Robinson's Ramblings #9

                                                                                                                                                                           

THE DUZI CANOE MARATHON 1987

I started canoeing three months before the race. It's like sitting on a log with your feet out of the water. You easily roll over, then the canoe takes on water and you have to get to the side of the river/dam to empty it out! Which means you have to start all over again...

The race takes place in late January, which is summertime in the southern hemisphere. I had not had a great night's sleep the night before the Hansa Dusi Canoe Marathon. I had to 'wake up' very early (about 3:30am) and got a lift with my friends. I had to wait for at least an hour and a half at the start of the three-day event to get underway at Camp's Drift while the faster guys (and girls) got away. The distance of 110km/70 miles divided by three-days equals on average 37km/23 miles each day. 

Portaging. As the river was relatively low in 1987, I had to carry the canoe roughly haIf the way between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, a distance of 110km/70 miles. I'd needed to lug my canoe through mealie (corn) fields, crash through low-hanging branches, drag it struggling through ankle deep water, and clamber over seemingly, in-conquerable rocks.

Cruising... I spent a good eight hours a day paddling or portaging.

Relief at five PM. I met my nephew, Greg Quinn, after finishing the gruelling, three-day, tortuous, marathon. My parents were there as well.

To put it mildly: I was shattered, but the feeling was of sheer exhilaration!

                                                                                                                                                                          


THE DUZI CANOE MARATHON 1991

My ex brother-in-law, Bruce Butler, joined me. I'm at the front. We were both living in Durban at that time. Unlike 1987, the river was wild and overflowing due to the heavy rain during the night. I recall it was at least two inches that fell. The sewerage had overflowed into the furious raging torrent, and we could see floaters in the savage river.

At the end of the first day, we were happy with what we had done. What would Day 2 have in-store for us?

On the long climb up to Ngumeni.

We had just got back in, after Gumtree/Thombi (see the map with the red arrow, above), being careful to secure our waterproofs to not let any of the wild water in. Bruce broke his paddle earlier in the day, and he had to wait to meet one of our helpers on the top of the hill to get a spare. So, we decided we were going to shoot most of the rapids to make up time.

We were approaching Hippo Rocks. The river was thundering, it happened frighteningly fast. We were upside down suddenly, and we both fell out. The canoe filled up with water, quickly. Bruce caught on to a rock in the middle of the river and I was washing-machined to the side.

We couldn't hear each other. We could just see the two halves of the shattered canoe, held only by the two steel rudder cables. (I had pedals to steer the boat below the deck in the front). I attempted to fight my way to the remnants of the canoe, but I had to give up as soon as I got in the current, I was washed viciously downstream. Bruce swam, bouncing off the boulders, and he reached the side to join me. Over the years, tragically, some people lost their lives. 

Eventually, the guys who trailed the field, helped us retrieve one half of the boat. We don't know what happened to the other half.

Most of the people asked us what had happened to our canoe. To start, we gave a lengthy explanation. After a while, we shortened the story because we had gotten tired of hearing it and it was taking too long to tell.

Most of the people fall ill because one can't help but ingest the river. The ecoli count is off the scale.

                                                                                                                                                                       

My first book Rough Diamonds is set in the sixties, and this killer read takes you to a mining village called Scallyclare in South Africa. There is deceit, evil, malice, negligence, blackmail, rape, murder. It starts when the three children's Grandfather gives them three uncut diamonds. Along with those, he gives them each a bracelet with their names engraved on. The diamonds and the bracelets become their blessings and their terrifying curses...

This killer read is not for the gutless!

I'm starting work on my follow-up book, which will have the word 'Diamonds' in the title. You can follow progress on Pinterest, where I'll post some mood or theme boards and some excerpts as and when they become ready. You can see the progress on: https://uk.pinterest.com/ianrobinson9655/my-next-novel/

                                                                                                                                

“Big sky.” Athena, my wife, would say sometimes looking up at the vastness above.

“Wow, where did you get that from?” I’d asked the first time she said it.

“I felt it the first time I came to Africa. There’s just so much space and when you look out at the landscape it just seems to go on and on and on to the horizon and up into an endless sky.”

Big sky. What a profound thing to say. 

This captures the feelings which we set out to achieve in Horizon's Gourmet Picnics.

It's a true story about Athena's and my business just outside Rosetta in the Midlands of KZN, South Africa. Follows the finding of the property (it wasn't what we had in mind...), setting up the concept for the Gourmet Picnic business, naming the place 'Horizons' (which says 'as far as you can see' and sends a message 'to stretch our guests' expectations'). Selling the business.

                                                                                                                                

I'd like some people to review my books Rough Diamonds and SOME PICNIC! (See below). I'll give you free books to review.

I hope you’ll take time to check them out at Smashwords, where you can sample the first 15% of the books for free.

Here’s the direct link to my book page, where you can sample or purchase the book: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/704634 
and https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/706474

Here’s the link to my author profile: 
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ianrob222

Won’t you also take a moment to spread the word about my books to everyone you know?

Thank you so much for your support!


There's a bonus after the story. You can read the first chapters of my other book after the end of the book.

                                                                                                                                                                

Robinson's Ramblings #8

                                                                                                                                                                          

MONACO GRAND PRIX 2008

One of the things we did as part of our Ferrari trip was attend the Monaco Grand Prix in 2008.

The narrowness of the Monaco circuit is evident at the approach down Avenue des Beaux Arts. The track on the right where the racing cars will be doing frightening speeds (the 2017 new specs will make them more fearsome to drive), and on the left within an arm's length you can enjoy a glass of very chilled Moét Chandon Champagne. Mind you, you'll have to be as chilled as the Moét as well, when you are as close to the cars which are wider, more aerodynamic and posess massively wide rubber. 

The 'OPEN' sign on the top left offers a challenge. I wonder whether the drivers will be tempted to stop at the for a glass of the good stuff? No, I don't think so.

Demonstrating the sheer craziness of the narrow track and being tempted by a glass of Moét...

The Avenue des Beaux Arts provides a brief rest (who's writing this?) with drivers moving to the right mid-way down the straight to avoid a large bump, before the tight Mirabeau corner. The drivers will be doing over 200kmh/125mph at this point. That's stirring stuff, bearing in mind this stretch of straight is only just over 200m/220yards long! As a driver, the margins of safety are non-existent, weaving one's way at up to 289kmh/180mph, threading their way at miraculous speeds between the twenty-storey buildings...

Formula One racing’s new breed of cars for 2017 were faster than their 2016 counterparts straight out the box in Barcelona. As part of dramatic rule changes for this season, aimed at cutting lap times by around four seconds, tyres will be 25 percent wider than the current specification. 

The front tyre, was 245mm wide, has increased to 305mm, while the rear grew from 325mm to 405mm. Wheel rim diameter remains unchanged at 13 inches. The rears are so wide they will be as long as my fore-arm with a fist! 

At the famous Casino Square. Later, that evening, I went
with my georgeous wife to the Hótel de Paris Monte-Carlo (below) to dance and drink Champagne.

I saw Jenson Button (he's still the third driver for McLaren Team) will be standing in for Alonso in the Monaco Grand Prix, while Alonso's in the States that weekend racing in the Indianapolis 500. The automobile race is held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, an enclave suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. The event is held over Memorial Day weekend, which is typically the last weekend in May. The Indy 500 takes place on 28 May.

The twisty, tortuous Monaco track, is so tight where you put a wheel wrong by
about 1cm/half an inch, and you're out of the race.
In the top, right hand corner of the map, where that first pic was taken halfway along the straight, approaching Mirabeau Haute.

By Will Pittenger - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7889905

The hundreds of Superyachts (above) which crowd and flood the Monte Carlo port to watch the Grand Prix.
The berths are booked up far in advance and the really giant yachts have to 'park' outside the harbour.

I take a quick look at the track outside the Hótel de Paris Monte-Carlo, where there
were cars whizzing past just a while before.

The crowds which flock to the hill on the south side of the circuit to watch the event.

This is how close we got to the track.


That was the spectacular Monaco Grand Prix. Would I go again? You bet your life I will.

                                                                                                                                                                           

I've written two books: Rough Diamonds and SOME PICNIC!

My first book Rough Diamonds is set in the sixties, and this killer read takes you to a mining village called Scallyclare in South Africa. There is deceit, evil, malice, negligence, blackmail, rape, murder. It starts when the three children's Grandfather gives them three uncut diamonds. Along with those, he gives them each a bracelet with their names engraved on. The diamonds and the bracelets become their blessings and their terrifying curses...

This killer read is not for the gutless!

I'm starting work on my follow-up book, which will have the word 'Diamonds' in the title. You can follow progress on Pinterest, where I'll post some mood or theme boards and some excerpts as and when they become ready. You can see the progress on: https://uk.pinterest.com/ianrobinson9655/my-next-novel/

                                                                                                                                

“Big sky.” Athena, my wife, would say sometimes looking up at the vastness above.

“Wow, where did you get that from?” I’d asked the first time she said it.

“I felt it the first time I came to Africa. There’s just so much space and when you look out at the landscape it just seems to go on and on and on to the horizon and up into an endless sky.”

Big sky. What a profound thing to say. 

This captures the feelings which we set out to achieve in Horizon's Gourmet Picnics.

It's a true story about Athena's and my business just outside Rosetta in the Midlands of KZN, South Africa. Follows the finding of the property (it wasn't what we had in mind...), setting up the concept for the Gourmet Picnic business, naming the place 'Horizons' (which says 'as far as you can see' and sends a message 'to stretch our guests' expectations'). Selling the business.

                                                                                                                                

I'd like some people to review my books Rough Diamonds and SOME PICNIC! (See below). I'll give you free books to review. I hope you’ll take time to check them out at Smashwords, where you can sample the first 15% of the books for free.

Here’s the direct link to my book page, where you can sample or purchase the book: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/704634 
and https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/706474

Here’s the link to my author profile: 

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ianrob222

Won’t you also take a moment to spread the word about my books to everyone you know?

Thank you so much for your support!

There's a bonus after the story. You can read the first chapters of my other book after the end of the book.

                                                                                                                                

Robinson's Ramblings #7

Near Venice, Italy 2008                                                                                                                                  

On our trip to Italy, we like to refer it to as our Ferrari Trip, Athena arranged a Balsamic tasting. What a treat it was.

We were welcomed in our Ferrari by the proprietor, his family and his assistants, lined up outside their magnificent and sumptuous home. 

The lady guide showed us around the vast homestead with its antique furnishings  and ornament-filled showcases.

We went to the attic and we (at least I was...) surprised to find out how they made Balsamic vinegar. 

Unlike coolness required for wine, the opposite was needed and an ancient mariner made the discovery when some barrels of wine turned into Balsamic vinegar. 

Yumm, thanks to our fellow sailor who had the revelation.

We tasted many Balsamics up to as old as fifty years, and I thought that the ones which
were around ten to fifteen years old were the finest with the two year old, mature cheese. They were a blend of syrupy and aged but not too sweet where it overpowers the delicate balance of acidity. Shown here, we indulged ourselves tasting Parmigiano Reggiano with the aged nectar of various vintages. We also luxuriated in ice cream drizzled with 50 year-old, which was well suited.

And bought a bottle of the one on the right, below.

                                                                                                                                                                           

I've written two books: Rough Diamonds and SOME PICNIC!

My first book Rough Diamonds is set in the sixties, and this killer read takes you to a mining village called Scallyclare in South Africa. There is deceit, evil, malice, negligence, blackmail, rape, murder. It starts when the three children's Grandfather gives them three uncut diamonds. Along with those, he gives them each a bracelet with their names engraved on. The diamonds and the bracelets become their blessings and their terrifying curses...

This killer read is not for the gutless!

I'm starting work on my follow-up book, which will have the word 'Diamonds' in the title. You can follow progress on Pinterest, where I'll post some mood or theme boards and some excerpts as and when they become ready. You can see the progress on: https://uk.pinterest.com/ianrobinson9655/my-next-novel/

                                                                                                                                                                          

“Big sky.” Athena, my wife, would say sometimes looking up at the vastness above.

“Wow, where did you get that from?” I’d asked the first time she said it.

“I felt it the first time I came to Africa. There’s just so much space and when you look out at the landscape it just seems to go on and on and on to the horizon and up into an endless sky.”

Big sky. What a profound thing to say. 

This captures the feelings which we set out to achieve in Horizon's Gourmet Picnics.

It's a true story about Athena's (my wife) and my business just outside Rosetta in the Midlands of KZN, South Africa. Follows the finding of the property (it wasn't what we had in mind...), setting up the concept for the Gourmet Picnic business, naming the place 'Horizons' (which says 'as far as you can see' and sends a message 'to stretch our guests' expectations'). Selling the business.

                                                                                                                                                                           

I'd like some people to review my books Rough Diamonds and SOME PICNIC! (See below). I'll give you free books to review. I hope you’ll take time to check them out at Smashwords, where you can sample the first 15% of the books for free.

Here’s the direct link to my book page, where you can sample or purchase the book: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/704634 
and https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/706474

Here’s the link to my author profile: 

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ianrob222

Won’t you also take a moment to spread the word about my books to everyone you know?

Thank you so much for your support!

There's a bonus after the story. You can read the first chapters of my other book after the end of the book.