#Jeffrey’s Bay

[tyrone7t7]

Jbay at it’s best

[fourorfivemovements]

Films Watched in 2024: 87. The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) - Dir. Stuart Gordon

[surfline-screenshots]

Sunrise, Supertubes, J-Bay

[charlesandmartine]

Thursday 18th April 2024

Our latest digs are in stark contrast to the last. This is a very stylish, tastefully decorated property built as a pseudo treehouse aloft on high stilts. Well it would be a treehouse were it to be surrounded by trees, but it's elevated position commands great views, and on a clear day enables a sensational 3 inches glimpse of the Indian Ocean. We love it though. It has wide expansive covered veranda/ terraces and comfortable modern interiors. After yesterday's top temperatures, today had a more autumnal feel to it although we did achieve early 20's.

Our instructions for the place promised a path from the back of the property that would, for the intrepid explorer, lead to the beach. And so it did, within just a few minutes. No intimidating list of things not to do by this beach. It was however just as empty. I guess most people didn't wish to infringe any possible rules and be dragged off by the beach police. The beach is an absolutely perfect specimen of fine yellow to white sand soft to the foot and extending as far as the eye would wish to look. And still nobody else there except a huge colony of previous shellfish of wide provenance. We collected a few varieties with every good intention of conveying them back to good old blighty.

We had been assured that Jeffrey's Bay was really nice and so our expectations were set to a high bar. It has made a name for itself among the surfer community, although today there was very little surf. The beach is certainly stunning; wide, long and empty. It's the rules again I'm sure. We parked very conveniently next to the beach and were attended to quite quickly by a girl who I'm convinced should be in school, who was willing to keep an eye on our car for us. Silver passed between palms and everyone is happy. We sat and ate our packed lunch looking across the bay in very pleasant 23°C of sunshine. Jeffrey's Bay could we felt have catered better for the Radio 4 gang. It is just a little too 'Butlins' in its selection of burger bars and loud music. We did manage to find eventually a most suitable café for coffee and cheesecake which was quite acceptable. Returning to find the car had been well looked after by the small girl. She had no doubt had occasion to fight off several armed vigilantes intent on stealing or damaging the VW in our absence. Helpfully by way of value add, she assisted us with the reversing from the space. All round good service and no doubt we shall receive an email later to rate it.

Then back to base with a replenishment to the SB supply and a bottle of beer as a starter. With the Dutch influence around these parts, there is a preponderance of lager over IPA or craft beers.

We thought initially that there was a lighthouse, but found it was a cruel trick. The thing was a Rescue Centre disguised in a lighthouse shaped building. Our disappointment was palpable.

ps a large owl mysteriously appeared on our lamppost and just as silently, disappeared.

[lasenbyphoenix]

[justinssportscorner]

Emily Stewart at Vox:

The first time I found myself wondering what the deal was with Aaron Rodgers was when his brother Jordan appeared on season 12 of The Bachelorette, which aired back in 2016. The quarterback skipped the all-important family visit, raising some questions, but instead of glossing over it, the show insisted on leaving an open seat at the table where he could have been. Reality TV’s gonna reality TV, I guess. Before that, in my world, Rodgers had simply been my team’s star quarterback, the one who took us to a Super Bowl victory in 2011. I do not claim to be the world’s biggest football knower, but when you grow up in Wisconsin, you sort of have no choice but to love the Green Bay Packers. Sundays in the Badger State are for two things: church and the Pack … and also beer and cheese, so, like, four. (As an aside, the Packers are the NFL’s only publicly owned team, another reason to love them.)

Family dynamics can be hard, I thought at the time, and really it was none of my business. But at the very least it seemed a little sad to think Rodgers was estranged from his family, and I did wonder why. Cut to about eight years later, and the quiet suspicion that maybe Aaron Rodgers is a bit strange has morphed into a very public, very loud conversation, now that we know, well, a whole lot more. Rodgers didn’t get the Covid-19 vaccine and misled people about it by saying he was “immunized.” He’s talked openly about getting into psychedelics and doing whatever a “darkness retreat” is. He’s had a string of relatively short-lived public romantic relationships, which is normal and fine, though his last girlfriend was maybe a witch? He regularly spouts conspiracy theories about Covid and vaccines and UFOs, among other items, and is chummy with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaxxer and presidential candidate. Last year, he challenged Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce to a debate about vaccines that was also supposed to include RFK Jr. and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Kelce declined.

Much of this oddball activity and commentary has taken place on The Pat McAfee Show, where Rodgers appears for “Aaron Rodgers Tuesdays.” Disney reportedly paid $85 million for a licensing deal to air the daily sports talk show on ESPN, which it owns. The Pat McAfee Show was the setting of the latest “Aaron Rodgers said what now?” incident, when on January 2 he basically implied that ABC late-night talk show host — and also a high-paid Disney employee — Jimmy Kimmel is a pedophile. It’s been a whole thing, with back-and-forth between Rodgers and Kimmel and ESPN and Disney, for days. Kimmel called Rodgers a “hamster-brained man” and threatened to sue him. An ESPN exec called Rodgers’ comments “dumb.” Rodgers refused to say sorry and responded that the exec’s comments weren’t “helping.” None of it was. [...]

The Jimmy Kimmel dustup is really just the latest in a stream of ??? what is up with this man

So, let’s get back to the Kimmel thing. In early January, Rodgers suggested the comedian had ties to the disgraced financier and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Referring to a since-released set of court filings about Epstein that have been branded the “Epstein list,” Rodgers said, “there’s a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, that are really hoping that doesn’t come out.” There’s previously never been any speculation that Kimmel had ties to Epstein — but he has been trading barbs with Rodgers for a while, focused on the athlete’s anti-vaccination stance. Kimmel was not thrilled at Rodgers’s little Epstein theory. He clarified on Twitter/X he never had any contact with Epstein, said the remarks had put his family in danger, and threatened to sue. Kimmel also did a monologue about the sports star. Rodgers responded on McAfee. He said he was glad Kimmel wasn’t on the Epstein list and isn’t “stupid enough” to actually accuse someone of pedophilia without evidence. Rodgers didn’t apologize, but he did offer up a strange but fairly accurate self-assessment. “I’m not a super political person, okay? Do whatever you want. Conspiracy theorist? That’s fine, because if you look at the track record of conspiracy theorists in the last few years, they’ve been wrong about a lot of things,” he said. And then he complained about the media and cancel culture and said he does not “give a shit” about what people say about him, which … sure. Finally, on Wednesday, January 10, McAfee said that Aaron Rodgers would no longer be appearing on his show for the rest of the NFL season. He said the show was “very lucky” to get a chance to talk to Rodgers and that he’s obviously a “massive piece of the NFL story” and acknowledged “some of his thoughts and opinions … do piss off a lot of people.” McAfee sounded relieved to be away from the drama. “I’m pumped that that is no longer going to be every single Wednesday of my life, which it has been for the last few weeks of my life,” he said.

NFL star QB Aaron Rodgers has been getting into hot water in recent years, and it's because of his off-field activities such as trafficking in COVID conspiracies and anti-vaxxer nonsense. At least some of these were said on The Pat McAfee Show, where he is a regular guest.

[chefkevinashton]

I worked and lived in and around Washington DC from 1983-1994. I never dreamed when I decided to return to England that 28 years would pass before I returned, but time has a tendency of slipping away. 

[prcg]

Se ordena a un notorio funcionario electoral de Wisconsin que cumpla la ley

El funcionario electoral más famoso del estado indeciso de Wisconsin incumplió repetidamente las leyes de integridad electoral. Ahora, en vísperas del día de las elecciones, el regulador electoral del estado está ordenando Celestine Jeffreys, secretaria de Green Bay para cumplir. El Comisión Electoral de Wisconsin Envió una carta a Jeffreys a fines de la semana pasada después de finalmente…

[brainofinterest]

Top Must-See Attractions in South Africa

Discover the breathtaking beauty and adventure in South Africa! From safaris in Kruger National Park to exploring Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, these attractions offer unforgettable experiences. #SouthAfrica #Travel #Adventure #Safari #Nature

[cosmic-carpals]

i love to be a rays fan. everything is going so well in rays baseball land. our best pitcher doesn’t need tommy john. another excellent pitcher isn’t recovering from tommy john. yet another great pitcher hasn’t had a different, not tommy john elbow surgery. our generational talent ss isn’t being investigated for allegedly dating a 14-year-old. our best closer can pitch at any temperature. man.

[toakatdot]

Two Rays Lefties that has my Attention

With the Mets and Rays rumored in talks about pitching, the names are popping up everywhere. While a lot of fans have the hope its Tyler Glasnow, I think the Mets won’t go in that direction. Mainly, because Glasnow would cost. So I took a look at two lefties the Rays are shopping, who definitely fit the Mets needs. #Rays are listening on the following players:LHP Jeffrey Springs LHP Ryan…

[evan-collins90]

Hotel lobbies, restaurants, & discos from the book, 'International Hotel and Resort Design' by PBC Intl. (1988)

1-2. Durham Hilton designed by One Design Center

3. Cincinnatian Hotel - designed by Edwards Design Group

4. Kinshasa Intl. - designed by Wilson Gregory Aeberhard

5. Hyatt on Collins - designed by Hirsch/Bedner Associates

6. Hyatt Regency Tech Center - designed by Wilson & Associates

7. Grand Bay Hotel - designed by Jeffrey Howard Associates, Diana S. Sepler Interiors, Regine's Interiors

8. International Crossroads Sheraton - designed by Interior Design Force, Inc.

9. Radisson Plaza VII - designed by CSA, Inc.

10. Castle Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City - designed by Kovacs and Associates

[charlesandmartine]

Wednesday 17th April 2024

When dawn broke one could see the lights of Mossel Bay across the water, but as the sun came up, the mist started to come down. I guess that's just the way it is there. We had a quick breakfast, loaded the stuff into the VW, bade our farewells to this strange property, the sea front and the parrots and hit the road; this time the N2 bound for George. In all we expected roughly 3 hours elapsed time of motoring, but we intended to call in at Knysna; a town everyone seems to know and tell us we need to go to, but a place no-one seems to be sure about what's there. Anyway, we headed to the Waterfront which seemed a good starting point and were soon fixed up with an extremely palatable coffee and chocolate croissant. Most acceptable I'd say.

This part of the coast is firmly into the Garden Route, and our journey onwards East confirmed that the scenery is absolutely fabulous. Green, lush vegetation, tree clad mountains and picturesque lakes. Through Wilderness and on to Pine Lake which lay so still, not a ripple, it was just content to sit there all day reflecting the mountain behind. Soon we were passing the sign which declared we were now officially in the Eastern Cape.

We lunched in Plettenberg Bay, a comly little place designed very much for holiday makers. We fitted right in there and found a seat overlooking the beach which was full of happy families with designated tasks of building sandcastles. We left the VW in the good care of a carpark attendant, and in the age old tradition, by passing silver from one palm to the other, no harm would come to the car.

Life guards were nervously watching the bay and the swimmers. At one point everyone was called out of the water. Great Whites have been spotted recently and are, we are told, more likely April onwards. Hmm. Didn't see one but I'm sure he saw us!

Now we asked Mr Avis, taxi drivers all sorts, are there any toll roads in South Africa/ Garden Route? Oh no they all said. We don't have tolls. Well as soon as we plotted our route on Google to Jeffrey's Bay there it was, toll road. Don't you just know it. Anyway, we have plenty of spare change and this route saved us an hour, so we set off. Through forest, hill and dale we drove on an empty road, empty because you have to pay I guess. Anyway, we pulled into the booth, produced our R200 note and the girl said, oh, you don't have to pay. No explanation that we could understand, but we were free to go!

This is an interesting country. Clearly when a job needs doing, a white man calls for a black man. Mornings and evenings we see pickup trucks going back and forth picking up and dropping off teams of men and taking them to where the work is; often lawn maintenance, general building and in volume, road maintenance. They crowd into the backs of these vehicles often from pickup points along the roads. Archaic maybe but it seems to work. In its defence there seems a distinct attempt to create jobs even if it is so menial and perhaps unnecessary. For instance, people manually sweeping sand off a path by the beach or standing waving or holding limply a red flag near to roadworks. The sad thing is that they often seem to come out of the shanty towns on the outskirts of rather affluent white towns. We cannot judge as it's not our culture, but it is a little disconcerting.

We passed one such shanty town made up of rows and rows of tiny corrugated iron boxes, and I'm ashamed to say, were relieved when we crossed a river and into an area called Paradise Beach where we are lodged in a luxurious little house on stilts for the next three days.

ps We popped out for an evening meal at a restaurant recommended by our host. It could not be closer to the sea if it tried; the floor was sand! I had an excellent tuna steak and Martine a lamb shank but cooked in an amazing South African set of spices unknown. Absolutely delicious. The whole thing with tips and alcohol was less than £29!

pps over 31°C today.

ppps there was a malicious campaign afoot on the toll road into here disparaging the rights to baboons having a square meal. Big signs, Do Not Feed the Baboons. Fine for doing so, R500. Well we didn't see a single baboon along the 60k section hungry or otherwise.

[edgarapoecolouredglasses]

Little mastermind

THE GIF IS NOT MINE

Pairing: Troy Otto/Reader

Story summary: Tracy just wants her dad to be happy. Y/n makes her dad happy. Though they are both in denial, Tracy makes it her sole purpose to try and get them together.

Summary: Y/n sticks up for Troy when someone calls him a bad leader

Part: 1/4 (SEATBELTS ON!)

Spoilers, I guess

————-

“But what will I do without you? We’re already short-staffed,” I said, unable to hide the desperation in my voice. One of the nurses had already left, and with no pedagogical professionals, I’d been caring for the children every day as well. Now, I stood face to face with one of the last two nurses I had left —and that’s including me—and she was telling me she’d be gone by tomorrow.

“Y/n, we’re just wandering from one abandoned building to the next, trying to find somewhere safe until it’s overrun again. It’s dangerous. He promised us a home, but it’s been five years since we joined your group,” she sighed, blowing a strand of hair from her face. “I have to think about my family. Jeffrey is already talking to Troy.”

“Troy is—he’s—” I stammered. I believed in him, despite everything. Distant as he seemed, impulsive as he was, Troy had never lied about his promise to keep us safe. I had known him longer than anyone in this group. Longer than anyone who was still alive.

I knew Troy had made some questionable choices over the years. From an outsider’s perspective, it would be easy to lose faith in him. But I’d still managed to convince a few people to stay. I knew how deeply it affected him every time someone left. I had witnessed it all, from the moment Mike walked out of his life.

When Mike left the ranch, it tore Troy apart. He spiraled, completely lost control, and came close to wiping out an entire family in his rage.

“Diane, please. Have faith in him. He’s scouring every inch of this land to find a safe place for us,” I pleaded.

Her eyes flashed with frustration. “No, he’s not looking for a home. He’s looking for PADRE,” she snapped. I felt my heart sink as I frowned at her, unsure of how to respond.

“I was there in the med bay when he fell on his head,” she continued, her voice hard and accusing. “I heard him mumbling in his sleep—‘find PADRE’ and and that name he kept going on about ‘Madison.’ He’s obsessed with this childish idea of revenge. It’s dangerous, and you know it. And that’s not even the worst part�� he’s still dragging that rotting corpse around with him like it’s some kind of sick trophy—”

“That is his wife.”

I cut her off, my voice sharper than I intended. Diane’s eyes widened in surprise.

I wasn’t usually the type to get angry. In fact, most people walked over me without much resistance. But something snapped when she decided to disrespect a man who would have died for her if he had to, just like he would for anyone else in our group.

“Who made sure you were fed all these years? Clothed” My words were harsh. “Do you really think you’d be any better off without us? You’d still be out there, between homes, barely surviving. But at least you had this group. At least you had Troy.”

Diane opened her mouth to protest, but I pressed on, my voice rising. “Your husband won’t be able to protect you out in the real world. And god forbid you die out there and your Jeffrey has to decide what to do with you, you’ll wish he was half the man Troy is. You’ll wish he had the strength not to leave you behind.”

She didn’t respond, but I saw the way her expression faltered, how she took a step back, uncertain. It was like the pounding in my head intensified just from looking at her, every second spent staring into her guilty eyes hammering nails into my skull.

So I turned away. There was nothing more to say.

Then, just as I was about to leave, I heard her sigh.

“You’re right—”

“I wish you all the best. Good luck out there,” I interrupted coldly.

“But—”

“You’re fired.” The words came out sharper than I had foreseen, but I didn’t regret them.

Without waiting for a response, I started walking away. My steps echoed in the silence, but I stopped just before reaching the door to the abandoned warehouse we called home.

“I’ll let your husband know that you are waiting here for him,” I added, not turning back.

I should’ve noticed the quiet stare of the eight-year-old girl, hidden in one of the ventilation shafts, watching the entire scene unfold.

————————

The end :D

Just kidding this has been way too long coming. I know this part wasn’t very eventful but I wanted to set the tone.

But I’m putting it in multiple bite sized parts because that’s what I personally enjoy

Here’s the link to part two :)

Thank you to @aldenenjoyer for the prompt.

[chefkevinashton]

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