Cove Rock Country Estate

Cove Rock Country Estate Grapevine March 2011 - Number 009 “The Cove Rock Grapevine” is a newsletter for residents of Cove Rock Country Estate. It is published every month and your input is welcomed. The aim of the newsletter is to: * Inform residents of happenings around the estate * Share advice and general information * Talk about wonder of the environment we live in * Get to know fellow residents through residents profiles – a resident will be featured in each edition. If you have some input or would like the newsletter emailed to other residents or family, simply send an email to Werner Illgner at werner@illgner.net or call him on 083 6020296 / 043 736 8980/011 787 2953. Website: http://coverock.pbworks.com

Know your neighbour A thoroughly nice family Bert and Linda Videler who have a house at 141 Beachcomber Drive, have lived on our Estate since December 1999. Let Bert tell their story in his own words:

"My wife and I were both born in Rotterdam, Holland, and immigrated to South Africa in 1967. We met at a Christian dance school where young people were taught to dance and have a social time on Sunday afternoons. Linda finished her matric and various courses and worked for an insurance company. My career was in aviation and I worked for the Royal Dutch Airforce as an instrument technician. Through my work I was offered a position at "Atlas Aircraft Corporation" now called "Denel Aviation", where I was employed for 13 years in Pretoria, during which time our two sons were born: Ron in 1970 and Edwin in 1972.

Ron is now married to Natasha and lives in Coral Crescent 17; they have three sons: Reuel, Ronan and Raphael. Edwin and his wife Therese live in Cape Town and have one son, Timothy and one daughter, Faith. He has his own practice in the Panorama hospital as a Pulmonologist. Ron, our eldest son, is also a pastor like both of us and together we are part of River Ministries Group, which runs the TBN Network and CTV channels on satellite TV, under the leadership of pastor Andre and Jenny Roebert. We have LIVE TV services every Sunday morning at 9am and cover the whole of Africa. Our lives are filled with the desire to see many people reconnect or discover the Goodness and Love of God in a real way and that keeps us young. It is so wonderful working for His Kingdom. Although we are at an age of so called pensioners, there is nothing in us that wants to sit down and "rest". We love living in Cove Rock: it’s unique, special and enjoyable. Our favourite holiday destinations are Israel and Holland.

By the way we really enjoy seeing the BULLS play and win.”

All about our environment

Monitor Lizards - Fearsome Predators on Land and Water

The scary looking Monitor Lizard or Leguaan is found on our Estate normally close to water. Monitors, agamas and chameleons are more closely related to snakes than to other lizards; they are all believed to fall into the "venom clade" because, although they do not have fangs which can inject venom, they do have salivary glands that produce toxic proteins.

Monitor lizards (or leguaans, although in South Africa we commonly use the Afrikaans name, "likkewaan") are fascinating but neglected animals, possibly because only an enthusiast would find them attractive. This family has 59 species worldwide in a single genus (Varanus), including the fearsome Komodo Dragon.

The two species in southern Africa are the Nile Monitor or Water Leguaan (Varanus niloticus - Africa's largest lizard) and the Rock Monitor or Tree Leguaan (Varanus albigularis). (In places like Zimbabwe there are occasional sightings of Election Monitors - these are not strictly lizards and their impact on their environment is so negligible they might as well be extinct.)

The Nile monitor may possibly reach 2m, 60% of which would be tail, but this would be exceptional. Rock monitors are slightly shorter and bulkier, with tails slightly longer than the body.

Monitors are fearsome predators, hunting on and under the ground, in trees and (in the case of the Nile monitor) in the water. They differ from snakes in having movable eyelids and external ears, but they do have forked, snake-like tongues which they use in conjunction with the Jacobson's organ, a fluid-filled bi-lobed sensory organ in the roof of the mouth.

The twin ends of the tongue collect odour particles from the air and then deliver them to the corresponding receptors of the Jacobson's organ, which can detect differences in strength on each tongue tip and from this gauge the direction of the scent, allowing the monitor to follow scent trails.

They will eat practically anything: insects, reptiles, frogs, small mammals up to the size of domestic cats, birds and eggs, carrion and rubbish.

Water monitors also catch fish and are among the most important predators of crocodile eggs. They have been observed using teamwork for this; one distracts the mother crocodile while others rush in to dig up the nest.

Their short powerful legs are armed with strong claws which they use both for digging and climbing; I have seen one emerging with a chick from a bee-eater's nest in a vertical bank which would be inaccessible to snakes.

Water monitors are excellent swimmers, folding their legs in and using their tails like crocodiles, and can stay underwater for well over half an hour. They can run astonishingly fast over a short distance, and invariably head for water when disturbed.

They are often found up trees and will hurl themselves into the water from considerable heights; this has caused a certain amount of consternation on canoe trips when one has landed next to, and on one memorable occasion actually in, a canoe.

Rock monitors are generally found further from water and are more likely to hold their ground when disturbed, hissing and swishing their tails, or in extreme cases, shamming death.

Both species will defend themselves if necessary by biting, scratching and lashing their powerful tails; these last can deliver a stinging blow but cannot, as I was brought up to believe, break your leg.

They do however have very powerful jaws and will hold on like a bull terrier. I know someone who rashly prodded one with his foot; it latched onto the toe of his velskoen and he eventually had to abandon the shoe as the only alternative was to kill the leguaan.

A mature female can produce clutches of eggs weighing almost as much as she does - about 10-40 in rock monitors and 40-60 in water monitors. Reports of incubation periods vary widely and seem also to depend on temperature.

Rock monitors lay their eggs in burrows, but the cunning water monitors usually use a hole dug in a live termite mound. The industrious termites immediately close the hole and the eggs are thus left in a secure temperature-controlled incubator, with termites for the ungrateful hatchlings to eat when they emerge.

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Val du Plessis reports that it seems that the Estate has been blessed with a deluge of baby Guinea fowls. In fact Val saw a flock of 26 recently, of which 21 were youngsters.s to the Editor

Sports and Social Scene

All residents are invited to visit the clubhouse to meet the new faces behind the bar. Freek and Yvonne Strydom have committed themselves to improve the service and conditions at the clubhouse for the benefit of all home owners. They are very energetic and have lots of great ideas which they intend to implement at the clubhouse to bring everyone together on the social scene.

SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES FOR APRIL

1 Highlanders v Brumbies Dunedin 08:35

1 Waratahs v Chiefs Sydney 10:40

2 Blues v Toyota Cheetahs Auckland 06:30

2 Hurricanes v Vodacom Bulls Wellington 08:35

2 Western Force v Melbourne Rebels Perth 13:05

2 Lions v Reds Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg 15:00

2 Sharks v DHL Stormers Mr Price Kings Park 17:05

8 Highlanders v Toyota Cheetahs Dunedin 09:35

9 Crusaders v Vodacom Bulls Nelson 09:35

9 Brumbies v Hurricanes Canberra 11:40

9 Western Force v Waratahs Perth 14:05

9 DHL Stormers v Reds DHL Newlands 17:05

9 Sharks v Lions Mr Price Kings Park 19:10

15 Chiefs v Crusaders Hamilton 09:35

15 Melbourne Rebels v Highlanders Melbourne 11:40

16 Blues v Waratahs Auckland 09:35

16 Reds v Vodacom Bulls Brisbane 11:40

16 Lions v DHL Stormers Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg 17:05

16 Toyota Cheetahs v Hurricanes Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 19:10

17 Brumbies v Western Force Canberra 08:10

22 Blues v Melbourne Rebels Auckland 09:35

23 Crusaders v Highlanders Nelson 09:35

23 Reds v Waratahs Brisbane 11:40

23 Western Force v Vodacom Bulls Perth 14:05

23 Sharks v Hurricanes Mr Price Kings Park 17:05

23 Lions v Chiefs Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg 19:10

29 Highlanders v Blues Dunedin 09:35

30 Hurricanes v Reds Wellington 09:35

30 Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels Sydney 11:40

30 Western Force v Crusaders Perth 14:05

30 Toyota Cheetahs v Brumbies Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 15:00

30 Vodacom Bulls v Chiefs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 17:05

30 DHL Stormers v Sharks DHL Newlands 19:10

BLUE = CLUB WILL BE OPEN FOR THE GAMES

RED = CLUB IS CLOSED FOR A FUNCTION

If there are any Tennis players at Cove Rock who wish to join a tennis/social club, the STIRLING TENNIS CLUB is looking for new members. If interested please Contact Ron at Tel/ 043 736 9619 or Mobile/ 082 800 0480 Email/ ron.monstar@iafrica.com Wanted known/Classifieds

Builder: Need a new house built our existing house alterations? - Ph Willie Van Wyk 082 5782343

Electrician: Home or industrial - we have the experience to do it all - Ph Kenny Beets 073 8410319

Need a blind date ??? We specialise in all types of Blinds and sun control Awnings. Call ‘The Blinds Gallery’ for a free quotation on 079 348 6251. Wendy’s Book Market - Second Saturday of the month outside the clubhouse. Good Books – Good Prices!!!

Ken Marlow – Master Cabinet Maker - Invites you to visit his workshop (as you come into Estate take 1

st right then 1

st

building on left) if you need furniture made. Specializes in Blackwood and Oregon. Contact 076 1448364.

Piano Lessons – right here on the Estate. Contact Karen on 084 8020857

Need a Carpenter? : Chris Lombard (C.L. TIMBERS) built-in cupboards, decks, ceilings, laminated flooring & outdoor furniture etc...) TEL: 0832818123 - We stay in 176 Cowrie Crescent.

Veronica and Hilary van Heerden are attached to Aspiranza Primary School in Buffalo Flats as Temporary Teachers. Since the suspension of the appointment of Temporary Teachers and the Feeding Scheme for learners, they have been

organising a meal for about 200 children at the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays since the opening of schools.

They are appealing to Cove Rock Country Estate residents to support this cause. They are asking for basic items that can

contribute to a nutritious meal for the learners. All contributions, however small, are welcomed.

Contact Details: Hilary: 082 579 9619 Veronica: 079 932 1100 The Garden Club will be meeting at Diaan le Grange’s house on the 20

th of April 2011. For further details contact Nevelyn

on 043 7369712.

For your Information Know your rights! www.justmoney.co.za

Do you know what your rights are when it comes to personal finance, especially things like banking, medical aid, debt and insurance? We thought we’d help you out just a bit… Your rights when it comes to debt If you have not heard from a creditor regarding a particular credit agreement in three years and then a collector suddenly calls, advise them it is a "prescribed debt". When a consumer is struggling with their debt payments they should now know that the National Credit Act and the statutory debt review process is there to help them find a solution. As a consumer you can get a free credit report in the month of your birthday and this is well worth doing. If your credit report is showing debts that you know nothing about, you have the right to bring this up with the credit bureaus to investigate and to resolve. If a consumer gets a summons, the consumer has a right to defend the summons. Most consumers simply ignore the summons, which causes further financial issues down the line. Your rights when it comes to insurance When you are not the guilty party in an accident, you have the right to ensure that your insurance company recovers your excess. You have the right to view your policy documentation before the commencement of an insurance policy. You have the right to expect great service where the promises made to you are kept.

If you are in financial difficulty you have the right to ask your insurance company about options available to reduce the premium. Some companies will offer more discounts if you take out more cover with them. For example, if you have contents, buildings and vehicle insurance you will pay less per unit in comparison to covering them individually. Your rights when it comes to medical aid A medical scheme must accept all applicants, no matter what their age or health status is. What the scheme can, however, do to protect itself is to subject the membership to penalties and waiting periods. If a member voluntarily moves between schemes after having enjoyed more than 24 months of unbroken cover, the member can be levied with a waiting period. However, the client will still be entitled to PMB (prescribed minimum benefits) cover in this waiting period. In the light of the recent robberies that took place on the Estate over the past month I repeat the following advice from CPS – our Estate Security Company. . . .

DO’S 1. Be careful about leaving your vehicle outside at night: rather secure it in a lock-up garage,

preferably with an alarm system. 2. Ensure that your home is well covered by a security system and burglar proofing for all windows (for all the lower levels). 3. Ensure that all the lower level windows are closed and relevant doors locked at night. If you have

sliding doors it would be advisable to fit anti lift brackets. 4. Curtains left open allows an intruder an opportunity to watch and plan his attack route. 5. Check out your surrounding area on arriving home before exiting your vehicle to ensure your safety. 6. Arrange with your neighbors and friends to interact in fighting crime by exchanging contact details and copy all relevant contact details to your cell phone and landline via speed dial, i.e. CPS control room, neighbours, friends on the estate and alarm companies. 7. Ensure that your vehicle is in a well lit area should it stay outside at night. DON’TS 1. Do not leave any valuables in plain sight in vehicles left unattended, as well as in your house. 2. Do not leave any house windows open while away or unattended. 3. Do not leave any keys in doors at night. This makes it easier for an intruder to gain entry and exit

quicker. 4. Do not at any time think that your safety is solely in the hands of your security company.

SECURITY STARTS WITH YOU - WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN STOP CRIME

CONTACT NUMBERS : CPS CONTROL ROOM - 0437211849 : GATE HOUSE - 079 4427901

: SAPS CAPT STEVE MARAIS - 082 416 1597

Release the Giant in You Think about the way you think

Jeffrey Gitomer

"Think" is a word most people say, but don't do. Or at least they don't do it enough.

Ever hear the phrase, "What were you thinking?" Do I have to define what that means? No, because it usually means you weren't thinking.

John Patterson, who founded The National Cash Register Co. in 1880, created "Think!" as the motto -- and a directive -- for

his business.

Many people believe it was Thomas Watson, founder of International Business Machines Corp., who coined the word. What you may not know is that Watson was an employee of Patterson before he got fired and founded IBM.

How do you think? Have you ever thought about the way you unconsciously or subconsciously think?

Have you ever thought about how thinking affects outcomes and results?

Consider these elements of the way thinking affects every area of your life:

It is the process used to make a decision.

It is vital to attitude. It is vital to response.

It is vital to action. It is vital to outcome.

Thinking is a process you develop through conscious practice -- if you're paying attention.

Some people refer to thinking as focus. Not me. Focus is an attribute applied to goal achievement or outcome. I call it

"pause" -- the mental pause between listening and responding. The pause between having a task to do, and executing it.

Thinking is your stream of conscious that takes into account your intellect and your ability to reason, combining it with your experience and your ability to decide.

It's your ability to reflect and consider options and their consequences or risks, weighed against the possible rewards.

"I want to think it over" is one of the classic sales objections (or stalls) of all time. People need time to think, or at least to solidify their initial thoughts.

Thinking is complex. That's why most people don't do it properly. There are several ways to think:

1. In writing. Writing your thoughts allows your thought process to deepen. 2. To yourself. Contemplating action or decision as you gaze out a window.

3. In a group. Bring up your idea or thought and get feedback, or more thoughts.

And my personal favorite:

3.5. Talking to someone. Share your thoughts aloud -- not necessarily to get the other person's input or feedback, but to

hear your thoughts or ideas out loud. When you hear your thoughts as you express them, they become clearer in your mind.

There is tremendous irony in the fact that maximizing our personal freedom requires a higher level of inter-dependence.

Those who miss this end up missing out, and wondering what went wrong.

Ultimately, personal independence means working together. It means listening to each other. It means respecting each other, understanding each other, finding the brilliance and richness we each bring to the table. As we live on this small

planet together - this "third rock from the sun" - let us work so that our political freedoms are matched by extraordinary

levels of personal maturity, wisdom and independence.

A Touch of Inspiration

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. (Winston Churchill)

Snippet Courtesy of Mark Twain

"To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I've done it a thousand times."

A bit of Fun Every picture tells a Story - “ South African Road Signs !!!!!!!?”

A Cape Town woman on tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, saw an elegant shop filled with the most gorgeous coats. She tried on a few, then asked an assistant how much one was.

The assistant looked amused, then replied: "Theez eez - how you say? - a dry-cleaning shop!"

Q: Did you hear that they have raised the minimum drinking age in Benoni to 32?

A: It seems they want to keep alcohol out of the high schools.

Two blondes were traveling in a car to Disneyland. They were traveling along the freeway and were almost there, when

they came to a sign which said "Disneyland Left". So they turned around and drove home.

A CUSTOMER was furious when the waitress served him. “You’ve got your thumb on my steak,” he fumed. “I know sir,” she said. “I didn’t want it to fall on the floor again.”

Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have a "S" in it?

Did you hear about the idiot who stole a calendar? He got twelve months.

Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

A man walks into a dentist’s surgery and says “Can you help me please? I think I am a moth”.

“You don’t need a dentist”, says the dentist, “You need a psychiatrist”. "I know!” says the man.

"So why did you walk into my surgery?” asks the dentist. “The light was on!”, says the man.

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?" "Because white is the colour of happiness and today is the happiest day of her life," her mother tried to explain, keeping it

simple.

The child thought about this for a moment, then said, "So, why's the groom wearing black?" Two silkworms were in a race. They ended up in a tie.

Readers of The Washington Post were asked to provide alternative meanings of common words. Some of the best:

Circumvent (n): an opening in the front of underpants.

Negligent (adj): a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

Gargoyle (n): olive-flavoured mouthwash.

Coffee (n): the person upon whom one coughs.

Flabbergasted (adj): appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Abdicate (v): to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

A husband got in big trouble after his wedding anniversary.

His wife told him the day before: "Tomorrow there had better be something in the driveway for me that goes from zero to

200 in 2 seconds flat." The next morning the wife found a small package in the driveway.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale. My doctor recently told me that jogging could add years to my life.

I think he was right. I've only been jogging once and feel ten years older already.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF A MAN WITH JUST SECONDS LEFT TO LIVE!!!!!