Hooray for Howick!

Howick Village is the sleepy little shopping hub closest to our house in Cockle Bay. It has all the charm and atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by.

Today, having done some errands that needed doing in Howick, Rae and I spent the afternoon browsing the many antique shops, bookshops and junk shops. (See a video of Howick here.)

Image : http://week46.aotearoacam.com/

We found a lovely little coffee shop, Cafe Paris, with probably the cheapest Flat Whites in town! They have delicious light meals, and the aroma of freshly baked quiches, and other decadent goodies, was quite mouth-watering. None of your bland bit-of-frilly-lettuce-in-a-wrap here! I was quite impressed with the vegetarian choices too. The decor is quaint and choc-a-block full of delightful French-style knick-knacks and objects d'art. The furniture is a collection of mismatched antique and old-fashioned chairs and tables, or bunched together cosily. Outside, a couple of young people were chatting away happily, on the side-walk tables.

Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop.

Just a few doors up we wondered into the equally interesting Antique Shop. Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop. After quite a while, in walked a lovely little lady. She had popped in to a neighbour a few doors down, and she could see into this shop with their video surveillance system, but as she smilingly told us: 'I don't actually switch it on, most days.' We chatted for a few minutes about how wonderful it is that we live in a place where one can wander into a shop filled with knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, and the shopkeeper is out! No security doors, no threat to our personal safety, no lack of trust.

Around the corner we came across one of the op-shops, or second hand goods store. I bought a beautiful handbag, that looks almost like a mini satchel, 100% genuine deer leather, for $4. Rae wanted a red designer-type shoulder bag that is large enough for her school books, for $6.

Feeling quite happy with our day of shopping, we drove home the scenic way, past the pretty little beach, and within 10 minutes we were home.

Unfortunately, no aroma of freshly-baked quiche awaits us at home, so I'll have to get off my butt, and start cooking supper for the hungry lads. Bangers and mash, and mixed veg, anyone?

Saying Goodbye to my baby!

Annemarie, my sister, sent me this photo taken these holidays at Addo Elephant Park. I know how this Elephant Mum feels!


Almost nineteen years ago, I gave birth to my first baby. He was a crumpled up, dark-haired boy, who was never-endingly hungry, never-endingly awake and always aware and inquisitive about the life around him, and to his mother, never-endingly beautiful. He was the first baby I had ever actually held, or cared for, or loved!

Now he is tall, handsome and still hungry - for food, and for life! Soon, in a few weeks, he wants to leave home and to spread his wings. He is going back to South Africa for a while, and will be using his visit to try and figure out what he wants to do with his future.

And I'm letting him go.... But like the elephant in the picture, in my heart I will be protecting and nurturing him. As much as he allows me to!

Permanent Residency - At Last!

After months of admin, waiting and paying very large amounts of NZ$ to Immigration NZ, we finally got the letter this week: Our Permanent Residency has been approved. Just a final payment, stamps in the passport, and the children and I are set.

Having PR is a huge, huge benefit. Firstly, no more annual visa applications. Hospitalisation and some other social benefits come our way. And university study is so much cheaper and easier. We are so excited - more so, because we're on our way to South Africa for a short visit, and having the all-important documentation means no stress at customs when we come back. Hooray!

Best of all - the two older kids can now legally find part-time jobs. No more pocket money. No more excuses. No more sullen teenagers hanging around the house. (Actually that's not fair - they're mostly all quite nice.) But it will be nice for them all to have some extra cash, like all the other Kiwi youngsters!

Home Again... in three weeks!

In little less than three weeks, I'll be back on African Soil. Hubby and I are going for a quick visit to see his 13 yr old daughter and other family. I'm excited and filled with trepidation all at the same time!

There's so much to do before we go. So many things to organize. Gifts to buy. Kids to worry about.

So much to be excited about. So much to worry about. So much To Do!

Excited about...

• The day we'll spend en route in Singapore - never been there before!
  
• Seeing all our family, especially my sister's babies!
• Shopping in shops I grew up with. Oh Pick & Pay, Clicks and Woolworths, how I miss you!
  
• Spending NZ Dollars, which convert nicely to R6 each!
• A meal at the Spur. I'll probably have a Manhattan Mushroom Melt, with a Salad Valley on the side. Yummy! (Probably about 6 million Kj, but who cares - I can't have them here!)
• Spending time walking on the long Jeffreys Bay beach, hopefully in the sunlight!
• Listening to music with my Dad. Painting with my Mum. Arguing with my brother-in-law (who's a lawyer, and such a lovely man!) Chilling out with my sister. Giggling with my Aunt. And sharing a couple of Tassies around a braai with all the rest.
  
• Playing with the new puppy. (We can't have a dog - we're renting!)
  

Worried about...

• Will I want to come home to NZ again? Will I like what I see there?
  
• Crime... I have been held up at gunpoint before - don't want to go throught the trauma again... Yikes...
• Will my R6's be able to buy there, what my $NZ dollar buys here?
• Will the family be nice to me? And the step-daughter? And the Mother-in-law(s)?
  
• Has my accent changed? Will they think I'm different? Am I still in fashion in SA?
  
• Will my kids, who are all staying behind in the care of the Eldest Brother, be OK?
• What if they stop me at customs when I come back? What if they don't let me back in the country? What if our money runs out?
  
• What if, what if, what if....

TO DO's:

• Shopping lists for kids to do Internet grocery shopping.
• Emergency fund for my friend Tina, in case the kids need emergency care.
• Get Tina, Faith and Marcia to phone the kids on alternate days.
• Arrange for the twins to stay with friends on weekends.
  
• Stock up on cat food, toilet paper and bread and milk.
  
• Arrange for a cleaner the day before we get back.
• Pack.
• Call a taxi.
• Get on the plane.

See you soon!