Steering a life filled with alluring automobiles.

I believe that every person has a story to tell and before you judge - you should always remember this. However, when that person also collects cars - there will be plenty more stories to tell and sometimes the stories that they cannot or will not tell, are the most interesting of all. Some may go like this: "I just hope that when I die, my wife doesn't sell these cars for the same price I told her I bought it for. It will be an absolute travesty".

Well, fortunately, the well-known Herman Nel does not have a story like the latter - at least this is what he assured me and despite him being quite a naughty bugger - I believe him - hmmm - reconsider - yes, let's leave it at that.

His adult life started as a bywoner on a farm where he was given a small piece of land to utilise at his discretion. As time went by he rented more land to keep sheep and because of the drought in the Freestate - this was in the early 60's - he often bought ewes with lambs for one pound ten. He later moved to Griekwaland East to find better grazing but the long and the short is that through the years he bought various farms, and with government money on the boil too, eventually settling in Komatipoort.

Herman in his 1912 Model T.

"There was no-one in my family - except my own son - who had any interest in things mechanical," says Herman. "I could however never get enough of playing with and collecting dinky toys. I never played outside with any of my toys and I still have every single one as part of my collection in the museum. I studied them in detail which eventually gained me extensive knowledge on cars in general. My dad drove a Chev and I loved Chev's but that was because of, if I look back, stupidity,” he says and that far-off-look comes across his face.

But then he married his wife Marie. Her dad loved Ford's. And a German teacher of his drove a 1957 Ford which he considered "just the most beautiful thing he has ever laid eyes on" and he still does. So, other than being a Ford fanatic, and naughty by nature, he also loves tractors and he does have a few in his museum just outside of White River.

He used Ford bakkies on the farm and this also stimulated his love for Fords. And then we sort of explored the Ford Kuga issues of the moment. He holds an interesting, and not too far-fetched theory about this, but let’s just leave it at that.

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His first car was a 1960 Beetle – “a car with a good heart” and the first and the last successful German car ever built,” he says. Next was a 1964 Zephyr 6 Sport fitted with a Lambons front suspension? “It was affordable and very popular in those years”. And then he tells me about six young girls (ages 17-21) – in a restaurant in Chicago and their love for Chevy’s Nova’s and Cadillac’s - sugar daddy’s and the rest. These large cars were considered safer than smaller cars but what he loved most - besides the girls (I thought that - I did not say it), was the massive chrome surfaces on these cars. “Ek’s mal oor chrome”, he chirps.

We reminisced a little about a Jaguar Mk11 with gold plated spokes on the rims - “it was a special edition,” he says. Yes, he also loves Jaguars - owned a number of them and have some in his collection.

His favourite 1957 Ford Fairlane 500.

His first restoration was a 1957 Fairlane (part of his collection) which he built from five different carcases, three of which he which he salvaged from previous road administration/maintenance camps. The restoration took four years to complete. “It is important to me that all restoration projects render an authentic and as close to original as possible, product. For example, I import all the spark plugs because the small cup on the tips of these, carry the Ford logo. I import all the parts required for restoration. One can also source most through a local company called Import it All. Parts for English brands - except Jaguar, are very difficult to find. Interesting to know is that Henry Ford 3rd was nuts about Jaguars - but he could never admit to it".

More Fairlanes.

Then we got sidetracked by a story about American visitors building a church in South Africa - visited his museum and the relationship which has developed since then. One of these visitors and an employee of Ford, told Herman that Henry Ford the 3rd loved the Jaguar brand so much that he instructed his executives to go and buy the Jaguar manufacturer. Yes - well travelled and connected Herman certainly is. Herman also owned an E-Type which proved not to be a favourite with his wife though. The S-Type’s parts carry the Ford logo - the XK comes with a four litre Ford engine - the man is a walking encyclopaedia of motoring knowledge and insights.

After his first Zephyr, which he bought new, Herman drove seven Mercedes Benzes, inclusive of a 350S in a row - but he prefers not to talk about these. Then came a Rambler, a Kombi and two Sierra station wagons – a 1993 model with which he did 380 000 trouble-free kilometres. It was serviced on the farm. Then there was the Falcon and a 1967 F100 bakkie fondly referred to as the Green Mamba. A Peugeot was followed by an absolutely useless Chev C10 and from 1977 onwards he only owned Ford bakkies.

A Fiat 1500 which spend more time at the dealership - received more new engine installations than the letters in his names and is hated by his wife, is also still part of his collection.

But as is part and parcel of any interaction with a collector of Herman’s stature, there is always another story that just needs to be shared. Once he registered his disdain with Ford’s executive management about them not having a car that can compete with Mercedes and the rest. On Sunday's he had to park his Sierra a few blocks away from the church as all the good parking spots were taken by those other cars. This did not sit well with him. Ford introduced him to a car only available in Australia at the time and to be imported at a cost of R800 000 but of course this “was somewhat ridiculous and I declined”,

A1923 Lincoln; a car for presidents and even the Mafia, and sporting some interesting features like twin rear-view mirrors. 

We spoke about his long-time relationship with Colin Lazarus of Lazarus Ford in Gauteng and yes, of course, there some stories to tell also.

Herman, if I force your hand about your favourite favourites in your collection or otherwise, which cars would that be? “He became very quiet - my three 1957 Ford Fairlane’s inclusive of the Thunderbird and the Club Victoria. Then there is the 1936 Roadster, a 1980 Thunderbird which was released to celebrate the brands 25th birthday and which carries a nameplate on the dash with his name on, the 1940 Ford bakkie, his Model T and A and the 1923 Lincoln of which there are only three in the world.

And then the stories really started to filter through - too many for the scope of this article - about some cars that were hidden - so-called raffle winnings - Model T’s bought for R7000 - a Thunderbird for R23 900 - a 1963 Lincoln with Mafia connections - a Bible quote about Babel and the pursuit of money/greed and so forth. “Collecting like this is an illness - only you don’t become sick or die because of it,” he says.

The 1936 Roadster and one of my personal favourites in the collection.

And the strategically placed chairs around the museum? “Those accommodate my quiet time. I sit there and observe the cars - the collection totals 70. No, I am not doing nothing - I am busy with strategic planning. There are project cars among the completed cars. Every car - even those that one initially considers ugly, offers specific beauty elements and in time, one learn to love and appreciate these,” he concluded.

Herman does accommodate visitors to the museum in small groups of 6 and by prior arrangement only. You can contact him on 084-577-8681 and visit his website at www.oldcarhaven.co.za for more on the history of this collection. And in case you are wondering - it rained cats and dogs on the day I visited thus the reason for not being able to photograph the cars outdoors.

A1934 Airflow De Solo.

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I love orange

One cannot refer to her as being pint-size because this girl-child is, well, just that: a girl-child. A little shy, blonde, and yes, pink is definitely not her favourite colour. So what is your favourite colour? Orange, she delights. Why orange? "Because my bike is orange". And what bike is that? "A KTM," she laughs! So, in my mind, she spells orange: k-t-m.

"When she was born, we decided that she needs a strong name and Mackenzie is such a name," says mum, Elizabeth. It is our intention to raise Mackenzie in a way that will teach her that it is not about being a boy or a girl. It is about living and achieving one's full potential either way.

"To this end, we have always encouraged her to participate and explore as many extracurricular activities as possible, and to our astonishment, she has enjoyed swimming, gymnastic, ballet, horse riding, mountain biking (Spur Series) and more," says dad, Chris. This little girl is a gold digger. When you walk into her room, there it hangs: lots and lots of medals!

Mackenzie is 7 years old and in Grade 2 in Penryn Prep. She has been riding from the age of three on an Oset 12.5, later replacing it with an Oset 16, and then a Yamaha Peewee 50. Of course, this last one not being her favourite colour, she had to upgrade to the KTM 50. Now she is kicking butt like it is the most natural thing to do. At least, this is what she thinks and the boys - well, they can but only watch.

She enjoys the kiddies racing, part of the Lowveld Enduro Club series, and she will now participate in the Manna MX Series, also to be part of the National Northern Region series. She will also compete in the GXCC series.

Mackenzie has also participated in the T-Bone Series, which brings the best of the best together, making it extremely competitive and a great opportunity to watch and learn.

So what do you want to do when you grow up? "Ride my bike," she says. Don't you think you should go study something? "No, I want to ride my bike," and she giggles, "I want to become a KTM-sponsored rider like Travis Teasdale..."
Although I could not convince her to kit up, once on the Oset and racing the short track in the backyard, it was obvious that Mackenzie has found her niche and perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future, she will be referred to as Bam Bam Mackenzie: "Bam Bam" being a sticker on her KTM.

"I don't ride that much anymore. As rewarding as it is, supporting and watching Mackenzie ride over weekends is even more rewarding," concluded Chris.

She may be shy off her bike, but when she is on it, she is fearless and her skill set, even at this young age, is remarkable.

Go Mackenzie Go ...

Oud onnie en leerling vandag boesemvriende.

Oom Jan (links) saam met Carel Dannhauser

Carel Dannhauser is alombekend in Witrivier en die Laeveld. Dié afgetrede sakeman, eertydse burgemeester van Sabie en Witrivier, en steeds kranige motorverkoopskonsultant, skryf sy sukses grootliks toe aan die grondslag wat beide 'n eertydse onderwyser en sy ouers gelê het.

Volgens dié onderwyser, oom Jan Struwig, was Carel voorbeeldig tot die dag dat hy en 'n paar ander seuns die lugdrukpype tussen die passasierswaens van die trein waarmee hulle elke dag skool toe moes ry, ontkoppel het en hulle toe laat by die skool aangekom het. Maar behalwe om te bloos wanneer 'n mens verder oor Carel se streke uitvra, word daar niks verder gepraat nie.

Oom Jan, wat weens finansiële redes nie ná matriek kon gaan studeer nie, het met die hulp van verskeie mense, 'n klerkpos by die Landdroskantoor in Middelburg gekry en hiervaandaan vorentoe het hy elke geleentheid wat na sy kant toe gekom het, aangegryp. Hy het onder andere later vir BA Regte ingeskryf (buitemuurs) en sommer met die intrap, al vyf sy eerstejaarsvakke geslaag. Toe ontmoet hy 'n nooi Johanna - "'n mooi meisie met 'n rooi bloesie" (seg Oom Jan) - in Waterval Boven. Sy was 'n onderwyseres.

Hy het sy regskursus se vakke aangepas, die graad voltooi en toe, nadat hulle getroud is, sy onderwysdiploma binne 18 maande en na-ure deur Normaalkollege voltooi. Sy eerste onderwyspos (1956) was in Waterval Boven en dit is hier waar hy vir Carel klas gegee het tot in matriek. Dié klas het verskeie toekennings deur die jare verwerf en onder andere ook 'n studiefonds gestig om kinders te help. "Die respek en deernis waarmee Oom Jan elke kind, ongeag sy of haar vermoë behandel het, is steeds vandag in my geheue vasgevang," vertel Carel.

Die twee het mekaar twee jaar gelede in 'n plaaslike sakesentrum raakgeloop en maande later was hulle op 'n bustoer Kaap toe. Vele gonsgroepies later word daar nou soos ware deur-dik-en-dunvriende gekuier. Sit hulle langs mekaar aan die kombuistafel, is daar eenvoudig geen einde aan die warmhartstories en onnutsighede nie.

Maar ja, toe is dit tyd vir Oom Jan om my eers bietjie aan die natuurskoon op sy klein plasie net buite Nelspruit te gaan voorstel.

Oom Jan was ook vise-hoof van 'n landbouskool waar daar, soos op 'n plaas, nie van kantoorure gepraat word nie. Dit was plaas-pligte van dou voor dag, skool en dan weer plaaspligte tot laataand. En om 'n lang storie kort te knip, Oom Jan word uiteindelik die hoof by Hoër Tegniese Skool Springs (HTS).

HTS Springs se personeel met Oom Jan voor in die middel. 

Met 'n personeel van 82 en twee adjunkhoofde, was HTS ook een van die eerste skole in die land wat as gevolg van dié onderwyser se visie, 'n rekenaarsentrum gekry het. "Dit is hier waar ek besef het watter wonderlike geleentheid 'n tegniese skool vir leerlinge bied. Wiskunde en, Natuur en Skeikunde, wat beide universiteitstoelatingsvakke was, was verpligtend."

Oom Jan vertel - so met 'n ondeundheid in die oog - hoe hy by geleentheid 'n bullebak in C-baan en by 'n ander geleentheid, 'n weerstandige jong onderwyser tot orde geroep het. Agter 'n geslote klaskamerdeur - baadjie en das uitgetrek - het hy agter sy appels (vuiste) gaan staan en die knape uitgedaag om wat hulle probleem ook al was, met hom uit te pluis. Geweldadig was dit toe nie. Want sien, dié meneer se blatante astrantheid was net te veel vir dié mannetjies se konstitusies en hulle het terstond hul houdings verander. Die goeie ou dae né?

Opening van die rekenaar sentrum

Nou ja - myse ma sê, as jy met waardigheid kan oud word en leef, dan was die ou dae, swariggeit en als, inderdaad goed, ja...

Travelling the world to fulfil a dream.

"Of course it's true, everyone's born with a gift - one that will allow them to fill a special place in the Universe that absolutely no one else can fill. A blessing that makes all other blessings pale in comparison. A gift of incalculable value to the entire world when it's uncovered, explored and embraced," - The Universe.

Anna Crechishkina was born in Ukraine and at age 25, something happened which Anna says, she still cannot explain. "In hindsight, I was perhaps becoming bored with the 09:00 to 17:00 routine and everything it presented. I just had this irresistible urge to ride a motorcycle. I enrolled in a riding school, got my licence and bought my first bike - a Kawasaki Eliminator 125 which was later replaced by a Vulcan 900. Travelling in the Ukraine and then to neighbouring countries like Europe, Asia and the Middle East lit a fire for riding within me and the thought of travelling the world started to foster in my mind. A four-month trip to India followed and in 2012 I made a firm decision and started preparing for my world tour. Planning took 15 months - presented many doubts and eventually a sponsored bike from KTM. I was on my way."

Where does one start with a story that will eventually become a book or two - a film perhaps? Adventures like this are filled with colour, smells, sounds, landscapes, intense emotions, people, tastes and technical challenges, which have to be managed on a tight and sometimes non-existent budget. Anna started with $1000. "This lasted for about three months," she says. "So the fact that I am still travelling, is an indication that this trip, despite all the challenges, was meant to be."

She travels mostly on national roads and during the day. Planning is not too detailed and intense as she prefers to be flexible to allow for those many miracles and diversions within every moment and every kilometre. The intent is to be and find authenticity within every experience, however, fleeting it may be. The fact that she has no technical skills to repair or service the bike in an emergency is of course also a factor to consider. And "it seems the Universe knows this as I have not had any major mechanical challenges," she says. "Something always happens to make me aware of a possible problem which is then fixed before I continue with my journey."

Fear will prevent most people from tackling this type of adventure. "I am a loner and I travel light," says Anna. This does not distract from the fact that I want to set an example and motivate others to also follow their dreams. I am not a professional rider or traveller and I am certainly not fearless - I have to work at and manage my fear, loneliness and the urge to give up. Often it is the encouragement from my many Facebook friends and followers that motivate me not to give up. The Universe also has this uncanny knack for providing exactly what is needed when it is needed and well, I cannot argue or fail with such support - can I? Being grateful for everything and expressing it in my mind, has become the energy that drives my every intention and action."

Define yourself? "Today I am more confident and believe that everything will work out." What is my biggest life lesson this far? "Be and stay humble," she says. People are most amazing and supportive when I share my intentions and stories about my trip." As you will see from the map I have included with the pictures, Anna's trip has taken her to many interesting corners of the globe over the past three years and four months.

Bilene in Mozambique 

On the way, she visits schools and orphanages to convey a message of hope that will motivate kids to follow their dreams. "One of my goals is also to set a Guinness World record for the longest solo trip by a woman motorcyclist."

"Everything is possible - every idea that presents itself in your mind means something and one should pay attention. The most difficult part of this trip is to say goodbye. And I still have to see a lot of South Africa before I continue to the next country but since you insist - I think Chilli is my favourite country so far."

There is much more to tell and share about Anna - her dream and this trip. I concluded the interview with this question: "What is the first thing you will buy once this trip comes to an end? "A dog - a Labrador," she said. And that my dear reader came without hesitation and from her heart.

If you want to follow Anna visit her Facebook page or www.ihaveadreamtravel.com. Anna stayed with Rika de Bruyn (duh - who else) while she explored the Lowveld, Mozambique and Swaziland. Rika is one the most accomplished and respected female adventure riders in SA and the owner and organiser of the immensely successful Lowveld (LDBA) and Natal (NDBA) Dual Bike Challenges.

Written by Matthys Ferreira and first published in the Autodealer Lowveld.

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is an awareness of whatever is happening in the present moment – now!

Osho, one of the wise men of ancient times, said, “Man has to learn only one thing – that it takes only a single step and the journey is over – that step is to do everything watchfully! A man or woman who can do everything fully conscious, becomes a luminous phenomenon”.

 I have had a number of experiences over the last couple of weeks which would serve as excellent examples of how not to provide a service.

What is it with service providers in Nelspruit? Do they not understand what it takes to respond to requests and or suggestions by customers?

I am beginning to understand why this is called the “slow-veld”.

This does not mean that one has to accept it as the standard. Just state your case and take your business elsewhere!

 But be that as it may, in business, a slow reaction or lacklustre approach to customer service, will at some point cost you money or even your business and when it happens, please do not point fingers at anybody else – you are responsible!

 If one, in my mind, does things with a watchful awareness, you will always do everything in a state of single-mindedness and therefore there will never be reason to question your intention – there will never be a reason to query service levels and yes, I do accept that we all falter from time to time – we should accept this as part of our humanness and also forgive all those and ourselves when we falter!

 Once this falter becomes a habit, though, claiming humanness does not cut it anymore. Another thing that perhaps leads to falter, is that we want to, randomly, do many things at the same time and this almost always leads to us not doing anything properly.

This can be managed, though, through structured delegation. And, delegation that also entails that the other accepts the responsibility that accompanies the delegation.

 I will leave you with this thought! The present moment, whatever it offers, is always perfect – it can never be anything else! Creation is perfect – it can never be anything else! Food for thought – for everyone of us!

Enjoy and be good!

Live the moment / live in this moment

Much have been said and written about being in the/this moment. The importance of this can never be stressed enough. Our busy lifestyle is constantly engaging our minds with past, current and future thoughts and thinking - to the point that we become completely exhausted.

The Universe only recognizes this moment – now. Past and future thinking prevent us from experiencing those many, and often small miracles that happen in our space all the time. It is important than one visualizes your goals and aspirations but consistent dwelling on it, or worrying about anything, to the detriment of living this/now moment, is not good.

The question then remains – what should one do to stay in the moment? First of all is to acknowledge and accept whatever happens in this moment wherever you find yourself. And then to become aware of your breathing – nothing brings you back into the moment – and for that matter, into the presence of God the Great Spirit, than being aware of your breathing.

And to this end, I would like to share two breathing techniques with you. Try it and feel free to share your experiences.  

The Ultimate Meditation  

(This is also a wonderful technique to use during the day – even if only for 5 minutes). 

We often hear the expression that to meditate one has to “empty” the mind. The better understanding is that of a “still” mind. When we “instruct” the mind to focus on more than one thing at a time, it becomes still.

For this meditation you can either sit or lie down but always keep the spine straight.

Become aware of your breathing. Be aware of the coolness of the inhaling through the nose. Pay attention to your chest and belly movements and the sound of the inhale. Relax into the breathing and the rhythm. Do this for a short period.

Now expand your awareness to include an awareness of the warmness of the out breath whilst still being aware of your sound and the chest and belly movements. Stay with this for a short period.

Now it is time to also become aware of your heartbeat, feel it, hear it but still keep the awareness of the inhale and exhale … the sound, the coolness and the warmness … feel the chest and the belly … feel the heart! Stay within this awareness for a period.

Become aware of the prana (life force energy) which is drawn into the body with every breath? Do not allow the mind to define the experience, because it will limit the experience and thus ruin it!

Now extend your awareness into to include your hands and then your face, nose and take this process through the whole body.

Practice this meditation for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Enjoy!


Twenty Connected Breaths (Conscious Energy Breathing)

This exercise only takes 30 seconds depending of the “speed” that you employ and is wonderful to energise the body and the mind.

Let’s do it!

• Four short breaths
• At the end of each four – one deep breath
• Inhale/exhale through the nose
• Four short – one long – repeat 4 x non-stop
• Breaths should be connected – don’t stop in between or take a “breather”
• The idea is to create a constant circle of breath
• Begin with this cycle  4 counts in – 4 counts out 4x
• Deep breathe - 8 counts in – 8 counts out 1x
• Repeat the cycle 4x

You can lengthen the in and out time if you so wish, but start with moderation! This really is a powerful technique!

You may experience dizziness, tingling sensations in the hands or stomach or elsewhere in the body. The sensations might differ from practice to practice. This simply means that you are learning and benefiting from the breathing. You might want to do this particular exercise only once per day initially until the body has become used to the extra oxygen. Practice this exercise consistently for one year and you will be surprised by your newfound breathing awareness.

THE MANUAL

Owner's Manual for a Life within Time and Space 


Package Contents:

    1. Thinker (you)
    2. Magical Universe with unyielding principals

Instructions:

    1. Think about the desired manifestation in its final form (the end result).
    2. Physically follow hunches, instincts, and intuition - enabling movement in the direction of the final form.

Expected Results: 

Manifestation will slip into Thinker's life when least expected, likely via so-called coincidences and accidents, unless contradictory thoughts are entertained.

Manufacturer's Note:

Believing in the necessities of blood, sweat, and tears, OR sacrifice, worthiness, and years may severely impede the manifestation process, as will worrying about the "hows and means" of attaining desired final form. Additionally, as long as Thinker consistently and perpetually physically moves as outlined, contradictory thoughts will be mitigated and weakened. In other words, as long as you keep doing your part, you needn't worry that you sometimes worry.

Guaranteed results 

Source - The Universe