15 November 2008
Saterdag
Goeie dag allemaal,
Barry flip so deur die TV kanale en elke nou en dan land hy op die rugby maar die klomp stoelsitters in hul mooi groen baadjies het hul hande in die hare en Scotland loop voor.... ek wil nie kyk nie want ek word naar as ons verloor! Dit is nou SA.... daar is 2 onse in my pond! die ander ons is Ierland wat bietjie later teen New Zeeland speel.
Ons het buitegewone goeie weer gedurende die week gehad! 'n effense warboel van weer patrone wat hulle afspeel met winde wat vir niks skrik nie en as daai suidooste wind aangerol kom bring hy alles met hom saam die kaleidoskoop van blare gestroop van die boomtakke word voortgedryf soos grond voor 'n stootskaper...soms is die blare in die lug so dig en baie dat jy wonder waar jy ry ..die strate se flanke is dik tapyte van blare wat op sigself pragtig is maar dit gee 'n deurmekaar indruk en as die spul blare nat word begin jy gly en moet versigtig loop , baie gevaarlik vir die 80jariges en bo waarvan daar erg baie in ons eiland woon. Die son kom met tye so warm na vore dat dit meer na lente voel as die begin van winter..die koue is vereers vergete!!!! Dit is nou stik donker 5nm en soggens lig so naby 8vm die nagte laaaank en die dae kort maar dit is nog net 5 weke dan begin die dae weer langer word!!!Sommige van die blaarverwisselende struike het knoppe aan en begin nuwe blare kry ..tot die voels is verstom... die ongewone warm weer maak hulle onrustug ...ons het baie voeltjies wat ten beste gevoed word deur Barry en verwilder word deur die kat...maar die voels ken hom en waarsku gou as hy in die omgewing is hy het net een probleem ...hy kan nie vlieg nie...en poging om in die lug te bly wil luk nie.!
Barry het nou al die bolle geplant en ons hoop om in die volgende 12 weke oorstroom te wees met kleur en prag! Die tuin word so bietjie opgekikker met die paar winter gesiggies wat pragtig blom in die hangmandjies...ook totaal verward...want die warm weer en winde maak die lewe anders.! As die koue kom gaan ons bibber en beef!
O ja en toe breek die buurman se beeste uit en land in die groot pad wat voor die huis verby gaan en dit was omtrent chaos . Garde en al wat leef en beef het hul hande volgehad met die ellende , gelukkig het hulle so binne 'n uur weer alles op kamp gehad en geen ongelukke is geraporteer nie!
Ons het 'n nuwe 2de handse liefdadigheid winkel ontdek en ek het die boek rakke van al die goeie skrywers gestroop. Nou het ek weer leesstof..die boeke is relatief duur hier en ek koop maar meerendeels 2de hands. Die biblioteek in die dorp se boeke het ek klaar gelees!.
Ek leer uit die briewe dat ons 'n nuwe Dokter in ons familie het en bring ons hartlike gelukwensinge oor aan Attie Jnr en sy ouers...wat 'n prestasie!!!!
Een van menige om te kom!
Ek het 'n foto iewers wat ek sal stuur wat geneem was toe ouma 80 jaar oud geword het! sal bietjie soek dan kan pa en ma 'n meer op datum foto bysit!
Politiek in die eiland swaai van laag na hoog en die wat aan stuur staan se 'pole' uitslaee is maar laaaaag! tenspyte van die begrotings fiasco gaan die spul nog steeds aan...knoei so ver as hulle gaan!
Werk is lekker en met my oog op ons hemelse VAder mag daar uiteindelik erkenning my kant toe kom vir my jare se kennis wat ek opgedoen het . Die akkreditasie kritiek is uit en alles val presies in my sfeer, beroepsgesondheid en 'risk assassment' Hulle het gevra of ek bereid sou wees om te help en nou bestudeer ek die Ierse wet op 'Social Welfare Safety and Health in the Workplace Act 2003' met erns.!!!
More is die beste dag in die week en al die Psalme is goed geoefen en ons wag met honger en dorstige siele vir die geloofskos wat so brood nodig is in hierdie tyd.
Verjaardae volgens my boekie: Attie Snr op die plaas tussen die pampoene!!! geniet die dag! en Hannelie in Dar es Salaam wat nou nuwe huis soek ....en al die ander vna wie ek nie weet nie .. Pragtige dag jul toegewens!!
Soos altyd word elke bietjie nuus goed verorber en herkou ..dus laat weet hoe dit orals gaan . Alles van die beste aan die wat eksamen skryf ...!!!!
Ek groet met wense vir julle veiligheid en behoud!
Barry & Christina (Stien...ens)
Telling SA 14
Scotland 10 Hoooooeeeeeeera !!!!...dis nog nie verby nie maar lyk beter!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Greetings from Ireland
21 November 2008
Friday evening.
Good day to all, family and friends,
This letter most probably will stretch over a day or two as I write in between scrabble playing and the rest. We should be Master champions by now and sometimes it really goes well and other times with 4 I’s 2 v’s and h to start the game ..takes some thinking! We enjoy it all the same, every game is different and we never get bored with it!
The weather is typical Haas Das weather” rain sometimes and sun shine in other places” We cannot complain it has been a very mild November and we are dreading the cold…and it surely is on the way… today was really good and so was yesterday Tuesday it rained all day but Monday was great sun shine. As long as there is no north wind all is well!
On the political front , the min. of Finance is waking up slowly but surely and realised that the very rich is taking the country for a ride….and he changed a few things and they will now have to pay 3% of their income extra and above all if earning above €250,000-00 .
The recession is definitely here and the banks will have to amalgamate in order to survive! Any one who had shares are really now at the short end of the stick and I feel for them. Fortunately we do not fall in any bracket of the finance world where we have to worry! I still have a job and for that I thank the Lord , so many people lost their jobs, daily, people are paid off and the future seems bleak for the building world. Thousands of houses built during the boom are standing empty and even if you want to buy ..the banks do not give mortgages if your collateral is not 100% .
Nature has changed into a bleak stark naked affair with trees stripped of the foliage and the grass being over grazed gone yellow from all the rain. The slurry that the farmers spread on the lands all ran off into the streams and into the water system and we are now officially on bottle water even to brush your teeth!
With great thankfulness I still work and then only 3 nights a week on the same pay! The hospital is going to close every 2nd weekend from Saturday 2pm to Monday morning from January 2009. Being on night duty makes my job slightly more secure than other positions.
All the bulbs have been planted and the Hyathins??? x 9 are 1 inch high in their pots! The Cyclamens from last year got leaves again and I hope they will flower again!
Being informed through various methods and emails the situation in SA makes my heart bleed! Knowing that all is in Gods hands is the only consolation!
Happy birthday to the twins Paul and Mendel for today Renate in Dar Es Salaam on 23rd and Nine in Canada 29th! Those of you who are not mentioned apologies ! Best wishes to you all!
To those busy with exams ..my very special thoughts are with you.
Joleen I hope you survived the series of injections!!! Let me know how you are!
Thank you so much to Althea for the lovely letter you certainly made up!!!very special thoughts for my friend Trish in SA.
Joy thank you for your regular letter it is so wonderful to hear from you and all the others that write so diligently thank you very much!
The letters from Zambia is always well received and from Kokanja!!!! Those with farms can tell us a bit more – I hope that the weekend on the farm in the Free State will be lovely! Enjoy !!!!
Congratulations to Paul in Dar…. With the new position.!
Being off for 7 nights gives us a change to make a few trips as the petrol price is lower than in 4 years!!!! Will tell you next week where we went!
Well I manage to finish the letter before the call came from the lounge!!!
Take care
Be always careful
Love and regards
Barry& Christina(Stien…etc)
Friday evening.
Good day to all, family and friends,
This letter most probably will stretch over a day or two as I write in between scrabble playing and the rest. We should be Master champions by now and sometimes it really goes well and other times with 4 I’s 2 v’s and h to start the game ..takes some thinking! We enjoy it all the same, every game is different and we never get bored with it!
The weather is typical Haas Das weather” rain sometimes and sun shine in other places” We cannot complain it has been a very mild November and we are dreading the cold…and it surely is on the way… today was really good and so was yesterday Tuesday it rained all day but Monday was great sun shine. As long as there is no north wind all is well!
On the political front , the min. of Finance is waking up slowly but surely and realised that the very rich is taking the country for a ride….and he changed a few things and they will now have to pay 3% of their income extra and above all if earning above €250,000-00 .
The recession is definitely here and the banks will have to amalgamate in order to survive! Any one who had shares are really now at the short end of the stick and I feel for them. Fortunately we do not fall in any bracket of the finance world where we have to worry! I still have a job and for that I thank the Lord , so many people lost their jobs, daily, people are paid off and the future seems bleak for the building world. Thousands of houses built during the boom are standing empty and even if you want to buy ..the banks do not give mortgages if your collateral is not 100% .
Nature has changed into a bleak stark naked affair with trees stripped of the foliage and the grass being over grazed gone yellow from all the rain. The slurry that the farmers spread on the lands all ran off into the streams and into the water system and we are now officially on bottle water even to brush your teeth!
With great thankfulness I still work and then only 3 nights a week on the same pay! The hospital is going to close every 2nd weekend from Saturday 2pm to Monday morning from January 2009. Being on night duty makes my job slightly more secure than other positions.
All the bulbs have been planted and the Hyathins??? x 9 are 1 inch high in their pots! The Cyclamens from last year got leaves again and I hope they will flower again!
Being informed through various methods and emails the situation in SA makes my heart bleed! Knowing that all is in Gods hands is the only consolation!
Happy birthday to the twins Paul and Mendel for today Renate in Dar Es Salaam on 23rd and Nine in Canada 29th! Those of you who are not mentioned apologies ! Best wishes to you all!
To those busy with exams ..my very special thoughts are with you.
Joleen I hope you survived the series of injections!!! Let me know how you are!
Thank you so much to Althea for the lovely letter you certainly made up!!!very special thoughts for my friend Trish in SA.
Joy thank you for your regular letter it is so wonderful to hear from you and all the others that write so diligently thank you very much!
The letters from Zambia is always well received and from Kokanja!!!! Those with farms can tell us a bit more – I hope that the weekend on the farm in the Free State will be lovely! Enjoy !!!!
Congratulations to Paul in Dar…. With the new position.!
Being off for 7 nights gives us a change to make a few trips as the petrol price is lower than in 4 years!!!! Will tell you next week where we went!
Well I manage to finish the letter before the call came from the lounge!!!
Take care
Be always careful
Love and regards
Barry& Christina(Stien…etc)
Greetings from a wintery Ireland
9 November 2008
Good day to you all,
We are now well and truly in winter mode. highest the thermostat went today was 3 degrees outside and a friendly warm 22 inside.
The leaves are descending in blustery winds like swarms of particles and the rain drifts down in heavy showers every now and again. I do not mind , infact I love it ...
at least you know what to expect!
It has been an eventful week working backwards. End of WW1 memorial services today, a yacht confiscated in Cork with millions worth of drugs and 3 men arrested and then off cause the Barack Obamah spectacle that has ended in triumph! I think the Americans did not think it will really happen but it did and now they will have to wait and see what the future holds!
We were fortunate to have had Finbarr on a visit and just took him back to the train as that is the easiest mode of transport! it is always such a pleasure to have him home even if it is just for a few hours..it gives Barry a chance to talk with another man and for me to be computer educated.Amanda was otherwise occupied and could not come with.
Nothing much to report from the floating island . Monday we paid a visit to another antique auctioneer not too far away 40 min drive but did not stay for the auction as the weather was bad and the roads at night not the best and the auction would finish very late.
Glad the Boks won yesterday...wondering how many SA's were watching in Europe!
We cut all the wood on Wednesday I fed the wood and Barry was cutting ,,,he used the chainsaw which helps ..it took us 3 hours and 5 wheelbarrows later the bulk of it was cut and should last us for the winter. Standing bend forward for 3 hours was not fun especially the next day! I was aware of the fact that I am now a senior citizen!
TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF WEEK AS ALWAYS AND I LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS DAY ALL WEEK!
The Hymns were well-known and wonderful to sing and the food for our souls always spiritually inspired!
Retha I hope you also had a blessed Sunday!
Birthdays for this week and Yesterday includes Thabo(Sam) down under and Annalize in SA. Many happy returns of the days!
I gather that there are other birthdays as well but not being aware of them I cannot name them!
I have been summoned to join Barry in the lounge and hope that you will all have a good week, filled with blessing from above!
Regards and take care!
from the floating Irish Islanders
Barry, Christina & Kie (Stien...etc)
Good day to you all,
We are now well and truly in winter mode. highest the thermostat went today was 3 degrees outside and a friendly warm 22 inside.
The leaves are descending in blustery winds like swarms of particles and the rain drifts down in heavy showers every now and again. I do not mind , infact I love it ...
at least you know what to expect!
It has been an eventful week working backwards. End of WW1 memorial services today, a yacht confiscated in Cork with millions worth of drugs and 3 men arrested and then off cause the Barack Obamah spectacle that has ended in triumph! I think the Americans did not think it will really happen but it did and now they will have to wait and see what the future holds!
We were fortunate to have had Finbarr on a visit and just took him back to the train as that is the easiest mode of transport! it is always such a pleasure to have him home even if it is just for a few hours..it gives Barry a chance to talk with another man and for me to be computer educated.Amanda was otherwise occupied and could not come with.
Nothing much to report from the floating island . Monday we paid a visit to another antique auctioneer not too far away 40 min drive but did not stay for the auction as the weather was bad and the roads at night not the best and the auction would finish very late.
Glad the Boks won yesterday...wondering how many SA's were watching in Europe!
We cut all the wood on Wednesday I fed the wood and Barry was cutting ,,,he used the chainsaw which helps ..it took us 3 hours and 5 wheelbarrows later the bulk of it was cut and should last us for the winter. Standing bend forward for 3 hours was not fun especially the next day! I was aware of the fact that I am now a senior citizen!
TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF WEEK AS ALWAYS AND I LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS DAY ALL WEEK!
The Hymns were well-known and wonderful to sing and the food for our souls always spiritually inspired!
Retha I hope you also had a blessed Sunday!
Birthdays for this week and Yesterday includes Thabo(Sam) down under and Annalize in SA. Many happy returns of the days!
I gather that there are other birthdays as well but not being aware of them I cannot name them!
I have been summoned to join Barry in the lounge and hope that you will all have a good week, filled with blessing from above!
Regards and take care!
from the floating Irish Islanders
Barry, Christina & Kie (Stien...etc)
Ierse Groete
1 November 2008
Saterdag
Liewe allemaal,
Om eerlik te wees wil ek nie juis oor die weer praat nie maar aangesien dit ons hele lewe beheer ,byna meer as die euwel van die wereld, naamlik geld, is dit nou een ding waar ons niks aan kan doen nie. Eienaardig Arnolda sê dit is 16 gr. by hulle en van duisende kilometres wes korrespondeer ek met ‘n vriendin van Sa wat nou ‘n hele paar jaar in Kanada woon en ek het ‘n foto van haar gekry waar alles spierwit is van die sneeu. Ek kyk gereeld wat die weer in SA inhou en beny julle die somer maar nie die droogte nie en ons hoop en bid dat goeie reen sal val veral op die Vrystaatse plaas!!!en ook in Australiee!
Hier gaan dit klopdisselboom, lekker koud ,vriesend met helder sonskyn maar geen hitte uit die vuurbol nie want dit is alles in ‘n suidelike rigting gemik.Soggens , gewapen met my bottel lou water gee ek eers die kar ‘n bad van die voorruit alom tot agter terwyl die enjin hardloop omteverhoed dat die water wat ek gooi nie weer dadelik vries nie.Ek het sulke deftige goed in ‘n spuitbottel maar ek gaan vreeslik aan die hoes as ek dit perongeluk inasem ,dus vermy ek dit waar ek kan, want om met ‘n toegetrekte bors die rit huistoe aantedurf is nie ‘n goeie idee nie ! Kortom dit is winter in volle gang die eerste sneeu het hier ook in Wicklow geval en selfs in die midland area waar on s woon het verskillende plekke gerapporteer dat die eerste sneeu Dinsdag geval het ons het wel ‘sleet’ gehad maar geen sneeu nie.
Soos oral hier in Europa en VSA Kanada en wie weet waar nog was die ‘pagan’ ding van Halloween hier hoog aangeskrewe tot my arme kat se ellende , hy is nog verward en sy oe is so groot soos pierings, hy le nie stil vir langer as ‘n paar minute nie vlieg op en kyk verward rond..die naaste bure het kinders en die het die hele aand klappers geskiet en lawaai gemaak , ek was by die werk en het gelukkig vrygeloop ons kon net die vuurwerke van die saal af sien maar het gelukkig nie ellendes ondervind nie.
Die laaaaang nagte word nou nog langer vanwee die feit dat ons nou net 3 nagte ‘n week werk maar 12 +1/2 uur skofte.Dit word nou vroeg donker en met die 2 ure verskil tussen SA en ons is alles nou eers vir ‘n wyle in die war.
5.15nm en dit is byna donker!elke dag word die lengte van daglig verminder met omtrent 5 minute.Die verskil tussen somer en winter is dat ons in die somer so baie verwag in die winter wee t ons wat op ons wag en verwag niks!
Nou ja die politieke turmoil het effe afgekoel maar die heersende Fianna Fail party het ‘n knak weg en ons sal die vrugte van hierdie begroting nog vir ‘n lang tyd pluk.
Ons kon dit nie weerstaan om ‘n besoek by die tuinplek af telê nie en kom toe terug met sogenaamde winter gesiggies en die is nou in my 2 hangmandjies wat ‘n mens van die pad af kan sien. Die laaste slierte van die kappertjies is nou finaal verwyder en al die oorgeblewe sand is nou gebruik om holtes op te vul en die res oor die gras gestrooi. Ons is vir eers klaar gebou!!!!!!
Ek het nog spinasie in die tuin , ewig oorlewend , ryp en al!
More is Sondag en altyd my beste dag! Alle Psalme en gesange goed geoefen en honger vir voedsel vir die gees! Nou praat ek byna elke dag Afrikaans. Die dokters by die werk wat mekaar afwissel en al die Afrikaners by die kerk!!!!dis tog alte lekker!
Ons stoof se glas het verlede Sondagaand gekraak – maar vrot glas en die moes inderhaas vervang word want ander kan ons nie vuur maak nie. Die olie is wel daar maar ons gebruik dit liewer net in nood. Maandag is ons toe Athlone toe bank vakansie dag en alles maak eers 2 nm oop maar ons het die glas gekry en ‘n laaaaang uur in B & Q rond geloop dit is daardie allemintige groot plek wat alles in he t wat jou hart begeer. En toe begin die soektog na GAnleys waar ons die glas moet koop .elke moonlike pad in die dorp geneem en uiteindelik vanaf die snelweg oppad Galway toe die winkel raakgesien .by ‘n afrit omgedraai en die glas gekoop ten duurste want dit is die deel van die stoof wat nie onder die 5 jaar waarborg val nie.!!!! So leer ‘n mens!
Nou ja die kos is op die stoof en soos altyd moet ek daar wees want die reukorgaan werk nie en as ek nie daar naby is nie en dinge elke nou en dan besigtig nie, brand dit.
In my verjaardag boekie het ek net een verjaardag en dit van Heidi. Veels geluk!
Volgende is Australiee aan die beurt!
Nou groet ek met ‘n warm hart en groot dankbaarheid dat ons almal gesond en wel is!
Baie dankie vir al die briefies!
Groete
Barry & Christina ( Stien…ens)
Wees altyd versigtig!!!!
Saterdag
Liewe allemaal,
Om eerlik te wees wil ek nie juis oor die weer praat nie maar aangesien dit ons hele lewe beheer ,byna meer as die euwel van die wereld, naamlik geld, is dit nou een ding waar ons niks aan kan doen nie. Eienaardig Arnolda sê dit is 16 gr. by hulle en van duisende kilometres wes korrespondeer ek met ‘n vriendin van Sa wat nou ‘n hele paar jaar in Kanada woon en ek het ‘n foto van haar gekry waar alles spierwit is van die sneeu. Ek kyk gereeld wat die weer in SA inhou en beny julle die somer maar nie die droogte nie en ons hoop en bid dat goeie reen sal val veral op die Vrystaatse plaas!!!en ook in Australiee!
Hier gaan dit klopdisselboom, lekker koud ,vriesend met helder sonskyn maar geen hitte uit die vuurbol nie want dit is alles in ‘n suidelike rigting gemik.Soggens , gewapen met my bottel lou water gee ek eers die kar ‘n bad van die voorruit alom tot agter terwyl die enjin hardloop omteverhoed dat die water wat ek gooi nie weer dadelik vries nie.Ek het sulke deftige goed in ‘n spuitbottel maar ek gaan vreeslik aan die hoes as ek dit perongeluk inasem ,dus vermy ek dit waar ek kan, want om met ‘n toegetrekte bors die rit huistoe aantedurf is nie ‘n goeie idee nie ! Kortom dit is winter in volle gang die eerste sneeu het hier ook in Wicklow geval en selfs in die midland area waar on s woon het verskillende plekke gerapporteer dat die eerste sneeu Dinsdag geval het ons het wel ‘sleet’ gehad maar geen sneeu nie.
Soos oral hier in Europa en VSA Kanada en wie weet waar nog was die ‘pagan’ ding van Halloween hier hoog aangeskrewe tot my arme kat se ellende , hy is nog verward en sy oe is so groot soos pierings, hy le nie stil vir langer as ‘n paar minute nie vlieg op en kyk verward rond..die naaste bure het kinders en die het die hele aand klappers geskiet en lawaai gemaak , ek was by die werk en het gelukkig vrygeloop ons kon net die vuurwerke van die saal af sien maar het gelukkig nie ellendes ondervind nie.
Die laaaaang nagte word nou nog langer vanwee die feit dat ons nou net 3 nagte ‘n week werk maar 12 +1/2 uur skofte.Dit word nou vroeg donker en met die 2 ure verskil tussen SA en ons is alles nou eers vir ‘n wyle in die war.
5.15nm en dit is byna donker!elke dag word die lengte van daglig verminder met omtrent 5 minute.Die verskil tussen somer en winter is dat ons in die somer so baie verwag in die winter wee t ons wat op ons wag en verwag niks!
Nou ja die politieke turmoil het effe afgekoel maar die heersende Fianna Fail party het ‘n knak weg en ons sal die vrugte van hierdie begroting nog vir ‘n lang tyd pluk.
Ons kon dit nie weerstaan om ‘n besoek by die tuinplek af telê nie en kom toe terug met sogenaamde winter gesiggies en die is nou in my 2 hangmandjies wat ‘n mens van die pad af kan sien. Die laaste slierte van die kappertjies is nou finaal verwyder en al die oorgeblewe sand is nou gebruik om holtes op te vul en die res oor die gras gestrooi. Ons is vir eers klaar gebou!!!!!!
Ek het nog spinasie in die tuin , ewig oorlewend , ryp en al!
More is Sondag en altyd my beste dag! Alle Psalme en gesange goed geoefen en honger vir voedsel vir die gees! Nou praat ek byna elke dag Afrikaans. Die dokters by die werk wat mekaar afwissel en al die Afrikaners by die kerk!!!!dis tog alte lekker!
Ons stoof se glas het verlede Sondagaand gekraak – maar vrot glas en die moes inderhaas vervang word want ander kan ons nie vuur maak nie. Die olie is wel daar maar ons gebruik dit liewer net in nood. Maandag is ons toe Athlone toe bank vakansie dag en alles maak eers 2 nm oop maar ons het die glas gekry en ‘n laaaaang uur in B & Q rond geloop dit is daardie allemintige groot plek wat alles in he t wat jou hart begeer. En toe begin die soektog na GAnleys waar ons die glas moet koop .elke moonlike pad in die dorp geneem en uiteindelik vanaf die snelweg oppad Galway toe die winkel raakgesien .by ‘n afrit omgedraai en die glas gekoop ten duurste want dit is die deel van die stoof wat nie onder die 5 jaar waarborg val nie.!!!! So leer ‘n mens!
Nou ja die kos is op die stoof en soos altyd moet ek daar wees want die reukorgaan werk nie en as ek nie daar naby is nie en dinge elke nou en dan besigtig nie, brand dit.
In my verjaardag boekie het ek net een verjaardag en dit van Heidi. Veels geluk!
Volgende is Australiee aan die beurt!
Nou groet ek met ‘n warm hart en groot dankbaarheid dat ons almal gesond en wel is!
Baie dankie vir al die briefies!
Groete
Barry & Christina ( Stien…ens)
Wees altyd versigtig!!!!
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