SALI SILVER AWARD 2006 - HOUSE FOURIE Ronbyndale Landscapes entered our garden for the annual South African Landscaping Institute's annual competition. The garden was entered in the category 'Landscape Construction In-house Design' and was awarded silver. Brief History of the Garden We relocated from Pretoria to Kloof, Durban during January 2002. Unit 4, 4 Coghill Ave was a spec house at the time. There was no garden and no retaining walls around the back and side of the house. Due to seasonal heavy rains the unretained embankments around the house posed a serious mudslide threat. We appointed a local landscaper to solve this problem and do the basic shaping/landscaping of the garden. On recommendation from the landscaper we decided to go the indigenous route. We have had no previous knowledge or experience regarding indigenous plants and gave the landscaper carte blanche with regard to the type of plants he introduced. A year lapsed after the initial landscaping and numerous plants and ground covers seemed very messy/scraggy and just not our style. The embankment on the one side of the house was still causing mudslides during heavy rain and we struggled to keep the flagstone path, which we have in the meantime laid ourselves, free from soil. Having been to the Kloof Conservancy/Robyndale open gardens day during 2003 we got inspired by some of the gardens and decided to approach Robyndale for suggestions and a quote. After Jason de Leur took us on a tour of indigenous gardens they landscaped, we fell in love with how natural the gardens looked and blended in with the local environment. Robyndale commenced, during July/August 2003, with the FIRST PHASE of the garden. They removed 80% of the previous landscaping and started with a clean canvass. The problem embankment on the side of the house and the front garden as well as the steps up to the swing bench above the rockery at the side of the house was their first challenge – which turned out to be the key elements of the garden. The SECOND PHASE (the rest of the embankment in front of the swing bench area and the back of the house) was re‑landscaped during July 2004. The THIRD AND FINAL PHASE (removal of Yesterday-Todays-&-Tomorrow’s in front of boundary wall and relandscaping) was done during July/August 2004. This area is therefore the youngest area in the garden and has grown tremendously in the 7 months since landscaping. Vision A luscious indigenous oasis where man, birds and animals can feel free to roam and live side by side. The garden is already a place in which tired souls can unwind and find new inspiration. Particular Areas of Interest The rockery with pathway leading to relaxation area and elevated viewpoint serves as a relaxing hideaway. The flagstone path around the back of the house facilitates a peaceful walkabout whilst savouring the variety of indigenous plants which lines the pathway. The various stone bird baths attract a variety of birds and gives a cool feeling on hot sunny days. There are in the region of 14 species of aloes throughout the garden. Wildlife The blueheaded lizard and various other types of lizards live around the rockeries and stone water baths. As yet we have not spotted Chameleons and cannot wait for them to make this garden their home. The local monkey troop makes its way through the garden once a week, foraging for quick and tasty pickings, the unopened Strelitzia flowers being a favourite. Tree frogs are often spotted on windows during night time. The following birds have been observed: - Woollynecked Stork (Wolnekooievaar) - Brownhooded Kingfisher (Bruinkopvisvanger) - Hoopoe - Purplecrested Lourie (Bloukuifloerie) - Bronze Mannikin (Gewone Fret) - Sunbirds - Redeyed Dove - Blackeyed Bulbul (Tiptol) - Olive Thrush (Olyflyster) - Black Flycatcher (Swartvlieëvanger) - Cape Wagtail (Gewone Kwikkie) - Hadeda Ibis - Egyptian Goose (Kolgans)

PICK-OF-THE-CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON 'Layout Presented by Desire Fourie' - Saturday, 29 July 2006

This is the layout I designed and presented in the afternoon. We have got kits available for Suzette and my layouts. They are selling at R85 each, everything included.

PICK-OF-THE-CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON

'Layout Presented by Suzette Witteveen'

- Saturday, 29 July 2006

Suzette (POTC crew member) designed and presented this layout in the morning.

PICK-OF-THE-CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON

'The Paparazzi'

- Saturday, 29 July 2006

The Decorated Headgear contestants had the local KZN Paparazzi following their every move!

PICK-OF-THE-CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON 'Our Sponsors' - Saturday, 29 July 2006

A Huge thank you to all our sponsors without whom a Scrapping day like this would not have been possible.

PICK-OF-THE-CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON 'Decorated Headgear Contestants' - Saturday, 29 July 2006

The group of 5 kneeling in front called themselves the 'Scrapaholix's'. It was good to see that there was such enthusiasm about the competition. Thanks to all those who made the effort.

PICK OF THE CROP 2ND ANNUAL SCRAPATHON 'Grand Prize Winner' - Saturday, 29 July 2006

Michelle Ramsay won the Grand Prize which was a Canon Selphy CP710 Thermal photo printer to the value of R1,300. This was the email she sent me:

"HI Desire I am – I couldn’t believe it when my name came out again after just having won all that paper. I now have a huge stock!! Thank you and your team so much for a fantastic day. I really enjoyed it and the page designs are great. It was also a very nice venue. Actually everything was fantastic!! I did my 50km Gaterite race yesterday finishing in 7h22 and earning my permanent number – no. 17. This was 17 minutes better than last year, so I was very chuffed. I only have a slightly sore bum – where I have had a problem before, otherwise my legs are not sore at all – I really can’t believe it. Anyway – thanks again for my wonderful prize and a brilliant day. Regards Michelle Ramsay"

PICK OF THE CROP 2ND ANNUAL SCRAPATHON

'Decorated Headgear'

- Saturday, 29 July 2006

Self-proclaimed Teachers Pet, the 'one and only' Libby spent a great deal of time decorating a huge lamp shade with nearly three years of scrapping history she collected of the Thursday night gang. She probably went home with a STIFF neck after wearing this heavy lamp shade as a hat for a few hours before the prize for the best headgear was awarded. Libby, this 'alternative' headgear will have a prime spot in the Blue Room for fellow scrapaholix to observe!

PICK OF THE CROP BRANDING

- Sunday, 23 July 2006

Here is another photo of the crew kitted out with their new gear and branding posing in our garden. Standing: Myself Back: Ellie and Charmian Front: Suzette, Sophia and Jenny All the delegates got their layout kits in a black zipper bag (see on right)with 'Pick of the Crop - Scrapping the Pages of Life' printed in pink on the bag.

PICK OF THE CROP 2nd ANNUAL SCRAPATHON - Saturday, 29 July 2006 It was a day thoroughly enjoyed by the delegates as well as the Pick-of-the-Crop (POTC) crew. The crew arrived at 6:30am, just in time for sunrise, feeling very apprehesive but excited at the same time. There were a lot of Uh-ah's' and Wow's during registration as the delegates received the two layouts' kits for the day in a very snazzy POTC zipper bag as well as a real girly lanierd with their name on it (thanks to Sophia). The crew was all kitted out in a snazzy aprons designed by Charmain the official POTC seamstress. We held an official photo session in our garde a week before the event to document POTC's new branding! I must say, there is not many other colours that make such a striking visual impact as 'black and pink'.

Our sponsors (see list below) were very generous and I would like to thank them on behalf of the POTC crew. Without them the delegates would have been a bit less spoilt.

We also launched a 'decorated headgear' competition which were thoroughly embraced by a huge number of the delegates and the winner Gail Houareau, who was voted for by all her fellow delegates, received a double scrapping frame sponsored by Scrap Framing. Second runner up was Libby Houareau (it must run in the family), one of my scrapbooking students, who has proclaimed herself as THE ONLY TEACHERS PET. Her headgear reflected all scrapping events held by me during the last three years and has deserved a proud spot in the 'BLUE ROOM' for all her fellow scrapping friends/enemies? to appreciate!

The Grand Prize, a Canon Sephy CP710 printer was one by a delighted Michelle Ramsay. Michelle was one of my first scrapbooking students (nearly four years ago) and we have also become friends on the road having done one or two walking races together. Enjoy your prize Michelle -no more fighting with photo lab staff who it seems has no proud in their work these days. The two layouts were relatively easy and most delegates actually followed their notes and myself and Suzette did not have to do too much talking, which we appreciated since the PA system was not the best out there. Both the layouts had titles which had to be stamped and this kept the crew on their toes. Eight stamping stations were circulated amongst the delegates giving them a wide range of fonts to choose from. A great deal of brainstorming for appropriate titles took place on an ongoing basis. In the end most of the ladies were very impressed with the fact that they could go home with two finished double page layouts, titles and journalling done! Alleycat Scrapbooking's little shop were buzzing with curious scrappers and a few eager buyers. A big thank you to Philip (Ellie's hubby) who manned the shop for us - at least there were one lonesome thorn amongst the roses. Conroy picked me up just before 6:00pm and spoilt us with Bangkok Wok take aways for supper. The Thai Chicken Noodles and Duck Curry was yummie. Needless to say that there was just enough energy left for a horizontal position the rest of the evening. A big thank you to, Suzette, Sophia, Charmian, Ellie and Jenny for all their hard work, interest and support. You girls are just the best!

PS: Blogger is giving problems wrt uploading of photos. I will therefore post photos individually with comments. - A very tired, but proud POTC crew member signing off!

DRAKENSBERG BREAKAWAY - Friday, 7 July to Wednesday, 12 July 2006 We frequented our favourite piece of paradise in the Southern Drakensberg, CATHEDRAL PEAK. We arrived Friday afternoon just in time for afternoon tea with cake and biscuits after which we made our way to the trout dam where I attempted to take some sunset pictures. Fortunately we did choose this time seeing that it was the only time during our stay that there were clouds in the sky, which always makes for more dramatic photos. Our first night was also the chilliest and the weather seemed to become warmer and more comfortable as each day passed. Saturday we mellowed around and went for a 5km jog on the cross country course and afterwards doing 20 min of gym (just too much energy!). On Sunday, we did a guided 8km hike to RIBBON FALLS and MUSHROOM ROCK. Our guide was Absalom (see pic). The weather was perfect and we did it in 4 hours. I did notice that hubby was lagging behind me on the hike which was very unusual for him who is always a km ahead. During dinner he mentioned that his eyes are burning and by Monday morning he had a full blown head cold and fever. Our energetic plans of climbing the highest peak in this area of the Drakensberg namely CLEFT PEAK on Tuesday (24km hike), flew out the window. We could only stare at Cleft Peak from a distance while nursing a serious head cold and flu.

We did however watch the final of the WORLD CUP SOCCER between France and Italy. I was very sad that my team France lost all because of their Captain, Zidan losing it when he openly head butted an opponent and was given a red card leaving his team with ten men. Monday morning after breakfast, we drove to the closest village, WINTERTON to get the Fourie Chemist stocked up on Corenza C’s, Strepsils, Berocca, etc. While Conroy was sweating it out in bed on Monday, I did manage to complete two scrapbooking layouts - one of the ALOE MARLOTHII which was flowering beautifully in our garden this season as well as another layout on the STRELITZIAS which has also been flowering constantly the last year. Beading also didn’t lose out and I managed to complete a few beading items. Our last day Tuesday was also spent in the lounge scrapbooking, reading and blogging whilst staring in wonder at the magnificent view of numerous peaks, namely the Bell, Cathedral Peak, Pyramid, Cleft, Organ Pipes, Buttress, etc.

All in all it was a very relaxing weekend apart from hubby being under the weather with flu. May be next time around we will get the better of CLEFT PEAK!!

In conclusion, I would like to mention Cathedral Peak’s staff. They are absolutely fantastic - always at your beck and call with a smile on their face. Then the superb cuisine is another story. There is no time for boredom to set in. Each day there was a different and interesting spread for breakfast and dinner!! - The Flu Widow signing off!