Upside down summer greeting from Cranleymore

Saturday 14 July ‘12 Good day to all, family and friends They promised we will have some sunshine today and tomorrow but they forgot to tell us that is just a dream! The clouds are layer upon layer -you can cut it with a knife and will need a real good carving knife with a long blade to get through all the layers. One thing I have to admit there is water in the air but it is not raining! Many things happened this past week. Tuesday we brought the front wheel driven lawn mower back to the shop where they graciously gave us a refund. Then the search for another lawn mower started-in Home Base we could not find what Barry wanted and after visiting 3 more places we still could not make up our minds. After a cup of African tea we felt more refreshed and returned to a provider that we promise we will not entertain again as we previously found their spares dept for our stove (boiler) unreliable but if they now have the best machine then you overlook and forget. The washing mashing has been making the most terrible noise when it starts spinning- 7 years later one would expect something to give notice and I imagine it must be a bearing somewhere in the deepest part of the machines’ digestive system. It would cost more to get some-one to come and have a look, quote and fix than a new one- that we also established. So with that in mind we did a double deal and got the lawn mower and washing machine at the same place with a discount on top of the discount already on the washing machine- all in all a good Tuesday. Delivery will take place the next day which suites us fine and no delivery charge as we did buy 2 items which is not something that happens every day in any shop now a days. We could do it as we got the refund for the other machine and we planned for the washing machine for some time! Every cent before spending it, is turned over and over to make sure that what you spend it on is value for money! Wednesday just before my rest period the lot arrived and the man was very good he brought the washing machine right into the kitchen for Barry! It stood there until this morning –and now it is installed and the first wash was done! Perfect- noiseless! I am very happy! The sun came out for a while on Thursday and Barry took this opportunity to make mincemeat of the grass in the garden, the lower field’s pathway and outside in the road! It looks good again! I worked 2 extra nights 2 weeks ago and instead of payment I got it back in time owing and worked only one night this week – that was a bonus! Barry eventually decided that a dish on the roof will improve his TV life and leave him with fewer headaches- as we have to look through a thick layer of mist to the BBC channels. The digital viewing which comes into operation 24 October provides us with 8 channels in Ireland but nothing more and we have been spoiled with the BBC channels and he will not be able to watch the OPEN next week in the mist- I tuned the lot to the best of my ability according to direction for analogue channels but my knowledge is not enough for complicated new world equipment. None of my working though but thanks to GOLF!.We will be able to enjoy a better picture, Just hope the man arrives before Thursday! The children are visiting tomorrow and we are looking forward to it. The plan is to have a braai and we had to laugh at the butcher in town’s face when we asked him if he does not have bigger T –bone steaks than those on the tray. He then produced a proper piece of meat and we told him 1” thick please! X4. Wow it looked good and I hope it will braai well! Lukas has also got a sandpit which can close with a lid to prevent rain and animal intruders to spoil it. Last time he played in the building sand that was left –not very hygienic and left him unpleasantly dirty and he is not fond of dirty hands! On Thursday with the sun shining the farmer behind us Jimmy O’Shaughnessy started cutting the grass and so my suffering started- No amount of anti-histamine tables, inhalers, nose drops/sprays and tissues could assist me in the sneezing sessions that followed and still continues! I hope they will finish today as the sneezing is very tiring and at time 4 sneezes come at once and there is no time to breathe in between! Dangerous for older people – I thought one outgrows things like Hay-fever! The only thing that helps is to drink very cold water- but that means I drink an enormous amount of water during the sneezing times> Blackie stayed away for a few days and we got worried but yesterday he arrived. Eating so fast that he nearly choked!. Our visiting grey doves are timid birds and very peaceful. The foxies are cute! Professor we have not seen now for 3 months or longer and we suspect that he is no more. The swallows took their time and fledged after 3 weeks in the nest also on Thursday they return there every night and still sleeps in the nest! They do not all fit in anymore- and it is very funny! The tomato plants were reaching the ceiling and had to be moved they are now parked outside next to the grapevine and the apple tree. Still looking good and we might have to get on the roof of the shed to pick the tomatoes! My orchids that I divided a year ago started to flower during the week and I feel good about the product! Birthdays: Leandri du Toit has a birthday on the 21st, Hope you will have a lovely day! We remember Werner in the 20th, who sadly passed away earlier in the year! Never a dull moment in Irish politics! The Min. Of Health’s name appeared in the gazette of people owing money – bad debts- he was away and on his arrival here had to please explain what, how, why and what is next? Could become very interesting. The outcome of the murder case in Mauritius last year of the Irish girl Mc Creevey was very sad- People here do not understand the mentality of other races as I think we do who come from SA.. We watch the dilemmas unveil there in London with the Olympics about 2 weeks away! They had 8 years to prepare and still all is not in place! I am back in front of the organ tomorrow after 2 weeks of absence and a need to praise the Lord with song and music! My best day of the week. We think also of Jeanne who has nearly 3 weeks behind her in SA-hope you are getting used to the cold! To those who have to travel please be careful and never forget safety at home! Summer in hiding greetings from Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Groete vanuit Cranleymore

Saterdag 7 Julie’12 Goeie dag allemaal, Weereens is die weer ons slegste bate en Junie was die natste maand sedert 1910! Julie is goed op pad om ook ‘n rekord te breek,die son kom darem so nou en dan uit en dan hardloop ons omtrent buite toe om 10 minute later byna sopnat weer die huis in te hardloop. Die wêreld is groen en ruig en pragtig maar die arme boere kom die slegste daarvan af met gras wat reeds platgeval het en nou begin vrot en om dit dan as voer te sny en te bêre word ook nie aanbeveel nie- die grane en gewasse kan nie ryp word nie want daar is nie genoeg son nie! Meeste van die diere staan op stal want hulle sak weg in die modder op die lande. My rose lyk goed ,die groente tuin floreer en ons eet ons eie uie wat heerlik soet is. Ons het die appelboom wat ek van ‘n pit af gegroei het ook buite toe geneem en die kom goed aan! Ek kry Barry nie so ver om ‘n blikkie bier te koop vir die slakke nie- jy gooi glo bietjie bier in ‘n piering waar hulle graag gaan eet snags Hulle is glo ook mal oor bier en drink hulle kehoeks en versuip dan in die piering. Ons deftige voorwielaangedrewe grassnyer wat van die begin af moeilikheid gegee het het nou finaal geknak en Home Base het ons tegemoet gekom en sal die masjien terug neem , ons was daar om te sien of ons een van die ander grassnyers kan koop maar Barry is so presies en dié word weer ‘n moeilike besluit! Ek het ‘n paar dae af gehad na 2 maraton werksweke en voel effe beter ,werk vanaand en môre aand alleen met ‘n helper! Ons eerste heup vervanging het goed afgeloop en die 81jarige ou omie is heel in sy skik! Hy het wel die 2de nag effe negatief gereageer op die Morfienpomp en dinge begin ervaar- Ek kom in hy sluimer so weg- elke keer –maak hom goed wakker en verduidelik dat ek hom ‘n spuitjie onder die vel-liefs op sy maag moet gee en skielik dink die ou oom in sy beneweldheid ek het ‘n mes in my hand en ek gaan hom vermoor en hy begin aan alles pluk en trek en probeer uit die bed kom- gelukkig was die huis dokter net agter my en het die saak beredder maar dinge kon sleg verkeerd geloop het! Verder is dit net tennis op RTE kry nie eers kans om na Tour de France te kyk nie . Ek geniet dit baie om die roete te volg en Frankryk en ander dele vanuit ‘n fietssaal te bekyk! Op die politieke front is daar stilte vir ‘n keer,onderlangse struwelling is altyd daar maar op die stadium maak hulle reg om met vakansie te gaan en dit bring gemoedere tot rus. Ons hoop dat Jeanne nou ingeburger is in Dapper straat Fleurhof BFN! Honderde voëltjies kom eet van vroeg tot laat en ons geniet die versameling van vliegende wesentjies baie- die kat eet goed ,dit is nou Blackie maar sy jas is nou rooi bruin en nie meer swart nie! Die jakkalsies groei mooi maar ons het gister oggend ‘n krimvarkie langs die pad gesien naby aan die huis en hoop maar dit is nie een van ons s’n nie. Verjaardae: Esther verjaar 13de Veels geluk vriendin Ons hoop en bid dat die jaar met rasse skrede beter sal wees as die end van die jaar wat verby is! Sonja in SA verjaar ook die 13de Hoor niks van jou nie- wonder nou maar net? Mooi verjaardag vir jou! Pauli die aanstaande bruidegom verjaar ook die 13de. Veels geluk jongman! Net die beste jou toegewens! Ek mis ongelukkig weer kerk more want ek kom te laat tuis maar sal opmaak vanaf volgende week! Veels geluk aan almal wat eksamens geslaag het en die wat alweer begin studeer vir hul eind eksamens Baie dankie aan almal wat ‘n briefie gestuur het en al was dit net ‘n paar lyntjies weet ons nou dat Arnolda nog leef! Mooi fotos van Paul gekry. Almal wat op die pad gaan wees - veilige reise en die wat tuis bly onthou veiligheid in en om die huis en julle self! Groete uit Cranleymore waar dit bewolk is maar darem nie koud nie! 17° Barry en Christina

Wet greetings from Cranleymore

Monday 2 July ’12 Good day to all family and friends, I am late but have good reason for it as I worked from Thursday night to Sunday night and woke up about an hour and half ago. The weather consists of relentless rain, rain and a little more rain. We are literally floating. The wettest June since recordings started. July started in unison with June and it has only one focus point and that is to make Ireland wetter every day. I do not mind so much but Barry gets very depressed if he cannot go outside and do what he wants to. At least we do not have to water the garden. For the famers it is a devastating state of affairs as the grass is too wet to cut for silage and the wheat cannot be cut for the same reason- very sad situation. The swallow babies are 2 weeks old tomorrow but will surely not fledge until the sun comes out. We are the proud observers of a pr of doves- they call to each other and come and eat the wheat on the grass that the other birds throw out of the feeder The other animal are growing well the foxes are in excellent condition and Blackie thinks he owns us allow Barry near him but runs when I come too near, sleeps in the shed and travels miles in between meals! Hundreds of birds avail of the large feeder in the back garden and we enjoy the singing in the hedge. As I have been sleeping most of last week I am behind on news and political development except for the fact that the Min for Social Welfare said that PRSI might increase as there is not enough money to pay the unemployed. How ironic that those who work has to suffer to accommodate a Social Welfare system that favours those who do not work. Instead of cutting some the allowances given to people that earn more than €100,000 for children, school books , school shoes ,1st Community etc and every weekend they have jumping castles in their back gardens at my expense. The grass has taken over as there are just not enough dry moments to venture in with the lawn mower. We are looking at tennis and the rain has reached there as well. Some bad tempered player with surname that you cannot pronounce is playing, having terrible tantrums. The referee has been very patient, I would have given him a warning. Youzhny who knows from where!(Russia) As I have not much news I will let you go and do your work and close with Birthdays. 5th July Haya, 6th Hester, many happy returns! I missed church and always feel half deprived of soul food-but I just cannot make it and will miss it again next weekend as I am working all next weekend again. Congratulations to those who passed their exams and all those that are now on holidays- enjoy. To Jeanne who worked her 1st day in BFN doing her articles we want to say Well done! She made a decision and moved back to SA and we wish her everything of the very best. Here is my last contribution: Irish Brack ( something like a date loaf but not , ? fruit cake but not, it is mainly eaten here with tea as a snack) {Blackie just arrived sopping wet from the rain- and in need of sustenance- lovely to hear Barry talk to the cat! I was called outside to assess the cat as he has lost a lot of weight and looks wasted- might have to get worm powder from the vet- and put it over his food –but .....} 2 measures ( you can decide what size- cups, mugs or 250gram but 2 of whatever measure you decide on) [2 coffee mugs as a measure fill a large bread tin] All bran- high bulk or flakes Brown sugar (I only use one measure of sugar) Sultanas (you can use any other fruit mix) Milk Leave the above ingredients with the milk covering it over night. Next morning work 2 measures of self raising flour through the mix and bake in a pre heated oven of 180° for 1 hour or as long as needed –test with cooking needle – Leave to cool and enjoy with tea-as is or with a scrape of butter. I do not bake but for the 1st time in my life I can proudly say that any-one can bake this as I did so now 2x very successfully! Hope you enjoy! To those who are not well- we hope that recovery is near, those who are travelling please take care and those who stay behind remember that safety is essential. Time flies and Gerlof’s countdown has begun! Very busy time ahead! Rainy regards from a very wet Cranleymore Barry and Christina

Groete vanuit Cranleymore waar die son effe skyn

Sondag 24 Junie’12 Goeie dag aan almal, familie en vriende Die sonnetjie skyn- die hitte is baie welkom – ons het maar sovér ‘n bibberende somer! Ons dag temperature is slegter as SA se winter temperature! Ten spyte van die snaakse somer is die wêreld groener as groen en so ruig, die klein paadjies omring jou met groei van struik en boom,daar is omtrent net genoeg plek vir jou motor op die paadjies! Ons het gisteraand ons kerk braaivleis gehad en dit was ‘n dawerende sukses omdat dit net so teen 6nm ophou reën het- ons het hard gebid en gevra dat daar net ‘n breek moet kom en ons gebede was verhoor- ten spyte van laag hangende wolke het dit ophou reën! Ons het ‘n soort van ‘n kontrapsie gehad waaronder die dromme met vuur was en dit het gehelp vroeër in die aand . Ons was baie dankbaar vir die getal mense wat daar was- my hart was seer want daar was nie eers een Suid Afrikaner van die ander gemeente nie- jammer dat almal iets anders aan die gang gehad het maar dit is seker hoe dit gaan. Ek was in beheer van die een drom vuur om die boerewors op gaar te maak en dit het baie goed gegaan en die mense was gaande oor die heerlike snaakse vleis gereg, hulle ken net sulke sagte pap vark worsies en hamburger patties vir ‘n braaivleis – maar hulle begin slim word – ek leer hulle mooi! Ons tuin het baie skade opgedoen met die aanhoudende reen en ek is bly ek het fotos geneem toe dit op die mooiste was. Die groente tuin staan ruig met alle voedsel soorte - wortels uie aartappels en ertjies – my tamatie plante op die voor stoepie is alweer besig om dak toe te trek hierdie keer sal ons hulle mooi op lei sodat die hoof tak nie weer in die helfte knak nie. Ek het ‘n appelboom van ‘n pit wat nou omtrent ‘n voet hoog staan – ek is nie seker of ek die onderste blare moet stroop om die stam sterker te maak nie, weet iemand? Sal graag wil weet wat ek moet doen daar is nog 5 pitte wat gegroei het en ek is erg trots op my binnenshuise vrugte boord. Die druif stok buite teen die skuur se muur groei pragtig het bietjie been meel gegee verlede week want die blare het begin geel word seker teveel water maar hoe kan ek die reen nou afkeer? Die rose teen die muur is ‘n lus vir die oog! Gelukkig het hulle goed beskermend gebly teen die hewige winde en reen! Ek het regtig hardgewerk die afgelope week maar is darem nou 4 nagte af en sal kan inhaal om dinge hier in orde tekry! Ek ly vreeslik aan hooikoors met al die grasse in saad en sommer net enige ding- my oe begin jeuk en oomblikke later begin ek nies – teen 20x staan ek op en gaan drink ys water –dis al wat die nies stop!Drink my anti-histamien maar niks help nie! Neus sproei en nogwat maar.......nies , die kan ek goed doen! Vandag was my beurt om die orgel te speel en het dit terdee geniet nadat ek 3 weke laas die geleentheid gehad het! Ons predikant is nog onwel en sal seker nog geruime tyd met siek verlof wees en ons word Sondae verras met wie ook al die kerkdeur inloop en hom kom voorstel as die prediker van die dag. Ons wildtuin bestaande uit die jakkalsies, Blackie die kat en die res floreer sedert ek weer terug by die werk is! Blackie het ontdek dat Whiskas heerlik is en eet die kosbak leeg! Honderde nuwe(jonglinge) voëltjies is tans besig om deur hul ouers in ons tuin gevoed te word. Ons het na my laaste brief dringend ondersoek gaan instel optrent die eiers in die swaeltjie nes in die donkiehuis en Barry het een teen sy lippe gehou en die was warm en ons het in groot dankbaar hulle goed dopgehou en Dinsdag het die baba swaeltjies hul verskyning gemaak en albei ouers is baie besig met voer. Die swaeltjie wat dood is moes die wyfie van die ander paar wees want daar vlieg nou net 3 van hulle ronden daar is geen eiers in die ander nessie nie.! Ons langste dag het verby gereen en ek was gereed om fotos te neem van die sonsopkoms en ondergang vanuit die hospitaal se boonste verdieping maar heelaas was dit my nie beskore nie. Op die politieke front gaan Martin Mc Guinnes in die week die Koningin van Ingland se hand skud agter geslote deure met een fotograaf in hul midde- hierdie Iere kan maar net nie die verlede daar los nie en nou wil hulle weet of hy om vergifnis gaan vra omdat die IRA destyd Mount Batten met ‘n bom vermoor het in ‘n klein plekkie, Mulloghmore, in Donegal Bay ‘n klein vissers-dorpie. Ai, ai, ai! Verjaardae: Karin in Florida Park verjaar die 28ste en so-ook Joleen- Veels geluk aan jul albei 30 Junie Leopold Scholtz – heugelike dag jou toegewens!hoop ek het die regte datum! Aan almal wat eksamen uitslae verwag – dit kom ook op ‘n einde en aan die wat nog vakke moet skryf- laat dit goed gaan! Ons dink aan Marthie en familie met Jeanne wat huis uitgaan om haar toekoms in SA te gaan verseker. Ons het simpatie met die totsiens sê maar hoop en bid dat dit ‘n wondelike nuwe begin virJeanne sal wees! Baie dankie aan almal wat briefies geskryf het – ek geniet elke woord- en baie dankie Nine vir jou lekker reis verhaal! Gerlof het nog nie die dae begin aftel vir hulle vertrek SA toe nie nou wonder ek maar net..... Wees asb versigtig – tuis en op die paaie! Ons groet vanuit ‘n sonnige Cranleymore

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