Greetings from Ireland

3 April 2009

Friday



Dear family and friends,



I just confirmed with a computer repair man that he will do a house visit like the GP’s of old and give a diagnoses and treatment to my desktop computer that has gone into a deep sleep since 2 weeks ago.

Yesterday was out of this world, temperature reading at 15hoo was 20 degrees in the sun and 17 in the shade. Out of years of experience we know that it never lasts and today it is dry but at least 6-8 degree cooler. The sun is there you know it, but the cloud layer just to thick for the rays to penetrate.

I have just qualified as a apprentice in stripping and repairing Lawnmowers. Any-one with a lawn mower problem can bring it to me I can strip it clean it and put it together again Why? you ask is this women doing such silly things. Here where we live to have the moto’ ‘n boer maak ‘n plan’ and I assisted Barry in his effort to fix our loyal and very hard working lawnmower. Sadly after the

4 th time it still did not want to go and I had to bring it to the mechanic which only works 4 days a week and will look at it on Monday.

The grass has to be cut, that is a fact. If you leave it to grow to long you struggle too much and that is out so we decided in spite of the fact that it will be attended to on Monday that we will drive up North and investigate the possibility of getting a new one at UK prices. The only day available is Sunday therefore after church on Sunday we will take the road God willing to explore and become wiser as well as enjoy the scenery.

The economic situation in this country is drowning fast in a current of blunders and greedy people’s attribution to money lending irresponsibly. The hospital has been closed for the last 3 weekends and will be closed the next 2 weekend as well.

I did not work last night as scheduled as there were no patients.

My past experiences in accreditation and so called ability to learn fast and furious has landed me in a very unfortunate position where i did not only loose hours but my night duty allowance as well. It is serious and I addressed the matter with management and hope that it will be adjusted for next week.

The hospital is also in the process to introduce a 10% wage cut which caused outrage and the union were brought in. The nurses were obliged to sign an agreement on the 10% cut before the union meeting took place in order for it to be effective before pay week and the union was adamant that no nurse should have signed anything as there were no specifics attached to the agreement and now the hospital can hold us to it for as long as they please.

We pray and hope that the G20 meeting which took place in London last night will have a positive effect on our small country’s

financial dilemma.

The garden is taking shape, We planted carrots, peas, cabbage, lettuce and hope to get early tomato plants. The problem is that the tomatoes grow well in the summer but there is not enough heat in the last part of summer short autumn to ripen the fruit and it go to waste. If we can get the seedlings earlier then there will be hope for the tomatoes to go to colour and ripen!

The hanging baskets looks good and the tulips in front of the door with brilliant colours of orange yellow and inner part blood red is exceptionally beautiful.

To add to my already growing citrus collection I have just planted the pips of the pink grapefruit and may be when I turn 80 we will pick the fruit! The apple and pear trees are going into blossoms and the prospect of eating some of our own fruit this year is good.!

Congratulations to my friend Angie in Jhb daughter who has a birthday on Saturday 4th already mentioned in last weeks letter as well as Devlin in Pmb, the son of Derek and Joleen, Happy Birthday to both of you.

On the 5th Nine Paula has her birthday and I sincerely hope that the year ahead will be filled with making the right decisions for a career and the day will be a memorable one! Enjoy being young!

Next week 10th it will be Gerda’s turn in Mazibuku, hope I am right! Everything of the very best for you there in Zambia

Congratulations also to all of you that excel in the workplace, Angie I am ever so proud of you!

Thilo and Martie how are your studies progressing.?

All the other northern hemisphere students which stands on the brink of preparing for their final exams – I hope that it will go well.

I always believed that if you worked hard during the term or semester the exam becomes a bonus and not a burden.

The days are extra long and the sun sets now after 20h00 just too wonderful!

A special hello to tante Poppie, you are always in our thoughts and prayers.

I hope that this letter will find you all in good health, that all the crops are growing well that all the harvests will be plentiful, that it will rain when and where it should.

Watch every step you take.

Be careful,

Take good care of yourselves.

Greetings from us in Cranleymore

Ireland Barry & Christina(Stien..etc)