FOUND

You will all be glad to hear that I found Daryl (those of you who read my blog anyhow), he is alive and well and living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but then again all of Gods countries are beautiful.

It's amazing how sometimes a country just keeps rearing it's head at every occasion, this year New Zealand has been at the forefront of a lot of my conversations.

Gwen's step brother Jon, got married in January to Kelly from New Zealand and after the wedding in Cape Town they moved back to New Zealand, they have subsequently had a little boy "Jack" and are very happy.

In February Wendy (my friend who lives in Oz), went to New Zealand for a holiday and told me how absolutely awesome it was.

Wee Claire (my young Irish friend) who had been travelling round Australia last year, broke up with her Ozzie boyfriend and while travelling round Australia, met up with Scottie, who is from New Zealand - he lives in Ireland now and was not happy about the rugby!

After the rugby world cup we all decided that we were going to New Zealand in 2011 to see the next world cup.

And now I hear from Dion that Daryl is alive and well and living in New Zealand.

The only problem with New Zealand is that they are 12 hours ahead of Ireland if not more, which tends to make communication a problem, but we get by.

So there must be some kind of attraction to the place at the moment, I decided to do a bit of research and found some of the most amazing pictures. If any of you want to get hold of Daryl or Dion I have their email address but won't put them up on the blog.

Till Later .... Rose!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Just wanted to wish both Carol and Pierre a very happy birthday for November 17th.

CONTACT INFO FOR DARYL or DION FOWLES

Does anyone out there have any contact information for Daryl or Dion? I tried rining Daryl's cellphone and it has been disconected and his email address at IBM is no longer valid, so where is he.

I did a search for Dion on the internet and see that he is now working for Alexander Forbes as their IT security manager, if anyone has any contact please could you let me know.

Rose

Lynn's Holiday in Italy

A holiday in Puglia, Italy... If you look it up on the map, it is the heel part in the southern most part of Italy. Arrived in Bari, Thursday 18th October to a very cool day. Thank goodness our hire car was available and we were soon packed up and ready to roll... but do remember that they drive on the other side of the road to the UK & SA.

Fiona had first drive shift and I played navigator... Unfortunately Fi turned out of the hire parking right on to the wrong side of the road only to have 2 cop cars wanting to use the lane we were incorrectly faced in. A quick reverse soon solved that problem and we were on our way with me saying " stay on the right" each time we turned or drove into a roundabout. The rest of the journey to the B&B was not without its challenges but we made it there in one piece.

We stayed in the lovely Masseria Banco. Masseria means farm house...
this was a working farm that had 100 acres of olives as well as some citrus and produced its own vegetables. The Masseria has a wonderful restaurant that is used by both the guests and locals and hosted 2 christening parties while we were there. The food there was wonderful.
Fi had pre-booked 2 meals and we stary there for a 3rd as well. We ventured into the nearby town of Avatrana to sample one of the recommended local restaurants, great experience. That was on the Saturday when I was hoping to find a restaurant with SkySports2 to watch the rugby world cup final, but with no luck.

In the 4 days we stayed at the Masseria we toured all around the Southern tip of the heel only to find that most of the seaside villages were completely shut... the houses were shuttered and there were not even cars parked in the town. We were lucky if we found the fishermen using the marina, but otherwise they were ghost towns. It felt really bizarre. The coast area was really lovely, but I can see that during the Italian summer month of August it must be a total nightmare with the families coming down from central Italy, Milan, Rome and Naples for their summer break.

We did manage to go into Lecce which has some fantastic architecture and the old part of the city great. One thing we did notice is that the roads are narrow and parking is a nightmare... what must it be like in the summmer? The Italians do not follow road laws and will even overtake on a double white line. They get extreemly impatient if the traffic isnt going the speed they want to travel and will drive right up your rear end. On one occasion when I was driving the guy was so close to me I could not see his bonnet... they are real nutters on the road. The parking is even worse... they just put the nose of their car into the parking space with the bum of the car just sticking out.

On the Friday we drove down the coast from Avetrana to Galipoli where the old town is on a little island just a short bridge from the mainland. Stopped there for a lovely lunch. During our touring we managed to work out how the signposting worked which had us a bit confused initally as the arrows point anywhere and you just have to work out where they expect to go, but because the towns are not huge we always managed to work it out in the end. The next day we drove on the main highway all the way down to Leuca and took the costal road all the way up to Ortranto which has a very pretty old town. Sunday we drove up through Manduria, Francaville, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, up to Alberobello where they have the trulli houses, which are houses built with peaked roofs... quite unusual. There is a whole village area of these in Alberobello, but because the weather was discustingly wet and miserable, we didn't venture too far into the village as one had to do this on foot.

On Monday we checked out of the Masseria and were fortunate to have the General Manager of the farm visiting so he took us on a tour of the olive factory, where they produce the olive oil. Theirs is one of the most modern factories where they extract and bottle 2,000 tonns of olives a day. The Puglia area is one of the highest growers of olives and supplies enough for for half of the olive oil used in Italy.

Did you know that olives cannot be picked and eaten off the tree. In order to make an olive edible it has to be soaked in water (usually salted water) for 3 days where the water removes the bitter taste and makes it fleshy and good to eat. And goodness where they good.
We then drove down towards Toranto where we skirted the city on the motorway past all the industry which was very evident and very unattractive. This is a port city with a large harbour. We took the coast road for quite a way and then headed inland towards Sapri, which is on the coast about 2 hours south of Napels. Driving through the mountains was absolutely spectacular, especially with the snow and there was even snow on the road we took. Just shows how high into the mountains we went. What I found amazing were all the villages perched high up on hills and mountains. Very beautiful.

We drove down the mountain road into Sapri and then headed south towards Aquafredda and then on towards Maratea where we found our B&B on the coast road just outside Maratea. It was really lovely placed right on the cliff with a full view of the setting sun over the sea. From the pool balcony it was straight down to the sea... there was a path right down but we didn't get to do this. The house was run by the owners where were not present while we were there but they had an Indian (illegal) fella there who could hardly speak English or Italian, but was very helpful. The poor man has quite a lonely life in the wintertime. We were to stay for 3 nights before heading back to Bari to get out flight home, but felt that the drive back would be a challenge to get there with enough time for our flight at 16:10, so we cancelled our last night and booked one closer up toward the airport in Noci. We drove into Maratea up on the hill and found a wonderful restaurant for dinner. The young lady serving us was a lot of fun... only about 3 couples in the whole place.

On Tuesday we wondered down the coast to Tortora Marina... it was really lovely going on the windy coastal road but where it flattened out the towns became very un Italian and very tacky with Las Vegas style resturants and clubs. We drove back to Maratea to the Marina for lunch and found a wonderful resturant. From where we were sitting we could see right up the mountain to the statue on the top of the hill so after lunch we ventured back into Maratea and wondered around the town and took some lovely pictures. Then we drove all the way up the windy road all the way to the top... even I was nervous. There was even a small village and a church at the top where the statue is situated. It is really high up and from there it drops all the way down to the sea...what a beautiful view.

Drove back to the B&B, relaxed and then drove about a mile up the road to Aquafredda to another recommended restaurant for dinner, and again only about 3 couples there. The summertime must be really buzzing as it was a large place with lots of tables out on the patio. The following morning we packed up and went for breakfast before heading back towards Bari. Going through the mountains was wonderful and we were soon back on the Bay of Toranto before heading back inland towards Noci via everywhere. We finally found the place which was wonderful and had trulli apartments... we didn't stay in one. We relaxed in the room and went to the restaurant for drinks before dinner. They treated us like royalty and when the place was open were ushered to our table... it feels awful to be the only table at the restaurant but again the food was fantastic and we had great wine... walking back to the room was a breeze.

In the morning we woke up early and spent a good part of the morning reading a book before making it to breakfast before it closed... checked out and started to make our way to Bari. Stopped off at a place I cannot remember where we wondered around the old city and had lunch at a wonderful local restaurant before making out way back to the airport in Bari to make our way home... plane was delayed but I think we got in on time, drove back to Fiona to pick up my car and drove home. Had work in the morning but at least I was rested and ready for work on a Friday...weekend again. Yippee.

Hope you are well and enjoyed the story!! Take care and tons of love...
Will put some of the photos on Facebook...

Love
Lynn

MISSING

Anyone seen or heard from Daryl?

His mails have been returned for the last week or two ...

REWARD OFFERED FOR THE SUCCESSFUL RE-UNITING OF FRIENDS!

An Email from Diana

It was so nice to hear from both Adrian and Diana in recent weeks, here is Dianas email for you all to read.


Hi Rosie,

I have been in touch with both Gill Illingworth and Melina over the past few months. Melina has told me about your blog - it is great and so strange to see some of the photos I took at our social functions appearing there! Being in the stick, we do not have ADSL or anything more fancy than dial-up. But we do now have free calls out of peak time so I will go in again to see your updates!

I had so many photos, negatives, etc as well as all the editions of the Premier News that I contributed to over about 4 years in a blue file - all of which I left behind at Datacentrix when I left last May. Maybe they are still there but I somehow doubt it. Maybe you could ask Mario, Tony Turner or someone else with access to the Woodmead offices to check out my old corner / cupboards etc. The only thing I kept was my plague for winning Scribe of the Year - that featured your Oceanic disaster as the centerpiece photo.

For several years Ian and I had had enough of JHB and the rat race and we spent some time traveling around SA looking for a country area we liked. Finally in March 2005 we spent time in Nottingham Road (about 1.5 hours inland on the N3 from Durban, in case you do not know). We bought the house back in July 2005 but rented it back to the owners until we could take occupation which was only on 1 June 2006. We have sold everything we had in JHB and have no inclination to ever return. Unless there is a wedding, special birthday or suchlike that we feel compelled to go to. Ian's daughter Fiona is still there working at Standard Bank Treasury now so who knows.

Ian sold his practice as at the end of July 2006 but took the 2 months holiday he had "saved" up and moved to the Natal Midlands from 1 June. We live in a house called Station House, halfway between Mooi River and Rosetta, which is a converted station (it was built in 1901 and decommissioned in 1956). We are busy renovating the house now (it was thought to be a 4 month project but it will take about 6 - 7 months!). We are very secluded being basically the end of the "railway" line and surrounded on 3 sides by a dairy farm and the other by the Mearns Dam which is the dammed Mooi River, and which has great bass fishing for Ian. He sometimes fishes morning, noon and evening from spring to autumn!! There are 3 other houses within a kilometres stretch along the dam but all of them are holiday homes that sit empty for about 80 - 90% of the time.

We have a cottage which we rent out (mainly weekend visitors) which gives us time during the week to enjoy ourselves. If you want to look at the cottage the website is www.wheretostay.co.za/stationhouse.

Sandy Stiles / Lambert from Info Centre is now Sandy Olivier having got married again to Ollie last December. She and her son Duncan, now about 14 I think, from her marriage to Alan, were here to visit us for a few days in June when we had our first snow. She is not currently working except to help Ollie in some of his business interests but her personal email address is (contact me for address). Sandy used to meet up with Carol at Woolies in Links but I am not sure if she still sees her or not - I will ask.

I can hardly believe how time has flown. Ian and I have been married for nearly 14 years, Melina and Lawrence longer than that and you and Derrick must have been married quite some time too.

We have 3 email addresses but all come to the same mailbox under Ian's name - (let me know if ou want any of these).

As far as I know Dorothy is still working at FNB as is Ncedisa Kandawire he left Datacentrix about 2 years ago. If so her email should be (I have this if anyone wants it). Oscar is also at FNB to the best of my knowledge but I cannot remember the surname. Thebo used to be at Standard Bank but I think he moved to somewhere in the States. Ncedisa could be a good contact though for all these people.

And lastly it was Ian Gray not Grey!! (I knew that Di I was just messing, Gray with the grey hair).

Well must get on with my other things now.

Take care, Di

Adrians photographs

I will update the photos with an image number as soon as I have a moment, but in the meantime maybe the clever ones can work out which photo is which:

Image 1 : we were on the border of Swaziland in a game reserve
Image2: Bush Safari swazi border Before we left:- Back LtoR Des Horn, Mike Vidas, Carol, Vic, Johan, Paul. Middle Row LtoR.. Alan, Melina, Di, Ian Gray, Zeta Zaaiman, Ed. Front row LtoR… Adrian, Lawrence, Dolf
Image3: Ed with the game ranger
Image4: Ian Gray and Melina Swazi border
Image5:Paul, Zeta, Lawrence Swazi Border
Image6:Dolf with one of the game rangers Swazi border
Image7:Melina, Zeta, Lawrence Swazi border
Image8:Johan with one of the game rangers Swazi border
Image9:Canoe safari near parys
Image10: Canoe Safari on the Vaal River near Parys:- Lawrence’s Butt and beside him on the right is Colin from the Pc dept
Image11: Canoe Safari on the Vaal River near Parys:- Guim Nel (shirt off) Di and Melina
Image12: Canoe Safari on the Vaal River near Parys:- Between Ed and Dolf is Mike Vidas
Image13: Canoe Safari on the Vaal River near Parys:-Mike Vidas front and centre.
Image14: Bush Safari Swazi border:- ED, Johan, Guim, Di
Image15: Bush Safari Swazi border:- Dolf, Alan, Zeta, Mike Vidas
Image16: Bush Safari Swazi border:- Paul, Melina, Lawrence
Image17: Bush Safari Swazi border:- Guim, Alan, Johan
Image18: Bush Safari Swazi border:- Foreground Guim, Alan, Vic… Background Johan
Image19: Xmas Party: L to R … Linda Morton, Bee Galal, Peter, Sandy,.. Don’t know!!
Image23: Xmas Party: Gert
Image26: Tony and Cass Matthews Leaving on their honeymoon at Jan Smuts.
Image27: Tony Matthews about to get married.
Image28: Tony and Cass Just married
Image 30: Tony Scanes holding my firstborn Lauren 1990.
Image 31: Adrian at Greensleeves Colin Douglas's wife (cant remember her name.
Image 33: Linda from pc dept (holding Lauren about 1991) … used to work for Colin Douglas
Image 34: Alan Sussman holding Lauren 1990
Image 35: Before we departed for Greensleeves LtoR:- Di, Di’s boyfriend, Lawrence, Melina, Adrian, Paul, Paul’s wife. Front row LtoR Shelly(my wife) Gavin Dankworth, Edwina Dankworth.
Image36: Children's Christmas party Shelly getting a prezzie for Sarah May our second born Dec1993
Image37and 38: same Xmas party for kids
Image 39: Colin at Greensleeves
Image 40: The diesel after the fire on the engine’s battery and after the fire brigade had ripped out the ceiling. This is before the engine seized from the water pump bearings seizing.

Thank You Adrian!

Once again a big thank you to an ex premier member for some photos, thanks Adrian it was so good to hear from you and thanks for all the pictures!

This picture of Tony must be one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen!

Dunking Danking Dankworth ...

Any sign of Gavin?

Adrian Potter ....

TRANSFORMERS

Diesel blew a head gasket, system shutdown!!!

Lost & Found ...

LOST!!!!!


The new "survivor" team: Adrian you are going to have to help me with the names here!
Okay Ed, your turn to come up with a campfire song or a story.

Ian, Ian, Ian ...... watch out behind you!

All men (& woman) deserve a rest after a good days hunt!

Okay Dolf, this is a good site for the new "volkstad", but do you think we could have a bit of colour instead of all khaki?

Now then Melina and Lawrence, no need to pretend you don't know each other, Zeta's got the inside edge on whatever happened here. By the way where is Zeta?
Crocodile Dundee watch out, this one's got the ladies wrapped!

Premier Rowing Team or someting???

Beeyoudiful cheeks honey! But I think they need a wax.

Managers Team Building

Aaah so the managers thought they were having a good time on their team building leaving the "indians" to do all the work while the "chiefs" had leisure time.

Here is a picture of (L:R) Ed, Johan, Guim, Dianne and Carol.

Zeta, Mike, Dolf & Alan.
Paul, Melina & Lawrence

MIS Christmas Party 1992?

It was with great surprise and delight that I got an email from Adrian tonight, Melina had passed on the URL to him and he sent me and email and loads of photographs to share with everyone, here are some taken at the "Greek Taverna" in Melville, this was our Christmas party in 1992 if I am not mistaken, correct me if I am wrong Adrian.

At least this photo I can name almost everyone, from left to right, not sure who the first lady is, then we have Bee, Pete, Sandy, Dave, Andre and is that Lynn with the red dress on?

This one is Ed Nowasiad and a very sexy Belly dancer.

Kenny getting his award from Vic Adamini.

Okay need a bit of help here, who are the two guys to the left of Vic? Ed, with is back to the camera, Pete with a drink in his hand, Karen, Dave and not sure about the guy with the green shirt next to Ed, is that Tebo?

Johan and the belly dancer.

Gerhard and the Belly dancer.

And the last photograph is of a guy I think I gave mouth to mouth resuscitation at one stage, but for the life of me I can not remember his name ... sad! (Only kidding Derrick).

A New delivery

Congratulations Dave and thanks for the news, thought I would share it with all the other ex-premier people. Dave's wife is expecting their first pitter patter of little feet on the 13th of February 2008, well done Dave, you can't be happy forever you know! ;-) (That's what everyone kept tell us, that's why we waited 8 years).

Thanks Lynn

Lynn was over from London for the week-end we had a little party for Emily and her grandparents, but it was so cool seeing Lynn, we worked out that we probably see each other once a year, but it's just amazing how you can just carry on from where you last left off. Thanks so much for coming over Lynn it was so great to see you!

Some people just could not wait for the cake.

Diana and Lucia

"Ian"

Is that Gray or Grey?

Trevor

Derrick has this photo of me that he keeps in his wallet and it was probably taken back in 1992 or 1993, but the spectacles I used to wear practically covered my whole face, I will get it out and scan it in.
But wait, the glasses weren't the only thing, those "rokke" and the permed hair, what were we thinking? Shoulder pads / move over Dallas ...

Day at the Races in Kyalami

From L:R (Top) Paul, Lawrence, Melina, Diana, Sandy, Charlie (Middle) Not sure about the other two to the top right, bottom left looks like kenny and Deirdre next to him.

From L:R Paul, Lawrence, Melina, Diana