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