Message to all from forum member Springbok.

I must say I'm glad his wife has banned him from leaving the cape. Let's just hope he listens. " You can't keep a good man down"

Frank we all wish you a speedy recovery.

From Frank.

" Hi Guys
Its been a while so I thought I would just touch sides.
I was wondering around at isandlwana three weeks ago, actually re following the route I think Younghusband took ( think I told you I was going to do that). Suddenly massive chest pains, over I went and thought Love that’s ironic Im going to die on the battlefield. Actually I was being a bit of a drama queen, recovered after ten minutes or so but took the precaution of going back to the RD Hotel. Three oclock the next morning I was fully convinced I was finished, packed up and jumped into the 4 x 4 and drove for a few hours to Durban  ( closest genuine hospital ) however on the way it cleared again so I went straight to the airport and headed back to Cape Town, three hours later I was in intensive care and have been untill today. So two more heart operations later my wife has now banned me from leaving Cape Town and in particular from going back to the Battlefields. Good job Ive spent the last few weeks wondering around, 6000 photos, walked every inch of ever conceivable route. Had a picnic at Chelmsfords Breakfast spot walked the route the impi took from Babanango to Ngwebeni Valley. Done it all and not before time. The population growth has virtually destroyed the atmosphere. Its dissapointing to sit on the battle field just soaking up the atmosphere and having the locals use it ( fenced or not) as a short cut between two villages. Its there country and difficult to argue against their right. But Im glad Ive seen it the way it WAS and having spent the time I have looking at every single person that was involved, knowing where most of them started and a lot finished, the battle falls into place. For once I have to agree with Mike Snook, stare at it long enough and you can SEE it happening in front of yoi.
Take care Friends"
 
Frank

Get well soon Springbok and get back to work on that book. Looking forward to it very much.
All the best
Tasker

Springbok. You have spend more time on the Isandlwana battlefield than the 24th ever did. Time to call it a day. You don't want to end up on the home page in the top left hand corner. So take it easy, and get well soon and fall in for duty when your ready.

PS The good lord Chelmsford is innocent.

Hi Springbok .
I too think you should be banned ! , hope you have a speedy recovery and are soon up and about putting your book together .
I'll speak to you later as I'm getting ready to head off to work .
Cheers 90th.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Frank!

Get well soon Springbok . Looking forward to it very much.
All the best.

"Courage les cartouches sont creuses"

Cheers

Pascal

Springbok.

Hello Frank mate, I have only just read of this, so please forgive me for not replying earlier.

Your contributions to this forum are marvellous, and if the book is anything like those contributions, then we have all got some great stuff to look forward to when it is published. The photo's you have asked Pete to post on the forum have been invaluable to those of us who have no chance of ever getting to S.A, and if the photo's in the book are anything like the ones posted on the forum, then I am sure that you will get many sales of the book.

You have yomped many miles around the battle fields, concentrating on certain aspects at various locations, but now my fellow Lancastrian friend, it is time for you to just concentrate on getting your goodself well, and I hope that you have a speedy recovery.

All my best wishes Frank, get well soon mate.

Martin.

Springbok, please send me a photo of your wife burning your walking boots.

Enough is enough. Know when to stop, and let's have you back on the forum arguing the the toss with CTSG. One of the many highlights of the forum. We need your wit and humour.

Springbok, with plenty of rest, it will get better and better, good luck.

Cheers

Pascal

"yomped"? OMG, Martin Cooper was in the b****y Marines! Might have guessed that, or the Guards, given his knit-picking and obsession with unimportant details - ie BS ! :lol: (sorry martin, just messing! )

Springbok, you'll be back soon enough and don't let your missus boss you around - I never do!?!?!

It is amazing what they can do these days, particularly in cardio-pulmonary, and electro-cardiology.
My old man had a "heart attack" in January 2000, followed by by-pass surgery and latterly a pace-maker and he is just as effervescent and mad now, as he ever was. You have more than a good few decades left in you yet. Just keep doing what you want to do and don't let it put you off - but be sensible during recovery, of course.
I know my old man would rather die on the badminton court or on a mountainside with his skis on, not sitting in an armchair.

Springbok

Come to Brecon - you can die here anytime you like !! I'll have you stuffed and into one of the Zulu War cases before you can say Isandlwana !

Take it easy

Bill

Hi Bill .
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: , Bloody hilarious , but be careful what you wish for !!!!!! , He'd love that I'd expect .

Littlehand .
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: , Likewise !.

cheers 90th.

Hi Frank,
i will never get to walk the battlefields myself but the way you often describe them its as if i am there . Keep your posts coming they are always of interest.
Get well soon !
Regards Gavin.

Gentlemen
Thank you for the kind comments.
Bill, was that a polite way of telling me to get S******D :lol:
Ive been thinking of cashing in on the experience by writing a book ' iSandlwana, near death experience reveals all" Just think of the absolute rubbish I could write and put it all down to 'near death revelations'. Has to be a fortune in that. :lol:

Cheers Guys and again thanks for the best wishes.

frank

Bon courage mon vieux...