Tag Archives: blog

SYW 8 September 2025 Reflections on 16 Years of Blogging

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Here are my answers to this week’s SYW hosted by Di

Do you revisit or reblog some of your earlier posts?
I’ve only re-shared two posts I think. One was a guide with tips for booking and visiting the Sanparks Game Reserves. The other was in response to a challenge to repost something written on a particular date in the past. I don’t remember what that was about. That said, I often revisit my older blog entries. They serve as a memory box and a lovely extension of my personal diary. My husband frequently asks me to pull up posts from our past travels and adventures, and each one brings back such joyful memories.

One of the memories – Elephant at Punda Maria Waterhole, Kruger National Park

Do you have a favourite post/posts?
One that stands out is the series titled Taking the Kids to Kruger. Back in 2012, we took all four of our grandchildren—then aged 15, 14, 10, and 7—to the Kruger National Park. Three boys and one girl, all packed into a Volkswagen Caravelle for ten days. I expected chaos, but it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable trips we’ve ever had. The two older boys took the lead, organizing spotting competitions for animals and birds, and everyone had an absolute blast. Grandpa and I got to experience the park through their fresh, excited eyes—and we simply relaxed and soaked it all in.

My oldest grandson happily braaing in the rain

How long have you been blogging?
I’ve been blogging for 16 years now! I believe I first started out on MySpace, and eventually transitioned everything over to WordPress.

Me at the computer -probably blogging – many years ago!

Do you have another blog elsewhere?
I currently manage three blogs on WordPress. When I ran out of free space on my first, I launched a second—only to eventually reach the limit there as well, which led me to start paying an annual fee. Both of those blogs are still active. The third is dedicated to the Grahamstown Training College Old Girls Guild, where I share member-submitted articles and updates from OGG meetings and reunions.

Grahamstown Training College Chapel

Gratitude
For the past two weeks The Earl and I have been in Cape Town with a two-day break to the West Coast. It has been a whirlwind of catching up with friends and family, exploring nature reserves, attending doctors’ appointments, and meeting with our financial adviser. I am grateful for all that we have achieved and experienced.

I had a colonoscopy, which was a breeze and the doctor assured me that surgery was not necessary and that although my Diverticulosis Colon, still had its pouches, it was looking good.

And then it all went pear-shaped! On the last day of our wonderful visit to The West Coast, I came down with my third diverticulitis attack in nine months! This meant an extended stay at our daughter’s to recover.

So here’s to the humble broth, the mashed banana, the applesauce that asks nothing of me but patience. My insides may be tender, but they’re still hanging in there—and for that, I’m grateful.

A Travel Adventure with Our Children – Olympia

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18 June 2024

We were at sea all day today. We were both feeling under the weather so spent most of the day resting. In the evening we went to the ‘elegant evening’ dinner and then to the theatre to see an excellent magic show. Dinner was quite special this evening. I had a brie starter and the Earl had lobster bisque. We both had Duck l’orange for mains and dessert was chocolate ice cream for him and After 8 mint chocolate cake mousse for me.

Sunrise from our cabin
My handsome husband

19 June 2024

This morning we made an early start. The ship docked at 07:00 and we disembarked at 7:30 to join Bus 4 to Olympia. Lollz and Sasha were with us but Lisa and Dominika were on Bus 5.

Driving through the countryside reminded us of the Western Cape. The climate is similar and so much of the vegetation is familiar. Our guide told us they mainly farm potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons but also some corn and, of course, olives, and grapes for winemaking.

The guided tour of Olympia was about an hour and our guide gave us very interesting information about the ruins.

Ruin of The Gymnasium
Ruin of Temple of Zeus Father of the Gods
The Stadium
Entrance to Stadium
Temple of Hera – MOther of the Gods

 The ancient stadium at Olympia hosted the Olympic Games. Spectators sat on the slopes, while stone seats were reserved for judges.  The stadium’s course was 200 yards long. It could accommodate 40,000 spectators. Only men were allowed to compete. To prevent women from secretly entering, the athletes competed naked.

It was very hot today and we were grateful for the many trees that provided shade. By the time the tour was over the Earl and I were both feeling poorly. We were allowed a few minutes to use the facilities and get a drink/snack before being taken to the village for 40 minutes of free time. Earl and I had an ice cream.

The village was not far and we were told to return to the parking area at 11:10 where the bus would be waiting. We left Earl to rest on a bench in a cool, shady spot. Sasha went off on his own and Lollz and I went to explore the lovely Greek shops. We made a few small purchases and then returned to find Sasha and Earl enjoying a lovely cool drink.

Sasha and Lollz got off the bus at the village of Katakolon but the Earl and I went back to the ship as we both desperately needed a nap.

It is now nearly six o’clock and we feel quite refreshed. We will go to dinner and the theatre tonight.

JusJoJan – Family – 29 January 2024

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What a great word Kim has given us for JusJoJan today. 

My father often explained to me that you could choose your friends but not your family. Even if a family member upsets you, you’re still related, and unless you want to cause a feud you have to deal with the problem. This is of course not easy and in some cases, it is sometimes better to cut ties with a toxic member of your family. Luckily, in my case, I have never had to do that!

You certainly can’t choose the family that you are born into but later in your life, you may have to join another family too. You can choose your spouse but you can’t choose his/her family! Sometimes these relationships can be tricky. Then there might be divorce, and when there is, you might completely cut ties with the inlaws, or you might have formed such a close bond with them that you don’t! 

My husband and I were both married to other people before. He was widowed and I was divorced. I kept in touch with my ex-family and The Earl kept in touch with his late wife’s family and of course I adopted them all, or rather they adopted me! I consider them all as family just as much as I do my own blood family.

The thing about family, is love them or hate them, the bonds are strong! It is very difficult to turn your back on somebody who has the same bloodline as you. Even an estranged brother would not hesitate to donate a kidney to a sibling – unless he was really cold-hearted! 

Family resemblance is another thing that is fascinating. When I first saw a photograph of my brand new great nephew, I said, “You know what – I recognize this child!” I seldom see my great nieces and great nephews but when I do there is an instant connection. I don’t know if they feel it but I certainly do! 

There is something in my side of the family that we must all have in common but I can’t see it. My daughter was identified as part of our family by a complete stranger who had never met her before. ”You look like them,” she was told!

Growing up I had a very close bond with all my first cousins. We drifted apart as adults but were always delighted to see each other at family gatherings – usually weddings or funerals! My siblings and I produced our first children within six months of each other and then their second and third were born close together too. So we were able to raise our kids together and what a close bond those children had with each other. For us as parents it was great to have the support of our siblings too. It certainly brought us closer together.

My dad’s side of the family that my daughter is supposed to resemble. The five of us were particularly close.
L to R Little sister, Me, Big Brother, Cousin L (RIP) Cousin P (RIP)
My father (RIP), my mother (RIP) and BabyBrother – some years laater!
My daughter as a teen when she was recognised as being a member of my father’s family. I think it must be the Greek look.

JusJoJan – Pastime Tuesday 9 January 2024

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The prompt word for today’s JusJoJan is ‘Pastime“ and it comes from Di at pensitivity101

A pastime is something you do that is enjoyable and helps to pass the time pleasantly. This I guess is opposed to something we do that is necessary for earning a living, duty, or survival. We actually spend more time doing things we have to do rather than doing something for pleasure but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy those tasks that are so essential in our everyday lives. 

To live we have to eat and to eat somebody has to cook. Isn’t it strange that when you have to do something you tend to enjoy it less? When it is a chore that simply has to be done we tend to dislike it. Now that the pressure is off, cooking has become more of a pastime than a chore. Admittedly I am lucky enough to have a husband who also enjoys cooking and now that we’re retired we argue about who is going to have the pleasure of cooking the evening meal! 

“Don’t worry, Darling.” I’ll say, ”I’ll cook tonight.” 

“Oh no, you won’t. I’m sure it’s my turn and I really want to try this new recipe!” will come the reply.

Isn’t life tough!

Then on the other hand pastimes that gave pleasure no longer do because of the limitations of old age. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. One remembers enjoying a long hike up a mountain but despite the enthusiasm, keeping up with the younger members of the family is a challenge and not quite as enjoyable as ten years ago! Hubby still thinks he can go out ski-boat fishing, a lifetime passion but although he goes from time to time the recovery time afterward makes it less enjoyable.

The trick, now, is to find a pastime that is enjoyable and does not strain the old body. Or rather to still do those things from the past at a slower pace! 

These days my favourite pastimes are, learning Italian on Duo Lingo, blogging, reading, listening to podcasts, and gentle exercise like walking and yoga. I also like playing word and number games on my phone. Hubby says it’s a total waste of time but I believe such games keep the brain functioning! 

I find that the wonderful thing about being retired is that there is nothing that needs to be done urgently. There is no rush so everything one does whether it is an essential task or a hobby is a pleasure. Things I used to dislike doing when the pressure was on is no longer a hassle. I like cleaning my house. I like pottering in the garden – although I won’t do anything back-breaking – I have a gardener for that. I like going out to do the shopping in an unrushed manner. Thinking back to the days of having a full-time career, running a household, taking care of my husband and kids, and still finding time for socialising, exercise, and hobbies, I wonder how I coped. But of course I did and I loved my life. I certainly love it still and am grateful for those active, busy days but there’s no wish to go back as my relaxed lifestyle now is just as enjoyable.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

The above verse is basically saying that everything is temporary and things are constantly changing, so we should therefore, move with the times, adapt and adjust to every situation, live one moment at a time, and choose to be happy doing what needs to be done as well as the chosen, amusing pastimes.