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