Cats doing what cats do best!

Good morning dear Blogger friends. As indicated in my previous post, the mountains are quite white with snow, making the surrounding areas cold. 

As always the cats in the Hedges household, have it made. During the night, on an electric blanketed bed. (the yoomen squished in somehow at the top) and during the day in a sun puddle. 

Nocturnal bliss 

Missy: butter wouldn't melt in her mouth when she returns from her escapades in the garden and rests on the sunny bed

And an update on Papa living with my brother, Philip in his pet hotel! 

Papa enjoying a glorious sunny winter morning

HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL PET SLAVES OUT THERE! 

Saturday critters and snowy mountains

 Good evening dearest Blogger friends. Here I am trying to upload photos of my walk with Skabby earlier this week. I have had to send my notebook for repairs and upgrading to my son, Angus in the Free State . Ron has kindly agreed that I may use my farm office notebook here at home. Without a traditional computer: specifically a laptop, I am lost. 

But... it is SLOW. So very very slow. 

I just had to show this dear boy's exuberance at getting out for a walk !

A pair of Red-billed teal on the dam

I was tickled by this image of the pair of Spotted Thrush in focus with the ibis out of focus just below the rim of the lawn. I took this photo from The Bunker patio which has a lawn terraces above

Snow is always exciting to South Africans. We have had snow in April and now it has snowed heavily at the end of May

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen, here 

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL! 

I'm back!

 Dear Blogger friends. Once again, the monthend tasks in the farm office, with my Weigh-Less groups and admin,  and delivering, Avon,  has encroached on my writing time. At the same time, my Bunker occupancy has been solid and ongoing. 

Ron, my neighbor, landlady, employer, friend, Weigh-Less member and Avon client, has been at the Kruger Park. I have been in her office and mine every morning this week. 

On Wednesday, I had four online Weigh-Less groups, with members clocking in from all over the world, from 3am to facilitate our differing time zones. By 13h00 I did my talks online to motivate the members and encourage those who needed it. 

At 14h00,  the Chairman and founder of Weigh-Less, Mary Holroyd,  linked me on an hour's  video WhatsApp call with other the Group Leaders. It was good to touch base with the others and hear what our boss had to impart for the month of June. 

On Thursday Thandi and I cleaned The Bunker after Irish guests had spent two nights there. As we drove off, I said to Thandi in Zulu, there are no guests booked on the sites (I use the word computer so that she could understand) to arrive this weekend. She replied, never mind: they will phone you. 

Lo and behold, no sooner had I dropped Thandi at her taxi rank that a lady phoned me from the nearby town of Ladysmith. She said they were parents of a learner at the school in the Valley and could she book The Bunker. When Thandi arrived for work on Friday, I told her there were guests coming; she said I told you so! 

On Friday, before Thandi arrived for work though, I looked up from my desk and saw her daughter, Thombi in the doorway. She said her mother was caught up at the clinic, and she had sent her to help me. 

Loadshedding in South Africa

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. I've finally finished leading and coaching my sixth Weigh-Less group.  Tomorrow I do my last group in the Valley. Then I am finished until Tuesday 2pm. 

Meanwhile, the bane of a South Africa's life is the continuous Loadshedding - especially during the winter months. Our energy supplier is under severe constraints and we, the consumer have to suffer the consequences. 

We generally have 2.5 to 5 hours of loadshedding in a day. We are given our schedules and have to do a dance between having electricity and power outages.

If you are the type of person who doesn't like surprises, you need to plan for these periods. I am one such a person. I ensure that my laptop, smartphone and wireless dongles are always charged. I have two chargers plugged into the cigarette lighter in my car. I also recently bought a power pack which I keep charged. Just as a back-up! 

I also have a strong handheld torch; I have a headlamp and I have a nifty light in a jar. All of these are battery operated. 

My light in a jar shines very brightly in the dark

This is what the jar light looks like 

Here on the farm if we have loadshedding from 6 to 8.30am, that is fine. The generator is started in order for the cows to be milked. The same goes for loadshedding between 14h00 and 16h30 when the second milking of the day takes place

Any times out of these periods, we have NO power. 

As you can imagine this phenomena has played havoc with businesses. The traffic lights (called robots here) normally don't work for a day after loadshedding! And of course, your household appliances take a beating with the irregular power.

Up at my holiday accommodation, my guests always have power. The owner next door has a large generator which kicks in automatically when loadshedding starts.

HAPPY THURSDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Drawing the eye

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. Last week I posted about the changing seasons and different autumn shade of the trees in the Valley. It was a grey, overcast day, which made the trees looks even more vibrant. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

To weigh or not to weigh?

 Good afternoon my dear Blogger friends. As many of you know I run Weigh-Less groups : in venue and virtually.

The biggest challenge for a member is to face the scale once a week.   In venue, as the member enters the hall door, I can see whether she is ready and keen to get onto the scale or not. Then it is up to my leadership and guidance to encourage the member who has gained weight or congratulate the one who has succeeded losing weight that week. 

A while ago I snapped Chappie and Missy respectively as regards their attitude to the scale.

Chappie, who, at 5kgs, is over her healthy weight , refuses  to get onto the scale

Missy, a petite kitty, is always quite happy to hop onto the scale! 

NOTE: 3kg  = 6 1/2 pounds and 5kg = 11 pounds 

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

All in a weekend!

 Good morning dearest Blogger friends. On Saturday Thandi and I cleaned The Bunker for incoming guests arriving on Sunday. I left the key in the normal drop box and we came home. 

I naively imagined the guests would be at the accommodation around 2pm. 

Not so. 

WHY do people leave leaving home, for a destination unknown, so late? 

At 6.30 last night the guest phoned me and told me where they were. I was appalled. They were still about three hours away. 

She phoned me several times telling me where they were. At one stage she said they were at a turnoff, which she named - so I said now you are 3km from the T-junction to Winterton. 

Twenty minutes later she phoned to say now they have Spioenkop Lodge on their left. My heart SANK!  I realized that they were going in the wrong direction! I said you should be in WINTERTON.  She said we were in Winterton and we turned and took this route.  

Oh dear.

I always send a pin drop and no one ever gets lost. I send a series of photos of where exactly to turn into my driveway; the sign saying The Bunker just inside the black security gate. 

I send specific images to show the exact entrance to The Bunker

When they arrive at the gate, they can see The Bunker sign inside

I told them to make a U turn and go BACK to Winterton. 

They finally phoned from Winterton at 7pm. I kept her on the phone until I was sure they were on the regional road facing  the Central Drakensberg.  

They phoned again from the T-junction (5km from where I live) and I told them to keep STRAIGHT.   She promised to phone me when she sees the turnoff to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. This is 1km before The Bunker.

She DID phone from the boys choir school turnoff. I stayed on the phone as it was about 600m to the turnoff in the photo above. Then they PASSED The Bunker turnoff and I had to guide them back. This time, they went too far south and drove into the Highlands Estate driveway. I asked them to reverse and turn UP again. Mrs was peering into the dark and saying she cannot see anything when MR said: I can see the driveway with  the sign to The Bunker inside.  

Whoop-whoop. 

 I guided them into the driveway, opened the gate remotely and all they had to do is follow the brick paved road onto the patio which is THE BUNKER. 

Of course everything is MUCH easier in the daylight! 

I personally felt as though I had been driving in the dark for six hours! 

HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Different day; same domicile

Good evening dear Blogger friends. 

 The days of winter are mild, cold and short. But the cats are in one place and one place only! 

On my bed! 

The three Hedges cats in the best place in winter! 

And an update on Papa: he has taken to my brother as if he has been there all his life

AND...

an update on my first Parkrun walk in three years: 

I MADE it. 

5km in 54 minutes. 

All the local runners and (fast) walkers, came past calling out how nice it was to see me on the track again. I walked with my friend, Jenny Hall and, of course, we solved the world's problems on the way. Ant Muirhead, my 82 year-old walking partner from before Covid,  was just behind us and gave me a congratulatory hug at the finish! Next week I will volunteer again, although I will try to walk at least once a month this year. 

HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Leggy critters, birds and a farm scene

 Good morning dear Bloggers. 

This week I rescued several spiders from my bathroom at home and one from the bathroom at my office. When I gently pick up the arachnid, using a facial tissue, and transport it to the safety of the garden, my thoughts always go to Sandra who does not like spiders! 

One of the visiting spiders in my space this week

Yesterday I drove out to the Valley to deliver Avon to several customers. Once again the view was stunningly beautiful - all golds, reds and russets. I stopped several times to take photos. Unfortunately I didn't have my Canon in the car. My smartphone takes photos, but as a scenic capturer, it leaves much to be desired. 

A peaceful farm scene

Leaving a resort, I stopped at a to photograph an ibis sitting on a log and a pair of Egyptian geese on the dam.

Interesting focal point of young "Dev's" signature! 

As I walked to my car in the shopping center car park, 

I stopped to photograph a wildflower on the verge

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL! 

My first Parkrun in three years

 Good evening dear Blogger friends. Tomorrow, is an auspicious day for me. 

For the first time in three years, I will be doing the Parkrun 5km circuit again. 

In December 2016, three weeks after Winterton Parkrun started, Grant and I joined. We never missed a Saturday until the week he passed away in November 2017. He, in fact had become the official Tailwalker. I enjoyed the challenge of improving  my time and would try to finish in under 45 minutes with Ant Muirhead as my walking partner.

By November 2017, I had completed 50 Parkruns. In the middle of 2019, I had completed 70 Parkruns. In August of that same year,  I had surgery and convalesced for six weeks. When I returned to Parkrun, I asked to be a volunteer. A most enjoyable task.

April 2020 - Covid put paid to all gatherings and Parkrun was stopped for the next 18 months. In October 2021, the Run Director WhatsApped me and asked if I'd like attend a meeting for Volunteers as we were reopening Winterton Parkrun that week.

Here I am scanning Petros Hlongwane, our fastest runner. Petros had completed his 50th Parkrun that day

I have volunteered every weekend bar three (when I was away for my BIL's funeral in the Free State, and when I was convalescing from Covid earlier this year) To date I have done 60 stints.  We volunteers have been encouraging other runners/walkers to take their turn. This Saturday I was not needed. Hence the decision to hit the trails after many years!

HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Hey ho, hey ho...

 ...off to clean we go! 

Wednesday is my longest day in the week. I start answering WhatsApp messages from 3am. Motivating and congratulating Weigh-Less members from all over the world who send their weights in on my phone. I eventually do my motivational talks (I have four groups in two sections) by 14h30. 

Which is fine

On a normal day

However, yesterday I had guests checking out after a five-day- stay and International guests checking in at 14h00.

I dealt with about 50% of my online members before 7.30. Then popped over to Ronnie to ask if I could have the morning off from the farm office. Of course, she said! 

So sporting our picks and shovels bags, buckets and mops, off to the mountains Thandi and I went. 

We met the guests; I let them out and then Thandi and I stripped the linen off the bed and remade it with fresh bedding. As I've mentioned before, Thandi and I do certain jobs together and then we continue with other separate tasks. 

After I had dusted and polished the wood surfaces; wiped the TV screen, mirrors, door handles and light switches with sanitizer, and set out the Continental breakfast food  (Thandi was busy in the kitchen at this stage), I decided to help her by cleaning the bathroom. 

C'est moi cleaning the shower cubicle

Thandi mopping the floor tiles

The guests at the top were honeymooners who had postponed their wedding twice because of Covid. They were finally married in October last year and the bride booked The Bunker for May this year

The guests below came from the Free State; he works in India for three months and comes home for three weeks. They decided to spend this holiday with us here in the beautiful Berg

Previous guests sent me this photo of their stay at The Bunker

By now it was 10.30 and I could continue with my online responses while sitting in The Bunker. Oh,  the wonder of technology.

 Thandi was working on the patio by now and finally she, too,  was finished. 

After dropping her at home at 12noon, I returned to the farm. I loaded the washing machine with linen brought from the accommodation. I then proceeded to deliver my motivational talks online. 

Eventually all was done and I could have lunch at 15h00! 

All in a day's work for me and Thandi...

HAPPY THURSDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Big blue

 I started my Wednesday Wonderings/ Wednesday Themes labels after seeing numerous tarred road or railway tracks drawing the eye to the subject in the distance. These images show up regularly in dear Blogger friend, Gaelyn of Geogypsy. Do visit her blog for amazing photos and stories of her travels and her job as a ranger in the Grand Canyon. 

During the winter in the Central Drakensberg, I am spoiled for choice on what to photograph. Last week as Thandi and I went up to The Bunker to clean after - and prep before - guests, I stopped to take photos of the beautiful peaks, wearing a cloudy collar and boasting the most beautiful blue sky in the world! 

Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peaks 

  

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL

Granddad Grant

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. While looking in my safe for  Grant's identity documents (yes, I am still busy with Estate late etc; even 52 months later), I came across two printed photos...

                                Grant with Eryn Hedges, four years old

Grant with Joshua Hedges, 15 months old

As happens when you are looking for important documents and find you are engrossed in memorabilia in the same box, I have not yet found what I was looking for! 

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Winter skies and nostalgia

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. This week I kept snapping the sunrise and early morning sky seen from my veranda. The particular cloud formation was especially reminiscent of when the skies over the camp airstrip in West Africa in 2004. 

Winter skies earlier this week

The view of Ron and John's homestead from my little farm cottage

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK AHEAD! 

As always...

 ...the kitties know where the warmest places are in winter!

Chappie has made an Avon stock box here winter bed

Mama and Missy on the electric blanket

I had to snap Skabby who sleeps on a small cat donut!

HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU ALL! 

Stinky critter, a dog and some cows

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. Once again monthend got in the way of my posting. Oh whey.

Here I am with a few happy snaps of our walk last Sunday and again today

A stinkbug landed on my bed yesterday. I snapped it and then placed it in garden 

The weather was peachy all week - typical early winter in the Central Drakensberg

Dipping dog! 

A pretty shrub growing in the shallow water

A good shake! 

Today, much cooler than last week, I had to cajole Skabby to go for a swim. Here below he seems to be questioning my instruction! 

Who me? Eish Mum, it's cold!

He did jump in for a few minutes. Above is today's good shake from nose to tail! 

Cows often lie down when it's cold

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU ALL! 

Tongue lolling pooch

Good morning dear Blogger friends. Last week as Skabby and I walked home after our walk, I noticed how interesting my dog's expression was. He was pleasantly tire and happy having had the first walk in ages again. I snapped his shadow with tongue lolling...

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL

New curtains!

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. When I posted about my handy woman stint with the light, I realized that I've never had bathroom curtains since moving here in December 2017! My windows are high and frosted so I have never felt the need for curtains.

However, off the shops I went and bought some ready-to-hang curtains. Only thing is when I returned home and decided to hang the curtains, I saw the designs and accompanying slogans were more suited to a kitchen! Things like Coffee is a good idea; Bon appetit and The kitchen is the heart of the home, were definitely kitchen themes! 

So I removed my curtains from my office-cum-kitchen open plan space, washed them and gave them to Thandi. 

The new curtains have made my workspace cozy and homely

I will have to make another trip to linen shop in town and look for bathroom curtains! 

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!

Sunshine, wildflowers and my autumn garden

 At last the sun appeared two days ago. 

It is still sunny. 

Not holding my breath! 

Early morning over the farm

While walking with Skabby on Saturday, I stopped to snap these little wildflowers

And this week, the beginning of May, we're still enjoying beautiful autumn weather and surrounds. 

My garden is secluded...

...restful...

...and my small piece of paradise

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!