INKUNGU LODGE ... HERE WE COME

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!!!!!!!

Mmm ... I am sure most of you thought that yours truly have forgotten all about this blog candy that was up for grabs. Well I've got good news for all of you ... memory problems are still centuries away for this middle aged duck.

AND here are even better news, there were not only one winner, but TWO lucky winners. They were each 10 guesses either side of the correct collective age {633} of the Inkungu Ducks. So with no further ado, congratulations to:

JOSE from Jose's Jottings who said: "Looks a wonderful place, hope you all have a good time, pity its so far away from me." Yes, thanks Jose the ducks had a wonderful scrapping breakaway at Inkungu and were rewarded with some snow scenes as well which of course is rare in South Africa.

and

TERRI SCOTT (who does not seem to have a blog)

Jose and Terri, please email me your postal addresses so that I can get this lovely prize into the post for each of you.

- One of Inkungu's Old Ducks Signing Off

oooOOOooo

{Plus some blog candy up for grabs}

Just to leave those scrappers, not joining us, a bit green ... this is where we going for 3 nights, 4 days of scrapping bliss and battery recharging from 18 to 21 September 2008. This girls will be getting three kits for three double page layouts to tackle during the course of the weekend. We have booked the conference venue at Inkungu for the duration of our visit and I am sure the scrapaholics will be utilising it to the full.

This will be my first time visit to Inkungu Lodge, situated in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, and am so looking forward to wander freely in nature and filling my lungs with clean fresh mountain air once again. And from what I have heard and seen, the scenery is breathtaking. So keep an eye on Doing Life for some snapshots of nature's splendour and perhaps some evidence of 'naughty' scrappers doing everything but scrapping.

Once again, some delicious blog candy will be up for grabs until 30 October 2008. Here is what you need to do: Guess the collective age of the group of 13 visiting Inkungu from 18-21 September 2008 and stand a chance to win a delicious hamper of scrapbooking/cardmaking ingredients. Post a comment at the bottom of this post which should look like this:

Collective Age: {your guess}

My name is: {your name and surname}

Note: Please don't guess the same as someone before you. And of course the group of 13 are not allowed to participate.

- Inkungu fevered signing off

BARE ESSENTIALS AT INKUNGU

{Lumps and Bumps} 18 to 21 September 2008

The Inkungu ducks departed from Durban in two vehicles at 9am on Thursday morning, making their way to Inkungu Lodge developed in the majestic Champagne Valley in Central Drakensberg.

The delegates: Back: Carol Liebrandt, Vanessa Scott-Moncrieff, Lisa Gallagher, Rayna Winson, Shelley Candiotes. Middle: Dereck Ramsay, Conroy Fourie, Louis Schutte. Front: Michelle Ramsay, Yours truly, Jeanette Cornell and Sheila Corfe.

Yours truly made her driver, Sheila illegally stop on the N3 Freeway for some shots of the Wagendrift Dam. Some serious dodging of speeding trucks on the freeway took place as I had to hold onto the railings to keep my feet on the ground as the tucks’ back draft were blowing me off my feet. But I did manage to get these shots of the open sluice which was spraying in an interesting flower formation.

Wagendrift Dam

After our illegal freeway stint, our next stop was at Thokozisa cultural village for a lunchtime pitstop which consisted of toasted samies and cuppocinos. Whilst having lunch we spotted the most interesting painting of Meerkats … but do you notice the ‘odd one out’? I just fell in love with this painting. The art shop owner mentioned that this was a reprint and that the original painting was R80,000+. So of course this photo had to do.

We also quickly popped into Fordourn’s Spa where Sheila had us all buying Dr Ndlovu’s famous Body Butter which contains ‘Wild Dagga’. I must say this cream makes one’s skin feel silky soft and an added bonus is that it is a good remedy for skin rashes, eczema, etc.

Driveway to Fordourn's Spa

We arrived at Inkungu Lodge just after 2pm and were taken aback by the breathtaking 360 degree views of the mountain ranges. Immediately we got a taste of Mike and Paddy’s hospitality and were treated to a delicious lunch of lasagna, homemade bread rolls and a mixed salad, enjoyed by all at the edge of the rim flow pool on the deck with the majestic mountains as backdrop.

The Inkungu Ducks relaxing at the rimflow pool enjoying sundowners.

With full tummies, a few of the Inkungu ducks set off in Sheila’s 4x4 to the Drakensberg Sun for a short ‘flat’ hike to the Blue Grotto Caves. Sheila’s description of a ‘flat’ route was a bit generalised, as the route was more uphill there and downhill back. Sheila’s reply to the moans and groans about the uphills, was ‘the hills will sort themselves out’. Then of course this hike was a hike with a twist. The girls planned a topless photographic session between the rocky outcrops at the Blue Grotto waterfall. The expedition was of course planned for late afternoon and the register was carefully scrutinized to confirm that no one else was still en route to or from the Blue Grotto. The shoot was immediately co-ordinated and rehearsed with everyone’s kits still in tact. But just as it was decided that everything was well rehearsed and that the tops can fly, a stray hiker appeared out of nowhere all on his own and leisurely strolled around our scene snapping away with his camera at the scenery … as if he had a premonition that his going to strike it lucky with four topless Inkungu ducks sprawling around in the bush. Some more rehearsing took place and no sooner had the lonesome hiker left, did the tops fly and some serious posing was on the cards. Yours truly had to do all the leg work too, from, over water and boulders as the camera was set up on a tripod in the middle of a stream and the self-timer function was used, so as to include myself in the shots.

Suddenly, out of nowhere two huge male baboons came tumbling down the rock face in front of us, engrossed in a serious fight of their own with pink jaws and white teeth flashing. The Inkungu ducks broke the record for the fastest dressers without a blink. Me and Jeanette were shaking with fear as the adrenalin was rushing. Obviously the two male baboons were just as shocked seeing the white flesh of four Inkungu ducks sprawled over a rock face, and made their way up another rock face and disappeared into the bush. With the adrenalin subsiding, another topless scene was created and some more shots were taken.

Most of Friday was spent scrapping in the boardroom. By midday clouds were appearing on the horizon and a strong wind blew in. The temperature dropped and it became quite nippy towards the evening. Late afternoon some of the Inkungu chicks and one chuck once again piled into Sheila’s 4x4 making their way to visit Sweet Pea. Sweat Pea is a Duiker which was rescued from a veld fire minutes after she was born. Mike and Paddy Behr (Inkungu Lodge’s Management) raised Sweat Pea who became another loved member of the family which sometimes thinks she is a dog. She loves to lie on a bed whenever allowed inside the house. The only scars she has left from the fire are the tips of her ears which have burnt and did not grow back again. Sweat Pea felt like a celebrity with the Inkungu Paparazzi visiting her and was pouncing around showing off her best features, hardly affording the Paparazzi a second or two to capture her delicate beauty. But she was very generous in sharing her love with the Paparazzi in giving each Paparazzi member a kiss. Her natural beauty is mainly the result of her love for apples, carrots, Wisteria and Jasmine flowers.

I have to mention Carol’s pet, which she kept secretly in her and Shelley’s bathroom, and nowhere else but in the toilet of all places. Carol announced at one dinner sitting that she has just flushed their toilet and saw two legs disappearing down the toilet bowl and she thinks it could be a frog, but is not certain. Of course everyone wanted to know what colour the legs were and how big. But Carol said that it happened so fast that she could not really distinguish anything but two legs. Needless to say, no one believed her. So she went to relate her story to Mike and Paddy at reception which gave her one look and said that she clearly had one sherry too many. Carol gasped in disbelief as no one believed her story. The next morning and breakfast Carol once again announced that when she got up during the previous night she spotted the owner of the two legs i.e. which was a frog, and scooped it up with something’s lid and left Mr Frog in the bath. Very pleased with herself that at last she had the hard evidence to make everyone eat their words, she went to bed again. But Mr Frog did not play along and was nowhere to be seen the next morning. And once again everyone just listened to Carol’s story and proceeded to think that she is clearly seeing visions during the night. Sunday morning arrived and as everyone was busy checking out, Carol beckoned the first person she could get hold of to come and see themselves that she was not having visions. Alas, there on the floor in their bathroom was the smallest frog I have ever seen, no more than 2cm long. Carol of course said that the one she had seen was much bigger and that there is definitely another one …. well now we will never know whether there were two or more frogs. Must say that the frogs must get quite dilly of continuously being flushed away, or they are enjoying the ride and keep on coming back for the next one.

Saturday, was cold and rainy and ideal weather for some scrapping therapy and everyone made good use of this, getting up to speed with their scrapping projects. A shot of sherry now and then kept the moods and bodies warm. During the day numerous calls came through on the cell phones with jubilant voices announcing that it was snowing all around the central berg and round about 5pm Sheila came running through shouting snow, snow, snow and everyone was following her outside. The mist cleared for a brief while and the snow capped mountain peaks were visible. What a beautiful sight. Unfortunately the light wasn’t very good for photos and everyone was putting in their orders for blue skies on Sunday morning.

View from the rimflow pool at Inkungu Lodge on Sunday morning

Sunday morning arrived with the immediate surrounding mountains still covered in a blanket of mist, but the skies were blue. During breakfast everyone had their gaze settled on the blanket of mist which was gradually lifting from the snow covered peaks. Without much deliberation it was unanimously decided during munching breakfast, that the Inkungu entourage will set off after checking out to Injesuthi, about 45 minutes drive, to perhaps see more snow. We were well awarded with beautiful white capped mountainous scenery on our way to and at Injesuthi. And of course the paparazzi were once again out in full force capturing the breathtaking scenery. It was decided whilst saying goodbye at the Injesuthi base camp, that our next spring scrapping breakaway should be a 5 night/6 day breakaway at Injesuthi itself. And of course you Doing Lifers can still see the green glow up here in Gauteng, as the girls going back to Durban all stopped over at Mooi River and Nottingham Road where the snow was abundant and they could build snowmen and bomb each other with snow balls. Us Gautengers reluctantly took the four and half hour drive back, but not before we had a pit stop for lunch at the majestic Little Switzerland in the Berg. Thanks to all the Inkungu chicks and chucks for making this berg breakaway a memorable one indeed. Doing Life also would like to thank Mike and Paddy Behr as well as Jani for all the little things they did to make our break even more special, it definitely did not went unnoticed. If you ever make your way to the Central Drakensberg, make sure you spend a few nights at Inkungu Lodge. Apart from everything else, the food is absolutely delicious and abundant.

Note:

The kits for the three layouts that the Inkungu Ducks did are available over at Doing Life's Shoppe. The kits are:

Koo36: Nobody Trips Over

K0037: Beware

K0038: Tranquility

- Snow struck signing off

This is your Invitation

'CELEBRATING SPRING 2008: SCRAPPING & SELF-INDULGENCE AT INKUNGU LODGE"

(Live well, Laugh often and Love with all of your heart!)

Pack your scrapping tools, bring your husband/partner or a friend and come and enjoy a few blissful days in the extraordinary mountain splendour of the exclusive INKUNGU LODGE, Drakensberg:

This is your invitation to have some fun whilst: - creating three double page layouts created by yours truly, at your leisure (inclusive of comprehensive kits) This once in a lifetime 'special' package includes the above as well as: - 3 nights luxury accommodation (all rooms ensuite)- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and mid-morning and afternoon Tea/Coffee and biscuits - Use of conference venue for duration of visit

Details of photo and tool requirements, for the three scrapbooking kits, will be available in due course.

SCRAPPER'S COST: R2,220.00 pp (non-refundable) payable on or before 25 June 2008 [This amount includes the three comprehensive scrapbooking kits.]

NON-SCRAPPER'S COST: R1,620.00 pp (non-refundable) on or before 25 June 2008 [This amount will be for partners who don't scrap.]

(all inclusive, except drinks, room service and telephone costs which will be for your own account)

DATE: Thursday, 18 September to Sunday, 21 September 2008 (Checking in on Thursday at 2pm and Checking out on Sunday at 10am)

VENUE: Inkungu Lodge, Drakensberg

RSVP: On or before Friday, 20 June 2008.

This promises to be a weekend of sheer unwinding, taking time out for ourselves and appreciating nature's beautyRemember to bring those cameras to capture nature's exquisite beauty on offer at Inkungu Lodge.

Please feel free to contact me with any queries. Updates on this weekend breakaway will be posted here on DOING LIFE from time to time. Here is a snippet from Inkungu's website: http://www.inkungulodge.co.za/lodge.html

"Welcome to Inkungu Estates in the picturesque Cathkin Valley, an exclusive, intimate new development in the heart of the majestic Drakensberg. Inkungu, a Zulu word meaning 'mist' promises a tranquil escape from the frantic pace of modern-day living for the discerning investor, holiday home buyer or holidaymaker. Only 20 units will be developed at Inkungu, giving ample provision for privacy and exclusivity. The spacious chalets are widely spaced on stands of between 3500-3900m2 'as opposed to the normal Berg stand size of 1000m2 or less' and are built of natural stone and timber. Luxuriously designed and catering for both the privacy-seeker and active individual, Inkungu promises discerning investors and holiday makers a private, modern mountain retreat, in harmony with the natural beauty of the Central Drakensberg."

- 'Bergie' Signing Off

THE 'BLUE ROOM' STUDIO NOSTALGIA

- Wednesday, 5 September 2007

If these 'four walls' could speak they would conjure up memories filled with countless moments of joy, sadness, elation, sharing, seriousness, laughter, tears, embarrassment, silliness, accomplishment, damaged teeth, green mambas, Greek connections, Tote-Ally Coolness, {D}amn {F}oolness, friendships in the making and Tha Teacha spinning around the table whilst explaining, advising and demonstrating the means to a well balanced scrapbooking layout. They (i.e. the four walls) would probably also have wished for the luxury of ear plugs protecting their ears from endless banging in attempts to set that eyelet perfectly onto a precious layout.

Then there were also times where they (i.e. the four walls) had to take on the role as detectives, especially when a template or tool belonging to Tha Teacha made their way accidentally into a student's bag or tote. They did themselves proud as detectives when items from the lost property drawer met up with their owners.

But the most remarkable event was most definitely the forming of the TP (Teacher's Pet) Gang(s). Note the 's', indicating that there were quite a few such gangs being formed, the most prominent being the Thursday night TP Gang Inc (incorporating the g(r)eek connection) rivaled by the Botha's Hill TP Gang (special edition) and the Bundu Chicks TP Gang. No wonder the TP Gang Rules were formulated in a jiffy. But what these gangs did not realise, was that all Tha Teacha's students were and still remain pets in their own right.

A massive thanks to each and everyone of my students who have attended class(es) as well as scrap days I have hosted and allowed me the opportunity to share my passions with you. They say that Port Elizabeth is the friendly city, but Durbanites can definitely give the PE locals a run for their many when it comes to friendliness.

I sincerely hope that some of you will visit me in GP (Gangsters' Paradise) just to say hello or even pop in for a lesson or two. Remember - you are always welcome!

- Signing off on Secretaries Day

SUNSET WONDER(S)!!! ... Here's the Scoop

- Sunday, 26 August 2007 Remember the entry on the KZN Bundu Chicks' weekend at Bundu Lodge near Nelspruit, during March this year, well here's what the chicks have really been up to in the Bundu's. Here's a snippet from the past ...

"Just before supper on Saturday, making our way through a wedding reception the six of us with Michelle carrying our ‘calendar girls’ kit headed for the ‘koppies’ just behind the lodge. Amidst an electric storm and darkness looming Jenny found the perfect spot for us. Scrambling for dear life and cover everyone got ‘it’ off and on i.e. hats, etc. Yours truly had to get kitted out, set up the tripod with the camera on ‘self timer’ and get the girls to put their best side/front forward, no need mentioning that this all had to be done ten times one handedly, the other hand covering ‘bare essentials’. Some stray wedding guests were scanning the ‘koppies’ from down under at the lodge - probably trying to establish from where all the giggling and gasping sounds are coming from – hopefully not to establish what all the flashings of white was up in the ‘koppies’. After seeing the nice shots afterwards, the girls agreed that all the excitement was worthwhile. For those of you who don’t believe that we were brave enough, well here’s just a snippet of proof that we actually did it! "

... and here's the Reveal ...

The Bundu Chicks have decided to have a reunion tomorrow night to relive all the fun we had during the Bundu weekend! I have created this layout of the Reveal and have packed a kit of this layout for each Bundu Chick to complete tomorrow night (eat your heart out girls ...). Don't worry girls, I will guide you every step of the way - I think you will agree that this must be the most beautiful sunset you have ever witnessed.

- Sunset Model Signing Off

THE CATHEDRAL PEAKERS and the GREEN MAMBA! Thursday to Sunday, 19-22 July 2007

This was a scrapping and photography breakaway that will definitely go down in history earmarked by an ever present Green Mamba alias Beverley. To make matters worse, the Green Mamba celebrated her 40-something birthday on Friday disguised as you know what ... The Mamba's charming partner, Graham made sure that all the Mamba's snaky friends got treated to a lethal Blue Job i.e. Turquoise Dakari cocktail, resulting in all the Mamba's snaky friends slithering into the dining room the next morning for breakfast, with serious barbies onboard. A big thank you also to our conference co-ordinator, Friedhold of Cathedral Peak Hotel who saw to it that the Green Mamba was spoilt with a quaint little tin with a photo of Cathedral Peak on the lid and filled with lots of yummy stuff.

The breakaway was even more special with six faithful and patient husbands accompanying their scrapmad wives. A big thank you to all the DH's (darling husbands) for assisting in hauling all the photographic equipment, lunch packs and water along during our 9km hike to and from Neptune Pools on Friday, and that in somewhat hot winter conditions of 31oC. Without you such stunning photo compositions (see pics below) would not have been snapped so easily. It was also quite pleasing to see the DH's also partaking in utilising as many photo opportunities as possible and making a good job of it as well - sure evidence that they were actually attentive during the photographic theoretical brief Thursday afternoon.

Serious scrapping commenced at 4pm on Friday afternoon (after the 9km hike), leaving the DH's to fend for themselves - an opportunity they grabbed without arguing, scared that they might have to haul some more equipment up the mountains.

See the previous post 'One Template 3 Designs' below for pics of the three layouts the girls did. I must give the girls a tap on the shoulder for the stunning layouts they produced by just following the notes included in their kits. Tha Teacha (yours truly) idled around and only had to give limited guidance to her well trained students.

One of the girls, Retha had a serious head start in that her DH, JC asked permission to join the scrapping girls under the false pretences that he had work to do on his laptop. We however discovered that it was not 'work that he had to do on his laptop', but more like 'work he wanted to do on his light box' which he designed himself. His light box was equipped with a special glass top on which one can cut directly. The two of them had a sure success recipe going to complete the three layouts. Retha did the photograph selection and cutting and her DH did all the paper measurements, cutting, inking and sticking down - everything done perfectly (welgedaan JC)!

The other girls (wanting to know what the hidden agenda was) could not believe Retha's luck and wanted to rent her DH scrapper, but unfortunately his fees was a bit on the steep side, so everyone stopped chirping him. Retha and JC definitely made a super team, they even had her parents, Alta and Chris coming with on the breakaway to keep their two adorable kiddos, JC junior and Nicola company whilst they could spend quality time with each other. Now if that is not being organised, I don't know what is.

Friday afternoon's scrapping went on uninterrupted until 7:30pm after which a sumptuous dinner was enjoyed by all, followed by some die hards enjoying shooters in Harry's bar as well as others enjoying a night cap in the more formal Albert's bar - a definite split in taste was detected here?!

Saturday kicked off with everyone feeling a bit green at breakfast facing the Green Mamba in her full disguise, Johnsons' Overalls and all. The whipped was cracked by Tha Teacha chasing everyone down the hill to make full use of the soft early morning light for portrait shots. One or two poor souls opted to descent the hill via four wheels, nurturing blistered feet caused by the hike to Neptune's pools the day before. Tha Teacha said thanks to the blistered feet, which saved her from carrying a step ladder and wooden chair from Alberts bar down the hill.

Everyone enjoyed frolicking in the shade which included scaling a step ladder held still by the Green Mamba and Retha's DH's in order to take portrait shots at an angle from above. The models were anyone who was willing to be a famous model for a moment. Yours truly don't want to disappoint any of the models who perhaps thought they had a career in the making, but I think everyone will agree that Nicola and JC junior were the most photogenic of all! Girls you all did yourselves proud. Everyone had a few stunning portrait shots. See below.

Amidst all the excitement whilst taking all the portrait shots under the trees, the girls plotted a future group photo opportunity for later that afternoon. The girls and one DH scrapped from 10am until 4pm when everyone was summonsed to meet at the same tree spot of earlier that day. Little did the men know that they were literally going to be ditched! On our way to the tree spot, the party was signalled to make a roadside stop at the chapel for a w'holly' relaxed group shot, which proved to be a gigantic task for yours truly. Just getting some 'Henry's' on their knees proved to be a challenge on its own, but nothing that a cuddling bum from a Henry's partner couldn't resolve.

Back Row Standing, from left to right: Karen and Riaan van Staden, Conroy, Graham Dow, JC Oelofse and Dereck and Michelle Ramsay. Front from left to right: Carolyn Lynn, Shelley Candiotes, Yours truly, Denise and Henry Pienaar, JC junior and Retha Oelofse, Nicola Oelofse and Sheila Corfe. Lying on ground from left to right: Beverley Dow (the Mamba) and Rayna Winson

Once the w'holly' group shots were in the bag, the party continued down the hill towards the famous tree spot where everyone was court marshaled onto their back sides into a ditch filled with autumn leaves. Some took the idea like a fish to the water and flopped down without blinking an eye, but others had serious doubts about degrading their bodies with leaves and the thought of a bug or two crawling over them was just too horrifying. But once they noticed that those who were already lined up in the ditch seemed unscathed, they cautiously made their way down next to the others. Once everyone was ditched, a lot of wiggling and giggling ran through the ranks. I had the camera on a tripod with the timer on and had to negotiate a few quick runs down the embankment of the ditch and aim my fall into the ditch next to my DH within 10 seconds each time and if you don't believe me, the bruises are there as evidence. Just to annoy those 'prim-and-proper' bug-fearing ditchers everyone grabbed handfuls of leaves and threw it in the air just as the shot was taken. It really made for some fun action shots - see the photos below.

After everyone had got themselves out of the ditch and made sure there's no leaves or bugs in strange places under their clothes, the party set forth for sunset and reflection shots at the golf course. The blister bearing members (i.e. Shelley) of the party who used their wheels earlier in the day to get down the hill, even braved the few km's by foot, but not without a plan up her sleeve. There was a moving suspension bridge over a river to negotiate before getting onto the golf course and everyone was cautious not to become frog food, the DH's included.

The party ambled around attempting to get that perfect reflection shot in the pond. Lots of laughs went round the ranks when the paparazzi i.e. JC, Dereck and yours truly lined their cameras up on tripods whilst the whole party sat down next to the pond facing the paparazzi. The paparazzi all put their self timers on at the same time and dashed a 50m stretch of hilly ground to take their spots with the group within 10 seconds. Some members of the party caught the dashing paparazzi on camera.

Everyone started making their way back up the hill to the hotel, with darkness setting in fast. Half the party went ahead, whilst the other half was still taking some shots before they also made their way back. Fortunately yours truly had the blister bearing, Shelley in her party who executed her POA perfectly. Just after the suspension bridge was scaled, she waived down a handsome young lad in a 4x4 with a wiggling thumb. No sooner had her thumb raised and the young lad shrieked to a halt. Everyone eagerly utilised this opportunity to get back up the hill without effort. The 4x4 party passed the very exhausted by foot party along the way just before they reached the top of the hill with loud cheers, but their punishment was the sponsoring of cocktails in Harry's bar later that evening.

The breakaway was concluded on Sunday morning with a 3 hour slideshow of everyone's photos taken as part of their photographic practicals. Congratulations to everyone who applied the 'thirds rule', 'move in closer', 'frame the subject', 'open a path' and 'use angles' principles excellently.

Thanks once again to all of you, who made this breakaway so much fun and I trust that all of you at least learnt something new and came back with batteries recharged.

There was quite a few bribes during the scrapping sessions for that Teacher's Pet position. So, to the real TP - watch out there's some serious competition around.

To everyone who have not yet guessed the average age of the Cathedral Peak Ditchers, you have until Sunday, 29 July 2007 to go and take a guess (see entry below) and stand a chance to win the scrapping hamper!

- Ditching Paparazzi Signing Off