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