The weather has bee pretty good of late with days of sunshine and reasonable temperatures. This has meant that the fair-weather cyclists – ME – has been able to go out in the sunshine on the bike. This is great!

I didn’t notice it earlier but I think I even have a suntan line as a result. But then it could be windburn from the nice breeze that was blowing against me around the course I travel. I can’t believe is is a suntan … impossible .. we are in the UK still aren’t we?

Well it has taken 37 years, but I have finally seen snow. It had been trying to snow for a few days with some sleet falling from the sky on Saturday and a bit more on Easter Sunday morning.

While we were having breakfast, it started to actually snow but it was melting pretty quick once it hit the pavers and the concrete. Anything that fell on the wooden deck or on the ground near the railway line stayed so it did eventually build up a little bit in some places.

Well, Estee and I sent of the Application for a de Facto Visa for Estee to enter Australia. We, or should I say Estee, have been preparing the documents for the application for a few months now. We have had to collect information about our commitment to each other and prove that we have been living with each other in a loving relationship – which it is.

It has been rather stressful for Estee as she has been gathering all the stuff that she needs not only from here in the UK, but also from South Africa. This has meant asking her family to gather information from the local authorities such as police clearances and her birth certificate. We could arrange that from here in the UK for a nice price though and we did do this for the police clearance but it is still a long slow process to get this information.

The biggest pain was the need to have a large percentage of the documents certified by a solicitor or a Justice of the Peace. Now, in Australia, it isn’t too hard, you simply go to the JP – I knew a  few so that wouldn’t be an issue and they sign away for you – FREE. Here in the UK, they want to charge you 5GBP per page. Now, we had at least 50 pages to be certified so that was going to be extremely expensive on top of copying the whole file (in excess of 200 pages) and then posting it (100GBP*)  to the Immigration Agents to asses, clean up and submit to the Department of Immigration in London. Eventually, we discovered that we could go to the local court and they would certify the documents for free. Now, I don’t mind paying for documents to be certified within reason, but come on, 5GBP per page – a joke!

But anyway, it is all sent off now. Estee will have to go for a medical in the coming weeks and then with any luck we will have to buy a ticket for Estee – one way. Let us hope that it is soon.

My computer has been running a little hot of late and the CPU fan has been constantly running. So after a little research in to the possible causes, I decided to clean the CPU fan. Now, how do you do this? Well, you need to pull your laptop apart!!!!

I have a Dell Inspiron 5150, so I went off to the Dell website and located the Service Manual and then proceeded to shut the laptop and pull it apart. Pulling it apart isn’t too hard to do, a little fiddly with some of the screws if you have big fingers but not too hard. After pulling out the memory, CD Drive, hard drive, keyboard, removing the display and then removing the top cover (referred to as palm rest) I was able to see the cpu fan.

I gingerly loosened the screws as directed too ( it has the numbers 1 – 4 so you don’t get lost) and then tried to pull it out. It was a tight fit so I had to pull pretty hard to get it out but eventually it did. I then pulled the fan out of the unit and cleaned out the dust. There were decent size clumps in there let me tell you. So I cleaned all that up and thought I was doing a great job.

Placing the CPU unit back on to the board was a little difficult to do in that it was hard to push it back in so it sat firmly as it had done when I pulled it out. I was able to screw the screws in though so this is what I did. Ensuring that all the wires for the fan and the touchpad and the monitor were all back in place I put it all together again. Great I thought all done now to turn the little darling on and get back to work …

Oooooppppppsssss … mmmm why isn’t the monitor coming on … indeed why isn’t the harddrive being read … oh dear what the @#$@ have I done??? Maybe I haven’t plugged the monitor in properly. So I pull it all apart again and check the monitor … check the cpu fan – it was running when I started it but check it anyway, keyboard is plugged in … try it again … nothing. Oh dear!! After going over everything again and fiddling with the CPU unit to see if it was seated correctly several times with no luck, I decided to go to the local pc shop and get their assistance.

They were helpful in that they checked if the monitor was the issue or if the memory was damaged but they never pulled the laptop apart. So no real joy here as I walked out the door other than the thought of spending $$ to get a new laptop. The new laptop was a good thing … the spending the $$ on the other hand wasn’t such a good thing.

When I get back home, I thought well, it appears to be broken anyway so I may as well pull it all apart and look at it again .. and again .. and again. After pulling it all apart and then staring at the motherboard and the place the CPU sits, I noticed a little screw with two padlock symbols either side of it. I turned it … oh that little block move! I placed the CPU unit back in the laptop, and it fitted much easier this time. Interesting. I turned the screw with the little lock around to the lock position and low and behold the CPU was difficult to pull out. Ah ha he said … So putting the necessary bits back together without doing all the screws, I turned the laptop on and held my breath …

Eureka … we have a screen and writing on it … it is working .

So put it all back together and make sure it is working and it does so this is great. I am so relieved. I couldn’t believe that it could have been such a little thing. Evidently, the CPU was not seated on the motherboard properly because I hadn’t unlocked the screw holding it in. This screw is hidden down the side almost under the CPU unit and it is not mentioned in the service manual. So, be aware that if you are pulling the CPU out of your Dell – or any other computer – and it is difficult to come out, look for the little locking screw and make sure you lock it when you put it all back together again.

I have downloaded the Dell Inspiron 1100, 5100 5150 Service Manual and made a little edition to the document. Now this is not the official document of course but it is all sourced from the Dell site unaltered except for my little note about the lock screw.

We left Graskop today and headed north back to God’s Window for a look here. The security guy was still about but no need to pay today so in we went and looked around to see the view. The view was great, although a little breeze at times but as usual the sun was out and it was all good.

We then called in at Mac Mac Falls and the Potholes – no nothing to do with disrepair of the road – these were rock formations that had been carved out by the water running along the creek / river and over the falls. the movement of the water had created little swirls in the rocks. Very nice to look at.

From here we basically hit the road all the way up to Sabie Sands and the Elephant Plains Lodge. The roads weren’t too bad and I think that while we didn’t get lost exactly, it did take a little longer than it perhaps should have. Having said that it may have had something to do with the last 25kms of road and the fact we were in a little Toyota Yaris that didn’t really handle the bumps in the gravel / dirt / sand road too well. There was also the massive speed humps on the tar road in the 80km zone too!

Estee hadn’t driven on gravel roads too much so that was an interesting feeling for her, especially when the sand arrived and it made the car move a round a little more than what she was used to. But she did well and got us to the lodge.

When we arrived, we looked at the accommodation and Estee was over the moon. Better than what she was expecting I think. The room – a rondavel – had a thatched roof and brick walls. and then the bathroom was really big. Huge. With a spa type bath and a big shower. Lots of room in the whole place.

Once unpacked we got lunch and that was great before we left to go out and see what wildlife we could shoot (with our camera). It was brilliant, we got to see all sorts of animals big and small.

Over the next three days we managed to see all sorts of things. There were Leopards, Impala, Hyena, Lions and of course Elephants as we were staying at Elephants Plains after all! And when we weren’t out hunting the animals were laying back keeping out of the heat or eating – what more could you want?

Estee took advantage of the health spa by getting a massage and she throughly enjoyed it. She came out of the place walking like a zombie before falling to sleep straight away. So that was Estee out of it until lunch time.

More pictures of Elephant Plains Lodge and South Africa.

We drove to Graskop today on the way to Elephant Plains Game Lodge. It wasn’t an extremely long drive but it was about 250kms or so on some of the straightest roads. But then there were some that were a bit windy and up and down too.

The most amazing thing was the size of some of the potholes and not the potholes that we were going to see tomorrow! you could loose a car down some of them and if not the car the front suspension.

Along the road we stopped at a place called Millie’s. It was just a little place that you could stop and refuel the car and yourself. It was a nice place. A little lake / dam by the side of the road with some carp in it. It should have had trout too but I didn’t see any swim past. We had some lunch there being of trout that should have been from the lake / dam and it wasn’t too bad at all. Nicely smoked.

After that, back on the road to Graskop where we staying for the night. The drive beyond here got a little more interesting with more bends in the road and some long climbs and descents. Would be the place to practice your hill climbing on the push bike let me tell you. On one hill we got behind a truck that was going down the hill. It’s brakes were smoking and I mean that literally. we got past it but it would surprise me at all if his brakes failed or that caught on fire they were that bad.

Arrived in Graskop mid afternnon so we had a quick afternoon nibble at Harry’s Pancakes and then went for a drive to “God’s Window”. When we got there the security guy said that the area was closed BUT if we gave him some money he would let us in and look after our car while we looked around. We decided against this as it was just promoting what South Africa is trying to get rid of. So we went on a little further and just took some pictures of the scenery from the side of the road then headed back to Graskop.

We had dinner at a restaurant across for the hotel we stayed at. It specialized in Mozambican cuisine. It was a nice dinner too. we had a seafood platter between us and that was nice with some very nice flavours.

More Pictures of Graskop and South Africa

While in South Africa, we went down to Cape Town to see the sites around there.

Cape Town was totally different to Pretoria. It was a little like Sydney in that it was near the water and the sun was out with the people being fairly relaxed and hospitable. Yeah I know some will say that Sydney is not like that but on the main I think it is.

We went around the cape and along some of the roads that the Argus. Might have to come back and do the Argus I thin. Mind you some of the roads are a bit of a climb but non the less something that should be done I think. Especially if the weather is like it was every year.

The scenary was great, around the course and we even got to see some of the other wildlife – penguins! Yes penguins were seen in Simons Town. Just a few of them not like the scale on Phillip Island in Australia but still not too bad.

Table Mountain was alsoa spectacular place to go too. this is for a few reasons.

1. The cable car ride to the top. It takes you up to a height of 1067m. Not a bad view from that height let me tell you.
2. The clouds rolling off the top of the mountain gives and amazing felling of walking on the clouds.
3. I got to see everal cyclists ride from Cape Town centre up to the start of the Cable Car and a little beyond. It would be an amazing climb on the bike.

Estee asked if I wanted to take the bike while I would have enjoyed the ride around some of the places, I think it would not have been worth the hassle of getting it all on the plane for a few days riding. But the bike will go there one day!

More pictures of Cape Town and South Africa.

Estee and I recently went to South Africa to see her family. While there, we went and did some tourist things like shopping and then see the wildlife of Africa.

The first place that we went to was de Wildt Cheetah Park. This is a private park that has been set up to try and looking after the Cheetah population and ensure that Cheetahs survive not only in captivity but in the wild too.

De Wildt does more than just look after Cheetahs. It has a breeding program to ensure that the population grows as well as a program educating the young and the local farmers about the importance of Cheetahs.

We had a little tour around the enclosures and got to see not only Cheetahs but also Wild Dogs, Hyenas, Impala and Honey Badgers. Even an albino honey badger. All of these are part of a breeding program to ensure that species continues for generations to come.

We were given the opportunity at the end of tour around the de Wildt to go in to an enclosure with a Cheetah and pat it. The Cheetah’s name was Byron. We got to walk up to Byron and then stand behind him and stroke him while we had our picture taken. This was a great experience. I still have all my fingers so he wasn’t too aggressive towards us.

You can see more pictures on my Photo Gallery

Estee and I headed off to Ireland for Christmas and spent time visiting the relos over there. An experience that I think in someways we were both dreading. It kind of hit Estee when she realized how many cousins there would be that she would have to say hello too! In all there were 5 cousins and 5 aunts/uncles. I guess not too bad in comparison with some but you have to remember this lot are Irish!

As usual it takes forever to get to Heathrow with a few train changes and slow trains. But I guess it isn’t too bad. Although it would be nice if it was a little cheaper!! The fares are amazing. The good things is you get the tea cart coming through on most of the trains from Margate to Victoria. And you need considering it takes about 1h 45 to 2h to get there. And the bad things is that you have to be the so early before the flight it is ridiculous. You could get there at the last minute I guess, but with our luck we would end up being late or held up getting through security. Oh well …

Anyway, we arrived in Belfast not long after the sun had gone down which wasn’t too bad but we were even luckier to have taken off at all. Apparently after we left and I guess a few others, the fog an mist moved in and they closed the airport. That is a relief. Not sure George and Tanya could have handled they trip to the airport to pick up no one.

We spent our time with Marie and George who also played tour guide. They took Estee and I around to all the lovely sites of NI. the only problem was the weather wasn’t too lovely was it!

We went across to places such as Musselton Temple which is basically a library that was converted into a temple and that sits on top of a cliff. Would have been an interesting library I think in it’s day. Carrick-a-reed bridge was also one of the stop overs. The problem was that the Army had taken it down as they do each year during the winter apparently. It is a good bridge to go across although some are afraid to go over it just ask George. Although Marie was a bit nervous too.

The Giants Causeway was a little different to what I remember from last time I was there. Yeah ok, it was summer there before but still it was blowing hell of a wind when we were there this time! Estee took some pictures of the place and sent a postcard back to her Grandmother too showing the formations.

Christmas night was spent with George, Marie and Tanya with the usual gift opening stuff that happens. I had told Estee that George was cow collector and I don’t mean just the big cows that go moo. He also has characterters in the houses … heaps of them. And he was given some more for Christmas too. Marie has hidden some in the loft too so that she doesn’t have to dist them.

Estee go to meet the cousins and so I guess she was introduced to the family and the worst of the family too I think. The rest shouldn’t be too bad in comparison. I think some of the relos need to brush up on their manners and at least say hello to people when they arrive and not totally ignore them. But hey what do I know? I am an uncouth aussie!

Overall though the trip to NI was a good and it was great to see the family again (most) and now it is there turn to come out and see us!!

Day 2 of our little adventure saw us rise a little earlier than normal for a day off and down to meet the people of Rabbies Tours. We were off to the Highlands to see the Loch Ness Monster as well as some other stuff from Scotland’s History.

Mac – the tour guide / bus driver – was an excitable person providing commentary along the way with gesticulation’s emphasizing the important bits as we drove along. It was amusing to watch him particularly when he was talking about King James VI of Scotland becoming King James I of England. the fingers where shacking about all over the place. Mac took us through the years as we drove along clearing up some misconceptions about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce that were suggested in the Movie ‘Braveheart’. In the movie, it is implied that William Wallace was betrayed by Robert the Bruce, however, Mac says this was not the case and that Wallace was betrayed by a cousin of some description. How dare he suggest a movie from Hollywood by bending the truth – that would never happen!!

We stopped at a few places along the way. Just after Calendar – the gateway to the Highlands and the location of the Victorian era’s upper class set on holidays – we met Hamish. Hamish was a very likable fella who was more than happy to pose for a picture for a small fee – some food. And I think he was after a kiss from the person feeding him at one point.

We passed through a few historic places where some serious battles took place between the jackabytes and the English Army. Places such as Glencoe where it is said that the Campbell’s – a Scottish clan loyal to the English – murdered their hosts in the middle of winter. It also led to many people not trusting the Campbell’s. Even to this day, signs are posted on doors welcoming all visitors … except those of the Campbell Clan. Glencoe is also very scenic with hills and mountains all around.

We passed through Fort William on the way past Ben Nevis and then on to Fort Augusta which is where Loch Ness is. We were told some of the stories about Loch Ness and some of the theories behind the origins of such a creature shouldn’t it exist.

On the way back from Loch Ness we stopped at the Forth on Fyfe Rail Bridge. This bridge has been operational for over 100years and it really is a very big bridge. We stopped underneath it when it was dark so in some ways you didn’t get a real good feel of the scale of the bridge. Let me assure though … it is BIG!