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