Lippy from the Liffey
After a lifetime of noise Eddie Jordan has found peace in South Africa among the tigers and the elephants – and good neighbours with the invisible touch
I’m just back from the races here in Cape Town where Marie’s horse, Kyalami Girl, streaked away at the final furlong to win its race. This was off the back of an amazing few days taking photos of these incredible animals at a lodge in South Africa’s Tiger Canyon. I love life down here. The climate is perfect and the lifestyle is all about the outdoors, especially at Tiger Canyon.
The reserve these tigers live on is vast – 6,100 hectares – and they don’t feed them. If the tigers want to eat, they’ve got to go and catch their dinner. The guide we had was fantastic in the way she could track these tigers and get us up close to them. At one point a huge tiger walked right up to the open window of our car and strolled past like we weren’t there. On another occasion, Marie was on the ground, within about two metres of a cheetah. It used to be scary, but now I’m used to it, although I don’t get as close as my wife does! You still have to be careful; upset a bunch of elephants and you’re in trouble. And don’t go too near a buffalo – they’re one of Africa’s deadliest animals, bizarrely.
I’ve lived my life in noise, whether it’s motor racing or music, and I’m finding this quiet side of life really rewarding. It’s why I switched from power to sail on the water. Just like being out here in the wilderness of South Africa, the ocean gives you a sense of peace and perspective. I hear all my friends with yachts talking about getting Starlink but the last thing I want is broadband in the middle of the ocean! Keep your Netflix.
It was Bernie Ecclestone who introduced me to South Africa, when he brought us here for the South African Grand Prix in 1992. Then years later we started looking for somewhere to escape the European winters. We looked at Miami but we didn’t love it, and then we passed back through Cape Town on the Oyster World Rally, and that was the turning point. We bought a place and never looked back.
Before we left for the races this morning I was having my coffee on the balcony and saw 30 or 40 dolphins jumping around in the sea. Tomorrow I’ll wake up about 5.30am with the sun and I might go for a bike ride or a walk with some of the community down here. The neighbours aren’t so bad – Mike Rutherford from Genesis lives next door. I love his music, so I don’t have to bang on the wall too much and tell him to keep it down. It’s a great community and, like everywhere else in the world, it’s been taken over by padel. There are 91 courts in Cape Town alone! It’s much better than tennis and it keeps you fit. I like to stay in shape, although that doesn’t extend to Dry January. I lasted about four days. I thought, what am I doing? I’m heading to 76 and if I want a drink I’ll have one. How can you not have a lazy gin and tonic or tequila while watching the sun set?
I’d better talk about boats. I’m getting together with a few other yacht owners for an early spring adventure in Corsica, complete with skinny dipping in the rock pools. I’ll miss the St Barths Bucket, but I’m determined to get there in 2025, because I love that event. A few years ago while competing a whale jumped right out of the water next to our boat, which was just the most surreal experience. But this being the Tenders issue, I’ve got to give a plug to my friends at Williams Jet Tenders. I always get their tenders for my boats and they’ve never let me down.
It’s bedtime here, so I’ll sign off. But if you’re thinking about South Africa for a trip, don’t hesitate. We’ve found a peace here that’s hard to beat. See you in the April issue.
Eddie Jordan’s fee for this column has been donated to charity