Good afternoon friends
It's been more than 3 months since my last post. Ashamed I won't be, for it's been a crazy set. So many things happened, from South African business ventures, a Royal wedding, the work reassignment of my wife, which lead to a lovely week long holiday on the Isle of Wight after an amazing South African Thanksgiving Festival on the Hop Farm and......
the Stormers are playing well.
The Good:
Well it will have to be our holiday on the Isle of Wight. Some way overdue time with my wife and 2 dogs, Archie and Yokie. I realised that it has been almost a year since Madél started her project work, working away from home and that it would be the perfect opportunity to do something special for her Birthday and to get some rest before my "year end" starts, so where better to go than one of our favourite destinations.
The setting was, as before, perfect and I realised how much the sea does for me not long after the villa was filled with home, even the Webber made it into the back of the Land cruiser. Armed with my super-sized binoculars, I set myself up on the "patio" watching the fishing boats slowly chucking away from left to right, boye to boye lifting the days' treasure from the deep to the safety of the deck. I sat there staring at the sails on the horizon, easing away all the stress, joining the crew on their gliding vessels.
Our mornings (and most evenings) consisted of taking long walks on the beach with the dogs. Archie seems to love this the most. He turns Keyser Soze when he sees that white line taunting him from side to side, chasing it until he can no more, leaving the rest of the family exhausted for his sake. Yokie on the other hand gently strolls along, nose to the ground (seeking something to eat or disgusting to roll in, I suppose) every now and again, raising her golden head to avoid Archie's frantic rush, then shaking it, wondering "Where did you get this one"? Well, it does not matter, at least he fully enjoyed himself and I know he will sleep like a baby that night...
Leaving the lovely beach with the dogs exhausted, we would then set off on our daily venture, visiting all the lovely villages with shops to cater for all. We tried to plan every day ahead, with the hope that we won't miss anything, but when Sunday came, there were still things to do, we again ran out of time. I can strongly recommend the Island, there's things to do for everyone, from toddler to the well wise!!!!
On an exciting par, I can also confirm that I read a very good book during our stay. I found the author's descriptive style and characters very refreshing and hope to return to another of his books soon. The book is called the Templar's Sword and I can recommend it.
I also tried to catch up on some of my course work, but with limited success. I have however decided that soon I will start putting pen to paper, or is it in these days, fingers to keyboard? I already have the first line to by debut Novel...
the Sad:
We had to say goodbye to a dear colleague at work last week. Roma was only 25 when she passed away. It was very sad to see such an ever friendly and helpful person taken so early, it was a very moving ceremony. I have never seen such a distraught mother and I pray for peace and calm in her heart.
When our bus drove through the gates of the graveyard, I got chills to see so many graves to my left and right - our loved ones, the graves forever to be their final resting place on earth, wherever their souls might be.
Flowers were arranged that evening for my Dad's bed in Vredenburg...
and the Ugly:
This will have to be my garden, AT THE MOMENT.
I won't go into to much detail, but I think it's suffice to say that it needs my urgent attention. I believe (hope) the dogs found the wild style reassuring and an adventure, but soon the "wild rustic" will be something of the past, to be replaced by something tranquil and to be enjoyed. (I am still sure I saw a similar style garden at Chelsea, last year!!?)
Well there you go friends, now I want to hear from you.
I wish you all well and that we'll soon meet again...
