At last we have our computer back and we will now be able to get our lives (the Blog) back on track. Unbelievable how we have come to rely on our trusty (maybe not so trusty) computers and make them such an important part of our lives. In situations like this the withdrawal symptoms are not a pretty sight. I can now say ‘been there, done that’ and I definitely hope it never happens again.Saturday the 17th dawned bright and clear, though chilly. We were all up early and were ready to leave just before eight. It was ‘Wings and Wheels’ day in Parys at the local airport – an annual event on the car club calendar. After filling up the deke with petrol we met up with others going and set off in a convoy of six old cars. As we got closer to Parys the sky darkened and it turned rather chilly. We arrived just after nine and when we got out the car realised just how cold it was. Diane and I were a mass of goose bumps and of course had not even thought to take jackets. The guys started setting up the gazebos in front of the cars and Diane and I went shopping among the stalls in the flea market looking for jackets. Imagine our delight on finding exactly what we needed at our first stop. We put them on immediately and gradually warmed up. After wandering around through the stalls we returned to the group where the cooking of breakfast was underway. The breakfast of bacon, eggs, rolls etc was delicious. There were fourteen of us in the group and we had a great time laughing, joking and enjoying our breakfast together. While eating a group of microlites were performing above us. Once breakfast was over Diane and I went wandering through the planes taking pics. By now the weather had really warmed up and the clouds had lifted. Our jackets were no longer needed and we stuck them in the car boot. The aerobatic show started at half eleven with the Spitfires up first. Next were the Harvards. There were seven of them that took to the air and flew past several times before two of them left flying back to Krugersdorp. One landed and the other four proceeded to thrill the crowd with their performance. Several other planes also took to the air for a thrilling display. I really love watching them – those pilots are unbelievable and must have nerves of steel to do what they do. After taking tons of pics Diane and I went wandering through the stalls again getting us all a packet of chips and some donuts. Hubby joined us to stroll through the cars and motorbikes on display while we ate our chips and had a juice. It was nearly three when we left Parys and on the way home we ate our donuts which were so fresh and delicious it was lucky I had bought two each. When we reached home we unpacked the car before having a nap. Once we were up we had our usual chill with a glass of wine. The evening was spent watching TV, reading and mourning the loss of the computer.
Sunday morning was another great day. Hubby left before six for the Piston Ring monthly meet. He is paranoid about being late. Goodness knows why as the meets only really start about eight. Diane and I were up around nine and after the normal chores we had breakfast (for energy) before leaving to go hiking. We started the hike just after eleven. It was a beautiful day and there were a lot of people on the trail. The wind was blowing and as it was keeping us cool, we were very grateful. Along the way we had several short breathers and as it was cool we didn’t bother to stop in the usual spot for our snack but kept going. Before starting the hike we had decided that this time we were sticking to the 10km route and afterwards we were going to go to the coffee shop to try it out.
When we reached the 10km pointer we could see a couple of hikers not too far in front of us who were making their way up the kopje along the trail. We stopped for a breather before following them. Thank goodness we did have our breather! The trail went up and up and up. We climbed for about an hour with several stops to rest and check the views. The higher we climbed, the more stunning the views. We caught up with the other hikers who were having a break on a rocky outcrop. They carried on and we stopped for another breather in the same spot. We could see for absolute miles and where we had started climbing wasn’t even in sight any more. Such a beautiful spot and so close to Jhb centre. Unbelievable and Oh So worth the climb. By now the clouds had started to build up and we could hear thunder in the distance. Not long after we reached the top and had a straight walk across before starting the descent. On the way down my knee started to pain. I must have twisted it somewhere along the way. Every now and then was a slight uphill and my knee would be fine but as soon as we started down the pain would flare up again. This slowed us down somewhat and by the time we eventually reached the end of the hike it was rather swollen. There was a brief flurry of rain as we walked the last part along the road but by the time we reached the coffee shop at three it was over. We settled down at a table on the verandah outside and ordered a coffee for me and tea for Diane. While waiting for that we browsed through the menu and decided on a malva pudding for me and chocolate mousse for Diane. We deserved it after all our strenuous exercise. The coffee shop was part of the Protea Suikerbosrand Hotel and the menu was really extensive. Our next hike will start earlier so that we are finished by lunchtime ready to relax and have a good lunch at the coffee shop. While we were sitting there the rain started in earnest but as we were sitting under a huge umbrella we stayed dry. As we finished the wind started gusting, leaves were blowing everywhere and it was really cold. The umbrella started moving along in its base. We hurried inside where we got the bill and told the waiter he needed to take the umbrella down before it caused damage or tore in the wind. On the way home the heavens really opened and we could hardly see to drive. When we reached home the rain had eased off but the bottom of the road was flooded. The rain continued on and off for the night and the weather remained really cold and overcast. We spent the evening in front of the TV with our usual Milo watching ‘He’s just not that into you’ which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Sunday morning was another great day. Hubby left before six for the Piston Ring monthly meet. He is paranoid about being late. Goodness knows why as the meets only really start about eight. Diane and I were up around nine and after the normal chores we had breakfast (for energy) before leaving to go hiking. We started the hike just after eleven. It was a beautiful day and there were a lot of people on the trail. The wind was blowing and as it was keeping us cool, we were very grateful. Along the way we had several short breathers and as it was cool we didn’t bother to stop in the usual spot for our snack but kept going. Before starting the hike we had decided that this time we were sticking to the 10km route and afterwards we were going to go to the coffee shop to try it out.
When we reached the 10km pointer we could see a couple of hikers not too far in front of us who were making their way up the kopje along the trail. We stopped for a breather before following them. Thank goodness we did have our breather! The trail went up and up and up. We climbed for about an hour with several stops to rest and check the views. The higher we climbed, the more stunning the views. We caught up with the other hikers who were having a break on a rocky outcrop. They carried on and we stopped for another breather in the same spot. We could see for absolute miles and where we had started climbing wasn’t even in sight any more. Such a beautiful spot and so close to Jhb centre. Unbelievable and Oh So worth the climb. By now the clouds had started to build up and we could hear thunder in the distance. Not long after we reached the top and had a straight walk across before starting the descent. On the way down my knee started to pain. I must have twisted it somewhere along the way. Every now and then was a slight uphill and my knee would be fine but as soon as we started down the pain would flare up again. This slowed us down somewhat and by the time we eventually reached the end of the hike it was rather swollen. There was a brief flurry of rain as we walked the last part along the road but by the time we reached the coffee shop at three it was over. We settled down at a table on the verandah outside and ordered a coffee for me and tea for Diane. While waiting for that we browsed through the menu and decided on a malva pudding for me and chocolate mousse for Diane. We deserved it after all our strenuous exercise. The coffee shop was part of the Protea Suikerbosrand Hotel and the menu was really extensive. Our next hike will start earlier so that we are finished by lunchtime ready to relax and have a good lunch at the coffee shop. While we were sitting there the rain started in earnest but as we were sitting under a huge umbrella we stayed dry. As we finished the wind started gusting, leaves were blowing everywhere and it was really cold. The umbrella started moving along in its base. We hurried inside where we got the bill and told the waiter he needed to take the umbrella down before it caused damage or tore in the wind. On the way home the heavens really opened and we could hardly see to drive. When we reached home the rain had eased off but the bottom of the road was flooded. The rain continued on and off for the night and the weather remained really cold and overcast. We spent the evening in front of the TV with our usual Milo watching ‘He’s just not that into you’ which we thoroughly enjoyed.
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