Monday, January 24, 2011

Our last weekend in South Africa

For now, that is!

Do you remember what you did on the weekend of 22-23 January? Gattina of Writer Cramps hosts this delightful meme called What did you do the weekend? Do join us in telling what you did with your weekend.

A week ago we would never have guessed this would be our last weekend in South Africa for at least the next ten weeks. As I said in Saturday's post, we're off to work in Kenya and we leave on Wednesday. Much arranging, last minute hair cut and colour (for me) and a bit of packing. (I've learnt over the years of expat life, how to travel light, much to my husband's obvious relief!)

Meanwhile, we popped down to the Drakensberg to visit John, Debbie and family. Angus and Amanda and little Joel are on holiday in the Cape, so we have to do our farewells on the telephone.

We arrived at the young Hedges' abode at about 1pm on Saturday. We had a pleasant overnight stay and returned home on Sunday afternoon.

If you have a bit of time on your hands and would like to browse through a brilliantly - written blog, please click here. Why not add yourself to this blog and follow the life and times of this brave young family. If you have a word of encouragement, affirmation or any other gift you'd like to impart, leave a comment. I know that Debbie loves all comments to her blog and replies to them with enthusiasm.

John getting a haircut from Debbie in the school room (which you can read about here)
 John arranged a tractor and mowed the huge tract of land. Here he and Grant discuss the next step of clearing some more land and planting trees
Early on Sunday morning, Bethany (standing in red cot) and Elijah were awake. Yet not a peep was heard (except gurgles and singing ) until their parents awoke and attended to them

Coming upstairs to greet Granddad - aren't our two granddaughters TOO beautiful?

Joshua, Bethany and Eryn greet the new day

The littlest Hedges girl doesn't know whether she's coming or going! We were all laughing so much at Bethany wearing the gumboots back to front, that I got camera shake!

Just a snap to show who's alway behind the camera! It started raining again when we left the Berg and rained all the way home

For more posts about what people did over the weekend, click here
at

11 comments:

  1. Kay L. Davies24 January, 2011 04:06

    Your grandchildren are adorable, Jo, and I'm sure they'll miss you just as much as you'll miss them.
    How long have you been home in Marquard? It seems like just yesterday Shadow was traveling by plane all by his little cat self, coming from Khartoum.
    I don't have very exciting weekends, although I do have one or two coming up next month, so I'll keep Gattina in mind. We're hoping to meet her when we're in Brussels at the end of March.
    Looking forward to hearing about your further adventures.
    Luv, K

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  2. Gaelyn24 January, 2011 06:03

    Glad you got to the Bergs before you leave. The school room is Awesome. Have a safe journey.

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  3. Desiree24 January, 2011 07:56

    You and Grant are going to be well and truly missed by your young families and I can't begin to imagine how you're going to feel, being so far away from your grandchildren, but in your writing, you seem to take everything so comfortably in your stride. You obviously have your life well-balanced, Jo! You are an inspiration to those of us who would be very much less serene about having to make such a drastic move so suddenly. I know you're born to travel and have a life time of adventure behind you, so I guess that's what makes it seem so easy for you to do.

    Thank you for sharing your 'last' weekend with your Drakensberg family with us! Yes, your little granddaughters are certainly beautiful, happy little souls. It was also great to see a 'current' albeit it 'reflected' image of yourself. Your hair looks great - nice, easy to manage style ;)

    Wishing you all the best with your last minute preparations - I wish you'd share those with us as,
    to be perfectly honest, I don't know HOW you do it!

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  4. diane b24 January, 2011 08:58

    Your grand children are all lovely but the little Bethany is so cute and looks like her grandma.

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  5. Esther Garvi24 January, 2011 13:26

    Kenya! Wow Jo, you really get to see the world! Looking forward to following you for the coming ten weeks!

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  6. Arija24 January, 2011 16:12

    It seems like yesterday that you moved back to S.Africa and set out your veggie patch and now you are off again. Who is going to eat all that produce???

    Good luck on your new posting!

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  7. Donna24 January, 2011 16:34

    GirlChild!Hahaaa...I just can Not keep up with you!! Leaving Again?? Will you be taking the kritters along with you??
    TAKE CARE!!!!
    (((Hughugs)))

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  8. Betsy Banks Adams24 January, 2011 16:41

    Hi Jo, Sounds like you all had a wonderful weekend. The younger Hedges family seem to be doing GREAT. They certainly live in a beautiful area.

    Are you now all ready to leave again??? When do you head to Kenya????

    Hope you have a wonderful day.
    Hugs,
    Bletsy

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  9. Gattina24 January, 2011 18:02

    They are real little beauties your granddaughters !
    It looks as if you are quiet happy to go on a new adventure again !
    Kenya is quiet a touristic place for Europeans.

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  10. Peggy24 January, 2011 22:57

    Hi Jo, you are upping sticks again! You take all this tooing and froing completely in your stride,the cut and colour look great in the reflected image. Your two grand daughters are beautiful and I will certainly click into Debbie's blog to see how they are getting on.Safe journey to yourself and Grant

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  11. Janie25 January, 2011 03:51

    You live such an interesting life with all of your travels, Jo. I know you'll miss the grandkids. Glad you got to visit with them before leaving.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo