They've arrived!

For those of you who have been waiting with baited breath for Trixie's puppies to arrive, and even for those of you who haven't, they all arrived safely from 12:30am onwards, on Wed 29 July. We woke the kids up for the great event (well, it wasn't so great for Trixie, I don't think!), and we all watched, agog, with the wonder of mother nature, and the miracle of life that unfolded before us! Trixie was the consummate mother and did everything just perfectly, as did her pups. And they didn't even have a hand book/website/gyne/paediatrician to consult. It does make one pause to wonder, if, with all our information and modernisation, we humans have completely lost the natural instinct of having children?

The two boys (Carl and Ali) faded after pup number 2, as there was nearly a 2 hr wait between #2 and #3, and I think the boys just ran out of enthusiasm! Megan and I sat patiently waiting it out. # 3 and #4 arrived only 7 minutes apart, and, on seeing how peaceful Trixie was, we declared 'show over' and went to bed (about 3:30am). Only to wake up the next morning to not 4 but 6 beautiful and perfect little pups!! Well done Trixie!

They have now all been named and are weighed on a daily basis. Two have already put on 50% of their birth weights. Their names, in birth order, are: Tracker (male); Wesidudla (female - meaning 'hey, fatty' in Zulu! Carl calls me that, he's dead!!); Thathu (male - meaning three, as he was born third, and happens to have 3 spots on his back!); Jigsaw (male - named after a jigsaw shaped spot on him); Ntombi (female, meaning 'girl' in Zulu) and lastly Gemma (female, after a diamond shaped spot on her head).
Aren't we the luckiest family?

Skiing - Africa style!

We have just returned from a fabulous weekend skiing in Lesotho.

For those of you who have never been to Lesotho, may I suggest that you add it to your list of '50 things to do before I die'. Lesotho is known as the Mountain Kingdom, and the drive into the resort is one of the most spectacular (and nerve wracking!!) I have ever had! Lesotho is also a classic example of rural Africa (at its best and worst) and I am pleased to report that the resort itself, is slightly more sophisticated than the huts pictured below!

We were also lucky enough to be joined by Carl's folks (yes, I am serious - I've got great in-laws!) who joined us from the Natal side - driving up Sani Pass and into Lesotho from that direction. For those of you who had a trip like that planned on your list of '50 things to do before you die', I suggest you remove it asap, unless, of course, you would like to change your list to: 'the last thing I did before I died'!!! By all accounts, the road was absolutely dreadful and completely isolated. Carl was about to get into the car and go searching for them because they took so long to arrive. And, of course, no cell phone signal! Fortunately, they arrived safely, but had the wisdom to exit Lesotho in the North which, while further in distance, was a much safer and quicker drive.

We also had with us the daughter of family friends of ours, Fhionna, who is out from Scotland on a holiday, and we invited her to join us.

Lesotho does not have enough snow to ski on (plenty all around) but is cold enough to keep it, so the snow on the ski slope itself is made from snow cannons. Which is just as good as the real thing.

Other than a serious problem with our accommodation (the agent double booked our chalet, but fortunately there was a spare one, so we weren't forced to camp in sub-zero temps!!), we had the time of our lives! Saturday was very busy so we had long waits at the T-bar. 20 mins wait to ascend, 1 min descent. Sad hey? On Sunday the crowds thinned, and by Monday we skied straight to the front of the queue and headed back up.

Fhionna, being 22, sampled the night life of Afri-ski and made some good friends along the way. Somehow she managed to get herself free snowboarding lessons while we were there, and was then invited to stay on with these friends until Thursday. Carl and I felt like over-protective parents and haven't stopped worrying since we drove away on Monday. However, she is a young adult, and I don't think such a fabulous opportunity comes knocking everyday. Oh to be young and live spontaneously!

It was such a super time! But, back to reality with a bump. We now excitedly await Trixie's puppies which are due any time now.

Good news!

If you recall a few articles ago, I mentioned that we were hoping to have a litter of puppies with our Jack Russell, Trixie. I'm pleased to announce that Trixie is with child(ren). We returned home from our half-term break, and discovered a very chubby, slightly subdued little Trixie! We're thrilled, but I'm not sure she knows what she's in for! However, she's getting lots of love and attention from us, and I don't hear her complaining!
Will keep you posted - due date is about the 28th July!