Day Two - Crafting

After a day on the river none of us girls were keen to spend the whole day out again so we opted to do some craft work...

NiQi and I took a variety of things to make and having asked Daleen beforehand what colours she likes, we catered for her too.  We decided to start with coasters as they are quick and easy.  NiQi was the 'teacher' as she has not only made some up before, she has first hand knowledge with helping out in the arts and crafts shop.  We used serviettes and initially I wanted to use one with owls on it but try as I might they would not place nicely on the coasters, so then I decided on hydrangeas...another favourite for me.

It didn't take us long to finish them and then we started on a larger project of a decorated chalkboard.  NiQi and I made up all the decorative tiles we used around the edges...a project we did a day or two before we left.  It took a while to place and glue the tiles , then we had to wait for the glue to properly dry before we grouted between them.  Lastly we cleaned the tiles and then glued bits and pieces on to finish them off.  Mine is a lot 'busier' than both NiQi's and Daleen's...but I like it.

The rest of our crafting we did through the rest of the week when we had time...which was quite a bit. Daleen went back to work the following day for the rest of the week so she only had time to work on anything in the evenings after supper.  I made another set of four coasters and then started on a 'welcome' board, which started out as something else and then I changed my mind.  Daleen and NiQi finished their boards, so I have some catching up to do...lol

Having the time to sit all day and work on being creative took me back to some years ago when there were definitely more hours in a day.  I enjoyed it so much though, that I have decided I have to make time...I miss it...it is in my blood...

 NiQi working on her blackboard

 Daleen working on hers

 Before the grouting

 With grouting...

 Finished products...

 Clipping tiles for the next project

 

 Love, Peace, Hope... 

 

Daleen's finished wall hanging

 

 

NiQi's finished wall hanging

 

 

A tray Daleen was revamping

 

 

 Starting the coasters

 

I wanted to use the owls...

 

 

 ...then decided on the hydrangeas

 

More coasters...

 

 

 

 

My second set of coasters... 

First Day - Fishing

The first day we were in Maselspoort we had to go fishing!!!!!  That was the most important part of Johan's R & R, and he was itching to get a line in the water.  Bakkies needed no prompting at all as he is a keen fisherman himself...living where he does, he can fish any day of the week, and I believe he often does.  Fishing is done on the Modder River, which is as it's name, dirty and muddy.   Going up or down the river is interesting, looking at all the homes that have been built on the waters edge...some of them huge, some of them small...all with a jetty and a boat or jet ski parked ready for use.

The guys had to pop into town beforehand and while they were gone Daleen packed a picnic hamper to take onto the boat - together with meat to braai later in the day...on the boat!!!!

The weather was pleasant all day - sun shining, gentle breeze - and while Johan, Bakkies and NiQi fished, I read and/or napped.  Having slept like a log the previous night AND woken later than usual, I was still tired!!!!  I think sitting doing just about nothing is what made me tired. LOL...

We went up the river, past a bridge that has been closed off and is no longer used, to a spot that Bakkies often moores his boat at.  Jet skis are not allowed past the bridge so that they do not disturb the keen fishermen and women.  Bakkies started off well catching fish after fish, while Johan helped him land them and then suddenly Johan caught his first fish and didn't stop for the rest of the day.  Nicky landed one fish - the biggest catch of the day, which gave her a grin from ear to ear.  Needless to say all fish caught were snapped as a photo memory and then released back to the water.

Late afternoon we braaied the meat and soon after returned to shore and home.  By this time the sun had set, the wind was picking up and it was getting chilly...we didn't want to stay out too late, nor have NiQi picking up a chill.

So the first day made some people very happy...the beginning of an awesome time...

 Before the line has been taken off...

 So serious...one of the many

 When not fishing, NiQi was taking photographs

 The fire is lit and the coals are burning getting ready to braai the meat

 A river boat that cruizes up and down the river with passengers keen to experience the river

 Getting comfortable in front of the fire

 NiQi reeling in her line

 See the look on her face...it made her day

 Even dad is proud of her catch

 I think this must have been one of the first catches of the day

 Looking at her photos

 A boat we passed on our up to our fishing spot

 The unused bridge

 Daleen steering the boat

 Throwing in 'mealie bombs' to entice the fish closer

 Receiving some tips...before the fish 'got away'

 'High five'

 Enjoying my book

 Such excitement...

 Getting the last of the bait out of the bucket for the lines

Is this how I cast?

The Long Trip to Bloemfontein

Our trip to Bloemfontein took a lot longer than we had imagined and at the end of the day was fairly tiring.  With me only having a couple of hours sleep before we left, I thought I would be nodding off once on our way but surprisingly that didn't happen. 

Up as usual we fed the brood and cleaned up the morning mess before Mariana and Bryan arrived to take over for thr next 9 days.  I had left notes for everything but the birds and promised to email those before the next morning.  A quick overview of everything took place before we hit the road, leaving a very confused pack of doggies and Rolo AWOL.

Our route was decided, again to skip all the tolls, and we set off along the R101, moving onto the M1 and through Johannesburg and finally finding our way to the N1.  I had arranged with Simon and Elize to stop over in Parys as it had been ages since we last saw them.  My philosophy always, is to take every opportunity available to see family and friends,if time prevails, so going past Parys on our way was definitely one of those times not to miss out on seeing my big brother.

Travelling the toll road, would have been a 2 hour trip as we have done it before, but going the R101 route we weren't sure until we had actually driven it...  In the end it took us 3 hours, after ending up in a road block and witnessing the tail end of an accident.

Seeing Simon, Elize and Samantha was great and we saw some of the changes they have made to their home.  The entertainment area outside is lovely and I enjoyed the little bits and pieces they have put together to make it look so comfy and relaxing.  We stayed for a quick and easy chicken and salad and then set off for the second leg of our trip.  The sides of the road were pretty with the last of the Cosmos flowering in all their glory...the different hues together make a gorgeous sight and try as I may to snap some photos whilst we were driving, I couldn't get any worth saving.  The fields were full of crops of sunflower, sorghum and beans, one after the other, row after row...  A week later the sunflower plants looked dried...all waiting to be harvested.  Another 3 hours or so on the road and it was early evening when we finally arrived in Maselspoort where Bakkies and Daleen live...close to the river and just 27 km before Bloemfontein city centre....

Holiday been...and home again

I cannot believe it has been so long since I blogged, but I see my last post was the day before we went away on our long awaited and well deserved holiday.  The last break we had was in 2008!!!!!  Since then we have had the odd weekend away here and there, but it has always coincided with a birthday or a wedding or something like that.  So Christmas time last year we decided that we were going to do our best to get away sometime this year.  The last few years have been very stressful on us all, what with NiQi's health initially dropping so quickly, the burglaries, Johan's work and general climbing crime rate in our area...it has taken it's toll on us. Fishing is always a hit with Johan and NiQi and I had thought maybe a trip down to Chelmsford Dam again would be a good idea, as we have done a couple of times in the past.  Johan thought otherwise though and decided a trip to the Free State to his cousin and wife would be nice and relaxing, and we had so hoped that Matthew and Jess would be able to join us too, however they were unable to.

As you may...or may not...know, for us all to get away from here at the same time is not easy at all as there is a lot of work to be done every day just looking after our animals...and the birds...oooooh the birds are the most work of all.  Initially we thought to ask Wilfred if he would be able to come up here again as he knows how we do things and the animals are familiar with him...sadly we had to re-think our first option as he was needed down in KZN, with Matthew and Jess moving to their own place.  Then Johan had an idea to ask his sister Mariana and her hubby, Bryan.  They have lived here in our flat before and basically know our routine, as complicated as it is, so it made sense.  Thankfully they agreed, so after making copious notes for them on the daily, morning and evening regimen...stocking the fridge, freezer and grocery cupboards with enough food for them and the animals....and spending the previous 10 days making double food for the birds, to freeze in advance...we were 'A' for away....

Maselspoort here we come....the next few blogs will be on our journey and visit......