Sonnige maar baie koue groete

‘n Voorspoedige Nuwe Jaar jul toegewens! 28 Desember 2013 Goeie dag aan allemaal ,familie en vriende! Net ‘n kort skrywe om seker te maak dat julle weet dat dit winter is in die Noordelike Halfrond en dat storm sterkte winde ons nou al geruime tyd teister! Die laaste sneeu wat geval het was Dinsdag en ons het ‘n heerlike sonnige Kers dag gehad- koud! Maar blou lug was aan die orde van die dag! Nou lê Nuwe Jaar voor en vandag skyn die son heerlik en daar is ‘n nuwe glans in die lig van die son strale maar die storms is alweer op pad! Arme Engeland! Die weste van die Eiland kry die swaarste en ons hier in die middel van eiland kry ‘n swiep van die storm se stert elke nou en dan! 140mm in minder as ‘n week in reenval! Gelukkig het ons nie krag onderbrekings gehad nie maar baie bome is omgewaai en oral sien jy boere besig om bome uit die klein paadjies te verwyder en optesaag! Ons is baie baie bevoorregt om heerlik beskut en warm in ons huisie te verkeer- Ek gaan alleen buite toe as die son skyn –gepantser teen die koue- en loop my loop anders bly ek binne! Die vuur brand elke dag van 1nm en ons is baie dankbaar vir al die seeninge! Die katte Spottie en Patches was baie stout vanmôre- hulle dink hulle kan vlieg en sit onder al die voel kos hangers en het toe tog dit reggekry om een voeltjie te vang Barry het hom gou gered! Ons kan dit nie stop nie en die katte is so deel van ons lewe nou ! Patches loop elke tree saam met my – as ek nie genoeg met hom praat nie begin hy tjank – Spottie is te lui hy loop so 3x saam en dan roep hy halt – dink seker ek is mal om so al in die rondte te loop! 20x 200meter is 4000 meter en dit is goed genoeg vir my! Ek kry dit nie leke dag gedoen nie maar loop dan binne – die draaie is net baie nader aan mekaar en ek moet elke nou en dan bietjie stop! Op politieke front is daar redelike stilte want alles het tot stilstand gekom oor Kers en hulle het nog nie mooi bygekom na die groot maaltye nie en volgende week het hul gelukkig net een dag af! Ons hoop dinge sal dan na normaal begin terug keer! Die arme man wat genooi is om die verskil punte in Noord Ierland optelos het net voor Kers byna deur die nag berading gehou met die klomp – afgevaardigers van elke party om die ellende van onmin en verskille op te klaar! Drie dinge bly ‘n doring in die vlees! Vlae wat sekere dae van die jaar waai, die parades wat plaas vind en om vrede te maak met die verlede! Hy is huis toe en het vanmôre weer terug gevlieg! Hy het werklik baie deursettingsvermoë! Niemand wil ingee nie en niemand wil iets verloor van hul oerstaande ordes nie- Plaas dat almal saam stem – laat die wat wil parades hou – gaan voort en loop net waar julle wil, laat alle vlae waai elke dag van die jaar en dit wil voorkom of hulle nooit van “reconciliation” gehoor het nie – net nou die dag het hulle weer ‘n bom laat ontplof in Belfast- Vir wat? Dit gaan my verstand te bowe! Hier maak hulle mekaar dood met messe – bendes wat veg – iemand wat ‘n ander te na gekom het word met ‘n mes dood gemaak sonder enige probleme- ek dink meer mense is dood aan steek wonde as op die paaie! Môre is weer die beste dag van my week en ek sit nog in die bank en sing heerlik terwyl Joy die orgel speel! My beurt sal kom –hopelik na my volgende besoek aan die Fisioterapeut- toestemming om te bestuur en om sonder krukke te loop – ek loop buite net met een –vir ingeval maar binne in die huis al lank nie meer nie! Oefeninge neem baie van my tyd in beslag en daar is byna geen tyd vir iets anders in my lewe nie! Die tuin is kaal en bruin, en tog staan die daisy bos reg om ooptebars in ‘n geel dos van blommetjies- die affodille groei verwoed! Die heide staan ook in volle blom! Ons dink baie spesiaal aan die wat alleen is- die wat miskien alleen voel, almal wat geliefdes gedurende die jaar verloor het, almal wat nog besig is om te herstel, die wat in diepe verdriet is oor dinge wat nie wou uitwerk nie! Ouers wat probleme het met kinders! Onthou dat daar versekering opgeskryf staan in die boek van God, jy is tot alles instaat met God aan jou sy! Ons dink ook aan almal wat kinders op besoek het! Geniet elke minuut! Baie dankie vir la die heerlik leesstof wat via die lug gearriveer het! Alles word verslind –waar dit ook al vandaan kom SA, Rusland Australia, Kanada, Engeland! Verjaardae! Ons onthou Br Mendel en al die kinders en klein kinders met Anke† wat die 30ste sou verjaar het! Wees altyd versigtig veral die wat op die pad gaan wees- onthou die gek om die hoek! Hou Veiligheid tuis en ook waar julle met vakansie is altyd in gedagte! Groete vanuit ‘n sonnige maar baie koue Cranleymore! Barry & Christina

Wet winter greetings

Saturday 21 December ‘13 We wish you a Blessed Christmas Good day to all, family and friends! We experience proper winter and somehow it does not matter that it is pouring with rain, that there is no sun and just dark clouds- it is the shortest day of the year and soon the days will grow longer and the looking forward to spring will be in the air! Our hopes for this festive season is that every-one where ever he or she may be will experience the Wonder of the Saviour that was born for us! We have our Carol Service tomorrow – always something to look forward to! Those who are not well, those who are in recovery, those are lonely, those who feel desperate- KNOW - the great Healer is there to take care of you! We put up our little Fibre Optic tree this morning and the front room has been changed into a kaleidoscope of colours! The country side is bleak and wet- with the wind blowing most of the time at storm strength- a sad time of the year for some families – murders and accidents. Freak accidents that take lives and others who have no respect for another human being! On the political front you look at a beautiful shiny red apple and when you cut it open it is alive with worms! There are daily a discovery of the most terrible financial crimes thinkable, being exposed in our island which brings great sadness ! On a more festive note! The cats are fascinated by the lights on the tree! As they are estate cats they live in the shed- they are well protected from wind and rain and have been put on a diet as from this morning! Spottie loves to come and look where I am . He slips pass Barry till he finds me- wait for his head to scratched and then I pick him up and carry him out – he weighs a good few kilos! Patches is not that greedy but it has to come to an end! Just now his heart stops! Their coats are magnificent and I know they are not cold! Loves the snow and try to catch the snow flakes! We hope to have the children over on the 26th or there about! As always we have food for the whole of Africa and we will be eating cold meats till long after New year! Birthdays: Paul & Jacob the 24th, Nine from Haya 26th! Happy birthday to you! Only the very best wishes for the year to come! Congratulations to Gerda & Louis on there wedding! Many of you are away on holidays and we hope that you will enjoy it and drive safely! Take good care of yourselves –remember safety at home and away! Wet winter greetings from us here in Cranleymore! Barry & Christina

Wet and windy greetings

Saturday 14 December ‘13 Good day to all, family and friends! It has been a very mild December until yesterday at 2pm when out of the blue a hail storm passed over us and since then the temperatures have been a bit lower than all week! One of the funny things about this Island is that the temperatures goes up during the night and down during the day and that has been the most of the last 10 days the case! It was dry until that hailstorm and the rain has not really stopped since then! It gave me a gap to walk yesterday between 3.30-4pm but that was it! Fields are still green but the trees are bare and brown, not a pleasant sight as we are very spoiled with the very special colouring of this place! I noticed still a few roses flowering and the chrisanthenyms! The daisy bushes looks as if they are about to burst into flower and the daffodils are a good 2 inches above the ground! We were very spoiled by the visit from our niece and nephew Anette and Michael from SA- two family members in one month! Hillie was here earlier on! It was a short visit but still got a short drive in just to show off a bit! Barry is now not just Estate manager but also Kitchen boss and chef! He has become an excellent cook and we eat well! My day is taken up by time for rest with an ice pack on the knee and then the endless exercise regime with the walk following! Every day a little further as in 4 weeks I will be walking 4km a day without my crutches! The circus with the week of Mandela is nearly at an end and we have become the laughing stock of the world! You all know the wonderful sign language man with previous convictions and all and the garbage he signed! Now the people of the East Cape are furious because they did not have the privileges of those in Gauteng! O dear, will I be glad to see something else on TV! Our local radio station invited people who have had dealings or even have met Mr Mandela to come on air and tell their stories- - in some cases it was so embarrassing as they gave wrong facts and spoke pure tripe! We Skype regularly with the grandchildren and they are growing up beautifully! Very cute! Tomorrow we officially exit the TROIKA and only the future will tell what that holds! May we survive! I sincerely hope to get to church tomorrow- but only be able to do it if it stops raining- the world gets very slippery and when it rains continually you have to dodge quite big pools and to try and get through them with crutches and a wind that is blowing storm strength is a bit difficult! So I do pray and hope that the wind will lie down and the sun make an appearance with dry skies –so that I can get to church! Barry is very patient and has now qualified as physio and nurse as well!. We think of those who are going to get married! Congratulations! Unfortunately I have no date but our wishes are that you will be very happy! Birthdays!: Marie Reynecke has had her Birthday today, Helene van Gerda and Oubaas on the 17th and Karen du Toit on the 21st! Happy birthday to you all! To those who are not well and in recovery –you are always in our prayers! Our cats Patches and Spottie has grown up to be 2 enormous big cats and Barry is now in charge of their diet and they are spoilt rotten! We have a big ginger cat visiting and you can just hear the growls from our 2 cats when he comes too near! Only birds present but nothing else at present! To those who are packing to travel either to come home or to go home we pray that you will have a safe journey! Those who are going to use the roads please be careful and do not speed! Continually remember your own safety at home and away! With wet and windy regards Regards from Cranelymore Barry & Christina

Lekker winter groete

7 Desember ‘13 GOEIE DAG AAN ALMAL FAMILIE EN Vriende! Ek sit met ‘n handdoek om my nek om die sweet druppels aftevee na my kilometer loop op die krukke wat net regtig daar is om my balans te behou en te verhoed dat ek struikel! Ek moet baie aandag gee aan die buig van die knie en die manier waarop ek my voet neer sit en dit verg deksels baie! Dit is blikskottles koud 4°-6, daarbuite maar na so ‘n sessie hardloop die sweet my af! Eintlik het ons die hele week goeie weer gehad –dit is bewolkd maar ons kan nog alles verdra want dit is droog ! Die son kom so nou en dan deur en dan skrik jy byna! Gister was dit 14 dae en die Dr en Fisioterapeut dink ek is ‘n briljante pasient! Ek doen alles reg en genoeg van en nou het ek sedert gister my kilometer loop opgeskuif na 1.5 per dag vir 3 dae en dan word dit 2km per dag. Ek moes die afstand mooi afmeet –liewer verder loop as minder. Dus elke keer wat my regtervoet vorentoe gaan is dit ‘n telling en so het ek ‘n roete uitgewerk al om die parkeer area en voor die huis om! Barry was woendend vir my vanmore want ek het besluit ek kan nie ndie vuil huis meer aanskou nie! Hy is baie goed en vee elke dag – die enigste mens wat ek ken wat net met een hand die besem vas hou en so die huis gougou elke oggend vee! Alles word in ‘n spesiale hoekie in gevee en as dit te hoog raak sal hy dit met die skoppie weg neem! Ongelukkig maak dit nie die matte skoon nie en waar ek nou in die gaste kamer ingetrek het omdat alles daar gerieflik is en die bed die regte hoogte is, word daardie mat ontsettend vuil! Ons het klippies regom die huis –gruis en dit kom in met ons dik rubber sole! Die katte is mal oor die gelopery en as ek ophou tel begin hulle mieau tot ek weer begin tel! Hulle hardloop saam tot vervelens toe! Op n stadium roep hulle halt en begin wegkruipertjie met mekaar speel! Die tuin is dood en , leeg en lelik, die enigste ding wat nog mooi lyk is die pers en donker rooi krissante – hulle verdra die koue en ryp baie goed! Nou ja die afsterwe van Nelson Mandela het die hele wêreld in ‘n greep Ek weet nou meer van die man as wat ek ooit geweet het –van soggens vroeg tot laat aand is daar deurentyd hulde blyke en lewens programme- sommige laat jou tjank en ander maak jou boos! Ons harte is tog seer oor die ‘great and gentle giant’ en so jammer dat die verandering wat hy in gedagte gehad nie tot werklikheid gekom het nie- sommige wel maar ander het byna gedegenereer! Van hier gaan ons Taneaste Mr Gilmore vir die gedenk diens en dan die President( Lepricorn) D Higgins sal na die begrafnis gaan! Ander aand luister ons een of ander BBC program en die man met wie hulle die onderhoud voer beweer toe dat die Sjimpanzee nou as ‘mens’ verklaar gaan word- ongelooflik ( wat van die mens geskape na die ewe beeld van God) maar as hy so dink wonder ek of ons in die toekoms ‘n chimp gaan hê wat vir ons die nuus gaan lees! Ek weet hulle is baie slim –dit is nie te berwyfel nie maar om ‘n onderhoud te voer is darem regtig iets anders. Môre is soos altyd die beste dag van my week! Ons sal sake heroorweeg in die oggend , ek wil bitter graag kerk toe gaan maar sal ek kan stil sit vir so lank?- wat doen ek as ek MOET opstaan? Barry sterf liewer van skaamte as om my bietjie te laast regop staan terwyl die predikant preek! Baie dankie vir die 2 stelle fotos van die meneer gebore in Melbourne – pragtige kind!- die opvolg fotos van Evie en die fopspeen was te pragtig! Waar is klein Otto dan? Verjaardae!: My boekie is leeg tot en met volgende Saterdag – sou iemand wel verjaardag hou – geniet dit en alles van die beste vir die volgende jaar! Marie Reynecke is jarig op die 14de Veels Geluk! Goeie gesondheid en vele mooi dae jou toegewens! Daar is ‘n paar mense wat baie stil geraak het – ek hoop dit is nog wel daar? Nanette?? Martie Redelinhuys??? Ek Het darem vir Leandra opgespoor! Baie dankie vir al die briefies – geniet elke stukkie nuus! Ons bid steeds vir Attie en Hessie en Nine en Stefan! Ons sien ontsettend uit na ons Niggie Anette en haar man Michael se besoek Donderdag! Heerlik ook om weer van Hillie te gehoor het terwyl sy op die Euro-trein op pad Parys toe was! Seker al lankal daar! Nou moet ek sê ons dae is bitter kort en as dit bewolkt is ,nog korter as dae wanneer die son skyn dus met die gedagte dat dit net nou donker gaan wees wens ek julle almal ‘n goeie week toe – onthou veiligheid! Ry asb versigtig! Die vuur brand en my knie skree! Lekker winter groete vanuit Cranleymore Barry en Christina

Chilly winter greetings

Saturday 30 November 13 Good day to all, family & friends, far away and near! The Sun shines – there is no wind and it is the last day of November – tomorrow is officially WINTER! Blue skies and birds singing! Odd to hear them sing! In my life it is not only the sun that shines but I count my blessings one for one with every step I take! In fact it is winter already for a few weeks but you must not confuse the issue and nights are very cold and days very pleasant! May be you know, maybe not, but I am now BIONIC. The new knee works well –I comply with all regulations and have just been outside for my walk which takes place 4x every day. These are followed by exercise regime and little rests in between- I became very desperate the first few days – the antibiotic made me so nauseous and being allergic to every possible thing on earth the Paracetamol was not giving me enough cover- In hospital I received at Night a Morphine injection with anti-emetic which were great but the last night I refused it and that was the night I had them all on their toes. I will write this in sections as I cannot sit that long without a stretch!! The operation went well, to avoid breathing problems I received a spinal anaesthesia which was excellent I went into theatre at 10 am , everything state of the art. I was back in the ward awake and compus mentus 2 ½ hrs later. You get up with the physio the same afternoon and take your first walk. Pain control was tricky with only Paracetamol and Morphine as a choice –Eventually It was agreed I am good enough with all my exercises to go home on Tuesday. The last night, and as your whole body go into state of confusion with change of diet and strange surroundings, I had to visit the toilet @ about 2am ( By now I would be getting up all by myself but at night they hook you to Cryocuff and AVPulses to you feet–I had to call the nurse! I had no Morphine so you cannot blame the drugs. When I got back to the bed, I parked the crutches neatly against the wall I stood one step away from the bed and turned to take the step .When I eventually came round a few seconds later I sat on my bum 2meters away from the bed! The lovely lady in the bed beside me had the fright of her life and so the rest of the staff, 2 Doctors, and about 3 nurses one a male ,otherwise I would still have been on the floor, standing over me! When you fall in hospital it becomes a big thing, observations are done every few minutes until all has settled but with this flying backwards I must have hit my head somewhere and my Blood pressure which was perfect throughout the stay in hospital went through the roof. I fell asleep and woke ½ hr later with all these people around me again as I experienced a bad broncho spasm –with nebulizer and oxygen pumping from everywhere –all I wanted to do was to lift my arms above my head because that is the only way that I can breathe and all of them telling me to drop my arms! I asked for my Ventolin and another ½ hr later I am breathing again normally. 2 reports for the house doctor to write. The nurse in tears because they are all so scared of the consultant because he is so particular. I re-assured them that I was fine and that he knows me and will not be cross with them which turned out to be the case but he wanted x-rays etc, I thought I caught my right big toe , in the fall on the corner of the bed –very swollen and extremely painful, he ordered Xrays! The Lord carried me through the fall as my knee was fine – a miracle I did not fall forward because that might really have been a disaster. Finbarr came to fetch me and I am now home since Tuesday afternoon I groaned and made noises and poor Barry was a wreck after the first few hours –I explained that these noises are normal and he does not have to jump when he hear any of them I will call HELP if it is serious. During the first night I nearly succumbed to the pain in my toe – It must have dislocated in the fall? Just wake up the next morning after about 2 hours sleep and Barry exhausted, realizing I had GOU! Dead scared that Constipation will set in with all the tablets I ate only prunes for every breakfast and they problem solved! Started with anti-inflammatory ointment and felt better eventually also knowing what it was, causing the pain was a great relief! I have improved tremendously and every hour I make an effort to do something more than the previous hour. The only exercise I cannot perform is my cycling but I have to improvise. From Monday I will be visit the physio 3x a week until I am well. Have to see the Consultant on Thursday after an x-ray and hope to get the ok! I am very thankful that the Dr decide to rather do the operation in Dublin, it meant better facilities although Barry was far away- he came on Sunday by train which was brilliant- I travel to Dublin also by train and Finbarr picked me up at the station and all worked out well! In the end the Medical Insurance covered every cent! All wonderful blessings! The cats are gorgeous, fat, big and so cute! They are fascinated by the crutches and I have to fight my way between the 2 of them when taking my walk which I take outside – The car park is the least slippery and The safest! The church minister has been visiting which is highly appreciated! I will not be in church tomorrow as , 10-15 minutes is the limit for sitting in that pew position and I can hardly get up every 10 minutes and take a walk!!! Well every-one that has had an operation in last few months you all have my sympathies and hope you have recovered as well as I did! To all who had birthdays and will have a birthday in the next week –Just the very best wishes for the year ahead- I do not have my birthday calendar nearby! Congratulations to all the new babies, their parents and grandparents and great grandparents. I met 3 more SA in the hospital x-ray dept. It was lovely! I also saw my dear friend Rachelle, the first friend since the day I arrived in Ireland with her Mom who was visiting! That was a most wonderful experience sick and all! I think that is enough for the time being! Thank you for all the sms’e and well wishes, emails and calls and visits. Please look after your selves, be careful on the roads and lock your doors! It is just after 3pm and dusk is setting in! The fire is burning and my knee is frozen from my ice pack! May the Lord be with you all! Winter darkness and chilly greetings Barry & Christina

Heerliek weer

Saterdag 16 November’13 Goeie dag aan almal, familie en vriende! Die hele wêreld is om vér gegooi- die vreeslike dinge in die Fillipyne , die oorvoed reen en ellendes in die Kaap en instede van koud wees hier , is dit vandag 13° met heerlike sonskyn! Hulle het gewaarsku dat ons volgende week gaan bibber! Ek is nou net deur 72 uur van moedelose woede vir my onkunde met hierdie skoot rekenaar wat ons lewens beheer! Dit is totaal onaanvaarbaar dat ‘n mens in ‘n koue sweet kan uitbreek omdat die ding nie wil doen wat jy vra nie- dit was so hittete of die skootrekenaar was op pad Sligo toe op die vlerke van ‘n groot kraai want ek het genoeg gehad – Finbarr het gehelp maar hy sit vér en ek is dom en nog steeds wou dit nie saam werk nie – uiteindelik na my dreigement doen ek toe alles wat die rooi vlae beveel en nou kan ek darem my brief skryf! Ons harte is seer vir al die ellendes in die Fillipyne – ek ken baie Fillipynse verpleegsters wat saam met my gewerk het en hulle is almal erg ontsteld! Eienaardig dat hulle so lank geneem het om nood kos en water by hulle te kry mens sou dink dat die Fillipynse regering tog lank genoeg geweet het dat ellende op pad is maar hulle het geen voorbereiding getref nie!...maar ons dink mos altyd –ag nee wat dit gaan nie met ons gebeur nie! Vanmôre soek ek die kleiner kat en toe ek hom vind weet ek dadelik waar hy ‘n draai gemaak het gedurende die nag- ‘n kar het hom seker ‘n veeg gegee- geen bene gebreek nie maar tog orals baie seer en hy loop effe mank! Ook nie lus vir sy kos nie en lê maar net in die son- ek troos maar elke nou en dan – wou Calpol koop om vir hom te gee maar Barry wou nie – nou moet hy maar self beter voel! Hy het dus 1 van sy 9 lewens gisternag verloor! Dit was ‘n baie interesante week vol dinge en gebeure! Uiteindelik het die mediese fonds ingestem om my knie vervanging te doen maar ons moet 20% inbetaal intussen is die hospitaal waar ek gewerk het en die operasie sou hê deur die bank oorgeneem en ons weet nie of dit die paal gaan haal nie-! Ek sal dan na ‘n Dublinse kliniek toe moet gaan! Voor enige reelings getref kan word moet ek eers uitvind wat die 20% in die ander kliniek behels! Ons het gister gou die gras vir die laaste keer die jaar gesny en dit lyk pragtig – die wind het die hele week gewaai en daar was geen reen nie dus die gras was droog maar oneindig lank!- Die heining,aan die pad se kant, is ook gesny en ons is nou reg vir die winter! Ek is so siek vir die politici dat ek gedurig sooibrand van hulle het en het effe afgeskakel ten opsigte van hulle toneelopvoerings! Hulle is seker maar soos in elke land, absolute kriminele- steel van hul eie mense om seker te maak dit gaan goed met hulself! Môre is dit die beste dag van my week en ons gaan met dankbare harte kerk toe! Dit is ook my beurt voor die orrel en dit bring groot vreugde in my hart! Ek weet nie hoelank ek dit nog sal kan volhou nie maar intussen gaan ons voort! Buite het ek nog ‘n paar rose en my chrissante wat blom die res het erg deurgeloop met die ryp van vorige week! Ek het my een lemoen boom wat ek oor het (die ander is verruil of weggegee) ingebring vir die winter! Al die druiwe is op en die pere is gepluk en word nou sag in die kas! Die kleure van herfs en winter is hierdie jaar besonder mooi en gryp jou aan die hart! Hildegard se kuier was briljant- ons is so verwen met lekkernye , biltong en tydskrifte – dit was soos 3 Kersfeeste bymekaar! Veels geluk aan die ouerpaar in Melbourne met die koms, enige dag nou van die baba ! Laat ons asb weet! Ek weet nou nog nie wat die kleinding in Kanada se geslag is nie of hoe die baba lyk nie! Is daar niemand wat vir ons ‘n ou fototjies kan stuur nie! Die trek petalje van Arnolda sal ‘n goeie storie uitmaak – skryf alles neer en ons stuur dit dan vir die Rooi Rose ! Hulle soek goeie stories en hierdie een kry ‘n medalje! Verjaardae!Attie (snr) verjaar vandag- ons beste wense Attie en voortdurende beterskap! Hanlie die 19de- ons hoop ook dat jou jaar baie beter gaan wees en geen pyn insluit nie! Paul en Mendel die 21ste – Heerlike verjaardag vir julle twee! Bianca Carstens, klein Renate van Hanlie en Paul, as ook Jeanne Potgieter! Veels geluk aan julle almal! Aan almal wat aansterk na operasies. Hanlie en Karin –alles van die beste! Julle het albei nek operasie gehad? Baie dankie aan almal wat sulke lekker briefies gestuur het en al die fotos! Georg – ons lees lekker aan al jou eskapades! Baie dankie ook an Dr Tertius Venter vir sy nuusbrief! Fluit-fluit my storie is uit! Effe bewolkte lug met son verskuilde strale vergesel ons groete! Wees tog altyd versigtig, wees gereed vir alle onverwagte gebeure en sluit jul deure! Barry & Christina

Sunny winter greetings

Saturday 9 November’13 Good day to you all far and near , family and friends! Winter is here , no doubt about it ,the frost has been present many a morning and the temperatures stay about 6-8° during the day! The sun does shine but very feeble and also very low on the horizon , move very quickly from east to west and by 4pm dusk falls and by 5pm it is dark! There is some hope because the 21- 22 of December the whole lot turns around again and the days get longer and the nights shorter! That is not too fat away! The frost burnt my dahlia and the begonias to pulp, the nasturgiums , where protected are still flowering and the Chrisanthenims are quite lovely! Purple and dark red! I picked my last bunch of grapes and 2 pears fell - we still have 7 on the tree and hope that they will grow a bit bigger and stay put! The trees are shedding their leaves now in droves and at places you drive over carpets of brown and rust coloured leaves. The summer is upon you in the southern hemisphere and enjoy the privilege of having good weather- I know there are places where it is very dry and we hope is will rain there but the pleasure of sunshine is surely a wonderful thing! It has been raining here on and off for the last 2-3 weeks everywhere is wet and there is even algae growing on the front of my car! Needs a wash but the water is too cold!! On the political front the TROIKA said good-bye and wished us well, the IMF is a little sceptical about Ende Kenny’s hope to call it a day on the 15th of Dec and has advised that the government should consider postponing the exit from the IMF until next year. The interest rate has dropped and they hope that people will spend more this festive season as borrowing will be a bit easier on the pocket! Those who have savings can just as well draw the money and put it in the ground – it will grow there better than in the bank! The woman found in a distressed state in the streets of Dublin thought to have been 14 yrs of age ( It is still a very strange thing for people to have thought that she was 14 yrs old –when they showed her picture you could immediately see that she was much older) and was under the care of the HSE should be in Australia by now! How she got here and what she was doing here is a bit of a riddle! There is something else that has been in the news and for me and my Christian back ground and present beliefs very difficult to swallow-it the ‘Same sex marriage’ business on which Ireland is now going to have a referendum on, in 2015! If the Lord was distressed about the way the Israelites were living then I do not know how painful all these happening must be to the Lord in this age! We are extremely privileged to have Hildegard from my Br Mendel visiting us tomorrow! It is going to be so exciting! Even more good news is that her sister Anette and husband Michael will be with us in December! Wonderful! What a wonderful happening to look forward to! We Skype with the grandchildren and They are as ever very cute and lovely! Birthdays! It has come to light that there are quite a few people who I do not have on my birthday calender and one of them is Mrs Ingrid Scholtz from Belgium/Holland who had a birthday on the 3rd! Many congratulations and may you have a good and healthy year ahead! Happy Birthday also to: Rob Harding on the 12th, Annalize Verasamy the 14th, Attie (snr) the 16th ! best wishes to you all! Thank you to all who so diligently and with great humour keep the contact alive! It is wonderful , News letters from all over the world! Many thanks, every- one is read with enthusiasm and eagerness! I have not been back to work again since last week and still enjoy being at home- the Manager keeps me busy(Barry) I am forever tidying up and discarding things- fortunately we have our own incinerator which helps a lot- We also brought big bags of clothes and shoes to the charity shop and hope some-one will have joy in wearing it! This brings me to the end of my story and we hope that all who are sick and in recovery mode, Karin after her neck operation on 7th,Attie en Hanlie and all the others that I am not aware of- get better, be patient and enjoy the spoiling! Be careful in all your doings and conduct- drive safely and do not take a chance- lock the doors and be alert! Sunny winter greetings from us in Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Dark winter greetings

Sunday 28 October 13 Good day to all - family and friends, The wind is blowing –the clouds move over at great speed and every now and again it decides to empty its contents on us! It is not freezing yet but with the wind factor the 10° feel more like 3°! Weather warning for Wales and South England that winds can reach 70-100 mph! Most ferries have been cancelled and we expect bad weather tonight! We have nothing to complain about if you talk to Georg who came from 40° to -13 and snowing and wondering why he is not feeling the greatest?! We hope you acclimatize quickly Georg and hope the medication work well and that you will be able to handle a class on Tuesday! We are now 10 hrs behind Yakutsk! And 2 behind SA! Winter has arrived and we have to comply with its demands! The garden still looks lovely – for how long I do not know and the stupid tulips are all 2” above the ground already –I fear the frost that is still to come will burn then to bits! The gladiolas have finished flowering but the chrysanthemums are gorgeous! I had a bad week behind me with the computer and McAfee who is my Anti Virus provider but eventually got things sorted and on Thursday it called ‘HALT’ and there was no way that we could get it to move! Trouble shooting to such an extent that I now feel like a computer technician! I spoke nicely to the laptop and switched the lot off for 24 hrs! That helped and we were back on air on Friday morning before I left for coffee- Just imagine, I leave and Barry has no access to the news or antique affairs! Disaster- averted! It was a blessed Sunday, Joy played the organ and I was in the pew! Guest preacher and that was also a blessing Colossians 2:4- end of chapter! Looked at Ryan’s daughter for a while and switched over to BBC for the BIG SING! BRITIANS 10 MOST FAVOURITE HYMNS! This came from the Albert hall and was an uplifting experience! On Friday afternoon just before the phone rang- that in itself is strange as my phone seldom rings- The Hospital –am I available- as always – YES. It was very busy for the first time in months and when they are stuck they remembered my number. It was good to be back, the night flew and I enjoyed being back! The week also sped pass at great speed, it rained many a day but we had some sun as well - so much that I could nearly get the washing dry on the line! We are still suffering from aftershock debating and tearing apart the Budget! Unbelievable the chaos it brought to the island- it is great fun to look at the back flashes from when the current Government were in opposition and the promises they made then and how they went back on their word now! All I can say is’ Shame on them’ the question is now! Who are these people going to vote for next time? For the same lot who has infuriated them so? Sure my great grandfather voted for them, and my father voted for them and therefore I will vote for them! The cats are still both alive and a tremendous joy! The grandchildren are growing fast, getting cuter every day! Birthdays: Monique du Toit 31st, she is the only one in my book for the coming week! Happy Birthday to you young lady! Hanlie we hope that you will also be on the road to recovery after your operation. To all who is in recovery stage- we pray and hope all is going according to plan! Congratulations to the engagement couple, the new parents in Canada and naturally the first time grandparents and Great Ouma Nine! I did pay a visit to the orthopaedic surgeon and if he could I would already have had the knee replacement – he was discussed at the state of the knee and was amazed that I was still going! I think I am so used to the discomfort and have learnt how to cope with the knee and its instructions for use! The medical insurance has an issue with funds and I might have to go on the public waiting list as the cost is far above our reach, but we will wait and see! I was booked for 11th Nov but that will have to be postponed until funds have been secured! We are so excited as Hillie(Hildegard, daughter of Br Mendel and †Anke) coming to visit us on Sunday 10th! …and while I am writing the phone rings and it is Hildegard herself! Lovely to hear her voice! That brings me to the end of my letter and with the falling of the leaves and the brilliant display of colours we greet you, it is already night! Be careful, drive safely and be alert at all times! Barry & Christina

Nat herfs groete

19 Oktober’13 Goeie dag aan almal, familie en vriende, Gelukkig is dit nog nie regtig koud nie –net as die wind van die noorde waai sukkel ons bietjie maaqr die temperature is baie gematig en alhoewel dit die afgelope baie gereen het ,(sommer 27mm oornag, Dinsdag tot Woensdag) lyk alles nog goed. Ek het die laaste van my druiwe gepluk en ek het dit baie geniet! Die arme pere hang nog en ten spyte van al die groei onderdrukkings , begin hulle darem nou soos pere lyk! Die tuin is nog ‘n lushof en die kappertjies is orals teen die muur op en grondlangs- baie mooi- die krissante is ook nou is volle blom en vir my is dit baie spesiaal want Joy-by die kerk het hulle vir ons persent gegee!Die slakke was baie lief vir hulle en het die stingels tot op die grond afgevreet tot ons hulle verdrink het en toe kom die plante weer reg! Elke nou en dan kom daar nog ‘n swaardlelie uit en die ligpers tussen die rooi en wit van die begonias maak dit ‘n veelkleurige tapeserie! Barry het baie hard aan al die klein dingetjies gewerk in die huis hy het die insolasie(? Afrikaans?) bo in die plafon uitgelê om die hitte intehou! Die ergste was waar hy op sy maag moes rondkruip want die dak was te laag en hy met ‘n lang stok alles in die hoeke ingedruk moes kry! Ek wou hê hy moet ‘n masker dra maar hy het byna versmoor en ons moes die toe maar los. Daar is nou nog die ander helfte oor maar dit sal makliker gaan want hy kan darem redelik regop staan! Die katte is soos altyd ‘n groot vreugde- soggens kyk ek gou of albei nog daar is en as een nie op die vensterbank is nie –roep ek gou en tot groot verligting komdie ander een dan van iewers uit veld aangehardloop! Met die dat Spottie besoek gaan aflê het aan die veld oorkant die pad is ons nou maar baie benoud! Hulle is nog nie 6mnde oud nie en ons kan hulle eers op 6mnde laat regmaak- hopelik sal die gerondjakker dan tot ‘n einde kom! Hulle hardloop al agter ons aan en geniet ons daglikse rondte van die ‘estate’ hulle spring en hardloop klim en speel wegkruipertjie, te pragtig! Die groot swart kat het die pad gevat want die twee het hom seker mooi laat verstaan dat hulle nou baas op die plaas is! Die krimpvarkie is iewers maar ons kon hom nog nie opspoor nie! Ons kyk nou uit vir die fisante want dit is nou die tyd vir hulle om te begin rondloop! Ek wil byna nie eers dink aan die week wat verby is nie want Dinsdag was BEGRTING! Vir baie was dit die breek van die laaste strooitjie! Jare terug , om stemme te werf het die vorige regering die hemel en aarde aan die mense belowe- een van die dinge wat hier grootliks misbruik word is die Mediese kaart! Die kaart is aan mense oor 70 jr and vir mense met baie slegte diagnoses soos sistiese fibrose, motor neuron siekte ,genetiese afwykings en in sommige gevalle kanker gevalle gegee. Oor die jare het al hoe meer mense aansoek gedoen vir die mediese kaart al was hulle nie finansieel behoeftig nie en op die manier het die Gesondheids departement baie hoë onkostes gedra van mense wat behalwe goeie salarisse ontvang ook nog aan ‘n mediese assuransie skema behoort- 5 jr gelede wou die vorige regering die medies kaarte van die oor 70tigs wegneem en derduisende ou manse het by die parlement opgedaag en en hulle moes die plan laat vaar- Hierdie keer is dit weer die ou mense en die baie siek kinders wat geraak is- die mediese kaart wat onbeskryflik baie geld van die regering vereis moet nou opgeskort word in sekere gevalle en daarmee saam het die mense op medies kaarte ook vry medisyne ontvang van die staat- vir die afggelope 2 jaar betaal die medies kaart houers nou ‘n bedrag vir elke voorskrif 10 verskillende tablette op ‘n voorskrif kos nou iets soos €15 en die is nou opgestoot n €2.50 PER MEDIAKSIE- kinders onder 5 kry gratis huisdokter besoeke i.p.v net sekere mense wat dit werklik nodig het! Sommige van die ou mense kry net ‘n staatspensioen en leef regtig nie spandabelrig nie en hulle moet nou uit hulle klein pensioentjie soveel meer vir hul medisyne betaal. Die ou manse –bo 70 het ook bylaag gekry op telefoon en TV lisensie en die is nou geskraap! Toentertyd was al die dinge vir hulle gegee om stemme te kry en nou verbeur hulle dit – ek stem saam dat die hele Ierland erg verwen is – hulle kry tot ‘n begrafnis toelaag-die is ook geskraap! Die jongmense wat uit die skool kom gaan direk op die Dole of op werksoeker toelaag( ek is ook daarop omdat ek nie pensioen kry tot ek 66yr is nie- idiote besigheid- hoekom nie die aftree ouderdom verander na 66 of 70 toe nie en laat mense wat nog kan werk –werk – maar nee nou kos ek wat nog niks makeer nie –dank die Vader -nie meer werk nie en is nou ‘n las vir die staat) Hulle is veronderstel om opleiding te kry en dan in werkposisie geplaas te word wat net nie daar is nie en daarom het duisende onopgeleide en universiteit gegradueerdes reeds die land verlaat. Finbarr het in die afgelope 3 maande seker vir 40 onderhoude gegaan – of hy is te goed gekwalifiseerd en hulle kan hom nie betaal nie of hulle soek iemand wat ander kwalifikasies het – absoluut ‘n gekke spul! Die bevoorregte studente –waarvan die ouers dit kan bekostig gaan universiteit toe- of op eie onkoste of met beurse! Intussen wil die onderwysers nie meer Oueraande hou nie want hulle word kwansuis nie daarvoor betaal nie en die kinders kry nou dag af uit die skool sodat die onderwysers nou ouerdae kan hou gedurende skool ure! Klein Lukas en Eli het nou ‘n Aupaire want Amanda moet teruggaan werk toe en ‘n creche en kleuterskool kos veels te veel – sy woon in en dit beteken sy hoef nie so baie betaal te word nie! En die kinders is in goeie hande! Genoeg gekla oor die politieke toestand van die klein bevolkingtjie waar moord en doodslag aan die orde van die dag is- Om by iemand verby te ry en hom dood te skiet is niks-veral as jy met ‘drugs’ deurgrmekaar is. Ander maak dood omdat dit hulle behaag wat skrikwekkend is! Ons is dankbaar dat ons omtrent net die mense by die kerk ken en die S Afikaners – my ou kennise by die werk wat ek darem kan vertrou! Nou nie dat ons met verkeerde dinge deurmekaar is nie maar ...... Verjaardae! 20ste Marthie Potgieter, 24ste Erna(mevr Scholtz)! Veels geluk aan julle twee- enig iemand anders wat verjaar Lieflike dag aan julle almal! Maandag word Hanlie ge-opereer en ons dink baie spesiaal aan haar. Georg vertrek More Na die verre bibberde deel van die wêreld –alles van die beste vir jou! Aan almal wat aan die beter word is – Attie ons is dankbaar! Rina en Wessel Herbst-dankbaar om te hoor dat dit beter gaan met julle twee. Arnolda en Garth – hoop die pak en berging gaan vlot en dat julle ‘n goeie trek sal hê. Baie dankie ook aan almal wat sulke lekker briewe vir ons geskryf het – vir al die fotos- julle sal nooit weet wat dit vir ons beteken nie! Ons dink ook aan Sue en haar sang prestasies! Baie trots op jou Sue! Ander begin voorberei vir eind eksamens – hoop dit gaan goed! Fluit –fluit my storie is uit! Ry versigtig, sluit die deure en wees altyd gereed vir die ongekende! Nat herfs groete Barry en Christina

Crisp Autumn greetings

13 October 13 Good day to all family and friends, I am slightly late in my letter writing this week but my computer played up. I have McAfee to protect this little trove of treasure for Barry and myself. The renewal date came up and I DID EXTACTLY What I am suppose to do but somewhere I lost the renewal update and now I get this warning continually that the computer is not protected and it does not recognise the renewal although it has been paid and all. It prevented me yesterday to gain access and eventually I contacted them via my phone and did try to help but even though I followed their instruction to the letter I could not correct this miserable situation. Just do not have enough knowledge to fix it-I did eventually get the computer going again and hope that Finbarr will come next week and fix the mess. Just to put you in the picture- we had our first light frost with temperatures of below 5° even as low as 2 on Friday morning- it was lovely and crisp fresh and full of excitement for the winter that is lurking around the corner. With the cold weather we have wonderful blue skies and lots of sunshine which suites me fine! I have been enjoying my grapes, Barry says they are sour but to me it is like nectar. There are still 10 pears hanging some just a little knob and others looking even like pears, I doubt though if they will come to ripening but I enjoy looking at them, next year might be a better crop! Wishful thinking! The flower garden still looks lovely and a 2nd crop of gladiolas are flowering and the colours are too beautiful. The begonias are still flowering and some of the clematis started flowering again. The chrysanthemums are in flower and I am really chuffed with them as the slugs ate them to the roots and I never thought that they will recover. The 2 cat children are now getting big and very naughty. On our way to church this morning I noticed only one of the rascals in the garden Barry also looked around and as I DROVE OUT THE GATE AND STOOD THERE WAITING FOR BARRY TO CLOSE THE GATE AND TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR, I NOTICED THE BLACK AND WHITE HEAD OF Spottie in the long grass in the flied across. It was the first time we saw the cat out of the estate- and how many times this has happened, we will never know. The writing is on the wall and it is really now only time which will tell if they are road wise or not. Sorry for the capital letters! We have noticed the markings of the hedgehog and were very pleased! The foxes have definitely taken the road or have been killed. Our road is in itself a death trap and the possibility of them being killed is quite possible, there are small forests all around us and I would rather like for them to have moved house than being killed. On the political front we have had the referendum and the Government were defeated and the Séanate stays, a new appeals court will be called into being and in the week to come we are awaiting the future on the financial side of this island when the budget will be made known , with the promise that we are on the road to recovery and if you can imagine trying to conquer the highest mountain we are just at the very beginning approaching the mountain and already the people are believing everything this Prime Minister is promising them. They have this juicy yellow carrot in front of their noses and allowing them to sniff at it but heaven help if they dare to bite into it! Memela announced that the land of SA belongs to the landless and that to me sounds like a threat! We have seen quite a few documentary programmes on the decay of African countries that has been under home rule for the last 30-50 years and everything that was put into place by either the British , or French has been destroyed, they live in squalor and deprived of human dignity because of corruption by their leaders, so very sad, - is that what is waiting for the beautiful country of South Africa? Thank you to all who wrote letters- Arnolda please let me also have the link to the new house would love to see what it looks like! Thank you Haya for your letter, Gerlof and all his ailments- you just need a bit of love and tender care! Nine(not 9 -Nienne) your letters are always something to look forward to. The Kuypers were busy packing but inspire of that I received news from them which was wonderful, Joy in Brisbane so diligent answer every letter I write, you are wonderful Joy! All the lovely emails from Nanette, and the Reineckes! From Zambia we received this very good little snap of laughter. Lovely photos from Adelbert and all the others –it is always so inspiring to open the emails and these letters are there! Thank you Paul(vdBijl) for the photos you send Being Sunday we were extremely privilege to attend the service at our church in Corboy Presbyterian Church- Google it – it is a listed historical building- we also has a website if any-one wants to know what we do and where we are. Stephen is a man with a gift to bring us the Good news according to God’s word in such a wonderful way that you cannot but relive the sermon right through the week. I was behind the organ and all went well. Birthdays:14th Jaco Snr,16th Rina Herbst, 18th Paul from Oubaas and next Sunday Marthie Potgieter. Happy Birthday to you all! I have not much more to say just to wish Hanlie the very best with her neck operation! So happy to hear that Attie’s recovery is on track. Any-one that it not feeling well- hope that you will feel better soon! The days are much shorter and we sleep a little longer every night! Keep well, looks after your selves; be careful in all your doings. Lock up, drive safely with autumn greetings from Barry and Christina

Heerlike sonnige herfs groete

5 Oktober 13 Saterdag Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende, Ons beleef ‘n pragtige dag- baie ongewoon vir die tyd van die jaar- reen so elke nou en dan maar dit is grotendeels droog en heerlik warm –nou net in van buite 19°,’n ligte briesie, hier en daar ‘n donker wolk maar te vér weg om ons nat te maak! Die weervoorspelling vertel ons dat dit nog warmer gedurende die volgende week gaan wees- mens sidder eintlik om te dink daar gaan eendag koue weer opdaag! Ek het my trossies gepluk en eet heerlik aan die katobba druiwe waarna ek met soveel vreugde uitgesien het- vir my is dit tog te lekker! Die tamaies was ietwat van ‘n fiasko en die pere word nou groot- miskien kry ons regtig nog iets van hulle te eet! Eergister toe die reen verby is en die son sy verskyning gemaak het , is ons hier uit met spoed! Tussen Barry en myself het ons seker 300 of meer bolle geplant- sommige uit gekoopte sakke maar meeste wat ons gewin het in die somer! Affodille en tulpe! Vrydagaande het ons ‘n pragtige tuinprogram op die TV wat natuurlik van BBC af kom maar dit hou ons aan die gang en op die korrekte manier- Ons volg Monty Don slaafs na! Hy neem ons gereeld na die mooiste tuine in Engeland en ons leer baie uit die halfuur van blomme, bolle, vrugte, en groente se plant en versorg! Die Referendum x2 is verby en ek dink die stem % was baie laag- die mense is nie baie be-indruk met die regering nie en stel net nie belang nie! Moet die Senaat- behou word of nie en moet daar ‘n ekstra apél hof aangestel word? Ek moet my liewer nie uitspreek oor die klomp senatore nie- hulle word deur die parlement aangestel en word nie verkies nie- dus jy het nie veel sê in die saak nie. Vir ‘n klein landjie is daar genoeg howe wat my aanbetref maar ander voel daar is tog ‘n behoefte aan ‘n hof wat met die apélle kan betrokke kan wees en dan sodoende meer tyd aan die ander howe vry stel. Ons sal maar sien wat die uitkoms is! Ek kon toe nie die sinisitus uit my borskas hou nie en is nou 4 weke siek met geen verbetering nie en moes plegtig beloof dat ek wel Maandag Dr toe sal gaan! Verjaardae:12de Hildegard van Br Mendel en Mieanka van Karen in Florida Park . Dra asb ons gelukwensinge aan die 2 oor aangesien ek hulle nie op my poslys het nie! Lekker verjaar! Ons dink aan almal wat nie gesond is nie- ,aan die wat besig is om te herstel, hoop jul vordering is volgens plan! Aan almal wat so gereeld skryf, Isabel, Nine, Gerlof, Arnolda, en Oubaas en Gerda nou en dan! Joy in Brisbane en die Scholtz neefs! Julle hou my aan die gang! Ek moet eerlik wees en bieg dat ek wel nou die werk begin mis- as jy darem vir 45 jaar jou lewenstaak verrig het en dan sommer skielik moet ophou dan is daar ‘n groot leemte,my hele gestel moes weer aanpas aan dag-lewe en ‘n nuwe slaap patroon moes aangeleer word- ek wil so baie, maar kom nie werklik aan iets nie! Ek het darem ‘n truitjie vir Eli gebrei en is besig om sy kombers te hekel, die serp moet nog tossels aan kry en ek is nou naarstiglik op soek na my studie gids. My boek van soduko’s is byna vol en ek het elke moontlike boek in die huis gelees en sommige 2x! Sal al die boeke maar in ‘n sak pak en na die 2de handse winkel toe neem om uitteruil. Ek het nog nie ‘n Kindel nie en is ook nie lid van Amazon nie- ek koop nog die boeke en dan lees ek hulle so tussendeur! Was nog nie weer Dublin toe nie en die kinders was ook nog nie weer hier nie- ons SKYPE maar en hulle word vinnig groot en baie oulik! Ek het nie regtig enige iets om te vertel nie en my storie is uit! Maak nie saak waar julle woon nie –waarheen julle gaan nie- werksplek huis ,inkopies,wees altyd versigtig- wees op julle hoede en moet nooit waag en jaag nie. Sonnige groete vanuit Cranleymore Barry & Christina NS sou graag wou weet hoe dit met die ander familie en vriende gaan-wat van ‘n paar lyntjies? En ‘n fototjie of 2?

Sunny greetings

Saturday 28 Sept 13 Good day to all, family and friends, We are nearly at the end of September and today is the 1st day this week that we woke up with the sun shining brightly! It makes the day so much more special! There is unfortunately a nippy wind- which makes the 20°less warm. Every morning until after 3pm we were shrouded in mist and soft rain- just enough to make you wet if you stay in it long enough! Sunday started the same way but at the time that the service started for our Harvest thanksgiving the sun shone and it was indeed a blessed day! The church looked wonderful- filled with flowers out of gardens- fruit and vegetables out of gardens and sheaves of wheat and grain! The service was done by a minister from the north and was very good! The tea afterwards was as always the very best – the fellowship that follows with all the people from different churches and parishes is indeed a blessing. Tomorrow is our minister Stephen’s day off and we will have a help minister, which always gives a good message, in the pulpit! I will try my best to sing as I honestly thought I was over my cold and sinus attack -when I woke up this morning with the chest in disarray- the whole lot moved down into the upper respiratory section – I can still breath without wheezing and distress so I know it has not reach the bronchi yet but will have to keep an eye on it! We are now sure that either the foxes moved out of the area or they have been killed- the bread we throw out at night are still there in the morning. Our cats, now big and bold, eat only bread if there is butter on it- they love ‘Rich tea biscuits’ similar to Marie Biscuits and enjoy it with us in the garden when we have our morning coffee. Jet, the black cat only visits now and again I think he got the message to keep away! The flower garden still looks very good for this time of the year- the gladiolas have been wonderful- the begonias a sea of pink every-where. Every-time I pass the grapes I think only a few more days but my goodness it has now become weeks and we cannot pick it yet! – it is just too frustrating that nothing gets ripe in this country if you plant it outside- and the hot house is still not in being! I have now been away from the hospital-apart from the one night I worked- 5 weeks and the holiday feeling is slowly disappearing and realization is setting in! Thank you for every-one who wrote letters – notified me of their illnesses and the regular letters which I enjoyed so much! Sam in Melbourne- please forward a few photos of Evie’s 1st Birthday! I last saw her sitting in the wash basin! Haya and please let us know what little Cobus looks like! Eli is laughing out loud and talking to himself with little screams in between ,too lovely and Lukas enjoy school and experiencing all the events. Singing, painting etc. Birthdays this week: Marna Groenewalt today and Derek the 4th Oct. Happy birthday to you all! Any-one else whose name I do not have……enjoy your day! The terrorist attack in Kenya spells trouble and who knows where they will strike next! Here with us –the Irish Ploughing Championships took place from Tuesday to Thursday and over 300,000 people attended! The biggest in Europe at present! On the political front- the Referendum voting date is nearing and it has to do with the Senate! Only they know what they are suppose to do there for over €65,000 a year and only a few attended more than 80%of the voting days- the other could not be bothered as long as the cheque is in the bank – they are happy! There are people of the opinion that if the\senate go that the PM will have more power over the people that support him in parliament- being a bigger Dictator than what he already is….which he vehemently denies! The 1st budget is also around the corner and although they say that we are over the worst of the recession there are still many people in dire need! A group of houses that sold for €260,000 6 years ago went onto the market for €30,000 on Thursday and those who are living in the complex are absolutely furious- they have to pay mortgages for large amounts where the new owners will have hardly have any mortgage- a very unfair situation- but the houses belong to NAMA and tough! Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are not well, those who are in recovery, those who work hard at the rehabilitation of loved ones, those who feel lonely-remember you are never alone! Well, we always read the SA news and have some idea of what is happening there and with that in mind my usual warning of safety and to be careful! Home security and drive safely! Sunny greetings from Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Nat herfs groete

7 September 2013 Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende! ...en toe kom die herfs en winter sommer tegerlykertyd hier aan! Bibber skoon van die koue- gister het die son nog geskyn al was daar ‘n koue wind maar vandag reen dit sedert ons ons oë oopgemaak het en dit is 8° om 4nm. Gister was daar grond ryp orals –karre se vensters toege-ys! Ook net terug na ‘n uitstappie na Old Castle om ‘n veiling te gaan besien, Isabel sal weet waar dit is! Die pad is soos ‘n feeland -jy ry deur lang tonnels van ruig plante groei jy moet jou ligte op vol aansit! Ongelooflik mooi! Die plaas waar die veiling gehou word was ‘n perde plaas, met ry-skool en Gymkana afdeling baie oulik maar met die Celtic Tiger ellende het almal bo hul vuurmaak plek geleef en ons dink hulle het hul vlerke geskroei in die proses. Daar is seker nog 30 perde wat ons kon tel wat oor die groen heuwels loop- die stal geriewe was buitegewoon modern vir die baie ou plaashuis wat uit die laat 18de eeu dateer. Hulle het nuwe ‘double glaze’ vensters ingesit en ‘n verwarming stelsel wat nie van te vore in die huis was nie en alles het natuurlik baie gekos en nou word alles verkoop! 3 Verdieping huis met baie styl trappe na bo- ek met my flenter heup spiere en knie moes elke trappie afsonderlik klim !Pragtige antieke meubels- jy weet natuurlik dat die ‘auctioneer’ sommige goed van sy winkel ingebring het veral as daar geen tkekens op die mat is dat dit al jare daar staan nie!Nietemin pratige silver,baie boeke wat in die museum hoort , oulike goed tussendeur, duur goed, en vele ander- Barry het alles goed deurgekyk en ons sal binne ½ uur weet of dit ‘n goeie veiling is of nie! 2nm môre middag! Intussen is ek nou ingeteken op die lewende register van ‘nie-werkende’ Iere en sal vanaf Woensdag my eerste betaling oor die toonbank in die poskantoor ontvang! Barry sal ook nou uiteindelik sy pensieon kry na 10 jaar van baklei! Ek geniet nog die gevoel van ‘met verlof wees’ weet nie hoe lank dit aan hou nie maar ons is vir een of ander rede vreeslik besig- loodgieter werk, tuin werk , katte versorgers,en natuurlik probeer ek die huis skoon hou maar sodra ek alles’ spick & span’ het dan loop meneer met sy stewels vol sopnat gras die huis in – ten spyte van die matjie voor die deur en binne die deur – Die simpel stewels met die groewe hou die nat gras terug as jy jou voete afvee en na ‘n rukkie word dit droog en val af in die huis en oral op die mat! Maar ek het mos nou baie tyd – kan die huis nou paar maal ‘n week skoon maak!. Die ellende in Syrie laat jou maag kramp en arme Obama wat so hard probeer om mense te oorreed om einde aan die spul te bring word nou versmoor! Hier by ons is die spul Iere terug in hul banke in die Dial Eiran.?(met strepies oral) G’n mens weet wat gaan word nie want die gene wat die land in ellende gedompel het loop nog steeds buite rond en spog met wat hulle reggekry het en hoe dit nou met hulle in die buiteland gaan – hulle het gevlug toe dit te warm hier geraak het! Intussen ploeter ons maar steeds voort – Pa Gerrie het altyd gesê mense sonder kroontjies het geen ‘common sense’ nie maar hierdie spul Iere het baie kroontjies maar van logika is daar geen sprake! Kan ontmoontlik nie ‘n probleem uitdink nie –as dit nie in die boek is nie – dan is dit uit! Van plan maak weet hulle niks! Ons katkinders moes inderhaas nuwe huisvesting kry toe dit so skielik gisteraand om 6.30 begin reen het- Hulle skuil toe die hele nag onder die kar- maar dis darem nou nie plek vir die winter nie- hulle plekkie tussen die plante was nie beskut genoeg nie en hulle was maar goed nat vanmore! Hier kom die plan maker toe= ‘n stukl van die turf skuur se deur word afgesaag sodat dit net groot genoeg is vir hulle om in en uittekruip. Hul mandjie veilig in die beskutte skuur met hul kos en water-! Ons is weg en met ons terugkoms wonder ons waar is die katte dan! Vas aandie slaap in hul nuwe bly plek baie gelukkig! Hulle het self, nadat ons weg is hul pad gevind na hitte en kos! Die kleiner kat Patches is baie brutaal en jaag Jet die swart kat met lang hale die gronde uit tot ver in Jimmy se veld- te oulik om te sien hoe die klein katte hul woon area beskerm- Die Jet kat bly net weg tot hy sien hulle het gaan slaap dan sluip hy maar weet nader en kom eet die ander kos wat ons uitsit, baie skelpies en erg op sy hoede! Ons 2 katte is mal oor ‘n stukkie brood met botter op –eet die korsies en al! Ons blomtuin lyk nog baie goed met pragtige swaard-lelies en allerhande kleure leeubekkies , en ons wag dat die krisante gaan begin blom! Pragtige begonias diep rooi pink en wit –dit laat my so baie aan my pa en die tuinhuise dink waar hy sy veredelings werk gedoen het! Die groete tuin is leeg en omgedolwe- ons eie kunsmis is nou reg vir deurwerk en dit is volgende op die lysie van dinge wat gedoen moet word. 2 weke het verby gegaan waarin ons nie die gras gesny het nie en Donderdag was dit harde werk 6 kruiwaens vol gras na die kunsmis hoop! Ek het vry gespring want ek sit toe en wag in die welsyns kantore om gefotografeer te word vir my kaart! Verjaardae! Finbarr verjaar Vrydag die 13de en Ron Starnes , Jennifer de Lange, en Gwynneth Stapels almal die 14de! Veels Geluk en mag daar nog menige mooi dae vir jul almal voorlê! Baie baie dankie aan almal wat briefies geskryf het- Arnolda, Nine Hessie en Haya- O ek geniet dit so om van julle te hoor- Joy in Brisbane, Nanette, Karen, Marjorie, Isabel, Gerlof, Sue wat briljant gedoen het met haar sang . Ons dink ook aan almal wat nie gesond is nie Dr Wessel Herbst- hoop van harte dat dit al beter begin gaan! Rina sy vrou, Cilna se pa wat by haar woon, Brandon en Nanette en baie speisaal aan Attie, mag hierdie herstel periode baie dinge vir jou duidelik maak en mag jy geduld en deursettingsvermoë van Bo ontvang! As daar nog mense is wat nie gesond is nie , ons bid en hoop dat julle almal wel gesond of beter sal word! Hoop ook Devlin is weer op die been na sy operasie – dink ook baie spesiaal aan Jaco in Roodepoort! Ons gedagtes bly by Broer Mendel – gister was die teraarde bestelling van oorlede skoonsus Anke en ons dra hom baie spesiaal aan die genade van ons hemelse Vader op! Het met die klein kinders geSKYPE en soos altyd was dit‘n belewenis! Lukas het amptelik die week sy eerste dag in ‘Pre-School’ gehad en ‘n pragtige sertifikaat gekry! Eli groei soos ‘n koolkop! Pragtige kinders! Fluit-fluit my sorie is uit! Wees altyd versigtig- onthou die gek om die hoek, sluit julle deure en wees altyd gereed vir die onverwagte! Sop nat groete van Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Mixed greetings from Ireland

Saturday 31 August’13 Good day to all, Family and friends, First and foremost, our deepest sympathy with my brother Mendel and family in the death of Anke his wife, who has been very ill for some time! The Lord is merciful! The last day of summer in this part of the world, the wind is unpleasant but it is 19 ° and the sun shines! There are also some clouds passing by but thankfully with the wind speed they do not get a chance to empty on us! They roll by in quick succession. The swallows are still around and they are so friendly – greets us every morning – the house sparrows are plenty, all through the year present but our special friends are only 6 in number- and for a short few months,visitng our estate in Cranleymore! We have not seen the foxes for some time – they are not mad about dry bread and as I have not been back to the hospital they surely feel neglected. We have a very interesting situation with our own 2 kittens that are very brave and regularly chase the black cat away – he only gets a change to eat the left- overs when the Swapo Terrorists are asleep. Spottie and Patches has grown into beautiful cats, not house cats but estate cats-they know every inch of their territory and defend it proudly- They sleep between the flowers- refused to go into the porch area now for some time and we came to the conclusion that the wild streak in them is too dominant and to be locked up is not conducive to good behaviour! They are so happy, shining coats with very strong muscle development from climbing the trees! The garden has been a wonderful colourful enjoyment; the deep red gladiolas 24 of them are in full flower, in between a bright purple lot- , a feast for the eye! We planted biannual sweat-peas but are disappointed as they all have just one colour –very pale blue- will have to make a plan to get colour back on the trellises. Veggies have been plenty-full. Harvested the peas on Thursday and can say with confidence that it was a good crop! Carrots are now coming to an end and the potatoes are gone now for a good 2 weeks and we have to buy them at a very high price!. The grapes are starting to discolour – 20 bunches in all and we hope that there will be enough heat left during September to ripen them ,the same with the tomatoes! My first week at home absolutely flew and I cannot report on any moments of boredom or frustration up to now- I have so much planned – but some of it will have to wait for the weather to change as I find it difficult to sit in front of the computer hours on end if the sun is shining! Too much of a waste of the best thing in Ireland! SUNSHINE! I have a very fancy tumble dryer with a filter that needs cleaning regularly –if you slip up you run into problems, noticed during the week when I ran in from outside with the towels that the drying process was not up to standard. Yesterday was then the day ideal to clean the filter- the dryer with the filter is on ground-floor level and to be able to extract the filter I have to go down on my knees- now that in itself is not a good idea- but I pulled the little foot carpet nearer and gently kneeled in front of the dryer and took the filter out- disgracefully dirty –kneeling down was still ok but to get up was another story and in the process I twisted my left hip and now I have a left hip and thigh muscles in agony and on the right the knee that has to click into place when- ever I change position! Do not get old!!!! Fortunately I did my walk with Marthie while still in good condition on Thursday afternoon- doubt if I will be able to get out of the car! We also had a day in Dublin, went in by train –free passage – took a taxi to Francis Street –famous for antiques- and attended an auction of jewellery- just to find out what the prices of diamonds etc are in Ireland- it was an education! We did enjoy the day – walked many a mile, browsed in every shop, bought some lovely silver at a good price, Barry can haggle very well! And came home very pleased with ourselves! Saw Finbarr for a few moments on the station and that is always a bonus! There was no opportunity to visit the grandchildren as they were both in play school and crèche. We Skype regularly! Birthdays: Leané, your 8th birthday is on the 2nd, Michael Knight 5th, Cobus van Marle the 6th and Nanette and Brandon on the 8th! Happy Birthday to you all! We do remember those who are not well, all of you who have had operations, falls ,accidents, fractures and difficult recovery periods, Attie, dr & Rina Herbst, Cilna ‘s father, Brandon and Nanette and all those that I do not know about! Tomorrow is the best day of my week and it is my turn to play the organ after one Sunday‘s rest- I love it and put everything I have into rejoicing with Paul Jesus Christ crucified! I hope that Gerlof and Sandra ‘s return journey will be good and others that were away from home over the holiday period- will return home safely!” We greet you with a reminder that safety is surely one of the most important aspects of your daily lives- take care and protect yourselves and your families! With Sunny periods, intermittent cloud cover and scattered drops of rain We wish you well Barry & Christina

Bewolkte groete vanaf Cranleymore

Saterdag 24 Augustus’13 Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende, Ek wil eerstens om verskoning vra vir my laat skrywe en ook omdat ek in vorige briewe nagelaat het om baie siek mense te noem, ek doen dit nie met opset nie en hoop dat diegene wat daardeur geraak was my sal vergewe. Dit is nou laat somer hier in Ierland en gelukkig nog nie koud nie alhoewel ons nag temperature nou onder 10° sal val in die volgende week, Die dae is natterig maar daar is darem elke dag ‘n blerts sonskyn wat ons harte verheug en die temperature is nog steeds 18-20° so saam met die wolke massa! Die wereld is nog pragtig en groen, weelderig en ruig, blomme nog in talle kleure en geure oral om ons! Heelwat later! Ons moes eers Mullingar toe ry want gister het ons die gebreekte deel van die ‘weedeater’ wat reeds 2 jr gelede gebreek het, ingeneem om ‘n nuwe te kry –hulle moes dit van iewers af kry en nou het ons dit – intussen het die blou lug verander in’n grys oortreksel, die wind het opgekom en ek moes ‘n ekstra oorbloesie aantrek. Barry dra al lankal sy trui. Ek dra nog steeds my sandale en somer klere want ek reken so ,die winter is lank genoeg en ek wil die somer uitrek tot daar absoluut niks van hom oor is voor ek ingee en warmer aantrek! Daarna het ek eers my naweek take in die tuin verrig- die tamatie se blaardos uitsny sodat die vrugte die son kan kry as dié skyn en het ook moes tamatie kos gee- die tamaties hang maar wil nie ryp word nie!, het ook al die dooie rose uitgeknip en pronkertjies gepluk. Die dooie swaardlelie blommetjies afgesny, die pere getel en die appels met hul rooi wangetjies met trots beskou! Die ertjies is reg vir pluk en ons het reeds in die tuin gestaan en peul na peul oopgebreek en gesmul! Diere verslag: Ons twee rampokkers, Spottie en Patches is dierbaar en baie oulik! Barry roep net “Come,come” dan hardloop hulle vir ‘n vale om bytekom- hulle loop, hardloop al spelende saam met hom om die onderveld, sit op die rant van die water tenk ,gelukkig kan hulle nou hulle balans beter beheer en het hulle nog nie weer ingeval nie! Hulle is maer katte met geweldige spier ontwikkeling van boom klim en al die gehardloop. Patches het ons grys hare gegee saans want hulle het nog in die voorpotaal geslaap tot verlede Vrydagaand toe Patches dood eenvoudig nie daar in wou gaan nie en moes toe buite bly sonder kos en alleen want Spottie was binne en het heerlik ge-eet en gaan slaap! Sedertdien hou ons die portaal deur effe oop en hulle het vrye gang – weet waar om heen te hardloop as dit reen en as hulle warm wil slaap! Wat hulle nou snag doen is hulle saak – soggens wag hulle vir ons op die kombuis versterbank,weet natuurlik die kos kom uit die kombuis! Hulle kom nie die huis in nie want hulle spring op die tafel en Barry wil hulle verpletter- hulle moet eers die katteflap kan gebruik voor hulle in die huis toegelaat sal word. Jet is nou ‘n yslike groot kat maar ken sy plak steel kos wat oorbly maar bly op ‘n afstand! Stompie- ,dink ons is oorlede- was baie siek en ons het probeer so goed as wat ons kon om haar te versorg maar uiteindelik moes sy maar bos toe getrek het om daar doodtegaan! Ons het die foxies lank laas gesien en so-ook die krimpvarkie – hy is iewers, maar kruip weg! Die voëls tart die 2 katte uit en hulle besef telkens hulle kannie vlieg nie! Ja, ek is nou amptelik ‘n pensionaris met die hoop van ‘n skof as hulle my nodig het by die hospitaal. Die hele bestuur is in die pad gesteek en ons sit sonder ‘n HR bestuurder en al sou ek my P45 wou hê sou ek dit nie kan kry nie want daar is niemand wat dit kan uitryk nie- hulle het my darem in kennis gestel dat ek binne 2 weke sal weet wat gaan vir wat! Intussen hoop en bid ons maar geduldig! Ek het Woensdag die orrel by ‘n groot begrafnis gespeel vir 3½ uur. Daar was meer as 500 mense –Victor was ‘n welbekende geskiedkundige, die president van die lanbou skou en ‘n boer in die omgewing sedert voor die oorlog. Hy was Saterdag 90 jr oud , baie siek en is 2 dae later oorlede! Sondag is soos altyd die beste dag van my week en verlede week het ons Stephen terug in die preekstoel gehad en dit was weereens ‘n belewenis! Ek het die laaste 4 weke die orgel bespeel maar môre sit ek in die kerkbank! Dit is Joy se beurt! Ons dra al die siek mense in gebed aan die Here op, ons dink baie spesiaal aan Anke wat nou in die siekeboeg opgeneem is en aan Mendel wat nou tuis alleen is, Ons dink baie spesiaal aan Attie en bid vir volkome hertsel en geduld en dink aan almal wat help op die plaas! Moed en ondersteuning vir Hester- Ons dink ook aan Cilna se pa wat nou by hulle aan huis is en aan die Herbst familie Rina en die Dr wat baie groot rug probleme het en moes weer van voor af leer loop het en Rina wat geval het en haar pols gebreek het. Ons dink aan Hennie en Martie, ons wonder so hoe dit met hom gaan? Ander lesers wat nie gesond is nie en ek nie van weet nie- ons hoop en bid dat dit gou beter sal gaan! Aan almal wat nie lekker voel nie- Jong Jaco in Roodepoort- my dierbare kind ons hoop jy word gou gesond! Dit was so lekker om julle almal te kon sien en hoor op SKYPE! Dan aan almal wat so dierbaar, goeie wense gestuur het, dit word baie gewaardeer! VERJAARDAE: SJP Eloff van Australie wat 20ste verjaar het- Rachelle wat vandag verjaar Martie Redelinghuys wat die 26ste verjaar, hoop dat dit ‘n goeie dag was en sal wees, gevul met al die mooi dinge waarvan julle gedroom het! Ons klein kinders is pragtig en baie oulik! Lukas het ‘n regte Dublin aksent- te oulik! Ons vrees die toestand in die midde Ooste is besig om baie lelik te raak- Egipte en Sirië- Die brande in Amerika, die ellende in Japan waar daar nog steeds lekke is in die Kern reaktor- vloede in die Philipine- hier by ons waar veiligheid van geen waarde is nie en gisteraand 6nm val ‘n seun van14jr van ‘n trekker af en sterf. ‘nKlien seuntjie van twee wat in die see verdrink het gisteraand 7uur- hoe dit kan gebeur gaan my verstand te bowe! Op die politieke front gaan daar groot ontploffings wees wanneer hierdie regering weer hul plekke inneem na die vakansie! Die hele wêreld is op sy kop! Baie dankie ook aan almal wat so gereeld skryf – dit word alles veslind en erg gewaardeer! Dis nou genoeg, mag die wat regmaak om lewensveranderinge te maak –dit geniet en mag dit goed gaan met al jou reelings Georg, Gerlof en Sandra wat nog in SA is en al die ander wat met vakansie is- veilige terugkeer en wees altyd versigtig en op jul hoede! Wees gegroet vanuit ‘n erg bewolkte Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Overcast summer greetings

SATURDAY 10 AUGUST’13 Good day to all, family and friends, It is overcast and fairly thick dark clouds are hanging over us but they have done no pouring yet- , my washing is on line and it has to be dry before it can rain! Temperature between 18-20 and quite pleasant- you are not dying from the heat and humidity low and breathing comes easily It has been a good week I worked only one night and had prematurely been put on annual leave to accommodate the many days the hospital has been closed over this holiday period! It is an idyllic situation when it feels as if you are on holiday in your own home! There is no hurry, you do what you want to do when you want to and enjoy being at rest! There are other times that you really work hard for a few hours- cleaning the house, washing the windows and there is always washing to be done- the garden is low maintenance at present and I only cut out the dead roses every day to keep it in flower. Clematis, jasmine, and honey suckle are in full bloom and a lovely aroma meets you when walking through! The gladiolas are filling out and should open in about a week! My hands smell wonderfully of tomato- just broke all the extra leaves off the plants that grow at the bottom as well as in between to allow sun and air to the fruit. The bunches of grapes are fantastic, about 20 in all, apples are getting red cheeks and the pears are holding on! Our kittens Patches and Spottie have doubled in size and are a great joy! Barry calls “Come, come” and they run with him all round the estate ( ha-ha) they enjoy every moment, play hide and seek and eat like little pigs. Climbing high into the top of the trees and then do not know how to get down! The food costing an arm and a leg seems to suit them well, we do make it little bit more interesting by adding very finely sliced ham and cooked chicken and Jelly sachets of all kinds- if it starts raining they run for the porch where they are stationed as well as at evening time- Patches – true to the saying ‘curiosity kills the cat’ wanted to see what is in the water tank. Spottie was already on the rim and drank some water when master jumped up lost his footing and landed in the tank – never have you seen a cat move so fast out of the water over the edge and gone- we tried to catch him to dry him but he would have nothing to do with us- fortunately the sun was shining lovely and hot and while he continuously groomed himself in the sun he eventually looked like a cat again- now they both stay away from the tank! Their favourite spot is on top of the oil tank in the sun or under the car- I have to be so careful and ref the engine well before I move! The vegetable garden with the loose ground is also a good place to play-the other wild cats have disappeared from the scene and only come when the other 2 have gone to bed. The foxes have not been for a while and the birds are also less in numbers- the swallows are still around and started to build a nest under the roof on the front wall of the house but might have abandoned it- have not seen any new mud on it for a few days! With the politicians on holiday we do have some peace – for how long I do not know- some are still around stirring the pot every now and again- They have plans to start putting in water meters in the country but those appose to it will stop the diggers from digging the holes, they say! There is an abundance of water in the country with no management and to pay off the money owned to IMF they are trying every possible way to get money out of the people, House charges, septic tank charges and now the water meters. Road accidents have been escalating and so many young people have lost their lives through high speeds and always in the early hours of the morning. The reason why we had to fix the ceilings in the house was because of the leak we had last Christmas, water coming through the roof tiles. Little bit back to front but Barry has spent now several days on the roof doing the right thing- ROOF 7 the Solution to the problem. It means that he has to bend and straighten up ever so often and it makes him very tired but at nearly 77 he is still doing a great job- he is not allowed on the roof without me being present – so safety is a priority! We hope sincerely that the problem will be solved forever! Thank you to all of you who so diligently write back and the history letter from Leopold was absolutely wonderful- thank you Leopold for your very interesting news letters. To all those who are waiting for results- may your dreams come true and for those who live in the Southern half studying in earnest now is on the cards for you! Tomorrow is the best day of my week and I will be in front of the organ- and it will also be the last Sunday of a visiting preacher! Birthdays!! Marjorie the 11th, Gerhard jnr 12th, happy birthday to you both! May you enjoy a lovely day! If any-one else are having a birthday and is not mentioned- Enjoy your day! We also remember those who are not well, special thoughts for Anke who has improved tremendously, courage for Mendel, Hennie and those who care for him and for Martie strength, Attie who is recovering at home, strength to Hester- the last letter to Hester and Attie came back undelivered- may be the email address I have is wrong – can some-one please help! Nanette and Brandon! Any-one else that is not feeling well or is sick, we sincerely hope that you will feel better soon! Our grandchildren are growing fast and as always are very lovely! Remember the importance of safety, at home- where-ever you may find yourselves- on holiday or on the roads! Warm, overcast skies but pleasant summer greetings from Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Warm bewolkte groete

3 Augustus 13 Goeiedag allemaal, familie en vriende, Dit is baie eienaardig maar terwyl ek in my bed slaap reen dit telkens maar sodra ek opstaan begin die son skyn – en dit is wonderlik! Ons erge hitte is weg maar dit is nog heerlik warm al reen dit meer ure as wat daar daglig is! Dit is natuurlik spesifiek in die middel van die eiland ,vér weg van stede en hoof weë, maar ‘n plekkie iewers in die middel van die land! Ons het een middag na ons slagter gery ,met die agter paaadjies wat nou groen tonnels geword het, dit voel asof hy deur feëtjie woud ry, varings wat ruig die banke van paadjies, wat net breed genoeg is vir een kar, skouer, ongelooflik mooi.Dit laat jou in bewonderring luister na die stilte van natuur met net voëlsang wat die stilte verbreek. Hier is geen sonbeiseis nie! Ons rose en tuin staan is glorie, met blomme en struike ,’n lus vir die oog! Die groente tuin het gedurende die afgelope 6 weke ons van heerlike groente voorsien, uie, aartappels en wortels. Die trossies druiwe word groot en die tamaties en ertjies staan in blom, hoop net daar is genoeg hitte oor om die tamaties te laat ryp word. Ons het heel party appels en pere en ons hoop hulle word groot en sal eetbaar wees! Ons katjies het agtergekom dat hulle oor die ogies draad kan klim en dit was die einde van hul beskerming-Barry het die ogies draad onder aan die hek gesit sodat daar darem bietjie weerstand is hulle hardloop van die een kant na die ander kant van die erf deur die heining in Jimmy se veld in, op in elke boom ,een ding is seker hulle het agtergekom hulle kan nie vlieg nie! Saans is hulle so dood moeg dat hulle dwarsdeur die nag slaap! Patches was siek en ons is vee-arts toe en nou is hulle op nuwe kos wat die waarde het van goud, net die allerbeste vir hierdie twee jakkers! Hulle groei vinnig en is baie gelukkig en ‘n groot plesier! Op die politieke front het die Lepricorn die regulasie oor die aborsie besigheid geteken en meer mense het die heersende politieke party verlaat – stem net nie saam met wat hulle gedoen het nie en dan om mense te skors uit die party omdat hulle ‘n ander siening is boeli-ing verby! ‘n Pakistanie man wat met ‘n Ierse vrou getrou het, het blykbaar geld van die publike gesteel , het moeilikheid met sy vrou opgetel, en om haar seer te maak het hy die kinders 10jr en ?6 jr ontvoer en hulle vermoor- hy veroorsaak toe ‘n ongeluk met die lykies van die kinders in die kattebak –hy is nie dood soos hy seker gehoop het nie en staan nou in die hof met die moord van sy 2 kinders op sy hande! Geldelike sake is natuurlik altyd in die nuus en ons gaan hierdie jaar ‘n vroee begroting hê- reeds in Oktober en ‘n mens vrees wat dit na vore sal bring. By die hospitaal is dit baie stil , ons het vanmore toegemaak tot Woensdag oggend – dit is bank vakansie Maandag , al die dokters is met vakansie en ek dink elkeen want mangels gehad het, is uit! Net die uroloog en ortopeed bly werk maar hulle het ook die naweek vakansie geneem! Môre is die beste dag van my week en ek het die voorreg om voor die orgel te sit en ons gaan more die kerk se dak lig in ons lof sange! Ons het weer ‘n besoekende prediker en mag dit tot seën van ons siele wees! Die aftrede besigheid het my gryser gemaak as wat ek was- daar is geen vreugde in aftrede in hierdie land nie want as dit nie hier te lank is nie is dit daar te kort en niks is ooit reg nie- die hopsitaal hou my aan vir eksstra staf lid en ek sal skofte kry soos hulle my nodig het-ons hoop en bid dat dit goed sal uitwerk! Verjaardae: Môre is dit Annarie se verjaardag en ek is nie seker of daar iemand anders die week verjaar nie- geluk Annarie en mag die jaar geseënd wees. Ons dink baie spesiaal aan almal wat siek is en aansterk, Attie en Hester en familie, julle bly in ons gebede vir volkome herstel, baie spesiale dra ons Mendel en Anke op aan die genade van ons hemelse Vader. Vir Mendel vir sterkte en geduld en krag en vir Anke dat sy deur hierdie moeilike tyd in haar lewe die genade van God sal ervaar. Ons dink ook aan almal wat met vakansie in SA is, ry asb vesigtig en vir die wat daar woon onthou veiligheid tuis en elders is van uiterste belang! Ons groet vanuit ‘n bewolkte maar warm Cranleymore! Barry & Christina

Showery sunny greetings from Cranleymore

Good day to all Family and friends, Well we enjoyed the summer while it lasted! The drought lasted 4 days and was relieved with a few showers of flooding magnitude! It is at present fairly dark outside but still lovely and warm! The grandchildren just left-after being with us since yesterday 10.30 am! We enjoyed it thoroughly but we are exhausted –Lukas never stops for a minute until he conked out last out and slept 11 hours in one shot – baby Eli is best child ever- make sure we know that he is hungry or have a wind other- wise he can lie on the floor/carpet on a blanket for hours talking to himself! Barry was very busy with Lukas and I think will have had exercise more than he had in 6 months! I did not sleep yesterday –got back from work, left for church and when we came back they were here! On the political front there is a lull as most of them are on vacation which is a great blessing Yesterday we were very blessed by a sermon from a SA Dutch Reformed Church minister living in Port Arlington - Rasmus Erasmus with his wife? Ethelda, a doctor in the same town-. Elethda is from Bloemfontein and Rasmus from ?Ventersdorp! You are ever so welcome –even though you might have been here a long time! May some of the younger people might remember them from University days! I was in the pew and Joy played the organ! Our new additions to the household Patches and Spottie have now become used to their immediate environment – Barry cordoned off the front yard with chicken wire and they have free run of the entire front garden which they enjoy immensely! The kittens also enjoy having Lukas around, he played with them and they complied with his every wish! The garden looks good- we are waiting for the gladiolas to come to flower, the roses are lovely so is the Hydrangeas! The vegetable garden as always a great joy! Our potatoes is coming to an end but we have been having onions in abundance- the carrots stay in the ground until we need them and the peas are flowering –so is the tomatoes- The grape vine has 20 bunches hanging – hope we will have them ripe before the cold comes- Some apples fell when it was so hot and dry and there are believe it or not at least 10 pears on the tree! Jet the black visiting cat was bewildered when he tried to get in with the little ones he still comes to feed but is now a bit careful. The other animals, birds, foxies and who knows what else clean the feeding area during the night! Birthdays! Some I missed last week as I thought I will be off on Friday to write my letter- 27thThilo in Saudi & Megan Josling, 31st Frikkie, & Dr Gert Maritz! 1st August –Gerlof & Renate in George?! Happy birthday to you all May the year be very good! We also think of all who are not well, those who are getting better and those who need lots of care which include Anke, Attie, Hennie, Brandon & hope Joleen is feeling better after the beauty treatment! Georg we hope your plans for Siberia? Yakutsk is going well! We hope that those visiting SA will remember to drive carefully and enjoy the family and friends! I greet you from a showery –sunny pleasant summer day in Cranleymore Remember safety- your own and your surrounding- as priority! Barry and Christina

Warm Ierse groete

Sondag 21 Julie 13 Goeie dag aan almal, Familie en vriende, Vandag is bewolkd seker omdat ons eergister amptelik as ‘n ‘droogte’ gebied verklaar is! Volgens Ierse weerburo standaarde moet daar reen elke 15 dae val en sou dit nie gebeur nie dan heers daar ‘n tyd van droogte! Intussen floreer ons en geniet elke oomblik van sonskyn, hitte en blou hemel! Ons het S O M E R! Ons was laas warm in 2006 sedertdien was daar miskien ‘n paar dae wanneer die son geskyn het maar hierdie weelde van sonskyn as jy opstaan tot jy gaan slaap is briljant! Die dae word egter nou vinnig korter en die lang aande krimp! Alles het ingehaal na die lang winter en het opgemaak in groei en ruigheid! Ons moes vir die 2de keer die heining buite sny want ek kon nie die aankomende verkeer sien as ek by die hek wag nie! Die tuin staan groen, geel en pink, baie vrolik en die pronkertjies het begin blom en lyk pragtig! Die rose is besonder mooi en soms kan ek hulle ruik wat verruklik is! Ongelukkig is daar ‘n baie onaangename ‘klank’ wat bly hang nadat die yslike groot vragmotor met karkasse hier verby gery het en die stank klou aan die klein haartjies in jou neus vas vir ure! Gelukkig gebeur dit net so elke 3de dag! Ons neem ontvangs van Patches en Spottie Dinsdag en ons sien baie daarna uit om weer ‘n dietrjie of 2 in die huis te hê. Die klomp wilde katte wat nou aangegroei het tot 3 sal moet plek maak vir die 2 wat kom! Jet is al baie mak en parmantig- Stompie is nog baie skrikkerig en die ander wilde kat ‘n grote kat kom net nou en dan ek dink dit is die ma van al die ander hulle lyk op ‘n druppel soos elkander. Die voeltjies is pragtig en al die swaeltjies is reeds besig om vet te word vir die vlug terug! Een verdwaalde swaeltjie sit op die draad sonder maat en ons voel jammer vir hom- weet nie waar sy familie is nie! Die Aborsie besigheid het maar ‘n bitter smaak in baie mense se monde gelaat om verskeie redes en as ek moes stem was dit ‘n defenetiewe ‘NEE’ Al die ellendes in die Ooste en die lewensverlies is ‘n groot jammerte- In Ezekiel lees ons van God se wraak teenoor Sy mense wat hom verlaat het en mens wonder of daardie wraak nog steeds aan die gang is? ‘n Mens sou dink dat die mense van die land meer versigtig sou wees wanneer dit by water kom maar ons het meer sterftes sedert die warm weer begin het van verdrinkings as motor ongelukke, moorde of kanker. Elke dag hoor ons van ‘n jong persoon wat of in die see in die moeilikheid geraak het of ‘n kwarrie gat wat swemmers eis! Riviere met strome is net so gevaarlik en die ellende is alkohol speel so ‘n groot rol in al die verdrinkings! Die groente tuin is ‘n plesier en ons eet al die afglope 3 weke ons eie aartappels- uie en die ertjies groei wild! Ons appels het begin val van die hitte en die druiwe stok floreer met 20 trossies aan! Die tamatie plante staan soos reuse bome langs die skuur en ons hoop dat die tamaties net so weling gaan wees. Barry is vasgenaal voor die TV met die Britse ‘OPE’ die enigste tyd van die jaar wat hy hom so rustig gedra! Ons predikant is met vakansie en besoekende predikers kry ‘n kans –so vér so goed- die man wat my tot in die murg van my bene gegrief het is uitgelaat hierdie jaar nadat ek opjeksie gemaak het- Volgende Sondag het ons ‘n SA predikant Rassie Erasmus en die hele SA gemeenskap sal seker opdaag om te luister! Ek het die voorreg gehad om die orrel te speel en het met groot vreugde die Here geloof vir sy goedheid! By die werk gaan dit beroert! Meeste van die Dr’s is met verlof en inkomstes is laag, ons CEO het Tiroiied kanker en is gladnie gesond nie- hy weier ergter om vir Chemo behandeling te gaan – hoekom weet ons nie maar ons het nou ‘n –Co Owner en ek glo dat die hospitaal weer eendag op sy voete sal kom! Ek het presies 30 dae oor voor ek veronderstel is om te stap maar ek is ook die enigste een wat altyd gereed is om uittehelp –dus wonder ons of hulle my tog as ekstra sal aanhou en sal roep as die nood hoog is.Vind Donderdag uit as ek met die HR hoof ‘n afspraak het! Ek het my Pensioen brief gekry en omdat ek 4 mnde te laat was ( moes voor my 55ste jaar begin PRSI betaal het) kwalifiseer ek nie vir die ‘Contributory’ pensioen nie maar sal wel iets kry en hopelik sal Barry ook nou kwalifiseer-Die Here was nog altyd goed en ek glo dat ons wel ‘n goeie aftrede sal kan handhaaf! Ek moet uitvind van pensioen in SA! Die klein kinders is pragtig en Eli groei soos ‘n koolkop! Lukas gaan Sept voorskoolse klas toe sal dan 5 dae van die week ‘skool’ toe gaan! Ongelooflik! Verjaardae!Ons onthou Tant Poppie op die23ste en Werner wat gister sou verjaar het>Leandri Du Toit verjaar vandag,Herrie Cooper die 24ste,Oubaas die 26ste Veels Geluk aan julle almal! Ons dra gereeld vir Attie aan die Here op vir volkome herstel , ook vir Hester vir genade , moed en volharding! Ons dink ook aan Hennie en aan almal wat siek is, Brandon wat weer ‘n probeer kans geklry het en vir Nanette vir krag en geloof! Vir die wat uitsien na hul SA besoek –geniet dit en wees tog baie versigtig op die paaie! Vir die wat tuis bly wees altyd gereed vir die gevaar wat om die hoek skuil – ry versigtig en hou veiligheid bo-aan jul lysie! Ons groet vanuit ‘n heerlike warm Ierland! Barry & Christina

Warm summer greetings

14 July 13 Good day to all family and friends, I have had little chance to even look at the computer never mind writing letters. If I was not working I was outside! We have had 2 weeks of the most wonderful blissful summer weather reaching 32 in the sun and in the shade 29- I cannot describe the joy that is present in the mood of the people and off course in ourselves. To sleep with only a light sheet covering you early morning and not to wear a cardigan is out of this world! For the 1st time in many a year we are wearing summer clothes every day from morning till bedtime! Barry is dark and need a new passport-I do not have so much time in the sun as he as I have to sleep in the day while working at night! Least to say we are ever so thankful for our summer!!!! This is actually only a brief note to let you all know that we are well! Today being Sunday, the best day in my week –brought me to the organ this morning and it was a joy to praise the Lord that way! The garden looks good- in full bloom, the vegetables patch has started to produce potatoes and there are surely a few things that taste better than new potatoes freshly dug up, washed and boiled. The countryside is wonderfully green lush and beautiful-the farmers are cutting hay and every-one is very busy! With the hot weather there is also been an alarming amount of unnecessary drownings which leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. The debacle about the Abortion Law caused worldwide news- and the junior Minister for the State had to resign as minister as she voted against the law! Other than that the problem at the hospital is ongoing and the CEO has Thyroid cancer and his last blood test was not good and he refused radium treatment- His partner has become co-owner and that spells bad news. The grand children are beautiful, growing so fast and little Eli a darling laughing and gurgling aloud! 2 months old 2 days ago! The wild life consists now of Foxies, 2 black cats, a hedgehog and baby swallows that fledged on Tuesday We do think and keep Attie daily in our prayers and believe that complete recovery will be achieved with the Lord at his side. We think very specially of Hester and the children for strength and courage. There have been many birthdays and I fell far behind, May you all have a blessed year. Pauli, Mader, Esther, Sonja and Marietjie Murray a new SA lady we met. Thank you to all who wrote a letter, who send photos, those who gave advice and all the lovely emails! We do hope that all those who are not well will be feeling better, that those who are going to travel will be careful on the roads and never to let your guard down regarding safety. I greet you all with summer sun and blue skies Barry and Christina

Groete vanuit reën en wind

29 Junie’13 Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende! Ten spyte van temperatuur van 16° is dit koud en onplesierig hier – dit reen en die wind waai!Die tennis op Wmbledon is aan die gang en die Ierse Golf toernooi word ook in die reen afgehandel. Die sal net ‘n kort nota wees want tyd is teen my! Eerstens wil ek net aan Hessie en die kinders ons beterskap wense stuur en bid en glo dat Attie deur hierdie geweldige trauma sal kom en ek waardeer Haya se korrespondensie geweldig! Lees ook in Gerlof se brief dat Gerhard se oog probleme toe nie die ergste was nie en dat hy die retina behou het!Ons dank die Vader vir elke seëning! Ons is gesond en het geen klagtes nie- Ek het 7 weke oor voor ek offisieel ophou werk – hulle wil nie onderneem om my op ‘bank’ personeel te sit nie maar ek word ten spyte van 20% werksure wat gesny is, steeds geroep om eksta ure te werk- dus weet ek regtig nie hoe die toekoms gaan uitwerk nie- want as ek werk kan ek nie pensioen kry nie! Op die finansieële front net ellende en bandjies wat opgeneem was gedurende die krisis het nou die lig gesien en die hele wereld weet nou hoe korrupt die bankiere was ! Dit gaan beroerd by die hospitaal en Cecelia ,ek weet wat se opoffering dit vir jou moes wees om ten spyte van die feit dat jy nie meer daar werk nie uitgehelp het Dinsdagnag met die heup x-strale, die Here sal jou ryklik seen! Ons leef en werk in onsekerheid, of die volgende betaling van salaris in die bank gaan wees of nie! Deur die ellendes heen is ons hemelse Vader steeds goed en sien Hy na ons om! Ons wag op ons 2 nuwe katjies van Annarie wat hopelik in die volgend 7-10 dae hier by ons gaan aansluit- die wilde katte sal moet terug staan vir die ‘kinders’ wat dan al die aandag gaan kry! Spottie en Patches !het gisteraand na die jakkalsies gekyk – hulle blink! Nou net met die klein kinders ge’SKYPE’ Lukas is ‘n pragtige kind en Eli groei by die uur! Glimlag en gurgle te pragtig! Die tuin gaan rustig sy gang – ons het nie mandjies opgesit die jaar nie- Barry het nie lus gehad nie- ek mis die blomme maar die tuin self lyk tog pragtig! Dit is die kerk se braai-vleis vanaand maar omdat ek werk sal ons die jaar afwesig wees- julle moet die samesyn geniet! Baie dankie vir al die briefies- dit is so lekker om van julle te hoor! Verjaardae: Leopold soos reeds genoem verjaar More en ons tydjie van ewe oud is sal verby wees! 5de is Haya en 6de Hester se verjaardae! Mag daar ryke seën op jul wag!Joy in Brisbane verjaar ook die 5de! Veels geluk! Mag die wat siek is die helende hand van die Vader oor hulle ervaar! Dankbaar dat Nine veilig terug is in SA. Wees tog altyd versigtig tuis en op pad! Groete vanuit Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Confused greetings

22 June ’13 Saturday Good day to all, far and near, family and friends, We do find ourselves in a type of summer, Rain, wind, sunshine & the rest. This could happen all in one day-fortunately it is not cold-you have to keep a warm thing always nearby but many a time you just have it as security. Temperatures mostly in the high teens and at times low 20s nothing to moan about! The natural growth that was stunt for so long seems to be more lush than many a year, absolutely wonderful, the May flowers have seen the best of their beauty and now it is just green in every shade thinkable. Our own garden is in a state of growth and ever so interesting, I counted 10 bunches of grapes on our grape vine, the 2 tomato plants have been planted out and loves being outside, we hope the fruit will be as good as the growth! The peas stand a good height, the carrots looks good and the potatoes are flowering. We can provide spring onions to the whole of Ireland. The animals who visit, consists of 2 black cats, brother/sister, 100’s of birdies, hedgehog, rabbits, foxes and a lost pheasant wandered by! The roses looks good but I will not prune them for the next 20 years! Never mind what who says, they will never cover the wall if i keep on pruning them to the bone. Hopefully we will get the baskets up in the coming week. The G8 Summit over, without any major incidents and the outcome like with everything else –poor! This small island of ours carry more in financial burden than is thinkable, hundred thousands of people cannot meet their obligations re payment for mortgages and business are folding daily- ,we have certainly not reach the bottom yet, in spite of talk of recovery. The health service has lost the health and there is little service left- ambulances are now dispatched from a central point in Dublin for the entire country with medical emergencies not being attended to, as the dispatchers get the counties wrong, in short we are living beyond the criteria for a 3rd world country-serious ill patients are left in a critical state- the hospitals overcrowded in emergency departments and every-body had hours and pay cuts! How we are going to get out of the mess is difficult to imagine. At our own facility we are picking the fruit of bad management and accounts not being met – our wages were late again and is causing tremendous stress. I am now very thankful that there is only 2 months left for me- everyday you fear that you will arrive in front of a locked door! Birthdays: Joleen and Karen 28th, and Leopold 30th, May it be very good year for all of you! Tomorrow is the best day of my week- I will be sitting in the pew and enjoy bringing glory to God by praise and song! Eager for the soul- food, a very important ingredient of the Fellowship ! There are those that are still touring Europe and hope Nine and Kanne are enjoying their tour! Lovely to have Cilna here for a couple of weeks and welcome back Rachelle! Those with grand children –enjoy them they are precious and wonderful gifts from God! Please take care of your own safety and be careful on the roads. Thank you to all who so wonderfully regular answer my emails Joy in Brisbane, Sue in Canada, Isabel in Roodepoort and Karen in Florida Park, just a few I remember off hand, the Simpsons! thank you, Rehta in Vryheid, the newsletter from Dr Tertius Venter, thank you,Isabel, for the 5 issues of ‘LEEF’- wonderful! Warm, windy and wet regards from us in Cranleymore! Barry & Christina