Pennington and Oribi Gorge

Yesterday was a lazy beach day.

The sun was out and one of those days where you just lap up the sun.

We had a late luch at the "Village Pub and Grill" and ended up having ice cream for supper. Our excuse for this is - " We are on Holiday"

Today was a bit overcast and windy and when we got down to the beach we aere staving.
Must have been the ice cream supper.

We had breakfast at the Beach Bistro and just relaxed with our books.

We went off to Oribi Gorge which is absolutely beautiful.
Oribi Gorge is situated along the spectacular forest-cloakedMzimkulwana river just west of Port Shepstone which itself is 120 km south of Durban. Oribi Gorge is the eastern gorge of two gorges that cuts through the Oribi Flats (flat sugarcane farmlands), southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The western gorge was formed by the Mzimkulu river. At the base of the cliffs of both gorges there are rocks over 1000 million years old while the cliffs themselves are formed from sandstone deposited about 365 million years ago. Below the gorges is a large surface mine producing cement. The road through Oribi Gorge was built by Italian prisoners of war.
ravine of the

It is also lovely travelling when it is school time and there are hardly any tourist around. No queing at a supermarket, no waiting for a table at a retaurant, no noisy kids on the beach.

Tonight is our last night so we will eat out and thendo a bit of packing.

Pennington Waves

Monday night after supper we rolled up the blinds and crept into bed.
No alarms - no message - from the gate - all mobiles switched off.
During the night we heard the soft drizzle but we are on holiday and as always nothing much upsets us. We are quite OK to take things as they come. Rain or shine.
When we eventually surfaced it was eight thirty.
Took a shower, explored the neighbourhood and then checked out the beach.
We decided to have a pasta lunch (and a glass of wine since we are on holiday) and then

see which way the weather turns.
The sun broke through the clouds just after three and we headed for the beach. We are really quite jacked you must see us. We have our cooler box and our bag with towels and goodies for the beach and our deck chairs all loaded on our shooting trollies and get about with such ease. No lugging heavy thing. With age comes wisdom.
We had supper at the same local restaurant again, we have not found another one yet. Had steaks and lamb chops.
No rain so it looks like Tuesday will be a good day for the beach.

Natal Midlands and Pennington

The Beauty of the Country Side

Yesterday we woke up to a drizzly beautiful morning.

We were still off the beaten track all day exploring the back roads. 

The roads are not bad once you cross over into  Kwazulu Natal.

Along the Midlands Meander

I have not been to the Drakensberg area for forty years and cannot remember anything about the area. There are so many changes I do not even recognise the names. You know all names have changed here in South Africa. I feel sorry for our school kids doing geography trying to keep up with the change of names of towns, cities and airports.

It was so educational to travel off the main highway just to see what was going on in the hills of Natal.

It is beautiful and lush and in these small towns there are no squatter camps like in the cities.

Lounge in our Apartment

We went into Howick to find the restaurant where we had the fabulous duck and pork belly dishes last time we were there but it is under new management and the menu is now just plain burgers and steaks.

This made us decide to hit the road to the coast and we called Pennington Waves where we

are supposed to book in on Tuesday and see if we can arrive a day early and EUREKA they have our apartment ready so tonight we are at the seaside.

Our Bedroom

We will be at Pennington Waves for the rest of the week. It is like home away from home. An entire apartment with three bedrooms two bathrooms lovely kitchen, lounge with big screen TV, dining room, air-conditioning, you name it we have all the luxuries.

Had pepper steak and lasagna for supper at the local restaurant which we had to wait over an hour for but was worth the wait.

This is Natal and the people are very laid back – no hurry here

Sterkfontein Dam and Winterton

Sterkfontein Dam

Yesterday morning we attended the morning service at Northfield Methodist Church and then

loaded the car because everything was packed and ready to go the night before already.

Ten o’clock and we were on our way – Richard promising that this was going to be a leisure drive with no speeding. He kept his word and even he enjoyed all the back roads we took.

On to the N3 up to Harrismith where we veered off and took the R74 to Sterkfontein Dam.

R 74 - A Main Road

An amazing dam lying between the mountains with pristine blue water. No smog in the air. No industry polluting the waters.

Only if you are a South African can you appreciate what I am about to tell you.

On the R74 between Sterkfontein Dam and Bergville there is a thirty kilometre section of the road where only one half of the road (and this is a road you would use with no hesitation if you are looking at the map as it shows as a main road) can be used. We had to come to a dead stop and then go through the potholes because they are so many and so deep. Advancing and oncoming traffic have to rely on some good manners to give way.

Apparently the government ran out of funds to pay the contractors so they packed up their

The Bridge Hotel in Winterton

tools and took off but it looks like the contractors didn’t know what they were doing.

“Only in Africa”

The scenery through the passes is absolutely spectacular and tonight we overnight in Winterton. It is Sunday and everything closes at two o’clock. Lucky the lodge closed at 4pm so we at least have a bed tonight.

It is real comfy and homely but all the restaurants are closed so we will have our left over chicken from our braai the previous night.

Prof David Block at Northfield

On Wednesday evening our long awaited evening with Prof David Block did not disappoint.
His views and knowledge of on the universe is so interesting that he kept us captivated for two and a half hours with his presentation.
He himself loves Gods creation to such an extent that he stands in awe of the photos that he took and this he carried over to us.

Professor David Block was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of

London at age of 19.
His first research paper, on relativistic astrophysics, was published in London, by the Royal Astronomical Society, at age 20. 
Professor Block has been a visiting research scientist at the Australian National University, the European Southern Observatory in Germany, Harvard University, the California Institute of Technology and the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, amongst others.
Professor Block’s latest accolade is the prestigious National Science & Technology Forum-BHP Billiton Award for “his outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology and innovation through communication for outreach and creating awareness over the last five years.”

This is how world-renowned US astronomer John Kormendy describes the career of Professor Block:
 “David Block is to South Africa what Carl Sagan was to American astronomy – his pioneering discoveries are reshaping astronomical paradigms, and his imprint on human culture is a legacy to all South Africans as you build your future in the technological 21st century.”

Nan's Quilt No 15

Nan's Quilts No 15 is finished and this quilts goes to our newest grand-daughter Logan.

May you have great joy from your quilt - I sewed loads of love into it.

Love you Baby Girl

3 Gun Shoot at Golden City Shooting Club

Shotgun

My Favourite Hobby - You guessed right - Shooting!

Rifle

Saturday was the 3 gun shoot and we went along to see what it was all about because Richard would love to shoot this.

3 Gun is a hand gun section, a rifle section and a shotgun section.

There are different categories in each section which I will still get more information about.


We shot the hand gun secsion with members of the Dave Sheer Shooting Club and then observed and scored the rest of the day.

Handgun

There is so much to research and learn about the 3 gun division that we will only make a decision on what to shoot after much thought.

Thanks to Demi, Arthur, Leon. Michael, Seekunder and Shuabe for making it a
most interesting day.

Piatto Breakfast

Our favourite breakfast place is Piatto's in Farrarmere.

We always make an event of it so it is a good breakfast we have and a ride on our Harleys.

We are so fortunate now to have our time to ourselves so we make any day a special occassion.

John Westley Community Centre Art Students

On Tuesday we were back at the John Wesley Community Centre to visit the art students.

They do some incredible work.

Just after three o'clock the students started their class and we were introduced to them and some of their work and we spoiled them with some munchies and cold drinks.

They have paintings and drawings that are entered into different art competitions and at the moment one of them has now  won regional and provincial level competition. Next step - Nationals.

Last year they had a student that competed in the USA and with approximately 40, 000 entries finish 24th.

Well done you guys.

We will definitely come and spoil you again

Nan's Quilt No 14

It has been decided.

All funds raised with Nan's Quilt no 14 will be used for "Jubilee Home Fun Day"

Jubilee Home is place of safety for children from 1month – 13 years of age.

When the courts remove children from abused situations while the court cases are in process, they are placed in the safety of Jubilee Home.

They are well looked after and work with social worked and therapists during their stay at Jubilee Home.

Once the courts have come to a decision the children are then returned to their parental homes or in foster care.

I think they would really enjoy a day of laughter with no cares but to have fun.

We will be setting up a Carnival atmosphere where they can have Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Pop Corn, Candy Floss, Games, Jumping Castles - you name it we are going to try and put it up for them.

Should you want to join us and extend a helping hand we would really appreciate.

We need donations and physical help to make "Jubilee Home Fun Day" a great success.

The Fun Day is set on the calender for 14 December 2013.

So please keep those in mind that are not as fortunate as us to have a Christmas with family. 

Harley Day

Saturday was our riding day again so after a bit of a lie in - we had a hectic week, we

decided to hit the highway for some long distance practice.

It is still on our bucket list to do a long distance holiday down to the coast with the Harleys.

We set off to Delmas and then on our way back went through Springs so that we do heavy traffic practice as well.

Our intercom system is now sorted and we could chat to each other on the way.

This is really needed because sometimes one of us get help up by a traffic light and then we can just let the other one know what the situation is. - Super technology.

Had a super day out

Hotdog Day at John Wesley Community Centre

On Friday we had the opportunity to do a Hot Dog day again so off we went with Fran Caldwell to the Care Centre at John Wesley Community Centre in Etwatwa.

Pre school children from the ages of 1 - 6 years of age are under the care of qualified care givers and a senior teacher.

Some 170 youngsters receive classes and graded daily activities are planned to cater the many needs of the children.

The children receive two healthy meals a day which are planned to provide good basic nutrition and are varied from day to day. 

They also receive basic computer instruction according to their age and abilities in our computer training centre.

Everything at the centre is well cared for and clean. First impression is that it is a place of love and care.

Mike Endicott at Northfield Methodist Church

Wednesday and Thursday last week I attended a workshop presented by Mike Endicott.

Mike Endicott is a blind Anglican minister, based at the Well Centre in Cwmbran, South Wales.

He is the leader of the Order of Jacob's Well, a recognized Order of Christian healing and wholeness, operating under the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.

The Order was established to seek out, to train and encourage those called into ministries of Christian healing.

Nan's Quilts No 14

Nan's Quilts No 14 is complete. It is Packaged. It is delivered.

This quilt is going to bring joy to Children in December.

It will be raffled and the proceeds will be used to have a fun day with the children of the John Wesley Community Centre in Etwatwa.

It is our idea to have a day of Water sports or Jumping Castle with candy floss and popcorn and treats for the children.

We need to do some serious fund raising here but it will be great fun doing it.

Emseni Quiet Day

I was very fortunate to once again attend a retreat at Emseni in Benoni.
This is food for my soul again and in these times when we run around like busy bees I would recommend it to everyone.
When last have you spent a day of quiet with the Lord.
Thank you for the privilege.

Nan's Quilts No 13

Another happy day for Nan's Quilts. 
 

Today we delivered No 13 to a very special lady with a beautiful soul.

Fran is part of the Mission Team at Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni.

She does fantastic work in all different communities in and around Benoni.


Fran is always feeding, praying, making someone happy.

I am not sure yet why I am drawn to this ministry - I think maybe Fran has influenced me with her enthusiam for what she does.

Heads will be put together as to how funds will be raised with No 13 and we will keep you up to date. 

Thanks Fran - shout if you need any help.