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The Old School Tie

The Old School Tie

Posted in Travel / Musings

Somewhere at the back of a wardrobe we all have one. Mine was stretched to its limits, having knotted it in Standard 6 it had to keep up with the times, dragged over my head, like a noose, the knot wound tighter and tighter.  The tie got filthier and grubbier with each passing term, and as...


Stocking Up

Stocking Up

Posted in Recipes / Meat Dishes

In December all roads lead to Cape Town, Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. But, in July, we take revenge and as soon as the school bags slam shut we flip our lids and head north to warmer climes, crossing the Orange River in droves as we migrate. Planning and packing the Engel (camping fridge) is...


Getting It Right - Camping At Mana Pools

Getting It Right - Camping At Mana Pools

Posted in Review

Position, position, position! No 20 is the sought-after campsite and we had it! With a large, ancient Wild Fig tree offering us shade we made camp just beyond the branches’ reach, where the early morning rays would be our alarm clock and at night the Hippos calling would send us off to...


Mesmerizing Mana Magic

Mesmerizing Mana Magic

Posted in Travel

Here 21st Century human noise has been obliterated and Natures’ silence is deafening. That’s really all I can say.  Magical Mana.  Spiritual and Supernatural. The mighty Zambezi snakes through the enchanting forest of indigenous trees. Earth and water.  Such powerful energy sources. ...


Friendship - There Is No Value

Friendship - There Is No Value

Posted in Travel

That's what you wrote in our Guest book before you left for the last time. You’ll not remember leaving a copy of your book titled "Sand In The Wind", with a note:8h30am “Good Morning! book under chair, something to read by a waterhole perhaps. Best Keith” It took a while, but, we made it to...


Time Travels Through Zimbabwe

Time Travels Through Zimbabwe

Posted in Travel

The clock struck one and time stood still in Zimbabwe. It’s here that one fully appreciates that man’s influence on the Earth is small and insignificant, but, the conundrum is that technology also has the upper hand, for a while anyway it will. Plumtree border post was our port of entry and...


The Fearless Earl And The Honey Badger

The Fearless Earl And The Honey Badger

Posted in The Honey Badger Diaries

The Precious Prince has been on safari, but that’s a story for another day. While he’s been gallivanting all over the Kingdom and beyond the faithful Earl and his troop of knaves have worked tirelessly, not letting up with their determined efforts to complete the task at hand. Things are...


Meanderings During The Merry Month Of May

Meanderings During The Merry Month Of May

Posted in Travel

My favourite month by far, not too cold, not too hot, skies are bluer than blue and the landscape has changed into its autumn coat. With a very tight schedule and not many hours to spare we packed and readied ourselves to set off on a 3 week safari to Zimbabwe. We were awake before the...


Around The World In A Coffee Cup With A Storm Brewing

Around The World In A Coffee Cup With A Storm Brewing

Posted in Recipes / Vegetables / Meat Dishes / Desserts / Baking and Cakes / Fruit

A whirlwind weekend wandering is possible from home, one just needs to know how. When the seasons change as they do every Easter weekend we have four seasons in a day. It’s hard to pack considering the weather. The only certainty is that it’s time for comfort food. We travelled the world...


The Precious Prince - A Faerie Tale

The Precious Prince - A Faerie Tale

Posted in The Honey Badger Diaries

Once upon a time there was a *handsome Prince and Princess and all they wanted to do was travel, she wanted to see the world, he was less ambitious, but would concede. A tad. His passion is Botswana, Namibia and a little bit of Mozambique. Although if truth be told he would venture forth...


Mood Swings Unplugged

Mood Swings Unplugged

A metronome taps a beat the clock tick-tocks, seasons officially change. Nature follows suit. The harvest's in the bag, we charge our glasses with this season’s vintage. It’s Earth hour at Davis' Pool and locals arrive in drips and drabs to set up their deck chairs and blankets while...


The Rollercoaster That Was February

The Rollercoaster That Was February

Posted in Musings

Forest Gump’s Mother said “life was like a box of chocolates”. February was like that, but the metaphor looked more like the box my sweet sister-in-law presented us with two weeks ago. The box was beautifully crafted and finished off with a pretty red bow, but, alas, had melted into one...


The Honey Badger Diaries

The Honey Badger Diaries

Posted in The Honey Badger Diaries

We’re not beating about the bush anymore! It’s been two years since I had my momentum dilucide and announced our longing to spend our “retirement” bush whacking throughout Africa. Our dream is a reality. With fingers crossed Precious was able to secure a viewing of a vehicle and on Thursday...


A Facial In Time Saves Nine

A Facial In Time Saves Nine

Posted in Review

"People are not often naturally perfect and that's why God made stockings, shoes and cosmetics."Estee Lauder.  Last week I  stopped to chat which ended with the promise of a gift.   Juliette must’ve seen the need for a relaxing facial when she saw me dragging my sore calves unenthusiastically...


The Weakest Link Takes A Hike

The Weakest Link Takes A Hike

Posted in Review / Travel

History tells us that contemplation, meditation, soul-searching and philosophising often takes place on mountain tops. Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Mandela and Ghandi did it. I had a close call, a wake-up call, a bruised ego, a sore bottom and a chipped toenail. Last week we packed our back...


In Etosha We Slosha In Galosha

In Etosha We Slosha In Galosha

Posted in Travel

A distant rumble, a short, sharp whip cracks, the skies light up while the heavens become darker, heavier. The smell of rain rolls over the dry, cracked earth. Every animal becomes aware and focuses on the storm as it gathers momentum. Stifling heat cools down. We’ve arrived in Etosha. That...


A Voice, Brains And Books

A Voice, Brains And Books

Posted in the book box

Dolly Parton, C.S. Lewis and Nelson Mandela had one thing in common. Rather diverse characters I’d say, but, for their love of Children, Books, stories and getting children to read. I firmly believe that our saving grace is education. To read must be the greatest gift one can bestow upon a...


My Ten Cents Worth

My Ten Cents Worth

Posted in Review

Our friends' enquiry about the weather in Zimbabwe got the ball rolling rather unexpectedly. We were on our way to Mana Pools for the summer holidays when I put a spanner in the works. I like glamping. Sadly a wet tent doesn’t do it for me.  I’ve got the (wet) T shirt to prove it. Picture...


Resolution, Revolution Or Right On From Where We Left Off

Resolution, Revolution Or Right On From Where We Left Off

Posted in Travel

The choice is always ours.  New years have come and gone a few dozen times in my life, some good, some indifferent and some jolly awful. My New Years' resolutions have been a fickle affair, being of the opinion that if we try and don’t succeed this time we can start all over again in 365...


Finishing In A Flurry

Finishing In A Flurry

Posted in Review

Things are tight in this house. We have a couple of hours left to do all the packing. This year has gone from 0-365 in a flash, yet, we’ve achieved much. Our country has reached all-time lows and surprisingly we’ve become more unified, determined and resolute about our future, our freedom and...


If A Cobra Can Spit So Can I

If A Cobra Can Spit So Can I

Posted in Musings

That’s the extent of my frustration. If a gadget works perfectly one minute why not the next? Sending a Kodak film to the lab was so much easier, let them sit with all the hassles. What’s more if you went to Clicks you didn’t even have to take all the duds. My card reader has just died a...


Collywobbles On A Monday

Collywobbles On A Monday

Posted in Musings

is what I’m going to have.  Unless I stop sneaking into the kitchen to grab a handful of sun kissed apricots.They’re sweet and tangy with the rosiest cheeks. As I brush the furriness across my lips I must confess I imagine my  Grandson’s bottom, those plump, sweet cheeks. The juices run down...


Juanita Conchita Margarita

Juanita Conchita Margarita

Posted in Review

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for sure. What could’ve turned into a “slit my wrist” moment became a re-kindling of a friendship sorely missed. My hopes were restored and my budget stretched like old garter elastic. Every time I walk into her home I gasp, by the time I get to...


Posh Nosh On A Friday In November

Posh Nosh On A Friday In November

Posted in Review

To stop me smoking in the tickey box (phone booth) my Mom dangled the “once you’ve written your Matric you can do as you please” carrot. It didn’t work. But, what I did do once I was my own boss was have a really large slab of my Mom's delicious Chocolate Cake for Breakfast.  I did it...


Of Times Gone By - Kleinplasie Farm Museum

Of Times Gone By - Kleinplasie Farm Museum

Posted in clicking 365 project

My afternoon ends with a monkeys wedding, the drops are very small, more like a drizzle, but irresistible.  Couldn’t really call the wet spot on the cement porch next door a puddle, but I did it, my first umbrella shot for the winter.  I do believe it's in sympathy with the lousy Bridge hands I...


Doing A Street Beat

Doing A Street Beat

Posted in clicking 365 project

It’s a strange, strange world we live in Master Jack, it’s a very strange world and I’ll never go back.  Don’t take my word on lyrics; I make them up all the time.   It is through living that we discover ourselves, at the same time as we discover the world around us.”...


October November A Weekend To Remember

October November A Weekend To Remember

Posted in Review

My job is opening farm gates, there were 18, this time I didn't have to open any.That pleased me. It delighted me to know our Swallows had returned earlier this week. Catching up takes time, unfolding and laying out the tales needs time and space.  It's best to do so somewhere quiet...


Bargains Budgets And Builders

Bargains Budgets And Builders

Posted in Musings

Those three things have nothing in common and could jeopardize a relationship especially a marriage. Renovating a house doesn't happen every day. One needs a decade to recover, to build up resilience for the next one or for the memories to fade. The pain of childbirth fades sooner. And so it...


A Spring Celebration In The Nuy Valley

A Spring Celebration In The Nuy Valley

Posted in Review

The evening was perfect, balmy, windless with a promise of summer. Perfectly groomed gardens all around us as we mingled on the manicured lawns under the stars at Leipzig, right here on our doorstep in the Nuy Valley a mere 10 or so kilometres from Worcester. This was a celebration of good...


Monday Musings And Trip Advising

Monday Musings And Trip Advising

Posted in Travel

A week ago one of the children asked me how old I felt, without missing a beat I said 18. We must never get wiser with age, just a little more careful, then, we're sure to keep our freespirit alive. This morning while spinning I forced myself to stop looking at the very slow tick of the clock...


Seeing Is Believing

Seeing Is Believing

Posted in Musings

I need to see a place with my eyes before I believe a word anyone says about it.  It may well be beautiful, gracious, modern or old but without experiencing it's soul it's really quite dead.  I need to know my foot prints were left in that place. One day I may return, differently than the...


Treading Lightly On The Earth

Treading Lightly On The Earth

Posted in Travel

Sometimes one meets a person who makes the right impression. I did, he's a strange man, quiet, introspective, solitary, a lot like the animals he loves. At first he is also quietly arrogant and a snob. He's a free spirit and born free, he played his guitar in pubs during the seventies,...


First Things First

First Things First

Posted in Musings

I'm back! After months of being away I feel like the new girl on the Blog.   Remember the anxiety one experienced after a long school holiday, that knot in the tummy before going to a new Grade? I have it again, how quickly our confidence wanes. These past few months have been...


Being An Odd Cod

Being An Odd Cod

Posted in clicking 365 project

Markets are great, but I always feel like an odd Cod, like a fish out of water.  Could be the crowds, the bustling, jostling for position at the market stall or just the general jolly atmosphere that gets to me.   I like the predictability of shopping at my local supermarket, where I listen...


If There's A Republic It's In Hout Bay

If There's A Republic It's In Hout Bay

Posted in clicking 365 project

It’s that time of year again. If you live in the Cape you'd  migrate to warmer climes in July, we normally would too, but we’ve opted to spend time here for a change. There’s not a soul about, everyone’s gone to Botswana, Namibia, Natal, the Kruger National Park or to Europe, Asia and if you’re...


Balmy Days In The Mother Of All Cities

Balmy Days In The Mother Of All Cities

Posted in clicking 365 project

What could be nicer than a day spent in our beautiful Mother city? For one, the temperatures are at least 10˚C warmer there and the skies are blue. I had one or two requests, some shopping to do, but mostly this was a day to relax and take in some of the sights. Of course this challenge...


Stepping Up For Arachnids

Stepping Up For Arachnids

Posted in clicking 365 project

When I became a mother I also became a nurse, teacher, psychologist, handmaiden, idiot and lover of all things creepy. I was a secret keeper, housekeeper, goggakeeper, gatekeeper and promisekeeper too.   I became fearless when it came to defending my children but, I have never overcome my fear...


Whooping For A Hoopoe

Whooping For A Hoopoe

Posted in clicking 365 project

Whoop-whoop. Our resident African Hoopoe is back. He’s up to his old tricks and I’m thrilled. Today I was ready for him. He makes his daily appearance at about 10H00 every morning and nothing deters him. My contributions today are just him. He has all my attention, exclusively.  While clacks...


Overfed Dogs In The Winter Sun

Overfed Dogs In The Winter Sun

Posted in clicking 365 project

There’s no place like home. I love walking into our home after being away for a while. I love the smell, the familiarity and knowing I’ll be sleeping in my own bed again with all my creature comforts around me. My down pillow which has been around as long as I can remember, I’m sure I had it as...


Trains And Things In Matjiesfontein

Trains And Things In Matjiesfontein

Posted in clicking 365 project

“Daar’s ‘n trein, daar’s ‘n trein, daar’s ‘n trein na Matjiesfontein.” So while Precious was firing up the Cruiser I dashed to have a last look at the station at Matjiesfontein. As with most other railway stations in South Africa  it was deserted. Not a soul waiting for a train. Still ...