Thursday

Up early to chill outside with my coffee. I really love my time out there under the trees. Hubby was awake early and joined me outside for a cup of tea while I had my second coffee. It was a perfect morning to be sitting chatting, listening to the birds and playing with the dogs. After breakfast Hubby went off to the workshop. I sorted out all I needed for the Oz Visas and made copies where necessary. Diane and I left about 10.30AM. First stop was the Kodak where we had the photos for the Visas printed. While we waited we sat at Tremontis and had ice-cream. We each had three scoops in a cup. My flavours were wild cherry, straccaitella and cappuccino. Diane had chocolate, water melon and straccaitella. Delicious – I told Diane `If I worked in this centre I would have ice-cream every day for lunch’.
Next stop was the bank for the Bank Guaranteed Cheque (the only way the High Commission accepts payment). The Service Consultants are on the first floor. There are two rows of chairs and a book where you write your name and reason for being there. I put my name down, horrified to see nine names in front. We were there for an hour – forty minutes wait- even though there were five consultants– service aint what it used to be. After leaving the bank we stopped at the workshop where I faxed an invoice and checked on Hubby. All was OK.
All that had to be sorted was done so now we could leave for the Visa Office in Rosebank. The traffic wasn’t too bad though the robots along the Heidelberg Road weren’t working causing short delays. We found the Visa Centre around 1.15pm and as they only opened at 1.30pm we decided to look for somewhere to have a bite to eat. Luckily there were a couple of coffee shops in the same Centre. We ordered a cranberry juice each and I ordered a salad (my look good for Oz choice) while Diane had a vegetarian wrap. After eating we went up to The Visa Office where we had about a half hour wait before handing in the forms. Hopefully all is ok and we get the visas soon. That was the last major task for our trip.
I didn’t want to get back onto the highway too late and get stuck in traffic so decided not to stop at Rosebank Mall. We left going via Melville where we dropped some things off at the Charity Shop. The Campus Square Centre was right there so we decided it would be quicker to go there instead of turning off the highway to shop in Alberton for something for supper. I told Diane we must be quick to avoid the traffic rush. We weren’t too long and managed to get on the highway just after four. There was a slight traffic jam as there were two vehicles stopped in the middle lane – must have been a `bumper bashing’.
We went back along the Heidelberg Road. I had forgotten about the robots which were still out. The traffic was unreal and we just crawled along. Once we neared Alberton the traffic was flowing freely and the last part of the journey went fairly quickly. On reaching home we unloaded the shopping and after putting the cold stuff into the fridge I poured myself my Much Needed glass of wine. I unwound after my hectic afternoon in my favourite spot under the trees.
No sooner had I finished when a friend of Hubbys arrived with his wife and daughter. They needed a car for the daughter’s Matric Dance and had come to choose one. Hubby took them around to see the cars. I had a cup of coffee and chilled some more. After viewing the cars – the daughter chose the Sunbeam – they came in for coffee.
It was after seven when they left and I made a quick Stir Fry with rice (2 minutes in the microwave) and salad. Diane and I watched CSI and I made the Milo during an ad break, so now after posting the blog we can go to bed. I am rather exhausted after the hectic day.
Cheers! Have a good Friday.