April 2016

Our time in South Africa is hurtling towards it conclusion and what a wonderful time it has been.

In February we welcomed Fiona, Arran, Isabel and Lewis for a two week holiday.  It was amazing to spend time with them walking the beach, finding the local play parks, visiting the lion park and the Waterfront and eating well.

Visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach

Walk to Slangkop lighthouse

Professional photoshoot on the beach

Fun in the back garden

Paddling in the pool at the Waterfront

For my birthday we went to Vergelegen, a local wine farm with beautiful old manor house and gardens.  It was a lovely place for us all to have lunch and meander through the grounds. They have a maze formed out of vines which means a delightful amble to try and find the centre and then get out again. The Stables restaurant does delicious food, reasonably priced and with great service. Add to that an innovative play area and everyone was happy.

Two happy bunnies

Beautiful gardens and manor house

The maze through vines

The family at the Stables restaurant at Vergelegen

Yummy dessert

Birthday girl

We were sorry to see the family go - we so enjoy spending time with all our children and grandchildren. So it was back to our more 'normal'  life of church activities; Sundays, home group and prayer meetings. I have also been doing a Bible study on Romans 6 - 8 which has gone really well. The preparation needed has meant I have far greater understanding and insight into these chapters and I have been greatly blessed by this.  In addition there has been plenty of socialising with our friends, walks, golf and bowls.

Beautiful Saturday morning walk by the sea

As March drew to a close and the weather deteriorated, we spent a weekend with friends at Bettys Bay, about an hour and a half away in a house right by the sea. There were lovely walks and the Botanical gardens to visit but the highlight was sitting on the beach watching a Cape clawless otter frolicking in the waves.  We had never seen one before so it was a real treat

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The Easter weekend was cool and very wet. On Good Friday the church went through the Passover meal as celebrated by the Jews. It was special to see the original significance of the Last Supper and take communion together.  On Easter Sunday I had been asked to tell the Easter story to the children in the main meeting. It was a bit nerve wracking as I didn't use notes but it went well.

Then followed the week of funerals. One dear lady from the Bible study group up and died very suddenly. One week she was there and the next gone. However it was what she wanted - no lingering and we can rejoice that she is in heaven. In addition one of our home group died after a long, long battle with cancer. He too was more than ready to 'go home'.

I helped with the children's holiday club one morning which meant registering the 50 + children and then serving snacks and lunch and clearing up afterwards.  I take my hat off to the people who run these events.  The work they put in is enormous but it is wonderful for the children.

I also went to participate in the ladies prayer meeting which starts at 10 p.m.  I always moan about having prayer meetings at bed time but it is amazing to be able to join in with mainly African ladies from poorer backgrounds.  They certainly know how to pray.

On Sunday I had been asked to preach again but this time in the morning at two services. It was a great experience and the feedback was good.  We then went on to a braai for all the bowlers. I was rather tired so I'm not sure I got the best out of it but our host lives in a beautiful location overlooking a lake with mountains soaring up behind.   We sat around eating and drinking and enjoying the vista

Bowlers' braai

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Then it was off to the Kruger Park for a wonderful holiday which I'll tell you about next time.

Original idea at the Waterfront