I checked out the websites for some of those SA hotels. Superswanky. When I finally make it down there, I doubt I'll be able to afford to stay in one of them. That's okay. I don't stay in places like that in the US and I wouldn't fit in there anyway.

Johan,

I was just rereading this thread when I found post #52 by you. In it, you asked me to forward some internet resources I had used in my genealogy research. For some reason, I overlooked it. In my opinion, the best genealogy link is: http://www.cyndislist.com/

Cyndi's List has tens of thousands of links to genealogy sites. I think there are 165 links associated with South Africa. The Mormon Church has great information also if you haven't already used them. Some of the older church members actually volunteer their time in their local church's research center assisting researchers. Don't worry, they won't try to convert you when you walk in. They just ask that you share your research results.

Hey, the Mormon's are great at sharing their research - look at Mike Richards! :)

Thanks Doug,
The Mormon and cyndislist are well know resources that I use. Thanks for the feed back. I appreciate that.
You are right, the Mormon's won't try and convert you when you walk in. Might lift an eye brow. Even more so when they see that it is a Afrikaner! Just doesn't want to go into a lengthy argument. Man, and can we argu and disagree. Even more so among ourselves!:D
Everyone his own boss with his own family and his own piece of land. Touch those and you start a war. :D:D

My comment wasn't intended as an insult against the Mormons and I sincerely apologize to anyone I might have offended by my imprecise use of the English language. The last person I would ever want to offend is Mike Richards who has shown nothing but kindness and selfless service to everyone on this forum. The Mormons are great people who translate their beliefs into action. My family has spent many an afternoon in our livingroom with fine upstanding young Mormon missionaries that I admired greatly.

I was simply trying to calm any fears Johan might have about whether the purpose of the research center was research or proselytism.

Now, I'm sick to my stomach that I might have offended Mike or anyone else.

Doug,

You did not offend me, in fact, your #162 post was very complimentary to our church and the genealogy research that it does.

Just like everyone else who posts on this forum, at the core, each of us is trying to help others over the rough spots in life whether it be in building a CNC machine or whether it be some other difficulty.

Whew. Thanks Mike.

Mike,
From my side. Thanks for the great work that your church are doing all over the world. My fellow researchers (and me) speak with create respect everytime the Mormon's research is mentioned in our genealogy meetings.
Kind regards

Just to prove that South Africa can be cold in winters...this was taken by a farmer in Harrismith apparently.

Attachment 5425

Kobus,
What temps do you get down to in winters?

Here are the extremes for the last 2 days:

http://www.weathersa.co.za/Climate/Extremes.jsp

Also look at the Climate Data for Selected Centres in the right hand column and pick a town, to see long term data . . . .

Kobus is in Johannesburg (high altitude)

Alan and I are in Cape Town (more or less - Alan is just behind a mountain with a different climate there)

Hennie is midway betwee George and Port Elizabeth

Lex is near Richards Bay

Heath, that -8 deg C that is shown is in the same province where the picture was taken.

Wow -8 for Johannesburg in certain years...I can feel it when I go and cycle some mornings around 05:00

Heath we would probably have the weather that Gerald had in Cape Town yesterday by mid day today.

I thought I was the only one complaining :rolleyes:
Attachment 5427

Are those Meerkats warming themselves by the fire? Cute.

Kobus those two animals near the fire place are alive ?

Alive and well to my knowledge....if they stay long enough we could have a BBQ :D

Marius, some people keep meerkats as house pets - I think those in the photo are tame.

We are a little bit colder on average (being at about 400m ASL) with a lot more rain (this being a major catchment area) 2 weekends back we had 165mm rain in 24 hrs (dams now sitting at about 96%) Currently I am only there on the weekends as I am staying in CT during the week (to reduce traveling costs)

I want two pets like those !!!

Kobus, it does get cold in your area. Just wish we only had single digit weather in the winter here. :) We usually have an extra 3 before your negative winter numbers. :) And we dont have some of your excellent scenery. :( I have to make a trip out there some day.
Do you guys actually BBQ meerkats? Do they make good pets?

Hi heath, I was only joking about the BBQ. I like real red meat...big steaks... when I do my BRAAI (BBQ)
Your winters are tough, but the problem we have is that our houses are not build to keep the heat in / or out for that matter.
During my 5 years in Holland I was never cold as the house was well heated and insulated.
Over on this side of the water we go from -3 deg C to +17 in the day and luckily I have a small wood and coal burning stove in my house that helps to break the chill when the sun goes down.
When you come on your trip I can hook you up with accomodation in Sabie. That is about 45 minutes drive from Kruger Park and in a malaria free area.
See you soon :D

Kobus only offers accom. to those unlikely to need it - we had to slum 4 nights down the road from there last month. :p

That's not true, you did not ask....:)
I know that place on the Hazyview road. My friend Tim Buckland has his Sabie Valley Coffee farm next to them. http://www.sabievalleycoffee.co.za/ His new coffee shop / roasterie is just down the road towards Hazyview. I hope you tried the local beer from Hops Hollow as I know Bohms Zeederberg stocks it.

I now had enough of people renting, not paying and still breaking my stuff. I will slowly re-equip the house and when I need time off I can hop in the car and enjoy my place. Last week I took a double bed, small fridge and small freezer down. So it's not 100% ready yet, but soon it will be.

This is the 10 x 8 meter veranda. I have 180 degree views of the mountains and see 2 waterfalls from here.

Attachment 5459

Kobus sort it out then you can get my house in December and I will have a holiday in Sabie:D

Holy cow Heath. I think we've fallen in with the South African jet set. If any of you guys ever visit me in Arkansas, you're going to be mighty disappointed.

Hennie that sounds like a good idea...will keep it in mind
Don't worry Doug, it only LOOKS ok on the picture. It is a smallish 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house. The big STOEP or veranda I added on to give us the place to hang out and enjoy the views that we have. Just before I left for Marion Island I quickly added the roof using BIG gum poles and corrugated sheet. The plans called for a tiled roof to join the existing roof, but 3 years later it is still like that. The little trees on the stoep were all made by hand with a small jigsaw using oak and blackwood that I had at that time.

Gerald how about visiting the States next year June ,July don`t think accommodation would be a problem a "braai " in every town :D

Slow down Hennie, there are some local offers to take up first. Somebody (maybe a bit colour-blind) offered me a house in Sedgefield? :D

Plett would be a better option:)

I hear you Kobus but "smallish" is a relative term like Gerald's idea of "slumming." Also, if I'm not mistaken, you have a pool too. In fact, I believe all of the members of the South African Mechmate Jet Set have their own pools. :)

Gerald knows he's always welcome at my house and the same goes with the rest of you SAers. And if the cultural center of the universe (Conway, Arkansas) doesn't happen to fit into your itinerary, let me know when y'all will be near by and I'll drive over and take you to dinner.

Anyone coming to Canada? Better make it in the summer or you might leave solid. :)

Doug,my pool have waves:)

Maybe a good idea to visit Canada just before our winter...that way I will be CONDITIONED for our cold weather. This morning it was at -3 deg C.

This is my offer...if you have a BLUE MechMate with a serial number from this forum, my doors are open...both in Johannesburg and Sabie...Now your are being told Mr. G ;)

The local B&B in our little town have a Dungeon bar and resturant. Just the place to lock up some guys from overseas!:D:D I must say the picture in post#174 scare the sh.....t out of me!:eek:

Hennie,

My pools only hold one leg at a time.

Low maintenance!

portable too !! :D

...and doubles as a porta-potty! ..or live well for fish! ....or beer cooler.

A porta potty then a beer cooler??? Remind me not to drink beer at Sean's house.