Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

On Sunday morning it was such a pleasure to be woken by Simon and Shannon shortly followed by Mom and Dad with steaming cups of coffee.  The weather was crisp and clear and freezing cold!   After a leisurely chat and lovely lie in we finally raised ourselves from bed.   There was a power failure so we decided to treat the family to a Wimpy breakfast just outside the town of Kokstad.   It had a lovely garden with play equipment for the kids.

We took the scenic route home. Instead of going through town so I could get some Kodak moments.

The Pink Church is one of 12 outstation Catholic churches in Kokstad that serves the surrounding community and is situated at the turnoff to Karg’s Post.

We usually visit Kokstad in Summer when the green becomes overwhelming.  In winter there is some relief as the lack of rain means there is a bit of dryness and browner shade around.

Later that morning we had visitors for tea.  Neil and Rose and their daughter, Margie from next door popped in with the most delicious scones baked by Margie.  

People in Kokstad are really friendly and nobody stands on ceremony.  Conversation is relaxed and revolves round horses, livestock, farming and family.   It is most refreshing.  Nothing is too much trouble and if you’re in a spot there are a dozen people prepared to help you out.   What a fantastic lifestyle.

We spent the rest of the day reading, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine.   Grandpa did some repairs for Lauren and the electric gate now works!

I managed to finish reading The Unlikely Journey of Harold Fry on my Kindle before supper.   After a delicious supper of chicken casserole we watched a moving and then it was bed!

This morning my cell rang out loudly at 7 a.m. causing me to rouse myself quickly.  It was Barbara confirming plans for our visit to Brooklyn Farm later on.   When our children were growing up we spent many Christmas holidays with Barbara and Andrew and their five children whose ages blended perfectly with our three.   We are now the older generation watching our children do exactly what we did a generation ago!     Now, though, we stay with Lauren and only get to spend a day or two with them unless we arrange to go away together which we have done before and is definitely on the agenda for the future!

First we had to shop for our two day stay in the mountains so Earl and I set off early and got all the needed provisions.   En route we spotted this lovely Jackal Buzzard enjoying the morning sun.

We met Birgitta and the boys at the bridge.  They were on their way home from a long bike ride.  “They think they’re playing in the river – but actually I’m recovering form the ride!”  I know the feeling having done many cycles with my grandsons back home.

We enjoyed tea on the stoep but when the sun became too hot we moved into the shade of the oak tree.   The garden was abuzz with birds and we enjoyed watching them come to the feeding tables and birdbath.

Barbara and Andrew’s grandsons came over after their ride and joined Simon in the sandpit.

Lunch was delicious and brought back happy memories of the old farm holidays.   The Mackenzies are now in a small cottage while their son and his family occupy the old farmhouse.

Here are some farm scenes

After lunch Earl took the boys to the dam to try their luck at some bass fishing and were gone for some time.  I heard later that there was a lot of fun but no fish caught!

Ann came over for tea with three-year-old Caitlyn and 18-month old James.   What gorgeous children.

The boys returned tired and happy after their fishing trip and it was time to go.  The weather has been kind and we very much enjoyed soaking up the warmth after our cold, wet, Cape winter.