Rapper G's input....shweeeet as!!

After searching on the net about gardening and various things you can grow we ventured out to the garden centre to get our vegetables and pots which were yet to become our future veggie patch for the children we are working with. When the very nice garden lady donated certain items we headed to Pips to get planting our own little pots. After mixing soils with water, fighting over carrots and tomatoes and re-living childhood times,our little pots were almost complete...of course the blue pepper paint had to be wacked out for decorations! Handprints, smiley faces and for Harry, kisses and hearts had them completed! The evening continued with Pippa's AMAZING braai (?!) where the burgers were insane...not to mention home-made potato wedges...get in! Of course Annie and my rice crispy cake was the best though...so after watching 3 films, chilling and consuming obese amounts of food the day came to an end...so much where my tummy was so completely stuffed that my abs hurt when I woke up this morning...maybe a little too far with the cake.
We returned back to Kylitcheay (?help ed i dont know how to spell it!) with our amazing vegetable pots where we made a little space for them, cleaned up vasts amount of rubbish and weeds and made an amazing path to our future pepper love shack! Then we arrived at the sports centre with all the children which we dominated with a bouncy castle, hoops, footballs...the crazily mad energetic children...and ourselves. After numerous amounts of piggy backs, swinging the little ones around, skipping and much much more the fact that we were dripping with sweat said it all...I can say that all of my lunch is now sufficiently burnt off! So now as people are crashed out on their beds and showered off all the dirt from our hard labour I am going to retire to the swimming pool to do a few casual lengths...as you do...wahoo!

Georgie :)

Lion's Head

To our disappointment, the volunteering was called off yesterday. Not wanting to waste the day however, we had soon packed our bags for a day on the beach (yes, it's a hard life). Out of the many beaches on our doorstep, we decided that Clifton 2nd had not had our blessing yet, and so with the tunes pumping out of the bus, AKA The Punisher, we were on our way.

On arrival, copious amounts of suncream were poured on and towels were spread - the girls clearly had a game plan for the afternoon. Harry on the other hand, still hasn't quite got the hang of sun cream yet, and returned from the beach with a kind of tribal design on his chest and stomach to match the incredible cut off lines on his legs.

After a well spent afternoon it was off to climb up Lions Head. Despite the evening drawing in, it was still hot work and in places a bit more demanding than you average walk. At one stage there was an actual climb involved, albeit only 4 meters high. Then towards the top it was more of a scramble up the rocks, rather than a walk. On arrival however, we realised the climb was definitely worth it, with an amazing 360 degree view. On one side we could see Cape Town stretching miles into the distance with Table Mountain looking over it, and on the other was yet another spectacular sunset going down over the Atlantic. We had soon found ourselves a suitable overhang to sit down on and spent a good 30 minutes just sitting and chatting as the sun slowly went down.

After a cheeky team photo it was time to head back. Pips, Georgie and myself were determined to make it round the hill before the sun had fully set, but despite our best efforts we didn't make it. Some of us then ran down the rest of the way, carefully avoiding any twisted ankles and shear drops, before Jake, Georgie and I decided to run all the way back to the lodge - God knows why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

It was then off to the Waterfront for a couple of drinks. All in all, a day well spent.

Freddie

Some more happy snaps from week 3 in Cape Town

The boys checking out the view from Logan's house...

All dressed up for a day at the races...

Harry's incredible tan.....

Last few moments of surfing lifestyle.....

The culmination of our time with dear Logan

We were all sad at the prospect of our three weeks of surfing coming to an end, especially when Logan told us that the swell would be too small to even surf at all on the last day. To lift our spirits it was decided that we would return to our childhood mentalities and spend the day go-karting.Upon arrival at the go-karting place we were quickly turned away and told we could not kart for at least another two hours so to fill the gap of time we headed to a nearby shopping centre to display our tenpin bowling skills.
Certain people showed they had it in their blood with numerous strikes (Pippa) and some showed their ability to gutter almost every ball they threw down the alley (Jake and Abi aka Bridge haha it made for classic viewing).

Everyone was then very excited to return to go-karting, where the boys were told that they drove too recklessly and made to stop racing early, and the girls found that they had a mini Schumacher amongst them; Georgie, who annihilated all of us with her driving skills.
Sunday was a chilled day, in preperation for Logan's braai (BBQ) and house party in the evening. His house is set up in the hills of Llandudno, overlooking the beach and setting a wicked backdrop for the party. We were all joined by the youth of Cape Town and Logan's parents; his dad being quite the silver fox. Fat sausages and meat were cooked on a proper log braai, but I have to admit that I went a little too strong on the alcohol at the beginning of the night meaning that I could not fully appretiate them...it was definately a good night.

Annie xxx

Harry's Khayelitsha Blog - First Day Volunteering

Khayelitsha: Streaking under the baking midday sun, the shacks of the township growing one onto another either side of the road, i knew little of what to expect from our first day working with the Umbuntu organisation.
What i knew of them was limited to a half hour introduction last thursday. I failed to see at that point how the children who came to their after-school club would be anything other than sombre. Kids who are for the most part younger than us, yet have to deal with something much greater every day. I failed to account for the Love and care then Whitney, Jules and the others there give to them.
From the moment the first few ran into the room, i am not sure whose smiles were bigger; ours or the kids. Watching little scenes of happiness from outside, and being
involved in them also, was not only exhausting, but so rewarding. From the confusion of what to expect this morning, after watching Big Ed playing football with two boys who barely grazed his waist, or Jake surrounded by eager kids as he strummed the guitar, or the little children bedecked in our sunglasses, rummaging through the handbags left on the table,
I am looking forward more to tomorrow and the rest of these three weeks than i think anything since I have been here, and thats really saying something.

Harry

The J&B Met "COME RACING!!!"

After searching copious amounts of shops in the Canal Walk shopping centre, we found our outfit for the prestigious event that is Cape Town's J&B Met (SA's very own Royal Ascot). The theme being "In full colour" we stepped onto the racetrack and imediately became invisible, due to the extravagant outfits people turned out in to try and win big prize money for the elegant couple award. This was no other ordinary race meeting that one would experience back home. For a start the course was full of beautiful young women. Nothing in comparison to the mutton dressed as lamb, Stella drinking scousers in their soggy facinators and open toed heels in 6 inches of mud that we would find at say ladies day at Aintree! It was a beautiful day with the sun shining down on a sea of multicoloured get-ups that people had been planning for weeks. It was clear that so much time and effort had gone into this event from latino style dancers to best dressed awards, everything ran effortlessly, including the horses! A great day was had by all the pepper team!

speak soon, liv x

Another tough day in Cape Town....

So today we headed back to llandudno for another crazy day in the surf - everyone is getting so much better under the expert tuition of logan aka terry wogan, the waves were pretty 'gnarly dude' today and i achieved my longest run standing up, thankfully the only casulties today were two fins breaking off the boards.

I think a few of us are appreciating the relaxing beginning to the week after the 'hectic'
weekend we all had. Climbing table mountain was one experience i think few will forget.
When you reach the top of the gorge and look out from the top of the table the hard work becomes a distant memory and so worth the effort. The chilled sundowner session on the beach was definately in order after the climb and a nice end to the afternoon. The evening saw in yummy thai food and a cheeky cocktail or two close to home.

Sunday saw the boys enjoy a fantastic english breakky while the girls checked out what the south african shops had to offer at the mall. I think another trip to JayJays will be in order before long for Annie to pick up some more amazing shorts!
The afternoon saw everyone head out to the township of Gugulethu for a 'surprising lunch trip'. As we pulled into the street the smell, noise and sights were incredible. The afternoon was spent drinking and dancing to the amazing beats and a good time was spent learning some 'kiefe' dance moves from the locals.

To top off the day, we went to Caprice at Camps Bays - the long awaited
trip to 'the' sunday night drinking hole. The night got off to a slow start, though several of us, err just me then, enjoyed the sights of the australian professional rugby team enjoying a few after match beers.

After such a busy weekend everyone was enjoying a few chilled beers and cocktails. Pip roused us with shots and we hit the dance floor to dance the night away. A fab night was had by all.

Abi

Georgia's Birthday Blog

Normally when your birthday is in the middle of January you start to get used to waking up in the freezing cold. Experiencing my birthday in South Africa with Pepper was completely the opposite, i woke in the intense heat, being informed that it was meant to be reaching 38 degrees.

The day started with us travelling all the way over to the Newlands cricket stadium to watch the twenty-20 match between the local cape town rugby team, the stormers, and the Cape Cobra's the cricket team. The majority of the group were supporting the stormers apart from a few strays!! However after being presented with an african fanfair, watching the exciting cricket match and left with a few sweaty faces. The match ended with a draw.... after the last ball was said to be a 'no ball'.

The Pepper team then treated us to a meal at a well known steak house called spurs, we were told that on our trip to Cape Town this was one of the restaurants not to be missed! We all stuffed our faces with burgers or steaks. The excitment did not end here however, from the corner of my eye i saw the whole of the Spurs staff dance toward me holding a large icecream sundae singing happy birthday. Red faced, and embarressed i blew out the candles to be treated to another surprise. The Pepper team had bought me a globe for my travels, and a lipgloss to apparently aid my pulling skills! We left full and happy!

We then had a quick 15 minute turnaround before heading off to see Goldfish in concert. All of
the girls struggled with this, trying to fit 5 of us around one mirror was a miracle in itself!

However the impossible became possible and were off and raring to go, with Goldfish blaring out of the Pepper Bus. We had a few Sundowners, before Goldfish started, a perfect way ro recharge after our busy day. Goldfish are a local band from Capetown, so there was no place better to see them which meant the atmosphere was amazing. The intense, sweaty heat of the room was put to the back of our minds as we raved away to the music, with no worries that the photo's may be a little less attractive than first assumed! The night reached a peak when we were then able to meet the band.

I was tucked up and in bed by 11.30, this showed signs of a good night even if i had left a few
of group to carry on, partying without me. Overall it was one of the best birthday's i have ever had, and definately one i will never forget. The sore head in the morning was definately worth it!!!

Georgia xx

Good times continue....week two on January 2010 Experience!

The week began on great note with an incredible night with Goldfish at La Med last sunday and after another good week of surfing and diving we made the most of this weekend with conquering Table Mountain, sunsets on the beach, jamming at Mzoli's in the township of Gugulethu and a great night at Caprice! Check out the pics below for a better idea of the good times.

Jamming to the township beats at Mzoli's...

Team Pepper January 2010!!!

Playing in the sunset on Camps Bay...

Jake soaking up the views over the city...

Celebrating after conquering Table Mountain...

Half way up Table mountain...

Sweating it out La Med with Goldfish...

Georgia , The Birthday Girl, with Abi enjoying the Goldfish tunes...

Soaking up the last rays of the day at La Med...

Surfers heading in to the Atlantic...

Jake's weekend blog

Day... cannot remember. Table Mountain.

Covered in suncream and as streched as a crew of Ethiopian marathon runners, the Pepper team embarked on a challenge of frightening magnitude - The ascent of Table Mountain. I was worried about how we might all scale the north face of the towering beaut in consideration of our late evening the night before, however, we succeded.
I sincerely doubt that I would ever have contemplated such a task if I was back in the UK, but seeing as we are in Cape Town and under the encouraging eyes of Big Ed and the Pipsicle, the idea seemed a little less daunting! Georgie, Fred and myself were standing at the top within an hour and 15 mins, closely followed by Harry - he somehow managed to finish numerous cigarettes on his way up and in light of this, his completion was all the more impressive. The views, as anyone can surely imagine, were breath taking. To the right, the miniscule city sprawled for miles towards the airport. On the other side, Lion's Head and Robben Island posed as a stunning background.
And so, after hundreds of photos, and a punt to the face from Pip in an extreme game of Hackey, we made our way down on the Cable Cart in the direction of Camps' Bay beach for a few sneaky sundowners. We revelled in the evening sunshine playing frisby and a bit of touch rugby whilst the icy Atlantic lapped at the shores of the beach. All the while, a jolly fire-breathing tightrope walker sang sweet African folk songs on the Boulevard.
I hope some pictures go up on the site, and I'm sure that rest of the team will agree that we had a pretty epic day.......