So what do you do now that you’re retired?

2015-02-08 | puppy1952

I thought that once school began and the house was empty of guests, the daughter back at work and the teens at school I would miss my old routine and go rushing back to help as a ‘room parent’ or classroom assistant. But – no – that hasn’t happened! I am afraid it has been the last thought in my head! I am not bored and I don’t know where the time goes! My colleagues I miss, and I do think of those little lambs I once taught but they have all moved on and so must I!

The thing is that life happens. Now there is time to enjoy it and cruise through the day at a leisurely pace. All my adult life I have had no trouble waking up at the rudest of hours. But now 7 o’clock seems terribly early! The only dutiful thing that I do is make my grandson’s lunch. So that gets me up briefly and then I get back into bed, check my emails/Facebook while my perfect husband makes breakfast. Life couldn’t be better!

This week has flown. On Sunday last week we dropped in at False Bay Ecology Park to see how the feathered friends were doing – this is alway a pleasure.

Yellow-billed ducks

Spotted Eagle Own – he moved his spot!

Every pond was full of flamingos

False Bay in the Background

Even the hadeda is beautiful in the sunlight

More flamingos fraternising with Cape Shovellers and Cape Teal

In my last post I related the drama of organising finance for our vehicle. That all went through finally on Wednesday! We now have the caravan safely in our driveway but the Land Rover will only be ready on Tuesday.

The Imagine Comfort Van in towing mode

We have had so much fun shopping for accessories and now have a kettle that goes on the gas burner, petrol and diesel jerry cans, gas bottles, batteries and various electrical attachments, a blow-up mattress for when we take the kids with us and various other odds and ends. I won’t bore you with the details! But how amazing it has been to be able to shop at a whim and not have to wait for the weekend! Sometimes breakfast or lunch out is included!

Having late nights is not such an issue anymore either. I had a bird club committee meeting that went on forever on Monday night, book club on Tuesday night and went to a friend’s birthday celebration on Thursday night – without a worry in the world about coping the next day at school! My bird club colleagues seemed somewhat surprised when I told them that I would not be living in Cape Town anymore. I had told them this but they thought I’d come home at least once a month. No so I’m afraid. I will continue with my three portfolios but I won’t be at committee meetings, chaps! I reluctantly resigned from Book Club too – but they kindly invited me to come as a guest when I was in town! Yes – life is changing in a big way!

My friend Priscilla and her twin sister Hilary had their birthday celebration at Cape Point Vineyards on Thursday evening. What an idyllic place! We sat out on the lawns looking over the valley and The Atlantic Ocean and ate food we got from their weekly food market and watched the sun setting gloriously into the sea.

The Greek Stall Menu from which Heather and I chose our meal.

Priscilla in the foreground

The guests – It’s not Priscilla at the back but her twin!

Like a flaming ball

People watching the sunset from the deck over the dam

Such a beautiful setting

On Friday Earl had a fishing charter and spent a beautiful day at sea. He came home with some Hottentot which we served deep fried to our guests that evening. My friend, Niru from Durban , was also visiting her parents to celebrate her 40th birthday and they popped in to see me on their way to a sushi dinner.

Niru and Me

Earl cooking before the Load Shedding

A headlamp helps when the lights go out

Our guests enjoying their fried Hottentot

Josh dishing dessert

On Saturday night the Cape Boat and Ski-boat club had their annual prizegiving. Earl mentors the youth at this club and we were so proud to see them getting prizes. He also participates himself and skippers his boat in competitions although he is not as active as in the past.

Appropriate table decor

Third in the Club Championships

Best Skipper

And those are the highlights of our week! We will continue to get the caravan organised with everything it needs next week and we are in the processing of planning a big trip in March! Watch this space!

Celebrations

2015-01-25 | puppy1952

The holidays are over, the teachers returned to school on Monday and the kids on Wednesday. I must confess to feeling a little twinge of depression. The beginning of a year is always so exciting. On Monday I pictured my colleagues getting their classrooms ready to receive those eager little people, sorting our new stationery – oh how I love new stationery- and planning an innovative new programme for 2015! On Wednesday, I had to take my mind off the thought of missing out on the fun and thrilling first day of Grade 1 – so I indulged in the best therapy ever – Retail and the Waterfront – with my fashion guru friend, Sharon!

A complementary taste of wine while waiting for a table at Willoughbies

A complimentary taste of wine while waiting for a table at Willoughby’s

Yes Sushi beats a take-away snack from Birdie Num Nums (School Tuck Shop)

We had a wonderful feminine bonding time, spent a little bit of money but mostly it was just great to be in The Big City – for us in the deep south it’s like going to London or Paris!

It was my sister’s 60th birthday on Friday and she celebrated with a wonderful breakfast on a beautiful day at La Belle, Alphen Boutique Hotel. Now, had I been teaching, I wouldn’t have been able to be there – so much fun to be retired!

My sister and me

Fabulous venue – Excellent food

It was lovely to see all Tana’s friends – many since school days – at the party.

Aunty Vi

Cousin Maria

Old School friend, Debbie

Old School friend, Gillian

Patricia (sister-in-law) relating a beautiful story about Tana

Guests listening in awe – Lindsay, Catherine, Di, Michele

It was a wonderful celebration for my caring sister who is always there for her friends and family and will drop everything to help them. Happy Birthday, precious sister. Love you lots.

On Saturday morning my breakfast club met at Bistro Sixteen82. We had not seen each other since my and Cheryl’s birthday celebration in November! It was wonderful catching up with those who could make it. Specially nice to see Melody who only comes on the odd ocassion.

On Saturday afternoon we had another celebration. My brother Michael’s son, Kyle married his teenage sweetheart, Giulia. The wedding was held at Cape Point Vineyards – the most stunning venue in Cape Town. And just because it is on our doorstep doesn’t make me biased! Everything was perfect – the setting, the decor and the food. The bride attended by her beautiful bridesmaids looked amazing and the little flower girl, Olivia stole the show.

My great-niece Olivia taking her duty very seriously

My great-niece Olivia (4) taking her duty very seriously

Here comes the bride

The happy couple

It was a simple and beautiful ceremony where the couple were exhorted to carry on doing what they are doing as clearly it was working! How amazing that these two have been together since they were in High School and are still so in love at 29. May they have a long and happy marriage.

The family is scattered around the world so many people came from far and wide to celebrate with these two beautiful young people.

It was lovely to see Mick who said nice things about me so now he is my favourite nephew!

Mick left his yacht in Italy to be groomsman for his brother

My gorgeous niece, Martine and her hadsome husband, Craig came over from Spain

My gorgeous niece, Martine and her handsome husband, Craig came over from Spain

My favourite niece, Belinda – she also said nice things about me. Love you too Martine!

Mother and Father of the groom

With the bride being of Italian extraction and the groom of Greek, you can just imagine what the party was like after the ceremony! The master of ceremonies called everyone to attention with Ladies and Gentlemen, Greeks and Italians …….

And there was a special request not to break any plates until after the meal! The party was awesome and everybody danced till late into the night.

Kokstad Kids in Cape Town – Beach, Birding and Cape Point Vinyards

2014-12-27 | puppy1952

I thought I was an early riser but my crazy Kokstad daughter in spite of being on holiday is still keeping rural hours! We were greeted with excellent coffee in bed this morning and a cheery, “It’s a beautiful day, how about a walk on the beach!” The rest of the household politely declined so Earl, Allan, Lauren and I set off on our own.

Simon opted to stay home and build his alien Lego. Shan said she’d help.

It was Spring High Tide and Fish Hoek beach was full of seaweed. We opted to do Jaeger’s Walk instead. By the time we got there it was beginning to recede but we still had to dodge a splashing wave or two.

The train trundling by

The Subway became a swimming pool!

View toward Skellies.

Skeleton Pool, commonly known as Skellies to the locals is a natural pool in the rocks where I spent many hours as a child. The rock formation gives it its name.

It looks a bit like a dinosaur!

A closer view in the early morning light.

This reminded me of the days my dad and uncles used to fish off these same rocks

The end of the catwalk

Don’t they look happy!

The highlight of the morning – spotting an African Black Oyster-catcher

It looks like fun – but what about the sharks???

View toward the beach from Skellies

The train again – It’s fun to do a scenic ride from Muizenberg to Simonstown in it.

After our walk Allan treated us to breakfast. We wanted to go to a quiet coffee shop but we could only find the Spur open. However, it has a great beach view and the special was only R25 – that’s about $2,00 Aussie Cousins! Two eggs, two pieces of bacon, grilled tomato, toast and chips (French Fries)!

Back home the kids were up and dressed and Simon had completed his Space Lego!

Well done Simon, You did it!

Earl and I then decided that it would be nice to go to False Bay Ecology Park. The boys opted to stay behind and swim in the pool and Lolz took Shannon with her to visit Duncan at Cape Point.

It was very windy and some species we normally see were conspicuous by their absence. However, every pond was full of those that hadn’t gone on holiday.

Flamingos were very active and on every pond

Taking off on a watery runway

And away we go

I think we’ll try it the duck way

Some preferred a calmer location in the company of gulls

A pelican socialising with flamingoes

Black-winged stilt

Female Bishops

After a pleasant couple of hours we returned to the gang I guess like almost everyone else on Boxing Day; we had leftovers for lunch!

Later in the afternoon Lolz had a date with some friends at Cape Point Vineyards so we joined her there for a drink and some chill time. Even though it is right on our doorstep we’d never been before. What an stunning place! There was a food market where you could buy whatever you wanted to eat and take it to tables or your picnic blanket and just enjoy. There were lots of people but it was not unpleasantly busy because of all the space.