Share your world 23 January 2017

2017-01-26 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World 23 January 2017

Do you prefer juice or fruit?

Fruit – I have always loved all kinds of fruit. My grandparents had a lovely garden with a variety of fruit trees in it and we were free to pick as much as we liked. Perhaps that is why I love fruit so much. I don’t drink much fruit juice or any sweet drinks but if I do guava is my juice of choice.

Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?

The city of Cape Town was an hour’s train ride from the small seaside village where I grew up and what was there not to love? We had the beach, the mountain and the safety of the times.We had freedom – we’d walk or ride bikes everywhere on our own, play unsupervised on the beach and climb the mountain in kids only groups. It was an idyllic place to grow up.

Fish Hoek – where I grew up

If you were to paint a picture of your childhood, what colors would you use?

Bright and beautiful ones -blinding white for the sea-sand, sparkling blue for the sky, emerald green for the grass and trees. The sun shone a lot – but of course there were the grey, rainy days but they were filled with siblings and cousins playing board games and joining the dogs in front of a roaring log fire at Granny’s house

Ways to Relax List: Make a list of what relaxes you and helps you feel calm.

Taking a long walk on the beach
Reading a good book
Journalling
Doing a crossword or Sudoku
Having a good coffee with hubby or friend at a friendly coffee shop.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful that Earl has been feeling well this week. I am looking forward to entertaining friends next week.

The Long Road to Struisbaai

2017-01-15 | puppy1952

Since our ‘holiday’ in Italy, The Earl’s health has improved, we’ve sold our Sun Valley Home and had a great holiday with The Rural Family in Kokstad. There was a hiccup with chest pains in Kokstad but they were caused from Fly Fishing and not his heart! However, it did prevent us from taking our grandchildren to Tala Game Reserve.

Once that settled down it was time to return to the Fiefdom of Struisbaai. We decided to take it slowly and take the scenic Garden Route.

6 January 2017

It was raining again this morning. We were up and packed by 5:30, went to say farewell to the family and then hit the road.

We stopped at Stone Junction in Maclear for breakfast. It was lovely. We had eggs, bacon, pork sausage, mushroom and tomato. The coffee was good.

Delicious Breakfast at Stone Junction, Maclear, Eastern Cape

Our next stop was Queenstown where we fuelled. The roads were not too bad but we had to look out for cows, goats and donkeys. The scenery was stunning.

We arrived at Casa Mia near Addo Elephant Park at 15:30 had some coffee and rusks and a bit of a rest then went to dinner at Lenmore Family Restaurant about 5km away. We met a young family – Mom, Dad and five-year-old Noah from England. They were on a round the world trip. Tomorrow they’re doing Addo and we gave them some advice as to where to go and what to do.

Saturday 7 January 2017

The alarm woke me at 5 and I had no trouble in jumping out of bed to ready myself for a day in Addo Elephant Park. I was not anticipating too much as we were there just a couple of months ago and the sightings were average – no big cats and nothing unusual. But just being in the park again would be enough for me. We packed our picnic breakfast and set off in high spirits.

It was 6:00 am when we entered the main gate and were slightly put out when we were told that reception would only open at 7:00 and it was there that we had to get our day passes for the game viewing area! Never mind – we could have breakfast at Cattle Baron and eat our picnic for lunch – no such luck – The Baron opened even later!

So we went to the waterhole and enjoyed the birds then got our day pass, had a coffee at Barons and set off to find what we could find.

The Egyptain Geese were feeling frisky

A good start to the morning

By 10 o’clock we had photographed some lovely birds, kudu and zebra.

Ant-eating chat

African Pipit

Lone Buffalo

Beautiful Male Kudu

Malachite Sunbird in transitional plumage

Southern Boubou

Karoo Scrub-robin

But what we really hoped to find were the Bat Eared Fox cubs that everyone on The Addo Facebook page was raving about. And we were in luck – a single car was parked on the side of the road to Carol’s Rest and pointed out the den to us. We spent half an hour enjoying their antics and taking photos and soon there were several other cars joining in the fun.

p1090788

After that we headed up to the Zuurkop Outlook. “Look at all the dung beetles and worms on the road,”said Earl trying hard not to run over any of them.

The mighty dung beetle cleaning up the landscape

At Zuurkop we hopped of the car and were joined by a few other tourists. We got chatting to a Mom and daughter, saw some elephants a short distance away and I lingered to look, a few feet away from Earl while he chatted to some people. My back was to him and when I heard him call to me to look at something. I turned around and my heart almost stopped. He was teetering backwards in the most alarming way – I ran – and as he fell I heard a gurgling sound, his eyes rolled back in his head and he dropped flat on his back – out cold. Crazy thoughts raced through my head – he’s dead – what am I going to say to the girls, I’m not ready to be a widow – I have to get him breathing again – I pinched his nose, put my mouth over his and started blowing what I thought was life back into him – not holding out much hope that it would work – what the hell did I know about CPR – nothing! Suddenly he shook his head, giggled and said, “What’s going on. I’ve just had the most beautiful dream.” I freaked out – “You fainted – I thought you were dead!”

“Keep calm,” said a soothing voice, the lady to whom we had been chatting. “If you’re calm he’ll be calm.” I found out later that her name was Ayshia. She put a pillow under Earl’s head and it was then that I realised he was bleeding. I ran for the first aid kit, couldn’t find the wipes so Aishia gave me hers, I cleaned it then put a plaster on his wound. We checked that he wasn’t hurt and he insisted that he was fine.

“I just bent down to pick up a worm to show you,” he said, “I did feel a bit light headed so I must have passed out when I stood up. I really am fine now.”

Well – it’s not normal to just keel over like that. I wanted to take him straight to a doctor. He agreed to let me drive and after we both calmed down I got behind the wheel and drove to reception to get names of doctors. Not helpful at all – You have to go to Port Elizabeth, they said.

So we drove back to Casa Mia and Earl said his neck was sore. He just wanted to rest. I massaged him with Traumeel and gave him an anti inflammatory. I then asked reception hostess for the name and number of a doctor. She suggested a practice in Kirkwood. The reply from them was – the doctors are going off duty now you must go to outpatients at the hospital.

Earl thought he didn’t feel up to driving anywhere. He just wanted to rest. I allowed him to do this but after consulting with our Jeffrey’s Bay friends who we were due to visit the following day we decided to go straight to St George’s Hospital Outpatients just to be on the safe side.

It was about 3 o’clock on this Saturday afternoon when we arrived at the hospital. We parked the car and trailer in the street and a car guard offered to give the vehicle a wash. It really needed it so we agreed. It cost us R100.

Earl was ushered straight into the emergency room and given an angiogram. I remained behind to fill in forms and it was half an hour later before I was allowed in to see what was going on. The staff were amazing and after Italy we were delighted that everybody spoke English!!! A young lady doctor with the gentlest bedside manner broke the news – “I have spoken to the cardiologist and as your husband is a high risk patient he would like to do some more tests and so he must remain in hospital overnight.”

I was devastated. Stupid thoughts raced through my mind. Where would I go? We had a trailer – where would I park it – how would I get it off the car. I have no sense of direction – I will get lost in Port Elizabeth. You would swear I hadn’t dealt with worse in Italy!

I heard Earl say to the doctor –“Can’t I just take my wife to a B&B and come back later?”

No – she said.

It must have been the fainting episode that had put me into panic mode. I felt like I was falling apart – my arms and legs didn’t belong to me, I had to take control of them and instruct them what to do. I had to gear my mind to the right thinking paths. I had to assure my husband that I would cope!

I heard myself say, “I will be fine, Darling. I can tow a trailer – nothing to it. And I will find a B&B with space to park it!”

The doctor said, “You can ask the nurses at reception for if they know of accommodation nearby.”

But I started googling. A few minutes later the doctor reappeared. She handed me a slip of paper – My fiancé’s parents have a B&B in Summerstrand. They have space for your trailer and will help you unhitch it.

Wow – The Lord once again sent an angel to our aid

I rang the number and made the necessary arrangements.

After getting lost for an half an hour because I entered the address into the GPS incorrectly, I finally made it to the B&B a mere 10 minutes away if you have your mind functioning correctly.

Bev met me at the gate. “You must be stressed out,” she said and gave me a comforting hug. Another one of God’s Angels. She told me she had been a nursing sister and had looked after her own dad who was a heart patient too. Her stories were most reassuring and she told me that St George’s was an excellent hospital and that E would receive the best care.

After settling myself in I walked to the shopping centre just around the corner and had a glass of wine and some sushi at Taste of Asia.

I felt much calmer when I went back and was able to contact the girls to give them the news.

Sunday 8 January 2017

I was confident that Earl would be discharged today. I phoned the hospital and they said, “Your husband had a good night. No pain and no dizziness when mobile. The doctor still needs to see him but we are don’t see any reason for him to remain another day.”

So I cheerfully packed him some clothes and made my way to Life St George’s arriving around 10 o’clock. When E saw me he said, “Why have you brought my clothes? I sent you a text to tell you I have to stay another night.” The Port Elizabeth doctor needed to consult with the Cape Town doctor and as it was Sunday it would have to wait till tomorrow. “Oh, I’m sure that he will let you go and you can stay with me at Le Fishermans and then see him in his rooms tomorrow.”

We got into conversation with the 2 other women in the ward. They were convinced that they were going home today too. “I’m not staying here another minute,” said the one next to the window. “Neither am I,” said the one across the way. Nobody’s going to make me shower at 4 in the morning again!” They dug in their heels and prepared for battle against the great doctor. The staff who were in and out, looked on with knowing smiles.

Earl was first on his list. I introduced myself. “So your husband has been picking up worms and then keeling over unconscious,” he said. “Yes, he is not in my good books at the moment.”

He asked me my version of the story and then checked the dosage of his medication. He said to stop taking the Cardicor so now all Earl needs to take is Pritor for blood pressure, cardio aspirin and Crestor for cholesterol.

I asked him if Earl could be discharged and see him in his rooms tomorrow morning. He was appalled – “Absolutely not,” he looked at me in horror. “I need to monitor this man’s heart!”

“But I thought everything was fine.”

“No it’s not. There is something strange about his cardiogram” He spoke to the attending staff member – “how was he last night?” – and he looked at the chart. “No irregularities” said the nurse. But he wanted to see if the strange thing came up again and he wanted to know if it was a new phenomenon or whether it had been seen on his angiograms before. That is why he needed to speak E’s cardiologist in Cape Town.

He then went to speak to each of the other patients in turn. Each of them begged to be discharged. He wasn’t having any of it. “Doctor, I promise it won’t happen again,” said the one old duck. “O really,” came the reply “and how did this happen in the first place?” “I don’t know, Doctor.” “And neither do I so that’s why you’re staying so I can work out how to fix you!” And that was that.

When he left and the nurse returned to check on the patients, she smiled and said – so you’re staying, you’re staying and you’re staying!
I said, “Now ladies – I hope I can trust you with my husband.”

“Ha ha,” said Mrs wont’t shower at 4 am. “We’re too weak to do anything. Your husband has more energy than either of us – can you trust him with us!”

At 11 I left and went to the coffee shop for breakfast. I phoned each daughter to break the news – Laurie – Oh no man – now listen all this travelling around has to stop. You have to make dad take it easy. No more travelling for the next six months!”

Lisa – “So hasn’t the bypass worked?” “Yes it has darling. This is something new.” “Oh well then it’s good the doctor is doing something about it.”

Lauren – “Oh dear – How are you handling it? Are you taking strain – Don’t worry – it will all work out.”

After several long conversations I finally drove home. On the way the phone rang. I stopped to answer. A friend of mine when she heard I was in Port Elizabeth asked her friend who lives nearby to contact me. I also knew Brenda when she lived in Cape Town so it was great to hear from her. We arranged to meet for coffee later in the afternoon.

So after I’d visited E she collected me from Le Fishermans and we went to the Beach Hotel which was wonderful. We sat on the deck on comfy couches and chatted and chatted.

Thanks for a lovely afternoon, Brenda

Monday 9 January 2017

I packed up but left everything in the room and by 8 o’clock I was ready for breakfast. I was the only guest there and Bev provided a delicious meal. I started with Greek Yogurt sweetened with something delicious she makes herself. I added some fruit to this. Then she asked how I would like my eggs – medium – and it was served with bacon, tomato and fried zucchini – fabulous. The coffee was excellent too.

I then dashed off to the hospital with high hopes the The Earl would be ready for discharge. I was allowed in but when the doctor arrived was asked to wait in the foyer. But all was well. The two cardiologists had consulted and they concluded that the strange pattern in Earl’s cardiogram was normal for him – so no further intervention needed. The fainting was simply due to a fluctuation in blood pressure when he stood up too quickly.

So after 2 nights of excellent care – in English! – we went back to Le Fisherman’s, hitched up the trailer, bade farewell to my amazing hostess and headed to Jbay.

We had a great time with our friends there and the following day stopped at Great Brak for a visit with relatives. We are now back and settled in good old Struisbaai!

Share your world 2017 #1

2017-01-08 | puppy1952

Each week Cee is once again challenging us to answer some interesting questions Here are my answers

Would you prefer to receive a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle or motorcycle?

I have a bicycle which I used to ride regularly when my grandsons were in Primary School. The traffic where I lived was scary so I gave up fighting with busses and trucks for fear of coming to a sticky end. But now I live in a quieter place and plan to start again – but perhaps a tricycle would be better at my age – I have this fear of falling off!

When we were all a lot younger in 2006!

What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year?

I have stopped trying to accomplish things. I just want to be able to get through and cope with the challenges that life keeps throwing my way. Hopefully there won’t be too much drama this year.

What was one of the highlights of 2016 for you?

Getting through the Drama of my hubby’s hospitalization in Italy!

Would you prefer to fly a kite or fly in a hot air balloon?

I would prefer to fly a kite because then my feet will be firmly on the ground. I don’t like flying – in anything. Having said that if the opportunity presented itself I would probably get into that darn balloon. I have FOMO!(fear of missing out!)

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful that my grandsons, aged 18 and 19, while travelling abroad for the first time, on their own, coped well with delayed flights and missed connecting flights when wifi and contact with home was non-existent or very limited. They made it from Cape Town to Las Vegas and enjoyed the adventure from beginning to end.

I am looking forward to getting back to Struisbaai after an very eventful three weeks in KZN.

An interlude in Port Edward

2016-12-31 | puppy1952

Hilton invited us to spend some time with them at their holiday home in Port Edward while we’re here in KZN. We needed to take Lolz to the airport yesterday so we decided to stop over with them on our way back.

King Shaka International Airport is a three hour drive from Kokstad so it was a crack of dawn start on a beautiful clear day. We were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and had a golf cart come by and give us a lift from the carpark to departures. It took half an hour for Laurie to get through the bag drop queue and then we went to Mugg and Bean for breakfast.

Bag Drop was busy!

Brekkie at Mugg and Bean

The drive from the airport along the South Coast of KZN is one of the most beautiful in South Africa. It has a subtropical climate and everything is intensely green. The old railway line is still in existence for industrial use but sadly no passenger trains use it anymore.

A mix of traditional and modern housing

The railway next to the sea

A very scenic route

In 1979 I stayed with a friend whose family farmed in Boston. At that time I had no connections with anybody in KZN! Together we took the train from Durban to Port Shepstone – a beautiful scenic ride which took about six hours. Another friend collected us from there and took us to Port Edward. I still have amazing memories of the mud huts in which we stayed, the trees and the unspoiled beach. Returning there this year to stay with Hilton and Glynis was a thrill. Progress of course, is inevitable because those thatched, mud huts which nestled on 640 ha of pristine land, bordered by two rivers and one of the most unspoiled beaches in Southern Africa, have been replaced by The Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino. Heather’s husband, Gundi, also remembers the site, as he too spent many family holidays there.

Although a lot of development has taken place, the beaches are still unspoilt and it is a delightful area in which to have a holiday home. Hilton and Glynis have one close to a small beach where the kids can mess about in rock pools, there is space for the boat and tractor that pulls and launches it and there is also a pool.

They usually have this beach all to themselves

Glynis and the dog

Just watch out for grass snakes before getting into the pool

Soon after we arrived we went down to the Ski-boat club which overlooks the main beach. We enjoyed a drink and then returned with Nathan who had just been discharged from hospital and was a little tired. Recently Hilton and Gareth entered a species competition and they and Earl returned to attend the prize giving. And Gareth was thrilled to get R2000 in prize money!

Gareth posing with photos of past catches that line the walls of the living area

An old landrover is what is used for most of the driving around Port Edward

Hilton at the wheel – even the windscreen is missing

It’s a really fun ride

In the evening we went to the spectacular Wild Coast Casino for dinner. It was busy and full of gamblers but we enjoyed wandering around the place and the restaurant, Chico’s was lovely. For a set price they serve soup, Mongolian stir fry, roasts, seafood, vegetables, cold meats and salads and a variety of desserts. You may help yourself and eat as much as you can manage! We had an amazing evening.

Chico’s

Lit up for Christmas

Tropical Fish in the ponds

This morning we were up very early and met another niece Heather and her hubby Gundi for breakfast at Bobbie’s – which also overlooks the main beach.

Gundi, Heather, Glynis, Hilton and me

Afterwards we went for a walk along the beach. The swimming flags were up and a good number of life guards were on duty. Once again we thoroughly enjoyed our morning bonding with our younger relatives. We are very keen to visit them there again in the future and when Earl is stronger Hilton wants to take him out to sea – the KZN way!

View from Bobbie’s

The sea was 20 degrees C – Hilton said it was cold but it was not!

Life Guards keeping a close eye on the bathers

It was an hour and a half drive from Port Edward back to Lauren’s. We took the short cut which involved a game of “dodge the pothole” and watch out for pedestrians, cows and goats but once on the N2 it was smooth going again.

Tonight we are having a quiet evening and may or may not stay awake to see the New Year in!

Birthday Celebration

2016-12-30 | puppy1952

29 December 2016

We celebrated 37 years of joy with Laurie today.

While the neighbours are overseas Lauren, Lisa and the boys are staying in their house. Their dogs looked at her pleadingly this morning so she and I took them for walk after breakfast.

It was a perfect morning for walking

Major and Blackie agreed

It rained hard last night resulting in ditches of water for Major to swim in

It was a scenic route

Ann and Dean invited all 10 of us to join them and their kids for lunch. Jacob was here for the day so he joined us too.

Ann is the youngest of the Mackenzie children and of course we always think of he as the baby – but now she is a working wife and mother of three and has the most beautiful home with a wonderful view over Brooklyn Farm. Dean bought a lot of the Brooklyn land as well as the neighbouring farm.

The house on the hill

Birthday Girl

As we downsized this year we really felt emotional about parting with some of our much loved possession. Our Blackwood dining room table was one such item and so we offered it to Ann and Dean if they would pay to have it transported from Cape Town to Kokstad. And wow – what a delight to see it looking just right in their dining area.

Dean, Ann and Baby Sarah

Even though there are varying ages among the cousins they always connect and get on well together. Caitlyn and James adore Simon and Shannon and having Jay and Josh and Shan’s boyfriend Jacob was an extra bonus for them. There is so much space for the kids to have fun and even the big ones enjoyed the trampoline and swings!

The View

Lolz getting birthday attention from Sammy

Simon reading a story to the little ones – the older ones enjoying it too

James is king of the castle on Jacob’s shoulders

Lunch was lovely and Barbara and Andrew came over after to have tea and deliver a gift to Lolz.

Barbara with Sarah – her 12th grandchild

Later we went to Brooklyn to collect some beans from Barbara’s garden. Margaret was beside herself with excitement to see Laurie.

Nicoline came for sundowners and then we had a delicious stew with sweet potatoes and Barbara’s green beans. We finished the day by watching an episode of Master Chef Australia.

Wattle Crane Cottage

2016-12-29 | puppy1952

27 December 2016

Sailor’s Gift farm, owned by the Raws, is just a half hour’s drive from Kaag’s Post. But from there to Wattle Crane Cottage next to the highest dam in South Africa it is another half hour along a steep and rocky drive with several gates to open as you go. The Ford Everest made it with room to spare!
We only took the boys along this time as Shan is not into fishing and instead accompanied her dad on a golfing trip.

You would think that after years of much travelling my darling husband would have clicked by now that it all comes together in the end. But even for a short trip such as this he gets himself into a tizz about meeting schedules and fitting everything into the car. Now we have a huge 4×4 and a trailer and with patience and time we always fit everything plus kids in with ease. But no trip would be complete without the panic.

I saw to the clothing, towels, toiletries and techno travel stuff and was about to check the food story when the dear one appeared with disastrous news – The Blitz was packed in with the sugar and now it’s contaminated. – No it’s not, I reassured him – the sugar is sealed and so are the fire lighters. Just relax – the supermarket packer forgot to put it in a separate bag! NO BIG DEAL. There were other things missing because he went and panic-packed without me but with careful checking I rounded everything up and the car and trailer were packed with precision. BUT – because I was slightly rattled by my beloved I forgot to pack the MILK. I also misjudged the appetite of three teen-aged boys and they complained that there wasn’t enough bread and rolls! But we had rusks and biscuits, lots of fruit and plenty of meat and vegetables so they did not, as feared, starve! We arrived at quarter to ten – Fifteen minutes before schedule – so what was all the fuss about!

Wattle Crane Cottage overlooks the dam

The boys were very excited. Jay claimed the canoe but had to help with the row boat first. It is heavy and was upside down. When the boys turned it over, what should they discover, but a swarm of bees! They had made a hive under the boat! A bucket of water later they managed to move the honeycomb to a safe spot and then waited a while for the swarm to find it before they could use the boat.

Simon and Josh fished from the jetty,

Jay tried his luck from the canoe

Grandpa fretted till the rowboat was safe to use. Then he and Jay went off to the far end of the dam. Simon and Josh took the canoe and Si almost caught an enormous trout but his line broke off!

There has been a drought in KZN (and the rest of the country) so the water level was very low. The fish seemed not to be on the bite either because most unusually nobody managed to get a single fish. However, they seemed to have a lot of fun.

The rain came in the late afternoon along with some dramatic thunder and lightning. The boys were starving and polished off the rolls with some smoked chicken, tomato and avo They also tucked into juice and biscuits.

For supper Grandpa braaied some deliciously juicy chops and sweet potatoes and I made a banana and chutney salad and roasted some veggies. For dessert we had mango and yogurt.

28 December 2016

It rained a lot during the night and it was still overcast when we woke up at 7. The boys were still fast asleep so grandpa went out in the row boat on his own.

He was back after an hour as it rained. His rain jacket had not completely protected him so his shirt was wet and he had not packed a second one! So I made him squeeze into my black t-shirt which was not too skimpy. Fortunately he’d lost weight during his illness in Italy so managed to get into it. He couldn’t find his fleece either and so once again borrowed mine. You might ask why he didn’t borrow from Jay or Josh – Well – they hadn’t brought any spare clothing either had they! After an hour he found his fleece in the car didn’t look too much like a girl once he’d donned that over my t-shirt.

By 8:30 everybody was up and I cooked scrambled eggs, tomato, mushrooms and bacon. After yesterday’s complaints about not enough bread I expected them to be demanding a second round of toast but – No thanks, Gran – we’re full. I told them that high fat in their diet would make them cave less carbohydrate and it seems I was right! They were still satisfied from last night’s meal.

Although it was raining and the lads were ill prepared as far as the correct clothing was concerned they insisted on going out on the dam. Because of the rain we thought we might just pack up and go – but they were having none of that! Anyway – luckily the rain abated and they did not get too wet.

View across the dam

Healthy looking calves

Misty Conditions

Please don’t get lost, Josh and Si

Nobody wanted to leave the cottage but because more rain was forecast Grandpa thought it safer to leave before it became unsafe to drive. So we packed up and reluctantly returned to Kaag’s Post. It turned out to be a good decision as it poured during the night. It would have been a treacherous drive back had we remained till the following morning.

Some of the Sailor’s Gift herd

Sailor’s Gift

Cape Longclaw seen on our drive down

The cause of the baby boom in Kokstad!

Day of Goodwill Picnic

2016-12-28 | puppy1952

26 December 2016

After all the excitement of Christmas, today was a chill day. The weather was warm and sunning in the morning. Earl, Laurie and I went to town to shop for our excursion to Wattle Cane Cottage tomorrow.

In the afternoon we had a brief thunderstorm and almost abandoned our plans to picnic on the neighbouring peach farm. But in the end it cleared up and it was very pleasant next to the river. The men braied some boerewors and steak and there was other left over Christmas fare. The Baker Clan were there along with Sean’s sister and family and also his brother. It is beautiful there next to the river under some shady trees. The kids enjoyed themselves at the water’s edge and also played an energetic ball game.

A lovely late lunch spread

Baker Cousins and a friend of the family

Our youngest and oldest

Our perfect middle child on the right

The handome grandson

Granddaughter has mischief written all over her face

No – you are still too young to drink!

A lovely place to hide

Joshua made us laugh

A cute shot 0f Simon who is camera shy! Thanks Josh.

A good game to work off all the food

Robyn keeping order

Christmas Past, Christmas Present

2016-12-26 | puppy1952

As we walked into Murray and Birgitta’s house today, Laurie said, It’s like returning to the past! All the memories of past holidays and Christmases at Brooklyn Farm came flooding back.

Brooklyn Farmhouse – Pool relatively new

Lest we forget this relic stays in the garden

The first time I met the Mackenzie family, I was “Earl’s new partner”. It was an anxious time for me – would they even want to meet me. Barbara and her sister had been close – and here I was, her ‘replacement’ intruding into her home. Would they resent me? Would they be openly hostile or worse – distantly polite? I needn’t have worried – I was warmly welcomed and instantly made to feel one of the family. Barbara and I soon became as close as sisters and after that first meeting we spent many happy holidays together. Andrew and Barbara had five children whose ages fitted in perfectly with our three Murray, Heather and Glynis were similar in age to Lisa and Lauren and Joan and Ann to Laurie. The other cousins were often there too and sometimes there were up to 20 of us staying at the farm at the same time. Yet everyone blended in well together, the older ones including the younger ones in their activities and taking good care of them. There were early morning trips to the dairy, hair-raising rides on the back of the bakkie into the lands, swimming in the river and the dam and picnics at the Romantic Pool. The teens would make their annual pilgrimage to Underberg for the New Year Party where everybody gathered on somebody’s farm and slept over in a barn! They’re all still with us in one piece so it must have been okay!

When Lauren graduated as a teacher she took her first post at Kokstad Junior School – it was supposed to be for a year but 22 years later she is there still! She met Allan and simply married him and stayed.

Now all those kids are married with kids of their own and Christmas celebrations have changed. In-laws have to be considered so now it’s a Mackenzie Christmas on even years and each of the five take turns to host. This year was the first time in five that we’ve been to Kokstad for Christmas and being at the farm made it even more special. Patriarch and Matriarch, Andrew and Barbara now live in a small cottage on the farm and Murray and his family live in the wonderful old farm house so full of memories.

There are twelve Mackenzie grandchildren now ranging in age from a few months to twenty-five! Our four range from 12 to 19 making it sixteen of the next generation at dinner on Christmas Day. It filled me with joy to be seated with 39 others at the beautifully set festive tables laden with the most delicious fare. Andrew and Barbara can be proud of this beautiful, warm and loving family that still surround them.

Our mad gang of 10

Our hosts – Murray and Birgitta with their boys Seth and Aiden- their daughter, Brittany is working in America

Glynis and niece Caitlyn

Who wouldn’t love such a gorgeous aunt

Laurie with Sarah – Ann’s baby

Nathan, Seth, Aidan and Simon waiting for the go ahead to open pressies.

Lauren and Birgitta did the organising, assigning a dish to each family. Present giving could have ruined the budgets for the rest of the year so a system of buying one gift per couple and one per child was devised – and it worked well and the spirit of Christmas was upheld.

Festively set tables – Thank you Birgitta!

In Africa, Christmas lunch is usually served cold -delicious cold roasts of every kind of meat, and a variety of scrumptious salads

The younger boys getting ready to tuck in

The adults having fun

The pool is a relatively new addition to the farm garden and provided much fun to the younger boys of the extended family.

Soccer featured too

The goats thought there might be Christmas plants for lunch

and the calves also ventured onto the lawns for a Christmas graze.

Yes another Kokstad Christmas under the belt but this one was super special!

Share your World Week 51

2016-12-21 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World Questions

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas is definitely the big celebration in our family – it always has been and always will be. Over the years the way in which I have celebrated has changed and it is often nt the same from one year to the next. Last year we had our last Christmas in our ex-home in Cape Town. In 2013 we celebrated in Australia. We have had a few Christmases in the wild. But in usually we celebrate with our Kokstad Clan and that is where we will be this year.
What types of food is associated with your holiday?

Living in the southern hemisphere we have a summer Christmas – it is hot and light and traditional roast dinners are not part of the plan. We eat cold roasted meats and delicious salads. This year my daughter and a niece are doing all the organising and everybody has been assigned a dish to bring. There will be more than 20 of us sharing lunch at The Farm.

Do you travel for your holiday?

Usually – yes. It’s a two day road trip to Kokstad. Six of us usually pile into our 7-seater car but this year we’re going in convey in the Ford Everest and Toyota Avanza as half the family need to get back earlier than the other. We will overnight in Graaff Reinet.

Is it a religious or spiritual holiday?

Both.

Is there a gift exchange?

Yes – We have been assigned who to buy for and how much to spend so that we are not left penniless for the rest of the year. Those who have kids buy for as many kids as they have and each couple buys for another couple. So if you have 3 kids you buy for 3 assigned children. The gifts are opened together at the celebration.

How long does the celebration last?

The whole day and probably the next.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for our new Ford Everest which promises to transport us to many adventurous places for a good few years to come. I am looking forward to a great Family Reunion and Festive Season.