IN HIS HAPPY PLACE
Vic loved travelling and seeing new places. This picture is so typical of him with camera in hand, in a snowy, mountainous backdrop. You can see the joy on his face.
SAILING THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS 2012
Dad believed that Roald Amundsen (the man who beat Scott to the South Pole in 1911) was the greatest explorer of all time. He realized his dream in 2001 on a trip that saw him visit the Falkland Islands as well as make five stops on the Antarctica peninsula. He knew so much about history, geography and had a particular fascination with the south pole. He could talk for hours about it.
Not only did he have the privilege of travelling to 31 countries around the globe, he also enjoyed exploring our country – Debbie and I having visited many small towns in South Africa (and their graveyards) because of it.
He was an extremely fit and healthy man and played tennis for most of his life. His standing joke was that he beat Wayne Ferreira (SA men’s tennis player) in a local tournament, so when Wayne beat Pete Sampras, then naturally my dad became the World number 1. What he didn’t mention was that Wayne was 15 years old at the time….
He was a good swimmer and completed many Midmar Mile swimming races (only starting them in his 50’s) and Big 5 hikes in the Drakensburg. He loved nature, the outdoors and the quiet that it brought.
“In 2012 we enjoyed a wonderful Norwegian Fjord cruise together and then flew to Manchester to spend 2 weeks experiencing the beauty of England. Of course the weather did not play the game again and the first day we put him behind the wheel in the Yorkshire Dales it was pouring with rain and the roads were one car width. He was not deterred and got us safely to where we were going without fuss or complaint.
In 2014 Di had broken her ankle before our big European adventure and he was always concerned for her safety helping her up stairs or when walking over uneven ground. Many of my pics are of the two of them walking up a hill hand in hand or arm in arm with him slightly ahead to help her with the gradient.
I know Vic was quite a fussy eater at home but on our travels I don’t ever remember him complaining about the food – he appeared to enjoy everything and embraced the food (and the wine) of the country we were visiting.
Another thing he enjoyed on our travels was climbing towers. I don’t think there was a place we visited that had a tower he did not climb. If Colin and I had done them before, up he went while we waved at him from below. He had a thirst for knowledge and usually read up about where we were visiting so he had a better understanding of the culture and history. I always remember his collection of National Geographic Magazines – something he so enjoyed reading
Our last overseas trip together was a Baltic Cruise in 2018 and once again we had an amazing time. Such diverse countries and enjoyable things to see and do. In Skagen, Denmark it was extremely cold so Colin and Di decided to go back to the ship. I opted for a Danish pastry and a coffee but Vic went on a walk to discover some more about the town. In Helsinki we visited a ‘Winter wonderland’ and Vic had great fun on the ice slide. Always the Explorer and Adventurer.
Apart from the overseas trips we have been up to the Games Reserves, Kruger and Pilansberg, several times with Di and Vic. He was very happy in the bush and once again our trips were always full of fun and laughter. We also went down to the Drakensberg where he and Colin did the ‘5 Peaks hike’. Something I think he did several times.
Colin and Vic had a lot in common and got on extremely well referring to each other as “The Athlete”. They often went on hikes and walks on their own and it was great for Di and me to know that they enjoyed each other’s company so much. We will both miss him enormously even though we only saw each other once or twice a year. Just the fact that we will never be able to have another adventure together makes us very sad. RIP dear Victor!”
Buzz and Colin
ALWAYS THERE WITH A HELPING HAND WHEN DI WAS STRUGGLING WITH AN INCLINE OR A DAMAGED ANKLE.
IF THERE WAS A TOWER TO CLIMB VIC WAS ALWAYS KEEN – EVEN THE ROCK WALL ON OUR FJORD CRUISE!
COLIN & VIC REFERRED TO EACH THE “THE ATHLETE” AND ALWAYS ENJOYED EACH OTHERS COMPANY NO MATTER WHERE WE WERE: A BEER IN PRAGUE, CYCLING IN KORCULA, STROLLING ON THE PROMENADE IN NICE, DRINKS ON BOARD SHIP, HIKING IN NORWAY, BRAVING THE RAIN ON A BUS IN PARIS AND WAITING TO SAIL IN TALLINN.
THE ADVENTUROUS FOUR IN LONDON, VENICE, PARIS & HELSINKI. JUST A FEW OF THE WONDERFUL PLACES WE VISITED TOGETHER BETWEEN 2010 AND 2018.
SOME SPECIAL AND FUNNY MEMORIES. TOWER BRIDGE AT NIGHT, LAUGHS OVER A MEAL, SUPPORTING SPRINGBOKS IN AN ENGLISH PUB, TRYING TO FIT OUR LUGGAGE IN THE CAR, THE EIFFEL TOWER IN THE RAIN & FUN IN FINLAND.
