Tammy's Wedding at Laurence Cellars

Tammy and Bradley. We wish them every happiness in their life together.

Terry walked Tam down the aisle.

From the left: Marty, Jen, Daniel, Terry and Sue

David and I finally flew into Perth, after a VERY LONG flight from Istanbul, and booked in to the Sheraton. We were both asleep by 8.30pm and woke up at 3.30am, unable to sleep any more. Fortunately, breakfast starts at six in the Sheraton, so we were in with the early risers.

After a leisurely breakfast we took a taxi to the domestic airport, where we picked up our hired car and waited to meet Suzi, Neil and Katelyn, who flew in from Sydney. This was the start of a wonderful weekend. Smith's Beach Resort, our destination, is 3 hours from Perth by road.

Our accommodation at the resort was an Ocean View Villa, which we were to share with Suzi, Neil and Katelyn; Lauren, Steven and Finley; and Brian William. The accommodation was superb, with every mod con. There was a washing machine, a drier, a dishwasher, an oven, a gas braai, 2 TVs and 2 DVD players and wonderfully luxurious furnishings. Everything was very easy. We were delighted to find that many of the guests, plus bride and groom's families, were staying at the resort.

I had picked up some sort of virus, so I spent the next morning in bed. But after some throat lozenges and pain killers, I felt a lot better and was able to ready myself for the wedding. The others managed to enjoy a morning at the beach. Smith's Beach Resort overlooks the most amazing beach. It really is very beautiful.

Katelyn and Finley, the next generation.

Suzi, Neil and Katelyn.

Steven, Lauren and Finley.

We were all ready to go by 2.45 and made our way down to reception where our bus was waiting to take us to the Laurance Cellar , Margaret River, where the wedding ceremony was to be held. The setting was perfect and everything ran to plan. Tammy was the most beautiful bride imaginable, in the most gorgeous dress, and accompanied by two exquisite bridesmaids. Absolutely picture perfect!

We had such fun that day. It was wonderful that, at least some of, the Coughlan clan could be together for this wonderful occasion. Dane Swemmer was the MC. Who could have believed that such a little boy, all those years ago in Springvale House, would grow up into such a tall and handsome man (see photo left)?

It was also fun to catch up with others like Bubi and Matti, the Balances, the Pattersons and the Locks, after all these years. That criminal, Mugabe, has a lot to answer to for sending everyone scattering to the four corners of the earth!

Tammy and Brad cut the cake - it was delicious chocolate and beetroot!

We all had such fun at Tammy's wedding! (See more photos on Facebook)

All too soon, the wedding was over and we spent Sunday recovering. On Monday everyone went their separate ways. David to Istanbul, me, Suzi, Neil and Katelyn to Sydney and everyone else back to Perth before scattering again over the world.

Now I am staying at Ellerston, trying to recover from that virus, which I seem to have passed on to everyone, including Katelyn. I am enjoying the silence and peace that comes from being one kilometre from the nearest house. Wonderful!

The Joys of Spring in Istanbul, Turkey

Spring has arrived in Istanbul. The trees are bursting into life, the people are shedding their winter coats and dining alfresco is becoming the norm once more. The smokers are out in force again, having been reduced to sitting at outside tables during the harshest of winter days, or made to pop outside for a quick one and hang about guiltily like naughty schoolboys. Now they can puff away with abandonment as they enjoy the fresh(?) air - cigarette in one hand and fork in the other.

The cheerful crowd offering alternative venues to Midpoint.

Midpoint, the restaurant next door, is very popular with the Ferrari-driving in-crowd and is never short of customers. This obviously rankles with some of the other restaurants, but they have tried to lure away Midpoint's customers in a fun way. Yesterday, a band came marching down the road with banner-waving waiters from several restaurants. The banners advertised offers and discounts that they wanted the Midpoint customers to know about. Television cameras were there, and the manager of Midpoint even came out and stood with the marchers and waved to the cameras. There's never a dull moment in Baghdad Street.

In the evening, we met up with our friends, Gabriela and Mustafa as well as Annie and Fatih, who are over on holiday from Australia. We had such fun. We had dinner in the Adamar Hotel in Sultanahmet in their Panoramic Restaurant, overlooking the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Princes' Islands, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. What an amazing view! As you can imagine, this is a very popular location and it is necessary to book well in advance. The meal was delicious and we had such a good time catching up with each other's news.

Mustafa, David and Gabriela, with the Hagia Sophia behind them. What an amazing view we had!

Annie, Me and Fatih, with the Blue Mosque behind us.

The Hagia Sophia looked quite beautiful as the sun was setting.

On Wednesday, David and I are off to Perth for our niece Tammy's wedding. We are so looking forward to spending time with, at least some, of our family. The Wedding is on Saturday. The following Monday, David will return to Istanbul while I will go back to Ellerston with Suzi, Neil and Katelyn. Watch out for my next post - wedding photos.

Baden, Western Cape.

A view over Baden

Baden Resort, showing the cold pool, the club house, some chalets and the camping areas

Kathy and Martin were waiting for me at the arrivals barrier in Cape Town, ready to drive me the two-hour journey to Montagu and Baden. I felt a little paranoid to discover that John had left as I was arriving, but I needn't have worried, he was off to Bloemfontein to compete in the Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa's Interclub Competition. There were 32 teams competing and John had been chosen for team C of the Cape Hunt. This was wonderful for John, considering his terrible motorbike accident. He has recovered so well! In the competition, the Cape Hunt's A team came first, John's C team came 10th, and their B team came 17th. It looks like some sorting of the teams needs doing - or maybe it was just down to John's expertise!

John (in front with the white jeans) with his fellow team-mates.

The weather at Baden was lovely and Eric and I even managed a dip in the hot spring. The wonderful thing about life in Baden is that little changes. Although, that said, one major change I noticed is that many of the apricot trees have gone, as John has diversified into sheep and lucerne. The price of fruit has been steadily falling and both sheep and lucerne give immediate and sustained returns, so it makes economic sense.

There's not a lot of wildlife there, on the edge of the Karoo, but we did see buck, and some fresh baboon spoor, although fortunately not the baboons. There was also the cobra in Louise's kitchen that Eric went to dispatch at nine o'clock one night - a normal event in life on a farm in South Africa!


Ouma Kitty (Alta's mother), Ouma Emily (Richard's mother), Richard and Alta, the benefactors of the feast that was Sunday lunch!

Carine, Martin, Richard and Kathy and a tiny representation of the vast Sunday lunch.

Baby Richard with Louise and Eric enjoying Sunday lunch. Unfortunately, 

John was missing, as he was shooting in a competition.

I felt a sense of belonging as I was welcomed to Sunday lunch at the main house, where four generations of Knipes sat around the table. I was also invited to dinner with Lorna; with John and Louise; with CJ and Miemie; and to drinks with Martin and Carine. I felt very privileged. We had such fun, I definitely want to return, perhaps next time with David. Thank you so much Kathy and Eric, and everyone at Baden.

Cheers from me, Miemie and Kathy, while enjoying Lorna's wonderful spread!

From the left: Miemie, CJ, Eric, Kathy, JC and Lorna, all enjoying the kudu, 

as only CJ knows how to cook it.

I also enjoyed spending some quality time with Richard and Louise.

Now, after all that food, I definitely need to go on a diet before Tammy's wedding in Perth next month!

More Good Things to Eat in South Africa!

From the left: Sean, Me, Sherry, Viv, Gary and Lindsay.

On Sunday, we went to dinner with Jane and Sean's lovely neighbours, Viv, Lindsay and Gary, and another friend, Sherry. We had such a good evening. Lindsay made two wonderful meat loaves, served with mashed potato, peas, gravy, and a tomato and basil salad. Delicious! This was followed by ice cream and Viv's home-made butterscotch sauce, which solidified on impact with the ice cream. Yum!

The sauce was so more-ish that Sean scraped out the jug!

Jane, not to be outdone, snatched it from him and finished it herself. I must say, I was quite envious!

Tuesday was book club night. Once a month, Jane and friends meet to discuss the books they have read and enjoy dinner together - although it appears that more wine is drunk than books are discussed! Anyhow, the evening was a great success and I, for one, enjoyed myself immensely. I do hope I get to go again next time I am visiting Jane.

From the left: Jane, Caroline, Heather, Tracy and Heather.

Tomorrow, I am off to Cape Town to stay with Kathy and Eric. Lucky Me!! - although I will be sad to leave Jane, Sean, Shannon and Jordan, as I my stay with them has been wonderful.