Being back in South Africa is still slightly surreal and I can't believe that a week ago today I had absolutely NO IDEA that this is what the universe had in store for me....I think the greatest thing that I have taken away from my grandfather's death is that life is so unexpected - in his case it definitely wasn't short, he was 82 when he died, but right to the moment of his death he had no idea what was coming and I have found that a very stark and sobering realisation.
We really don't know what is around the next corner and where we will be an hour, week, day, month or year from now, so we plan for the best and never think about the worst. Boompa's death however has certainly woken me up and I am so glad that I am able to visit South Africa and spend time with the people most important to me, and I hope that I will never forget and slip back into my old ways of always preparing for tomorrow and forgetting to LIVE today.
The preparations for the funeral have all gone smoothly and although the service itself was perhaps not exactly like my grandfather would have wanted, it served its purpose for the living and we were able to say goodbye to a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend surrounded by people who cared.
Caio Boompa you will be missed and forever remembered.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Monday, 9 November 2009
9th November 2009
My how things have changed in the last 8 days.....as I sit typing this I am back in my parents home in South Africa and if you had told me a week ago that that was a possibility I would have called you crazy.
Sadly my grandfather passed away very unexpectedly on Wednesday and it is moments like those when the distance seems HUGE and although in the very first moments after the call I didn't plan to return it didn't take me long to realise that for me that wasn't an option and fortunately with the support of my wonderful husband and amazing children I was able to board an Emirates flight on Saturday night to return to Durban.
I will be here for the funeral and to spend time with both my parents and of course some very special friends before returning to England on Sunday.
Life is very short so remember to love and live and though it was your last day!
Sadly my grandfather passed away very unexpectedly on Wednesday and it is moments like those when the distance seems HUGE and although in the very first moments after the call I didn't plan to return it didn't take me long to realise that for me that wasn't an option and fortunately with the support of my wonderful husband and amazing children I was able to board an Emirates flight on Saturday night to return to Durban.
I will be here for the funeral and to spend time with both my parents and of course some very special friends before returning to England on Sunday.
Life is very short so remember to love and live and though it was your last day!
Sunday, 1 November 2009
1 November 2009
What a hectic week - well not hectic in the rush around way, but a bit hectic in the stressy "eish" kind of way.....on Wednesday afternoon my precious Nicholas decided the computer was taking up far too much of mommy's attention when he wasn't feeling well and gave it a little kick....right off my lap and onto the floor.
Needless to say the computer didn't survive, and both Meg and Phil were quite surprised that Nick did as they were convinced I would have killed them if either of them had done it (lol I really am not THAT bad)....anyway that sorta set the tone for the next couple of days while I waited with baited breath to find out if all our data would be recovered off the damaged hard drive. I am delighted to say a full recovery was done and I am now happily back typing away and doing my best to ignore the general weekend chaos that is my home :0)
The children have had a lovely half term and Megs has been in a busy social whorl for most of it which is really really lovely considering a little over a month ago she was finding it quite hard to find her space socially at her new school. Megs is back to school tomorrow and then Phil on Tuesday...Si is on leave from Wednesday and Nick is with his day mother on Thursday so dh and me are planning a lovely romantic date day....about time and we DESERVE it ;0)
Needless to say the computer didn't survive, and both Meg and Phil were quite surprised that Nick did as they were convinced I would have killed them if either of them had done it (lol I really am not THAT bad)....anyway that sorta set the tone for the next couple of days while I waited with baited breath to find out if all our data would be recovered off the damaged hard drive. I am delighted to say a full recovery was done and I am now happily back typing away and doing my best to ignore the general weekend chaos that is my home :0)
The children have had a lovely half term and Megs has been in a busy social whorl for most of it which is really really lovely considering a little over a month ago she was finding it quite hard to find her space socially at her new school. Megs is back to school tomorrow and then Phil on Tuesday...Si is on leave from Wednesday and Nick is with his day mother on Thursday so dh and me are planning a lovely romantic date day....about time and we DESERVE it ;0)
Monday, 26 October 2009
23-25 October 2009
I can honestly say that this last weekend has been one of the happiest we have spent in England, not because of anything specific or one big event but because it was filled with so many "true bliss" moments.
Friday morning Nick and I spent with friends at a baby group which is always lovely and that set the tone for the rest of the weekend, we were both happy and relaxed and I think that goes along way towards establishing the mood of the rest of the family.
Saturday I had a fully booked schedule with Tums 2 Tots Photography and spent 7 hours completing 11 back to back photo shoots - total bliss.....this has to be one of my favourite ways to pass a day and it was made even more special when my NCT group came through so that we could photograph all 5 babies together (a bit of a challenge, but loads of fun). Simon and our children also had a chilled day at home so we were all in the zone on Saturday night sitting down to home made pizza and movies.
Sunday was a very slow start and as the weather is still very mild for this time of year we decided to go for a walk along Ardingly Reservoir after lunch....it was gorgeous to watch Nicholas running along the paths exploring the stones and leaves with his big sister and to sit on the side of the dam playing "I spy" as a family....lots of sillyness and laughter and perfect pure bliss moments - I even ended up rolling down a hill with my kids just for the pure joy of it....not advisable over 35 - hell I was dizzy :0)
Ended the weekend with a huge roast dinner and as the children are now on half term for a week I am hoping the relaxed happy atmosphere will continue for a while longer.
Friday morning Nick and I spent with friends at a baby group which is always lovely and that set the tone for the rest of the weekend, we were both happy and relaxed and I think that goes along way towards establishing the mood of the rest of the family.
Saturday I had a fully booked schedule with Tums 2 Tots Photography and spent 7 hours completing 11 back to back photo shoots - total bliss.....this has to be one of my favourite ways to pass a day and it was made even more special when my NCT group came through so that we could photograph all 5 babies together (a bit of a challenge, but loads of fun). Simon and our children also had a chilled day at home so we were all in the zone on Saturday night sitting down to home made pizza and movies.
Sunday was a very slow start and as the weather is still very mild for this time of year we decided to go for a walk along Ardingly Reservoir after lunch....it was gorgeous to watch Nicholas running along the paths exploring the stones and leaves with his big sister and to sit on the side of the dam playing "I spy" as a family....lots of sillyness and laughter and perfect pure bliss moments - I even ended up rolling down a hill with my kids just for the pure joy of it....not advisable over 35 - hell I was dizzy :0)
Ended the weekend with a huge roast dinner and as the children are now on half term for a week I am hoping the relaxed happy atmosphere will continue for a while longer.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Wednesday 21st October
Today as I sit in my lounge gazing out the window the leaves are starting to change and instead of a lush green outlook I am faced with an array of red, orange and yellow...the squirrels are out collecting acorns in earnest and it is just such a pretty sight.
Things have settled down a bit again and although I have lots of "irons in the fire" so to speak and lots of interesting opportunities we are exploring, life is generally not quite so chaotic and I am actually finding time in a day to sit back, relax and enjoy the view - I even spent lunch time yesterday watching Dr Phil :0)
So generally a contented time for us all and I can honestly say that the Robertson house is quite peaceful at present.
Things have settled down a bit again and although I have lots of "irons in the fire" so to speak and lots of interesting opportunities we are exploring, life is generally not quite so chaotic and I am actually finding time in a day to sit back, relax and enjoy the view - I even spent lunch time yesterday watching Dr Phil :0)
So generally a contented time for us all and I can honestly say that the Robertson house is quite peaceful at present.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Saturday 17th October
Today was Phillip's birthday so it was up early to open pressies and the joy on my boy's face when he opened his very own guitar hero was a sight to behold....I had also managed to get him his own personalised football jersey from fav club Manchester United so to say he was the happiest boy alive seems a bit of an understatement.
After a breakfast of Pancakes we hoped on the train to London as Phil had chosen a day at the museums as his birthday treat. I LOVE the fact that we have such amazing museums at our finger tips and I LOVE the fact that my son chooses to spend as much time as he can wandering through the many fascinating exhibits and playing at the interactive science centre.
Although we have been up to the Science museum before we still managed a good 4 hours in it's many halls (and we STILL haven't seen the whole place) before venturing next door to the Natural History museum where we focused on the dinosaur exhibit for this visit.
The Natural History museum is very impressive and the live sized animatronic adolescent tyrannosaurus had Nick entranced - he was even waving goodbye by the time we left the hall. The whole family were impressed by the exhibits and it is definitely somewhere we will be visiting again as there are another 5 areas for us to explore.
Such a good day with such good memories.
After a breakfast of Pancakes we hoped on the train to London as Phil had chosen a day at the museums as his birthday treat. I LOVE the fact that we have such amazing museums at our finger tips and I LOVE the fact that my son chooses to spend as much time as he can wandering through the many fascinating exhibits and playing at the interactive science centre.
Although we have been up to the Science museum before we still managed a good 4 hours in it's many halls (and we STILL haven't seen the whole place) before venturing next door to the Natural History museum where we focused on the dinosaur exhibit for this visit.
The Natural History museum is very impressive and the live sized animatronic adolescent tyrannosaurus had Nick entranced - he was even waving goodbye by the time we left the hall. The whole family were impressed by the exhibits and it is definitely somewhere we will be visiting again as there are another 5 areas for us to explore.
Such a good day with such good memories.
To my boy.....
Happy Happy Birthday my precious son, I can't believe that you were 9 today, it seems like just yesterday Dr Martin was handing me this tiny (okay not so tiny at 3.85kgs) baby boy and Dad and I were both laughing as we now had our pigeon pair.
Dad and I are both very proud of you Phil, we love your compassionate nature and the way you genuinely care about the people around you....even your quirky sense of humour is totally unique and you remind us every day just how good it is to be alive.
We feel very privileged to be your parents Phillip and to have been entrusted with walking this path with you - don't ever forget how special you are and how very very much you are loved....always remember being brave is not about not feeling the fear it is about feeling the fear and doing it anyway, and you my boy are one of the bravest little people I know.
I love you Dude!
Dad and I are both very proud of you Phil, we love your compassionate nature and the way you genuinely care about the people around you....even your quirky sense of humour is totally unique and you remind us every day just how good it is to be alive.
We feel very privileged to be your parents Phillip and to have been entrusted with walking this path with you - don't ever forget how special you are and how very very much you are loved....always remember being brave is not about not feeling the fear it is about feeling the fear and doing it anyway, and you my boy are one of the bravest little people I know.
I love you Dude!
Friday, 16 October 2009
Friday 16th October
It has been a long and very tiring week - my Nick has had the most awful croup and although he is such a little trooper and has carried on as cheerfully as he possibly can it has meant lots of near sleepless nights for mommy.
It is times like these when I wish more then anything that I had family nearby, someone to come in and sit with him for a couple of hours during the day so that I can rest and build my strength for the nights....I know I am not alone in this, there are millions of mother's out there in far more difficult situations then mine, but it doesn't change the fact that support right now would make all the difference.
It is times like these when I wish more then anything that I had family nearby, someone to come in and sit with him for a couple of hours during the day so that I can rest and build my strength for the nights....I know I am not alone in this, there are millions of mother's out there in far more difficult situations then mine, but it doesn't change the fact that support right now would make all the difference.
Monday, 12 October 2009
9-11 October 2009
Wow, I didn't really know how much I needed this weekend until I had it....I mean I knew I was beside myself with excitement, but I simply cannot believe how much stronger, recharged and more myself I am feeling this morning.
Time with a person who has known you longer then anyone else but your family is very precious, especially considering that we haven't always been in each other's day to day lives and there was a time when we literally didn't talk for months on end.
Moving to England has given Tanya and I the chance to rekindle our friendship and to me it is now as strong as it ever was....I don't need words to make Tanya understand my heart, she simply knows and although we don't necessarily agree on everything we always have each other's best interests at heart.
As for what we did...Friday night we spent at the flat after dinner and a drink at Victoria station, we did facial masks and I applied a set of false nails and we drank tea and chatted and chilled.
Saturday we had an earlier then expected start (considering the absence of children) and spent the day wandering down Portobello Road, enjoying the market and experiences we simply couldn't dream of with children in tow....The weather was perfect, just warm enough to remove coats but not so hot that we couldn't breath in the crowds of people, and I just loved the whole "vibe" in the area...and no there aren't photos as my camera remained at the flat - I am now local and no longer a tourist :o)
We met up with a friend of Tanya's very briefly at the One Foot in the Grove Urban festival by Mutate Britian underneath the West Way on Saturday evening, and although I did feel a little like a fish out of water to begin with, after deciding to embrace the experience I enjoyed the art exhibition and just indulging in a little bit of "Grahamstown" after so many years.
Finished off the night strolling from Picadilly Circus to Covent Gardens and a drink at the well known Punch and Judy pub before snuggling up to rest our feet and finish a delish bottle of champagne back at the flat.
Sunday wasn't nearly as early a start and it was almost lunch time by the time we checked our bags in at left luggage at Victoria station....Tanya took me out to the East of London on the Docklands Light Railway (a small driverless railway system on the outskirts of London) to see the area she used to live in and it was again lovely to just chat and throw thoughts around and analyse feelings with someone who knows me as well as I know myself. Sadly 5pm came all to quickly and it was back to Victoria and home to my family.
As much as I ADORED the weekend it is always nice to be home and the children and Si all enjoyed the little gifts and treat I brought home with me. I am now counting the days until our next trip :0)
Time with a person who has known you longer then anyone else but your family is very precious, especially considering that we haven't always been in each other's day to day lives and there was a time when we literally didn't talk for months on end.
Moving to England has given Tanya and I the chance to rekindle our friendship and to me it is now as strong as it ever was....I don't need words to make Tanya understand my heart, she simply knows and although we don't necessarily agree on everything we always have each other's best interests at heart.
As for what we did...Friday night we spent at the flat after dinner and a drink at Victoria station, we did facial masks and I applied a set of false nails and we drank tea and chatted and chilled.
Saturday we had an earlier then expected start (considering the absence of children) and spent the day wandering down Portobello Road, enjoying the market and experiences we simply couldn't dream of with children in tow....The weather was perfect, just warm enough to remove coats but not so hot that we couldn't breath in the crowds of people, and I just loved the whole "vibe" in the area...and no there aren't photos as my camera remained at the flat - I am now local and no longer a tourist :o)
We met up with a friend of Tanya's very briefly at the One Foot in the Grove Urban festival by Mutate Britian underneath the West Way on Saturday evening, and although I did feel a little like a fish out of water to begin with, after deciding to embrace the experience I enjoyed the art exhibition and just indulging in a little bit of "Grahamstown" after so many years.
Finished off the night strolling from Picadilly Circus to Covent Gardens and a drink at the well known Punch and Judy pub before snuggling up to rest our feet and finish a delish bottle of champagne back at the flat.
Sunday wasn't nearly as early a start and it was almost lunch time by the time we checked our bags in at left luggage at Victoria station....Tanya took me out to the East of London on the Docklands Light Railway (a small driverless railway system on the outskirts of London) to see the area she used to live in and it was again lovely to just chat and throw thoughts around and analyse feelings with someone who knows me as well as I know myself. Sadly 5pm came all to quickly and it was back to Victoria and home to my family.
As much as I ADORED the weekend it is always nice to be home and the children and Si all enjoyed the little gifts and treat I brought home with me. I am now counting the days until our next trip :0)
Friday, 9 October 2009
Friday 9th October 2009
I think this is probably the longest I have been away from the blog and I am pleased to say it isn't for any dramatic reason..... life is now very stable and settled here and the day to day routine seldom changes which really doesn't give me very much to write about :0).
I am off to London tonight with my dear dear friend Tanya to celebrate her birthday....Andrew has given us his flat on the Thames for the weekend and we plan to chill and chat and laugh and just be - I am going up armed with home facial and french manicure kits and Andrew already has the champagne on ice - a girlie weekend for two girls that have known each other forever.
A quick update on the rest of the family.....Si is well and we are all missing his mom now that she has returned to South Africa, we had a lovely visit and it was good to see them spend quality time together.
Meg is settling at secondary school, and striving to find new friends and establish her place there....She has just joined the Young Farmers Club and is working hard to earn her own calf which she will get to care for over the next couple of years and take to shows around the county - this is a real privilege so we are all routing for her. She has blown Si and I away with her attitude to her work and the standard she is achieving at the moment has us both very proud.
Phillip has gone back to this academic year with great gusto and is currently reading The Lord of the Rings, he has really pulled out all the stops and is achieving way above what is expected at his age. He seems to have established a nice group of friends and is enjoying various sports that the school has on offer - he recently represented his school in a Tag Rugby tournament and is showing huge promise in his tennis.
Nick Nick is an absolute dream and as I type he is wondering round the lounge singing to himself...he is the joy and delight of our home and is literally adored by all who know him. He is walking confidently now and has a repertoire of about 7 words.
Transfer went through on our home in South Africa today and it is another chapter closed - all in all the Robertson are doing well and continue to flourish in England.
I am off to London tonight with my dear dear friend Tanya to celebrate her birthday....Andrew has given us his flat on the Thames for the weekend and we plan to chill and chat and laugh and just be - I am going up armed with home facial and french manicure kits and Andrew already has the champagne on ice - a girlie weekend for two girls that have known each other forever.
A quick update on the rest of the family.....Si is well and we are all missing his mom now that she has returned to South Africa, we had a lovely visit and it was good to see them spend quality time together.
Meg is settling at secondary school, and striving to find new friends and establish her place there....She has just joined the Young Farmers Club and is working hard to earn her own calf which she will get to care for over the next couple of years and take to shows around the county - this is a real privilege so we are all routing for her. She has blown Si and I away with her attitude to her work and the standard she is achieving at the moment has us both very proud.
Phillip has gone back to this academic year with great gusto and is currently reading The Lord of the Rings, he has really pulled out all the stops and is achieving way above what is expected at his age. He seems to have established a nice group of friends and is enjoying various sports that the school has on offer - he recently represented his school in a Tag Rugby tournament and is showing huge promise in his tennis.
Nick Nick is an absolute dream and as I type he is wondering round the lounge singing to himself...he is the joy and delight of our home and is literally adored by all who know him. He is walking confidently now and has a repertoire of about 7 words.
Transfer went through on our home in South Africa today and it is another chapter closed - all in all the Robertson are doing well and continue to flourish in England.
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