The online home of Guy Laister, containing news of past, current and future activities as well as photo’s of trips far and wide. I was born in South Africa with the benefit of Her Majesty’s passport, and I am currently living in Surrey with my wife. I am a civil/environmental engineer and a founding director of an engineering consultancy in London.
The majority of the worlds best have worked their way into the final 8 of the world cup football in Germany, including pre tournament favorites Brazil, Argentina, France, England etc. I said at the beginning that Brazil must be favorites but with a large pack chasing and it has kind of worked out that way. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink Comments off
Been a while since I had a new toy to play with, and to be honest this one arrived rather unsuspectingly. Makes it all the better! A nondescript email convo with John one day last week resulted in an offer of a brand new, out the box, Palm Tungsten T3 handheld computer - schweeeet! My laptop has made a huge difference in electronic mobility and in combination with my schweet new Netgear wireless modem and router makes surfing the net on broadband anywhere, in the house or outside beaut. My Orange SPV550 smart-phone has further enhanced my ‘mobile’ capabilities by syncing into my laptop to transfer data, send emails, store tasks, calenders and contacts. There is a small gap though between the two, a mobile region not covered by either - enter the palm pilot. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink Comments off
not the kind of post familiar to Chateautoby faithful, but summer in the UK signals time away from the books, Internet and other sources a useful information for littering the site. Ah, on that summer note, Thursday last week was the longest day of the year….. that means that its all down hill from here to winter! Kind of. Except summer hasn’t arrived yet. Don’t worry, those confused readers from foreign shores, I still haven’t worked it all out.
Anyway, so the house hunt is fully under way. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink Comments off
The long, and often painful, process of looking for a new place has begun 
Unfortunately Amy is acting on her long time threat to head south for good, and we are on the hunt for a house from the beginning of August. We have spent 3 1/2 years in our present place, and it will be a pity to move from this awesome location, but the time has come. We’ve decided to shack up in our own place so we’re in the market for a 1 bed place. ground floor. nice garden. big rooms. high ceilings. off street parking. storage facilities for the bikes. close to amenities. close to overland and underground station. quiet location. You know, nothing special, just your average London flat!!! So, anyone with great ideas, speak now!
Permalink Comments off
At 86.75km, barely inches short of a double marathon, the Comrades Marathon takes runners once a year through the full distance between the coastal town of Durban, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, inland to Pietermaritzburg aka ‘The Sleepy Hollow’. Competing and completing the Comrades is a herculean achievement, and yet, year after year, tens of thousands of runners take up the challenge. The route alternates every year between the ‘up’ run, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the reverse, ‘down’ from Maritzborough to the sea.
Officially 11933 runners obeyed the start gun on Friday gone, 16th June 2006 and set off on the ‘up’ run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Congratulations to all those who finished this year (again, for some), including Blake Raubenheimer (who has the honour of wearing the No. 4 race number as a family heirloom), Micky Lynch, Martin Dovey (and Paula) and Kim Rom. Richard Thomason deserves special mention for completing his 10th Comrades, which at the age of 29 must be some kind of record (in sub 8 hours ‘nog al’). There are probably plenty more that I have not been in touch with for a while who competed, congrats to all, a true achievement.
For those that don’t know the race, check out the website its well worth a read.
Permalink Comments off
The ‘Masters Challenge’ fantasy golf kicks back into gear this weekend, as the world’s best descend on the west course of Winged Foot for the US Open. The US Open, and Nick Price in particular provided me with my assault on the summit of last years competition, and I am hoping it (as well as Nick Price!) will do the same again. I have gone wide this major with my 5 picks, and included two narrow-odds players in David Toms and Jim Furyk, one player on form in Geoff Ogilvy, and two ‘oldies’ in Tom Lehman and Nick Price. Nick Price was penned in early doors as I owe him my loyalty, plus he has an incredible record at the US Open. His game has drifted this year though, and he is an outsider at 200-1. This, of course, is good news for him if Nick pulls off a top ten finish. Tom Lehman, the US Ryder cup captain is also a bit of a wild pick but he is in good form, and would love to qualify for the US team in the year that he is captain. A high finish this weekend my provide that. The US Open is notoriously difficult and below par scores will be few and far between come Sunday night/Monday morning. Everyone remember Retief Goosen’s collapse last year? And that was from a man who the majority of tour players actual believe has cold blood running in his veins! Its going to be a great weekend, Tiger will want to win one for his dad, but he hasn’t played since the Masters, and I think that Phil Michelson will stand the test best and take victory. look out for South Africans Tim Clark (tie 3rd last year), Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini. Watch for Miguel Jimenez with Michael ‘Molly’ Kerr carrying the bag.
UPDATE - David Toms has just shot a 79 and Nick Price an 81!! Shiet….. oh well, at least the rest of the scores are horrendous as well, so a decent round tomorrow and both may still be in the hunt. The US Open is the only tournament for which I would say this. Its not denial. Well, maybe…………
Permalink Comments off
The arrival of summer in the UK is grandly celebrated, as the freezing cold, rainy, misty sh1tty weather gives way for blue skies and sunshine (sort of). However, in order to enjoy summer 15% of the UK population have to endure the springtime…… ‘endure’ I say? Yup, and the reason? Hayfever. For the majority of people, hayfever is perceived as just a minor allergic reaction which occurs preriodically to others when the grass is mown. Let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth. Hayfever is exhausting. The constant, uncontrolable sneezing, running nose, itchy blood red eyes… not to mention blocked nose every night causing serious sleep deprivation. But the worst part, is the length of time that sufferers can be affected. Imagine feeling sh1te for, not a couple of days like when everyone occasionally gets ill, but feeling sh1te for 6 weeks. In extreme cases people are rendered useless for the entire spring, cannot work, cannot go outdoors in the morning or early evening, cannot excercise. Useless. And normal people, active, energetic normal people, not people with weak immune systems.
I have never suffered from any allergies or asthma, until, some whatever reason, last year, hayfever struck. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink Comments off
Its no wonder the world seemingly takes an moderate interest, but perhaps reactive stance in the South African Aids epidemic. How can anyone expect relatively wealthy ‘first world’ countries to make an effort and pour millions into promoting, and hopefully making available, antiretroviral drugs? Especially when the health minister, the highest official in the South African government on health related issues, continues to be completely ignorant and stubborn by stating that eating garlic, beetroot and lemons delays the onset of HIV into Aids. Huh? Saw this on IOL yesterday and initially brushed it aside cos that’s what Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is, and that’s the kind of thing she says. Stupid, ignorant, stubborn. Then I thought twice because its bullsh1t. How can someone be that selfish? More importantly how can someone in such a high position in office make such a fool of herself and the country, and continue to jeopardise the good work that Aids activists are trying to do. It’s difficult enough trying to reach the majority of the population.
Permalink Comments off
Bring it on BABY! The 2006 FIFAWorld Cup is no longer a glimmer on the horizon but is on our doorstep. 2 days to kick-off and 3 days to Engerlands first game of their campaign. BTW, fresh news is that (surprise surprise) the boy wonder Wayne Rooney will be in the final Engerland squad.
First up, despite numerous offers to join all sorts of fantasy football leagues, I have pledged allegiance to the Metro fantasy football league. I will be joining Dave and mates in attempting to secure the £10,000 first prize, but more importantly and perhaps more realistically, bragging rights. The competition is free to join, and follows the usual format of selecting a full team of 11 players within budget and with limitations on the number of players from each country. I’m hedging on Portugal and Argentina having a good cup. More than that, I will not reveal! If anyone is keen to join the fun, drop me a line and I will send you info on how to join our league.
Regarding the real cup, I think that Brazil have to be the stand out team, although only marginally. I think that it is actually a really open world cup and is there for the taking. Argentina will provide usual competition along with France and Italy. It is difficult to ignore Germany on home soil although I don’t know if they have enough up front. Moderate outsiders are probably Holland (they need to survive the ‘group of death’ though) and Spain, but the big ’surprise’ package I think are going to be Portugal. They are brim full of talent and have a great coach. All they need is the BMT. As for Engerland, well I would love to see Beckham raise the cup, but realistically I think they are a quarter final or semi final team at best. I will say it though….. ‘COM ON ENGERLAND!’
Permalink Comments off
A true adventure it was - and from long before we landed in Sicily! Sicily is a beautiful island with HEAPS to do, from world class beaches, to the only active volcano in Europe, serious hiking, stunning hilltop villages, Gelati and the CRAZIEST drivers in the world. Serious. A taxi driver from Soweto would sh1t himself. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink Comments off
Design by and · ·