It is very difficult to believe that we are almost in October, and 2022 will soon be a memory only. Two and a half years on from March 2020, and the local beginning of Lock-down.
September heralded my return after 12 weeks on a ship in Canada and Alaska. Springtime is a season I love, and we celebrated with some time in the mountains.
Getting back in the saddle was momentous – 4 events in 3 days. Copy and paste the following week, with a talk at Fleur de Lys, Kamberg Farmers’ Association and Alpine Heath. At Alpine Heath 140 guests sat outdoors overlooking a dam, in calm conditions, Eland grazing nearby and we shared Shackleton’s story as evening turned to night. It was sublime.
A group of doctors with their wives joined me for a weekend of fun, laughter and banter at Spioenkop. Doctors really do let their hair down, and the banter was hilarious.
Three Tree Hill Lodge offering her usual incredible food, accommodation and hospitality.
Speakers are often challenged about their fees, but the fee is not simply to cover a talk, but the intellectual property, preparation and travel time involved. In one week, I drove to Johannesburg on Monday, flew to Cape Town for a talk with Captain Bengu from SA Agulhas ll on Tuesday, flew back to Jhb on Wednesday for another talk and drove to Beaufort West on Thursday. What a delight it is, as I repeat so often, to be working again.
After a fantastic weekend with grandkids at Goudini Spa, this week finds me at Arabella near Kleinmond for a Shackleton presentation.
In-between there are talks with various wine estates regarding historical tours/talks on their properties. After 7 months of our home being on the market, we have just sold it, and are moving to the Western Cape. Our move is scheduled for the end of November, and I will be pivoting from Battlefields tours to historical tours in the Cape, with trips to KZN as and when the need arises. Hoping for more speaking opportunities, UK lecture tours and expedition ship work. October sees me back in the UK, and in December/January I will be working in Antarctica.
Yes indeed, incredible opportunities and changes in October.
Feeling blessed indeed.
Opportunities in October
