A rejuvinating break

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. Well, here I am again, after ANOTHER long break. 

I'll pedal back to the second half of June After having my wing mirror repaired in Ladysmith, I headed for the Free State, I was on my way to spend time with Angus, Amanda and my three grandchildren in the great city of Bloemfontein. 

After a five-hour, uneventful road trip, I arrived at their home in the suburbs just after 5pm.  Although I had taken leave from the farm office and my Weigh-Less job, I was still working online. When I stopped for a break in a town two hours before my destination, I saw several messages on my WhatsApp with new members applying to join my online Weigh-Less group. After supper, and catching up on the news, I fetched my laptop, opened it and turned it on.

 Nothing. 

A black screen.

My worst nightmare!

Angus checked it for me and also couldn't get it started. Oh whey.  He said he would take it to their IT man the next day. He then set me up on an extra laptop and so I could continue to work. 

Angus and Amanda both gave up their jobs in the corporate world and work from home. The children, 14, 12 and nine are homeschooled. 

Every morning Angus disappears into his office (just off the master bedroom) and teaches English online to foreign students. Once Amanda has set up each child with their work for the morning, she works online doing research for companies. She is also an Avon representative and has recently joined a company selling health suplements. 

I sat in the same air space as Amanda and worked at my Avon, accommodation and the ubiquitous Weigh-Less business. At one stage I got up to stretch my legs and wandered around their house checking on the children. Including Angus' (who works behind closed doors), I counted eight laptops humming industriously. 

Joel, Abby and Liam, my three grandies in Bloemfontein

Liam doing his school work 

Amanda assisting Abby in some task

Joel at his laptop, doing his schoolwork

Amanda making choc chip cookies in their well appointed kitchen

Angus baking sweeet potato chips for dinner

Liam, the littlest Hedges 

Angus

Of course, in due course it was Saturday, and I wanted to do the local Parkrun. Angus was registered at the nearby Innibos (translated In the bush) Parkrun. 

It was Angus's second Parkrun ever. 

When we got home, Amanda asked if I would like to visit the Farmer's Market which takes place every Saturday, Oh yeah! What woman doesn't enjoy wandering between stalls and browsing.

When we arrived home, Angus had had a message from Armand, the IT guy who was checking up on my laptop. He said the base (engine?) motor was covered in hair. I insisted this is from my carpeted office. He said he could repair it at a small cost. I told Angus to have it done. 

On Sunday we all attended church where Angus does the sound from the rear of the hall, so Amanda and I sat together facing the stage. She normally is on stage as part of the music team, but she had had surgery on her jaw and was taking a break.

The following week we continued to work as a family in the house. Not one person got in the way of the other. No one raised an eyebrow, when I got into the kitchen and made a batch of scones with Amanda's gluten free flour. I also made a large dish of cauliflower/broccoli cheese for supper. 

On Thursday morning, I visited one of the Weigh-Less venue groups. I sat and chatted to Hester, the Group Leader and Ruth her Group Assistant while members arrived in between to be weighed before they went off to work.

Jo and Hester

Back home, Abby and cousin, Chloe were making chips for their brunch. Amanda's siter lives in the city too, and the two families enjoy times together

And then it was Saturday. And another Parkrun opportunity.

Angus and I drove little further this time and did the Brandkop Parkrun. 

On the way home, he stopped to refuel his car and I realized that we had not had a photo. Angus took a selfie right there at the filling station

My fifth away Parkrun, and Angus third! Brandkop (translated Burning head) 

Then disaster struck. 

Armand contacted Angus and said, although he had tried everything possible, my laptop was completely burnt out. 

ERGH!

After a lovely, restful ten-day holiday with the family I drove back home that day. 

All was not lost, back at the farm, we have an old laptop which I use for work. And with today's technology, Angus came through remotely on Anydesk and showed me where all my information was stored in One Drive.

Aaah. I continue to work in the farm office on this laptop; Ron agreed I could use it personally in the interim; then I come and work on it at home. But oh whey. It is SOOOO very, very slow.

Meanwhile two weeks ago as Skabby and I had finished Parkrun here at in Winterton, Angus sent me a photo of him and Abby. Her first Parkrun. 

 

Mmm. I like to think that I have influenced them to enjoy this great Saturday event. 

Abby's first Parkrun with Dad Angus

HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!

Family holiday accommodation

Good morning, dear Blogger friends. My blog would be incomplete if I didn't share the other accommodation which I manage. Nyathi Valley Berg House. 

I post quite regularly about The Bunker which is a two-sleeper holiday unit. Nyathi Valley Berg House belongs to Mark, who has his home base in Durban and works in Somalia. Mark is known as Buffalo in his work and social life. Hence the name of the holiday home. Nyathi Valley Berg House sleeps 14 people and has been very popular since I started managing for Mark in March 2021.

In October, my son, DIL and three grandchildren spent a long weekend in this house. In order to spend more time with them, once I had done Parkrun on Saturday, I drove up and spent the night with them. 

Apart from having an enjoyable evening, it was good for me to actually to spend a night in the house as a guest. At one stage, we had a challenge trying to have a hot shower. I phoned Mark and  he, in turn, guided Angus how to turn on the taps and activate the gas geyser. Hot showers for everyone! 

One aspect of this accommodation is the spectacular view of Cathkin and Champagne Castle peaks.

A breathtaking image of the sun setting over the Central Drakensberg

I was impressed with my photo at the top until I saw this one above... (Credit: Amanda Hedges) 

The children sitting on the rockery which my artist friend, Steven built for Mark

With Angus, Joel, Liam and Abby in the forest 

behind Nyathi Valley Berg House

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Finally, a sad farewell

 Good morning, dear Blogger friends. As all good things do, the holiday in Spain came to an end. 

But hey ho! We had SUCH a wonderful stay with my dear sister Rose, and BIL, Pete. 

When Celia and I were shopping on our own, we desperately searched for a "fun medal".  But no such luck. That last Sunday while we sat in Pete's car hire business office, I spotted a medal hanging on the wall behind my nephew's desk.

When Rose popped into the powder room, Celia and I asked Mark if we could borrow it. He took it down and handed it to Celia. It was our intention to present Rose with a "Best driver and tour director" award.

The medal hanging on the wall behind my nephew, Mark

Medal of excellence awarded to Rose as the best driver, tour director, restrateur and hostess in Europe! 

We're grateful that the men in the office, humored us and even photographed the awards ceremony! 

And then it was time to be taken to the Malaga airport. Oh sigh. 

Just two weeks earlier we had been collected from here and Rose drove us to Fuengirola to start our Spanish holiday!

Although I'd been walking unaided on holiday, I had to use my crutches on the return trip for two reasons: 1) I had nowhere to store my crutches which had to return to SA and,  2) once again, we were booked  as asssisted travel on the airplane! What a pleasure! 

Celia turns to send Rose a heart gesture. 

I didn't turn around: goodbyes are just so sad 

Off to be checked into the boarding lounge

During the two-hour layover at Charles de Gaulle (Paris), I had an airport official trundle me through to the boarding lounge. Celia trotted alongside, taking photos!

After a pleasant overnight flight on Air France (we loved KLM on the way out but found Air France very professional on the way home), we landed at OR Tambo airport, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Back home we were assisted to the boarding lounge by a very friendly airport official. WE WERE HOME! 

THANK YOU ROSE AND PETE, FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY! 

Shopping Spainish style

 Good morning, dear Blogger friends. I'm trying to visit your blogs to show I am up and about again in Blogland. However, on Saturday evening,  we had a heavy storm with a terrifying lightning strike which knocked out the universal cell phone tower in the Valley. Last night, I couldn't access blog comments, try as I might. I will get to blog hopping and visiting soon. 

Meanwhile I'll share the last couple of days of our Spain trip with my sister. 

When women go on a shopping excursion together, you'll often find one of them is looking for something special. And rather than being an irritant to her shopper mates, they dive in enthusiastically in the quest to source her treasure. 

I was that lady who was looking for a special headdress for a wedding back in South Africa in July. I wanted long black or red gloves. No problem, said my sister, I know just the shop. Off we sped through the city, down a side street and stopped at a haberdashery which she said would have this item. Entering a shop where two ladies were sitting behind sewing machines with swathes of beautiful cloth around the workspace, my sister explained in Spanish, what we were looking for.  

They did INDEED have gloves but not satin or cotton as I seemed to want. They had black lacy gloves. Too beautiful. And the price was so good that I bought two pairs with different patterns.

As we passed the window display from the inside, my sister reminded me that I had wanted a fascinator - and there were several set out beautifully in the window. Rose asked the shopkeeper to bring out the one I pointed out. Here the price was exorbitant, (I mean, this is a piece of lace, with a couple of feathers and a clasp to secure it to your hair.) Unfazed, my sister said she would pay for it. I had my gloves and fascinator!

Next Celia said she was looking for a piece of cloth to take home to a lady in her church. Of course, it wouldn't be just any cloth. It had to be a special piece of material. 

Once again Rose said, no problem. We three piled back into her car and she set off in another direction. This time I could see that the surrounds was less upmarket. Suddenly she turned the car into an alley and parked on the sidewalk. She indicated that Celia and I accompany her into her Arabic cloth merchant.

 Inside the large warehouse type shop, were bales and bales of different cloth. All very reasonably priced. I'm no seamstress, but Celia and Rose are talented sewers and oohed and aahed over the selection on display. 

This Arabic shop was nostalgically reminiscent of my furors into the souks of Khartoum many years ago. Here Celia proudly displays her purchase. I suggested that we have a photo outside the shop for Celia to prove to her friend she'd not bought the cloth in South Africa! 

Me wearing my Africa dress in Spain.

I asked Celia to snap me in this dress. I knew I was going to blog about our trip and this dress played a significant role in me deciding when we would travel. Way back in November last year, Rose had told me they would like to gift me with a flight to Spain for my 70th birthday. Because she is aware of my various irons in the fire, she said: don't stress; you decide when you would like to come. 

In February this year I saw this dress displayed in a quaint supermarket/gift shop, The Oaks, in the Valley. I bought it; phoned Rose and said I would like to come and visit in May 2023. I then notified my SIL, Celia, who had been rearing to go. She was thrilled that I had set a date!  

Back in the city that day, we had shopped up a storm, and were mighty thirsty by now, so Rose took us to their favorite barista Mia Coffee shop for refreshments.

Three shoppers stopping for a cuppa and a bite.

Back at the apartment, we three relaxed at the pool 

after our city shopping spree.

The next morning, Saturday, was our penultimate day of our lovely holiday with Rose. And Saturday markets in Fuengorila are not to be missed. 

Before we set out, Rose cooked us breakfast while Celia and I dressed for our day's shopping. Again. 

I popped into the kitchen showing Rose how thrilled I was with the previous day's purchases. 

Happy! 

We arrived at the Saturday market held weekly in the Fuengirola fairground and which boasts some 300 stalls. You are simply SPOILT FOR CHOICE! 

Rose waited at the entrance to the markets while Celia and I shopped. We were glad because we wanted to buy two plants for our hosts: Peace Lily which originates from the rainforests of Columbia and Venezuela.  We wanted one for their car hire office and one for their apartment. Peace lily is associated with tranquility and serenity. Apparently having this plant in your home, also promotes health and wellbeing. 

At first, we thought we were looking for a needle in a haystack. Finally, I spotted a stall with plants on display. And lo and behold, they had healthy peace lilies in pots! 

Emerging victorious from the street market! 

Later back at the apartment, Rose was preparing a light lunch for us; Celia was watching Italian Open Tennis. 

 I was relaxing...

I am doing Legs up the wall yoga discipline as we learnt in our Taigelates class** here in the Valley. The benefits of Legs up the Wall are, among other things, deep relaxation, stress relief, knee pain reduction and neck tension relief.

Another memorable day with my beloved sister, Rose and SIL,  Celia. 

Note: ** Taigalates: our exercise class here in the Valley, is a combination of three disciplines: Tai chi; yoga and pilates. The word is an orginal coined by our exercise guru, Caroline. 

WISHING YOU A GREAT TUESDAY

A Spanish sea trip

 Good morning, dear Blogger friends. Thank you for your comments, even though I have been absent.

The road trip over, once back in Fuengirola, we were then treated to a trip on the harbor. 

Fuengirola is a city on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia, in the center of the southern Spain coast. (Phew, that's a mouthful!)  The city has its origins in Phoenician, Roman and Moorish civilizations. Today it is a major tourist center with more thank 8km /5 miles, of wide beaches with a subtropical Mediterranean climate.

Driving us to Benalmadena bay, Rose booked us on a luxury day cruiser. All around us were luxury yachts moored and waiting for their owners to take them out of a weekend. 

After the first mate had given us the regulatory safety demonstration, the captain fired the engines, and we headed out to sea. 

The claim to fame of these seagoing tours, is to show visitors the dolphins, which are always prolific. However, that day, although we were out at sea, and could drink in the beautiful city, sparkling in the sunshine behind us, the dolphins were most elusive that day.

Me sister, Rose and I aboard the tour boat

We South Africans were not fazed at all, as when we get to the sea back home, we see dolphins. Often! 

After an hour, we turned around and headed for home. The crew was most apologetic that we'd not seen any dolphins. To keep the passengers entertained, the captain called the small children, one by one, and allowed them to "steer" the ship. Their proud mums leapt up and took photos for the family holiday album.

As we three ladies were seated just behind the cabin, I never realized that I, (granny on the ship) would be next in line. The captain took me by the hand and seated me at the controls. 

I'd watched the captain showing the children to pose with a hand on the hip and look back at mama. To his obvious delight, I did the same! 

Back at Rose' apartment, Celia and I enjoyed the sunshine at the pool while Rose prepared lunch.

A Continental feast; the perfect end to a perfect morning 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! 

A birthday gift...

 Good morning, dear Blogger friends. Although I'd known about this before Christmas, I kept it under wraps until I had confirmed the finer details with my generous benefactors.

In December last year, my sister, Rose and BIL, Pete offered me a trip to Spain, flight and all expenses paid, for my 70th. Not only that: knowing that I was arranging my birthday celebrations, Rose deposited a substantial amount of money into my bank account which helped towards the two parties I had. 

My beautiful sister, Rose 

I was 15 months old when Rose was born. And since that day, she and I have been as close as close can be. Even though for the past 23 years we have lived on different continents, with technology we still remain in contact on a bi-weekly basis. 

And... over the past six years that I've been forging a new life on my own, I always had the spiritual, emotional, and when I desperately needed it for surgery, financial support, from Rose and Pete. 

Early in March, I phoned Rose and together we decided on a date for me to visit. The departure date was to be 8th May. 

Mere South Africans mortals such as we are, need a Schengen Visa to visit Europe. Obtaining this is easier said than done! I applied online and was duly given an appointment in Durban on a specified date at an appointed time. There was a dire warning on the online application, that if I was late for the appointment, I would be turned away and have to start the whole process over again.  . 

Once again, in my trusty little car, and a file bulging with information on the passenger seat, I ventured onto the N3 and headed for the Spanish Embassy in the city center.  Here I need to interject I ALWAYS use GPS directions. This day I was directed to the correct street but in front of a Primary School. Starting my car again, I drove around the block only to be directed to the same address. Eventually I drove straight over a traffic light intersection where a young Indian gentleman was rattling a paper cup, begging for change. I stopped and said I would give him something if he showed me where the Schengen Visa offices were. Beckoning, he ran in front of me up the street and stopped at a parking bay. I parked and lo and behold: the Shengen Visa application offices were on my left. I tipped my helper handsomely and suggested that instead of begging, he should channel his energy into learning a skill, such as becoming a guide in the city! 

Only now did I think about my appointment and when I checked my watch, I saw I was 20 minutes late! Nevertheless, I intended to use my "vintage lady" guile and gain sympathy to keep my appointment! As I entered the small office a man and woman were deep in conversation with an efficient-looking clerk. I sat down as unobtrusively as possible and listened to the interchange. The gentleman, who seemed to be a businessman, was talking on behalf of the lady, who was obviously in his employ. 

After several minutes of dealing with this couple, the clerk suddenly looked up and asked me if I was there for an appointment. I said yes, to which she apologized profusely for having kept me waiting. 

Mmmm.

Eventually the customers ahead of me were done and it was my turn. Still believing I'd been waiting; the clerk was most helpful. My forms were all in order; she took two photos with a Canon camera (remove earrings, glasses off, no smiling, please) and asked for my passport. After tapping my credit card on the card machine. she said my passport would be delivered to me (I stipulated my farm domicile) within 15 business days. There was no guarantee that the visa would be approved, and the cost would remain the same! 

I've applied for this visa before and was quite positive all would be in order. 

Elated at having completed the application process, in the lift down to the ground floor, I snapped a photo to commemorate the moment. 

This was Friday, the 31st of March. On Tuesday, the 18th of April, the courier arrived on the farm with a plastic envelope for Jo Hedges. Gavin, my neighbor, met the driver in the yard and as I was unable to walk**up there in a hurry, he signed for me and brought me my parcel. 

With my heart in my mouth, I opened the envelope, extracted my passport and flipped to the back page...

What a relief to have had my visa approved! 

(**see next post)

WELL!!!

What can I say? I have not posted on Blogger for two months and man, do I miss it and all my Blogger friends?

As always, I have been busy, but I intend to blog more regularly this year.

I had a WONDERFUL holiday season with my accommodation during November and December and guess what, it's not letting up for January through March either. 

 I am going great guns at Parkrun with five to go to reach my 100th milestone. 

Christmas Eve was the start of the heatwave. Although Skabby and I donned the required festive adornments, we both suffered badly in the heat

Meanwhile we have had a severe heatwave in South Africa and my poor Skabby is suffering. Athough he was shaved and groomed at the beginning of December, a week before Chrisstmas he developed a hotspot the about 5cm in diameter. No matter what I applied, the hotspot got bigger. 

I took him to the vet and then the injections, medicines, cortisone started. I applied pharmacy bought mercurochrome spray and gentian violet to the raw areas. The vet ordered Sulphur powder (priced like gold dust!) and this started to help. But Skabby kept licking and scratching the wounds. 

The vets would phone me before the weekend to ask how Skabby was getting on. I know I was, by now, a welcome cash cow to the veterinary business, but I found it touching that they actually cared...

My answer was always the same: it seems a little better, but he is licking and scratching the areas. 

Finally, last Tuesday I took him to the vet while I was running my Weigh-Less groups in Winterton. He injected Skabby with a "hotspot" injection, prescribed an antibiotic specifically meant for skin irritations and fitted the doggie with a cone. 

Mmm

Poor boy. 

All the older cats scattered as they saw this strange apparition. 

Except Georgie...

Never mind, Unca Skabby, I will stay and care for you!

Yesterday, I left Skabby at home and went to the Parkrun on my own. He sat and howled like a baby at the gate: a really pathetic sight of a sad dog with a plastic cone around his neck! I felt absolutely lost not to be dragged around the 5km track, and everyone who saw me, asked where my dog was.

I just have to get him better...

On 30 December, my brother, Philip turned 75. I joined him and friends for a lovely luncheon at a neighbor's home.

Philip and me on his 75th

Philip was the kind person who took 12-year-old Papa in when the owner of a local lifestyle center wanted to euthanize him.

This month Papa has been with Philip for a year - the best forever home a cat could wish for

Philip's other car, Cat has accepted Papa as if he has been there forever.\

Back home the felines thrive, and Georgie is getting cuter by the minute

Inexpensive and simple...

.

...are toys which delight an active kitten!

MAY YOU ALL ENJOY A WONDERFUL SUNDAY

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!