Public Holiday Thursday!

Well, it is a public holiday here, and as Murphy's law would have it, of course the sun has stopped shining. It shone all week whilst all of us were at work. Brilliant, bright and warm sunshine. Then, the one day that we all have off, it is overcast, cold, windy, and miserable. Now that is annoying. So instead of being on the beach and enjoying our day, we are once again sitting inside waiting for better days ... literally ...

So I got up nice and early, did the washing, did the ironing, cleaned the kitchen, had breakfast, and am now trying to catch up with emails and blog and do all of that. Made the bed, wrote Pio's birthday cards, fed the cats, etc etc ... Pio did nothing ... lol

So tomorrow is our birthday, and as plans for getting a puppy fell through and he certainly unfortunately is not getting me Clara I think this is going to be rather a boring birthday. Once again we have no money! I so badly wanted to go away this weekend, get out of Swakop, get away from these people and have some time at a lodge or some place where we could really just chill and not think about anything stressful. As usual, there is no money, this time thanks to the new Toyota that we are getting.

So fair enough it is a good car and it's a bargain etc etc but it does mean that we can't do anything, can't afford presents (of which I got him anyway as you can't have a birthday with no presents) so we will see. I think it's going to be another washout as usual. Seems our birthdays are doomed. I really didn't mean this to be so down and grumpy but apparently that is how I am feeling and I didn't even really realise that. I wanted us to have a good birthday and we can't even afford to do anything nice. It seems that we can NEVER afford anything.

Anyway, so tomorrow is our birthday, Pio is working as usual, so I will be sitting at home on my own for the day cleaning and ironing and cooking as usual. Yay. Looks set to be a fab day.

The Bird

This little bird was the funniest thing ever. I do regret not taking any photos of the little thing, as it would have been great to stick up a photo of it now.

Nala caught it on Sunday the 3rd May, dragging it in the back door proudly whilst Pio, Tiaan, Vicky and I sat around the table playing poker. Vicky was the first to spot it, crying out "Oh my God, she's got a bird" which meant I took a flying leap off my chair and chased her around the house, eventually tackling her before being able to get the poor little scrap away from the evil jaws of death. So it sat in my shirt shaking madly whilst we finished our poker game, and then as I had no box or anything to put it in we used a cooler box with a towel and a hot water bottle inside to keep Birdy warm.

Needless to say, it survived the night in the cooler box, and the following morning before anyone woke up I crept out onto our roof and let it out to see if it could fly again. Well, it couldn't. What it did do though was bomb off the side of the roof into the neighbours garden before I could catch it against the ledge running around the top of the roof. So I thought well hey, leave it there for the day or at least until I can get a cage sorted for the poor thing, and then could go catch it again.

I couldn't find a cage, so eventually at like 6pm that night I sent Pio to go and look for it, and he couldn't find it - whether this was by choice or whether he was just being really blind, I do not know - but at any rate, we thought that it had possibly made its way into a tree and would survive on its own.

Half an hour later Nala dragged it back through the door. Which resulted in another running, tackling, rescuing drama and from my shirt back into its cooler box where it spent yet another night. The following day it really couldn't keep living in a cooler box and still couldn't fly, so I gave up and locked it in the spare room where it got to hop around everywhere on his own and do as he pleased with water in a shot glass and some bread crumbled up.

He landed up living in there for a week, got his own wild bird food, and expelled more birdy-poo than you can ever imagine could ever come from something so small, all over the beautiful polished wooden floors ... So by Saturday we decided that it really couldn't love there anymore and no one had a cage for us - it also still couldn't fly. To top this off, Nala and Zazu were having a very adverse reaction to the poor little thing and peeing all over the house which really was the end of the rope for me. So they got belted and their noses rubbed in it and little Birdy was taken off to SPCA in the cat basket - how ironic.

Seriously though, the little bugger has a death wish. He escaped through the tiny little blocks in the front of the cat basket and straight out the front door of the SPCA and was chased by two cats and God knows how many dogs as he shot through their enclosure - for being injured, this little thing moved like a bat out of hell, really, he was super fast! And once again, he survived all of this, and the last I saw of him he was in a proper bird cage with water and food and shrieking his head off. So, unless he has escaped again, he seems to be doing quite well bless him, he was too cute.

Sadly though, this little trip to the SPCA resulted in us taking a walk around and looking at all the animals. They really do have the most beautiful kittens, really, I was so tempted, but the animal that really caught my heart was a Ridgeback cross Boerbull female that had the most beautiful and sad brown eyes. We spent a little time with her, but as she was apparently already taken, the most we could do was leave our number and hope that the people that wanted her dropped out.

The following Monday came and no phonecall, so by Wednesday I rang them only to be told that the people hadn't turned up but someone else was interested in her and she had been spayed but that said people had not paid for her so they still didn't know. I still haven't had a phonecall so she has probably been re-homed by now. She really broke my heart, I would have absolutely loved to have her. For a little while I had a suspicion that Pio had somehow arranged her for me as the stories got a little confusing between the SPCA and him, but I have since realised that this is hoping for way too much and that I probably won't even get a birthday present. I can only hope that Clara has been given a good home and will be spoilt for all her days.

Oh dear God, I am sick!

Yes, I am. As in really sick.

I have not been able to get over this flu, so now today it is officially the 9th day of being sick, and as usual I was just plodding along hoping that by tomorrow I would feel better, same shit different day basically! Whilst standing in CNA I swallowed, don't ask me what or why, and my ear felt like it was going to explode. I almost screamed. When the pain lessened, and I could walk on again, it was painful, but every now and then kept throbbing and paining and swallowing / yawning / talking wasn't pleasant.

Anyway, that was just the end. The Pajero was standing at the car wash so I had time to kill, and I walked into the doctor and asked for an appointment, just saying that I would sit and wait until he could see me. I waited an hour at any rate, but it was worth it. Just before going in, Janine and Gustav arrived - what a coincidence - as Janine was seeing the doctor as well. So got to catch up with her as I haven't seen her in ages.

Anyway, once the Doctor saw me and inspected me and looked in ears, throat and listened to chest, I have been diagnosed with Bronchitis, a sinus infection and an ear infection so my poor ear drum is swollen which is what is causing all the pain. Anyway, my chest must be quite bad as he said if it isn't better by Friday I MUST see him again and will then be sent for x-rays to assess the damage and to start treatment before it turns to pneumonia. Thrilling stuff. So now I am popping antibiotics, steroids, sticking nasal spray up my nose, drinking flu effervescents AND cough mixture. I'm going to be as high as a kite.

It is of course Murphy's law that the only time that I am working is the time that I get seriously ill and feel too bad to take time off. It is just ridiculous really, honestly, what are the chances. Anyway, this has taken absolutely ages or me to plough through writing ever so slowly and stupidly - honestly, flu should come with a warning: "May cause stupidity".

I am going to bed.

Cooking

For some reason I seem to be rather preoccupied with cooking lately, which is making me wonder if I am really getting old here ... I am making stuff that I have never had an interest in making before and actually getting some pleasure from it lol.

My first attempt a few weeks ago was a chocolate cake which was a flop but still tasted very nice so that was great, we covered it in caramel and chocolate and that was what counted more than anything else really.

Then yesterday in the midst of my flu I decided to make tomato chutney. Chopping about 30 tomatoes isn't really that much fun but got it done and then had to cook it for what seemed like hours. I actually made two - one with chilli's and one without. Tasting them halfway through I almost died as the only thing I could taste in my flu-ed up state was vinegar, but it seemed that leaving it to cool then made it better and today we had our first fried egg and chutney sandwich! It was great!

Today my task is oxtail, which I have never cooked before as well, so will see how that turns out. It has been cooking for like two hours already so will add the potatoes soon and again, hope for the best ...

Then, this week I have to make a cake for Pio to take to work as it's our birthday on Friday so this is going to be interesting!

Work !?!?

Yes, how strange is that, I am working and have been since Thursday the 7th! It's a favour for the guy that finally fixed the Pajero, so isn't exactly hard work nor is it strenuous and the people are pleasant and fun. It is also half day most of the time so it is nice actually, I still have the other half of the day to clean up and do whatever it is that keeps me busy!

But then, Murphy's law, I got sick and have been all week. It has been horrendous. Proper flu, this has not just been a cold, and because I only started so recently there was no way that I was able to take any time off so had to slog through the whole week feeling like I was dying on my feet and coughing up lots of green goo along with my lungs. Every afternoon I would stumble home and get into bed and stay there til the next morning when I had to get up and go to work ...

That meant that by this morning, a sunny Saturday, when we got woken up at stupid o clock by Pio's phone ringing for work, I had to get up and start the mountain of washing that had to be done. It's now almost 3pm and it isn't finished and it isn't all dry and has only left me with what is going to be a massive pile of ironing!! Yippee, am thrilled, particularly as still have more washing to do. And I am exhausted and am still struggling with the horrendous leftovers from this flu and just want to sleep and spend the day in bed.

But oh well, now that the house is clean and the animals are happy and the washing is almost done I am going to lie on the couch in my own cinema and hopefully sleep for the rest of this short day and eat rubbish!!

Tursday 30 April 2009 - Ethan's Birthday

Today is Ethan's 7th birthday, which he shared with his great-grandfather. Quite an amazing thing really, that he was born on his great-grandfathers birthday as well. This is one of the best photos I have - all 4 generations:


This was taken Christmas 2004 I think before my Grandfather passed away, and is a photo I will cherish forever. Today Ethan is 7 and growing so fast, he is his own independent little person and sitting ere 6000 miles away, I miss both of the boys like mad. Today I cried - it is really hard not being there for them on days like this. Ethan also said to my Mother this week that he wishes I hadn't moved as he doesn't get to see me anymore, just a "false" me - which I assume is what he thinks the webcam is. That broke my heart, it is very sad.

I watched John Grogan's Marley and Me this week - and that made me cry as well (hmmm, all this emotion could be pointing to a certain time of month approaching come to think of it) but it has to be one of the most touching stories I have watched and would love to get the book. The way it was portrayed in the movie was just brilliant, and I am sure that the book will be even better - and even more touching as it is a true story. Pio and I agreed that no, we definitely don't want as crazy a mutt as Marley, but a puppy would be fantastic. My cats are gorgeous, but they are not the same as a dog (although Zazu isn't far off admittedly, he could very well be the Marley of cats the way he destroys everything in sight). So now I get to look for a puppy!!

The week has flown by as usual. I have finished my three movies and sent them out to everyone - the one of Ethan and Aaron, Sharon and I, and the second one of Pio and I that came out very well and made me laugh my head off. So Vegas is a very cool toy!! I will keep making movies to keep me occupied and pass the day!

The Pajero is once again parked in the drive and is now running - however as usual, it now needs MORE work doing to it that I am just furious about. Am so sick of this car causing nothing but trouble. So now I am able to drive it, although it has the worst brakes in the world as that is the next thing that needs doing, along with the universal joints, then the window winders that are breaking need replacing as well, and heaven only knows what else will come up!! It's about time a match went in the petrol tank! And don't even get me started on the Toyota!

Vicky and Tiaan are coming for the weekend - oh crap, have the meat on the stove - so it will be fun. It's a long weekend, so am sure it will be busy and a lot of fun. I am feeling very tired as usual so hope I can keep up with the rest of the crazies ...

Right, let me go and finish the washing and cleaning and and and ...

Early Morning

This morning was amazing. Still is amazing actually, it isn't done yet! I was woken up with a cat chewing my toes ferociously, so sadly did not get to sleep in as I wished, which I am now quite glad about. I got up at about 6:30am, to see mist closed in around the house. I let Pio out to go to work and made a coffee thinking I could just watch Heroes without him ever knowing ;-)

Well, as I sat there looking out the window in front of the laptop, I realised how beautiful it was. The sun was shining through the mist, which moving in the wind looked and felt like fine rain coming down. It was so crisp and fresh and beautiful, I opened the door to the balcony and sat in this crisp, cool breeze feeling the mist on my face as I drank my coffee. Was absolute heaven.

What a way to wake up, fresh air, cool breeze, and the ocean. It made me feel very lucky and very privileged to be able to experience that, and have these beautiful mornings that I can enjoy almost every day, and all right here on my doorstep.

The Weekend

Well, on Friday we got in our hired X-Trail (Hertz gave us an upgrade and didn't charge us for Friday afternoon or Monday morning bless their cottons, they are stars) and drove to Windhoek. We only got there at like 8:30pm - the road between Karibib and Okahandja is so bad and full of potholes that you hav to drive way below the speed limit to prevent losing tyres. They are also working on it, they have been for 6 months, and it doesn't really look like anything has been done in that time, honestly ...

We spent the night with Vicky and Tiaan - they were having a braai so we got a drink and some lamb chops for the braai and just sat around chilling and talking to everyone. Pio and I were so tired though that we mostly sat there like lemons with no energy and falling asleep on our feet, although we managed to stay up til gone 3am - have no idea where the night went, it completely flew, and I only have these vague recollections of what happened, probably because I was so tired. What did keep us mostly awake though was once most of the people had gone home we got to play King of Beers ... oh dear ... horrendous game ... and at one point ending everything with "in my pants" was just too much!

Saturday morning arrived and I woke up to Vicky and Tiaan running through the lounge - came out of this dead dead sleep to wonder what the hell they were doing up so early in a craoky sore voice - only to discover that it was after 9am already so had to drag myself up, would much rather have carried on sleeping lol. We left at about 10:30am for our drive to Botswana, it just felt like it took forever! We did find this really cool little place on the side of the road that sold Biltong - oh my goodness, it was so nice and fresh and homemade! Fabulous!

On arrival at the border post, we were both rather nervous, as my stamp of allocate days had expired, and because of the nightmare with broken cars and Pio not getting off work and Hertz not having a car for us, we were rather nervous that we would get a penalty for being late. Thank heavens though, we got chatting to the immigration lady behind the counter and she let us right through with no problems - as did the Botswana side.

We drove on into Botswana for two hours - there is nothing on that side of the border for 200 km's, so we had to just keep driving until we got to Ghanzi and found a lodge on the other side of it. Botswana is expensive!!! Tautona Lodge was very nice, although our dinner wasn't - mine was stone cold, and the T-bone steaks we had left ALOT to be desired - we were severely dissapointed as Botswana is meant to have fabulous meat and the last time we were in the country we had the best steaks I had ever eaten. So wasn't overly impressed, and as it was so expensive didn't really help. Our room was nice though, big and a really odd shape with funny windows - it was built on top of two others, so was really interesting. It also overlooked the swimming pool, which you couldn't see because of the funny windows lol.

The return trip was fine as well - we left early as we were being attacked by horse flies and couldn't stand it anymore lol, so got to the border post around 11 / 12pm and went through without a problem again. So once again my passport is sorted for the moment and I can then move on to applying for my next visa. Once back in Windhoek we spent the evening with Dru and Silke - they have such a cute little house and the most gorgeous kitten - Bundy. It was really nice to be able to chill and watch movies and do nothing with them and get an early night. Bundy played until he was exhausted i think then KO'd, but was up and down through the night, on and off and on and off lol. He is gorgeous.

Monday morning I got up early and sat chatting to Dru and Silke about the gardens and plans, until we got ready to leave, stopped by Vicky and Tiaan to fetch the drive, and then hit the road home. Did some banking when we got here and spent the rest of the day chilling at home and watching movies. Got an early night and am meant to be fresh and full of energy this morning ... although I don't seem to be ...

Namibia

Well, it has been quite some time since I was last here. So long in fact, that I am not sure of where to begin or what to write. But seeings as I am so bored and have nothing better to do, I may as well give it a shot.

I am now in Namibia, threw the British passport to the wind and decided to do something crazy - which may very well backfire on me badly lol, but hey, if you don't try you will never know, so here I am trying it out, and it's not easy, but definitely worth the shot.

I flew in on November 20th, 2008. A date to remember really. I have been here ever since, fighting for visa's and passport stamps, as that has been much more difficult to arrange that I expected, but hopefully soon now. Then when I can work and get my life together I think it will be a very different story. At the moment boredom is a major problem!!

It has been an interesting six months, although I am now quite lazy and accustomed to doing my own thing, so it might be hard to get back into working again. Hopefully once I have my visa then I will be able to start my own business and do something worthwhile that will keep me busy and that I can have some fun with as well. Ideally it would be events, parties, weddings etc, so hold thumbs that life doesn't take another random turn!

Christmas here was not nice, but New Year was great. Easter has just gone, and we had friends from Windhoek stay which was a lot of fun. Spent a lot of time on the beach, and got the backache, neckache, headache, and armache from hell after a day on the motorbike. I don't think I will ever get used to that! So not my thing - they all laughed at me when I said I normally balance there wondering just how many bones will break when I fall off the back and land on the tar ... But it is true! It's scary, and I like my bones in one piece!

We spent most of the weekend eating, I have to admit. Braai after braai, prawns and kingklip at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, snoek on a fire on the beach, Napolitana ... I have come to the conclusion that my life revolves around food. Speaking of which, I am starving ...

Hope and Ian spent two weeks with us, and it was fantastic. It was great having them, we had an absolute ball, and I hope they did too. We went to the lodge, so got to see a huge amount of the country and saw some fantastic scenery. Sadly, it rained rather a lot, so it wasn't a whole lot different from England- wet and green - but it was still fab. The got to see thunderstorms, unbelievable heat, east wind, the Swakop river coming down, the Zambezi in flood, so all in all, a lot of interesting things.

The Pajero of course spent most of its time breaking down and being unreliable, so is still in the garage after the head blew on the way back from Katima, and when it comes out I will be throwing a match in the tank ... This leads to the story of having to load the Toyota to the brim, piling in, and driving 600 km's in a car that didn't have brakes, handbrake, speedometer, windscreen wipers, spare tyres - oh wait, then we had a blow out - and of course the battery didn't work so we had to push start it countless times (and thanks to Pio, push start it with the handbrake on ... Luckily it didn't work :-D properly but it did slow us down ) but thanks to Hope we had a laugh a minute so it wasn't that bad. All good fun, and definitely memorable.

Other than that, life is ticking by. It is only 8 months to Christmas, time flies!!! We are off to Botswana for the weekend, so that should be fun, and the weekend after we have Vicky and Tiaan to stay!! Yay!!

Tired

I am bone-tired. All this work is not good for me I don't think! When my alarm went off this morning it seems like it went off for ages, getting louder and louder as I just couldn't wake up, roll over and hit the button. I was in that dead, dead sleep that I just couldn't wake up from, and almost curled up and went back to sleep. If I had done that there would be no way I would be at work at 9am. Not that I want to be at work, I hate the place anyway.

Work yesterday was ok, it seemed to drag a bit, and the girl (Saadia) that I am working with is always great and has a chat and a laugh which makes it much easier. Nothing worse than working with people that you don't like! We chatted about her going off to University in a month and working in a research lab for the next three or four years, all finally ending up with her making a career in either bio-chemsitry research or becoming a lecturer at one of the Uni's. She is so, so clever.

We also discussed New York and how she has been there recently. She blew away my idea of New York though (although I have to admit, my idea of New York comes from all the countless movies I have watched) and she says it is very dirty and the people dress very plainly and there's yellow cabs everywhere. I have this stupid idea in my head of New York being all pretty and clean with fairy lights and styluish people ... pop gies that bubble!! I still want to go though. I want to drive across America, from one side to the other, to see everything that there is to see. I have read the reviews on it and it sounds amazing. So that is another thing on my To-Do List ...

But for the moment it is off to work to get by and pay the bills. Lets just hope that I get on ok today and am not too tired...