Ride on a Steam Train

We were all up early to get ourselves ready to go to Germiston where The Reef Steam Train Members were having an event. The weather was overcast and cool but the forecast was for a warm day so we hoped it would improve. We left just before half eight for Alberton City to meet Ali who was joining us on the outing. The train left Germiston just after ten and we had a ride through to Boksburg and back. The train which consisted of about ten carriages was full. It was an enjoyable ride and lasted about an hour and a half with all the shunting back and forth. At Boksburg station we got off and watched them bring the engine round to pull the carriages back to Germiston. Travis really enjoyed the ride and almost fell asleep several times. When we got back to Germiston Travis had a jump on the Jumping Castle before we left. We were all starving by now and decided to go to The Harvard Cafe as it was on the way home and from there easy to join the highway. The place was quite full with most people watching the Rugby on a large screen TV. The weather had warmed up nicely so we decided to sit outside on the deck. Josh was asleep so Ali took Travis to watch the planes from the end of the deck while we ordered drinks and food. Diane and I had a Savannah Dry while Ali and Hubby had juices. Diane had a vegetarian pasta, Hubby had fish and chips, Travis had chips with a toasted ham and cheese while Ali and I had chicken schnitzel with veg and chips. We sat with our drinks enjoying the warmth and vibe of the place. There was a lot of activity on the runway with planes and helicopters landing and taking off non-stop. We were surprised when our food arrived so quickly considering how busy the place was. All the food was delicious and the veg so fresh. Travis really enjoyed himself. He sat between Ali and I and kept dipping his chips into either my or Ali’s mushroom sauce. Josh woke up and while I held him Ali finished eating before going to the car to see to him. I finished my food while Diane took Travis to the play area and then we all had cappuccino before leaving for home. We arrived home just as Ali’s friend Stephanie arrived to come visit her and see Josh for the first time. They chatted together with Josh while Diane and I took Travis out for a last play before going home. He scooted around on his motor bike and spent time in the sandpit. Stephanie left half three and then Ali got herself sorted out to leave. After loading the car with things and kids there was not much space left especially as Travis wanted his bike and had it on the seat next to his car seat. After they left Diane and I went to the shop quickly for milk and other things we needed before having supper and settling to check emails etc on the computer. After watching some TV we went to bed where I read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.
Sunday was up around nine and Hubby made breakfast before going to rest his feet. After the hectic last few days I didn’t feel like doing much so have had a fairly lazy day. Diane has been sorting things out for her week ahead at work. She has enjoyed her first week and is looking forward to the next. They are happy with her and have already given her the catalogues to do from start to finish. Luckily the camera they use is the same as her one. I vacuumed everywhere as it was dusty with bits of dry grass from the dogs and everyone’s shoes all over. Once Diane is ready I will have to take her in to Margaret as Hubby wasn’t feeling too good this week and didn’t finish her car.
Cheers and have a Fantastic Week

Monday to Friday

Monday morning was another cold start but luckily it improved and once again there was no wind. I put washing on early and did the blog for the weekend in between cleaning. The birds outside the window were very noisy again and I spent some time watching them out the window. It looked like they were taking it in turns to use the pond. A group would fly down and drink before flying back in to the trees and another group would immediately fly down. It was amazing. I used the binoculars to see into the leaves and could see them either grooming themselves or pecking at the leaves. They could be eating ants as we have had a lot of ants around the windows in the bedroom. I hope so anyway as the ants have been a real nuisance. During the afternoon I did office work and in between tried to connect to the internet to put the blog up. No Luck! I eventually phoned the provider and learnt that they were having problems they were trying to resolve. Luckily on Tuesday I was able to get on and put the blog up. I spent the morning cleaning the bedroom area and after an early lunch went in to Alberton to take Diane’s Corolla to Hubby. When I got to the workshop Hubby was waiting and we went up to the license department. I needed to renew some licenses and he needed to re-register vehicles that have the old papers which will be invalid at the end of the year. At the license department I joined my queue and Hubby went in to his queue. Within a few minutes he came stomping out telling all and sundry about this “useless place and people who only work till one”. I just looked at him like everyone else in the queue and pretended I didn’t know him. When I got back to the car he was still fuming and said that as he had papers for four cars he was told to go to the bulk section.( This section could only do three or less). At the bulk section the guy told him he stops working at one. Ridiculous seeing that the place only closes at three. If it was me I would have told them to just do two and afterwards said “Ok, Now do the other two”. Laziness just doesn’t come into it!!! Wednesday morning I was up early and cleaned the rest of the house and cottage quickly before going across to Ali. I was there about ten and once she was ready we left for Lifestyle to have lunch and let Travis play. Unfortunately it was a bit windy but still enjoyable and we had a good lunch taking turns between Travis and Josh. On the way back to Ali we stopped at a couple of places as she needed to shop. Travis and I left there about half three and no sooner were we in the car when there was the most terrible smell. The first thing I did on reaching home was check out Travis and to my horror found a horrible sight. It was so bad his trousers were messed. I put him straight in a dettol bath. While he was in the bath I quickly peeled potatoes and put them on. I even sat there watching him having my glass of wine. I needed it! Thursday lunchtime was another such present and this time I put him in a savlon bath and made sure he had no dairy products at all for 24hrs. We spent Thursday playing outside the whole day and he had an absolute ball staying in the sandpit for well over an hour. He was in bed fairly early and I spent the evening watching TV before joining him. Friday Hubby wasn’t feeling good and spent the day in bed with me dosing him up on Flu medication. Travis was also rather miserable and was not interested in anything spending his time crying and being miserable. I had to go in to Meyerton to do banking and took him with. He fell asleep in the car but woke up as soon as I took him out to go into the bank. I went down to the chemist and got him medicine and did some shopping for lunch. I got back and started lunch while trying to keep him amused. Nothing helped and I ended up carrying him around while doing what was needed. He was really miserable and tired. Luckily he ate well at lunch time polishing off his mash potato and all his chicken as well as some of mine and most of his butternut. While I cleared the kitchen Hubby kept him amused. When I went to change him he had fallen asleep. Luckily he stayed asleep while I got him ready to go to Alberton. I needed to go sort out wages as Hubby hadn’t gone in. Travis slept all the way in and while I was at the workshop. He woke as I was leaving but went back to sleep when I drove down the road. When I got to Margaret I stayed in the car with him while he slept. We were going to have coffee outside by the car but he woke up and we went inside to have it. Margaret and I played with him for over an hour before I packed Diane’s things into the car and left to fetch her. Travis was still rather miserable but luckily Diane had biscuits in her bag and he was happy sitting munching. Diane needed things at the shops so we stopped along the way home to get them. It was dark now so we quickly went into Woolies and got microwave meals for supper. When we got home we put Travis’s food in the microwave but he wasn’t really hungry so after having something to drink I cleaned him up and put him into his pyjamas. We all ate and then I took him to bed where he fell asleep very quickly. Diane and I caught up on each others week and watched TV before going to bed. I was exhausted after my hectic day and hope I don’t have a reapeat any time soon.

A Great Weekend

Saturday was another cold start after our overnight -5 temperature. I froze when I went out to feed the dogs. The morning was spent doing cleaning and by lunchtime all was looking good. Hubby wanted to rest his foot ready for his day at his Piston Ring Meet so Diane and I went off to Eastgate. We booked for the Twilight Eclipse Movie and then went off to The Bread Basket for another of their delicious Ciabatta Rolls and a Cappucino. Good choice as usual! We went for a short look round the shops afterwards before going in to Eclipse. We both enjoyed the movie immensely – that part about Jacob being Hot – the best. What a Bod!! When we came out the movies we did some shopping before going to The Bread Basket for something to take for Hubby and a Ciabatta loaf for Sunday. We left about six and were home before dark. I quickly put rice on to go with the lamb stew that had been simmering all afternoon before putting on the heater for our evening in front of the TV. The stew was delicious even if I say so myself and perfect for a cold evening. We went to bed around eleven after watching some TV and Diane sorting out her wardrobe for her first week as she is going to stay at Margaret during the week. Margaret is five minutes from where she will be working and she can avoid the morning traffic as well as not have to be up too early while it is still so cold.
Sunday morning Hubby woke me just after six with breakfast and coffee. I had forgotten to put his tablets out and he brought them for me to sort out. He left soon after and the dogs and I stayed in bed until about half eight. The birds outside the window started waking soon after seven and got progressively louder as time passed. It is amazing there is enough food around for them to find seeing as how many there are. At least they keep warm as they must be packed like sardines in there at night. I put washing on and Diane and I had our morning cuppa. We got ready and as soon as the washing was finished I put it out and another lot in before going to town to do shopping. We were back in time to hang out the second lot and then left for a hike as there was not much wind at all. It was sad to see all the black burnt areas on that side of the Suikerbosrand. Even into the reserve it was burnt nearly all the way from the road to the parking area. There were quite a lot of people out hiking and we enjoyed being out on the trail. Though I must say after not being able to do any cycling or hiking lately the climbs really were thigh aching. We only did a short hike and decided we must try and do it weekly to catch up on all we missed. Hubby was back just before us and we had some lunch before Diane got down to her packing. At three Don, Jessie and Neil arrived to go with Hubby to see a Porsche nearby that is for sale. Neil had been hijacked and his car stolen so he needs a new vehicle. After they left Diane showered and got herself ready and we packed the car. We made ourselves a drink and then left for Margaret. I took Diane as Hubby is going to take her car in and go through it to make sure it’s 100% for her to use now that she is working. When we arrived we unpacked the car and then walked around to her work spot to time it. Five minutes – Lucky Girl! I left her and Margaret as they were going to Angie for a curry supper. I was home by six and Hubby made us a light supper. I watched some TV and cleared the kitchen. There was nothing worth watching so I went to bed to read my book. Hubby dozed off and woke about twelve and went off to make some Milo. We enjoyed our drink with a slice of Ciabatta and cheese. Pigs! I read until about two when I finished my book. I have been reading a Catherine Cookson book I found as I have read all the Eric Van Lustbader books we have.
Well that was our weekend. We enjoyed it which is what counts. I already miss Diane.
Cheers. Have a great week.

Our Weekend and Week

On Saturday Hubby had his monthly Tit Meeting and Diane and I went to meet Pauline and Val with the Girls at Doppio Zero in Greenside for our get-together for Val’s bithday. We had a great breakfast and chat catching up on all the news. Once breakfast was over we went with Val to the Bead Shop and the on to the China Mart. It was late afternoon when we got home and had our glass of wine before Hubby and Don returned home. The evening was spent watching TV. Sunday was another cold and windy day which put paid to our plans for a Hike Again so we just had a lazy day watching the first two movies in the Twilight Saga.
The week has been really miserable again with strong winds howling around the house constantly. It is really unpleasant to be outside as the air is full of dust. Both Diane and I are living on Sinucon which works until you go outside and the symptoms start up again. The only good thing is that the washing is blown dry fairly quickly. The temperature has dropped daily with below minus at night and day time not too high due to the icy winds. We live in front of the heater at night while watching TV. It is such a punishment getting up on these cold mornings. Spring cannot get here soon enough. I really need to have my morning coffees under the trees enjoying the sunshine and birds singing. Though at the moment the garden outside our bedroom window is full of birds. There are two trees either side of the pond and there are hundreds of little birds flitting among the branches. The noise is deafening but hopefully it means the end of winter is in sight.
On Wednesday Hubby and I went to Heidelberg to collect our new ID Books. There have been fires every day burning in whatever direction you look. Practically the whole way to Heidelberg is black even right across the Suikerbosrand Reserve. Once we had collected our books, which took about five minutes as it was so quiet there, we decided to go up to the shopping centre. As we drove in Hubby spotted a big sign advertising breakfast at the Spur so we decided to try them. It was a good decision as it was a really good meal. I ordered Nachos to take home for Diane and then we went shopping at the Pick N Pay. We were home at lunchtime and as Hubby’s feet were very painful he decided to stay home. Thursday morning he wasn’t feeling good with his feet still very painful so he spent the day at home again. I cooked our main meal at lunchtime to free my evening up to do other things. After lunch I cleared the kitchen and did some computer work before Diane and I went into Meyerton to do errands.
Friday Hubby decided to go to the workshop to check up on things and after doing some cleaning we left for Alberton to do shopping and go to the workshop. I stayed at the workshop while Diane went for an appointment. It was a happy and sad moment when she came back to say she starts working on Monday. I am very happy for her but sad for me as I am really going to miss her and doing things with her. We will have to squeeze as much as possible into weekends now. After leaving the workshop we went to visit Julie and Margaret before going to Alberton City for shopping. On the way home we stopped at News Cafe to have the toast we had promised Wayne we would have for his birthday. We had a shooter for him and after having a snack meal we had another one to toast Diane’s new job. The shooter glasses are to keep and when they were empty we took a pic of ourselves with them to send to Wayne so he could see we really had toasted him in the News Cafe. That was his favourite place to go out to while he was here with us. He is hoping to come again by the end of the year and it will be great to see him again. We were home just after dark and the first thing we did was put on the heater ready for an evening in front of the TV. It was a freezing evening with the temp dropping to – 5 though the icy wind (snow in the mountains) makes it even colder.
All for now. Have a Fab Weekend. We intend to.

The New Arrival and Travis on his slide

Happy/ Sad Times

The last couple of weeks have just flown by. The arrival of Joshua was a very happy time. Ali and I have been in daily contact exchanging news and advice. Diane and I visited on Tuesday this week now that some sort of routine has been established – the first six weeks are always the hardest. Travis was thrilled to see us and was more than happy to go with us to Lifestyle for lunch and a play. Ali stayed home with Josh as it was too cold for him to go out and she wanted to catch up with things while we were gone. At Lifestyle he had a couple of rides on the train which he thoroughly enjoyed as each seat had a steering wheel in front of it. He was most upset whenever I took my hands off the steering wheel. Lunch was good with me having a smoked salmon bagel, Diane had a cream cheese and salad sandwich and Travis had chips and veggie fingers. We had our coffee and Travis had a chocolate drink. He is so good when it comes to sitting and eating at a table. Must be a boy thing – the importance of stomach and filling it. After lunch we shopped for a slide and seesaw for him to use at home to keep him occupied while Ali is busy with Josh. Travis fell asleep in the car going home and was most upset when he woke up to see he was back there. I think he thought he was off to visit Granny again. Luckily the play equipment soon distracted him and once he was settled we left for home stopping to visit Julie and Jared on the way. Travis cried when we left and I felt really bad about it. Will have to let him visit again when the weather is warmer but for now I think he needs to first adjust to the new arrival and not feel so jealous. He was not happy when we paid attention to Joshua while we were there.
Last week we were woken early Monday morning with the very sad news that one of Hubby’s closest friends had passed away in his sleep during the night. Hubby was devastated as him and Allan Stroud had been friends since they were three years old. Life is to be enjoyed while you can! It is all too short!
On Saturday Hubby, Diane and I decided to go into town for lunch and a movie and went into Eastgate. We got the tickets for `Marmaduke’ and then went to The Bread Basket for some lunch. Hubby and I had Ciabatta rolls – me with chicken and avo and him with roast beef and salad while Diane had a French roll with cheese and salad. Our rolls were so delicious and crispy and as usual we all had cappuccinos’. After lunch we wandered around the shops before going into the movie. We all enjoyed ` Marmaduke’ immensely and were glad we had made the decision to go.
The rest of our time has been spent in the usual pursuit of office/computer work, shopping and cleaning. It has been easy to keep the place clean without Travis around but Oh So Quiet. Can’t wait for his next visit. Hubby’s feet are still not good but as he won’t keep off his feet there is not much that can be done. Diane and I have not been able to hike or cycle at all lately. It has been sooo cold and windy that our sinus has been really bad. We wish we could hibernate!
Cheers. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a Fantastic Weekend.