Christmas Eve
Had set my alarm for 4.00am but Hubby was a better alarm as he woke me with a cup of coffee and a slice of toast before the time. I had just finished when the alarm went off. We both got ourselves dressed, sorted the dogs and left for the airport. We were both so excited as we were off to fetch Diane. It was about five once we had parked at the airport. The trip through had been quick and uneventful thanks to the early time and time of year - the road works are at a standstill until the new year. Hubby headed for the loo while I checked the arrivals board. The plane had landed half an hour earlier so after giving up waiting for Hubby I headed for the arrivals point. I just made it as Diane came through within five minutes. We were really thrilled to see each other and Diane was glad to be back on South African soil. After a wait for Hubby who didn’t materialize we went upstairs to the food court to look for him. There was no sign of him and after about ten minutes I told Diane to stay there while I went back down to look for him. Sure enough he was there waiting for Diane to come through and wondering where I was. We went back up to Diane and then headed to Wimpy for breakfast. Nothing can beat a Wimpy Breakfast!! Once we had eaten and had several cups of coffee we headed home arriving back by seven.The morning was spent chilling under the trees chatting and catching up on each other’s news.At about one we headed into Alberton. First stop was the workshop where Uncle Ivan was waiting for us so he could head off to his daughter ready for Christmas. He wasn’t there but had walked down to the shops. Diane and I went looking for him while Hubby waited there with Faizel (checking how he was doing). We found Uncle Ivan and gave him a lift back up to the workshop. After things were sorted out we left for Angie’s where we were having a big get-together for Christmas. Angie is in the catering industry and she puts on an impressive spread. We spent a fabulous afternoon socializing, eating, drinking and generally having a great time together. Those that we had Oz souvenirs for were thrilled with their Kangaroos and Koalas. It was well after seven by the time we left and almost dark. We stopped at the Randhart Woolies food store for Christmas Day supplies before heading home. Everyone was really tired now especially Diane – jet lag was starting to be felt. We were all in bed shortly after nine as it had been a very long day.
Christmas Day
Hubby was up first around eight and made us breakfast in bed. I could really get used to this life of leisure. It will be a rude awakening when the workshop re-opens and life is back to the normal routine. After a leisurely morning chilling outside we all went for a nap as the heat and long day yesterday was still affecting us. I surfaced first and decided as it was too hot to be outside and picnic as we had planned so decided to cook instead. I roasted potatoes, made veg and rice and carved the chicken from Woolies. Diane woke and put out all the Christmas Décor on the table. We really enjoyed our Christmas Lunch which we finished off with a pudding we had found at Woolies. It was a jelly smothered in all sorts of fresh berries and strawberries and it was perfect for the hot weather. The rest of the day was spent chilling and watching Christmas shows on TV. After the full day yesterday we certainly needed our quiet relaxing day.
Boxing Day
Wonderful Hubby was up first again and brought us breakfast in bed. Life sure is good. After clearing the kitchen and feeding the dogs we decided to take the Sunbeam for a drive to Parys. It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining in a brilliant blue sky. I drove going through Vanderbijl and past the Barrage to get there as it is a more scenic route. Everywhere was so lush and green after all the rain we have had. At the end of the Barrage road we noticed a farm with a Tea Garden sign. The place was full of cannas in flower including red ones. Hubby loves red cannas and said we should stop there on the way back and see if they had red ones for sale. We reached Parys about twelve and drove around looking at all the food, craft and antique spots deciding which place looked the best to eat at. Everywhere looked good but we settled on a coffee shop cum restaurant and deli called Feasts. The decision was an excellent one. Feasts was set inside a lovely herb garden with fountains. The deli had very unusual chutneys and jams. The menu was impressive and it was not easy deciding what to eat. Hubby settled on a rump steak with chips and veg, Diane chose vegetarian pasta and I had a chicken pasta. We were all really pleased with our choice. Diane’s meal was so good that she polished everything off (She always takes home a doggy bag). Hubby had beans and pumpkin as his veg and said that the beans were the best ever (they were sprinkled with herbs). His steak was so tender it just melted in the mouth. The cheese sauce on my pasta was the tastiest and cheesiest I have ever tasted. We had our glass of red wine with our meal. After that delicious meal we knew we couldn’t leave without sampling a dessert. We all settled for a honey and cinnamon cheesecake. Luckily the portion wasn’t too big as the cheesecake was too good to waste any of it. By the time the meal was finished we could hardly move (we very rarely ever have a dessert when dining out) but our taste buds had just had the treat of their lives. We will definitely go back there. That place is very lucky to have such an outstanding chef. After our meal we wandered around the town walking off our meal and checking out the shops. Parys is a lovely town and the perfect tourist destination. Hubby remembers what a popular spot it was when he was growing up. He and his family spent many weekends there. After our walk Hubby drove us around the town and down to the river where the old swing bridge is.We left Parys late afternoon and went back the same way stopping at the Bon-Af Berry Farm which we had noticed on our outward trip. The farm has been in the family for five generations since 1839 and was very interesting with a museum above the tea shop. They have a very large berry orchard growing about seventy types of berry. We were given a short lecture on berry growing and then let loose in the orchard where we could sample as much as we liked. It is not a place to go to after eating a huge lunch but we were able to sample several different kinds of berry. Unfortunately Hubby had no luck with getting a red canna but did buy several cape gooseberry plants as well a blueberry plant. After a cup of rooibos at the tea room we left for home arriving back at about six. After such a food-filled day none of us could even think about food so we just chilled outside under the tree until thunder and lightning drove us inside. The storm lasted most of the night. We spent the evening watching TV before having a Milo and going to bed. We really did have a fabulous day out and can’t wait to go back there for a repeat performance. Very few of us realize what wonderful places we have on our doorsteps.
Cheers and all the very best for the Festive Season.
Had set my alarm for 4.00am but Hubby was a better alarm as he woke me with a cup of coffee and a slice of toast before the time. I had just finished when the alarm went off. We both got ourselves dressed, sorted the dogs and left for the airport. We were both so excited as we were off to fetch Diane. It was about five once we had parked at the airport. The trip through had been quick and uneventful thanks to the early time and time of year - the road works are at a standstill until the new year. Hubby headed for the loo while I checked the arrivals board. The plane had landed half an hour earlier so after giving up waiting for Hubby I headed for the arrivals point. I just made it as Diane came through within five minutes. We were really thrilled to see each other and Diane was glad to be back on South African soil. After a wait for Hubby who didn’t materialize we went upstairs to the food court to look for him. There was no sign of him and after about ten minutes I told Diane to stay there while I went back down to look for him. Sure enough he was there waiting for Diane to come through and wondering where I was. We went back up to Diane and then headed to Wimpy for breakfast. Nothing can beat a Wimpy Breakfast!! Once we had eaten and had several cups of coffee we headed home arriving back by seven.The morning was spent chilling under the trees chatting and catching up on each other’s news.At about one we headed into Alberton. First stop was the workshop where Uncle Ivan was waiting for us so he could head off to his daughter ready for Christmas. He wasn’t there but had walked down to the shops. Diane and I went looking for him while Hubby waited there with Faizel (checking how he was doing). We found Uncle Ivan and gave him a lift back up to the workshop. After things were sorted out we left for Angie’s where we were having a big get-together for Christmas. Angie is in the catering industry and she puts on an impressive spread. We spent a fabulous afternoon socializing, eating, drinking and generally having a great time together. Those that we had Oz souvenirs for were thrilled with their Kangaroos and Koalas. It was well after seven by the time we left and almost dark. We stopped at the Randhart Woolies food store for Christmas Day supplies before heading home. Everyone was really tired now especially Diane – jet lag was starting to be felt. We were all in bed shortly after nine as it had been a very long day.
Christmas Day
Hubby was up first around eight and made us breakfast in bed. I could really get used to this life of leisure. It will be a rude awakening when the workshop re-opens and life is back to the normal routine. After a leisurely morning chilling outside we all went for a nap as the heat and long day yesterday was still affecting us. I surfaced first and decided as it was too hot to be outside and picnic as we had planned so decided to cook instead. I roasted potatoes, made veg and rice and carved the chicken from Woolies. Diane woke and put out all the Christmas Décor on the table. We really enjoyed our Christmas Lunch which we finished off with a pudding we had found at Woolies. It was a jelly smothered in all sorts of fresh berries and strawberries and it was perfect for the hot weather. The rest of the day was spent chilling and watching Christmas shows on TV. After the full day yesterday we certainly needed our quiet relaxing day.
Boxing Day
Wonderful Hubby was up first again and brought us breakfast in bed. Life sure is good. After clearing the kitchen and feeding the dogs we decided to take the Sunbeam for a drive to Parys. It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining in a brilliant blue sky. I drove going through Vanderbijl and past the Barrage to get there as it is a more scenic route. Everywhere was so lush and green after all the rain we have had. At the end of the Barrage road we noticed a farm with a Tea Garden sign. The place was full of cannas in flower including red ones. Hubby loves red cannas and said we should stop there on the way back and see if they had red ones for sale. We reached Parys about twelve and drove around looking at all the food, craft and antique spots deciding which place looked the best to eat at. Everywhere looked good but we settled on a coffee shop cum restaurant and deli called Feasts. The decision was an excellent one. Feasts was set inside a lovely herb garden with fountains. The deli had very unusual chutneys and jams. The menu was impressive and it was not easy deciding what to eat. Hubby settled on a rump steak with chips and veg, Diane chose vegetarian pasta and I had a chicken pasta. We were all really pleased with our choice. Diane’s meal was so good that she polished everything off (She always takes home a doggy bag). Hubby had beans and pumpkin as his veg and said that the beans were the best ever (they were sprinkled with herbs). His steak was so tender it just melted in the mouth. The cheese sauce on my pasta was the tastiest and cheesiest I have ever tasted. We had our glass of red wine with our meal. After that delicious meal we knew we couldn’t leave without sampling a dessert. We all settled for a honey and cinnamon cheesecake. Luckily the portion wasn’t too big as the cheesecake was too good to waste any of it. By the time the meal was finished we could hardly move (we very rarely ever have a dessert when dining out) but our taste buds had just had the treat of their lives. We will definitely go back there. That place is very lucky to have such an outstanding chef. After our meal we wandered around the town walking off our meal and checking out the shops. Parys is a lovely town and the perfect tourist destination. Hubby remembers what a popular spot it was when he was growing up. He and his family spent many weekends there. After our walk Hubby drove us around the town and down to the river where the old swing bridge is.We left Parys late afternoon and went back the same way stopping at the Bon-Af Berry Farm which we had noticed on our outward trip. The farm has been in the family for five generations since 1839 and was very interesting with a museum above the tea shop. They have a very large berry orchard growing about seventy types of berry. We were given a short lecture on berry growing and then let loose in the orchard where we could sample as much as we liked. It is not a place to go to after eating a huge lunch but we were able to sample several different kinds of berry. Unfortunately Hubby had no luck with getting a red canna but did buy several cape gooseberry plants as well a blueberry plant. After a cup of rooibos at the tea room we left for home arriving back at about six. After such a food-filled day none of us could even think about food so we just chilled outside under the tree until thunder and lightning drove us inside. The storm lasted most of the night. We spent the evening watching TV before having a Milo and going to bed. We really did have a fabulous day out and can’t wait to go back there for a repeat performance. Very few of us realize what wonderful places we have on our doorsteps.
Cheers and all the very best for the Festive Season.
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