Home, sweet home.

It is always wonderful getting home again especially as we had gone to the Cape against the doctor's orders. The time away was so special, filled with wonderful experiences, seeing and being with lots of special folk. The road through the Transkei was potholed and full of Stop and Go's. It is the second time we have had a picture due to the lousy roads. It is the second time an angel in the form of a local fellow, has arrived to help us change our tyre.

For my birthday I invited a few friends to the Book Boutique for tea and included in the group was Arlene née Wolhuter who I was in Primary School. We went to Witbank Medium Primary School together and met up again in Toti.

Our local church has a new preacher who I enjoyed meeting.

One of my favorite things to do is to pack a picnic basket and for Warren and I to go to the Botanical Gardens and listen to music. We don't really mind who is. Asking the music it is just great to get out and to relax.

As Warren decided to some painting, I moved lots of my fabric and used the second lounge as my sewing room. It was so pleasant but as sewing quilts(scrap) is rather a messy business there were threads everywhere. I had fun and managed to put six quilt tops together.

More pics to follow.

It was soon time to head for JHB. to look after Oscar and to catch up with more family.

Next Stop Kidds Beach.

Once again we scheduled our journey to stop off at Kidd's Beach and to enjoy having dinner with Jill Judd. Jill is such a tonic and Inspiration.

on arrival, Gill was very busy preparing our delicious dinner. She was also concerned as she could not find her laptop. She had searched everywhere. Gill had come to the conclusion that maybe while the gardener was busy someone may have slipped into her home and helped themselves!

Warren and I started looking around and lo and behold there was the laptop tucked under the cushion on the chair at the dining room table. How we all laughed with such relief....it would have been awful for Gill to be without her laptop.

Gilly is such a knowledgeable lady with so much talent. We had an informal exhibition of her paintings. Who would have guessed that Gill is an artist. These are two of my favorites.

It was so wonderful seeing Gill and hearing all about her adventures. I hope we get to see more of her.

 

On the road back to KZN.

After dropping Sarah and Oscar off in Hermanus we set off for Knysna. A wonderful scenic route which should be enjoyed at leisure however we had to get to our friends by night fall. Patty and John Lees have retired from Nelspruit to Knysna and it was so special to see the love.y home they have set up and visit them in their new surroundings. Fortunately they have a few friends int he area and John has signed up as an Estate agent so it won't be long before they are an integral part of Knysna society.

 

Patty and John have been our friends for over forty years. We met at Johannesburg College of Education and Wits where we were studying to be teachers.

They both look so well and happy. It was wonderful catching up.

My gift to Patty and John. I am so pleased these crazy cushions blend in.

While John was slaving away at the office patty took us on a tour of the local sights.

We wish these special friends all the happiness in the world as they put their roots down and enjoy this part of the beautiful country we live in

 

Picnic at Spiers.

What a super idea! A picnic at Spiers the day after the wedding which gives everyone a chance to relax and catch up. Poor Mandy's feet were so sore from wearing her lovely wedding shoes. We decided to pop in for s short visit as we had to drop Sarah and Oscar off with friends and the drive to Knysna.

Mandy and Robyn chilling.

The boys catching up. Warren, Les, Gareth, Duds (sitting) and Michael King.

Richard and Giles, uncle and nephew!

Proud mother Delia with her youngest (and tallest) son, Gareth.

 

A good time was had by all and MORE.

 

The wedding

Michele King marries Mark Johnson.

At last the day has arrived. imagine the excitement for the Bridal couple...I fact for everyone. Most of the guests had flown in from all corners of the world or from all over South Africa. We had driven all the way from KZN.

What a beautiful venue for a wedding!!

The beautiful music was a lovely touch while we sipped our chilled wine in the gardens

 

It was a great time for the family to get together an chat!

Dudley Woollett, Sean King and Warren Boden.

It is the first time these Siblings have been together in years.

Jo Anne Berga, Gillian King Mullen and brother Giles King.

Also for these siblings. Richard King, Robyn Woollett, Lester King and Penny Boden. Wish you were here Lang!!

 

 

These cuzzies loved being together. Jo from C.T.,Sarah from JHB. Gillian from the USA and Unity from KZN.

All the Woolletts and Lambs flew to Ct from KZN and had an amazing holiday. Tyrone looked so handsome!!

A gathering of all the Kings! The oldest Les and the youngest Alex from USA/Australia. What a handsome bunch.

Attention was given to every possible detail and a wonderful spread together with delicious wines, was readily available.

Emma King, the bride's sister flew in from KZN and the cutest little flower girls, Stu and Elizabeth's girls came from San Francisco.

Mandy looked lovely in her dress from "China" as did all the bridesmaids.

A wonderful time was had by all. Thank you to our hosts Les and Many and To Mich and Mark for choosing the Cape as the venue for their special day.

 

Stellies.

Our amazing and luxurious week at the Waterfront Southern Sun compliments from Jeff Rosenburg, itis time to move on closer to the wedding venue. Sarah and Oscar were to join us at a Heritage B and B in Stellies, compliments of Sarah! Aren't we spoilt? The B and B was situated just off the main road so it was easy to go exploring on the Saturday morning. What a stunning town it is! Such interesting buildings,quaint streets, friendly folk.  

Friday night we spent catching up with Sarah and Oscar but Saturday morning we were off, about and about Stellies.

 

 

 

 

Stellenbosch is a university town and the. Entre of the wine industry. It is a popular place for tourists to visit.

 

It was named after Simon van der Stel and established in about 1869, originally known as the City of Oaks. Oaks are still very evident as one can see as one wanders down the main road.

I couldn't imagine a lovelier place to study.

 

Upside down.

This sure has been an upside down year, fortunately with more upsides than down! I have neglected my writing but thanks to the gentle reminder of a few of my faithful friends/ readers I hope to be back on track and apply myself more regularly. By writing my blog I feel that I record all the wonderful things that happen in my life, I take time to "dwell" on things despite the fast paced life around me plus it is a form of showing gratitude for this life I have been blessed with. So here goes.

The last major event I wrote about was the "FamilyWedding" ...the family being my niece on the King side, Michele. This took place in the beautiful Cape.

 

What a wonderful setting for a special event such as this. Most of the guests had to fly in from both overseas and from other parts of South Africa. What a pleasure being able to spend time in the Mother city who was on her best behavior weather wise.

As we arrived in Cape Town a week early, we had lots of time to connect with friends and family.it was wonderful to visit Jo and Hessel and also to visit my "second" cousin Cathy Hodges who was visiting with her husband Tony. I think they were so happy to be in Franshoek rather than be in freezing England.

 

Cathy and I have connected as we both are involved in researching our roots. Her grandmother and my paternal grandmother were sisters so we have a common Great grandmother. Cathy, born in South Africa met and married Tony from England and when moving there she discovered that she lives a stone's throw from where our Great Grandfather hailed from. But that is for another post. This is the second time we have met and we really enjoy being together!