The Cape

[Gyronaut]

Spud you ol' codger! Talk about the Cape and don't even give me a call?

Whatsamatter with you huh? My home is always open to you and Barb. We live in a little corner of paradise that is exactly the opposite to what the ill-informed dark-helmet describes as the Cape. "Arid? just sand and wanna be coast"?? Bah-humbug.

Come visit this neck of the woods before you settle on anywhere as a final choice. Will fetch and carry, feed and water you while here.

John Boucher lives in Dana Bay, on the outskirts of Mossel Bay, he knows it well and I know he will show you around there too.
Look him up.

Hope to see you soon.

Rgds

Len

[John Boucher]

I echo you sentiments Len....

Well Spuddy, Mossel Bay or the Garden Route (broader perspective) is really a wonderful place to stay.

If you are contemplating moving here to retire then it's great but if you are contemplating starting a business here - ouch - wrong place! Everything is seasonal here and starting a business you are regarded as an "incomer" which has it's serious lows for much of 3-5 years before you prove yourself.... Been there, busy with that and thankful I still have all my clients up country otherwise I would have returned to Kimberley or Postmasburg.

The weather or climate will suite you poms! Not that humid & hot, sticky stuff you have become accustomed to up there....
Fishing has it's ups and downs here and I'm sure there's an open spot on the boat for you when we go out. Rock & surf fishing spots abundant and then there are many Bass spots in a radius of say 200km's.
Property prices have dropped and I am sure you will pick up a bargain.... will refer you to a reputable and trustworthy estate agent.
Oh... and when my Cheetah is finally here, there will be an odd and occasional open right seat open for a flip...

We have a DA run municipality and trying to think where there are potholes in the road... actually I can't seem to recall having seen any. Traffic cops love trapping with lasercams here and you don't dare drink and drive - lots of road blocks and a night in the pen! So we get pissed at home - ask Lennie

I love Cape Town and would have moved down there if my house that I had in Blaaubergstrand was not unceremoniously ripped from me and awarded to my ex.... but that is a story best left untold! Have great friends there (Lennie & Cx, Morph, Grumps, my sister.....sommer a klomp) and the aviation community is a buzz. You have the Morningstar, Wintervogel & Stellenbosch crowds to feed your appetite

[skybound®]

Hey Uncle Spud - dont forget the best kept secret - Port Elizabeth. In between the last outpost of Natal and the big Mountain of Cape Town. Nice size place - you are not a big fish in a small pond, nor are you a little fish in a massive one. Sort of somewhere between. Big City pros, with smaller city benefits. I am a taffy and loving it here. Always room for someone who has come from across the english pond to us.

From the flying perspective - the last 3 airshows we have won best airshow of the year award twice, and runners up once. Have one of the largest and oldest fixed wing clubs in SA, and a vibrant and growing micro community too. So get googling us too

Rugby - I would dare to say we have an up and coming team, the Southern Kings - we even beat the Bulls a few weeks ago

[Grumpy]

Hey Spud, let me add my bit..............
Many stunning places to live in this country.
I suggest you do a road trip from Pala to Durban,
south to PE , west to Mosselbay and on to Cape Town
and northish up the west coast.
Get all the flying buggers on the site to put you and the missus up for a night or two, look around, find out whats good and bad , pros and cons, about each place and then get back and make up your mind. And if you still like Pala better well then you had a cheap sight seeing holiday.

[John Boucher]

Make sure you are in Witsand to accommodate the old man and his missus when he does the trip!

[Grumpy]

Make sure you are in Witsand to accommodate the old man and his missus when he does the trip!

Not a bad place for Spud to decide on !!

[John Boucher]

Yes... and lots of fishing but pricey property!

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Wow, knocked off my chair I am

Listen (Picked up that phrase since living over here) I'm covered in sawdust right now and doing some some work on the kitchen. Will come back to you all this evening

Baie Dankie youse guy's I am overwhelmed with your kindness so I am and my debts are mounting up so they are. Jetranger Mnr: Ek is jammer. The first ten klippies are on me

Speak to you all soon and if one of my fingers be missing this evening it's your fault for thinking of you all when the blades are turning

Alles van die beste

[rainier]

Whatever you do, don't buy a place to stay right away.
Rent and then take all the time in the World to pick a place.
Lot's to choose from.

Rainier

[vernon11]

Whatever you do, don't buy a place to stay right away.
Rent and then take all the time in the World to pick a place.
Lot's to choose from.

Rainier

Very sound advice Spud.
Vernon.

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Am here as promised and with fingers intact. Will try to reply to comments made. Sorry if I miss any .

rainer: good advice and that is what we will do, rent and take our time looking around for a house to buy. Have seen several on the internet so we know that there will be something for us. Grumpy: Good suggestion to drive down from (Hot) and have a look see but the misses says no. I built her a boarding kennel (For Cats) to operate and she is building it up (Clients) nicely. More about that later. (Hot) to Mossel is about 1750k so thats a two day trip unless I want an accident zzzzz and then a two day trip back. With the cost's involved my Mrs said "Use the money we would spend now to help to pay for the move down there" fair enough. I was dissapointed, but she is right. We have learned a lot during research, and I should have thought of you guys from the beginning as you are a mine of information.

Mnr Boucher: Thank you so much for your contribution and directness. What you said was very informative and helpful. Do not have the funds to start a business (What am I going to do, build a prison )but am more than prepared to work at something. Have always worked to earn so retirement does not come easy to me. Going back to Grumpy's remarks, it is a very good suggestion but I am doing my research and everything I have learned so far points to Mossel Bay and its surrounding area so to drive around looking although exciting will be an expence best avoided. Money is always an issue in life, more's the pity. Len my friend, visit you we will without doubt, but us country folk and big city living is something we would find difficult. Lived in Dagenham Essex one time when I was a London Fireman and that was as close to a city (London) as I wanted to be. Have always loved the sea too and look forward to some fishing from the rocks of Mossel one day.

I would like to go back now and have a look at the posts because I am sure that there are others I need to acknowledge, but I also know that if I do that I will lose this comment and have to start again, it's happened before (Murphys Law Hah!!)

I acknowledge all of you, the readers of my post and those who made a comment. Thank you. Another lamp that suddenly came alight in my head was when I said to the Mrs "We will be on our own down there and have to start again" No we will not, we have lots of friends on the Cape, all over the place

Sometime tomorrow I must find time to sit down and tell you all about the last two years or so with pics. Will do it as an attachment so as not to take up too much space. I wish you were all here, right now on the stoop, so that I can fill your glasses (Soft Drinks available for the abstainers) and say a big, big Baie Dankie to you one and all

Take care everyone, fly safe. Alles van die beste

[John Boucher]

Your forum friends have always been here sir.... sadly all the fingers are pointing to you in forgetting us!

Be your decision what it may.... friends you have all up the coastline!

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Your forum friends have always been here sir.... sadly all the fingers are pointing to you in forgetting us!

Be your decision what it may.... friends you have all up the coastline!

I take on what you say Sir. Fingers have had the right to point, however. It's been a tough two years in South Africa and nearly gave up the game a few times. All I can say is sorry and hopefully I can make up for my forgetfullness one day. Nobody is perfect, least of all me and even when I try to help I usually drop myself in the k@k.

Won't happen again your gonna get so fed up you'll be taking out a contract on me instead of Jewliuuus

[John Boucher]

South Africa.... not for sissies but then you found that out! The only reason is, we miss your posts on the forum sir!

All forgiven....

[Morph]

John Boucher is in that area