Sunday 29th April

Awoke to the gusts of wind howling outside, Mike was a bit disheartened as a game of golf had been arranged, and it was likely it may be washed out. Uncle Pete's early morning mountain walk had been cancelled, so lucky for us he was there to cook us scrambled eggs and bacon - yum yum.

Arrived at Fancourt at 9am, the golf was only to start at 12. So we all had tea and Mike, Micky, Rhett & I went to the golf pro shop whilst Erin & Ray walked the dogs.

Whilst Mike, Rhett & Ed went to play golf, we all went for a drive to find Aunty Mim's craft market.
The market was usually in Sedgefield, but when we got to Sedgefield, we realised on Sundays the market is in Wilderness. But by now we were happy as the sun had come out.
We went to a restaurant by the beach in Sedgefield, we left straight away when the waitress said they did not sell pancakes, the shop next door did. So across to the next restaurant we went.

We traveled back to Wilderness craft market, there were only 7 stalls and no Aunty Mim. We found out later that when setting up earlier on it was too windy and most stall holders had decided to go home. Which was a shame as it would have been nice to see Mim's jewelery stall.

We went into the little shopping/restaurant area in Wilderness and shared a pizza at Pomodoros, it was a bit too cheesy for all of us.



At about 4 we arrived back to the house just it time to watch our golfers on the hole at the back of the house. We sat around the table outside of the wine cellar and watched them pass, this is more or less were we stayed for the rest of the afternoon with coffee followed by a glass of wine.

The day turned out to be amazing weather. Micky & ray invited Pete and Mim for a bbq, and as shown below we had a great night sitting on the veranda, with lots of funny stories, especially from Ray.

Saturday 28th April

After our Power Van trip, Mike and I drove to Uncle Pete's and Aunty Mim's where we were staying saturday & sunday night.
A lovely Roast Chicken cooked in the Weber was made for us, very very nice, and for starter Tom Jum soup - which is Mike's favourite.
We finished the evening by watching the cricket final, the weather was very cold so we watched under blankets.

A great day was had catching up with all the family.

Saturday

Early start at 6am, after car checks and fuel we were on the road by 6.30. We had a good run arriving at 11.30 with a couple of stops. One being at the famous pie shop in Riviersonderend for breakfast (not very healthy - but very nice).
We met Micky, Ray & Erin at the new shopping Mall just outside of George main centre, before following them on to Chareen's house. Chareen & Craig are in the States, so Micky, Ray & Benji (the dog) are down to babysit.
They live on Fancourt Golf Estate, and have a marvelous house - very much an ideal home.
With a quick turnaround we had a spot to eat, quickly packed some drinks, picked up Ed from across the road and drove hastily to the Train Station.

All 5 of us took the power van up the mountain. Erin was our photographer for the day.






We stopped at the top for a few minutes, whilst the driver flipped all our seats around for the trip back down.


On the way back down we stopped at a picnic spot, for a bit of tea and beer. Ray was nice and cosey in his blanket, although when packing the bag he mistook a can of Coke light for a beer, so he was one beer down.

Mike and Erin watching a mountain bike race down the mountain.

Friday Night

Mike, myself & Fred went to a dinner for bloggers. It was called a "geek dinner" and there were quite a few geeks as the name suggests. I do not think that I will go again, the food was very nice although the wine awful. It was sponsored by a wine maker, so wine was free it was called Stormburger or Stormhoek I can not remember, but they sell it in Tescos mainly in the UK. I recommend not to buy this one, especially not the white. Not back too late, which was nice as we had to drive to George the next day.

Winter Is Here

It is now looking like winter, today and yesterday we are living in a rainy cloud.
Today is a public holiday, although Mike will work and I may do some scrapbooking. Tonight we are out to dinner - will probably be a late one, and then up early for a drive to George.
We are meeting Micky at George Train Station at 2pm and then going up the mountains (unsure what in). I now have batteries for my camera, so will take lots of photos, hopefully we will get to see Chareens new house.
Pete & Mim are working over the weekend, it will be great to see Aunty Mim's stall.
Will travel back on Monday - probably early.
Just making porridge, better go before I burn it.

"Baby's coming, baby's coming"

This was Chrissie's new song today, I thought it was a great song to apply also to Traer.
It was also very apt, as Fred & Yolande are off to the hospital this evening with contractions.
"baby's coming, baby's coming, baby's coming". Chrissie (Age 2).

New TV

It has arrived! It also works straight away with the DSTV. So tonight we are settling in to BBC Prime and watching Silent Witness followed by Hustle. Whilst having fish fingers and chips.
I must must must also book our flights.

Weekend

Weekend started great by a day off (strategy day) on Friday. We hit some golf balls on the driving range, then back to the office where I caught up with a few things and Mike & Fred started their meeting in and around the pool.

For lunch we took a drive to the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay, via Lisa's Little Wine Shop - for snacks and a glass of chardonnay. We entered the brass bell with our wine bottles chinking beside us.

Strategy talk mostly goes over my head, but I did join in with the strageically placed holiday for the Perks and Roeds in March next year. As the business is growing, we have a goal where Mike & Fred are no longer needed in the day to day operations, this first step should be in place by Feb next year. To ensure this we are going to book a 2 week holiday in a different time zone, it is my task to browse the web - the Carribean is looking attractive at the moment, for a holiday sitting around the pool.

Evening rounded off with a few drinks and snacks at a client's company's birthday party.

Saturday: With the prospect of our new TV, and the poor quality of SA normal TV, Mike and I took a drive to N1 City, to spend an hour and a half, applying for DSTV (satellite). As being outsiders and not having ID numbers, we were unable to do this process over the phone.

Purchased a rug and cushions, for our new TV room.

Evening: Had a great dinner party at Andrew & Louises House, I was the only lady not pregnant. Paula is to have a cesarean this Wednesday, Yolande next month, and Louise is half way through. So I was able to drink, my fair share of wine. We had an amazing piece of braaied steak, followed by the most amazing chocolate mousse. It is my mission this week to get this recipe, and I must make it when I am home.

Sunday: Invited to the park for a picnic, went to Woolworths to get some cold meats. Back nice and early so did a bit of work, before heading to bed to watch "You me & Dupree"

Rice Mystery

I have now made rice here twice now, and it has been amazing - not sticky at all, and each grain very seperate from each other.

I have done nothing special to the rice e.g. The rice is not pre-cooked & I did not rinse the rice. In the UK when I do this the rice is a bit sticky.

I think it is because the water is very soft here (been here 2 months now and not a sign of chalk in the kettle). I would really like to know if this is the reason.
Maybe someone in the UK could use their water from the water filter to make rice, and see if this makes a difference. Silly request but I am intrigued.

New TV

You will all be glad (well Mike is very excited) we are now getting a TV.
We have saved some money since we have been here via car etc so we ordered a TV and DVD recorder, we also need to purchase DSTV (satellite) so this is becoming a very expensive treat. I won't tell you the price (you might faint - I nearlly did). Mike says it's discounted so we have a good deal?

I also have to pay for my flight in June, so a very very expensive month.
We are still going out for coffee tonight (and to look for a coolbag) so not to bad.
We are going to confirm dates with Fred tomorrow, but ideally we want to leave on Thursday 7th June here, arrive on the Friday, then Saturday is Ed's 60th. Mike will have meetings at various times across the week, I will be free - as long as I can check email etc each day. We will then have the next weekend and look to fly back on Wednesday 20th or Tuesday 19th.

Looking forward to seeing everyone, especially the new Perk.

Friday I am playing golf on a proper course, I still have had only one lesson, so will be playing with the one club I know how to hit with. I do have a new golf glove, and I bought some golfing trousers (sort of), I just need some shoes, but with our monthly spend, I will have to wait.

Easter Egg Hunt 2007

We missed Mike & Nic at this year's egg hunt but had a new participant in the shape of Senna assisted by Ed. The Easter bunny hid the eggs in more accessible places to suit persons under 2 foot tall. Terry was the winner (sorry Mike) and the two eldest hunters cheated (do Hans and David ever not).
The weather was brilliant so we had a braai. Fire not lit with firelighters as I wanted to prove to Sean they were not necessary - just used a copy of The Mail and it worked a treat. Cool wind blowing by the time we were ready to eat, so sat indoors.
Glorious weather again today Thursday and set to get better. Ed is mowing the lawn as he wants to get that done before he leaves for Middle East and Thailand tomorrow.
Before Senna left with mummy & daddy to go to London zoo, she helped Ed to check the wiring on the Heron.

Why NOT to do Business in South Africa

When deciding to move to South Africa, I was warned by Cousin Sean that I would be pulling my hair out with the level of service that we would recieve. If it was not for the 90p a glass champagne and the sunshine, I would most certainly be bald by now after only 2 months in the country.

After a day on the telephone to the bank, I am writing a list of reasons not to do business in South Africa.

This is not to say that we regret coming to this country, it has many things to offer. My advice is come to South Africa, but leave your business office in the UK.

Reasons:
1. "I will call you back" - only 0.01% of the time will this hold true.
2. Monopolies - since when should internet be so expensive? why does internet need to be capped? For £20 in the UK you can have super quick unlimited broadband.
In South Africa £20 does not even cover your telephone bill to the internet provider each week in complaint calls.
3. Internet only works between 7 at night and 11 in the morning - this means you must be nocturnal.
4. Call Centres. We may complain continuosly in the UK about our call centres, but, at least be grateful they are not based in South Africa. Even when speaking to our bank local branch face to face, we were told it is of no use to use the call centre.
5. Internet Banking. We have now been over a week without access to our bank, a change in system has led to 15,000 internet bankers being without access to their accounts. For a week we have been relying on the infamous "I will call you back" way of working.
6. There's no instant access to Robin, Robin is a must in any business. In fact when we did have a problem he resolved it over the phone in 2 minutes. We were even on the verge of flying Robin over to sort everything out (in hindsight this would have been cheaper than our all our calls to SA suppliers trying to help).

Having said that, the face to face customer service we have received has been great.

It looks as if in 2 years time, our head offices are moving back to the Barn in Bilsington. (We must start saving!)

FORGOT PICTURES

I forgot to put pictures on, I only have pictures from Seal Island, but I will put these on tomorrow.

Monday: That's Today

Fred arrived early for a meeting with Mike. As a hectic week was had by all, and work loads needed to be re-distributed.

In between Mike working we went to the driving range to hit a few balls, then on to a sports shop as i needed a golf glove, because my hands get sore. looked at golf shoes, but only did a size 4 - I need to go to a special golf store I think.

Made a nice pasta (only had a tin of tomatoes and spaghetti, but was very nice with some feta on top). I find we have the best meals when the cupboards are bare, so I might leave them bare - it will be cheaper too. But need to go shopping soon for more fruit & juice. We buy the very big bottles of juice, I am liking Guava juice at the moment. When we first arrived we looked for squash, but it is so sugary, we could not see any sugar free ones, and they all looked illuminous and full of colourings, so we now just have juice and add water.

Have done a few scrap book pages today. But need to buy a white pen, we were going to go to the waterfront after dinner and buy one and have coffee, but decided just to go across the road to fegos for the coffee.

Now its now, and I should be going to bed.

Looking forward to going to the library tomorrow, to get some new books. (You can also borrow magazines - so I usually get a cooking magazine, for recipies)

Sunday: Mike Home

Left early to go to the airport.

I had a bit of an accident coming out of the garage, I bumped into a pillar - luckily an Audi is strong and only the paint is peeling off - but I am a lady so I am allowed a few accidents. And Mike did not mind because he missed me!!
But enjoyed driving the car it is a nice drive, although I desperately need sun glasses or it might get a bit dangerous - I do not think I will drive until I get some.

Parking at the airport was crazy as usual, so parked miles away from the terminal. But timing was great, I only had to wait 10 minutes before Mike was through.

Back to the flat, I had breakfast (some homemade granola & Yoghurt - yum yum) whilst Mike showered and changed. We then took a long walk, past the amazing sandwich place then walked to Clifton Beach to eat. Had to sit in the shade as getting hot.
cooled down by venturing to the sea to dip my toes in. When our feet had defrosted we walked back to Sea Point.

Later on in the afternoon we took a drive to Hout Bay and caught a boat to Sea Island. (you just drive up to the island in the boat, stay for a little bit on the boat looking at all the seals then drive back to the harbour - only a 45 minute trip, but only R40 so can not complain). Did not see any sharks - this would have been very lucky - i am sure the boats would scare them away.

Joined up at the video store across the road, and got out the first 2 programmed of Spooks series 1 which we both did not watch.

Saturday: On My Own

On my own today. Did not go out, stayed in and cleaned the apartment, it takes for ever to wash the floors, they get so dirty.

Unable to go to the lauderette as it is Easter. Have this job to do on Tuesday, but it's great - very nice laundrette.

In between cleaning, I found some great webistes, to do puzzels and things (I was bored as I had finished all my books).

Mike is home tomorrow, so very excited. Went to bed early ready to pick him up in the morning.

Friday: Last Day

Last day with Uncle Mike & Heather.

We went to Century City to walk around the shops, as the wind was very very windy here, and would not have been a great walking outside day.

Found a scrap book shop that sells lots of paper - so very happy.

On my own this evening, so went across to Woolworths to get my dinner (crackers and cream cheese).

Had a lovely week with Uncle Mike & Heather, and it was sad to see them go. It was lovely company for me, I would have had a boring lonely week without them. So thank you.

Wednesday: Last day in Paarl

Last rugby game, Unfortunately this was lost, although great game, Trent played the whole game and the team really tried hard, but the oposition were very big.

Uncle Mike offered to take the coach and one of the boys to the medical clinic as the boy had a great big cut that needed lots of stitches.

Once back we ate our lovely sandwiches, and decided we would travel back to Cape Town via Stellenbosch and visit some wine farms.

I do not remember the name of the first farm, but great pinotage.

We then went to Simonssig, very commercial compared to the last farm, which we did not like, but bought some more wine. I got a bottle of champagne R60, will have to go back and stock up it think - especially when we have visitors.

Uncle Mike & Heather have quite a nice cellar selection being delivered to them back in Durban.

Back to the Waterfront to meet some friends of Mike's & Heathers for dinner at The Cape Town Fish Market.
Heather & I had a poor dinner, everyone else loved theirs - I think we have both been spoilt with the Ocean baskets fish.
But great company, and a lovely night.

Finished the evening off with a coffee at the Mugg & Bean, as Fegos would have been closed by the time we got home.

Tuesday: Waterfront

No rugby today.

Went for a walk around the waterfront shops, stopping for lunch at Kuaui (the healthy fast food chain) - Great wraps.

I can't remember what we did in the afternoon, but we went for dinner at Fegos (across the road).
I had 1 and a half dinners, as half way through my hot dog I relised it had mustard in and I asked for no mustard. I said they could just scrape it off, but I got given a whole new meal. I loved the chips here, nice and thin and crispy.

Again must have a meal here with Mike when he gets back.

Monday: The House is fixed

It has been great having Uncle Mike here, every house needs a dad to fix things.
Our showers are now running freely, before we could only have a 1 minutes shower as the basin filled up too much (and you all know how I love spending hours in the shower).
We now also have our toilet roll holder fixed and have worked out what the mystery switch does in our bathroom (still have a mystery switch in the kitchen).

Back to Paarl. Today not just very hot, but very very hot. After Trent's game which they lost (sorry I do not remember the teams names that they played) we had a lovely sandwich that we picked up from the local deli before we left. (We did not want chicken/burgers again from the stands,on Saturday I got a very under done piece of chicken) Lovely sandwich, we had another one on Wednesday too, and Mike & I went back yesterday (sunday when Mike arrived back from UK).

Uncle Mike wanted to watch more rugby, Heather and I could not cope with the heat, so drove to Paarl Mall and walked around the shops in the aircon. Visited all the nice cheap shops and we both bought trousers from Mr Price (mine were R70). Also found that one of the shops - Pick n Pay clothes store stocks some Cherokke clothes (from Tesco).

Back to Sea Point and we went to dinner at the Wooden Shoe Steak House (once again across the road). Amazing little restaurant, it looks a bit dodgy from the outside, but great inside, it is tiny with only 4-5 tables and the cooking is all done by the owner (a Dutch man) behind the bar. Very different menu from all the restaurants in Cape Town, we had Steak, Veal schnitzel & beef stroganoff - all very very nice.
Mike was very jealous that we all went here while he was in the UK.

Onto Fegos for coffee.

Sunday: Ocean Drive

Sunday - Mike's last day.

We all went for a drive around the pennisula, going around Chapman's Peak.

We stopped for lunch at The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. After yesterdays heat wave Heather and myself did not bring a jersey, this was a mistake as it was very cloudy and cold on the other side of the bay. Great Lunch!!

Back to the flat and then took Mike to the Airport. All still very full from lunch, so just went to Fegos coffee shop across the road for coffee.

To bed early to get ready for the rugby tomorrow.

Saturday: 1st Rugby Game

Rugby at 11 in Paarl, so left Sea Point at 9.
We all decided that Paarl is a very lovely place to live, very quaint & pretty.
We learnt a new word "kinkle" which means that the road staggers - which we found very amusing when we asked for directions.

Could not believe how big some of the 16 year olds are. They were massive, especially the boys from the country.

Trent's team won. Trent came on for the second half. It was said he made a positive influence to the game- I do not understand rugby but I am sure this was true.

Very hot day in land, glad we live by the sea.

Next rugby game on Monday.

Back to the city and dinner at the Ocean Basket across the road.

Friday:Uncle Mike & Heather Arrive

Last week Mike was in the UK and I was looked after by Uncle Mike & Heather, who were down to watch Trent in a rugby tournament.

Friday before Mike left we met Uncle Mike & Heather from the airport, when arriving home we said that we lived in a lovely area, and not a lot happens. We spoke too soon, whilst having drinks on the balcony a fight between 2 men started down below on the street ( a drunken fight between friends, so lots of staqggering about), this was followed by a loud crash. Below us there is a cross roads controlled by traffic lights, and a car had turned left at the crossroads and crashed into a stationery car - who was waiting at the lights on the otherside of the road. We watched with wonder as the boy in the car climbed out of his car and swayed to talk to the other car owner - obviously very drunk. The police were on the scene pretty quick for SA. We all felt a little bit sorry for the boy if had to be taken away - but on the other hand he deserved to be arrested as he was drink driving, and it could have easily been a pedestrian crossing the road that he hit.

Charl and Sammy then came round and we all went to Posticinos (an italian restaurant down the road).