23 August 09 Sunday
Good day to all family and friends,
Our entertainment on a Sunday afternoon on TV is usually a James Bond movie, this one must be very they still use haukie talkies and the Mercedes dates put of 1967!
It always takes me some time to write this weekly letter and have the laptop in the right position, on my lap.
The freeing of the Lockerbie Bomber has made the headlines since his release ...one can argue any way you want to but in the end the Lord knows it all!
The gender dispute about the SA Athlete and Bolt the fasted man on earth for a while in the 100 and 200 meters, it is a wonder they run in meters and not in feet as little has changed here , has overshadowed the recession for a while!
Since I arrived in Ireland I have very much kept to myself but stepped out on Friday morning after I have been invited to a coffee get together of South African women living in Westmeath and Longford counties.
This group of women meet every Friday for coffee and breakfast unbeknown to myself and were invited by one of the ladies that remembered that I might not be working every Friday and as it happen, I was off and in Marks and Spencer’s coffee shop the world was changed into South Africa with humming and bussing of 10 women nearly talking together in a foreign language and people staring. Nurses always seem to find each other and as the majority of the women were the wives of Doctors working here for MIDOC on 3 month contracts or engineers with something else in-between!
I have to admit that it was surely one the most enjoyable mornings I have ever experienced here in Ireland!
Speaking to Louise who trained in Bfn at the same hospital as I did ,just a little later than me, and her husband working here more than in SA the women across the table looked at me and asked what my maiden names was...Eloff...
W H A T???????????? She said ...do you know a Dr Paul Eloff? And of course that was the beginning of sharing a wonderful teacher, professional person brother and friend !!!
I have already let Nine know but here is who they are. Wessel and Rina Herbst. He started out as a young doctor as the Dr at Groothoek during 1971-75 and he still apparently refer back to what Dr Paul would have done!!!
Rina was and still is a gold medallist in flower arrangement she has been for years the chairperson of the VLU translated Women agricultural association where ever they were posted! It was wonderful to talk here miles away of all Paul and Nine’s children and grand children and me of course ever so proud!
Here in Cranleymore Autumn is approaching rather fast and morning temperatures has dropped to 8 , rising again during the day but that is our first indication of a definite change in weather it rained so much that the grass freshly cut yesterday when the sun eventually came out, that we have now flooded lawns, literally under water!
The vegetable garden has been dug, and the last of food traces removed! All the onions in the fridge and the miniature carrots cooked! the green tomatoes fell and were devoured by bugs and we had no pleasure in it!
Flower wise we still have gladiolas and dahlias flowering, some sweat peas and climbing roses. The nasturtiums did not produce what we expected and look somewhat sorrowful in the pots! On the window sill in the kitchen I have some joy in the new growth of Cyclamens x3 with leaves the size of saucers.
I do not mind the winter coming, at least we know what it holds and expects nothing but to be continually disappointed is very disheartening!
Arnolda’s holiday in Mexico seemed to have been a real beautiful experience and I sincerely hope that Gerlof will give us a similar reflection of his visit to SA!
I am ever so sorry to hear that it is so dry in Australia, it reminds me so much of being always hoping for rain while I grew up and now I would like to channel the water from here to where-ever it is needed. The new room is nearing completion and I just wonder what will be next project of keeping Barry busy.
We do plan to put a gate between the bottom field and where the yard ends and for that, new posts will have to be planted , these already delivered in the form of railway sleepers. Well any one available for some digging????.............
THERE SURELY Are a GOOD 100 BIRD CHILDREN IN THE HEDGE AND THE SWALLOWS IN THE DONKEY HOUSE DID GO FOR THEIR FIRST FLIGHT yesterday 3 weeks after being hatched, somewhat lazy and back for a snooze in the afternoon! The female swallow sitting on the eggs in the garage abandoned the nest or died in her travels but they are no more, sad to say!
Sunday is nearly at an end and with Ps 78 as our sermon and lovely hymns to complete the spiritual feasting, it was a good and spiritual experience!
Birthdays have come and gone and somewhere along the line I fell off the bus...but Paul (Aus) I send a message to your mom. Hope you had a lovely day!
I hope that those who are at the Boskamp this week will be greatly blessed!
My thoughts are with Karin, and Stephan, Anke who is recovering well and our tante Poppie! Angie ti was great to hear your voice and that of the children and Groovy that was a great gift!
Thank you to all who send good wishes!
Be careful and aware all the time , drive carefully and watch your step!
Regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore
Ever changing and unexpected weather patterned Ireland
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Greetings from an ever changing Ireland
Saturday 8 August 09
Dear family and friends,
How terrible to start nearly every letter with the weather but in this island of ours that seems to be the most important news reel of every news bulletin. We had 3 glorious days, some cloud cover, lots of sun, please note, NO RAIN, with slight southerly winds. Today is another story, grey, dark, mist rain, and somewhat cooler than the 20 degrees we experienced since Wednesday,
We made a decision to go away for a few days after a weeklong discussion. I so desperately want to go to Galway and surroundings Westport etc, but being middle of the summer season the hotel accommodation is double as Galway is the tourist attraction city of Ireland. We love the north and that is where the prices are also within reach of the lesser affluent of society. Still expensive but I reckoned that ,we have not been away from this house except for 2 night in 2006 when we went to Exeter for the wedding , all other trips were one day affairs and in spite of recession we can be a little extravagant and spent a few nights in a hotel at the coast. Bundoran, very small but on the sea far north in Donegal Bay. We will leave here after church tomorrow and arrive at 4pm at our destination God willing and enjoy being served for about 84 hours in all. That sounds just great and I can’t wait!
Back in Cranleymore the bird population is large in numbers and still growing. The swallows in the donkey house is a week old today and the female in the garage with the new nest is sitting since Wednesday on 4 eggs. The young robins are all changing colours and it is wonderful how the Lord has provided the different characteristics of each bird specie
The vegetable garden is now totally gone the last onions pulled and the tomatoes died green on the stork. The apples all 9 of them are still there and begin to get red cheeks another 2 weeks and we will taste our own apples. In spite of Barry’s misgivings about the strawberries we have had a great crop, pick about 15-20 everyday and have a lovely fruit desert after evening meal. The sweet peas died and we will harvest some seeds, the Clematis looks lovely and the climbing roses are doing their best. Many roses we have are only one season and therefore will not flower again- we are learning ?!
As you can gather I am officially on holiday, after I kicked off with 2 nights in the nursing home which passed without any problems and not so bad after all. I had a great helper and make a world of difference, medications is my sole responsibility and I got better every time , completed the round in 2 hrs the last night 41 patients and maybe 6 of them taking their medication themselves. The hard work is putting the high dependent clients to bed and make sure they are all tucked in for the night.
I will be away when the announcement will be made of who is to be sacked and who will stay. I think that it will be done according to peoples’ ability to adjust to various jobs. Those who are adamant not to work in the nursing home stand a good chance of going, Those who are computer literate, knows about accreditation and have been trained to train will have a better change and as the good Lord willed it I fall in the last category, so am not worried and will enjoy every minute away!
Coming back from town today I realised that summer is really on its last legs as the long grass are going yellow and the leaves are falling at an alarming rate. I am so fascinated by the hot and long summers Canada experienced so much nearer to the poles and we, exposed to every bit of theatrical weather whim suffer tremendously.
Although our Tante Poppie had her birthday it does not mean that we will forget her and we pray and hope that she will enjoy every day as it comes. Having her there in the Cape Province made me realize how many family members on our side is now living in the Cape. My brother Mendel, Anke his wife and 2 of their children with their families, My cousin Retha has a daughter in Stellenbosch teaching and a brother Tjaart living there as well, then the 2 sons of our Tante Poppie and other cousins from the late Tant Emma, wondering of all these cousins first en second knows each other and communicate? Sitting so far away from your family and I know it was my choice, you always have thoughts about them and would love to hear from them all. How about a family get together and a photo????????? Scholtz’es and extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews, Coetzee’s, Eloff’s!!!
Well I have one birthday in my book and that is of young Gerhard of Frikkie and Elmarie on the 12th. Happy Birthday to the young man, I will send a message nearer to the day!
To all who are studying , everything of the best, those who are preparing to get married, do it well! those who have to pick crops, may the prices be excellent, and those on holiday, enjoy it thoroughly!
Take care regarding your safety, do not take changes, be always alert.
Enjoy the Spring that is around the corner!
Enjoy a blessed Sunday!
Love and regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore Ireland
Dear family and friends,
How terrible to start nearly every letter with the weather but in this island of ours that seems to be the most important news reel of every news bulletin. We had 3 glorious days, some cloud cover, lots of sun, please note, NO RAIN, with slight southerly winds. Today is another story, grey, dark, mist rain, and somewhat cooler than the 20 degrees we experienced since Wednesday,
We made a decision to go away for a few days after a weeklong discussion. I so desperately want to go to Galway and surroundings Westport etc, but being middle of the summer season the hotel accommodation is double as Galway is the tourist attraction city of Ireland. We love the north and that is where the prices are also within reach of the lesser affluent of society. Still expensive but I reckoned that ,we have not been away from this house except for 2 night in 2006 when we went to Exeter for the wedding , all other trips were one day affairs and in spite of recession we can be a little extravagant and spent a few nights in a hotel at the coast. Bundoran, very small but on the sea far north in Donegal Bay. We will leave here after church tomorrow and arrive at 4pm at our destination God willing and enjoy being served for about 84 hours in all. That sounds just great and I can’t wait!
Back in Cranleymore the bird population is large in numbers and still growing. The swallows in the donkey house is a week old today and the female in the garage with the new nest is sitting since Wednesday on 4 eggs. The young robins are all changing colours and it is wonderful how the Lord has provided the different characteristics of each bird specie
The vegetable garden is now totally gone the last onions pulled and the tomatoes died green on the stork. The apples all 9 of them are still there and begin to get red cheeks another 2 weeks and we will taste our own apples. In spite of Barry’s misgivings about the strawberries we have had a great crop, pick about 15-20 everyday and have a lovely fruit desert after evening meal. The sweet peas died and we will harvest some seeds, the Clematis looks lovely and the climbing roses are doing their best. Many roses we have are only one season and therefore will not flower again- we are learning ?!
As you can gather I am officially on holiday, after I kicked off with 2 nights in the nursing home which passed without any problems and not so bad after all. I had a great helper and make a world of difference, medications is my sole responsibility and I got better every time , completed the round in 2 hrs the last night 41 patients and maybe 6 of them taking their medication themselves. The hard work is putting the high dependent clients to bed and make sure they are all tucked in for the night.
I will be away when the announcement will be made of who is to be sacked and who will stay. I think that it will be done according to peoples’ ability to adjust to various jobs. Those who are adamant not to work in the nursing home stand a good chance of going, Those who are computer literate, knows about accreditation and have been trained to train will have a better change and as the good Lord willed it I fall in the last category, so am not worried and will enjoy every minute away!
Coming back from town today I realised that summer is really on its last legs as the long grass are going yellow and the leaves are falling at an alarming rate. I am so fascinated by the hot and long summers Canada experienced so much nearer to the poles and we, exposed to every bit of theatrical weather whim suffer tremendously.
Although our Tante Poppie had her birthday it does not mean that we will forget her and we pray and hope that she will enjoy every day as it comes. Having her there in the Cape Province made me realize how many family members on our side is now living in the Cape. My brother Mendel, Anke his wife and 2 of their children with their families, My cousin Retha has a daughter in Stellenbosch teaching and a brother Tjaart living there as well, then the 2 sons of our Tante Poppie and other cousins from the late Tant Emma, wondering of all these cousins first en second knows each other and communicate? Sitting so far away from your family and I know it was my choice, you always have thoughts about them and would love to hear from them all. How about a family get together and a photo????????? Scholtz’es and extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews, Coetzee’s, Eloff’s!!!
Well I have one birthday in my book and that is of young Gerhard of Frikkie and Elmarie on the 12th. Happy Birthday to the young man, I will send a message nearer to the day!
To all who are studying , everything of the best, those who are preparing to get married, do it well! those who have to pick crops, may the prices be excellent, and those on holiday, enjoy it thoroughly!
Take care regarding your safety, do not take changes, be always alert.
Enjoy the Spring that is around the corner!
Enjoy a blessed Sunday!
Love and regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore Ireland
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Groete vanuit 'n versuipende Ierland
31 Julie 09
Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende,
Eers wou ek nie ‘n brief skryf nie , motivering het in die reen beland en is nou papsopwaternat!!! En nou drip drip dit so hier in my kop!
Toe onthou ek van die pragtige foto wat neef Adelbert gestuur het van onse Tante Poppie wat 23 Julie 101 jaar oud geword het. Wonder wie het onthou en goeie wnese gestuur.....in ieder geval op die foto saam met tante Poppie verskyn toe 2 pragtige jong mense en by nadere ondersoek vind ek toe uit dat dit klein niggie en neef is. Miskien sal julle die jonge dame herken ,maar het julle geweet dat sy ‘n klein niggie is , ek het nie ! ? 7de Laan???en die jong man is Adelbert se seun, ‘n nefie, pragtige mense, en natuurlik ‘n groot prestasie ons oudste familie lid!
Ek voel soos Arnolda se seuns my briewe is altyd dieselfde en daar het lanklaas iets interesants in my lewe plaasgevind. Ek moet maar self dinge interesant maak anders kan dinge vinnig vervelig raak veral as ons presies 2 volle dae sonskyn gedurende Julie gehad het.... net 2!
Die nuwe kamer is goed op pad na klaar, onderlaag is aan die muur ,ons wag dat die bouers klaar vakansie hou om deur en venster te koop! Die Pool wat gehelp het besluit toe om ‘n ander werk te gaan doen en kondig toe Sondag middag laat aan dat hy nie Maandag sal opdaag nie . Nog eens weer moes Barry dinge bymekaar skraap ‘en sy gesegde hier kom goed van pas’ ‘n boer maak ‘n plan’ hy het die ‘skimming’ klaar gemaak die muur gepleistrer en die hoeke van die deur mooi netjies gemaak en die mure se onderlaag geverf. Arnolda , jy kan hom huur maar hy kom met ‘n prys... maar jong hy is ‘n voorslag! Die swaeltjies is besig om ‘n snaakse ding te doen hulle nessie watt e pletter geval is op ‘n nuwe plek in die werkswinkel van nuwe modder genou en gevoer met sagte material maar dit lyk nie of hulle gaan eiers le nie , omdat hulle bietjie morsig is het Barry ‘n p[latform aangebring vir hul WC en hulle het omtret te kere gegaan oofr die stuk p[lank, maar dit sal darem die werksarea beskerm van boel gedrup! dus ‘n nessie reg vir hulterugkeer in April volgende jaar , die 2de stel voeltjies in donkie huis moet seker uitbroei oor die naweek! Hulle neem regtig hulle tyd!
Groentes is daarmee heen , die blomme is daarmee heen , geen rose oor nie geniet wel aarbeie elke dag omtrent 5 heerlike soet en groot vrugte!
Ons was genooi , ‘n jaar gelede om tee te gaan drink by een van die verpleegsters saam met wie ek gewerk het , sy bly nou tuis want sy het 70 geword en gevoel sy het nou genoeg vir verpleging gedoen. Sy woon in ’n ou here huis 150 jr gelede gebou , hoё
plafonne , groot met baie kamerstjies maar net 1 badkamer en byna geen kombuis. Sy het 7 kinders daar groot gemaak! Alleen , haar man skielik oorlede aan hartaanval toe die jonste 4 jr was. Ek moet nog gewoond raak aan die Iere se “tee” ons sou ‘n koppie tee met soetigheid aanbied maar hier is “tee” ‘n ligte maaltyd en hier word toe vir ons by ‘n deftige gedekte tafel ‘n maaltyd aanbied, dit was lekker genoeg maar baie ongewoon vir ons! Half vier in die middag ‘n warm etetjie.. ai, ai, ai!
Op pad terug het ‘n JCB ‘ n skopgraaf van sy sleepwa afgegly en le toe op sy dak langs die pad gelukkig het niemand seergekry nie!maar almal vergaap hulle aan die omgekeerde skopgraaf en die verkeer is opgedam vir myle!!!!mense oral oor die wereld doen dieselfde dinge eienaardig, lees in die Ou Testament van Og , koning van Basan wie se bed 13 voet lank en 6 vt wyd was, Hulle moes ‘n groot klomp mense gewees het , ons sal seker ook na so iemand staar, wonder wat van hulle geword het?
More is ‘n goeie dag in my lewe want Finbarr kom kuier, hy begin offisieel by ‘n nuwe maatskappy werk as” Business Promotion Manager” miskien het ek dit al genoem , is maar seker omdat ek ‘n trotse ma is! Hy kom met sy nuwe Volvo kuier, wil seker bietjie spog... maatskappy kar, en hy kon kies!
Die hospitaal sluit vir ‘n week en ons is almal met verlof behalwe kiepie wat ‘n regte ‘sucker’ vir werk is want terwyl byna almal Spanje toe gaan bly ek tuis en werk in die Oue te huis vir 2 nagte om uittehelp my verlof begin dus eers Woensdag tot die volgende Woensdag! Ek ken nou die roetine , die medikasie , en die inwoners en hoop dat dit makliker sal gaan my helper is ook ‘n uitstekende werker en ons is goeie werks vriendinne en vul mekaar goed aan!
Die dokumentêre film oor Rusland in die 2de wêreld oorlog begin oor ‘n paar minute en ek het Barry my teenwoordigheid belowe dus aan almal wat verjaar en daar is baie :
31 Julie
Frikkie soos reeds genoem verlede week!
1 Augustus:
Gerlof, op besoek in SA
Renate, van Br Mendel
en Laurel se Nicole!
Veels Geluk aan jul almal!
Baie dankie aan almal wat so gereeld laat weet hoe dit met hulle gaan , dis tog te lekker om van julle te hoor!
Enig iemand wat graag die foto van Tant Poppie en klein nefie en niggie wil sien laat weet en ek stuur aan!
Wees tog altyd versigtig, sluit die deure , maak toe die vensters, wees beraad en gereed!
Bly warm en gesellig! Hoop dat die groentes wat gemaai/gepluk moet word goeie pryse sal kry , dat almal wat voorberei vir ekasamens dit goed sal doen en die wat regmaak om te trou geniet elke moment! Ouers insgelyk!
Baie liefde groete
Die Dunnes in Cranleymore
Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende,
Eers wou ek nie ‘n brief skryf nie , motivering het in die reen beland en is nou papsopwaternat!!! En nou drip drip dit so hier in my kop!
Toe onthou ek van die pragtige foto wat neef Adelbert gestuur het van onse Tante Poppie wat 23 Julie 101 jaar oud geword het. Wonder wie het onthou en goeie wnese gestuur.....in ieder geval op die foto saam met tante Poppie verskyn toe 2 pragtige jong mense en by nadere ondersoek vind ek toe uit dat dit klein niggie en neef is. Miskien sal julle die jonge dame herken ,maar het julle geweet dat sy ‘n klein niggie is , ek het nie ! ? 7de Laan???en die jong man is Adelbert se seun, ‘n nefie, pragtige mense, en natuurlik ‘n groot prestasie ons oudste familie lid!
Ek voel soos Arnolda se seuns my briewe is altyd dieselfde en daar het lanklaas iets interesants in my lewe plaasgevind. Ek moet maar self dinge interesant maak anders kan dinge vinnig vervelig raak veral as ons presies 2 volle dae sonskyn gedurende Julie gehad het.... net 2!
Die nuwe kamer is goed op pad na klaar, onderlaag is aan die muur ,ons wag dat die bouers klaar vakansie hou om deur en venster te koop! Die Pool wat gehelp het besluit toe om ‘n ander werk te gaan doen en kondig toe Sondag middag laat aan dat hy nie Maandag sal opdaag nie . Nog eens weer moes Barry dinge bymekaar skraap ‘en sy gesegde hier kom goed van pas’ ‘n boer maak ‘n plan’ hy het die ‘skimming’ klaar gemaak die muur gepleistrer en die hoeke van die deur mooi netjies gemaak en die mure se onderlaag geverf. Arnolda , jy kan hom huur maar hy kom met ‘n prys... maar jong hy is ‘n voorslag! Die swaeltjies is besig om ‘n snaakse ding te doen hulle nessie watt e pletter geval is op ‘n nuwe plek in die werkswinkel van nuwe modder genou en gevoer met sagte material maar dit lyk nie of hulle gaan eiers le nie , omdat hulle bietjie morsig is het Barry ‘n p[latform aangebring vir hul WC en hulle het omtret te kere gegaan oofr die stuk p[lank, maar dit sal darem die werksarea beskerm van boel gedrup! dus ‘n nessie reg vir hulterugkeer in April volgende jaar , die 2de stel voeltjies in donkie huis moet seker uitbroei oor die naweek! Hulle neem regtig hulle tyd!
Groentes is daarmee heen , die blomme is daarmee heen , geen rose oor nie geniet wel aarbeie elke dag omtrent 5 heerlike soet en groot vrugte!
Ons was genooi , ‘n jaar gelede om tee te gaan drink by een van die verpleegsters saam met wie ek gewerk het , sy bly nou tuis want sy het 70 geword en gevoel sy het nou genoeg vir verpleging gedoen. Sy woon in ’n ou here huis 150 jr gelede gebou , hoё
plafonne , groot met baie kamerstjies maar net 1 badkamer en byna geen kombuis. Sy het 7 kinders daar groot gemaak! Alleen , haar man skielik oorlede aan hartaanval toe die jonste 4 jr was. Ek moet nog gewoond raak aan die Iere se “tee” ons sou ‘n koppie tee met soetigheid aanbied maar hier is “tee” ‘n ligte maaltyd en hier word toe vir ons by ‘n deftige gedekte tafel ‘n maaltyd aanbied, dit was lekker genoeg maar baie ongewoon vir ons! Half vier in die middag ‘n warm etetjie.. ai, ai, ai!
Op pad terug het ‘n JCB ‘ n skopgraaf van sy sleepwa afgegly en le toe op sy dak langs die pad gelukkig het niemand seergekry nie!maar almal vergaap hulle aan die omgekeerde skopgraaf en die verkeer is opgedam vir myle!!!!mense oral oor die wereld doen dieselfde dinge eienaardig, lees in die Ou Testament van Og , koning van Basan wie se bed 13 voet lank en 6 vt wyd was, Hulle moes ‘n groot klomp mense gewees het , ons sal seker ook na so iemand staar, wonder wat van hulle geword het?
More is ‘n goeie dag in my lewe want Finbarr kom kuier, hy begin offisieel by ‘n nuwe maatskappy werk as” Business Promotion Manager” miskien het ek dit al genoem , is maar seker omdat ek ‘n trotse ma is! Hy kom met sy nuwe Volvo kuier, wil seker bietjie spog... maatskappy kar, en hy kon kies!
Die hospitaal sluit vir ‘n week en ons is almal met verlof behalwe kiepie wat ‘n regte ‘sucker’ vir werk is want terwyl byna almal Spanje toe gaan bly ek tuis en werk in die Oue te huis vir 2 nagte om uittehelp my verlof begin dus eers Woensdag tot die volgende Woensdag! Ek ken nou die roetine , die medikasie , en die inwoners en hoop dat dit makliker sal gaan my helper is ook ‘n uitstekende werker en ons is goeie werks vriendinne en vul mekaar goed aan!
Die dokumentêre film oor Rusland in die 2de wêreld oorlog begin oor ‘n paar minute en ek het Barry my teenwoordigheid belowe dus aan almal wat verjaar en daar is baie :
31 Julie
Frikkie soos reeds genoem verlede week!
1 Augustus:
Gerlof, op besoek in SA
Renate, van Br Mendel
en Laurel se Nicole!
Veels Geluk aan jul almal!
Baie dankie aan almal wat so gereeld laat weet hoe dit met hulle gaan , dis tog te lekker om van julle te hoor!
Enig iemand wat graag die foto van Tant Poppie en klein nefie en niggie wil sien laat weet en ek stuur aan!
Wees tog altyd versigtig, sluit die deure , maak toe die vensters, wees beraad en gereed!
Bly warm en gesellig! Hoop dat die groentes wat gemaai/gepluk moet word goeie pryse sal kry , dat almal wat voorberei vir ekasamens dit goed sal doen en die wat regmaak om te trou geniet elke moment! Ouers insgelyk!
Baie liefde groete
Die Dunnes in Cranleymore
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wet Irish Greetings
Saturday 25 July 09
Good day to all, family and friends,
You cannot be disappointed in the weather ,you just have to accept it and at present we are fighting at drowning, the drops that fall is so big that in 5 seconds you are drenched and that can happen several times a day without warning and in between you have the innocent sun shine, as if nothing happened. We woke up with brilliant sunshine only 8 degrees but no wind and no rain but by 10am that was just an illusion.
We are ever so privileged that another pair of swallows are building a nest in the much smaller garage now and the eggs in the donkey house should be ready for babies in a week’s time. We also have really a multitude of bird children in the hedges all around us, sometimes more than 20 would be on the wall outside the kitchen but the slightest movement scares them away and I am always too late to take a photo.
The roses are out of flower and new growth is present but with all the rain it is a disaster, the petunias are dying and the Nasturtium seeds just never really made it here and there we have a good one but overall not good!
The sweet peas have had it I pick nearly every day and the house has flowers everywhere but it won’t last!
Something that is really growing and I hope to have a few storks of orchids this year. That is off course inside and my orange orchard is coming along fine, Hope to transplant the little trees next weekend!
The vegetable garden is no more and the few apples left on the one tree might also drop because of all the water.
We plan to go to the Longford agricultural show this afternoon, if the clouds hold, we are still looking for a new gate and? new door ! Then we buy a new door for the house and transfer the old door to the new room and the next morning there is doubt and the front door stay where it is and we get another doo for the new room!
Barry just cannot sit still, the new room, (old garage partitioned) turned out to be lovely and the temperature of both areas has gone up with a good 5 degrees. It was always like a freezer in the garage. We have now decided to get a new gate, 2/3rds cheaper at the hardware store than anywhere else Isabel will know, we were looking at gates while she was here. It is still expensive but not far as deer as what we have been looking at and exactly the same! Isabel the gate with the elbow at the top, set of 7ft was €800 and today we priced them at the hardware store for €160 a par. Unbelievable!
Our Aunt ‘tante Poppie ‘had her 101st Birthday on the 23rd and we hope that it was a good and blessed day for her and the family!
There are a few birthdays coming up and I will start with Gerhard in Zambia known to us as Oubaas, 26th, Thilo Harding in Saudi 27th as well as my friend, Rachelle’s younger daughter Megan , Frik in Hennops river 31st and Gerlof and Renate from Br Mendel the 1st August,Wow! Happy birthday to all of you!
Work seems to be going on but for how long is debatable, I am not worried but there are staff who’s contracts are expiring in August and will not be renewed, if they are from out of the EU they can only get a VISA if they have a job otherwise the visa expires as well! We were warned that 6 more staff will be let go the 2nd week of August. We close the 1st week as always and then the announcements will start. Great anguish present as many nurses are gone already and admin staff will be next!
I sincerely hope that the Eloff family from Exeter are enjoying their holiday in SA!
Glad to know that Joy is safely back in Aus. and that she had a good time with family and friends in SA. Arnolda mentions the heat in Calgary , my what a wonderful experience, heat in the far North.
Sad about the fires in Spain and a heat wave expected there for the weekend.
Here the robbers have followed example and are taking the ATM’s out with bulldozers and destroy everything around it! Soft targets like at Petrol Stations and Super Markets have been hard hit!
They watch till delivery and then make hay!
Talk about hay the neighbour Jimmy O Shaugnessey went in and cut the fields behind and next to us last Monday after 2 days of relative dryness, and now the cattle are back and it is lovely to have them hang their heads over the fence.! Talking to us!
The nights are much longer and the days cut with a good 40 min since the turn of the sun and winter is on the way , leaves are starting to fall and the lustre has gone from the trees and bushes.
After 4 years playing the organ I hardly have to practise now as I know all the hymns very well but still have to play through them and enjoy it ever so much. Tomorrow we have our own minister and then he will be away for 2 Sundays and we expect visiting preachers for those Sundays, mostly from the North!
I hope that you all will have a blessed Sunday and a good week, again Happy Birthday to all who will become older and be always very careful, take nothing for granted, drive safely and take care!
Regards and greetings from a very wet Ireland( we should be use to it by now)
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Good day to all, family and friends,
You cannot be disappointed in the weather ,you just have to accept it and at present we are fighting at drowning, the drops that fall is so big that in 5 seconds you are drenched and that can happen several times a day without warning and in between you have the innocent sun shine, as if nothing happened. We woke up with brilliant sunshine only 8 degrees but no wind and no rain but by 10am that was just an illusion.
We are ever so privileged that another pair of swallows are building a nest in the much smaller garage now and the eggs in the donkey house should be ready for babies in a week’s time. We also have really a multitude of bird children in the hedges all around us, sometimes more than 20 would be on the wall outside the kitchen but the slightest movement scares them away and I am always too late to take a photo.
The roses are out of flower and new growth is present but with all the rain it is a disaster, the petunias are dying and the Nasturtium seeds just never really made it here and there we have a good one but overall not good!
The sweet peas have had it I pick nearly every day and the house has flowers everywhere but it won’t last!
Something that is really growing and I hope to have a few storks of orchids this year. That is off course inside and my orange orchard is coming along fine, Hope to transplant the little trees next weekend!
The vegetable garden is no more and the few apples left on the one tree might also drop because of all the water.
We plan to go to the Longford agricultural show this afternoon, if the clouds hold, we are still looking for a new gate and? new door ! Then we buy a new door for the house and transfer the old door to the new room and the next morning there is doubt and the front door stay where it is and we get another doo for the new room!
Barry just cannot sit still, the new room, (old garage partitioned) turned out to be lovely and the temperature of both areas has gone up with a good 5 degrees. It was always like a freezer in the garage. We have now decided to get a new gate, 2/3rds cheaper at the hardware store than anywhere else Isabel will know, we were looking at gates while she was here. It is still expensive but not far as deer as what we have been looking at and exactly the same! Isabel the gate with the elbow at the top, set of 7ft was €800 and today we priced them at the hardware store for €160 a par. Unbelievable!
Our Aunt ‘tante Poppie ‘had her 101st Birthday on the 23rd and we hope that it was a good and blessed day for her and the family!
There are a few birthdays coming up and I will start with Gerhard in Zambia known to us as Oubaas, 26th, Thilo Harding in Saudi 27th as well as my friend, Rachelle’s younger daughter Megan , Frik in Hennops river 31st and Gerlof and Renate from Br Mendel the 1st August,Wow! Happy birthday to all of you!
Work seems to be going on but for how long is debatable, I am not worried but there are staff who’s contracts are expiring in August and will not be renewed, if they are from out of the EU they can only get a VISA if they have a job otherwise the visa expires as well! We were warned that 6 more staff will be let go the 2nd week of August. We close the 1st week as always and then the announcements will start. Great anguish present as many nurses are gone already and admin staff will be next!
I sincerely hope that the Eloff family from Exeter are enjoying their holiday in SA!
Glad to know that Joy is safely back in Aus. and that she had a good time with family and friends in SA. Arnolda mentions the heat in Calgary , my what a wonderful experience, heat in the far North.
Sad about the fires in Spain and a heat wave expected there for the weekend.
Here the robbers have followed example and are taking the ATM’s out with bulldozers and destroy everything around it! Soft targets like at Petrol Stations and Super Markets have been hard hit!
They watch till delivery and then make hay!
Talk about hay the neighbour Jimmy O Shaugnessey went in and cut the fields behind and next to us last Monday after 2 days of relative dryness, and now the cattle are back and it is lovely to have them hang their heads over the fence.! Talking to us!
The nights are much longer and the days cut with a good 40 min since the turn of the sun and winter is on the way , leaves are starting to fall and the lustre has gone from the trees and bushes.
After 4 years playing the organ I hardly have to practise now as I know all the hymns very well but still have to play through them and enjoy it ever so much. Tomorrow we have our own minister and then he will be away for 2 Sundays and we expect visiting preachers for those Sundays, mostly from the North!
I hope that you all will have a blessed Sunday and a good week, again Happy Birthday to all who will become older and be always very careful, take nothing for granted, drive safely and take care!
Regards and greetings from a very wet Ireland( we should be use to it by now)
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Groete vanuit Ierland
Saterdag 18 Julie 09
Goeie dag familie en vriende,
Sit met die skoot rekenaar op sy plek voor die TV en hoop en bid dat Retief Goosen kop hou en die spul wys dat hy wel kan want verlede week het hy die klits kwyt geraak en total weggeval terwyl hy vir lank aan die eerste plek gelek het asof dit ‘n heerlike toffee roomys is gedip in neute en sjokolade en die volgende keer wat jy lek is die hele roomys weg ,te pletter geval bo-oor jou tone!
Ons het effe sonskyn ervaar eergister middag en groot deel van gister maar verder was dit die onguurste 2 weke in ‘n lank tyd, gepraat van petunias ek het 3 groot potte met rank petunias gehad wat so pragtig gelyk het maar daar is een ding wat die einde van hulle kan veroorsaak sonder dat jy ‘n vinger gelig het en dit is 2 ½ weke se reen. Ek het begin om die vrot blommetjie uittepluk in die hoop dat ek die spul kan red maar na ‘n ½ uur was ek so taai en my rug kapot van die buk net om weer vandag aanhoudende reen te sien neer daal sonder einde!heerlik om te hoor dat Kanada so ‘n pragtige somer ervaar , dit is byna die moeite werd om so koud te kry in die winter as jy weet die somer maak op maar in hierdie pragtige stukkie land geleё tussen die see en see ,blootgestel aan al wat hoё of lae lugdruk, wind en ellende, is daar geen sekerheid wat die dag van môre gaan inhou nie, jy moet maar net tevrede wees en niks verwag nie en bly wees as die son vir byna 6 weke geskyn het en dan te weet dat jou somer net begin het maar ook op ‘n einde is. Die bome se blare het begin kleur en ons het reeds ‘n kombers van blare opgemuls toe ons gister vinnig die gras moes sny voor dit in ‘n oerwoud verander.
Die onderveld waar die grond verskuiwings plaasgevind het het wondergras as bedekking ontvang en staan reeds 3 duim hoog, 10 dae nadat dit gesaai is.
Die wortels het nooit gegroei nie en ons eet nou ekstra miniatuur worteltjies 1” lank saam met die ertjies. Ek het 4 baie goeie pluksels van die ertjies gekry maar die is nou ook klaar, die tamaties se blare is geel en ek nie sien hoe die 10 tamaties gaan ryp word sonder son nie.weereens ‘n fiasko! Die enigste groente wat welig groei is my spinasie, ek pluk en pluk en pluk. Die rubarber het soos getrou aan hulle natuur met menig gegroei nadat die slakke plaag verwyder was, en lyk goed, het reeds 2x daarvan gepluk maar weggegee aangesien ek gewerk het en nie tyd gehad het om te kook nie.
Ons het heerlike nuwe aartappeltjies vir 2 weke ge-eet, en daar is nog spring uitjies in die grond. Die raspberries word so vinnig deur die voels verorber dat ek nie eers een geproe kry kry nie . My 32 aarbei plantjies van verlede jaar , het ten spyte van blootstelling aan sneeu, ryp, reen , wind en droogte ‘n wonderlike drag aarbeie aan beter as verlede jaar en nie ‘n slak in sig nie Barry verwoes die slakke met jik water en dit werk soos ‘n bom!
Daar is darem nog ander pragtige blomme, pronkertjies, leeubekkies, kapapertjies, sward lelies, dalias, tier leleis rank rosies, en Clementis met yslike $groot pers blomme. Die rose teen die muur kry swaar maar ek troetel en praat mooi, die 2 geel rose is besig om weer uitteloop terwyl die pink roses vrolik aanhou blom. Al die rooi rose is ook begin om nuut uiteloop, die krismis rose prober ook ‘n plekkie in my hart verower!
Die baie voёl kinders gee ons groot plesier , die robins is besig om hul kenmerkende kleure te kry en bykans elke baba is deur die proses van voer en nou daartoe instaat om self te eet, die Peopne pot met heerlike grond in dien as badplek vir die voeltjies en hulle geniet die blare van die peonie as skuilploek teen die reen. Die swaeltjies wie se nes met die gehamer in die garage ter aarde neergedaal het, het die vlug oorleef en slaap elke nag op ‘n balk in die turf skuur. Die ander ‘kamer ‘is byna klaar, wat ‘n magtige werk maar dit gaan ‘n heerlike ekstra kamer wees maar baie uitputtende werk vir Barry want byna al die werk moet met jou arms bo jou kop gedoen word.
Die verskriklike koue van die garage is nou gebreek en sy werksarea met 2/3 verminder. Die ander deel moet nou ‘n venster en deur inkry in die plek van garage deure en dan is dit ook byna klaar. Die vals muur moet nou ge’skim’ word en dan ‘n lagie verf. Die vloer moet nog oorweeg word!
By die werk gaan dit op die oog af nie te sleg nie maar met soveel as 70% van pasiente wat nie meer oornag nie is daar groot verlies van inkomste en dit kom vanwee die HSE se beleid dat hulle nie vir langer as ‘n dag betaal nie en dit is ook die geval met privaat mediese assuransie. Daar is ‘n unie vergadering volgende Dinsdag en ek is van plan om dit bytewoon en te hoor wat die vooruitsigte is vir die res van die jaar.daar is soveel gerugte wat die rondtes doen en omdat ons in die nag werk hoor ons regtig net die stert ent van al die gerugte en teen daardie tyd het die hele storie ‘n ander rigting ingeslaan!
Die eiland is in ellende gedompel vanwee die ‘Celtig Tiger’ wat vir decade hier geseevier het en die banke sonder versekering enorme bedrae aan ontwikkelaars geleen het en nou is daar niks behalwe lee huise en onklaar geboue en derduisende wat welsyn betalings ontvang en die van ons wat nog werk gee 21% aan die goewerment sodat hulle die eiland kan red. Maatskappye sluit daagliks hul deure en so vermeerder die getalle voor die welsyn deure! Met ons gaan dit goed en ek is dankbaar dat ek nog werk het! Murmereer so nou en dan .veral as ek in kennis gestel word dat ek volgende week weer in die verpleeginrigting(ouetehuis) moet werk waar daar nou 42 kliente is en 4/5des volle aandag moet geniet!
Nou ja dit was heerlik om al die briefies te lees, nog ‘n paar uitstaande maar ons hoop dat die wat hulle in die boskamp bevind ,dit baie geniet en dat die wat nou op besoek is in SA elke moment geniet! Haya ek wag op ‘n epos adres vir jou ma
Onse tante Poppie word op 23 Julie 101 jaar oud en ons hier in Ierland hoop dat sy ‘n pragtige dag sal he, sonder pyn en omring deur liefde! Ek stuur wel ‘n briefie nader an die tyd!
Dit is ook met groot dankbaarheid dat ons kan meld dat Anke besig is om tuis te herstel na ‘n suksesvolle operasie, alle eer aan ons Hemelse Vader. Sterkte en volkome herstel haar toegebid!
More soos altyd , die beste dag van my week, sielsvoedsel en heugelike prysgesang reeds goed geoefen!
Dit is reeds ‘n maand gelede dat ons Isabel lughawe toegeneem het , Tyd vlieg!
Aan almal wat studeer vir eksamens, alles van die beste, veels geluk aan die wat geslaag het en groot opgewonderheid aan almal wat trou voorbereidings het!
Baie bly dat Joy weer veilig tuis is en haar besoek aan SA geniet het!
Briefies en fotos altyd baie welkom!
Wees altyd versigtig, verwag niks van niemand en wees bly oor wat na jou kant toe kom!
Groete en beste wense
Vanuit ‘n papsopnat Cranleymore!
Barry & Christina(Stien...etc)
Goeie dag familie en vriende,
Sit met die skoot rekenaar op sy plek voor die TV en hoop en bid dat Retief Goosen kop hou en die spul wys dat hy wel kan want verlede week het hy die klits kwyt geraak en total weggeval terwyl hy vir lank aan die eerste plek gelek het asof dit ‘n heerlike toffee roomys is gedip in neute en sjokolade en die volgende keer wat jy lek is die hele roomys weg ,te pletter geval bo-oor jou tone!
Ons het effe sonskyn ervaar eergister middag en groot deel van gister maar verder was dit die onguurste 2 weke in ‘n lank tyd, gepraat van petunias ek het 3 groot potte met rank petunias gehad wat so pragtig gelyk het maar daar is een ding wat die einde van hulle kan veroorsaak sonder dat jy ‘n vinger gelig het en dit is 2 ½ weke se reen. Ek het begin om die vrot blommetjie uittepluk in die hoop dat ek die spul kan red maar na ‘n ½ uur was ek so taai en my rug kapot van die buk net om weer vandag aanhoudende reen te sien neer daal sonder einde!heerlik om te hoor dat Kanada so ‘n pragtige somer ervaar , dit is byna die moeite werd om so koud te kry in die winter as jy weet die somer maak op maar in hierdie pragtige stukkie land geleё tussen die see en see ,blootgestel aan al wat hoё of lae lugdruk, wind en ellende, is daar geen sekerheid wat die dag van môre gaan inhou nie, jy moet maar net tevrede wees en niks verwag nie en bly wees as die son vir byna 6 weke geskyn het en dan te weet dat jou somer net begin het maar ook op ‘n einde is. Die bome se blare het begin kleur en ons het reeds ‘n kombers van blare opgemuls toe ons gister vinnig die gras moes sny voor dit in ‘n oerwoud verander.
Die onderveld waar die grond verskuiwings plaasgevind het het wondergras as bedekking ontvang en staan reeds 3 duim hoog, 10 dae nadat dit gesaai is.
Die wortels het nooit gegroei nie en ons eet nou ekstra miniatuur worteltjies 1” lank saam met die ertjies. Ek het 4 baie goeie pluksels van die ertjies gekry maar die is nou ook klaar, die tamaties se blare is geel en ek nie sien hoe die 10 tamaties gaan ryp word sonder son nie.weereens ‘n fiasko! Die enigste groente wat welig groei is my spinasie, ek pluk en pluk en pluk. Die rubarber het soos getrou aan hulle natuur met menig gegroei nadat die slakke plaag verwyder was, en lyk goed, het reeds 2x daarvan gepluk maar weggegee aangesien ek gewerk het en nie tyd gehad het om te kook nie.
Ons het heerlike nuwe aartappeltjies vir 2 weke ge-eet, en daar is nog spring uitjies in die grond. Die raspberries word so vinnig deur die voels verorber dat ek nie eers een geproe kry kry nie . My 32 aarbei plantjies van verlede jaar , het ten spyte van blootstelling aan sneeu, ryp, reen , wind en droogte ‘n wonderlike drag aarbeie aan beter as verlede jaar en nie ‘n slak in sig nie Barry verwoes die slakke met jik water en dit werk soos ‘n bom!
Daar is darem nog ander pragtige blomme, pronkertjies, leeubekkies, kapapertjies, sward lelies, dalias, tier leleis rank rosies, en Clementis met yslike $groot pers blomme. Die rose teen die muur kry swaar maar ek troetel en praat mooi, die 2 geel rose is besig om weer uitteloop terwyl die pink roses vrolik aanhou blom. Al die rooi rose is ook begin om nuut uiteloop, die krismis rose prober ook ‘n plekkie in my hart verower!
Die baie voёl kinders gee ons groot plesier , die robins is besig om hul kenmerkende kleure te kry en bykans elke baba is deur die proses van voer en nou daartoe instaat om self te eet, die Peopne pot met heerlike grond in dien as badplek vir die voeltjies en hulle geniet die blare van die peonie as skuilploek teen die reen. Die swaeltjies wie se nes met die gehamer in die garage ter aarde neergedaal het, het die vlug oorleef en slaap elke nag op ‘n balk in die turf skuur. Die ander ‘kamer ‘is byna klaar, wat ‘n magtige werk maar dit gaan ‘n heerlike ekstra kamer wees maar baie uitputtende werk vir Barry want byna al die werk moet met jou arms bo jou kop gedoen word.
Die verskriklike koue van die garage is nou gebreek en sy werksarea met 2/3 verminder. Die ander deel moet nou ‘n venster en deur inkry in die plek van garage deure en dan is dit ook byna klaar. Die vals muur moet nou ge’skim’ word en dan ‘n lagie verf. Die vloer moet nog oorweeg word!
By die werk gaan dit op die oog af nie te sleg nie maar met soveel as 70% van pasiente wat nie meer oornag nie is daar groot verlies van inkomste en dit kom vanwee die HSE se beleid dat hulle nie vir langer as ‘n dag betaal nie en dit is ook die geval met privaat mediese assuransie. Daar is ‘n unie vergadering volgende Dinsdag en ek is van plan om dit bytewoon en te hoor wat die vooruitsigte is vir die res van die jaar.daar is soveel gerugte wat die rondtes doen en omdat ons in die nag werk hoor ons regtig net die stert ent van al die gerugte en teen daardie tyd het die hele storie ‘n ander rigting ingeslaan!
Die eiland is in ellende gedompel vanwee die ‘Celtig Tiger’ wat vir decade hier geseevier het en die banke sonder versekering enorme bedrae aan ontwikkelaars geleen het en nou is daar niks behalwe lee huise en onklaar geboue en derduisende wat welsyn betalings ontvang en die van ons wat nog werk gee 21% aan die goewerment sodat hulle die eiland kan red. Maatskappye sluit daagliks hul deure en so vermeerder die getalle voor die welsyn deure! Met ons gaan dit goed en ek is dankbaar dat ek nog werk het! Murmereer so nou en dan .veral as ek in kennis gestel word dat ek volgende week weer in die verpleeginrigting(ouetehuis) moet werk waar daar nou 42 kliente is en 4/5des volle aandag moet geniet!
Nou ja dit was heerlik om al die briefies te lees, nog ‘n paar uitstaande maar ons hoop dat die wat hulle in die boskamp bevind ,dit baie geniet en dat die wat nou op besoek is in SA elke moment geniet! Haya ek wag op ‘n epos adres vir jou ma
Onse tante Poppie word op 23 Julie 101 jaar oud en ons hier in Ierland hoop dat sy ‘n pragtige dag sal he, sonder pyn en omring deur liefde! Ek stuur wel ‘n briefie nader an die tyd!
Dit is ook met groot dankbaarheid dat ons kan meld dat Anke besig is om tuis te herstel na ‘n suksesvolle operasie, alle eer aan ons Hemelse Vader. Sterkte en volkome herstel haar toegebid!
More soos altyd , die beste dag van my week, sielsvoedsel en heugelike prysgesang reeds goed geoefen!
Dit is reeds ‘n maand gelede dat ons Isabel lughawe toegeneem het , Tyd vlieg!
Aan almal wat studeer vir eksamens, alles van die beste, veels geluk aan die wat geslaag het en groot opgewonderheid aan almal wat trou voorbereidings het!
Baie bly dat Joy weer veilig tuis is en haar besoek aan SA geniet het!
Briefies en fotos altyd baie welkom!
Wees altyd versigtig, verwag niks van niemand en wees bly oor wat na jou kant toe kom!
Groete en beste wense
Vanuit ‘n papsopnat Cranleymore!
Barry & Christina(Stien...etc)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Greetings from a wet Ireland
11 June 09
Saturday
Good day to all,
We are experiencing dreadful weather, it has been raining since Monday. have not seen the sun at all this week. Temperatures stay around 14 –17 at the most and otherwise you have to put a light on to read in the middle of the day!
Barry who cannot relax decided that we need extra, secure space for all my things I have accumulated over the 5 1/2 years in Ireland and started partitioning the garage workshop into a living area one side and workshop on the other, The garage doors will be replaced by a window and door and the ceiling will be put in next week. It looks good and we will have space !!
The building is below the sewerage system which means we cannot put a toilet in which is a great pity because we could have really made it good extra accommodation. While hammering the frame work into place the swallow nest disintegrated and came with a bang down to the ground, fortunately the babies were already 14 days old and flew out into the open. Mother very protective brought them back and they are now living on a beam in the woos shed where they are being fed and cared for , they go for their daily flight exercises and return duly for a rest. Barry felt terrible as he really has been looking after these birds like gold! But they are surviving well!
Part of my lovely garden has been destroyed by the heavy showers early in the week, the big pots with the trailing petunias x 3 started to rot and although I tried to pick out the soaked flowers I could not keep up and can now just remember the beauty of it all as it is all over. The pink tiger lilies are now in full bloom and they have also suffered greatly. I was very proud of my lovely garden , the plants in the barrels growing up the trellises still looks good, dark purple flowers from the climber, petunias and roses with nasturgeums on the edges, hydrangeas’ also in flower!
We have been enjoying peas and spinach from the garden and by lack of potatoes Barry dug the potatoes and as they were just planted for the fun of it we have enjoyed a wonderful crop of new potatoes!
The hospital has been very busy this week but all big cases requiring long stays are now being done on Mondays and Saturdays the ward closes for the weekend and that will be the case till the 2nd week in August when we re-open after a weeks’ break, re -assessment and then retrenchments to follow.
I just keep on going, they will have to notify me in writing if they want me to leave and only then will I look out for something, there is shift work available and I believe God will provide!
With all the rain the fields are wet and the hay cutting has been delayed which makes it very difficult for the farmers. Jimmy behind us had a date with the contractor for this coming week but they need a few days of wind and sunshine before they cut otherwise it all rots.
The brightness and lustre of all the growth is gone and we are surely turning quickly into the latter part of this summer, the leaves started to fall and the days are getting shorter, BUT we still have so much to be thankful for that it does not matter. Isabel surely had the best weather during her stay!
Tomorrow, the best day of the week, and the Hymns all well known and played through as I know them nearly by heart, prepares us for soul food!
Birthday wishes to Pauli, in Exeter and Sonja in Linden SA. Many happy returns of this day the 13th July.
Take care, be always careful, Hope that it is not to cold in the southern hemisphere that the security on the farm in the Free State has been jacked up and that the inhabitants of the farm yard has returned or replaced!
Gerlof and the family who will be on the farm in the ‘Bos kamp’ must enjoy the fellowship!
Kind regards to all,
Remember letters and photos are very welcome and thank you to you all who so diligently write me a note!
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Saturday
Good day to all,
We are experiencing dreadful weather, it has been raining since Monday. have not seen the sun at all this week. Temperatures stay around 14 –17 at the most and otherwise you have to put a light on to read in the middle of the day!
Barry who cannot relax decided that we need extra, secure space for all my things I have accumulated over the 5 1/2 years in Ireland and started partitioning the garage workshop into a living area one side and workshop on the other, The garage doors will be replaced by a window and door and the ceiling will be put in next week. It looks good and we will have space !!
The building is below the sewerage system which means we cannot put a toilet in which is a great pity because we could have really made it good extra accommodation. While hammering the frame work into place the swallow nest disintegrated and came with a bang down to the ground, fortunately the babies were already 14 days old and flew out into the open. Mother very protective brought them back and they are now living on a beam in the woos shed where they are being fed and cared for , they go for their daily flight exercises and return duly for a rest. Barry felt terrible as he really has been looking after these birds like gold! But they are surviving well!
Part of my lovely garden has been destroyed by the heavy showers early in the week, the big pots with the trailing petunias x 3 started to rot and although I tried to pick out the soaked flowers I could not keep up and can now just remember the beauty of it all as it is all over. The pink tiger lilies are now in full bloom and they have also suffered greatly. I was very proud of my lovely garden , the plants in the barrels growing up the trellises still looks good, dark purple flowers from the climber, petunias and roses with nasturgeums on the edges, hydrangeas’ also in flower!
We have been enjoying peas and spinach from the garden and by lack of potatoes Barry dug the potatoes and as they were just planted for the fun of it we have enjoyed a wonderful crop of new potatoes!
The hospital has been very busy this week but all big cases requiring long stays are now being done on Mondays and Saturdays the ward closes for the weekend and that will be the case till the 2nd week in August when we re-open after a weeks’ break, re -assessment and then retrenchments to follow.
I just keep on going, they will have to notify me in writing if they want me to leave and only then will I look out for something, there is shift work available and I believe God will provide!
With all the rain the fields are wet and the hay cutting has been delayed which makes it very difficult for the farmers. Jimmy behind us had a date with the contractor for this coming week but they need a few days of wind and sunshine before they cut otherwise it all rots.
The brightness and lustre of all the growth is gone and we are surely turning quickly into the latter part of this summer, the leaves started to fall and the days are getting shorter, BUT we still have so much to be thankful for that it does not matter. Isabel surely had the best weather during her stay!
Tomorrow, the best day of the week, and the Hymns all well known and played through as I know them nearly by heart, prepares us for soul food!
Birthday wishes to Pauli, in Exeter and Sonja in Linden SA. Many happy returns of this day the 13th July.
Take care, be always careful, Hope that it is not to cold in the southern hemisphere that the security on the farm in the Free State has been jacked up and that the inhabitants of the farm yard has returned or replaced!
Gerlof and the family who will be on the farm in the ‘Bos kamp’ must enjoy the fellowship!
Kind regards to all,
Remember letters and photos are very welcome and thank you to you all who so diligently write me a note!
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Groete vanuit Ierland
Saterdag 4 Julie 09
Goeie dag aan al die familie en vriende,
Nou net die oorwinning van die 2 Williams susters op TV aanskou, ek noem dit nou 'Black empowerment' maak nie saak dat die jonger een gewen het nie hulle was albei daar.
Die nuus en resessie is hier ook oorweldig deur die rampsalige Michael JAckson.
By die werk is baie gerugte dat die hospitaal Augu8stus toemaak, Ek gaan rustig voort tot die dag wat hulle my inroep en se: ' Bye and Good Luck' want dis al wat hulle hier in glo is 'luck' Intussen werk ek lekker. Die nagmerrie van verpleeginrigting is vir eers weer van die baan tot volgende keer.
Dit het gedonderweer en geblits vir 'n vale, baie snaaks en ons het die kerk se 2 jaarlikse Braaivleis vanaand. Kan maar net hoop en bid die wind kom op en waai die wolke weg!
My tuin het 'n slegte knou weg met al die reen in 3 dae...het opgemaak vir die 6 weke sonskyn!
Uit die groente tuin eet ons ertjies , spinasie, klein uitjies en aarbeie, die wortels en tamaties kom mooi aan,
Blomtuin skitter met tier lelies, petunias, kappertjies, dahlias, swaardlelies,leeubekkeis en pronk ertjies, Die rose se eerste drag is nou af en ons wag nou vir die nuwe groei om weer knoppe te maak! het werkliki groot plesier van die tuin hierdie jaar. Die onder veld is gehark en kliploos gelaat en wonder gras is gesaai en sal in 7 dae hul verskyning maak as hulle nie jok op die sak nie.
Die swaeltjies in die donkiehuis, gedoop die'squaters' het toe uiteindelik die nes op Woensdag oggend verlaat net om weer 1.30nm gou 'n slapie te vang, het so aangegaan tot vandag en nou is hulle finaal in die lug. die ander in die skuur is nou 10 dae oud en baie parmantig, loer oor die rant as ons inkom!
Baie dankie Paul in Tanzanie, ek het toe uiteindelik ook jou brief ontvang ,dink dit het iewers in die kuber ruimte rondgeswerf op soek na Ierland! baie dankie!
Vandag se skrywe is kort en kragtig,
Briewe van ooral is baie welkom fotos heerlik om na te kyk!
More , die beste dag in my week en ook Haya se verjaardag gevolg met Hessie op die plaas, baie geluk julle 2 met julle verjaardae! Leopold het ook vroeer in die week verjaar! Veels geluk!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie!
Ons is in gedagte by die Eloff familie, broer Mendel en Anke. baie spesiaal.
Wees altyd versigitg, Gerlof is seker byna op pad, geniet julle vakansie!
Liefde groete
Die Dunnes van Ierland
Goeie dag aan al die familie en vriende,
Nou net die oorwinning van die 2 Williams susters op TV aanskou, ek noem dit nou 'Black empowerment' maak nie saak dat die jonger een gewen het nie hulle was albei daar.
Die nuus en resessie is hier ook oorweldig deur die rampsalige Michael JAckson.
By die werk is baie gerugte dat die hospitaal Augu8stus toemaak, Ek gaan rustig voort tot die dag wat hulle my inroep en se: ' Bye and Good Luck' want dis al wat hulle hier in glo is 'luck' Intussen werk ek lekker. Die nagmerrie van verpleeginrigting is vir eers weer van die baan tot volgende keer.
Dit het gedonderweer en geblits vir 'n vale, baie snaaks en ons het die kerk se 2 jaarlikse Braaivleis vanaand. Kan maar net hoop en bid die wind kom op en waai die wolke weg!
My tuin het 'n slegte knou weg met al die reen in 3 dae...het opgemaak vir die 6 weke sonskyn!
Uit die groente tuin eet ons ertjies , spinasie, klein uitjies en aarbeie, die wortels en tamaties kom mooi aan,
Blomtuin skitter met tier lelies, petunias, kappertjies, dahlias, swaardlelies,leeubekkeis en pronk ertjies, Die rose se eerste drag is nou af en ons wag nou vir die nuwe groei om weer knoppe te maak! het werkliki groot plesier van die tuin hierdie jaar. Die onder veld is gehark en kliploos gelaat en wonder gras is gesaai en sal in 7 dae hul verskyning maak as hulle nie jok op die sak nie.
Die swaeltjies in die donkiehuis, gedoop die'squaters' het toe uiteindelik die nes op Woensdag oggend verlaat net om weer 1.30nm gou 'n slapie te vang, het so aangegaan tot vandag en nou is hulle finaal in die lug. die ander in die skuur is nou 10 dae oud en baie parmantig, loer oor die rant as ons inkom!
Baie dankie Paul in Tanzanie, ek het toe uiteindelik ook jou brief ontvang ,dink dit het iewers in die kuber ruimte rondgeswerf op soek na Ierland! baie dankie!
Vandag se skrywe is kort en kragtig,
Briewe van ooral is baie welkom fotos heerlik om na te kyk!
More , die beste dag in my week en ook Haya se verjaardag gevolg met Hessie op die plaas, baie geluk julle 2 met julle verjaardae! Leopold het ook vroeer in die week verjaar! Veels geluk!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie!
Ons is in gedagte by die Eloff familie, broer Mendel en Anke. baie spesiaal.
Wees altyd versigitg, Gerlof is seker byna op pad, geniet julle vakansie!
Liefde groete
Die Dunnes van Ierland
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