28 September 2012

The end of another successful term arrived and now that I’m back in the classroom leaving for holidays tends to be a rushed affair.  Earl fetched me from school at 12, we picked up our driver and drove straight to the airport.  The weather was somewhat inclement and I, at the best of times, am not a happy flyer! As the engines whined and    screamed to their full throttle and the plane shook and rattled into its usual wobbly take off, I braced and psyched myself into thinking that it was just a roller coaster ride and was thus persuaded not to go straight into panic mode. The pilot warned us that it was going to be bumpy ride but once above the storm clouds things settled down and I unclenched my teeth and loosened my grip from the armrests.  I even dozed but then something woke me an hour into the ride – why did the flight attendant  almost lose his balance there – and why were the children screaming – “Mom, why’s the plane going so fast”  Yes indeed – why – We could actually feel the plane racing through the stratosphere – well it felt that high anyway.    Not only was it racing but it was bouncing too!  My ears didn’t know whether to pop or pain and by the sounds of infant crying neither did the ears of the babies either.   Visibility outside was nil until flashes of lightning scared the living daylights out of me. Well – not really – I was actually in a kind of stupor – thinking – I should be scared but this is kinda fun – like a Disneyland ride – and what’s the worst that can happen – if we crash I’ll just be dead and oblivious to the consequences. So lets just enjoy the ride. “Do you think the pilot’s scared?” I asked Earl.  “You bet he is! He can’t see a thing – totally relying on his instruments”  Oh so comforting my love. “Are you scared, Darling.”  “No – I’m not flying – it’s his problem!”   mmmm? What’s that supposed to mean.

There was a strange atmosphere in the plane – the children were shrieking and giggling and the adults were pretending to be okay with it all – saying to the kids – Isn’t this fun?   Yes it was in a way.

This went on for half an hour or so and we could not see the ground until there was a slight break in the storm clouds and we realised we were close to landing.   The pilot put the plane down in driving rain and almost nil visibility as smoothly as if he were flying on a clear, windless day.   We all broke into applause and over the system came the flight attendant’s voice – “Give that man a Bell’s”

Never before have I arrived in KZN in such poor weather conditions.   Luckily we had those tunnel thingies to walk through to the terminal.  We loaded our luggage on a trolley and went to get our hire car. We use a small company and they don’t have an office at the airport so we meet a man with a board with our name on it. Small things like this do a lot to amuse me.   Soon we were off in a Nissan Lagoona to fight the traffic in the worst Durban weather I’ve ever experienced!

It was all worth it when at 7 o’clock we arrived at The Rahj’s Amamzimtoti home.   In my opinion Niru is the best Indian Cook in South African and Come Dine with Me is the poorer without her.   She treated us to a scrumptious 4 course meal starting with Sweet Potato soup with a touch of chilli.   Then Prawn curry with rooties and the best ever lamb curry and rice.   There was no need for dessert but we managed to force down a delicious cup cake and a cup of coffee.

The best part of course was catching up with these wonderful friends and their delightful children. Our relationship with them began through our grandson Jay who was good friends with their son Kaylash – both now 15 years old.  So when the the Rahj family relocated to KZN we knew we would keep up as we often visit this province to see our Kokstad Kids.

29 September 2012

Sanam kindly gave up her bedroom for us last night and we were thrilled to have her East meets West bedroom with its fairy lights, butterflies, Hindu touch mixed with pop star posters and a little hamster on the night stand.   Thank you Sanam – we slept so well in your comfortable bed and the ambience was lovely.

Niru greeted us with another scrumptious meal – a proper B&B breakfast with choice of cereals, fruits, yoghurt, muffins, croissants and smoked meats followed by eggs and bacon and curried baked beans.   We needn’t eat for the rest of the week!

Our amazing hostess Niru in her kithchen

Earl contemplating the delicious spread

Suvi Diya and Niru

More to follow – Watch this space:-)

We just knew that our leaving day would be the sunniest of all and when we woke this morning we all wanted to stay another day.  But it would really not be worth it.   The older boys had projects to work on before Tuesday, Earl didn’t want to fight traffic while towing a boat and I also had to tow a trailer so we stuck to leaving early as planned.   We packed most of the stuff last night. This morning we got the last minute stuff into the car, collected the borrowed linen from the Bakers (who were still asleep after returning from their wedding in De Hoop at 2:00 a.m.) hitched the boat and trailer to the cars and moved the beds and furniture to their correct locations before leaving at 9:20 a.m.  Josh, Leo, Jordan and Daniel rode with me but Jay had to accompany Grandpa as he can’t tow on his own and we all travelled in convoy.

It was a pleasure driving home with so little traffic.  Interestingly we spotted black-headed herons on the side of the road at regular intervals.  They must have been there to enjoy the autumn sunshine.  For several kilometres between Bredasdorp and Caledon we also saw lots of jackal buzzards perched atop the telephone poles but we did not see blue cranes – I have no idea where they were hiding!

The worst of the traffic was closer to home – first at Muizenberg where the congestions was severe.  We decided to come over Ou Kaapse Weg instead of Boye’s Drive or the Main Road and that would have been a good choice except that there was an accident, which caused further delays.   But I always work on three hours and am happy if it’s less.  Today it was exactly three hours!

So a week of fishing and adventure is over.  The boys were amazing.  Their behaviour was impeccable.   They were easy to have and as relaxed with us as we were with them.   For us it was just such a pleasure to see the six bond and do together all the things that boys should do. My first-aid kit is depleted but thankfully no stitches and no broken bones!   Thank you, parents, for entrusting your wonderful sons to our care and for their friendship with our two grandsons.   Jay and Josh would not have had as much fun without them.

Did I say yesterday that we’d be in for an active evening after the tameness of watching the Royal Wedding?  I did and I was right!

“Grandpa, please take us to the rock pools – we need to go fishing,” begged Jay at 5 o’clock.   The rain had gone but the air was chilly but this did not daunt them.  Earl and I dressed up warmly and took them half way to Agulhas where the rock pools are full of small fish and sometimes octopus.   What amazes me is that even though they have the experience of catching big ones at sea, the rock pools with the tiny sea creatures are still an attraction and a place where I suspect they have even more fun.   We parked and watched them for a while then while I was taking photos Earl called for me to tell the boys we needed to go somewhere and would pick them up later.

Negotiating slippery rocks

Josh intent on catching a big klippie

Jay in his element

Danny having fun

Jordan deep in thought

Bliss

Success

Poor little fish

What to do with it?

Sashimi of course!

Looking for octopus

I left them trying to catch an octopus and went off with Earl who’d just received a cell phone call. Sean and Nicoline Baker and their kids who are our Kokstad daughter’s best friends had just arrived at their accommodation in Struisbaai only to find there was no bed linen. Fortunately we have old and worn, but clean sheets, pillowcases and duvets so we quickly dug them out and handed them over to Sean and Scott who were waiting for us.  It was by this time quite dark but when we returned to pick up the boys, only Joshua would come – so we left them and went to have a drink with The Bakers. They were supposed to go to a dinner at De Hoop Nature Reserve but it was already half past six and we told them that it was a long drive, partly on a dark dirt road, so they decided to ditch that idea.

Earl had just got up to fetch the other boys but as luck would have it they’d started to walk and were right outside The Baker’s place.  A minute later and he would have missed them!    We decided that pizzas would be our best bet for supper and Sean, Nicoline and their kids Scott and Robyn joined us.   Scott is nine and he thoroughly enjoyed the attention of five big boys while 6-year-old Robyn gave me the girlie attention that I was now badly craving.   The Baker kids and our Kokstad grandchildren are the same age and the best of friends too.  It was really great sharing the evening with these special people.

We hoped that it would be a fishing day today but although it dawned with brilliant sunshine there was a huge swell running and it was too dangerous to go to sea.  Instead we had a quick cereal breakfast, packed snacks, cameras and binoculars and headed for Arniston.  We birded on the way and found the usual blue crane, canaries, larks and pied starlings as well as the bird special to this area – the Denham’s Bustard.  But what an uncooperative model – whenever we stopped to one close enough for a decent portrait he flew off before I could click my camera.   The only ones I got were really too far away for good photography.  On the way back thought we had a good sighting of a jackal buzzard on prey.

This Jackal Buzzard was finishing off his prey

The dune in Ariniston is the attraction and we dropped the boys there to play while Earl and I went to have coffee at the beautiful beach front hotel.

Coffee with a view

Of course we can never go anywhere without checking out the boat life and this one satisfied this need in my husband.

After the boys had had their fill of running down dunes and burying each other in sand we returned to Struisbaai for lunch and then dropped the boys at the rock pools.  When they’ve had enough they will walk the 2 or so kilometres home.

Up to their necks in it

The Gang on the Dunes

The day started looking like the sun would shine and then it rained!   We left the boys to lie snugly in bed till 9:00 a.m. then fed them Coco Pops, made two of them take a bath, told the rest to wash up the breakfast dishes and then left them to fend for themselves for an hour.   Grandpa and I found a little place called Bistro on Main and indulged in a scrambled egg and salmon breakfast in front of a cosy fire!    We then did a bit of shopping and returned to the gang some of whom had gone off on their bikes while the rest lounged around.   Jaryd was packed and ready to leave – his parents were on their way to collect him as he has a couple of projects to work on before he returns to school and becomes involved in a  heavy week of entertaining a touring team from Grey College.

Sue had told me that she just needed to see the Royal Bride’s wedding dress and she would be happy.   I on the other hand, after a week of male activities, needed more than a girlie moment – I wanted the whole wedding!   So dear parents, I am afraid your sons were sorely neglected while I indulged myself to the pomp and ceremony.  It was the only television that they’ve been allowed all holiday!

Sue and Craig arrived just in time to see Catherine arrive at The Abbey and before they were even offered a cup of tea Sue and I glued ourselves to the screen and oohed and aahed over the beautiful bride.   We insisted on silence during the nuptials and shushed the rude comments from the men in our presence.   The boys were quite intrigued and although Josh thought that he was just as special as any prince and wanted his own royal wedding one day, he watched to proceedings with great interest.  Somebody once told him that he had the blood of Mary, Queen of Scots, in his veins.   “Yes, boy – that may be – but by now it’s very diluted and I haven’t yet seen any evidence of princely behaviour in you!”

Finally the Philps got their cup of tea and a little later, while enjoying Earl’s fried fish for lunch, we had different reactions to the Royal kiss(es) on the balcony.   “Not long enough,” yelled one of the boys, “Do it again,” said another and when he did – “that’s more like it”

“I bet he can’t wait to get to Clarence House,” was Craig’s remark.   Then the fly-past, which I think for the boys was the best part of the wedding.

Settling down to watch Kate arrive

Watching the Wedding

The Gang Exposed to Pomp and Ceremony

So how do you make your batter?

In between all the pomp and ceremony, the boys popped in and out of the house, biking and skating, but today has been their quietest day.  They’re all off somewhere now but my guess is that we’re in for an active evening after so little excitement today.

Weather is such an issue for adults but for young male teenagers it seems not to matter at all. This morning the air was still chilly and the rain came and went but all the boys saw was the long intervals of sunshine.  However, getting them up in the morning is not easy and only the smell of bacon and eggs got them roused at 8:30 this morning!

Earl and I needed to go to Bredasdorp to get a few things for the house and so left the boys for two hours with strict instructions as to what to do should they decide to leave the house.   Just outside Struisbaai we found this beautiful rock kestrel perched on the stop sign.

Rock Kestrel

On our return we found that the boys had gone to the harbour to fish and only returned at lunch time.  After hot dogs and juice they set off again and Earl and I got down to some much needed household chores.

Leo and Josh at the harbour

In the late afternoon we set off for Agulhas where we did the obligatory photo shoot at the Southern-most point of Africa.  A flock of yellow canaries greeted us in the parking lot, flew off then returned for a snack. This one allowed me to snap its portrait.

Yellow Canary

The Southern-most gang at the Southern-most tip of Africa

The boys  enjoyed scrambling over rocks and exploring the pools then we visited the Chinese wreck – I forget its name but I remember when it happened in the eighties.  The crew managed to come ashore but had no idea where they were.  Fortunately, they chose to walk toward Agulhas and not the other way otherwise they might never have found civilisation!  The boys went down to the wreck and had fun throwing stones at it – go figure!

Scrambling over rocks

A tiny crab on Jay’s Leg

The Wreck

We drove on to the Agulhas National Park rest camp but it was a bit too late to explore.  Earl spoke to the gate man who explained what facilities were available.  We’ll probably explore further another day.

The evening air was cold but Earl is a die hard for braaing and braved the elements to make steaks and kebabs for supper.   The boys toasted marshmallows when the flames were right.

After supper the boys played one of their crime-fighting games then went on a night walk to the harbour.  They have just returned and I’ve given them their hot chocolate and rusks.This is the latest they’ve stayed up and all is reasonably quiet. Josh declared that it was an awesome night!

The rain continued on and off today and the chill stayed freezingly in the air.   We were up and about by 8 o’clock, the boys had milo cereal for breakfast and played board games, helped tidy up and then  braved the cold and headed off to the harbour where they played for most of the morning.

Our new bed was delivered and Earl attached the headboard and I made it up and wow – what a difference.  At first, it looked sooo high compared to the old one and Earl wanted to take its feet off – but I persuaded him to leave it as it was.

The boys came in starving and I served up mielies, slices of cheese and salad for lunch.  They helped Earl with boat and garage chores and then we set off for the Lighthouse.   There was at first horror at the suggestion that they should ride on their bikes while we would follow in the HiLux but once the idea settled in there was great enthusiasm.    It is only 10 km – a bit of an uphill climb there but downhill on the return.   Danny found it a bit tough going on the way there, so we put his bike in the back and let him ride half way in the car, but he managed beautifully on the way back.  Jordan did well on the way there but his back was taking strain so he rode in the bakkie on the way back.

Riding to Agulhas

Once there Earl stayed below to look after the bikes and I took the lads to climb to the top of Agulhas lighthouse.   The cashier recognised me straight away – “You’re the granny with the six boys aren’t you.  They’re all under 11 aren’t they?  Okay – kids prices for youJ”

Jaryd’s palms were sweaty (he’s the one with the fear of hights) and of course the monsters teased and made light of it.  “Look down, Jaryd!”

I nearly freaked out at the top as the wind was strong (and cold) but the boys thought nothing of it.   I allowed them the minimum of time and then insisted we go back down before someone was blown off the top!

Leo

Josh

Danny

Brave Jaryd

Jordan

Jay the Ring-Leader

Granny acting brave

The Southern-most Gang

Boy - was it chilly!

But - wow - what a view!

It started to rain just as we got to the car and then beautiful full rainbow appeared.

Is this a promise of better weather?

The boys got onto their bikes and rode home for bikkies and juice.

Riding toward the gold at the end of the rainbow?

For supper Earl is braaing chicken kebabs – brrr – at least the fire will keep him warm.   The boys have just come in from playing SWAT and are now quietly journalling.  Hopefully they are warmed up and tired out for a good night’s rest later on.   So far this holiday the noise has died down by 10 o’clock and we don’t hear them till we rouse them each morning.

TUESDAY 26 APRIL 2011
If we thought, yesterday was cold and windy, we didn’t know what a nasty surprise we were in for today. Early this morning I heard the howling wind and then the rain pelting against the windowpanes. Uh oh – and we thought a trip to Agulhas Light House would be on the cards today. With the wind and the rain, this would not be a pleasant option. Instead, we lay in till 9 and then had an enjoyable “Early Breakfast”.
Inactivity is not a good thing for six lively boys and they became restless, disobeying the golden rules of no running, no shouting, no wrestling, no ball games in the house! Earl tried to instil a bit of discipline, which resulted in a wrestling match with his oldest grandson. The other boys egged them on shouting instructions and not one paid the slightest attention to my pleas of “take this outside, you guys!” There were grunts, yells and plenty of laughter but I feared my ‘old man’ would have a heart attack and was relieved when he finally said – Okay – I give up. Jay reigned triumphant.

The Old and The Young at War

The Victor

This of course led to more challenges and so I gave in on condition that the fights were refereed. Josh and Jaryd challenged each other and we had to remind of them of the rules more than once as the older boys separated them – not kicking, no biting, no punching! The intensity of the competition was frightening and neither would give up – so we called a draw before someone got hurt! They were truly a perfect match!

Junior Challenge

Jordan then challenge Jay and again there was intense competition as they got each other into locks and grappled away their pent up energy. Finally, Jordan conceded that Jay was the champion – for now anyway! Of course he has the advantage of having done three years of mixed martial arts with Steve Bazzea and has just recently returned to it after a years’ break.

Senior Challenge

I don’t quite understand why boys find it necessary to indulge in these contact sports but it seems to bond them and there are no hard feelings after the grappling. But I made it clear that such games would not be tolerated without adult supervision and refereeing, and weather permitting, it would be outdoors!
After the pent up energy was released we set off for the Maritime Museum in Bredasdorp. I took the boys in while Earl went shopping for a new bed – we were both suffering from backache and thought the time had come to get a decent bed for Struisbaai if we were to be spending more time there in the future! Old age is definitely setting in.
Wondering around a stuffy museum can be a boring pastime so (being the eternal teacher that I am) I set them tasks. They had to find the answers to certain questions and come and whisper the answers to me when they discovered the answers. This element of competition (although there were no prizes) kept them seeking and I hope they learnt more than they might have. Of course, I had to speed read and my dull brain had to retain the information. I sent them off looking for an answer while I quickly gleaned more facts before they could see where I’d found them myself. It was really quite amusing seeing them dart around the exhibits reading like fury to find the relevant facts.
The museum is full of artefacts about sailing ships, early diving gear, lighthouses, figure-heads and ships that have wrecked along the Agulhas Coast and the tit-bits of information we gained were quite interesting. For example, one ship had on board a group of Mandarin noblemen who when they were wrecked near Struisbaai suffered such hunger and thirst that they had to resort to eating their shoes!
After our exploration of the museum, we took the boys to the Wimpy and got them settled at a table while Earl and I popped in to sheet street to get some bed linen.  When the owner saw us coming, she said, “I’ll have to charge you extra for this lot!”   We laughed but not for long. When we came back the kids’ order still hadn’t been taken. We waited another 20 minutes and still no service – so we left.   We couldn’t find a suitable place in either Struisbaai or Agulhas so we got take away pizzas from Pizza World at Struisbaai Mall, and enjoyed these at home instead.

We're thirsty!

It is now 4 o’clock. The rail held off for a while but it has now started again and it is bitterly cold so the boys are playing Clue while Earl is doing some home maintenance, Jordan is drawing and I am blogging and will soon be reading my book! What am I reading? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – as if I can’t get enough of this sport!

I suggest that Miss Plumb killed Mr Body in the Lounge with a candlestick!

Later:

The weather continued its chilly path but the boys seemed not to notice.  After playing Clue they headed outdoors again and only returned to eat supper after which they decided to play a raucous game of what I call “scare, shoot and kill” in the dark.  Fortunately our grumpy elderly neighbours have become so frail that they’ve left Struisbaai to be closer to medical attention otherwise we might have had some complaints!

War in the Dark

I must add that it was freezing and wet out there – but that made it all the more exciting!

It was a relief when they finally came in for hot chocolate and to quietly do the journals before bed!

Joshua concentrating Leo amused

Hot chocolate and journalling