Another Week Flown By

After the shopping spree on Saturday where everyone but me had bought something, I was feeling rather left out. I had seen a pamphlet from NKD and decided to head off to their shop in Romrod. I found myself 2 very nice pairs of 3/4 pants which I can wear with my boots. A real bargain they turned out to be, because on paying for them, the cashier informed me that these items had in fact been marked down. Felt very chuffed with my bargain shop.
On Tuesday, the boys bus did not arrive on time and all three boys arrive at the door (at about 9.00 o'clock) stating that when the bus doesn't come, they don't actually have to go to school. I rushed upstairs and put the rest of my face on and on my way out the house, grabbed the holiday brochures that I had gone through.
Dropped the boys at school and went off to the travel agent. Spent hours there trying to find the holiday that we are after. I couldn't believe that so many hotels do not cater for families with more than 2 children. Meaning that we would have to book 2 rooms and of course this doubling the price of our holiday!!!
Eventually, we found a couple of hotels with family rooms etc. which catered for our size family.
Later that afternoon, just as I was getting Lara into the car, to go to dancing class, Ryan arrived. He had brought over their pot plants and magazines.
On Thursday 8th February we had snow. Gerard and I decided on a holiday in Tunisia and after speaking to Tim on Wednesday night about their time there, we both felt that a week would be long enough. So on thursday morning I went off to the travel agent to book our holiday. I was in high spirits and decided to do a bit of shopping in the town centre. Walked through lots of shops and eventually decided that I would drive to Bell and show Gerard our hotel that we would be staying in. At that stage the snow was falling quite steadily and by the time I left Bell, my car was covered in snow. Did a bit of grocery shopping and went home. Gerard came home a bit later for lunch and he had brough Lara and Zina home. The two girls had great fun playing together and at 3.00pm I took them off to Light Athletics. Lara really seems to enjoy herself there. By this stage the thick snow was now starting to melt and when we left the hall an hour later, it was just about all gone!!
That evening we had a teacher, parents evening for both Robert and Steven. Robert's one being the most important meeting, as this was were we would discuss his future choice of schooling. Because he is in the 4th Class, he now has to decide as to which stream of schooling he wants to be in. Unfortunately, his German mark of 4 has not allowed him to go to Gymnasium which is the Highest Stream school. AFter discussions with his teacher (who told us he was plain lazy and could do a lot better) we decided that the Real schule would be the school he would attend from September. We just felt that if he went to Gymnasium, he would constantly be at the bottom of the class. Hopefully, with the choice of Real, he will be in the top part of the class and give him more self confidence. He can also, once finishing his years at Real, do an extra year (with the extra language which they do in Gymnasium) and he will have an entry level to University.
On Saturday morning, we had a lazy start and then went to do shopping in town. Alex came along with us, as we were dropping the two of them at Halligalli for another school friends (Alexander Hess) birthday party.
After dropping them, we headed off to Media Max in Lauterbach. Spent a good couple of hours their comparing brands of flatscreen TV's. Oh there are such lovely tv's, stands which via remote control, lift the screen to whichever height you want it at.
But all these things come at quite a cost!!!!
We picked Robert up from Halligalli and went straight to Ryan's farewell at the Italian restaurant. Lutger had joined us South African's and I got to meet Justin (the new S.A. guy) for the first time. We had a lovely dinner and a good time with everyone.

We were woken up on Sunday morning at 8.00 o'clock by Steven's trainer. He had left a message for us the day before but we hadn't got it. Steven was due to play, so realising that we were still in bed, he offered to come and fetch Steven. Steven was thrilled to hear that he was playing and dressed, ate and got his gear together in 10 minutes. Steven's team played well (came 2nd overall) and Steven scored 4 of their 7 goals. Quite the main soccer player!!!!
We then realised that Kinderfasching was on in Liederbach, so got the kids all dressed up for their bash. They really enjoy the excitedment of it all and this year there weren't as many children as previous years. We spent 3 hours there and then decided that we had all had enough.

The Weeks are flying by.

I can kick myself for not keeping this diary up to date. Having to go back and think of what happened when, I feel that I may be leaving things out.
On Tuesday 30th Jan, I dropped Lara at her dance class and went to the travel agent in the Aldtstadt. I told them the basics of what I was looking for and then she handed me a pile of brochures. I suppose in a way, it is easier for me to sit at home and go through them all to be able to choose a destination with everything that we are wanting.
On Wednesday morning, I did a few things around the house and then drove to Heidi's. The other's were already there. It was Zelda's last tea with us. It was so nice to just get together and chat and wish her our fond farewells.

That afternoon, before I took the boys to light athletics, I took them to Zelda to say goodbye. Zelda had just finished bathing the dogs and the kids only then realised that they wouldn't see them again. It was quite a sad little farewell.
The boys then went to sport and a bit later, I took Steven to soccer practice.
On Thursday, Lara did not come home with Gerard. Instead, her friend's mother (Claudia) picked them both up and took them to her house. She then took them onto light athletics at 3.00o'clock and I went to collect her at 4.00pm. For her first time, she seemed to really have enjoyed it.
On Saturday morning we went through to Fulda, to Toys 'r Us. I wanted to see if they had anything special for Faschings. Got Steven a skeleton suit from there. We had a nice meander through the Media Market shop there and then Gerard found himself some clothes in Muller. We bought ourselves a Bratwurst and then headed into the centre of town. On our way down to C + A, we went into a sports shop. Gerard found a really nice jacket which had been marked right down. In fact, all the shops are holding end of season sales. At this shop we bought Robert a pair of Nike shoes and Lara got a pair of Adidas sports shoes. We eventually got to C + A and there I found Lara a lovely Snow White outfit and and Ninja outfit for Robert.
On Sunday morning, Gerard took Steven off to play soccer here in Alsfeld. There team played well and of course Steven scored 3 of the 4 goals. He was very popular.
Another weeks has gone.

Back into the swing of things

By the start of our second week back from S.Africa, our house was nice and warm and things were pretty much back to normal.
On Saturday, we lay in and only after much deliberation decided to go to AEZ to look at TV's. As we walked in, we passed washing machines and Gerard decided that I needed a new one. So we had a look and then bought one.
Then went on to look at the flat screen TV's. Deciding whether to go for Plasma or LCD. The salesman explained a whole lot to us but we honestly feel that it is personal choice.
Did our usual grocery shop at Lidl.
We did absolutely nothing on Sunday.
I went to town on Monday and bought book on Germany for Zelda. I also ordered Jerusalem countdown. Not cleaning my house properly - spending far too much time on blogs than on housework!!!
On Tuesday morning, we all met up at Oma's for breakfast. I popped into the bookshop and collected Jerusalem Countdown before going to Oma's. Amazing how one can order a book one day and it arrives the next. This is at no extra cost. Very impressive.
It was really nice to all get together and have girlie chit chat.
Got home and at lunch time, my new washing machine arrived.
Took Lara to dancing class in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, I took the boys to light athletics and Steven went on to Soccer practice.
Robert had soccer practice on Thursday as usual. Steven joined the boys.
On Friday, I went to Thomas Phillips and bought a few things and got Mari Clair's birthday present.
On Saturday morning, we went a did a bit of shoppping. Had to get a present for Johannes's birthday, so went to Herkules and got him a PC game.
That afternoon we dropped Lara at Halli Galli (Mari-Clair's birthday) and then went on to Ursi and Edmond for tea. Gave Natasha her belated birthday present and a thank you, for keeping an eye on the house while we were away.
We picked up Lara later on and then we joined all the South African's at the Schwalbenest for supper. It is the last time that the Bland's would be together with us all. Zelda leaves for S.A. on Thursday.
On Sunday, we slept in late and had a lazy day. Ryan popped over to see if he could work out why the PS2 didn't have sound. The boys hadn't connected something properly. While Ryan was here, he sorted out the video problem that we have been having. He also gave us quite a lot of advice on TV's and what to look for when buying one. Showed us the latest one he bought via Amazon. Zelda had sent a whole lot of goodies over with Ryan - things from her pantry that she was not taking back to S.A. with her.
Robert went to Johannes's birthday party. They went to the pool in Alsfeld. I went to Ute's birthday tea. She had invited me earlier in the week and there were 8 of us altogether. Most of the other ladies were teachers and I had to speak German all afternoon. It was quite an interesting afternoon.
Another week over.

Hurricane Kyrill

This is what Hurrican Kyrill did to our garden shed.

Getting back into the swing of things

After three weeks of sun and heat, we were back to relatively mild temps, considering that it was winter.
However, our bodies were not acclimatised to these temps and our house had cooled down to freezing point. It was colder insider than out!!!!
It took us about 4 days before the house felt as though it was getting any warmth back into it. Lara was the first person to receive a phone call. It was Zina inviting her to her birthday party the next day.
So on Monday I rushed off to grocery shop and stock up on our depleted foodstuffs, and to buy Zina a birthday gift.
Lara went off to the party and only got brought home much later. Gerard told me that Lara had a wonderful welcome at the Kindergarten when they got there.
On Tuesday, Gerard left for Spain where the Euro Council meeting was taking place. Zelda and Roxy came over for tea. It was nice to meet Roxy - now I can place a face with a name!! Lara went to ballet lessons in the afternoon as usual.
On Wednesday, on my way taking the boys to Light Athletics, we were listening to the radio. They were warning people about the hurricane/cyclone that was heading for Germany and that people should strap outside things down and preferably stay off the roads. The boys had also heard this, so it was not just me misunderstanding the situation.
On Thursday the kids were sent home from school early, told to stay indoors and told to listen to the radio for updates.
Well, the Blands had organised a dinner for the Castles so that we could all meet them before they left for S.A. the next day.
Soccer had been cancelled, so I did not have a problem there but Gerard was due to land at Frankfurt airport that evening. He phoned me at home and said that his flight had been delayed, then brought forward, then delayed again. Eventually he called from the plane and said that they would be taking off shortly. He eventually landed, after a very rocky flight at about 9.30pm. He only got home just before midnight.
The next morning, Alex foned to say that the boys did not have to go to school. So they were very happy to have a day off.
I just happened to look out of the kids playroom to find that our metal shed had been blown right off it's concrete base and it was all mangled up.
I took the kids to Herkules to buy Alex a birthday present - PS2 game. Both Steven and Robert went to Alex's birthday party.
On Saturday we went to AEZ and Gerard bought me a new washing machine. It is a Baucknecht which apparently is made by Whirlpool. This will arrive on Tuesday. Had a look at the flatscreen T.V.'s.
Sunday was just a quiet day spent at home.

Holiday Photos

Part 3 of our holiday in South Africa

On Saturday morning we sorted out the bed linen etc. and did a quick clean up. Roger, Kelly and family came down to spend the day with us. Roger was immediately roped into the fishing scene and he and the boys had a wonderful time catching little fish from the rocks. A little later Kerry, Aldo and kids arrived to spend Saturday night with us. It was so nice seeing everyone again and Lara was in her element having her friend Luke with her. We had a braai (mid afternoon) and then went back to the beach for a while. Roger and family left and we all settled down to have a catch up session with Kerry and Aldo. Emma is such a sweet, happy little girl and Luke has lost a lot of his puppy fat and is becoming a little man. It started raining in the early evening.
Sunday morning was overcast and raining, so the kids couldn’t go to the beach as usual. I had asked the maid to come in, so she did a clean up for me which was great. The Etheridge family arrived and brought half of Woolies with them too. Then Alana, Miguel and the girls arrived also with a load of stuff. Our little house was getting fuller and fuller and I saw Kerry start packing her things together. She did however, convince me that her father in law was arriving in Empangeni for a visit, and that they would have to head on home. After they left, Gerard got the braai going and Alana and I made some salads. It was nice to catch up with all our friends and family.
On Monday we woke up to a lovely day so decided that we should take the kids to Ushaka. We got there at about 10am and found a nice grassy spot next to the main pool. We hired an umbrella and were set for the day. Even though we all had sunscreen on, we all got rather burnt from being in and out the water. Gerard and I took Lara on the tube ride which was great fun. We noticed that from about midday the people were just pouring in and by the time we left, there was no space to be found. We left there just on 4pm and as we drove through Durban I suggested that we call in and see Aunty Liz. Oh boy, what a state she was in so we did not stay long.
On Tuesday we drove up to Pmburg. Our first stop was at Bell where we asked them to courier some stuff to Aldo in Richards Bay. We then went on to Meadow Feeds (my old work place) and got to see quite a few of the old hanger onners. Quite amazing to think that my friend Dalena has been working as receptionist there for 18 years. Carol, the O.H. Sister has been there even longer.
We then went to the Liberty Mall which is where the old Corobrik used to be. What a lovely shopping centre. I had contacted some of my friends and they said they would meet up with us there. We met Carol and Alf and went to the Mug and Bean. A while later, Brenda arrived and Pierre came to give us a quick hello and said that Monica couldn’t make it. As we were leaving the Mall my friend Ann smsed me to say that they were at Fegos, so we joined her and Pierre there. So we had managed to see quite a few people by then but Richard had asked us to go down to his office, which we then did.
He has got his own business in Greyling street and he proudly showed us around his premises. He has done very well for himself. He then asked us to meet us back at his house, so on the way there, we called in to see Monica and Pierre and their family. Our day had become very long and we found ourselves leaving Pmburg at 8.30pm.
The next morning, Gerard went off to Toti golf club for a game. The kids and I walked to the beach. My friend Norman and his daughter Laura met us on the beach. It was really nice to see him again – he was my flatmate for a good few years and we worked together. At 7pm Liesel and Klaus paid us a visit. It was so sweet of them to make the effort to come to us. She is a friend of Norma’s and was living in Germany. We became telephone friends and we visited them once in Emsdetten (on the border of Holland) and she came to see me last year just before she left Germany. We had quite a lot to talk about and our evening flew by.
On Thursday, we had the day to ourselves to chill out on the beach. It was nice and relaxing but we felt our holiday was coming to an end. Unfortunately, Robert was stung by a bluebottle and this brought our day at the beach to an end. I bathed his sting on his arm in Vinegar and it helped. I think had it happened earlier on in the holiday, he would have been very reluctant to swim in the sea.
On Friday, we were up early. Gerard took all the sheets, towels etc. to the laundry and the maid’s daughter arrived. She was so young and inexperienced but eventually got everything we wanted done, done. We left Warner Beach at 11.00am and drove to the airport. Our flight to Johannesburg was quick and Mom was waiting for us at the airport.
We drove to her house and quickly sorted out the suitcases. Michelle, Richard and Brandon arrived and we swopped gifts. Michelle treated me to a French manicure and we had loads to talk about. They had just been in England for 2 weeks. Karen, Eddie and the kids arrived with Mo. Mo being a little 6 week old Jack Russell. What a highlight for our kids. They couldn’t leave the little thing alone.
Saturday morning, we had our last shop to do. At this stage the stomach bug that I had, had been worsening and it was the last thing that I felt like doing. Went to East Rand Mall and did the shop at Diskem and then went into Pick and Pay Hyper. Got the basics but stomach cramps got the better of me and we went back home. We got all packed up and sorted out. Gerard took Lara and myself to O.R. Tambo International and dropped us off with two suitcases. He then went back for the others while Lara and I headed towards the Lufthansa departures. There was a huge storm going on and the rain poured down.
Gerard and the rest of the family arrived back and we booked ourselves through. Mom decided to leave straight away as she did not want to drive in the dark.
We went through to the departure lounges and had something to drink.
Our flight was delayed slightly due to the weather conditions and when we took off, the plane was very shaky. We were sitting in the very last row in the plane and we watched everyone’s heads shaking in front of us. This went on for a good half an hour and then again over central Africa. When we came into land, we had the same shakiness.
The guy from Park and Ride was there to collect us and take us to our car. Gerard gets into our car and the battery is flat, flat, flat. He had left the Navigation system on for the whole 3 weeks. A quick jump start and we were off. Got back to Alsfeld at about 7.00am. Our holiday was officially over!!!!!!!