From my Aussie beer drinking cousin

Dear Mum & Dad,

I am well. Hope youse are too. Tell me big brothers Doug and Phil that the Army is better than workin' on the farm - tell them to get in bloody quick smart before the jobs are all gone!
I wuz a bit slow in settling down at first, because ya don't hafta get outta bed until 6am. But I like sleeping in now, cuz all yagotta do before brekky is make ya bed and shine ya boots and clean ya uniform. No bloody cows to milk, no calves to feed, no feed to stack - nothin'!! Ya haz gotta shower though, but its not so bad, coz there's lotsa hot water and even a light to see what ya doing!

At brekky ya get cereal, fruit and eggs but there's no kangaroo steaks or possum stew like wot Mum makes. You don't get fed again until noon and by
that time all the city boys are buggered because we've been on a 'route march' - geez its only just like walking to the windmill in the back paddock!!

This one will kill me brothers Doug and Phil with laughter. I keep getting medals for shootin' - dunno why. The bullseye is as big as a bloody possum's bum and it don't move and it's not firing back at ya like the Johnsons did when our big scrubber bull got into their prize cows before the Ekka last year! All ya gotta do is make yourself comfortable and hit the target - it's a piece of piss!! You don't even load your own cartridges they comes in little boxes and ya don't have to steady yourself against the rollbar of the roo shooting truck when you reload!

Sometimes ya gotta wrestle with the city boys and I gotta be real careful coz they break easy - it's not like fighting with Doug and Phil and Jack and Boori and Steve and Muzza all at once like we do at home after the muster.
Turns out I'm not a bad boxer either and it looks like I'm the best the platoon's got, and I've only been beaten by this one bloke from the Engineers - he's 6 foot 5 and 15 stone and three pick handles across the shoulders and as ya know I'm only 5 foot 7 and eight stone wringin' wet ,but I fought him till the other blokes carried me off to the boozer.

I can't complain about the Army - tell the boys to get in quick before word gets around how bloody good it is.

Your loving daughter,

Sheila

Beth

A community is made up with the characters in it,
Those who are dull and those with quick wit
Those who are sickly and those who are fit,
A delicate fabric is uniquely knit.

Beth’s another one you must about
She’s tall attractive and certainly not stout
No airs and graces does she flout
But at MCM nursery, she’s the face, without doubt.

Jeans, blouse and broad hat are her clothes
She’s definitely more at ease wearing those
Not one given to breaking into prose
She only talks about the things she knows

Mind you, with the noise her husband Cameron can make
Any competing would look like a fake
Not that she’s afraid to speak, make no mistake
At work she’ll sell anything from flowers, fertilizer or even a rake.

Now with dog, horse or any pet
Here she finds friends that are never a threat
She could work with them all day, without a sweat
She would’ve made a wonderful vet.

When Beth’s in the mood and dancing’s the thing
She and young Johno can really fling
Moving with alacrity like a bird on the wing
The Duck and Dive becomes exhilarating

But Beth’s not one for exercise
I think basically she’s far too wise
The reason she comes to the bloggs I surmise
Is that she likes the meat that’s cooked on braais

She sits quietly while others chitter chatter
It’s not work, so talking doesn’t matter
She eats and drinks without getter fatter
But when approached she can nitter natter!

Friday, September 07, 2007

by Wicks Granville

Cameron

A community is made up with the characters in it,
Those who are dull and those with quick wit
Those who are sickly and those who are fit,
A delicate fabric is uniquely knit.

Cameron is a man who loves a run
And definitely thrives on having fun
His friends include almost everyone
And he drinks beer like a thirsty Australian

Don’t be mislead by his rah! rah! rah!
Because your’re looking at a modest star
Who has run five comrades to date so far
And has many medals that fill his boudoir

A dichotomy of Cameron’s nature is
His ability to change from the Rah! to the quiet that is his
When he whispers to a horse it looses it’s fizz
In fact with horses he’s an absolute wizz

Taking young Johnno under his wing
He has made running become a fun thing
He loves to include him into having a fling
At the Duck and Dive, where he and Beth go dancing

He, like brother Merek, is a horticulturist
And he too seems to be an absolute altruist
To be helpful and friendly he cannot resist
In fact he is the reason why the harriers exist.

Merek, Cameron, Beth and Maureen
Make up the MCM nursery scene
Where you can buy for your beautiful gardine
Practical gardening advice is their theme

Cameron is also a writer of note
Especially about plants and places remote
On this site, most of the updates are what he wrote
So if you don’t like it, go for his throat!!

Friday, September 07, 2007

Wicks Granville

John makes it big on Front page !!

The Logs Members make it big in Local press ...Last week Craig got onto the front page (Corridor Gazette.. The Heartbeat of Nkomazi) with flying SA colours and winged off to Czech republic ! ! and this week we have The master pipe putter .. um Plumber (N2 not mentioned in the paper article) taking uphill in his stride!! well done John! Hey I hope that this work thing of Yours does not interfere too much with play !

The Early Gang

A shot of the punctual Logs supporters, before the run on a Friday. We would like notice to be taken of the table, the last addition to the venue! These are the Guys and Girls that are keen to run. Thank You to Jill for the photo.

Merek

A community is made up with the characters in it,

Those who are dull and those with quick wit

Those who are sickly and those who are fit,

A delicate fabric is uniquely knit.

You are likely to meet Merek, mixing drinks

Drinking should be fun, is what he thinks

He does enjoy a merry function

Friendly, witty and filled with good unction.

Married to Kathleen they make a charming pair,

Their children Ben and Jessica, make up their lair

Good family values is what they all share

Drinking all sorts of drinks, but never vin ordinaire.

If you observe Merek, and see his style

You’ll notice his humorous eyes and fleeting smile

Amusing you with his quick wit all the while

And showing signs of being prepared to walk the mile.

Green fingers could be his other name

He can make anything grow because that’s his game

Modest and generous, giving without waiting acclaim

Although he is not averse to lots of money instead of fame.

Very laid back is the message he gives out,

But in fact he is very conscientious with what he’s about

When chatting to him you are left with no doubt

That he’s more honourable than a boy scout.

He does not purport to being an athlete

But it seems that he’s no lout on his feet

A blogs run without him, would not be complete

Especially when it comes to celebrating with drinks and eat.

A good balance he has between spirit and ego

Knowing where to have fun and when to say no

He has this ability to allow life to flow

A sort of chat one is very happy to know.

10^th July 2007

by Wicks Granville

Kathleen

A community is made up with the characters in it,

Those who are dull and those with quick wit

Those who are sickly and those who are fit,

A delicate fabric is uniquely knit.

Some are quiet and slow to be seen

I think of soft spoken willowy Kathleen

with her desire for an interactive community scene

everyone supporting; young and old and in between.

The speed of life today is enough to make her scream,

Where people don’t think about people, just “keeping up” is the theme.

Survival through technology has become supreme

Kathleen favours a more holistic regime.

A place where people serve one another

and don’t keep up with the Jones’ to be a mother

and certainly don’t take unfair advantage of a brother,

Or allow fast food and the fast life to smother.

To this end she encouraged those she knew

a community mind to imbue

with markets and meetings and good virtue

a simple life for herself and hers, she does ensue.

Here again, alternative medicine she will seek

instead of something quick and chic

and get back to basics, so to speak.

She is tough, saucy, determined, yet somehow meek

as a compassionate vegetarian she seldom eats meat

yet interesting food she gives all to eat.

Every blogs, a new innovation she brings to heat

Without her imagination, a logs meet would not be complete

In fact each occasion gives her a chance

To invite us to take cognisance

of getting back to basics, with it’s nuance

And of making us go backwards, so that we can advance.

8^th July 2007.

by Wicks Granville

Time Flies & Time Trials

Hello there! Friday the 13th knocked us so badly, we couldn't post for the following few weeks...!!
Actually, it was a mild evening, as have been the last 2. We welcomed Rob & Gail from Marloth Park. Even though they had no lions chasing them, they still kept up a good pace!
Craig finally brought concrete proof of Maryka (in person) ... we were beginning to wonder if she was a figment.
Merek & Kath rolled in looking bleary eyed after 2 hours sleep the night before- a small diversion into the family game of horses. So, there might be a mini horse being taken for a walk at one of the Logs' in the near future.

Friday 3rd August was celebrated by the dedicated quorum: Jill & John G , Cameron, Merek, Kath and crew, Georgie representing the Glasses, & Nick doing his bit for the Wybrows! The rest of the Glass family came later as did Sir R and Beth, and a vote was taken to have the Blogs again next Friday, at the same time & place!

Sir Richard has started a collection of poems starring the members of our community.. Look out, you could be next!! Enjoy his insight in rhyme......
P.S. Birthdays coming up: Beth 11th Aug, Benjy 20th Aug, Alice G 25th Aug

Wild dreams

Herstory is made

The bloggers had an historic (her story) moment this Friday, with Claire G joining the runners as the first, ever lady to show her mettle! This run was a family affair, only undertaken by 2 each of the Svacha & Granville families. Thanks to Mark, Amber & Adam who joined in later with a few bikes to swell the crowds.

The reason for the small numbers was the preparations in various households for the coming of age party for Anni G, which took place later in the evening. Anni had a theme of dress in your wildest dream… SO… the evening was very festive!

Claire was definitely on form , after running the 4 km, she went on to clinch the evening as the wildest dressed ( in my opinion) as a ‘Wild pussy cat’ not inside, but on top…!!

In attendance as well were: a doctor or 2, a cowgirl or 2, Zoro, a family of hippies, some buxom ladies, Superman, some dude with a bob & dark glasses (any clues as to who??) the spice girls, a Brazilian fiesta dancer, a diver, pirate, fairy and a young pioneer. The Bishop of Port Elizabeth was hiding under his big felt hat (or is it actually Paddington bear pretending to be the bishop??). Some people came dressed as, well normal… (perhaps that is their wildest dream, to be normal…Bob, Tina,..um, and a few others?)

The head of the household had a monopoly on the finances, and his Greek goddess wife was bestowing gifts of great food on all the guests. Well Anni, it was a good start to the next phase of your life, sent forth with (as always) a beautiful poem of blessing from our resident bard (that’s Dad to you Ann). Wishing you wings!

Next Friday is an auspicious night…. FRIDAY the 13^th…See you there!! (bring your black cat)

A Wide Wiff Ben

A Wide Wiff Ben

By Wicks Gwanville

When out for a walk with young Ben,

It helped me to feel my youth again,

For he is quite unwittingly, a comedian,

Who wants to know everything, why & when!

Just genial sort of happy 5 year old chat,

Like, ‘does that hole belong to a mouse or a little wat?’

‘Is that where it runs away from a hungry tat?’

‘With all the sugar tane around, it’s probably very fat’

As he rides his bike along the gravel wode,

He chatters happily in his own code

And when he wode into a small wok, he produced a squealing ode.

Each new observation, a happy exciting episode

‘Is that a new water pump I see over there?’

‘Yes it is’, I answered only too happy to share.

‘Where is the old one?’ he asked with care.

‘Someone stole it!’ I said with despair.

‘Who nitched it?’ he asked, wanting to explore.

‘I don’t know. They took it in the night’, I said still feeling sore

‘He nitched it, is going to use it for himself for sure,

And maybe he’ll come back again,’ he said ‘and steal some more’

His mind tested all the things a wobber could do

And very involved picture he ably drew

‘He could steal your pipes & your sugar tane too!’

With all Ben’s excitement I couldn’t feel blue.

With one foot on the handle bar he said ’Hey, look at me!’

And very nearly smashed into a tree.

This time was a time for fun & he felt carefree

Despite life’s problems, he gave me a different perspective to see.

The Holiday Ladies

One of the difficult things about owning ones own business is knowing how and when to spend any of the hard earned money you have earned. Generally it all goes back in the business except for living expenses. Beth will say I need a new pair of pants and I’ll say “Yea but I can wait, just had to fork out a lot of money to pay for the new truck." Usually when holes start to appear I’ll break down and buy a pair.
Holes had started to appear with this blog, and the time it was taking to get something posted and read other blogs was preventing me from giving it the care and feeding it needs. Thanks to Merek and Kathleen for writing and posting the Wise Old Man's Poems. Thanks goes out to Tina. Brass I need to get your Email so you too can chirp loudly. You all help fill the holes and that keeps our blog going.

Last Friday saw John becoming an official member of the Malalane Marathon Club, (even got the spelling for Malalane correct) now we have to keep running. The Holiday Ladies Anne and Lisa joined in on the celebration. Some folks were sick and had family members that were sick and decided to remain indoors. Some on the other hand were in Benoni, Benoni?

We thought the evening was winding down, when Mark arrived and entertained us till late into the night. Thank you Mark for that lovely drink you had us consume. Yes that one with da blue top an all, except the blu top was now yellow. Look how angelic he looks with that bright star behind him.

See ya all soon

A Fine Night

Ah Tina has put her best foot forward or is that her best voice forward. From the photos one will see that Tina and Jill Ramsbottom(is this correct T)Granville, fell out of that Mangoe Tree on Friday last. Nev was on top form as always, and the Gentleman of course. Wicks was sitting and thinking of his next poem. The last couple of photo's is how most of that crowd saw each other. Looks like we will be starting the Mangoe Tree Choir.

Those above are checking on the water pressure, John you are a good plumber, but your fire did work out fine.

This is now much later on in the evening. Everything was a bit hazy, not sure if was the beers or the singing that was going on.

Hey Brass you up to a run, its for a good cause, cause you can have beers after.

This is becoming the poets corner.