If you’ve been a regular leisure traveller to Europe since 1980, you’ve probably encountered a Rick Steves travel guide. While he has built his travel guru reputation on his vast experience of European travel, he was once a 23-year-old piano teacher with a yearning to make the journey along the so-called “Hippie Trail” – a route starting in Istanbul and traversing Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.
It was 1978, and Rick Steves decided that if he didn’t embark on this particular adventure, he would likely live to regret it. His timing was fortunate, as the very next year, political upheaval engulfed Iran and Afghanistan, and the Hippie Trail was no more. But for nearly two months in mid-78, he and his good friend, Gene, backpacked their way from start to finish, with Rick writing in his journals and taking photos the old-fashioned way. Forty-five years later, he decided to share the pivotal experience that took his career path from music teacher to travel expert.
Edited versions of his journals form the basis of the book and guide you along the Hippie Trail through the lens of a curious and questioning young American. Transport options included overcrowded, beat-up old buses (goats welcome too!), overnight trains that defied sleep, bicycles, and sometimes a lift with an obliging local. Accommodation came in the form of hostels, houseboats and hotels they could afford. India in the monsoon season may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but for Steves, it was part of the magic, as was discovering something off the usual tourist track. His original photographs are striking and used liberally throughout the book to illustrate the people and places that caught his eye.
The enduring message at the end of his book is that good travel is more than bucket lists and selfies. In his words, people need to “get their fingers dirty in other cultures, wallop their ethnocentrism and come home with the most valuable souvenir: a broader perspective.”
Have you ever thought, just out of the blue, life feels a little too familiar… a little too you?
The same routines, the same places, the same easy way, everything working well… just the same every day.
I had that thought, and my friend Jean did too, we like what we like… it’s what we always do.
We stick to what’s easy. We stay with what we know, it’s comfortable living… but not where we grow.
So we made a decision, for goodness’ sake, to shake things up a little… to see what it would take.
To be a little less boring in the choices we make, and not play it so safe… just for comfort’s sake.
(Now what do you know … I’ve even written my very first poem.)
So this year, my friend Jean and I decided we would take turns choosing something new to try. And the best part? The other person wouldn’t be allowed to say no.
I went first.
I took Jean to something called Secret Sunrise. If you’ve never heard of it, it involves dancing at sunrise with a group of strangers, all wearing headphones, and all far more comfortable with dancing in public than we were. It’s definitely not something either of us would normally do. But that was the point.
And… you can’t say no.
So there we were, dancing at sunrise, slightly out of our comfort zones, and completely surprised by how much we enjoyed it. And we kept going.
Next was Jean’s turn, and she took me to “Pink Mamas” – a restaurant in Rosebank where everything is pink, sprinkled with pastel hues and vintage accents. Not my usual choice, but fun in a way I didn’t expect.
Because you can’t say no.
Then we spent a morning doing block printing, where I made serviettes with little sea creatures on them. Again, not something I would normally do.
But you can’t say no.
And I found myself completely absorbed. Learning something new, meeting new people, and enjoying it far more than I expected. Next on the list is a French cooking course, and possibly a big international concert. It’s my turn now.
Jean can’t say no.
The point is not what we’re doing but rather what it’s doing to us. There’s something about stepping outside your comfort zone that wakes you up a little. You feel more present, more engaged, more open. And it’s much easier when you’re not doing it alone.
If you’re looking for a simple way to start, you could try what Jean and I are doing. Take turns with a partner, a friend, or your spouse. You choose one month. They choose the next. And the only rule is: you can’t say no.
What I’ve realised is how easy it is to settle into doing things the same way, simply because it’s comfortable. But the world awaits, and there’s so much out there to explore.
Can birding really be done from a luxury train? In our case, the answer turned out to be yes – and no.
In 2024, BirdLife SA launched the inaugural Rovos Rail Birding Safari – a world-class five-night bespoke journey through South Africa’s epicentre of avian diversity. Departing from Pretoria, the train overnighted at Dullstroom, Mbombela, Hoedspruit, Tzaneen and Polokwane, all chosen for their varied birding habitats and dramatic changes in altitude.
But how does one go birding on a train?
This was made possible by eight highly skilled bird guides who followed the train in minibuses, taking participants to prime birding hotspots early each morning.
The World of Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail, known as “The Most Luxurious Train in the World”, was founded by Rohan Vos in the mid-1980s. What began as a personal dream of refurbishing old railway carriages has grown into an internationally renowned business, complete with its own station and railyard in Pretoria, six trainsets, and routes stretching from Cape Town to Dar-es-Salaam.
To describe Rohan as “a boy with his toys” would be a serious understatement. Gleaming locomotives pull beautifully restored dining, sleeper, lounge and observation cars. He trained his workforce of 430 craftsmen and craftswomen himself, and the Capital Park workshops feel like stepping back into the golden age of rail travel.
At the start of the journey, passengers are guided to their named suites, each carriage attended by a dedicated hostess. Our Deluxe Suite, with its charming original SAR&H basin, shower, bar fridge, easy chairs and generous double bed, made for a very comfortable home on rails.
The Railway Reality
Once the train left Capital Park, however, it was in Transnet’s hands. Their locomotives and drivers pulled the Rovos carriages along an inconsistently maintained network, with little concern for passenger comfort. Jerking and banging could be severe, and Rovos adjusted its planning so that the train remained stationary overnight to ensure restful sleep.
Our journey offered insight into the current state of South Africa’s rail system. Long freight trains still operate, but derelict stations, vandalised infrastructure, abandoned rolling stock, and rusting tracks painted a sobering picture. Overgrown vegetation made leaning out of windows hazardous, and the carriages returned to Pretoria much the worse for wear.
Life Onboard
Despite this, the onboard experience was exceptional.
Great emphasis was placed on fine dining. Lunch and dinner consisted of four courses with wine or liqueur pairings, featuring fresh, local ingredients and traditional dishes. A gong announced each sitting, and linen, silverware and crystal glasses were impeccable.
Evening meals required formal attire, though jackets were mercifully optional. The final dinner was safari-themed, complete with décor and costumes. One could easily imagine Karen Blixen of Out of Africa feeling at home among the leopard prints.
Early Mornings and Rare Sightings
Each morning began at 5 am with coffee and rusks, followed by breakfast packs and minibus departures on one of three birding routes.
Our personal approach is to accept only self-taken photographs as positive records, while most guides rely on bird calls. This occasionally led to frustration, as birds are rarely camera-compliant.
A daily sightings list was published. Nearly 300 species were recorded over five days, including four lifers (first-time sighting) – Magpie Mannikin, Short-clawed Lark, African Quailfinch and a Cuckoo Finch pair – bringing our Southern African list to 637.
A disappointment was missing the African Finfoot, although it was seen on other routes. Such is the nature of birding.
Our most special sighting was the Short-clawed Lark, endemic to the grassland north of Polokwane. Sadly, habitat degradation has placed this near-threatened species at risk.
Learning, Friendship and Fulfilment
Birding was complemented by engaging lectures from Professor Peter Ryan on a range of ornithological topics.
Travelling with Rovos Rail and BirdLife SA proved to be a memorable experience of luxury and excellence. New friendships were formed over shared meals, minibus journeys and time spent in the observation lounge.
For the 72 participants, birding from a train on this inaugural safari was a rare privilege. Having the means to play and learn with purpose in this way enriches one’s sense of fulfilment in retirement. This journey did exactly that.
Lindsay on the platform at Capital Park station prior to departure
From the moment Pam and Errol glimpsed Rome’s ancient skyline, their Italian journey unfolded with unforgettable moments, laughter, and discovery. Travelling with a close-knit group of American friends, they blended guided tours with spontaneous exploration, savouring history, cuisine, and the simple joy of the journey itself.
A Journey Through Italy
Their group’s journey began in Rome, where they spent two and a half days exploring iconic landmarks, including the Vatican and the Colosseum. They highly recommend pre-booking “Skip-the-Line” tickets, which allowed them to skip the long queues and make the most of their time. A private guide enriched their experience, sharing stories and historical details that brought the ancient sites to life.
From Rome, they took the train to Sorrento for five days of coastal beauty and relaxed sightseeing. One highlight was a private boat trip to Capri, complete with a swim in the Mediterranean. Although the famous Blue Grotto was closed due to the tide, the dramatic cliffs and sparkling coastline more than made up for it.
Tuscany was their next stop—a villa nestled on the outskirts of the medieval walled town of San Gimignano, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. With a rental car, the group explored Florence and Bologna by day, and in the evenings, they gathered in the villa’s kitchen to cook simple meals from fresh local produce. These shared dinners became some of the trip’s most cherished moments.
The grand finale was Venice. Arriving by train and gliding through the canals by water taxi, Pam and Errol checked into a 500-year-old hotel near St. Mark’s Square—modernised inside, yet brimming with character. On departure, they discovered the ultimate travel hack: a water taxi straight to the airport, ending their adventure in comfort and style.
Pam and Errol’s Top Travel Tips for Italy:
Download Citymapper: This free app is a lifesaver for navigating Italy’s cities. It shows you whether to walk, take the metro, or hop on a bus—no guesswork required.
Book ahead: “Skip-the-Line” tickets for major attractions like the Vatican and Colosseum are worth every cent. Skip the queues and spend more time exploring.
Be firm with taxis: Italian taxis are legally required to accept credit cards. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Know your gondola rates: The official price is €90 before 6 p.m. and €110 after. If you’re quoted more, walk away.
Avoid driving in city centres: Many Italian cities have restricted traffic zones for authorised vehicles only. Entering by mistake can mean a fine of over €150.
Self-cater in Tuscany: Shopping for local ingredients and cooking together was one of the group’s highlights.
Make the most of Italy’s trains: Italy’s train system is fast and reliable and connects most major cities and scenic regions. Booking tickets in advance can save money, and travelling by train is often more relaxing than driving or flying between destinations.
Use an eSIM for easy connectivity: Consider purchasing an eSIM before your trip or upon arrival in Italy. It’s a convenient way to stay connected without swapping physical SIM cards, and you can activate data plans instantly on your phone. Be sure to verify that your phone is compatible with eSIMs before purchasing.
We’d love to hear your story! If you’ve been on a memorable trip and would like to share your adventure, please email Lyndsay@charteredwealth.co.za.
Researching what was for the two of us a brand-new holiday option was an eye- opener. We began by interrogating a wide range of trusty travellers on sea cruises options.
Most common and vehemently shared views were: Are you mad? (I am told it’s a slow process, was the response), I wouldn’t be seen dead on a ship (careful now), it’s FAR too expensive (Hmm), we can’t stand crowds/queues (been to Plett lately?) and it’s for old people (huh?), said with such passion and conviction that I failed to ask if they had experienced these feelings first-hand. Apparently, many had, but in a different era.
The Brandy and Coke Days
Those of a certain age will recall the MSC cruises that left from the KZN harbour headed for Mauritius, filled with over-excited sales ‘Achievement of the Year’ award winners. The corporate hosts provided French champagne, brandy and Coke, and a range of SA’s amazing ales. Those were the days. And the tradition continues – recently over 450 sales achievers of the year enjoyed an all-paid cruise in glorious sunshine, leaving onboard staff with stories to tell – including typical Saffer shenanigans.
Tackling the FAQs
Here’s the thing – the current crop of upmarket cruise liners gracefully ride the waves, offering a variety of destinations and packages. It’s certainly worth a try as you will read below.
FAQ1
Are we mad? The short answer is “no”. Until you experience the sheer comfort, safety and variety offered (including Alaska, South and North America, Europe and the Middle and Far East), it’s impossible to criticise. Unless you suffer from acute sea sickness, in which case there are nifty patches to wear behind your ear lobes; rather remarkably, they work like a charm.
FAQ2
The cost and what we got? We chose a smaller ship with a maximum of 500 guests and 200 staff. The ship can moor at many of the harbours we sailed into, making disembarkation swift and safe. Our two-week rate for two people was $17.000 (less expensive than a daily rate at a 5-star bush lodge in South Africa). It included pretty much everything. Excluded were laundry, land excursions and spa treatments. Land tour prices ranged from zero to $300 per person in a private luxury car or 4-wheel drive. There is a vast list of tours to choose from.
Or you can sunbathe on the ship, attend a talk on health/wellness or fascinating presentations by an eminent historian – favourite examples were Churchill, Lord Byron and the impact on the global order by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Relaxing is popular and you can choose from a host of lounges/decks/coffee and ice cream bars, chill in your cabin with a view to marvel at, play table tennis, bridge and Mahjong, win a prize in the competitive putting competition or meet and talk to guests from across the globe.
Oodles of entertainment to choose from: live shows including opera, smooth jazz and late-night quartets followed by the resident DJ, background piano melodies and singers at the restaurant bar – and the cruise favourite, an ABBA show (close your eyes and you are transported to the ABBA Voyage in London).
The cabin was roomy, with service 24 hours a day at the ring of a bell. Filtered water and ice awaited us on arrival and were refreshed twice a day. A massive range of alcohol served by baristas at four bar areas included a different cocktail every evening. There were seven restaurants to choose from, with menus that included fresh food bought daily from the harbour towns we arrived at. We often disembarked and wandered around the harbour and town or city we docked at, and a brief history of the area was provided the day before in person, on our app and TV in the room.
FAQ3
But aren’t there long queues and crowds on board? We did not experience queues on board, even at the busiest bars and restaurants. Seldom were more than four guests sharing the elevator with us. The service was exemplary. Once, during a spate of strong winds, we were held back from disembarking for an hour, which we spent at The Observation tea and coffee bar.
Alert – the size of the boat really matters. In Thailand, we witnessed monster-sized ships carrying over 3000 people standing for hours waiting to go to and from the harbour.
FAQ4
Aren’t cruises just for older people? Age doesn’t matter. The first week on board, we estimated the average age at 55/60. The second week, a batch of tour groups from America, Australia and New Zealand embarked, dropping the age level significantly.
The land tours are divided from easy to challenging. Easy strolls around towns and villages along cobbled streets or challenging, including mountain climbing and sea boarding. You get to choose.
We attended wine farm and art gallery tours with 30-year-olds and tuk-tuk trips up the mountains in Montenegro with 65-year-olds. The entertainment schedule followed suit. We felt right at home wherever we were and whomever we spoke to.
The Sea, Sky and Scrumptious Food
After 3 fascinating days touring the old city and mountains, we embarked at Dubrovnik in Croatia on our way to Montenegro. Here are some highlights:
At 5 am, while enjoying tea and sandwiches on an open deck, we watched a glorious sunrise above the encircling mountain range and into an azure sky as we slowly entered the harbour.
Next stop, the boot of Italy. We strolled through the town of Gallipoli with its chic and colourful restaurants and marvelled at local fashion designs, arts and crafts.
We stopped at several ports along mainland Greece, all charming, historically interesting and full of life. Strolling along palm-lined promenades, shopping for arts and crafts in bustling bazaars or unwinding with fresh seafood and ice-cold local beers by the marinas – what’s not to love?
We took to Nafplion, a city located in Peloponnese Greece, an attractive tourist destination. Like many seaport towns, Nafplion has endured crushing crusades (Ottoman springs to mind). In 1827 it became an important city within the first Hellenic Republic in the Kingdom of Greece.
A 45-minute taxi drive into Athens, followed by a walk around the 5th-century BC Pantheon through the Plaka, brought back memories of previous visits to this city.
We visited two of the biggest and perhaps less travelled islands – Syros and Chania in Crete. Both lovely, with warm and friendly people.
The western Aegean coast of Turkey was a complete surprise. We visited a privately owned art gallery and wine farm in Cesme, a resort town, and drove through Kusadasi, a fast-growing modern area (it reminded us of Franschoek), where Istanbul residents have second houses to escape a tourist-overrun Istanbul. A leather clothing store close to the harbour invited us to ‘kom binne en koop a mooi baadjie”. Many Turkish entrepreneurs lived and worked in South Africa in the 1980/90s. Throughout our time in Turkey, the men spoke passionately about failing governments, the cost of living, the refugee situation and two wars close to Turkey’s borders.
Last stop was the ancient site of Ephesus. We were treated to an extraordinary experience of chamber music, seated among some of the most famous ruins in the world, as the sun lazily dipped below the horizon.
Our verdict
Sea cruises may not suit everyone. However, for the curious and adventurous, they offer comfort, security, diversity, and a massive range of things to do and people to meet.
Kotor MontenegroListening to a band playing ABBA on the pool deckCesme
“Art is a guarantee of sanity.” French-American artist Louise Bourgeois
Did you know that Cuban-American artist, Carmen Herrera, sold her first painting at the age of 89? She had painted almost every day over six decades, not for fame or money, but simply because she loved it. She called painting her reason for being. And she kept going, well past 100, showing up in her New York studio with endless curiosity. She lived to 106.
There’s something powerful about staying curious, expressive, and playful. It may be one of the most important things we can do for a long and meaningful life. And research backs this up. Creative expression has been linked to better mental health, improved memory, and longer lives.
Picasso, Matisse, Monet – all continued creating well into their elder years. Henri Matisse turned to paper cut-outs in his 70s and 80s when illness made painting difficult. He called it “drawing with scissors in his second life” – and some say it was his most joyful work. Georgia O’Keeffe continued making art even after losing her eyesight. She lived to 98. And Louise Bourgeois, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 20th century, only had her first major solo exhibition at 71. She worked almost daily until she died at 98.
Last month, I witnessed the power of creativity first-hand. A group of clients came together in Cape Town for an apron-painting workshop. On the surface, it may have looked like a morning of arts and crafts. But it was so much more. Laughter flowed as freely as the paint. There was connection, expression, and a wonderful reminder that doing something purely for the joy of it is reason enough.
As I’ve explored the science of creativity and ageing, I’ve discovered some fascinating facts. A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health found that people who regularly engage in creative activities report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. And research from Harvard suggests that creativity stimulates the brain in ways that help protect against cognitive decline.
Here are a few reasons why creativity deserves a place in your week:
It lifts your mood. Creative activity releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical that reduces anxiety and helps combat low moods.
It keeps your brain flexible. Creative hobbies like painting, writing, or even knitting activate different parts of the brain and improve memory.
It’s good for your health. Studies have shown that creative expression is linked to fewer illnesses, better immune function, and greater longevity.
It helps us connect. Creativity brings people together and keeps us connected to ourselves.
The best part? You don’t have to be an artist. Creativity lives in arranging flowers, cooking a beautiful meal, planting a new herb in the garden, or choosing a bright scarf simply because it makes you smile. If it brings you joy, it’s worth doing.
So, give yourself permission to play, whether it’s painting an apron, writing a few lines in a journal, doodling, baking, or rearranging your photos. Get messy. Experiment. And remember how good it feels to do something simply because it makes you happy.
Standing naked on our terrace at our timeshare just south of Lapland, we didn’t feel awkward as we looked out at a lake and forest. The two of us, Louis and Stephen, were having a sauna in our chalet and then went outside, where it was -4 to enjoy the “Finnish experience” even though there was no snow to roll in.
“What happens if anyone walks past?” Louis asked. “Don’t worry,” I said, “the Finns do this all the time – and are used to it.”
“By “the Finns”,” Louis asked, “Do you mean us as the Finns or the Finns who actually live here?” “Both,” I responded, as a man walked by with his dog and greeted us. Both of them had jackets on.
I’d wanted to go to Finland for decades, not only because of my surname but because of its reputation as a liberal country with its tranquil forests, freezing lakes and incredible music tradition. One of our favourite composers is the fantastic Jean Sibelius. Actually, when I was in primary school and my Dad bought an LP with loads of tracks, I used to stand in front of the radiogram (as it was in those days) and conduct Sibelius’s “Finlandia”, a wonderful tone poem that underlines a desire for independence from oppression.
We’d been warned that the Finns of Finland were unfriendly, unhelpful and taciturn; they evidently don’t engage in small talk. We found just the opposite: incredibly friendly, helpful at all times and some of them more chatty than even I, Stephen, am.
So, you might well ask, what were the highlights (apart from cavorting naked near a lake). The music performances were spectacular: an opera, Animal Farm, written by a Russian in English, performed at the opera house across the road from our hotel; at the same venue the next night, magnificent ballet; the following night saw us in Lahti for a programme of Sibelius – brilliant; and the next one at the concert hall down the road of, among other works, Brahms’s Symphony No 3 – another of our favourites.
What was exciting was to see the age mix of people at all of these performances: as many youngsters were there as the more “mature”, with dozens coming along on their bicycles.
The concert hall in Helsinki is the most beautiful we have ever been to anywhere in the world, dominated by a magnificent steel sculpture that we worked out was actually the organ. It’s one of only two of its kind.
And then there was the phenomenally beautiful Sibelius monument, echoing in steel the flow of his music.
We also did a joyous parkrun along a lake, with loads of cherry trees festooned with blossoms.
As we’re vegan, we had wondered beforehand how well we’d be able to eat. Our hotel had a complete plant-based menu for breakfast and all the restaurants we went to for our suppers catered happily for vegans: Nepalese, Chinese, Italian – and Finnish, with the Helsinki train station having a fantastic restaurant.
We found something even better when we went by ferry across the Baltic Sea for a day in Tallinn, Estonia. It was very interesting, and we found a vegan restaurant just off the main square with incredible food.
Would we go to Finland again with its wonderful architecture (you should see the new library in Helsinki), where there’s no littering, everything runs to time and with its residents evidently being the happiest in the world? Of course, we’d love to but as there are so many other countries we haven’t been to yet, it’s unlikely. Is it one of our favourite of the fifty or so countries we’ve been to? It certainly is. And that’s the naked truth.
This trip had been on our Bucket Wheel® for a long time. We first planned a camping tour in 2019, but our enthusiasm was met with concern. Family questioned whether we had the stamina for the dusty roads, desert heat, and physical demands of camping. It gave us pause, but only briefly. After a few months (and many conversations), we decided that no matter what others thought, we were going.
Namibia had captured our imagination – and we weren’t giving up on this dream!
Just as we finalised the itinerary, Covid hit. Tours were cancelled, our chosen operator closed down, and the plan went on hold. In the meantime, we ticked off other adventures: watching whales in Hermanus, walking among elephants in Addo, and completing the Camino in Spain.
By mid-2024, we decided to try again. But with overseas visitors booking up most tours, we began to think it wasn’t meant to be. Then, unexpectedly, a new tour date was added, and we secured two spots! The only catch: it wasn’t designed for over-65s. After back-and-forth emails and a doctor’s note, we were officially confirmed. The planning could begin – properly, this time.
From Cape Town to the Orange River – new landscapes, new friends
Our journey started in Cape Town, winding through the Cederberg and Namaqualand, where the roadsides were blanketed in wildflowers. Crossing into Namibia, we spent our first night on the banks of the Orange River, waking to golden sunrises and riverside breakfasts. We had wisely chosen the “comfort” option – no tents to pitch, just simple chalets.
One of the unexpected highlights was the group itself – 20 travellers from Germany, Denmark, Spain, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Our Zimbabwean driver and guides were exceptional – keeping us well-fed, comfortable, and entertained. Each morning began with coffee, oats, toast, and fruit prepared over a gas stove, eaten in a circle of fold-up chairs. We shared stories, and everyone pitched in to clean up.
Canyons, forests and desert dunes
We explored Fish River Canyon, walked along its breathtaking rim, and stood in awe of its vast silence.
Keetmanshoop became our base for visiting the Quiver Tree Forest, Giants Playground, Dune 45, Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, and Sesriem Canyon.
Climbing the dunes was no easy task – legs burning, feet sinking into the sand – but the views from the top made every step worthwhile.
The landscapes were stark and bare yet rich in beauty. Early mornings brought a surprising chill, catching us off guard more than once!
One evening, as the sun set over the dunes, we were treated to stories from a local guide – featuring spiders, snakes, and a few creatures we were glad not to meet in the sand where we sat.
Tropic of Capricorn, Skeleton Coast and Cape Cross
On our way to Swakopmund, we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn – just a simple sign in the middle of the desert. Standing there felt strangely significant, a reminder that we were journeying through places we’d only ever read about in school geography books.
We continued to the Skeleton Coast and Cape Cross, where we saw parts of an old shipwreck and watched a seal colony in action. Another unique and powerful view of this beautiful desert country.
Swakopmund was a highlight. We took a boat cruise in the bay, laughing as seals clambered aboard and pelicans flapped their enormous wings near our heads.
A seafood lunch and warm sherry made it a day to remember, followed by a festive dinner with local food and music.
From there, we travelled through the scenic Brandberg region to Etosha National Park. While animal sightings were few, the experience was unforgettable … especially when our truck broke down on a lion crossing! We were escorted to camp by armed rangers. Dramatic, but definitely a story to bring home.
Our journey ended in Windhoek, where we explored museums and monuments and got a taste of local life.
This trip reminded us that you’re never too old for adventure. Sometimes, the best things just take a little longer. Namibia gave us stories, laughter, and the deep satisfaction of saying: We did it.
While the rest of us plan a beach or bush break or perhaps a culinary tour, Justin Fox decided to combine his passions for travel and local literature. In Place, the former editor of “Getaway” magazine, embarks on a solo quest to visit the settings of several well-known South African stories. These environments were very close to the hearts of the authors of the books and, in some cases, also evoked personal memories for Justin Fox.
He undertakes nine mini expeditions to track down the locales, farms and homesteads where the authors or their characters were said to have resided or to retrace and explore the routes they took. The works that inspire his travels are anchored in various parts of South Africa’s diverse landscape, and he wants to immerse himself in the “spirit of place” that the writers conveyed so powerfully in their stories or poems. This deep-rooted relationship that people can have with an environment is a thread throughout Fox’s book. He notes that one of the challenges of emigration is the loss of a familiar landscape with its distinctive smells, sounds, colours and connections that are locked into memory, often from childhood. Sometimes, it can be harsh terrain, but it is still an integral part of who you are.
His journeys span the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape and extend up to Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West province. His ‘travel guides’ include classics like Olive Schreiner’s Story of an African Farm (Eastern Karoo) and Jock of the Bushveld – both of which are now faint memories from my school days! Herman Charles Bosman’s Groot Marico tales and Dalene Matthee’s Knysna Forest novels also feature in his itinerary. Those who are familiar with the Wild Coast will appreciate his pilgrimage fuelled by Zakes Mda’s Heart of Redness.
The years have wrought inevitable change, and at times, Fox is dismayed by signs of disrepair or the impact of development and greedy agendas. But at each destination, his chosen book gives him a channel into the sense of place that its author experienced.
A copy of Place by Justin Fox can be borrowed from our Chartered Client Library.
When Chartered client Ingrid Davidson and her husband Alistair retired to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, she was looking forward to peaceful mornings and long walks on the beach; what she didn’t expect was to find herself reliving the exuberance of her youth, thanks to an enthusiastic invitation from her dear friend, Mary Connock.
Mary introduced Ingrid to the Granny Grommets, a lively group of women who have turned the beach into their playground. Twice a week, this spirited group gathers at Robberg Beach at 10:00 in the morning, ready to embrace the waves and leave behind any cares that might have followed.
The Granny Grommets, as the name might suggest, is a group of women who have discovered the sheer joy of boogie boarding. The term “Grommet” originally referred to a young surfer or someone involved in extreme sports, highlighting this group’s youthful, adventurous spirit. But don’t let the “Granny” part fool you—this group is for anyone with a zest for life, with members of all ages joining in the wave-riding excitement.
Initially hesitant, Ingrid was quickly swept up by the group’s enthusiasm. The moment she caught her first wave, all her reservations melted away. The exhilaration of being tossed about by the ocean, the laughter that echoed across the beach, and the sense of freedom that came with every ride reminded her of the playful days of childhood.
And it wasn’t just the wave riding that captured Ingrid’s heart. After an hour of fun in the surf, the group plunks down on the beach, flasks of coffee in hand, sharing stories, solving the world’s problems, and indulging in delicious treats. It’s a time of connection, camaraderie, and simple pleasure.
Ingrid’s Wednesday and Friday mornings have become the highlight of her week. The Granny Grommets have given her a sense of community, energy, and an unexpected source of joy. Even the chilly water can’t dampen the spirits of this group—though, of course, they take a well-deserved break during the colder months when the sharks make their appearance.
So, if you find yourself near the shores of Plett, grab a boogie board and join them—all are welcome.
Although our intention was to attend the Fairest Cape Rally, we decided to turn the journey into an adventure, visiting new places and making memories with good friends. Joining the rally with our Pretoria Old Motor Club (POMC) companions, Hylda and Tinus Steenkamp, made the trip even more special.
We kicked off our journey early in the morning, celebrating the start of our adventure with a Wimpy breakfast, complete with milkshakes and cappuccinos.
Our first stop was Britstown, where we booked into a charming guest house – the owner was quite the talker! We all agreed that a relaxing evening stroll was needed, so we ventured out to the hotel for a delicious buffet dinner featuring a leg of lamb and springbok pie.
Our destination for breakfast the next morning was Loxton, a charming town in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape Province and a two-hour drive from Britstown. It was the perfect choice! We enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast, and the locals thoroughly entertained us with the most interesting conversations. We were spoilt for choice with lovely spices with intriguing names like “Varkerig” and “Oorlams.” From there, we ventured over the escarpment and entered Vanrhynsdorp to spend the night. Vanrhynsdorp is a small town with a distinct Victorian character, famous for its Nama Karoo vegetation, succulents and fynbos, and offers a wide range of cultural and historical experiences.
It was time to slow down our journey, and the following day was spent exploring the beautiful Cederberg. We visited Lamberts Bay, stopped by Leopoltsville, and finally reached Hermanus, where we booked into The Esplanade Apartment Hotel for four nights. We savoured long walks among the wildflowers, enjoyed the stunning sea views from a beachside bench, and dined at outstanding restaurants like Dutchess, Fick’s Pools, and Bientang’s Cave.
We arrived at Goudini Spa for the Fairest Cape Rally six days into our adventure.
We were warmly welcomed by Leon Stander, the scorekeeper, and settled into the Slanghoek Luxury Villas for three nights. On our first evening, we enjoyed a beautiful view over the Breede Valley and a good old South African braai.
The rally kicked off the next morning with over 70 entries, most of them veteran motorcycles. Fortunately, a few classic cars and a touring class for newer cars were also allowed to enter.
We participated in the fastest speed category (80km/h), driving without instruments but finding opportunities to accelerate, primarily through the beautiful Bainskloof Pass.
After a stop at Riebeek Kasteel and lunch in Tulbagh, we headed back for a relaxing soak in the warm water pool at Slanghoek, taking in the breathtaking view after a long day on the road.
We rallied again the next day, embracing the thrill of the open road. Later, we drove to Ceres for a delightful lunch, where we shared countless stories about motorcycles, reminiscing with laughter and, at times, tears as we connected over our shared passion and all our memories.
The last evening was a highlight, with a gala dinner and a prize-giving celebration. It was wonderful to meet so many new friends, but the time eventually came to part ways.
This road trip was a journey of camaraderie, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable memories. If you ever have the chance to join the Fairest Cape Rally, don’t hesitate – it’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
Dreaming of escaping the Johannesburg hustle for open roads and scenic vistas, Chartered clients Huida and Granville set out on a motorcycle trip with a twist: Granville had a secret agenda – to scout potential semigration destinations. Little did they know, George would capture their hearts with its charm, natural beauty, and a hidden gem of a house waiting to be discovered.
Their initial odyssey wound through towns like Prince Albert and Tulbagh, each offering unique flavours of life. While Port Owen’s remoteness didn’t resonate, Gordons Bay, a place they loved, didn’t offer any houses that suited them. Montagu’s historical allure tempted them, but having a Woolworths within a 5km radius remained a dealbreaker for Huida.
Reaching George, they met up with friends who had already made the leap, and their glowing experiences about George ignited a spark. The town’s clean, friendly atmosphere left a positive impression. But the true magic unfolded on a breathtaking motorbike ride up Outeniqua Pass. Lush valleys, ancient forests, and panoramic vistas unfolded with each turn, sealing their desire for a change.
Back in Johannesburg, the “what if?” echoed. Inspired by a vision of their ideal home and a couple they met on their travels encouraging a “just do it!” attitude, they took on the challenge. The search for their perfect George haven began.
Despite initial hiccups – a damp property and limited options – they persevered. A serendipitous discovery led them to a magnificent house in Welgelegen Estate, ticking all the boxes, even the motorbike-friendly location.
With an accepted offer and their Johannesburg house sold, their semigration dream materialised. Moving in November 2022, the timing was perfect. Today, nestled in their haven, they’ve embraced the George lifestyle, made new friends, and explored the Garden Route’s wonders.
Their journey is a testament to open hearts, serendipity, and the courage to take a leap of faith, proving that sometimes, the best destinations are discovered on two wheels and with an open mind.
Most of us will chalk up just a few of the 1000 travel experiences in this book, but it will undoubtedly inspire those wanting to create new travel memories. If you prefer armchair travel, you’ll find the mini write-ups fascinating.
The book is divided into geographical sections and numbered experiences that are first-hand accounts from various travel writers. Some options are not for the unfit or faint-hearted, but if zip-lining across the Spain-Portugal border, hiking up Peru’s multi-coloured Rainbow Mountain, or facing off with Komodo dragons in Indonesia is not for you, there are plenty of alternatives!
History enthusiasts can consider a stay at Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, and a therapeutic visit to the Thermae Bath Spa in the World Heritage town of Bath, England. In Italy, outdoor concerts, from opera to contemporary music, are held in the Roman-era Verona arena.
If history and hiking are your preferred pairing, the path of the old Berlin Wall is now a 160-kilometre (divided into 14 sections that can be tackled individually) hiking and cycling trail. Several much longer hikes are featured if Machu Picchu or a Camino are on your bucket list.
Plane, train or automobile? Train choices include the Beijing – Shanghai Express, Eastern & Oriental Express between Singapore and Bangkok, and the Australian Ghan, which travels across the vast Outback from Adelaide – Darwin.
For some, the highlight of any trip is sampling a region’s food and beverage. The book notes Belgium’s claim to beer and chocolate fame and will tell you where in the world to find the best coffee, bourbon, and local speciality dishes.
Those who don’t mind the cold and the dark may enjoy a December visit to Kiruna in Sweden to see the Northern Lights and sleep in an Ice Hotel.
The list of natural wonders and cultural experiences is long, and South Africa also gets several mentions – from Bo-Kaap architecture and Cape Malay cuisine to Table Mountain. Whilst whale-watching in Hermanus didn’t make the pages, did you know that the Dominican Republic and Mexico are whale-watching hubs?
Rough Guides publishes 1000 Ultimate Travel Experiences. The font size is reasonably small, so good reading light is essential! The 2007 copy in our Chartered Client Library has been replaced with 2022’s fifth edition.
This week I came across a beautiful inspirational story on Facebook about our very own Margaret Kearns, and to my surprise – Brent Lindeque (Good Things Guy.) Can you imagine inviting a complete stranger and famous influencer to your 70th birthday party? Someone who reaches over four million people every month on social media. Margaret’s daughters did! They knew how much their mom loved Brent and asked him as a surprise for her birthday. And best of all, Brent Lindeque said yes! He attended her 70th birthday party last year and celebrated her 71st birthday with her again this year!
This story made me realise how powerful the courage to ask is. If you don’t, ask, you’ll never know – right? And with that comes the courage to say YES to life … to live every minute and every second to your utmost. You never know where saying ‘yes’ will lead – you may make new friends, learn new lessons and perhaps experience more pockets of joy in every day.
I met Margaret quite a few years ago when she joined Chartered and immediately loved her optimistic outlook and attitude to life. She inspires wherever she goes; is one of the bravest women I know and a personal role model. Margaret took over running the finances when her husband passed away, enrolled and obtained her Degree in Anthropology and Sociology in her mid-60s, and still holds her family of three adult daughters together.
Inviting Brent Lindeque out of the blue to their mom’s 70th birthday is a testament to how Margaret’s courageous and adventurous spirit rubbed off on her children. Brent is the founder of Good Things Guy (launched in 2015) – a platform dedicated to telling good stories and sharing things that inspire. He shared a beautiful post on social media about his time spent with Margaret, her family and friends. “It was time spent perfectly,” he said. “I stepped out of my comfort zone and leaned in that day when I went to a birthday lunch with 29 random strangers. I spent the afternoon in the spectacular autumn sun, drinking champagne while listening to incredible women sharing stories of their time. It was beautiful. And a stark reminder that we only have so much time.” This year, Brent again shared the lesson he learnt from Margaret at her birthday party – to find a pocket of joy in every day.
I’ve reflected on all my first-time experiences this year to fulfil my goal of trying something new and different every month. Each encounter has brought a lesson – or shared one. This month I tried my awkward, non-artistic hand at ceramics with a friend and our daughters. We spent a wonderful day at the Prison Break Market Clay Café where I made a semi-decent piggy bank. Our housekeeper’s daughter, Abby, is turning one this year, and my goal is to start teaching her how to save – a lesson we taught our children from a young age.
If you feel motivated to say yes to life more often, to find more pockets of joy every day, or fill more time with fun and laughter, start by taking a small step out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to invite a famous influencer to your birthday or embark on the grandest of all adventures, just take a small step that sits comfortably with you. Try hopping on to Good Things Guy on Facebook for inspiration! Fun and laughter are contagious, and the more time we spend on good things, the more time we’ll invest in happiness and joy.
Having undergone a double knee replacement in 2021, my husband Stephen and I decided to relish his remarkable and wonderful rehabilitation and cash in on this golden period of our lives together.
I did some research and found a fantastic option on the Garden Route. Mark Dixon, an outdoor enthusiast with a magnificent protean knowledge of ecology, biological science and nature conservation led our hike. We were joined by a UK couple in their early sixties, enjoying an outdoor adventure in South Africa. Mark organizes trips and highlights the incredibly rich fossils on our coastline, the indigenous trees, geology, insects, marine life and avian specimens. We learnt such a great deal about a myriad of impressive elephant, crocodile, buffalo and hominoid footprints found on the coastline ranging from Wilderness to Brenton-on-Sea. Touching and beholding these 120 000-year-old remnants was indeed a huge privilege.
We covered about 60 kms by foot, nearly all on pristine beaches and traversed the Garden Route and Goukamma National Parks, sleeping in private and Cape Nature reserve accommodation.
The route also encompasses 15 kms of kayaking on the Touws and Goukamma rivers. Much fun and many enjoyable experiences were had, and at one stage, our kayak capsized, and Stephen, Mark and I fell in the temperate river. We laughed our way back to the bank and continued canoeing in high spirits seeing a magnificent Fish Eagle soaring overhead and then roosting on the banks of the river. Being outdoors, enjoying perfect weather and seeing unspoilt conservation coastline was a huge inspiration, physical experience and treat for both Stephen and me.
Garden Route Coastal Meander can be reached at gardenroutetrail.co.za or followed on Instagram. It is well worth the effort if you would like to expand your physical and intellectual horizons.
This year we are focussing on trying new things and having different experiences because if we have learnt anything these past few years, it’s that life is too short not to live it fully.
Have you heard people obsessing over their newfound passion for padel and noticing padel courts popping up all over the place? So did we, so we decided to try it and can confirm that it’s devilishly fun.
Padel is a mix between tennis and squash. It’s usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash. The court is one-third of the size of a tennis court.
Padel is a sport which combines action with fun and social interaction. It’s a great sport for players of all ages and skills, as it is both quick and easy to pick up.
Padel is not as dominated by strength, technique and serve as it happens in tennis and therefore is an ideal game for men, women and people of all ages to play together.
The game is quick and easy to learn, making it a fun and addictive sport to play. The service is made underarm using a short, stringless racquet with an elastic surface with holes and a low-compression tennis ball.
Shots are played either before or after the ball bounces off the surrounding glass walls, adding a unique dimension to the sport over conventional tennis. The scoring and rules are very similar to tennis, with the biggest difference being that the serve in padel is underarm and that balls can be played off the glass walls, similarly to squash. The rules allow for the use of the back and sidewalls, which results in longer rallies than in a conventional tennis match. Points are won rather by strategy than by strength and power.
Not many sports allow people of all ages to play together, but the good news is that padel is one of them! It is truly a cross-generational game.
If you would like to explore padel further, we suggest identifying padel courts in your area and finding out how to book a court and rent a racquet.
Do you play padel? Or is there another sport or physical activity you have discovered? If so, we would love to hear your story so that we can share it with other clients. Please get in touch with Lyndsay@charteredwealth.co.za.
When Chartered client Ronel Eloff took early retirement in 2005, she moved to Sedgefield and opened a B&B. After running the B&B for five years, she decided that it was time for a change and to focus her energy on something else. Always one keen for adventure, Ronel decided to take up line dancing, a hobby she enthusiastically pursued for a few years.
Next, she decided to try her hand at bowls, and it is here that she has found her niche. Bowls has opened up a whole new world for Ronel, and she has met so many people that she would never have otherwise met. Ronel is curious by nature (the number of books she reads is a testament to that), so whenever she meets new people, she makes an effort to get to know them. She is a firm believer in the fact that everyone has a story worth sharing.
Ronel practices or plays bowls daily, and this is because she was inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s, The Outliers, a book given to her by her nephew. In the book, Gladwell proposes that 10,000 hours of practice is needed to master a skill, even for prodigies like Mozart. She is certainly making a good dent in clocking up those hours.
When it comes to The Wheel of Balance, Ronel is an excellent example of someone who strives to achieve it. She gives back through volunteering at the hospice shop every Monday; this is also something that gives her purpose. She stays fit and healthy by playing bowls and doing pilates. She explores her creative side by making quilts and nurtures her relationship by spending time with all the important people in her life. She never stops learning as she is always engrossed in some or other book.
Perhaps the segment of the wheel that stands out the most is the segment of play. Ronel loves life, having fun and trying new things. Recently she bought and learnt to drive a scooter, at 67 years old! The state of the roads was frustrating her, which spurred her decision to buy. Now she zoots around Sedgefield, easily avoiding the potholes.
Ronel is grateful for the life she leads. Furthermore, she is proud to say that she lives in paradise, which also happens to be the mosaic capital of South Africa.
Below is the letter that was read at Paul John Edward’s funeral, inspiring four friends to take their last road trip.
My name is Paul James Edwards, like most of us here, I was fortunate to live a life in which I managed to accumulate a certain amount of wealth. Enough at least to allow me the privilege of living in a place like this. There is no question that in almost every respect, Stone Well Estate is an Eden for people who have worked hard and now wish to live out the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort.
If not downright luxury. For those of you who don’t know, I came out here many years ago following the death of my wife. The truth is that her death hit me harder than seemed possible. So hard in fact that I was convinced that I would follow after her in no time at all. The way I saw it, there was no way I could carry on without her. Writing those words now, I realise how feeble that makes me sound. Like an old and sentimental fool. But it’s still the truth and I figure it’s too late in the day to start lying now. And so I waited to die. But the days still blurred into weeks. And the weeks soon came and went like autumn leaves being swept away in the wind.
One Christmas became another. And then another, for eighteen long years I waited. When I finally fell ill a few months ago and discovered the nature of my diagnosis, I felt only one thing; relief. My long wait was finally over. You see, I stopped living the day I came here, I made this place my prison.
Of course, I know what some of you are thinking. How can a retirement estate as beautiful as this one ever be considered a jail? But others among you will know what I mean. Trust me when I tell you that prisons can be made out of just about anything. Even a designer golf course, as it turns out.
It was only once I started to get really sick that I began to see things differently. I started to notice things that hadn’t occurred to me before. When I was young, retirement estates – or retirement homes, as they were more commonly called – were reserved for the authentically elderly. For the frail and lonely.
Folk who, for the most part, had become surplus to either their family or society’s requirements and could no longer care for themselves. But looking around at the people of Stone Well, a very different picture became clear to me. So much so that I began to question what I was seeing. I even decided to do a little research. Do you know that the average age of folk in our estate is sixty-three? The waiting list – and I know because I’ve seen it – has people listed in their late forties.
A few weeks ago, my condition forced me into the frail care unit for the evening. The nurse told me I was her tenth patient. I was a little confused by her statement, so I asked her to clarify. Was I her tenth patient of the day? The week? No. it turns out she had been working in the unit for four months already and I was only the tenth patient she had seen.
So what, I’m sure you’re wondering, is my point? Well, firstly, I’d like you to know how sorry I am for never really participating here. For not taking the time to get to know more of you. It’s no excuse, but you see, I was always waiting to leave. One does not bother making friends at a train station. Of course, now that it is too late to do anything about it, I realise how wrong I was and what a waste I made of my time here.
I like to believe that I am a better person than the one you barely knew. That the quiet man you saw sitting in his garden day after day was just a poor facsimile of someone who once had a great deal more to offer the world. But I guess you’ll have to take me at my word on that.
So why have I written this letter? Well, now that I have finally lifted my head, I can see that some of you aren’t so different. Maybe you think you are hiding it so well, but I see you, after all, I know the signs so well enough.
You’re waiting just like I’ve been. Maybe not for the reasons I was, but some of you have stopped living. There’s no question about it. And I’m asking you not to make the same mistake that I did. Sixty-three – hell, eighty-three – is too young for you to be waiting for the clock to stop if you still have health on your side. I can’t tell you how much I regret these past years. It burns me so badly now that I can barely sleep anymore.
Of course, maybe you are genuinely happy here. Maybe you enjoy your daily routines and have made close friends. Perhaps you have peace in your life. In that case, I am pleased for you and wish you well, but if you are anything like me and you’ve come here for the wrong reasons, then I urge you to do something about it. If you are living with regrets – with things that you have put away in a box but that maybe keep you awake at night – I want to tell you that you still have time enough to make things right. I was given eighteen years – it’s a damn lifetime – and I spent most of these days staring up at the sky. I can only imagine how it must have broken my wife’s heart to see me out on the porch, just waiting.
Thank you, Jack, for agreeing to do this for me. I was pleased to learn about your upcoming trip, I sense you have some unfinished business of your own. I hope and pray that you find the peace you are searching for, if that’s what your journey’s about. I also really enjoyed our brief time together and, of course, I’m sorry we never spoke more or shared a drink occasionally. I have a feeling that I missed out on a friendship that could’ve really meant something. Just one more thing to add to my list of regrets.
I know life isn’t a storybook. I also know that some of our mistakes are too far gone to be hauled back in. That maybe you lost things that will remain beyond your grasp. But I also know that my life would’ve been so much better spent if I had just been trying for something. And that, really, is the point of this letter. My final wish for all of you is that you realise, while you still have time, that it’s the trying that matters. Maybe It’s all that matters.
Here’s to life. And here’s to you. Thank you for listening.
Book Review
The Last Road Trip by Gareth Crocker Reviewed by Jane Layzell Scully
Following the poignant death of a man they barely knew, four friends decide to make the most of what’s left of their lives. Abandoning the humdrum routine of life at their retirement estate, they embark on a thousand-mile road trip that will take them from the furthest corner of the Kruger Park to the blazing stars of Sutherland for the biggest adventure of their lives and one last hurrah together.
This book brings to life the characters who display so much compassion and empathy for each other’s struggles on this trip. They find joy in the small things they experience, knowledge about the places they visit across Soth Africa, and a deep and unexpected connection to each other.
This is a worthwhile read and made me think about what have I missed in my life and what can I change before it’s too late. I highly recommend this book.
Copies of The Last Roadtrip are hard to get hold of at the moment, but we are chatting to Gareth Crocker, who is trying to get hold of some copies. If you would like to get a copy, you can email Lyndsay@charteredwealth.co.za. Alternatively, you can download a copy from Amazon. There is also a copy available in our client library.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from Covid, it’s that we don’t want to wait anymore. Realising how short and precious life is rocked us to our core. Waiting to hug, see our loved ones, visit our favourite restaurant, go to the movies or on holiday is hard. The restrictions to waiting are now finally over – for some.
I met Paul James Edwards on my recent road trip in the Karoo. It’s not that I met him in person – but I would have liked to have. Gareth Crocker, author of The Last Road Trip introduced him to me in his latest novel. Paul spent eighteen years of his life waiting after his wife passed away, and in his eulogy that Gareth shares with all of us in this newsletter, he talks about his deep regret of spending such a large part of his life simply existing – instead of living. It is a deeply personal, harrowing letter and a stark reminder not to put life on hold.
I read The Last Road Trip, while ironically being on a road trip in the Karoo this past April. Roadtripping is fast becoming my favourite way to travel. I just love the wonder and adventure, the feeling of complete freedom and how you can connect with the places and the people you meet along the way.
On this trip, we spent a few nights on an olive and sheep farm in the quaint, historic town of Prince Albert, situated at the foot of the Swartberg Pass. Surrounded by soaring cliffs, astonishing rock formations and vast open spaces, I cuddled up in front of a warm fireplace and immersed myself in this beautifully told story. The book starts with the death of Paul James Edward and tells the story of five friends living in a retirement village who decide to go on a road trip and make the most of their lives – and do everything they’ve always wanted to do, but never did.
It is a heartwarming life story that holds a powerful message for every age: many people are so busy waiting, planning for tomorrow, and holding off till the time is right that they forget to live for today. It challenges us to consider this poignant question: what are you waiting for?
Apart from this powerful message, I also found some beautiful reminders to live engaged – to live fully:
Make time for child-like fun. One of the characters, Samuel, reminds us to liberate our inner child as he throws caution to the wind and absorbs himself in the music when he dances on top of a hill with his friends to Bruce Springsteen’s “Working on a dream.”
Time is precious. In another section of the book, Samuel shares that there is no time to wait, especially when it comes to spending time with people you love. He says: “Friends we always want more time. Time to do the things we promised ourselves when we were young. To say the words that need saying. But so often our time runs out before we get the chance. Our deepest regrets are always the things we leave between ourselves and those we hold most dear to us. Our thoughts. Our fear. Our love.”
Find wonder in the stars. Samuel’s stargazing experience makes you want to look up at the night sky. He describes it as: “the deep, black sky was now pulsing with colour, oscillating and twinkling like a jeweller’s mat daubed with gemstones.” There is wonder to be found in looking at the night sky and seeing a part of the universe. I also learnt that the best time and place to see the stars are in the Karoo at 4 am in the morning. Fortunately for me, that’s exactly where I was and what I did when I read The Last Road Trip.
Your life is waiting to be lived – what are you waiting for? Paul, in his eulogy, encourages us to live fully when he says, “I know my life would have been so much better spent if I had just been trying for something.”
So, let’s have no regrets! Let’s stop waiting! Let’s plan our next trip, have that important conversation, spend more time with people who are important to us, look at the stars, dance on mountaintops and make each moment count!
In January 2022, Lindsay and I were fortunate to be part of a cruise on the MSC Orchestra to the Prince Edward islands in the Sub Antarctic Indian Ocean, some 1920km southeast of Cape Town.
This was the “2021” BirdLife’s four-yearly gathering of bird-watching enthusiasts. The cruise liner MSC Orchestra can take over 3000 passengers, but it is believed that some 1400 passengers were on the cruise. A stressful part was ‘passing’ a PCR test some 48 hours before embarkation time and then testing negative in an antigen test at Cape Town docks! Our trip was not guaranteed until these steps had been successfully accomplished.
This, together with the rich diversity of birds and cetaceans in the area and surrounding ocean. Marion Island was declared a marine protected zone in 2013. The only permitted human inhabitants are the staff of the meteorological and biological research station run by the South African National Antarctic Programme. The MSC Orchestra was only allowed to sail up to 12 nautical miles from the island’s coast, and sadly we did not see the island because of low clouds!
The theme for the cruise was to raise awareness and funding for the ridding of Marion Island of mice that attack ground-nesting birds and threaten future breeding patterns.
The project entails air-dropping mouse bait capsules over the island using helicopters. The belief is that the mice, in turn, carry the bait into their burrows and expire there, thus not being seen as contaminated food by the seabirds. Similar successful projects on Gough and South Georgia islands provide impetus for the venture. While fund-raising has been in progress for some time, a total of R2,2 million was pledged on the cruise.
The large ship handled the Roaring Forties very well, with only minor sideways rolling. There was some rain and very high winds requiring the closing of decks. Though gloves, beanies and a rain jacket were worn, extreme cold weather clothing was not utilised though diligently packed as instructed!
Every day from 05h00, expert bird guides manned points on the outside decks and called in birds as they appeared on the horizon. A typical deck scene is shown here with ever expectant birders poised to catch a glimpse of a seabird as it zooms past the ship. The large ship enabled good photographing positions. The grey sea and fast flight of birds made photography difficult, and many blank and out-of-focus frames had to be confined to the dustbin!
A photographic lecture was delivered on board in which more appropriate and ultimately useful camera settings were proposed. The range of camera lenses on board was mind-blowing, with my 400mm lens being puny by comparison! A new development in mirrorless cameras was also very much in evidence. However, the jury is still out on whether the quality can equal the tried and tested single-lens reflex versions.
Daily lectures were presented by experts on various topics relevant to the nature of the cruise. The most prominent of these was by Peter Harrison MBE, widely known as the ‘David Attenborough of the Oceans’.
All in all, 58 seabird species were sighted and verified. There was always vigorous debate amongst the experts about some of the rarer species, and only clear photographic evidence was the decider. The voyage southwards went through the Atlantic Ocean convergence, where the warmer south-flowing currents mix with, the colder Sub Antarctic currents.
Given the abundance of food brought to the surface by the convergence, the large variety of seabird species made sightings highly rewarding. One widely-travelled seabird expert was heard to effuse about the “best albatross birding day he had ever had” and was quick to repeat ornithologist Robert Cushman Murphy’s 1912 quote: “I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the albatross”.
Ten species of albatrosses were sighted, of which four were first sightings for us. It is a truly humbling experience to observe these majestic birds as they glide seemingly effortlessly above the waves.
The excitement of seeing a new species of albatross is profound and even more so when a rare species is seen. A particularly rare albatross that made two appearances was the Tristan Albatross (pictured here), which is more usually observed in the vicinity of Tristan da Cunha Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Its sighting caused great excitement amongst the ornithologists on board.
The photos shown below is an Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross which came close to the ship. Observing albatrosses taking off from the water is always a photographic treat to capture. They create puddles as they ‘run’ on top of the water to gather enough speed to take off.
Small numbers of King and Macaroni penguins were briefly sighted as they porpoised through the waves. Though not small in size, the penguins looked tiny given the height of the deck above the water.
In addition, petrels, storm petrels, diving petrels, shearwaters, and prions were sighted in the deep southern oceans, as well as jaegers, phalaropes, oystercatchers, terns, gulls and gannets closer to our local shores.
We were able to see 14 new species on this trip which took our total of photographed birds to 589 of the more than 900 species on the South African bird list.
Also observed in abundance were various cetaceans – six confirmed species of dolphin, eight species of whales, and two species of seals, together with sharks, manta rays, flying fish and even some turtles. Here is one of those lucky shots of a striped dolphin out of the water.
Our voyage into the southern ocean was a further viewing of the abundance of nature and how privileged we are to visit this domain. Given the dearth of landmasses in the south for nesting, action to rid Marion Island of mice to protect nesting sites and thus ensure the perpetuation of the magnificent array of seabirds is sorely needed. We were able to participate in the sponsorship of the Mouse-free Marion Project, and now our sincere hope is that sufficient funds can be raised to realise this. BirdLife SA is at the forefront of this initiative.
So, for us, Flock 2022 to Marion was a life-enriching experience fulfilling so much more than the Learn, Play and Give Back segments of Retire Successfully’s Life in Balance Chart!
2014 proved to be a turning point in Gillian and Ralph Louw’s lives. After being involved in a cycling accident with a taxi some years before, Ralph could no longer continue working as a chopper pilot. Coupled with this, Gillian was retrenched from her role as a golf club’s food and beverage manager, where she had worked for eighteen years. In their early 50s at the time, Ralph and Gillian were faced with the very daunting question, what did they want to do for the rest of their lives?
These momentous changes forced them to stop and think about what they wanted the next chapter of their life together to look like. The first step they made was deciding to move to Hermanus in the Western Cape after finding the perfect property on Property 24. Living in Hermanus sparked the idea of starting a small upmarket tourism business, taking people on walks and trails. This was not the first time Gillian had had this idea. While doing the Whale Trail with friends in 2004, and standing on top of the Potberg Mountain, admiring the magnificent scenery around her, Gillian had an epiphany of sorts- she wanted more people to see what she saw at that moment. So, the seed was planted long before it became a reality.
Getting the business off the ground proved to be a struggle, so Gillian and Ralph took up a job running a lodge in Zambia in 2017. When it was time to renew their contract, they had to decide whether to come home and try and get the business up and running again, or continue working in Zambia. They chose to go home.
Kim Potgieter with Gillian and Ralph Louw
Fuelled by a desire to succeed, they put their heads together, learning new skills necessary to market their business correctly. They learnt all about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Facebook Marketing. Having a passion for conservation, both Gillian and Ralph had completed various courses through FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa). However, to give people the ultimate experience, they furthered their studies in Marine Guiding and qualified as Cape Tourism and Wine Guides.
It paid off. They now offer tailor-made tours for groups. Their walks and trails include the Whale Trail, Overberg walks, hiking in the Cederberg and exploring the Kogelberg. Their Wine Walks are extremely popular too.
Ralph and Gillian love what they do; they get to combine their passion and purpose. They have used all the skills they have acquired over the years and turned it into a successful business. They don’t describe their work as a job, but rather as a calling. Richard Leider, the founder of Inventure – The Purpose Company, has a beautiful quote. He says, “Purpose is a verb. It is spiritual practice embodied in lived day-to-day experiences. If we live daily as a “default self’—the self that is hiding behind a mask of approval and cultural consensus-we will always feel empty. We will fill our time, but it will never feel like a fulfilling time.” Purpose is undoubtedly a verb for Ralph and Gillian, fulfilling their time and providing people with memorable experiences while doing so.
For more information on the walks and trails, visit their website at www.africansunroad.com
If heaven were to be found on earth, I have found a little piece of it. I would never have found it if I did not consciously decide to experience the journey instead of rushing to the destination. Our journey to the Hemel en Aarde valley was all about taking it slow with no sense of urgency to get anywhere in a rush.
Have you ever travelled on holiday in a tight time frame? It could be the constraints we place on time for leisure and vacations, but in some way, in our rush to get somewhere, we miss so much in-between. In many ways, the destination has become more important than the journey. We’re so busy planning and organising, often just waiting for the time to pass until we get there, that we forget to notice and really experience the trip.
I have driven past the Hemel en Aarde Valley many times in a rush to get somewhere else, most often to visit Creation Wines or lunch at the Heaven restaurant, and then rushing back to where I’m staying. We’ve often spoken of how beautiful the drive is and wondered about the wine farms signposted along the way – but we’ve never stopped to explore.
Last month, our group of ten long-time friends decided to take it slow and explore the magic this area has on offer. We opted for a walking tour accompanied by our lovely tour guides Gillian and Ralph (pictured below) from Africansunroad. Read all about the customised tours they offer in this newsletter. We had the opportunity to tailor-make our tour by combining visits to wine farms with a walk through the gorgeous fynbos landscape.
Not only is this area home to fifteen boutique wineries – which already puts it at the top of my visit list – but the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful as the valley nestles in a sweeping fynbos landscape surrounded by towering mountains.
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring nature in the heart of the Cape floral kingdom on foot. We saw beautiful indigenous fynbos, gorgeous proteas and spectacular birdlife – including a blue crane – South Africa’s national bird! One of the highlights was meeting a wonderful lady at the Hamilton Russel vineyard who shared all the stories of this valley with us. She spoke with so much passion and had a wealth of knowledge to share after spending fourteen years on the farm. Apart from the wine farms, there is so much to see and do! We visited magnificent orchards, including pear, fig and a berry farm that exports their produce.
We shared great stories, belly laughter and delicious food on this trip – juxtaposed with the absolute tranquillity and stillness of the surroundings. We stayed on different farms in charming cottages and spent our evenings chatting and playing bridge. Of course, I am still a novice bridge player, but it’s an activity we started as friends during lockdown and still enjoy.
Here we are at the end of our walking tour – happy, energised, relaxed, and so grateful to have taken our time to watch the world go by slowly instead of rushing through.
This trip has made me realise how much I have missed by getting wrapped up in the destination. By meandering on foot with no sense of urgency, we took in the beautiful scenery, charming places and interesting people. We lingered for as long as it took to imprint our journey to memory. Our destination unfolded with each step we took and made even more special by sharing it with good friends.
Brian and I were very privileged to be invited on a WWW in 2018 by Pat Blamire from Chartered Wealth. We had a lovely time during that walk, and now living on a Mature Lifestyle Estate and chatting to friends about our various travels, we one day mentioned the Wine Walk we had done in 2018. Before I knew it, I had been nominated to get another group together and do another walk.
This time the walk was in June 2021, a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, a bit of drizzle on the first day, but other than that, wonderfully blue skies, and warm weather during our walks. We were the last group of walkers for the season – Autumn season stretches from the last week of March to approximately 10 June and Spring season starts the last week of August to end November.
There are so many superlatives that I could use to describe this adventure that it becomes a bit overwhelming, so I shall just give you a little precis of our three-day walk. In this time of Covid, with so many people not being able to travel internationally, visiting or revisiting some of our local destinations makes sense.
We had another couple within our group of 15 who had also done this walk (in 2011), and they concur that doing it the second time around was different and as enjoyable as the first time. This trip again confirmed how blessed we are to live in this beautiful country, with such spectacular vistas and passionate and committed South Africans willing to share their stories and farms with visitors. We had three non-drinkers in our group – this should also explain how popular this trip is – if non-drinkers want to do the wine walk!
All the WWW guides are fully accredited and qualified and willingly share their exceptional knowledge of the area’s history. There are always two guides with the group each day. Both guides telling us stories of the vineyards, the people, the geography, and so much more.
The adventure starts at Diemersfontein Wine Estate and Guest House, where Johann gave us our first wine tasting and spoke with such passion and eloquence about Diemersfontein, told us the history of the farm, spoke about Thokozani (sustainable economic empowerment with world-class wines) and let us taste some outstanding wines. Here the 15 of us already started filling in our order forms with gusto.
The next day was cloudy and a bit cool with some drizzle, but nothing deterred us from jumping onto the tractor/trailer to be taken up the “trekpad” through Diemersfontein Estate to start our walk. We walked through vineyards, past herb farm tunnels, admiring the spectacular Franschhoek mountains. We visited Augusta Kleinbosch (destroyed by fire in 2017 and due to be renovated shortly). Francois gave us a most interesting walk around and talked about the cemetery and old school and invited us to sample some of the most recent delicious guavas straight off the fruit trees. We stopped at Druk My Niet for our next wine tasting. Here Dorothy let us try fabulous wines (more orders flowing) and told us about the destruction to the homestead and vineyard during the fires in 2017. After a lovely picnic lunch, prepared by Sam, another local mom, we walked to Cascade Manor for our next stop.
Here, even battling through load shedding, Volker was able to give us tastings of his olive oils, and we were treated to another outstanding meal. A note to potential walkers, pace yourselves with the food – every single meal was a delight! And together with the wine, we all overindulged.
The second day’s tasting started at Elsabe du Plessis’ homestead with buchu brandy. Buchu is grown only in South Africa and has astonishing medicinal qualities – we did have to have more than one shot of the buchu brandy to make sure! These shots warmed us all up instantly, and Elsabe’s passion for her farm and her olive oil, wines, jams and preserves had us all in stitches. Elsabe told us about “stokkies”, the grafting of vines and where the term “stokkiesdraai” comes from – very enlightening. We were most reluctant to leave her home to continue our walk to Hildenbrand Wine and Olive Estate.
At Hildenbrand, we were entertained and given a splendid lunch and wine tasting by Reni (lady owner and winemaker of note). Reni is on the International Olive Oil Tasting Association and is in demand worldwide. She is also a passionate animal lover with lots of cats, dogs, donkeys, horses and other rescued animals on her farm.
A relatively quick walk to our next stop, Dunstone Country House, where we were met by Privilege and Rene with coffee/tea and the most delicious scones and cream. Another superb dinner, with lots more wine – there were no wine tastings at Dunstone, but we had experienced their Shiraz before, so copious amounts were consumed and purchased for home enjoyment. A quick show of line dancing was given by some of the group, much to the delight of the waitrons – Jerusalema was a huge hit!
Our third and last walking day saw us being shuttled up Bains Kloof pass – beautiful scenery and such history. Our first wine tasting was at Doolhof Estate by Mercia – where we even tried their gin – again, the order forms were out in full force. A short walk to Welvanpas, the home of the Retief family (yes – descendants of Piet Retief) – Dan and his wife Retha gave us a splendid lunch and more wine tasting. Our last wine tasting for the trip and the third one of the day (whooo!) was at Bosman Family Vineyards by Charlene – the biggest farm in the region, with unparalleled wines. There are 500 permanent workers on this farm, it being the largest “stokkies” farm in Wellington. Fascinating to learn how the various cultivars are grafted.
We were shuttled back to Diemersfontein to sort out our purchases, ready to be shipped to Johannesburg and then shuttled back to Dunstone for our last night before departing the following morning, back to reality.
We walked 10km, 11km, and 8km daily (most of us used Steps on our phones to measure distances which are not consistently accurate but gives an indication of distances). None of the walking was strenuous, some uphills are handled by shuttle, and most of the walking is relatively sedate, with lots of stopping to admire and talk about the view, the fynbos, the farming, wines, food, and the history of the area. There were some really exceptional walks; one, in particular, was a walk through a forest on the way to Welvanpas, whilst another was walking through miles and miles of vineyards, with the various colours, from deep red to light green.
If you are a walker, a passionate wine drinker, an armchair historian or a patriotic South African, this walk will be ideal for you and your friends. We left feeling proud to be South Africans – being reminded of our history, our culture, language and the hardships of being a farmer – every time you lift a glass of wine to say cheers, the first salute should always be to the farmers! Respect and enormous gratitude to them all!
Plato said that “music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything”.
My first memory of my mother is of her singing and dancing. She loves music, and I don’t recall a day of my childhood that didn’t involve music. She woke us up singing and sang us to sleep. I remember wanting to crawl under a rock when she told us the story of running down the road, chasing Cliff Richard’s car. My twelve-year-old self thought that was the most embarrassing thing any person could do.
The years have gone by, and at 73, she still adores music. She has particularly enjoyed the client events at Chartered with Sean Brokensha, the Music Guru. After each event, she would call me and gush, and then she would express how it was her dream to have dinner with Sean and let him tell her about Leonard Cohen. The gravelly-voiced troubadour had an unrivalled way with words and became one of Canada’s greatest literary giants. Her enduring interest in and fascination with his music only happened later in life where she came to appreciate the beauty and intricacy of his poetry and lyrics.
This year, we decided that we would make her dream come true and take her on a musical journey instead of a physical one for her birthday, so we arranged dinner with Sean and a whole night dedicated to Leonard.
It was an intimate affair held on the patio on a beautiful spring evening. The presentation was peppered with wonderful anecdotes and biographical information about this amazing artist, but what really brought it to life were all the fantastic videos. Sean is very relaxed and laid back, and he didn’t mind being interrupted or questioned even when he was required to deviate from his pre-prepared agenda. Various artists ranging from Johnny Clegg and Peter Gabriel and the poetry of Kerouac, also came under the spotlight.
These past 18 months have really highlighted how it is memories and not things that matter the most. I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to spend time as a family and explore my mother’s passion.
Watching my mother delight in every minute will be what I remember from the evening, and these lyrics are the ones that will always remind me of my parents and their love story.
“Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove Dance me to the end of love.”
It’s Heritage Day, fondly known as Braai Day, on Friday, hopefully you get to spend the long weekend soaking up the sun. A braai is not a braai without a potato salad, and we found this delicious recipe that adds a twist to the traditional potato salad:
RECIPE
Biltong & Braaied Potato Salad
Ingredients
6 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
100g butter, melted
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 red onion, finely chopped
large handful moist biltong, roughly chopped
handful fresh chives, chopped
handful fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
handful feta cheese, crumbled
small handful capers
mayonnaise (bought or homemade)
Method:
Start by par cooking the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water. The trick is not to cook them too soft or they will fall apart on the braai — 3–5 mins should be good. Drain the potatoes then brush with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Using a flip grid, braai the potatoes until cooked through and caramelised. Once the potatoes are cool you can cut them into squares and place them into a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients, including as much mayonnaise as you like, then gently fold everything together and season with salt and pepper. If you’ve got time then let it rest in the fridge for a while to let the flavours get cosy. If not, then tuck in!
Recipe extract from Beer Country’s Beer Food Fire by Karl Tessendorf and Greg Gilowey, published by Struik Lifestyle.
BOOK REVIEW & COMPETITION
If you are on the lookout for a new book to read, we recommend The Promise by Damon Galgut. It’s always fantastic when South African authors make the Booker Prize shortlist. If you would like to win a copy of this book, please email lyndsay@charteredwealth.co.za and we will enter you into our lucky draw.
The Promise by Damon Galgut Shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize
There is nothing unusual or remarkable about the Swart family, oh no, they resemble the family from the next farm and the one beyond that, just an ordinary bunch of white South Africans, and if you don’t believe it then listen to us speak…
The many voices of The Promise tell a story in four snapshots, each one centered on a family funeral, each one happening in a different decade. In the background, a different president is in power, and a different spirit hangs over the country, while in the foreground the family fights over what they call their farm, on a worthless piece of land outside Pretoria.
Over large jumps in time, people get older, faces and laws and lives all change, while a brother and sister circle around a promise made long ago, and never kept …
Spring does bring along change, and we as a family were ready to embrace it. With travel restrictions still in place, what better idea to celebrate the wonder of this new season immersed in one of the natural wonders of our world – the Cape wildflowers. We pointed our springtime travels in the direction of the flower route on the West Coast and boldly went somewhere we’ve never been before.
I have one word to describe our adventure: awestruck. I was mesmerised by the tapestry of the landscape and captivated by the hidden gems that I’ve never discovered before in South Africa.
Our first stop was Paternoster, one of the oldest and most iconic fishing villages on the West Coast. We stayed in a gorgeous house that we found on the LekkeSlaap travel and accommodation website. It was the perfect spot to explore the tranquil, relaxing atmosphere of the town, the beach and the Columbine Nature Reserve. It’s no secret that I love food and cooking! You should not be surprised that we decided to explore the Foodie Route on the West Coast. Sitting at the harbour in St Helena Bay munching on fried fish and chips served in paper packets was simple but oh so delicious.
You may have heard of our next stop, Darling. Blogger Anje Rautenbach of Going Somewhere Slowly describes Darling as akin to fine wine – a soft yet crisp experience best enjoyed with good company, at a slow speed, with an explorer’s undertone and a good balance of fun and laughter. This is also where Pieter Dirk Uys turned the station into a theatrical experience with Evita se Perron. I was blown away by the Ormonde Private Cellar with its collection of 30+ award-winning wines and loved how the owner spent time with us sharing his passion for wine. The snack platter served was an outstanding, delicious work of art that took me back to how snack platters were served in Franschoek before it was commercialised. We also visited the Orchid Festival that only happens once a year in Darling.
Of course, Darling is not only famous for Evita se Perron, wine tasting and flowers. We popped into Darling Brew for a glass of slowly fermented craft beer – a lovely visit but beer has never been my favourite. You can also explore the town museum and try out the many delightful eateries scattered along the main road.
Spring has reminded me to nurture my soul with all the things that make me happy. My family, special friends, delicious foods and adventuring in our picturesque country add up to unforgettable memories that I will cherish always.
There are many beautiful places to visit in South Africa to revive yourself and bring you closer to nature. I would love to hear (and see some pics) of some of your favourite destinations.
There is no denying that winter is finally here. The cold weather coupled with the fact that we are in the third wave is the perfect opportunity to spend time at home, reading a good book and eating nourishing and comforting food.
Sally Williams is not only famous for her nougat but also her cooking. One of Kim’s favourite recipes of Sally’s is her delicious roasted tomato and butternut soup. So give it a try and let us know what you think.
Sally Williams’ Roasted Butternut and Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
Olive oil spray 2 onions cut into chunks 8 plum tomatoes cut in half 1kg butternut cut into chunks 12 cloves of peeled garlic 2 teaspoons of sugar A sprinkling of ground cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil Seasoning 1-litre chicken or vegetable stock ½ cup of cream (you can leave out if desired) ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Method:
Mix all the ingredients together and toss. Place in the oven at 220 for 45 minutes until soft and browned. Put the mixture in a bowl (scrape all the bits from the bottom of the pan) and pour over the stock and mix – then place in a liquidiser and liquidise until smooth. Return to the pot, season and add the chopped basil. Before serving, add the cream. Serve hot or cold.
We have such talented authors in South Africa, and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to genres. We highly recommend Hamilton Wende’s new book, Red Air. If you would like to win a personalised copy of Red Air, please email Lyndsay@charteredwealth.co.za, and we will put you in the draw.
Red Air by Hamilton Wende
War is an ugly business, no matter which way you look at it. The fact that people profit from bloodletting is ugly. That thousands of young lives are lost, oftentimes senselessly, is ugly. And the grief of those left behind is ugly. There are no real winners in conflict, although enough movies and books would have us believe otherwise. The casualties of war mean that even if one side triumphs over another, there are still parents mourning their sons and daughters.
SA combat journalist Hamilton Wende knows this only too well, having witnessed first-hand the tragedies that can befall families when man recedes into the darkest recesses of his soul. It is the powerful theme he explores in his new novel, Red Air.
War correspondent Danny Morris has made the potentially fatal mistake of identifying in an article the hotel where he meets the son of an Afghan warlord, Azmaray Shah. Shah is a separatist who wants nothing to do with either the Taliban or the American forces in Afghanistan but views Danny’s error as treacherous. In an act of vengeance, he kidnaps the reporter’s father, Al Morris, a veteran CIA operative whose relationship with Danny soured years earlier when he walked out on the family.
Recognising that having both Danny and Al on the hook would also serve to bring the world’s attention to his political ambitions, Shah plays his hand carefully, understanding that he dare not come across as fanatical as the Taliban. Danny is required to wrestle with his conscience and assess where he might have failed in terms of the distance between him and his father.
Wende has covered conflict in Afghanistan, and knows that things are always more complex than they seem. Black-and-white perceptions of who the good and bad guys are entirely wrong since the country comprises any number of groups that carry their own views of what the country and the religion of Islam should be. His grasp of political dynamics comes across strongly in the narrative, giving authenticity to the novel. That is not to say there isn’t plenty of action.
Danny links up with a US Marines unit to rescue his father, and the fighting is bloody and frenetic. Wende’s descriptions of these scenes speak to his considerable powers as a journalist and give the book the fast-paced appeal needed to keep readers focused on the broader issues of family relationships, love and respect.
As far as modern war novels go, Red Air ranks among the more poignant.
Review by John Harvey in the Daily Dispatch
We love hearing from our Retire Successfully community, so if you have any recipes you love or books that you recommend please get in touch with us here.
You are never too young or too old to create joy in your life. Ariel in The Little Mermaid said, “Who says my dreams have to stay just my dreams?” And she’s right! There’s a certain magic sharing your dreams with someone special, and chances are that if you plan your dreams together, they may just come true in spectacular princess style!
This year, a special friend and I decided to celebrate our birthdays together with an intimate group of friends and family. We both love the magic and joy of birthdays and to make the most of this occasion, we decided on a princess themed party. I really missed not throwing a bold and extravagant party with my trademark ‘more is more’ and ‘bolder is better’ approach last year. Back then, we were in level 5 of lockdown, so my birthday dream turned into a wish that I’m making come true this year.
Dreams don’t have to stay wishes forever, but you may have to put them on hold sometimes. Cinderella had it right when she said: “If you dream a thing more than once, it’s sure to come true.” We may not all be princesses, but every girl deserves a princess party at least once in her lifetime!
Planning my birthday is often the best part. And planning a princess party is so much fun! We will be setting up a delicious candy stand and I even got to choose a magnificent regal crown for the special day! Moana said: “If I go, there’s just no telling how far I’ll go,” and in true Moana style, we are going all out!
Joy is contagious! Creating joy very often leads to more happiness! Have you ever noticed how good it feels to give? So I’ve decided to put another joyous plan in action for Easter. I will be doing a fun-filled Easter egg hunt for my children and their friends (the youngest being fifteen.) They will be going on a scavenger hunt in search of lost treasure on the beach.
It really has not been an easy or cheerful year so far, and it is tough to lighten up. We may not have much to laugh about, but research has shown that laughter has far-ranging health benefits and it’s a great tool to manage stress. It’s also contagious. Snow White told the Seven Dwarfs that “you are the only one that can fill the world with sunshine,” and I agree. Creating and planning for joy and sharing the fun and laughter gives everyone something to look forward to!
I would love to hear your ideas on how to spread joy and laughter in our daily lives.
Every sprinkle of fairy dust makes a difference and may just make another dream come true!
One of the things that we seem to be collectively missing at the moment is a lack of joy and fun. In a world of horrific events discussed every five minutes on the television, radio newspapers and social media, it’s no wonder so many people are struggling to find joy and have fun when the state of the world is as it is. As hard as it is, it is at times like these that we need to view life from a new perspective and to not let outside circumstances, the media and other people’s negative attitudes affect us in our daily lives.
As an adult, you have every right to enjoy yourself. In fact, adults need to play. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Back when we were children, this experience of pure delight didn’t have to come from a heightened event for us to feel like our day had been made. Pure fun happens when we are fully engaged with ourselves and our world in each moment. It is the spontaneous delight that bubbles out of us when we let go long enough to bring it through. Approach your life today with the knowledge that pure fun isn’t something that is given or done to you; rather, it is something that you allow yourself to experience.
So how then do we bring fun back into our lives?
Set the Goal of Playing More. Start by setting a goal to have more fun. When we think of setting goals we usually think of serious things, such as saving more money, eating healthier or exercising more often. However, the goal of having more fun is just as important as those more serious-sounding goals.
Define what fun looks like for you. A lot of the time adults can’t even remember what they like to do. Or maybe they’ve outgrown the things that they liked to do in the past and they haven’t gotten around to identifying new things that they enjoy. If this is you, sit down and make a list of the things that you enjoyed doing in your youth. Then, go over your list and highlight those things that still sound appealing. Google is a wonderful resource and if you are stuck for ideas try googling “fun ideas for adults”.
Set a fun minimum and put it in your schedule. Just as you tell yourself that you’re going to exercise for at least half-an-hour a day, tell yourself that you’re also going to do something fun for at least half-an-hour-a-day. It’s important to schedule it in your diary because if you don’t schedule it in it’s unlikely to happen.
Create a play drawer. In her book “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy,” Sarah Ban Breathnach recommends creating a drawer to “stockpile small indulgences.” This drawer could contain anything that brings you joy. Popular items include colouring books for adults, board games and puzzles.
Spend time with a fun friend. Whether it is online or in-person, the people you spend time with will have an enormous impact on your life. If you need to relearn how to relax, be more spontaneous, laugh more, and simply be more willing to play, look for someone who’s already doing these things. Then, follow their lead.
We would love to hear how you are finding ways to have fun, so please share your stories with us. Most importantly, remember to never stop finding joy!
Route 62 is an inland tarred route between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town that offers a scenic and interesting alternative to the traditional N2 highway that is further South and follows some of the coastline. Route 62 promotes associations with the legendary Route 66 in the USA which was built in 1926 to connect Chicago and Los Angeles. Route 62 (the red line in the map below) covers around 1000 km of mountains, fertile valleys and semi-desserts, ensuring an experience that leaves those who have travelled it with special memories. As Route 62 tends to be a bucket-list trip for many South Africans, particularly those who ride motorbikes, I had been wanting to arrange a bike road trip of this area for years.
Our 15-day Route 62 motorbike trip was originally planned for April 2020, but Covid-19 unfortunately scuppered those dates. We therefore had to postpone it to February and March this year (2021) and in the end a small group of four of us did the whole trip – Avril, Anton, Grant and I. When we do such long bike trips, we try to stay off the main N routes and we typically plan the route to cover an average distance of around 350 to 400 km per day, as this is easily done and is not too tiring. In addition, we do these trips outside school holidays and we normally do not book accommodation in advance, but rather look online for accommodation for the night when we stop for lunch or for something to drink in the afternoon. Doing it this way gives us flexibility and means that we do not need to add “rest days” along the way. It also means that if we get stuck somewhere due to bad weather or some other delay, we can usually catch up by increasing the distance ridden over the next day or two. Having done quite a few two-week bike trips in SA and overseas, we have never battled to find accommodation and the places where we have stayed have seldom been disappointing. Another advantage is that one sometimes finds special last-minute rates when booking on the day.
As is generally the case when riding or driving just about anywhere from Gauteng, the first day is somewhat boring and the scenery only really improves from the second day. Our first day was planned to take us from Gauteng to Bultfontein, but we missed a turnoff to Wesselsbron somewhere after Bothaville and ended up in Odendaalsrus, where we had lunch. We looked online and decided to change our plans and to rather stay on a farm called Die Kuirhuis B&B outside Ventersburg. This was reached via a roughly 14 km dirt road that was a bit tricky on road bikes with road tyres, but we all managed to get there without falling off our bikes. The accommodation was nice and the owners were very friendly and hospitable. We had a lovely “Boerekos” supper there and an equally good breakfast the following morning.
Day 2 took us from Ventersburg to Bethulie via Bloemfontein and Phillipolis, staying off the N1 as far as possible. Our overnight stop was at the Royal Hotel in Bethulie, which is a unique and quirky hotel with literally thousands of LPs and books lining most of the walls in all areas except the actual rooms.
The third day took us from Bethulei to Graaf-Reinet, via the Gariep Dam which was still overflowing after the recent good rains. We stayed overnight at the Roode Bloem Farm House, which is a lovely old house on a farm about 10 km before Graaff-Reinet. One advantage of staying outside the towns is that the stars are so much brighter than when in the cities. The Milky Way is so clear that it seems that you can reach out and touch it and one can see lots of satellites on clear nights.
Day 4 was from Graaff-Reinet to Prince Albert, via Meiringspoort which is absolutely stunning.
Our route for the fifth day was from Prince Albert via the Swartberg Pass to Barrydale. The Swartberg Pass was probably the most impressive of the many great passes we did on this trip and the scenery was amazing. The dirt road had recently been worked on and was in excellent condition. Barrydale is a lovely little town and we found really nice accommodation at Doorways. If you are ever in Barrydale, I can highly recommend that you spend the night there, followed by breakfast at The Diesel and Crème Diner.
Day 6 took us from Barrydale to Riebeek Kasteel, which is another lovely town we stayed in. Luis, an old friend of Grant’s and mine who lives in Cape Town, met up with us along the way and joined us until the next afternoon.
The seventh day was from Riebeek Kasteel to Darling (where we met up with Darryl, another mate of ours, for lunch at The Darling Brewery), Paternoster and then to Langebaan. This day also included us seeing the sea for the first time on this trip.
The route on day 8 was from Langebaan to Kleinmond and included several road passes and amazing scenery. My brother, Guy, rode through from Stellenbosch on his restored 1958 Vespa and joined us in Gordon’s Bay. We then rode the 50 km to Kleinmond against some serious headwinds which were a bit of a battle on the Vespa. This was followed by a lovely supper at KabelJoe’s Seafood Restaurant that night.
Guy left us on the morning of day 9 – he went back to Stellenbosch – and we then headed from Kleinmond to Barrydale, via Cape Agulhas. We had intended staying over in Swellendam but decided to go back to Doorways in Barrydale when we realised how close it was and as they again had rooms for us.
Day 10 took us from Barrydale to Wilderness, doing several more lovely passes along the way.
The eleventh day started with the amazing Seven Passes Road (more info below) from George to Knysna, milkshakes at Marilyn’s Diner near Storms River and on to Port Elizabeth.
The route for day 12 was from Port Elizabeth to Elliot and we stayed at The Mountain Shadows Hotel which is on the road from Elliot to Barkly East. We were then getting close to the Drakenberg Mountains, the scenery was spectacular and the hotel was very nice.
Day 13 was from Elliot to Bulwer. Although there were some nice and scenic stretches, most of the day was spent riding through sprawling settlements and some towns that have sadly really deteriorated over the past 20 or 30 years. If I ever do a similar trip again, I will look for an alternative route from Elliot.
The fourteenth day – from Bulwer to Fouriesburg – included the Midlands Meander (R103) which is very pretty with lots of places to stop, Oliviershoek Pass and the beauty of the Golden Gate National Park. We stayed at the Sandstone Chameleon Guest house in Fouriesburg, which I can highly recommend. If you are ever in the Clarens area for a night, rather stay at Sandstone Chameleon in Fouriesburg. There are some lovely places to eat at in the town and you can then take the lovely and scenic 35 km road to Clarens the next day.
Our last day was getting home from Fouriesburg and once again meant that the scenery would unfortunately be getting boring, the closer we got to Gauteng. Having said that, we rode past many farms with good crops getting ready for harvesting.
The only “trouble” we had on the trip was a rear wheel puncture Grant had in Underberg on day 13. We were fortunately just arriving in the town when he discovered it – his bike has tyre pressure sensors and these alert you before you feel it. He fortunately had a puncture repair kit with him, which he used to plug the hole very quickly and he did not have any further problems with it on the trip.
The above is but a taste of the trip, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The company was great, the scenery was amazing and most of the roads were good. If you have any urge to do a road trip, be it by car or (preferably) by motorbike, do yourself a favour and do Route 62. You won’t be sorry.
