Wings and Wheels

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.

Chilled Sunday

The alarm woke us up at four and Hubby got up to get ready to leave for the Piston Ring meeting. I reset the alarm for seven and went back to sleep. When the alarm went off again I got up to have my chill coffee outside under the trees. Diane and I were ready just before nine and took the Sunbeam for a spin to the local shop to get the dog food before leaving for the Piston Ring. The March Meeting is a Swop Meet and is always a busy one. We decided to risk the highway as it was already nearly ten. To our surprise the highway was clear all the way as all the lanes were open. As we got to Modderfontein we joined up with the Harley Club who were also arriving. There were about 40 bikes in the convoy and we fell in behind them arriving to quite a welcome as lots of people stopped to watch the arrival. The place was packed with cars parked all the way down both sides of the road as the parking areas were all full. Luckily we managed to find a parking quite close on the verge of the road. We wandered around for some time taking pics before eventually finding Hubby stopping to talk to friends along the way. We found Gino manning the bottom entrance and after a chat went off to buy coollies for the three of us. After giving Gino his drink we went back up the club house where we sat chatting with friends before wandering around again. There were tons of people there – it was one of the biggest Swop Meets in years. When Diane and I tried to get something to eat just before twelve everywhere had sold out already. Hubby said he would take us to lunch on the way home. We left about one stopping at the Piatto in Alberton. Diane and I arrived first and ordered rock shandies for all of us. Hubby ordered spaghetti bolognaise with a salad, I ordered a `Fillet Piatto’ and Diane ordered butternut filled pasta pockets with a cheese sauce. Diane and I had a glass of wine with our food. The rock shandies are really good at the Piatto as they put a cherry in them. My meal was delicious. The fillet was on a bed of polenta smothered with mushroom sauce and rocket with sweet pumpkin and creamed spinach. When we arrived at the Piatto it was bright sunshine and very hot but by the time we left it was dark and windy with a few drops of rain in the air. Hubby enjoyed his cherry so much he asked the waiter if he could have a couple on a plate and was delighted when he was given four of them. Needless to say the waiter got a good tip.We arrived home about four and all went for a nap. I woke up just before six and woke Diane up so that we could go for a quick ride. It was getting dark so we just took the shortest route and rode for half an hour. This is our fourth ride for the week so I reckon we aren’t doing too badly with our keep fit. When we got back we spent the rest of the evening chilling in front of the TV. The Sunday Night Movie was ` Australia’ which we thoroughly enjoyed. Diane made the Milo ready for the start of the movie which finished about half ten. There was nothing else worth watching so we went to bed after making sure the dogs went out to the loo. I read for about an hour or so before putting out the light.Cheers and have a great week.

Weekend

Saturday was up to a great day again when the alarm went off at six. Had to force myself out of bed though I felt as if I needed a good few more hours of sleep. Had my chill two cups of coffee to get up enough steam to start my day before making breakfast and seeing to the dogs. Once all that was out the way I could start on the final preparations for Hubby’s Tit Meeting. By the end of the morning there were bowls of all sorts of salad plus a big pot of pap ready and waiting for the start of the meeting. Diane and I got ourselves organized for our disappearance (Men only car club) from home. About half twelve the first few cars drove in and after being nosey and peering out the window to see who they were we grabbed a coke and sneaked out the side gate. We had already parked our car outside for our get away. Our first stop was in Meyersdal at the Steers. It was too hot to eat much but we were hungry so we ordered a packet of chips and a cone ice-cream each. The first to satisfy the hunger and the second to cool off. We parked under a tree and polished off the food before carrying on to Val’s place. The highway wasn’t too bad but as we rounded the corner we drove into a bottle neck where there were road works. It was pathetic and an absolute nightmare to get through. Luckily further down the road opened from the one lane to three again. We were using the GPS to try it out and were thrilled when we were warned twice of speed traps. Not that we were able to go over the limit with all the traffic around but it’s nice to know if you are speeding one day. I told Diane I will never drive without it on again.We got to Val and first thing was an ice cold coke to recover from the journey there before checking out the Photo Album for the 80th present. There is still work to be done on it before they leave on Friday but what has been finished is really stunning. They have worked hard on it and it shows. I take my hat off to them for a fantastic job. I’m sure it will give many hours of pleasure. That out the way we settled for an afternoon of coffee, cake and chat. Diane did a quick photo shoot of Kelly before she left to go out while we carried on chatting. Kim was slaving away over her books studying for exams this week coming. The afternoon flew past and we eventually left about six. As we turned on the on-ramp for the highway home we saw a roadblock in front and just our luck they stopped us. The young cop came to the window, leant on it and had a good look into the car. Diane was trying to find my Drivers License among all my paraphernalia in my bag and while we waited the cop wanted to know when I would be selling my car. I just laughed saying “but then I won’t have a car to drive “. By now Diane had found the license which he just glanced at before waving us on. Thank goodness that was all. We arrived home as it was getting dark to find a couple of die-hards still chilling in the braai area. Diane and I joined them sitting chilling with glasses of wine and munching crisps. Barney, one of the guys still there, had just recently got himself a 1946 Ford which he insisted Hubby take us for a drive in. We had a quick ride around the block. When we got back we teased him saying while it is a great car it just can’t compare to our 46 Plymouth - much to his disgust. It was about half nine before the guys left and we had a quick tidy - up before watching some TV. I started feeling sick and just went to bed leaving everything to be cleaned on Sunday. I was up to take the dogs out about midnight and saw that it was building up for a storm as lightning was flashing all around.
Hubby bought me breakfast in bed on Sunday morning just before eight. I was feeling a bit better so was up not long after to start the Big Clean. There really and truly is nothing worse than getting up to a dirty kitchen. I just never do it but couldn’t cope with it last night. Luckily paper plates were used for the Tit Meeting so it was utensils, glasses and bowls only. It took me an hour or two to clean after which I felt lousy again and seeing that Hubby also wasn’t feeling too good we just forgot about celebrating The Love Day. Instead we just relaxed, watched TV and read – at our age that is more enjoyable and less energy is required. Wayne was home early evening all excited after his Cape Town Trip. We were treated to a running commentary on all he had done- his meeting with Percy Montgomery, going up Table Mountain and Robbin Island and all the fab restaurants – as well as viewing his pics and video clips. We ate a light supper after which Diane and Wayne headed off to the movies. I spent the evening on the computer until I was forced to switch off due to all the thunder and lightning around. I watched some TV with my ‘can’t do without’ Milo. I was in bed around midnight with a book. I am now reading ‘Peking’ by Anthony Grey and am looking forward to it after reading his oh-so-enjoyable book ‘ Saigon”.
Cheers and have a fantastic week.