Their first week

I think it was the Monday we set off to The Baths in Citrusdal. There were a surprising amount of people there and I think eventually it dawned on us that it was still during school holidays hence the many families around. Somehow we always seem to go mid-week with friends or family visiting on holiday so we've always managed to get in - some friends seem to think that it's always fully booked - I guess we've been lucky?

With all the camping equipment - two tents, 4 plastic chairs and cooler box, etc. we decided we'd better take the bakkie and so Sanna drove for the first time in ages and took us over the Piekenierskloof pass in style - with the guys at the back trying to talk above the howling wind and with beer in hand. I was afraid it would be cold so I even packed my entire duvee and two pillows which gave Alec and I the most comfortable sleep we've had on a camping trip ever! The seasoned campers declined and opted for their Thermarests instead.

We stopped off at Shoprite in Piketberg first for some supplies and then it was off to the wild. We love camping at The Baths so it had to be one of the first places we took them. We set up camp as soon as we got there and then went off to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the hot swimming pool. I think we all at some point also braved the cold pool if only for a second.

Later in the evening we had a lekker braai and eventually went to sleep just in time for the rain to start pit-patting on the roofs of our tents. All our constumes and towels which were draped over the bakkie got drenched, but luckily shoes and cameras, etc. were tucked away and avoided ruination. It also cleared the next day so we were able to swim and walk around some more before heading back to the mutts to dry out the tents on the lawn.

On the way back it was the girl's turn to sit at the back of the bakkie so we put on a brave face and braced ourselves. We got some ice-creams and cool-drinks for the drive back. Unfortunately, Sanna realised she'd left her purse including passport, money, everything on the ledge we'd just been sitting on before getting ourselves comfortable on the back. She felt so bad and was amazed that she could forget something so important, but luckily - with this being friendly, honest country - it was right where she left it. We'd driven for about 5 minutes before she realised it, so it was probably 10 minutes in all it was there. We all think if someone had found it they would have handed it straight to the receptionist and we would have retrieved it from there. Could have been a very different holiday so we were all relieved and went on to enjoy the rest of the day.

Their first Sunday

Heck, I've already given their names on Flickr so I may as well mention them here too. We've know Geoff and Sanna for over 5 years now having met them just before our wedding in London in 2001. Geoff worked with Alec at the store with nine lives in Earl's Court Road and so I also met Sanna at one of Trekmate's functions. I remember our first year we went to a greek restaurant for the Christmas party and they had some very talented belly-dancers who could physically move their breasts up and down individually - it is a sight to behold. In later years the Christmas party invariably started off at the O' Neil's near Piccadilly and then on to WonKei's where we'd get a huge round table on about the third floor. Alec and I still talk about the Chilly Pork Chop! But, anyway, back to the original topic. We were thrilled when Sanna e-mailed in May to say that they were about to book flights to SA and would September be alright with us for a visit. Well now - the rest is history...

That first Sunday for them in Africa we were very lazy and had a late lunch after which we walked up the Koringberg mountain behind our village. It was the first time we ventured all the way almost to the top and we actually saw about 3 paragliders launch and drift around the afternoon sky above our heads. It was quite fantastic and the dogs loved it! We didn't see all the way to Table Mountain though so I still don't know if I believe that. I'm busy designing a hiking trail permit for Koringberg which will be available at accommodation establishments in the dorp. They're only R5 each and all moneys will go towards maintaining the trail. As some of it goes through private farm land (wheat fields) we hope that people will respect the route and that there'll be no reason to stop the use of it. It's also the path for the annual Swartland Mountain Bike race in early September which is a great event. Hope to do it some year when we finally get our acts together and buy some bikes.

We sat around the pool for a bitter after our walk and then all had showers and just relaxed while picking pesky, disgusting ticks off the dogs. Geoff and Sanna proved to have quite a knack for it. We had never seen so many on the dogs before and even found a couple on ourselves as well although thankfully not attached. We haven't walked that trail since and have rather kept to the village streets - at least until harvest time is over. The trucks have been driving back and forth with all the produce. Wonder how this weekend's rain affected the crop? But, about the tick situation - it's usually not that bad and we've since gotten drops we've used which should last for 3 months which so far seems to be working a treat.

So, I guess that was a bit of a boring report about what our friends did on their second day in Africa, but that's what you do when you're in the country - you chill!!!

Will write more soon when I get my memory together about the rest of their first week.

7 weeks to Christmas

Okay, so I haven't written for months, but hey I've been busy and it's not like anyone's reading anyway! Our friends have come and gone and we had a fabulous time. They arrived on the 16th of September on a cold and rainy Saturday morning. We drive the hour and 15 minutes to meet them after getting up at about 3:30 - their plane was to arrive at 5am. We had hoped that it would be a sunny morning and that we'd drive up the country lane which is the N7 and they'd marvel and the sunrise and the rolling wheat fields and occasional groups of cattle and ostridges on the way, but alas - we just stopped at the Engen 1-stop and got some water and stuff and headed home.

So, instead of the lovely braai out at the lapa we had to settle for Lasagne inside. Oh, well, the weather cleared up in the end and we had a few adventures before they returned to London after their 2 weeks, but it rained again on the Monday morning of their departure. Thankfully hubby and I had been reading the book - The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allan Carr which was kindly given to us by A's (my hubby)'s sister after she's read it and found it worked for her. So, on the morning of their departure, at Cape Town International, outside the terminal we stubbed our our last cigarettes.

It's been almost 5 weeks now and I must confess that I sneaked a drag on Friday night when A wasn't looking, but I don't feel too bad about it and I'm quite quietly confident that I won't ever smoke again! A, on the other hand, has given up about 4 times since - once of which was on Saturday morning after he smoked with a friend who then game him a packet of cigarettes to feast on for the night. I think I just took that drag behind his back because I wanted him to finish the packet and be done with it already, but I guess I was just being naughty. Anyhow, I want to write more about the holiday and get to what's going on now in my life, but I'll write again soon. I've uploaded photos to Flicker on the right so have a look if anyone ever comes across this blog.

Can't believe it's already so close to Christmas!!!