Author: Soutie

I had a bath this morning

For perhaps the first time in at least 2 years I had a bath this morning.

Thanks to mype.co.za for the graphic, click pic for source

 We have had some good rains this past 10 days with more, lots more expected overnight and tomorrow.

I was with a couple of chaps from our water affairs dept. this morning and one of them said that he expects our average dam levels to exceed 50% by Friday and possibly 60% by this time next week. Official dam levels here.

50% is the magic number, it is at this level that the severe usage restrictions are enforced, restrictions include hose pipe bans and a form of water rationing. My household (6 people) is allowed 15 kilolitres a month (500 litres a day), we are regularly on or just under our limit, this is achieved by limited toilet flushing, only showering, no watering of the garden (except with previously used water), limited motor vehicle washing and definitely no topping up of the pool!

Penalties for exceeding the limit include financial penalties and a ‘flow limiter’ for serial offenders. Continue reading “I had a bath this morning”

Killer Whales, Dolphins, Sardines and Algoa Bay – The video

This magnificent picture of a family of Orcas graced the front page of my morning newspaper today, Orcas (Killer Whales) spotted in Algoa Bay this past weekend, a rare occurrence indeed. Well that’s what I thought, they apparently arrive here every year at about this time for a month or so, we’ve always considered it a rare occurrence because they haven’t been pictured more than a couple of times previously but with more and more people enjoying the bay and camera technology improving I have a feeling that we’ll be having more and more sightings along with the proof.

Scanned from my newspaper hence the poor quality

Every year at about this time we have a sardine run, massive shoals of sardines move up our east coast towards Mozambique and bring with them their predators, the big game fish, dolphins and occasionally Orcas!

A team from Pro-Dive were in the bay this weekend and filmed not only the feeding frenzy that accompanies the sardine run but an Orca actually attacking (and I presume killing) a dolphin, here’s the video… Continue reading “Killer Whales, Dolphins, Sardines and Algoa Bay – The video”

Sepp Blatter’s folly

Buffelsfontein Rd, Sunday morning

During the last week of last year’s FIFA world cup four huge  advertising signboards suddenly appeared on the main thoroughfares of Port Elizabeth advertising the ‘upcoming FIFA World Cup’ and welcoming visitors to our shores! (Really huge, this road is 4 lanes wide and had a sign on each side!) Continue reading “Sepp Blatter’s folly”

Living in a postcard

Algoa Bay

I visited a family member yesterday, this has been the view from his lounge these last 25 years. I recall friends of his visiting and exclaiming “it’s like living in a postcard” they are quite right. While I was there yesterday, a school of dolphins meandered along the shore very close to the beach, cargo and fishing boats were slowly sailing to and fro, I could see families walking along the sands in fact never a dull moment! I thought that I’d share…

Here’s another Continue reading “Living in a postcard”

Wind Farms

I received an E-mail today asking for help, I repeat it here hoping that some members may be able to offer advice or help.

Good day to you, I run a care facility just outside of Vredenburg where I care for 47 intellectually disabled adults, a substantial number of which are Autistic.

We have just been informed of a developer who is proposing to erect a wind farm on the property bordering ours with 45 wind turbines up to 154 metres high.

I am very concerned about the impact of this proposed project on my sensitive Residents and would be pleased if you could guide us as to any medical papers relating to the impact that these turbines spinning 24 hours a day as well as the associated noise from them would have on Continue reading “Wind Farms”

S.A. Municipal Elections

Says it all

We’re voting today.

Unlike the previous 17 years where the ANC has received overwhelming majorities from the electorate it appears that opposition parties here are giving them a run for their money!

Dissatisfaction with service delivery, jobs for pals, corruption and one scandal after another, gross negligence by some has left the ruling clique more than a little nervous.

So much so that the local ANC officials have been reported as saying  that they would be happy to form a coalition if results went against them.

The current state of our council is:-

Continue reading “S.A. Municipal Elections”

Anni Dewani’s ashes scattered yesterday

RIP: Family of murdered bride Anni Dewani yesterday scattered her ashes in Lake Vänern Sweden. The lake borders Mariestad, her home town

Extradition update here (29/09/2011)

 My Sunday paper devoted a half page today to this oh so sad event which took place yesterday. My thoughts and prayers today were with Anni Dewani’s family, her uncle Ashok Hindocha is quoted as saying:-

“We took a boat out on Lake Vänern, next to Mariestad where she was born and where she spent her childhood. She loved swimming, cycling, walking and playing there on sunny days,” he said.

“It was a very intimate moment, especially for her mother, Nilam. It is a relief to know that her body is finally where she belongs.

“But her soul isn’t exactly at peace yet. This can only happen when all the questions surrounding her death is answered.

“We know who did it. They are in jail. But the “why” must still be exposed. We are in a very harsh situation. Continue reading “Anni Dewani’s ashes scattered yesterday”