Right, so it’s Sunday.  But I’m travelling so didn’t get round to writing my Socs Post yesterday.

So here is my one-day late contribution.

This year has been a well-travelled one.  We’ve visited relatives in Kokstad, we’ve been on a long overseas cruise, we’ve visited our kids in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay several times, we’ve visited some game reserves and in fact, there has not been one month where we have not been somewhere away from home!   We had planned earlier in the year to do Kruger in November but changed our minds and decided to stay put till our usual trip to spend Christmas with the kids in Plettenberg Bay.

I settled down to finish a project I’ve been working on for several years – more about that in a later blog.   After spending several weeks on it, I had a dream.  I was camping in a tent and having an amazing time.  I was alone and wished my hubs was with me.  When I woke up I told the Earl about it.  Then I went out.  When I returned, he showed me an itinerary he’d worked out for Kruger.   Try and book, he said.

“But I thought you said we shouldn’t go this year.”

“Well I’ve changed my mind. I’m bored!”

That was two weeks ago.  I immediately got onto Sanparks Central Bookings and had no trouble getting the camps we desired.  Then we worked out where we would stop on the way and those bookings were quickly arranged too.

A quick call to the wonderful Pretty who helps me in the house from time to time confirmed that she could come in on Saturday 9 November.   I had to leave a perfectly clean and organised house for friends who would be renting it during the Christmas holidays.  Pretty and I changed the bed linen, washed and ironed and re-made beds, dusted out the empty cupboards, cleaned the fridge and freezer, cleaned the windows and thoroughly cleaned the house to within an inch of its life.  The caravan was packed and ready for departure with only the last-minute things going in as we left.  We were done by 1:30 and with me still wearing my apron, we jumped into the car, dropped the keys with a friend, dropped Pretty at home and bade farewell to Struisbaai!

Our first stop was Warmwaterberg.  We had our favourite caravan site right next to the hot spring pool and were into the therapeutic waters within 10 minutes!  Bliss!

We met a lovely couple from Steinsberg who own a caravan park there and we’ll probably end up staying there on our way to Plettenberg Bay in December.

The camp cat decided to adopt us and simply made himself at home on our bed in the caravan.

When we went to dinner, he followed us.

Dinner was wonderful as it always is at this establishment.  I had my favourite bobotie with veggies and the Earl had ribs.

We had another wonderful swim this morning after which the Earl cooked us a delicious breakfast.  We were on the road to Willowmore by 10:30.

Our drive was uneventful and we arrived at half-past one.  We were the only caravan there! Willowmore is a quaint tiny country town.   We settled in and at 4 took a walk into town to find somewhere to have a late lunch/early supper.   Usually, we only have two meals a day so it makes no difference when. The wind was blowing and we didn’t feel like doing a braai.  I would not have minded cooking in the Remosca pot and might have done just that as NOTHING was open it being Sunday.  However, just as we were about to give up we found The Royal Hotel.   The pub was open!   The Earl was not too keen to even try but I walked boldly in and asked, “Do you serve food?”  Yes, indeed they did.  We were the only guests and they served us excellent steaks with a delicious Greek Salad plus a wonderful bottle of Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc.

The two ladies on duty were friendly and we chatted to them about Willowmore and its visitors.

This poor kudu is decorated for Christmas

Honouring all the Provincial Rugby Teams

Willowmore is a place where stock farming of Merino sheep is the main occupation.  They are also famous for their mohair products.

Willowmore is a very clean and pretty town.  It was Sunday so all the shops were closed but they looked very inviting and there was a clear effort to make them look enticing.

Here is my contribution to this week’s Stream of Consciousness prompt from Linda

I love almost everything about my country and I am proud to be South African.  But today my country went nuts!   I believe that all 56 million of us were either in Japan or in front of a television set somewhere in the world between 11 am and 1 pm South African time today. In spite of our droughts, water shortages, crime, unemployment, power cuts – the list goes on – we forgot our problems and joined together at  Sports Cafes, Clubs, friends homes or alone in our homes to cheer our team to victory.   Yes – the Springboks WON the Rugby World Cup in Japan today!

I am not nuts about rugby but you can’t be South African without having the tiniest bit of interest in the country’s religion.   And we are all extremely proud of our Bokke.  When the rugby’s on, don’t even think of calling a friend for a chat.   Whatsapping about the game is acceptable!

Here at the Southern Tip, the streets were empty,  the beach deserted and unless the local restaurants had a Big Screen TV to attract groups to join together to watch, the tables were empty.   It wasn’t the strong south-easterly wind keeping us indoors, no – we were all watching The Game!

As I mentioned I’m not nuts about the game but I do like to win.  I like to know the score and I like to watch the highlights.   I cooked breakfast and watched with one eye while The Earl sat glued to the screen.   To be honest – the first half was boring.  I tried to pay attention while some scruffy rugby was played and a few penalty points scored by both England and SA.   The score was 6-3 and I decided to clean house.  “Are you nuts!” I hear my compatriots cry.  Well, I could still see the TV and The Earl kept up a running commentary as I mopped and wiped.

Then I took a coffee break. We were half-way into the second half and oh boy the game took an amazing turn.    England just needed to score one try and a conversion to overtake us.  Go Bokke – I screamed, like a complete nut case.  Mampimpi found a space and weaved to the touchline scoring a brilliant try.   “They can’t catch us now,'”  I yelled to The Earl.   The game continued at an exciting pace and England tried hard but they just couldn’t score another point.  Instead, with his incredible speed, Cheslin Kolbe, got us another try!   The final score was 32-12 – What an awesome victory.

Yes, the whole country, as well as all the expats all over the world, are going nuts celebrating.

Here is my contribution to this week’s black and white challenge from Cee

Grumpy Tree in Kgalagadi 

Sociable Weavers built a condominium in a tree – Kgalagadi

Christmas Tree

These questions come from Salted Caramel  but I decided to join in after reading Melanie’s Answers

Nope, no award.   But some intriguing questions from Dr. Tanya!   She invited anyone who wanted to, to answer those.   I am going to do just that.

https://saltedcaramel670.wordpress.com/2019/10/08/liebster-blogger-award/

Dr. Tanya’s Leibster Questions

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I’m fairly tolerant but it annoys me when people put other people down to make themselves look better.

Where did you get your name?

I was the firstborn granddaughter and according to Greek tradition I should have been named after my Paternal Grandmother but my parents didn’t like that idea at all.  But out of respect they decided to compromise by giving me an anglicized Greek name – Helen (Ελενι – Eleni)- an anglicized version of my paternal grandmother’s name for my second  – Mary (Μαρια -Maria) and then so as not to upset my Maternal Grandmother I was given her name – Edwina – as a third!  Put a Greek surname at the end of these and you have quite a mouthful! As a child I was embarrassed by all my unnecessary names and swore that my own would only get one – but I lost that battle and my poor child is saddled with a second name that she dislikes intensely!  Fortunately, she is happy with the one we actually call her.

If you wanted to change your name, what would you choose?

I don’t think I would change now but when thinking of baby names for my daughter I favoured Robyn, Jane, Caroline and Nikki.  I ended up choosing Lauren as it was the only one her father and I could agree on.

What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

When I was a kid there was no Television in South Africa – that only came in 1976 – three years before my daughter was born.  However, we listened to stories on the radio.  I still remember Squad Cars, City Hospital, Inspector Carr investigates and many other very exciting ones.  Every weekday evening at 7:15 there was a serial called – No Place to Hide – a sci-fi drama that kept us glued to the radio for 15 minutes before we sat down to dinner.

Do you have any weird habits?

I don’t think its weird but other people do.  I leave a bit of coffee or tea at the bottom of my cup every time I have one.  I’ve done it all my life and can’t bring myself to drink that last sip.   I think it’s because in the olden days there might have been tea leaves at the bottom of the cup. I only started drinking coffee when I was an adult but it carried over to that too; perhaps because of coffee grounds? I drain hot chocolate to the bitter end.

Do you like Autumn scents/tastes?

I love everything about Autumn

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I’m not crazy about the commercialization of holidays but I do enjoy Christmas because it brings the family together and we usually have a great time.  As we’re in the southern hemisphere it falls slap bang in the middle of the long school vacation.  This annoyed me when I was working as it meant planning trips away around it.  There were a few times that we simply went away and did Christmas without the rest of the family.

Do you prefer writing longhand (old school) or typing?

How I wish I could have had an iPad or laptop when I was at school as my handwriting was not my greatest asset.  Even as a teacher my board work was pretty bad.   I eventually learned Italic and very much enjoyed writing cards etc using this skill.

I very seldom write longhand these days.

Cable or Netflix?

Television in this country is not that fantastic – we have the equivalent of cable call DSTV with dozens of channels.  It’s great for watching sport and The News and I enjoy Animal Planet and Nat Geo Wild.  We have Netflix and I enjoy binge-watching series like Grace and Frankie on that.

If money didn’t matter, what would you do with your life?

Probably use my money to help others while still enjoying the luxury of having millions left over to enjoy life.  I would travel to more exotic places than I do now and stay in fabulous accommodation – but wait – I love my caravan – I’d miss that so I would probably still take my game reserve holidays that way.   But when travelling abroad I’d go First Class.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

Well, maybe those who know me won’t agree, but I think I’m fun to be with.

Do you treat others better than yourself?

I think I do. But I also take care of myself.  Even when I was super-busy I would take time for myself, get regular exercise, have a date night and get a facial or a massage from time to time.

Do you give second chances?

Yes. But when a relationship is toxic I don’t continue with it.

Have you ever met someone famous?

Yes, I have – well she’s famous here in South Africa.  We were at the same venue on a holiday and got on very well with her.  We didn’t keep up with each other after that though.  I also met one of our very well known Satirists after attending one of his shows.  My hubby was in his class in Primary School and he pretended to remember.

Do you follow trends or start them?

Neither.   I do my own thing and have never gone with the crowd or followed the latest trends. –  As a teenager, I was very awkward.

When was the last time you surprised yourself?

I actually surprise myself quite a lot.   I’m not academically gifted so when I solve a problem on the computer, for example, I’m really chuffed with myself.

What’s something you enjoy the old fashioned way?

I actually LOVE technology and would not want to go back but I do enjoy a real book or magazine to read.

Do you remember The Powerpuff Girls? If so, who was your favourite?

I only know about the above because I taught small children.  I have no idea what their names were.

Do you have a favourite flower?

My favourite flowers are vygies.  They come in just about every colour possible and are pretty easy to grow in the Overberg where I live.

Do you find writing therapeutic?

Yes, I do.

What was the best question you’ve ever been asked?

Shall we go to the Kruger National Park for the holidays?

Which tongue-twister is the hardest for you? For example, She sells seashells on the seashore! 

Actually, I don’t think I’m too bad at them. But his one is quite tricky

Betty Botter bought some butter
But she said the butter’s bitter
If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter
But a bit of better butter will make my batter better
So ‘twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter

This week Cee asks us to post photographs with circular, curved and arched shapes.

Amphitheater – Pompei

Oven – Pompei

Archway – Pompei

Post Box – England

Full Moon

An Old Tea Pot

A horse made from horseshoes!

Citysonnet’s prompt for today is Pets

We no longer have pets but two white rabbits turned up in our garden a year ago.   We found the owner who told us they were supreme escape artists and not to worry about them.  They go where they will go! So are they really pets?   We built them a hutch and put out food but otherwise don’t worry about them and they come and go as they please.  We enjoy their visits but don’t have to worry about them when we travel.  When we return, they’re in the garden within a day or two.

Imagine our shock when we first saw these two intruders

They soon made themselves at home –

They believe the veggie patch is there for them

The flowers taste good too!

Thanks to Linda for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Prompt.

The prompt for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tast-.” Find a word that contains “tast” and use it in your post. Enjoy!

What a fantastic time we are having with our family in Plettenberg Bay.  The public school holidays are over and our daughter returned to school on Tuesday but the grandchildren have an extra week as they both attend Independent Schools. On Wednesday we took the kids to their dental appointments and on Friday to have their eyes tested.  Simon is fine on both counts but Shan needs some dental work and a new prescription for her spectacles.

The optician appointment was quite early and we made it from the farm with just two minutes to spare.  Afterwards, we went to The Lookout Beach Restaurant for a tasty breakfast.   I was hoping the weather would be warmer but it was a tad chilly,  However, we still sat outdoors and enjoyed the view.   I had ‘All you ‘avo’ wanted” which included two poached eggs, bacon, tomato and smashed Avo on toast.  I just love the taste of avo and bacon together.

The kids warned us before we left that we had to be back in time for the screening of The World Cup Rugby game – The Springboks were to play Italy.   “We must be home by 12:30 – It will be a catastrophe if we miss it!” we were warned.

I assured them that we had plenty of time but didn’t realise that breakfast would take as long as it did and then we had to do a few chores in town.
Finally, all was done and the kids yelled – Go, fast Grandpa – put your foot down!   But I insisted that he take it easy on the dirt road – rather get there late than dead!
You could taste their excitement as we skidded to a halt at exactly 12:44 – the game began at 12:45 – not 12:30 but Shan wanted to have some buffer time. They were singing the national anthems as we entered the lounge.

Dad had also just arrived home as he certainly wasn’t going to miss this very important game!   And what an exciting game it was – the cheering and yelling from our small group of supporters reverberated throughout the house and there was much jubilation when the final whistle blew and the Bokke had won 49 to 3!

Lauren had gone to school dressed in green and with a Springbok scarf around her neck.  The entire school had gathered in the hall to watch the match.  She came home with a throbbing headache.  “the kids didn’t stop screaming throughout the game,” she complained.  But she was thrilled that we’d won!   Ruby is the national religion of this country!

The weather today was awesome and we had another visitor staying over.  There were also two other guests for lunch.  They were there to hunt bush pig but found an abandoned baby.  What would they do?  “We can’t kill a baby,” they said.  Instead, they took it home to raise.   What will they do when it grows up?  I have no idea!  Perhaps it will go to a sanctuary.

So what was for lunch?  A tasty braai of course.   It’s the national food of every red-blooded South African.   And the braai master? The inimitable Earl.