I forgot to tell you that on the flight home from Accra to Johannesburg, Wesley, the flight attendant with a very strong Cape accent was chatting to us. I asked him where he was from and he replied "Cayp Town". I said. "How did I know that?" He replied, "Because of my eksent." So I said, "So you must support the Stormers then?" He replied, "Nay, the Sarks!"
I love my country!
(So please think of me whenever the "Sarks" are competing!)
I have done Sandiswe's homework! I asked Joyce what his name means and she tried to explain that it meant something like "extended" or "extra". So Anele was born and he was named "Enough" (obviously enough children) and then the mom had another baby and called him Sandiswe, having not expected another child.
My Joyce is one of the most special people in my life and it was wonderful to catch up when she came to work on Monday morning!
Kelly and I went to visit my mother-in-law on Sunday. She knew who I was but didn't ask me why I hadn't been to visit her. I think "time" is confusing to her now. She told the nurse that "these two belong to me, one is blood and one is borrowed!"
She squeezed our hands so hard, so we had an arm wrestling challenge as we couldn't believe how strong she was! She was so proud of herself!
Her feet were a little swollen and when we left, we had told her to lie with her legs elevated and to make circles with her ankles. I peeped through the crack of the door and she was being very obedient! It distracted her from the fact that we were leaving and she didn't seem too sad this time.
On Monday I did a little shopping, went to the dentist and helped Joyce with a little cooking for the wedding next Saturday. We were supposed to go to Roger's (Kelly's boyfriend) house for mealies but we all ended up at the Nicholson's. Melissa had arrived from Australia and Emma from Botswana. So we had Roger's delicious mealies as a starter with some 13 year old wine and a chicken dish as a main meal. It was lovely to catch up with the Nicholson girls again although we were sad that Sarah (the youngest daughter) hadn't arrived yet.
I had some things to buy for Porks on Tuesday morning then went for a long, lazy, fun and chatterful afternoon with the new lucky granny Jenni Marwick, my kind, honest, master chef, eloquent and generous friend from Richmond. (The blanket I knitted was for her daughter Bonnie and son-in-law Grant, who have since had a gorgeous little girl, Grace.)
After a wedding "meeting" at the Nicholson's in the early evening, we came home where Roger and Kell cooked supper and we all had a much needed fairly early night.
I went to lunch with Robbie MacGillivray on Wednesday. Robbie is my friend of 26 years. She was the one who nurtured me to grow my wings to enable me to fly! and still does. (She hails from Rhodesia.) She knows everything about me and loves me anyway!
Shan, Kerry Brown (a gentle, amiable and lovely but newish friend who it feels like I've known forever!) and Bridgette English, another caring, kind, generous and thoughtful friend from Richmond. There must be something in the water there!
I just had to meet up with Sean MacKenzie (Gundi's real dad) to show him videos on my ipad of Gundi calling me, playing with Genie and climbing up his ladder.
Roger cooked his fresh mealies and a delicious chicken dish at his house for Kell and me. He is part owner of Gromor as well as selling seeds for "Seed Co". I am hoping to take some of his seeds back to Tony in Bantama for him to plant on his "farm." I have pictures of the mealie fields where Roger's seeds have been planted and they are 3 and a half metres tall! If the seeds enjoy the soil there, I am sure the mealies and South Africa will be a huge hit!
Charleen Hulley, Lyn Dales and Hazel Hosking (another ex Rhodie) at a Variety Show in Richmond a few years ago. All these beautiful ladies are special, kind, supportive and loving friends for whom I am so grateful!
On Friday night we went out with the whole Nicholson clan for Melissa's birthday and to welcome home Sarah (from Johannesburg) and Angelika (Rohan's mother) from Botswana.
Kelly and Melissa - "sisters" only 4 days apart and friends for 23 years. (Where are you Brad?)
Shan and Pippa Nicholson my quiet, solid, humble and reliable, supportive sister-friend. (Another ex Rhodie - all these Rhodesian girls are so special (as are the men that I know from Rhodesia) that I am tempted to claim to be from there myself!)
Sarah and her daddy Bev Nicholson, a man of solid character and unwavering honesty. He is an undemanding and supportive husband and a devoted father to his three beloved girls.
Roger and Kelly
Angelika Orford and her son, Rohan. She had flown down for the weekend from Botswana just to be with her daughter-in-law for her kitchen tea! How special is that?
Saturday morning was Emma's kitchen tea. Emma in the middle with her Mother and Mother-in-law to be. Melissa and Sarah (her two sisters) had done a fantastic job of a beautiful recipe book made up of all the guests' special recipes as well as food, decorations and party favours of "buttons and owls", Emma's favourite things, besides Orf and Mabel their precious little black puppy.
I popped in to visit my m.i.l. on Saturday afternoon and she was complaining about sore toes and feet. I told the nurse and she promised to get the podiatrist to come and see Mom. I also asked the Zulu nurses who sit with the elderly in the lounge to make sure that Mom's feet are raised when she sits in the chair but didn't hold up much hope for their success. Mom has been moved to bedroom number 2, closer to the lounge as firstly she left the basin tap running and soaked the carpet and secondly it is closer to the lounge and she hasn't got that far to walk. She is really getting old and battles to complete her sentences as her speech is slower than her thoughts.
I spent Saturday night with the MacGillivrays as Kelly had a prior commitment and I didn't want to waste the opportunity to catch up on one of my oldest (time-wise not age) friend's company.
Robs and I went for a walk with her dogs on their beautiful farm "Gartmore" in the Karkloof on Saturday afternoon.
Robbie, with her dogs, on her hill of solace and reflection.
My camera was playing up (I had inserted cheap batteries and the setting was incorrect) but I still managed to get fairly okay pictures. We are all MUCH better looking than this!!! Saturday night was filled with laughter again.
Britt Stubbs our efficient, capable and loving and caring friend and neighbour when we lived in the beautiful Karkloof.
Ren Stubbs, our funny, ("ha ha" not "peculiar", well...... open hand, palm down, wrist wriggling side to side.....???) interested and supportive dairy farmer friend and tease.
Charlie MacGillivray, "Master Dairyman", sometimes author, banterer and quick-witted flirt!
Here is Charlie's "Master dairyman" trophy that I claimed as mine before I left for Ghana, not as a Master dairyman but as the best brony wife in Bantama. (If you know me then you'll know my actual claim but I won't go into that on a public domain!)
On Sunday morning I popped back in to see Mom and lo and behold, she was sitting in the lounge in a "Lazy-boy" chair with her feet propped up! The helpers had not expected me back so soon, so I was thrilled to know that they had tried to help me and Mom although she probably would have argued. Her feet were already looking much better. One of the helpers recognised me and said, "Oh, you are Mrs Laue's daughter!" She remembered me from when I lived at Amberfield frail care during my own mommy's last days, nearly three years ago.
Monday was "getting ready for the wedding" day. We painted bottles, nailed holes in tins and had a picnic lunch on the grounds of one of the local schools where Pippa teaches. Monday evening we ate fresh mealies and mouth-watering fresh fish from and cooked by the good ol' Roger again and then ended the evening with fun and laughter with a game called "Cranium."
Kell and I got up bright and early to fetch Andrew from the airport. There was an investigation of an accident on the N3, so the traffic was being diverted and it took us an hour and three quarters to drive the section that would normally take 3 minutes! Just before we were diverted on to the by-pass they opened the main road again and we were one of the first cars to be let through. We had "schadenfreude" at the cars that had passed us on the "emergency lane only" and that were already on the diversion when the road was opened so had to go the long way round!
Needless to say we were over an hour late fetching Andrew but sailed home with no hold-ups or hassles.
Roger has been my gardener, pruner, planter and lookerafterKellyer while I have been away but would not accept any payment for all the fertiliser, plants and herbs that he has bought. His request was to be taken to "Little Mozambique" in Howick, so we went for Kelly's birthday with the MacGillivrays.
I have a long list of things to buy to take back with me to Ghana, so Wednesday and Thursday were taken up with that as well as seeing a few other friends. There were also visits to dentists, physiotherapists and chiropractors for Andrew and for me. We took Grandma out for tea and her eyes just shone with love when she saw Andrew. She knew who he was even though she hadn't seen him since November. Kell and I are convinced more than ever that boys are her favourite.
I went to the dentist and was reading the "Getaway" while I was waiting...
....see, my Ghanaian children are actually related! No wonder they get on so well!
Friday morning and afternoon was spent helping set up for the wedding and being available for whatever the Nicholson's needed us to do. Corrie Lyn is a superb venue if rustic is what is required and the owners are reliable, helpful and accommodating.
Roger has bought some land in Hilton, so late on Friday afternoon we went to see it and to celebrate with snacks and champagne on the way to the "Polterabend" in the Dargle.
Unfortunately Roger was not feeling well on Saturday morning, so we went to buy him some medication. We hoped that he would be well enough to go with us to the wedding, but it was not to be. Kelly, Andrew and I were chauffeured to Corrie Lyn and home again by "Macmillan", a Zimbabwean driver from Roger's work. We were so grateful as we only left the venue after 1am having waited for him to take the bridal couple to their special honeymoon suite a few kilometres away before driving us back to Pietermaritzburg.
The beautiful Mr and Mrs Orford (and Jess, Emma's cousin's little beauty!)
Rohan's speech had everyone in tears including himself and everyone judged it to be the best groom's speech that they had ever heard! All the ladies fell in love with him and wished we could clone him!
Delicious food, simple décor, good music and wonderful company made for a memorable wedding but we missed our Porkles/Dad!
On Sunday afternoon after a very late start the three of us went to lunch together - my best: laughing and catching up with my special children!
Sadly, Kell had to start teaching on Monday morning as the second school term has started. Andrew and I had more things to buy for Ghana as well as sorting out a few requests from his Dad.
We decided to go out for Sushi on Andrew's last night here as he was flying back to Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
My beloved son who has never been afraid to readily show his love and affection for his mom.
Roger, who has been in our lives for only six months is already a huge part of the family!
My cherished daughter who continues to help me to grow and to be a better mother and person.
Roger, the wine connoisseur, mealie planter, fisherman, cook, gardener, wannabe farmer, chauffeur, buyer of many dinners, ......
Roger was so generous and stood us all to the sushi and excellent bottles of wine!!! (Try the Ernie Els range! "Big Easy") Eish! So much of partying an' all!
Unfortunately Tuesday arrived and after popping in at Grandma for Andrew's last visit (and pulling a muscle in my lower back on the left side while lifting her up - this old age thing is not for sissies - mine I mean, not hers!) it was time for him to fly back to Cape Town. Despite having been delayed in the traffic again, we made it to King Shaka and Andrew was able to catch his flight.
We met up with our trendy and chic friends Lyn and Brian Dales, their son Greg and his gorgeous wife Desiree at the La Pizza Pazza in Kloof for a birthday supper.
Greg and Desiree
Brian and his stunning wife Lyn, always lady-like, mother of twins with the body of a dancer which she is, giver of the greatest gifts, aerobic instructor, wonderful daughter to her nearly 95 year old mother, beader, sewer of bikinis and cycling shorts, choreographer, chic dresser and concerned and loving friend.
I had innumerable calls and messages on my birthday and am constantly grateful and overwhelmed at how blessed I am to have so many amazing and wonderful people in my life!
Andre` and Sandra Nel, our very generous Vryheid friends who unfortunately we didn't get to see this time have been so supportive, loving and caring. If I think of them I think of laughter, fun and the many times we went on exciting and unique holidays with them. They have two great sons and daughters-in-law and two very precious little grand-daughters! Sandra keeps me up to date with the little angels' progress and it makes me feel as though I am part of this loving family.
Angie, my bridesmaid, adviser, organiser, giver of great ideas, capable, birthday card poster, selfless mother and wonderful friend also phoned from the U.K. She gave me an easy way to grow bean sprouts to give me the nutrition that I lack while in Ghana. I am going to squeeze as much into my unstretchable suitcase as I possibly can.
I miss and love you too, so much Haylee. If I could wave a magic wand, you would live right next door to me and not in Washington my darling soul-mate friend! Sigh!.......anyway................
Bridgie came to see me in the afternoon. She is Tiki's (my dachshund's) grandmother and is one of the most generous, kindest and most helpful people I know. I am careful when I tell her what I like or am thinking of getting because before I can finish the sentence, it has arrived wrapped up in a beautiful packet with a loving card and special words!
Kell and I felt like curry in this cold weather and decided we would treat ourselves to a meal out - we hadn't had one for at least 48 hours!!
We were laughing so much, I didn't see that the menu was over the candle until we smelled burning plastic and I scorched my fingers on the corner! Oopsie!
Look, it formed a heart shape, my own special sign!!!
Jen and I still had lots to catch up on and chat about so we had one last lunch together on Friday afternoon. Jen is full of good honest advice and friendship and I can always rely on her discretion and loyalty. She has such a talent in telling stories that one can imagine the picture very clearly in ones head.
Thursday morning was a check up at the dermatologist and Friday afternoon was back to the dentist. I am going to go back to Ghana almost brand new (second hand). What with dentists, doctors, haematologists, hairdressers, physiotherapists, radiologists and dermatologists poking, pulling, rubbing, sticking, extracting, cutting, filling, scraping, injecting, colouring and burning various parts of my body, I feel as if I have had a 100 thousand kilometre service and am ready for the next 10 000 k s.
I had had one of my wisdom teeth extracted that afternoon and because I wasn't as clever as before, I forgot that I wasn't allowed to have hot drinks. So I tried to drink the coffee out of the side of my mouth so as not to irritate the healing wound!
The tooth fairy had left some money under my pillow that I found when I got home and into bed! (Thank you special fairy!)
Saturday morning arrived and I met up with Wendy Wilson and Barbara (Bo) Allison who have been my friends since Standard One.........48 yrs! We went to the same primary school and high school together and lived in the same area, so spent every afternoon sitting on our suitcases on the corner chatting and laughing before going our separate ways home. You can imagine the history we have together and the stories, people and teachers we remember from all those years. (A young gentleman "chatted me up" in town when I was about 16 years old and I was so intimidated by his confidence and eloquence that I gave him my name but Wendy's address! We ended up becoming very close friends, and still are today.) Wen and Bo even knew Porks when he was still a cocky young man at high school! So much has happened since then and we remain solid and supportive friends through weddings, deaths, divorce, births and other many wonderful life experiences.
Kelly, who joined us for a little while, and Wendy.
Barbara and me.
Mostly we remember how much we talked and laughed together. I don't have enough great adjectives to describe these two friends and I need to tell you how important these two precious people are to me in my life! I am a seriously lucky and blessed little girl!!
Hans, the guy from Pietermaritzburg who spends the night with us when he comes to Ghana, was supposed to come up in February. Kelly had given him a parcel for us including Porks' much needed glasses, some gifts from family and friends and some more knitting for me. His trip didn't happen, so he sent the parcel in a box that included other's belongings with Willem Hattingh, who went up to Ghana on Tuesday. Guess what?.....The parcel didn't arrive in Accra! After many phone calls and some "chop", Porks and I managed to trace this important parcel and a driver was able to collect it and deliver it to Bantama on Sunday evening!
Hans and a lovely guy Deon coincidentally happen to be going up to Bantama on Tuesday (on the same flight as I am) for a company meeting. Hans only likes to take hand luggage, so I have asked him if I could use his "hold" allowance. I have been given a list by the people in Bantama (Tony, Jose` and Arno) of things that they need and I know how important it is to help them, so I am way overweight already, (me and my luggage allowance!) still having not completed my own packing!
Roger again caught and cooked fresh fish for Kell and me on Sunday night. Literally the best fish I have ever eaten. Kariba bream was outstanding but it was quite long ago, so the Lemon fish has now taken over! We had seared Tuna for starters and then Lemon fish and salad for mains. (I advised Kell not to throw Roger back now that she has landed him!)
I met my colleague from Roselands and wonderful friend Hazel (the other Rhodie) for coffee on Monday morning before visiting Mom-in-law for the final time on this visit. Hazel and I taught at pre-primary and then worked at Roselands together when our family moved back to Richmond for the second time.
She and I compliment each other in our teaching skills and our common understanding of children and people. We have laughed and cried together and we have shared confidences and secrets, making for a solid and life-time friendship. Haze's two boys are sons of whom any mother would be proud! She is an aspiring poet, a philanthropist and an interested, caring, supportive, funny ha ha friend. She inspires me to be a better person.
Mom wasn't too happy this time. She managed to speak to both her sons on the phone today although not very clearly. She was a little tearful so I gave her instructions to lie on the bed and to take deep breaths. She nearly fell asleep while I was monitoring her breathing, so she was relaxing beautifully when I left.
I was still in pain with the muscle that I had pulled, (it was keeping me awake at night) so went to the physiotherapist this morning. I was worried that it might get worse and there is no place in Ghana to get it fixed. The fantastic news is that I have a gluteus medius! (I thought that after all the partying and eating, she would have called it a maximus but I was wrong. Yoooo Hoooo!)
I have to sign off on this long post. I still have packing to do and a few "business" things to take care of. We have one last night of visiting and visitors and then leave early tomorrow morning for Durban for the flight to Johannesburg then Accra. I'll sleep the night in Accra and then catch an early flight to Kumasi before the 3 or 4 hour drive back to Bantama, Porks, Gundi and Genie! I'll be there on Wednesday afternoon and should be on my Ghanaian number again.
Thank you all for the calls, visits, feedback and love this holiday......All the things that I feel I am lacking in Ghana have been more than filled up!
I have spent quality time with my children
I have had my fill of salads and vegetables
I have had some lovely cold weather
I have hardly done any cooking and when I have, it has been in a cool kitchen
I have shopped whenever I wanted to
I have filled up my soul and my heart
I am strong and looking forward to another bout in Ghana.
Wooow that was a very busy time for you, thanks for the lovely blogg, you look so terrific on all the photos. Of course you have so many lovely people in your life it is because you are so amazing your self. Nearly didn't recognized Andrew, he is a man now,haha. And thanks for looking after mum yet again. Porks will be so happy to have you to himself again. Love you guys Von xoxoxooo
ReplyDeleteAhhh thanks Vonnie
ReplyDeleteIt was also good to chat to you on the phone! I had a wonderful time back home but it was time to come back! Thanks again for the support. I have also received the flash drive from Mike, so thank you for that too!
Lots of love to you all.
Shan and Porks.
XXX
It was so wonderful to have you home for a bit Shazza, come back soon and bring Godiva with you! Love Mr & Mrs Orford xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely wedding Em and Orf! Keep thinking and talking about how special it was! I hope they managed to seat you together on the plane and that the honeymoon was memorable. Lots of love from Godiva and Me XXX
DeleteHI Sharon,
ReplyDeletewe think of you often! last week a V of birds flew over the office. We had stepped out of the Boardroom onto the roof during an important meeting, and i looked thoughfully into the sky and pronounced: "do you know why the one leg of the V is longer than the other?" Expecting words of Environmental Wisdom the Director and General Manager turned to me and said, "No, tell us why?" And so i said: "its because there are more birds on the one side than the other."
I think my hopes of promotion got dashed to the ground.
Anyway, today today someone tried to argue with me about how busy they are and how i should take on one of their contract tasks, but they started listing about 3 jobs they are on, but their sentences got long and drawn out.... "I must.....do.....thi....s...... and ..... i ..... must do.....thaaaa...t......" So i was like, you have 3 things? How can that be busy?"
They are all instances that remind us of you, and stories that you have told us, so know that we are thinking of you.
Aaaah Andre`, soooo lovely to hear from you! You really made my day and I smiled out aloud!!! I am touched that you remember the good and funny things that I said, but please forget the bad and not-so-good! Sending love and thanks for thinking of me! Miss you!
Delete