Life has been rather hectic and very cold for the last month. Ali and the boys have moved back to the cottage and clearing it out to move her things in has taken time. Also several times we have had them stay home for the day which makes for a very hectic day keeping them amused and fed. Meal times are also much earlier at night to fall in line with the boys. To start with Ali took the boys to their nursery school near where she works which meant leaving while it was still dark and cold and arriving home when it is already dark – not fair on them. Luckily they have now started at one ten minutes from home and I take them to arrive at eight and fetch them at half four. At that time of the morning it is already sunny and it is also still light when they come home which is much better for them and they won’t get so sick with coughs and runny noses. They can now eat and have time to play before Ali gets home to bath them and prepare them for bed. They have settled down now and sleep properly at night which at least gives Ali a good night of sleep.
In between Diane and I have been busy with office work as is the norm. Statements have gone out and my work is on track – Yippee!!! Diane and I have also been hectic getting organised for her new business venture and luckily for her all seems to be going well. We still have and NEED our daily glass of wine and have had the occasional outing in between. The big problem at the moment is this darn miserable cold weather which makes it SO HARD to get out of bed in the morning. At least we have passed the halfway mark for winter and can look forward to the days getting light earlier. At least the sun shines most days and we can sit under the trees midday to thaw out a bit. The garden is at the stage of dry grass after all the frosts and the dogs and boys traipse bits in all the time which makes for a very untidy looking house. Roll on summer. PLEASE!
All the best. Keep warm.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Back in a Chilly Joburg
As I said it was great to be back in Joburg. Hubby met us at the airport and was thrilled to have us back home. We stopped for a coffee at the airport before heading for home. The day was spent catching up with everything ready for statements and telling Hubby all about our holiday. He was so pleased we were back and just followed me around all day while we chatted – he even sat watching me work. I was most surprised and impressed to see how clean the house was as he loves cooking but is not one for cleaning up. The dogs looked well too and were also over-the-moon to see us back.
Saturday afternoon Ali and the boys came to visit and were here when our suitcase was delivered. Travis was so excited to help unpack and knew immediately which were his presents and hung on to them for the rest of the afternoon.
Sunday we went into Alberton as Hubby needed to get some jerseys and jackets as his current one’s have become rather shabby now. We had a great morning choosing things for him and then went across to Piatto for some lunch. As usual the food was excellent. Hubby and I had fish of the day with chips while Diane had a vegetarian lasagne. We finished off with coffee/tea and did some more shopping before returning home. The rest of the day was spent on the computer doing statements and by late evening all was finished.
The rest of the week was taken up with cleaning, office work and looking after Hubby who had hurt his knee and was unable to drive. Wednesday Diane and I quickly went into Alberton to do shopping and have a spot of lunch at Piatto before I took Hubby to the local Dr who wasn’t too sure what the problem was. He gave Hubby an injection into the knee as well as medication and Hubby has spent the rest of the week resting his knee.
Saturday Hubby and I went across to Roodepoort to look after Travis and Josh as Ali was busy. We spent the morning at Little Falls Nursery where they exhausted themselves playing and running around. It was almost twelve when we left to take them home and by the time we got to Ali they were both fast asleep. After stopping for coffee and to give Ali some knitwear we had bought her, Hubby and I went shopping in Alberton and picked up the holiday photos which had been developed. It was after three when we got home and Hubby and I had a nap as we were rather tired. The evening and Sunday was spent chilling, watching movies and doing computer work.
As I said it is great to be back in Joburg – there sure is “no place like home”- though the chilly weather is not very pleasant at the moment. It really is such an effort to get out of bed in the mornings and there is definitely no chilling under the trees. More a thing of being chilled inside! Even so we really did have a fabulous holiday and enjoyed seeing the different places and sampling the food as well as the history and amazing buildings. Our favourite place was Dresden – so clean and such friendly people. Prague is beautiful and clean but the locals can be rather rude. Paris was filthy and the people were rude but the history of the place was worth seeing. Scotland was great with really friendly people. It was also really great to spend time with Ros and family as well as Auntie Joan. Seeing relations not seen since I was a little one of six and catching up with each other was good too. Travel is Good for the Soul and mind.
Saturday afternoon Ali and the boys came to visit and were here when our suitcase was delivered. Travis was so excited to help unpack and knew immediately which were his presents and hung on to them for the rest of the afternoon.
Sunday we went into Alberton as Hubby needed to get some jerseys and jackets as his current one’s have become rather shabby now. We had a great morning choosing things for him and then went across to Piatto for some lunch. As usual the food was excellent. Hubby and I had fish of the day with chips while Diane had a vegetarian lasagne. We finished off with coffee/tea and did some more shopping before returning home. The rest of the day was spent on the computer doing statements and by late evening all was finished.
The rest of the week was taken up with cleaning, office work and looking after Hubby who had hurt his knee and was unable to drive. Wednesday Diane and I quickly went into Alberton to do shopping and have a spot of lunch at Piatto before I took Hubby to the local Dr who wasn’t too sure what the problem was. He gave Hubby an injection into the knee as well as medication and Hubby has spent the rest of the week resting his knee.
Saturday Hubby and I went across to Roodepoort to look after Travis and Josh as Ali was busy. We spent the morning at Little Falls Nursery where they exhausted themselves playing and running around. It was almost twelve when we left to take them home and by the time we got to Ali they were both fast asleep. After stopping for coffee and to give Ali some knitwear we had bought her, Hubby and I went shopping in Alberton and picked up the holiday photos which had been developed. It was after three when we got home and Hubby and I had a nap as we were rather tired. The evening and Sunday was spent chilling, watching movies and doing computer work.
As I said it is great to be back in Joburg – there sure is “no place like home”- though the chilly weather is not very pleasant at the moment. It really is such an effort to get out of bed in the mornings and there is definitely no chilling under the trees. More a thing of being chilled inside! Even so we really did have a fabulous holiday and enjoyed seeing the different places and sampling the food as well as the history and amazing buildings. Our favourite place was Dresden – so clean and such friendly people. Prague is beautiful and clean but the locals can be rather rude. Paris was filthy and the people were rude but the history of the place was worth seeing. Scotland was great with really friendly people. It was also really great to spend time with Ros and family as well as Auntie Joan. Seeing relations not seen since I was a little one of six and catching up with each other was good too. Travel is Good for the Soul and mind.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Final Week spent in Scotland
Our final evening in Prague was spent with Steph and Jed at the local Pub having a tasty meal and enjoying our time together before leaving for the airport to catch our flight back to Gatwick. We arrived about eleven and spent the rest of the night chatting and having a nap before going through to the departure hall at four in the morning. While waiting for our flight we had croissants and smoothies before wandering through the shops. The flight took off just before nine and we landed not long after ten in the morning. We had our directions from Ros so were able to catch the bus outside and then the train from Inverkeithing to Kirkcaldy. Ros met us as we left the station and took us back to the flat where we had a catch-up time over tea and coffee. After a light lunch Ros took us around the area showing us the shops and sea front. Kirkcaldy is a lovely place and I could see why Mom had enjoyed living there so much. After an early supper of fish and chips we were all in bed by nine.
Friday morning we had a leisurely breakfast together, after which Ros suggested we go to St.Andrews for the day as she had things to do at the bank and funeral parlour and would be a bit busy for a while. After taking some bags into the charity shop Diane and I caught the bus to St.Andrews. Once off the bus we made our way past the golf course and down to the beach where we took some pics and had a short walk. The day was rather overcast and rather windy so we only stayed a short while before looking for somewhere to have lunch. We found ourselves outside the Russel Hotel and liked the look of the special of the day – soup and Panini with tea/coffee – so we went in. It was a quaint old-fashioned pub with really good food. It poured with rain while we were eating but by the time we left it had cleared. We spent the rest of the day wandering around St.Andrews Cathedral and down to the beach again by the harbour before going into the botanical gardens. The gardens were stunning and full of flowers and waterfalls. By the time we had been in there we were rather foot-sore so we made our way back to the bus station for the 5.15 bus. The drive back was all along the sea front and the views were spectacular going through little villages with lovely old churches. We were back about seven and after supper spent the rest of the time chatting and watching TV until about 11 when we went to bed.
Saturday we were up fairly early for breakfast and after doing some cleaning left for a day in Edinburgh. We arrived at Waverley station and right outside were the sightseeing buses so we got ourselves tickets – from a South African guy- and jumped on for our tour. It was very windy and Diane and I were glad we had our Prague beanies with to keep our ears warm. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour going through all the historical parts and especially the Edinburgh Castle which is amazing. After the tour we walked back up to the Castle to take pics and get souvenirs before going back down to Princes Avenue to find somewhere for lunch. While on the tour the guide had recommended a little pub for the good Scottish menu so we decided to go there. It was a lovely place with fabulous food which we all enjoyed immensely. We all had a glass of wine with which we toasted Mom and her happy times in Scotland. After lunch we went shopping for Ros who needed two outfits – for Steph’s graduation and the summer ball. We were very lucky as she found the perfect dresses in the British Home Store. After our successful shopping spree we went back to the mall at the station for a juice before catching the bus to Edinburgh Airport to collect Auntie Joan. Her flight arrived at 8 and we caught a taxi back to Kirkcaldy. After a light supper we spent the evening chatting and watching TV before finally going to bed after 11.
Sunday was another leisurely breakfast before going down to the shops. Ros and Auntie Joan went shopping for lunch while Diane and I went for some souvenir shopping – and a suitcase to carry all the stuff we had been buying. We were back for a chicken and veggie lunch with Terry who Ros had invited over. We had a pleasant time together though Terry’s accent is rather hard to understand. Late afternoon members of the family started arriving ready for the Service on Monday. Early evening Ros, Diane and I went for a walk around the area before having a light supper. We were all in bed by half ten.
Monday morning we were all up getting organised early before family members started arriving. We had a full house by the time the transport arrived to take us to the Service. When the cars left driving so slowly that was when the fact of Mom not being there any longer really hit me and I was devastated. The Service was really beautiful and just what Mom had wanted. Ros was very brave and gave a wonderful memorial speech on behalf of all of us reading the poems Mom had chosen. Afterwards we had a snack tea at a nearby hotel before returning to the flat. By now the weather was very bad with very strong winds blowing. By four everyone had left and we walked Fiona back to her hotel before running in to the shops for some shopping. While in the shop the assistants were saying the bridge had been closed because of the gale. Trees were blown down in a lot of areas and flights were cancelled. The ash cloud from Iceland was also blowing across Scotland. After a light supper we were all in bed by half nine as we were all emotionally exhausted.
Tuesday morning the news was full of the fact of the ash cloud which had closed several airports including Edinburgh. Ros decided to pack up the flat and get the train back to London that afternoon so she wouldn’t miss Steph’s graduation. The morning was a hectic rush of getting sorted and organising the things for storage. Diane and I went down to the library every couple of hours to see if the situation had improved at the airport as Auntie Joan was due to fly back Tuesday evening. Just before twelve we went to the station to get a ticket for Ros to London and book ourselves into the hotel for the night. We made a provisional booking as we weren’t sure about Auntie Joan. All was sorted and Ros was ready just after half one. Diane and I walked down with her to the station to say bye before checking the airport situation again. When we got back to the flat we organised the final packing and left for the hotel before dropping the keys at the council. We booked into the room and went into town. I went to the council while Diane and Auntie Joan went to the Post Office and the library. We met back at the library where they had discovered the flight was cancelled so we quickly went to the station to book the train for London in the morning. We were now able to go back to the hotel and confirm we were all staying and relax after our stressful day. The evening was spent enjoying a good supper in the restaurant before spending the rest of the night watching TV.
Wednesday morning after a leisurely breakfast we packed our bags and left for the station where we caught the train just before ten. Passing the airport we noticed there was no activity whatsoever so were glad to be on the train which was full of stranded passengers. It was a pleasant journey through some very scenic areas. We arrived back in London – Kings Cross- at three and then made our way to Victoria Station and onto Lancing arriving at five where we spent the night.
Thursday was a sunny day and luckily the ash cloud had moved off so we knew our flight home was going to happen. We spent a leisurely morning with Auntie Joan leaving after lunch for Heathrow. By the time we got there it was raining and cold. We checked in and were told our flight had been delayed but not to worry as we would still make our connecting flight to Joburg. While sitting in the departure area we were called to Swiss Air and told to go to Terminal Five where we had been put on the BA flight direct to Joburg leaving at 9.20. We got across to the terminal and after been given the boarding pass for the BA flight went through security again. The flights had been cancelled because of a huge storm over London and we eventually took off just before 11. Luckily the flight was fairly empty and we had four seats for the two of us which made it a bit easier to sleep. We landed in Joburg just before ten and were very happy to be home though our luggage hadn’t been put on the plane and only came through on Saturday.
Friday morning we had a leisurely breakfast together, after which Ros suggested we go to St.Andrews for the day as she had things to do at the bank and funeral parlour and would be a bit busy for a while. After taking some bags into the charity shop Diane and I caught the bus to St.Andrews. Once off the bus we made our way past the golf course and down to the beach where we took some pics and had a short walk. The day was rather overcast and rather windy so we only stayed a short while before looking for somewhere to have lunch. We found ourselves outside the Russel Hotel and liked the look of the special of the day – soup and Panini with tea/coffee – so we went in. It was a quaint old-fashioned pub with really good food. It poured with rain while we were eating but by the time we left it had cleared. We spent the rest of the day wandering around St.Andrews Cathedral and down to the beach again by the harbour before going into the botanical gardens. The gardens were stunning and full of flowers and waterfalls. By the time we had been in there we were rather foot-sore so we made our way back to the bus station for the 5.15 bus. The drive back was all along the sea front and the views were spectacular going through little villages with lovely old churches. We were back about seven and after supper spent the rest of the time chatting and watching TV until about 11 when we went to bed.
Saturday we were up fairly early for breakfast and after doing some cleaning left for a day in Edinburgh. We arrived at Waverley station and right outside were the sightseeing buses so we got ourselves tickets – from a South African guy- and jumped on for our tour. It was very windy and Diane and I were glad we had our Prague beanies with to keep our ears warm. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour going through all the historical parts and especially the Edinburgh Castle which is amazing. After the tour we walked back up to the Castle to take pics and get souvenirs before going back down to Princes Avenue to find somewhere for lunch. While on the tour the guide had recommended a little pub for the good Scottish menu so we decided to go there. It was a lovely place with fabulous food which we all enjoyed immensely. We all had a glass of wine with which we toasted Mom and her happy times in Scotland. After lunch we went shopping for Ros who needed two outfits – for Steph’s graduation and the summer ball. We were very lucky as she found the perfect dresses in the British Home Store. After our successful shopping spree we went back to the mall at the station for a juice before catching the bus to Edinburgh Airport to collect Auntie Joan. Her flight arrived at 8 and we caught a taxi back to Kirkcaldy. After a light supper we spent the evening chatting and watching TV before finally going to bed after 11.
Sunday was another leisurely breakfast before going down to the shops. Ros and Auntie Joan went shopping for lunch while Diane and I went for some souvenir shopping – and a suitcase to carry all the stuff we had been buying. We were back for a chicken and veggie lunch with Terry who Ros had invited over. We had a pleasant time together though Terry’s accent is rather hard to understand. Late afternoon members of the family started arriving ready for the Service on Monday. Early evening Ros, Diane and I went for a walk around the area before having a light supper. We were all in bed by half ten.
Monday morning we were all up getting organised early before family members started arriving. We had a full house by the time the transport arrived to take us to the Service. When the cars left driving so slowly that was when the fact of Mom not being there any longer really hit me and I was devastated. The Service was really beautiful and just what Mom had wanted. Ros was very brave and gave a wonderful memorial speech on behalf of all of us reading the poems Mom had chosen. Afterwards we had a snack tea at a nearby hotel before returning to the flat. By now the weather was very bad with very strong winds blowing. By four everyone had left and we walked Fiona back to her hotel before running in to the shops for some shopping. While in the shop the assistants were saying the bridge had been closed because of the gale. Trees were blown down in a lot of areas and flights were cancelled. The ash cloud from Iceland was also blowing across Scotland. After a light supper we were all in bed by half nine as we were all emotionally exhausted.
Tuesday morning the news was full of the fact of the ash cloud which had closed several airports including Edinburgh. Ros decided to pack up the flat and get the train back to London that afternoon so she wouldn’t miss Steph’s graduation. The morning was a hectic rush of getting sorted and organising the things for storage. Diane and I went down to the library every couple of hours to see if the situation had improved at the airport as Auntie Joan was due to fly back Tuesday evening. Just before twelve we went to the station to get a ticket for Ros to London and book ourselves into the hotel for the night. We made a provisional booking as we weren’t sure about Auntie Joan. All was sorted and Ros was ready just after half one. Diane and I walked down with her to the station to say bye before checking the airport situation again. When we got back to the flat we organised the final packing and left for the hotel before dropping the keys at the council. We booked into the room and went into town. I went to the council while Diane and Auntie Joan went to the Post Office and the library. We met back at the library where they had discovered the flight was cancelled so we quickly went to the station to book the train for London in the morning. We were now able to go back to the hotel and confirm we were all staying and relax after our stressful day. The evening was spent enjoying a good supper in the restaurant before spending the rest of the night watching TV.
Wednesday morning after a leisurely breakfast we packed our bags and left for the station where we caught the train just before ten. Passing the airport we noticed there was no activity whatsoever so were glad to be on the train which was full of stranded passengers. It was a pleasant journey through some very scenic areas. We arrived back in London – Kings Cross- at three and then made our way to Victoria Station and onto Lancing arriving at five where we spent the night.
Thursday was a sunny day and luckily the ash cloud had moved off so we knew our flight home was going to happen. We spent a leisurely morning with Auntie Joan leaving after lunch for Heathrow. By the time we got there it was raining and cold. We checked in and were told our flight had been delayed but not to worry as we would still make our connecting flight to Joburg. While sitting in the departure area we were called to Swiss Air and told to go to Terminal Five where we had been put on the BA flight direct to Joburg leaving at 9.20. We got across to the terminal and after been given the boarding pass for the BA flight went through security again. The flights had been cancelled because of a huge storm over London and we eventually took off just before 11. Luckily the flight was fairly empty and we had four seats for the two of us which made it a bit easier to sleep. We landed in Joburg just before ten and were very happy to be home though our luggage hadn’t been put on the plane and only came through on Saturday.
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