A morning walk on the beach beside the Indian Ocean followed by a river cruise – bliss!
On the Indian Ocean
Hippo
Nile crocodile
Monthly Archives: April 2018
KwaZulu Natal – Day 2
On our first full day here we woke to Nyala prancing about outside our window, spent the morning being immersed in the Zulu culture with a fabulous guide who took us first to a Primary School (where the 41 children in one class sang and danced for us. We were asked if we would sing or dance for the children. I sang Skinny Marinka for them and got a round of applause. D danced and was similarly rewarded!). ) Thence we went to a village where we learned a great deal of fascinating information about the local way of life and their customs.
South Africa’s National Anthem which I sang along with, having learned it many years ago with The Quirky Choir
In the Zulu village
The afternoon was a long walk through the woods and alongside the water at False Bay, quite a challenge!12,500 steps on my counter, 24.000 on someone else’s!
On the trail
Yellow Billed Stork
KwaZulu Natal – Day 1
After 24 hours of travel we have landed up in Paradise! We are in Rondavels in iMfalozi Safari Park and were greeted by giraffes as the sun was going down.
Giraffes at sunset
Wifi is very unreliable here and we are out walking most of the day. I shall try to catch up as we go along.
Starting the Journey
An interesting building from 1585, some police and some of the enormous crowd outside The Lindo Wing where the newest Royal has been born today (both taken from a moving car) and Isambard Kingdom Brunel on the station at Paddington.
Sign, Sandals and Sewing
It has been a morning of paddling pool and an afternoon of garden centre and homework, sewing and reading and for LiveWireT, a party to go to wearing her silver sandals.
Charming sign at the garden centre
Just time to sew the cat’s eyes
Party sandals
Tomorrow evening we fly to South Africa so there may not be a post.
Wedding Bus, Front Garden and Blossom
In Highgate, while waiting to meet a friend of many years, a Wedding Bus went by reminding us of Daughter No 2’s wedding 11 years ago when all the guests travelled from Marylebone Town Hall to the reception in just such a bus.
Wedding bus
Walking to the pub where we spent a happy three hours catching up over lunch, was this basement garden, surrounded by scaffolding but bright and cheery in the sunshine.
A front garden in Highgate
Leaving the pub, this magnificent Cherry tree full of blossom attracted my camera.
Blossom
Travelling to Visit the LiveWires
We love the long train journey to London. After the hoohah of getting ready, the moment we step on the train we begin our adventure which starts with three days in London with family…….. Click on any photo for the captions and a bigger view.
Passing Truro Cathedral
About to leave Cornwall on the Brunel Bridge
The White Horse from the train
Treating the LiveWires after meeting them from school
J found something, “For your Blog, Granny. It’s a beautiful thing!”
We left Cornwall in 10C and arrived in London to 25C! Stepping off the air-conditioned train was like stepping off a plane in Greece! Last night we had no WiFi hence the late post.
Reflections, Planter, Mural and A Spider
It is always glorious to sing on a Thursday morning overlooking the Penryn River. The water was so still this morning, the reflections were almost perfect.
Colourful reflections
Walking up through Penryn from the Zed Shed, the planters are really colourful.
A planter in Penryn
The Mural that I showed being painted last week is finished and beautifully summery.
Mural by Elizabeth Perry, promised last week
We’ve been tidying again in the garden on one of our rare sunny days and I found this little spider which I am sure Ark will be able to identify!
White spider on the Acer
Peace, Blue Sky and Cathedral Spires
The sun coming through the window as I arrived in the kitchen this morning cast a shadow of Peace on the blind.
Shadow of PEACE
There has been a glorious blue sky all day.
Bunting in the breeze
Truro Cathedral is always beautiful , particularly so in the Spring sunshine.
Truro Cathedral
Some architectural detail below:
Turrets and a chimney
Detail
Two spires
Birthday Cake, Cat and Colours
I baked a cake using a new recipe today and it turned out very well indeed. It was a Birthday cake for a dear friend who will be 99 in a couple of weeks but we will be away on the date so we had a mini party this afternoon – Cornish cream tea followed by Chocolate, Date and Coffee cake, decorated with (edible) Primroses from our garden.
Birthday cake for Ti ready to be transported
One of their three cats was curled up happily in a basket.
Cat in a basket
Nicky showed us around her potting studio and I photographed just one of her stunning pots.
Beautiful dish by potter, Nicky Stephenson
The border outside was a riot of colours, yellow and purple in profusion.
Narcissus Jonquilla and Aubretia
PS. For those who read about my beautiful Chappelle plate a couple of days ago, I found the potters! I emailed and was truly delighted to get the following in reply.
“Thank you Sally. It’s a tray I personally did many years ago. I’m happy you are still enjoying it.
We closed Chappelle Gallery Jan 15th after 17 years. I was needing a break and we were wanting to do some things before we couldn’t.
HAPPY VALLEY POTTERY is still open. We are at a slower pace at our age.
Thanks Kathy Chappelle
Happy Valley Pottery
