South African Jesters Tour
Sept. 24th to Sept. 28th, 2012
The British Columbian and final leg of the South African Tour of Canada officially commenced in Kelowna the morning of Monday, Sept. 24th, 2012. Mssrs. Hungerford, Zaplatynsky, and Bowen met Jackie and Paul Stevenson in Kelowna to greet our guests and enjoyed a marvelous lunch at Quayles Gate Winery to get acquainted and consume the proper fortification for the dive to Vancouver. The SA’s were extremely complimentary of all their destinations across the country and were definitely looking down a quart. A special thank you to David Clements for his help in assisting the SA’s on their trek from Edmonton to Kelowna. The brunch at Quayles Gate was superb. It was a beautiful day with brilliant sunshine giving us a wonderful view of Lake Okanagan. We travelled to Vancouver in good time and met our hosts and some nest members at the Lawn for an official welcoming reception where our guests met their hosts, had more cocktails, and then went off to their respective homes. The Lawn under George Walkers supervision did a superb job in putting our reception together.
On Tuesday morning the SA Jesters were met a Spokes Bicycle Shop and taken on a tour of Stanley Park, some even ventured as far as Ambleside, led by John Zaplatynsky. This was a very successful event, in an effort to bring our guests down a second quart before the official squash match on Thursday! After lunch there some casual squash at the Lawn and Arbutus Clubs, followed by casual dinners at various homes of hosts.
Wednesday morning was up early where our guests were met at Granville Island for a brief tour and a coffee and bun before heading off to Whistler for the day. Again we had excellent weather and our first stop was the Whistler Olympic Park for a tour and a mini biathlon meet. What fun! There were some very good sharpshooters in the crowd, some of them wives and it was suggested that their husbands make a real effort to behave themselves. To be honest I cannot remember who won, but it was a very fun experience. From there to the village for a tour and lunch, and then back to the City. On the return home we stopped in at Shannon Falls and had a very enjoyable dinner at the Cactus Club in West Vancouver. Unfortunately the Peak to Peak was closed for the second year in a row, hence the stop at Shannon Falls. Thank you to Ben Thomas for all the arrangements and to John Hungerford, Simon Dorey, and Ingus Silgailis for taking the day off to drive up and back. Another excellent day!
Thursday morning was up early again for another very active day. It began with every member of the South African team getting to the top of Grouse either by doing the Grind or taking the gondola. The highlight was the viewing of a bear which they all wanted to see, so this was great. Another sunny and clear day and our visitors had a gorgeous view of the City. Thank you to Dave Adams for leading this event. From there it was off to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. There was a tour of the grounds, the crossing of the bridge, a walk through the rain forest, and the sky walk, followed by a delicious lunch at the Bridge Restaurant. This is also a highlight on the tour and was graciously hosted by Sue Kaffka and her associate Sami.
From the Bridge it was off to The Hollyburn Country Club for the official Squash match and the final dinner. Simon Dorey did a great job in captaining and assembling our team. In the end, the SA’s won the match 5 – 4, with the final match in points deciding the victory. The closing dinner was excellent and we were able to eat on the outside upper deck overlooking the City. Unfortunately not all the heaters were working as it did get cold when the sun disappeared behind the mountain!
In closing, I would like to thank our hosts, Sandra and Hugh Woolley, Debbie and John Hungerford, Jan and Doug MacDougall, Nina and Tim Bale, Jackie and Paul Stevenson, Simon Dorey, and John Osburn for hosting our guests. I very much appreciate your hard work and enthusiastic support, without which the whole event could not happen. I would also like to thank Sue Kaffka, John Zaplatynsky, Ben Thomas, Robert Pacey, Simon Dorey, David Adams, and Hugh Woolley for their efforts in putting the week together. Your support is also very much appreciated. To Harry Bell-Irving my heartfelt thanks for taking our lady guests on your usual informative tours of the City, four your donation of yours daughters beautiful ceramic Jester plates for our guests. I would also like say how exceptional it was to have Theo and Harry and Jeanette and Trig at the arrival and closing dinners. Thank you.
Lastly, I would like to thank all members of the nest who made the effort to participate in the tour. I know the South African team greatly appreciated meeting you all and the time put in by everyone. These tours are a very special and large part of Jester tradition. For those who could not make an event I hope you try and participate in the future, it is truly fun, interesting, and worthwhile.
– Bill Bowen
