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!!!!!!!

Part 2 of our holiday in South Africa

We left for Roger and Kelly in Mtunzini on Thursday 28th afternoon. On our way, we called in at the factory shops at Jacobs. We were quite disappointed this time but Gerard managed to find a few nice shirts and a nice rucksack at the Reebok shop. It was nice to see the family again and we got to bed so late after sitting and chatting for ages.

Friday morning, we went into Empangeni. Gerard dropped me at the dentist and then took the kids to Cheryl. He had an appointment at the bank which would keep him busy.
Dr Fahn managed to repair my tooth quite easily and painlessly at a cost of R530,00. Gerard picked me up and we collected the kids from Cheryl and headed off to Richards Bay. We took the kids to Wimpy (had to wait in line to get a table). Jenny Coetzer walked in and spotted us which was great – we would not have got to see her otherwise. Engela and Pannie saw her further along in the Boardwalk and they also came over to say hello. The shopping centre was absolutely full to capacity with holiday makers. I managed to do a bit of shopping at Woolies and then we went to the new Mr Price shop which is very impressive.
After our shopping spree we headed off towards the small crafts harbour and then decided to go and visit Shawn and Stacey instead. It was great to see them again and of course little Sarah. They have made wonderful improvements to their house and it is now a beautiful home.
We then drove back to Empangeni to have a braai at Cheryl and Ian’s. We all had a swim and it was nice and relaxing until a gale force wind blew up and threatened to blow everything and us away. Left them and headed back to Mtunzini.

Saturday was so overcast but we headed off to the beach. The kids had a wonderful time but little did we realize just how they were burning. Even though it was so overcast and looked as though it would rain, those harmful rays got through and burnt my poor kid’s skin. That night Steven was suffering and was quite ill so we phoned the chemist who advised that we use Freeze on him and ensure that he drank plenty of water. We had a braai that evening.

Sunday was a rainy day and it was old year’s eve. It was fun listening to the older girls planning their activities for the evening. Nici went with Angelique to Richards Bay and spent the night there and Kirsty went with a group of her friends to Ballito. They were sleeping in the back of the 4 X 4 that they were going in. The old fogies and little kids had no great party planned but we did have a braai. Kelly’s folks, Shannon and Melissa
and Clive were all there and we saw the New Year in together.

On Monday the 1st, we decided to go up to Hluhluwe Game reserve. The weather was still undecided and there were patches of rain all the way there. We drove through the Gates and up to Hilltops. We hadn’t been there long when the heavens opened and it poured. After the downpour we drove down the route where elephant, giraffe and rhino had been sited. Unfortunately, we did not get to see any elephant!!!! We left through the same gate and headed to Mtubatuba to visit Aunty Lily. She is living with friends who have a lovely home and are still able to give aide to her. She is on oxygen constantly (suffers from emphysema) after long years of smoking. Did not stay too long and headed back to Mtunzini. We had promised to take the family out for dinner so went to Tradewinds Hotel only to find the service shocking and the meal cold and unappetizing. Very disappointing indeed!!!
The next morning we packed ourselves up. Lara was not well and spent most of the morning puking. Roger had gone with Kelly to a job interview in Richards Bay, so we took our kids down to the stables to visit Monty. Monty is Nici’s horse and is much admired by my kids especially Lara. After a ride each, they were happy to leave. While the kids spent time with their cousins, Gerard and I went down the road to visit Debbie Hartley who had also worked for Richard Grantham. Richard, was the man I worked for in Empangeni. It was nice catching up with her and getting to hear about the other friends we had in common.
We then left Mtunzini and drove back to Warner Beach. I unpacked and we dropped off all our washing at the Laundromat and then went on to do some grocery shopping. After those chores, we went to the beach. That night was fun and games with all the kids having diarrhea and vomiting.

The next day Robert was not feeling too good, so he slept while we went to the beach for a short while. The maid came just after our late breakfast and cleaned the flat thoroughly.
I had contacted my cousin Ardyne (from Australia) about visiting us that day but she was put off by the stomach bug. After running off to Woolies and buying a diving chocolate cake, she phoned to say that they wouldn’t come that day after all. Disappointing!!

The next morning, after a short time on the beach, we decided to go shopping at the Pavilion. Oh what a treat to shop in these shopping mall!!!! We were in Musica buying the boys Singstar for their PS2 when I saw a guy that was familiar. I approached him and it turned out to be John who is Ardyne’s husband. They had also gone shopping and we had bumped into each other in the same shop – talk about a small world. We spent a few hours doing the shopping thing and then headed back. We bought a new phone for the flat. We went down to the beach and on our return, Ardyne and John arrived to visit us. It was nice to catch up on their news – can’t believe that they have been in Australia for 18 years now and I last saw them 10 years ago. They had also spent Christmas with my brother Dave who has just immigrated to Australia. John’s parents are now in their 80’s and still living in their house in Amanzimtoti, hence their visit to S.A.

On Friday morning, we went to the beach. Gerard went off to Toti shopping mall to try and get a new plug connection for the phone and could not find one in any of the nearby shopping malls. The maid came in to clean again and at about 3.00pm we headed off to Gateway Shopping Centre. We went to the Crescent and had a look at some amazing shops – one being a pet shop. Could not believe how the birds stayed in their cages which had no top to them. Gerard managed to get a connection for the phone and I found a new bikini in Grab a Garb. All in all – a very nice shopping spree.
We drove down the road to Umhlanga Manors where Cheryl’s parents live and joined the already very full house. Gerard and I showered and changed. Leigh and her boyfriend were babysitting the kids while we all went to a show at the Barnyard. Gerard was quite taken with the huge openness of Gateway Shopping Centre. We went into the Barnyard Theatre and got shown to the very front table. The whole place is kitted out like a Barnyard with woodchips on the floor, huge wooden tables (for dancing on) and a great atmosphere. Cheryl and Ian have been to quite a few shows and knew the whole system. They had packed in a wonderful 3 course meal for all of us (10 of us in total) and we all put into a kitty for 2 rounds of drinks. Thereafter we would have paid for our own.
The show we watched was called Surfing Safari. It was all the songs from the Beachboys and the likes (all our era) and we had a really enjoyable evening.
At the end of the show, Cheryl and I even got to pose with the lead singer for a photo. What a way to end and evening and our second week in S.A.!!!