Greetings from a winterish summer in Cranleymore

17 June’12 Good day to all, far away and much nearer, It is Monday already- I did not have a chance to write a letter over the weekend as I worked all weekend. Wonderful how the absence of a letter get people to react, - no there is nothing wrong just lack of time! We are both well. We experience winter in summer with night temperatures dropping so low that there is a warning out for ground frost- unreal! Our day temperatures for the day are lower than your winter temperatures. We are approaching the longest day soon but with the weather in disarray there is not much hope of enjoying it. The rain that fell during the last week would have any dam in SA within overflow-120mm over 36hrs! We are not the only ones that have suffered (the weather man is just saying there is hope for a little sun tomorrow Hurray!) Our wild bird life were disturbingly effected, We lost 3 nests of baby birds some weeks ago and on Saturday Barry found the swallow dead in the donkey house – no sign of struggle , no feathers –just gone. The eggs in the nest seem to be abandoned- and the other nest although lined and enforced, also empty. The swallows are around but does not enter the donkey-house at all! With continuous rain the foxes have not been seen and professor now officially missed. Blackie visits every 24 -36 hrs and sleeps in the shed on the straw, always on edge and ready to run.. His coat is looking better and he has been fed lately on Whiskas, spoiled rotten I would say. Since we started feeding the birds again we enjoy many more birds than before gold finches, green finches, bull finches and then the hedge sparrows in abundance- Since the robins abandoned the eggs we have not seen even one robin in the garden. We are enjoying a garden filled with colour and flowers everywhere! The roses are beautiful and the Clematis out of this world. I took videos on my phone of the garden but when I wanted to off load it onto the computer the connection said –only for charging. So you miss out! The vegetable garden looks good the potatoes are in flower, we are eating the spring onions and the carrots looks good, peas are growing well. The goose berry bush is covered in fruit. We still have 14 pears on the tree the rest have fallen –about 20 apples left- all our hope of having a crop of fruit, gone! The grape vine still growing and we hope that the bunches of grapes come to eating level later in the summer. The soccer has been a fiasco and the lot who spent every little bit of credit on their cards now have to return poor and disillusioned. The Eucheristic Conference which took place here with many delegates from over the world brought the child abuse scandal to the front again. It brought some revenue to the country and I think that was about the best part of the conference. Greece has made their choice and now we hope that this man can put together a good coalition parliament to get the better of their disastrous financial, situation and also important for us who are dependent on the survival of the Euro. Here on the island the Member of Parliament with the problem of tax evasion is now under investigation from all sides. The sewerage tank registration lies ahead and another lot of boycotts and rebellious behaviour is on the cards as the deadline is approaching. The minister that brought the tax in has disappeared from the lime light since the household payments were only paid by 2/3’s of home owners. We have our bi-annual barbeque due this Saturday coming I have boere-wors in the freezer and hope that it will be as popular as the last time when Barry did not even got a piece himself. Last time I had to help out with the cooking as the man behind the grill had no idea what to do with the boere-wors. Beef sausage from the farm in other words, in Ireland they do not have any beef sausages – only pork! Our church-minister is still on sick leave and we pray for his recovery in earnest. Joy and I make turns playing the organ –she takes my turn when I have to work and vice versa. Birthdays: 18th Isabelle Cooper-2yrs old! Sue Parsons in Canada May both of you have a lovely day – I am sure that Kathleen Tim and the grandparents of Isabelle will make sure she enjoys it! The year is at an end for the students in Ireland and England soon –those who are still studying-everything of the very best and for those awaiting results- it will soon be over! The 10th last Sunday we had the pleasure of Finbarr, Amanda and Lukas visiting. Lukas is a character and act well to get your attention. Fascinated with his shadow (those photos are on my phone) I found him standing near to the wall looking at what I wondered, when I asked him he told me ‘My shadow Ouma!’ It was one of the rare days where the sun and the clouds were playing hide and seek but we could stay outside most of the day and enjoyed every minute! Barry did his arranged cardiac stress test this afternoon and he seemed to have passed it without a problem –we will get the result in 2 weeks time. Lovely to hear from all of you especially those who are in touch regularly. I have given up on some of you and hope you are keeping well! This is then the end of my writings for this week and I hope that those who have been sick, injured and waiting for operations are keeping well! We think of Devlin who had an eye injury and has not received permanent damage and we are very thankful for that. Also thinking of Jacomien in Vryheid and hope that she gets through the stent removal without a problem! Take good care of yourselves and remember to be careful at all times – on the roads, work and at home. Warm greetings from a chilly Cranleymore Barry and Christina (Stien, Ouma)

Groete van ons in Cranleymore

Saterdag 9 Junie’12 Goeie dag aan die wat wel die briewe lees! Hoop dit gaan goed met julle! Die son skyn vandag eintlik sedert 12 uur , vroeg vanmore was die wolke laag nog maar dikkerig. Twee dae van reen, aanhoudend –dit het nooit gestop nie dag en nag oor ‘n 100mm het geval. Ons was vinnig op pad om ‘n ark te bou toe die weer stelsel ‘n bietjie genade toelaat! Ons was vinnig vir 2 dae Galway toe en ons mannewalisse is opgeteken op my blog. Ek kan nie verstaan hoe sommige die bald kan oop maak en ander nie! Hier volg dit weer. www.blogspot.com Alledaagse lewe in ‘n vreemde land. – of www.tawwetienie.blogspot.com Ek het dit in Engels geskryf dan kan al my vriende en familie dit lees. In ons afwesigheid het die slakke oorgeneem en al my Afrikaner regops is opge-eet, die boonste punte van my dalias is opgevreet en 2 bosse wortels is weg lyk of iemand hulle met ‘n sker geknip het. Ons luister en probeer alle rade maar hulle kom snags wanneer ons rustig in ons beddens is en eet hulle lywe vol. Die reen weer maak dit natuurlik nog erger. Die druiwestok lyk nog goed en my 8 trosse druiwe hang nog, hulle is nog in die wonder stadium en met geen son nie het daar ook geen groei plaas gevind die afgelope week nie. Sommige rose het bietjie swaar gekry met die reen en ander lyk te pragtig! Die Clematis plante teen die voorste muur is oorweldigend mooi! Die blomme is so groot soos klein bordjies! Die kleur skema sou goed by die Koningin van England gepas het want dit is alles rooi, wit en byna pers blou! My tamatie plante staan goed regop en groei mooi op die voor stoepie saam met my appel bome en ook my spanspek pitte wat opgekom het! Ek het die skorsie pitte direk in die tuin geplant en hoop vir die beste! Die aartappels staan in blom , die ertjies kom mooi aan en die uie is yslik groot! My 2 weke verlof is byna verby en ek werk weer Woensdagnag. Ten spyte van die reen het ek heirdie 2 weke baie beniet! Ons het baie verrig gekry en ook dinge gedoen wat ons van hou!. Môre kom die kinders om saam met ons ons 35ste troudag te herdenk, die 11de. Kannie wag vir die kleinkind nie hy is glo baie bekkig en een of ander dag verlede week het die agterdeur toegeslaan met hom buite in die tuin en hy kon die deur wat gesluit het nie oop kry nie en hy sien sy ma bo in die slaapkamer en skree klip hard. ‘Amanda- open the bloody door!’ Hy het so hard geskree dat dit bure hom kon hoor – nou weet julle kinders hoor dinge wat jy nie van weet nie –dus wees versigtig wat julle se voor die kleintjies. Hulle gebruik nooit lelike taal nie maar tog het hy dit iewers gehoor! Die kerk het hulle 2 jaarlikse braaivleis die 23ste en dit is ons beurt om as gasheer optetree. Ietwat later. Ek sit nog so en skryf toe hoor ek die gras masjien en vlieg toe uit soos ‘n pyl in ‘n boog! Ek is terug goeie 3 ure later. Die gras moes na regte baie natter gewees het maar dit het heel glad verloop. Ons het oral gesny-ons is nou Barry en ek alternatief. Elkeen kry 2 rondtes en op die manier word nie een doodmoeg nie en Barry kry kans om asem te skep tussen-in. Hy gaan vir sy opvolg stress toets 2 Julie en ek vrees wat dit gaan wys want hy raak vinnig kort asem as hy dinge doen. Gate grawe en te vinnig agter die vlieg masjien aanloop. Het van te vore genoem die nuwe grassnyer is voorwiel aangedrewe en jy moet loop ken om by te hou!. Ewentewel. Dit lyk nou weer pragtig buite- ons het ook in die groot pad gesny wat die kothuisie tog ‘n beter aansig gee. Die son skyn nog steeds heerlik maar iewers moet ‘n mens ‘n streep trek en ek moes inkom om kos te maak en ook om die brief klaar te skryf! Ons predikant is nog steeds nie wel nie en dis elke Sondag ‘n verrassing ,wie die prediker is. Joy en ek is in beheer van musiek en ons sing maar meeste goed bekende Psalme en Gesange want ons voorsinger( dis nou ons eie predikant) wat goed kan sing is nie daar nie ek kan wel die eerste versie lekker saam sing maar as ek nie al die versies uit my kop ken nie kan ek nie op 2 plekke tegerlykertyd kyk nie! Ons is dankbaar dat daar wel elke Sondag iemand is wat ons sielskos bring. Verjaardae. Sonja Kruger se dogter Elaine verjaar die 11de, Anneke, die dokter en dogter van Haya en Cobus verjaar 15e en my Nig Retha in Vryheid, die 16de! Net die beste wense vir die jaar wat voorlê aan julle almal. Die moontlikheid dat ek iemand uitgelaat het is groot en ook aan diegene dan- Lekker verjaar! Hier gaan dit op die politieke front maar vrot. Ons het nou wel ‘Ja’ gestem- Nie ons nie maar die land vir die ‘Stability Treaty’ en ek dink dat die klomp gedink het dat Angela Merkel ons meer gunstig sou aankyk en toe gee sy ‘n goeie blaf en laat blyk dat sy glad nie van plan is om ons skuld makliker te maak nie! Een van die onafhanklike kandidate –‘n ‘Property Developer’- skuld Miljoene aan die belasting vergaarder en hy het sommer so bietjie tussen in ook gejok maar het erken hy het gejok en dink nou dit maak hom nie meer so skuldig as wanneer hy stil sou bly nie. Hy het lang wit hare dra ‘n oorbel of twee en het T hempde of pink hemde sonder das aan in die parlement! Ongure karakter maar die mense het hom verkies en daar sit hy! Kroek en al. Hier mag jy tot 6maande tronkstraf gehad het en nog in die parliment sit- anderster soort plek die! Rugby en SA wen teenoor Engeland en Ierland verloor teen Nieu Zealand.In Poolland is die voetbal aan die gang en dit sal seker tot oorlopenstoe in ons kele afgedruk word vir die volgende paar weke. Ierland speel môre middag laat en die hele Ierland sal tot stilstand kom behalwe hier in Cranleymore waar ons rustig ons gang sal gaan!. Ons besoekende diere en voëls is ‘n groot plesier. Sedert ons weer die voëls begin voer het het hier seker 100 meer voëltjies opgedaag, as sonder die kos. Die kat Blackie het maer geword en sy jas skyn rooi deur- ons gee hom droë katkos maar hy verkies iets anders, Barry dink hy baljaar maar net teveel! Professor die ander kat het ons ‘n goeie 2 mnde nie gesien nie- dit betekn nie dat hy weg of iets oorgekom het soos wat ek elke keer dink nie maar hy kom eet saam met die Jakkalsies en dit is te laat vir ons- die klein jakkalsies was nie gisteraand hier nie want die reën was erg en ons vermoed hulle het in hul skuilplek gebly vir die nag! Ons dink aan almal wat nie wel is nie en spesiaal aan Devlin wat ‘n besering aan sy oog gekry het – Ons bid dat daar volkome herstel sal plaas vind. Ek het baie lanklaas van Arnolda gehoor- miskien is ek van haar poslys af. Stuur maar groete vir haar – as iemand met haar praat. Die ander niggies en nefies laat darem so elke nou en dan iets hoor. Gerlof en die kleinkinders se stories is pragtig en netnou maar is al sy kinders uit die huis. Marthie se twee kinders gaan ook terug SA toe en ons bid hulle alles van die beste toe met hul planne en dink ook spesiaal aan Marthie wat een van die dae kindloos gaan wees gelukkig hou ander dinge haar besig-! My nuus is op en ons glo dat dit met julle goed sal gaan in die koue wat voorlê- ons weet alles van koud kry glo my! Julle het ons simpatie! Daar is wel ‘n verskil – die SAfrikaners is so verwen met goeie weer en gematigde winters dat koue vir hulle nie maklik verwerkbaar is nie- Ons is daarvoor ingerig- Jy haal nooit jou warm lakens van die bed af nie want vandag is dit warm en môre bibber jy! Wees versigtig op die paaie en hou waaksaamheid in en om die huis altyd in gedagte! Liefde groete van ons tweewaar dit‘n heerlike aand in Cranleymore is. Barry & Christina( Stien , Ouma vir ander)

Mild and cloudy greetings from Cranleymore

Saturday 2 June’12 Good day to all those who does read the letter. I am sitting outside in the garden, the sun breaks through the clouds every now and again but the wind is not blowing and it is wonderfully mild outside, temperatures between 16-19°.the promise of rain is ever so definite in the air but may only happen late in the afternoon, coming from the south 300km away. We just returned from a visit to a rural school cake and plant sale where we bought cakes, home- made bread, still warm out of the oven and apple sponge, everything of course excellent for the waistline but Ooooo so lovely to taste. St Thomas school has 2 teachers and every-one is very worried that the school might lose the 2nd teacher if the numbers does not increase for Sept intake which will be catastrophic of the children as well as for the teachers and the community. These small schools has become the target ground for the minister of education for closure to save money instead of letting the teachers that are over 70 years old, retire. O yes they do retire but the next term they are back in the office because.....there is not anybody to fill their place which is such a lot of nonsense – the young teachers are all standing in the queue in front of the unemployment offices to receive their unemployment money. The school is situated between the farm lands and more country like you cannot have-absolutely beautiful. No doubt we supported them well. Apart from the nice stuff be bought we also acquired some tomato plants and a foxglove which will be planted after lunch and the completion of this letter. Many of the church children are going to this rural school St Thomas and one of the members of the church, wife is a teacher there. We also discovered that Matt the husband of Joy who plays the organ, when I don’t, has his own green house and has a thriving business which we did not know about. We spend very many hundreds of €’s with Larry in Abbey-Lara this last week and will in future also support Matt. Bartering went on between Larry and me- I gave him 6 orange trees I grew from pips for the grape vine that grows 2 inches every day. Barry marks it on the wood panel behind the vine, astonishing how fast the things grow if the sun comes out and of course because of the long days. Nights are now about 5 hrs in total. 13 Baskets are hanging all around the cottage. 4 In the front and the rest on the wall of the shed and the fence between the back garden and the front. It was hard work, bending and carrying and lifting but we slept well that night! The barrels are also in place and we only have sweet-peas and nasturtiums in the barrels with a bright pink petunia which trails. We also got some Lupines with brilliant colours and have planted 2 in front of the kitchen window, to be looked at every day of the summer. The roses are in full bloom and such a joy, the potatoes are starting to flower and the onions can nearly be pulled up. Peas are growing well and we replanted the carrots after the last lot were eaten by our friends, the slugs! We counted 20 apples on the one tree and 40 pears on the other tree. The other 2 trees are a bit slower and we hope they will also produce a crop. Patience is a virtue, and in this case we honestly waited patiently! I am on 2 weeks holiday and enjoy every minute of it. We hope to make a few day trips next week after all the tasks we set out to do this last week have been completed. In the back ground I hear the British anthem being sung by Katherine Jenkins for the queens Diamond Jubilee! What pomp and great festivities! I mentioned last week that the birds were suffering greatly from the cold and rainy spell we had in April and May and the Wild Life Soc requested that people should continue to feed the birds as there is not enough food for the young ones and on ‘Spring watch’ we saw what happened to hatched birds which did not get enough food and where the river pushed high against the bank and the Kingfisher could not get to the nest, very sad. We lost 2 sets of baby birds but the 2nd lot of Blue Tits fledged successfully yesterday morning a- mid great excitement. Since we started feeding again the bird population has increased again to a good lot- we also have 6 green finches feeding young. I have started a new blog with daily happenings for those who want to follow the “ Daaglikse lewe in ‘n vreemde land” under the blog of www.tawwetienie.blogspot.com Just click on the web page and it will open for you. I have to spray myself with fly and insect repellent here where I sit as the midgets and horse flies are in abundance and just loves my blood – must be very sweet .The problem is that I react so violently to these bites and have to have antihistamine ready if I should get bitten. We are very glad that Thursday has come and gone. We were so disillusioned with the lot of politicians either for the ‘Yes’ vote of the ‘No’ vote as you cannot trust them- the language of the ‘Stability treaty’ needs Oxford interpretation and for the normal person on the street these thing just do not make sense. The % of voters in the country was in our region only a 3rd. and of those 2/5’s voted no and the rest yes. (This comma in front of the ‘and’ is called an Oxford comma!) The problem is not the outcome of the voting but what is to follow-some said that we are now definitely the sole property of Europe and they can demand and command us as they wish. If that is true then we are in for a tough time. Austerity measures will increase and taxes are sure to rise! Wednesday morning as we were about to do our morning prayers and scripture reading Barry looked up and saw a beautiful animal, a first visit for us, a mink, right in front of us, sniffing at the bird seeds on the grass- yes we know that they are little devils but the fur coat was so beautiful that you can understand that people used to breed them for the fur. That apparently was the case near us – some of them got out and is now in the wild. We fortunately do not have any poultry around and as far as we know no one in the near vicinity have any hens, ducks, geese or turkeys so they live on frogs in the streams, small rabbits and mice. I was not quick enough with the camera and missed the opportunity to take a photo what a shame! Our residing preacher is not well and we are entertained by visiting preachers and the choice of Hymns is left to us, Joy and me. While I am on leave I take the responsibility on my shoulders to give her a break as she often has to stand in for me on short notice! Birthdays are few and far between for the coming week. Hope I do not miss some-one who will have a birthday but if so Happy Birthday! Our children and grandchild will visit us next Sunday, in the mean time we have to be satisfied with a phone call and photos! I am glad to announce that our nephew Nicholas brain surgery went very well and that he is already home and recovering well t home. If there are readers who are not well and are concerned about something I am always just an email or a sms away and if I can help I gladly will! We watched the inferno of Princess Shopping centre in Ontdekkers road as it unfolded on the computer, very sad, we knew quite a few people who had shops there. To those who are going to travel drive safely. To those who are writing exams, just the very best to you! For those awaiting results- may it go well. For those who are preparing to become grandparents enjoy the excitement! Cloudy but pleasant regards from Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Warm groete

Saterdag 26 Mei 2012 Gegroet, lesers en ander, Uiteindelik het ons somer ge-arriveer! Sommer hier in die middel van die week het ellende verander in vreugde! Dit was die eerste dag ‘n wonderwerk om die son te sien en dan boon-op vir die hele dag tot laat die aand! Ongelooflik- die bloue hemel en die helder sonskyn waarna ons met hart en siel gesmag het. Alles het skielik begin lewe, met vuur en vlam het al die knoppe oopgegaan –die mooi kleure van al die blommetjies wat ons so sorgvuldig geplant ‘n paar maande gelede is nou ‘n lus vir die oog- Die temperature het van ellendig koud na 25° opgeskuif oornag! Vandag waai die wind bietjie sterk wat dit effe onpleseirg maak as jy nou nie van die wind hou nie maar andersins is dit ‘n manjefieke dag, die 4 de van sy soort hierdie week! My groot jas hang nou aan die kapstok en ‘n ligte somer bloesie het die se plek ingeneem! Die pere sit nog aan die boom en die appels is ook aan die vorm! My druiwe stok groei vir ‘n vale – ons het hom/haar geplant waar die son altyd skyn(hahaha) in goeie weer! Die aartappels staan hoog en gesond –sal seker moet sprei in die nabye toekoms. Die wortel plantjies is opgevreet deur of ruspers of slakke en die ertjies kom op. Vir ‘n geruime tyd het ons hierdie plante dopgehou en kon nie uitwerk wat dit is nie daar ons nog nooit sukses gehad het met Iereses nie was dit die wonderlikste ding toe die blou iris vanmore ‘n verskeining maak! Die rose is oop en die Clematises blom met diep meroon blomme! Die grond bedekking wat ‘n blou blommetjie aan het is te pragtig en die miniatuur dahlias is vol in blom Die jasmyn ruik tog te heerlik! Die wonder van die natuur oorweldig my elke dag! Die ou voeltjies wat dood is, is seker maar deel van die natuur en so moet ons dit aanvaar! Die swaeltjies se nessies lyk te pragtig, opgekikker vir die nuwe kleintjies , uitgevoer met sagte dons en noudat die hitte gekom het is daar hoop op nuwe lewe oral! Die groen velde en welige bome is byna oorweldigend sommige bome het eers in die laaste paar dae blare gekry want dit was steeds tekoud!. Die ‘May flower’ so genoem omdat gedurende Mei tot volle blom kom en dan later in bessies verander is baie laat maar het ook skielik binne 48 die heinings begin oorneem ! Kilometers van wit blommetjies! Nuut skoon ongeskonde! Die hanekamme wat ons geplant het die hoofmaal van die slakke geword en 12 plantjies is opgevreet en verwoes. Sal maar weer probeer noudat dit warmer is! Op die politieke front het die leier van Sinn Feinn nou net klaar sy TV toespraak gegee gedurende hulle jaar vergadering en natuurlik die ‘NO’ stemming aangepor het- Gerry Adams- ‘n uitstekende leier en spreker het die heersende gowerment goed in hul plek gesit. Ons stem vir die ‘Stability Treaty’ of wat jy dit ook al wil noem, Donderdag – sal nog sien of ek die moeite gaan doen! By die werk gaan dit woes- ek het die afgelope 2 weke harder gewerk as ‘n slaaf in oer tye en waardeer die tydjie wat voorle sonder werkstress geweldig!’n Volle 2 weke – ons hoop om die dak en huis te verf! Barry het reeds gese-‘ Just you wait- they will call you while on holiday” Hoop van harte hulle het hom nie gehoor nie! Verjaardae: Doodse stilte in my boekie! Sou ek iemand uitgelaat het Jammer maar hoop die jaar is goed! Siektes: ag ek was so jammer omtehoor van Sandra se ma en die Limfklier knoppe – klink nie goed nie maar ons dra haar in gebed aan die Here op. Nicholas – ons nefie in Cork het sy groot brein operasie Donderdag gehad en gaan goed aan- wou nie met my oor die foon praat nie want sy nek is te seer- as hy maar weet wat hulle met sy nek aangevang het tewyl hulle sy skedel oopgesaag het! So ver so goed en ons dank die Here daarvoor! Jacomien is tuis en die ellende iets van die verlede- net so dankbaar dat alles daar goed afgeloop het! Ons predikant is nie wel nie en ons mis hom maar bid en hoop dat hy gou weer terug by ons sal wees om sy gawe as herder en prediker teenoor sy gemeentelede kan vervul! Ons besoekende diere is van oneindige plesier en ons ontdek elke nou en dan iets buitengewoons . Die kripvarkie en familie bly in die hoop ou takke in die onderveld en ons het hul ingang in die lang gras gekry en waar hulle buite verkeer- ‘n hele familie! Vanoggend ook fisante gesien.die klein jakkalsies lyk besonder goed –uitstekend gevoed deur die Dunne’s- hul jassies blink en die sterte is wonder mooi! Die katte is te pragtig! Met meneer Lukas gaan dit uitstekend! Hy kry al die aandag en praat soos ‘n vierjaar oue kind! Onnutsig en met sy mooi geaardheid ‘n voortdurende plesier! Die wet hier het die klits kwyt geraak eeue gelede want sommige van die wette dateer uit 2 eeue terug- ander is onglooflik onprakties en enigiemand kan uit hul tronk oplegging uitkom as hy net slim genoeg is! As jy bv. Moord gepleeg het en as ongeskik of ‘mal’ verklaar is – word daar nie ‘n ‘skuldig’ teen jou geregistreer nie en sou jy dan ontsnap uit die geestelike inrigting is jy vry soos ‘n voel! Nou ja more is die beste dag van my week en ek sal die voorreg hê om voor die orrel te sit en het reeds al die psalme en gesange gekies! Sielsvoeding word deur Werner ‘n Hollander gelewer en is gewoonlik baie goed! Die debakel oor SA president se ongure skildery het die koerante hier getref so-ook die korrupsie in die polisie! Nou ja soos julle reeds weet word hierdie briefie nou net aan die gestuur wat daarvoor gevra het! Soos genoem die brief en ander skrywes sal nou op my blog verskyn! Heerlike sonnige groete uit ‘n skitterende Cranleymore Barry en Christina

Greetings from a shivering Ireland

Saturday 19 May ‘12 Good day to all, Family and friends, The disastrous weather has taken its toll in our garden and it is with great sadness in my heart that all the baby birds died during the arctic spell of a week or two ago, we realised that the parents stop going into the Blue Tit’s nest and after 3 days Barry investigated and found 5 little birds dead. After our round in the garden and lower field a few minutes ago we found after bizarre behaviour of the starling couple all week and him sitting on the telephone wire all alone a very sad situation -they kicked out the dead birds and we found them all on the grass! We know that there is still some babies alive in another Blue Tit’s nest and hope and pray that they will survive. In a program during the week the weather were discussed and the records showed that May was colder in Ireland than in the ARTIC! I have not been exaggerating. I go to bed with the electric blanket on otherwise I get up after my 7 hr sleep with still frozen feet! At night I have a human hot water bottle in the bed but even this has lately been failing as Barry has been frozen internally – he just never seems to get warm at all! We cleaned out the fire place and took away all the equipment and we have to get supplies of turf and wood otherwise we would have lit the fire – in the mean time we are burning oil! I do not have to tell you about the weather it is like a head on collision with human nature and the casualties are high. We have also had a disastrous week in politics and it is unbelievable how these parliamentarians cannot get it right as to- what to say, when to keep quiet and when to talk the truth. They make the one blunder after the other and think the people has to belief them and follow them like the Pied Piper of Hamlin- in my eyes they all border somewhere between the lower ranks of the ape species which is in fact an insult to the ape species. The referendum on the Fiscal Treaty has caused havoc- In the mean time the Grecians have their own problems of trying to stay head above water and England, the wise, on the side, advising but not participating! I have worked many more hours this week than what is allowed and were suppose to work tonight but when they realised I have already exceeded the allowed hours they found a day nurse to do tonight’s shift but I am back tomorrow night! I do know of friends but no family that had the immense problem of a mother or father that had dementia- of all the patients, does not matter how sick or difficult the nursing aspect could be the patient with impaired brain function is surely the most difficult to nurse. I was so tired this morning I nearly collapsed- I never had a change to drink or have anything to eat as the medical side was allocated to me last night after I spend all week in the Respite unit. Peter has advanced dementia and suffered from severe cellulites of both legs- ‘Olifantitis ‘is a mild term. This lot got all infected and needed triple anti-biotic therapy which is given intra -venously. This in itself is already a foreign concept to Peter and the sensation of the antibiotic running cold into his vein is the straw that broke the camel’s back and he decided to remove the cannula without any further ado- he somehow cut the intra venous line and bled like a pig in the slaughter house in his bed- all around the bed and down the passage to the toilet where he spends most of the night totally incontinent and not able to use a urinal and the pad gets pulled off and torn into pieces. I started washing floors, cleaned toilets and even had to wash the carpet in the Transfer lounge where the patients arrive for admission early in the morning. When I complained this morning that these patients should not be between surgical clients I was answered with a blank look from the manager which was not much encouragement. In the mean time a retired Garda – used to shouting orders and expect immediate attention keeps on shouting ‘Nurse. Nurse at the top of his voice! He was in total control of himself walking with a stick 4 weeks ago and developed a chest infection, admitted to the general hospital and has never been the same again! He chokes in everything as he thinks he has to throw his head backwards to drink water – I explained to him that he is not a bird and that he has to drop his chin on his chest before swallowing which means you have to hold this head that has not dropped in 50 years to his chin in order for him not to choke- that in itself is very strenuous as he is as stiff a s a board! In between I had patients that have had big operations and did not feel the greatest- that was a night in which the Lord tested me every inch. I washed the floors connecting the passage to the toilet 7x during the night – and then all around where ever Peter was walking and piddling! We do not have help at night and have to do everything High quality nursing and ‘skiwi’ work all at the same time. We also have had a week of disaster in the garden – proudly we planted on Tuesday our first carrots – but by this morning there was not a carrot in sight- something devoured it to the ground! There are no paw marks of an animal like a rabbit or something else and we can only think that slugs must have several the leaves from the little carrot in the ground. It was very sad to see the leaves lying on the side – the rest of the plants are looking not to bad in spite of the continuous bad weather. The roses looks as if they have been casted in stillness as there is no movement in 3 weeks only the buds sitting there waiting for a miracle! The pears are still there I counted up to a hundred! Apples are still in flowers but we hope that there will be some fruit on them as well! Now, the news of the year. We bought a grape vine and we are pampering it as if it is made of gold- at night it gets covered up and during the day it enjoys the sunless atmosphere! We planted it where the sun, when shining, always shines and with the 7 bunches of grapes in minute formation and all in perfect condition –our excitement is great. In exchange I have to take some of my orange trees back to the nursery! My orchard is getting too big for the indoors window sill -it will be a good place for them to go to as he has an enormous hot house. Birthdays! Sandra in Exeter will be a year older on the 22nd and Gerhardus in Roodepoort on the 25th. May you both have a lovely day and a splendid year ahead! I was going to miss church tomorrow but with the change of duty I will be a member of the congregation in the children’s service and are looking forward to their contribution. I have said more than enough- thank you for all the lovely letters- Joy in Brisbane and the Reineckes in Sasolburg and those who regularly stay in touch, especially. To Jacomien in Vryheid who had an operation on Thursday – our fondest regards and best wishes for a speedy recovery! To all those writing exams – Ireland, England and elsewhere! Everything of the very best! I have now got ten frozen fingers and will join Barry in the lounge under a warm blanket! The news of the painting of the President of SA which made the headlines was somewhat gross to say the least! To us a big embarrassment! Take care and have security at the top of your list. Letters and photos are most welcome! Kind regards form Barry and Christina in a summer that does not exist!

Groete vanuit 'n bibberende Cranleymore

Sondag 13 Mei ‘12

Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende,

Hier beleef ons ongure weersomstandighede temperature van 7-9°

Die wind huil met ‘n  dringende boodskap van ysige aanraking,’bly uit my pad want ek sal jou murg vries’ en ek beleef dit toe persoonlik toe Barry dink ek glo hom nie .Ek word ½ 3 wakker gemaak en na ‘n koppie tee lok hy my buite toe en sedertdien het ek nog nie weer warm kon word nie-ek weet nie wat ek aan hom gedoen het om so gepynnig te word nie ek dink hy kon nie verdra dat ek heerlik warm is na my slapie nie en wou my laat ervaar wat die voëltjies en ander lewende wesens daar buite beleef.

Nou is die verwarmers aan en ek sit onder my warm kombers 4 dubble gevou in die hoop om weer warm te word. Ek het meer klere aan as in die middel van winter!

Genoeg van die weer. Van vroeg vanmore het ‘n Chaffinch mannetjie met homself teen die kombuis venster geveg- dat hy nie moeg geword het nie was ongelooflik – teen 5uur vanmiddag kom ‘n ysige vlaag reen en hy besluit toe om die aftog te blaas. Die venster is nou smutzsig en die vensterbank vol voëlmis. Hoop hy het genoeg gehad en begin nie weer in die vroeë oggend ure met die ritueel nie. Ons get baba ‘Blue Tits’ en die Starlings het die nes verlaat. Iets anders wat eienaardig is dat die swaeltjies gekom het en het weer die pas gevat want dit is te koud- hulle is seker terug na mid Europa in die hoop dat dinge hier sal verbeter.

As dit nie vir die Rhododendrons was nie het ons maar min kleur in die tuin gehad. Die tulpe is weg gewaai die daisies probeer hard om bietjie kleur te bring maar dit was nog te koud om selfs somer plantjies in te sit want ons het gister oggend nog ryp gehad. Die rose wil nie oop gaan nie want daar is nie genoeg hitte nie. Die aartappels en uie staan gesond en regop in die groente tuin, die ertjies het hul verskyning gemaak en daar is vrugte aan die peer en appelbome en ons hoop dit bly sit!

Ons kleinseun Lukas en sy ouers het verlede Sondag ons harte verheug. Hy hardloop na die heining toe hy die beeste sien en skree aahouded luidkeels ‘Hello Cows! Hy het nader al 20 beeste by die draad, ons was bang dat hulle hom sou storm maar hulle het met groot verbasing na die klein mensie gekyk en toegelaat dat hy hul neuse aanraak. Hy was in sy element! Vol streke en praat asof hy al jare op die aarde is! Hy bly ‘n kind met ‘n mooi geaardheid en huil en neul glad nie- hy word op ‘n nuwe manier groot gemaak en ken dissipline op ‘n ander manier as wat ons kinders mee groot geword het, tog werk dit wonderlik. Hy weet baie goed wanneer hy dinge gedoen het wat ongeoorloof is en probeer gou om sake reg te maak. Ons het hulle besoek terdeë geniet. Natuurlik totaal en al teveel ge-eet! Skaapboud, gebakte aartappels met 3 groentes en boordpoeding as nagereg!

Ek het sedert Donderdag gewerk en laas nag was dit baie besig en ek het eers na ½ 10 vanmore tuis gekom en het maar met ‘n swaar hart bed toegegaan want ek sou nie die kerk haal nie – nie tyds gewys nie ook nie met wakker bly nie-het tehard gewerk maar dis nag werk en alles is wel ek gee glad nie om nie. ‘n 90 Jarige non het gisteraand gesê dat sy heeldag gewag het dat ek moet kom, sy mis my gedurende die dag- en dit beteken vir my so baie!

Op die politieke front gaan die debat oor die ‘fiscal treaty’ steeds voort! Hulle maak jou siek! Die wat die ellendes veroorsaak loop die strate van vreemde stede ongehinderd en sonder ‘n gewete vir die wroeginge wat hulle in hul gierigheid om ryk te wees ,veroorsaak het.

Verjaardae- niks in my boekie nie maar sou daar iemand wees wat wel verjaar! Veels Geluk!

Aan die jong mense wat eksamen skryf wens ons net die beste toe. Daar mag natuurlik ook ouer mense wees wat nog studeer en ook aan hulle net die beste toegewens!

Ons besoekende wilde diere gee ons steeds groot plesier! Ons dink daar mag dalk meer as een klein jakkalsie wees –hulle kom baie laat want dit word nou baie laat donker 10min na 10 was dit nog skemer. Ek het ‘n pragtige foto van die sonsopkoms geneem net so teen 10min na 5 vanmôre. Ongelukkig was dit ook die einde van die mooiheid want ‘n uur later het die wolke begin inrol!

Ons dink aan almal wat nie gesond is nie en hoop van harte dat daar beterskap naby is . Ons dink ook baie spesiaal aan Jacomien Rohrs wat heel moontlik ‘n operasie sal moet ondergaan! Retha verseker asb vir Jacomien dat sy baie spesiaal in ons gebede en gedagtes is.

Die weervoorspelling net aan die gang en op die oomblik word dit beskryf as ‘pretty poor weather’ reen wind en koue! Hael en donderweer! Dit is kouer hier, in ons voor- somer, as in SA wat byna in die middel van hul winter is en waar die son heerlik skyn – tel jul seëninge! Intussen is die eiland emerald groen- te pragtig!

Wees altyd versigtig en onthou die gek om die hoek!

Groete van ons in Cranleymore waar ons bibber van die koue terwyl ons vir die somer wag!

Barry en Christina

Greetings from a fair day in Cranleymore

Saturday 5 May’12 Good day to all, family and friends, After a week of all the weather patterns possible, making their appearances here in Cranleymore, we are having a good day little sun, every now and again, but it is DRY and little wind! Temperature outside 12°, inside the cottage at least 2 degrees less as we have not been lighting the fire this week, I worked the whole week and Barry cover himself with a fleecy blanket and stay warm that way at night. The garden is still looking fine but the tulips were battered by high winds which caused them to loose their petals and the colours are now somewhat diminished. The rhododendrons are in full bloom and make up for the lack of colour, warm red and bunches of flowers too beautiful! We are waiting patiently for some warmer weather so that the roses can open up, the buds are there, many of them, but they are all waiting for some heat! I counted on one branch of the pear tree a hundred fruit-may it stay! even if ten develops, it will be a bonus and we will have our first fruits this summer. The apple tree is still in flower and we hope that the fruits will be just as plenty –there is a lack of bees are present as it is far too cold for them- they do little work when it is freezing outside. The nasturgium seeds that I planted nearly 2 months ago are making an appearance and we hope it will give us a great border for the summer. My cordless keybord that I have been using for about 7 years has given notice – it will not print the ‘n’ . I have the laptop now on my lap as the desk is too high. We are back from a roundtrip most importantly to LIDL to get something into the fridge, vegetables, dairy products, vegetables and fruit. God willing we will have the children visiting tomorrow and as always we find time dragging , we hope the weather holds, Barry cut a good pathway round the perimeter of the bottom field which give a lovely walkway and there is so much to observe , all the insects in the grass , the veld flowers new leaves and the birds giving warning signals that they have their nest in the vicinity and we are intruding! From there we went to the hardware shop who very kindly have ordered for us the specially mixed oxide paint to paint the roof with. The manufacturers only do the paint in red and green but have agreed to specially mix black for us- the only people in Ireland using it! Painting requires a sunny day and that is on our request list! Bypassed the town and went to Ballinalee where we visited the butcher. When he saw us, even before we were inside the shop, he already had out lamb out- he knows now how I want it cut up and that there must be very very little fat on it. The butchers here have their own abbatoirres in their back yards, we have found this butcher’s meat the best quality in Longford. Via Costcutters where we buy the newspaper and bread for Barry, home. Washing has been done, the house cleaned and now it is only the grass cutting left. The new lawn mower is a front wheel drive and takes you on a run and you have to keep up with it- you have to mentally and physically ready to do it otherwise you fall behind. The canvassing for the YES and NO votes for the Fiscal Treaty is on the way and we have decided that we will not be entertained by this lot- one reporter said it is like a popularity contest and the whole meaning of the sincerity of the problem has been lost because people might vote ‘NO’ because they are cross with the government about the house, water and septic tank charges- which might cause the country a problem according to the ‘yes’ people as the EU International Monitary Fund might not lend us any more money if we vote ‘no’. In England the Labour party is making progress to oust the LIB-DEM’s Gerlof will be able to explain that better as he lives there! Tomorrow is the best day of my week and I will be in front of the organ as I will be working the next 2 weekends. The food for our souls are precious! The kindergarden of wild animals are an experience. Professor arrives now even in the middle of the day and will eat anything you give him, Blackie looks thin but his coat is shining and he does not eat just anything, I think he is spoilt rotten and he loves Barry, does not run away from him anymore but still very weary of me. He sleeps in the shed or the donkey house and sometimes on the windowsill. We have seen the foxes and they look very good! The porcupine has been scarce. We have baby starlings and young red robins, the ring neck pigeons are beautiful birds and on Monday morning we watched them mating in the back garden and then they continued to build their nest with sticks in the hedge. We hope they stay! Birthdays: None in my book! If any-one are having a birthday and I am not aware of it Enjoy the day! Those who are studying for exams-everything of the very best. At work things have turned sour- this man whom I have not trusted from the very beginning has left us nearly on the brink of bankrupsy- We are still being paid but many people have been let go and he owns thousands to providers and where all this is going to end , is worrying. I trust that the Lord will provide and are praying for a buyer and a good outcome I think and hope that the doctors will step in. I enjoy being back on night duty, have been working very hard but I do not mind as long as it is at night! Last Sunday’s special service was spiritually inspiring! The roof lifted with glorious song and music all to the glory of our wonderful Saviour and God! ....and that brings me to the end of my writing for today! Be always careful and security conscious. Take care Regards form Barry and Christina