Shjoe, its cold this weekend! We’ve had a lovely, warm sunny
week and then out of nowhere (almost!) comes a cold front and makes its way
across the southern most part of the country, from west to east. On Friday we
were all wearing short sleeve t-shirts and were walking around on bare feet,
and today we’re wearing layer upon layer, covered from neck to toe, and
huddling under blankets when we sit down.
Yesterday was a very eventful day. Shortly after waking we
were all in the car with Oupa and Ouma heading to the Mall. We were only there
for little over an hour, but returned with a few of the things we’ve wanted to
buy for a while now. Jed purchased 2 sets of playing cards which we’ll make
lots of use of now that we’ve learned a couple of really fun card games. We
borrowed a book from the library called ‘Crazy Eights and other card games’ and
are having great fun learning to play a variety of games. Ryan returned a
leaking water bottle to the sports shop, and got a new one in its place. Aimee
returned with a mini basketball that Ryan purchased on her behalf as he went to
‘Game’ (a store that sells a bit of everything except foodstuffs) with Oupa. I
came home with a lovely new pair of denims (thanks to Ouma!) and a couple of
rulers, protractors and a stack of coloured cards to make some teaching
resources.
Dieter opened a bank account. We’ve not wanted to open a
bank account just yet as we aren’t sure that we want to put down any roots just
yet, but on the advice of the Occupational Therapist he saw this week he did.
All that within just over an hour!
We then spent a few hours with some new friends who’ve
recently moved into our neighbourhood. Yannick and Anton invited us over for a
braai (in true South African style!) and we had a really lovely time relaxing
with them. Yannick made some really delicious (and inventive!) salads and Anton
braaied some boerewors on his indoor braai. I think if Dieter and I built a
house in South Africa it would definitely have an indoor braai! While we waited
for the wood to turn to coals the children enjoyed each others company a lot.
Ryan and Jed played snooker with Joshua and Daniel while Ethan and Aimee played
‘hide and seek’ with Maryam. It was great! And we were so spoiled with great
company and yummy food. We had to rush off just before 3pm as Ryan was playing
a football game.
By now the wind was icy and blowing hard. I was so relieved
that Dieter had some cotton wool in his pocket because my ears were beginning
to pain as the wind seemed to blow right through our bodies! We were all
wrapped up in our jackets, but I could really have done with a scarf and some
headgear too! It was a very cold hour but the football was fun and full of
suspense as both teams showed off their best maneuvers. Ryan played very well.
He played strong defense but at the same time came close to scoring a goal or
two. Twice he was tackled badly and landed on his back after rolling or falling
quite hard on the ground – I felt really sorry for him! A teenager was umpiring
the game and he could have done a much better job. On the whole it was clear
that the teams were of even strength and it wasn’t surprising that the game
ended in a 0-0 draw. Because the play-offs have begun, someone has to win and
the losing team falls out of the competition, the winner was determined by a
penalty shoot-out. The opposition then won 2-0 and there was much
jubilation! It was great to watch Ryan
playing another game, and I really appreciate the friendly competition, but I
think we were all glad to get home and drink a warm cup of tea. Ethan, Aimee
and Jed also love going to football matches as they get to play together on the
golf green on the adjacent field. Ethan and Aimee particularly enjoy rolling
down the short embankment on the 9th hole! Yesterday they found a
tyre which they rolled down the embankment towards Jed and he then had to get
it back up the embankment again and again so they could roll it down. They
thought it was great fun – Jed thought it was exhausting! Its so wonderful to
see them playing and enjoying being outdoors together.
As if we hadn’t done enough outdoors Ethan roped me into a
walk with the neighbours and their dogs. There are 3 ladies in our road that
walk together at 5pm every afternoon and yesterday we joined them. Thankfully
it wasn’t as windy in the streets and Aimee and I had a lovely walk with them.
Ouma made some delicious Pea Soup for dinner, a wonderful
meal on such a cold and windy day. All wrapped up and snug indoors, the older
boys watched ‘Catch me if you can’ with us in the evening. It was so
interesting to see their reactions to the character that Leonardo Di Caprio
played in the movie! A liar and fraud through and through, the young man poses
as a pilot, doctor and lawyer while he fabricates his own salary cheques and
evades the authorities that are trying to catch him. And its based on a true
story! Ryan was in awe at his resourcefulness and I think almost admired him
for it! One would have thought Jed was watching a horror movie! He was
squirming in his seat and was very verbal in wishing this young guy would end
his scheming. It was a good evening for all of us – and the movie has been a
great talking point since.
In closing I must say that the highlight of our Sunday
(today) was not the good time we all had at church this morning, or our little
shopping trip with the older boys to buy new toothbrushes, chocolate slabs and
choc-mint icecream, or even spending the afternoon relaxing infront of the
telly. Our highlight today was the very yummy lunch Ouma cooked for us. As we were
dishing up Ryan commented that ‘this is like Christmas lunch’! I knew exactly
what he meant. Our children have asked why Sunday lunch always seems to be a
big thing. It’s a South African tradition for sure! And we’re loving it! Ouma
made some pickled tongue with gravy, potatoes, broccoli and a mixed salad and
we ate till we were full. It was delicious and unlike the other time (or two)
that we’ve had tongue, all the children ate it and really enjoyed it! Another
nice, albeit cold!, weekend here in George.
PS: Sheila, thank you for your comment - wish you could pop in for a cuppa too, I miss you sooooooo much!
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