We started with 5 days at the Vaal, which is always a balm for us, a complete escape from the stresses of JHB. We did the usual - boating, kayaking, fishing, bike riding, sleeping, reading, playing games, chilling etc. We were also joined by Roland and Caron for a couple of days, which was very nice. We took Gemma down with us, and she may have been the only one to not really have the best of fun 100% of the time!
Another hilarious tale (which probably should get a posting of its own) is how Ali and I found and comandeered an abandoned, algefied, fish-filled canoe. My guess is that in one of the hectic storms we have had there recently, it ended up abandoned at the other end of the harbour. So Ali and I turned it over, mostly emptied it out, and then towed it back to Marina Letata! I don't know why I lie and say Ali and I, the truth is, that Ali was there but I did all the hard work!!! Needless to say, Carl rolled his eyes and sighed a great sigh when I showed him our bounty. That being said, he gamely helped me empty it completely of all its water and accompanying marine life, and lug it up to a spot on the shore. Where it will hopefully remain until our next visit where we can examine it more closely, clean it up and try it out. If its a dud, we will tow it back into the middle of the dam and sink it. Don't tell anyone!!!
On our way down to Stellenbosch for a vdriet family Xmas, we stopped over at a sheep farm belonging to friends of ours, the Besters, from church. Their farm is in the middle of the Karoo - in the middle of nowhere!! But they have created a genuine oasis in the desert - what a beautiful home with a fabulous separate guest suite. What luxury!
Their hospitality and friendliness was amazing! They have 3 kids, aged 10, 8 and 5, and all the kids got along very well. Do I need to mention that we had delicious Karoo lamb the night we arrived? Even Roland (our resident vegetarian) should be drooling! Their cat had 10 day old kittens, so you can imagine where Megan spent a large part of her time! Carl ran in quite the opposite direction! 
Amazingly, it wasn't as scorching hot as we thought (in fact we were actually cold in the evenings!) but terribly dry - the driest they've seen it since they moved there 4 years ago. Their home was inspirational in it's self-sufficiency and I have all sorts of New Year's Resolutions to try and get my own home more green!
Their hospitality and friendliness was amazing! They have 3 kids, aged 10, 8 and 5, and all the kids got along very well. Do I need to mention that we had delicious Karoo lamb the night we arrived? Even Roland (our resident vegetarian) should be drooling! Their cat had 10 day old kittens, so you can imagine where Megan spent a large part of her time! Carl ran in quite the opposite direction! Amazingly, it wasn't as scorching hot as we thought (in fact we were actually cold in the evenings!) but terribly dry - the driest they've seen it since they moved there 4 years ago. Their home was inspirational in it's self-sufficiency and I have all sorts of New Year's Resolutions to try and get my own home more green!
After two fantastic and memorable nights, we said our farewells, and continued on to Stellenbosch. What a stunning part of the world. If it weren't for the weather (boiling hot, dry summers and freezing, dark, cold winters), I would say it is paradise for SA! 
The entire family was there, including all 7 cousins. 
We did lots of touristy things, as well as lots of chilling out at the Farrell's house. 
We were fortunate enought to house-sit for some friends of the Farrell's, so at least we weren't underfoot all the time. Christmas was really nice - the usual feasting and celebrating. My sister-in-law, Sarah, deserves a MEDAL for all the hard work she put in to our visit, especially wrt catering! She has set a standard that I don't think I could ever live up to! She and David were also the most easy going, welcoming hosts (another thing I'm not sure I could live up to!) and they provided us with one of our best holidays ever!
The entire family was there, including all 7 cousins. We did lots of touristy things, as well as lots of chilling out at the Farrell's house. We were fortunate enought to house-sit for some friends of the Farrell's, so at least we weren't underfoot all the time. Christmas was really nice - the usual feasting and celebrating. My sister-in-law, Sarah, deserves a MEDAL for all the hard work she put in to our visit, especially wrt catering! She has set a standard that I don't think I could ever live up to! She and David were also the most easy going, welcoming hosts (another thing I'm not sure I could live up to!) and they provided us with one of our best holidays ever!
Those of you who know Carl and I would have been quite amazed at how active our holiday was. We ran/cycled and walked a huge amount! At least we didn't put on the ton of weight we should have with all that over-eating!
Our trip home was long and boring. One highlight, however, was on our way back up through the Karoo, we went through an incredible storm, which looked like it had been around for quite sometime. On sms-ing the Besters, we learned that they had had 50mm of rain in 30 mins! The little dam near their house which was completely dry when we were there is now full.Sadly, back to life, back to reality! Carl has now started work, and the kids start school next week (not that that is such a bad thing - for me!)
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