Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa

 

Mart and Barb's house in Umhlanga

I'm back in Istanbul after an all-too-brief visit to South Africa. The days just flew by, even thought the weather was not all I had hoped it would be. While Istanbul was basking in glorious sunshine, Kwa Zulu Natal was enveloped in a chilly, damp cloud. On our last night there was an almighty thunderstorm, and as we left, the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. Oh well, perhaps next time...  Actually, the weather wasn't all bad. We did have three half days of sunshine, and we made the most of those.

Jane and Sean's house in Waterfall

On arrival at Jo'burg airport, we met David's brother, Paddy, for lunch while we waited for my flight to Durban, and David's flight to Harare. David was going fishing in Zimbabwe, while I was going to stay with Martin and Barbara, before visiting Jane and family. Members of our family don't always get to meet up often, as we are so spread around the world, but we always enjoy each others company when we do.

I had such fun staying with Barbara and Martin in Umhlanga. While there, Barbs and I went to a craft market, where she introduced me to photographer, Warwick Locke, and African wildlife artist, Wendy Beresford. You can see examples of their work here and here.

Sean talking to Wendy and Warwick at the Shongweni Farmers' Market

I was delighted to meet Warwick and Wendy again when Jane, Sean, the children and I went to Shongweni Farmers Market. Most of the artists selling their work in the market were Zimbabweans. One of them told me that his talent was a gift from God, because God knew that the Zimbabwe government wasn't going to look after its people, so He gave them their gifts so they could sell their work and look after themselves.

Sean from Zimbabwe. He makes decorations out of wire 

to sell in the market.

Another Zimbabwean artist displays his work

On one of our half-days of sunshine, we went to the Inanda dam. Jane, Sean and the children love fishing and sailing on the dam. This day we didn't have a lot of time, so they just fished, while I took photos. It really is a beautiful setting, with swathes of grass and foliage around the shore.

 

David and Jane watch Sean and the children as they fish.

Sean teaching Jordan to fish

Shannon and Sean fishing in the dam

The beautiful Inanda Dam, Kwa Zulu Natal

Fortunately, we will get to see Jane again in December on our family trip to Oz. I am really looking forward to that!

My African Family

Paddy picked me up at the airport last Friday and took me to Karen and Ian's house for a couple of hours before my flight to Durban, where Sean was to meet me. Everybody seemed well, and Liam and Kian were as delightful as ever. Karen has had substantial work done on her house and it is now bigger and better designed for their needs. (Not that it was small before!!) I will try to take some pictures on my return trip.

This photo is for Clare so that she can see the hoodies she bought for Shannon and Jordan..

After catching up with family gossip, it was, too soon, time to go back to the airport to catch my flight to Durban. There, Sean was waiting to take me back to Waterfall KZN, where I am at present. My grandchildren, Shannon and Jordan, are quite delightful and I have enjoyed being with them. Jane is having great success as a freelance writer and Sean has his business up and running and work is coming in steadily.

A day at the beach

Monday was a holiday - Freedom Day - and we drove to Umhlanga to meet up with David's brother Terry and his wife Sue, who are staying there for a month as a respite from the trials and tribulations of farming in Zimbabwe. It was wonderful to see them again and catch up with all their news. We spent the day with them on the beach and had tea and cakes back in their apartment before driving back home again. The children loved the beach and Jordan, in particular, was very cross to be taken away even though he was shivering with cold from the rather stiff breeze!

Sue helping Jordan to dig in the sand

Jordan loved playing with the water and the sand and he didn't want to leave the beach!

Shannon and Jordan playing in a rock pool.

Now Jane is busy writing, as she has deadlines to meet, and I am catching up on some R&R, because, for some strange reason, I can't log onto Jane's wireless network!