Hi !   Been away - so have not followed your travels too closely. Hope that you managed to see the Allans in Cape St Francis - as they live just down the road from the lighthouse !! Looking forward to seeing you when you make your way through Somerset West. We're at home until 28-12 and then at Theewaterskloof Dam from 29/12 to 6/01. Our contact number : 082 896 0134  or 021 8554107.  Look forward to seeing you. The wine rack is stacked ! Safe travels - and enjoy the crazy festive season in the sun - with all of South Africa on holiday !!

All the best

Heike

Ralph and Angela,

Thanks so much for the great photos. 

Here is wishing you a fantastic Christmas and looking forward to more of your adventures in 2007. 

 Jim and Linda

hi Ralph and Angela, not sure if you received our email. Pleased to see that you spent some time in Addo. We hope you are enjoying the east cape, as it has some interesting places to visit. I certaily hope your car problems are over and that all is going well. Looking forward to seing you in Cape Town.

Ken and Nancy 

Season Greetings!!

I know you have had a difficult year but things could have been worse, you could be sitting at Heston with tinsel around your PC, looking at the Christmas tree with Carol P blasting out Christmas Carols. Even the office grinches Gary and Simon have been forced this year to join in Secret Santa. Bar Humbug.

I have enjoyed reading your updates and particularly seeing the photo's, keep them coming!!!!

All the best for 2007. Take care.

Kevin

Congratulations re becomming a Dad, that puts paid to the trans Africa trip for you for a time as you say.

Thanks for the info re Eastern Cape and the vineyards. At the moment we are keeping our fingers crossed that Landrover can repair the fuel tank so we can head in that direction. Will be in contact if we are going to spend time in the PE area.

Re Christmas it is weird seeing Upington decked out with Xmas lights, and all the shops with decorations. It is often above 40C here in the shade and it's never felt less like Christmas!!

Thanks for the update and good luck with the energy market. Re your final comment we are going to keep our eyes on the tyres and the road and the sun behind the visor!

Ralph

Ralph,

I have just returned from Sunny SA myself after spending a month on holiday there!  I started my first day back at work with a catch up on your trip which I have really enjoyed living it with you. I know we used to talk about this when we should have been talking about the UK energy market but now watching and reading about your trip puts all into perspective. 

I am really sorry to hear about your Mom and I only hope you celebrate her live and not mourn her passing.  She will be with you where ever you are looking over you and she will be smiling down on you through the African Sun and through every local welcoming smile!

Some news for you, I am going to be a father in the new year!  This is putting a hold on my plans to return to SA and folliwng in your tracks around Southern Africa.

Have a loverly time in the Cape and if you are stuck please let me know as my Sister stays around St Helena bay and she would be more than happy to help where she can and if you venture near the Bay ie the windy city Port Elizabeth, you know my family lives there and are avid off roaders so can help and advise you on where to go in and around teh Eastern Cape.  Drop me a message and I will provide you with their contact details if you woudl like to meet some more locals!

So are you prepared for yoru very first Sunny Christmas?  No roast turkey dinner with brussel sprouts and the family all round the dinning table but rather a braai with steak, chops and borewors and a dip in the swinmming pool!  

Ralph whilest in the Cape try get to Carlitzdorp and visit the Boplaas Vineyard.  They have excellent wine and superb Port and it's set in a very quaint dorp in the Klein Karoo.

Cheers for now and keep the sun on your back and your eys on  the road.

Kevin 

It's lucky that Angela left Ernst & Young when she did with all those babies popping out and my ex colleague Claire pointing out the joy of nappies in the British winter!

Jason, I may not have lost my shirt but between the Landrover, the trailer and Angela's shopping habit it won't be long before I'll be busking around Southern Africa.

We appreciate your messages, keep them coming (that includes you Karen)

Ralph

Hi Angela and Ralph I see you're both back on the trail again. It is good also to see, from the picture of the pool at Monate, that Ralph has not lost his shirt! Good luck with the journey South to the Cape. Best regards, Jason Emma and Lucy

Hi there.  Hope you are enjoying being back on the trail.  Weather here is absolutely awful - rain, wind, a few hailstones - not that I am at all envious of course!!!  Just thought I'd drop a line and see how you are and to keep you updated on the happenings here (if you want to know - which you probably don't but what else can I talk about? ha ha) The women are dropping babies like there's no tomorrow!! In the space of a couple of months we've had Lynne Morris having a girl (Catherine), Rachael McEwen having a boy (Jack), Andrea Tidder having a girl (Olivia) and Meera Patel had a baby girl (Ria) last Thursday (16th) AND there's more to come!!!. (at least 6 to my knowledge but it could be more).  I'll be glad when it's Christmas - it will be cheaper than all the cards we contribute to for baby presents and leaving presents - ha ha.  Ah well I suppose I'd better get on with some work.  I look forward to reading your next postcards.  Take care.  Bye.  Pat

My first entry on here.  Ralph, sorry to hear about your ma.  Really enjoying reading about your travels, takes me back to when I was there, instead of being here in the cold & wet, knee deep in nappies.

Officials do read stuff they shouldn't.  American friend of mine was stopped on entering Heathrow for 'looking like a drugs trafficer (yeah, they seriously said that).  Despite coming in on a holiday visa, they read his diary which clearly showed his plans to stay longer & dates of interviews lined up in London.  Be warned..........