Spending Quality Time With Friends

2016-06-27 | puppy1952

We recently had our very good friends, Heather and Peter, spend time with us. It was an enormously happy time and the Weather Man obliged us with some stunning sunny days.

It was great to show them the improvements we’ve made to our home although they’re not quite finished yet. We enjoyed meals together, immersed ourselves in catching up on each other’s lives and it was a treat to take them to our favourite birding spots. We have so many shared interests so it was great to have an extended time together to enjoy each other.

The sunny days made it all the more exciting and although winter birding is not as productive as spring and summer we managed to do pretty well each day. Tuesday found us on the Arniston Road.

Jackal Buzzard

Rock Kestrel

Denham’s bustard

Denham’s in the foreground – steenbok in the background

There were hundreds of our national bird, the blue crane in the farmlands

A malachite sunbird enjoying the aloes

A bee, his only competition

Cloud Cisticola? Not sure about this LBJ’s identity

The Arniston Hotel where we enjoyed a great lunch

Arniston

Arniston fishermen coming in from a day at sea

On Wednesday we chilled at home till later in the afternoon when we set off to Agulhas Light house. On the way we enjoyed some birds and then went to see the light house museum.

There were literally dozens of African Black Oystercatchers on the rocks

A little egret soaking up the sun

Enjoying the lighthouse museum

After the museum we took a drive to Suiderstrand picking up a couple of birds and enjoying the views.

The famous “Pietie se huis” which is now part of the Agulhas National Park Rest Camp.

A Black Shouldered Kite with a hapless mouse for dinner

Bokmakierie

In the evening we introduced our old best friends to our new best friends over a stunning braai of ribs, chops and sausage

The next day we took off down the Elim Road and were thrilled with all the birds we found before having lunch at The Black Oystercatcher Wine Estate

A gaggle of Spur-winged geese

Cape Robin singing happily

A delight to find a fish eagle

Scores of Denham’s Bustards about

Flamingos on the Salt Pans

The Black Oystercatcher

Lunch was excellent – we all had the sticky chicken salad

The sun was setting when we returned and so we popped in at the harbour to see how the boats had done. A few fish were caught but not as much as the fishermen had hoped!

Sunset

One of the ski-boats returning from a day at sea

Friday’s weather matched our mood as we bade farewell to our friends as they made their way back to Cape Town on a cold and wet day.

What a delight to have been able to share those few days with our dearest friends!

Share your world #25

2016-06-26 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share you world Week 25

How many languages do you you speak?

English is my Home Language. Most English speakers are lazy about learning other languages as no matter where you go in the world you can almost always find somebody who knows English. But I like languages. I speak my second language, Afrikaans, fairly proficiently. Now that I live in a community that is 90% Afrikaans speaking I am becoming even better. I will soon be spending two months in Italy so have begun a Duolingo online course in that language and I’m loving it.

My father was Greek but all I ever learned in that language was a few greetings, to count and to swear!

What are some words that just make you smile?

Stunning, super and fabulous are words I use a lot and I guess they make me smile. A sentence that would make me smile – We’re going to Kruger!

If you were the original architect of one existing building, which building would you select?

When I was in Australia I couldn’t get enough of the Sydney Opera House – so I guess it would be that one!

Would you rather have telepathy or telekinesis? (Telepathy is the communication using your brain waves, telekinesis is channeling the energy onto physical objects to cause substantial, observable physical changes.)

Telepathy – My husband thinks I already have it and can’t understand why I don’t know what he wants before he asks.

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 an amazing week with friends visiting us and the fun we had birdwatching and exploring the area of the Southern Tip of Africa.

Next week I am looking forward to a quick visit to Cape Town to collect my British Visa and to collect my repaired car. Also I am anticipating that all alterations here is Struisbaai will be complete!

Share your World #23

2016-06-10 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s questions for this week.

What was one of your first moneymaking jobs (other than babysitting or newspaper delivery)?

I had only three student jobs before I graduated with my Teachers’ Diploma. The first was at a bakery on Saturday mornings – it was hectic and I was paid R2.00. I was 16 years old and only did it for a few months. After that I had a vacation job in an office in the city. It was for three weeks and the experience was awesome. The permanent staff in the office were so interesting and I learned a lot about life from them – perhaps more than was age appropriate! Then at age 17 I had a vacation job at the local hospital as a Nurse Aid. Well! That was an even bigger experience – It was very hard work – making perfect hospital beds, emptying bed pans, doing bed baths, dealing with vomiting patients and the highlight – watching the birth of a baby!

My first real job was as an itinerant Speech Correction Teacher – and from then on a very chequered career in teaching – I don’t regret a second.

What is your favorite month of the year?

I would rather answer this as my favourite season of the year – Autumn/Fall. Here in the Western Cape this is the most beautiful time of year. The weather is changeable but in a good year May/June produces windless, sunny days that are neither too hot nor too cold. It’s the stillness that I love – the clear days when the sea is a calm as a millpond and it is a delight to sit in the sun and drink in the fresh air. I just love it.

What three things in nature do you find most beautiful?

Birds, the bush and the sea. Birds are all around us – they sound wonderful, they look beautiful and they fill me with joy. The Bush in South Africa is amazing – my spirit is renewed every time I enter a wildlife park and experience the isolation and wonder of the wild. The Sea – ever changing and dramatic – who can live without it.

List at least five of your favorite spices? (excluding salt and pepper)

Garlic, origanum, Ina Paarman Rosemary and Olive, Basil, ginger, cinnamon.

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 the process of applying for a UK Visitor’s Visa is over – what an intense and expensive experience – Schengen was so much more pleasant. I have the latter – hopefully the former is as successful. Travel for South Africans is complicated!

I am looking forward to a week of getting our Struisbaai home into shape – the extensions are complete and the new cupboards almost all done. Now for the final decorating!

Share Your World #22

2016-06-02 | puppy1952

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

Every country in the world has lost men and women in some kind of Armed Forces. When does your country celebrate their deaths?

We remember Poppy Day – 11 November – but it is not a public holiday.

Here in South Africa people lost their lives in their fight for freedom and so perhaps Human Rights Day celebrated on 21 March is when we remember those who lost their lives in that kind of war. Specifically the events of Sharpeville are remembered. On that day in 1960, 69 people died and 180 wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd who protested the Pass Laws.

Similarly 16 June – Youth Day is an important day of remembrance. On this day we reflect upon the young protesters who were ambushed by the apartheid regime police in Soweto on 16 June 1976. Over 500 youths were killed. They were students from a number of Sowetan schools who took to the streets to protest against having Afrikaans at the medium of instruction in their schools. About 20 000 students took part in the protests which took place over a few days. This was in 1976.

What is your favorite holiday or holidays?

Of course this has to be Christmas although I find it stressful to have to think of how best to celebrate. With as large an extended family as we have, it is difficult to please everybody. So over the years, the way we do it has changed several times and is changing still. But in the end whatever we do turns out to be fun.

Easter is also great – who can resist all that chocolate?

How do you celebrate that holiday?

With overindulgence of course! Last year we celebrated in Cape Town – very unusual! We had a tree and opened gifts before breakfast. Then at midday we had a roast turkey and roast lamb with all the trimmings. We did not have the traditional pudding but usually we do. This time we had my sister in law’s amazing trifle.

Even though our grandkids are quite big now, we still have an Easter Egg hunt. Great fun.

I know that some people take holidays very seriously and while we appreciate the significance of each one, we treat the day as we would any other – grateful for what they signify but we don’t attend events that make a big thing of them.

What are you grateful for in the week that’s past?

A great deal! So much change has taken place in our home. The highlight was receiving our recovered recliner. I just love the colour and it makes a huge difference to our lounge. The workshop extension to the garage is almost complete, the desk unit in the lounge is in use and the bedroom cupboards and bookshelf in the braai room will hopefully be completed by the weekend.

This chair had become quite shabby but I had a sentimental attachment to it so I couldn’t part with it – love the result of the reupholstering.

Our new double work station

What are you looking forward to in the week to come?

Our Schengen Visas are ready for collection and I need to apply for the UK Visa. Am I looking forward to that? Well it will be a chore and another trip to Cape Town but at least it’s a step closer to what’s needed to go on an overseas trip – and who can complain about that! It is also great to see the kids and friends back in our old home town!

Share your world Week 21

2016-05-26 | puppy1952

I have been neglecting my blogging for the past fortnight but I have an excuse! There is a lot happening in my life right now. Now that I’m retired I tend to go with the flow and don’t stick to a routine but just let things happen as they crop up. This is fine some of the time but it does mean that I forget things that I am supposed to be doing – like I forgot a dinner date with a very dear friend – that is inexcusable – So sorry, Chantal!

We have a wonderful life here at the southern tip of Africa but because we are planning a trip to Italy we had to go to Cape Town to sort out our Schengen Visas. I went ahead of Hubby and excavated the junk from our family home in Sun Valley. Thanks to Romilla for taking a lot of it for the charity for which she works! Hubby joined me on Monday and on Wednesday we went to Capago to do the Visa thing. Because we are are doing renovations to our Struisbaai home he was itching to get back so after packing the Land Rover to the hilt we hit the road for home at 11 am this morning. I had caught up with friends while there and last night we met up with folk we will be travelling to Kruger with in October – such a stunning evening.

And now I must get back to the Blog – I will start with answering Cee’s lovely questions on Share your World.

What is your favorite go to beverage? Water, coffee, tea, coke, soda (non-alcoholic)

Yes – I am a coffee addict – but I don’t overdo the coffee thing otherwise I would never sleep! I love my coffee – it has to be hot, strong and black – strong – but not too bitter because I don’t take sugar 0r milk to disguise the taste – so you see a good barrister is important here. I judge a restaurant by the quality of its coffee – not its food!

Having said all this I also enjoy a good cup of rooibos tea. Recently I have tried a Rooibos Chai – delicious. My Indian friend, Romilla says I mush have it with milk – but I don’t do milk so I take it black = but I am thinking of trying it with milk.

I avoid fizzy drinks but Coke I use medicinally if I or my family have upset stomachs- but it must be the original recipe made with sugar – not corn syrup. Believe me this is not psychological – it really works.

– Can you change a car tire?

Absolutely not! – That’s why I married a man with a plan. A very handy man he is and he is able to get me out of a thousand different scrapes. I like to think that I am a Feminist but I’m not -I like a hero to come around and rescue me from my plight – if my man with a plan is not about I’ll call someone else!

Are you a listener or talker?

I like to think that I am both! I love to listen to people with something to say! I can listen to Romilla for hours – she has such wonderful stories of a culture different to my own and i find this fascinating. I do listen to people’s problems but then I like to fix them. Not a good idea -a sounding board is all they need – a sympathetic ear and somebody who cares – not somebody who thinks she has all the answers to the world’s problems.

I talk a lot and hope that the listener is interested!

Would you rather have no internet or no cell phone?

I wouldn’t choose to be without either but if I have to choose the cell phone would go – I often don’t even know where mine is! My generation I believe are digital aliens while the younger generation are digital citizens.

I am enormously grateful for the internet and couldn’t imagine life without it. What on earth did we do before it became an essential in our lives. I love modern technology – the aps and the readily available information most of which is free! Right now I am grateful for Duolingo which is teaching me Italian.

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

There is just so much that I am grateful for – Meeting up with old friends last week made me so happy and delighted that I still have them in my life. I am also so grateful that I have my health and the energy to excavate the junk from my family home. I am grateful for stunning kids and grandkids. I am grateful for the funds to travel to distant lands and for still having a sound enough mind to enjoy learning a new language.

I am looking forward to rearranging things in my home in Struisbaai! Our renovations are nearly complete – I have brought things from Cape Town to help redecorate in Struisbaai and it’s going to be fun sorting everything out.

Share your world Week 19

2016-05-13 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s questions this week

You win a pet monkey but this isn’t just any old monkey. It can do one trick for you whenever you want from getting a pop out of the fridge to washing your hair. What would be the trick?

Well keeping pet monkeys goes very much against the grain for a wild-life lover like me but if this were like a Genie kind of monkey and in a parallel universe then I would go for a one who could pander to my every personal need. I have always thought having a lady’s maid would be great – someone to style my hair, do my make-up, manicure my nails and give me a massage after my exercise routine – yes that would be a great monkey to have.

What caring thing are you going to do for yourself today?

I am going to take a walk on my own and stop off at my new favourite coffee shop for some real coffee. While there I will just chill, read a magazine or check Facebook on my phone!

What color do you feel most comfortable wearing?

My favourite colour is red. Most of my basics are black, stone and white but I like to cheer these up with some red or other bright colours even if it’s just a scarf.

Complete this sentence: When I travel I love to….

Explore the places the locals frequent. In Paris I loved the pavement cafes serving croissants and excellent coffee for breakfast. I’m going to Italy in August and I’m looking forward to avoiding the tourist traps and exploring the little villages, eating where the locals eat and getting to know the people as we will be spending a month in the same place. We don’t often travel across the ocean but do a lot in our own country and then it’s usually into the bush with an off-road caravan. Italy will be something completely different!

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

I really have so much to be grateful for – a husband who makes exciting snap decisions to travel overseas in spite of the fact that we’ve already travelled locally so much this year. I am so lucky that he still has an adventurous and hasn’t slumped into old age, content to sit in his rocking chair and stare at the sea. I am also grateful for the alterations that are taking place in our home. Next week I am looking forward to going to Cape Town to catch up with friends and family, to pack up the junk in our ex-home and to organise our Shengen Visas. I am also looking forward to going to Theatre on the Bay to see a play which I haven’t done in ages.

Winter Weather in Struisbaai

2016-05-07 | puppy1952

There is bitterly cold south-easterly wind blowing here at the tip of Africa. I don’t want to say that Winter has arrived with a vengeance because it could change again just as suddenly. But if this is an indication of what is to come then I’d better start taking out the thicker jerseys! We have had a few cold snaps but this morning was the first time that I snuggled down deeper under the duvet and resisted leaving the warmth of my bed. When I did emerge, I put on jeans and polo neck and settled down for some couch potato pursuits before finally taking a drive to see what the sea looked like.

I saw some impressive photographs of stormy seas on the Cape Peninsular on Face Book and although we have rough seas here, it did not seem as dramatic as there.

The harbour boats bobbing on the choppy sea

P1090472 P1090393

The cormorant and oyster catchers didn’t seem to mind the weather

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What a treat to see a common whimbrel on a stony beach near Agulhas

Agulhas Lighthouse

I ventured out of the car to walk a little way and it was a fight against the strong wind but it sure blew the cobwebs away. It also worked up a huge craving for a cup of good strong coffee! Our favourite coffee shop, Potpourri, is closed for renovations so we tried a little place in Struisbaai that we’d been meaning to go to for some time. It’s called The Shipwreck Cafe. Wow – what a find! We threw caution to the howling wind and ordered chocolate cake. It was the best I’ve ever had in my life – rich, moist and chocolatey.

The Best Chocolate Cake ever and wonderful cappuccino and black coffees

Earl gobbled his down in two minutes but it was a really large slice and so rich that I could only manage a quarter of mine. I took the rest home in a doggy bag!

I am extremely fussy about coffee – it has to be hot, strong and black but not too bitter- If it’s not just right there’s no milk and sugar to disguise the taste! Hats off to The Shipwreck Cafe – the coffee was beyond my expectations and absolutely perfect. If ever you’re in our neck of the woods – don’t miss this secret treasure – find the Shipwreck – it will be well worth it. We will certainly being going there again – I have to try their breakfast.

It doesn’t have a sea view but the decor is interesting

Tomorrow, Sunday 8 May, is Mother’s Day in South Africa – So Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. May your little ones thrill you with their home-made cards and thoughtful deeds. Those are the things we treasure more than expensive gifts.

Beach

2016-05-05 | puppy1952

I don’t usually participate in WordPress’s daily prompt challenge but today’s word BEACH made me want to try it.

Is there anybody who doesn’t love a beach. Have you ever heard anybody say – I don’t like the sea? I once met a young man in Zambia who’d never seen the ocean. He asked me to describe it to him. I told him about the tides, the beach and the waves and the sport of surfing.
“What is surfing ?” he asked. He was my bird guide and we were in a canoe on the Zambezi River. I was not sure how I could explain it. “You’d love it,” I said. “You know the thrill you get from riding the rapids? It’s that kind of feeling, I think but different as you stand on the board and ride the waves.” He laughed because he just couldn’t picture it.

I grew up on a beach and the sun, the sand and the sea is part of who I am. In my very early years I lived right opposite Fish Hoek Beach. As children we could just walk across a road and a level crossing and the beach was our playground. In those days children had so much more freedom than the kids of today. No adults accompanied us and once we were there we were sure to meet up with other unsupervised youngsters. We lived a car-ride away from the beach when I was raising my own kids but it was close enough to go after school and we did so regularly – the beach had everything a child desired – a play park, sand and water and dozens of other kids to play with. And for Mom – wow – you’d always meet other moms down there and we’d all chat and watch the kids enjoy themselves. I wonder how moms without beaches cope – a beach is a calming place – a grouchy kids becomes all smile the minute her toes touch the sand.

Fish Hoek Beach

The beach was also part of my teenage days. It was the place to play beach games and meet your friends and what courtship would be the same without a romantic walk along a moonlit beach.

And now I still love the beach – I’m near to another one now – Struisbaai at the tip of Africa – and it’s the longest one in South Africa. It would take a day to walk the entire length of it. And the sea is warm and there’s the prettiest fishing harbour that buzzes with activity. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t take a walk along the beach winter or summer. Summer of course is the best when the sea is warm and swimming is pleasant.

Struisbaai Beach

Struisbaai Harbour

I love the wild, the mountains, the bush and the desert but I need the beach – it is part of my being.

Share your World Week 18

2016-05-03 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World questions this week.

Who was your best friend in elementary school?

My only friend in Grade 2 was my cousin, Philip, and then I met the most amazing little girl, Jennifer. I was shy and insecure and she was friendly and confident. She included me in all the games and made sure the other girls accepted me. Having such a good friend made me feel more comfortable at school and I changed from an under-achiever to one who coped quite well. We were inseparable for the next four years and then her father was transferred to another city. Over the years we kept up a correspondence and saw each others for the odd holiday. Since then we have lived in the same city for only a brief time. Yet we are still best friends. She lives in England and I live in South Africa but our friendship has survived for 50 years.

What things could people do for you on a really bad day that would really help you?

Take me out for cup of strong black coffee and a chat!

If you could make a 15 second speech to the entire world, what would you say?

Choose your attitude, choose to be happy, choose to deal with problems in a positive way. Work hard, play hard, accept challenges and embrace every opportunity that comes your way and remember that “Life’s not about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.” Cherish those moments!

Would you rather be an amazing dancer or an amazing singer?

I’m bad at both but it doesn’t stop me singing at the top of my voice much to the distress of my children. I also enjoy dancing with my husband. I guess if I had to choose it would be an amazing singer.

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 I was able to have a very good friend and my daughter here for the Workers’ Day Weekend. The weather was stunning and we had a great time catching up and enjoying each other’s company.

If all goes well I will have a man building new cupboards in my house this week. I’m really looking forward to that.

Wild Adventure Chapter 14 Last Day

2016-05-02 | puppy1952

16 March

It rained in the night and it was still dripping when the Grum-Peighs woke up at 5:30 am. Fortunately it stopped enough for them to pack up in relative comfort.

They bade farewell to the Leighs and were ready to exit Mata Mata by 6:30. They took a slow drive to Twee Rivieren not expecting too much in the way of sightings as after rain the game don’t need to come to the water holes.

However, they were in luck. They found their Port Shepstone neighbors stopped and staring into the bush. “There’s a lioness on a kill,” they told the G-Ps. And sure enough there she was under a tree chewing away. To her right Lady G-P spotted another one – obviously she’d had her fill. A few jackal were waiting on the sideline too.

After watching for a while they pushed on and saw all the usuals including giraffes

and then her Ladyship noticed something small running across the veld.

A dassie!

Another unusual sighting for KTP

A lone warthog!

All too soon they arrived at Twee Rivieren, pumped the types back to their normal pressure and then went to Kgalagadi Lodge for breakfast.

Feeling fortified with fresh energy they sadly let the Kgalagadi behind and made their way to Oranjerus, a lovely, shady, grassy campsite next to the Orange River where they spent the night.

A red bishop seen from the restaurant at Oranjerus

They dined at the restaurant with a fellow camper and so ended their wonderful Wild Adventure.

Wild Adventure Chapter 13

2016-05-01 | puppy1952

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15 March

Lady Grum-Peigh was first in the queue with the Frend-Leighs close behind. She raced out of the office, permit in hand and jumped into the Land Rover. “We’ve beaten our friends!” said the Earl excitedly. “We’ll be the first to see the lions!”

“Slow down,”said her Ladyship. “You’ll miss the good stuff on the way!” He ignored her and gleefully overtook the campers from Kalahari Tented Camp who’d got out first.

Then suddenly a wild cat appeared and crossed the road in front of them. The Earl screeched the breaks and yelled instructions to his poor wife but she still missed the photo! The kitty toddled off into the veld. The Earl turned the vehicle and said, “Keep the camera on him.” Tufts of grass kept hiding him preventing good shots. The Earl was furious. “Why didn’t you get him – he was right there!”

“Did you get any?” asked Lady G-P calmly.

“No!”
“Well, he was on your side of the car!”
“But I was driving!”
“I’m tired of you yelling at me I’m getting out right here!”

“Well don’t let the hyena get you,” said the Earl and there right next to her door she spotted him and they both burst out laughing.

Come out and play, Lady G-P – I won’t eat you.

Look at my innocent eyes

Oh well – I guess I’ll have to find somebody else

Other cars including the Frend-Leighs were now ahead of them so the Earl slowed down and enjoyed the birdlife.

A secretary bird marching determinedly through the veldt

There were no lions or cheetahs at the waterholes but they saw tawnies on the kill.

P1090044

They made breakfast at Kamqua picnic site and then made their way back. There was a sleeping lion near Dalkeith but otherwise no big cats.

But the other creatures seen were fun.

Rock Kestrel

Pin-tailed Whydah

Brown Snake Eagle

Common Buzzard

A Journey of Giraffe

Wildebeest competing with Butterflies for a drinking rights

Back at camp they had a salad for lunch, the Earl had a nap, Lady G-P did some chores and Mrs Leigh prepped lamb stew for dinner. She and Mr Leigh went out again later in the afternoon but the G-Ps stayed to pack up as, sadly, it was our last night in the park.

Wild Adventure Chapter 12 Mata Mata Day 2

2016-04-30 | puppy1952

14 March 2016

Mata Mata Camp offered way more luxury than the unfenced rustic Rooiputs. Showering in the morning was now possible and Lady Peigh and Mrs Leigh were first up and finished at the ablution block before the other campers awoke. Now they had to check out of camp and the gate attendant did not open the office till 6:30 on the dot!

Mr and Mrs Frend-Leigh was first out the gate and indicated to the Grum-Peighs that they were following lion tracks. They followed them to 14th Waterhole but the cats were not there. A return to Dalkeith produced no luck either.

Clearly the lions had killed the previous night as they found a tawny eagle eating their leftovers. It then flew up into a tree to join its friend and they got some photos.