My Trip to Richards Bay

Over the last long weekend I traveled down to Richards Bay with good friends of mine, David and Vonè.  Vonè's mother was turning 60 that Monday and Vonè had planned a surprise visit to Durban to celebrate her mums birthday with her.  I tagged along to see my brother and sister-in-law in Richards Bay.

Cristo and Lee collected me in Durban and we traveled another 2 hours to Richard's Bay, a total of 12 hours travel but well worth it.

Cristo and Lee were very excited about my visit and went all out to make it special.

They took me sight seeing around the harbours

The views were stunning

  We went out onto the pier and enjoyed such awesome scenery

 including a few rock spiders/crabs hehehe

 Check at this unusual one...

 The magnitude of some ships on the sea still amazes me

 Cristo kindly arranged with a friend of his to take me out in his boat around the harbour

 I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Really took me back to my childhood and our days spent out on lake Kariba fishing

 We actually saw a man fishing from the balcony of one of these quaint little houses

 I enjoyed seeing this very old yacht 

 Cristo enjoyed it even more, he kept comparing and referring to Kariba days

 The boat we went on

 A pic of Cristo and myself with the owner of the boat and its skipper

On our way back David and Vonè stopped in Vanreenen's Pass to show me the smallest church in SA

The church was built by Maynard Mathews in memory of his son Llandaff Mathew who died while saving the lives of 8 co-workers at the Burnside Colliery mine on 19 March 1925.

Initially Maynard Mathews wanted to erect a plaque in honour of his son at the Roman Catholic Church in Ladysmith, but could not secure permission to do so. Determined that a memorial to his son will be placed in a church, Maynard decided to build his own, have it consecrated a Catholic church and become a priest himself. 

The church seats just eight people, apparently the same number of people Llandaff saved in the mine accident. 

 The three tourists 

 We had a late breakfast at a little coffee shop next to the church overlooking beautiful rolling hills

 Thank you all so much for making this SUCH a special weekend!

My Krugersdorp Visit

 Well, at the end of February my job as PA came to an end.  I had to accept the fact that the job was not suitable for me and I was just not coping.

Earlier in February Pheobie, my adorable kitten was run over and killed, I was devastated!

Around that time I left my job, Liz and her dog, Charlie left Polokwane.  

The thought of not having a job and living in this huge house on my own was almost too overwhelming.

In the beginning of March I went down to Glen and Antje in Krugersdorp for 2 weeks.  Here I found rest and tremendous encouragement.  

This family is so dear to me, I thank the Lord with all my heart for them.

Rachel and Amanda were my very efficient photographers

 Couldn't believe how big the girls had become.

Eden is just too gorgeous.  

 She and myself had such a wonderful time together during my stay.

 Rachel, my gentle soul...

budding model,

 and comedian 

 Just like her father, had me in hysterics 

 As part of schooling, the girls are learning business ethics.  

They make and sell very yummy brownie pops.

The girls made brownie pops decorated with crosses for Easter, much more original and appropriate than the traditional chocolate Easter bunny.

Claire, a beautiful young Christian lady, staying with Glen & Antje while completing her metric year.

 

 Really enjoyed getting to know Claire

Claire with Zanie.  Zanie is doing her Year for Life at the church and helps the girls with running their brownie pop business every Thursday afternoon.

My little hug-a-bug 

 A lovely pic with all three special girls

Glad I have at least a couple of Amanda, I think she was the main photographer:)

 Rachel tried so hard to get a picture of her and myself but "Auntie Debs kept closing her eyes"

 Precious Eden xxx

My time in Krugersdorp was so special.  Everybody at the church embraced me a treated me as one of their own.  

This time was SO refreshing for me physically but especially spiritually. 

I LOVE YOU GUYS DEARLY

The Buckland's Visit

Once again, I have dropped the Ball with regards to keeping my blog updated.

Liz and myself had the amazing privilege of hosting the Bucklands at our house for a weekend, while they were in SA in February.

It was so so wonderful to see them again .

I got to meet Hannah and baby Hezekiah for the very first time.

 I was amazed at how big Rachel and Ruth had grown, such special children.

Rachel put a play together and the girls put on a wonderful show for us.

 Liz and I felt so privileged to have these special visitors.

Uncle Theo and Auntie Hanlie enjoyed some special time too. 

 This was a highlight especially for Rachel as she has always been close to Uncle Theo and Auntie Hanlie 

 My cuddle with smiley Hezekiah was just what I needed 

 On the Sunday we had a bring and braai, giving folks the opportunity to catch up with the Kiwi's.  We were slightly concerned that Brendon may have forgotten how to braai so I made sure backup was on hand:)  Just kidding Brendon

 A very special moment

 Another very special moment with Ruth.  She had come to say 'good night' and we fell onto the mat together laughing:)

MISS YOU GUYS