@ it with a shuttlecock

Spectacular Mountain views @ Kogmanskloof, Montagu South Africa.
I represented our province at the SA Masters Badminton Championships, held at Robertson in the Robertson Valley on route 60 - two hours from Cape Town. Playing badminton (one of my many hobbies), with a church affiliation such as Anglican, a fine artist with a degree from UCT, whilst living in the town of Parow (located in the Western Cape South Africa); especially during the Afrikaans dominated apartheid era, you were considered a faggot. This was compounded by the fact that I went to an Afrikaans school - kids were forced to play rugby and pursue a career anything else but art. Now I am a ceramist, still playing Badminton and free to express myself - how fortunate we are as a nation (it could have been so different). This should be seen in the context (in solidarity) of the violent breakup of the gay-pride rally held in Russia yesterday. By the way, I was voted Mr Masters (Bum Awards).


















Gap through the mountain.


















View of Kogmanskloof .
Site seeing on the final day of the tournament - a drive to Montagu (30 km from Robertson), located on the famous route 62. The image above is the breathtaking view from the fort situated above the road - driving through Kogmanskloof.














Hannepoot Huisies @ Wederom - Robertson Valley.
Our accommodation was the perfectly maintained and located Hannepoot Huisies (houses) on the farm Wederom, 5.6 km outside Robertson, a town on route 60 towards Worcester - one and a half hours from Cape Town; one of many famous South African wine routes. A group of Italian prisoners of war lived and worked on the farm between 1942-1946. Amongst them were Giovanni Salvadori, who recorded their experiences in recently restored murals. The farm produced a wine in his honour and to promote and salute their legacy. For more details contact Philip and Almien du Toit (082 335 0219) or visit the website www.wederom.co.za