After yesterday's run, it was time for a bit of fun. At least that was the idea. Turns out, it was a bit of a crazy day for golf at Oubaai - the wind speed reached ~42 km/hr by the time we were playing the last couple of holes. But, hey, the wind kept the rain clouds at bay - and, yes, it was still fun anyway! :)
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Well, the skies cleared this morning but it became rather blustery. So, what to do when there's 15 knot (~28 km/hr) winds? Grab your kite & board and go kite surfing, of course. At least that's what 9 guys decided to do this afternoon - here are some pics (slideshow, so choose the image to display or scroll through). Just don't lose your kite past the breakers, kids, or you might come face-to-face with the Great White sharks who move to this area from Mossel Bay's Seal Island during the summer. I guess that's why you don't often see kite surfing here, especially off the mouth... :) I'm sure today's cool mist and light rain is a welcome salve for those visiting from the incredibly dry, drought-stricken parts of the country. As non-beach weather, it'll also make for an incredibly busy day at the Garden Route Mall - so best avoid it if you can! So what to do? Get on the bike, of course...
If you've lost your prescription sunglasses and were recently on The Island, you might want to contact Shirley or Linda (details below)...
It's been another glorious day here on The Island... and still pretty quiet, which is a bonus. Oh, and, I have it on good authority that no less than 3 octopuses (note to wanna-be grammar police: "octopi" isn't actually etymologically correct!) were spotted in the river by a rather timid and at times shrieking swimmer - yes, that's what all the commotion was about early this morning!
Up and at 'em for a 6:00 a.m. morning bike ride - another new-to-me route - just one of the many great benefits of riding with someone else instead of going solo. Starting to get my hill legs back after a couple of years off - and a much better ride now that I have tires that don't leak thanks to new tubes and slime from Johnnie Coen Cycles. :)
Besides the running and cycling (and braaing - did I mention the braaing? Super lekker lamb chops from the butcher's counter at Food Lover's Market up in Heiderand, BTW), I managed to find time to repair my little beach path - as well as to add on another little extension so I don't have people deciding they have to wade through my hedge and garden (really?!) and then across the lawn. It's tough work digging out the grass that has invaded the area - but at least I've got a nice little stroll to the beach now. Oh, and a handful of blisters... and a little red spot on my back where I couldn't reach to apply the sunscreen...
So, bike with flat tires and jumpy derailleurs, means a trip to Johnnie Koen Cycles on Louis Fourie Road in the Voorbaai section of Mossel Bay - but I have strict orders: bring back fish for dinner! Specifically, bring back 4 XL Mossel Bay soles and some filleted kingkip. Got it.
I don't have the patience to wade all the way into Mossel Bay during the holiday season, so why not hit Catchalot which is right next door to the bike shop at the same time? I was there shortly after 8:00 a.m. and no one else was there - perfect! Incidentally, they now have a location on York Street (at Wellington) in George. If do want to join the crowds, then of course, there's also "the original", Viking Fisheries on Bland Street in Mossel Bay proper... see these older posts from 2013 and 2015 (of course I go more regularly than that!). But Catchalot is giving them an honest run for their money in my books - both are great options for the freshest fish you'll find anywhere other than on the end of your own line! I went out with a fellow Islander on one of his favourite routes which was new to me. Despite some pretty decent training the last several months, it really felt like a tough slog. I happened to check the bike about 2 hours after the ride and both tires were completely flat - no wonder it seemed like so much work! I guess it's off to the bike shop for a quick tune-up and some new tubes and maybe tires...
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AuthorTheIsland@GreatBrak features the occasional blogpost in between braaiing and beach walks - stay tuned or drop me a line. Categories
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