Saturday, 12 November 2011

Reunion 12/11/11 Smuts Hall, UCT

The dinner at Smuts Hall, UCT, was superb, and very reminiscent of College House.
Smuts Hall, showing the slide show of old 1969 photos
The evening kicked off with drinks on the balcony overlooking the sports fields towards Hottentots Holland.

The slide show was a great hit for many Witsies.
Fascinated by old photos
Mick Fynn was MC and thanked Prof Bob Tait, Dean of Smuts Hall, and his wife Robbie for hosting the reunion dinner in Smuts Hall.

He introduced Bob, who gave a very interesting talk on life in residence for today's Smuts students, with new traditions as well as old.
Prof. Bob Tait
Bob proposed a toast to the University of the Witwatersrand, and Gaudeamus Igitur was spontaneously and lustily sung by everyone.

The dinner was delicious, and after the starter, Mick introduced Prof John Truswell, who responded to Bob's speech by toasting UCT, and who spoke in a lighthearted vein of his time as Dean of Mens Halls of Residence.  He felt that after those interesting times, he departed feeling that the experience had left him able to face almost anything life had to throw at him.
Prof John Truswell, looking great having celebrated his 80th birthday two months before.
The wines that accompanied the meal were supplied by Adrew Gunn, who explained how his wine estate, Iona, came about near Bot River.   As a 69er, his wines were supplied, but Max Hahn (Judy Nottingham's husband, and also a Witsie - EOH) is also a vinter, selling his wines under the label Elgin Vintners.
Andrew Gunn describes how he played rugby for Mechanicals even after he'd opted out and left Wits...he later completed his civil engineering degree at Pietermaritzburg.
This photo is the formal one of the 69'ers.
1969
1969 above.   Reunion men today, below.

At the end of the evening Russell Moore proposed a toast to absent friends.


Photos can be viewed on a slideshow at http://www.flickr.com/photos/65643227@N08/sets/72157628115592324/show/
and at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65643227@N08/sets/72157628113809102/show/

Friday, 11 November 2011

Reunion 11/11/11 First Night President

A group of '69 groupies got together at the Protea President in Sea Point for drinks and a seafood buffet....several photos were taken and are available for viewing at

 and 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65643227@N08/sets/72157628108753120/

Phil Peakin in his 1969 Wits Rag T-Shirt

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Countdown to 11/11/11

Despite the blustery cool weather in the Western Cape, Witsies are heading into Cape Town from all over the globe.

Golf, wine tours and reunion are beacons for bright-eyed veterans and spouses, all looking forward to reuniting, reminiscing and catching up over good food and wine.

If you need any information on any point, e-mail Russ on wrm@megabits.co.za (mobile 082 454-3234) or Mick on fynn@global.co.za.

Here is the programme and menu for the Saturday night dinner.

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Welcome to Reunion 11/11/2011



Welcome!

The next two postings deal with the Reunion programme and also with special optional events that you may wish to book for.

Please take the time to become a follower, and to have e-mails sent to you whenever we update the blog.

You will see the options to do so on the right of this posting.


Events Options Weekend 11 to 13 November 2011

NOTE:  Hugh's contact details are:


Hugh Fynn tuggfynn@gmail.com 083 448 2356 
021 685 3800
Banking details: Standard Bank, Rondebosch. Branch code# 025009 current account # 071427686


Event Options - Friday to Sunday

Specially arranged events that are optional and in addition to the Reunion Schedule

Welcome to Cape Town!

I would like to offer the following services as options to persons attending the reunion. Please make your reservations on the form at the end of this information by Friday 28 October.

Airport transfers
R350 per jouirney from CTI airport to venues within a 30km radius of the airport and the same fare for transfers from your accommodation to CTI

Friday 11 November           
Jet lag remover:
 Sunset climb up Lion’s Head
Cost R250 per person requiring transport: minimum of four persons
        R50 per person providing own transport
Transport from the President at 15:00 and return by 18:00. Alternatively those with their own transport, meet at the foot of Lion’s Head at 15:30.
This needs reasonable levels of fitness and is approximately a 90 minute climb and 60 minute descent.
This climb will be weather dependent and the full amount will be refunded in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather.

Saturday 12 November and Sunday 13 November
There are three options on offer. Each would be subject to a minimum of  four persons booking at a cost of R500 each for the day. If numbers were fewer than that, then the charge would be R2 000 split between the clients.


Option 1: Tour of the Mother City and visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Morning departure at 09:00am
This enriching tour gives you an insight into the  cultural, historical and architectural landmarks of the Mother City.
A cable-car ride to the top of the Majestic Table Mountain will give you  panoramic views of the greater Cape Town, Table Bay and Robben Island. After the Table mountain descent, we drive to the other side of the mountain for lunch in the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens followed by a stroll through the magnificent Cape Floral Kingdom nestled at the foot of the mountain and then visit the Constantia Valley.

Arrive back at the President Hotel at around 17:00
 


(Please note: the Table Mountain Cable Car only operates in fair weather. We therefore buy tickets on the day, and our quotation will include neither this nor Kirstenbosch Gardens entry ) \

Option 2: Tour of the Cape Peninsula

Morning departure at 09:00

This is a wonderful day out, revealing all the natural beauty for which the Cape is so well known. The day includes the scenic drive along the Atlantic Seaboard at the foot of the Twelve Apostles and into Hout Bay. After the magnificent Chapmans Peak Drive, you will make your way down to the Cape Point National Park, where you will see the mighty Atlantic surge past Cape Point to meet the warmer currents of the Indian Ocean.  In the quaint marine naval town of Simons Town, you will discover Boulders Beach and the famous African Penguins. Lunch is at Seaforth Restaurant near Simonstown. We return via the Silvermine Mountains and the beautiful Constantia Valley. 


Arrive back at the President Hotel  at around 17:00



Option 3: Tour of the Cape Winelands

Morning departure at 09:00

This day presents to you the splendours of the Cape’s winelands, once you have encountered it, you will understand why wine tourism is one of South Africa’s fastest growing industries. This region offers international, award winning wines and gourmet cuisine, amongst a rich and unique historical and cultural heritage.

We visit  the renowned regions of Paarl and Franschhoek for tastings of Cape wines, cheeses and olive oils. We will visit three excellent estates and have lunch in Franschhoek (this is the town where the French Huguenots settled in the late 1600’s, and is notorious for gastronomical delights!)You will also have some time to meander down the main road of Franschhoek to enjoy the quaint, stylish boutiques.

Arrive back at the President Hotel at around 17:00


Option 3: Tour of the Cape Winelands

Morning departure at 09:00

This day presents to you the splendours of the Cape’s winelands, once you have encountered it, you will understand why wine tourism is one of South Africa’s fastest growing industries. This region offers international, award winning wines and gourmet cuisine, amongst a rich and unique historical and cultural heritage.

We visit  the renowned regions of Paarl and Franschhoek for tastings of Cape wines, cheeses and olive oils. We will visit three excellent estates and have lunch in Franschhoek (this is the town where the French Huguenots settled in the late 1600’s, and is notorious for gastronomical delights!)You will also have some time to meander down the main road of Franschhoek to enjoy the quaint, stylish boutiques.


Arrive back at the President Hotel at around 17:00




Touring information
Entrances and lunches are not included, but reservations will be made each day at a recommended restaurant en route.
Should you have any pre or post reunion touring requests, we would be delighted to assist you, please send your e mail enquiry to tuggfynn@gmail.com

Wishing you all a truly memorable re-union!
Hugh Fynn

NB Please return this booking form by Friday 28 October at the latest to facilitate securing  the requisite transport.

  
Name(s)
Address in Cape Town
Cellular  phone number
e-mail address




Transfer requirements
Flight number
Arrival time
Transfer required?
Yes/no R350
Number of passengers
Flight number
Departure time
Transfer required?
Yes/no R350
Lion’s Head climb
R250 per person
R50 pp own transport
Number of hikers
Names of hikers
Total cost
R

Saturday excursions
R500 per person
Option number
Number of passengers
Total cost
R
Sunday excursions
R500 per person

Option number
Number of passengers
Total cost
R
Grand total
R



Barbara's Note:  Sorry if the photos are not as clear as on Hugh's brochure!


Wednesday, 12 October 2011

Welcome to Reunion 11/11/2011


Welcome 69er.

This posting is a summary of arrangements thus far, and also asks you for input, confirmations and to think about which events you will be participating in.

SUMMARY

Our 11/11/11 Wits & Men's Res Reunion will kick off at the President Protea Hotel in Sea Point on evening of Friday 11/11/11.


The schedule


Friday Evening:
Cocktails at the President Hotel at 18h30, followed by a casual dinner at 20h00.


Saturday Trips:  Go to Events Posting on this blog.
  • Breakfast at President for those wanting it (we'll need to book this whether you are staying at the President or not).
  • We will move off to activities by 09h15.  The latest return to hotel will be at 16h30.
  • The events options, run by Hugh Fynn, are on an attached brochure.  
  • Please book and pay your deposit right away!

Saturday evening:
  • Dinner at Smuts Hall, University of Cape Town (smart-casual) commencing 19h30.
  • Prof John and Margaret Truswell will be our honoured guests.
  • Our guest speaker will be Prof Bob Tait of the UCT Mechanical Engineering faculty, to give his view of the current status of SA Universities.

Sunday morning:
Informal breakfast at the President from 09h00 and all family members are welcome to attend.  

Please let us know as soon as possible which of these events you WILL be attending and your numbers, so that we can make the required reservations.


COSTS


We haven't got all the prices in just yet, but will have them in soon.  Once we have these, we'll send an e-mail and we would appreciate your making payment very quickly as deposits will need to be paid.


YOUR BIOGRAPHY



We're putting together a Bio Book and we'll need you to contribute a page.  We'll put a sample up on the blog. 



Please let us have biographical information.  We're looking for a snapshot rather than a history.  Include:

  • An outline of your origins and earlier life.
  • University achievements.
  • Summary of your working life.
  • What you're doing now.
  • Your family.
  • Some photos….maximum of three.  Please resize your photos to 700 pixels on the longest side.

HISTORY PAGE

If you have any photos that would be of general interest (e.g. Rugby team or graduation or similar) please let us have them for our history page/gallery.

Barbara Moore will manage the blog, so address your contributions to her at barbara@lowveldart.com please.


And finally… 
Mick and Jenny Fynn have a home in Hermanus and have generously invited anyone interested to come and stay before or after the event.  
They already have some people booked, but anyone else interested should let Mick know as soon as possible so that he can try to secure accommodation either with them or, Mick has tentatively asked Pat’s Place, a B&B 100 metres down the road to keep some beds for him in case there is any interest in a couple of days of whale watching and getting a feel of the beauty of the Hemel en Aarde Valley, home of wines such as Hamilton Russel and Bouchard Finlayson.