Human Rights Day

Was up early to an overcast, cool day. Went to the kitchen to have my wake up cuppa. Hubby followed as he wanted to make breakfast seeing that he was not able to on Sunday. I sat with my cuppa looking out the window at the birds while he made a breakfast of bacon, egg and toast. After breakfast Diane and I went onto the computer while we waited to see if the weather would improve so that we could have our hike. We eventually organized our `pad kos’ (picnic) and left just after eleven. The road down to Suikerbosrand was stunning. Just miles and miles of cosmos. Two weeks ago there was nothing and then this time they were everywhere.We arrived and started our hike about ten to twelve. Diane set my new phone to count our steps as she discovered the facility when going through the booklet. Whenever I get an upgrade she checks it out and then shows me what to do. Much easier than me trying to work out the instructions.Seeing that we had so much more time to complete the hike we were able to take our time and appreciate the scenery around us. I am happy to say the cycling has definitely improved my fitness level. I only started huffing and puffing on the second uphill this time. The day had really warmed up and the sun was shining in a blue sky. We had our stop at the same place as last time reaching it after an hour. There were several groups of people around also hiking through. While we were sitting eating our cheese rolls a guy came up from the opposite direction who made me feel good as he was huffing and puffing even worse than I had done. After chilling and enjoying the scenery we carried on going down all the way before leveling out and carrying on along the road side. I could see why the guy had huffed and puffed so much. When we have completed a few more hikes I would like to go from the opposite direction too. We passed two more groups resting with a picnic on the side of the path before going up again. By now thunder and lightning had started up in the distance and we quickened the pace so that we wouldn’t be caught in the middle of the lightning among the rocky kopies - not that anywhere was really rock free, but it felt safer along the level ridges. Luckily the storm activity passed us by after about half an hour and we slowed down and continued enjoying the scenery and hike. When we reached the signposts Diane wanted to take the 10km route but I wanted to try the same route as last time to see if we could find the way up and over the kopies to the car park. When we reached the little stream we relaxed and took some pics before going upstream for a short way to try and find the start of another path. Unfortunately we had no such luck and seeing that it was almost three decided to walk along the road. As I told Diane we had plenty of time to do it in. Diane wasn’t too impressed as we reached the car park at ten past four. I promised her we wouldn’t go that route again but at least we now know for sure that the route ends at the road. We checked the reading on the phone and were pleased and surprised to see that we had completed 18,392 steps. Don’t know the kms but it must have been between 13 and 15 – at least I hope so. Starting a hike earlier is a much better plan as we were able to enjoy the experience so much more and can’t wait to do the next one. Hopefully we will be able to do a hike every second week at least. On the way home we took pics of the cosmos on the roadside. When we got back Hubby was fast asleep so Diane and I chilled with a glass of wine which was interrupted by friends of Hubby who arrived to look at old car parts. Diane and I watched ` Kung Fu Panda on TV while they were busy outside. When they left Diane made herself noodles while I made wors rolls for Hubby and I. It was too late for anything else. We watched our normal of `Numbers’ and ` Flash Point’ chilling with our Milo after which we got on the computer for a while before retiring for the night.

Mad Monday

Up at six as usual. It was overcast and nippy but I still had my coffee outside and thoroughly enjoyed it. Had my second cup and felt really good. The peace out there just seems to soak into your body and is so relaxing. I recommend communing with nature to everyone. That time spent chilling with your morning cuppa is a health benefit greatly underrated.
After breakfast I spent time doing office work while Hubby relaxed until it was time to get ready for his Dr’s appointment. The appointment was with the Cardiologist at 12pm.WE left about eleven and went first to the chemist to stock up with bandages for his toe. I am not too happy as the wound is mucky again. The chemist is next to the Hospital where Hubby was a patient and in the Phone Book the address for the cardiologist was the street adjacent to the hospital. We left the chemist and drove up the street looking for the address. No luck! So we drove to the hospital to ask for directions. Hubby parked in the parking area while I ran in to ask as it was almost 12. I asked the receptionist where his rooms were. She asked me which Dr. I wanted as there were two with the same surname. I told her it was Dr. T and she sent us to the Clinton Hospital which is down the road where we had just been. Murphy’s Law! All the robots were against us. We parked and rushed inside to keep our appointment. The Dr. at the Clinton was Dr. J. Wonderful! I asked the receptionist there where Dr. T was and `Surprise, Surprise!’ He was at the Union where we had just been. Back to the car and back to the Union. We parked and rushed in as it was now past twelve. Dr. T was on the second floor, all the way down a very long corridor. Hubby was in a panic and almost running along – we couldn’t keep up with him.
We arrived in his rooms out of breath only to find the Receptionist had not put his name down. I told her that I had phoned for an appointment which was supposed to be a week after he was discharged but as the Dr. was on leave it was made for the 19th. She fetched his file and saw that it had been noted there so told us to sit while she checked to see if he could be fitted in. We sat. There were some National Geographic Magazines on the table and we each took one. Hubby was called in. My mag had an article on Australia in it which I read. The article covered the drought in New South Wales. The farmers there are really in a bad way and many farmers have had to sell up. They can’t grow rice anymore, fruit trees have been destroyed and the area is practically a desert now. Scary Stuff.
Hubby was in about half an hour and was out of breath when he came out. He had been given a `clean bill of health’ and there was no problem whatsoever about travelling to Oz. What a relief! I asked why he was out of breath and he said “he had run his gat off in there”. He also said his blood pressure had been a bit high – no wonder with the panic to find the place.
We were now able to relax so we stopped at the little Café downstairs for a spot of lunch. We all had Low Fat Smoothies and I had a sandwich with a salad instead of chips. I better look good for Oz.
After lunch we went up to the workshop so Hubby could check on things. We were waiting for a fax in connection with material we had ordered as we needed it urgently. Nothing was there so while Hubby was busy down the bottom I phoned. Nothing had been done yet so I requested the fax. The clerk tried to fax twice. Diane and I thought the twit had probably put the fax in upside down but after the second blank message we checked the fax machine. Guess What! Yes, the ink was almost non existence. We took them out to take for a refill and phoned to give the home fax no. so we could get our fax.
We rushed Hubby along as we needed to get home for the fax. Luckily the fax was waiting. I did the bank transfer and sent proof of payment. Let’s hope we get the steel tomorrow as our customer needs a rush job. After that Diane and I went into Meyerton to get the ink refilled and do some shopping for supper. When we got home I had my glass of wine while chilling with Ali and Travis. Ali’s weekend away did her the world of good. SHE MADE SUPPER. There is no CSI today so I’m early with my blog. I must just clean the kitchen and then make our Milo. I think I need an early night today. These late nights and early mornings are catching up - I fell asleep twice while doing the blog.
Cheers. Hope you had a good start to your week.