Sunshine greetings from Cranleymore

30 July ‘12 Good day to all, family and friends! I am late in writing a few lines but I have a good reason, I worked, not like most of the people I know that are all on holiday! The sun shone here today and is surely the most important aspect of the 2nd last day of July. I can recall about 4 good days during this month and may be 2 very good days that is now with temperatures above 20° C but still lower than 25! The rain meter has been installed and we will do a weekly rainfall reading and record same. The satellite dish has brought great viewing to our TV lounge and a picture out of this world! The Olympics are great entertainment. The underwater camera work is really good and I have to admit that the facilities are of the highest standard- has to be of course but never thought that the English will achieve it in time! While watching the swimming there was a glitz with the starter – a technical problem which did not make it any easier on the swimmers! The garden does not look too bad in spite of the continuous rain, the only problem is that the weeds grow just as fast as the shrubbery. Our tomato tree has tomatoes on and it seems as if the bunches of grapes will reach a stage where they will ripen. The pip-grown apple tree is doing well outside and I have about 20 orange and grape fruit trees in different stages-I have had such success with pushing the pips of sweet grape fruit and oranges into the ground- it is quite unreal. If they all grow I might just think about marketing them I, in all fairness need a hothouse but a good one costs money and that tree I have not found yet! Foxies and birds are in good shape- Blackie is thin and in spite of eating well he seems to stay under weight. He does not mind Barry but I must not come near- we thought we could catch him and take him to the vet but neither do we want to frighten him, so – we keep on feeding him and as long as he comes, we are happy! The saga with the Quinn family continues, very sad, but...greediness will eventually get the better of you if you indulge in it! On the political front they are fairly well behaved and the excitement of a few weeks ago of Ministers involved in money making schemes are settling down with the Olympics across the waters taking most of the attention. We had a surprise visit from Finbarr with the family-he bought in bulk some cosmetics which Amanda will be marketing on facebook- The smell in the outside room is heavenly. Little Lukas is a real treat! The boxes were delivered here with us as we have the space! The Eloff’s from Exeter is already in the ‘boskamp’ and the young couple are getting ready for the big day! Pauli and Mader- hope you enjoy the preparations! Birthdays: Frik in Vryburg- I have no email address for them but if there is some-one in touch with them please convey my best wishes to him for the 31st. Gert Maritz, our visiting SA doctor fin MIDOC will also be a year older on the same day! Gerlof will have his birthday in the ‘boskamp’ and Renate Br Mendel’s daughter in the Cape-Happy birthday for the 1st. Annarie in Ballymahon’s birthday is on the 4th ! May you have a lovely day! Any-one else Happy birthday if you have a birthday in this coming week! We specially think and pray for little Christiaan in Pretoria! I greet ye all from Cranleymore where the sun shone today Take care on the roads and at home Barry and Christina