Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     

Benoni & the Vaal

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6th February 2010 - The familiar landmarks of Benoni were all still there to welcome us!

Above: Benoni's famous mine dump

Right: The Bunny Park

Above: Lakeside Mall

 

   
Our first day and our first meeting with Cameron, the newest arrival in the family,
with his proud parents, great-grandmother...
 
 
...and not forgetting grandmother!
 

7th February 2010 - our second day.
We were up early for the drive to the
Vaal Dam to visit Linda, Jimmy and Kathleen

 
Above: An old painting of the chapel at Sappersrust which Linda
had salvaged from the family archives.
It brought back some good childhood memories.
Above: Oupa with Slater
Below: Christian, Slater and Kelly
 
Above: Ryder with his new glasses
   
 
 
 
Jimmy's braai skills, under close scrutiny by Ann and Geoff
Above: 360 degree panorama showing the three houses on the property and the Vaal Dam
Slater, kept everyone entertained with his antics (see video below)
 
 
Waterskiiing in the heat of the day... Bruce had gone for a nap!
 
Above: Jimmy giving us an impressive display of his radio flying skills
 
One of the highlights of our visit was a fast ride across the dam to the dam wall and marina.
Thanks to recent heavy and prolonged rains, the dam was at full capacity.
Above: Looking back to the house as we departed for our ride
 
 
Above: The dam wall, with one of its sluice gates open
Below: The marina, which Jimmy told us was the largest inland marina in the southern hemisphere
 
 
 
 
 
Returning back to the house, there was an amazing African sunset
Kathleen ensured that we didn't have to get our feet wet!

 

8th February 2010

The next morning, we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast
 
Above: Sheba, now getting on a bit and none too agile
Above: The new arrival on the block, whose name we can't recall!
Local animal life. A watching and waiting game...

Above and below: The tranquil view from the house

 
After a most enjoyable time, it was back to Benoni, where Freddie rekindled a few personal memories


Above: Having a drink in the sunshine

Left: revisiting Northmead Square

That evening, we visited Kelly, Christian, Ryder and Slater at their home

9th February 2010

Above: Geoff enjoying his breakfast at Jackie's home,
where we were staying

10th February 2010

A meal out at a Greek restaurant with Marc, Clare, Cameron, Jackie and Yvonne.
Geoff's prawn dish was delicious, he said.
 
 

 

11th February 2010

Bruce caught up with his high school friends, Cilla and Karen. It was their first meeting in more than thirty five years,
so there was a lot to catch up on. Geoff prepared the lunch so that none of them needed to miss a word of the conversation!

 
 
 

 

12th February 2010

Geoff is always fascinated by all the "Stop" signs at
intersections, especially since there is so little traffic!

 
Jackie's new business venture is designing, making and selling all manner of baby goods.
Good luck with the new shop, Jackie!
 
No visit to Benoni would be complete without one of Jen & Des's braais... Freddie was definitely up for it too!

 

13th February 2010

Another visit from Kelly, Slater and Ryder. Here, Slater is bullying Oupa!
 


Sadly, it was time to move on.
It had been a lovely visit.


Above: The Shongololo Lounge at O.R. Tambo airport

Our Qantas flight to Melbourne (via Sydney) left on Saturday 13th February in the evening.
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble