Sunny winter greetings

Saturday 9 November’13 Good day to you all far and near , family and friends! Winter is here , no doubt about it ,the frost has been present many a morning and the temperatures stay about 6-8° during the day! The sun does shine but very feeble and also very low on the horizon , move very quickly from east to west and by 4pm dusk falls and by 5pm it is dark! There is some hope because the 21- 22 of December the whole lot turns around again and the days get longer and the nights shorter! That is not too fat away! The frost burnt my dahlia and the begonias to pulp, the nasturgiums , where protected are still flowering and the Chrisanthenims are quite lovely! Purple and dark red! I picked my last bunch of grapes and 2 pears fell - we still have 7 on the tree and hope that they will grow a bit bigger and stay put! The trees are shedding their leaves now in droves and at places you drive over carpets of brown and rust coloured leaves. The summer is upon you in the southern hemisphere and enjoy the privilege of having good weather- I know there are places where it is very dry and we hope is will rain there but the pleasure of sunshine is surely a wonderful thing! It has been raining here on and off for the last 2-3 weeks everywhere is wet and there is even algae growing on the front of my car! Needs a wash but the water is too cold!! On the political front the TROIKA said good-bye and wished us well, the IMF is a little sceptical about Ende Kenny’s hope to call it a day on the 15th of Dec and has advised that the government should consider postponing the exit from the IMF until next year. The interest rate has dropped and they hope that people will spend more this festive season as borrowing will be a bit easier on the pocket! Those who have savings can just as well draw the money and put it in the ground – it will grow there better than in the bank! The woman found in a distressed state in the streets of Dublin thought to have been 14 yrs of age ( It is still a very strange thing for people to have thought that she was 14 yrs old –when they showed her picture you could immediately see that she was much older) and was under the care of the HSE should be in Australia by now! How she got here and what she was doing here is a bit of a riddle! There is something else that has been in the news and for me and my Christian back ground and present beliefs very difficult to swallow-it the ‘Same sex marriage’ business on which Ireland is now going to have a referendum on, in 2015! If the Lord was distressed about the way the Israelites were living then I do not know how painful all these happening must be to the Lord in this age! We are extremely privileged to have Hildegard from my Br Mendel visiting us tomorrow! It is going to be so exciting! Even more good news is that her sister Anette and husband Michael will be with us in December! Wonderful! What a wonderful happening to look forward to! We Skype with the grandchildren and They are as ever very cute and lovely! Birthdays! It has come to light that there are quite a few people who I do not have on my birthday calender and one of them is Mrs Ingrid Scholtz from Belgium/Holland who had a birthday on the 3rd! Many congratulations and may you have a good and healthy year ahead! Happy Birthday also to: Rob Harding on the 12th, Annalize Verasamy the 14th, Attie (snr) the 16th ! best wishes to you all! Thank you to all who so diligently and with great humour keep the contact alive! It is wonderful , News letters from all over the world! Many thanks, every- one is read with enthusiasm and eagerness! I have not been back to work again since last week and still enjoy being at home- the Manager keeps me busy(Barry) I am forever tidying up and discarding things- fortunately we have our own incinerator which helps a lot- We also brought big bags of clothes and shoes to the charity shop and hope some-one will have joy in wearing it! This brings me to the end of my story and we hope that all who are sick and in recovery mode, Karin after her neck operation on 7th,Attie en Hanlie and all the others that I am not aware of- get better, be patient and enjoy the spoiling! Be careful in all your doings and conduct- drive safely and do not take a chance- lock the doors and be alert! Sunny winter greetings from us in Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Dark winter greetings

Sunday 28 October 13 Good day to all - family and friends, The wind is blowing –the clouds move over at great speed and every now and again it decides to empty its contents on us! It is not freezing yet but with the wind factor the 10° feel more like 3°! Weather warning for Wales and South England that winds can reach 70-100 mph! Most ferries have been cancelled and we expect bad weather tonight! We have nothing to complain about if you talk to Georg who came from 40° to -13 and snowing and wondering why he is not feeling the greatest?! We hope you acclimatize quickly Georg and hope the medication work well and that you will be able to handle a class on Tuesday! We are now 10 hrs behind Yakutsk! And 2 behind SA! Winter has arrived and we have to comply with its demands! The garden still looks lovely – for how long I do not know and the stupid tulips are all 2” above the ground already –I fear the frost that is still to come will burn then to bits! The gladiolas have finished flowering but the chrysanthemums are gorgeous! I had a bad week behind me with the computer and McAfee who is my Anti Virus provider but eventually got things sorted and on Thursday it called ‘HALT’ and there was no way that we could get it to move! Trouble shooting to such an extent that I now feel like a computer technician! I spoke nicely to the laptop and switched the lot off for 24 hrs! That helped and we were back on air on Friday morning before I left for coffee- Just imagine, I leave and Barry has no access to the news or antique affairs! Disaster- averted! It was a blessed Sunday, Joy played the organ and I was in the pew! Guest preacher and that was also a blessing Colossians 2:4- end of chapter! Looked at Ryan’s daughter for a while and switched over to BBC for the BIG SING! BRITIANS 10 MOST FAVOURITE HYMNS! This came from the Albert hall and was an uplifting experience! On Friday afternoon just before the phone rang- that in itself is strange as my phone seldom rings- The Hospital –am I available- as always – YES. It was very busy for the first time in months and when they are stuck they remembered my number. It was good to be back, the night flew and I enjoyed being back! The week also sped pass at great speed, it rained many a day but we had some sun as well - so much that I could nearly get the washing dry on the line! We are still suffering from aftershock debating and tearing apart the Budget! Unbelievable the chaos it brought to the island- it is great fun to look at the back flashes from when the current Government were in opposition and the promises they made then and how they went back on their word now! All I can say is’ Shame on them’ the question is now! Who are these people going to vote for next time? For the same lot who has infuriated them so? Sure my great grandfather voted for them, and my father voted for them and therefore I will vote for them! The cats are still both alive and a tremendous joy! The grandchildren are growing fast, getting cuter every day! Birthdays: Monique du Toit 31st, she is the only one in my book for the coming week! Happy Birthday to you young lady! Hanlie we hope that you will also be on the road to recovery after your operation. To all who is in recovery stage- we pray and hope all is going according to plan! Congratulations to the engagement couple, the new parents in Canada and naturally the first time grandparents and Great Ouma Nine! I did pay a visit to the orthopaedic surgeon and if he could I would already have had the knee replacement – he was discussed at the state of the knee and was amazed that I was still going! I think I am so used to the discomfort and have learnt how to cope with the knee and its instructions for use! The medical insurance has an issue with funds and I might have to go on the public waiting list as the cost is far above our reach, but we will wait and see! I was booked for 11th Nov but that will have to be postponed until funds have been secured! We are so excited as Hillie(Hildegard, daughter of Br Mendel and †Anke) coming to visit us on Sunday 10th! …and while I am writing the phone rings and it is Hildegard herself! Lovely to hear her voice! That brings me to the end of my letter and with the falling of the leaves and the brilliant display of colours we greet you, it is already night! Be careful, drive safely and be alert at all times! Barry & Christina

Nat herfs groete

19 Oktober’13 Goeie dag aan almal, familie en vriende, Gelukkig is dit nog nie regtig koud nie –net as die wind van die noorde waai sukkel ons bietjie maaqr die temperature is baie gematig en alhoewel dit die afgelope baie gereen het ,(sommer 27mm oornag, Dinsdag tot Woensdag) lyk alles nog goed. Ek het die laaste van my druiwe gepluk en ek het dit baie geniet! Die arme pere hang nog en ten spyte van al die groei onderdrukkings , begin hulle darem nou soos pere lyk! Die tuin is nog ‘n lushof en die kappertjies is orals teen die muur op en grondlangs- baie mooi- die krissante is ook nou is volle blom en vir my is dit baie spesiaal want Joy-by die kerk het hulle vir ons persent gegee!Die slakke was baie lief vir hulle en het die stingels tot op die grond afgevreet tot ons hulle verdrink het en toe kom die plante weer reg! Elke nou en dan kom daar nog ‘n swaardlelie uit en die ligpers tussen die rooi en wit van die begonias maak dit ‘n veelkleurige tapeserie! Barry het baie hard aan al die klein dingetjies gewerk in die huis hy het die insolasie(? Afrikaans?) bo in die plafon uitgelê om die hitte intehou! Die ergste was waar hy op sy maag moes rondkruip want die dak was te laag en hy met ‘n lang stok alles in die hoeke ingedruk moes kry! Ek wou hê hy moet ‘n masker dra maar hy het byna versmoor en ons moes die toe maar los. Daar is nou nog die ander helfte oor maar dit sal makliker gaan want hy kan darem redelik regop staan! Die katte is soos altyd ‘n groot vreugde- soggens kyk ek gou of albei nog daar is en as een nie op die vensterbank is nie –roep ek gou en tot groot verligting komdie ander een dan van iewers uit veld aangehardloop! Met die dat Spottie besoek gaan aflê het aan die veld oorkant die pad is ons nou maar baie benoud! Hulle is nog nie 6mnde oud nie en ons kan hulle eers op 6mnde laat regmaak- hopelik sal die gerondjakker dan tot ‘n einde kom! Hulle hardloop al agter ons aan en geniet ons daglikse rondte van die ‘estate’ hulle spring en hardloop klim en speel wegkruipertjie, te pragtig! Die groot swart kat het die pad gevat want die twee het hom seker mooi laat verstaan dat hulle nou baas op die plaas is! Die krimpvarkie is iewers maar ons kon hom nog nie opspoor nie! Ons kyk nou uit vir die fisante want dit is nou die tyd vir hulle om te begin rondloop! Ek wil byna nie eers dink aan die week wat verby is nie want Dinsdag was BEGRTING! Vir baie was dit die breek van die laaste strooitjie! Jare terug , om stemme te werf het die vorige regering die hemel en aarde aan die mense belowe- een van die dinge wat hier grootliks misbruik word is die Mediese kaart! Die kaart is aan mense oor 70 jr and vir mense met baie slegte diagnoses soos sistiese fibrose, motor neuron siekte ,genetiese afwykings en in sommige gevalle kanker gevalle gegee. Oor die jare het al hoe meer mense aansoek gedoen vir die mediese kaart al was hulle nie finansieel behoeftig nie en op die manier het die Gesondheids departement baie hoë onkostes gedra van mense wat behalwe goeie salarisse ontvang ook nog aan ‘n mediese assuransie skema behoort- 5 jr gelede wou die vorige regering die medies kaarte van die oor 70tigs wegneem en derduisende ou manse het by die parlement opgedaag en en hulle moes die plan laat vaar- Hierdie keer is dit weer die ou mense en die baie siek kinders wat geraak is- die mediese kaart wat onbeskryflik baie geld van die regering vereis moet nou opgeskort word in sekere gevalle en daarmee saam het die mense op medies kaarte ook vry medisyne ontvang van die staat- vir die afggelope 2 jaar betaal die medies kaart houers nou ‘n bedrag vir elke voorskrif 10 verskillende tablette op ‘n voorskrif kos nou iets soos €15 en die is nou opgestoot n €2.50 PER MEDIAKSIE- kinders onder 5 kry gratis huisdokter besoeke i.p.v net sekere mense wat dit werklik nodig het! Sommige van die ou mense kry net ‘n staatspensioen en leef regtig nie spandabelrig nie en hulle moet nou uit hulle klein pensioentjie soveel meer vir hul medisyne betaal. Die ou manse –bo 70 het ook bylaag gekry op telefoon en TV lisensie en die is nou geskraap! Toentertyd was al die dinge vir hulle gegee om stemme te kry en nou verbeur hulle dit – ek stem saam dat die hele Ierland erg verwen is – hulle kry tot ‘n begrafnis toelaag-die is ook geskraap! Die jongmense wat uit die skool kom gaan direk op die Dole of op werksoeker toelaag( ek is ook daarop omdat ek nie pensioen kry tot ek 66yr is nie- idiote besigheid- hoekom nie die aftree ouderdom verander na 66 of 70 toe nie en laat mense wat nog kan werk –werk – maar nee nou kos ek wat nog niks makeer nie –dank die Vader -nie meer werk nie en is nou ‘n las vir die staat) Hulle is veronderstel om opleiding te kry en dan in werkposisie geplaas te word wat net nie daar is nie en daarom het duisende onopgeleide en universiteit gegradueerdes reeds die land verlaat. Finbarr het in die afgelope 3 maande seker vir 40 onderhoude gegaan – of hy is te goed gekwalifiseerd en hulle kan hom nie betaal nie of hulle soek iemand wat ander kwalifikasies het – absoluut ‘n gekke spul! Die bevoorregte studente –waarvan die ouers dit kan bekostig gaan universiteit toe- of op eie onkoste of met beurse! Intussen wil die onderwysers nie meer Oueraande hou nie want hulle word kwansuis nie daarvoor betaal nie en die kinders kry nou dag af uit die skool sodat die onderwysers nou ouerdae kan hou gedurende skool ure! Klein Lukas en Eli het nou ‘n Aupaire want Amanda moet teruggaan werk toe en ‘n creche en kleuterskool kos veels te veel – sy woon in en dit beteken sy hoef nie so baie betaal te word nie! En die kinders is in goeie hande! Genoeg gekla oor die politieke toestand van die klein bevolkingtjie waar moord en doodslag aan die orde van die dag is- Om by iemand verby te ry en hom dood te skiet is niks-veral as jy met ‘drugs’ deurgrmekaar is. Ander maak dood omdat dit hulle behaag wat skrikwekkend is! Ons is dankbaar dat ons omtrent net die mense by die kerk ken en die S Afikaners – my ou kennise by die werk wat ek darem kan vertrou! Nou nie dat ons met verkeerde dinge deurmekaar is nie maar ...... Verjaardae! 20ste Marthie Potgieter, 24ste Erna(mevr Scholtz)! Veels geluk aan julle twee- enig iemand anders wat verjaar Lieflike dag aan julle almal! Maandag word Hanlie ge-opereer en ons dink baie spesiaal aan haar. Georg vertrek More Na die verre bibberde deel van die wêreld –alles van die beste vir jou! Aan almal wat aan die beter word is – Attie ons is dankbaar! Rina en Wessel Herbst-dankbaar om te hoor dat dit beter gaan met julle twee. Arnolda en Garth – hoop die pak en berging gaan vlot en dat julle ‘n goeie trek sal hê. Baie dankie ook aan almal wat sulke lekker briewe vir ons geskryf het – vir al die fotos- julle sal nooit weet wat dit vir ons beteken nie! Ons dink ook aan Sue en haar sang prestasies! Baie trots op jou Sue! Ander begin voorberei vir eind eksamens – hoop dit gaan goed! Fluit –fluit my storie is uit! Ry versigtig, sluit die deure en wees altyd gereed vir die ongekende! Nat herfs groete Barry en Christina

Crisp Autumn greetings

13 October 13 Good day to all family and friends, I am slightly late in my letter writing this week but my computer played up. I have McAfee to protect this little trove of treasure for Barry and myself. The renewal date came up and I DID EXTACTLY What I am suppose to do but somewhere I lost the renewal update and now I get this warning continually that the computer is not protected and it does not recognise the renewal although it has been paid and all. It prevented me yesterday to gain access and eventually I contacted them via my phone and did try to help but even though I followed their instruction to the letter I could not correct this miserable situation. Just do not have enough knowledge to fix it-I did eventually get the computer going again and hope that Finbarr will come next week and fix the mess. Just to put you in the picture- we had our first light frost with temperatures of below 5° even as low as 2 on Friday morning- it was lovely and crisp fresh and full of excitement for the winter that is lurking around the corner. With the cold weather we have wonderful blue skies and lots of sunshine which suites me fine! I have been enjoying my grapes, Barry says they are sour but to me it is like nectar. There are still 10 pears hanging some just a little knob and others looking even like pears, I doubt though if they will come to ripening but I enjoy looking at them, next year might be a better crop! Wishful thinking! The flower garden still looks lovely and a 2nd crop of gladiolas are flowering and the colours are too beautiful. The begonias are still flowering and some of the clematis started flowering again. The chrysanthemums are in flower and I am really chuffed with them as the slugs ate them to the roots and I never thought that they will recover. The 2 cat children are now getting big and very naughty. On our way to church this morning I noticed only one of the rascals in the garden Barry also looked around and as I DROVE OUT THE GATE AND STOOD THERE WAITING FOR BARRY TO CLOSE THE GATE AND TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR, I NOTICED THE BLACK AND WHITE HEAD OF Spottie in the long grass in the flied across. It was the first time we saw the cat out of the estate- and how many times this has happened, we will never know. The writing is on the wall and it is really now only time which will tell if they are road wise or not. Sorry for the capital letters! We have noticed the markings of the hedgehog and were very pleased! The foxes have definitely taken the road or have been killed. Our road is in itself a death trap and the possibility of them being killed is quite possible, there are small forests all around us and I would rather like for them to have moved house than being killed. On the political front we have had the referendum and the Government were defeated and the Séanate stays, a new appeals court will be called into being and in the week to come we are awaiting the future on the financial side of this island when the budget will be made known , with the promise that we are on the road to recovery and if you can imagine trying to conquer the highest mountain we are just at the very beginning approaching the mountain and already the people are believing everything this Prime Minister is promising them. They have this juicy yellow carrot in front of their noses and allowing them to sniff at it but heaven help if they dare to bite into it! Memela announced that the land of SA belongs to the landless and that to me sounds like a threat! We have seen quite a few documentary programmes on the decay of African countries that has been under home rule for the last 30-50 years and everything that was put into place by either the British , or French has been destroyed, they live in squalor and deprived of human dignity because of corruption by their leaders, so very sad, - is that what is waiting for the beautiful country of South Africa? Thank you to all who wrote letters- Arnolda please let me also have the link to the new house would love to see what it looks like! Thank you Haya for your letter, Gerlof and all his ailments- you just need a bit of love and tender care! Nine(not 9 -Nienne) your letters are always something to look forward to. The Kuypers were busy packing but inspire of that I received news from them which was wonderful, Joy in Brisbane so diligent answer every letter I write, you are wonderful Joy! All the lovely emails from Nanette, and the Reineckes! From Zambia we received this very good little snap of laughter. Lovely photos from Adelbert and all the others –it is always so inspiring to open the emails and these letters are there! Thank you Paul(vdBijl) for the photos you send Being Sunday we were extremely privilege to attend the service at our church in Corboy Presbyterian Church- Google it – it is a listed historical building- we also has a website if any-one wants to know what we do and where we are. Stephen is a man with a gift to bring us the Good news according to God’s word in such a wonderful way that you cannot but relive the sermon right through the week. I was behind the organ and all went well. Birthdays:14th Jaco Snr,16th Rina Herbst, 18th Paul from Oubaas and next Sunday Marthie Potgieter. Happy Birthday to you all! I have not much more to say just to wish Hanlie the very best with her neck operation! So happy to hear that Attie’s recovery is on track. Any-one that it not feeling well- hope that you will feel better soon! The days are much shorter and we sleep a little longer every night! Keep well, looks after your selves; be careful in all your doings. Lock up, drive safely with autumn greetings from Barry and Christina

Heerlike sonnige herfs groete

5 Oktober 13 Saterdag Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende, Ons beleef ‘n pragtige dag- baie ongewoon vir die tyd van die jaar- reen so elke nou en dan maar dit is grotendeels droog en heerlik warm –nou net in van buite 19°,’n ligte briesie, hier en daar ‘n donker wolk maar te vér weg om ons nat te maak! Die weervoorspelling vertel ons dat dit nog warmer gedurende die volgende week gaan wees- mens sidder eintlik om te dink daar gaan eendag koue weer opdaag! Ek het my trossies gepluk en eet heerlik aan die katobba druiwe waarna ek met soveel vreugde uitgesien het- vir my is dit tog te lekker! Die tamaies was ietwat van ‘n fiasko en die pere word nou groot- miskien kry ons regtig nog iets van hulle te eet! Eergister toe die reen verby is en die son sy verskyning gemaak het , is ons hier uit met spoed! Tussen Barry en myself het ons seker 300 of meer bolle geplant- sommige uit gekoopte sakke maar meeste wat ons gewin het in die somer! Affodille en tulpe! Vrydagaande het ons ‘n pragtige tuinprogram op die TV wat natuurlik van BBC af kom maar dit hou ons aan die gang en op die korrekte manier- Ons volg Monty Don slaafs na! Hy neem ons gereeld na die mooiste tuine in Engeland en ons leer baie uit die halfuur van blomme, bolle, vrugte, en groente se plant en versorg! Die Referendum x2 is verby en ek dink die stem % was baie laag- die mense is nie baie be-indruk met die regering nie en stel net nie belang nie! Moet die Senaat- behou word of nie en moet daar ‘n ekstra apél hof aangestel word? Ek moet my liewer nie uitspreek oor die klomp senatore nie- hulle word deur die parlement aangestel en word nie verkies nie- dus jy het nie veel sê in die saak nie. Vir ‘n klein landjie is daar genoeg howe wat my aanbetref maar ander voel daar is tog ‘n behoefte aan ‘n hof wat met die apélle kan betrokke kan wees en dan sodoende meer tyd aan die ander howe vry stel. Ons sal maar sien wat die uitkoms is! Ek kon toe nie die sinisitus uit my borskas hou nie en is nou 4 weke siek met geen verbetering nie en moes plegtig beloof dat ek wel Maandag Dr toe sal gaan! Verjaardae:12de Hildegard van Br Mendel en Mieanka van Karen in Florida Park . Dra asb ons gelukwensinge aan die 2 oor aangesien ek hulle nie op my poslys het nie! Lekker verjaar! Ons dink aan almal wat nie gesond is nie- ,aan die wat besig is om te herstel, hoop jul vordering is volgens plan! Aan almal wat so gereeld skryf, Isabel, Nine, Gerlof, Arnolda, en Oubaas en Gerda nou en dan! Joy in Brisbane en die Scholtz neefs! Julle hou my aan die gang! Ek moet eerlik wees en bieg dat ek wel nou die werk begin mis- as jy darem vir 45 jaar jou lewenstaak verrig het en dan sommer skielik moet ophou dan is daar ‘n groot leemte,my hele gestel moes weer aanpas aan dag-lewe en ‘n nuwe slaap patroon moes aangeleer word- ek wil so baie, maar kom nie werklik aan iets nie! Ek het darem ‘n truitjie vir Eli gebrei en is besig om sy kombers te hekel, die serp moet nog tossels aan kry en ek is nou naarstiglik op soek na my studie gids. My boek van soduko’s is byna vol en ek het elke moontlike boek in die huis gelees en sommige 2x! Sal al die boeke maar in ‘n sak pak en na die 2de handse winkel toe neem om uitteruil. Ek het nog nie ‘n Kindel nie en is ook nie lid van Amazon nie- ek koop nog die boeke en dan lees ek hulle so tussendeur! Was nog nie weer Dublin toe nie en die kinders was ook nog nie weer hier nie- ons SKYPE maar en hulle word vinnig groot en baie oulik! Ek het nie regtig enige iets om te vertel nie en my storie is uit! Maak nie saak waar julle woon nie –waarheen julle gaan nie- werksplek huis ,inkopies,wees altyd versigtig- wees op julle hoede en moet nooit waag en jaag nie. Sonnige groete vanuit Cranleymore Barry & Christina NS sou graag wou weet hoe dit met die ander familie en vriende gaan-wat van ‘n paar lyntjies? En ‘n fototjie of 2?

Sunny greetings

Saturday 28 Sept 13 Good day to all, family and friends, We are nearly at the end of September and today is the 1st day this week that we woke up with the sun shining brightly! It makes the day so much more special! There is unfortunately a nippy wind- which makes the 20°less warm. Every morning until after 3pm we were shrouded in mist and soft rain- just enough to make you wet if you stay in it long enough! Sunday started the same way but at the time that the service started for our Harvest thanksgiving the sun shone and it was indeed a blessed day! The church looked wonderful- filled with flowers out of gardens- fruit and vegetables out of gardens and sheaves of wheat and grain! The service was done by a minister from the north and was very good! The tea afterwards was as always the very best – the fellowship that follows with all the people from different churches and parishes is indeed a blessing. Tomorrow is our minister Stephen’s day off and we will have a help minister, which always gives a good message, in the pulpit! I will try my best to sing as I honestly thought I was over my cold and sinus attack -when I woke up this morning with the chest in disarray- the whole lot moved down into the upper respiratory section – I can still breath without wheezing and distress so I know it has not reach the bronchi yet but will have to keep an eye on it! We are now sure that either the foxes moved out of the area or they have been killed- the bread we throw out at night are still there in the morning. Our cats, now big and bold, eat only bread if there is butter on it- they love ‘Rich tea biscuits’ similar to Marie Biscuits and enjoy it with us in the garden when we have our morning coffee. Jet, the black cat only visits now and again I think he got the message to keep away! The flower garden still looks very good for this time of the year- the gladiolas have been wonderful- the begonias a sea of pink every-where. Every-time I pass the grapes I think only a few more days but my goodness it has now become weeks and we cannot pick it yet! – it is just too frustrating that nothing gets ripe in this country if you plant it outside- and the hot house is still not in being! I have now been away from the hospital-apart from the one night I worked- 5 weeks and the holiday feeling is slowly disappearing and realization is setting in! Thank you for every-one who wrote letters – notified me of their illnesses and the regular letters which I enjoyed so much! Sam in Melbourne- please forward a few photos of Evie’s 1st Birthday! I last saw her sitting in the wash basin! Haya and please let us know what little Cobus looks like! Eli is laughing out loud and talking to himself with little screams in between ,too lovely and Lukas enjoy school and experiencing all the events. Singing, painting etc. Birthdays this week: Marna Groenewalt today and Derek the 4th Oct. Happy birthday to you all! Any-one else whose name I do not have……enjoy your day! The terrorist attack in Kenya spells trouble and who knows where they will strike next! Here with us –the Irish Ploughing Championships took place from Tuesday to Thursday and over 300,000 people attended! The biggest in Europe at present! On the political front- the Referendum voting date is nearing and it has to do with the Senate! Only they know what they are suppose to do there for over €65,000 a year and only a few attended more than 80%of the voting days- the other could not be bothered as long as the cheque is in the bank – they are happy! There are people of the opinion that if the\senate go that the PM will have more power over the people that support him in parliament- being a bigger Dictator than what he already is….which he vehemently denies! The 1st budget is also around the corner and although they say that we are over the worst of the recession there are still many people in dire need! A group of houses that sold for €260,000 6 years ago went onto the market for €30,000 on Thursday and those who are living in the complex are absolutely furious- they have to pay mortgages for large amounts where the new owners will have hardly have any mortgage- a very unfair situation- but the houses belong to NAMA and tough! Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are not well, those who are in recovery, those who work hard at the rehabilitation of loved ones, those who feel lonely-remember you are never alone! Well, we always read the SA news and have some idea of what is happening there and with that in mind my usual warning of safety and to be careful! Home security and drive safely! Sunny greetings from Cranleymore Barry & Christina

Nat herfs groete

7 September 2013 Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende! ...en toe kom die herfs en winter sommer tegerlykertyd hier aan! Bibber skoon van die koue- gister het die son nog geskyn al was daar ‘n koue wind maar vandag reen dit sedert ons ons oë oopgemaak het en dit is 8° om 4nm. Gister was daar grond ryp orals –karre se vensters toege-ys! Ook net terug na ‘n uitstappie na Old Castle om ‘n veiling te gaan besien, Isabel sal weet waar dit is! Die pad is soos ‘n feeland -jy ry deur lang tonnels van ruig plante groei jy moet jou ligte op vol aansit! Ongelooflik mooi! Die plaas waar die veiling gehou word was ‘n perde plaas, met ry-skool en Gymkana afdeling baie oulik maar met die Celtic Tiger ellende het almal bo hul vuurmaak plek geleef en ons dink hulle het hul vlerke geskroei in die proses. Daar is seker nog 30 perde wat ons kon tel wat oor die groen heuwels loop- die stal geriewe was buitegewoon modern vir die baie ou plaashuis wat uit die laat 18de eeu dateer. Hulle het nuwe ‘double glaze’ vensters ingesit en ‘n verwarming stelsel wat nie van te vore in die huis was nie en alles het natuurlik baie gekos en nou word alles verkoop! 3 Verdieping huis met baie styl trappe na bo- ek met my flenter heup spiere en knie moes elke trappie afsonderlik klim !Pragtige antieke meubels- jy weet natuurlik dat die ‘auctioneer’ sommige goed van sy winkel ingebring het veral as daar geen tkekens op die mat is dat dit al jare daar staan nie!Nietemin pratige silver,baie boeke wat in die museum hoort , oulike goed tussendeur, duur goed, en vele ander- Barry het alles goed deurgekyk en ons sal binne ½ uur weet of dit ‘n goeie veiling is of nie! 2nm môre middag! Intussen is ek nou ingeteken op die lewende register van ‘nie-werkende’ Iere en sal vanaf Woensdag my eerste betaling oor die toonbank in die poskantoor ontvang! Barry sal ook nou uiteindelik sy pensieon kry na 10 jaar van baklei! Ek geniet nog die gevoel van ‘met verlof wees’ weet nie hoe lank dit aan hou nie maar ons is vir een of ander rede vreeslik besig- loodgieter werk, tuin werk , katte versorgers,en natuurlik probeer ek die huis skoon hou maar sodra ek alles’ spick & span’ het dan loop meneer met sy stewels vol sopnat gras die huis in – ten spyte van die matjie voor die deur en binne die deur – Die simpel stewels met die groewe hou die nat gras terug as jy jou voete afvee en na ‘n rukkie word dit droog en val af in die huis en oral op die mat! Maar ek het mos nou baie tyd – kan die huis nou paar maal ‘n week skoon maak!. Die ellende in Syrie laat jou maag kramp en arme Obama wat so hard probeer om mense te oorreed om einde aan die spul te bring word nou versmoor! Hier by ons is die spul Iere terug in hul banke in die Dial Eiran.?(met strepies oral) G’n mens weet wat gaan word nie want die gene wat die land in ellende gedompel het loop nog steeds buite rond en spog met wat hulle reggekry het en hoe dit nou met hulle in die buiteland gaan – hulle het gevlug toe dit te warm hier geraak het! Intussen ploeter ons maar steeds voort – Pa Gerrie het altyd gesê mense sonder kroontjies het geen ‘common sense’ nie maar hierdie spul Iere het baie kroontjies maar van logika is daar geen sprake! Kan ontmoontlik nie ‘n probleem uitdink nie –as dit nie in die boek is nie – dan is dit uit! Van plan maak weet hulle niks! Ons katkinders moes inderhaas nuwe huisvesting kry toe dit so skielik gisteraand om 6.30 begin reen het- Hulle skuil toe die hele nag onder die kar- maar dis darem nou nie plek vir die winter nie- hulle plekkie tussen die plante was nie beskut genoeg nie en hulle was maar goed nat vanmore! Hier kom die plan maker toe= ‘n stukl van die turf skuur se deur word afgesaag sodat dit net groot genoeg is vir hulle om in en uittekruip. Hul mandjie veilig in die beskutte skuur met hul kos en water-! Ons is weg en met ons terugkoms wonder ons waar is die katte dan! Vas aandie slaap in hul nuwe bly plek baie gelukkig! Hulle het self, nadat ons weg is hul pad gevind na hitte en kos! Die kleiner kat Patches is baie brutaal en jaag Jet die swart kat met lang hale die gronde uit tot ver in Jimmy se veld- te oulik om te sien hoe die klein katte hul woon area beskerm- Die Jet kat bly net weg tot hy sien hulle het gaan slaap dan sluip hy maar weet nader en kom eet die ander kos wat ons uitsit, baie skelpies en erg op sy hoede! Ons 2 katte is mal oor ‘n stukkie brood met botter op –eet die korsies en al! Ons blomtuin lyk nog baie goed met pragtige swaard-lelies en allerhande kleure leeubekkies , en ons wag dat die krisante gaan begin blom! Pragtige begonias diep rooi pink en wit –dit laat my so baie aan my pa en die tuinhuise dink waar hy sy veredelings werk gedoen het! Die groete tuin is leeg en omgedolwe- ons eie kunsmis is nou reg vir deurwerk en dit is volgende op die lysie van dinge wat gedoen moet word. 2 weke het verby gegaan waarin ons nie die gras gesny het nie en Donderdag was dit harde werk 6 kruiwaens vol gras na die kunsmis hoop! Ek het vry gespring want ek sit toe en wag in die welsyns kantore om gefotografeer te word vir my kaart! Verjaardae! Finbarr verjaar Vrydag die 13de en Ron Starnes , Jennifer de Lange, en Gwynneth Stapels almal die 14de! Veels Geluk en mag daar nog menige mooi dae vir jul almal voorlê! Baie baie dankie aan almal wat briefies geskryf het- Arnolda, Nine Hessie en Haya- O ek geniet dit so om van julle te hoor- Joy in Brisbane, Nanette, Karen, Marjorie, Isabel, Gerlof, Sue wat briljant gedoen het met haar sang . Ons dink ook aan almal wat nie gesond is nie Dr Wessel Herbst- hoop van harte dat dit al beter begin gaan! Rina sy vrou, Cilna se pa wat by haar woon, Brandon en Nanette en baie speisaal aan Attie, mag hierdie herstel periode baie dinge vir jou duidelik maak en mag jy geduld en deursettingsvermoë van Bo ontvang! As daar nog mense is wat nie gesond is nie , ons bid en hoop dat julle almal wel gesond of beter sal word! Hoop ook Devlin is weer op die been na sy operasie – dink ook baie spesiaal aan Jaco in Roodepoort! Ons gedagtes bly by Broer Mendel – gister was die teraarde bestelling van oorlede skoonsus Anke en ons dra hom baie spesiaal aan die genade van ons hemelse Vader op! Het met die klein kinders geSKYPE en soos altyd was dit‘n belewenis! Lukas het amptelik die week sy eerste dag in ‘Pre-School’ gehad en ‘n pragtige sertifikaat gekry! Eli groei soos ‘n koolkop! Pragtige kinders! Fluit-fluit my sorie is uit! Wees altyd versigtig- onthou die gek om die hoek, sluit julle deure en wees altyd gereed vir die onverwagte! Sop nat groete van Cranleymore Barry & Christina