Andre Delport

I was fortunate to work for people who were just the same. It left an indelible mark on me. Treasured every moment and now attempting to puy it all on paper, so to speak!

Thank you. Trying so hard to get regular chapters published again. Life just seems to get in the way all the time

When you have two little ones living with you, it becomes very easy to write.

Hi @Summerabbacat. Your comment particularly resonated with me. The lodge in the story is based a a lodge that I had the pleasure of working on. And in reality as exactly as I described it. it was founded by a group of very conservation minded business men, initially only as a retreat for them and their families. The scope of the reserve has since broadened to include the public as well with several lodges now on the reserve, but all adhering to very strict rules about what the may and may not do. They have also since I left, established a rhino conservation and breeding program for both white and black rhinos to aid in the continued existence of the species. They have also established an anti-poaching team and have acquired two motorised kites for the rangers to use to patrol the reserve to prevent any poaching and to date they have not had any instances of poaching. To their credit they have tried to keep things as pristine as possible. The roads remain unsurfaced - the only tarred surface is the runway which was tarred after I left. I absolutely adore the place!!

I have some photos of the game lodge on which I have based this chapter. Will upload as soon as I figure out how do it.

I have some photos of the game lodge on which I have based this chapter. Will upload as soon as I figure out how to do it.

Their wake-up alarm came far too quickly for Andrew and Ryan. After the antics of the night before, they could quite easily have just stayed in bed and enjoyed a long, lazy lie-in in one another arms. But the reality was that they had four children, and themselves, the get bathed and dressed, and a plane to catch. All by 8am! The one small problem, or rather, four small problems was that their offspring were all less than thrilled to be awakened before the sum had even risen over the horizon. Th

Thank you @pvtguy. As I replied above, the love was instilled in Andrew, and Ryan for that matter, from a very early age. And Andrew's desire to make up for the loss of his parents. Except in his case, it encompassed not only Ryan & the children, but virtually everyone he came into contact with

I envision a series of books about the Devlin-Majors - Dare I say along the lines of "A Woman of Substance' by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Although I am nowhere close to being in her league, one can dream however.

Thanks Chris. I really do enjoy writing about their 'adventures' . Life just has a pesky way of getting in the way of that enjoyment

Being an only child, the death of his parents was always going be a huge blow. But conversely, it was the catalyst for his success as a businessman, and a husband and father to a certain extent. In my literary mind, family was always front and centre for the Devlins.

The game lodge chapter was such an easy one to wrote. My time at the lodge holds a very special place in my heart. I enjoyed a number of visits while consulting on the various accommodation establishments that were being constructed on the property. Now with everything up an running, my excursions out there are few and far between.

Thank you. Next chapter is not too far away and I am taking a couple of weeks vacation over the festive period and have made it a goal to get the chapters up to date.

The decision to sail early proved to be a good one. It was indeed cooler out at sea, so much so that it was comfortable enough to relax on the Sky Deck without the air conditioning, much to everyone's relief. Once again, a mirror sea and a healthy following current allowed 'Lady Janice' to slice through the oily-calm ocean with a good turn of speed. Just before sunset they were thrilled to receive a visit fron a large pod of dolphins and everyone gathered at the main deck railings t

Thanks Anton. Wishing you a speedy recovrry

i know I'm enthralled by a story when I get goosebumps. And I just got them reading those last lines. Cannot wait for more!!!

Thank you for the great comment. I think this chapter illustrates perfectly what I said in a previous comment about how I see each chapter in pictures, like scenes in a movie. If I had Andrew's millions, The Cameron would be my dream.

Thanks for the comment @flesco I hate to have to tell you this but it does exist. I had the distinct privilege of working in a very similar environment

Thanks Chris. Have you guys ever thought about how I feel. I have to come up with all the food ideas!!

'Lady Janice' slipped almost silently out of Knysna at sunrise the next morning. Michael had timed their departure to take advantage of the slack tide when the channel out of the lagoon would be at its calmest, so much so that they were at sea and well down the coast before any of her passengers made their appearance for breakfast on the Sun Deck.The leg was a short one on a mirror flat Indian Ocean and, aided by a following current, they cruised into Mossel Bay while having lunch, a good hour e

This was one of my favourite chapters to write. and I like to think i came across in the text.

Also, I'm interested to know which site you initially read it on. I am not aware of 'Never walk alone' being published anywhere else.

Thank you. I will admit that when I write I see it in pictures. I have no idea if other authors experience this as well, so maybe it's just me. It's the same when I read a good book. I see it as a movie in my minds eye. The first time it really sunk in was when I read Wilbur Smiths 'Eagle in the Sky'. I could picture the entire book as a movie.

Busted!, @pickuptoy. I missed that!. In my original notes the plan was to stopover at Arniston. Then during remembered that at Arniston they just run the fishing boats onto the beach, so the idea was for them to dock at STRUISBAAI harbour. And I did not change it! Well done for picking up on it.

Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy Book 2 as much. I will admit that I am a bit behind in publishing chapters for Book 2, but unfortunately, or mabe I should say fortunately, work pressure has caught up with me, while we handle a major project. BUT THE NEXT CHAPTER IS ON ITS WAY, I PROMISE!!