2010 has started off in top gear with 160 people attending the opening picnic, 40 people attending the first Midweek Madness event, Johann's Tyre Repair Course is full and the 2nd course is almost full, the First Aid Course in almost full, Viv's Rubicon trip had one spot open before they left on Friday, Viv's Transkei Trip is almost full and I have even received some bookings for the February Midweek Madness. I was invited by Alan Goodway of our Gauteng club to join them at Bella Bella (Warmbaths) for a weekend of fun and a training weekend for prospective Club (Gauteng) guides. The weekend was fantastic and although I am an ex Vaalie I was amazed to see that they could be in a semi wilderness area within 1 hour. We had thunderstorms, had great braais and in general it was a great weekend. Although the members are great people just like our Cape members it was interesting to see that most members own offroad caravans or trailers. Thanks Alan it was great. New members We have once again had an influx of new members with five enquiries for membership being received in the last few days. Welcome to Jaco and Elizna. Carlo and Ilana, Richard and Susan, and Lawerence and Soretha. Interest Group News Check the website for contact people Photography The Photo Interest Group have held their first meeting for 2010. Diving Group Conditions have been varied and as luck would have it, conditions were excellent last weekend when we had scheduled the opening picnic. Please email me your names for inclusion on the Divers List. Motorbike Group Hein will be leading a run to Matjiesfontein on the 21st of February. This is a tar run and all bikes are welcome. Fishing Group We have an outing on the 31st. Members are all casual fishermen and you can be a complete novice 'we just go fishing to relax'. Breakfast Group We have met almost every Thursday for 9 years for breakfast and a chat. All members are free to join us. We meet at 7am at Limnos bakery in Durban Rd, (just before Tygervalley Centre). Obituary A very good friend of mine as well as a friend of 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club, Mr John Spence, the owner of Tygerberg zoo passed away from a heart attack. John was 75 years old and still owned, managed and ran the zoo. The stories he told at the breakfast meetings often had the sensitive folks heaving but his exploits were amazing. RIP John. Program 2010 You should all have received the Program for 2010. Please note that the program is provisional and will change. We have already done the first update with more outings being added. Winter is always a difficult time and weather does play a part so members are to check with the organizer IF,WHEN, WHAT and HOW. Club Meetings Outdoor Warehouse have confirmed the dates as indicated on the Program and so we are busy compiling an interesting program for the first meeting. Bridgestone Sponsorship I spent some time in Gauteng last week and had an excellent meeting with Bridgestone and once again they will be sponsoring 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club with three sets of tyres to raffle. The first one was won by Andy Faber at the club picnic, the second set will be raffled in June and the last set towards the end of the year. Bridgestone also donate prizes for our club meetings and without Bridgestone things would not be as exciting. THANK YOU BRIDGESTONE Your local Bridgestone dealer is Johann Viljoen (Club Member) 021 949 5041 Website Sponsors All our website advertisers are long standing members or friends of the club, have been active members and have excellent reputations. They are afforded exclusive adverting in their specific line/range/product. Please support them. Commercial 4x4 Trips and advertising Most of the trips offered by 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club are trips run by the club's guides but certain areas such as Saddle Hill, Faces of the Namib and a few others are controlled by operators. We have once again assessed the operators and have decided to advertise trips for "Live The Journey". There are a number of commercial operators who are members of 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club and we have selected Philip Scott of Sackville Safaris as the only operator whose ethics and professionalism are beyond reproach and have afforded him exclusive rights BUT please note any commercial trip will be advertised as such and it will be noted. Club Operations Although running 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club takes hours every day (and I enjoy it) we all have normal jobs and in my case I work as a quantity surveyor (have my own practice) and work as a loss adjuster specializing in construction claims, so when the proverbial happens, work comes first and although technology allows remote access, etc. your emails may not get answered for a few days so if it is a crisis the sms me or call my mobile 082 566 1821 We have some really exciting training, expeditions and adventures this year so keep an eye on your email. Regards Greg Members Page Come on members....send your details and a family photo to Russell for inclusion on the members page. Russell also adds everyone to the birthday list, so send these as well. russdewet@icon.co.za   Website Sponsors. All our website advertisers are long standing members or friends of the club, have been active members and have excellent reputations. They are afforded exclusive adverting in their specific line/range/product. Please support them.