Was up early to have my chill cuppa under the trees before starting to get ready for lunch with Dennis and Marion. I finished breakfast and put the chicken in the oven. While it roasted I put potatoes on and made a coleslaw. Hubby went to the shop to get milk and some odds and ends he wanted. I finished cleaning up and put the other vegs on to cook. When the chicken was nearly ready I put some cocktail sausages to cook while that finished. When both were done I took them out to cool and then put them on a platter in the fridge till needed. The rice and pumpkin were done and on the stove keeping hot. Dennis and Marion arrived and we chilled with a glass of wine outside. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining in a clear sky. We were all enjoying our chill and conversation under the trees. Marion asked Hubby for a second glass of wine. Hubby was busy telling a story and just reached over to grab a bottle and started pouring. He got rather a shock when Marion yelled `No’ – he was pouring whiskey into her glass. Once we were back on track with our second glass in our hand I put the rest of the food on to cook. Once all was ready Diane and I put everything into serving bowls and we all tucked in. We ate under the trees and sat for several hours lingering at the table enjoying each other’s company. Once the main course had time to settle I served the dessert. Diane left just before three to go into Alberton where she was meeting a friend for coffee at News Café. At about four we had coffee and carried on with our chill around the table. We went through all our Oz holiday pics and Dennis and Marion told us of their trip they are taking this week in Israel which they are really looking forward to. Both of them commented on our lush garden and how peaceful it was sitting under the trees with the background of bird song. Comments like this are always a reminder of how lucky we are in our little spot of paradise. It was after five before a move was made and Dennis and Marion went off home. I cleared up and loaded the dishwasher. Just had to wash the pots. It was all done by six and then Hubby and I chilled in front of the TV. Diane had such a god time that she only got home around nine. We chilled and chatted with our Milo until bedtime.
On Sunday Hubby woke me when he bought me breakfast in bed just before nine. We chatted for a while after which he got himself ready to go to the Sunbeam Club meeting – taking my Sunbeam of course. Diane and I had planned a hike so didn’t go with. By the time Diane and I were up and finished doing minor chores it was twelve. I was feeling rather lazy so suggested having the hike during the week and was rather put out when she laughed and said her friend had taken a bet with her that I would back out. That Did It! We got ready and left for Suikerbosrand but unfortunately went to the wrong entrance for the hikes and were re-directed to the correct one. By the time we eventually got inside and started our hike it was nearly two and rather a hot day. We set off for the start which had two hikes marked, a 4,5 km and a 10km one. Stupidly we thought `what’s the point of doing the short one and we have plenty of time’. The hike started with a steep climb and before we reached the top I was huffing and puffing. I couldn’t believe how unfit I was, considering how fit I was when we got back from Oz, after our daily walks there. But as Diane said the walks were along flat ground and we hadn’t done much exercise since. Before we were half way up we were making inroads into our first bottle of water. It was a relief when we finally reached the top after about half an hour. The path leveled out and I was able to catch my breath. The views were stunning up there. We crossed the ridge and started going down. When I got ready I had put on old socks that were rather loose and had thought about taking a spare pair but didn’t bother. Always Trust Your Instincts! My socks kept slipping down and I was having to stop to pull them up as it was uncomfortable. We crossed the road and went onto the next Koppie where we stopped in an open rocky area for a sit down and to take pics while having a drink and a couple of chocolates (to keep energy levels up). The hiking shoes we had bought were very comfortable, just a pity about my lousy socks. We set off again going on down and around to the right where we met up with the road again. This time we didn’t cross it but walked alongside before cutting back towards the next Koppie. We were still going down but could see the path going up in front of us on the next Koppie. As we walked along we were keeping up a steady stream of chatter but were bought to a sudden halt and silence when we heard a grunting noise in front of us and to the right. We stood frozen for several minutes listening but heard nothing more. The noise must have come from the gully at the bottom between the two Koppies. I told Diane we just had to go on - to go back all the way we had just come would take too long – so we carefully and quickly crossed the gully and up the other side. My sore heel didn’t stop me making good time up and over the top. We carried on up and down, up and down expecting to see the parking area with the car waiting for us each time we got to the top of a rise. Eventually at about half four we passed a sign indicating a 10km hike to the right and a 17km hike to the left, and panicked thinking we had gone wrong somewhere. After a slight detour to the road on the right we retraced our steps and carried on going forward where we found the path indicators again. The area was now just a large expanse of open veld and we were now doing a power walk to get back and out before the gate closed. There was a small group of buck to the left of us. We crossed the road again and then a small stream after which we were back on the road where we decided to stay, hoping we were going in the right direction. A couple of cars passed us and as we were in a flat out panic now we stopped one to ask if we were going in the right direction. What a Relief to find we were and even better the couple gave us a lift back to the car. The distance they took us would have been at least a half hour walk so we were very relieved and grateful to our rescuers. We got in the car and headed straight to the gate where they were busy closing up. We got home and while Diane got ready for a night out I told Hubby all about our hike. When Diane was ready the two of us chilled outside with a much needed glass of wine. My heel was killing me where my sock had rubbed it raw but I felt really good after all the exercise. We must definitely have more hikes, but will leave early in the morning to do it. After Diane went out I tended to my heel before chilling in front of the TV.
That’s all for now. Hav
e a great week.
On Sunday Hubby woke me when he bought me breakfast in bed just before nine. We chatted for a while after which he got himself ready to go to the Sunbeam Club meeting – taking my Sunbeam of course. Diane and I had planned a hike so didn’t go with. By the time Diane and I were up and finished doing minor chores it was twelve. I was feeling rather lazy so suggested having the hike during the week and was rather put out when she laughed and said her friend had taken a bet with her that I would back out. That Did It! We got ready and left for Suikerbosrand but unfortunately went to the wrong entrance for the hikes and were re-directed to the correct one. By the time we eventually got inside and started our hike it was nearly two and rather a hot day. We set off for the start which had two hikes marked, a 4,5 km and a 10km one. Stupidly we thought `what’s the point of doing the short one and we have plenty of time’. The hike started with a steep climb and before we reached the top I was huffing and puffing. I couldn’t believe how unfit I was, considering how fit I was when we got back from Oz, after our daily walks there. But as Diane said the walks were along flat ground and we hadn’t done much exercise since. Before we were half way up we were making inroads into our first bottle of water. It was a relief when we finally reached the top after about half an hour. The path leveled out and I was able to catch my breath. The views were stunning up there. We crossed the ridge and started going down. When I got ready I had put on old socks that were rather loose and had thought about taking a spare pair but didn’t bother. Always Trust Your Instincts! My socks kept slipping down and I was having to stop to pull them up as it was uncomfortable. We crossed the road and went onto the next Koppie where we stopped in an open rocky area for a sit down and to take pics while having a drink and a couple of chocolates (to keep energy levels up). The hiking shoes we had bought were very comfortable, just a pity about my lousy socks. We set off again going on down and around to the right where we met up with the road again. This time we didn’t cross it but walked alongside before cutting back towards the next Koppie. We were still going down but could see the path going up in front of us on the next Koppie. As we walked along we were keeping up a steady stream of chatter but were bought to a sudden halt and silence when we heard a grunting noise in front of us and to the right. We stood frozen for several minutes listening but heard nothing more. The noise must have come from the gully at the bottom between the two Koppies. I told Diane we just had to go on - to go back all the way we had just come would take too long – so we carefully and quickly crossed the gully and up the other side. My sore heel didn’t stop me making good time up and over the top. We carried on up and down, up and down expecting to see the parking area with the car waiting for us each time we got to the top of a rise. Eventually at about half four we passed a sign indicating a 10km hike to the right and a 17km hike to the left, and panicked thinking we had gone wrong somewhere. After a slight detour to the road on the right we retraced our steps and carried on going forward where we found the path indicators again. The area was now just a large expanse of open veld and we were now doing a power walk to get back and out before the gate closed. There was a small group of buck to the left of us. We crossed the road again and then a small stream after which we were back on the road where we decided to stay, hoping we were going in the right direction. A couple of cars passed us and as we were in a flat out panic now we stopped one to ask if we were going in the right direction. What a Relief to find we were and even better the couple gave us a lift back to the car. The distance they took us would have been at least a half hour walk so we were very relieved and grateful to our rescuers. We got in the car and headed straight to the gate where they were busy closing up. We got home and while Diane got ready for a night out I told Hubby all about our hike. When Diane was ready the two of us chilled outside with a much needed glass of wine. My heel was killing me where my sock had rubbed it raw but I felt really good after all the exercise. We must definitely have more hikes, but will leave early in the morning to do it. After Diane went out I tended to my heel before chilling in front of the TV.
That’s all for now. Hav
e a great week.
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