DAY 6 – Monday 15th January
The 2 tour buses leave the Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch at 9.30am for the journey to (silent K) Knysna through the beautiful Garden Route in the Eastern Cape with a lunch stop at Swellendam. On the way we see baboons, sheep, cattle and other local animals and birds. The buses finally arrive at the log cabin style Graywood Hotel in (silent K) Knysna and after checking in, the group go to the JJ’s Restaurant on the (silent K) Knysna Quays. We enjoy the staff’s vocal renditions of African music and many buy CD’s. The first fines session is held after the meal in JJ’s with copious funds going towards the end of tour dinner. The tour anthem echoes across the Waterfront
DAY 7 – Tuesday 16th January
The weather takes a turn for the worse with morning rain and clouds. However the day is at leisure with some choosing to go to the Buffalo Hills on a safari trip; others go on the 3 Legs boat trip to the (silent K) Knysna Heads. The golfers head off to the magnificent Pezula. It is agreed the course is as beautiful as the Royal Victoria Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka and Trevor once again triumphs.
Sadly Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train not running but railways buffs Vimpany, Wharton, Westbrook and Batchelor go to the Steam Train Museum in George. To their surprise there was a Power-Van train trip 2500’ up into the Outeniqua Hills which they manage to squeeze on. The railway buffs have a puncture on way back from train trip and Mike Vimpany secures new hire car. Most of the party spent the evening at the 34 Degree South Restaurant.
DAY 8 – Wednesday 17th January
Many tourists woke up feeling a few degrees under and the medicine chests were opened by all.
With most of the women and couples going on the ostrich tour at Oudtshoorn and the Cango caves, the cricketers and supporters left for
MATCH 3 v (Silent K) Knysna Sport School CC (founded in 1992 by Keith Cretchley)
We are met by Keith Cretchley a remarkable man who has turned a swamp into a lovely cricket ground for school children. Jim Smallbone the captain of the Seniors for the day looses the toss and is asked to bat. After losing 2 early wickets Ian Watson (37) and Pat Wickson (39) consolidate and take the score to 94 before both are out. Dave Elliott (29) (although failing to master the reverse sweep) plays some lusty blows over mid-wicket – the tail wags and the Seniors achieve 151 after 40 overs. Fearsome Stan Rudder achieves a notable double dismissing both openers first ball in 3 balls and then a most unusual occurrence - dismisses a batsman hit wicket (by his hat falling off) - never seen before by long sitting scorer Dick Batchelor who thought he had seen everything. |
(Silent K) Knysna middle order stabilises the innings before their skipper foolishly asks them to retire. Chris Wood cleans up the tail and the Seniors win by 6 runs.
A superb BBQ is laid on by the club and an impromptu fines session after the BBQ results in the sum of R1,500 being raised by players and families. The money is presented to Keith Cretchley as a donation to the Knysna Sports School Development Trust and will be used to develop outreach coaching facilities for under privileged children.
Tour anthem begins to sound quite moving and Commander Broome revives music hall traditions on coach ride back to the hotel.
DAY 9 – Thursday 18th January
A day of leisure with groups either staying by the pool, going off to the Tsitikama Forest or playing golf at George.
Tourist on the Tsitikama excursion take the opportunity to swim in the Indian Ocean.
In the golf, the Balmer 3 overcome the Foreman 3 at the fabulous George Golf Club. Team captain Foreman, raised in the High Veldt, collapses in the mid-day sun and Margaret Collins outscores her husband Gil by 1 point and wins on the back 9 points tally. Tour guide Pippa Wordie knows every bush, animal and tree on the course.
JJ’s restaurant runs out of cheesecake. President pulls rank and a complimentary bottle of the best SA Port appears.. Assistant scorer Celia Lucas celebrates her 50th 21st birthday.
DAY 10 – Friday 19th January
Reports at breakfast confirm high team morale; all walking wounded passed fit. Yesterday’s trips to nature reserves, elephant and buffalo farms and beaches are enjoyed by all. Tour photographer Boyd Parker captures exotic African bird on camera; sadly it was a piece of wood. Reports are received of stormy weather in the UK and the gods remove roof from the Lord’s Tavern roof in protest over the Ashes loss.
An early morning start was made to Capetown via George pass over the Groot Swartberg Mountains. A scheduled short pause at Ronnies Sex Shop is somewhat extended when Chris Westbrook performs lively renditions on the piano. Lunch at Barrydale- the journey then takes us through the winelands and picturesque valleys via English sounding names of Montagu, Robertson and Worcester.
After the final pit stop the buses passes through the Du Tois Mountains and the town of Paarl before reaching Cape Town. Power cuts are predicted.
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