Share Your World 27 March 2017

2017-03-31 | puppy1952

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

Does your first or middle name have any significance (or were you named after another family member)?

I was the firstborn granddaughter and according to Greek tradition I should have been named after my paternal grandmother. My mother who was not Greek compromised by allowing me to given an Anglicised version of Maria, so my second name is Mary. Mother also did not want to hurt the feelings of my maternal grandmother so I have a third name – Edwina. As a child I was hugely embarrassed by my extremely long and difficult to pronounce surname made worse by a string of Christian names! But now it no longer bothers me.

Music or silence while working?

It depends what I am doing. I like the radio on if I’m doing something mindless like housework. Music is okay if I’m working on the computer. I don’t like being alone in the house without something playing on the radio.

If you had a special place for your three most special possessions (not including photos, electronics, people or animals), what would they be?

My special possessions are my electronic devices I’m afraid. I also love my books and I have a bookshelf for them. My favourite paintings hang on the walls and my jewellery has a secure hiding place.

The Never List: What are things you know you never will do?

I will never bungee jump, sky dive or chip the ice to go for a swim.

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 the wonderful mid-week break we had at Rosendal Spa in Robertson. The weather was perfect, our room opened onto the pool area and we enjoyed the most relaxing treatments at the salon. I will probably write a blog about it soon.

I don’t know what the next week holds do us but I’m sure I will enjoy its surprises.

Share Your World 13 March 2017

2017-03-14 | puppy1952

Here are my answers t0 this weeks Cee’s Share Your World Challenge

Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Where I live there are no elevators but when I’m in a place where there is one I only press once. If it takes too long I use the stairs. It’s usually quicker to use the stairs and as I use a step counting watch it helps my totals. But there are times when going up and down stairs with packages or luggage is not very practical so the lift I will use. I have a friend who avoids lifts at all costs as she is terrified of them. This is phobia that started when we were kids after watching a movie with a scary lift scene in it.

Do you plan out things usually or do you do them more spontaneous (for example if you are visiting a big city you don’t know?)

I do the initial planning for our major holidays – where we will stay, for how long and more or less what we would like to do while there. But we are both spontaneous and would change plans at the drop of a hat. Some of our local trips are decided today, leaving tomorrow. Trips abroad can never be last minute as it takes time to get Visas and most countries require South Africans to have visitors’ visas before entering their borders. This takes time and is fairly expensive – so yes – planning is required well in advance.

Describe yourself in at least four uplifting words.

Loyal, Entertaining, Adventurous, Fun.

If you had a choice which would be your preference salt water beaches, fresh water lakes, ocean cruise, hot tub, ski resort or desert?

All of the above. I have lived near the sea most of my life and can’t imagine my permanent residence being anywhere else. I go to the beach almost daily, my hubby has a fishing boat, we like fresh fish – no – we could not live inland.

Kiora is his pride and joy

Our holiday destinations often include a stay next to fresh water lakes or dams – you’ve guessed it – for freshwater fishing. There is something about being next to a calm body of water that is calming – and I love it.

Sani Valley Lodge at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains

Pictured above is our favourite Freshwater venue – and there you might also find a hot tub!

This one was meant for Granny and Grandpa but the kids decided it was theirs!

I went on a skiing holiday more than 20 years ago and loved it but it’s not top of my list anymore.

The Earl and me about to embark on our first ski lesson – ski instructor on left

I’ve been on two short ocean cruises and thoroughly enjoyed them – but haven’t been tempted to make a habit of it – but now that I’m older I think it might be the best way to see Europe and so a big one is on our bucket list.

On board the Achille Lauro – a four day cruise from Durban to Bazaruto Island and back.

The desert certainly has its own appeal – done it got the photos but not rushing to do it again. However, I would encourage everyone to visit a desert at least once in their lives. Our desert of choice is The Namib and it is awesome.

Climbing a red dune is compulsory

The one thing not on this list is actually at the top of mine – The Bush! I will never grow tired of visiting the wildest parts of Africa. We had to cancel our Kruger National Park trip because the Earl was still recovering from surgery but it won’t be long before we’re back!

Nothing beats coming across a scene like this

or spending a few hours watching birds at Lake Panic

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 always grateful that I live where I do. The weather is changing – it’s cooler in the mornings but I know we will never get the freezing temperatures I have read other bloggers write about. Most are welcoming the Spring and looking forward to being able to go into their gardens! How lucky am I that this is possible for me throughofut the year. I love Winter because the wind seldom blows and that when it’s not raining the days are sunny. I can still walk on the beach and only need to put on a fleece or a jacket.

I am looking forward to having friends to stay this weekend. Next week there is another fishing competition in Struisbaai – The Bottom Fish Nationals – and The Earl and I will be taking photographs for that.

Have a good week everyone.

Share your world 27 February 2017

2017-03-03 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this weeks Cee’s Share your world

Ever ran out of gas in your vehicle?

I can’t remember ever having run out of fuel in my vehicle. But it’s been close. Sometimes we travel long distances on roads that seem to go on forever but we make sure that we fuel when we can. We have been in wild places where we’ve had to take in our own fuel. That was fun!

Which are better: black or green olives?

I am of Mediterranean ancestry so olives are very important to me. I always have black olives of various types in the fridge but I also like green olives.

If you were a great explorer, what would you explore?

I love exploring and have been to some pretty awesome places. There is nothing I enjoy more than getting close and personal with African wildlife.

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Sunrise in Africa

This Etosha Elephant tried to charge us

I imagine, though, that a great explorer is someone who goes where no man has gone before. Well – I can’t identify with that – I have no desire to go to Mars or the arse end of the world where conditions are inhospitably hot or cold. I don’t mind roughing it but there’s a limit. So I think for this one I’d say anywhere exotic that I’ve never been before so long as I do not have to risk life or limb. And when I’m there I’d like to meet the local people, learn about their lifestyles and explore their fauna and flora.

Quotes List: At least three of your favorite quotes?

I often go on about attitude being the most important thing to get you through life.

This one is probably my favourite because I have had so many moments like that have taken my breath away.

Then there are the more flippant ones that make me laugh

The last one comes from my brother – “I’d rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable!”

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

On Monday The Earl had to go to the dentist as he’d lost a tooth while biting into his spare ribs. (He never did find said tooth!) She referred him to a periodontist in Somerset West – two hours drive from home. He was lucky enough to get an appointment the following day. Fortunately I went along with him as during the hour and a half procedure he was given a sedative and wasn’t allowed to drive back! We were grateful that he was able to get everything done in one session so we don’t have to return. However, the price has been a lot of post procedure pain! We went back to the dentist in Bredasdorp today and she has given him more antibiotic and pain medication. Thankfully he is feeling much better now.

I am looking forward to this weekend as my daughter will be visiting. She is bringing friends too which will be fun.

Share your World 13 February

2017-02-14 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this weeks questions in Cee’s Share Your World

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
I have a fitted sheet over the mattress and a duvet on top – no top sheet – so no tucked in sheets or blankets. In the summer I usually sleep, wrapped in a sarong, on top of the duvet. Sometimes when caravanning in the Kgalagadi or Kruger I wet the sarong, lay a towel on the bed and sleep with the wrung out sarong wrapped around me. It’s the only way to keep cool. In winter I sleep in warm pyjamas and have an extra rug on the bed.

Have you stolen a street sign before?
I have no idea how you can steal a street sign.

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
I have done in the past thinking that I might use them. I realised early on in life that I’m not that thrifty. I forget the coupons are there and just buy as I need. I am not a bargain hunter and hate sales. I just don’t like rummaging through a mess of products trying to find something cheaper than usual. Presentation is important for me. If I spot something I like on a shelf or rail then I buy it if I want it. I never go looking for stuff to buy just because it’s cheap. Black Friday doesn’t do it for me.

Do you have freckles?
There are some brown speckles on my arms and legs and just two that I can see on my face. But mainly I see laughter lines and wrinkles.

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 the rain that has fallen giving some relief to the drought. We need more so bring it on.

I am looking forward to The Marlin Competition which started yesterday and goes on until the end of this weekend. There are 27 boats, some independent and some from different clubs competing. They are creating quite a vibe here in Struisbaai.

This is how men like to be “@Work”

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.

Cee’s Share your world Week 49

2016-12-07 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share your world week 49

What do you value most in a friendship

That depends on who the friend is. Each person is valued in a different way. Some friends are new, some are old, some stay and some go but even those from the past have contributed something to my life and I value them still. I believe people come into our lives at different times for different reasons and if they move on, that’s okay – life happens, circumstances change and often when we meet up with that person again we pick right up from where we left off – that’s friendship.

I also tend not to expect anything – ask not what your friend can do for you but what you can do for your friend. Having said this all these are the things I do value in a friendship.

Having fun together – chatting, laughing, sharing
Common interests
Travelling companions in some
Unconditional love

Do you prefer eating the frosting of the cake or the cupcake first? Do you prefer a specific flavor?

I will make sure there is frosting left at the end to eat with the last of the cupcake. Chocolate is an absolute favourite.

Have you ever been in a submarine? If you haven’t, would you want to?

I have – but not when it went under the sea. No – I wouldn’t want to go on a submarine trip – but if the opportunity came up I probably would – just to say I had that particular adventure!

If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you’d find leading a more satisfying life than yours?

I should imagine that there would be some who led very interesting lives but I’m not sure if I could compare their satisfaction to mine. I love my life, it has been full of events – both difficult and wonderful and I’m sure most people my age could say the same. I have just returned from a college reunion where we ranged in age from 61 to 96 and everyone had a story.

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

The college I attended closed its doors at the end of 1975. The buildings were sold to Rhodes University and so it still stands although somewhat altered. I went to a reunion there last weekend and once again felt enormously grateful that I had the ato attend when it was the best teachers’ training college in the country.

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GTC Old Girls from the 1970s Me seated on left of second row from front

I am also grateful for the many happy years in our Cape Town home which we finally helped our children vacate last week. We cleared an enormous amount of junk, sold and donated some treasures and kept several boxes of “should we chuck or shouldn’t we” Next week I look forward to sorting those last treasure/junk boxes and deciding what to chuck and what will be useful in my Struisbaai home.

My forlorn family on Moving Day

Share your World #Week 46

2016-11-15 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Share Your World #Week 46

Are you a traveler or a homebody?

I am a traveler and use my home in Struisbaai as a base although I love it there too! Most of my travelling is done within South Africa and mainly to places where the game roam free.

What kind of TV commercial would you like to make? Describe it.

I would like to make a TV commercial encouraging parents to make reading to their children a bedtime ritual – there are so many benefits to this – special bonding time, improving vocabulary, creating a love for reading. Too any parents thing having children read to them for homework is what creates a good reader. They are wrong – it’s the other way round.

Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name.

Here are a few – Happy, hopeful, hilarious, hip, honest, hungry for adventure.

List some fun things for a rainy day.

Definitely not playing board games. Snuggling up with a good book, blogging, reading blogs or watching a good movie.

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

We have sold our family home in Cape Town and were there to pack up last week. I am grateful that most of the junk has been sorted and moved off to places where it will be put to good use. Our much loved and very old piano has gone to a little girl who is beginning lessons next year and this really makes me happy.

I am also grateful that we have found somebody to landscape our garden in Struisbaai – The rockery is done and I just love it!

The Cape Francolin also likes the new rockery

Next week will require another trip to Cape Town – I am sure I’ll be grateful for what is achieved there but I am not looking forward to going back so soon!