I just received the following from Annelise at Afton (her caps):

quote:

LOUIS IS DOING JUST GREAT THESE DAYS, GETTING UP EVERYDAYAND KEEP HIMSELF BUSY WITH HIS I-POD AND RECORD SONGS. IT IS GETTING COLD NOW, SO WINTER IS STARTING. GIVE OUR LOVE ALSO TO YOUR DAUGHTERS.LOTS OF LOVE FROM ME AND LOUIS

As many of you know, Louis is fighting prostate cancer and, thank the Lord, is doing a good job of it! Let's send a few prayers for the guy. He and his wife have provided a safe and good night's stay at a fair price for a bunch of us pilgrims. He's a tough old guy. We've bumped heads before, but when the dust settles, he is a fine man and got many a problem at (now) Tambo sorted out for safari-bound folks due to his connections with SAA. Seeing him waiting at customs was an angst ending event for lots of folks on their first safari. He was harried as heck sometimes, but he dang well got the job done.

May Louis spend lots more days on this earth and get well enough to fuss at me some more! You've got to be a man with a big heart to put up with me a couple of times a year... and Tony Black, too!

BTW, how many of you folks have stuffed those peanuts and chocolate that Afton leaves on your bedside table into your carry on and found them months later when you're packing for the next safari or another hunting trip? I think I still have a package in my safari kit somewhere in my gun room. I'm going to find them, eat them while watching the tube and drink a single malt toast to good ol' Louis and Annelise.

May God give them Peace and health.

JudgeG

Thanks for the update. I have stayed at Afton 3 times, 2 nights every time.

I really like Louis and Annelise, they are fine folks.

The services they provide are beyond first rate.

Ditto Judge. They are outstanding folks. I'll see them in a month.
Cheers,
David

Afton House is always a great stay. It sort of introduced us all to Africa after a long flight.

JudgeG ... many thanks for the good news update

To Louis and family: Just wonderful to hear you are hanging in there big time and fighting like a wildcat. Keep postive, hope the Lodge is treating you well, I know the guests have only praise for the services offered.

Cheers,

Peter in NZ + my brother Alan Bird & wife Jessie in Louis Trichardt

Judge G: Yes, I too was wondering how he was doing, as the last report that I received on him was not very good. So, it seems that his determination has taken the prostate cancer by the throat. He's a tough, and sometimes frank, old boy, but he has done a world of good for all us going through Jo'burg. I've stayed at Afton house a half dozen times and I've always found it to be a welcome respite from the long flight. His daughter, Annelise works for Gracy here in the States. Thanks again for the update.

Jim and I stayed at the Afton House last month.

Louis was on his way to a treatment when he stopped by our room to say hello. I thought he looked great for a man in the midst of the battle he is fighting.

My father is nearing the end stages of the same battle, so I based my expectations on Louis' condition on how my dad has changed over the past few years. When I arrived at the Afton House I expected to see Louis much worse than he actually appeared.

I was relieved and grateful that he was so mobile, and talkative, and in good spirits . . . considering.

The first time I met him, he helped us with "lost" luggage at the Jo'burg airport. After an extensive runaround at the terminal, we filed the missing baggage report and then we were driven to the Afton House. Upon arrival Louis and Annelise greeted us and wanted to know how things were going so far. When he learned of the baggage situation, he excused himself and returned to his office. Within a very short time, he emerged and announced that the "missing" baggage was not missing after all. Miraculous!

I think Louis is an icon in the world of the traveling hunter, and deserves the respect that he continually receives.

I stayed at the Afton a couple of years back. Accomodations and everything were just great. In fact our dealings with Louis and the Afton Guest House were the only thing on this trip that went exactly as planned.

Louis, keep up the good fight.

Best wishes

Hartley Kittle

That is great news, we where there last June and it did not look good. Funny I was just wondering the other day. thanks for the news.

I don't know them, but have heard nothing but good things about them.

We all wish him the best.

Louis saved my butt once!
great people at the Afton House.
I had a hell of a mess in Zim-2004 -poor hunt(legal problems with Zim officials and PHs) and airline troubles.

I called Louis to see if he could help us out on airline tickets. We needed to change out dates & times etc. He took care of everything.

one of the most honest and dependable person I have met.
thank you Louis!

Glad to hear that Louis is still fighting. Last time I stayed at Afton he was in the Hospital and I've often wondered how he is doing. He is a character, I'll say a prayer that he'll be around for a long time to come.

Simply wonderful folks, our very best wishes to that fine family.

best news i've heard all day. louis is a prince among men

When I was opening this thread I was expecting the worst. Glad to hear he's doing well.

Glad to hear things are looking up for Louis at the Afton House scene. Stayed there three times and will be returning along with three of my companions in late August. Good news indeed.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Glad to hear about Louis. He is so helpful.

The thought of resting up, a steak dinner and breakfast at the Afton House always makes the cramped flight to Africa bearable.

Another bonus is talking to other hunters one meets while staying there.

We are booked to stay there overnight on our trip to Zim at the end of July. After all the glowing reports, I am really looking forward to meeting this gentleman and his wife. I have heard good things about Afton House for years.

Glad to hear he's doing well. I'll be staying there for the first time in a couple weeks, but have heard many good remarks about him and the Afton Guest House. I actually requested to stay there on this trip because of all the comments on this forum.

I make it a point to schedule such that I can spend time w/ Louis at the Afton house -- as noted above it is one of the few items if not the only item that one can count on when going to the Dark Continent --- will be staying there again in about three months
G