Greetings from a wet Cranleymore

Saturday 15 Oct’11

Good day to you all, family and friends!
It is beyond miserable outside, it is raining, not misty or a soft drizzle, it is raining, continuously. There was some relief on Thursday afternoon when the sun came out the wind lied down the clouds disappeared and the temperatures rose to 21°. We were outside picking berries for another bottle of jam, having coffee in the back yard, looking over the fence at all the new cattle Jimmy, the neighbour bought!!! That was then- but unfortunately today is like the days before Thursday and since! I have to admit it is not cold and that is a blessing.
Very unusual - the flowers starts to flower all over again and there is new growth everywhere the roses are plentiful and the dahlias we thought were dead and gone are absolutely lovely , we also have a ‘stokroos’ in flower, never thought we will ever experience that in this country!
All my promulgated stems seem to have taken and I will do some more especially of the wonderful dahlias!
We cut the grass quickly last Thursday a week ago when the wind dried out the grass but could not get into the ground since. When you walk on the grass it is like a sponge, sucking you in.
The cabbages and cauliflowers are out of this world- also a trial as we have never planted winter veggies before .There is a promise of some dry weather coming around Monday and then we hope to plant our winter onions, Anemones, and wonderful varieties of Tulips discovered yesterday! After 7 years of extremely hard work the lawn mower is in dire need of replacement and as always the prices drop tremendously over the winter months and we were out shopping for one yesterday, did not buy one yet but will watch the prices and maybe in the next month we hope to have a new lawnmower!
Our visiting animals have become less. The grey cat with his wonderful Professor expression has not been seen for 2 weeks or more and I hope that he is well. The foxes are big and bold, with shining coats from the good food they get from the Dunnes.
The little hedgehog has not been seen but with all the new cattle in the field behind the house it is possible that he feels threatened! The boss of the place Blackie thinks he belongs to us now! He has become quite tame and miaau for his milk and food!
I got some orchids from my friend Marthie earlier in the year that were drowned by their carer but I have, with good care revived them and they stand in full flower, The big orchid has 2 stems growing at alarming speed and all going well we might have flowers on there for Easter.
I spoke to Lukas a few minutes ago- who is really just too good to be true. At nearly 18mnths old, he is at least 6 mnths ahead in his milestones and perception. Using both hands equally well and talks! All going well, God willing, they will be over at the end of the month when we have a bank holiday on the 31st- cannot wait. Haya enjoy the grandmother feeling – it is something that grows!
At work things are moving fast- the Emergency department has been quite busy and that means extra work for us in the ward. The principle of patient safety is still in question as we have to look after 16- 20 surgical cases as well as at least 6 high dependency medical cases at present – only 2 nurses and no carer. The new Lamina Flow theatres will soon be ready and also the High Care Unit for hip and knee replacements. The hospital was built a good few years ago before there was piped oxygen and suction- all these facilities had to be installed to pass accreditation for the HCU. We still use oxygen cylinders in the wards.
The staff is working very hard with many extra hours which are given back in ‘Time Owing’ rather than getting paid! The accreditation is behind us and we seemed to have done very well.
Official report will be available in 2 weeks.
Birthdays for the following week!
Rina Herbst’s birthday is tomorrow 16th We hope and pray that the year ahead will bring good health and many wonderful hours with your flowers! Paul Eloff, son of Oubaas & Gerda, who most probably do not have a clue who I am, has his birthday on the 18th! Study well young man and every success with the exams!
Marthie Potgieter, my dear friend here in Longford is a year older on the 20th! Happy Birthday- may this year bring you great joy!
Tomorrow , as always is the best day of my week. I am in front of the organ and I am looking forward to the Praise we will bring our Lord! We enjoy the wonderful preaching from a very gifted minister and look forward to tomorrow’s sermon!
Thank you for all the lovely letters I received and especially to Joy in Brisbane who writes so regularly!
Now that Wales is out of the World cup we have not decided who we favour- I am not fond of the French but they are now all that is left from this side of the world!
We read the SA news and are sometimes very saddened by the murders and rape reports- not that it is any better anywhere else- but just because it is my homeland.
Therefore, be diligent in your safety procedures and take good care of yourselves!
I greet you from a very wet Cranleymore
Barry & Christina