Visit to South Africa in Dec 2008

I know it is almost December again, but since some of our friends have not received an update I will put some info and pictures up.

Ruan, Carli and myself spend 7 weeks in South Africa with family and friends. Gaby left for Australia the day after Christmas and started working at his new job just after he got over the jet lag.

It was obviously great to see all the loved ones again and had good laughs and at times, cries, with all. All the socializing cost me dearly in the weighing department. Just decided I will get back in a routine when in Australia but my oh my...

The children and I arrived in Sydney on the 27th January the day after Australian Day. We were sad to have missed out on the celebrations but got ready for Carli's first day at school straight away. We were very impressed with the way we were received at her school and she settled down very quickly and with great ease.

We stayed in a company paid apartment until the end of February and got to know the route to school quickly. We have survived the Sydney roads so far with out a GPS and actually do know our way quite well. I think you take note of your surroundings and get 'markers' far quicker if you venture out without the 'much longed for GPS by my children' very well.

I am posting a few of the photos which were taken during our visit.



Carli and Ouma Bokkie (Gaby's mom)



Ruan And Carli target shooting with Oupa's pellet gun.


Carli watching Grandparents' tortoise laying her eggs.




A Hadeda bird that I missed so much while in Spain.



Carli doing a sunset dance at my dad's place.


On my dad's front verandah. Notice Anneleen's (his wife) lovely garden


First time in two and a half years since I've watered a garden with a hose!!



The view at my Dad's property from the front veranda.


Waffle, cream and syrup, only at a Wimpy (similar to McDonald's, only better!)



Carli and Zuzi ( daughter of the women that worked for me in SA) at her school. She is wearing Carli's old dress.


In a Oak forest on the farm that used to belong to my brother Louis and his wife Babsie. She sold it earlier this year.


My sister in law Theresilda (Babsie for some), my sister Sonia, myself and my sister in law Martie (living in Aus) What a pretty foursome!



My brother Pieter, also living in Australia, son got married in January. The wedding was held at Botanical gardens close to Johannesburg. Beautiful setting.



At Cesar and Alna's (dear old friends) house. They have a wonderful big property close to a river.






At my sister's house in Pretoria. Her 2 sons, daughter and daughter in law.



I missed tea gardens so much while in Spain.

Joy!!

CS Lewis said: 'Joy is the serious business of Heaven' That tells me that the people in Heaven are seriously having a good time. It tells me that joy, laughter, happiness, contentment, peace etc etc are the main ingredients for life in Heaven. Wow isn't that amazing!! Why are we not focused more on our inheritance than focusing on the here and now. And if we do I am sure we will start living out our inheritance here, right where we are. Much more to say about this but for you to ponder on that. Let's take life by the hand and have fun!! Joy in abundance.

Someone said: 'Happiness is not having what you want, It is wanting what you have.'


Some of my 'Happy Moments'

Sunday - 16 August 2009

The first day of a new venture for me!

I have decided that I might reach more people or rather that I might get regular responses from those whom I love and miss very much. It might also serve as a place of info for those who are interested in moving across the waters to bushy, noisy (birds), exciting, beautiful, English speaking Australia... I will do regular updates and in the process share the new exciting chapter in our lives with you.

We had a rocking high temperature of 28 degrees today, remember it is the southern hemisphere and suppose to be cold. We were desperate to go to the beach, one of the many which hasn't been discovered by us yet but due to a family ailment we opted for a closer venue where we could be in the shade. We had a peaceful picnic under the Aussies' beloved gum trees and were entertained by a few kookaburras and few other cockatoo type of birds. We took, Pumpkin, our Jack Russel with but she had a hard time staying with us due to the amazing forest world which she wanted to go and discover.

I unfortunately can't add a photo of our picnic today since our little digital camera is lost. We think it might have been pinched from the car one night because I often forget to lock the car after parking in our drive way. It is also where the car stays for the night and the other morning we found my wallet open on the back seat with the little money I had in there missing. So we suspect the same happened to the camera which was often left in the cabinet. Me bad, irresponsible, yeah I know. It was very old and quite an embarrassing little object since the battery casing had to be kept into place with elastic bands and also everybody else walks around with much smarter and newer paraphernalia.

Well this is just the beginning of a hopefully long and exciting relationship I am going to have with you via this blog.