the roadworks. And the driving! People are so courteous in SA. It took me a while to remember there are rules there and that I should let people in ;-)
I stayed with Leanne and Lynton my first night. And the gorgeous little 16month old Holly who doesn’t stop talking....She is a really clever and busy little girl. She even learnt to say my name while I was there! Leanne, who is a long time friend from primary school, high school and uni, and I all chatted nonstop all evening catching up on the last 6 months that we’ve been away. It was really cool to see her again, and I look forward to her visit next year with her mini family.... ahem.
I went for a little ride the next morning scouting the route out for the race the next day, before heading off to the 94.7 expo where I met up with my sis. The expo was good, I saw loadsa cycling buddies there, and scored lotsa free stuff! Then we headed off the Nolly and Don’s house for the afternoon and night. Nolene is my FAVOURITE riding partner ever and just the nicest girl ever. She looked after us so well and again, us 3 girlies chatted nonstop, catching up on every little thing. We even discussed our cooking habits! Don was actually lucky he had to work.
Then the 94.7 arrived. I didn’t feel nervous for some reason. And was very proudly sporting my new SA Champs jersey.
The race started ok... I got into the leading break with 8 other girls which happened while going through the joburg CBD after the highway stretch. Then my saddle started tipping back! Every bump I went over it tipped back slightly more. So by the last 20kms I had to stand the entire time. It killed my legs! I tried to knock it back down but it wouldn’t move. And if I stopped I would lose the group so I kept going. Anyway they dropped me in the last 6kms on those tough little climbs, and I finished a miserable 4th. Grrrr. How annoying! But I’m so over it.
Then I went to Vicky’s for her 34th birthday party that Sunday afternoon. The whole purpose of my trip to SA. Of course. She had a really cool group of people there and I was immediately plied with wine so needless to say I had a ball. I giggled with Jason the basin, gossiped with Aunty Jill and Mrs B, had a laugh with Em and Darren and marvelled at the almost -2-year-old Bryceeeee, Vicky’s and Len’s son. He is just so handsome and cute and lovable. My friends have bred well! I stayed the night and the next morning Vicks and I took Bryceeeeeeee to school and then went shopping. South Africa has AMAZING shops. WAY way way better than here, obviously, but also better than Germany. Benedikt doesn’t agree with that, but then I guess its what you’re used to.
Then I headed off the Pretoria to my sis and her husband, Collin. Its SO weird to call him that! We went to a great spinning class before indulging in more wine and lots of chatting. Then on Tuesday it was Operation Clothes Shopping. I needed to stock up as I wouldn’t be able to shop until our next overseas holiday which is miles away....poor me :-(
It was a VERY successful day I must say. Like I said, shopping in SA is the BOMB.
The 3 of us went for a divine Indian meal that evening after doing a yoga class ala Mandy. She is busy doing her teachers training course so practised on us for a bit. She is going to be Wynberg’s BEST YOGA TEACHER EVER thats for sure :-)
We all also went on two VERY cool trail runs while there. Mandy and Colon have some great nature reserves on their doorstep.
Next up was the airport and picking Benny Boo Boo up. We spent the day doing some errands, visiting some friends and some more shopping. My poor credit card...Benedikt doesn't deal in rands anymore :-(
Then it was dinner with our long lost Bedfordview cycling buddies and sleep over at Seanie Warnies house.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Sowf Efrika here I come....

So I'm off to SA for 12 days... to do the 94.7 cycle race (95kms) in johannesburg and the Double Century (200kms) race in Swellendam a week later. But primarily to see my friends and family. YIPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I've missed everyone loads so I'm really quite excited for this trip.
And I know you are all gonna miss my blogging loads but you'll have to live without me for a bit.
Later Losers

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Amboselli and Watamu holllleeeeday!

Two of Benedikt's friends from Germany, Michael and Ronald, just came to visit us for 8 days. So we took them to Amboseli National Park for 3 days of Safari first. The drive there was quite entertaining of course, with the usual crazy overtaking maneuvers, many crashed trucks, a national highway that is a joke and typical kenyan traffic jams. It was also Benedikt's and my first time venturing out on the Mombassa highway... it didn't exactly blow us away with its superb quality and safety.
Amboseli is an interesting place. Kilimanjaro's ever present huge figure next to it adds great value to the setting...it really is a magnificent mountain. We had clear views of the top of it while we were there which apparently is quite rare, and it even acquired a snow cap during one of the nights which made it look even more impressive.
Amboseli as a park has REALLY REALLY suffered in the last couple of years with drought. We saw many many many dead animals. Zebra, wildebeest, buck, and even elephant carcasses litter the place. It really was quite sad and depressing. The animals that have survived are forced to gather at the few swamps that remain and share each others space. So its great for safari makers as you get a full on show at every swamp. So we saw lots of live (!) stuff too...plenty of elephants (the park is renowned for them), zebra, wildebeest, impala, kudus, thompsons gazelles, reedbuck, eland, giraffes, hyenas, lions, warthogs and buffalo.
I even made a list of birds that we identified! Alot I recognized from SA parks, but there were some interesting new east african birds too. Like the African spoonbill, the grey crowned crane and the african green ibis. There... dont I sound like a birder!
The place we stayed at was really lovely. All made with trees and natural objects, it was not all at kitch and yet so special and african. I really liked it. We went on some great game drives with rangers from the lodge. And had sundowners on our last evening at a beautiful setting in the bush with Kili on our left, looming over us. It was a full moon and the weather was just perfect. Add some cocktails and champagne into the mix and we all agreed what a special night that was.
Next we headed to the coast, to a place north of Mombassa, Mida Creek, which is next to Watamu. We stayed at a place called ManFridays and it was a little piece of paradise! I just LOVED LOVED LOVED the warm ocean... I hardly ever swim in the sea in SA cos its usually so cold and rough... but there it was super warm and really gentle. I must have swum for like 3-4 hours every day. It was so SUPER hot the whole time. I didnt stop sweating for a minute.
So for the 4 days we slept, ate and drank alot, obviously. But also did alot: we water skied, snorkeled, swam, kayaked, walked, went for runs, did beach yoga, played an epic game of coinage, played 30 seconds, chess, we rock climbed :-), went sailing on a hobie, and we wind surfed (Ronald and I are now professionals). I even cycled a teeny bit - I'd taken my rollers with me like a wierdo :-)





::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The veggie market

So every week I go to the veggie market. Its a big one, and its busy every day. Its VERY African though so you have to go with an open mind :-) And once the stall owners see a Muzungu (white person) they really can bombard you. I find it all quite fun and I enjoy the friendliness and interaction. Benedikt hates having things shoved in his face and being told to buy this and buy that. So its better when I go alone. I now know the difference for most things between the Muzungu price and the kenyan price... Although I find the bargaining process so tiresome each time!
I buy all our veggies and fruit for the week: Amazing big yummy avos (this country has SERIOUSLY good ones)
Sweet potatoes, Butternut, onions, peas, broccoli, kale, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes, garlic....
Okra and coriander (this are VERY popular here and grown to love them both)
And then pineapple, melon, mangoes, bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, paw paw, watermelons, naartjies, lemons, tree tomatoes (an AMAZING fruit which I will get you to all to love when you come and visit) and passion fruit...
I make 2 big fruit salads for us each week... Benedikt takes some to work every day. Lucky him!
And whatever is left by the time the weekend comes, we shove into the juice machine and make divine fresh juice. And it all costs between 2000 and 3000 Ksh. So thats like R200 to R300. So quite cheap really... and thats all the food we need for the week. Well, besides the meat we have buy for the omnivore in this relationship.
Last Saturday night we went to the German beerfest which the German school nearby us was hosting. Bayer sponsored some tables and Benedikt invited some cool guests for our table – our landlords and a cycling friend and his wife who is German and some others. It was a very African version of a beer fest: we all sat at round tables with tablecloths instead of the rows of wooden benches that it should be... and it was a mission to get beer - it was a typically convoluted Kenyan system! Lufthansa had sponsored the flights for an entire Umpapa band to come over and play... they were really impressive. And there was a general fun atmosphere in a non-beer festival kind of way. Benedikt even donned his LEDERHOSEN! First time I’ve seen him wear them!! Hee hee
Mahindi ran 10kms with me this morning! She didn’t even slow down once. She kept running and running and running. She even pulls me up the hills! I’m so glad we picked a SuperDawg. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her running with me. Except when she cuts in front of me suddenly.
So 2 of Benedikt’s friends from Germany are arriving tomorrow morning and we are then taking them to Amboseli, which is a game reserve, and then to Watamu for 4 days at the coast. So we’ve got 8 days of holiday now – YIPPEEEE! Then I’m back for 4 days and then off to SA for 10 days! I love my life!!
Although I don’t suspect I’m gonna win the 94.7 again with this kind of preparation :-(

Work. Bleh

I haven't had a chance all week to post here because, get this, I've been WORKING! Work really gets in the way of things doesn't it? Its sux. Its made me all stressed out and everything!

We also had a mini break last weekend which is why I have been scarce. Tuesday was a public holiday so Benedikt had the Monday off...and we had 4 fantastic days of socialising, movie watching, eating and cycling...although not too much cycling - THE RAINS have come. Apparently El Nino is on its way. So Kenya is going from a severe drought to FLOODS. The drought has been so bad too... we see PILES of dead cattle on the road side. And people have been surviving on like a litre of water per week... for a whole family! Its horrific.
Luckily for us we live in a bubble where we have borehole water and a HUGE generator that supplies the whole compound.

I am no longer doing the Nairobi marathon... all that running was getting in the way of my cycling. I'll do it next year. I have to train for the 94.7 and the double Century which we are doing in SA next month. But training here is a joke! The cycling we're doing is all so social and relaxed... nothing like I was doing this time last year. Oh well. Will be a VERY cool 10 days in SA. Can't wait to see (most of) you all!
So I've been doing the odd short run now and then... and taking Mahindi too. She can run 6kms already and she's only 4 months old. SuperDawg!

We also had our friends Jen and Nick around last weekend... Nick's brother is married to Rosie's sister. Rosie is married to a friend of my brothers. Rosie has sadly returned to the UK... but she left us with Jen and Nick which was very kind of her.
Jen is now famous because her amusing story about travelling and paying your fare in a Matatu was broadcast on BBC radio. They are running a series called 'Only in Africa'. I am about to become famous too as I have just sent my Happy par cark story off!