Here is my contribution to Nancy’s challenge – Edge
On the edge of a waterfall – Chinese Gardens, Sydney
Living on the Edge – Amalfi Coast, Italy
On the edge of the shore – Struisbaai Harbour Beach
Photo a Week Challenge 26 July 2017
Share Your World 24 July 2017
Here are my answers to this week’s interesting questions from Cee
List some of your favorites types of teas
I am addicted to coffee. But I try not to drink too much so actually I drink more cups of tea than coffee. Anne over at Something over Tea has encouraged me to be more adventurous in my choices from time to time – but I tend to stick to a South African favourite – Rooibos Tea (Red Bush Tea) It is made from the needle like leaves of a bush that grows in Cedarberg mountains of the Western Cape. In most South African homes when you are offered a cuppa you’re asked your preference – Rooibos or Ceylon? It is not a true tea but you brew it in the same way as you would Ceylon tea. I like it black with a slice of lemon.
A cup of chai
Rooibos is believed to have many healing properties and it is often fed to colicky babies. It is also an ingredient in some South African skin care products.
A variation on my Rooibos may include Chai or lemon and mint flavoured. I also like cranberry flavoured. Green Tea is possibly the only other tea I drink. I never touch Ceylon tea.
If you had to describe your day as a traffic sign, what would it be?
I really couldn’t think of a good road sign to describe me so chose this as sometimes I’m so confused!
What are a couple of things could people do for you on a really bad day that would really help you?
My first reaction would be – Leave me alone. I don’t often have bad days but a few weeks ago I was feeling emotional and was actually in tears thinking about my aunt who was dying. My phone pinged and it was my best friend texting me from England. “Do you want to Skype?” We hadn’t Skyped in months. How did she know I needed her? She said I’d just popped into her head and she felt she had to call me. It was just what I needed.
Irregardless of your physical fitness, coordination or agility: If you could be an athlete what would do do? Remember this is SYW, dreaming is always allowed
I love watching gymnastics and ice skating and that would be my dream skill if I had my life over.
Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up
It’s almost a year since my hubby had his double bypass in Italy. I am grateful that he is now in excellent health. So much so that he suggested another trip abroad – this time to Thailand and today we booked! We will be setting off on 5 August. How cool is it to be retired!
I am looking forward to preparing for the planned trip.
One Word Photo Challenge – Hippopotamus
This week’s One Word Photo Challenge from Jennifer is Hippopotamus
A Wallow of Hippo – Kruger National Park – Sunset Dam
Loving the beach! Kruger National Park
We need to talk! Kruger National Park – Sunset Dam
Mother Love – Kruger National Park – Lake Panic
Stream of Consciousness Saturday 22 July 2017
This week’s prompt is Ceiling/sealing
Here is my contribution.
Our original Struisbaai home has had a lot of extensions and adjustments made to it over the years. Part of our lounge used to be a semi-enclosed stoep (porch) The ‘roof’ over it seemed to be fine and we didn’t have trouble with leaks or anything and then all of a sudden I looked up and thought – strange it looks like the ceiling is falling down – it was buckled and bulging and didn’t look safe at all. I pointed this out to The Earl and he said – Mmmm – looks like we’ll have to do something about that – but it’s fine for now. And so I ignored it. At first it was hardly noticeable but over the past two years it sunk lower and lower but didn’t crack, break or fall down! The Earl place a stake on the windowsill to prop it us and said, “When we do the next alteration, I’ll have it fixed.” The plans for the alteration have been passed but building can only begin in two months time. Hopefully this ceiling will not fall down before then.
Please, Ceiling, don’t collapse before our next extension!
Black and White Photo Challenge 20 July 2017
Here are my contributions to Cee’s Black and White Challenge for 20 July 2017
Old Fashioned Tool Sharpening Wheel – Elim Museum
Bicycle Wheels having a break before making the 30km ride from Elim to Struisbaai
Tractor Wheels showing off at The Agricultural Show in Bredasdorp
Photo of the week challenge 19July 2017
The topic from Photo a Week this week is Birds – A challenge I simply cannot resist.
African Darter – Lake Panic, Kruger National Park
Avian Murder – Red-billed buffalo weavers at each others throats – Kruger National Park
Purple-crested Turaco – Skukuza Camp – Kruger National Park
Red-knobbed Coot – Rondevlei, Cape Town
Baby Common Fiscal demanding food from parent – Wilderness, Western Cape
Saddle-billed Stork – Kruger National Park
Yellow-billed Stork – Kruger National Park
Violet-eared Waxbill – On a farm near Etosha National Park in Namibia
Share Your World 17 July 2017
Here are my answers to another set of fun questions from Cee in this week’s share your world.
What is your favorite cheese?
Funny you should ask because I love cheese in all shapes, forms and flavours. Camembert and Brie are particular favourites. It also depends on what you’re in the mood for. I love a bit of roquefort in an omelette or scrambled eggs.
Once when I ordered a cheese sandwich in France I was presented with half a baguette filled with a whole camembert. It was to die for specially as it was served with excellent coffee!
On Saturday there was a food fair at The Shed in Struisbaai. One stall had a variety of goats’ cheese to try. All delicious so we bought a punnet and got one free!
Cheese from Giggling Goat
Are you left or right handed?
I am right handed – absolutely right handed. I’ve been to creative writing courses where the facilitator would say – Now we’re going to wake up your creativity by writing/drawing with your non dominant hand! Screeeeaaaaam – I hate those non dominant exercises!
However, there is something very strange about me – I am right dominant in hand, ear and foot – but LEFT eyed! Go figure!
Do you prefer exercising your mind or your body? How frequently do you do either?
When my child had to write about her family in Grade 7 she emphasised that her mother was a health fanatic who exercised excessively. I wouldn’t describe myself as fanatical about anything but I did try to eat right and keep fit. Up until a few months ago I was still doing a daily exercise routine and trying to walk at least 10000 steps per day. Right now I’m going through a rebellious stage and I’m not doing much other than the odd walk. I’m blaming the cold weather but really that never stopped me before. Perhaps I’ll get back into it – perhaps not. I do try to make sure I do daily tasks that require me to stretch and squat. They say it’s when you stop that the troubles begin – so far I’m fine but I’d hate to regret the neglect!
Me upside down on my 60th birthday!
Brain exercise is now more important to me – I do cross words and sudoku and I’m learning a third language. There’s alzheimer’s in my family – I’m trying to ensure it doesn’t strike me! Of course, physical exercise is also important to keep dementia at bay – so I guess I’ll go for a walk later on today.
Complete this sentence: Hot days are …
Hot days are welcome! I can say that now as it’s freezing. We have snow on the mountains in the Overberg. On Sunday we took a drive to take some pretty snowy photographs. We went to Barrydale and Swellendam but didn’t find any at a level we could reach. You had to go to Ceres for that.
Snow on the peaks of a Swellendam mountain
In the Western Cape the summers are warm but not too hot. Further North it gets extremely hot and we often head north to the game reserves in summer. I can handle dry heat – humid heat – not so much.
Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Our Struisbaai house is freezing as it is geared for summer weather. Now that we live here permanently we’ve found it necessary to get it bearable for winter. So my hubby Earl, and friend Willie, put in a fireplace! What a difference – we light it around 4 in the afternoon and it warms the whole house beautifully. I’m thankful for all the hard work Willie, Earl and Magnus put in to make it all possible.
Magus on roof, Earl and Willie – The Earl should NOT be on a ladder!
Almost done
Our lovely new fire!
Today is Nelson Mandela’s 99th birthday. I am grateful for what our Madiba did for this country. We still have our problems but if we follow his example we can still make it a great nation.
One Word Photo Challenge 16 July 2017
This week’s one word prompt is Hideout
These pictures of my grandsons hiding were taken in 2007.
Simon – 3
Josh – 9
Jay – 10
And here some other wild creatures hiding.
Spotted thick-knee blending in (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)
The Southern Boubou finds the foliage a good place to hide (Addo Elephant Park)
Well camouflaged Southern White-faced Scops Owls in The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Fun Photo Challenge 11 July 2017
Here is my contribution to this week’s Fun Photo Challenge with the theme Bathrooms and Outhouses
These photographs are pre-digital and taken on our first visit to The Kruger National Park in 1994. Facilities were excellent and even the ‘long drops’ at one of the picnic sites was spotlessly clean!
A Long-drop toilet at a Kruger National Park picnic site
No outhouse for the basin – but a basin of water strategically placed for good hygiene
Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge 16 July 2017
Monkeys and baboons are the oddest creatures at the best of times but I thought these were rather cute and a perfect subjects for this week’s odd ball picture challenge
Peek-a-boo
And when he’s older he’ll take my place as leader of the troop!
Can’t Say No.
Today I’m taking up the Stream of Consciousness Saturday challenge. This is the prompt:- Take the title of the book you’re currently reading or the one sitting closest to you when you’re ready to write your SoCS post and base your post on the title only. I’m not asking for a book review or a synopsis, just whatever the title itself brings to mind. For example, Gone Girl makes me remember the first time I left home to live by myself. Or Lord of the Rings makes me think of all the rings I’ve owned in my life. Enjoy!”
I glanced across at my bookshelf and the first book that I saw was “The Girl Who Couldn’t Say No”
You should learn to say ‘No’ I’ve been told often enough by well-meaning friends. But I say – Why? I like saying yes. I like being available to my friends and family. If I can be of help to them, then why not? Of course I’m not going to let anybody walk over me – well maybe sometimes but those people who use and abuse me don’t last long in my life.
I believe that where there’s a need somebody has to meet it. And if one can – then why say no. My kids in the past often complained about people not reciprocating – I’d tell them – In this world you get givers and takers – we’re the givers and we’re the happier for it. Be self-sufficient so you won’t have to rely on others reciprocating.
I do not regret very much about my life. There have been tough times – but I say those were learning curves – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Think about it – if you say no – you lose out on so much. Saying yes gives pleasure. If you give grudgingly you dip out on that pleasure. So I say whatever you do for others do it without expecting anything in return. The reward is the pleasure you get from doing something for a person in need. Most times it is appreciated but when it isn’t don’t become bitter about it – move on.
Now in my retirement years I’m indulging more of my own needs – and it’s wonderful – but I still like to say YES to friends and family – because I love them and they bring me joy. I like being the girl who can’t say NO.
Black and White Challenge 13 July 2017
The theme for Cee’s black and white challenge this week is Things made from wood
A beautiful wine box given to me by Ann and Dean, and Caitlyn, James and Sarah. I just love it.
Our local coffee shop – The Shipwreck Cafe – provided me with some lovely subject matter for this challenge. I found most looked best in Sepia
Cute wood carving
Model of a Sailing Ship
Model sailing ship display
A pirate’s treasure chest?
Carved toothpick holder
Diary of an Adventurous Retiree 