WEEKEND AWAY FOR MY HUNNY

16 - 18 December 2016: My hunny and 3 friends (Elton, Steven and Dean) planned a weekend ride to Golden Gate Highlands National Park their website says "Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park". 

They left at 7 on Friday morning (which was a holiday in South Africa) with Richard and Steven on their bikes and Elton and Dean in a Pajero with their bikes on a trailer.  They stopped at the Historic Motorcycle Museum in Denysville for breakfast and arrived at Glen Reenen Rest Camp after riding 363 kilometers (226 miles) with about 260 km's being on dirt roads.

They camped for the night and braaied for dinner then rode out on Saturday morning on a route that my hunny had planned where they encountered some really tough sections (when planning it he said that the ride was going to be technical but of course he didn't know that parts would be impassible!!! ... The only way you will know if a road is impassible to ride is if you ride it ... not to be daunted he says "We will be back and more prepared!!!)

Part of the route went through Lesotho which he says has some of the most spectacular scenery (each time my hunny rides in Lesotho he says the same thing!)  They had lunch in Fouriesburg at a quaint little restaurant ~ Plaas Stoep Pub & Grill ~ where they enjoyed burgers sans the beer.

Saturday night dinner was consumed at the Golden Gate Hotel ... On the way to the hotel my hunny sent me these photos which prove the website claims to be true ... The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp. The highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening".  

Sunday morning up early and on the road before 8 to tackle the road back home.  My hunny rode Elton's BMW home and says he would have been more comfortable on his Honda but he rode the BMW to save his tyres as his motorbike is an off road bike and the tar kills the tyres.  He says that the ride home was VERY boring as it was all on the highway with no fun like riding off road.

I am delighted that he enjoyed his weekend however I am even more delighted to have him home safe and sound especially after a frightening moment when a girl on a motorbike turned out in front of him!!!  Thank God he managed to avoid this thoughtless person!!!!

HEART SISTERS and more ...

Tuesday 6 December 2016: When we were in New Zealand in September I told Nats about my friend Roz and said that I would LOVE it if they could meet ... of course we did not know that Nats would come to SA so soon after our visit.  I asked Nats if I could reserve a day of her visit and managed to arrange a lunch where the two of them could meet and just like I predicted ... they really liked each other.

We met at Contessa in Rivonia as Nats said that she loves babootie and they make delicious babootie.

We had an awesome lunch and I was very lucky to spend the whole day with Nats ... we visited Westpac (the plastic shop) at Lifestyle and we shopped up a storm and we also visited Lara at Scrapbook 'n Things @ Stepping Stones Nursery ... I hope Nats gets everything in her suitcase when she packs.

 I planted this little rosebush in remembrance of my friend Joan ~ My yellow rose of Texas ~ and every time it blooms I think she is saying "Hi!!!".

 9 December 2016: Connor and Drukkie.  I was at Lakeview today ... Connor's team wore black and white and who would have thought that these two boys would wear their OppiKoppi t-shirts.  They really are like brothers born from different mothers.  It is very difficult to get a photo of them both looking at the camera and acting 'normal'.

13 December 2016: I had a meeting with one of the managers at Nedbank Park today and was there early as usual and worked in the restaurant.  The new company has just taken over from Deli One and I was not sure if Tapelo was employed by them.  I was sitting and working away when suddenly there he was with this awesome cuppa coffee for me.  I was so excited to see him and he was delighted by my reaction to seeing him.

This evening when we went to Rosebank for dinner with Nats and Brett we saw Hamleys and Richard decided he wanted to have a look ... unfortunately they were just about to close but we had a quick look inside ~ To us grown ups it is just another toy store however I should imagine to a little kid it is awesome. 

MY HEART IS SO FULL!!!!

Sunday 27 November 2016: Our friends Natalie and Brett Baker are in Johannesburg at the moment as Brett's Dad is not well ... Although the circumstances for the visit are not ideal the fact that we have gotten to see them twice this year is awesome!!!

They arrived on Tuesday and I have been chomping at the bit to see them but they have been under pressure with doctors visits and jet lag and the fact that their daughter Kelly's suitcase was left in Auckland by the airlines.

Yesterday she messaged to say that they were free today to see us ... Oh yay!!!!!!!!

This morning Richie went off to Toy Run ....

He says that unfortunately it was not as well supported as last year ... This was him leaving to go to the start point at The Blockhouse with the two bears we bought and other stationery goodies in his back pack. This year the Hell's Angels were on duty at the entrance to the Toy Run venue and if you didn't have a toy they sent you off to the area where you had to purchase a toy as your entrance to the venue.  I am so happy that this has happened as every year there are too many people who arrive without a toy ... And this is the point of the initiative!!!  Go figure!!!

While I waited for Natalie and Brett to arrive I whipped up a batch of cheese muffins.  I was like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning to arrive to open my gifts ... When they arrived I had to keep myself in check as I wanted to jump up and down!!!!

We had a leisurely catch-up over muffins and coffee and when Richie got home we went through to Mall of The South and met Wendy at Just Darling for lunch ~ Wendy and Nats "know each other" on facebook and I thought it was about time they met in person.  We had an awesome time and asked one of the young lady waiters to take a photo for us but unfortunately not one of them were in focus ... I adjusted this one which is the best I could get.

I can't wait to spend more time with Nats while she is here!

WEEKEND IN REVIEW

Saturday 15 October 2016: I started off this morning with a brisk 5km walk at Rietvlei and did a rather good time (for me) ...

Rietvlei parkrun, JHB South results for event #151. Your time was 00:53:15

Compared to last week which was ...


Rietvlei parkrun, JHB South results for event #150. Your time was 00:53:43.

While I was waiting to start the walk Linda Wood sent me a message asking if I wanted to join her and her Mom for coffee and cake to celebrate her birthday.  As the new Mugg and Bean at Meyersdal is on my way home I decided to go straight there rather than rush home and rush back out again.  I had a leisurely cuppa coffee and played on my phone while waiting.  We had a lovely hour chatting and eating lemon meringue pie ... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS WOOD!!!!  May today be the start of an awesome journey in your life!!!"

Linda and her Mom Rhoda

On Friday there was a slip at home advising that there was a parcel waiting for collection at the post office.  Connor mentioned that he thought it was his Watsky CD so I never thought anything more about it.  After I left Linda and Rhoda I went down to Rosettenville Junction and collected the parcel at the Post Office (never even looked at who it was addressed to) and popped into the bank at the same time to get some change for the little purse in my car (I like to have change to give a tip to garage attendants and car guards and I LOVE killing two birds with one stone!!!).  When I arrived home I put the parcel down in the study and looked at it only to find that it was from my friend Ally in the States.  I was elated to say the least ... I opened it and this is what I found ....

Ally wrote a beautiful mermaid blog post

Isn't this little mermaid the most precious thing???

The t-shirt I am wearing was a gift from my sister Jenny ~ She bought us (herself, me and Wendy) each one last weekend when we had lunch at Northgate ~ I did a blog post about that.

I was sitting and vegetating in front of the computer when my phone rang and it was Wendy ... "What are you doing" she asked.  Me ... "Nothing much ... just sitting in front of the computer".  "Wanna join me for a cuppa coffee at Lua in half an hour?" she asks ... I haven't showered yet after my walk this morning but I answer "Sure! I just need to jump in the shower".  I was a few minutes late but was rather impressed that I could look halfway decent and travel 10km's in half an hour.

Wendy ordered a biltong and blue cheese salad (didn't eat the blue cheese which she asked for on the side just in case) and I had a farmyard sandwich which was chicken mayo, avo and supposed to be crispy bacon (which unfortunately wasn't crispy ... so I had a long chat to the kitchen manager who promptly gave me a take away sandwich ... which I donated to a young woman and her little girl at the traffic light where I got onto the highway).  We had a lovely afternoon chatting about a million and one things and they had to ask us to leave eventually as they were waiting for their transport to collect them.

 When I got home my hunny was busy working on this gorgeous scooter and when he came back from a test ride I rushed outside to take a photo of him on it ... He looks so cute!!!!

Connor had dropped Mom off at the casino earlier in the day and she said when we fetch her we should have some dinner there ... It was chaos getting in as there was a Diwali celebration across the road in the parking of the Apartheid Museum.  As we walked into the lift lobby this is what we saw and my hunny's comment ... "Big Bang Theory".  We went to Spur as Mom wanted to continue gambling and we had a leisurely dinner (I had a starter portion of prawns as I was still full from lunch) and when we left it was just as chaotic getting out ~ Connor's High School were also having their matric dance at Gold Reef Casino.  As we were driving away there were huge bangs from the fireworks they were letting off at the Diwali celebration. 

Noleen and Gordon were in Cape Town this weekend for the wedding of Margot and Geoff's son.  Noleen and Margot have been friends since primary school 43 years ago.  She sent me these photos when they arrived in Tulbach yesterday ...

 And then these photos at the wedding ...

Margot and Geoff looking gorgeous as parents of the groom

This morning my hunny got up early and went out for a ride on his motorbike and we had agreed to meet for breakfast at Cafe du Cirque  ... I took a leisurely drive out there and had just started reading my book when he arrived.  We had a scrumptious breakfast and then I followed him home through intermittent rain.  I have a new companion in my car now ... Isn't she cute???!!!

This afternoon I plan on:

• Taking my Mom to the shops to do some groceries;
• Make some cards to fulfill an order; 
• Finish off a birthday gift.

Hope your weekend has been super awesome.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNNY!!

10 October 2016: My hunny turned 57 today so this evening we went to RocoMama's (his new favourite hamburger joint) for dinner.  We invited Steph and Wendy along and had an awesome evening.

Like Heinz has 57 varieties ... My hunny has had 57 years filled with variety!!!!  I wish for you another 57 variety filled years my love!!!!

A GREAT SATURDAY

 Saturday 1 October 2016: I had an awesome day welcoming the new month in.

My inspiration

Linda Wood called me yesterday and asked if we were doing ParkRun today and I said "Yes". I lay in bed a bit late today and then had to rush to drop my hunny's car off at the Park Run Car Wash and only just made it  to the start by 08h00 ... The car wash was hecticly busy and Linda must have thought that I stood her up!!!  The route has changed and I really felt like I had had a good workout when we finished.  My time was 55:59 which I thought was pretty good as this was my first walk in more than 5 weeks and my personal best this year is 55:11 so I was not far off ... I guess the couple of sessions on the treadmill at the gym over the past 2 weeks paid off.

I had to wait a while for the car to be finished cleaned and as I came off the highway I was behind my friend AnnaMarie who was coming round to scrapbook ... we called it a play date!!!  We had a lovely day getting her started on wedding photos of her son and daughter-in-law who have just become parents ... she is itching to scrapbook photos of her first grandchild but wants to get to grips with the wedding photos first.

My hunny had invited me out to dinner tonight and when AnnaMarie left I jumped in the shower and got ready for our date night ... We popped down to Roco Mama's at The Glen and had a wonderfully relaxing time catching up ... I love spending time with this awesome human being I get to call "my hunny".

When we were finished with dinner we popped past Gold Reef Casino to fetch Mom who had had her down time for the week at the slot machines ... to each her own!!!  Now I am going to jump into bed ~ Connor and Steph are out at a 21st and should be getting home soon as Steph is working tomorrow and needs to be out the house before 6am.  I should have taken a photo of them before they left ... The theme was to come dresses as something with a C or R ... so they went as Connor and his Chef ~ Connor wore his signature flannel and Steph wore her uniform (black pants and a chef's jacket).

Hope you have all had a stunning Saturday.

HISTORIC BIKE MUSEUM - DENEYSVILLE

18 September 2016: My hunny and his friends Mitch, Elton and Steven went for a ride to the Bike Museum in Deneysville mainly to have breakfast and also for a stroll around the museum. Going on these rides is my hunny's form of total relaxation.

The Historic Motorcycle Museum is in the town of Deneysville, one and a half hours away from Johannesburg on the property of Lake Avenue Inn at the Vaal Dam OFS.

Watching restoration in progress

The Museum was opened on the 9th September 2009 and is the only one of its kind in Africa. The brainchild of John Boswell (owner and X TT Isle of Man Sidecar Racer) who has always had a passion for restoring and re-building Classic British Bikes.

In the Museum you will find over 100 exhibits dating as far back as 1909. There is also a Jawa Z15 1976, Motorcycle of which there are only 3 left in the world. Currently the Museum has been visited by over 20,000 guests from around the country and the world.

Not sure what Mitch is up to here

The Museum showcases racing legends from South Africa, Rhodesia and overseas.

Memorabilia from well known springbok motorcycle racers like Keith Zeeman, Les van Breda, Peter Labuschagne, Dave Peterson, Jimmy Whyte to name but a few can also been seen.

Well known 6 times world champion Jim Redman's, Honda 250/4 replica motorcycle is also housed in the Museum. On special occasions like the Museum's anniversary date all the wonderful racing champions visit for what is a rare and wonderful opportunity for guests to meet these wonderful people.



When visiting in the area the Museum is a must see for all motorcycle fanatics.

Drink coffee while the others ... See no evil and ... Hear no evil

Unusual to see Richard in someone else's dust

"He went that way!!!" LOL!