2009 - A NEW YEAR

It’s overcast and threatening to rain on sunny South Africa’s West Coast but, you know what? Through the window I can see a Southern Right whale in the channel in front of my house – and I think I even see a group of Heaviside’s dolphins in the distance. Now, what better way to welcome the New Year in than feasting my eyes on these cetaceans of the sea? To everyone I say a joyous and bountiful 2009, with less stress, more time and much, much more of everything good and clean and fresh tra-la-la (I sound like a washing powder commercial, don’t I, but you know what I mean.)

VERY SPECIAL FAMILY

Thought you’d enjoy seeing what my family looks like. Here Michael Ray gives me a hug, watched by daughters Shannon and Jessica and her friend Mario.
They detoured to spend two hours quality time with me at See-Plasie Coffee Shop and Nursery where cheesecake and coolies were devoured with delight.

Am I the lucky one or what?

NOW'S THE TIME TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER

Maryke Wiid returned from her six months’ sabbatical where she was caring for the elderly, landing at Cape Town Airport to be met by Jansen Myburgh who, in the meantime, has been slaving away at Maties for his B.Com degree.
They both needed time out to catch up with their respective lives and the deck and a glass of chilled white wine was just the thing to do it. Then a braai (barbeque to you wot don’t know the word) and watching fireworks across the bay as the clock struck midnight on Old Year’s Eve.

May you both achieve your goals this coming year and which hopefully includes time for each other.

A GRAND AFFAIR

In true Moslem style Ahmad Gallie married Dilshaad Allie (she sure makes life easy only having to make one letter change to her surname) on Sunday November 23 and as tradition would have it, the lady wore red, a most becoming colour to be sure.
They spent the first three nights of their honeymoon with me and in that time I learned a lot about their lifestyles, their career paths, their aspirations and just what lovely, gentle people they were.

Ahmad’s in the admin. department at Children’s Red Cross Hospital whilst Dilshaad recently moved to the economics section of the City of Cape Town. Wonder who is going to look after their kids and who will see to the finances?

HO-HO-HO

… and all that the festive season stuff. Talking of stuffing, I’m having no luck trying to shove that fat ol’ man decked in red back up the flue! What, pray, did he dump on your parade ground?
I was, however, lucky to have Wimpie and Marli to share Christmas Day with me. From Pretoria, they flew down to attend her sister’s wedding at Draaihoek, a very larney set-up en route to Elandsbaai after which they headed for St Helena Bay stayinng at Dolphin B&B+S/C for fie nights.
On their last evening here the kettle braai threatened to sizzle out as a welcome sprinkle tinkled down, but fortitude – and an appetite sparked by a bottle of Muratie Rosé that they kindly shared with me – had them enjoying their supper of rump steak and accoutrements.
Wimpie’s boet, Coenie, is a tour operator based in Botswana and, D.V, I might just get to visit the Delta this coming year.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Yusuf and Gafifa spent mid-week with me early in November and returned at the end of that month, bringing their daughter, Fozia with them leaving Saadia to cope with all the animals back home on her own (Gafifa is the dog walker).
This wonderful family foisted on me (and I am so foistible) all manner of fattening but delectable things: like Yusuf’s home made chocolate biscuits. Yummy! “He’s retired now, so he must also get domesticated,” says Gafifa – and quite rightly so, I say, but with those talents I’d be inclined to want to hire him out.
They also shared with me their personal lives – likes, dislikes, wishes and desires – and I feel privileged to be a part of their story telling.

MOSEYING ALONG

Go back to my blog posted on September 15, 2007 and read about Martin Moser and Tanya Kästli who were married 14 months ago. On this return trip they brought with them their wedding album that they had so cleverly created themselves (check out http://www.bookdesigner.ch) and so I was able to relive that special day with them – fairytale castle and all. Talk about Heidi, Heidi …
Over breakfast we caught up on each other’s lives with Martin, who is a consultant trainer (you know, negotiating skills courses, etc.) and Tanya who is with a debt-collecting company
based in a town (city?) called Schinenach-Bad in Switzerland.
By now – after all, he’s travelled to the continent a dozen times or so – Martin knows South Africa pretty well and his penchant is to hit the country roads in search of that special little tourist destination and on this occasion it’s to walk the canopy trail up in the Magaliesberg. Great stuff! Glad you two enjoyed the foot-long koeksusters I packed in for your padkos en route to Matjiesfontein and Three Sisters and thanks for calling to tell me you’d arrived safely.