Blue Skies over the West Coast

A coastal view of Paternoster on the West Coast of South Africa

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An update on our holiday:

We've been on a lovely L O N G ride, stayed with friends, seen new sights and scenes in the Cape and generally enjoyed ourselves tremendously. 

We are currently back home in the Free State but later today, we're off to spend the night at a holiday resort near Bloemfontein where Angus, Amanda and children will join us. Tomorrow we'll do our last minute shopping for our return to East Africa later this month.

On Tuesday we'll travel down to Kwa-Zulu Natal to visit Grant's 83 year-old mom at a beautiful retirement home in the Midlands. Afterwards we hope to pop in and see my brother, Phillip. Thereafter it's onto the Drakensberg to spend the night in the mountains with John, Debbie and their children. 

Wednesday we'll be home again and I intend to change a few things in our garden while there is a promise of rain. 

Until then, you-all stay safe, healthy and happy.

Blessings

Jo

xxx    

On our way!

We've been home in South Africa since Saturday and as usual it's been "all systems go!" Grant had his eye check-up on Tuesday, I had a few routine examinations. On Wednesday I had to renew my South African driver's license which is always a great challenge, because of the system and staff attitudes at the official offices. However, I had all my information ready (certified copy of my SA ID, now-expired driver's license card, an official form completed and the exact amount of money) so it all went very smoothly. Within twenty minutes I had paid, arranged for a proxy to collect my new license card when it arrived and left the premises. Whoo-hoo! (Unless you've had the experience of applying for or renewing any personal documents anywhere in Africa - even South Africa - you won't know the jaw-grinding frustration and eye-rolling exasperation a person experiences. So my pleasant experience yesterday was a welcome relief!) 

Grant and I are off on a bike trip to the Southern Cape. As this post is aired, we'll be mounting our trusty machine and set off on our journey.  Last night after we'd taken the three dogs for a long walk on the golf course, he prepared the bike and I walked around taking photos of our house, garden and pets. 

Collages of various angles of our house and garages - mainly from the back where we spend all our time!

 The view of my garden from our bedroom

The front of our house (which we never use, inside and out) our driveway and our darling Labrador, Angie

 From top: Megan our Maltese x, Eddie the Jack Russel and Angie. Center Chip and Felix, our last two remaining cats in South Africa, and bottom Felix again and Angie and Eddie asleep at the front door. The dogs never come indoors! 

I wish you all a wonderful day today,  a pleasant weekend tomorrow, and safe and healthy week ahead. Till we meet again here on Blogger, bless you all!   

Thank you!

Many thanks to all who commented on my post about Tigger yesterday and for your kind thoughts and condolences. It meant so much to us to know there are people out there who have gone through the same thing with beloved pets and reached out in sympathy to us.

While we were waiting in the vet's surgery for the sedative to take effect on Tigger, the young receptionist whom we know well and also remembers Tigger from a previous time four years ago when he spent three weeks in "hospital" with them, came and put her arms around me a gave me a hug. 

Later as we walked out, she handed me an envelope and said I could open in in the car.  I did. It contained a poem which, while I read it, made me well up again. I thought I'd post this poem here for anyone who may be - or has been - in the same position as a pet -owner,  as we were this weekend. This may just help you to make that final decision and also console you in your sadness.

If it should be

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should wake me from my sleep

Then you must do what must be done

For this last battle cannot be won

You will be sad, I understand

Don't allow your grief to stay your hand

For this day, more than all the rest

Your love and friendship will stand the test

We've had so many happy years

What is to come will hold no fears

You'd not want me to suffer, so

When the time comes, please let me go

I know in time you too will see

It's a kindness you do to me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I have been saved

Do not grieve that it should be you

Who has to decide this thing to do

We've been close through all these years

Don't let your heart hold any tears

(Author unknown)

One last photo of Tigger taken in September

May  you all have a wonderful day.