#NaBloPoMo 18 – Birding etc at Ebb & Flow

2015-11-18 | puppy1952

Oh what bliss to wake up to a brilliant blue skies and sunshine this morning. The rain is desperately needed in the Western Cape and it was great to hear it during the night, but when camping, one is delighted to have some good weather.

What a pleasure to sit out, listen to the early morning chorus of birdsong and watch the activity on the river while sipping our first cuppa of the day.

A gorgeous morning

A group of young, energetic, American holidaymakers canoeing down the Touw River

A noisy Egyptian Goose greeted us hoping for a tidbit

My wonderful hubby cooked his special scrambled eggs which includes cheese, mushrooms, bacon, banana and baby tomatoes and somehow it tasted extra delicious as it was eaten alfresco.

Gourmet Breakfast at Ebb & Flow

After breakfast we did a marathon walk along the Pied Kingfisher Trail. It was 11ish and already quite hot. It’s beautiful walk not only for the birdlife but also the flora.

We also found a tortoise and a dung beetle in the path.

P1070431

Dung beetles keep the veld clean as they eat the faeces of herbivores which consists largely of undigested plant matter .

Some dung beetles roll the dung into balls and move it to their nests but others stay near the dung and feed from it there. The dung is also fed to the babies and this is why she lays her eggs in the dung. It sounds disgusting to us but not to a dung beetle!

Although the trail is called the pied kingfisher trail we did not see one. However, we saw a few other birds.

A Karoo Prinia

Levaillant’s Cisticola

Yellow bishop

Reed Cormorant catching some rays

On the last leg of our walk we met a German couple and as we were chatting a little Malachite Kingfisher appeared and we watched it catch insects in the water collected in the gutter on the side of the road.

Although we didn’t get the pied we were delighted to find a Malachite Kingfisher

All morning in camp I’d heard the Black-headed oriole but it insisted in hiding in the foliage. But this afternoon he obliged and posed beautifully for me.

Earl’s feet were hurting after our long walk and he blamed his heavy shoes. We decided to go to George to find a softer pair. After that we went to Victoria Bay and walked along the promenade.

These rocks bore plaques of remembrance possibly for people who love Victoria Bay

Signpost to everywhere

This bay is a surfers’paradise

It has been such a happy day and now we are going to pack up as much as possible the have a sushi supper in George so we can have an early night and leave for Addo at 6 am tomorrow morning. Watch this space for more!

#NABLOPOMO 17 – Garden Route National Park

2015-11-17 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

I was not raised in a camping/caravanning family. When I was a little girl my mother told me, “Camping is not a holiday! A holiday is a relaxing stay in a luxurious hotel where everything is done for you. Why would you want to stay in a tent or a caravan with no modern conveniences when you could be more relaxed at home!” That’s why we hardly ever went away on holiday. We couldn’t afford it! I do remember going to The Kruger National Park when I was seven and The Lakes, Wilderness when I was 13. I thoroughly enjoyed both of those holidays! There were odd weekend trips in chalets at odd venues but other than that – no we stayed at home. “After all,” my dad would say – “we live in a holiday resort – the most beautiful place in the world – why would we want to go anywhere else.” And yes – I was content to enjoy the seaside town where I grew up but just because it was the most beautiful place in the entire world didn’t mean that I didn’t want to see other places!

So when I grew up I really had the attitude that camping was not my scene until I went to deepest, darkest Africa which required a 4×4 vehicle and roof-top tent. That was my first introductions to the joys of camping in the wild and I loved it! There is something very special about being in the bush, cooking your food over an open fire and doing your ablutions in inadequate facilities – sometimes even digging a hole for the deed. It’s called ‘communing with nature.’ For a few years we did this on trips to Botswana and some parks in South Africa but then we got soft and decided that air-conditioned chalets were more comfortable – and way more expensive!

Now that we’re retired and want to travel more widely we’ve settled for the cheaper option of an off-road caravan – and I’m so glad we have because it is great! It’s not as rough as roof-top tenting and not as soft as chalets. It’s a happy medium of outdoor cooking and relaxing and sleeping in a dry comfortable bed! If you’ve been following my blogs you will know that we had a great trip to Kgalagadi earlier this year and today we set off on another caravanning trip.

We were up bright and early and left Struisbaai at 6:00 am. An old friend of Earl asked us to meet him for breakfast in Riversdale. They hadn’t seen each other for 4o years and it was great for them to catch up.

Earl and Fred catching up

Travelling the Garden Route is always a pleasure as it is so picturesque. We passed by Little Brak, Great Brak, Mossel Bay, George and finally reached Wilderness and The Garden Route National Park where we are staying at Ebb & Flow Rest Camp. What a beautiful place it is. We set up camp and then went to George to do some shopping.

We are right on the Touw river at Ebb & Flow

Our camp chairs are stored in bags and Earlie thought he’d packed two but the one turned out to be a tripod! So we went to Cape Union Mart to purchase another one. While there we spotted a few things we thought might be useful for our new camping life – like a super bright spotlight torch and electric cool box!

This cool box gives us extra fridge space

I have made some wonderful blogging friends from a many countries around the world and for their benefit I am going to describe the South African Braai. The word braai rhymes with cry. It is the shortened word Braaivleis which means roasted meat. Loosely translated it means Barbeque but a barbeque is not quite the same as a braai!

South Africans use invasive, alien wood to make a fire for their braai. Electric braais and Gas Braais are not considered proper braais. Every campsite in South Africa provides braai places and almost everybody braais when camping. Most South Africans braai at home at least once a week. You can braai almost anything and Fish Braais are quite popular if you catch your own fish. But the most common food braaid is chops and “boerewors” Boerwors is unique in South African. The word means Farmer’s Sausage. It contains 90 percent beef or a mixture of beef, lamb and pork. The other 10% is made up of spices and other ingredients. Not more than 30% of the meat content may be fat. Boerewors may not contain any “mechanically recovered” meat (meat derived through a process where meat and bone are mechanically separated). Potatoes are wrapped in tinfoil and cooked in the coals. Any vegetables can be cooked this way too. A salad also usually accompanies a braai. Some people also make cheese, tomato and onion sandwiches on a braai – so delicious.

There isn’t a South African man alive who can’t do a good braai – It is seldom the domain of the women.

Chops, Wors, Sweet potato (done in tinfoil) and Greek Salad

It was very pleasant here today and we were visited by Helmeted guineafowl.

A pretty but common bird in South Africa

The Egyptian Geese passed nonchalantly by before taking to the water

Fortunately the rain held off until the braai was done but we still managed to eat under the canopy without getting wet and afterwards everything looked clean and fresh.

Hopefully the weather will be sunny tomorrow as we have some great bird walks planned. Watch this space!

#NABLOPOMO 16 A day of Preparation

2015-11-16 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

I am full of excitement today. At my age I still count the sleeps till the day of departure arrives. There weren’t too many to count this time because it was a fairly last minute decision to take the caravan to Addo Elephant park – so I’ve been like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Although we’ve done a lot of travelling this year, this little trip has me just as thrilled as the past trips. I just love getting out into the bush!

We returned to Struisbaai from Cape Town yesterday after stopping at Napier for a delicious lunch. The young waitress recognised us and was very attentive. She saw the caravan and asked what our plans were. We told her that our lives now revolve around caravanning and travelling at a whim. She found that was something to envy! And it is! Anyway if ever you pass through Napier – do stop at the little restaurant at the side of the road – it is stunning. I did not feel like anything on their menu – lovely Boere kos – so she said she’d ask the chef to make me a chicken salad. Oh wow – it was fantastic

The cappuccino was good

Earlie had a burger to die for

The burger was stacked with a porcupine quill!

My chicken salad was divine – a variety of greens, avo and camembert cheese topped with kiwi fruit

When we got home I loaded the washing machine and we started packing the caravan. Today I had to sort out Earlie’s new laptop and get his email set up – I won’t go into details but I got only so far before I called the local expert. Thanks Jaapie for loading Windows Live Mail! Much easier than what I was trying to do with Microsoft!

Once that nightmare was over I could concentrate on preparing for tomorrow’s departure – I ironed our clothes, did some last minute shopping, printed the check lists and packed the last minute things into the caravan.

Our home on wheels for the next 10 days!

We leave at 7 tomorrow morning – stop at Riversdale for brekkie then onto Ebb & Flow, Wilderness for 2 nights. Then four nights in Addo Elephant Park. After that we will spend two days with our friends, Jim and Maureen in Jeffrey’s Bay!

Watch this space for our safari story.

#NABLOPOMO 15 Old Photographs Call Back The Past

2015-11-15 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

Hubby and I were back in Cape Town for a week. While there I delved into the deepest, darkest cupboard and hauled out the ancient photographs – nearly all black and white of course. And of course this only served to throw me nostalgically back to the past!

I have recently written about Quintella and all the amazing memories it holds but didn’t have enough photographs to enhance the story.

My aunt sent me this photograph of the house – before my time and before the garden was established. It is the ‘front’ of the house. The drive way passed the back door and so that is where everybody entered. The front door led to the front garden.

A very early photograph of Quintella – before the garden was established

Although my grandmother was the gentlest of souls and a friend to whoever crossed her path, she was a ‘lady’ and always dressed beautifully and correctly for the occasion. I never saw her looking untidy or in a pair of trousers until she was quite old and then she said it was to keep out the cold!

Granny and Atom – a very special little dog!

In the ‘olden days’ street photographer would snap one in the city, issue you with a card and for a small fee and a long wait you could claim you picture.

She dressed up to go to town - note the smart hat!

Gran always dressed smartly for a visit into the city and never left home without a hat. Looks like a great shoe shop in the background.

The picture below is of my aunt and my brother and big brother and me. We were very attached to her. She was full of fun and always ready to play with and entertain us. When I heard the news that she was leaving the country I was devastated. I couldn’t imagine the world without all of my family around me. Looking at this photo – I see a smiling, relaxed Big Brother – a slightly worried young aunt (Was she thinking about her imminent departure?) and me? Why the wide eyes and pressing closely to her side? Was I feeling neglected?

I have a feeling this photo was taken just before emigration to Australia. We are just outside the back door of Quintella

Our cousin’s father was our father’s brother but after their parents divorced their mother married my mother’s brother, Uncle To so he became their step-father so we ended up spending a great deal of time with them both at Quintella and Fish Hoek where we lived. The beach and Quintella – what an idyllic childhood we had. There was an older cousin too – but he didn’t spend as much time with us as the younger two. Note the clothes – this photograph must have been taken on the same day as the one above – OR we didn’t have any others!

The Five of Us – Tana, Me, Michael, Louis (RIP) Philip. Always together having the most amazing fun.

Of course we adjusted to the departure of our aunt. It would be 12 years before we saw her again. Her three sons were born in Oz and we only met them when they were 3,6,and 9 and instantly fell in love with them! But that is a story for another Blog – maybe.

The photograph below was sent to my grandparents to assure them that they were doing well in their new country.

Aunt and her husband soon after settling in Australia

It’s amazing how rapidly the years fly by. Soon Quintella became too much for Gran and Grandpa to manage. I was in High School when they sold up and moved to Fish Hoek where they lived happily for many more years. They had a long and happy marriage and here we are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary with them.

Michael (Big Brother), Me, Grandpa, Granny, Tana (Little Sister) Nicholas (Baby Brother)

Granny and Grandpa RIP – You set us the perfect example for grandparenthood and now that we’re there we value you even more that we did as children.

#NABLOPOMO 14 – Grahamstown Training College

2015-11-14 | puppy1952

NABLOMOPO

I was not exactly a high achiever at school but I knew that when I left I wanted to have something more than just a job – I wanted a career! I had my subject choices all mapped out for my Standard 9 and 10 years – English Afrikaans Accountancy Biology Typing and History. But then shock – horrow – they dropped Accountancy from the curriculum forcing me to choose Geography or Latin instead. Well my sense of direction is seriously faulty and I couldn’t have cared less about weather patterns,climate or the topography of the land so Geography was an absolutely no-no. I might have enjoyed Latin but I hadn’t taken it in the previous standards and so it was too late now! My parents investigated a number of other schools ‘up the line’ but none came up with better options and so they suggested I try for a commercial matric. That meant I would learn shorthand, typing, accounting and commerce in addition to my two languages. “After all,’ they said, “you will probably want to do a secretarial course after matric and this way you can go straight from school into a lucrative job. If you work hard and hone your skills you can command your salary and go anywhere in the world with you qualifications.” I’d already learned to type and I enjoyed Accountancy so perhaps they had a point. So off I went to Gardens Commercial School for the next two years. And I don’t regret it for one second. I became an expert typist, took down some rapid shorthand, aced my accountancy and ended up with a first class matric. BUT – I did not want to become a secretary. The call had come – to be a teacher!

In order to do apply I had to have a recommendation from my principal. “I want to apply to Cape Town Teacher’s Training College’ I said. He gave me a glowing testimonial but did not hold out much hope that I would be accepted – “They don’t take girls with a commercial matric,” he said – “Why don’t you consider becoming a commercial teacher instead – you’d handle the course brilliantly!” But I was adamant – “I don’t want to teach high school – I want to teach the little ones!”

He was right of course – CTTC refused me. Undaunted I decided to apply to Grahamstown and surprise, surprise they accepted me without hesitation! And as it turned out – this college was actually the best one in the country!

A handful of other Cape Town girls including my close friend, Ann – a year ahead of me – had to take the train at the beginning and end of each term. We would leave at 7 pm in the evening, change at De Aar where we usually met up with the Kimberly girls the next afternoon and then spend another night on the train arriving at 7 am the following morning. And we loved it – the fun and comeraderie made it all the more exciting.

College was great as everybody boarded in the four houses – Lincoln, Bangor, Canterbury and Winchester. There was great competition among the houses and a wonderful spirit of belonging. We were extremely well trained and instilled with an ethic that we have all maintained into old age.

Our founder, Mother Cecile, came to South Africa from England and started an orphanage and a school then a training school for pupil/teacher and finally in 1904 Grahamstown Training College was established to train teachers. Mother Cecile worked tirelessly and set a good example for all who followed. She died in her early forties.

Although the college closed in 1975, The Cape Town branch of the GTC Old Girls’ Guild celebrate Founder’s Day with a church service at Brook Chapel, Bishop’s School. We are a breed apart – and we range in age from 60 to 90+ Thanks to Bishop Christopher Gregorowski for conducting the service today and reminding us of the great work that Mother Cecile did for Education in The Eastern Cape in the early days.

After the service we enjoyed and wonderful tea and catch-up in the Staffroom – many thanks to Terry Wilke for once again allowing us to use the facilities at Bishops.

Old Girls arriving at Brook Chapel

On the left – a lecturer from 1952 and a student from the sixties

NABLOPOMO 13 – An Unexpected Treat

2015-11-13 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

Having recently relocated to a small town at the tip of Africa, I have neglected to find myself a hairdresser thinking, “When I go back to Cape Town, I’ll pop into my trusted young man who knows just how to handle my mop.” It is always a treat to see Johan. Not only is he an excellent stylist, but he has a knack of making one feel special. He always pays me a compliment even when my hair is in a sad state of neglect. After three months without a cut, I was sorely in need of his expertise with a pair of scissors.

After catching up on each other’s news he tentatively asked, “Are you doing anything tomorrow night?” Well he’s young enough to be my son so I knew he wasn’t angling for a date! “Not that I can think of right now,” I said “Why what’s up?”

“Well, I’ve started studying make-up and I have a lesson and no model – would you oblige?” Wow, Is the Pope Cathelic – “I’d love to,” I said. What girl doesn’t like to have her face done up for free?

I warned my dearly beloved that he would have to take me out for dinner afterwards so as not to waste my beauty watching TV for the rest of the evening.

Now I have been to a various beauticians and hairdressers in my long lifetime and although I love the sessions these experts can’t seem to help themselves from pointing out your flaws. “What have you done to your hair?” “Oh no – you don’t use eye cream?????” “Do you want to always wear a scarf when you’re older – then for Goodness sake use the neck cream!” “I do hope you use a mask at least once a week!”

Not so with, dear Johan. He only has lovely things to say and his teacher was just as complementary. I have looked in the mirror many times so I know the truth, but it was nice to hear – You have excellent skin and your eyes are a lovely shape. His teacher advised on the use of shades that would suit the older woman so as to soften the look (or not to make her look like a witch, I would say)

Usually I take exactly 2 minutes to do my make-up every morning. After the cleanse and moisturise routine – 30 seconds – I slap on the foundation, brush on some blush and colour the lips – that’s it! How long would a professional take – Try an hour and a half! And all the instructions of which brush to use, what colours to choose, how to get both eyes to look the same etc. etc.

First the hair is clipped back

Then the colour tested

And carefully applied

Now for the eys

Make sure both are the same

An artist at work

Tools of the trade

A very natural end result!

I felt like a queen when it was all done and thoroughly enjoyed dinner out with my darling hubby. Thanks Johan for a really lovely treat!

NABLOPOMO 12 – A Fundraiser with Pieter Dirk Uys

2015-11-12 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

It is my portfolio for the Bird Club to organise an annual fundraiser at Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay. This year we had South Africa’s most famous satirist, Pieter Dirk Uys doing one of his hilarious one-man shows – An Audience with Pieter Dirk Eish.

It is mind boggling to watch him change, on stage, as he impersonates one well-known political figure or fictional personality to another, with just a simple costume and a touch of make up. But it’s his facial expressions and talent for mimicry that finally fool you into believing that he has actually turned into that character!

The audience was asked to ‘pick a box’ with a number on it and in this box would be the costume of one of the characters that he would impersonate. I was flattered when he called me by name to choose a box. I have been a Pieter Dirk Uys fan since his first show – Adapt or Die – and my favourite character is Nowell Fine – who was a Jewish liberal, Progressive Party supporter in her youth during the Apartheid Era. Her character has grown so that she is now a loyal supporter of everything in the New South Africa. So I was delighted when Box Number 15 which I asked for, revealed her costume. My favourite quote from her when asked why she doesn’t emigrate to ‘safer, crime-free country’ is “I’d rather be murdered in my bed than get up and make it!

All his characters were done brilliantly and we were in stitches as he wove stories around each one and how they’d affected the lives of South Africans over the 30+ years he has been doing his one-man shows. Although done with humour the lessons hit home. Pieter made us leave the theatre knowing there were some crazy things about our country but that there was plenty of good in it too. And it is with this positive attitude that we must all look forward to a better future.

After the show he came into the foyer and mixed and chatted with the audience. He encouraged everyone to take selfies with him. My hubbie and I also took some photographs with my camera. Hubby had been a class ahead of Pieter at primary school and they got to chatting about their old teachers.

I’m a big fan!

Hubby and Pieter Dirk Uys

Our chairperson with the Legendary Pieter Dirk

What a stunning evening and a wonderful way to raise funds for the Cape Bird Club’s conservation projects.

NABLOPOMO 11 Stuck in a tough spot

2015-11-11 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

The prompt for today – What was last thing you fixed or built.

Fix or build? No sorry – not me – I have two completely unco-ordinated hands that cannot even hold screw-driver correctly. I am not one of those liberated women who learns what goes on in the inside of a car engine and changes her own flat tyres without batting an eyelid. Not me, sweetheart – I’m more the type who would flutter the eyelashes, show a leg and look helpless on the side of the road – well not these days in this country – that would be a bit dangerous. But that’s why cell phones were invented! What’s wrong with calling one’s significant other in a sweet and helpless voice that says – come and rescue me!

It happened to my friend and me some years ago. We ventured out on our own to a lonely place where a series of ponds held myriads of amazing birds.

One of the ponds at Strandfontien

Our husbands were out in the deep blue sea – fishing! Then while chasing after some beautiful species – we took a road we should not have and found ourselves stuck in deep, soft sand!

Uh oh. There was not another car in sight. So we called the beloveds. Fortunately for us they were on their way home but were towing an enormous ski-boat so the wait would be long while they parked it in the driveway before they could come to the rescue. The problem now was explaining exactly where we were! We each had a story of a bird seen nearby when the our men were with us and that’s how we managed to get them to understand exactly where to find us two hours later. We enjoyed a long and girly chat and enjoyed the birds while we waited.

Cape Shovellers

Malachite Kingfisher

Purple Swamphen

Black winged stilt

When the guys arrived they really put on the super hero act and we oohed and aahed and praised their prowess and their marvellous skills of getting us out of tight spot! But what if they had still been at sea and what if some unsavoury had come along and caused a bigger problem? I am more careful about where I go alone now and have learned not to ride on roads where I might get stuck! Usually I have my own personal Macgyver when travelling in the bush -and boy – he can always make a plan!

#NABLOPOMO How to be a good Grandma!

2015-11-10 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

Why are Boys so different to Girls? Don’t answer that – It’s not exactly a rhetorical question because I’m sure there are many answers that people could give me. And having studied psychology and done lots of research on male and female brains, I actually should know the answer. Nevertheless, when in emotional mode, I don’t try to work out the answers, I just despair! I absolutely adore my male grandchildren – they make me laugh, they make me feel loved and appreciated, they are attentive and helpful but boy – are they hard work!

Raising three girls – two of whom were step – was a breeze compared to helping our oldest daughter raise her two boys. They’re 14 months apart and have lived with us since they were 4 months and 18 months old. I won’t go into the reasons why they turned up on our doorstep almost 17 years ago but believe me Life hasn’t been the same since! Hubby and I had just reached the stage when we were thinking – Life begins when the kids leave home and the Dog dies. And we had one 19 year-old kid and an aging dog and we were counting the days! Smother that thought – Boom – Back came the oldest with two tinies in tow!

I clearly remember saying to dear Hubby – I’m happy to have them – But I’m not doing night duty! I work and I’ve been there and done that and got the wrinkles! Ha! Famous last words. How do you sleep when a stressed out young mother with two non-sleeping babies is simply not coping? Flip me – you get up and help! “I’ll deal with Baby – you sort out Firstborn.” And that’s how we coped. On the very first night Firstborn roared until 11 pm. Within a week we got bedtime to 7. The only one who could get Baby down for the night was Gramps and Yes – we let him! Anything for peace and desperately needed rest! It was a matter of whatever worked we will do! But – wow – when they were awake it was action – all – the – time. They didn’t stop! My girls were never like that!

As they grew they tested every rule, pushed every boundary and argued every point. My girls were never like that! My girls were sweet and compliant and very obedient. Or rather that’s how I remember it. Maybe there was a little passive resistance. And I do remember complaining about them not getting their act together and telling me at the very last minute that they needed this or that for school. Well yes – there were a few issues – BUT IT WAS NOTHING LIKE RAISING STRONG WILLED HIGHLY ACTIVE BOYS!

I only potty-trained one of the girls – the baby as the other two I acquired when they were 10 and 12 years old. And it was a cinch – On her second birthday I told my baby what needed to be done and within a week there were no more nappies – day or night. “Don’t start too early,” I told our eldest with great authority on the subject. “Wait until they have enough language to understand and physical development to have control.” Ha! First of all their language skills were nil till 3 and secondly they did not care! We started at two and a half and it took till four to get rid of the night nappies!

And the noise – and the action – and the devastation. We still had the girls’ toys – a wicker doll’s pram being a prized possession. It was still in pristine condition after being gently being pushed by sweet little girls. But when the boys discovered it – Oh Boy – Teddy was placed inside and taken for the ride of his life doing wheelies and skidding and out of control spins up and down the passage into the garden until he was unceremoniously spilled out at great speed! Okay – that’s fine when it’s teddy – but when Big Brother thinks it will be fun to put Baby into the pram I thought there’d be broken bones and stitches and but instead there were squeals of excitement and hysterical laughter.

But there were the disasters too – and we had our fair share of visits to the Emergency Room which NEVER happened with the girls!

Now that they’re in their teens it’s not quite as noisy but I still have to yell – “Take it outside when they chase each other down the passage and round the house. When they were little we had to physically pull them apart when they fought but they calmed down and we seldom have them actually attack each other. On one occasion though there was a fist fight with blood all over the place which I was fortunately not home to witness – Gramps handled it extremely well. Firstborn lost it with Second born – and punched him on the nose – Result – BLOOD – Grandpa said to the younger – “go and bleed outside” and to the older – “get a mop and clean this up!”

Then he spoke to them calmly and said – This is not the way to solve disputes – Doing this can lead to prosecution for assault – how would you feel then. (the younger had also tried to whack his brother with a hockey stick)

When I arrived home they were both very subdued. I asked each how he felt – the younger said – I hate my brother. The older said – I feel bad but please don’t lecture me – Grandpa’s already done that! I told them this can’t happen again. By the evening they were friends again.

I am relieved to report that they have never had another serious fight since. But I dread to think what might happen if they both fall in love with the same girl!

It has been an amazing privilege to be so involved with the raising of our grandsons. We have been away from them now for just a few months. They are in Grade 11 and 12 and studying for exams. They younger takes it a tad more seriously than the older who is seriously dyslexic and ADHD – but still – they need to be coaxed into doing the work! My girls would be in stress mode for exams – not so these two – “Stop fussing Gran – it’s so easy – I’ll ace these tests!” Oh really? Then why don’t I see you at the books, Boys! If you can pass with so little work – imagine what you can do with a bit of effort!

I guess that I should be grateful that we’re not going through what some families go through during exam time – nerves and tears and fussing and dramas – Not my boys – their confidence, I suppose is to be admired!

#NABLOPOMO 9 I’m not too old.

2015-11-09 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

You hear it all the time – Age is just a number – it doesn’t mean a thing. Yeah Yeah – but I still wonder – when is ‘old’ going to happen? What is it that makes one old? Is it the colour of one’s hair? The changing shape of one’s body? The failing of one’s health? Or is it just in the eye of the beholder?

When I was a child I thought my grandparents were old. They were fit and healthy but to me grandparent meant old. And Granny used to say quite cheerfully – “I’m getting old you know my darling.” And I didn’t disagree. But my grandchildren – oh no – they don’t believe I’m old at all! Okay – so I was pretty young by modern standards when they were born – but I was the same age as my grandmother when she had grandchildren their age. Firstborn Grandson said to me one day when he was about 12 “Granny – all my friends’ grandmothers have grey hair – why don’t you have grey hair?”

“Oh but I do, my boy. I just have a very good hairdresser.” He was horrified – “You mean it’s died?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“So you mean you really are old?”

But I am afraid it did not bring about new respect. On the contrary – If I said – I can’t ride bikes with you anymore – I’m too old. He would reply – get real Gran of course you can! It’s a precedent, I’m afraid that I set – and now that they’re almost grown men they are still finding it hard to accept that Granny is getting on you know!

When they were in Primary School, I wrote this silly poem.

Over the Hill

I am getting older, I’m
nearly fifty five.

Over half a century I have
been alive.

I should be slowing down now,
and easing up my life.

I should be getting mellow
like every older wife.

But here I am a-peddling up
this bloody hill.

I hear my grandsons calling, their
voices loud and shrill.

You can make it Granny. You’re
really doing well.

(I do not want to tell them
that I almost fell.)

They think I am their
playmate. They think its rather fun

that Granny takes them
cycling when their homework’s done.

And as they dash through
puddles and do wheelies up the curb

they encourage me to follow;
but really that’s absurd!

They fall and seconds later
they’re back up on their bikes,

a band-aid heals their
scrapes but Granny falls, and yikes –

She needs a month of physio
to get her muscles right.

So falling off her bicycle
would not be very bright.

Now they’re heading down hill
at a break-neck speed.

Those boys are getting all
the adrenalin they need.

With screeching breaks I
follow at a calmer pace.

“Go Grandma”, calls a smart ass
Aloof, I turn my face.

I could be baking cookies, I
could be knitting socks.

Instead I join my grandsons
scrambling over rocks.

I could be watching T.V.
or at a ladies’ club.

Instead I join them hiking
when they go with the cubs.

I’m glad that I, a grandma
can still do all these things.

Being active with my
grandsons – oh what joy that brings.

We have such fun together out
in the cool fresh air.

And if people think it’s
funny – I really couldn’t care!

October 2007

Now climbing mountains with them is even scarier – Firstborn and Second born are 15 months apart in age and tower above me. They race up the mountain like mountain goats with no consideration for their safety and laugh at me when I tell them to please be careful. Their younger cousins, are not far behind either while I huff and puff and worry that I’m going to have to call emergency services to bring them down in a helicopter! When did this happen? I thought I was still fit but I can’t rock hop anymore!

But if this is old – that’s okay! They laugh at me now because I fuss about their safety but they still won’t let me off coming along for the fun. Aren’t I a lucky grandma!

Second and Fourth grandchild scary me silly

Second and Fourth grandchild scaring me silly

#NABLOPOMO 8 Life is Good

2015-11-08 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

It has been such a happy day today and it got me thinking about how lucky I have been in my life. Even though there have been hard times and struggles and days where I’ve thought I can’t do this anymore. But looking back nothing seems bad at all. Everything seems so worthwhile. Some things I used to stress over make me laugh now and I wonder why was I so fussed about it all! I am talking about raising kids of course. All that nagging and training and insisting on good manners and responsible attitudes – I took it all so seriously. That’s the great thing about being a grandparent – you’ve done it all and the kids turn out fine – well most of them do. I do know the most amazing parents who did everything right who’ve had little demons that turned bad and I am not one to blame the parents – there comes a point where the child has to take responsibility for the path he chooses! But when one’s child does make wrong choices in his adult life it is heart-breaking for the parent. How does one cope with that! Tough Love – that’s how. I strongly believe that you allow so much and no more. Let that adult child know – I’m here for you – but there are the rules. Allowing them to abuse you is not love. Giving in to their demands is destructive to you both. It is hard but there comes a time when you have to let them go their own way and then to move on with your own life because usually you’re not the only one affected and you are needed by other people in your life too.

But I am so lucky – my daughters and granddaughter are perfect and my grandboys are getting there – hey – boys take a little longer.

I had a good giggle when I saw this on Facebook this morning – this could have been written by me!

This has been the story of my life! But lucky for me my hubby catches the fish, cleans it and I don’t even have to cook it – he does that perfectly too. So he takes his rod and goes fishing and I take the gold card and go shopping!

Today was such a day – look at the happy faces of these two guys out on the boat.

My hubby on the boat with his mate, Tommy

While this fishing excursion was on the go, I took Baby Daughter and Second Grandson out for a bonding breakfast. I had not seen them in some time and had some catching up to do. I wanted First Grandson to come too but he was gamed out and sleeping it off so we left him at home. Hubby phoned to say he’d hooked enough food to feed half of African and that I should be sure to invite two couples over for dinner. Baby Daughter had plans for lunch so bade us farewell and off she went while Second Grandson and I finished the shopping – what a pleasure to have him as my assistant – he put all sorts of things in the basket that I might have forgotten – cupcakes being an example! But seriously – having a 17 year old push the trolley, pack the car then unpack it is such a privilege and saves an old lady’s back. And it’s all done with a smile. Then as I was setting the table I knocked one of the candles of the chandelier with the tablecloth and it broke. He rushed to my assistance and informed me that actually they were all dead and needed replacing – I wouldn’t have found this out till the evening – remember I’ve been away for 4 months! And hooray we had enough replacement candles which he changed for me and helped give the dusty chandelier a clean!

First Grandson was gaming – again. “I don’t need to study, Gran, I know my Physics.” No arguments – I just switched off the internet and said, “Then get an A, boytjie – Study some more” And he did! When Grandpa got home he asked him all kinds of questions about his work which he ‘knew’ and now ‘knows’ better! Yes I am a lucky gran!

Our guests arrived at 6:30 and what a great evening we had. It’s so good to get together with wonderful friends who have always been around in good times and bad. These are the kind of friends you hang onto forever. Some people come into your lives for a season and a reason and sometimes you’ll see them again and sometimes not. If you do it’s great if you don’t you’ve valued the time you did have and no regrets – but then there are those with whom you have a real bond and that is what I appreciate about the friends we had this evening. Always a pleasure to be together.

Enjoying the Braaied Yellowtail caught by Hubby

Oh yes – Life is Good – Very Good indeed.

And I’ve done this Blog 8 with two minutes to go before the end of this day!

#NABLOPOMO 7 Heading back to Cape Town for a week

2015-11-07 | puppy1952

NABLOPOMO

It’s Day 7 of NABLOPOMO and I am exhausted. So no great writings tonight!

Hubby and I packed up and came to our Cape Town home this morning leaving at 10:00 am. BUT there were huge delays with stop/go roadworks. There were at least four. At one we waited for 25 minutes and it was hot. We stopped for lunch at Peregrine Farm Coffee Shop which was lovely. We had a spinach and feta quiche. I scraped the filling off the crust to avoid the carbs. Another time delay was having to come the long way round there is storm damage on Baden Powell road. We were in two cars so I had to follow Hubby through some dicey, high crime areas to get home! He warned me to keep my doors locked but I didn’t feel threatened at all.

Obviously the universe was not smiling on us kindly because on our arrival we found the kids had changed the front door lock – it had been giving trouble – they were out so we couldn’t get in. A phone call later we had the number of the key and headed to the mall at break-neck speed hoping that the locksmith was still open. No luck – BUT – the little electrical shop in the mall that doesn’t sell keys just happened to have one. They were on the verge of closing so took our money but didn’t give us a cash slip. No problem – we had a way into our house!

After unpacking Hubby went off to meet his mate’s boat and helped him offload and take the fish to the seller. He brought home a lovely fresh yellow-tail and the two of us had sashimi for supper.

The cats were delighted to see us. The big one scoffed the fish but the little one had to been hand fed!

We will be here for a week as we have a few things we need to do:-