Birthday beach bod

It's another birthday for me and at 57 I'm probably in the best shape I have been in my life. Llew and I are going to have extended celebrations with a month in Europe next week, cruising the islands of Croatia and on the beaches of Mykonos. Thanks to Thomie who will be looking after our guests in our absence.

Dave getting ready for the beaches of Europe

A recent pic from Madagascar on our expedition there over the Mozambique Channel in our plane

A pic on the apron of Pietermaritzburg Airport

On the beach n Madagascar.. Dave and Llewellyn

Married on the 1st December

1 December, 10 years anniversary, 100 years combined age, we were married today in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand - Dave and Llewellyn, owners of Durban View Guesthouse.

What an awesome day and special memories as we traveled so far to tie the knot in terms of the New Zealand legislation as well as a marriage in terms of our own South African Civil Union Act, 2006 in this beautiful spot at Paihia in the Bay of Islands, North island, New Zealand.

The seagulls are chasing the rose petals we threw into the water, them hoping they were something tasty to eat... Dave and Llewellyn

Michael, the New Zealand Marriage Celebrant officiated at the ceremony

The deed is done and we are married on the rocks as the tide came in - hopefully the marriage will not be "on the rocks". The colour of the jeans are "coral" for those inquisitive.

Llewellyn with the Marriage Celebrant Michael and our two witnesses Jess, one of the first same-sex couples to marry when New Zealand legislation allowed it two years ago and Steven.

Mr and Mr

Our kids and family were with us in spirit and remembered on the beach

Traditional Maori memorial at Paihia

We opened some local New Zealand bubbly to celebrate

After changing we took the ferry across to the other side of the mainland to the town of Russell for some time on the beach and lunch

On the Russell pier

The beach at Russell.. the sky was partly cloudy and the water was freezing, but we braved it on our wedding day

Catching bits of sunshine

This electric chair was outside someone's home

After catching the ferry back we took a drive to the nearby Haruru Falls

This was 8.30pm walking to the fabulous restaurant we found the day before and to have dinner on our wedding night

The beef steak was fantastic.. just the NZ prices had us reeling in anguish - 3 times the prices of home

Wedding night dinner at Alfresco's, Paihia, Bay of Islands.. the end to a perfect day!

10th Valentines together

 On the 1st December 2013 we celebrated our 9th anniversary together, so everything from then onwards comes in 10s - 10th New Year, 10th Valentine's day, and soon will be 10 whole years together with my amazing man, Llewellyn. Love you so much!! xxxx

We went cruising the Med..

Our 2nd port of call, VillaFranche, from where we caught a train to nearby Monte Carlo to see South Africa and Monaco's Princess Charlene. 

We were cruising on board the Liberty of the Seas, our third Royal Caribbean trip

Dave catches the tender to the shore

Changing of the guard at the royal palace Monaco

Dave and Llewellyn at the Ponte Vechio, Florence

Leaning in for a pic with the famous tower of Pisa

There were hoards of people at the Trevi Fountains.. such gorgeous Italian guys too!!

We wuz here too

This way for some action in Pompei were we went romping

No shame in putting their pride and joy on open display

Llewellyn was wondering why there were no yummy guys in the Pompei jacuzzi... reminding him of home at the guesthouse

Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn owns 2 SpecSavers optometry practices in Durban and every 2 years the franchised group treats their optometrists to an all-expenses paid conference - this time cruising the Mediterranean for a week from Barcelona, Spain, to Toulon and VillaFranche, France, then Florence, Rome and Naples, Italy before returning to Barcelona.

 

We had an awesome time crusing and were intrigued by the sex and phallic symbols in Pompei.. mmm, they knew what men wanted for sure, thousands of years ago. Plenty of signs of m2n sex too!

 

Thanks Ian for looking after the guesthouse and our guests while we had a short break; now we're back to welcome you to Durban. We really do compare well here with our standard of accommodation and certainly the weather compared to europe... and the hot surfer dudes ha ha.

 

See more pics on our Facebook page here.

  

 

 

Celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Congratulations to the Queen of England on her Diamond Jubilee. As Deputy Mayor of Durban in 1994, I had the rare privilege of hosting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to the Mayor's Tea Party in the Durban City Hall to mark her first official visit to Durban after our change of National Government earlier that year.

Braai invite

You're invited to a bring-and-braai on Sunday at my Flying School, Light Flight in Cato Ridge to check out our new plane. Will be flying in the am but the plane can be seen any time from 10am and I will light fires from 12.30.. so please come and be part of the excitement.

Dave takes to the skies

Dave with daughter Kate-Lynn climb into Marc's plane

Climbing into an aeroplane and lifting off into the skies is not as easy as it looks, but pretty cool.

I went for a demo flight lesson today and am considering getting my licence. No pics of me flying the plane though as I was concentrating heavily while I zoomed over Tala game reserve while clutching the flight controls.

Egg Souffle'

This was a first attempt at an egg and cheese souffle' for breakfast at the guesthouse ... mighty fine, although I think I can improve on the recipe by adding some sausage.. or boerewors...mmm

New Year blast

Dave, Andrew, Mias, Louis, Charl, Michael and Llewellyn

Ready to welcome in the New Year at the Guesthouse are guests, mainly from Johannesburg, whilst in the second photo Llewellyn and I went onto the roof after a late-night smokey braai under the umbrella and the teaming rain to watch the fireworks and flares light up the New Year sky.

Eating out in Durban

We don't eat out often enough, but when we do, our favourite pub and restaurant where the guys are hotter and the food good and resonably priced is Billy the Bums. We even have a loyalty card going there.

We joined guests Phillip (left) and Renier (right) for a drink and dinner at Billys, forgetting that Tuesday was ladies night, so there were a whole load of hot chicks there... Mondays are best when it's Burger and Beer special... mmm

Nightcap at Harveys

Friend and waiter at Harveys, Graham, with Llewellyn (centre) and myself (Dave)

Fine dining and elegant decor at Harveys

We don't often have our main course there as it's fine dining and top of the range, but last night we popped in after dinner at Billy The Bums, for a nightcap at Harveys.

A glass of sherry and a delicious Chocolate Mousse cake to share.. just the trick before home.

Christmas Fun in Durban

Enjoying the Christmas spirit at the full Guesthouse and later at The Lounge gay club in Durban are Llewellyn (top left), myself (Dave), Peter and Francois from Johannesburg and in the second photo we join Warren the Manager of The Lounge.