Although the month started off at a relaxed pace it soon picked up speed and before we knew it we were in the pre-holiday hectic-ness (if that is even a word).
Kevin arrived on Thursday the 1st to attend Morgan’s bachelor party. It was rather hectic with the guys all jumping in and helping with the arrangements. They ended up using Roger’s bakkie to transport all the goods to Parys where the event was being held. Fortunately, because he uses a company vehicle Roger does not need his personal vehicle every day.
We had our friends from Canada, Noel and Lindsey, for lunch on Saturday the 3rd. They had just recovered from Covid which they came down with shortly after arriving in SA; ironically despite having had a double vaccination and two boosters! They were in the country mainly because Noel’s dad was very ill. He sadly passed away on the 8th of December. Our deepest sympathy with them and their family.
Roger and I went for a walk in The Wilds again. He was keen to see all the water features after we read on Facebook that they were operational again. Unfortunately, perhaps because of loadshedding, they were full of water but not flowing. Walking in The Wilds is always a good experience though.
Ansie came through to Rosebank via Gautrain on the 7th and we watched the movie Notre Damme on Fire. What a harrowing experience! We had lunch afterwards and only after a double brandy calmed her down could we spend the rest of the afternoon catching up.
Johannesburg, and most of the country, had an unusual amount of rain since the start of summer. On the 5th of December we had a hailstorm of note. The complex staff had a hectic time trying to contain the potential damage by scooping away the debris and ice from the drainage grids, thus preventing water from flooding some ground level units.
We normally stay in Joburg for December. It is a really good place to be when the rest of Gauteng is on holiday at the coast. This year however, we had an opportunity for a fly-away over the long weekend of the 16th. Sean got to know some aviation enthusiasts from North West who were keen to host fellow aviators.
In no time at all the arrangements were finalised between the guys with the only variable being the weather. Everyone was watching the weather app and it wasn’t looking promising. We left Rosebank on Thursday the 15th, still not sure if we would be able to fly the next day. We had supper with Sean and Anthea, followed by a quick ‘meeting’ to confirm the arrangements for the morning. The Go/No-go decision would be taken at first light. Then we all turned in for an early night.
The weather was kind to us, and we got airborne out of Silver Creek at 06h30 on Friday morning.
Middle and bottom Left: Olifantsnek Dam, overflowing!
Bottom Right: Agri Airfield
Our first stop was at the Agri Airfield at Derby from where Jorge joined us. He flew in from Grasslands Airfield in Centurion.
From there our route took us over Barberspan to Delareyville where we would have breakfast. After the recent rains the countryside was wet, in fact waterlogged is probably a more accurate description.
Our host Len Steyn and a colleague met us at the Delareyville airstrip. Len is the operations manager at Botselo Mills. They transported us to the mill where a very welcome and needed coffee and breakfast awaited us, catered for by Botselo’s kitchen staff.
Middle Left: Delareyville airstrip, Middle Right: Botselo Mills
Bottom: Breakfast!
After breakfast Len gave us a short but very interesting presentation on Botselo’s operations. It was fascinating. Then he took us on an extensive tour of the plant. One would never guess what processing happens before that favourite cereal lands on your table…
According to their website https://botselo.co.za/
Botselo Mills is a dynamic, hands on, family operated maize mill in the heart of the North West province. From humble beginnings in 1982, the Hobson’s have grown and industrialised Botselo Mills into one of South Africa’s biggest privately owned maize mills, milling an impressive 300 000 tons a year.
Botselo Mills produces, markets and sells a comprehensive range of milled white and yellow maize products including value added maize-based cereals and beverages. Meticulously selected, we only buy South African maize, supporting local farmers and suppliers making sure we only use the best raw product available.
Middle: Packaging process
Bottom Left: Ready-mix for sorghum beer, simply add 5ℓ water!
Bottom Right: husks etc. to become livestock feed
After our tour we were taken back to the airstrip, and we continued our flight to Gerard and Hildegard Jonck’s farm, 60km west of Delareyville, where we would spend the next two nights. Such amazing people; so hospitable and accommodating. It was a real treat to spend time there and get to know them.
Centre: Parked and tethered
Bottom left: Welcome drinks in Gerhard’s hangar, Bottom right: Evening braai
On Saturday morning Len’s ‘plane would not start so Roger and I flew to his farm to assist. Roger has this very handy, very powerful battery starter kit. It came in handy as usual and before long he was airborne.
Bottom left: Airborne again, Bottom right: Gerhard’s off-the-grid farm
After teaming up with the others at Gerhard’s farm we flew to our next destination for brunch. Unfortunately, Hildegard was not feeling well so she and Gerhard did not join us for that. The runway on Tiaan’s farm was extremely wet and navigating through the mud after landing was rather interesting.
We had the most scrumptious brunch prepared by Tiaan’s mother-in-law. Again, the hospitality of the farming community is just amazing. With an eye on the weather we departed reluctantly, promising future visits and to keep in touch.
Clouds were building on the horizon, but we decided to fly to Bloemhof Dam before returning to our ‘accommodation’ farm.
Middle right and bottom: navigating around a huge storm
We left Gerhard and Hildegard’s farm early on Sunday morning. She was feeling better and we all flew to the airstrip in Delareyville from where our team took their final leave and headed back home.
Bottom left: Barberspan, Bottom right: Harts river
We stopped in for coffee at Iwamanzi, a game lodge near Koster, and from there it was a short hop to Silver Creek. It was an eventful, interesting, and different weekend!
Middle: Lodge patio, Bottom right: areal view of the lodge
We spent Christmas Eve with Francois, Adri, Simoné and Adri’s parents. We haven’t seen them for quite a while, so it was good to catch up. We slept over and took Francois and Adri to OR Tambo airport on Christmas day. They flew to Cape Town from where they were going on a cruise up the West Coast to Namibia. They needed to be at the airport at 5 am. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive, so we were up at 3 am and back home at 5:30 am.
Bottom right: Boarded and ready for the holiday
Christmas lunch was spent with Roger’s family at Sue’s place. It was good to eventually spend some time getting to know Bruce and Sarah’s son Luke. It was a pleasant day and a privilege to still have Roger’s mom and aunt with us, both of them still in good health.
Cynthia and Kobus paid us a visit on the 27th. It had been a long time since we last saw them. It was great, they slept over and we had a good catchup.
On the family front:
Simoné finished her 1st year at the University of Pretoria with flying colours. We were invited to the Information Design faculty’s exhibition on the 9th of December. Rather impressive what these arty types achieve!
Kevin also got his results; he passed his final year and thus his course in Mechanical Marine Engineering.
Well done to both of them!
