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123 entries.
wrote on July 23, 2024
at
6:30 am
Dear Alan
It is hard to describe what I have felt in the past 6 weeks. My senses and emotions have been struck from every angle. It has been both a pleasure and a terror to learn South Africa's culture and societal make up that constitute "normal". So far removed from my life inthe UK, I found myself forgeetting what my values were during a busy night shift in the hopsital. It has not been easy. Thinking back, it is obvious that Swanage has been my rock. I must be honest, I was confused about what this place was I arrived, this is not your normal holiday accommodation. Yet slowly it has become clear to to me, this is a family. The culture is to help your neighbour (quite literally), despite arriving as a stranger, to bring a sense of normality to our life. Your food, chats and advice have made this feel like a home. You are "petros" Dr Peter, Thank you.
Nick - Friend of Frankie Postles.
wrote on July 23, 2024
at
4:30 am
Dear Alan
Bara hospital in the the midst of a long night shift often feels like a place of darkness. It was Swanage which every morning produced the cleansing power of light. Quiet contemplation with a cup of strong tea around the table in the morning sun, with churning cascade of the fountain in the background became something of a daily ritual. Punctuating those long shifts in Bara were countless moments of profound humanity. Beneath every blanket in that cold cluttered, machine filled resus bay were men and women in moments of deep consequence. Every blood taken, each line inserted, every chest drain placed, one comes up against the acid reality of the fleeting nature of life. All too easy to dilute the potency of each encounter, all too easy to disassociate from the weighty responsibility one has to their patients. It was a home to return to and the warmth of its inhabitants which made this work both possible and deeply meaninful. I am one of many to spill ink reflecting on a time spent in Swanage, reading through many entries. Themes of family, peace, community are common currency. Common currency as they are worth so much. Thank your Alan.
Frankie x Friend of Nick Monioudis
wrote on June 27, 2024
at
3:27 pm
I could have written my name under Sophie's review and be done. But not this time.
So what's left to say? Time had been flying for the past two months. It's really weird to leave this place., Bara and everything else behind. We met and became friends with so many people from all around the world and I think I will miss sharing our meals and talking to each other the most. After all I can say that SA and especially Bara was not what I expected. It's an amazing country with a beautiful landscape, amazing views and fascinating wildlife. On the other hand, you have this big disparity between blacks and whites, poor and rich and all these people inbetween who love their country and try their best to make SA a better palce. It took some time to find my way to handle the things that happed in Bara and overcome the prejudice toward Soweto, but talking to Alan and Luyanda, they have shown us a different picture. So now for our host! Thank you Alan for having us and all your efforts to make Swanage a home. Thank you for all the good talks even in the mornings when I was barely alive, all the fantastic travel tips, lending us your camping equipment and everything else. You really made Swanage and our stay unforgettable and we difinitely will come back to learn more about your infinite knowledge about wildlife. So "KLARTEXT" ....every cygnet has to leave the next at some point so farewell and see you soon. Georg,
wrote on June 27, 2024
at
12:51 pm
Dear Alan, dear Swans and future Swans, our time here has come to an end and we both cannot really believe that this adventure is already over. But looking back at the two months, we know it wouldn't have been the same without you, Alan! Gathering people around the dinner table to meet, laugh and enjoy each other's company is only one part that makes Swanage a home for all of us. You take care of every soul that joins the family. Thank you for that! And thank you for being probably the most underpaid travel agency in South Africa. Kruger - Tamboti camp four overnights and night drives in the South of the Park. Garden route - Robberg Nature reserve 9 km walk with seal and whale watching and the Pilanesberg Safari ++++ So whater your plans are and you need some inspiration --- ask Alan. He might just get you to enjoy watching birds in National Parks and look them up in books he lends to you. Trust us, looking for eagles while having lunch is amazing. We could fill pages with places to visit here but most importantly we always looked forward to come back to Swanage. So while we had our last cup of coffee this morning, we finish this entry with the same words we said goodybye. See you in a few months for a big Safari. Anso and Georg
wrote on June 4, 2024
at
1:07 pm
Dear Alan, As it happens, I did indeed come back from Sudan and here's the second note that I shall write in just one year (perhaps thats' a record to beat somewhere in this book). Your kindness and joy in hosting many students like myself is truly valuable and I truly wish you all the best in continuing to make this place available for future swans. Thank you for going out of your way to organise a Safari to the Pilanesberg and making it possible for us to see the lions, but of course people beat animals and that was the biggest joy of being on safari. With your impending PR status in SG your'e always most welcome. I applaud your efforts and the work you do in spiriitually nourishing your swans and know that it is truly valuable. Contine being pulmonoloigst, priest, pianist and park Ranger and do what you do best ::)) Till we meet again. Christen from Singapore
wrote on May 31, 2024
at
4:27 pm
Dear Alan, Swanage and all future Swans . Writing here to say good by, or in Chinese this means see you again. Thanks for being such a good host/friend/and a role model to look up to. Thanks for all your effort to calm my nerves to come here, to a new continent. Also thanks for answering all my philosophical questions. This placement has been amazing, pilanesberg was fantastic, the restaurant Fahrenheit memorable, but I think what I will miss in South Africa the most is you. Thanks for all the kindness again, I shall come back, Volunteering, ATLS Fellowship. Please reserve a room for me because I will be back. Ronald Nam
wrote on May 31, 2024
at
6:16 am
Dear Alan I will start with your suggestion, Veni Vidi Vici, these four months at Swanage have been wonderful and you and the Swans have been family to me. Swanage is a place of happiness, a place where to go back after a tough call at Bara, a place where we can organise a huge farewell dinner knowing that everyone will feel welcome, a place where everyone can cook food from their country to share with each other. I know you are gonna miss me "your swan leader" but be strong, you will survive ! If you ever need advice I will be available! You have done an amazing job here and I'm sure that you will keep doing that
I will miss this place.
Ari
wrote on May 18, 2024
at
6:33 am
Dear Alan and all future swans
Swanage is truly an amazing place! I do not beleive there are many others who could create such a warm community spirit. What you do here giving us all a home away from home ( for great value too) is incredible Thank you for hosting me and for all the of the memories. Sleeping out under the stars on safari or sharing experiencews with other swans in Bara, the variety and contrast of SA is confusing but with Alan's education programme covering the reproductive talents of Pilanesberg thrrough to growing up in Aparthei from both sides I leave with more than a few pre conceptions challenged. Remember, It's a ptient ....not a chest drain opporunity. Look forward to my next visit Leo..
wrote on April 15, 2024
at
8:25 am
Dear Alan my two and half months in South Afrcia sadly come to an end, but I leave with so many memories. My highlight was definitely the awesome community we had here at Swanage. it made my stay so wholesome and I enjoyed every minute of it. The two safaris to Pilanesberg and Drakensberg trip., the dinners at cheap and good places to eat or just hanging out at Swanage were just a few of these countless nice days I spent here. And we Swans can have this nice time because you do everything to make us feel like home. Thank you also for taking me back and forth to Bara and even to the post-intake round. Swanage really became my home in SA and I hope I can find my way back here soon one day. Mit besten Grube, Michael aus Deutschland
wrote on April 1, 2024
at
7:33 am
There are two things you can really rely on in South Africa, Uber and Alan.
Dear Alan, you made my time here in Joburg very very enjoyable. You provided a safe and nice home away from home and included me into the Swanage family. I will never forget our awesome Safari experience in the Pilanesberg and I still believe the leopard 5m away from us was a paid actor you hired. That was ubelievable !!! Thank you so much for everything. This was a FIVE STAR RATING, liebe Grube,
Jan from Germany Let me know when yo uare around Frankfurt or Cologne.
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