Up to and including Monday 30th June 2008

As I type this entry I am sitting down to a white bread sandwich with my new drug of choice.....Brambleberry Jam........there is simply nothing in the world to compare with this yummy substance and if for this reason alone I was meant to move to the UK, then so be it, I am content (lol).

Had a lovely (and a bit more normal) weekend with no mad rushing around and exciting outings just time spent at home with family and friends. Saturday saw a late start to the morning as the children had finally been allowed to enjoy the long summer evenings and only came in doors from playing at 22h00 on Friday night, and so slept a little later on Saturday morning....after finishing my latest Jodi Picoult "Vanishing Act" and being served breakfast in bed by my dh, I finally dragged myself from under the covers and we headed into Haywards Heath to sort out some banking and have a bit of a wander round - this was something nice for Simon as he doesn't get any opportunity during the week to explore the town and there are many shops we didn't even know existed until now.

After a wonderful lunch of the tastiest meat pies we have found so far, we took the children to the local movie house in Burgess Hill to see the latest Narnia movie which we all loved. Now at this point I must just describe the movie house to you.....this is not the 1st world cinema complexes that we are used to in South Africa, oh no, this was the quaintest little place you have ever seen, complete with ushers to take us to our seat and intermission before the movie started while they changed the reel......we have since discovered (courtesy of Kerry and Rob) that there is in fact a bigger, more modern movie house in Crawley, but I have to tell you I loved the Orion, and the next time we visit will definitely take my camera along to photograph it.

Phillip slept out on Saturday night, his first big boy sleepover ever, and Si, Megs and I set about building her cupboard....well Si set about with the building and I lay on the bed and kept him company - bump is starting to impose serious restrictions as just about any position, other then prone on a bed of pillows (alot like Cleopatra's famous repose, all I need is grapes and a fan) results in heartburn. Simon has really been amazing with all the "some assembly required" items I have insisted on buying from Argos and hasn't even moaned too much at the ones (like the cupboard) which say "two man assembly required"...he now firmly believes that he is worth two men, and I can't argue, at this stage our house would be absolutey devoid of furniture without his patience and persisitence and now instead it is really starting to look like a home.

Sunday morning we were up early and after breakfast headed off for church in Burgess Hill...what a very welcoming fellowship - aided I am sure by the fact that Kerry had told just about everyone about us, but none the less, lovely to be amongst such a warm group of people....thoroughly enjoyed the service and will definitely be returning.

Lunch at Kerry and Robs was great and both families seemed to get along really well, it is not often that all members of the family gel, but that seems to be the case here and was evident by the fact that lunch only ended at about 19h00. We feel very blessed to have met Kerry and Rob and being with them give us just a little taste of the familiarity of South Africa and that is a feeling I can't even begin to describe.

Oh yes, and here are the "pregnant fairy" photos Si and I took this weekend....only 9 weeks to go and counting!

Friday 27th June 2008

Overcast today with promise of rain.......did you notice I said promise as we haven't seen rain much in the last month and it would be quite nice.

My dear friend Linda who has also been through (and successfully survived) a move to the UK added one more DO to our list of "Do's and Don'ts of Moving out" and she is right, this was definitely one of the reasons the move went so smoothly for us......

DO have a job BEFORE you go if at all possible and let one partner go on ahead and set everything up, it is so much easier to move children etc if you have somewhere to go and a car to drive and income coming in and not have to rely on friends and family. Must say, not sure I would have made it if our circumstances where different, it was very very very hard for Simon to arrive in a foreign country on his own and sleep on a camp bed with nothing but a tv for company for two weeks, but it made mine and the children's transition so much easier and for that I will be forever grateful to him.

Argos knocking on the door with our final furniture delivery......yipee........now just need some pics on the walls and the house will really look like a home.

Thursday 26th June 2008

and on the 7th day he rested.........well that was me today - we have been keeping really busy and today the bump put in a major protest and I collapsed on the couch at 09h45 and opened my eyes again at 12h30 - no worries, not depression, just exhaustion. Woke up feeling totally refreshed and spent the next two hours ironing (yipeeeeeeeeee).

Must tell you an amazing story from yesterday - my new friend Kerry (the one from the Burgess Hill email) popped in yesterday to visit, and we managed to work out that she had in fact been to tea at our flat in New Germany 10 years ago when Megs and her little girl where tiny babies, I mean it is just quite uncanny....we have decided that we are definitely meant to be in each others lives and are both looking forward to finding out why (lol).

Other then that no real news to report - looking forward to a relaxing weekend building Megan's wardrobe and Phillips bed which arrives tomorrow......some assembly required (lol), and then off to Kerry and Rob for lunch after church on Sunday, so will probably only post again on Monday.

Do's and Don'ts of Moving out

I received an email this morning from a friend in South Africa who mentioned that we seem to be so well settled already and that she hadn't ever seen such a smooth transition before and maybe I should put some advice in my blog to future emmigrants, well I don't know if I am qualified to do that, but I am going to give it a go. These are just my ideas and opinions and the things that have made our transition easy, they are by no means gospel, but if even one of them helps well then it was worth it.

Do
.......choose your country very carefully, and ignore what anyone else says about it - what works for one family is not necessarily what works for another. Be careful of just going where everyone else is going, don't get caught up in the run, make a conscious decision. If we had listened to all the negatives about the UK we would never be here and yet it has been the best thing ever for our family.

.........find your pull factor - and this one is from Simon - it is no good being pushed from the problems South Africa faces, there it some kind of drama everywhere, and until you are happy where you are, chances are you won't be happy where you are going.

.......move on with your life, that doesn't mean forgetting South Africa and the wonderful family and friends you left behind, and trust me that is the hardest part, but plan to make friends and make an effort.

........get skype and I can't tell you how important that is, it gives you a free lifeline to the people back home and only by being in contact with what is familiar are you able to deal with what is strange.

.........keep busy, and this may be expensive at first, so try to budget for it - we have traveled all round our area already and are planning a trip north to Newcastle next weekend and then one West to Bristol in the middle of July - this keeps the family's mind off what they would have been doing in South Africa and adds an element of excitement to the settling in process.

........do allow yourself to be sad, but get over it, it is when we take to our beds that the trouble starts. Whenever I feel the melancholy coming on, I pick up my bag and go for a walk to the post office to send a post card to family or buy some milk from the local grocer and by the time I am home I have been distracted and am more in control again....think about how we deal with crying children, distraction, distraction, distraction.

........find a purpose, if you are unable to work and earn an income then be the best house wife/husband you can, or if that doesn't work for you find a charity to get involved with - by feeling needed and essential you can fool your brain into thinking that you have a place where you belong, and eventually you will find you do belong.

........expect your children to cope and they will - that was a bit of advice given to me by a very good friend who has moved many times in her children's short lives and it was some of the best advice I received prior to our emigration. I am not saying don't let them feel sad and miss family and friends, but don't let them dwell on it either, children are more resilient then we think.

Don'ts

..... let your children see you breakdown before, during or after the move. Now I may meet some resistance on this one, but it worked for me for two reasons (a) because if I break down and cry and can't cope they begin to wonder what they are being let into and become stressed and agitated themselves, but if I am positive then they will feel safe and know that I have no doubt that we are making the right decision and (b) if I need to keep it together for them, it gives me the strength to fight the hard times and if you act happy, chances are eventually you will find that you are happy.

......listen to Johnny Clegg, eat boerewors rolls, niknaks, all gold tomato sauce or fanta orange until you can do it with a smile on your face and a joy in your heart. We still haven't had any of those things in our home and "Scatterlings of Africa" is simply banned for the moment, this is an incredibly hard thing to do, so don't make it harder on your self.

......expect your new county to be trouble free, there are high fuel prices, retrenchment, exorbitant cost of living, corruption everywhere, guess it goes back to what I said earlier, be pulled by what your new county HAS got, not what you think it hasn't.


Well that is about it, as I said, many of you may read this and think I am totally insane, but it worked for me, and maybe some of it can work for you.

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Woke to slightly cloudy skies, but they seem to have cleared a bit and although there is a nip in the air, it is by no means cold and gloomy.

We are now the proud owners (well renters at least) of a state-of-the-art boiler which will not only save us 1/3 on our gas bill but is also absolutely safe and has a zero chance of releasing carbon monoxide back into the house which is very good news trust me.....it is funny how, not being raised in a county where gas is the norm, Simon and I are super aware of it, and if truth be know are even a little bit paranoid, so tonight we will sleep well knowing that we are emission safe (lol).

Did a major clean this morning, needed to get rid of all the concrete dust from the installation, no one else here to do it for me, and am just about to sit down and play with some photographs for my first layout....am really drawing things out and savouring the moment as only have enough product for one layout at this stage and don't want it to be over too quickly really sounding like an addict now aren't I.....will post the layout once it is finally done!

Tuesday 24th June 2008

It is officially 1 month since I climbed on the plane for England, and it has been a very fast paced and exciting month......I met some ladies last night (will tell you more about the how and why later), and I said to them "if you are going to leave a country, do it fast, the faster the better" and I really do believe that.

Simon, Megan, Phillip and I didn't really have time to truly grasp the magnitude of what we were doing and before we knew it, with no time for second guessing or mind changing, we were living in England and our lives had done a complete 180 degree turn.

Admittedly we have kept ourselves exceptionally busy, another must I believe, and there hasn't really been time for looking back or regretting the move - find your pull and focus on it.....in Simon's case it was his job, in my case it was the children's future which I still believe is more secure on this side of the ocean, and we are coping......there are hard and lonely times, but we are coping and growing together as a family every day. For those of you planning the move here, Australia, NZ or the midlands, keep looking forward, and if you need to look back make it for as short a time as possible......no one can take away your roots, but look to the branches, they are your future.

On that extremely philosophical note let me tell you about my evening....as I mentioned a couple of days ago, Kerry (ex South African) and I met for coffee and she kindly included me in her "Pamper Chef" party which was held last night...can't tell you how lovely it was to be out and have a laugh with a group of women, they all made me feel exceptionally welcome and that is one thing I have to say for the British, they are generally very warm friendly people and Si and I haven't found it particularly hard to find people to talk to.

Rob (Kerry's husband) invited us round for lunch on Sunday and we are again looking forward to spending some time with this lovely couple - it is great to share the same (slightly off the wall) South African sense of humour and spend time with people who know and understand our country.....otherwise conversation tends to be about South Africa and what made us leave and I must admit I find myself sounding quite negative which is not my intention, it is just hard to explain electric fences, security gates and burglar alarms and still sound positive (lol), so any suggestions would be most welcome - I want to be an ambassador for SA, not a assassin.

Monday 23rd June 2008

Wow, just couldn't get out of bed this morning, don't know if it was all the fun and excitement of the weekend or if bump was just protesting, but I finally managed to drag myself out from under the covers at around 10h30 and only then because I received a phone call to tell me the plumbers were coming to fix the central heating (yipppeeeee).

Kids are on an "inset day" which happens a couple of times a term and, I think, means teachers and staff are in training and development so the kiddies don't have to go to school...we were going to rush around like mad things and try and do some kind of outing, but decided that a pajama day would be much more fun, so they have spent the day loafing in front of the TV and generally vegging which I can't deny them as we have been hectically busy every weekend....can you hear me trying to justify the TV time (lol).

Off to a "Pamper chef" party at Kerry's tonight in Burgess Hill which I am looking forward to, especially the company of other girls and just a night out which should be fun.

Weekend of 21st / 22nd June 2008

Early rise on Saturday morning to get the house ready for Cayne and Linda's arrival......they are the first from home (other then Cuz and Fay) to seen the house, and the "housewife" in me needed to make a good impression (lol).

Lots of tears (from Linda) and laughs (from the rest of us) when that little blue Rover finally pulled up, it was beyond words and description to see them again and even Phillip was happy to be hugged and kissed......coffee all round and then Lin and I were off to town to see a picture I have been wanting to buy for my dining room but needed a gf opinion - lovely to just be together and "Trading 4 u" may never be the same again!!!!

Lots of much needed laughter and sisterhood while the "boys" stayed at home and watched the kids. After lunch, role reversal and Lin and I walked down to the park for the afternoon with the kids while Si and Cayne went for a beer - wonderful to just chill and restore the soul in the company of a good friend - great to share stories and catch up on each other's lives......we have committed to a visit once a month and we are already counting the sleeps till we head out West to them next month.

Early night on Saturday (pregnant fairy was exhausted) and then up early again on Sunday for a MUCH needed voice and video over skype with Beryldene in South Africa - much shrieking and laughing (what the neighbourhood must have thought....those odd South African's again (lol)) and for a short time it was like old times and I think it did us all the world of good!!!!!

After breakfast we all climbed in the "bus" otherwise known as Madge and headed down to Brighton for the day using Cayne's "Tom Tom" - now I just have to add at this point, that this has to be the greatest invention known to man and the absolute first time Simon and I have got to our destination without getting lost.....needless to say I am heading into Curry's (our local digital store) first thing on Monday morning to buy our very own Tom Tom and am looking forward to navigating the rest of the UK without the detours!!!!!

Spent a very happy day at the Sealife in Brighton and then after ice-cream on the beach headed home for lunch and then goodbye to the Andrew family......not so many tears this time as we know we will be together again in a month.

After watching the blue Rover turn the final corner, Si and I dashed back inside to get ready for Timothy's baptism which we had been invited to earlier in the week.....had had second thoughts about going, due to extreme pregnancy exhaustion, but after a short deliberation we decided it was best to go so off we went and turned out to be a delightful service which the whole family enjoyed tremendously and may actually return to next Sunday.

Another very happy weekend in England, also finalised Mom's ticket so she will be arriving on 22 August for about 6 weeks.....am now really counting the sleeps!!!!!

From the Children's Perspective

Thought it might be fun to do a Q&A with Megan and Phillip every couple of months and see what they think.......so here is the first. Megan = Top, Phillip = Bottom

How long have we been living in Lindfield?
Ummm, well, I say about 2 weeks on Saturday
3 weeks

Do you like it here?
Yes I do, I enjoy walking to the park
Ummm, Yes

What are your favourite things about England?
Well my favourite things are....Legoland and Lemurland
All my new friends

What are the worst things about England?
Shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you missing most about South Africa?
My friends, my Granny and Pappa and my school, um and.....and Megan Houghton
Dominic

Do you like your new school?
Yes, I do, it is lots of fun because I get to dance every Tuesday and we are doing a play in 3 weeks time and it is lots of fun because we are working on Queen Elizabeth
Yes I do

Do you like your new house?
Yes I do, specially coz now I have my room all to myself
Yes I do

Are you happy to be living in England?
Well, yes, but I do miss alot of people, and sometimes I wish we could go back.
Yes I am

Friday 20th June 2008

Blue skies again...........sorry, but so far beautiful weather, know the winters will come, but as they say "lets make hay while the sun shines" - nothing quite like the English warm days as you don't get hot and sweaty, but they are warm and long and perfect, in fact a lot like SA in about April or May.

Mildred and I had a marathon session today and let me tell you there is nothing nothing nothing in the world like a big steam press - I literally had about 4 loads to iron....most of which is generated by my beautiful son (lol), and it took me less than an hour to iron, fold and put away....definitely my kind of ironing.

Phillip off on a play date this afternoon and then to a "Sausage Sizzle" at Beavers until 19h30 this evening so Megs and I are on our own...enjoyed lunch together at a local coffee shop and then some shopping in preparation for Linda's visit - really really nice to spend some "Girl Time" together, but she did admit for the first time that although she likes England very much, it would have been nice for a holiday as she is starting to miss South Africa now and her Granny and Papa ....guess to be expected and we will help her through it, she isn't devastated or pinning or anything, just starting to realise that this is the real deal.

Thursday 19th June 2008

All in all a very good day to say the least....

Up early to more blue skies albeit with a bit of a bite in the air, Megs not feeling so good, bit of a cold coming I think - but after the alternative to school which was a day in bed with no tv and no nintendo ds game, she decided she felt much better and was up and about without too much fuss.

Directly after dropping kids at school I headed out to Burgess Hill to meet Kerry.....now some of you may have heard the story of the strange facebook message I received asking me if I was the Andrea from Pinetown Girls and if I was in Burgess Hill a couple of weeks ago...... anyhoo, Kerry was the sender of that message, and I am so glad she did. Turned out to be a lovely meeting, started at o9h30 and after 2 lattes moved on to her house where I finally left at 14h30 but only in order to fetch my kids at school - and let me tell you I feel restored.

It felt like I had known Kerry forever and conversation just swung back and forward about everything you can imagine....it was like being with an old friend and someone I will definitely be in touch with from now on. Also got to meet Kerry's husband Rob who was at Gelofte and is a laugh a minute - I can't wait to introduce them to Simon as am sure this has the potential to be the beginning of a great friendship. Am going out to Kerry's on Monday night (and no, don't have to worry at all about being out on my own after dark....it is the other poor sods on the road you have to worry about with my night blindness (lol)), she is having a Pamper Chef party and I am going to go along and meet some more of her friends, she also runs a toddler group every Wednesday morning which I will join shortly so am already feeling a little less isolated.

Kids both had a wonderful day at school and received certificates in assembly this morning for doing so well in their first week, in fact my son seems to have turned over a whole forest and won "Star of the week" for his grade for his outstanding behaviour and earning his house the most points....long may it last!!!!!

Wednesday 18th June 2008

Not such a busy day today - started out with being woken as Phillip and Si headed down to the common at 06h30 to play cricket with the new cricket set Phil got from Andrew yesterday.......what the neighbours must think of us crazy South Africans I simply can't imagine - first the husband arrives and lives in a house with only a camp bed, sleeping bag and tv for almost 2 weeks and then when the rest of the family arrives they are out playing sport with the sparrows (lol).

Had my blood test done and should have the results in a day or so, so no worries there....on that thought another three firsts for England....

First time I have worn a belly bra - I know I know had never heard of one either, but my wonderful friend Tanya sent it to me and basically it is like a swimming costume which is made of lycra and is very tight and helps to support the bump (in the absense of stomach muscles like mine) .... must say does seem to be helping and the sore pelvis hasn't been to bad today.

First time I have visited a NHS hospital and experienced government health care, and to be honest not too bad at all - nothing like Westville Hospital of course, but clean and I found the staff helpfull and friendly, so feeling a bit better about having the baby there - yet to see the maternity unit, but I suppose it doensn't really matter what it looks like, as the state is paying lock stock and barrel they get to say where I go.

First time I have EVER broken a sweat doing housework - and on that note I want to you all to go and hug your maids (and don't be surprised if they are sweaty) ... floors, kitchen, dusting and both bathrooms is a mammoth task and today with the warm weather was a very hot one too (lol).

Just got back from fetching Phil from football practice (don't call it soccer here or you get met with a blank stare) and at the end of each week the coach awards the "player of the day" floating trophy which Philly was awarded for being an outstanding goalie, so as you can imagine he is walking on air and simply LOVING his new school.

Tuesday 17th June 2008

I can't believe that 10 years ago today Megan was born...in some respects it seems like just yesterday and in others I simply can't remember life without her, but I guess that is the same for all parents - life without children ....... ummmmmmm......no, can't remember (lol).

She has truly grown into a remarkable young lady and has settled into life in England like she was born to it - Philly is having a good time and enjoying himself but not quite the same way as my little English Rose, can't quite describe it....just the way it is.

As for Simon and I, we are doing well and adapting to life here - I miss family and friends more and more as the days pass, but by keeping busy and using skype like a life line I am managing. It was a strange feeling leaving Legoland on Sunday - I said to Simon on the way home I wasn't sure how I felt about going "home" to Lindfield......it was the first time we had been away overnight and going home always meant Stoney Hill Lane and Hobbs and the dogs.....but I am delighted to say that as we drove into Lindfield I actually did feel like we had arrived home and it made me realise even more that England is where we are meant to be - think my dh breathed a HUGE sigh of relief, not sure what he thought he was going to do if I said "no, sorry doesn't feel a bit like home" (lol)

Birthday was celebrated in usual Robertson style with hearts desire as a gift and in this instance it included a Nintendo DS hand held computer game and two goldfish named Gold and Sunshine....as many of you know this was supposed to be the PUPPY birthday, but Megs has graciously agreed to put that on hold and the goldfish were the substitution. Fay (my aunt) and Andrew (my cousin) joined us for the day from London in celebration of Meg's birthday and that was absolutely stunning - lovely to spend time with family and just be with people who have known you forever.

It was the country dancing show at the school and Andy joined me while Fay went off for tea with a friend.....at this point I just need to say that I had promised Phil I would be in the front row if he could bring himself to dance - now the show started at 13h30 so at 12h40 I diligently made the 7 minute trip up to the school to ensure my spot.......and to my absolute disbelief did not see another mother before 13h15, so definitely very different from HP where we all would have been cursing each other in the car park and needed to be there two days in advance to reserve those front seats (lol)....anyhooo, watched a delightful show in which my son took part I am very proud to say and Megs was absolutely radiant doing her Maypole dance - I wasn't sure if we were able to take photos after all I have heard about the English and their photo laws so unfortunately didn't have my camera with me.

I unfortunately couldn't stay for the whole show as had a prearranged appointment with the midwife (which I will get to later) so left Andrew to hold the fort and returned to find him having tea with Phil's teacher having taken part in the dancing as Megan's partner at the end of the show....those of you who know my cuz won't be a bit surprised and it definitely turned out to be one of the highlights of Megan's day!!!!!

As for the appointment, very routine, just the same as our monthly appointments with the gynae in SA - all is fine and according to the midwife I am blooming........lots of movement from baby which is good and my blood sugar and pressure seem to be perfect - am having routine blood tests done on Wednesday as I am now over 29 weeks and from next week should I go into labour early they will do everything they can to save the baby so need all my info on record......but wait for this, I have to go into town and drink a bottle of lucozade and then be at the hospital 60 minutes later, not a minute before and not a minute later, so that at the allotted moment I apparently ring a special bell and they will take my bloods immediately to ensure the absolute accuracy of the results.......I am telling you these English are crazy, but I have to say in the nicest, most organised and efficient way possible.

Finished the evening with dinner at the Witch and the wonderful news that Cayne and Linda will be coming to stay with us this weekend and will arrive just after breakfast on Saturday morning....I am so excited don't think that I am going to be able to sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Up to and including Monday 16th June 2008

Si is are back to work and the kids have school so I find myself home alone and glad of a bit of peace and quiet after an exceptionally busy weekend...in fact I intend having a little lie down (on Mom's orders) before fetching the kids from school after Feast at 4pm (oh the English life ho hum (lol)). Megan and Phil both still very happy with their new school and set off quite contendedly this morning.

As for the weekend, I am not entirely sure where to begin.......Legoland is absolutely amazing and absolutely huge and it took us 2 days of 6 hours a day to get round the whole park and we still didn't see everything!!!!! It was such an awesome experience that Simon decided to upgrade our ticket to a "Merlin Annual Pass" which although a wee bit expensive and a little bit of a juggle with the cashflow entitles us (as a family of 4) unlimited entry into all the Merlin parks and attractions around England (20 in all) including Madam Tusaurds, London Eye, all the Seaworlds and the London Dungeon for 12 months.

Now, I have been thinking about how best to write about our trip and some of the 200 photos taken (lol) and have decided to go through the park as we went through it over the weekend and include photos wherever possible, so be warned, this is going to be a LONG entry.

Saturday 14th May
Left home a little after 9.15am and after only getting lost a couple of times finally arrived at our destination a little over a hour and a half later. The kids started screaming the minute we drove in the gate and I have to admit their excitement was contagious and even Si and I were itching to go as we parked the car. Bearing in mind that Legoland is situated on 150 acres of land, the walk from the car is in fact not that bad and it wasn't long before we were standing at the gates. Once in side, the first thing that struck us are the wonderful "statues" built entirely out of lego which are scattered all round the park and we spent the first couple of minutes wondering around the entrance area enjoying the "art".

Next it was "all aboard" the Duplo Train as we headed down into the actual park...now let me tell you, you haven't seen ANYTHING until you have stood in an English queue...fortunately everyone respects your space and the fact that you have to queue and are generally very friendly which only adds to the atmoshphere.

Think one of the fav rides or activities for the day for the kids was getting their "Legoland Licence" - very cool, the kids get to go through "traffic school" and then get let loose on this track complete with robots and all signs made out of Lego...they simply loved it and both "passed" first time (lol). Simon and I definately rated the Viking Village as our favourite, and the Water Splash was the ultimate ride of the day as far as we were concerned...armed with raincoats, we jumped aboard a big spinning boat which whips you down a fast flowing and turbulent river complete with vikings spraying you with water from the sides and lots of fast action - needed to pay for the 2 pound family drier when we came off to get our clothes dry (despite the raincoats), but what a blast (lol).


At around 6pm, a very exhausted Robertson family called it a day, albeit one of the best we have spent as a family, and headed back to our hotel...as we were far from home, Si kindly paid for us to spend the night at a hotel on a B&B basis (which we got a special discount price with with our Legoland ticket) and what a relief that was, nice to be close to home, a hot bath and a meal I didn't have to cook (not to mention not having to make the beds in the morning (lol)). The hotel was an added bonus for the children who have never stayed in one before, so it all added to Meg's special birthday treat.


Sunday 15th May
Up early and after breakfast in the hotel we were back down to legoland to experience the rest of the park...I think I may have said before (too lazy to go back and read), but the park really is too big to experience in one day and the queues do slow your pace right down, so if you are planning this as an outing (should you make it to the UK of course) you need to plan for at least two days on your first trip and as the park offers really really good discounts for two day passes it is fairly affordable and certainly cheaper then coming back at a later stage...unless you upgrade your ticket to an annual pass that is.

Highlight of day two for the kids was split between the roller coaster - which I couldn't do due to pregnancy...shew lucky break, have no idea how I would have been brave enough if I didn't have the excuse (lol) and the Wave Surfer. For me the Wave Surfer was the hands down winner for although I also couldn't do the ride due to bump, I got to set off the water bombs and you should have heard my shrieks of delight as I gave my dh a real drenching.

Miniland was also a winner on Sunday... it just blew us away that the entire exhibit is built out of lego - and trust me when I say it is impressive!


Well, those are most of the highlights of the trip - it was an exhausted family which made our way home on Sunday night...in fact Phillip couldn't keep his eyes open and was asleep before we made it out of Windsor, as for me, it was the first time since we have been here that I actually went to bed while it was still light.......but what a WONDERFUL weekend, and one I think we will remember for years to come.

Friday 13th June 2008

Didn't even realise that today was a "Friday the 13th" until I started the blog.....oh well so far has been good for me and no gremlins (lol).

Spent a busy morning completing some web updates for Garrick, must say enjoyed the work and it was nice to have something different to do - also managed to insure our car for the princely sum of £28 per month which will mean that I am now able to transport children on outings. Laws in this country relating to children are very very strict and Phil had his first outing today but because I didn't have comprehensive insurance and police clearance I am not even allowed to attend, but once I can produce my valid licence, proof on insurance and a police clearance certificate I will be allowed to get involved....not complaining though, it is strict laws like this one that protect us here and the zero tolerance helps keep the crime levels down, well in the villages at least, if you follow the BBC News, London is like a war zone in the inner city!

Off to Legoland in the morning for Megan's 10th birthday, not sure the kids will even be able to sleep tonight they are so excited - bit of a stretch financially, but have decided to stay at a B&B in Winsor overnight as it is a fair treck and and kids have never stayed in a "Hotel" before so it is all part of the experience.....guess we will be eating beans on toast for a while (lol), no seriously, not that bad, but entertainment is ridiculously expensive here, but a promise is a promise so we are off...have to admit I am secretly as excited as the children. Believe Monday is a public holiday in SA - funny how quickly you forget.

Thursday 12 June 2008

Am not sure that I am going to be able to keep up these daily entries for much longer as life is settling down to a routine now and especially with the kids going to school there really isn't much to tell.

As I have been talking bout routine, let me tell you about the one I have settled into.......and I will come back and read this in a year and see how the arrival of number 3 has shattered the peace (lol)

• 06h30: Si gets up and starts getting ready for work. Meg normally downstairs by this stage already.
• 07h00: I drag myself out of bed...at least it is light at this time of year, heaven help me for winter. Phillip normally starts to get up about the same time
• 07h00 - 0715: Tidy up upstairs, make beds etc (yes, raar maar waar)
• 07h15: Downstairs to make school lunches and unload dishwasher
• 07h30: Simon leaves to catch his bus and then train to work - I head upstairs to shower while kids eat their breakfast.
• 07h45 - 0815: My time on skype with Beryldene...like my daily fix!
• 08h15: Leave home to drop kids at school - bit of an overkill as school only 6 minutes away and they only start at 08h45, but nothing else to do at this stage so we get moving
• 08h45: Home from school run and time to sit down and enjoy a cup of decaf and my breakfast...yes I actually eat breakfast here, as have time to sit down and enjoy it while I read the paper (are you actually believing this (lol))
• 09h15 : Start on housework according to shedule I posted weeks ago...and let me tell you I am sticking to it like a religion, am so scared if I miss even one day it will all go down the tubes - gotta form this habit now or never (lol).
• 10h00 - 12h00: COMPUTER TIME so beware any of you online between 11h00 and 13h00 SA time as I am normally hunting for someone to talk to. Also the time I intend to update my blog when I have something of any interest to say....so watch this space.
• 12h00 - 14h00: On Tuesdays and Fridays this is my ironing time, but for the rest of the week I hope to get some scrapping done - yet to find a scrapping store in Haywards Heath but I believe there is one in East Grinstead about 8 miles away (where we were going to live) and Si has said I must look at going up there for a few classes - just as a way of meeting people really, so as soon as my tools arrive that is going to be my first mission.
• 14h00 - 15h00: Any shopping that needs to be done before collecting kids at 15h00 - although they will start extra mural clubs from next week so this may change again depending on their schedules.
• 15h00 - 18h15: Time with the kids and a visit to the park (weather permitting) - so far no homework, but guess this will be project time as and when necessary
• 18h15 - 18h45: Prepare dinner - and yes I have cooked absolutely every night baring two and no I don't mind it one bit, actually look forward to preparing food as we all sit round the table here and catch up, so it becoming bit of a highlight as, as you can see don't see much of the family during the day.
• 18h45 - 19h15: Dinner and Si normally gets home in this time period
• 19h15: Kids upstairs to bath and I load dishwasher
• 20h00 - 21h00: Kids to bed, and normally when I get to chat to mom for an hour...another one of my daily fixes and a must have
• 21h00: Sit down with Simon to watch tv, or rather at the moment build some or other kind of household furniture...at the moment working on my scrapbooking cupboard - needless to say my dh is becoming very disillusioned with the whole "some assembly required" thing.

Well as you can see from the above, I have a fair amount of time on my hands and am doing my best to live life stress free....bit of a pregnancy update, all is going well and I was 29 weeks pregnant yesterday, so only 11 more weeks to go (or knowing my luck another 13) and I am due to see the midwife for another check up on Tuesday 17th June (Megan's birthday).

Need to phone for my NHS number later this week as have to have some blood tests done which is required here, but no biggie, just routine. Simon and I keep promising to do some preggie photos, and this weekend will be out again because of the big birthday treat at Legoland, but we will get something done before this baby actually arrives!!!!

Wednesday 11 June 2008

The children started school this morning, and I am amazed and delighted that with a 08h45 start as there was no stress and we were all ready to go on time and with no shouting and screaming at all. Bee did say it would be so nice for SA to adopt the later morning start, but as I said to her at the time, think you need to be able to enjoy your afternoons there which are really over by around 18h30 in the Summber and around 17h00 in the winter where as here the sun only sets after 21h30 in the summer and in winter the sun only rises after 08h00 so have to have a late start so that kids not leaving for school in the dark.

Day seemed to go well and both kids like their classes and Megs came home with a whole list of friends and the brightest of smiles as there doesn't appear to be any homework (mommy also smiling - long may it last!!!!!) and she managed to get some of the answers right in her maths test...so she really is settling in already.

My little Phillip on the other hand had a little hiccup around midday and landed himself in the head teacher's office for stubbornly refusing to do the country dancing - now for those of you who know him well, you will be nodding your heads knowingly, but let me tell you it was enough to knock my wheels off, being phoned at home by the head teacher to tell me about said incident and ask for my input - Simon had to deal with a hysterical mother at her wits end (I mean lets face it this is not the first time I have had to face the wrath of a teacher on Phillip's behalf).

Anyhoo went in to see the head teacher at collection time and she was great and had accepted the fact that Phillip wasn't a "little toad" to use her words (the english, gotta love them), but was simply prepared to have his leg cut off rather than be forced to dance with a girl in front of first his class mates and then the mother's next tuesday...hence the stubborn behaviour. Needless to say Phillip and I have had a heart to heart and he is going to take part in dancing next week and hopefully that will be the last we hear of it.

Had another surprise when the inspector came around from Leaders (our letting agent) to check on the Gas (something they apparently do each year for safety reasons) and condemned my central heating unit - although it is working fine now - so no worries of Carbon Monoxide poisioning, it has three areas which are not up to regulations and as such needed to be sealed off with immediate effect and have a large red warning lable placed on it - so the joys of gas, all I can say is thank the pope the stove wasn't affected (also gas) and it isn't the middle of winter!!!!! Must say very comforting to know that these kinds of precautions are in place, makes one realise that this really is a first world country.

Tuesday 10th June 2008

Woke up this morning and gave myself a good talking to..."Girlfriend" I said "You gotta get up and make this work, no point lying around feeling sad - be positive" and that is exactly what I did - and what a lovely day it turned out to be.

Once again absolutely glorious weather (rain forecast for the rest of the week...knew it was too good to last (lol)) so decided to bunk home school and find ourselves something to do in the local area other than the parks...quick google produced the name and address of Drucilla's Park out near Lewes on the way to Brighton which is also known as Lemur Land and as I have been teaching the children about Carnivores, Herbivores and Omnivores decided it was the perfect place for an "outing".

At this point I have to add another first for England...

First time I have had to stop for directions so many times in one day (lol) - we must have turned around and asked directions at least 10 times today, but as the trip is over 15 miles long (round 30kms or so) wasn't too bad I don't think.

Anyhoo, finally arrived at Drucilla's park, and what an absolute delight - if any of you ever have the opportunity to visit the South of England and you have young children, this is an absolute must and somewhere we will definitely return - £35 for a family of three (extremely cheap by English standards) and we spent over 5 hours there thoroughly enjoying our selves...Megan and Phillip definitely want to show it to the Andrew family when we get the chance.

It is primarily a primate "zoo" but with only very small animals, no chimps, baboons or gorillas, and all the cages are very well maintained and in my humble opinion very humane - there is a "Zoo Keeper for a day" program which I am going to try and enrol my kids in as Phillip in particular is quite keen on this kind of thing and wants to be a conservation vet when he grows up (am sure it will change 100 times) so it should be great fun for them.

There is also a small domestic animal farm and the kids were thrilled to be able to practise their milking skills on a "toy" cow - Phil is quite a pro, so who knows maybe he can be a farmer if the vet thing doesn't pan out (lol). They also have a very nice "Zoolympics" program which encourages the children to do things like see how long they can hang from a pole like a monkey or stand on one leg like a flamingo and my two had an absolute blast.

On our way out to Drucilla's I got the call to stay kids can start school in the morning, so after a lovely day, we passed the children's new school to pick up the uniform list and the kids are now all kitted out and ready for the big day tomorrow...must just say quite stressful doing the shopping - in SA you walk into the uniform shop and take what you need, pay and leave, well in England (or here in West Sussex at least) the kids only have about 5 different uniforms and most of them where standard grey skirts or trousers with a white "golf" or "polo" shirt - sounds easy enough as these uniforms are supposedly available at any of the big retail chains BUT there are only 5 weeks left of the year here and as such the stock levels are atrocious so 4 shops and £150 later my kids are kitted out and ready to go, and I am a totally exhausted pregnant mother.

Ironing forgotten today in all the excitement - so tomorrow I know what I will be doing while the kids are at school. Have just got back from Sainsburys (20h20) and I was just thinking on the way home how contented I feel - I have no doubt that I will have more nights like Sunday and more "blue Mondays" like yesterday, but those aside, I am really at peace with my life here - somehow in South Africa I always felt like I had something to prove, and only by having a successful business or being chair lady of some committee was I achieving anything, somehow this sleepy English village has allowed me something completely new...the feeling that I can let myself off the hook and that being a mom, wife and housewife is actually all I really need - mom I hear you saying "long may it last".

Monday 9th June 2008

The summer weather has definitely arrived, and Phillip is now convinced that the UK is having a drought as everyone told him it rained all the time and we have had 6 days of sunshine and he is sure this must be some kind of record (lol).

Hit my first real wobbly last night - not the major hamster breathing freak out kind, just that slow sad kind, when you realise that everything that is familiar to you is no longer there...fell asleep on the couch as happy as can be and woke up terribly sad and missing the weight of my poxy ginger and white cat and the fact that I hadn't had tea at my mom's house on a Sunday for 3 whole weeks.

Si was very patient and let me talk it through, very amused that it was in fact Hobbs who had produced the drama...and I am feeling much better again this morning, if a little drained - guess it is to be expected, you can't make this kind of move and never have a down day, I have just picked myself up this morning and focused on the positives (definitely no Johnny Clegg and boerewors rolls any where near me today) and what we do have, and a lovely surprise chat with mom this afternoon helped and I think I am back on track.

Nothing much happen otherwise, as I say low key day - kids finished home school and I am just about to begin supper...if the saying goes "some days are diamonds and some days are stone", I guess today just fits somewhere in between.

Sunday 8th June 2008

Didn't find a swimming pool yesterday, well to tell the truth didn't even look...although dh was very keen, the kids and I felt it wasn't quite warm enough, I mean you wouldn't go swimming in SA in July, so why the hell would you want to swim in UK in June (lol).

Had a lovely lunch with the neighbours yesterday...was a bit of a shock when they arrived and realised that we were sitting outside and shot home again for hats and sunblock...I mean the temp couldn't have been more then about 21 degrees, but I guess no matter where you are your skin is used to the climate in the area and they are all soooooooooooo fair - I have burnt a little and Megan has the most beautiful rosy cheeks, but Phil and Si (with their very South African skin) are loosing colour by the day!

After lunch (and loading the dishwasher) we decided, or more appropriately, I coerced the family into a walk in the little wood behind our house...it is very very pretty and a lovely way to spend half an hour and settle a big meal - well off we went and things were going very smoothly until after about 1/2 mile (+-1km) our little lane ended on a road...well neither Si or I had seen this road before, and I, in my infinite wisdom, suggested that we walk back along it rather than turn round...now I have to say at this point that it was TOTALLY my idea and Simon and the kids really weren't keen, but needless to say they humoured their pregnant mother and off we went.


We had come out on the Ardingly Road and the whole world was returning from the South of England Show, so what should have been a lovely afternoon walk turned into a mad dash for our lives as we dodged crazy English drivers. And it gets worse - we had come out nearly 5 miles from Lindfield, so one veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery long walk later we staggered back into the village with Si and the children vowing NEVER to listen to mom again, and I think my suggestions of a "little walk in the wood" will be studiously ignored from now on!!!!!!!! BUT we survived and I captured some lovely shots en route, so all was not lost.


Andrew is coming down from London today to have lunch and we are all off to "The Witch" our local watering hole which I am told serves lovely pub grub, so looking forward to some time with family as missing all back in SA very very much!