Saturday 25 July 09
Good day to all, family and friends,
You cannot be disappointed in the weather ,you just have to accept it and at present we are fighting at drowning, the drops that fall is so big that in 5 seconds you are drenched and that can happen several times a day without warning and in between you have the innocent sun shine, as if nothing happened. We woke up with brilliant sunshine only 8 degrees but no wind and no rain but by 10am that was just an illusion.
We are ever so privileged that another pair of swallows are building a nest in the much smaller garage now and the eggs in the donkey house should be ready for babies in a week’s time. We also have really a multitude of bird children in the hedges all around us, sometimes more than 20 would be on the wall outside the kitchen but the slightest movement scares them away and I am always too late to take a photo.
The roses are out of flower and new growth is present but with all the rain it is a disaster, the petunias are dying and the Nasturtium seeds just never really made it here and there we have a good one but overall not good!
The sweet peas have had it I pick nearly every day and the house has flowers everywhere but it won’t last!
Something that is really growing and I hope to have a few storks of orchids this year. That is off course inside and my orange orchard is coming along fine, Hope to transplant the little trees next weekend!
The vegetable garden is no more and the few apples left on the one tree might also drop because of all the water.
We plan to go to the Longford agricultural show this afternoon, if the clouds hold, we are still looking for a new gate and? new door ! Then we buy a new door for the house and transfer the old door to the new room and the next morning there is doubt and the front door stay where it is and we get another doo for the new room!
Barry just cannot sit still, the new room, (old garage partitioned) turned out to be lovely and the temperature of both areas has gone up with a good 5 degrees. It was always like a freezer in the garage. We have now decided to get a new gate, 2/3rds cheaper at the hardware store than anywhere else Isabel will know, we were looking at gates while she was here. It is still expensive but not far as deer as what we have been looking at and exactly the same! Isabel the gate with the elbow at the top, set of 7ft was €800 and today we priced them at the hardware store for €160 a par. Unbelievable!
Our Aunt ‘tante Poppie ‘had her 101st Birthday on the 23rd and we hope that it was a good and blessed day for her and the family!
There are a few birthdays coming up and I will start with Gerhard in Zambia known to us as Oubaas, 26th, Thilo Harding in Saudi 27th as well as my friend, Rachelle’s younger daughter Megan , Frik in Hennops river 31st and Gerlof and Renate from Br Mendel the 1st August,Wow! Happy birthday to all of you!
Work seems to be going on but for how long is debatable, I am not worried but there are staff who’s contracts are expiring in August and will not be renewed, if they are from out of the EU they can only get a VISA if they have a job otherwise the visa expires as well! We were warned that 6 more staff will be let go the 2nd week of August. We close the 1st week as always and then the announcements will start. Great anguish present as many nurses are gone already and admin staff will be next!
I sincerely hope that the Eloff family from Exeter are enjoying their holiday in SA!
Glad to know that Joy is safely back in Aus. and that she had a good time with family and friends in SA. Arnolda mentions the heat in Calgary , my what a wonderful experience, heat in the far North.
Sad about the fires in Spain and a heat wave expected there for the weekend.
Here the robbers have followed example and are taking the ATM’s out with bulldozers and destroy everything around it! Soft targets like at Petrol Stations and Super Markets have been hard hit!
They watch till delivery and then make hay!
Talk about hay the neighbour Jimmy O Shaugnessey went in and cut the fields behind and next to us last Monday after 2 days of relative dryness, and now the cattle are back and it is lovely to have them hang their heads over the fence.! Talking to us!
The nights are much longer and the days cut with a good 40 min since the turn of the sun and winter is on the way , leaves are starting to fall and the lustre has gone from the trees and bushes.
After 4 years playing the organ I hardly have to practise now as I know all the hymns very well but still have to play through them and enjoy it ever so much. Tomorrow we have our own minister and then he will be away for 2 Sundays and we expect visiting preachers for those Sundays, mostly from the North!
I hope that you all will have a blessed Sunday and a good week, again Happy Birthday to all who will become older and be always very careful, take nothing for granted, drive safely and take care!
Regards and greetings from a very wet Ireland( we should be use to it by now)
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Groete vanuit Ierland
Saterdag 18 Julie 09
Goeie dag familie en vriende,
Sit met die skoot rekenaar op sy plek voor die TV en hoop en bid dat Retief Goosen kop hou en die spul wys dat hy wel kan want verlede week het hy die klits kwyt geraak en total weggeval terwyl hy vir lank aan die eerste plek gelek het asof dit ‘n heerlike toffee roomys is gedip in neute en sjokolade en die volgende keer wat jy lek is die hele roomys weg ,te pletter geval bo-oor jou tone!
Ons het effe sonskyn ervaar eergister middag en groot deel van gister maar verder was dit die onguurste 2 weke in ‘n lank tyd, gepraat van petunias ek het 3 groot potte met rank petunias gehad wat so pragtig gelyk het maar daar is een ding wat die einde van hulle kan veroorsaak sonder dat jy ‘n vinger gelig het en dit is 2 ½ weke se reen. Ek het begin om die vrot blommetjie uittepluk in die hoop dat ek die spul kan red maar na ‘n ½ uur was ek so taai en my rug kapot van die buk net om weer vandag aanhoudende reen te sien neer daal sonder einde!heerlik om te hoor dat Kanada so ‘n pragtige somer ervaar , dit is byna die moeite werd om so koud te kry in die winter as jy weet die somer maak op maar in hierdie pragtige stukkie land geleё tussen die see en see ,blootgestel aan al wat hoё of lae lugdruk, wind en ellende, is daar geen sekerheid wat die dag van môre gaan inhou nie, jy moet maar net tevrede wees en niks verwag nie en bly wees as die son vir byna 6 weke geskyn het en dan te weet dat jou somer net begin het maar ook op ‘n einde is. Die bome se blare het begin kleur en ons het reeds ‘n kombers van blare opgemuls toe ons gister vinnig die gras moes sny voor dit in ‘n oerwoud verander.
Die onderveld waar die grond verskuiwings plaasgevind het het wondergras as bedekking ontvang en staan reeds 3 duim hoog, 10 dae nadat dit gesaai is.
Die wortels het nooit gegroei nie en ons eet nou ekstra miniatuur worteltjies 1” lank saam met die ertjies. Ek het 4 baie goeie pluksels van die ertjies gekry maar die is nou ook klaar, die tamaties se blare is geel en ek nie sien hoe die 10 tamaties gaan ryp word sonder son nie.weereens ‘n fiasko! Die enigste groente wat welig groei is my spinasie, ek pluk en pluk en pluk. Die rubarber het soos getrou aan hulle natuur met menig gegroei nadat die slakke plaag verwyder was, en lyk goed, het reeds 2x daarvan gepluk maar weggegee aangesien ek gewerk het en nie tyd gehad het om te kook nie.
Ons het heerlike nuwe aartappeltjies vir 2 weke ge-eet, en daar is nog spring uitjies in die grond. Die raspberries word so vinnig deur die voels verorber dat ek nie eers een geproe kry kry nie . My 32 aarbei plantjies van verlede jaar , het ten spyte van blootstelling aan sneeu, ryp, reen , wind en droogte ‘n wonderlike drag aarbeie aan beter as verlede jaar en nie ‘n slak in sig nie Barry verwoes die slakke met jik water en dit werk soos ‘n bom!
Daar is darem nog ander pragtige blomme, pronkertjies, leeubekkies, kapapertjies, sward lelies, dalias, tier leleis rank rosies, en Clementis met yslike $groot pers blomme. Die rose teen die muur kry swaar maar ek troetel en praat mooi, die 2 geel rose is besig om weer uitteloop terwyl die pink roses vrolik aanhou blom. Al die rooi rose is ook begin om nuut uiteloop, die krismis rose prober ook ‘n plekkie in my hart verower!
Die baie voёl kinders gee ons groot plesier , die robins is besig om hul kenmerkende kleure te kry en bykans elke baba is deur die proses van voer en nou daartoe instaat om self te eet, die Peopne pot met heerlike grond in dien as badplek vir die voeltjies en hulle geniet die blare van die peonie as skuilploek teen die reen. Die swaeltjies wie se nes met die gehamer in die garage ter aarde neergedaal het, het die vlug oorleef en slaap elke nag op ‘n balk in die turf skuur. Die ander ‘kamer ‘is byna klaar, wat ‘n magtige werk maar dit gaan ‘n heerlike ekstra kamer wees maar baie uitputtende werk vir Barry want byna al die werk moet met jou arms bo jou kop gedoen word.
Die verskriklike koue van die garage is nou gebreek en sy werksarea met 2/3 verminder. Die ander deel moet nou ‘n venster en deur inkry in die plek van garage deure en dan is dit ook byna klaar. Die vals muur moet nou ge’skim’ word en dan ‘n lagie verf. Die vloer moet nog oorweeg word!
By die werk gaan dit op die oog af nie te sleg nie maar met soveel as 70% van pasiente wat nie meer oornag nie is daar groot verlies van inkomste en dit kom vanwee die HSE se beleid dat hulle nie vir langer as ‘n dag betaal nie en dit is ook die geval met privaat mediese assuransie. Daar is ‘n unie vergadering volgende Dinsdag en ek is van plan om dit bytewoon en te hoor wat die vooruitsigte is vir die res van die jaar.daar is soveel gerugte wat die rondtes doen en omdat ons in die nag werk hoor ons regtig net die stert ent van al die gerugte en teen daardie tyd het die hele storie ‘n ander rigting ingeslaan!
Die eiland is in ellende gedompel vanwee die ‘Celtig Tiger’ wat vir decade hier geseevier het en die banke sonder versekering enorme bedrae aan ontwikkelaars geleen het en nou is daar niks behalwe lee huise en onklaar geboue en derduisende wat welsyn betalings ontvang en die van ons wat nog werk gee 21% aan die goewerment sodat hulle die eiland kan red. Maatskappye sluit daagliks hul deure en so vermeerder die getalle voor die welsyn deure! Met ons gaan dit goed en ek is dankbaar dat ek nog werk het! Murmereer so nou en dan .veral as ek in kennis gestel word dat ek volgende week weer in die verpleeginrigting(ouetehuis) moet werk waar daar nou 42 kliente is en 4/5des volle aandag moet geniet!
Nou ja dit was heerlik om al die briefies te lees, nog ‘n paar uitstaande maar ons hoop dat die wat hulle in die boskamp bevind ,dit baie geniet en dat die wat nou op besoek is in SA elke moment geniet! Haya ek wag op ‘n epos adres vir jou ma
Onse tante Poppie word op 23 Julie 101 jaar oud en ons hier in Ierland hoop dat sy ‘n pragtige dag sal he, sonder pyn en omring deur liefde! Ek stuur wel ‘n briefie nader an die tyd!
Dit is ook met groot dankbaarheid dat ons kan meld dat Anke besig is om tuis te herstel na ‘n suksesvolle operasie, alle eer aan ons Hemelse Vader. Sterkte en volkome herstel haar toegebid!
More soos altyd , die beste dag van my week, sielsvoedsel en heugelike prysgesang reeds goed geoefen!
Dit is reeds ‘n maand gelede dat ons Isabel lughawe toegeneem het , Tyd vlieg!
Aan almal wat studeer vir eksamens, alles van die beste, veels geluk aan die wat geslaag het en groot opgewonderheid aan almal wat trou voorbereidings het!
Baie bly dat Joy weer veilig tuis is en haar besoek aan SA geniet het!
Briefies en fotos altyd baie welkom!
Wees altyd versigtig, verwag niks van niemand en wees bly oor wat na jou kant toe kom!
Groete en beste wense
Vanuit ‘n papsopnat Cranleymore!
Barry & Christina(Stien...etc)
Goeie dag familie en vriende,
Sit met die skoot rekenaar op sy plek voor die TV en hoop en bid dat Retief Goosen kop hou en die spul wys dat hy wel kan want verlede week het hy die klits kwyt geraak en total weggeval terwyl hy vir lank aan die eerste plek gelek het asof dit ‘n heerlike toffee roomys is gedip in neute en sjokolade en die volgende keer wat jy lek is die hele roomys weg ,te pletter geval bo-oor jou tone!
Ons het effe sonskyn ervaar eergister middag en groot deel van gister maar verder was dit die onguurste 2 weke in ‘n lank tyd, gepraat van petunias ek het 3 groot potte met rank petunias gehad wat so pragtig gelyk het maar daar is een ding wat die einde van hulle kan veroorsaak sonder dat jy ‘n vinger gelig het en dit is 2 ½ weke se reen. Ek het begin om die vrot blommetjie uittepluk in die hoop dat ek die spul kan red maar na ‘n ½ uur was ek so taai en my rug kapot van die buk net om weer vandag aanhoudende reen te sien neer daal sonder einde!heerlik om te hoor dat Kanada so ‘n pragtige somer ervaar , dit is byna die moeite werd om so koud te kry in die winter as jy weet die somer maak op maar in hierdie pragtige stukkie land geleё tussen die see en see ,blootgestel aan al wat hoё of lae lugdruk, wind en ellende, is daar geen sekerheid wat die dag van môre gaan inhou nie, jy moet maar net tevrede wees en niks verwag nie en bly wees as die son vir byna 6 weke geskyn het en dan te weet dat jou somer net begin het maar ook op ‘n einde is. Die bome se blare het begin kleur en ons het reeds ‘n kombers van blare opgemuls toe ons gister vinnig die gras moes sny voor dit in ‘n oerwoud verander.
Die onderveld waar die grond verskuiwings plaasgevind het het wondergras as bedekking ontvang en staan reeds 3 duim hoog, 10 dae nadat dit gesaai is.
Die wortels het nooit gegroei nie en ons eet nou ekstra miniatuur worteltjies 1” lank saam met die ertjies. Ek het 4 baie goeie pluksels van die ertjies gekry maar die is nou ook klaar, die tamaties se blare is geel en ek nie sien hoe die 10 tamaties gaan ryp word sonder son nie.weereens ‘n fiasko! Die enigste groente wat welig groei is my spinasie, ek pluk en pluk en pluk. Die rubarber het soos getrou aan hulle natuur met menig gegroei nadat die slakke plaag verwyder was, en lyk goed, het reeds 2x daarvan gepluk maar weggegee aangesien ek gewerk het en nie tyd gehad het om te kook nie.
Ons het heerlike nuwe aartappeltjies vir 2 weke ge-eet, en daar is nog spring uitjies in die grond. Die raspberries word so vinnig deur die voels verorber dat ek nie eers een geproe kry kry nie . My 32 aarbei plantjies van verlede jaar , het ten spyte van blootstelling aan sneeu, ryp, reen , wind en droogte ‘n wonderlike drag aarbeie aan beter as verlede jaar en nie ‘n slak in sig nie Barry verwoes die slakke met jik water en dit werk soos ‘n bom!
Daar is darem nog ander pragtige blomme, pronkertjies, leeubekkies, kapapertjies, sward lelies, dalias, tier leleis rank rosies, en Clementis met yslike $groot pers blomme. Die rose teen die muur kry swaar maar ek troetel en praat mooi, die 2 geel rose is besig om weer uitteloop terwyl die pink roses vrolik aanhou blom. Al die rooi rose is ook begin om nuut uiteloop, die krismis rose prober ook ‘n plekkie in my hart verower!
Die baie voёl kinders gee ons groot plesier , die robins is besig om hul kenmerkende kleure te kry en bykans elke baba is deur die proses van voer en nou daartoe instaat om self te eet, die Peopne pot met heerlike grond in dien as badplek vir die voeltjies en hulle geniet die blare van die peonie as skuilploek teen die reen. Die swaeltjies wie se nes met die gehamer in die garage ter aarde neergedaal het, het die vlug oorleef en slaap elke nag op ‘n balk in die turf skuur. Die ander ‘kamer ‘is byna klaar, wat ‘n magtige werk maar dit gaan ‘n heerlike ekstra kamer wees maar baie uitputtende werk vir Barry want byna al die werk moet met jou arms bo jou kop gedoen word.
Die verskriklike koue van die garage is nou gebreek en sy werksarea met 2/3 verminder. Die ander deel moet nou ‘n venster en deur inkry in die plek van garage deure en dan is dit ook byna klaar. Die vals muur moet nou ge’skim’ word en dan ‘n lagie verf. Die vloer moet nog oorweeg word!
By die werk gaan dit op die oog af nie te sleg nie maar met soveel as 70% van pasiente wat nie meer oornag nie is daar groot verlies van inkomste en dit kom vanwee die HSE se beleid dat hulle nie vir langer as ‘n dag betaal nie en dit is ook die geval met privaat mediese assuransie. Daar is ‘n unie vergadering volgende Dinsdag en ek is van plan om dit bytewoon en te hoor wat die vooruitsigte is vir die res van die jaar.daar is soveel gerugte wat die rondtes doen en omdat ons in die nag werk hoor ons regtig net die stert ent van al die gerugte en teen daardie tyd het die hele storie ‘n ander rigting ingeslaan!
Die eiland is in ellende gedompel vanwee die ‘Celtig Tiger’ wat vir decade hier geseevier het en die banke sonder versekering enorme bedrae aan ontwikkelaars geleen het en nou is daar niks behalwe lee huise en onklaar geboue en derduisende wat welsyn betalings ontvang en die van ons wat nog werk gee 21% aan die goewerment sodat hulle die eiland kan red. Maatskappye sluit daagliks hul deure en so vermeerder die getalle voor die welsyn deure! Met ons gaan dit goed en ek is dankbaar dat ek nog werk het! Murmereer so nou en dan .veral as ek in kennis gestel word dat ek volgende week weer in die verpleeginrigting(ouetehuis) moet werk waar daar nou 42 kliente is en 4/5des volle aandag moet geniet!
Nou ja dit was heerlik om al die briefies te lees, nog ‘n paar uitstaande maar ons hoop dat die wat hulle in die boskamp bevind ,dit baie geniet en dat die wat nou op besoek is in SA elke moment geniet! Haya ek wag op ‘n epos adres vir jou ma
Onse tante Poppie word op 23 Julie 101 jaar oud en ons hier in Ierland hoop dat sy ‘n pragtige dag sal he, sonder pyn en omring deur liefde! Ek stuur wel ‘n briefie nader an die tyd!
Dit is ook met groot dankbaarheid dat ons kan meld dat Anke besig is om tuis te herstel na ‘n suksesvolle operasie, alle eer aan ons Hemelse Vader. Sterkte en volkome herstel haar toegebid!
More soos altyd , die beste dag van my week, sielsvoedsel en heugelike prysgesang reeds goed geoefen!
Dit is reeds ‘n maand gelede dat ons Isabel lughawe toegeneem het , Tyd vlieg!
Aan almal wat studeer vir eksamens, alles van die beste, veels geluk aan die wat geslaag het en groot opgewonderheid aan almal wat trou voorbereidings het!
Baie bly dat Joy weer veilig tuis is en haar besoek aan SA geniet het!
Briefies en fotos altyd baie welkom!
Wees altyd versigtig, verwag niks van niemand en wees bly oor wat na jou kant toe kom!
Groete en beste wense
Vanuit ‘n papsopnat Cranleymore!
Barry & Christina(Stien...etc)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Greetings from a wet Ireland
11 June 09
Saturday
Good day to all,
We are experiencing dreadful weather, it has been raining since Monday. have not seen the sun at all this week. Temperatures stay around 14 –17 at the most and otherwise you have to put a light on to read in the middle of the day!
Barry who cannot relax decided that we need extra, secure space for all my things I have accumulated over the 5 1/2 years in Ireland and started partitioning the garage workshop into a living area one side and workshop on the other, The garage doors will be replaced by a window and door and the ceiling will be put in next week. It looks good and we will have space !!
The building is below the sewerage system which means we cannot put a toilet in which is a great pity because we could have really made it good extra accommodation. While hammering the frame work into place the swallow nest disintegrated and came with a bang down to the ground, fortunately the babies were already 14 days old and flew out into the open. Mother very protective brought them back and they are now living on a beam in the woos shed where they are being fed and cared for , they go for their daily flight exercises and return duly for a rest. Barry felt terrible as he really has been looking after these birds like gold! But they are surviving well!
Part of my lovely garden has been destroyed by the heavy showers early in the week, the big pots with the trailing petunias x 3 started to rot and although I tried to pick out the soaked flowers I could not keep up and can now just remember the beauty of it all as it is all over. The pink tiger lilies are now in full bloom and they have also suffered greatly. I was very proud of my lovely garden , the plants in the barrels growing up the trellises still looks good, dark purple flowers from the climber, petunias and roses with nasturgeums on the edges, hydrangeas’ also in flower!
We have been enjoying peas and spinach from the garden and by lack of potatoes Barry dug the potatoes and as they were just planted for the fun of it we have enjoyed a wonderful crop of new potatoes!
The hospital has been very busy this week but all big cases requiring long stays are now being done on Mondays and Saturdays the ward closes for the weekend and that will be the case till the 2nd week in August when we re-open after a weeks’ break, re -assessment and then retrenchments to follow.
I just keep on going, they will have to notify me in writing if they want me to leave and only then will I look out for something, there is shift work available and I believe God will provide!
With all the rain the fields are wet and the hay cutting has been delayed which makes it very difficult for the farmers. Jimmy behind us had a date with the contractor for this coming week but they need a few days of wind and sunshine before they cut otherwise it all rots.
The brightness and lustre of all the growth is gone and we are surely turning quickly into the latter part of this summer, the leaves started to fall and the days are getting shorter, BUT we still have so much to be thankful for that it does not matter. Isabel surely had the best weather during her stay!
Tomorrow, the best day of the week, and the Hymns all well known and played through as I know them nearly by heart, prepares us for soul food!
Birthday wishes to Pauli, in Exeter and Sonja in Linden SA. Many happy returns of this day the 13th July.
Take care, be always careful, Hope that it is not to cold in the southern hemisphere that the security on the farm in the Free State has been jacked up and that the inhabitants of the farm yard has returned or replaced!
Gerlof and the family who will be on the farm in the ‘Bos kamp’ must enjoy the fellowship!
Kind regards to all,
Remember letters and photos are very welcome and thank you to you all who so diligently write me a note!
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Saturday
Good day to all,
We are experiencing dreadful weather, it has been raining since Monday. have not seen the sun at all this week. Temperatures stay around 14 –17 at the most and otherwise you have to put a light on to read in the middle of the day!
Barry who cannot relax decided that we need extra, secure space for all my things I have accumulated over the 5 1/2 years in Ireland and started partitioning the garage workshop into a living area one side and workshop on the other, The garage doors will be replaced by a window and door and the ceiling will be put in next week. It looks good and we will have space !!
The building is below the sewerage system which means we cannot put a toilet in which is a great pity because we could have really made it good extra accommodation. While hammering the frame work into place the swallow nest disintegrated and came with a bang down to the ground, fortunately the babies were already 14 days old and flew out into the open. Mother very protective brought them back and they are now living on a beam in the woos shed where they are being fed and cared for , they go for their daily flight exercises and return duly for a rest. Barry felt terrible as he really has been looking after these birds like gold! But they are surviving well!
Part of my lovely garden has been destroyed by the heavy showers early in the week, the big pots with the trailing petunias x 3 started to rot and although I tried to pick out the soaked flowers I could not keep up and can now just remember the beauty of it all as it is all over. The pink tiger lilies are now in full bloom and they have also suffered greatly. I was very proud of my lovely garden , the plants in the barrels growing up the trellises still looks good, dark purple flowers from the climber, petunias and roses with nasturgeums on the edges, hydrangeas’ also in flower!
We have been enjoying peas and spinach from the garden and by lack of potatoes Barry dug the potatoes and as they were just planted for the fun of it we have enjoyed a wonderful crop of new potatoes!
The hospital has been very busy this week but all big cases requiring long stays are now being done on Mondays and Saturdays the ward closes for the weekend and that will be the case till the 2nd week in August when we re-open after a weeks’ break, re -assessment and then retrenchments to follow.
I just keep on going, they will have to notify me in writing if they want me to leave and only then will I look out for something, there is shift work available and I believe God will provide!
With all the rain the fields are wet and the hay cutting has been delayed which makes it very difficult for the farmers. Jimmy behind us had a date with the contractor for this coming week but they need a few days of wind and sunshine before they cut otherwise it all rots.
The brightness and lustre of all the growth is gone and we are surely turning quickly into the latter part of this summer, the leaves started to fall and the days are getting shorter, BUT we still have so much to be thankful for that it does not matter. Isabel surely had the best weather during her stay!
Tomorrow, the best day of the week, and the Hymns all well known and played through as I know them nearly by heart, prepares us for soul food!
Birthday wishes to Pauli, in Exeter and Sonja in Linden SA. Many happy returns of this day the 13th July.
Take care, be always careful, Hope that it is not to cold in the southern hemisphere that the security on the farm in the Free State has been jacked up and that the inhabitants of the farm yard has returned or replaced!
Gerlof and the family who will be on the farm in the ‘Bos kamp’ must enjoy the fellowship!
Kind regards to all,
Remember letters and photos are very welcome and thank you to you all who so diligently write me a note!
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Groete vanuit Ierland
Saterdag 4 Julie 09
Goeie dag aan al die familie en vriende,
Nou net die oorwinning van die 2 Williams susters op TV aanskou, ek noem dit nou 'Black empowerment' maak nie saak dat die jonger een gewen het nie hulle was albei daar.
Die nuus en resessie is hier ook oorweldig deur die rampsalige Michael JAckson.
By die werk is baie gerugte dat die hospitaal Augu8stus toemaak, Ek gaan rustig voort tot die dag wat hulle my inroep en se: ' Bye and Good Luck' want dis al wat hulle hier in glo is 'luck' Intussen werk ek lekker. Die nagmerrie van verpleeginrigting is vir eers weer van die baan tot volgende keer.
Dit het gedonderweer en geblits vir 'n vale, baie snaaks en ons het die kerk se 2 jaarlikse Braaivleis vanaand. Kan maar net hoop en bid die wind kom op en waai die wolke weg!
My tuin het 'n slegte knou weg met al die reen in 3 dae...het opgemaak vir die 6 weke sonskyn!
Uit die groente tuin eet ons ertjies , spinasie, klein uitjies en aarbeie, die wortels en tamaties kom mooi aan,
Blomtuin skitter met tier lelies, petunias, kappertjies, dahlias, swaardlelies,leeubekkeis en pronk ertjies, Die rose se eerste drag is nou af en ons wag nou vir die nuwe groei om weer knoppe te maak! het werkliki groot plesier van die tuin hierdie jaar. Die onder veld is gehark en kliploos gelaat en wonder gras is gesaai en sal in 7 dae hul verskyning maak as hulle nie jok op die sak nie.
Die swaeltjies in die donkiehuis, gedoop die'squaters' het toe uiteindelik die nes op Woensdag oggend verlaat net om weer 1.30nm gou 'n slapie te vang, het so aangegaan tot vandag en nou is hulle finaal in die lug. die ander in die skuur is nou 10 dae oud en baie parmantig, loer oor die rant as ons inkom!
Baie dankie Paul in Tanzanie, ek het toe uiteindelik ook jou brief ontvang ,dink dit het iewers in die kuber ruimte rondgeswerf op soek na Ierland! baie dankie!
Vandag se skrywe is kort en kragtig,
Briewe van ooral is baie welkom fotos heerlik om na te kyk!
More , die beste dag in my week en ook Haya se verjaardag gevolg met Hessie op die plaas, baie geluk julle 2 met julle verjaardae! Leopold het ook vroeer in die week verjaar! Veels geluk!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie!
Ons is in gedagte by die Eloff familie, broer Mendel en Anke. baie spesiaal.
Wees altyd versigitg, Gerlof is seker byna op pad, geniet julle vakansie!
Liefde groete
Die Dunnes van Ierland
Goeie dag aan al die familie en vriende,
Nou net die oorwinning van die 2 Williams susters op TV aanskou, ek noem dit nou 'Black empowerment' maak nie saak dat die jonger een gewen het nie hulle was albei daar.
Die nuus en resessie is hier ook oorweldig deur die rampsalige Michael JAckson.
By die werk is baie gerugte dat die hospitaal Augu8stus toemaak, Ek gaan rustig voort tot die dag wat hulle my inroep en se: ' Bye and Good Luck' want dis al wat hulle hier in glo is 'luck' Intussen werk ek lekker. Die nagmerrie van verpleeginrigting is vir eers weer van die baan tot volgende keer.
Dit het gedonderweer en geblits vir 'n vale, baie snaaks en ons het die kerk se 2 jaarlikse Braaivleis vanaand. Kan maar net hoop en bid die wind kom op en waai die wolke weg!
My tuin het 'n slegte knou weg met al die reen in 3 dae...het opgemaak vir die 6 weke sonskyn!
Uit die groente tuin eet ons ertjies , spinasie, klein uitjies en aarbeie, die wortels en tamaties kom mooi aan,
Blomtuin skitter met tier lelies, petunias, kappertjies, dahlias, swaardlelies,leeubekkeis en pronk ertjies, Die rose se eerste drag is nou af en ons wag nou vir die nuwe groei om weer knoppe te maak! het werkliki groot plesier van die tuin hierdie jaar. Die onder veld is gehark en kliploos gelaat en wonder gras is gesaai en sal in 7 dae hul verskyning maak as hulle nie jok op die sak nie.
Die swaeltjies in die donkiehuis, gedoop die'squaters' het toe uiteindelik die nes op Woensdag oggend verlaat net om weer 1.30nm gou 'n slapie te vang, het so aangegaan tot vandag en nou is hulle finaal in die lug. die ander in die skuur is nou 10 dae oud en baie parmantig, loer oor die rant as ons inkom!
Baie dankie Paul in Tanzanie, ek het toe uiteindelik ook jou brief ontvang ,dink dit het iewers in die kuber ruimte rondgeswerf op soek na Ierland! baie dankie!
Vandag se skrywe is kort en kragtig,
Briewe van ooral is baie welkom fotos heerlik om na te kyk!
More , die beste dag in my week en ook Haya se verjaardag gevolg met Hessie op die plaas, baie geluk julle 2 met julle verjaardae! Leopold het ook vroeer in die week verjaar! Veels geluk!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie!
Ons is in gedagte by die Eloff familie, broer Mendel en Anke. baie spesiaal.
Wees altyd versigitg, Gerlof is seker byna op pad, geniet julle vakansie!
Liefde groete
Die Dunnes van Ierland
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Greetings from a sun dosed Ireland
Saturday 27 June 09
Dear Family and friends
The fact that I am able to sit here and type a letter is only because miracles do exist!! As you know by now , I had a 5 week vacation behind me and went back to work on Thursday, worked in the surgical ward and looked after 2 patients , what a torture and then to make up for it I had to do my stint downstairs in the nursing home. I went in there with a good knowledge of what awaits me but nothing written down or spoken could have prepared me enough, By the grace of our heavenly Father , I made it through the night .
The ward have 41 beds and 39 of them were occupied. 11 of those clients can do something for themselves and the rest is high dependency care.
The medicine round in itself was horrific, they have a new system in place where each clients medication is in a separate box , locked above his bed, and with your list of medicine for that person who have to unlock the box and start searching for the medicines, each patient takes at least 10 min to do and then there are those you have to crush the tablets and feed to them with thickened fluids or yogurt. Which takes another 5 minutes. 2hrs 3 hrs and20 min later I pulled in at the nurses station after a marathon round of medications. The carer working with me started to do the round and did as many of the lighter patients as she could and then the real round started when we finished @ 2 am I was not just exhausted but disgusted that I could not do it faster, but you see I have to do things 100% correct or not at all and that meant that many a bed’s linen had to be changed and nearly a full bed bath given!
I think I am too old for that kind of thing and if they want to kill me they can do it easily by just allocating me for a week to that unit and I will be gone!
To go back to brighter and more beautiful things, much appreciated is my roses that Isabel so carefully took care off! I took out all the old ones and filled my 3 vases again with a variety of the most beautiful roses! And still plenty left on the bushes. The sweet peas are in full bloom, Lilac .red link and is just out of this world, the creeping roses should be in bloom in a few days , what joy we are having this year in the garden after 2 years of rotten petunias and too much rain!
Weather wise we have just have the most magnificent summer so far , not known to have 6 days sunshine in row and then only one nights rain to cool off and then back to sun shine and high temperatures of 22-26 every afternoon!
Barry decided that the back part of the lower field and the area behind the shed needs dire attention. In good faith he filled up the ground behind the shed but did not realize that that will bring dampness into the shed as the water accumilated and did not run away! So on Wednesday the JCB arrived and Mark a man we acquainted through an old lady at church drove the JCB, he is presently out of work and will do anything to earn a few Euros!
A massive project completed in 2 days , 1 drainage hole 20’x20’x20’for the sewerage system were dug and filled with old building material and 21 ton 3” stone. The truck could scarcely fit through the gate. But it is now in perfect order! The heap of garden refuse were set alight and also made to disappear into dust!
Now we seemed to be in a better position to control rainwater and there is now place for Barry to extend the shed to the back for the turf, as the turf shed is presently filled with wood!
The veg garden is already producing, spinach, spring onions , peas and the carrots are getting bigger. The slug plague that nearly killed the rhubarb is in superb health the rhubarb, not the slugs and I will soon be picking again!
Well there you have it in a nut shell, we were kept very very busy and that was just as well as I was missing my sis in law ‘s company badly!
Tomorrow as you all know by now is the best day of the week and a visiting preacher from Malahide(Dublin) is preaching! The Hymns chosen half by him and half by me are already well practised and we are looking forward to a good soul enriching experience.
Our prayers and best wishes go to my brother and his wife Anke who is not well and will be seeing a specialist on 1st July , those who do intercede please bring her in prayer to our Lord!
Our aunt in the Cape is now 100 years and 11 months old and her birthday is coming up soon! Tant Poppie may the Lord be with you in the weeks ahead, and may you enjoy the last few weeks of being hundred in His grace!
Best wishes to Joleen in Pietermaritzburg and Karin in Florida Park on their Birthdays!28 th June . Have a wonderful blessed day!
I have not heard from Joy in Australia and wonder if she is still in SA! Always lovely to hear from Althea and Dorothy , Angie and the pack, hope your colds are something of the past and that Groovy’es book will be a great success!
Trish I hope you are keeping well and that the grand daughters are growing well!
Karin are you still out there or have you moved to the Cape to work for Escom to generate heat! Hahaha!!!! May be it is not a joke and the post was real! Let me know!
There are others out there that I have not from for some while, Rob and Thilo , are you cross about my comments over face book, I have to be very honest I find it not entertaining and highly time consuming with little or no soul enrichment at present maybe it is because I do not entertain people enough!
I greet thee all, with best wishes to those who write exams , those who are studying hard, those who are awaiting results.
To those preparing for SA visits, enjoy!
Always watch your step, be careful, watchful and observant!
May it not be too cold in the winter areas and not too hot in the summer side!
May it rain and produce good crops!
Love to you all
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Dear Family and friends
The fact that I am able to sit here and type a letter is only because miracles do exist!! As you know by now , I had a 5 week vacation behind me and went back to work on Thursday, worked in the surgical ward and looked after 2 patients , what a torture and then to make up for it I had to do my stint downstairs in the nursing home. I went in there with a good knowledge of what awaits me but nothing written down or spoken could have prepared me enough, By the grace of our heavenly Father , I made it through the night .
The ward have 41 beds and 39 of them were occupied. 11 of those clients can do something for themselves and the rest is high dependency care.
The medicine round in itself was horrific, they have a new system in place where each clients medication is in a separate box , locked above his bed, and with your list of medicine for that person who have to unlock the box and start searching for the medicines, each patient takes at least 10 min to do and then there are those you have to crush the tablets and feed to them with thickened fluids or yogurt. Which takes another 5 minutes. 2hrs 3 hrs and20 min later I pulled in at the nurses station after a marathon round of medications. The carer working with me started to do the round and did as many of the lighter patients as she could and then the real round started when we finished @ 2 am I was not just exhausted but disgusted that I could not do it faster, but you see I have to do things 100% correct or not at all and that meant that many a bed’s linen had to be changed and nearly a full bed bath given!
I think I am too old for that kind of thing and if they want to kill me they can do it easily by just allocating me for a week to that unit and I will be gone!
To go back to brighter and more beautiful things, much appreciated is my roses that Isabel so carefully took care off! I took out all the old ones and filled my 3 vases again with a variety of the most beautiful roses! And still plenty left on the bushes. The sweet peas are in full bloom, Lilac .red link and is just out of this world, the creeping roses should be in bloom in a few days , what joy we are having this year in the garden after 2 years of rotten petunias and too much rain!
Weather wise we have just have the most magnificent summer so far , not known to have 6 days sunshine in row and then only one nights rain to cool off and then back to sun shine and high temperatures of 22-26 every afternoon!
Barry decided that the back part of the lower field and the area behind the shed needs dire attention. In good faith he filled up the ground behind the shed but did not realize that that will bring dampness into the shed as the water accumilated and did not run away! So on Wednesday the JCB arrived and Mark a man we acquainted through an old lady at church drove the JCB, he is presently out of work and will do anything to earn a few Euros!
A massive project completed in 2 days , 1 drainage hole 20’x20’x20’for the sewerage system were dug and filled with old building material and 21 ton 3” stone. The truck could scarcely fit through the gate. But it is now in perfect order! The heap of garden refuse were set alight and also made to disappear into dust!
Now we seemed to be in a better position to control rainwater and there is now place for Barry to extend the shed to the back for the turf, as the turf shed is presently filled with wood!
The veg garden is already producing, spinach, spring onions , peas and the carrots are getting bigger. The slug plague that nearly killed the rhubarb is in superb health the rhubarb, not the slugs and I will soon be picking again!
Well there you have it in a nut shell, we were kept very very busy and that was just as well as I was missing my sis in law ‘s company badly!
Tomorrow as you all know by now is the best day of the week and a visiting preacher from Malahide(Dublin) is preaching! The Hymns chosen half by him and half by me are already well practised and we are looking forward to a good soul enriching experience.
Our prayers and best wishes go to my brother and his wife Anke who is not well and will be seeing a specialist on 1st July , those who do intercede please bring her in prayer to our Lord!
Our aunt in the Cape is now 100 years and 11 months old and her birthday is coming up soon! Tant Poppie may the Lord be with you in the weeks ahead, and may you enjoy the last few weeks of being hundred in His grace!
Best wishes to Joleen in Pietermaritzburg and Karin in Florida Park on their Birthdays!28 th June . Have a wonderful blessed day!
I have not heard from Joy in Australia and wonder if she is still in SA! Always lovely to hear from Althea and Dorothy , Angie and the pack, hope your colds are something of the past and that Groovy’es book will be a great success!
Trish I hope you are keeping well and that the grand daughters are growing well!
Karin are you still out there or have you moved to the Cape to work for Escom to generate heat! Hahaha!!!! May be it is not a joke and the post was real! Let me know!
There are others out there that I have not from for some while, Rob and Thilo , are you cross about my comments over face book, I have to be very honest I find it not entertaining and highly time consuming with little or no soul enrichment at present maybe it is because I do not entertain people enough!
I greet thee all, with best wishes to those who write exams , those who are studying hard, those who are awaiting results.
To those preparing for SA visits, enjoy!
Always watch your step, be careful, watchful and observant!
May it not be too cold in the winter areas and not too hot in the summer side!
May it rain and produce good crops!
Love to you all
The Dunnes from Cranleymore
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
'n Lee huis in Sonnige Ierland
Saterdag 20 Junie
Goeie dag alle familie en vriende,
Die huis is sommer leeg en anders, Isabel vlieg seker al oor Afrika teen die tyd.
Ons het vroeg bed toegegaan gisteraand en om 01h25 het die wekker afgegaan vir opstaan, almal gou uit die bed, aantrek, Koffie gedrink en om 02h15 was ons op pad lughawe toe . . Behalwe vir aankomende verkeer dink ek het 3 karre by my verby gery anders was die pad ons s’n, moet sê dit is heerlik om sonder verkeer die pad aan te durf.
Ons was goed betyds en Isabel is deur die VERTREK deure so teen 04h10 en ons weer terug in die kar en op pad teen 04h25. Barry hou nie van troues, begrafnisse en ‘totsiens’ sê nie dus was dit omtrent ‘n ‘push and a shove’ en weg is Isabel!.
Tuis gekom net so paar minute na 06h00 en na ‘n 2de koppie koffie is ons bed toe en heerlik weer geslaap tot 09h30.
Nou ja, meeste van julle het die vakansie gebeure goed kon volg met die opstelle wat Isabel geskryf het en die ander het maar sleg uitgemis.
Sy het haar uitstekend van haar taak gekwyt en dit was heerlik om haar op besoek te he, ek sal haar geselskap mis maar ons was vir jare alleen en sal seker weer gou daaraan gewoond raak! Ons het darem baie plesier van die natuur om ons en die weer het regtig goed saam gespeel. Dae wat Isabel gebibber het het ek met kort moue en kort broek rond geloop en dus was dit vir my goed genoeg!
My tuin het ‘n vereerde verwenning ondergaan en die rose is ‘n produk van 4 weke se liefde en versorging! Die voeltjies om ons se eiers is of klaar uitgebroei, of sy sit nog op die nessie of hulle het klaar gevlieg!
Die wilde roos tussen deur die heining is in volle blom en lyk pragtig,en die word afgewissel met ‘woodbine’ baie naby aan die ‘honey suckle’ maar effens wild, die ‘elder’ plant wat tot groot bome kan groei is ook vol in blom en op plekke maak hulle ‘elder’ wyn van die bessies, by ons is dit vir die voels ‘n lekkerny! Ons het 6 weke gewag vir die Peone om oop te maak en nou is dit een groot plesier en volgens ander ruik tog na iets, ek het byna moed opgegee,maar na ‘n uitplanting het daar lewe verskyn en gee ons nou ‘n mooi uitsig vanuit die een kombuis venster.Ek kan al jare nie ruik nie dus gaan al hierdie wonderlike geure my neus verby sonder date k dit weet!
Die voorkamer het 2 malvas in elke venster wat pragtig lyk en met groot opgewonderheid wag ons dat die tier lelies moet oop gaan. Die voorste deel van die huis wat nou effe beskermd is deur die muur het 3 halwe hout vate voor die trellis en daarin groei pronkertjies, rank rosie en ‘n ranker van format met pers blomme ,sal wel ‘n foto stuur as dit alles in blom is.Die hang mandjies is baie pragtig en vrolik!
Ek gaan weer volgende Donderdag terug werk toe en volgens die saal bestuurder is daar min nag werk en sal ons maar sien wat gaan gebeur, 5 mense moet afbetaal word op dagdiens en een van nagdiens. Ek is glo veilig want hulle het teveel aan my gespandeer en ek moet opleiding doen vir die wat oorbly, die verpleegsters wat swanger is of met kraam verlof is mag nie aangeraak word nie, hulle werk nie eers nie maar die wat wel werk en goeie verpleegsters is moet nou afbetaal word. Maar ‘n wrede lewe en soms tog onregverdig!
Dit is byna die langste dag en kortste nag hier by ons en dan gaan alles weer redelik vinnig terug na normal maar intussen geniet ons die lang dae en die somer wat regtig nie te sleg is nie!! Baie beter, so ver, as verlede jaar!
Gerlof ons was nooit wakker om na sterre te kyk nie want dit het eers na ½ 11 snags donker geword en ander nagte was dit bewolk – dus geen Noorder ster besigtig nie!
More is natuurlik my beste dag van die week en die Psalme en Gesange is reeds geoefen , môre is dit die Evangelisasie predikant wat die diens waarneem want ons predikant is met verlof!
Ek lees met groot entosiasme die briewe wat inkom maar het wel gemerk dat
ek nie Paul van TAnzanieё se brief gekry het nie, enige rede daarvoor?
Verjaardae is daar geen in my boekie!
Ek groet met beste wnese aan almal wat eksamen skryf, of hard leer, die wat gaan reis ‘n veilige landing en wees altyd versigtig.
Baie groete aan tante Poppie en ons hoop dat dit nog in haar 100ste jaar wat byna verby is nog goed gaan!
Annemaria ek hoop en bid dat jou voete wel reg sal kom!
Baie liefde groete
Vanuit ‘n lower groen, geurvolle,kleurgevlekte Ierland
Stien & Kie( Christina vir ander)
NS! Die stuur van fotos vir my ‘n taak wat ek nie maklik sal aandurf nie! Van Piccaso? weet ek niks!
Goeie dag alle familie en vriende,
Die huis is sommer leeg en anders, Isabel vlieg seker al oor Afrika teen die tyd.
Ons het vroeg bed toegegaan gisteraand en om 01h25 het die wekker afgegaan vir opstaan, almal gou uit die bed, aantrek, Koffie gedrink en om 02h15 was ons op pad lughawe toe . . Behalwe vir aankomende verkeer dink ek het 3 karre by my verby gery anders was die pad ons s’n, moet sê dit is heerlik om sonder verkeer die pad aan te durf.
Ons was goed betyds en Isabel is deur die VERTREK deure so teen 04h10 en ons weer terug in die kar en op pad teen 04h25. Barry hou nie van troues, begrafnisse en ‘totsiens’ sê nie dus was dit omtrent ‘n ‘push and a shove’ en weg is Isabel!.
Tuis gekom net so paar minute na 06h00 en na ‘n 2de koppie koffie is ons bed toe en heerlik weer geslaap tot 09h30.
Nou ja, meeste van julle het die vakansie gebeure goed kon volg met die opstelle wat Isabel geskryf het en die ander het maar sleg uitgemis.
Sy het haar uitstekend van haar taak gekwyt en dit was heerlik om haar op besoek te he, ek sal haar geselskap mis maar ons was vir jare alleen en sal seker weer gou daaraan gewoond raak! Ons het darem baie plesier van die natuur om ons en die weer het regtig goed saam gespeel. Dae wat Isabel gebibber het het ek met kort moue en kort broek rond geloop en dus was dit vir my goed genoeg!
My tuin het ‘n vereerde verwenning ondergaan en die rose is ‘n produk van 4 weke se liefde en versorging! Die voeltjies om ons se eiers is of klaar uitgebroei, of sy sit nog op die nessie of hulle het klaar gevlieg!
Die wilde roos tussen deur die heining is in volle blom en lyk pragtig,en die word afgewissel met ‘woodbine’ baie naby aan die ‘honey suckle’ maar effens wild, die ‘elder’ plant wat tot groot bome kan groei is ook vol in blom en op plekke maak hulle ‘elder’ wyn van die bessies, by ons is dit vir die voels ‘n lekkerny! Ons het 6 weke gewag vir die Peone om oop te maak en nou is dit een groot plesier en volgens ander ruik tog na iets, ek het byna moed opgegee,maar na ‘n uitplanting het daar lewe verskyn en gee ons nou ‘n mooi uitsig vanuit die een kombuis venster.Ek kan al jare nie ruik nie dus gaan al hierdie wonderlike geure my neus verby sonder date k dit weet!
Die voorkamer het 2 malvas in elke venster wat pragtig lyk en met groot opgewonderheid wag ons dat die tier lelies moet oop gaan. Die voorste deel van die huis wat nou effe beskermd is deur die muur het 3 halwe hout vate voor die trellis en daarin groei pronkertjies, rank rosie en ‘n ranker van format met pers blomme ,sal wel ‘n foto stuur as dit alles in blom is.Die hang mandjies is baie pragtig en vrolik!
Ek gaan weer volgende Donderdag terug werk toe en volgens die saal bestuurder is daar min nag werk en sal ons maar sien wat gaan gebeur, 5 mense moet afbetaal word op dagdiens en een van nagdiens. Ek is glo veilig want hulle het teveel aan my gespandeer en ek moet opleiding doen vir die wat oorbly, die verpleegsters wat swanger is of met kraam verlof is mag nie aangeraak word nie, hulle werk nie eers nie maar die wat wel werk en goeie verpleegsters is moet nou afbetaal word. Maar ‘n wrede lewe en soms tog onregverdig!
Dit is byna die langste dag en kortste nag hier by ons en dan gaan alles weer redelik vinnig terug na normal maar intussen geniet ons die lang dae en die somer wat regtig nie te sleg is nie!! Baie beter, so ver, as verlede jaar!
Gerlof ons was nooit wakker om na sterre te kyk nie want dit het eers na ½ 11 snags donker geword en ander nagte was dit bewolk – dus geen Noorder ster besigtig nie!
More is natuurlik my beste dag van die week en die Psalme en Gesange is reeds geoefen , môre is dit die Evangelisasie predikant wat die diens waarneem want ons predikant is met verlof!
Ek lees met groot entosiasme die briewe wat inkom maar het wel gemerk dat
ek nie Paul van TAnzanieё se brief gekry het nie, enige rede daarvoor?
Verjaardae is daar geen in my boekie!
Ek groet met beste wnese aan almal wat eksamen skryf, of hard leer, die wat gaan reis ‘n veilige landing en wees altyd versigtig.
Baie groete aan tante Poppie en ons hoop dat dit nog in haar 100ste jaar wat byna verby is nog goed gaan!
Annemaria ek hoop en bid dat jou voete wel reg sal kom!
Baie liefde groete
Vanuit ‘n lower groen, geurvolle,kleurgevlekte Ierland
Stien & Kie( Christina vir ander)
NS! Die stuur van fotos vir my ‘n taak wat ek nie maklik sal aandurf nie! Van Piccaso? weet ek niks!
Summer in Ireland
12 June 09
Friday
Good day to all family and friends,
I really do not know where to start, every day jam packed with trips and visits. Easiest to start with today./yesterday!
After being on the road for 2 full days it was time to get all muscles straightened out and all joints back into function.
Keeping in mind that it has been a special week with our 32nd wedding anniversary yesterday and Father’s Day on Sunday.
We will be honoured with Finbarr & Amanda’s presence which in itself is a special event as we see him only a few times a year. His special request were to have a Milk Tart for tea and because it is also a special day for the Father of this house his request for trifle had to be adhered to as well. Hoping that the weather will be complying we plan to have a little braai as plan A but with a horrible weather fore cast of heavy showers and even some thunder we also have to have plan B in place. In order to provide in every-ones request Isabel came equipped with milk tart recipe and not realizing that I do not bake most ingredients had to be bought. She was somewhat worried about my method of measuring and to use my primitive method of spoons and the eye. With the filling in the tennis biscuit(from SA) lined dish, Isabel asked me to hand her the Cinnamon??? Well I had to get into the car and go and buy it as it has to be sprinkled on top while the filling is still hot! It looks good and I believe it will taste even better. The trifle is also setting on the top shelf of the fridge made ala Christina.
Now the main dish of the day, if it does not rain will be the protein on the coals and the butcher made a new batch of ‘boere wors’ last night and tasted themselves a piece and were quite impressed as we advised them to mince the meat only once and to add a bit more salt and to use thicker/wider rather, sausage skin, as they call it ’ for Jumbo sausages’ It looks more like ‘boere wors’ this time I have to admit.
Maybe we will not find out what it tastes like if it rains!
There-for it is not necessary to say that we will feast tomorrow whatever way the weather turns!
Sunday
The week started off with somewhat poor weather and we dodged
Its dark ominous clouds by going back to Bellvedere Home and Garden festival as Barry wanted to look at the gates again. The cottages with front wall painted needs a new gate –presently fitted with an old farm gate rusted and not looking the best. There we realized that some of the exhibitors were new and some were gone , many of the flowers were now nearly half price and we had hoped that the gate people will also reduced their prices but alas , it was still the same.
Monday we stayed at home recovering from the long walk of the previous day, attending to house wife duties and just to take some time off. Tuesday, we went for a drive 1st north and then we turned west along some wonderful vegetation up some hills with wonderful views just to stop next to Lough Gowna , in fact we travelled all round the lake at and were absolutely bewildered by the beauty ,sereneness and tranquillity of the surroundings. On the way back Barry made me stop at an ‘antique’ uncared-for cemetery from yester year. The ruins of the once ’place of worship ‘ surrounded with graves from many centuries ago. Sad histories of families who were buried together in one grave stretching over a long period of time. Children’s graves and lonely single graves.
Only one grave received attention lately the rest were long forgotten. The cemetery did not even had a name just 2 crosses on the pillars holding a very old gate.
With the weather promising to improve we left Wednesday morning for Northern Ireland. 90 Min after we left we entered the outskirts of Enniskillen just to stand still in a queue of cars held up for kilometres by a ‘stop and go’ in progress. Eventually we were parked just to leave again looking for amenities. Where we then stopped was in reality only 200 meters away from where we stopped first but did not realize it. The tourist information centre was also there and conveniently we could get all the information we were looking for.
Time management on such a trip is essential and we planned to venture into the Castle first. Just outside the gate stands the monument in honour of the soldiers who fell during the Boer War and other wars known as The Enniskillen Dragoons and Fusiliers The museum was a history filled experience, fascinated by the dwellings first used by the Irish for- fathers 1000’s of years ago resembling the African hut nearly 100%. The stone used for grinding the wheat could be from Zulu land. Next we valiantly conquered the main street of Enniskillen. During such trips we always have our main meal of the day at a place where a full plate of home cooked food was available. True to this habit we enjoyed a wonderful cooked meal with apple tart as desert. After many a mile and taking photos of ‘pink’ churches we took the road to Brook Park , known as ‘Round “o” ‘ where we had to wait for the Devenish ferry. Numbers permitting the trip would start at 16h30. We counted 24 and off we went sitting on the outer deck so that we can experience the best views we travelled 1 ½ hr on the Lower Lough Erne. We turned at Devenish Island where a Monastery was founded in the 6th century. Well I can only say that it did not matter that it was cold and windy with some sun shining on us when you experiences history of such format.
We travelled home safely and clocked in just after 20h00. With the sun still high in the sky. We were tired but enriched by the experiences of the day. Next morning up again and on the road just after 9am, making hay while the sun shines! We headed northwest to Sligo.
We stopped right next to the beach, a coldish wind blowing and amazed at the beauty of the mass of water in front of us, the Atlantic Ocean we walked up and down the path provided. As the kilometres to cover that day were still ahead of us we left ,travelling along the coast and at the foot of the ‘Slieve of ...Ox mountains onto Ballina where we had lunch and took a photo of the plate of food Isabel had to devour! Back via another lough road inland heading home. Many hundreds of kilometres eastwards took us home.
It was a wonderful day, so much beauty and wild rhododendrons flowering along the road was truly magnificent.
It is raining at present and I think you have a good idea of what I have been doing the last week. And with that in mind I leave you all in good spirits.
Another day and all is prepared for this feast! Awaiting our son in anticipation, he also has the brain of the old computer with him for installation and we hope it works!
Tomorrow is the best day of the week and all Hymns ,well known and practised!
The black bird babies will surely fledge today and the swallows are busy feeding like good parents, the garden is a joy for the eye, Many roses in bloom and the woodbine in the hedge behind the house , in full bloom!
My thoughts are always with you,
Be careful and alert
Watch you step,
Keep warm when it is cold.
Take care
Christina & kie
Friday
Good day to all family and friends,
I really do not know where to start, every day jam packed with trips and visits. Easiest to start with today./yesterday!
After being on the road for 2 full days it was time to get all muscles straightened out and all joints back into function.
Keeping in mind that it has been a special week with our 32nd wedding anniversary yesterday and Father’s Day on Sunday.
We will be honoured with Finbarr & Amanda’s presence which in itself is a special event as we see him only a few times a year. His special request were to have a Milk Tart for tea and because it is also a special day for the Father of this house his request for trifle had to be adhered to as well. Hoping that the weather will be complying we plan to have a little braai as plan A but with a horrible weather fore cast of heavy showers and even some thunder we also have to have plan B in place. In order to provide in every-ones request Isabel came equipped with milk tart recipe and not realizing that I do not bake most ingredients had to be bought. She was somewhat worried about my method of measuring and to use my primitive method of spoons and the eye. With the filling in the tennis biscuit(from SA) lined dish, Isabel asked me to hand her the Cinnamon??? Well I had to get into the car and go and buy it as it has to be sprinkled on top while the filling is still hot! It looks good and I believe it will taste even better. The trifle is also setting on the top shelf of the fridge made ala Christina.
Now the main dish of the day, if it does not rain will be the protein on the coals and the butcher made a new batch of ‘boere wors’ last night and tasted themselves a piece and were quite impressed as we advised them to mince the meat only once and to add a bit more salt and to use thicker/wider rather, sausage skin, as they call it ’ for Jumbo sausages’ It looks more like ‘boere wors’ this time I have to admit.
Maybe we will not find out what it tastes like if it rains!
There-for it is not necessary to say that we will feast tomorrow whatever way the weather turns!
Sunday
The week started off with somewhat poor weather and we dodged
Its dark ominous clouds by going back to Bellvedere Home and Garden festival as Barry wanted to look at the gates again. The cottages with front wall painted needs a new gate –presently fitted with an old farm gate rusted and not looking the best. There we realized that some of the exhibitors were new and some were gone , many of the flowers were now nearly half price and we had hoped that the gate people will also reduced their prices but alas , it was still the same.
Monday we stayed at home recovering from the long walk of the previous day, attending to house wife duties and just to take some time off. Tuesday, we went for a drive 1st north and then we turned west along some wonderful vegetation up some hills with wonderful views just to stop next to Lough Gowna , in fact we travelled all round the lake at and were absolutely bewildered by the beauty ,sereneness and tranquillity of the surroundings. On the way back Barry made me stop at an ‘antique’ uncared-for cemetery from yester year. The ruins of the once ’place of worship ‘ surrounded with graves from many centuries ago. Sad histories of families who were buried together in one grave stretching over a long period of time. Children’s graves and lonely single graves.
Only one grave received attention lately the rest were long forgotten. The cemetery did not even had a name just 2 crosses on the pillars holding a very old gate.
With the weather promising to improve we left Wednesday morning for Northern Ireland. 90 Min after we left we entered the outskirts of Enniskillen just to stand still in a queue of cars held up for kilometres by a ‘stop and go’ in progress. Eventually we were parked just to leave again looking for amenities. Where we then stopped was in reality only 200 meters away from where we stopped first but did not realize it. The tourist information centre was also there and conveniently we could get all the information we were looking for.
Time management on such a trip is essential and we planned to venture into the Castle first. Just outside the gate stands the monument in honour of the soldiers who fell during the Boer War and other wars known as The Enniskillen Dragoons and Fusiliers The museum was a history filled experience, fascinated by the dwellings first used by the Irish for- fathers 1000’s of years ago resembling the African hut nearly 100%. The stone used for grinding the wheat could be from Zulu land. Next we valiantly conquered the main street of Enniskillen. During such trips we always have our main meal of the day at a place where a full plate of home cooked food was available. True to this habit we enjoyed a wonderful cooked meal with apple tart as desert. After many a mile and taking photos of ‘pink’ churches we took the road to Brook Park , known as ‘Round “o” ‘ where we had to wait for the Devenish ferry. Numbers permitting the trip would start at 16h30. We counted 24 and off we went sitting on the outer deck so that we can experience the best views we travelled 1 ½ hr on the Lower Lough Erne. We turned at Devenish Island where a Monastery was founded in the 6th century. Well I can only say that it did not matter that it was cold and windy with some sun shining on us when you experiences history of such format.
We travelled home safely and clocked in just after 20h00. With the sun still high in the sky. We were tired but enriched by the experiences of the day. Next morning up again and on the road just after 9am, making hay while the sun shines! We headed northwest to Sligo.
We stopped right next to the beach, a coldish wind blowing and amazed at the beauty of the mass of water in front of us, the Atlantic Ocean we walked up and down the path provided. As the kilometres to cover that day were still ahead of us we left ,travelling along the coast and at the foot of the ‘Slieve of ...Ox mountains onto Ballina where we had lunch and took a photo of the plate of food Isabel had to devour! Back via another lough road inland heading home. Many hundreds of kilometres eastwards took us home.
It was a wonderful day, so much beauty and wild rhododendrons flowering along the road was truly magnificent.
It is raining at present and I think you have a good idea of what I have been doing the last week. And with that in mind I leave you all in good spirits.
Another day and all is prepared for this feast! Awaiting our son in anticipation, he also has the brain of the old computer with him for installation and we hope it works!
Tomorrow is the best day of the week and all Hymns ,well known and practised!
The black bird babies will surely fledge today and the swallows are busy feeding like good parents, the garden is a joy for the eye, Many roses in bloom and the woodbine in the hedge behind the house , in full bloom!
My thoughts are always with you,
Be careful and alert
Watch you step,
Keep warm when it is cold.
Take care
Christina & kie
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