It has been a wonderful week so far which I have so enjoyed and there are still more exciting events awaiting.
The weather has been exceptionally good with little wind. We have been able to sit out on the grass at Baggies most mornings and there is a definite darkening to my skin. This is not really a good thing tho, I am so pale naturally that as I am burning, the dark ‘liver spots’ are becoming more obvious. Where does one draw the line? There is no doubt in my mind that the browner I am, the healthier I look and feel, but the sensible side of my brain is telling me that I am being foolish, to stay out of the direct sun and take care of my skin!
This year I have been introduced to Anri, a relative of Bets, who has had a flat in the same building as she has for many years . They have now relocated to Amanzimtoti and will be living here full time. I wish both she and her husband, Frikkie, all the best and hope they have a happy retirement here.
Yesterday was our ladies tenpin again and surprisingly enough, we are all improving!
I should not call it the ‘ladies tenpin’ as Phil, one of the husbands who is exceptionally brave, comes to play each week as well. He plays a good game and although he doesn’t get a word in edgewise, he seems to enjoy the outing anyway. It was lovely, when at the end of the game, there were three of us in the team who broke the daily record and were each given a ticket giving us a free game next week.
As you know by now, we normally go downstairs to the restaurant there for our light lunch and cappuccino.
Well, yesterday by mutual consent we decided to drive to a new place that has opened up across the road from the Seadoone Mall. It is perched fairly high on the hill overlooking the mall shopping area and the BP Garage, but if one looks a little further out, the view improves.
The entrance to Rosemary and Thyme is daunting as you approach it. Going uphill, with no visible view of where the parking might be situated. However, once you reach half way up the driveway, to your left, is a nice large parking area which is able to hold about ten cars comfortably. Getting out the car on this level means that there is a steep section of stairs to take to reach the side door to the restaurant.
Once we were there it became obvious that, had we gone further up the drive, another parking area would be found. This one on the same level as the front door to the shop which is just as well, as not too many older folk would be happy to do the stairs!
The menu, on first glance, was a little disappointing. Not by their selection of food, but by the cost comparison to other places we frequent. But once we had chosen our selections and the food was served, we were all extremely happy with what we got. The cappuccino was hot and strong. I chose a savoury bacon and feta muffin with butter and cheddar cheese while three of the ladies ordered jaffles filled with an assortment of fillings and one lady ordered a toasted chicken mayo sandwich.
They were served with a tangy salad which included baby Kumquats, cherry tomatoes, rocket, sunflower seeds and drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The dishes came with a helping of chips as well, which was not expected. A very pleasant meal indeed. There was also a chicken pecking in the garden, which gave a nice vibe to the place.
The few remaining Beach Girls are meeting at Seadoone at ten this morning to celebrate Bet’s birthday.
I am looking forward to this. Tomorrow my brother, David, who lives in Bedfordview, is turning 75 years old. I wish we could be together for this momentous occasion! I am not sure what kind of a day he has planned, but sadly he lost his wife and father in law within a couple of weeks of each other last year, so it might be a quiet one. However his son, Trevor, has been so supporting of him that I am sure he will be there to celebrate with him. His lovely daughter and her family live in Australia while his other son lives in the UK.
Petros has been working hard in the garden. He has cut out another staircase into the left hand bank, under the bridge, which I think is going to help him tremendously. He was given a sack of plants that were cleaned out of the garden he works in over the weekend and, as he says, will put them in HIS garden here! I have never before met an employee who is as dedicated to a job as he is.
Whenever I thank him for what he is doing, he smiles and says he is so happy working here and turns the compliment around by thanking us for giving him this dream job. We are both truly blessed.
Morné and family in Sweden are making the most of the hot sunny weather that they are experiencing. In front of their lovely home was a section of grass that became very water logged during the rainy season and also kept the foundations of the home damp.
They have hired a little front end loader and have cut out a section of the lawn across the entire length of the house, deepened and levelled it. Then they paced heavy concrete ballasts into the ground and on top of these they are now building a deck. This will be such an improvement and will give them a super entertainment area at the same time.
The hedge that they planted four years ago has grown considerably, but as can be expected in their harsh winters, there are a few individual plants that have not made it. Now they have planted a row of Birch trees in front of the hedge to give them more privacy from the road that runs close by. I love the Birch trees but I do know that both Morné and Luke are allergic to them during Spring …
