Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
OK God, you got my attention now...
The world took notice when The Ark landed on top of Mount Ararat... is this so much different, I just had to ask.I believe the world is round and it is the Japanese who have been murdering our dolphins... no, they are not just there for you guys to eat, with or without mercury poisoning. I know you have nuclear problems now too, makes you think, doesn't it? I'm not actually saying anything, I am just wondering aloud...The world is there for all of us to enjoy, but what has happened to humility and respect, compassion and love? If we wish to see more good things happening in the world, then we need to be good ourselves. Mother Nature is way more powerful than any of us would care to admit and maybe, just perhaps, she is quite capable of looking after herself.
I just wish to say to the dolphins that I am thinking of you and I hope you enjoyed the surf! Jokes aside, I pray that you get the respite that you deserve and hope that you choose to stay with humanity (if we dare call it that) here on Earth for eons to come, please don't go the same way as the Quagga...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
I liken my Love for You to a River... When we first met five years ago, it was like a steep creek - fast, clear and sparkling, as well as tremendously exciting. As I've grown to know you and your capacity for kindness and love, friendship and understanding, my love for you has swelled and steadied, gaining confidence with the passing of time.Your spirit and your courage have spurred me to new heights and this morning, as I stand here, my love for you is like a flooding river, a surge of emotion so vivid and so real it cannot be denied.This is the first metaphorical grade six of my life and its potency is incredible.My heart is bursting with an energy I can barely contain and I look forward to all the Marsyandi's of our future.You are my best friend, you are my lover and my admirer.You are my emeral rainbow and my everlasting light.I promise to love, honour and obey you and to remain faithful to you forever.
As God is my witness, I promise that I will love you more than life itself from this day forward and all through eternity.
This ring of pure white gold is a symbol of my everlasting love for you in the wheel of life.
Let us share our hopes and dreams and live our secrets together forever.
Bruce John Barrett Castle, will you always respect me and honour and cherish my love and will you be my husband?
May the spirit of our God be with us forever.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Flock to Stanford and Do it with the Birds...
Dear Rainbow
STANFORD STRETTON’S BIRD FAIR 2010 1-3 OCTOBER
We are delighted to remind you of the upcoming Stanford Stretton’s Bird Fair starting in two weeks’ time on Friday 1st October 2010.
The first few items on the programme are:
· 07h30: Half-day self-guided field tours to identified birding hotspots in the Overberg, followed by,
· 08h00, a Mini-pelagic boat trip on Apex Predator from Kleinbaai (3 hours – booking essential; R200 per person).
· 09h00: "The Sound of Birds" talk by Naas Terblanche
Plus the all important… J
· 17h00: Free gin tasting and photographic competitions prize-giving at the Stanford Galleries Art Café.
Remember, we have an impressive array of birding experts who will be delivering talks, leading guided field outings and identifying local birding hotspots in the Overberg for those who wish to do their own thing. There will be talks on Overberg amphibians and bats as well as an outing to spot the Blue Crane. In addition, the organisers will pay special attention to arranging activities for non-birders and children. These will include items such as talks on South African bats and the ever-popular Eagle Encounters (raptors in flight), snakes and a variety of films. Keep an eye on the program for up to date details of all talks, events and outings.
Don’t miss the Phil Hockey presentation on Saturday at 15h30 - “Life’s a Beach – the changing world of the African Black Oyster Catcher”
Please be advised that those of you who have top-notch websites, such as Safari Now and SA Venues, are still mentioning the Stanford (Glendower) Bird Fair. Kindly ensure to change the name of the fair to the Stanford Stretton’s Bird Fair 2010, 1-3 October. The website to link to is http://www.stanfordbirding.co.za/. Should you wish to link to a slide show of all current entries into the Stanford Birding Photographic Competition, please do so from the online album at http://picasaweb.google.com/Philippa.Castle/StanfordBirdingPhotographicCompetiton2010. And, if you think you can, YOU BE THE JUDGE… simply leave your comments.
To enter the Stanford Birding Photograhic Competition, simply email your best birding photos to info@stanfordbirding.co.za and stand a chance to win
Pentax Binoculars from Foto First to the value of R2 800
Shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics to the value of R2 700
Dyer Island Cruises whale watching boat trip to the value of R1 800
Hermanus Adventures offers a Tree Tops Slide Tour for 4 kids as part of our drive to encourage the youth to take good birding photographs.
For all the details of the runner up prizes, click this link or visit our blog.
To view past entries accompanied on the classical piano by Sylvia Schulman, simply visit Lady Stanford on Utube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbqnvyQ3PV4. Please feel free to leave your comments.
On another note, our Stanford Birds blog has been nominated by you and other Internet users, as a Top Ten Finalist in the SA Blog Awards. You can SUBMIT your VOTE by clicking Vote 4 Stanford Bird Blog and completing the vote procedure. You can vote every day until midnight on 17th September 2010.
So, because Birds of a Feather flock together…, please gather your buddies and flock to Stanford and Do it with the Birds… J
See you there!
Philippa Castle
Stanford Bird Fair Committee
Email info@stanfordbirding.co.za
Website www.stanfordbirding.co.za
Mobile 082 943 4327
Blog www.stanfordbirds.blogspot.com
P Consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?
p.s. For further information:
Bird Fair – Royd Frith 028 341 0896 028 341 0896 or mailto:roydf@web.co.za,
Photographic Competition – Philippa Castle 082 943 4327 082 943 4327 or mailto:info@stanfordbirding.co.za
Stanford Festival – Steph - Stanfordinfo 028 341 0340 028 341 0340 ormailto:ask@stanfordinfo.co.za.
Share and Enjoy:
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A Few of My Favourite Things by Sylvia Schulman
Buy Sylvia's CD "A Few of My Favourite Things". Simply go to her website at www.swellendampiano.blogspot.com and email her directly.Various pics by Philippa and Bruce
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Early Bird Catches the Pentax...
Dear Rainbow
STANFORD STRETTON’S BIRD FAIR 2010 1-3 OCTOBER
The tradition of the Stanford Bird Fair continues due to the generous sponsorship that makes this event possible. Edward Snell & Co are sponsoring all birding activities under the banner of their Strettons London Dry Gin brand.
BirdLife Walkerbay, assisted by Stanfordinfo, are hosting the event this year. We are putting together a fair that, apart from birds, will cover a variety of activities attracting a cross-section of people, young and old, to Stanford for what will prove to be a memorable weekend.
We are once again lucky to have access to an impressive array of birding experts who will be delivering talks, leading guided field outings and hopefully will be identifying local birding hotspots in the Overberg for those who wish to do their own thing. We are optimistic that these activities will allow our guests to acquaint themselves with the elusive Rock Jumper, the highly-endangered Bank Cormorant and a variety of other birds endemic to the Overberg. In addition, there will be talks on Overberg amphibians and bats as well as an outing to spot the Blue Crane. In addition, the organisers will pay special attention to arranging activities for non-birders and children. These will include items such as talks on Overberg amphibians, as well as South African bats, the ever-popular Eagle Encounters (raptors in flight), snakes and a variety of films. There will be continual birding river trips for the duration of the weekend as well as a mini-pelagic boat trip from Kleinbaai. Keep an eye on the program for up to date details of all events and outings.
The Stanford Birding Photographic Competition is becoming an ever popular part of the Stanford Bird Fair and this year we are pleased to inform you the
2010 STANFORD BIRDING Photographic Competition has begun!
The 2010 STANFORD BIRDING Photographic Competition is now open for submissions! Last year, the winner of the competition was Basie van Zyl with his Little Egret Feeding. He won a Flight of the Giants with African Wings, to photograph both whales and birds!
So, you may be pondering why enter this competition - well you have the opportunity to bathe in much admiration and fame… Basie made the front page of the Hermanus Times, but what else? Prizes of course... all of which are certainly worth aiming for! What are the prizes you may well ask?
Pentax Binoculars from Foto First to the value of R2 800
Shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics to the value of R2 700
Dyer Island Cruises whale watching boat trip to the value of R1 800
(More to follow…)
So, what are you waiting for – go on – get all the info on rules, resizing of images and much more... All at www.stanfordbirding.co.za
Just remember entries must reach the moderators before 24 September 2010. Only e-mailed submissions will be accepted. The address is info@stanfordbirding.co.za. May the best photos win!
The judging of the popular photographic competition will be followed by a Strettons Gin tasting at the Stanford Evening Market.
For further information:
Bird Fair – Royd Frith 028 341 0896 028 341 0896 or roydf@web.co.za,
Photographic Competition – Philippa Castle 082 943 4327 082 943 4327 or info@stanfordbirding.co.za
Stanford Festival – Steph - Stanfordinfo 028 341 0340 028 341 0340 or ask@stanfordinfo.co.za.
Philippa Castle
Stanford Bird Fair Committee
Email info@stanfordbirding.co.za
Website www.stanfordbirding.co.za
Mobile 082 943 4327
Blog www.stanfordbirds.blogspot.com
P Consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?
Share and Enjoy:
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Love really can conquer all...
The Sun's move into your romantic sector on Friday would normally be the headline of the week, bringing the solar focus onto your romantic situation.
Yet it's likely to be overshadowed by Saturn's return to your relationship sector the day before, completely stealing the Sun's thunder.
This may create more than one show down, for as well as Saturn finding himself in opposition with Uranus he's competing with the Sun's romantic agenda. 
This may see Saturn's return to your relationship sector get off to a bumpy start, with a need to see any relationship tension or pressure as a sign that you're trying to tackle too much, too soon.
This is one of those times when love really can conquer all, with the Sun's warm romantic vibes putting a lot of things into perspective.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
My Olde Home... Lavender Cottage
This was a pinnacle, one of those times when everything just comes together perfectly - and then something goes wrong! Let's just call it a Durch hiccup and an English burp...
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity of setting up a self-catering establishment, 29 beds in all, a total of 5 houses. Bruce and I did everything lourselves more or less and oversaw the labour for the farm management and cleaning. If I pulled 1 Blue gum Tree out I pulled 10 000 and if Ipulled out a whole host of other young alien trees - all the better for the Overberg...
It was a priviledge to have the Common Duiker visit us constantly over the almost 4 years we were there. They got so calm and tame, the dogs could be just metres away and they would be fine.
The last two years of our stay we had turned this unit into the pet-friendly unit and we stayed in the other old house on the new section of farm that Thomas Hendriksen and Stuart Findlay purchased. It's not that funny, but they asked us to help them with the sale of the extra land because we were not only the only ones onsite, but I have 10 years commercial property experience. We gave them Pierre, who bought about 40 ha and also did a deal with them to plant Proteas on their land. What did they give Bruce and I for arranging this for them. Zero, nada, nothing, niks nie. Just like nearly all the other promises made to us over the four years. It turns out they only wanted to go ahead with all this self-catering business so they could illegally get money back from our Govt in respect of the Tourism Grant. Once they got all the money they could, they stopped our business (the only way we had of making money) closed the doors of Oak Grove Farm self-catering, other than their own house when they are not there... and rented out all the other units full term. If you don't believe me, phone the Department of Trade and Industry fraud hotline... I don't care how nice their land is, I was not prepared to be treated in this manner.
It breaks my heart to know that all my 5th wedding aniversary plants, given to me over 8 years ago, are all in this garden... The White Stinkwood tree in the centre of the garden is rather precious, and I can only hope Bruce wants to relocate them all for the 4th time... Oh well, we will certainly be able to collect the protected Cycad given to us years ago, still in it's pot in the back garden of Lavender Cottage.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Promote your business / services in 2010 in the Fijn Bush Telegraph
13 January 2010
Dear Rainbow
So Christmas has come and gone and the much awaited 2010 is finally here! We at Stanford Technology Centre wish to take this opportunity to wish you our compliments of the season and may your best dreams come true in 2010.
The first edition of the FIJN BUSH TELEGRAPH for 2010 will be in the shops this coming Friday, the 16th of January and will once again be collected by local homeowners at key points in Gansbaai, De Kelders and Stanford as well as from all the till points at Pick ‘n Pay and various other outlets in Hermanus.
Our competitions are generating much interest with entries from as far a field as Milnerton. Keep an eye open for the exciting Breede River Holiday competition in edition 15.
The FIJN BUSH TELEGRAPH is a Bi-Monthly forum for all your local classified adverts, announcements, notices and services. The FIJN BUSH TELEGRAPH is also available online at http://www.fbtelegraph.blogspot.com/
- Simply provide text for an advert, either with or without a picture or logo.
- Email your advert to ads@stanfordlocals.co.za or
- Fax your advert to 028 341 0950 or
- Deliver your advert to Stanford Technology Centre,
- Payment to be made in CASH or by EFT to Vector Technologies, Hermanus Branch 051001, Cheque Acc No. 082254346
- Should you wish to submit an advert formatted to your requirements, the dimensions need to be width 32/64/96 mm x 16/32/48/64 mm and the image format preferably JPEG.
In order to keep costs as low as possible, payment is required in advance and no accounts or statements will be sent out. Printed receipts are collectible from our offices and full VAT invoices are made available on request.
Please see the PRICING GUIDE below for our advertising rates and feel free to contact us for any queries. We thank you for your support and look forward to being of service.
Kind regards
FIJN BUSH TELEGRAPH
ads@stanfordlocals.co.za
http://www.fbtelegraph.blogspot.com/
Stanford Technology Centre
Stanford
Tel: 028 341 0255 Cell: 082 943 4327
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Invitation to view Philippa's Picasa Web Album - Stanford Birding Photographic Competition 2009 ENTRIES
| You are invited to view Philippa's photo album: Stanford Birding Photographic Competition 2009 ENTRIES
Message from Philippa: The entries into the 2009 Stanford Birding Photographic Competition are of such a high standard it is very tricky for me to judge. Please please please help me... It's easy, simply follow the link, sign up for Picasa Web Albums (IT IS SAFE AND FREE), browse the photos and click the "like" button. Feel free to leave a comment too as this will be useful to me. The judging will be finalised by tomorrow morning (Thursday, 1st October) and the best will be on display at Stanford Arms Lounge. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=Philippa.Castle&target=ALBUM&id=5366775352977941265&authkey=Gv1sRgCJmxguKY5_OM3QE&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.  |
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Stanford Glendower Bird Fair 1st - 4th October 2009
Dear Rainbow
Edward Snell & Co, a.k.a. Glendower Scotch Whisky, remain our generous sponsor as we begin the festivities this year with free tasting of Glendower Scotch Whisky at The African Tea Party, taking place at Oak Grove Farm from 3pm, on Thursday, 1st October 2009.
The Stanford Birding Photographic Competition this year will be judged in 3 separate categories; being Professional, Amateur and Youth, with plenty of prizes for all. You may enter as many photographs as you like. Send each captioned/labelled entry, separately, to info@stanfordbirding.co.za The closing date for entries is 5pm Friday, 26 September 2009.
Great Prizes to be won
- 1/2 hour flight for 2 with African Wings
- ultimate whale watching for 2 with Dyer Island Cruises
- 1 year subscription to Africa Birds and Birding
- pet friendly 3 star self catering for 5 Oak Grove Farm
- boat trip on
- guided walk through Platbos Africa's southern most forest
- lunch for 2 at Stanford Art Cafe
- breakfast for 2 at Madrés Country Kitchen & Grocer
Prizes will be awarded on Friday 2nd October during the free tasting of Glendower Scotch Whisky, prior to the light supper and Angels on Horseback cabaret show. Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
ENTERTAINMENT Angels on Horseback
An unmissable night of cabaret, wit and wisdom – a fabulous SA Country & Western show packed with laughter, insight and hilarious musical numbers – comment by Pnina Fenster of Glamour Magazine.
http://www.angelsonhorseback.co.za/
Speakers at the 6th Stanford Glendower Bird Fair 2009 include:.
- Dr Anton Odendal - Overberg Birding Route
- Naas Terblanche - Overberg amphibians
- Dave de Beer - Bird Photography
- Mike Graham - Birding in the
- Doug Newman - Bird Calls
- Odette Curtis - Renosterveld conservation and its effect on bird life.
- Meidad Goren - Albatross by-catching
- Wilfred Chivell - African penguins on Dyer Island
As usual, we have an array of interesting and well-informed tour guides along with a bit of light relief that includes free tasting of Glendower Whisky thanks to our generous sponsors.
- Guided outing (25 people maximum) led by Brummer Olivier to Danger Point and Kleinbaai
- Mini Pelagic Boat trip on ”Apex Predator” from Kleinbaai to see ocean birds, possibly Albatross, whales and sharks.
- Walk on Flower Valley Farm with Brummer Olivier
- Gourmet picnic lunch and guided tour of the Spookhuis at Mosaic Farm
Apart from birding, the Overberg offers many unique attractions including Fynbos, whales, sharks and many other areas of interest that collectively make the Overberg the place to be.
On Saturday evening there will be a bonfire and informal braai on Boeredans Farm just outside Stanford.
To see the full programme please click Here
Should you have details of the previous year’s Stanford Glendower Bird Fair online anywhere, we shall appreciate it greatly if you will kindly update the information to reflect the latest information available at http://www.stanfordbirding.co.za/
We thank you for your interest and look forward to seeing you at the Bird Fair.
Kind regards,
Stanford Glendower Bird Fair Committee
http://www.stanfordbirding.co.za/
082 943 4327
028 341 0255
Skype LadyStanford
Facebook http://profile.to/philippa.castle/
Stanford Birding on iPeace http://www.ipeace.me/group/stanfordbirding?xgi=5V0WBP4
p.s. We wish to take this opportunity to thank our loyal sponsors and supporters:
Madrés Country Kitchen & Grocer
River Rat Boat Cruises 083 310 0952
p.p.s. Should you not wish to receive further communication from info@stanfordbirding.co.za, please click here and press send.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Come join me on Stanford Birding on iPeace
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Come join me on iPeace
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Monday, July 06, 2009
Chief Seattle's Letter to George Washington
TO ALL THE PEOPLE
Chief Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish Indians allegedly wrote to the American Government in the 1800's - In this letter he gave the most profound understanding of God in all Things. Here is his letter, which should be instilled in the hearts and minds of every parent and child in all the Nations of the World:
"The President in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can you buy or sell the sky? the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?
Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.
We know the sap which courses through the trees as we know the blood that courses through our veins. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the dew in the meadow, the body heat of the pony, and man all belong to the same family.
The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you our land, you must remember that it is sacred. Each glossy reflection in the clear waters of the lakes tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water's murmur is the voice of my father's father.
The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. They carry our canoes and feed our children. So you must give the rivers the kindness that you would give any brother.
If we sell you our land, remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its spirit with all the life that it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also received his last sigh. The wind also gives our children the spirit of life. So if we sell our land, you must keep it apart and sacred, as a place where man can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.
Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the earth is our mother? What befalls the earth befalls all the sons of the earth.
This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
One thing we know: our God is also your God. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator.
Your destiny is a mystery to us. What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered? The wild horses tamed? What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men and the view of the ripe hills is blotted with talking wires? Where will the thicket be? Gone! Where will the eagle be? Gone! And what is to say goodbye to the swift pony and then hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.
When the last red man has vanished with this wilderness, and his memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will these shores and forests still be here? Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?
We love this earth as a newborn loves its mother's heartbeat. So, if we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it, as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land as it is when you receive it. Preserve the land for all children, and love it, as God loves us.
As we are part of the land, you too are part of the land. This earth is precious to us. It is also precious to you.
One thing we know - there is only one God. No man, be he Red man or White man, can be apart. We ARE all brothers after all."
Monday, June 08, 2009
Sporting Memorabilia Collection for sale - Hennies Pub & Grill, Stanford
Dear Rainbow
Over the past 10 years or more, Hennie Kotze of Stanford has collected an appreciable quantity of International Sports Memorabilia autographed by various well known sportsmen.
Should you be interested in viewing and/or bidding on the various items available for sale, please click on the following link (or cut & paste into your browser) to view the items online at the 'Bid or Buy' web site.
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1324669/andrepvdm
Bids are open until 12 June (some till the 14th).
Kind regards
DIGIVID
028 341 0570
082 943 4327
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Men in Black...
