Going, going, going.....Green!

I have been wanting to make my home more 'green' for some time. And after our weekend with the Bester's in the Karoo, I was very inspired. So, 2010 has been the year for going green.

I have been recycling for a while now, but have just sorted out my bins more efficiently so I now have 3 bins in my kitchen -normal, recycling and compost. The contents of the compost bin gets handed to Sechwayo, the gardener, and he deposits them in my new compost heap. Sechwayo and I spent a day building the compost heap, and I am rather proud of the finished product.

From far, you can't even see it (or smell it, fortunately!!).

Next project, rain water tank. This I now have, but it is not yet connected to the down pipe. Rome wasn't built in a day, you know! Obviously, I only took delivery of the tank after the wettest month of the year was recorded!!! But, seeing as it is STILL not connected, I don't feel too bad. I'll get that done soon (maybe before the next rainy season starts in October!!!).

Onto my new vege garden. This is something the kids and I did together - sort of! We are so pleased with the results, and have already been enjoying some of the herbs. The veges will take a while longer to reap the benefits. What is worrying me is actually controlling it and not letting it get out of hand. Planting is one thing, managing it is another!

Lastly, the solar geyser. WHAT a confusing decision to make. Every single manufacturer has their own story, angle, and pitch about why theirs is the best product and how we shouldn't fall for what the others tell us!! Since the dreadful load shedding happened in early 2008, SA has finally woken up to the fact that alternate forms of water heating should be used. In fact, it should be compulsory for all new houses!! Eskom does offer a rebate of sorts, but I've heard that it is quite a schlep to get, if you get it at all. That was from a company that didn't offer the rebate, of course!!!. Eventually we went with a company called Sun Tank who were around long before load shedding, and don't import from China! We had a 300l geyser installed in-roof (you see, I have all the lingo now!), and after a few hiccups, we are feeling very pleased with the result. Problem is, it was so jolly expensive that it will take us a loooong time to make back our money! Although with Eskom's 25% increases over the next 3 years, it may pay itself off a bit quicker than we think! So after running a 200l and a 150l geyser 24/7, we now have one 300l geyser which we hardly switch on!

My musings on the topic of going green is this:

Everything green (from energy-saving appliances to solar geysers) is so expensive, that being environmentally friendly is only for the very poor who can't afford electricity, or the rich who can afford to use alternatives. For everyone in the middle, energy saving requires far more of a lifestyle sacrifice which, while possible, is much more effort.

Water, water everywhere!

Anyone who either lives in JHB, or knows someone who does, will be well aware that this has been one of our wettest summers ever! In fact, it hardly feels like we've had summer! Other than all the unbelievable pot-holes it has caused, not to mention broken traffic lights, as well as lightning strikes taking out various electronic equipment (like our gate intercom, for instance), it has been excellent for filling up our dams. The Vaal Dam in particular. They have had such incredible rain in the Vaal catchment area, that they have had to open up the flood gates, and release water downstream. If the media is to be believed, at a rate of 2 million litres per second! And the water flowing into the Dam is at a rate of 3 million litres per second!

Obviously, we had to go and take a look! At Marina Letata, it was at its highest we've ever seen it.

On our way home, we took a detour past the Dam Wall. After queuing for over 1/2 hour in a traffic jam, we got out and admired the scene! Wow! I'm putting quite a few pics, because I think some are rather artistic! If you don't think so, I apologise.

20/20 internationals had nothing on this...

Alistair played in his first proper cricket match - U9B team - at Bryanston Primary last Thursday. Each side played 20 overs. Bryanston went in to bat first and scored an impressive 55 runs (OK, most of those were actually from wides, but we're not going to split hairs!). Then it was King's School's turn to bat. After a brief rainstorm, King's returned to the crease to continue their battle. Ali batted 7th and went in with about 6 or so overs remaining. By 4 overs left, they needed 14 runs to win (doesn't sound like much, but it is a big ask for U9's!! Fortunately, the opposition were helping us along nicely with wides, just as we had kindly done for them!!). By 3 overs left, 11 runs were required. All this time, Ali and his batting partner, Josh, were ticking along, but it was dubious as to whether they would make it! By the last over, they needed 5 more runs. With about 3 balls left (and 2 runs), Josh went out, and Gabriel came in. On the last ball, they STILL needed those 2 runs. Now, Ali may not be the top batsman of his grade, but I'm prepared to bet that he is the craftiest! He knew exactly what was needed, and what he needed to do to get them! As the bowler bowled the last ball, Ali started sneaking across the crease. A helpful misfield meant he was able to run and safely reach the other side. However, another minor misfield on their part meant that he could turn and complete another run (as fast as he could with those great pads on!), thereby taking his team to VICTORY!! We parents (and there were a lot of us because it was the first match, I have no doubt our enthusiasm will wane as the season progresses) were on our feet! I felt so proud, you have no idea!! Ali raised his arms and bat in victory, just as we see our heroes, Graham Smith and the like, do! His team mates tried to carry him in victory, which was not very successful, but it was the thought that counted! I think for that brief moment in Ali's life, he felt how it feels to be a hero! Well done Ali!!

I'm a canoe

Perhaps only my father will understand the origins of the title, but that's OK.
I'm guessing you haven't all been waiting in anticipation for whether my pirated canoe was where we left it, but I was! And it was!
Yip, still there, just moved a few metres over, to reveal a large canoe shaped dead patch of grass. Oops!
Ali and I bravely launched our canoe on Saturday and paddled a few hundred meters and the canoe seems completely waterproof. Then Megan hopped on (and Gemma) and we all went for a ride. Even my dad and I went for a paddle. And we all stayed completely dry. Here we are enjoying yet another glorious afternoon!

Sunday morning saw me, the kids and my dad scrubbing and cleaning it, so other than looking a bit faded, it is clean and shiny! The fibreglass is thin in places, so Carl will have to fix that at some stage (sorry Carl!!), but I am so excited about it.

We did let our caretaker know that we had found it, so if the rightful owners appear, we will have to hand it over, I guess! I'm hoping they won't recognise it now that we've picked off the registration number....

Fun was had by all....

It has been ages since I last wrote. And I have a fine excuse.... we have been on holiday for 3 WEEKS! Yes, Carl too!!

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!

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!

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!)

Xmas function

Last week we had Carl's company year-end function. Normally year-end functions are rather boring affairs simply to be endured, certainly not to be mentioned on a blog! This one, however, deserves to be shared....

We went river rafting on the Vaal River. While it is not the white water of the Zambezi, it was such a fun day out!! We were so lucky with the weather! The previous week it had been pouring with rain and maximum temps of only 12 degrees. We would've been VERY miserable! As it turns out, the sky was blue and temps went up to about 26 deg. Perfect!

We arrived there (near Parys) at 9am and had a nice brekkie. Afterwards, we donned our helmets (very sexy!) and life jackets and got loaded into an open truck for the very uncomfortable drive to the start of the rafting. Once we had been given a briefing by the guide, we were off!

If ever you want your staff to completely relax and throw off any facade - this it the outing!! It is impossible to look lovely with those helmets, and it is impossible not to just have fun - splashing other rafters, taking on the rapids (and falling out - Carl!!), throwing hyancinth at each other etc.!

We did about 12kms, and the last stretch took some serious effort. By which time we had completely worked off breakfast and were ready for lunch! After lunch, there were 'awards' and Xmas pressie giving, then we headed back home to JHB to retrieve our kids.

What a great day!

We're gonna be rich!

Yip. Last week Megan went out to work and brought home the bacon.

OK, that's not really the whole truth! Here's what actually happened:

The Grade 4's at the kid's school held a 3 day Entrepreneur's Sale. They could work alone or in groups and it was entirely up to them as to what to sell, how much to sell it for, how to advertise etc. etc.!

Megan worked with her two friends Ryan and Marco. They decided to call their stall MMR Claus (for Megan, Marco and Ryan). They even made up a song for their stall to the tune of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', which they then sang to the school to encourage them to come to their stall!!

Ryan's mom, Debby, runs a party business and as a result has many contacts in the Chinese Market world! Which means she was able to purchase a lot of stuff for very low prices! Then we all got together and the kids decided how much to sell each item for, they made a banner, and covered boxes in Xmas wrap for displaying the products. Interestingly enough, it was the cheaper items which enjoyed the bigger mark up. The biggest mark up was 208%, and the smallest was 29%. On average, they marked their products up by 96%.

Most of their stuff sold very well - takkie key rings were the first to go, followed shortly by syringe pens. The slowest items to move were the little rubic cubes. Luckily for this group, Debby bought back any unsold items at cost, so at least they didn't make a loss! Also, Debby let them sell some of her stock on consignment on the last day of the sale and they could keep the profit. I'm not sure real life is quite so accommodating!

The group managed to make a total profit of R531,30, which worked out to R177,10 for each of them. Which they get to keep and spend during the holidays!

It was fascinating to see some of the other stalls - one group raffled a MOUSE!! And apparently did very well! Other stalls sold fresh pancakes or pies; some had Xmas decorations, many had sweets, and toys; some sold jewellery and a couple were more action stalls - fishing or balloon popping for prizes.

All I know that it was a frenzy last week - with having Megan manning a stall, and Ali spending like a man with no tomorrow!