Today I officially became British (dance). My passport was delivered to the door and considering it is a little over 3 weeks since I applied for it and it has been the silly season and the application process included an identity interview in Brighton I am very very impressed!!!!!
Over and above the added lift said delivery gave me I have had a lovely past two day. Yesterday Kerry and I hit Brighton for her birthday "day without children" and after getting completely drenched in the rain we decided a long lunch at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Jamie's Italian, was a much better idea then trudging around shopping. The atmosphere was wonderful, the wine perfectly chilled and the food delish and of course the company fantastic - after around 3 hours we finally made our way back to the station having only seen the inside of about 3 shops -such fun that we have decided to make it our birthday tradition.
This morning Catherine collected Nicholas and I nice and early and it was off to the Garden Center in Ditchling to take advantage of the fab new year sales. England goes sale mad from 27th December until the first week after New Year and items are often reduced by as much as 75%. I had a wonderful time choosing my new Christmas tree and considering before Christmas it was £100 and I ended up paying the princely sum of £34 after all the discounts I was a very very happy little shopper and now can't wait for next year to use my new "baby"
Tomorrow Linda and family arrive for 3 days so such a lovely time to look forward together, and hopefully it bodes well for a fantastic 2010.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Monday, 28 December 2009
Monday 28th December 2009
After another lazy morning we made our way down to Wakehurst Place to join friends for a walk followed by coffee, cake and a long catch up chat. It was good to see this group again as we haven't been together since before schools broke up and I am very used to having the girls in my life on a far more regular basis....we exchanged Secret Santa for the babies and it was so sweet to watch them opening up their pressies - hasn't taken this group of 18 month olds long to realise that inside wrapping paper is invariably something lovely.
Once the group broke up Si decided that as he hadn't visited Wakehurst before it would be nice to let the kids have a good run around and play on the grass followed by a wonder through the Millenium Seedbank.
This seedbank is the most comprehensive in the world and is run by the Kew Gardens Trust, apparently it has an example of every seed in the world in it's archives and although I must admit it leaves me bored stiff, the rest of the family enjoyed the exhibitions and even Nick Nick seemed to really get into things.
Once the group broke up Si decided that as he hadn't visited Wakehurst before it would be nice to let the kids have a good run around and play on the grass followed by a wonder through the Millenium Seedbank.
This seedbank is the most comprehensive in the world and is run by the Kew Gardens Trust, apparently it has an example of every seed in the world in it's archives and although I must admit it leaves me bored stiff, the rest of the family enjoyed the exhibitions and even Nick Nick seemed to really get into things.
Friday, 25 December 2009
Friday 25th December 2009
As I sit typing this post Christmas 2009 is all but over....the presents have all been unwrapped, the wonderful meal finished and all three children are tucked up in bed fast asleep, a wonderful peace has settled over our home and I admit to feeling a deep sense of well being.
I have to be honest and say I really had no idea what to expect from our second Christmas in England, I found myself praying that it would be easier then last year but at the same time not daring to hope that the dreadful longing for family far away would be lessened in the last 12 months. The only thing I knew for sure is that I owed my children the wonderful memories I myself had of Christmas growing up and I think that this driving force has held me together this year and enabled us to have a truly special holiday season despite the fact that we miss our family so much.
Christmas eve was spent with our "English" family (the Viljoen's) singing carols in their home and enjoying fellowship with their extended family and friends - I think that this stunning evening really set the tone for the rest of the holiday and left us all feeling spiritually uplifted and excited for Christmas morning.
Thanks to the wonders of skype my parents were able to join us in our lounge this morning for present opening and this helped tremendously with missing them - it really did feel as though they had popped in for morning tea and I think it was wonderful for them to see us so happy and settled and be able to join in and experience Christmas morning with the children - they could see the gifts as they were opened, hear the excitement (and occasional squabbles lol) and enjoy an hour in our company before we parted ways for the remainder of the day.
A huge Christmas lunch was served, again at the Viljoen's, and without them I really don't know what we would have done - Robert, Kerry and their 3 children have totally opened their home to us in the last 19 months and, as I have said so many times before, have truly been a blessing to us from God - I am sometimes astounded that we haven't known them all our lives so close has our friendship become.
Before bed we were able to catch up with almost all of Si's family in JHB and again the marvel of skype allowed us to spend time with loved ones which all goes such a long way in making this experience bearable.....so how would I rate Christmas 2009.....good, really really good!
I have to be honest and say I really had no idea what to expect from our second Christmas in England, I found myself praying that it would be easier then last year but at the same time not daring to hope that the dreadful longing for family far away would be lessened in the last 12 months. The only thing I knew for sure is that I owed my children the wonderful memories I myself had of Christmas growing up and I think that this driving force has held me together this year and enabled us to have a truly special holiday season despite the fact that we miss our family so much.
Christmas eve was spent with our "English" family (the Viljoen's) singing carols in their home and enjoying fellowship with their extended family and friends - I think that this stunning evening really set the tone for the rest of the holiday and left us all feeling spiritually uplifted and excited for Christmas morning.
Thanks to the wonders of skype my parents were able to join us in our lounge this morning for present opening and this helped tremendously with missing them - it really did feel as though they had popped in for morning tea and I think it was wonderful for them to see us so happy and settled and be able to join in and experience Christmas morning with the children - they could see the gifts as they were opened, hear the excitement (and occasional squabbles lol) and enjoy an hour in our company before we parted ways for the remainder of the day.
A huge Christmas lunch was served, again at the Viljoen's, and without them I really don't know what we would have done - Robert, Kerry and their 3 children have totally opened their home to us in the last 19 months and, as I have said so many times before, have truly been a blessing to us from God - I am sometimes astounded that we haven't known them all our lives so close has our friendship become.
Before bed we were able to catch up with almost all of Si's family in JHB and again the marvel of skype allowed us to spend time with loved ones which all goes such a long way in making this experience bearable.....so how would I rate Christmas 2009.....good, really really good!
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Wednesday 23rd December 2009
19 months after arriving in England I finally went for my identity interview for my British passport today and hopefully by 1st January I will officially be a British Citizen. The best part was that due to the fact that both my parents were British at the time of my birth I didn't have to waste time obtaining permission from the South African government first - and trust me anything to do with the South African Embassy in London is a HUGE waste of time. Am feeling very positive tonight and hoping to finally have travel documents for Nick by the end of Jan.....then it will be watch out Europe here we come!!!!
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Saturday 19th December 2009
Although we didn't have a fresh fall last night the snow was still thick on the ground all day today and temps hung around the -3 mark. Even though I woke up with no voice, after lunch we decided to get the kids out for a bit and took a walk down to a meadow near our home with the intention of building the world's biggest snowman - unfortunately the snow is still too dry and simply won't compact enough to build with but the children still got to have a bit of a run around and Nick actually seemed to enjoy the experience today.
Friday, 18 December 2009
A little bit of a laugh
It would seem that the snow has turned me a little bit mad and brought out some of my criminal element (she says blushing furiously), in the last 24 hours I have broken the "law" twice and am lovin it ;0)
Last night Katherine rang to say she has some cream cakes that needed sharing and could she pop in for tea......obviously Si and I eagerly agreed, and before long she was walking up our outside stairs commenting on how dangerous they were going to be in the snow....well that was enough to send me into 50 fits and I became convinced I was going to fall going down them the next time I was carrying Nicholas - in an attempt to settle my shattered nerves I begged Si to sneak down the road and get some grit from the council grit box so that we could grit the stairs before the impending snow.
Of course my husband would have nothing of it so Catherine and I grabbed our pink bucket (not at all conspicuous) and set off down the road at 9.30pm on a recce mission. We couldn't stop laughing as we half filled the bucket and then hot footed it home to sort out the stairs....my first foray into theft????? Well fortunately it would seem not as I have since found out you are able to help yourself to small quantities of grit free of charge to ensure that your home is safe.....shew a close call lol
And then.......
Earlier today my friend Kirsty (another photo nut) sent me a text suggesting a photo expedition to Wakehurst place....even though the roads can be dangerous it seemed sacrilege to miss such a fantastic opportunity so it didn't take much for us to make a plan and off we went.
Unfortunately Wakehurst was closed up pretty tight so we set off for Bordehill Gardens, which was also closed, but not as tightly.....before I knew it we had decided to scale the (very low) fence around the property and were inside happily snapping photos of the most amazing scenery. All was going swimmingly until I spotted an official looking person standing outside the manor house looking straight at the very big exposed area Kirst and I had to cross in order to get back out of the gardens....
Well on seeing him (and wondering how I was going to explain to Si I had been arrested for breaking and entering) I decided to jump down a 6 foot wall to make my escape while poor Kirsty (shorter then I am) hid behind a tree waiting for said jumper to disappear. He finally turned his back and while I kept watch ducked down behind the wall Kirsty made a mad 100m dash in a foot of snow towards our escape path.....I haven't laughed like that in ages - as she said later the worst he prob would have done is ask us to leave and explain that we couldn't be there, but the little tiny element of danger was such fun ;0)
Thanks for such a good laugh Kirsty, def an afternoon to remember and not just for the stunning photography!
Last night Katherine rang to say she has some cream cakes that needed sharing and could she pop in for tea......obviously Si and I eagerly agreed, and before long she was walking up our outside stairs commenting on how dangerous they were going to be in the snow....well that was enough to send me into 50 fits and I became convinced I was going to fall going down them the next time I was carrying Nicholas - in an attempt to settle my shattered nerves I begged Si to sneak down the road and get some grit from the council grit box so that we could grit the stairs before the impending snow.
Of course my husband would have nothing of it so Catherine and I grabbed our pink bucket (not at all conspicuous) and set off down the road at 9.30pm on a recce mission. We couldn't stop laughing as we half filled the bucket and then hot footed it home to sort out the stairs....my first foray into theft????? Well fortunately it would seem not as I have since found out you are able to help yourself to small quantities of grit free of charge to ensure that your home is safe.....shew a close call lol
And then.......
Earlier today my friend Kirsty (another photo nut) sent me a text suggesting a photo expedition to Wakehurst place....even though the roads can be dangerous it seemed sacrilege to miss such a fantastic opportunity so it didn't take much for us to make a plan and off we went.
Unfortunately Wakehurst was closed up pretty tight so we set off for Bordehill Gardens, which was also closed, but not as tightly.....before I knew it we had decided to scale the (very low) fence around the property and were inside happily snapping photos of the most amazing scenery. All was going swimmingly until I spotted an official looking person standing outside the manor house looking straight at the very big exposed area Kirst and I had to cross in order to get back out of the gardens....
Well on seeing him (and wondering how I was going to explain to Si I had been arrested for breaking and entering) I decided to jump down a 6 foot wall to make my escape while poor Kirsty (shorter then I am) hid behind a tree waiting for said jumper to disappear. He finally turned his back and while I kept watch ducked down behind the wall Kirsty made a mad 100m dash in a foot of snow towards our escape path.....I haven't laughed like that in ages - as she said later the worst he prob would have done is ask us to leave and explain that we couldn't be there, but the little tiny element of danger was such fun ;0)
Thanks for such a good laugh Kirsty, def an afternoon to remember and not just for the stunning photography!
Walking in the wood
Sigh, this much snow is the photographer in me's greatest joy....if you are bored, I would suggest missing the next couple of days as am sure there will still be loads of photos to come :0). All of these were taken with my little Lumix so I love it!
and more.....
Simon the scientist measuring the depth of the snow ;0)
Luckily for us we were lent some snow suits for our upcoming skiing trip and the kids were able to really try theirs out this morning...such fun, but jeans weren't enough for me and I ended up with a very cold wet butt lol
Friday 18th December continued.....
Some of my fav scenery shots so far.....
Our house from the front
The snow on the table gives an idea of how deep it is
The back garden looking back at the house
Our road
Our house from the front
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