Vrydag 9 Oktober 09
Goeiedag allemaal, familie en vriende!!!
Net so ‘n rukkie terug vanmy geestelike byeenkoms met 3 ander Suid Afrikaanse vroue, Dit was my tweede bywoning ,en soos die vorige keer ‘n wonderlike ervaring. Weereens nog ‘n mede verpleegster ontmoet wie se man vir Midoc werk en nou hul 6 weke hier in Ierland deurbring.
Hulle woon In Irene, en vanoggend se trietsige weer het haar byna onder gekry maar gelukkig en ek hoop dat dit die geval is ,is sy terug Mullingar toe op ‘n meer positiewe noot!
Ons kan regtig nie kla nie die weer was sedert September wonderlik, ‘n pragtige herfs, sonnige dae blou lug en min wind. Daar moet ook dae wees wat dit reen ander sraak die boere op ‘n ander manier benoud. As dit teveel reen kan hul nie die oes inbring nie en alles vrot op die land en aan die ander kant as die son te lank skyn word dit weer te droog.
Gister of eergisteraand was daar ‘n program wat wys hoe die boere hier in Ierland hulle kontant oeste terugploeg in die land in want die pryse is so swak en die die groot super market betaal minder vir ingevoerde groente as om hul eie produk te koop. Melk word by die gellings in dreine afgegooi en seldery, ens word weer teruggeploeg!
Eintlik het ons heelwat beleef die afgelope week. Sondag was Rustig en die preke uit Jona wonderlik insiggewend! Gedurende die middag het ons Victor Mee ,die antieke veiling naby Belturbet gaan gesigtig. Sy plek was stampvol byna moeilik omtebeweeg maar in die ‘bargain corner’ was daar ‘n heel party stukkies van waarde as die prys reg is!
Met ‘n lee yskas en niks op die land nie moes ons eers Maandag gaan inkopies doen, Die gras was lank en net na ete het die gras die snyer geproe , dit het vinnig gegaan want dit was droog en en daar is nie meer so baie groei in die gras oor as toe die dae lank was nie. Teen ½ 5 is ons hier weg,veiling toe.
Nadat ons suksesvol op 6 items gebie het is ons uit en weer op pad terug huis toe. Die pad was rustig en ons het sonder moeite die rit afgele. Heerlik in ons eie bed geslaap en Dinsdag moes die organisasie vir transport begin. Koerant nader getrek en gou vir Jonny’s Express Transport gekry wat toe blyk ‘n swart man van Ghana te wees. Hy stop toe hier , laai Barry op en teen 2nm was al die verkope hier. Vroeer die oggend het Barney wat ‘n ou 97 kar en sleepwa het die antike grassnyer by Gowna gaan haal die plek was gesluit en die yskas binne maar hulle kon darem die snyer laai.
Nadat alles goed besigtig is en waardeer is , het ‘n rustigheid oor Barry gekom en hy het nou genoeg om hom besig te hou vir die winter maande.
Woensdagoggend ons eerste ryp -2, maar ‘n pragtige blou lug windlose dag en ons besluit om BAllinasloe toe te ry. Naby Westport aan die weskus. Waar die wereld se grootste ‘Horse Fair’ jaarliks plaas vind, Gedeelte van die pad is ‘n pragtige motorweg en gaan vinig maar die res is maar gewoon, kronkel paaidjies en hier en daar ‘n stukkie plesier tussenin. Die natuurskoon ,herfs kleure orals en baie blare as roesbruin tapyte! Maar daargekom .kon jy sien daar moes perde gewees het maar ons sien niks dag toe ons is te vroeg en sal maar iewers ander ‘n draai gaan gooi . Ry toe Birr toe en gaan kyk na ‘n ander antieke veiling wat komende Saterdag plaas vind, net omte sien , en om tyd teverwyl.
Nou nie die mooiste dorp nie en effe deurmekaar met geen straat name nie en jy moet wonder en vra , anders loop jy in sirkels.
Het baie beter verwag na aanleiding van die advertensie in die koerant maar sienende dat Barry iets weet van Antieke meubels , het ons niejuis opgewonde gewees oor wat ons besigitg het nie en ry toe terug Ballinasloe toe om die perde te gaan besigitig!
Baie honger teen die tyd ,word ons verwen met ‘n Ierse bord kos teen goeie prys en laat die kar waar hy is en stap na die ‘Fair’ terrein, maar steeds geen paard in sig nie..ons drentel toe so bietjie rond en besef dat daar niks gaan gebeur nie in elke geval nie Woensdag nie en neem toe teen 4nm weer die pad terug. Andersoort landskap baie plat met min bome, klip muurtjies as heinings en min plantegroei naby die pad! Gras nog steeds groen!Wonder nou maar oor die ‘Fair’ seker net Saterdag en Sondag!!!!
OOOooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maar dis lekker om na ‘n lang dag in jou eie bed te slaap!
Gister was ontspan dag en vroeg vroeg is ons werkswinkel toe om die ou gras snyer uitmekaar te haal. Die ding is nou soort van regtig oud en het net die rimme van die oorspronklike wiele oor en die laaste eienaar het 2 gewone wiele met ‘n ekstra wieldrom aan die ou wiele vasgeskroef. Dit was alles geroes en het brute vors gesoek omte beweeg maar ek is trots om te se dat om ½ 2 vandag was alles uitmekaar. Moet ook se Barry het die spul goed gedous met olie voor ons begin het om dinge effe safter te maak! Ou enjintjie en al. Nou begin die hertsel werk en soek na onderdele uit die vorige 2 eeue!
Ek werk die naweek en was reeds meegedeel dat ek my pasient in die ouetehuis gedeelte sal oppas, en dit meen dat ek dubbele diens doen, gee glad nie om nie want dan vlieg die nag!Dit gaan maar vrot en ek het soveel oortyd date k volgende week die heel week af is, soos verlof!!!!
Sal nou Sondag se orgel speel vir die eerste keer in 18 maande mis en ook die erediens.
Nou ja verjaardae in my boek is Hildegard die 12de reeds genoem verlede week en Jaco(Jhb) die 14de. Ek sal wel vir Jaco ‘n kaartjie epos!
Dit was heerlik om van almal te hoor Zambie, Nottingham, Hoedspruit, Nine, Haya en natuurlikk die gereelde skrywe uit Kanada en Exeter ens ...Baie dankie vir die lekker lees!
Ek groet en hoop dat die wat eksamen voorbereiding doen en die wat reeds begin skryf het hulle goed van hul taak sal kwyt. Lees die vraag versigtig deur en maak seker dat jy weet wat julle vra!!!!
Vir die wat gereed maak om te trou alles van die beste met die voorgereidings!
Ry asb veilig, sluit die deure, wees altyd op jul hoede.
Mag daar reen val waar dit droog is en ek hoop die Jakarandas lyk mooi!
Goeie oeste vir die boere!!!!
Opregte groete vanuit Cranleymore!
Barry&Christina(Stieneke) ens..............
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Irish Autumn Greetings
Friday night 2/3 Oct 09
Good day all family and friends,
English week and I hope I remember all I wanted to tell you. So many times the letter is all ready in outer space when I think of something else I wanted to share with you.
I am at present sitting in the ward and it is just about 9pm.
Baby sitting a patient who had an Abdominoplasty done yesterday and being a fairly big operation where they give you a beautiful flat tummy again, she had to stay over another night and being a patient of Harley Street (elite Cosmetic Clinic) she could not be moved to the old age home for the night . Cross infe3ction a reason but also because of the name ‘Harley Street’ and the contract we have with them in Ireland!
I am prepared for a lonely night, TV Times next to me so that I can choose which films I want to watch, a few sudoku’s and of course they never let me go free, a bit of accreditation work as well.
Going back to last week Saturday, we did go to the Monster Auction in Gowna, Isabel will remember well surrounded by lakes and we stopped at 2 lakes during her visit, one very tranquil and the water so bright that you can see every stone in it and the other lake was on both sides of the road, we drove underneath the road to get to both of them. The village is just really a cross roads with Pub , convenient store, petrol pump on the side of the road in front of the shop, a church ,cemetery a few unfinished houses in a housing estate. Outside town you will find the very well kept GAA grounds, with every amenity available to the Gaelic football and Hurling mad Irish.
The Irish very much keep Africa time and we started a good ¾ hr later than advertised but no was is worried and here I experienced for the 1st time an auctioneer that bids backwards.
Lot no 1 a single chair ( there were 750 items and each one was individually sold, and him spending at least 10 min on each item)
“Let start the bidding at €20 , not a sound, €19, still very quiet except the gossiping going on,€18 is the bid, repeated about 10x and with no reaction he goes 1 euro down until he got reaction at €2, it was an absolute disaster 3 hours later he was at no 107, which I likes very much and patiently waited for by going outside several time where the farm machinery was, and a second auction taking place at the same time as the partner in crime must have realised they will be there till Sunday night if he does not start outside in the mean time. He followed the same tactics of starting high and working backwards, so it happened that the other item Barry was interested in, an antique mower, came under the hammer at the same time as my Royal Albert tea set.
I was bidding inside and he outside with more success than me because the woman whom the tea set belonged to was buying it back and was prepared to pay whatever the price was going to be.
We also discovered that the auction were donations from the community in order to bring in some funds for the GAA of Gowna!
Only one horse, one pig for sale, no chickens, or geese as we had hoped. We also bought a fridge, brand new for a few €, everything
still there as the man who offered transport never arrived, so we will have to make another plan.
Sunday was Harvest Thanksgiving Service, and we had a full church Praise the Lord! To play the organ to so many voices was a great joy!! I played SA Psalms and Hymns from my big book which Isabel brought me and it was brilliant as interludes and after the service. Could not stay for tea as it was getting late and I had to get ready for work, so we missed out on all the delicious fat making cakes and had a boiled egg instead!
Left for Castlecomer just after 12.30 on Monday afternoon after I had a bit of a sleep, to attend the Antique auction where we had a few pieces for sale and were also in the buyers market.
Were in good time for viewing and booked into the B&B at 6pm to find out that that the family who runs the place does not believe in TV’s or even a radio in the room! We were there and that was where were going to stay. Very hospitable lady and a lovely room , a lovely bathroom, Direction back to Kilkenny to find something to eat and after a good supper wholesome veggies and a good piece of Sirloin steak we drove the 18km back to Castlecomer to relax and go to sleep. We settled at 8.15pm and I was very tired and not at least worried about the stupid ‘box’ absence went to sleep immediately and woke the next morning at 8 nearly 12 hours!
The house was an old school building and beautifully renovated with excellent taste in furniture. Ground immaculately groomed and a grand piano in the lounge/dining room! OOOOoooooo!!!! I so much wanted to sit in front of it and get going but behaved myself well!
Off to the next auction where we spend, in times of recession a few valuable €’s in the hope that after renovation we will get a good price for the furniture. We were very fortunate to buy an old, in need of work Bombay press, very much the same as the one Arnolda bought to take to Canada, if she still has it. Leather dining room chairs and a much looked for Persian carpet!!!!the rest were real bargains and in good condition. It will keep Barry busy for the winter months and then we will dispose of it in the spring!
Chests of drawers with marble tops and Georgian tables on casters which are very lovely and it felt good to be surrounded by things that are familiar to you.
We drove back in the last light of the day after a long day of bidding and not buying except when the price was right. Our own items were last on the auction and did not fetch the prices we would have liked but we did make a bit of money! and we are happy!
Home, sweet home and even sleeping only one night in a strange bed, made me appreciate my own bed very much!
By 1pm Wednesday the truck arrived and all was packed into the new room, very exciting, and every now and again we admire our purchases!!!
Autumn has arrived and for the 1st time today, in about 4 weeks we had rainy cloudy miserable weather with winds picking up now and promised to be blowing at 80km/hr during the night and with that the youngest of the nuns just left after she came to inform me of the fire that was outside!
The grounds of the hospital belonging to the nuns have quite a few acres under grass which were not cut for 2-3 years and this year with the better weather in Sept the man who always cut the lawns said he will cut the fields charge a small amount for doing it and then the bales would belong to him. So about 16 days ago the grass was cut and baled. Last weekend we had trouble with youngsters playing in the fields between the bales trying to set them alight. At 8.15 this evening the hospital received a call the bales are alight. Fire brigade called and 8 men bravely fought the fire which was started by these youngsters and apparently they stuffed firelighter into the bales, poured some fuel over it and there you had the most spectacular bon fire thinkable. When the fire got out of control the kids must have run away and left the place in blazes. Just 10.30pm and the fires are out. The nun took photos, and it was mighty flames reaching several 100ft into the sky. I knew nothing as I was typing and minding my patient, not looking out windows. Fortunately the fields are some distance from the hospital and we were safe but there were some houses quite near to the nearest bale that was set alight! So much for a quiet Friday night. Naughty children are every where in the world, but I must say there is an element of real un-discipline-ness
in Ireland that is frightening!
Lisbon treaty voting is over and the voting poles are closed and now we all wait in anticipation for the result! The Government is not a show piece of honesty and integrity and transparency has not surfaced here yet and they continue covering-up for each other
But I doubt if they will stay in power if the vote is ‘NO’
I will be off for a few nights until next Saturday night, looking forward to being at home and in the garden.
I have 9 new hanging baskets filled with winter pansies and hope to change the baskets in the front of the house, which lasted 6 months, during this time off!
The leaves are falling fast and the colours along the motorways and roads are beautiful!
I have waffled on long enough and wish every one studying; the very very best of memory ability, those who are waiting for rain like Jaco in Reitz, and may it pour as well as in poor dust drenched Australia.
The winter creeping nearer to the Canadians and us in Europe getting ready for the inevitable, wet, cold, and darkness of winter.
Thank you to all who answers my letters , Joy, Sue, and Thabo (Sam) I hope that you guys there in Brisbane make the best of every opportunity to enhance your knowledge!
Pauli in Hoedspruit, I enjoyed your letter, so please include me in future correspondence!
Always be watchful, never let your guard down, locked the doors and watch your step! Enjoy the month of October the most beautiful month of the year as Mimmie Coertze used to sing!
Regards to tante Poppie, and Birthday wishes to Hildegard on the 12th!
Greetings from the Dunnes in Cranleymore
Good day all family and friends,
English week and I hope I remember all I wanted to tell you. So many times the letter is all ready in outer space when I think of something else I wanted to share with you.
I am at present sitting in the ward and it is just about 9pm.
Baby sitting a patient who had an Abdominoplasty done yesterday and being a fairly big operation where they give you a beautiful flat tummy again, she had to stay over another night and being a patient of Harley Street (elite Cosmetic Clinic) she could not be moved to the old age home for the night . Cross infe3ction a reason but also because of the name ‘Harley Street’ and the contract we have with them in Ireland!
I am prepared for a lonely night, TV Times next to me so that I can choose which films I want to watch, a few sudoku’s and of course they never let me go free, a bit of accreditation work as well.
Going back to last week Saturday, we did go to the Monster Auction in Gowna, Isabel will remember well surrounded by lakes and we stopped at 2 lakes during her visit, one very tranquil and the water so bright that you can see every stone in it and the other lake was on both sides of the road, we drove underneath the road to get to both of them. The village is just really a cross roads with Pub , convenient store, petrol pump on the side of the road in front of the shop, a church ,cemetery a few unfinished houses in a housing estate. Outside town you will find the very well kept GAA grounds, with every amenity available to the Gaelic football and Hurling mad Irish.
The Irish very much keep Africa time and we started a good ¾ hr later than advertised but no was is worried and here I experienced for the 1st time an auctioneer that bids backwards.
Lot no 1 a single chair ( there were 750 items and each one was individually sold, and him spending at least 10 min on each item)
“Let start the bidding at €20 , not a sound, €19, still very quiet except the gossiping going on,€18 is the bid, repeated about 10x and with no reaction he goes 1 euro down until he got reaction at €2, it was an absolute disaster 3 hours later he was at no 107, which I likes very much and patiently waited for by going outside several time where the farm machinery was, and a second auction taking place at the same time as the partner in crime must have realised they will be there till Sunday night if he does not start outside in the mean time. He followed the same tactics of starting high and working backwards, so it happened that the other item Barry was interested in, an antique mower, came under the hammer at the same time as my Royal Albert tea set.
I was bidding inside and he outside with more success than me because the woman whom the tea set belonged to was buying it back and was prepared to pay whatever the price was going to be.
We also discovered that the auction were donations from the community in order to bring in some funds for the GAA of Gowna!
Only one horse, one pig for sale, no chickens, or geese as we had hoped. We also bought a fridge, brand new for a few €, everything
still there as the man who offered transport never arrived, so we will have to make another plan.
Sunday was Harvest Thanksgiving Service, and we had a full church Praise the Lord! To play the organ to so many voices was a great joy!! I played SA Psalms and Hymns from my big book which Isabel brought me and it was brilliant as interludes and after the service. Could not stay for tea as it was getting late and I had to get ready for work, so we missed out on all the delicious fat making cakes and had a boiled egg instead!
Left for Castlecomer just after 12.30 on Monday afternoon after I had a bit of a sleep, to attend the Antique auction where we had a few pieces for sale and were also in the buyers market.
Were in good time for viewing and booked into the B&B at 6pm to find out that that the family who runs the place does not believe in TV’s or even a radio in the room! We were there and that was where were going to stay. Very hospitable lady and a lovely room , a lovely bathroom, Direction back to Kilkenny to find something to eat and after a good supper wholesome veggies and a good piece of Sirloin steak we drove the 18km back to Castlecomer to relax and go to sleep. We settled at 8.15pm and I was very tired and not at least worried about the stupid ‘box’ absence went to sleep immediately and woke the next morning at 8 nearly 12 hours!
The house was an old school building and beautifully renovated with excellent taste in furniture. Ground immaculately groomed and a grand piano in the lounge/dining room! OOOOoooooo!!!! I so much wanted to sit in front of it and get going but behaved myself well!
Off to the next auction where we spend, in times of recession a few valuable €’s in the hope that after renovation we will get a good price for the furniture. We were very fortunate to buy an old, in need of work Bombay press, very much the same as the one Arnolda bought to take to Canada, if she still has it. Leather dining room chairs and a much looked for Persian carpet!!!!the rest were real bargains and in good condition. It will keep Barry busy for the winter months and then we will dispose of it in the spring!
Chests of drawers with marble tops and Georgian tables on casters which are very lovely and it felt good to be surrounded by things that are familiar to you.
We drove back in the last light of the day after a long day of bidding and not buying except when the price was right. Our own items were last on the auction and did not fetch the prices we would have liked but we did make a bit of money! and we are happy!
Home, sweet home and even sleeping only one night in a strange bed, made me appreciate my own bed very much!
By 1pm Wednesday the truck arrived and all was packed into the new room, very exciting, and every now and again we admire our purchases!!!
Autumn has arrived and for the 1st time today, in about 4 weeks we had rainy cloudy miserable weather with winds picking up now and promised to be blowing at 80km/hr during the night and with that the youngest of the nuns just left after she came to inform me of the fire that was outside!
The grounds of the hospital belonging to the nuns have quite a few acres under grass which were not cut for 2-3 years and this year with the better weather in Sept the man who always cut the lawns said he will cut the fields charge a small amount for doing it and then the bales would belong to him. So about 16 days ago the grass was cut and baled. Last weekend we had trouble with youngsters playing in the fields between the bales trying to set them alight. At 8.15 this evening the hospital received a call the bales are alight. Fire brigade called and 8 men bravely fought the fire which was started by these youngsters and apparently they stuffed firelighter into the bales, poured some fuel over it and there you had the most spectacular bon fire thinkable. When the fire got out of control the kids must have run away and left the place in blazes. Just 10.30pm and the fires are out. The nun took photos, and it was mighty flames reaching several 100ft into the sky. I knew nothing as I was typing and minding my patient, not looking out windows. Fortunately the fields are some distance from the hospital and we were safe but there were some houses quite near to the nearest bale that was set alight! So much for a quiet Friday night. Naughty children are every where in the world, but I must say there is an element of real un-discipline-ness
in Ireland that is frightening!
Lisbon treaty voting is over and the voting poles are closed and now we all wait in anticipation for the result! The Government is not a show piece of honesty and integrity and transparency has not surfaced here yet and they continue covering-up for each other
But I doubt if they will stay in power if the vote is ‘NO’
I will be off for a few nights until next Saturday night, looking forward to being at home and in the garden.
I have 9 new hanging baskets filled with winter pansies and hope to change the baskets in the front of the house, which lasted 6 months, during this time off!
The leaves are falling fast and the colours along the motorways and roads are beautiful!
I have waffled on long enough and wish every one studying; the very very best of memory ability, those who are waiting for rain like Jaco in Reitz, and may it pour as well as in poor dust drenched Australia.
The winter creeping nearer to the Canadians and us in Europe getting ready for the inevitable, wet, cold, and darkness of winter.
Thank you to all who answers my letters , Joy, Sue, and Thabo (Sam) I hope that you guys there in Brisbane make the best of every opportunity to enhance your knowledge!
Pauli in Hoedspruit, I enjoyed your letter, so please include me in future correspondence!
Always be watchful, never let your guard down, locked the doors and watch your step! Enjoy the month of October the most beautiful month of the year as Mimmie Coertze used to sing!
Regards to tante Poppie, and Birthday wishes to Hildegard on the 12th!
Greetings from the Dunnes in Cranleymore
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Greetings from Ireland
Friday 4 Sept 09
Good day to all, far and wide, and some nearer!
Walking (sloshing) through the bottom field, under water, I realised once again the preciousness of living in the country and not in a town or city,
We are officially now in autumn and the black berries are late and so is the raspberries. With my little container I walked along the fence and picked every black berry that was ripe and not devoured by insects.
The raspberries stand 6ft tall and are only starting to have fruit now, so on the stove at this very moment I am cooking blackberry/raspberry jam!
You cannot eat the fruit from the plant as it is not safe, you can get parasites from it as it grows wild that is the black berries, and there is not enough raspberries to warrant a separate cooking session.
Now the picking of blackberries comes along way, during war times the government gave permission for people to walk onto farm land to pick the berries as a source of food, the berries are rich in Vit C and filled the tummies of hungry people in a time of need!
We are very fortunate that there is no ’time of need’ and in spite of the recession I am still employed and earning better money than I ever enjoyed in SA. Therefore with thankful hearts we start and end each day! The redundancies at work have been stopped for the time being after 4 people were let go last week. A Union meeting with management on Tuesday brought this about as there were some irregularities in the process when it came to the Nursing staff employment regulations, meaning that we can all breath freely and the sleepless nights for some are over, I have to admit that I never felt threatened but was prepared in any case should my hopes be shattered!
Last night I was all on my own with 2 patients, went well as they were both stable, I did about 10 Sudoku’s and 10 Code Word Puzzles, looked at a very sad but realistic film of an alcoholic mother and what a terrible decease it is, the devastation it brought into the family and the trauma to the children, good after midnight.
Here at home I would like to sing the praises of my husband, he is just unbelievable, never stops and every week there is something new he starts.
Since Monday this was the events! Polish guy came back and although Barry said he will not take him on again, his heart softened and I think he was glad.
Visit to the Hardware shop, purchasing the new gate, chicken wire netting etc.
3rd Railway sleeper cemented in, fence between road and garage completed.
The donkey house tidied up and all goods lifted up off the floor and space made for the chickens and geese that we plan to get. All possible holes in the fence around the bottom field secured.
Tuesday the Pole had to go to the welfare to sign on for his money and Barry did the plumbing that was disconnected when the new room were created and my extra washing machine made redundant, A New water pipeline was created with a tap. All with stopcocks so that the water can be turned off by the turn of the screw driver!
The delivery from the hardware shop was wonderful till we realised that the support post onto which the hinges have to go is on the wrong side, disappointment was great, but Brian in the shop promised that he will correct it by phoning and to find out if there is one in the manufacturer’s yard that is the other way round. He forgot to phone back and we were in despair!
Wednesday
In the mean time it is still raining it started now there some 12 weeks back! With the Pole at hand things moved very quickly and soon the fencing was secured on both sides of the shed
Contacted the hardware shop and he apologised but there is a gate available and will be delivered as soon as it arrived.
Thursday. While I was asleep the 2 men took the old gate off and placed it between the shed and the railway sleeper , now the bottom field are separated from the yard! It really looks good!. This all take precision work especially with Barry as perfectionist and the Pole who could not give an iota,
The new hinges had to be secure into the pillars at the gate and that was even more difficult as it needs to be precise. Wonderful stuff that goes into the holes to hold the enormous bolts, hardened like steel!
Now the front is open and suddenly we have no security!!!!as if a farm gate would have stopped any-one! The gate did not come.
Friday.
This morning a miracle happened and there was a patch of clear sky with brilliant sunshine and off Barry went to cut down 3 irritating trees,
Their shadows are so thick that the ground underneath them never dries
And they interfere with the electricity cable and we were warned to cut then down, it is fast growing trees and in 3 years time they will be well grown again! We cut them down the year we arrived on the ‘estate’ 4 ½ years ago!
Then it happened the gate arrived and by the time I got up just before 2pm the gate was in place!!! And it looks good!
Now fully secured we will sleep well tonight!
The bird children are spoilt rotten, sits and wait every morning for Barry to get their breakfast- we counted quickly one afternoon about 40 eating at a time! Too beautiful! The days are becoming shorter quickly the sun rose at 06h45 this morning and it is now dark at 9pm. Temperatures in the morning down to 6-8 and does not rise above 14 any more!!!!! And off course even if the sun shines, it still rains!!!!!!!
Birthdays are few in my book We think of Maryke in memory whose birthday it would have been tomorrow the 5th and then of Michael Knight, Annette’s husband, maybe Paul can let him know that after so many years I still remember!
To all who so regularly talk to me via email thank you, Joy in Australia especially, Trish is quiet and so is Sue in Canada! Hope all is well.
Thilo in Saudi please let me know how you are!
Hope it rains in the dry area, that all the crops reaped and sown are good, all the animal thriving, all those studying , enjoy and everything of the best to Pauli from Gerlof and Sandra that is returning to SA
You must all take care, be watchful, and never forget to secure the doors and windows, trust in the Lord and be well!
Thankful regards from the Dunne’s on a floating Ireland
Good day to all, far and wide, and some nearer!
Walking (sloshing) through the bottom field, under water, I realised once again the preciousness of living in the country and not in a town or city,
We are officially now in autumn and the black berries are late and so is the raspberries. With my little container I walked along the fence and picked every black berry that was ripe and not devoured by insects.
The raspberries stand 6ft tall and are only starting to have fruit now, so on the stove at this very moment I am cooking blackberry/raspberry jam!
You cannot eat the fruit from the plant as it is not safe, you can get parasites from it as it grows wild that is the black berries, and there is not enough raspberries to warrant a separate cooking session.
Now the picking of blackberries comes along way, during war times the government gave permission for people to walk onto farm land to pick the berries as a source of food, the berries are rich in Vit C and filled the tummies of hungry people in a time of need!
We are very fortunate that there is no ’time of need’ and in spite of the recession I am still employed and earning better money than I ever enjoyed in SA. Therefore with thankful hearts we start and end each day! The redundancies at work have been stopped for the time being after 4 people were let go last week. A Union meeting with management on Tuesday brought this about as there were some irregularities in the process when it came to the Nursing staff employment regulations, meaning that we can all breath freely and the sleepless nights for some are over, I have to admit that I never felt threatened but was prepared in any case should my hopes be shattered!
Last night I was all on my own with 2 patients, went well as they were both stable, I did about 10 Sudoku’s and 10 Code Word Puzzles, looked at a very sad but realistic film of an alcoholic mother and what a terrible decease it is, the devastation it brought into the family and the trauma to the children, good after midnight.
Here at home I would like to sing the praises of my husband, he is just unbelievable, never stops and every week there is something new he starts.
Since Monday this was the events! Polish guy came back and although Barry said he will not take him on again, his heart softened and I think he was glad.
Visit to the Hardware shop, purchasing the new gate, chicken wire netting etc.
3rd Railway sleeper cemented in, fence between road and garage completed.
The donkey house tidied up and all goods lifted up off the floor and space made for the chickens and geese that we plan to get. All possible holes in the fence around the bottom field secured.
Tuesday the Pole had to go to the welfare to sign on for his money and Barry did the plumbing that was disconnected when the new room were created and my extra washing machine made redundant, A New water pipeline was created with a tap. All with stopcocks so that the water can be turned off by the turn of the screw driver!
The delivery from the hardware shop was wonderful till we realised that the support post onto which the hinges have to go is on the wrong side, disappointment was great, but Brian in the shop promised that he will correct it by phoning and to find out if there is one in the manufacturer’s yard that is the other way round. He forgot to phone back and we were in despair!
Wednesday
In the mean time it is still raining it started now there some 12 weeks back! With the Pole at hand things moved very quickly and soon the fencing was secured on both sides of the shed
Contacted the hardware shop and he apologised but there is a gate available and will be delivered as soon as it arrived.
Thursday. While I was asleep the 2 men took the old gate off and placed it between the shed and the railway sleeper , now the bottom field are separated from the yard! It really looks good!. This all take precision work especially with Barry as perfectionist and the Pole who could not give an iota,
The new hinges had to be secure into the pillars at the gate and that was even more difficult as it needs to be precise. Wonderful stuff that goes into the holes to hold the enormous bolts, hardened like steel!
Now the front is open and suddenly we have no security!!!!as if a farm gate would have stopped any-one! The gate did not come.
Friday.
This morning a miracle happened and there was a patch of clear sky with brilliant sunshine and off Barry went to cut down 3 irritating trees,
Their shadows are so thick that the ground underneath them never dries
And they interfere with the electricity cable and we were warned to cut then down, it is fast growing trees and in 3 years time they will be well grown again! We cut them down the year we arrived on the ‘estate’ 4 ½ years ago!
Then it happened the gate arrived and by the time I got up just before 2pm the gate was in place!!! And it looks good!
Now fully secured we will sleep well tonight!
The bird children are spoilt rotten, sits and wait every morning for Barry to get their breakfast- we counted quickly one afternoon about 40 eating at a time! Too beautiful! The days are becoming shorter quickly the sun rose at 06h45 this morning and it is now dark at 9pm. Temperatures in the morning down to 6-8 and does not rise above 14 any more!!!!! And off course even if the sun shines, it still rains!!!!!!!
Birthdays are few in my book We think of Maryke in memory whose birthday it would have been tomorrow the 5th and then of Michael Knight, Annette’s husband, maybe Paul can let him know that after so many years I still remember!
To all who so regularly talk to me via email thank you, Joy in Australia especially, Trish is quiet and so is Sue in Canada! Hope all is well.
Thilo in Saudi please let me know how you are!
Hope it rains in the dry area, that all the crops reaped and sown are good, all the animal thriving, all those studying , enjoy and everything of the best to Pauli from Gerlof and Sandra that is returning to SA
You must all take care, be watchful, and never forget to secure the doors and windows, trust in the Lord and be well!
Thankful regards from the Dunne’s on a floating Ireland
Groete vanuit 'n immer nat Ierland
Vrydagnag 28 Augustus 09
Eienaardige uur van die dag/nag om ‘n brief te skryf dus wat sê ek
“ Goeie nag allemaal, of Goeie dag allemaal”
Hoe dit ook al sy…ek hoop dit gaan goed met almal,
Ek is groen van jaloesie wanneer die Kanadese familie lede so spog met hul dag temperature en ons sit reeds diep in die herfs met oggend temperature van 8 gr wat vir die laaste 2 dae nie hoër as 12 gestyg het nie, die blare val vinnig en die wind is koud en die hemele donker en laat baie water uit op die eiland!!!!
Ons is voos van nattigheid.
Soms gebeur dit wel dat die son deur die massa wolke breek en dan spring ons soos hase rond om alles te doen tot die volgende moment wat die hemele weer open!
So was dit dan ook vandag , toe ons wakker word skyn die son, by die tyd wat ons sit vir ontbyt het die weer verander en ons moet die lig in die kombuis aansit om te kan sien en momente later giet dit!
Die plan was om Longford toe tegaan vir dinge wat ons nie in LIDL kan kry nie en vir Barry om met die forum te praat oor sy pensioen wat hy nie kry nie want ek werk! By die tyd wat ons ry is die hemele oopgetrek en die son skyn, ons ploeter deur die water tot by die kar en ry Longford toe in mooi weer. Kry toe ‘n kleur inkpot vir drukker wat uit Noag se ark kom en bietjie mielies , Woollite en Sensodyne tandepasta. Het al oorweeg om die spul tande wat so sensitief is te laat trek want hulle gee my soveel verdriet vanwee die dun lagie glasuur wat om hulle sit en sommige van hulle wat net gevulde kraters is,maar dan dink nee, sal maar uithou tot ek regtig nie meer kan nie want ek het sedert die verstandstande uitgehaal is op 20 jarige leeftyd nog nie weer ‘n tand verloor nie…dus deurdruk is al wat oorbly!
Ons was net terug in die kar toe die hemele weer oopmaak en ons in gietende reen terug ry huistoe. Die simpel mense by die Welsyns dept. dink ons steek iets weg en wil nie vir Barry pensioen gee nie want hy verklaar nie al sy inkomste nie, sê ons het geld wat inkom van beleggings in SA en dat ons grond daar besit ens, die is nou uitgeklaar en hy moet wag vir 4 jaar tot ek ophou werk en dan kan ons albei pensioen kry maar anders nie!
Terug by die weer .so het dit aangehou 2 ure reen en 1 uur droog…Gister het hy die anker stut van die nuwe hek , ‘n ‘railway sleeper’ ingesement en vandag die 2de een, die aarde sal vergaan en die 2 railway sleepers met die fondasie van ons huis sal oorbly, dit is verseker! Maar baie trots want ek mog die kruiwa (leeg) van een punt tot by die ander stoot en ook die graaf agter Barry aandra, die vlakaanwyser, die dingetjie met die vloeistof in wat tussen die 2 strepies moet wees’level’ in Ingels, aangee en die reen uit my hare skud elke nou en dan, die moeilikste is die deur die lense van my bril kyk in die reen, maar hierdie taak moes vandag klaar,en as jy moet wag vir die reen om eendag optehou mag ons veels te oud wees om enigiets te doen. Barry meng daardie sement soos koekmengsel, ongelooflik, ek mag net die tuinslang vashou en aangee, hy doen die res, maar dit is nou maar so ,ek weet nie wat gaan word as alles nou reg en verbou is op die stukkie grond nie ….net om te noem die nuwe kamer is pragtig.
Hierdie kamer het ‘n daklig ‘sky lite’ of wat ook al, primitief, stuk perspeks tussen die sinkplate wat ons daar gelos het toe die plafon ingesit is en dit lyk wonderlik en gee heerlike lig en sonskyn, wanneer dit skyn. Die muur tussen die werkswinkel en die nuwe kamer is soos in Arnolda se huis nou ‘n ‘dry wall’ vals affere wat met hout en vulsels opgemaak is. Die vloer is gelê met 18mm ‘plywood’ planke 8x4vt,bo-op insolasie wol vir hitte behouding, vas getimmer op dwars balke wat op hulle eie weer in die sement vloer vas geskroef is. Die vloer is nou geveneer en blink pragtig. Die venster met dubbel glas is deur Barry self ingesit en die deur , met ons twee tesaam gehang . Nou moet dit gemeubileer word! Gaan Maandag veiling toe miskien sien ons iets moois.
Ek weet regtig hoekom ek al hierdie goed vir julle skryf nie maar anders sou dit maar ‘n kort ou briefie gewees het.
Die werkers by die oue te huis op die dorp is nou in hul 15de week van staking. Die nuwe eienaar van die plek het ‘n persverklaring gemaak en gesê waarom hy nie kan ingee aan hul vereistes nie en hulle wil nie sy verduideliking aanvaar nie, ellende , die ou mense is nog steeds binne en word blykbaar goed versorg deur studente wat vir die somer werk gesoek het maar die universiteite gaan eersdaags weer begin en dan gaan hy ‘n problem hê.
Hier by ons gaan dit bitter sleg. Gister oggend is 3 mense ingeroep en die deur gewys, hulle het hul persoonlike leêr ontvang en ‘n koevert en moes dadelik die perseel verlaat!
Vanoggend is een persoon wat reeds 28 jaar lank hier werk ontslaan!die 4de een.
Die unie het tussen bye getree met die staf verpleegsters( dis nou ons) en die ontslag van die nurses bietjie gekortwiek deur een of ander ding in die wet en nou sal daar Maandag na beraadslaging met die unies en die bestuur verdere aankondigings gemaak word.
Die moraal van almal in die saal is baie laag en almal is op hul hoede want as die foon lui mag dit hulle wees wat moet gaan,en blykbaar was die dag baie moeilik en byna ondraaglik met spanning gelaai!
Dit is nie net hier waar dit sleg gaan nie ‘n Dr het vertel dat ‘n teater verpleegster wat tuis was deur die sekuritiets wag in kennis gestel is en hy die sleutels vir teater by haar moes kry en sy summier ontslaan is.Hier doen die bestuur van die hospital dit darem nog self!
Genoeg ellendes en daar is omtrent ellende in die wereld met kind wat ontvoer was toe
Sy 11 was en nou gevind is, die spul weermag mense in SA wat die Unie geboue beset het, en die varkgriep wat die kinders neer trek!
Die Eloffies van Exeter moet haas op pad wees terug huis toe…hoop daar is baie fotos te sien op Picaso soos Arnolda dit doen!
Ek weet nie van verjaardae vir groot mense nie maar hoop dat as daar iemand verjaar
Hulle dit sal geniet. Ek weet wel van een klein mensie wat op 2 September 4 jr oud word en ek sal later ‘n kaartjie stuur en dit is Leane in Roodepoort
Lekker verjaar jonge juffrou!
Iewers is daar eimand wat voorberei vir eksamens en ek hoop dat dit goed gaan ,dan is daar ander wat ‘n nuwe jaar binne tree veral as jy in die noordelike halfrond woon en alles van die beste vir hulle!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie ons hoop dat dit nog goed gaan!
Het die klomp Scholtze toe al bymekaar gekom met al die ander niggies en nefies en bietjie fees gehou? Ek wag om tehoor!Eloff,. Coetzee ens
Anke het haar opvolg ondersoek gehad 24ste en ek hoop dat dit goed gegaan het.
Karin laat weet hoe dit met Stefan gaan…
Nou ja dit bring my dan aan die einde van die week se ge’waffel’
Onthou die gek om die hoek, wees altyd op jou hoede,
Sluit die deure en neem geen kanse nie.
Wees versigtig waar jy trap!
Mag dit reën in Australie, en al die oeste in Swartwater goed afloop.
Die trou relings in Pta voorspoeding gaan, en enige ander troues wat aan die gang is, vergeet ons nie! Mag alles goed gaan met varke en beeste hoenders en veral die mense op die plaas in Reitz. Haja, nou sal hulle vir Kobus waardeer, dit gebeur so in die lewe, maar ons hoop dat hy die verandering goed sal hanteer!
Baie liefde groete vanuit ‘n immer gietende Eiland in die Atlantiese oseaan en ‘n bitter klein wyk nl Cranleymore naby Edgeworthstown in county Longford.
Die Dunnes
Eienaardige uur van die dag/nag om ‘n brief te skryf dus wat sê ek
“ Goeie nag allemaal, of Goeie dag allemaal”
Hoe dit ook al sy…ek hoop dit gaan goed met almal,
Ek is groen van jaloesie wanneer die Kanadese familie lede so spog met hul dag temperature en ons sit reeds diep in die herfs met oggend temperature van 8 gr wat vir die laaste 2 dae nie hoër as 12 gestyg het nie, die blare val vinnig en die wind is koud en die hemele donker en laat baie water uit op die eiland!!!!
Ons is voos van nattigheid.
Soms gebeur dit wel dat die son deur die massa wolke breek en dan spring ons soos hase rond om alles te doen tot die volgende moment wat die hemele weer open!
So was dit dan ook vandag , toe ons wakker word skyn die son, by die tyd wat ons sit vir ontbyt het die weer verander en ons moet die lig in die kombuis aansit om te kan sien en momente later giet dit!
Die plan was om Longford toe tegaan vir dinge wat ons nie in LIDL kan kry nie en vir Barry om met die forum te praat oor sy pensioen wat hy nie kry nie want ek werk! By die tyd wat ons ry is die hemele oopgetrek en die son skyn, ons ploeter deur die water tot by die kar en ry Longford toe in mooi weer. Kry toe ‘n kleur inkpot vir drukker wat uit Noag se ark kom en bietjie mielies , Woollite en Sensodyne tandepasta. Het al oorweeg om die spul tande wat so sensitief is te laat trek want hulle gee my soveel verdriet vanwee die dun lagie glasuur wat om hulle sit en sommige van hulle wat net gevulde kraters is,maar dan dink nee, sal maar uithou tot ek regtig nie meer kan nie want ek het sedert die verstandstande uitgehaal is op 20 jarige leeftyd nog nie weer ‘n tand verloor nie…dus deurdruk is al wat oorbly!
Ons was net terug in die kar toe die hemele weer oopmaak en ons in gietende reen terug ry huistoe. Die simpel mense by die Welsyns dept. dink ons steek iets weg en wil nie vir Barry pensioen gee nie want hy verklaar nie al sy inkomste nie, sê ons het geld wat inkom van beleggings in SA en dat ons grond daar besit ens, die is nou uitgeklaar en hy moet wag vir 4 jaar tot ek ophou werk en dan kan ons albei pensioen kry maar anders nie!
Terug by die weer .so het dit aangehou 2 ure reen en 1 uur droog…Gister het hy die anker stut van die nuwe hek , ‘n ‘railway sleeper’ ingesement en vandag die 2de een, die aarde sal vergaan en die 2 railway sleepers met die fondasie van ons huis sal oorbly, dit is verseker! Maar baie trots want ek mog die kruiwa (leeg) van een punt tot by die ander stoot en ook die graaf agter Barry aandra, die vlakaanwyser, die dingetjie met die vloeistof in wat tussen die 2 strepies moet wees’level’ in Ingels, aangee en die reen uit my hare skud elke nou en dan, die moeilikste is die deur die lense van my bril kyk in die reen, maar hierdie taak moes vandag klaar,en as jy moet wag vir die reen om eendag optehou mag ons veels te oud wees om enigiets te doen. Barry meng daardie sement soos koekmengsel, ongelooflik, ek mag net die tuinslang vashou en aangee, hy doen die res, maar dit is nou maar so ,ek weet nie wat gaan word as alles nou reg en verbou is op die stukkie grond nie ….net om te noem die nuwe kamer is pragtig.
Hierdie kamer het ‘n daklig ‘sky lite’ of wat ook al, primitief, stuk perspeks tussen die sinkplate wat ons daar gelos het toe die plafon ingesit is en dit lyk wonderlik en gee heerlike lig en sonskyn, wanneer dit skyn. Die muur tussen die werkswinkel en die nuwe kamer is soos in Arnolda se huis nou ‘n ‘dry wall’ vals affere wat met hout en vulsels opgemaak is. Die vloer is gelê met 18mm ‘plywood’ planke 8x4vt,bo-op insolasie wol vir hitte behouding, vas getimmer op dwars balke wat op hulle eie weer in die sement vloer vas geskroef is. Die vloer is nou geveneer en blink pragtig. Die venster met dubbel glas is deur Barry self ingesit en die deur , met ons twee tesaam gehang . Nou moet dit gemeubileer word! Gaan Maandag veiling toe miskien sien ons iets moois.
Ek weet regtig hoekom ek al hierdie goed vir julle skryf nie maar anders sou dit maar ‘n kort ou briefie gewees het.
Die werkers by die oue te huis op die dorp is nou in hul 15de week van staking. Die nuwe eienaar van die plek het ‘n persverklaring gemaak en gesê waarom hy nie kan ingee aan hul vereistes nie en hulle wil nie sy verduideliking aanvaar nie, ellende , die ou mense is nog steeds binne en word blykbaar goed versorg deur studente wat vir die somer werk gesoek het maar die universiteite gaan eersdaags weer begin en dan gaan hy ‘n problem hê.
Hier by ons gaan dit bitter sleg. Gister oggend is 3 mense ingeroep en die deur gewys, hulle het hul persoonlike leêr ontvang en ‘n koevert en moes dadelik die perseel verlaat!
Vanoggend is een persoon wat reeds 28 jaar lank hier werk ontslaan!die 4de een.
Die unie het tussen bye getree met die staf verpleegsters( dis nou ons) en die ontslag van die nurses bietjie gekortwiek deur een of ander ding in die wet en nou sal daar Maandag na beraadslaging met die unies en die bestuur verdere aankondigings gemaak word.
Die moraal van almal in die saal is baie laag en almal is op hul hoede want as die foon lui mag dit hulle wees wat moet gaan,en blykbaar was die dag baie moeilik en byna ondraaglik met spanning gelaai!
Dit is nie net hier waar dit sleg gaan nie ‘n Dr het vertel dat ‘n teater verpleegster wat tuis was deur die sekuritiets wag in kennis gestel is en hy die sleutels vir teater by haar moes kry en sy summier ontslaan is.Hier doen die bestuur van die hospital dit darem nog self!
Genoeg ellendes en daar is omtrent ellende in die wereld met kind wat ontvoer was toe
Sy 11 was en nou gevind is, die spul weermag mense in SA wat die Unie geboue beset het, en die varkgriep wat die kinders neer trek!
Die Eloffies van Exeter moet haas op pad wees terug huis toe…hoop daar is baie fotos te sien op Picaso soos Arnolda dit doen!
Ek weet nie van verjaardae vir groot mense nie maar hoop dat as daar iemand verjaar
Hulle dit sal geniet. Ek weet wel van een klein mensie wat op 2 September 4 jr oud word en ek sal later ‘n kaartjie stuur en dit is Leane in Roodepoort
Lekker verjaar jonge juffrou!
Iewers is daar eimand wat voorberei vir eksamens en ek hoop dat dit goed gaan ,dan is daar ander wat ‘n nuwe jaar binne tree veral as jy in die noordelike halfrond woon en alles van die beste vir hulle!
Baie groete aan tante Poppie ons hoop dat dit nog goed gaan!
Het die klomp Scholtze toe al bymekaar gekom met al die ander niggies en nefies en bietjie fees gehou? Ek wag om tehoor!Eloff,. Coetzee ens
Anke het haar opvolg ondersoek gehad 24ste en ek hoop dat dit goed gegaan het.
Karin laat weet hoe dit met Stefan gaan…
Nou ja dit bring my dan aan die einde van die week se ge’waffel’
Onthou die gek om die hoek, wees altyd op jou hoede,
Sluit die deure en neem geen kanse nie.
Wees versigtig waar jy trap!
Mag dit reën in Australie, en al die oeste in Swartwater goed afloop.
Die trou relings in Pta voorspoeding gaan, en enige ander troues wat aan die gang is, vergeet ons nie! Mag alles goed gaan met varke en beeste hoenders en veral die mense op die plaas in Reitz. Haja, nou sal hulle vir Kobus waardeer, dit gebeur so in die lewe, maar ons hoop dat hy die verandering goed sal hanteer!
Baie liefde groete vanuit ‘n immer gietende Eiland in die Atlantiese oseaan en ‘n bitter klein wyk nl Cranleymore naby Edgeworthstown in county Longford.
Die Dunnes
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Reis verhaal
Lees hierdie voor Engelse brief!
Laat publikasie
Saterdag 15 Augustus
Goeie more almal, familie en vriende,
Hoop dit goed met almal!
Ons was toe vir so 3 dae weg maar het dit erg sleg met die weer getref, nie dat dit nou eintlik 'n verrassing was nie maar ons het tog gehoop dat daar bietjie sonskyn sou wees.
Ten spyte van baie reen was die natuurskoon verrukkend mooi!
Ek sal nie so goed soos Isabel kan beskryf nie maar in kort het ons die volgende beleef!
Van die huis af effe noord wes rigting in geslaan en tot by Carrick on Shannon gery wat julle al baie van gehoor het. Barry was rasend honger want Sondae eet ons regtig vroeg en as hy nou nie so elke 6 ure iets eet nie begin hy bewe van lae bloedsuiker , dus word daar toe reeds vroeg in die tog voedsel ingeneem by die Bush Hotel. 'n Alla mintige bord kos , hulle skep altyd hier op asof jy nooit ooit weer kos gaan sien nie! met vol maens is ons toe weer op pad en die keer 'n roete wat ons nog nie van tevore geneem het nie. Reguit Noord na Leitrim wat werklik net 'n gehuggie is ,gou daardeur en verder noord al langs die meer Louch Allen na Drumkeeran. Deur die Lave Forest na Killarga , al hierdie plekkies is maar klein , poskantoor wat deel is van die winkel wat alles verkoop , 'n vulstasie, en 'n kerk. Die ierse huise lyk maar almal dieslefde behalwe soms.Deur die berge na Manorhamilton, die was darem nou 'n redelik groot dorp met pragtige paaie , lieflike hoofstraat tipies met baie blomme op al die versterbanke en hangmandjies, tuine pragtig en die grasperke groen en welig, baie kerke, en talle klein winkeltjies. hier was wel 'n groot Super Value , gelykstaande aan SA Spar winkels grootte Die Spar winkels hier is meer 'n 'convenient store' as 'n groot supermark!
Vandaar na Glenade, 'n pragtige omgewing met andersoort hoee bome ,dit vole soos 'n laning van die bome omtrent 4 vanaf die pad na binne en myl na myl soos 'n reenwoud. dig en ryk aan blare maar nie 'n aangeplante bos nie net langs die pad.Largidonnel is die volgende klein plekkie met net 'n Vulstasie, poskantoor en winkel wat alles verkoop en natuurlik 'n Kerk.
Kinlough was die laaste plekkie voor ons bestemming en ons kon ook deel van Melvin Louch aanskou.
Vanaf Kinlough ry jy deur hoe berge , baie pragtig, en skielik lyk dit of daar 'n breek in die berg is en dan sien jy die see! Ongelukkig het hierdie Iere nie baie stilhou plekke vir uitkyk en fotos neem nie en moes die hele pragtige gesig toe net in my gedagte lewe verewig word want ons kon nerens stop nie!
Bundoran, is toe bo ons verwagting 'n baie grooter plek as wat ons gedink het en dit het omtrent gewrimel van mense.later verneem van Finbarr dat dit 'n 'Nacker's town' is baie 'travellers' Doe 'tinkers met 'n mooi naam.
Die son het skaam deur die wonke na ons geloer en dit was baie pratig , die hele rit met ete ingesluit het 3 ure geneem!
Die Hotel was gelukkig net buite die besigheidsdeel van die dorp en baie rustig. Wesende Sondag was daar busse vol besoekers en al wat ouer en kind in stoot waentjie was op die pragtig uitgelegde promenade wat myle langs die kus strek. EU geld het dit glo gebou! Ons het 'n lieflike kamer in die Fitsgerald Hotel gehad en na ons uitgepak het het die groot loop begin.
Verkenningstog bewondering vir die groot massa water en al die dinge wat op die strand vir kinders is om te doen!
Op die horison is daar toe 'n' links' golf baan met 'n 5* hotel. en al om die baan is die wandelpad uitgeplavei, Erg mooi! na 3 ure se loop was ons byna kapot en is terug hotel toe , na 'n baie deftige , ligte aandete het ons weer gaan stap maar die keer darem nie so ver nie en heerlik geslaap met die seelug as slaap pil!
Maandagoggend word ons toe vriendelik gegroet met mot reen, na ontbyt weer die pad gevat, die keer om te sien wat die hoofstraat behels en na 'n uur of wat was ons goed nat weer terug by die |Hotel om te verklee en maar liewer die omgewing met die motor te ondersoek!
Met die lieflike N15 hoofweg is ons toe verby Balloyshannon na Donegal. Die omgewing is pragtig die berge uit 'n ander wereld, kan nooit so hoog en majestieus soos die SA berge wees nie maar nogtans baie mooi!
Die pad maak telkens 'n draai naby die see en ek is mal oor die see! Ons het nie in Donegal gestop nie en deurgery regs verby Mount Charles Milltown, deur Inver na Killybegs,'n bekende natuurlike diepsee hawe wat die noordelike lande se vissery hanteer en waar enorme groot vissersbote aandoen, Vroeer jare het die groot passesiers bote ook daar gestop maar nou nie meer nie, Die noordelike deel van die Atlantiese oseaan is maar 'n wilde plek.Hier het ons gestop en ons verkyk aan die bote en die hawe, die see en alles wat daarin is! Die dorpie self is maar 'n vissersdorpie en het so 3 groot hotelle vir besoekers maar die dorpie self is omtrent net so groot soos Edgeworthstown klein straatjies waar net een kar op 'n slag in kan ry, klein winkeltjies en baie mense, groot vis mark!Alles teen die helling van die berg,
Ons het hier die heerlikste stukkie vis ge-eet in 'n lank tyd, by die Sea View Hotel.
Die dorp van hoek tot kant deurgestap en weer in die kar geklim en verder gery.
Al langs die kus na Largy baie mooi, die ope oseaan hier so naby jou en die berge agter jou! Beeste wat rustig teen die hellings wei, sonder sorge,
Van hieraf is alle naam borde in Gaelic en as jy nie kaart voor jou het nie sal jy nie weet waar jy is nie. An Carrick aan die mond van 'n diep inham en vandaar deur die berge na Gleann Cholm Cillie. Hier was die paaitjie nouer as die 4 wiele van 'n vrag motor en 'n kar het netnet gepas. die see reg onder jou en vir iemand met hoogte en engte vrees nie 'n goeie plek om hom te bevind nie. Hier was dit omtrent die einde van Ierland in baie opsigte.
Vandaar deur nog berge en dale na Ardara alles so baie mooi en groen en die veld blomme langs die pad!
Nou weet julle hoe die Noord westelike deel van Ierland lyk! in Kort alles baie groen en leiflike met blomme in elke gehuggie! en dorpie.
Dis byna 6 uur en ek moet netnou maar begin werk , dit giet reen en dis nou nie dat ons dit nodig het nie!
[ Hier is 'n hele stul weg sal eers moet gaan soek! gekry , ek hoop julle verstaan dat die brief in gedeeltes op die werk se komputer ge skryf is dan deur gestuur is na my epos adres en sodoende dan die stuk stuk brief!]
Volgende episode:
Vandaar deur nog berge en dale na Ardara alles so baie mooi en groen en die veld blomme langs die pad!Geen heinings of drADE NIE EN DIE SKAPE WANDEL HEERLIK OOR EN WEER DIE STUKKIE TEER OM WEERSKANTE VAN DIE PAD DIE SOET GRAS BYTEKOM DUS IS DIE GEMIDDELDE SPOeD NIKS MEER AS 25KM/P/U NIE WANT JY WEET NIE WAT WAG OM DIE VOLGENDE DRAAI NIE
Van Ardara, wat 'n redelike groot plek was omtrent so groot soos Longford met interesante bree strate vind ons toe weer die N15 wat ons per hoofpad weer terug neem na Bundoran!
Nou weet julle hoe die Noord westelike deel van Ierland lyk!
Dis byna 6 uur en ek moet netnou maar begin werk , dit giet reen en dis nou nie dat ons dit nodig het nie!
Sondag oggend net na 1vm.
Dinsdag het ons eers vir 'n stappie gegaan en maar weer terug gekeer kar toe , nie regtig gereen nie maar jou bril mis op en jy moet 'n reen jak aan he anders word jy tog nat.
Die keer ry ons direk Donegal toe en parkeer met €3 vir die dag in die parkeer area lans die rivier mond , Barry sien toe 'n groep seeleeus swem en by die tyd wat ek by die tralliewerk kom duik hulle die water in en is weg! het nog net kans gehad om die ou begrafplaas te bekyk van 1760 en daarna toe die hemele oopmaak sommer skielik en ek het altyd gedink dat my baadjie waterdig is maar binne minute was ek deurnat, terug kar toe en wag dat die bui oorwaai . Uiteindelik is dit weer droog en ons uit, Ek met Barry se enorme baadjie aan en hy net met sy trui en die sambreel probeer ons toe weer.
Busse vol besoekers het ook intussen die dorp begin verken en die sypaadjies wat nie baie breed is nie is nou vol mense met sambrele, en tipies Ierse weer open die hemele toe weer en almal is papsop nat. Ons het maar so onder die sambreel probeer kyk na die kerke en die kasteel maar dit was regtig nie aangenaam nie en worstel toe ons pad oop ,terug kar toe!
Alles was nat, die sambreel Barry se wind jak, my windjak ,my hare het behoorlik gedrip!
Bietjie gesit en die met die motor hardlopende ,die verwarmer op hoog weer tot ontdooie gekom , Dit was nie koud nie maar die elke keer se nat word laat jou naderhard koud word. Volgende stop was weer middag ete in Killybegs, dit was net so 'n aantreklike vissersdorpie dat jy net weer wil gaan kyk en die keer sien ons toe weer seeleeus in die hawe, Die reen het effe gestop en ons kon weer bietjie rond loop. Na nog 'n stukkie heerlike vis is ons terug met die kuspad na Bruckless en ongeveer 3 km van Bruckless is 'n afdraai na St John's Point. Weer 'n nou paadjie maar die keer darem met inhammetjies waar jy kan wag as 'n ander voertuig aankom. Die stukkie land is soos 'n tentikel wat uitloop in die see miskien 'n kilometer wyd. Die see klots aan beide kante dan links dan regs teen die rotse ongelooflik mooi en 'n wonderlike ervaring. Tot op die uiteinde van hierdie pad gery en toe verder geloop , na die laaste punt van die eiland , weereens uitgekyk oor die magtige Atlantiese oseaan , 'n paar skulpies opgetel, ongerepte strand met 'n verlate bootjie geanker aan 'n paal 2 karre , geen mense nie en merkwaardige geel sand. Op die laaste duine loop ons toe die Fauna Flora man raak wat seker maak daar is nie mense wat ongeoorloofd daar tent opgeslaan het of weg kruip nie,vuur maak en so die veld beskadig nie. Die beeste en skape loop vry daar rond!
Op pad was daar heel party huise sommige kastele met die mooiste tuine ook 'n handweef ateljee. Ek sou nie omgegee het om daar my laaste dae deurtebring nie- die rustigheid en vrede wat daar heers is ongekend
Terug in die kar en begeestered van die mooi ervaring en omgewing is ons toe weer terug Bundoran toe waar die son een oomblik deur die wolke gebreek het en ons vir oulaas nog op die promenade gaan stap het!
Volgende oggend na ontbyt met hoofweg N15 via Sligo terug huis toe en soos ons die binneland inry so lig die wolke hulle kombers en by die tyd dat ons by die huis stop skyn die son 'n hond uit 'n bos 21grade!!!! Moes vir sonskyn liewer tuisgebly het maar dan het ons nie die mooi omgewing van Donegal ervaar nie!
Intussen het die swaeltjie wat haar eiers in die nuwe nes in die garage gele het die nes verlaat , of sy is dood want die mannetjie het so met BArry gepraat toe ons terug is dat dit byna gevoel het asof hy ons iets wou vertel. Die kleintjies in die Donkiehuis sal seker vroeg die week die nes verlaat!
Die aarbeie gee my nog daagliks so 15-20 vrugte, en die appels hang nog!
Ek speel die orrel vanmore en dan gaan ek slaap want ek werk weer vanaand. Daar is 5 mans wat prostaat sjirurgie gehad het en daar moet dan of 'n dokter op die perseel wees , of 2 verpleegsters en 'n dokter op roep. en dit kos minder om my op diens te he as om 'n dokter op die perseel te he.
Die boere kry baie swaar want die lande is te nat om die gras te sny en te baal , die koring het plat geval en dit is nou die 3de somer van ellendes.
Ons predikant is terug van verlof en ek is bly want die besoekende predikers het nie 'n besef van ons klein gemeentetjie nie en verwag iets wat nie gaan gebeur nie, nie vandag nie en ook nie in die jare wat kom nie,
Nou ja , dit is sekerlik die langste brief wat ek nog ooit geskryf het!!!! Hoop julle het die reis geniet!
Aan almal wat eksamens skryf alles van die beste!
Aan die wat moet terugkeer na die Noorde na hul vakansie, veilige reis!
Ons onthou dat dit Br Gerhard se verjaardag was , die 15de!
Wees altyd versigtig,
KArin , ons is saam met jou dankbaar dat die Here julle so deur die vreeslike ellendes gedra het, en dat Stephan nou weer op na herstel is met goeie vooruitsigte!
Baie liefde groete
Van die Dunnes in Cranleymore en 'n vinnig naderende herfs.
Laat publikasie
Saterdag 15 Augustus
Goeie more almal, familie en vriende,
Hoop dit goed met almal!
Ons was toe vir so 3 dae weg maar het dit erg sleg met die weer getref, nie dat dit nou eintlik 'n verrassing was nie maar ons het tog gehoop dat daar bietjie sonskyn sou wees.
Ten spyte van baie reen was die natuurskoon verrukkend mooi!
Ek sal nie so goed soos Isabel kan beskryf nie maar in kort het ons die volgende beleef!
Van die huis af effe noord wes rigting in geslaan en tot by Carrick on Shannon gery wat julle al baie van gehoor het. Barry was rasend honger want Sondae eet ons regtig vroeg en as hy nou nie so elke 6 ure iets eet nie begin hy bewe van lae bloedsuiker , dus word daar toe reeds vroeg in die tog voedsel ingeneem by die Bush Hotel. 'n Alla mintige bord kos , hulle skep altyd hier op asof jy nooit ooit weer kos gaan sien nie! met vol maens is ons toe weer op pad en die keer 'n roete wat ons nog nie van tevore geneem het nie. Reguit Noord na Leitrim wat werklik net 'n gehuggie is ,gou daardeur en verder noord al langs die meer Louch Allen na Drumkeeran. Deur die Lave Forest na Killarga , al hierdie plekkies is maar klein , poskantoor wat deel is van die winkel wat alles verkoop , 'n vulstasie, en 'n kerk. Die ierse huise lyk maar almal dieslefde behalwe soms.Deur die berge na Manorhamilton, die was darem nou 'n redelik groot dorp met pragtige paaie , lieflike hoofstraat tipies met baie blomme op al die versterbanke en hangmandjies, tuine pragtig en die grasperke groen en welig, baie kerke, en talle klein winkeltjies. hier was wel 'n groot Super Value , gelykstaande aan SA Spar winkels grootte Die Spar winkels hier is meer 'n 'convenient store' as 'n groot supermark!
Vandaar na Glenade, 'n pragtige omgewing met andersoort hoee bome ,dit vole soos 'n laning van die bome omtrent 4 vanaf die pad na binne en myl na myl soos 'n reenwoud. dig en ryk aan blare maar nie 'n aangeplante bos nie net langs die pad.Largidonnel is die volgende klein plekkie met net 'n Vulstasie, poskantoor en winkel wat alles verkoop en natuurlik 'n Kerk.
Kinlough was die laaste plekkie voor ons bestemming en ons kon ook deel van Melvin Louch aanskou.
Vanaf Kinlough ry jy deur hoe berge , baie pragtig, en skielik lyk dit of daar 'n breek in die berg is en dan sien jy die see! Ongelukkig het hierdie Iere nie baie stilhou plekke vir uitkyk en fotos neem nie en moes die hele pragtige gesig toe net in my gedagte lewe verewig word want ons kon nerens stop nie!
Bundoran, is toe bo ons verwagting 'n baie grooter plek as wat ons gedink het en dit het omtrent gewrimel van mense.later verneem van Finbarr dat dit 'n 'Nacker's town' is baie 'travellers' Doe 'tinkers met 'n mooi naam.
Die son het skaam deur die wonke na ons geloer en dit was baie pratig , die hele rit met ete ingesluit het 3 ure geneem!
Die Hotel was gelukkig net buite die besigheidsdeel van die dorp en baie rustig. Wesende Sondag was daar busse vol besoekers en al wat ouer en kind in stoot waentjie was op die pragtig uitgelegde promenade wat myle langs die kus strek. EU geld het dit glo gebou! Ons het 'n lieflike kamer in die Fitsgerald Hotel gehad en na ons uitgepak het het die groot loop begin.
Verkenningstog bewondering vir die groot massa water en al die dinge wat op die strand vir kinders is om te doen!
Op die horison is daar toe 'n' links' golf baan met 'n 5* hotel. en al om die baan is die wandelpad uitgeplavei, Erg mooi! na 3 ure se loop was ons byna kapot en is terug hotel toe , na 'n baie deftige , ligte aandete het ons weer gaan stap maar die keer darem nie so ver nie en heerlik geslaap met die seelug as slaap pil!
Maandagoggend word ons toe vriendelik gegroet met mot reen, na ontbyt weer die pad gevat, die keer om te sien wat die hoofstraat behels en na 'n uur of wat was ons goed nat weer terug by die |Hotel om te verklee en maar liewer die omgewing met die motor te ondersoek!
Met die lieflike N15 hoofweg is ons toe verby Balloyshannon na Donegal. Die omgewing is pragtig die berge uit 'n ander wereld, kan nooit so hoog en majestieus soos die SA berge wees nie maar nogtans baie mooi!
Die pad maak telkens 'n draai naby die see en ek is mal oor die see! Ons het nie in Donegal gestop nie en deurgery regs verby Mount Charles Milltown, deur Inver na Killybegs,'n bekende natuurlike diepsee hawe wat die noordelike lande se vissery hanteer en waar enorme groot vissersbote aandoen, Vroeer jare het die groot passesiers bote ook daar gestop maar nou nie meer nie, Die noordelike deel van die Atlantiese oseaan is maar 'n wilde plek.Hier het ons gestop en ons verkyk aan die bote en die hawe, die see en alles wat daarin is! Die dorpie self is maar 'n vissersdorpie en het so 3 groot hotelle vir besoekers maar die dorpie self is omtrent net so groot soos Edgeworthstown klein straatjies waar net een kar op 'n slag in kan ry, klein winkeltjies en baie mense, groot vis mark!Alles teen die helling van die berg,
Ons het hier die heerlikste stukkie vis ge-eet in 'n lank tyd, by die Sea View Hotel.
Die dorp van hoek tot kant deurgestap en weer in die kar geklim en verder gery.
Al langs die kus na Largy baie mooi, die ope oseaan hier so naby jou en die berge agter jou! Beeste wat rustig teen die hellings wei, sonder sorge,
Van hieraf is alle naam borde in Gaelic en as jy nie kaart voor jou het nie sal jy nie weet waar jy is nie. An Carrick aan die mond van 'n diep inham en vandaar deur die berge na Gleann Cholm Cillie. Hier was die paaitjie nouer as die 4 wiele van 'n vrag motor en 'n kar het netnet gepas. die see reg onder jou en vir iemand met hoogte en engte vrees nie 'n goeie plek om hom te bevind nie. Hier was dit omtrent die einde van Ierland in baie opsigte.
Vandaar deur nog berge en dale na Ardara alles so baie mooi en groen en die veld blomme langs die pad!
Nou weet julle hoe die Noord westelike deel van Ierland lyk! in Kort alles baie groen en leiflike met blomme in elke gehuggie! en dorpie.
Dis byna 6 uur en ek moet netnou maar begin werk , dit giet reen en dis nou nie dat ons dit nodig het nie!
[ Hier is 'n hele stul weg sal eers moet gaan soek! gekry , ek hoop julle verstaan dat die brief in gedeeltes op die werk se komputer ge skryf is dan deur gestuur is na my epos adres en sodoende dan die stuk stuk brief!]
Volgende episode:
Vandaar deur nog berge en dale na Ardara alles so baie mooi en groen en die veld blomme langs die pad!Geen heinings of drADE NIE EN DIE SKAPE WANDEL HEERLIK OOR EN WEER DIE STUKKIE TEER OM WEERSKANTE VAN DIE PAD DIE SOET GRAS BYTEKOM DUS IS DIE GEMIDDELDE SPOeD NIKS MEER AS 25KM/P/U NIE WANT JY WEET NIE WAT WAG OM DIE VOLGENDE DRAAI NIE
Van Ardara, wat 'n redelike groot plek was omtrent so groot soos Longford met interesante bree strate vind ons toe weer die N15 wat ons per hoofpad weer terug neem na Bundoran!
Nou weet julle hoe die Noord westelike deel van Ierland lyk!
Dis byna 6 uur en ek moet netnou maar begin werk , dit giet reen en dis nou nie dat ons dit nodig het nie!
Sondag oggend net na 1vm.
Dinsdag het ons eers vir 'n stappie gegaan en maar weer terug gekeer kar toe , nie regtig gereen nie maar jou bril mis op en jy moet 'n reen jak aan he anders word jy tog nat.
Die keer ry ons direk Donegal toe en parkeer met €3 vir die dag in die parkeer area lans die rivier mond , Barry sien toe 'n groep seeleeus swem en by die tyd wat ek by die tralliewerk kom duik hulle die water in en is weg! het nog net kans gehad om die ou begrafplaas te bekyk van 1760 en daarna toe die hemele oopmaak sommer skielik en ek het altyd gedink dat my baadjie waterdig is maar binne minute was ek deurnat, terug kar toe en wag dat die bui oorwaai . Uiteindelik is dit weer droog en ons uit, Ek met Barry se enorme baadjie aan en hy net met sy trui en die sambreel probeer ons toe weer.
Busse vol besoekers het ook intussen die dorp begin verken en die sypaadjies wat nie baie breed is nie is nou vol mense met sambrele, en tipies Ierse weer open die hemele toe weer en almal is papsop nat. Ons het maar so onder die sambreel probeer kyk na die kerke en die kasteel maar dit was regtig nie aangenaam nie en worstel toe ons pad oop ,terug kar toe!
Alles was nat, die sambreel Barry se wind jak, my windjak ,my hare het behoorlik gedrip!
Bietjie gesit en die met die motor hardlopende ,die verwarmer op hoog weer tot ontdooie gekom , Dit was nie koud nie maar die elke keer se nat word laat jou naderhard koud word. Volgende stop was weer middag ete in Killybegs, dit was net so 'n aantreklike vissersdorpie dat jy net weer wil gaan kyk en die keer sien ons toe weer seeleeus in die hawe, Die reen het effe gestop en ons kon weer bietjie rond loop. Na nog 'n stukkie heerlike vis is ons terug met die kuspad na Bruckless en ongeveer 3 km van Bruckless is 'n afdraai na St John's Point. Weer 'n nou paadjie maar die keer darem met inhammetjies waar jy kan wag as 'n ander voertuig aankom. Die stukkie land is soos 'n tentikel wat uitloop in die see miskien 'n kilometer wyd. Die see klots aan beide kante dan links dan regs teen die rotse ongelooflik mooi en 'n wonderlike ervaring. Tot op die uiteinde van hierdie pad gery en toe verder geloop , na die laaste punt van die eiland , weereens uitgekyk oor die magtige Atlantiese oseaan , 'n paar skulpies opgetel, ongerepte strand met 'n verlate bootjie geanker aan 'n paal 2 karre , geen mense nie en merkwaardige geel sand. Op die laaste duine loop ons toe die Fauna Flora man raak wat seker maak daar is nie mense wat ongeoorloofd daar tent opgeslaan het of weg kruip nie,vuur maak en so die veld beskadig nie. Die beeste en skape loop vry daar rond!
Op pad was daar heel party huise sommige kastele met die mooiste tuine ook 'n handweef ateljee. Ek sou nie omgegee het om daar my laaste dae deurtebring nie- die rustigheid en vrede wat daar heers is ongekend
Terug in die kar en begeestered van die mooi ervaring en omgewing is ons toe weer terug Bundoran toe waar die son een oomblik deur die wolke gebreek het en ons vir oulaas nog op die promenade gaan stap het!
Volgende oggend na ontbyt met hoofweg N15 via Sligo terug huis toe en soos ons die binneland inry so lig die wolke hulle kombers en by die tyd dat ons by die huis stop skyn die son 'n hond uit 'n bos 21grade!!!! Moes vir sonskyn liewer tuisgebly het maar dan het ons nie die mooi omgewing van Donegal ervaar nie!
Intussen het die swaeltjie wat haar eiers in die nuwe nes in die garage gele het die nes verlaat , of sy is dood want die mannetjie het so met BArry gepraat toe ons terug is dat dit byna gevoel het asof hy ons iets wou vertel. Die kleintjies in die Donkiehuis sal seker vroeg die week die nes verlaat!
Die aarbeie gee my nog daagliks so 15-20 vrugte, en die appels hang nog!
Ek speel die orrel vanmore en dan gaan ek slaap want ek werk weer vanaand. Daar is 5 mans wat prostaat sjirurgie gehad het en daar moet dan of 'n dokter op die perseel wees , of 2 verpleegsters en 'n dokter op roep. en dit kos minder om my op diens te he as om 'n dokter op die perseel te he.
Die boere kry baie swaar want die lande is te nat om die gras te sny en te baal , die koring het plat geval en dit is nou die 3de somer van ellendes.
Ons predikant is terug van verlof en ek is bly want die besoekende predikers het nie 'n besef van ons klein gemeentetjie nie en verwag iets wat nie gaan gebeur nie, nie vandag nie en ook nie in die jare wat kom nie,
Nou ja , dit is sekerlik die langste brief wat ek nog ooit geskryf het!!!! Hoop julle het die reis geniet!
Aan almal wat eksamens skryf alles van die beste!
Aan die wat moet terugkeer na die Noorde na hul vakansie, veilige reis!
Ons onthou dat dit Br Gerhard se verjaardag was , die 15de!
Wees altyd versigtig,
KArin , ons is saam met jou dankbaar dat die Here julle so deur die vreeslike ellendes gedra het, en dat Stephan nou weer op na herstel is met goeie vooruitsigte!
Baie liefde groete
Van die Dunnes in Cranleymore en 'n vinnig naderende herfs.
Greetings from a very wet Ireland
23 August 09 Sunday
Good day to all family and friends,
Our entertainment on a Sunday afternoon on TV is usually a James Bond movie, this one must be very they still use haukie talkies and the Mercedes dates put of 1967!
It always takes me some time to write this weekly letter and have the laptop in the right position, on my lap.
The freeing of the Lockerbie Bomber has made the headlines since his release ...one can argue any way you want to but in the end the Lord knows it all!
The gender dispute about the SA Athlete and Bolt the fasted man on earth for a while in the 100 and 200 meters, it is a wonder they run in meters and not in feet as little has changed here , has overshadowed the recession for a while!
Since I arrived in Ireland I have very much kept to myself but stepped out on Friday morning after I have been invited to a coffee get together of South African women living in Westmeath and Longford counties.
This group of women meet every Friday for coffee and breakfast unbeknown to myself and were invited by one of the ladies that remembered that I might not be working every Friday and as it happen, I was off and in Marks and Spencer’s coffee shop the world was changed into South Africa with humming and bussing of 10 women nearly talking together in a foreign language and people staring. Nurses always seem to find each other and as the majority of the women were the wives of Doctors working here for MIDOC on 3 month contracts or engineers with something else in-between!
I have to admit that it was surely one the most enjoyable mornings I have ever experienced here in Ireland!
Speaking to Louise who trained in Bfn at the same hospital as I did ,just a little later than me, and her husband working here more than in SA the women across the table looked at me and asked what my maiden names was...Eloff...
W H A T???????????? She said ...do you know a Dr Paul Eloff? And of course that was the beginning of sharing a wonderful teacher, professional person brother and friend !!!
I have already let Nine know but here is who they are. Wessel and Rina Herbst. He started out as a young doctor as the Dr at Groothoek during 1971-75 and he still apparently refer back to what Dr Paul would have done!!!
Rina was and still is a gold medallist in flower arrangement she has been for years the chairperson of the VLU translated Women agricultural association where ever they were posted! It was wonderful to talk here miles away of all Paul and Nine’s children and grand children and me of course ever so proud!
Here in Cranleymore Autumn is approaching rather fast and morning temperatures has dropped to 8 , rising again during the day but that is our first indication of a definite change in weather it rained so much that the grass freshly cut yesterday when the sun eventually came out, that we have now flooded lawns, literally under water!
The vegetable garden has been dug, and the last of food traces removed! All the onions in the fridge and the miniature carrots cooked! the green tomatoes fell and were devoured by bugs and we had no pleasure in it!
Flower wise we still have gladiolas and dahlias flowering, some sweat peas and climbing roses. The nasturtiums did not produce what we expected and look somewhat sorrowful in the pots! On the window sill in the kitchen I have some joy in the new growth of Cyclamens x3 with leaves the size of saucers.
I do not mind the winter coming, at least we know what it holds and expects nothing but to be continually disappointed is very disheartening!
Arnolda’s holiday in Mexico seemed to have been a real beautiful experience and I sincerely hope that Gerlof will give us a similar reflection of his visit to SA!
I am ever so sorry to hear that it is so dry in Australia, it reminds me so much of being always hoping for rain while I grew up and now I would like to channel the water from here to where-ever it is needed. The new room is nearing completion and I just wonder what will be next project of keeping Barry busy.
We do plan to put a gate between the bottom field and where the yard ends and for that, new posts will have to be planted , these already delivered in the form of railway sleepers. Well any one available for some digging????.............
THERE SURELY Are a GOOD 100 BIRD CHILDREN IN THE HEDGE AND THE SWALLOWS IN THE DONKEY HOUSE DID GO FOR THEIR FIRST FLIGHT yesterday 3 weeks after being hatched, somewhat lazy and back for a snooze in the afternoon! The female swallow sitting on the eggs in the garage abandoned the nest or died in her travels but they are no more, sad to say!
Sunday is nearly at an end and with Ps 78 as our sermon and lovely hymns to complete the spiritual feasting, it was a good and spiritual experience!
Birthdays have come and gone and somewhere along the line I fell off the bus...but Paul (Aus) I send a message to your mom. Hope you had a lovely day!
I hope that those who are at the Boskamp this week will be greatly blessed!
My thoughts are with Karin, and Stephan, Anke who is recovering well and our tante Poppie! Angie ti was great to hear your voice and that of the children and Groovy that was a great gift!
Thank you to all who send good wishes!
Be careful and aware all the time , drive carefully and watch your step!
Regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore
Ever changing and unexpected weather patterned Ireland
Good day to all family and friends,
Our entertainment on a Sunday afternoon on TV is usually a James Bond movie, this one must be very they still use haukie talkies and the Mercedes dates put of 1967!
It always takes me some time to write this weekly letter and have the laptop in the right position, on my lap.
The freeing of the Lockerbie Bomber has made the headlines since his release ...one can argue any way you want to but in the end the Lord knows it all!
The gender dispute about the SA Athlete and Bolt the fasted man on earth for a while in the 100 and 200 meters, it is a wonder they run in meters and not in feet as little has changed here , has overshadowed the recession for a while!
Since I arrived in Ireland I have very much kept to myself but stepped out on Friday morning after I have been invited to a coffee get together of South African women living in Westmeath and Longford counties.
This group of women meet every Friday for coffee and breakfast unbeknown to myself and were invited by one of the ladies that remembered that I might not be working every Friday and as it happen, I was off and in Marks and Spencer’s coffee shop the world was changed into South Africa with humming and bussing of 10 women nearly talking together in a foreign language and people staring. Nurses always seem to find each other and as the majority of the women were the wives of Doctors working here for MIDOC on 3 month contracts or engineers with something else in-between!
I have to admit that it was surely one the most enjoyable mornings I have ever experienced here in Ireland!
Speaking to Louise who trained in Bfn at the same hospital as I did ,just a little later than me, and her husband working here more than in SA the women across the table looked at me and asked what my maiden names was...Eloff...
W H A T???????????? She said ...do you know a Dr Paul Eloff? And of course that was the beginning of sharing a wonderful teacher, professional person brother and friend !!!
I have already let Nine know but here is who they are. Wessel and Rina Herbst. He started out as a young doctor as the Dr at Groothoek during 1971-75 and he still apparently refer back to what Dr Paul would have done!!!
Rina was and still is a gold medallist in flower arrangement she has been for years the chairperson of the VLU translated Women agricultural association where ever they were posted! It was wonderful to talk here miles away of all Paul and Nine’s children and grand children and me of course ever so proud!
Here in Cranleymore Autumn is approaching rather fast and morning temperatures has dropped to 8 , rising again during the day but that is our first indication of a definite change in weather it rained so much that the grass freshly cut yesterday when the sun eventually came out, that we have now flooded lawns, literally under water!
The vegetable garden has been dug, and the last of food traces removed! All the onions in the fridge and the miniature carrots cooked! the green tomatoes fell and were devoured by bugs and we had no pleasure in it!
Flower wise we still have gladiolas and dahlias flowering, some sweat peas and climbing roses. The nasturtiums did not produce what we expected and look somewhat sorrowful in the pots! On the window sill in the kitchen I have some joy in the new growth of Cyclamens x3 with leaves the size of saucers.
I do not mind the winter coming, at least we know what it holds and expects nothing but to be continually disappointed is very disheartening!
Arnolda’s holiday in Mexico seemed to have been a real beautiful experience and I sincerely hope that Gerlof will give us a similar reflection of his visit to SA!
I am ever so sorry to hear that it is so dry in Australia, it reminds me so much of being always hoping for rain while I grew up and now I would like to channel the water from here to where-ever it is needed. The new room is nearing completion and I just wonder what will be next project of keeping Barry busy.
We do plan to put a gate between the bottom field and where the yard ends and for that, new posts will have to be planted , these already delivered in the form of railway sleepers. Well any one available for some digging????.............
THERE SURELY Are a GOOD 100 BIRD CHILDREN IN THE HEDGE AND THE SWALLOWS IN THE DONKEY HOUSE DID GO FOR THEIR FIRST FLIGHT yesterday 3 weeks after being hatched, somewhat lazy and back for a snooze in the afternoon! The female swallow sitting on the eggs in the garage abandoned the nest or died in her travels but they are no more, sad to say!
Sunday is nearly at an end and with Ps 78 as our sermon and lovely hymns to complete the spiritual feasting, it was a good and spiritual experience!
Birthdays have come and gone and somewhere along the line I fell off the bus...but Paul (Aus) I send a message to your mom. Hope you had a lovely day!
I hope that those who are at the Boskamp this week will be greatly blessed!
My thoughts are with Karin, and Stephan, Anke who is recovering well and our tante Poppie! Angie ti was great to hear your voice and that of the children and Groovy that was a great gift!
Thank you to all who send good wishes!
Be careful and aware all the time , drive carefully and watch your step!
Regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore
Ever changing and unexpected weather patterned Ireland
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Greetings from an ever changing Ireland
Saturday 8 August 09
Dear family and friends,
How terrible to start nearly every letter with the weather but in this island of ours that seems to be the most important news reel of every news bulletin. We had 3 glorious days, some cloud cover, lots of sun, please note, NO RAIN, with slight southerly winds. Today is another story, grey, dark, mist rain, and somewhat cooler than the 20 degrees we experienced since Wednesday,
We made a decision to go away for a few days after a weeklong discussion. I so desperately want to go to Galway and surroundings Westport etc, but being middle of the summer season the hotel accommodation is double as Galway is the tourist attraction city of Ireland. We love the north and that is where the prices are also within reach of the lesser affluent of society. Still expensive but I reckoned that ,we have not been away from this house except for 2 night in 2006 when we went to Exeter for the wedding , all other trips were one day affairs and in spite of recession we can be a little extravagant and spent a few nights in a hotel at the coast. Bundoran, very small but on the sea far north in Donegal Bay. We will leave here after church tomorrow and arrive at 4pm at our destination God willing and enjoy being served for about 84 hours in all. That sounds just great and I can’t wait!
Back in Cranleymore the bird population is large in numbers and still growing. The swallows in the donkey house is a week old today and the female in the garage with the new nest is sitting since Wednesday on 4 eggs. The young robins are all changing colours and it is wonderful how the Lord has provided the different characteristics of each bird specie
The vegetable garden is now totally gone the last onions pulled and the tomatoes died green on the stork. The apples all 9 of them are still there and begin to get red cheeks another 2 weeks and we will taste our own apples. In spite of Barry’s misgivings about the strawberries we have had a great crop, pick about 15-20 everyday and have a lovely fruit desert after evening meal. The sweet peas died and we will harvest some seeds, the Clematis looks lovely and the climbing roses are doing their best. Many roses we have are only one season and therefore will not flower again- we are learning ?!
As you can gather I am officially on holiday, after I kicked off with 2 nights in the nursing home which passed without any problems and not so bad after all. I had a great helper and make a world of difference, medications is my sole responsibility and I got better every time , completed the round in 2 hrs the last night 41 patients and maybe 6 of them taking their medication themselves. The hard work is putting the high dependent clients to bed and make sure they are all tucked in for the night.
I will be away when the announcement will be made of who is to be sacked and who will stay. I think that it will be done according to peoples’ ability to adjust to various jobs. Those who are adamant not to work in the nursing home stand a good chance of going, Those who are computer literate, knows about accreditation and have been trained to train will have a better change and as the good Lord willed it I fall in the last category, so am not worried and will enjoy every minute away!
Coming back from town today I realised that summer is really on its last legs as the long grass are going yellow and the leaves are falling at an alarming rate. I am so fascinated by the hot and long summers Canada experienced so much nearer to the poles and we, exposed to every bit of theatrical weather whim suffer tremendously.
Although our Tante Poppie had her birthday it does not mean that we will forget her and we pray and hope that she will enjoy every day as it comes. Having her there in the Cape Province made me realize how many family members on our side is now living in the Cape. My brother Mendel, Anke his wife and 2 of their children with their families, My cousin Retha has a daughter in Stellenbosch teaching and a brother Tjaart living there as well, then the 2 sons of our Tante Poppie and other cousins from the late Tant Emma, wondering of all these cousins first en second knows each other and communicate? Sitting so far away from your family and I know it was my choice, you always have thoughts about them and would love to hear from them all. How about a family get together and a photo????????? Scholtz’es and extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews, Coetzee’s, Eloff’s!!!
Well I have one birthday in my book and that is of young Gerhard of Frikkie and Elmarie on the 12th. Happy Birthday to the young man, I will send a message nearer to the day!
To all who are studying , everything of the best, those who are preparing to get married, do it well! those who have to pick crops, may the prices be excellent, and those on holiday, enjoy it thoroughly!
Take care regarding your safety, do not take changes, be always alert.
Enjoy the Spring that is around the corner!
Enjoy a blessed Sunday!
Love and regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore Ireland
Dear family and friends,
How terrible to start nearly every letter with the weather but in this island of ours that seems to be the most important news reel of every news bulletin. We had 3 glorious days, some cloud cover, lots of sun, please note, NO RAIN, with slight southerly winds. Today is another story, grey, dark, mist rain, and somewhat cooler than the 20 degrees we experienced since Wednesday,
We made a decision to go away for a few days after a weeklong discussion. I so desperately want to go to Galway and surroundings Westport etc, but being middle of the summer season the hotel accommodation is double as Galway is the tourist attraction city of Ireland. We love the north and that is where the prices are also within reach of the lesser affluent of society. Still expensive but I reckoned that ,we have not been away from this house except for 2 night in 2006 when we went to Exeter for the wedding , all other trips were one day affairs and in spite of recession we can be a little extravagant and spent a few nights in a hotel at the coast. Bundoran, very small but on the sea far north in Donegal Bay. We will leave here after church tomorrow and arrive at 4pm at our destination God willing and enjoy being served for about 84 hours in all. That sounds just great and I can’t wait!
Back in Cranleymore the bird population is large in numbers and still growing. The swallows in the donkey house is a week old today and the female in the garage with the new nest is sitting since Wednesday on 4 eggs. The young robins are all changing colours and it is wonderful how the Lord has provided the different characteristics of each bird specie
The vegetable garden is now totally gone the last onions pulled and the tomatoes died green on the stork. The apples all 9 of them are still there and begin to get red cheeks another 2 weeks and we will taste our own apples. In spite of Barry’s misgivings about the strawberries we have had a great crop, pick about 15-20 everyday and have a lovely fruit desert after evening meal. The sweet peas died and we will harvest some seeds, the Clematis looks lovely and the climbing roses are doing their best. Many roses we have are only one season and therefore will not flower again- we are learning ?!
As you can gather I am officially on holiday, after I kicked off with 2 nights in the nursing home which passed without any problems and not so bad after all. I had a great helper and make a world of difference, medications is my sole responsibility and I got better every time , completed the round in 2 hrs the last night 41 patients and maybe 6 of them taking their medication themselves. The hard work is putting the high dependent clients to bed and make sure they are all tucked in for the night.
I will be away when the announcement will be made of who is to be sacked and who will stay. I think that it will be done according to peoples’ ability to adjust to various jobs. Those who are adamant not to work in the nursing home stand a good chance of going, Those who are computer literate, knows about accreditation and have been trained to train will have a better change and as the good Lord willed it I fall in the last category, so am not worried and will enjoy every minute away!
Coming back from town today I realised that summer is really on its last legs as the long grass are going yellow and the leaves are falling at an alarming rate. I am so fascinated by the hot and long summers Canada experienced so much nearer to the poles and we, exposed to every bit of theatrical weather whim suffer tremendously.
Although our Tante Poppie had her birthday it does not mean that we will forget her and we pray and hope that she will enjoy every day as it comes. Having her there in the Cape Province made me realize how many family members on our side is now living in the Cape. My brother Mendel, Anke his wife and 2 of their children with their families, My cousin Retha has a daughter in Stellenbosch teaching and a brother Tjaart living there as well, then the 2 sons of our Tante Poppie and other cousins from the late Tant Emma, wondering of all these cousins first en second knows each other and communicate? Sitting so far away from your family and I know it was my choice, you always have thoughts about them and would love to hear from them all. How about a family get together and a photo????????? Scholtz’es and extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews, Coetzee’s, Eloff’s!!!
Well I have one birthday in my book and that is of young Gerhard of Frikkie and Elmarie on the 12th. Happy Birthday to the young man, I will send a message nearer to the day!
To all who are studying , everything of the best, those who are preparing to get married, do it well! those who have to pick crops, may the prices be excellent, and those on holiday, enjoy it thoroughly!
Take care regarding your safety, do not take changes, be always alert.
Enjoy the Spring that is around the corner!
Enjoy a blessed Sunday!
Love and regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore Ireland
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