Poker with the boys

 A wonderful night of poker with Antony, Russell, Paul, James and Richard. I started with $100 and came away with R160. Russell and Richard were cleaned out!

Memorable moments: The adult Santa

On a visit back to Cape Town, Ally and I were invited to the annual Christmas party of the "Hardcore Hiking Group," a tribe of adventurers we’d belonged to for years. Usually, our friend James—a naturally funny guy—played the role of Santa. But this year, James couldn't make it. As the visiting guest, I was bestowed with the great privilege of the red suit.

I donned the beard, padded the stomach, and made my grand entrance. I decided to channel the boisterous, floor-shaking energy of my grandfather, but as I stepped into the room, something shifted. I let out a deep, booming, guttural roar that echoed off the walls:

"HO! HO! HO! WHO’S BEEN GOOD AND WHO’S BEEN BAD THIS YEAR?!"

It was, in retrospect, terrifying. Instead of a "jolly old elf," I sounded like a vengeful mountain deity who had come to settle a debt. My "heartiness" was so intense it felt like a physical threat. A wave of pure, unadulterated horror swept through the room. Several toddlers immediately burst into tears, while others dove for cover behind their parents' legs, convinced that this massive, shouting red man was there to take them away. It was a demographic disaster.

However, when the sun went down and the "Adult Santa" session began, my frightening intensity finally found its proper audience. The hikers, fueled by Christmas spirit, were a much more receptive crowd for my brand of storytelling. The darker the innuendo, the louder the laughs.

"I know you’ve been bad," I told one regular hiker, "so let’s dispense with the small talk, little lady."

I leaned into the role with gusto, fielding requests with lines like:

• "Wanna come with me on the sleigh and join the mile-high club?"
• "Control yourself, dear—I don't want water on my knee."
• "I’m lonely up at the North Pole. To be honest, I need someone really bad. Are you really bad?"
• "Sorry I’m late... I got my sack caught in the chimney."
• "How many chimneys did I go down today? Stacks!"

By the time the night was over, the room was in hysterics. I realized then that while I might be a nightmare-inducing prospect for a four-year-old, I make an excellent Santa for the over-eighteen crowd.

Original post of the event

Get together with The Hardcore Hiking gang

I love this beautiful group of people so much.  James & Fiona, Adele and Paul, Mary-Anne, Richard and Kerry.

 

Hardcore Hiking Group Xmas party

Thanks for the photos, Jo.

James in full sway as usual.  Wish I'd been there.

Dinner with Ivor and Janice

Braai with James and Fiona

It's Mr Wynne holding sway at the annual Hiking Club party

Mr Wynne was back in full flow this year at the annual Cape Town "Hard Core Hiking Club" Xmas party. I had lots of fun filling in for him last year. I think James is probably a lot better at it than me - I so traumatised the little kids with my raucous "ho, ho, ho's" that some of them were in tears and refused flatly to sit on my lap. Having said that, I was a real hit with this little one.

fx

Mr Wynn in full swing

It's Mr Wynne

James came through Cambridge on his trip to the UK. We all met up at Johnathon and Amandas for a South African braai. A good time was had by all with plenty of hearty chuckles and reminiscences from the "good old days".

Cape Town 2004 Highlights

Ally and I just returned from a wonderful trip to South Africa from Cambridge. It was wonderful to see our family again. I could have gobbled the kids up they were so cute. Outings included going up Table Mountain in the cable car, going to The Waterfront, Llandadno and St James.  Also, a get together with old friends at the Boting's house in Constantia.  And meeting up with Joanna.

Sammy´s first ever photo. Of me, nogal, and a good one. I didn't even crop it.

We took the cable car - to lazy to walk. Actually, more due to lack of time. One week is not enough!!

Apart from our lovely family, this is what I miss most about Cape Town. The beaches are just so beautiful.

Amazing how the Waterfront has grown since we were there last. Incredible to think that a smelly harbour renowned for sleeze has become Cape Town's premier tourist destination and "the place" to have a penthouse.

The highlight of our stay was to have a reunion of our friends at Jo and Ant's lovely house. Volleyball, hot sun, swimming, good food, old friends... Talk about combining the best things in life into one day. A day I will always cherish

A night out in Cape Town. Great to see Adam, Rusty, Jo and Adam again

Some of my happiest childhood memories are from this beach St James. It was wonderful to experience it again with Sammy and Matthew. I'm pretty sure there are almost identical photos of Jo and I as toddlers munching ice cream lollies on St James beach. Ah, the circle of life!