Sunday 25th March’12
GOOD DAY TO ALL, FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
It is with a song in my heart that I am writing this letter today-the temperature is 19°, bright, wonderful sunshine, a slight breeze and some streaky clouds so high that you have to squint to look at them, it is just the best day we have had since 2012 commenced.
We are also just back from a drive in the country- we actually wanted to walk but Barry’s foot is too painful with the furuncle that just not want to let go- I blame his wellies for it but he refuse to buy new ones – and so we decided to go for a country drive and it was out of this world –we went 1st to Roosky and from there onto Strokestown but with a detour through a valley and a lovely lake, sloping hills and green- green vegetation every- where. It just makes you realize how wonderful creation is, to me, all the work of the Lord’s hands, majestic!
Driving into the driveway I have to get used to the new image, the pots are gone, the donkey cart is behind the shed and in its place are magnificent flower beds. A total metamorphoses that took place.
Nearly 20 ton of topsoil had been wheel-barrowed into these new beds and to contain them 10 railway sleepers have been placed as curbing stones. Hard work and we had the old ?Romanian guy here with a helper for 2 day and Barry as pilot of the scheme shouting every now and again “nee,nee,nee” as if they would understand-only by the movement of his head they in the end understood it means “no” . By Thursday evening the beds were ready for planting .On Friday we ventured just after 10am to our favourite garden centre to by the basic ingredients for this massive project. A couple of €100 later the car loaded, we departed with great excitement. The transformation started immediately and all the creepers were planted according to instructions .The rambling roses have been transplanted from the barrels to one of the new beds and the Clematis x3 with a root system that would uphold the world, into their respective places. Shrubs will be going into the ground tomorrow God willing and also the sweet peas in between the roses. I cannot wait for tomorrow morning when I can plant and admire!
For those who read my last letter ,the lawn mower that was taken out of its box ,good looking as it is, was just not able for the job and will now become the proud property of Finbarr in Dublin-their lawn is 1;50th of ours and will do the job well! The old lawn mower gave notice but Barry –thinking he is more BOER than Irish made a plan and fixed it- by replacing the cable that broke with a wire and a little bit of ingenuity the mower was going full speed and the grass was cut in no time. Knowing that this is only temporary we realised that a new lawn mower will have to be purchased for the coming summer as we have to cut the grass every week for the next 7-8 months.
Our friend knew that the new L M was not up to the job and notified us on Friday afternoon about a sale at Home Base and the wonderful privilege she has of an enormous discount for employees and their families. Being nearly family we could purchase the correct machine with a mighty engine that should last us the rest of our lives as we will not use it for the bottom field like we did with the old one. So in the garage behind a locked door is now the new lawn mower to be opened as well, tomorrow morning!
We are listening to Songs of Praise –Gospel singer Mavis Staples- they were singing together as a family since 1960. It is different but in its own way very lovely, so full of meaning.
Apart from the garden which has at present taken over our lives we continue to live our quiet lives, I work, not always knowing when, days or nights. I was to start my day duty on Tuesday but Barry’s words were not cold-saying “Mama I tell you they are going to call you to do nights sooner than you think” and the phone rang shortly afterwards-so I am doing them a favour working still this coming week nights- then according to the duty roster I will start the following Tuesday with day duty! For this week I am quite delighted to do them this favour.
Our country has made the headlines again with the report from the Moriarty Tribunal costing in the region of nearly €400million, which sat for over a decade to un-raffle the doings of post and then present politicians. Corrupt is too good a word for their dealings, bribery and handing over of brown envelopes on so many aspects of planning, collecting monies for political parties and underhand dealings- too many to mention. Our 2nd last Prime minister Bertie A’Hern promised to resign before he gets expelled from the then ruling party Feine Fail to safe his reputation, he claims.
Our Taoiseach is in China getting into the Chinese pockets –we can just pray that he knows what he is doing. His first visit to China- his eyes nearly popped out in amazement. It is all in the hope of strengthening business relationships!
On the other hand the people are seriously planning not to pay the house tax that has been introduced and of the 1.4 million house owners in the country only 20% has paid. Demonstrations has been held all round the country while the Min for Environmental Affairs shows no mercy and the fact that it is totally unfair makes no difference.
Every one- does not matter what your house looks like an amount of €100 has to be paid before 31 March otherwise you face a penalty payment accumulating every month the monies that are outstanding. There has been so many glitzes’ with the method of payments and errors I am sure that the Chimpanzees in the Congo basin would be able to have done a better job! I am sure I am not suppose to criticize the doing of the government but every-one claims that it is democracy to be able to say what you think.
Today was, as always the very best day of the week for me and the sermon was excellent. What are we a privileged 12 people! I was on organ duty and enjoyed playing the hymns chosen as it was all well known and playable according to me!
We are thinking of all the people that are not well, those who were fortunate enough to be treated and are feeling better-Adelbert, his brother Werner and those that are waiting for verdicts Hanlie and Haya as well as those who will be undergoing important procedures this coming week Brandon Pienaar are to have a ?3rd attempt of ablation-having had it myself I have a good idea what it entails without problems but Brandon is special and his heart has a different tilt to other people and it is very difficult to do what needs to be done. We pray sincerely that it will - God willing be a success this time and that he will be smiling at the end of it!
Nicholas in Cork is waiting for his date for brain surgery and we think of him and his mom Sharon and the rest of the family awaiting this procedure.
There are students old and young who are studying for exams, others waiting to leave on holiday and others who will stay home satisfied with their lot. To all of you success and safe journeys!
We have not seen our grandson Lukas since their last visit but his parents are very good in forwarding photos regularly and he is really growing up far too fast!
The visiting animals are a delight Blackie allowed me to take a picture of him as well the robin has 3 eggs in the nest and the black bird sings every evening at the same time- we moved on a hour at 1am this morning and I wonder if the birds will know that the sun is now going down an hour later than yesterday- wonderful long evenings!
Welcome also to those who arrived today Gert and Cilna, Gert being a doctor who is going to work in Ireland for some weeks.
I have said more than enough and hope that you will all remember that safety is a priority at home and elsewhere for example the roads, especially over holidays.
Warm regards from a most pleasant spring experience in Cranleymore
Barry and Christina
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Koue lente groete vanuit Cranelymore
Maandag 19 Maart ‘12
Goeie dag allemaal, Familie en Vriende,
Ons lente het die klits kwyt- 2oggende was my kar toegevries en temperatuur onder vriespunt- vandag is dit effens beter maar die wind wat van wie weet waar kom, is bitter koud-ek was buite om waarnemings te doen van werk deur die ou man wat jare terug vir ons gehelp bou het en ook om ons nuwe grassnyer te bewonder wat nou 3 maande in sy karton in die skuur gerus het .
My ore was total gevries en ek moes my hande onder die warm water tot liggaams temperatuur bring, jou neus loop aanhoudend van die koue en die son is daar maar jy sien hom nie en jy voel hom nie!
My skrywe is laat want ek is terug by die werk en het sommer 4 nagte die week gewerk en in die nuwe saal vir 2 daarvan. Die lengte van die saal is ongeveer 50 meter en ek het die eerste nag byna by die venster uitgespring van ellende. ‘n Laat opname en die dokter wat die pasient sien en jy moet daar bly staan terwyl alles tot stilstand kom want jy is die enigste verpleegster op diens met ‘n helper. As dit nie vir Marina my helper was nie sou ek nie vandag die briefie kon skryf nie, sy was my regter en linker hand en soms ook my voete toe ek nie meer kon nie!
3 Van die pasiente was daar vir ‘respite’ en die res was siek ou mense. Elkeen het jou dubbele aandag nodig. Die man wat in beheer van die hospital is, is hard besig om bloed uit ‘n klip te tap en as jy enigsins murmereer is sy motto “ If you cannot cope you are free to go”
Ewenwel, ek kom toe deur die nag sonder om meeste van die pasiënte eers te groet en die volgende oggend toe dinge nou effe kalmer begin raak en hulle my gesig vir die eerste keer sien het ek verduidelik dat ek ‘n “ hovercraft” was en het met spoed by hulle verby gesweef- hulle het almal bevestig dat hulle gesien het hoe hard ek werk en my baie jammer gekry. Die saal is nuut en daar is baie dinge nie beskikbaar nie en veral met medikasies , moes jy heeltyd terug na die sjirurgiese saal wat vir die naweek gesluit was, want, soos julle seker weet was dit St Patricks dag Saterdag en vandag is “ Bank holiday” omdat die landsdag op ‘n Saterdag geval het. Ek het die ander saal rot en kaal gegaps om te oorleef!. Ek besef terdeë dat ek nie meer jonk is nie en my ou knie het laas nag my baie opdraande gegee- as ek die been uitstrek dan wil hy nie buig nie –uiteindelik kliek die spul en kan ek die knie buig en dan wil dit weer nie reguit nie-ek was moedeloos dit het my ‘n goeie uur wakker gehou en ek het die slaap bitter nodig gehad. Het maar vanmore anti inflamatoriese salf aangesmeer en ‘n verband omgedraai net om bietjie verligting te kry.Gelukkig het my skouer nie veel gepyn nie maar ek was deeglik bewus van hom.
Om alles mooier te maak was daar verlede Woensdag ‘n vergadering en iewers het iets verkeerd geloop in my 2 maande van afwesigheid en nou word ons almal gestraf en MG die baas het besluit dat die spul nou omgegooi gaan word en dat daar nou nie meer permanente nagstaf sal wees nie en ons almal moet nou dagdiens ook werk. Ek begin dus 26 Maart met die vonnis –as ek nie eers die nag sonder ellende kan deurkom nie wonder ek hoe my knie dit sal hou as ek 30 keer op ‘n dag die trap moet af en weer op, om pasiente teater toe te neem!veral as daar 58 ingeboek is vir die dag. Ek moet nog 18 mnde werk en ek hoop ek maak dit!
Genoeg gekla,dag ek sal julle maar net inlig wat die stand van sake is. My briewe sal dus nie meer so gereeld die lig en lug bereik nie want ek het geen idée wat vir my voorlê nie!
In die tuin staan die rubarber kierts regop en mooi gesond geen slakke het hulle bygekom nie want ons het hulle toegemaak met strooi vir die winter. Ons tulpe is almal besig om ooptegaan en die affodille is pragtig- ek pluk maklik 20 elke week en huis ruik so lekker. Die rose se blare is ongelooflik groen en gesond nadat ons die kunsmis vir rose gestrooi het- hulle is so dankbaar! Hoop die rose self gaan ook daarby baat.
Ons nuwe projek vir die tuin is in wording,20 ton “top soil” is donderdag hier afgelaai en hoe Barry die enorme trok in die werf gekry het en alles op die regte plek gestort gekry het is vir my nou nog duister maar die man het baie mooi geluister wat Barry sê en alles het goed afgeloop. Die “railway sleepers” is die volgende dag afgelaai en nou is die ou man besig om die grond met die kruiwa aantery om ons nuwe blombeddings te maak. Die voorste muur is baie naby aan die huis en lyk afskuwelik want dit is lapwerk en nie die beste gedoen nie en nou wil ons die muur toekry met plante!
Die gras is nog veels te nat om te sny maar die nuwe gras snyer wat ons 3 maande gelede gekoop het teen ‘n belaglike prys toe niemand aan grassny gedink het nie is aanmekaar gesit deur die genie van ‘n man en nou wag ons dat dit droog genoeg word om die oerwoud aftesny! – Intussen hoor ek die masjien werk sal moet gaan kyk!
Die bloeisels aan die vrugte bome is byna oop en die aartappels en uie is geplant! Die voëltjies is besig om nessies te bou en dit is pragtig –die robin het die elektriese paal langs die huis gekies en ons loer elke nou en dan om tesien hoe dit vorder. Die duiwe is ook in en uit die hoë heining en ons verwag dat die “blackbirds” kan nie die Afrikaans in my skool woordeboek kry nie- ook naby die huis hul nessie sal bou!
Die lente – nie in temperatuur nie- maar die nuwe groei en al die skakerings van groen is altyd vir my so pragtig!.
Op die politieke front gaan dit effe stil want elke minister is iewers op die aarde om St Patricks dag te vier as gas van lande- dit gaan dus stil vir ‘n verandering want hulle het 19 dae vakansie! Die land kry finaniseel baie swaar maar hulle kan rondjakker soos wie weet waste ryk mense op ons onkoste!
Ek verneem dat die prys van brandstof in SA baie duur is maar hier is dit nog duurder as by julle ons betaal tans €1-62 (x met10 om R te kry) en €1.57 vir diesel. Plesier ritte word nou beperk tot kerk en werk!
Die ellende van die bus ongeluk tussen Switzerland en België het ons ook vreeslik geskok en ons harte gaan uit na die ouers van die kinders!
Ek het kerk gemis vanweë my nagdiens van Staerdagnag en my totale uitputting- maar ek hoop van harte dat die wat in Engeland en Ierland woon ‘n pragtige Moedersdag gehad het en ‘n geseënde Sondag.
Ons besoekende diere het ons verras toe Professor helder oor dag kom kuier het en ek ‘n pragtige foto deur die kombuis venster van hom kon neem dus ontmoet Professor ons ‘wilde’ kat wat al baie makker is. Die kripmvarkie kom gereeld maar ons het hom lank laas gesien en die jakkalsies is vlymskerp in hul gedrag en maak seker ons weet van hulle maar ons kry hulle net nie te sien nie. Blackie sit voor die agterdeur soggens as ons opstaan veral die oggende wat hy die nag in die skuur deurgebring het,waar hy anders woon weet ons nie!
Verjaardae en ek het in my brief verlede week genoem- Georg die 18de gister en vandag Arnolda! Veels geluk weer eens!
Ons innige simpatie aan Gerlof wat gister sy nael verloor het met ‘n groot “Chef” mes- terwyl hy gekerf het! ‘n ongeluk gebeur so gou!
Baie dankie vir al die heerlike briefies: Heerlike brief van Leopold, Karen, Angie, Sue in Kanada, Joy in Brisbane, Gerlof se gereelde brief en ek het darem nou 2 briewe van Arnolda gekry , Isabel wat ook gereeld skryf! Daar is ander wat maar lui wegsteek! – of miskien werk hulle te hard!Hoop dat die siekes aan die herstel is Johann, Werner, en ook Hanlie. Oubaas –hoe gaan dit nou?
Ek groet - my vingers is af van die koue en ek het niks meer omtesê nie. Ons hoop dit reen waar dit droog is en dat die herfs nie te koud is nie! Almal wat met vakansie SA toe gaan geniet elke oomblik! Ek weet van Annarie, Jeanne, die Eloff’s in Exeter, die Kanadese Krugers en wie weet wie nog!
Wees altyd versigtig op die paaie en hou veiligheid tuis altyd as prioriteit in jul gedagtes!
Liefde groete vanuit Cranleymore waar die wind vandag baie koud waai alhoewel dit 10° buite is.
Barry en Christina
Goeie dag allemaal, Familie en Vriende,
Ons lente het die klits kwyt- 2oggende was my kar toegevries en temperatuur onder vriespunt- vandag is dit effens beter maar die wind wat van wie weet waar kom, is bitter koud-ek was buite om waarnemings te doen van werk deur die ou man wat jare terug vir ons gehelp bou het en ook om ons nuwe grassnyer te bewonder wat nou 3 maande in sy karton in die skuur gerus het .
My ore was total gevries en ek moes my hande onder die warm water tot liggaams temperatuur bring, jou neus loop aanhoudend van die koue en die son is daar maar jy sien hom nie en jy voel hom nie!
My skrywe is laat want ek is terug by die werk en het sommer 4 nagte die week gewerk en in die nuwe saal vir 2 daarvan. Die lengte van die saal is ongeveer 50 meter en ek het die eerste nag byna by die venster uitgespring van ellende. ‘n Laat opname en die dokter wat die pasient sien en jy moet daar bly staan terwyl alles tot stilstand kom want jy is die enigste verpleegster op diens met ‘n helper. As dit nie vir Marina my helper was nie sou ek nie vandag die briefie kon skryf nie, sy was my regter en linker hand en soms ook my voete toe ek nie meer kon nie!
3 Van die pasiente was daar vir ‘respite’ en die res was siek ou mense. Elkeen het jou dubbele aandag nodig. Die man wat in beheer van die hospital is, is hard besig om bloed uit ‘n klip te tap en as jy enigsins murmereer is sy motto “ If you cannot cope you are free to go”
Ewenwel, ek kom toe deur die nag sonder om meeste van die pasiënte eers te groet en die volgende oggend toe dinge nou effe kalmer begin raak en hulle my gesig vir die eerste keer sien het ek verduidelik dat ek ‘n “ hovercraft” was en het met spoed by hulle verby gesweef- hulle het almal bevestig dat hulle gesien het hoe hard ek werk en my baie jammer gekry. Die saal is nuut en daar is baie dinge nie beskikbaar nie en veral met medikasies , moes jy heeltyd terug na die sjirurgiese saal wat vir die naweek gesluit was, want, soos julle seker weet was dit St Patricks dag Saterdag en vandag is “ Bank holiday” omdat die landsdag op ‘n Saterdag geval het. Ek het die ander saal rot en kaal gegaps om te oorleef!. Ek besef terdeë dat ek nie meer jonk is nie en my ou knie het laas nag my baie opdraande gegee- as ek die been uitstrek dan wil hy nie buig nie –uiteindelik kliek die spul en kan ek die knie buig en dan wil dit weer nie reguit nie-ek was moedeloos dit het my ‘n goeie uur wakker gehou en ek het die slaap bitter nodig gehad. Het maar vanmore anti inflamatoriese salf aangesmeer en ‘n verband omgedraai net om bietjie verligting te kry.Gelukkig het my skouer nie veel gepyn nie maar ek was deeglik bewus van hom.
Om alles mooier te maak was daar verlede Woensdag ‘n vergadering en iewers het iets verkeerd geloop in my 2 maande van afwesigheid en nou word ons almal gestraf en MG die baas het besluit dat die spul nou omgegooi gaan word en dat daar nou nie meer permanente nagstaf sal wees nie en ons almal moet nou dagdiens ook werk. Ek begin dus 26 Maart met die vonnis –as ek nie eers die nag sonder ellende kan deurkom nie wonder ek hoe my knie dit sal hou as ek 30 keer op ‘n dag die trap moet af en weer op, om pasiente teater toe te neem!veral as daar 58 ingeboek is vir die dag. Ek moet nog 18 mnde werk en ek hoop ek maak dit!
Genoeg gekla,dag ek sal julle maar net inlig wat die stand van sake is. My briewe sal dus nie meer so gereeld die lig en lug bereik nie want ek het geen idée wat vir my voorlê nie!
In die tuin staan die rubarber kierts regop en mooi gesond geen slakke het hulle bygekom nie want ons het hulle toegemaak met strooi vir die winter. Ons tulpe is almal besig om ooptegaan en die affodille is pragtig- ek pluk maklik 20 elke week en huis ruik so lekker. Die rose se blare is ongelooflik groen en gesond nadat ons die kunsmis vir rose gestrooi het- hulle is so dankbaar! Hoop die rose self gaan ook daarby baat.
Ons nuwe projek vir die tuin is in wording,20 ton “top soil” is donderdag hier afgelaai en hoe Barry die enorme trok in die werf gekry het en alles op die regte plek gestort gekry het is vir my nou nog duister maar die man het baie mooi geluister wat Barry sê en alles het goed afgeloop. Die “railway sleepers” is die volgende dag afgelaai en nou is die ou man besig om die grond met die kruiwa aantery om ons nuwe blombeddings te maak. Die voorste muur is baie naby aan die huis en lyk afskuwelik want dit is lapwerk en nie die beste gedoen nie en nou wil ons die muur toekry met plante!
Die gras is nog veels te nat om te sny maar die nuwe gras snyer wat ons 3 maande gelede gekoop het teen ‘n belaglike prys toe niemand aan grassny gedink het nie is aanmekaar gesit deur die genie van ‘n man en nou wag ons dat dit droog genoeg word om die oerwoud aftesny! – Intussen hoor ek die masjien werk sal moet gaan kyk!
Die bloeisels aan die vrugte bome is byna oop en die aartappels en uie is geplant! Die voëltjies is besig om nessies te bou en dit is pragtig –die robin het die elektriese paal langs die huis gekies en ons loer elke nou en dan om tesien hoe dit vorder. Die duiwe is ook in en uit die hoë heining en ons verwag dat die “blackbirds” kan nie die Afrikaans in my skool woordeboek kry nie- ook naby die huis hul nessie sal bou!
Die lente – nie in temperatuur nie- maar die nuwe groei en al die skakerings van groen is altyd vir my so pragtig!.
Op die politieke front gaan dit effe stil want elke minister is iewers op die aarde om St Patricks dag te vier as gas van lande- dit gaan dus stil vir ‘n verandering want hulle het 19 dae vakansie! Die land kry finaniseel baie swaar maar hulle kan rondjakker soos wie weet waste ryk mense op ons onkoste!
Ek verneem dat die prys van brandstof in SA baie duur is maar hier is dit nog duurder as by julle ons betaal tans €1-62 (x met10 om R te kry) en €1.57 vir diesel. Plesier ritte word nou beperk tot kerk en werk!
Die ellende van die bus ongeluk tussen Switzerland en België het ons ook vreeslik geskok en ons harte gaan uit na die ouers van die kinders!
Ek het kerk gemis vanweë my nagdiens van Staerdagnag en my totale uitputting- maar ek hoop van harte dat die wat in Engeland en Ierland woon ‘n pragtige Moedersdag gehad het en ‘n geseënde Sondag.
Ons besoekende diere het ons verras toe Professor helder oor dag kom kuier het en ek ‘n pragtige foto deur die kombuis venster van hom kon neem dus ontmoet Professor ons ‘wilde’ kat wat al baie makker is. Die kripmvarkie kom gereeld maar ons het hom lank laas gesien en die jakkalsies is vlymskerp in hul gedrag en maak seker ons weet van hulle maar ons kry hulle net nie te sien nie. Blackie sit voor die agterdeur soggens as ons opstaan veral die oggende wat hy die nag in die skuur deurgebring het,waar hy anders woon weet ons nie!
Verjaardae en ek het in my brief verlede week genoem- Georg die 18de gister en vandag Arnolda! Veels geluk weer eens!
Ons innige simpatie aan Gerlof wat gister sy nael verloor het met ‘n groot “Chef” mes- terwyl hy gekerf het! ‘n ongeluk gebeur so gou!
Baie dankie vir al die heerlike briefies: Heerlike brief van Leopold, Karen, Angie, Sue in Kanada, Joy in Brisbane, Gerlof se gereelde brief en ek het darem nou 2 briewe van Arnolda gekry , Isabel wat ook gereeld skryf! Daar is ander wat maar lui wegsteek! – of miskien werk hulle te hard!Hoop dat die siekes aan die herstel is Johann, Werner, en ook Hanlie. Oubaas –hoe gaan dit nou?
Ek groet - my vingers is af van die koue en ek het niks meer omtesê nie. Ons hoop dit reen waar dit droog is en dat die herfs nie te koud is nie! Almal wat met vakansie SA toe gaan geniet elke oomblik! Ek weet van Annarie, Jeanne, die Eloff’s in Exeter, die Kanadese Krugers en wie weet wie nog!
Wees altyd versigtig op die paaie en hou veiligheid tuis altyd as prioriteit in jul gedagtes!
Liefde groete vanuit Cranleymore waar die wind vandag baie koud waai alhoewel dit 10° buite is.
Barry en Christina
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Spring greetings from Cranleymore
Saturday 10 March’12
Good day to you all, family and friends!
It is a lovely day with no sun- thick clouds, little wind, temperatures between 12-14° - the sun did try to break through , I have to admit but the layers of cloud formation is just too thick, but...... We do not moan, every bit of warmth is appreciated and after a round in the garden and giving the car a wash I am happy to announce that the azaleas are flowering the daffodils are gorgeous and the roses said thank you for the fertilizer I gave them 2 weeks ago the new leaves looks good!
In the vegetable garden some progress were made –the last part of the patch has been dug and tilted and within 2 weeks it should be ready to be planted- we also worked some fertilizer into the patch just to make sure that the compost of last year gets a boost!
The apples and pear trees are ready to burst out in blossoms and we sincerely hope that we will have some fruit! The rhubarb is healthy and it will not be long and I will be able to cook some for pudding!
We holding back this year and will not plant spring baskets as they do not last very long and then you have to spent an enormous amount of money again to get summer flowers in and this year we will wait and plant every possible basket and window box with begonias, they seems to be the hardiest of all the plants and their flower time extends into the very late summer!
The slugs are having a ball of a time with all the fresh stems of the tulips and we have picked several severed stems off the ground- I have to say I do not easily say I hate something but these slugs I do not love!
The birds are there, but not in their hundreds anymore, as the bag of peanuts as well as the wild bird feed has come to an end and they now have to find their own food! We noticed lots of bumble bees and other kinds of bees around and hope that the bottom field will provide a great habitat for them in the summer months!
The other visiting animals come and go as they please! Sometime we are fortunate to sea then other times they just leave there greeting cards.
The rugby is on and the Irish is playing against the Scots- it was a draw against France last Sunday-so this seems to be an important event.
We inspected the local Home Base to see how their vegetable seedlings are coming along but found none-the colours of the pansies and primroses are very beautiful-we looked and looked but did not buy although it was very tempting. Shelves and shelves of new plants, very colourful and lovely !
We will pay a visit to our own Larry in Abbey Lara to see what he can provide!
Our little grandson Lukas is growing up too fast and he will not be little much longer- he counts perfectly up to 10 and can hand you the amount you ask for in small balls or apples- so he has a good concept of how much 5 or 7 is. After a chat to him this morning on the phone he says: “ Bye Ouma, see you soon” !
So Oumas and Oupas out there- I know I should not boast but it comes naturally!
Barry passed his visit to the clinic on Monday as follow-up on the episode of severe head ache, with flying colours. I visited my GP and got the all clear to go back to work and I will do my 1st shift on Monday night! Looking forward to work again!
Thank you so much to every-one that do write letters even if it is just now and again. Birthdays coming up is. Nicola Josling in Dublin tomorrow, Jaco Eloff in Roodepoort on the 14th , Georg the 18th and Arnolda the 19th! Happy Birthday to you all! Hope you have a wonderful blessed day!
To those who study and have to write exams everything of the best!
We do think of those who are having difficult times with their health! Johann Reinecke who had a back operation and also a minor heart attack, recovering at home -Haya and her torn heel muscles and the swollen leg, Hanlie who has trouble with her neck – Werner who are in remission- Thank the Lord! and then we ask those who do pray for the sick to remember our nephew in Cork -Nicholas who had the brain aneurism last year February- the last scan showed an aneurism within the old aneurism and it could not be solved without open brain surgery- Sharon his mom, will be notified on Monday for the date of the operation- some comfort is that the Neurologist is South African, Mr O’Sullivan- Nicholas is 16 years old.
On the political front the government plods on and I am not sure what the criteria for a Banana Republic is, but this Irish Republic surpasses that!
The unemployment reaches near the ½ million and although Canada and Australia are trying their best to get people employed in their respective countries –it never ends and we heard this week that one of the banks that needed to be bailed out during the deep and dark days of the recession is to let 2,500 people go- hopefully voluntary redundancies- I do not know where it is going to end. I thank the Lord every day that I still have a job.
Away from all the depressing facts of living through a recession – tomorrow is the BEST day of the week and as Joy is still in Lanzerotti I will be in front of the organ and with Stephen away –I can choose the Hymns! I hope that you all will have a blessed Sunday!
Laurel who is at present in Belgium- we hope that you have a successful trip.
Please be diligent in safety matters-do not trust any-one and be careful on the roads!
Spring greetings from a cloudy but lovely day in Cranleymore
Barry & Christina
Good day to you all, family and friends!
It is a lovely day with no sun- thick clouds, little wind, temperatures between 12-14° - the sun did try to break through , I have to admit but the layers of cloud formation is just too thick, but...... We do not moan, every bit of warmth is appreciated and after a round in the garden and giving the car a wash I am happy to announce that the azaleas are flowering the daffodils are gorgeous and the roses said thank you for the fertilizer I gave them 2 weeks ago the new leaves looks good!
In the vegetable garden some progress were made –the last part of the patch has been dug and tilted and within 2 weeks it should be ready to be planted- we also worked some fertilizer into the patch just to make sure that the compost of last year gets a boost!
The apples and pear trees are ready to burst out in blossoms and we sincerely hope that we will have some fruit! The rhubarb is healthy and it will not be long and I will be able to cook some for pudding!
We holding back this year and will not plant spring baskets as they do not last very long and then you have to spent an enormous amount of money again to get summer flowers in and this year we will wait and plant every possible basket and window box with begonias, they seems to be the hardiest of all the plants and their flower time extends into the very late summer!
The slugs are having a ball of a time with all the fresh stems of the tulips and we have picked several severed stems off the ground- I have to say I do not easily say I hate something but these slugs I do not love!
The birds are there, but not in their hundreds anymore, as the bag of peanuts as well as the wild bird feed has come to an end and they now have to find their own food! We noticed lots of bumble bees and other kinds of bees around and hope that the bottom field will provide a great habitat for them in the summer months!
The other visiting animals come and go as they please! Sometime we are fortunate to sea then other times they just leave there greeting cards.
The rugby is on and the Irish is playing against the Scots- it was a draw against France last Sunday-so this seems to be an important event.
We inspected the local Home Base to see how their vegetable seedlings are coming along but found none-the colours of the pansies and primroses are very beautiful-we looked and looked but did not buy although it was very tempting. Shelves and shelves of new plants, very colourful and lovely !
We will pay a visit to our own Larry in Abbey Lara to see what he can provide!
Our little grandson Lukas is growing up too fast and he will not be little much longer- he counts perfectly up to 10 and can hand you the amount you ask for in small balls or apples- so he has a good concept of how much 5 or 7 is. After a chat to him this morning on the phone he says: “ Bye Ouma, see you soon” !
So Oumas and Oupas out there- I know I should not boast but it comes naturally!
Barry passed his visit to the clinic on Monday as follow-up on the episode of severe head ache, with flying colours. I visited my GP and got the all clear to go back to work and I will do my 1st shift on Monday night! Looking forward to work again!
Thank you so much to every-one that do write letters even if it is just now and again. Birthdays coming up is. Nicola Josling in Dublin tomorrow, Jaco Eloff in Roodepoort on the 14th , Georg the 18th and Arnolda the 19th! Happy Birthday to you all! Hope you have a wonderful blessed day!
To those who study and have to write exams everything of the best!
We do think of those who are having difficult times with their health! Johann Reinecke who had a back operation and also a minor heart attack, recovering at home -Haya and her torn heel muscles and the swollen leg, Hanlie who has trouble with her neck – Werner who are in remission- Thank the Lord! and then we ask those who do pray for the sick to remember our nephew in Cork -Nicholas who had the brain aneurism last year February- the last scan showed an aneurism within the old aneurism and it could not be solved without open brain surgery- Sharon his mom, will be notified on Monday for the date of the operation- some comfort is that the Neurologist is South African, Mr O’Sullivan- Nicholas is 16 years old.
On the political front the government plods on and I am not sure what the criteria for a Banana Republic is, but this Irish Republic surpasses that!
The unemployment reaches near the ½ million and although Canada and Australia are trying their best to get people employed in their respective countries –it never ends and we heard this week that one of the banks that needed to be bailed out during the deep and dark days of the recession is to let 2,500 people go- hopefully voluntary redundancies- I do not know where it is going to end. I thank the Lord every day that I still have a job.
Away from all the depressing facts of living through a recession – tomorrow is the BEST day of the week and as Joy is still in Lanzerotti I will be in front of the organ and with Stephen away –I can choose the Hymns! I hope that you all will have a blessed Sunday!
Laurel who is at present in Belgium- we hope that you have a successful trip.
Please be diligent in safety matters-do not trust any-one and be careful on the roads!
Spring greetings from a cloudy but lovely day in Cranleymore
Barry & Christina
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Lente groete vanuit Cranleymore
Saterdag 3 Maart’12
Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende,
Teen 11uur vanmore besluit ek, met die windjie wat so op ‘n drafstap is en die son wat so lekker skyn dat die lakens en wasgoed vandag vir die eerste keer die jaar, buite toe moet gaan- Barry help want hierdie lakens, vir die ekstra groot bed is groot en swaar veral as hulle nog effe klam is! Baie trots beskou ons twee toe ons hande werk – in Suid Afrika het ons elke Maandag lakens geruil – maar in hierdie land klim jy met al wat warm pajamas is en sokke vir voete in die bed en hoef die lakens volgens my dan nie elke week geruil te word nie veral nie in die winter nie- jou elektrisiteitsrekening sal hemelhoog wees want die tuimel droër sal 24 uur ‘n dag werk. Eventewel – daar wapper die lakens en die res van die was goed toe te pragtig aan die lyn- ons is binne toe na ‘n toer deur die tuin en ons daaglikse bewondering van die affodille en ook om na elke bietjie groei te staar. Ek het die rose Donderdag kunsmis gegooi –net voor die reen en ons wag nou in spanning om te sien wat gaan word.
Natuurlik doen ons ook brein gimnastiek vir 1½uur . Met die nuwe Scrabble stel en ons splinter nuwe uitgawe van die Scrabble woordeboek is dit ‘n groot plesier om mekaar uittedaag!
Die tyd breek toe aan vir ons om ons Saterdagoggend inkopies te doen en toe ons net so wegtrek sak ‘n bui reen uit- terwyl die son lekker skyn- my hart het in my skoene gesak want nou is daardie wind droë lakens weer papsop nat. Ons bring toe ook besoek aan ‘n nuwe Mark wat oopgemaak het by die REDCOW want daar is ‘n man wat antieke dinge verkoop- en om Barry gelukkig te hou ry ons soontoe- was effe teleurgesteldt want dit was nou nie die mees wonderlikste goed nie en ook bietjie aan die duur kant- en ons kan net koop as dit goeie kwaliteit is en die prys reg is- koop toe ‘n paar boeke vir lees wat na die Organisasie van Autistiese kinders gaan , kry ‘n heuning en gemmer hoender vir vanaand oop gevlek soos ‘n Nando’s hoender- die eerste keer dat ek dit so sien hier in Ierland- natuurlik kom ek nou nie baie uit nie en is daar miskien plekke wat dit so doen maar waar ek my bevind –defenitief – NIE!
Heerlike brode waar ek na kyk want brood is uit in my dieet- ook die groente en vrugte stalletjie- dit was goed en ons het heerlike druiwe van Argentinie gekoop!
Terug tuis het daar verskeie buie reen geval sommige met sonskyn en ander met ‘n dik wolk as beskermingteen die son. Uiteindelik moes ek tog maar die wasgoed gaan haal en probeer red voor dit sopnat is- en nou werk die tuimel droeër weer maar dit was byna droog dus die wind en die son het darem ‘n kans gehad om die ergste nattigheid te bemeester.
Gister was ons besoek aan Dublin- waarna ek nie uitgesien het nie want Barry hou nie van Dublin nie en omdat ek nie mog bestuur na die inspuiting nie is ons met die trein daarheen. Heel vroeg op en in die trwein om 6.28vm dit was nog stik donker. Gelukkig is daar parkering by die stasie en vir €3 staan jou kar veilig. Die rit self was baie rusitg en genotvol en soos dit lig word het ons die wereld verken. Baie eende en swane op die water gesien en ook 2 fisante! By die stasie is ons per huurmotor na die kliniek toe- 1/5 de van die pad terug huis toe- dit was baie grappig! Die kliniek is pragtig- groot , lig en duidelik met genoeg geld in die sak gebou!
Ons was 20 pasiente wat skouer inspuitings moes kry en ek was 15de aan die beurt – ek is altyd bedeelt met rooi wange en ‘n baie gesonde gelaats kleur –maar ek het die inspuiting baie pynlik gevind en moes seker effe bleek geword het want skielik is almal om my en hou my vas indien ek sou kantel- ek is van tawwe-tinie se mense en het gou weer bygekom maar mense dit was seer- gee nie om wat ander mense voel nie- nie maklik weer nie!
Ek het aaklig gevoel daarna en was baie dankbaar dat ons met huurmotor en trein ons afspraak gehou het- die huurmotor bestuurder was baie oulik en het ons sy kaartjie gegee en ons het hom geskakel en hy ons weer kom oplaai en stad toe geneem!
Ons het die vroeë trein huis toe verpas en moes toe vir 2 ure ons self vermaak maar Barry het ‘n farunkel onder sy voet en so vér as wat ons loop kreun hy van die pyn- en ek hou maar my elmboog in die holte van my ander hand- twee ou krokke wat toe ten einde by die stasie op stoele gerus het tot die trein gereed was- gelukkig staan hy al ‘n goeie ½uur voor die tyd reg en kan mens inklim en rus wat ons toe ook gedoen het- veilig tuis na ‘n heerlike ontspanne rit wat ek nie nodig gehad het om ander mense te probeer vermy nie op die smelweg nie!
Ons was albei baie uitgeput en is vroeg bed toe –ek met ‘n Panado om bietjie gemakliker te voel!
Wat ‘n uitstappie! Ons moet dit weer doen volgende week vir Barry se afspraak by Tallagh Hospitaal maar op die stadium is hy baie steeks en ek weet nog nie of dit ‘n werklikheid gaan word nie.
Met al ons skete dink ons aan die baie sieker as ons - Johann Reineke wat rug operasie gehad het en Haya en haar groot ellende. Ek bid dat daar beterskap sal kom!ons dink ook aan Werner wat chemo ontvang het! Hanlie –wie se nekwerwels ook aandag nodig het -
Die voëls het hul laaste grondboontjies gekry en die saadsak is ook nou leeg en nou moet hulle weer vir hulself sorg! Die katte kom gereeld en is in goeie toestand! Die krimpvarkie het ook wakker geword –ons weet hy is daar maar het hom nog nie gesien nie!
Baie dankie aan almal wat briefies geskryf het – dit word baie waardeer en veral Nine wat moeilikheid met die stuur van haar brief het en dan moet sy weer van vooraf skryf! Ook aan althea Kuyper- wat ‘n verrassing!
Môre is dit soos julle weet die beste dag van my week en ek is weer op orrel diens – as ek die woorde ken sing ek nog steeds saam!kan net nie op 2 plekke tegerlyk kyk nie en moet soms net lala!Ons reeks preke van Josef is uitstekend – en al is ons nie baie nie sien ons almal uit na die volgende preek.
Ek dink aan almal wat dalk verjaardae mag hê- pragtige jaar jul toegewens!
Die slimmes wat studeer- enige iemand wat eksamen moet skryf- alles van die beste.
Op die politieke front gaan dinge nie te ontstuimig nie- ons gaan nou stem –Referendum- oor die verandering in die Lisbon treaty- want die Iere wil nie net dinge aanvaar nie hulle moet eers daaroor redekawel! Die ellende in Sirië
Is hart verskeurend- wonder waar dit gaan eindig- David Cameron was erg ontsteld gister oor wat daar aan gaan maar ek sien nie iemand iets doen nie want China en Rusland het gesê – NEE geen inmenging nie!
Môre speel die Iere Rugby teen Frans – vorige poging was afgestel toe die wêreld ge-ys was!
Ek sal my huis dokter in die loop van volgende week sien en dan sal daar finaal besluit word of ek reg is om terug tegaan werk toe- hoog tyd!
Wees altyd versigtig en hou veiligheid gedurig voor oë!
Ek groet vanuit ‘n lente dag in Cranleymore!
Barry en Christina
Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende,
Teen 11uur vanmore besluit ek, met die windjie wat so op ‘n drafstap is en die son wat so lekker skyn dat die lakens en wasgoed vandag vir die eerste keer die jaar, buite toe moet gaan- Barry help want hierdie lakens, vir die ekstra groot bed is groot en swaar veral as hulle nog effe klam is! Baie trots beskou ons twee toe ons hande werk – in Suid Afrika het ons elke Maandag lakens geruil – maar in hierdie land klim jy met al wat warm pajamas is en sokke vir voete in die bed en hoef die lakens volgens my dan nie elke week geruil te word nie veral nie in die winter nie- jou elektrisiteitsrekening sal hemelhoog wees want die tuimel droër sal 24 uur ‘n dag werk. Eventewel – daar wapper die lakens en die res van die was goed toe te pragtig aan die lyn- ons is binne toe na ‘n toer deur die tuin en ons daaglikse bewondering van die affodille en ook om na elke bietjie groei te staar. Ek het die rose Donderdag kunsmis gegooi –net voor die reen en ons wag nou in spanning om te sien wat gaan word.
Natuurlik doen ons ook brein gimnastiek vir 1½uur . Met die nuwe Scrabble stel en ons splinter nuwe uitgawe van die Scrabble woordeboek is dit ‘n groot plesier om mekaar uittedaag!
Die tyd breek toe aan vir ons om ons Saterdagoggend inkopies te doen en toe ons net so wegtrek sak ‘n bui reen uit- terwyl die son lekker skyn- my hart het in my skoene gesak want nou is daardie wind droë lakens weer papsop nat. Ons bring toe ook besoek aan ‘n nuwe Mark wat oopgemaak het by die REDCOW want daar is ‘n man wat antieke dinge verkoop- en om Barry gelukkig te hou ry ons soontoe- was effe teleurgesteldt want dit was nou nie die mees wonderlikste goed nie en ook bietjie aan die duur kant- en ons kan net koop as dit goeie kwaliteit is en die prys reg is- koop toe ‘n paar boeke vir lees wat na die Organisasie van Autistiese kinders gaan , kry ‘n heuning en gemmer hoender vir vanaand oop gevlek soos ‘n Nando’s hoender- die eerste keer dat ek dit so sien hier in Ierland- natuurlik kom ek nou nie baie uit nie en is daar miskien plekke wat dit so doen maar waar ek my bevind –defenitief – NIE!
Heerlike brode waar ek na kyk want brood is uit in my dieet- ook die groente en vrugte stalletjie- dit was goed en ons het heerlike druiwe van Argentinie gekoop!
Terug tuis het daar verskeie buie reen geval sommige met sonskyn en ander met ‘n dik wolk as beskermingteen die son. Uiteindelik moes ek tog maar die wasgoed gaan haal en probeer red voor dit sopnat is- en nou werk die tuimel droeër weer maar dit was byna droog dus die wind en die son het darem ‘n kans gehad om die ergste nattigheid te bemeester.
Gister was ons besoek aan Dublin- waarna ek nie uitgesien het nie want Barry hou nie van Dublin nie en omdat ek nie mog bestuur na die inspuiting nie is ons met die trein daarheen. Heel vroeg op en in die trwein om 6.28vm dit was nog stik donker. Gelukkig is daar parkering by die stasie en vir €3 staan jou kar veilig. Die rit self was baie rusitg en genotvol en soos dit lig word het ons die wereld verken. Baie eende en swane op die water gesien en ook 2 fisante! By die stasie is ons per huurmotor na die kliniek toe- 1/5 de van die pad terug huis toe- dit was baie grappig! Die kliniek is pragtig- groot , lig en duidelik met genoeg geld in die sak gebou!
Ons was 20 pasiente wat skouer inspuitings moes kry en ek was 15de aan die beurt – ek is altyd bedeelt met rooi wange en ‘n baie gesonde gelaats kleur –maar ek het die inspuiting baie pynlik gevind en moes seker effe bleek geword het want skielik is almal om my en hou my vas indien ek sou kantel- ek is van tawwe-tinie se mense en het gou weer bygekom maar mense dit was seer- gee nie om wat ander mense voel nie- nie maklik weer nie!
Ek het aaklig gevoel daarna en was baie dankbaar dat ons met huurmotor en trein ons afspraak gehou het- die huurmotor bestuurder was baie oulik en het ons sy kaartjie gegee en ons het hom geskakel en hy ons weer kom oplaai en stad toe geneem!
Ons het die vroeë trein huis toe verpas en moes toe vir 2 ure ons self vermaak maar Barry het ‘n farunkel onder sy voet en so vér as wat ons loop kreun hy van die pyn- en ek hou maar my elmboog in die holte van my ander hand- twee ou krokke wat toe ten einde by die stasie op stoele gerus het tot die trein gereed was- gelukkig staan hy al ‘n goeie ½uur voor die tyd reg en kan mens inklim en rus wat ons toe ook gedoen het- veilig tuis na ‘n heerlike ontspanne rit wat ek nie nodig gehad het om ander mense te probeer vermy nie op die smelweg nie!
Ons was albei baie uitgeput en is vroeg bed toe –ek met ‘n Panado om bietjie gemakliker te voel!
Wat ‘n uitstappie! Ons moet dit weer doen volgende week vir Barry se afspraak by Tallagh Hospitaal maar op die stadium is hy baie steeks en ek weet nog nie of dit ‘n werklikheid gaan word nie.
Met al ons skete dink ons aan die baie sieker as ons - Johann Reineke wat rug operasie gehad het en Haya en haar groot ellende. Ek bid dat daar beterskap sal kom!ons dink ook aan Werner wat chemo ontvang het! Hanlie –wie se nekwerwels ook aandag nodig het -
Die voëls het hul laaste grondboontjies gekry en die saadsak is ook nou leeg en nou moet hulle weer vir hulself sorg! Die katte kom gereeld en is in goeie toestand! Die krimpvarkie het ook wakker geword –ons weet hy is daar maar het hom nog nie gesien nie!
Baie dankie aan almal wat briefies geskryf het – dit word baie waardeer en veral Nine wat moeilikheid met die stuur van haar brief het en dan moet sy weer van vooraf skryf! Ook aan althea Kuyper- wat ‘n verrassing!
Môre is dit soos julle weet die beste dag van my week en ek is weer op orrel diens – as ek die woorde ken sing ek nog steeds saam!kan net nie op 2 plekke tegerlyk kyk nie en moet soms net lala!Ons reeks preke van Josef is uitstekend – en al is ons nie baie nie sien ons almal uit na die volgende preek.
Ek dink aan almal wat dalk verjaardae mag hê- pragtige jaar jul toegewens!
Die slimmes wat studeer- enige iemand wat eksamen moet skryf- alles van die beste.
Op die politieke front gaan dinge nie te ontstuimig nie- ons gaan nou stem –Referendum- oor die verandering in die Lisbon treaty- want die Iere wil nie net dinge aanvaar nie hulle moet eers daaroor redekawel! Die ellende in Sirië
Is hart verskeurend- wonder waar dit gaan eindig- David Cameron was erg ontsteld gister oor wat daar aan gaan maar ek sien nie iemand iets doen nie want China en Rusland het gesê – NEE geen inmenging nie!
Môre speel die Iere Rugby teen Frans – vorige poging was afgestel toe die wêreld ge-ys was!
Ek sal my huis dokter in die loop van volgende week sien en dan sal daar finaal besluit word of ek reg is om terug tegaan werk toe- hoog tyd!
Wees altyd versigtig en hou veiligheid gedurig voor oë!
Ek groet vanuit ‘n lente dag in Cranleymore!
Barry en Christina
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Brilliant Spring Greetings
Saturday 25 Feb’12
Good day to all , family and friends!
We are experience S P R I N G ! It is absolutely gorgeous outside, some cloud with bright sunshine and no W I N D! Temperatures between 9-11°. Why would you say is she so excited? Well if you live in Ireland the weather forecast is very much the same as Haas Das report of 1975! Wind rain and sleet in some places especially in the north and brighter spells of dry and rain forecast for the rest of the country, with strong winds at times - and if you hear that every day of your year then today is brilliant!
The Irish and the Italians are playing rugby and I can just hear the noise in the back ground- it will be somewhat of an embarrassment if Ireland loose against Italy -I would say. So far the score is in our favour!
My garden has exploded in bright yellow all over- Barry did plant over 200 daffodil bulbs and therefore the kaleidoscope of colour at the moment- I picked about 20 this morning for the lounge and there is twice that much still proudly standing and tomorrow just as many will open again! We also have a tulip or 2 open. The pruned roses are covered with new leaves and we cross cherry/plum tree is covered in blossoms- what a lovely sight. The birds are a humming choir on every note of the scale. Last Sunday it was very prominent and when Lukas got out of the car it was the first thing he said....” hear the birds”. And only after that he said Hello Oupa!
I do not feature very high in his estimation until he has been around for a few minutes: The next thing he said out of the blue was: “Hello Ouma what are you doing here?” and so he surprised us all day long with an exceptional vocabulary for 22mnths old.
He is a great joy! I am sure you can gather that we are very proud grandparents.
The rest of the garden is sopping wet and one finds it difficult to dig as it is too muddy- the onions are growing in the bag in the garage. We also have wild primroses flowering in the bottom field which give a lovely impression.
Blackie makes sure that he gets the best of the best and he hardly left here all week marking every possible tree to make sure Professor does not come near!
We noticed some different droppings in the garden and we think the Hedgehog must have woken up. We are not sure what is happening with the foxes as 2 nights went by in which they did not make an appearance! The birds are mating and we hope that some of them decide to build their nest in the hedge!
We had a very sad week as Irish people .Earlier in the week there was ?an argument between 2 brother in laws and the during the early hours of the morning the one man burned down the sheds and feeding stock of his bother in law and shot him in the chest, left and hung himself in his own shed. His wife woke up and he was not in the bed and when she got outside she saw the blaze on the a joining farm where her brother lives and when she got outside she heard that her brother was shot dead and they are looking for her husband and a few hrs later they found his body hanging in a shed. The next day a little boy of 2½yr drowned in a pool of rain water in one of the ghost estates. Since the fall of the Celtic Tiger many estates are standing half built and empty –becoming totally derelict. This family lived adjacent to one of these horrible estates and the child followed their dog, crawled through a break in the fence and a passerby found the child a few minutes later dead in the pool of rain water. Suddenly all are very sad and every possible pre-caution has been put into place to prevent such a tragedy again – somewhat late-as the people living next to these ghost estates has been complaining for years that there must be better security around these places also for vandalising attempts as they break in as steal everything that is copper in these unfinished estates. Very sad!
On the political front we are now best friends with China –heaven help us- and the Taoiseach is travelling between USA and Europe to secure bonds between the counties. The health services has crumbled to such an extent that there were on night last week 46 people lying on trolleys in Galway University Hospital –no beds, no staff, and chaos.
The planning board refused that the planned Children’s Hospital go ahead as the sky line of Dublin will be damaged and now they have to start looking for a site all over again after spending already €34million on the project.
Most of the drastic cuttings brought in by the Minister of Education had to be reversed as he has brought the wrath of the people upon him- there are an abnormal amount of Intellectually disabled children in this country and need special attention and teaching methods to get anywhere.
I paid a visit to the shoulder man on Monday and was told that work is out for the time being and that he wants to inject the shoulder and that will happen now this coming Fri in Dublin. That in itself is already stressful but to get there is a further worry as I am not allowed to drive the car after the procedure and this meant that we either have to stay over or leave very early on the train- which we have decided to do! Less stress. Barry has a free travel pass and that is then cheaper that the car and we will spent some €’s on a taxi.
Tomorrow is the best day of my week and it is my turn to provide the music and I love that as much as singing! The series of sermons are so brilliantly presented that I cannot wait for the next sermon!
We also attended the other congregation in Mullingar’s Jumble Sale to collect funds for the building of their new church! We took everything that was still in working order and delivered it on Wednesday. Most of what we brought was gone by the time we arrived this morning and that was good news! Our old scrabble was also on sale.
We bought a few things and got a bag of wool and now I have something to do again! We are master scrabble players( with the Scrabble dictionary) and had to buy a new game as you could not see the blocks on the board any- more and I had to make a new block bag as the original one gave notice!
Rugby score: Ireland 42 Italy 10! Hip- hip- hoera!
Birthdays: Laurel will be a year older on the 27th and Angie on the 28th! We hope that you both will have wonderful days and a blessed year ahead!
Any young people writing exams- everything of the best and for those who preparing to take big steps – may it go well!
Thank you to all who so wonderfully wrote letters and send photos! Wonderful!
I have nothing more to tell you!
Be always alert –behind the wheel or at home!
I include one little photo from our Lukas!
Brilliant spring greetings from Barry and Christina
Good day to all , family and friends!
We are experience S P R I N G ! It is absolutely gorgeous outside, some cloud with bright sunshine and no W I N D! Temperatures between 9-11°. Why would you say is she so excited? Well if you live in Ireland the weather forecast is very much the same as Haas Das report of 1975! Wind rain and sleet in some places especially in the north and brighter spells of dry and rain forecast for the rest of the country, with strong winds at times - and if you hear that every day of your year then today is brilliant!
The Irish and the Italians are playing rugby and I can just hear the noise in the back ground- it will be somewhat of an embarrassment if Ireland loose against Italy -I would say. So far the score is in our favour!
My garden has exploded in bright yellow all over- Barry did plant over 200 daffodil bulbs and therefore the kaleidoscope of colour at the moment- I picked about 20 this morning for the lounge and there is twice that much still proudly standing and tomorrow just as many will open again! We also have a tulip or 2 open. The pruned roses are covered with new leaves and we cross cherry/plum tree is covered in blossoms- what a lovely sight. The birds are a humming choir on every note of the scale. Last Sunday it was very prominent and when Lukas got out of the car it was the first thing he said....” hear the birds”. And only after that he said Hello Oupa!
I do not feature very high in his estimation until he has been around for a few minutes: The next thing he said out of the blue was: “Hello Ouma what are you doing here?” and so he surprised us all day long with an exceptional vocabulary for 22mnths old.
He is a great joy! I am sure you can gather that we are very proud grandparents.
The rest of the garden is sopping wet and one finds it difficult to dig as it is too muddy- the onions are growing in the bag in the garage. We also have wild primroses flowering in the bottom field which give a lovely impression.
Blackie makes sure that he gets the best of the best and he hardly left here all week marking every possible tree to make sure Professor does not come near!
We noticed some different droppings in the garden and we think the Hedgehog must have woken up. We are not sure what is happening with the foxes as 2 nights went by in which they did not make an appearance! The birds are mating and we hope that some of them decide to build their nest in the hedge!
We had a very sad week as Irish people .Earlier in the week there was ?an argument between 2 brother in laws and the during the early hours of the morning the one man burned down the sheds and feeding stock of his bother in law and shot him in the chest, left and hung himself in his own shed. His wife woke up and he was not in the bed and when she got outside she saw the blaze on the a joining farm where her brother lives and when she got outside she heard that her brother was shot dead and they are looking for her husband and a few hrs later they found his body hanging in a shed. The next day a little boy of 2½yr drowned in a pool of rain water in one of the ghost estates. Since the fall of the Celtic Tiger many estates are standing half built and empty –becoming totally derelict. This family lived adjacent to one of these horrible estates and the child followed their dog, crawled through a break in the fence and a passerby found the child a few minutes later dead in the pool of rain water. Suddenly all are very sad and every possible pre-caution has been put into place to prevent such a tragedy again – somewhat late-as the people living next to these ghost estates has been complaining for years that there must be better security around these places also for vandalising attempts as they break in as steal everything that is copper in these unfinished estates. Very sad!
On the political front we are now best friends with China –heaven help us- and the Taoiseach is travelling between USA and Europe to secure bonds between the counties. The health services has crumbled to such an extent that there were on night last week 46 people lying on trolleys in Galway University Hospital –no beds, no staff, and chaos.
The planning board refused that the planned Children’s Hospital go ahead as the sky line of Dublin will be damaged and now they have to start looking for a site all over again after spending already €34million on the project.
Most of the drastic cuttings brought in by the Minister of Education had to be reversed as he has brought the wrath of the people upon him- there are an abnormal amount of Intellectually disabled children in this country and need special attention and teaching methods to get anywhere.
I paid a visit to the shoulder man on Monday and was told that work is out for the time being and that he wants to inject the shoulder and that will happen now this coming Fri in Dublin. That in itself is already stressful but to get there is a further worry as I am not allowed to drive the car after the procedure and this meant that we either have to stay over or leave very early on the train- which we have decided to do! Less stress. Barry has a free travel pass and that is then cheaper that the car and we will spent some €’s on a taxi.
Tomorrow is the best day of my week and it is my turn to provide the music and I love that as much as singing! The series of sermons are so brilliantly presented that I cannot wait for the next sermon!
We also attended the other congregation in Mullingar’s Jumble Sale to collect funds for the building of their new church! We took everything that was still in working order and delivered it on Wednesday. Most of what we brought was gone by the time we arrived this morning and that was good news! Our old scrabble was also on sale.
We bought a few things and got a bag of wool and now I have something to do again! We are master scrabble players( with the Scrabble dictionary) and had to buy a new game as you could not see the blocks on the board any- more and I had to make a new block bag as the original one gave notice!
Rugby score: Ireland 42 Italy 10! Hip- hip- hoera!
Birthdays: Laurel will be a year older on the 27th and Angie on the 28th! We hope that you both will have wonderful days and a blessed year ahead!
Any young people writing exams- everything of the best and for those who preparing to take big steps – may it go well!
Thank you to all who so wonderfully wrote letters and send photos! Wonderful!
I have nothing more to tell you!
Be always alert –behind the wheel or at home!
I include one little photo from our Lukas!
Brilliant spring greetings from Barry and Christina
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Groete vanuit 'n ysige Cranleymore
Saterdag 18 Feb’12
Goeie dag aan allemaal, familie en vriende,
Ons het so ‘n ½ uur gelede ‘n lekker klomp sneeu deur die lug gewarrel sien kom, was net betyds in van ons Saterdag inkopies, melk, brood, koerant en nogwat toe die stormpie opdaag! Gister was dit warm 12° C op ‘n stadium en vandag is dit yssig net bo 2°- ongelooflik wat aangaan en daar spog die Kanadese met hulle heerlike winter! Ek word sommer groen van jaloesie!
Nog nie gehoor hoe die Exeters die weer beleef nie!
Vanwee die ewige nattigheid is die huis groen van die alge en gister middag koop ons toe gellings ‘bleach’ hulle ken nie JIK of Javel hier nie en maak dringend die buite sement skoon en die mure veral aan die noorde kant waar ons in die winter geen son kry nie!. Vanoggend na ‘n nag van hewige reën lyk die plek toe aansienlik beter. Nog ‘n keer met ‘n groot tuin besem en die tuinslang ‘n goeie skrop gegee en nou ons hoef nie bang te wees vir gly nie.
Ons kleinseun kom môre kuier en ingeval die weer goed is en hy wil buite toe moet dit darem aanvaarbaar wees vir ‘n 21 mnde oue kleuter wat alles weet en praat en alles beklouter!.
Buite gaan daar bitter min aan- ons het wel die mooi van al die affodille wat stuk stuk blom, ek pluk ook baie af want met al die reën en koue tussen in lê hulle soggens plat! Die tulpe kom ook nou goed by – maar soos altyd met ons wonderlike nat weer eet die’ slugs’-huislose slakke alles wat hulle kan vind,ek loop gereeld rond en strooi sout maar netnou reën dit en alles was verniet!
Ons wilde diere is pragtig ,vet en gesond professor kom nou al effe nader en kruip nie meer so hewig weg nie – hy sit nou al heel kordaat in die middel van die grasperk-maak seker dat ons hom sien as ons uitkyk!
Die voëlgesang is uit ‘n ander wêreld,so mooi dit laat jou hoendervleis kry!
Op die politieke front het ons die onder president van China op besoek, hy sal erg beskerm word want geen media mag naby hom kom nie.
Hy gaan ‘n paar plekke besoek ook ‘n mooi plaas in een van die counties.
Die geldelike situasie veral in Griekeland het ons maar almal aan die benoude kant – as hulle nie Maandag met ‘n aanvaarbare plan voorendag kom nie is hulle onderdeur en dit kan baie repurkusies vir die res van Eurozone lande hê wat ook in verknorsing sit soos ons!
Ek moet die skouer spesialis Maandag per foon kontak en as hy tevrede is met my verslag kan ek terug werk toe – ek dink Barry sal ‘n sug van verligting slaak want met my hier het hy aan niks gekom nie!.
Verjaardae is min- Renate Röhrs en Garth Kruger verjaar albei Dinsdag 21 Februarie. ‘n Pragtige dag word julle toegewens!
Ek weet nie van jongelui wat eksamens skryf nie maar sou daar wel iemand wees wat hard studeer –alles van die beste.
Ons dink gedurig aan ons neef Werner en hoop dat jy daagliks beter word!
Môre is my beste dag van die week en nou gaan dit ‘n dubbel vreugde wees want ons siele sal verryk word met ons begaafde predikant se preek en natturlik die sing van Psalms en Gesange( ek sit in die kerkbank) asook ons klein Lukas se besoek!
Ek lees in die opskrifte van News24 dat moord en doodslag maar net so erg is in SA as hier by ons- die mense wat hier woon het geen waarde vir ‘n lewe nie – hulle skiet en steek iemand dood net so maklik as wat hulle roomys in die winter eet. Die ‘drug lords’ en dwelm en alkohol misbruikers kan alles want hulle weet dan kwansuis nie wat hulle gedoen het nie en daarom kan die straf nou nie so erg wees nie.
Baie dankie vir die briefies van Zambia en ook bly om te hoor dit gaan elke dag beter met Oubaas- Arnolda, Hessie en Haya se briefies was ook baie welkom Gerlof skryf gereeld en alles wat in Exeter of Telford gebeur is ook heerlik omtehoor!
Ek het niks verder om te sê nie en groet dus met ‘n ysige wind en vlae sneeu uit Cranleymore.
Wees altyd versigtig, tuis en op die pad!
Liefde
Barry & Christina
Goeie dag aan allemaal, familie en vriende,
Ons het so ‘n ½ uur gelede ‘n lekker klomp sneeu deur die lug gewarrel sien kom, was net betyds in van ons Saterdag inkopies, melk, brood, koerant en nogwat toe die stormpie opdaag! Gister was dit warm 12° C op ‘n stadium en vandag is dit yssig net bo 2°- ongelooflik wat aangaan en daar spog die Kanadese met hulle heerlike winter! Ek word sommer groen van jaloesie!
Nog nie gehoor hoe die Exeters die weer beleef nie!
Vanwee die ewige nattigheid is die huis groen van die alge en gister middag koop ons toe gellings ‘bleach’ hulle ken nie JIK of Javel hier nie en maak dringend die buite sement skoon en die mure veral aan die noorde kant waar ons in die winter geen son kry nie!. Vanoggend na ‘n nag van hewige reën lyk die plek toe aansienlik beter. Nog ‘n keer met ‘n groot tuin besem en die tuinslang ‘n goeie skrop gegee en nou ons hoef nie bang te wees vir gly nie.
Ons kleinseun kom môre kuier en ingeval die weer goed is en hy wil buite toe moet dit darem aanvaarbaar wees vir ‘n 21 mnde oue kleuter wat alles weet en praat en alles beklouter!.
Buite gaan daar bitter min aan- ons het wel die mooi van al die affodille wat stuk stuk blom, ek pluk ook baie af want met al die reën en koue tussen in lê hulle soggens plat! Die tulpe kom ook nou goed by – maar soos altyd met ons wonderlike nat weer eet die’ slugs’-huislose slakke alles wat hulle kan vind,ek loop gereeld rond en strooi sout maar netnou reën dit en alles was verniet!
Ons wilde diere is pragtig ,vet en gesond professor kom nou al effe nader en kruip nie meer so hewig weg nie – hy sit nou al heel kordaat in die middel van die grasperk-maak seker dat ons hom sien as ons uitkyk!
Die voëlgesang is uit ‘n ander wêreld,so mooi dit laat jou hoendervleis kry!
Op die politieke front het ons die onder president van China op besoek, hy sal erg beskerm word want geen media mag naby hom kom nie.
Hy gaan ‘n paar plekke besoek ook ‘n mooi plaas in een van die counties.
Die geldelike situasie veral in Griekeland het ons maar almal aan die benoude kant – as hulle nie Maandag met ‘n aanvaarbare plan voorendag kom nie is hulle onderdeur en dit kan baie repurkusies vir die res van Eurozone lande hê wat ook in verknorsing sit soos ons!
Ek moet die skouer spesialis Maandag per foon kontak en as hy tevrede is met my verslag kan ek terug werk toe – ek dink Barry sal ‘n sug van verligting slaak want met my hier het hy aan niks gekom nie!.
Verjaardae is min- Renate Röhrs en Garth Kruger verjaar albei Dinsdag 21 Februarie. ‘n Pragtige dag word julle toegewens!
Ek weet nie van jongelui wat eksamens skryf nie maar sou daar wel iemand wees wat hard studeer –alles van die beste.
Ons dink gedurig aan ons neef Werner en hoop dat jy daagliks beter word!
Môre is my beste dag van die week en nou gaan dit ‘n dubbel vreugde wees want ons siele sal verryk word met ons begaafde predikant se preek en natturlik die sing van Psalms en Gesange( ek sit in die kerkbank) asook ons klein Lukas se besoek!
Ek lees in die opskrifte van News24 dat moord en doodslag maar net so erg is in SA as hier by ons- die mense wat hier woon het geen waarde vir ‘n lewe nie – hulle skiet en steek iemand dood net so maklik as wat hulle roomys in die winter eet. Die ‘drug lords’ en dwelm en alkohol misbruikers kan alles want hulle weet dan kwansuis nie wat hulle gedoen het nie en daarom kan die straf nou nie so erg wees nie.
Baie dankie vir die briefies van Zambia en ook bly om te hoor dit gaan elke dag beter met Oubaas- Arnolda, Hessie en Haya se briefies was ook baie welkom Gerlof skryf gereeld en alles wat in Exeter of Telford gebeur is ook heerlik omtehoor!
Ek het niks verder om te sê nie en groet dus met ‘n ysige wind en vlae sneeu uit Cranleymore.
Wees altyd versigtig, tuis en op die pad!
Liefde
Barry & Christina
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Mid February greetings from Cranleymore
Saturday 11 Feb’12
Good day to you all, family and friends!
We woke up this morning with brilliant sunshine creeping past the blind! Now I have to admit it was somewhat late – in Ireland you lose the ability to be up with the birds, it was already past 08h30 , the sun rises just after 8am but being on sick leave and resting we get up when the radio stops that is 2 hours from the first announcement. The sun was só welcome as it has been raining since last Sunday- never hard but with showers in between continuous drizzle. Everything is wet. The pathway around the house is green and slippery, the outer walls of the house are green from the algae and the grass has also changed colour as the moss has taken over. Temperature 9°C . We are ever so thankful that for once we are missing the terrible weather that is coming in from the east. Large areas of England and France are really in the grip of an icy spell and it turns just before it reaches the east coast of England, missing us!
There is some joy in all of this – my daffodils are flowering and I have picked my 2nd bunch, proudly displayed in the big lounge. The crocuses are covering the ground/grass with bright dark yellow and purple flowers- everything is so new and lovely and promises of some better weather in the near future!
All plants in the garden are budding and we will hopefully have fruit blossoms shortly!
Blackie, the cat has changed his sleeping quarters to the donkey house as he most probably finds it too noisy in the shed especially when Barry starts chopping wood! We can just see where he makes himself comfortable on the straw!
We have been honoured by Professor’s presence nearly every evening this week. He loves the dry food where Blackie is very particular and will only eat the dry food if he is starving.
The foxes are ever present just much too clever and knows precisely when Barry leaves the kitchen for the last time in the evening and dash then to get whatever has been left for them!
We also are the proud human parents of the 1st starling babies in the roof of the shed- they are very verbal in their demand for food!
I wish I could record the sound of 100-200 birds singing at one time in the hedge, it is so beautiful it causes you to shiver.
Barry dug the vegetable patch over during the week, it is a big patch and he has to do it in sections, otherwise he gets some tightness in the chest- he has an appointment with the cardiologist in 3 weeks time- but other - wise he is fine. We hope to plant the rest of the onions and will soon visit the garden centres to buy veggie en flowers seedlings.
Last time I visited the physio I was a bit a edgy- I pay a lot of money for a session and all they do – I can do at home as well- after sitting in the waiting room for 20 min, I made up my mind that I will not return. It was quite obvious that they overbooked and had 2 clients for the same time-and one on the table- so when I was eventually called in I made it clear that that I am not happy and that they have not given me the treatment as requested by the specialist and what they do for me- I can do at home. The owner felt a bit stupid but that was true. So I am now my own Physio therapist and do my exercises as prescribed.
I have another 10 days and hope to be back at work then. The pain is 95% gone only some pain when I do a stupid move- and now I am working on it and have already improved- so I am holding thumbs that the shoulder man will let me go back to work! The arthritis is something I have to live with.
We have Radio and TV program one after the other about the sanitation problem of rural Ireland. The 40% of people living in rural Ireland refuse to pay the registration fee and dread the outcome of an inspection. As if that is not enough- some Australian company has obtained a license to do a survey of underground gas and found a large deposit in Co Leitrim bordering the North of Ireland and in Ireland progress, the ability to provide work, is good as long as it does not happen in “my back yard”. It is called ‘frecking’ and large groups of people started to gather in opposition to this drilling process. We will see what happens- the last time SHELL tried to drill for oil in Co Mayo there was enormous problems and it has been revealed during the week that the cost for policing and guarding the Shell works form all kinds of threats cost the country more that €14 million. Just imagine what will happen when they go ahead and try to drill for the gas?
Birthdays! Philip Josling in Dublin has his birthday tomorrow and Barry’s sister in law-Brenda, in England has her birthday on the 13th Happy birthday to you both of you Josie you will bring our best wishes to your Mom.
Any-one else that may have a birthday and I do not know about it- have a blessed day!
Hope that Werner is feeling better and on the road to recovery.
Tomorrow is the best day of my week in all circumstances and I will be in front of the organ again and I just want to remind all in the Midlands of Ireland about our Hymns Singing Service on the 29th April – 3pm- arrange your diary so that you will be able to attend. You have plenty of warning! We would also love to give you a cup of tea afterwards and show our appreciation for your attendance.
I hear Barry moaning that he seems to be the only one living in this house and are not looked after- that is my cue to greet you!
Be careful while driving –does not matter in which country you live- be always safety conscious!
Thank you for photos and letters- always enjoyed and appreciated.
We greet you from Cranleymore where the sun is trying to break through the cloud cover after this morning’s treat!
Barry & Christina
Good day to you all, family and friends!
We woke up this morning with brilliant sunshine creeping past the blind! Now I have to admit it was somewhat late – in Ireland you lose the ability to be up with the birds, it was already past 08h30 , the sun rises just after 8am but being on sick leave and resting we get up when the radio stops that is 2 hours from the first announcement. The sun was só welcome as it has been raining since last Sunday- never hard but with showers in between continuous drizzle. Everything is wet. The pathway around the house is green and slippery, the outer walls of the house are green from the algae and the grass has also changed colour as the moss has taken over. Temperature 9°C . We are ever so thankful that for once we are missing the terrible weather that is coming in from the east. Large areas of England and France are really in the grip of an icy spell and it turns just before it reaches the east coast of England, missing us!
There is some joy in all of this – my daffodils are flowering and I have picked my 2nd bunch, proudly displayed in the big lounge. The crocuses are covering the ground/grass with bright dark yellow and purple flowers- everything is so new and lovely and promises of some better weather in the near future!
All plants in the garden are budding and we will hopefully have fruit blossoms shortly!
Blackie, the cat has changed his sleeping quarters to the donkey house as he most probably finds it too noisy in the shed especially when Barry starts chopping wood! We can just see where he makes himself comfortable on the straw!
We have been honoured by Professor’s presence nearly every evening this week. He loves the dry food where Blackie is very particular and will only eat the dry food if he is starving.
The foxes are ever present just much too clever and knows precisely when Barry leaves the kitchen for the last time in the evening and dash then to get whatever has been left for them!
We also are the proud human parents of the 1st starling babies in the roof of the shed- they are very verbal in their demand for food!
I wish I could record the sound of 100-200 birds singing at one time in the hedge, it is so beautiful it causes you to shiver.
Barry dug the vegetable patch over during the week, it is a big patch and he has to do it in sections, otherwise he gets some tightness in the chest- he has an appointment with the cardiologist in 3 weeks time- but other - wise he is fine. We hope to plant the rest of the onions and will soon visit the garden centres to buy veggie en flowers seedlings.
Last time I visited the physio I was a bit a edgy- I pay a lot of money for a session and all they do – I can do at home as well- after sitting in the waiting room for 20 min, I made up my mind that I will not return. It was quite obvious that they overbooked and had 2 clients for the same time-and one on the table- so when I was eventually called in I made it clear that that I am not happy and that they have not given me the treatment as requested by the specialist and what they do for me- I can do at home. The owner felt a bit stupid but that was true. So I am now my own Physio therapist and do my exercises as prescribed.
I have another 10 days and hope to be back at work then. The pain is 95% gone only some pain when I do a stupid move- and now I am working on it and have already improved- so I am holding thumbs that the shoulder man will let me go back to work! The arthritis is something I have to live with.
We have Radio and TV program one after the other about the sanitation problem of rural Ireland. The 40% of people living in rural Ireland refuse to pay the registration fee and dread the outcome of an inspection. As if that is not enough- some Australian company has obtained a license to do a survey of underground gas and found a large deposit in Co Leitrim bordering the North of Ireland and in Ireland progress, the ability to provide work, is good as long as it does not happen in “my back yard”. It is called ‘frecking’ and large groups of people started to gather in opposition to this drilling process. We will see what happens- the last time SHELL tried to drill for oil in Co Mayo there was enormous problems and it has been revealed during the week that the cost for policing and guarding the Shell works form all kinds of threats cost the country more that €14 million. Just imagine what will happen when they go ahead and try to drill for the gas?
Birthdays! Philip Josling in Dublin has his birthday tomorrow and Barry’s sister in law-Brenda, in England has her birthday on the 13th Happy birthday to you both of you Josie you will bring our best wishes to your Mom.
Any-one else that may have a birthday and I do not know about it- have a blessed day!
Hope that Werner is feeling better and on the road to recovery.
Tomorrow is the best day of my week in all circumstances and I will be in front of the organ again and I just want to remind all in the Midlands of Ireland about our Hymns Singing Service on the 29th April – 3pm- arrange your diary so that you will be able to attend. You have plenty of warning! We would also love to give you a cup of tea afterwards and show our appreciation for your attendance.
I hear Barry moaning that he seems to be the only one living in this house and are not looked after- that is my cue to greet you!
Be careful while driving –does not matter in which country you live- be always safety conscious!
Thank you for photos and letters- always enjoyed and appreciated.
We greet you from Cranleymore where the sun is trying to break through the cloud cover after this morning’s treat!
Barry & Christina
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