BB FANS

I know today is the beginning of Big Brother 5 and I'm as excited as everyone else, but if you have the time I'm curious about a few things, and you did say you love questions!! It feels weird questioning a stranger - I feel like you have every right to say "none of your business" - so I won't be offended if you don't answer.

1. When you toured S.A. was it all at once or on several trips?

2. Did you take guided tours or drive yourself?

3. If you drove, did you learn to avoid "taxi's" - the mini-buses that should seat 12 but usually have about 40 people crammed into them, and are usually driven by someone who bought their driver's licence illegally from a dodgy back street vendor?

4. What do you think of biltong?

5. What made you want to go to South Africa in the first place?

6. Did any place stand out from all the rest for any particular reason?

7. Have you been camping in the Drakensburg - do you ever go camping or are you more of a hotel person?

8. Have you been up Table Mountain?

9. See anything interesting at the Kruger Park?

10. Can you tell I'm homesick today? It comes and goes!

11. Did you always feel safe in S.A. or were there any close calls?

12. Did you go on your own? I hope not - it would be awful not to be able to say to someone "remember when ....."

13. Have you done your climb up Kilimanjaro, or is it still on the books, or was it just a rumour?

And just quickly although not really South Africa questions:

a) Which Porsche did you end up getting? I take it we no longer need to play A-Z of cars! Just kidding - I know that wasn't why you were playing.

b) What sort of art does your mum do, or was her being an artist another media mistake? Only asking as my mum is an artist too - one of the reasons she refuses to leave South Africa. She loves painting african themed paintings, especially people from up north - they are usually exceptionally beautiful, and her "Daughter of the Desert" painting is stunning. Sorry if that sounds like bragging - I guess I miss my little mum.

c) Are there any LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints) congregations meeting in Orkney? I heard there might be a group meeting in Kirkwall. We'd love to visit Orkney but it would probably include staying over a weekend and we'd like to be able to attend church.

d) do you have any questions for me - although I probably know less about SA than you do. When you live there as I have done most of my life, you tend not to do the touristy things!

ok Shona - here goes.


1. When you toured S.A. was it all at once or on several trips?

Have been several times - mostly stayed in one place each trip but my biggest trip was when I toured. That time we started in CT and toured a vast amount of the country by road.


2. Did you take guided tours or drive yourself?

A friend and I hired a car and I drove.


3. If you drove, did you learn to avoid "taxi's" - the mini-buses that should seat 12 but usually have about 40 people crammed into them, and are usually driven by someone who bought their driver's licence illegally from a dodgy back street vendor?

The taxis are amazing! Stayed in Lavender Hill area of CT and needed the taxis to get in and out of town - hairy experriences sometimes!


4. What do you think of biltong?

I'd rather eat something else.

5. What made you want to go to South Africa in the first place?

Had a friend over there working in a children's refuge and wanted to go and visit.


6. Did any place stand out from all the rest for any particular reason?

Orkney - because it's so different from this one, and there was a power cut which meant we couldn't get any money from the cash machines and we were almost dry of petrol.


7. Have you been camping in the Drakensburg - do you ever go camping or are you more of a hotel person?

Camping is great but sadly not been to the Drakensberg.


8. Have you been up Table Mountain?

NO! Can't believe it. Every time we planned to go the tablecloth appeared.


9. See anything interesting at the Kruger Park?

Loads - can't remember which one, but there was only one of the big five that we didn't see. An elephant almost trampled our car... Apart from the big stuff, there were the most amazing beetles.


10. Can you tell I'm homesick today? It comes and goes!

11. Did you always feel safe in S.A. or were there any close calls?

Always felt safe as far as I can remember. The only close call that comes to mind is when a herd of wild cattle stormed out of the bushes at the side of the road and we had to screech to a halt until they were fed up nosing at us.


12. Did you go on your own? I hope not - it would be awful not to be able to say to someone "remember when ....."

My friend was working there and came on the trip with me.


13. Have you done your climb up Kilimanjaro, or is it still on the books, or was it just a rumour?

It's later on in the year - thought initially it was to be June - glad it's not now, so that I can enjoy BB5!


a) Which Porsche did you end up getting? I take it we no longer need to play A-Z of cars! Just kidding - I know that wasn't why you were playing.

Not got it yet.


b) What sort of art does your mum do, or was her being an artist another media mistake? Only asking as my mum is an artist too - one of the reasons she refuses to leave South Africa. She loves painting african themed paintings, especially people from up north - they are usually exceptionally beautiful, and her "Daughter of the Desert" painting is stunning. Sorry if that sounds like bragging - I guess I miss my little mum.

She was an art teacher - she does mainly pen and ink nowadays but used to work in oils.


c) Are there any LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints) congregations meeting in Orkney? I heard there might be a group meeting in Kirkwall. We'd love to visit Orkney but it would probably include staying over a weekend and we'd like to be able to attend church.

There are usually some Elders here and yesterday two "Sisters" (?) arrived at the house.


d) do you have any questions for me - although I probably know less about SA than you do. When you live there as I have done most of my life, you tend not to do the touristy things!

I'm the same here in Orkney - it's only when visitors come that I explore!

What are your favourite memories of SA/ZA? Places-wise I mean.

Thanks for the chat. I really was feeling homesick and thought this would make me worse, but actually it helped. Feel free to send me the therapy bill!!

These Qs bring back so many fond memories. Biltong not to my pref. But Kudu....awwwww em..m just like mumma used to make!! A group of us went out for dinner in Pretoria one evening. I had the Kudu steak and it was just delicious. Best steak I've ever had.

Have you tried other foods like that Shona? I've tried many different kinds but for a public forum, think best not to say.

Kruger Park was the business!! My friend and I stayed in various camps within the park while touring. At the end of it we stayed at a ranch overlooking the north Drakensberg hills. What a dreamy place. Slept in a plush canvas tent...was 'the' most romantic place I have ever seen. He was in agreement that it would be the ideal honeymoon place. Went on some horse back safaris and saw some really good game. Were yards from Wild dogs. Was such a bonus as I did not see them whilst in East Africa.

I had spent some time on safari in the Vaalwater region. That was awesome. They had set up sun-downers on top of this hill. As we rode up the hill all we saw was this pearly white table, set for a king, with loads of Champagne etc. Watched the most amazing sun set that night, and talked till it got dark, then went off on a night drive. Was brill.

Have you ever been to Entabeni (sp?) Game Reserve? Its great, really recommend it. An ostrich came to greet us after lunch and before we got into the helicopter for a tour of the park. That was a great ride....was extreme flying!! We did quite a number of nose dives down from one plane to the lower level.

The view from table mountain was awesome. Was astonished at the sheer size of Cape Town. Quite some place. AND the shopping's great. What do you think of the resident penguins??? I loved them. Could not stop laughing at them.

I think we should start a tour guide company!
Have a good day.
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I realise now that those taxis may not have been the safest way of getting around, and neither I suppose was touring the country and sleeping rough in the car! At least I lived to tell the tale.

I'm sorry, I may be being dense, but what does this mean? Whose house?

Shona was asking a question about Mormons - or more correctly - representatives from the Church of the Latter Day Saints. These representatives are usually male, and are called "Elders". The females (I've only met two) are called "Sisters". They came to my house recently.

Oh right, I am with you now! Thanks for clarifying!

Yes, you did, thank goodness! Otherwise someone less talented would have to play the prince in the panto at the end of the year! The only thing more dangerous now would be to go and have a picnic outside an American embassy somewhere in Iraq! Seriously though, I believe you were protected.