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This is the first "year in review" web page, done instead of a Christmas Letter. Why? Several reasons. It keeps the overall "family history" under one umbrella for easy access and because over the past few years, I have made increasing use of websites for a wide range of activities. (Some information on the "gap" years 2018 to 2023 may be added later.)
For example, my 16 years of mountaineering in the Cape is documented in www,mountain-meanders.com and many of the Probus activities we are involved with are described in Probus Adventures. All the properties we own (now 6 as the Howick house was sold ) have websites, so websites have become a "normal" medium. Using modern tools, they are as easy as writing a Word document.
2024 - a year of ups and down
2024 had many highlights and a few rather nasty bumps. Highlights included:
My 80th birthday in March
Several Probus trips
Linking up with family in Mauritius, Pretoria, Betty's Bay and Cape Town
The biggest "bump" was a spinal fusion in January which was supposed to heal in 3 months, but 12 months later is still causing a lot of discomfort. The op itself also had some severe unexpected complications that knocked me for a six.
As I was still recovering from the back op, the 80th was low key with just 20 close friends and family. Doug, Esme,Megan and Sarah came down for the weekend, which was also an opportunity to give Megan my "old" 2019 Subaru as my 80th birthday treat to myself was a new 2024 Subaru Forester.
This was not just an indulgence. The 2024 model is packed with self-driving features (which enhance safety) and can drive itself for 100s of km without any intervention. My kids (and many others!) are dis-believing technophobes and we have had some rather heated arguments about the merits of self-driving technology! Ah well, each to their own....
I have also given talks on self-driving cars to several clubs and societies. and enjoy taking them on a journey from being rather sceptical to enthusiastic converts. (I measure this by an audience vote...)
Another talk I gave was on "Trust and Fraud" dealing with the 30 years of systemic fraud that preceded the State Capture that has bedevilled South Africa in recent years. The current politicians had some skilled masters teaching them the tricks of the trade.
2024 was also a year of many travels - in South Africa. Although we have many Home Exchange points and could potentially travel to any one of the 200 000 homes in the worldwide HE network for free, we have decided to focus on South Africa. International travel is just too exhausting with the long flights and visa hassles.
These are some of the trips we went on in 2024:
Franschhoek Literary Festival with 2 other Probus couples
Hermanus with 6 couples from Probus and one of my walking groups
Red Cederberg with 12 from Probus. Climbed up to the Wolfberg Arch. 6 hours - my best climb in 18 months.
Probus Adventure to the Namakwa Karoo with 24 from Probus. Lot's of 4x4 exploring on the back-roads and by-roads of the North West Cape.
Visit to Pretoria to see the family there including a hot-air balloon ride in the Magaliesberg, and visits to old friends and family
Wolfberg Arch (that's me standing in the Arch!)
Probus Adventure Sept 2024, Gifberg, Northern Cape
Hot Air Balloon Ride, Magaliesberg, Megan, Sally, Sarah, Tony
"Gift wrapping" Megan's car. We managed to keep it a surprise until we drove in to Kronendal.
Family News:
Megan has finished 2nd year at Tuks. Now doing 3rd year Sociology and enjoying every minute of university and res life.
Sarah going into her final year of High School in 2025.
Esme still working in the accounting field
Doug busy on engineering design projects all over the world. Several trips to the Czech Republic looking into a new Lithium mine and also a new copper mine near Berlin.
Sue busy publishing her new book "On the Road to Jericho" on Substack. She has gained over 1000 subscribers so far. A brave adventure. A very interesting (if sometimes uncomfortable) read as Sue has rather penetrating insight. Also a rather different Year in Review by Sue and a very interesting interview.
Luke now in High School and doing well in cross country running.
The Mann family enjoys skiing - when the snow will cooperate. The seasons are becoming increasingly erratic due to what Walt calls "climate weirding".
Sally went to Mauritius for a short visit early December, and now the Mauritius family are visiting for Christmas so seeing lots of them (Nicki, Tom, Felix (10) and Max (7)). We had n early Christmas with Greg, Shan, Jackson (7) and Jamie (4) before they went to Durban for Christmas with Shan's family. All the Lavender family will be together for Sally's birthday on the 9th Jan. Managing large "blended" families at Christmas is a challenge!
Esme, Megan, Tony, Sarah, Doug; Bettys Bay, Dec 2024
31st Dec: Sundowners at sunset on Logie Rocks, Llandudno
Walking back in the dark - definitely the last hike of 2024!
Sunset 31st Dec at Llandudno. A fitting end to the year.
Sunset over Hout Bay. We are loving it here in this peaceful little village.
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