Share Your World – 28 January 2019

Here are my answers to this week’s Share Your World from Sparks

QUESTIONS:

Are you thin or thick skinned? Are you easily offended or tend to let it just roll off your back like a duck does with water?

At my age I have learned to become thick-skinned. I seldom take offence to what people say to or about me. I simply find it annoying – it’s nobody’s business how I choose to live my life, so their uninvited opinion no matter how well-intentioned should be kept to themselves.

How important are morals in a healthy society? What are the most important morals for citizens to have? (Credit to Rory for this question)

Morals are very important but then what’s moral to me might not be the same to you. As long as the way you live your life does not cause harm to others it’s up to you to set your own set of values. For me these things are important: Tolerance, Politeness, Honesty, Kindness. I also believe if you know someone’s story you find it easier to understand why they are as they are. Don’t judge! Just love unconditionally.

What will your epitaph be?

I doubt that I will have one but if I do it should be something like –

Here lies Digi-Gran – She made it to the future and embraced modern technology with enthusiasm.

Here lies the healthiest corpse in the cemetery. She died in the middle of a yoga pose, in the middle of the African bush or swimming in the sea!

(I don’t admire either/or questions much, which is why you won’t see ‘em often. Today is an exception) French toast, pancakes or waffles?

Well, I don’t actually often eat any of the above. I know it’s a particularly American thing to do pancakes/waffles/French toast for breakfast. Here in South Africa we would have pancakes or waffles for dessert. French toast we might have at breakfast time but maybe only in a restaurant . I haven’t had French toast in years. If I must choose – then it would be pancakes – with cinnamon and sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Waffles topped with ice cream and syrup is also a treat.

What were you grateful for this past week?

I am grateful for the best husband in the world. We’ve been together in wedded bliss for 32 years plus four years before that, raised three daughters and have four of the most incredible grandchildren. I am hugely grateful that we have a fantastic relationship with them all. It’s very special that our teen and young adult grandkids still want to spend time with us old fogies. What a joy!

Cee’s Black and White Challenge – 22 January 2019

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This week Cee gives us a free black and white topic the only requirement being to post a completely black and white photo – no sepia or other effects.

I have chosen some of my favourite holiday pics for this challenge.

Diederick’s cuckoo seen at The Wilderness Lodge where we spent a pamper day

Horse Riding at Jubilee Farm, Plettenberg Bay

Just love this photo of my granddaughter having fun with her cousin

My niece’s firstborn having fun in Granny’s fish pond

Joshua and Jessie – My niece’s adorable twins

Last Treat of the Summer Holidays

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Government schools in South Africa began their school year on Wednesday 9 January but as our two grandchildren are at private schools they had an extra week before needing to return. At very short notice I managed to get a camp site in Addo Elephant Park for two nights which we later extended to three.

After years of visiting parks we tend to take certain things for granted so having the kids with us and seeing the creatures through their eyes gives us a fresh appreciation for the wild. They also have keen eyes and their spotting skills amaze us. They also each had the use of a camera and so most of the photographs featured here are credited to them.

We left Jubilee Farm at 5:30 am on Wednesday, stopped at Jeffrey’s Bay for breakfast and arrived at Addo at midday. After a basic set up of the caravan we got straight back into the Everest and set off on a game drive. It was not too hot as there was a breeze blowing.

The ever present warthog – a face that only a mother can make

Shan spotted a scrub hare in the distance

Take care when you get out of your vehicle – You’ve been warned

We returned to Addo Rest Camp and finished setting up and then enjoyed a lovely braai.

On Thursday we were up early and ready for a long day in the park. We had an idea where we might find lions so planned a trip to see them and then to leave the park via the Colchester Gate and have breakfast at the coffee shop near the petrol station.

First sighting of the day – the cutest yellow mongoose

Common Buzzard catching the early morning rays

Her sister was settling down for a nap a little further away

We also enjoyed watching red hartebeest at a waterhole

After a while of seeing very little, Shannon yelled – Grandpa – do a U-turn now – Elephants are coming through the bush and will probably cross the road behind us.

To just do a U-turn is not that easy so Grandpa started to reverse and then the ellies suddenly appeared and did not cross over behind him. Shan yelled – Go foward – Go forward they’re coming after us! Grandpa remained perfectly still. And the ellies simply brushed past the car! Shan’s window was open and she could have touched the giant but instead she slip over to me in a state of angst! We all giggled nervously as the herd lumbered by.

Right next to the open window – the teen was almost hysterical!

The bum brushing the car was the last straw – I had to give her Rescue!

But they’re gentle creatures and this approaching car was in no danger

Shan soon calmed down and was ready to order breakfast just a few minutes later!

Our return journey was somewhat quieter. We enjoyed watching ellies at the waterhole but they did not swim as we have seen many times in the past.

We stopped for a break at Jack’s picnic site and then made our way home enjoying all the other little things on the way.

Education about the birds and the bees for our teens!

On our third day we were lucky enough to see lions again.

We also had an awesome time watching elephants at Haphoor Waterhole

All too soon it was time to return to Pletteberg Bay. We arrived back on the Saturday afternoon and spent the night with the family. The next day we took Shan to George and then continued to Great Brak where we spent the night with our family at Rondomooi!

We have now been back in Struisbaai for just over a week. What an awesome holiday we had!

Family Holiday Fun

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I have been absent from the Blogosphere for a while. This happens from time to time when I am visiting places that have little or no internet access. It can be very frustrating trying to blog and post photographs when the connection is weak and the network is slow. So this is just a short catch up on what has been going on in my life!

It has been a month of catching up with the rural family! Those of you who know me and/or follow my blog will know that our daughter has moved from rural Kokstad in KZN to rural Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. This has made visiting with her so much easier and since she’s been in Plett we have visited her four times! However we still have relatives back in KZN who would normally have contact with during the Christmas season. 2018 was a tough year for them as one nephew’s wife had a kidney transplant and a niece gave birth to triplets who needed intensive neo natal care. We felt the need to visit and catch up with them after Christmas so Kokstad was part of our holiday too.

On 16 December we left Struisbaai and made our way to Plett where we stayed till just after Christmas. Our Cape Town kids were already there and our niece from Spain came to spend some time at a nearby Game Lodge with her family so they all joined us for Christmas lunch. It was a really superb day!

My fun-loving grandchildren with their Christmas stockings

Me, my great-niece, Olivia, daughter Laurie, grandson Josh

My nephew-in-law with the great-nephews Thomas and Sebastian

After an awesome time in Plettenberg Bay we set off for Kokstad on 30 December. We stayed with Barbara and Andrew on Brooklyn Farm for the first two nights, visited Joan and her new babies, celebrated with Murray whose birthday in on New Year’s Day and The Earl took his boys fishing at the dam but sadly no fish were caught!

Joan gave birth to premature triplets on 24 July but sadly Samuel didn’t make it. Joshua and Jesse were in neonatal care for 86 days. It’s been a tough struggle for Joan and Henk and their extended family. We were delighted to meet these gorgeous babies who are now doing very well.

Me and Barbara with her youngest grandchildren

At Murray’s Birthday Lunch – Andrew (Patriarch of the Mackenzie family) Seth and Aiden (Murray’s boys) The Earl

Joan’s hubby, Henk with her eldest son, Caleb (3)

On 2 January Barbara, Andrew, Earl and I set off to Port Edward to spend time with our niece Heather who has a holiday home there. We ended up staying three nights! Ann was there with her three kiddies and it was awesome catching up with them too.

Ann and her delightful children – Caitlyn, Sarah and James

Sarah and me on the swing at a local coffee shop in Port Edward

It was an awesome three days at Port Edward but time was running out and we had to get back to Brooklyn Farm. On our last day we visited Andrew’s brother on his farm in The Swartburg. Ken and Caroline entertained us with a stunning lunch then Earl went to fish in his dam while some of us went for a ride to see the farm. It was fun standing on the back with wind blowing through my hair.

Awesome view from the top of a hill on the farm

Catching up and bonding with this side of the family was awesome even though it was just a short visit. All too soon it was time to head back to Plettenberg Bay. We left early on Monday morning, arriving at Jeffrey’s Bay at half past three. We over-nighted with our friends Maureen and Jim and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with them at Kitchen Windows on the beach front.

On Tuesday we left mid-morning and arrived back at Jubilee Farm at 2 in the afternoon. In the meantime we’d managed to get a caravan site at Addo Elephant Park and on Wednesday we took Simon and Shannon there for three nights. More about that in my next blog post.

Thanks to all our family and friends for hosting us and making this such a memorable holiday season. It has been awesome catching up with everybody.

Honoured Guest at Sun Valley Primary School – Grade Seven Valedictory 2018

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2012 was a year of firsts for my Grade One colleagues and me. It was Lisa’s first year of class teaching, Monique’s first year teaching a boys’ class and the first time Bridgette and I would be teaching Grade 1 from the beginning of a year to the end. At our school boys and girls are taught separately in Grade 1 and Grade 2. Lisa and I had girls while Bridgette and Monique had the boys. And what an awesome year it turned out to be.

Bridgette is no longer in the classroom but still works at SVPS as a counsellor. I am the only one of us no longer on the staff and this year our 2012 Grade Ones finished their Primary School career. It was decided that all their Grade One teachers should say a few words at their valedictory. For us all to be there meant that I would have to drive 200 km from Struisbaai to Cape Town at a busy time of year! But when I received the invitation I was delighted and accepted without a second thought. Thanks Mr K for subsidising my fuel costs!

At award ceremonies at this amazing school each and every child is celebrated. The teachers pre-record a message mentioning each child by name and then as they come up onto the stage to shake the teacher’s hand and receive their certificates, his/her photo appears on the big screen and the message is broadcast for all to hear. It was awesome for us as Grade One teachers to see our ‘babies’ all grown up and hearing what their Grade Seven teachers had to say – All the potential we had seen in Grade One had been achieved!

My three Grade One colleagues and I had the honour of sharing our memories and a word of encouragement to send these fine young people on their way to High School.

I was also delighted to be asked to help hand out the special awards and trophies and how proud I was when several of my little girls were called up onto the stage. I was particularly moved when one of my special little girls who’d had an indomitable spirit in First Grade received the trophy for Persistent Commitment.

Congratulations to all The Grade Sevens and specially to the my 2012 girls. I am super proud of you all.

Thank you SVPS for having me. It was awesome!

In 2011 I started blogging about my return to teaching after a short break. All these posts were headed Back in the Classroom and appeared weekly until I retired at the end of 2014. I re-read some of these posts today and all those wonderful memories came flooding back. Parents and children reading this today might like to take a peek again.

Share Your Merry World – 10 December 2018

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Here is my contribution to this week’s Share your world from Sparks

What’s the worst topping you could put on popcorn? (credit to Teresafor this one)

I’m not a huge fan of popcorn but if I eat it then I would probably put Ina Paarman’s Rosemary and Olive spice mix on it – and salt of course. The worst thing – sugar!

I would not go for any of these flavours!

In what country did Silent Night originate?

I have to admit that I Googled this one and what I found is fascinating. I had no idea of the origin of this popular carol but I LOVE the story and will be sharing it with my grandchildren on Christmas Eve.

The answer is Austria.

(WARNING! The following question is NOT meant to start a fuss. It’s merely a good discussion question in my opinion. Most everyone knows where I stand on this. If you feel like arguing about it, please give it a pass.) We’re all adults and sensible ones at that. We can be mature about such things, right?

How would you react if there was irrefutable proof that God doesn’t exist? How about if there was irrefutable proof that God does exist?

This is a bit of a tough one to answer without causing a stir! Here’s the thing – we all have a God consciousness or spirituality – it’s part of the human makeup. Since time began we’ve believed in something. Our literature is rich in myths and legends. There are numerous religious beliefs – where does that come from if not from “God” We may all have different ways of celebrating this fact but most of us certainly do.

And last question:

What is the scariest non banned item you could take on to a plane

Scariest? I really don’t know but I read somewhere that you may take your own parachute onto a plane. Now I wouldn’t mind doing that but if I had to use it – that would be scary!

Traditions

Which version of the holiday celebration do you and your family enjoy? By this I mean do you follow Jewish traditions with Hanukkah; Christian celebrations with Christmas and (for those over the pond) Boxing Day; or some other festivities that I’ve overlooked? Please do share with everyone! I truly feel that this sort of question lets us know a little more about our fellow bloggers without getting too personal (i.e. revealing too much of private lives, which some folks prefer to keep private.)

We celebrate Christmas on 25 December with a decorated tree. Being in the Southern Hemisphere we tend to have a cold dinner rather than a traditional Roast Dinner. Turkey is sometimes on the menu but usually its Glazed Gammon, Chicken and Lamb. Lots of delicious salads feature and we deck the tables with Christmas hats and Crackers. We will certainly be having mince pies, Christmas Cake and a traditional Christmas Pudding. Last year we celebrated with a big extended family on a farm in KwaZulu-Natal. This year we are celebrating at our daughter’s home in Plettenberg Bay. There will be at least seventeen of us enjoying the festivities together. We might insist that everybody dress for lunch but before and after there is very likely to be a lot of activity around the swimming pool!

Namibia and Kgalagadi Adventure – Day 27 – Twee Rivieren

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22 November 2018

Today is my birthday and just being here in the bush is the best gift I could ask for. However, I make a short list of what I would like to see today and at the top is Cheetah! The Kgalagadi usually shows us wonderful cheetah sightings but this time we’ve seen only a single sleepy one under a tree! I really want the Mools to see them at their glorious best. Pat even put in a request when saying Grace last night. Will her prayer receive a positive answer???

The Mools greet me with a big happy birthday and a gift of a new Kgalagadi Map Book! – It will be much treasured!

First up and always amazing to see is The Martial Eagle – then a den of the cutest Cape Foxes.

Then we watch two springbok locking horns in a friendly battle of strength

These two entertained us when they decided to lock horns and tussle

We find the wild cat at the same spot as yesterday and point her out to others who stop to ask what we’re staring at. We manage to get good shots of her and the kitten

There are no lion at Kij Kij today but we stop for coffee and to watch the sandgrouse, sparrows, quelea and finches flying from trees to water hole – always fascinating.

From there we drive to Melkvlei where The Earl cooks us a delicious birthday breakfast on the Skottel.

Pat poured some water in a plastic lid and the birds drank thirstily

After breakfast we take the Dune Road.

Once on the Mata Mata Road we stop to see birds and animals. We find Ostriches. The babies are having a delightful sand bath.

Then it all happens. Between Rooibrak and Kamqua bore holes, lying lazily under a tree we find two young cheetah! My birthday wish comes true! Patricia’s prayer is answered.

We thoroughly enjoy a birthday treat of note! The cheetah interact with each other then they spot a springbok and get up and go for the chase – but they’re spotted and lose their lunch. We think they’ll go off somewhere else now –but no, they return to the same tree, giving us more wonderful views of their beautiful selves. I am in heaven!

Oh well – maybe next time – let’s go back to the shade

There are only two other cars and we have nobody blocking our view – just awesome.

It’s a long way back to Twee Rivieren and we’re on a high all the way home. We stop to enjoy other creatures but the Cheetah are definitely the highlight. A wonderful way to end an amazing month’s trip! Tomorrow we start making our way home!

Namibia and Kgalagadi Adventure – Day 26 – Twee Rivieren

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21 November 2018

What an awesome day we had today. There were more gemsbok, springbok and wildebeest about and jackals were going busily about their business.

We were on the road just after 5:30 and by quarter to six we had a lovely male lion at the Samevloeiing water hole. He was just lying there lazily set to sleep for the rest of the day.

This waterhole is fed by three boreholes drilled in 1913, 1984 and 1987 respectively. Samevloeiing means flow together – thus confluence.

I intend staying here all day – please don’t disturb my nap.

And when we visited later in the day – this is what we found!

More excitingly we found three lions right next to the road at Kij Kij Waterhole. They were finishing off a meal of springbok and we got some lovely shots.

Kij Kij was the first borehole driled in the Nossob River in 1913. The farm, Kij Kij was private property at the time. It means – big big or The Biggest.

Then all of a sudden they got up and marched off. All the spectators got into gear and followed them. We enjoyed them walking, play fighting and interacting for the next 20 minutes. It was great fun.

There was very little going on for a while but then we heard a jackal howling. Stop, I said, There’s a reason why he’s making a fuss – there’s a predator nearby! We looked all around and couldn’t see anything. The jackal was looking up toward a hill and Earl followed his gaze and then said – It’s an African Wild Cat. He snapped a photo and then pointed it out to us.

Wow! It was as clear as anything through our binoculars. Another car was wondering what we were looking at and was amazed when we went up next to them and told them where to look. It was an awesome sighting!

It strongly resembles Pussy at home – but note the striped legs – and don’t try to pet her – she’s truly wild!

Those were the two highlights of the day. We also enjoyed the birds tortoises and ground squirrels and a cute little mouse.

It’s all about being in the bush and experiencing the colours of the Kalahari, the changes in weather, the huge sky and the awesomeness of being away from normal town life!

Namibia and Kgalagadi Adventure – Day 25 – Nossob to Twee Rivieren

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20 November 2018

Moving Day today! We were up by 5 and on the road by 6:25. The Mools made stops at all the waterholes while The Earl and I went on as quickly as possible with the caravan. As most of the waterholes don’t require negotiating, we managed to get some good sightings along the way. There were three lions at the waterhole on Kaspersdraai. There were quite a few cars so we pulled in and quickly took photos before moving on so as not to block the view for everyone else.

Kasper Sanderson had a residence here during the tsamma melon season. He also dug a well here. Kaspersdraai means Kasper’s Turn.

An hour later we had another lion sighting of 2 males and a female at Kameelsleep waterhole. A sad meaning to this name – kameel(perd) is a giraffe sleep means drag. It was here that the last migrating giraffe was shot by the Sandersons and dragged by donkeys to neighbouring Bechuanaland. Giraffe have now been reintroduced to The Kgalagadi.

We had a brief pit stop at Dikbaardkolk picnic site. Dikbaard means bushy beard and kolk means pool. Dikbaard is a colloquial term for lion. So it means Lion Pool.

Our next stop was for for breakfast at Melkvlei which is a big un-fenced site with tables and benches on both sides of the road. “Which spot do you want?” asked the Earl – I picked one on the opposite side of the road to the toilets. “Are you sure?” He asked. “Yes!” I said and when he pulled in what should I see in the tree but a Spotted Eagle-Owl! “This is definitely the right spot,” I said! A little later I noticed there was a juvenile on a branch and the mom was keeping a careful eye on it.

Melk means milk vlei means small depression which collects water in the rainy season. It is so named because of the white chalk banks of the river. We have indeed seen this picnic site flooded after heavy rains.

We arrived at Twee Rivieren at half past 11 and set up quickly. The Mools arrived two hours later. We went out again at 4 o’clock and had another lion sighting at leeudril. Leeu means lion dril means shiver. So it means here a man’s legs shook with fear when he encountered a lion on the other side of the dune!

We also saw springbok, tortoise, birds, ground squirrels and suricates but no cheetah and no leopard!

Namibia and Kgalagadi Adventure – Day 24 – Nossob

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19 November 2018

Nossob to Rooikop to Marie se Gat to Kaspersdraai and back

Another early start today and out the gate by 06:06. The Earl complained that we were late! We should have been out by 5:30 – now we’ll miss the lions and cheetahs. But all was not lost. Why are these cars parked at the water hole looking at nothing – he said. We turned in and there they were!

We watched them drink and play and then walk off together. What an awesome sighting – they spotted a springbok and went into hunting mode. But it was far off and gone before they could give chase. We watched them till they melted into the veld. A few minutes earlier or later and we would have missed them

We continued to Marie se gat. Marie was married to one of the men responsible for drilling the boreholes. His name was Henry Brink. Imagine being Marie – living like a squatter in the wilds of Africa. Life was tough but when the man on whom you depend fails to perform his duties and no money is coming in, you turn to desperate measures. Henry began to drink excessively and his job became the last thing he paid attention to so Marie simply drilled the borehole herself so that they could survive! Hooray for pioneering women like Marie!

At her famous Gat (bore hole) we watched quelea and Cape Sparrow

We continued to Kaspersdraai waterhole where clouds of quelea, finches and Namaquadove were being pursued by a lanner. Then we made our way back spotting a Martial Eagle on the way

A Red-necked falcon also posed beautifully for us

Half way between Kaspers and Marie’s we saw a car stopped and asked the Australians within what they were looking at. “A sleeping cheetah – hasn’t moved for half an hour – we may give up and go back for breakfast!” We found a suitable spot – saw the cheetah lift her head and flick her tail and stayed to see if she did anything more while we had a cup of coffee. She didn’t stir – but it was still a lovely sighting as thus far no other cheetahs had made an appearance!